Christiane’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the delicate balance between personal and professional aspirations. From her roots in Germany to building a life and career in the United States, she navigated numerous challenges and milestones. Her story is one of overcoming personal struggles, particularly with food and health, and finding fulfillment in helping others through nutrition and wellness coaching.
Early Life in Germany
Growing up in Germany, Christiane often felt the chill of the cold weather and dealt with a sensitive stomach. Despite these challenges, her life was filled with the joys of a typical German upbringing. As a child, she was a picky eater, constantly listening to her body and becoming more in tune with what it needed. This early awareness of the connection between food and well-being laid the foundation for her future career.
The Move to the United States
Christiane’s journey took a significant turn when she decided to study abroad during graduate school. She applied for a Fulbright scholarship and was thrilled to be accepted. With a suitcase in hand, she embarked on a new adventure to the United States, a place where she knew no one and had to build a new life from scratch.
Battling an Eating Disorder
In her teenage years, Christiane’s heightened awareness of her body’s reactions to food turned into an eating disorder. She became overly conscious of what she ate, leading to the loss of her period for years—a clear signal that her body was in distress. This struggle with body image and control over food was something she battled for a long time.
“My relationship with food has taught me that balance and listening to our bodies are key to true well-being.”
Christiane Schroeter
Professional Beginnings in Germany
Working as a dietitian in Germany, Christiane found joy in helping others improve their health through nutrition. However, she was disheartened when patients, who thrived under the clinic’s care, returned to environments that undid their progress. This realization pushed her to pursue further education, and she applied for graduate programs abroad.
Pursuing Graduate Education in the U.S.
The Fulbright scholarship brought Christiane to Kansas State University, where she not only earned her master’s degree but also met her husband. His unconditional acceptance of her, with all her flaws and struggles, helped her start overcoming her eating disorder. The diverse food options in the U.S. and his support played crucial roles in her recovery.
Overcoming Visa Challenges
After completing her master’s thesis, Christiane returned to Germany as required by her scholarship. However, she knew her heart belonged in the United States. Defying the odds, she managed to overturn the two-year return rule without a lawyer and returned to pursue a Ph.D. at Purdue University. Her dissertation focused on obesity and how altering the prices of healthy and unhealthy foods could impact body weight—a novel approach that won several awards.
Balancing Career and Family Life
During her Ph.D., Christiane’s life transformed. She married her husband, moved across the U.S., and eventually settled in California. She started a tenure-track position while pregnant with her first daughter, balancing the demands of academia with the joys of motherhood. The limited maternity leave in the U.S. was challenging, but it taught her to cherish and make the most of the time she had with her children.
Instilling Healthy Habits in Her Daughters
As a mother of two daughters, Christiane strives to instill healthy eating habits without labeling foods as “good” or “bad.” She teaches them to listen to their bodies and understand the emotional connections to food. This philosophy extends to her work as a wellness coach and professor, where she emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to nutrition and self-care.
Cherished Moments with Family
Summers with her daughters are particularly precious. Christiane plans themed days, like Library Monday and Wellness Wednesday, creating cherished memories and strengthening their family bond. These moments are a testament to the journey she has been on—from a young girl in Germany to a mother and professional in California, helping others achieve their health goals.
Video Chapters
00:01 Intro
00:36 Christiane gives us an intro into her moving from Germany to the USA and her struggles with gut problems
03:52 As Christiane became a teenager she started to pay more attention to her eating habits and how it was affecting her health, including her period
07:16 The cultural shock in the classroom and deciding to stay in the US
09:04 Mom’s job is never done, prove is my special guest coming in the Zoom call
10:16 Christiane’s thesis was dedicated to eradicating obesity based on lowering the prices of healthy food
12:18 Surprise pregnancy as she was just starting a new job
14:10 About raising strong independent teenage daughters
15:51 Simone shares how family influences how one feels about their body
17:42 Christiane’s Podcast and how to have a healthy relationship with food
22:39 How to teach good body image
24:55 What is the hardest decision you have had to make
26:32 What is the experience of a moment you would like to live over, and over again?
27:40 Final words
Connecting with Christiane Schroeter
Hi, I’m Dr. Christiane Schroeter!
I have 20+ years of experience as a business & wellness coach empowering women worldwide across diverse industries.
Over the decades, I’ve guided hundreds of people to transform their goals into reality, increase their productivity, and change their lives with my signature coaching systems.
I was once JUST AS FRUSTRATED as you are with my business.
So I’ve tried all the things so you don’t have to, and as a result, I finally have created successful systems.
Website: www.hellohappynest.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hello.happy.nest/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelloHappyNest
Recommended Article
Becoming a mother is a transformative journey, marked by moments of pure joy, unforeseen challenges, and an abundance of love. The Mom Is Not For Sale Podcast delves into the heart of motherhood, amplifying the voices of everyday moms and sharing their authentic experiences.
Read More
Connecting with the podcast host, Simone Bueno
Simone empowers women to amplify their voices through her Video Presence Educational content and training. Whether working with individuals or brands, Simone helps them make a lasting impact by ensuring their stories are heard and their messages resonate deeply with audiences.
Website: www.simonebueno.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IamSimoneMony
Instagram: www.instagram.com/IamSimoneMony
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IamSimoneMony
Peanut: The Power of Your Story with Simone Bueno
