Meet Dr. Ellen Albertson,The Midlife Whisperer™/CEO Tiger Wellness, LLC located in North Hero, Vermont
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do professionally.
I’m a psychologist, Registered Dietitian, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Reiki Master, and Mindful Self-compassion Teacher. Known as The Midlife Whisperer™, I empower women to get unstuck and find the energy, confidence, and clarity to make their next chapter their best chapter.
A bestselling author, inspirational speaker, and expert on women’s wellbeing, I have appeared on Extra, the Food Network, and NBC World News and has been quoted in Psychology Today, Forbes, Eating Well and USA Today. I have written five books and articles for SELF, Better Homes & Gardens, and Good Housekeeping. My latest book is, Rock Your Midlife: 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make Your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter!
I live on the Champlain Islands of Vermont with my high-tech, raw-food loving partner, Ken, and tree climbing Border Collie, Rosie.
What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? I love helping women. Nothing makes me happier than seeing clients or people who have read my book or heard me speak feel inspired to transform themselves. I choose this work, which begin almost 30 years ago when I became a nutritionist, because I enjoy helping women live healthier, happier lives. It’s also fun because I’m always learning and growing myself and I get to do so many different things.
My parents who are in their 90s and are uber healthy have always been an inspiration for me to help people live healthier lives. When I was 7 or 8, my mother read “Diet for a Small Planet” and she totally transformed the way we ate. One day we were eating bacon and chips the next tofu and brown rice.
Tell us about any new projects you have coming up (or recently completed).
I just published my 5th book, Rock Your Midlife: 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make Your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter.
My radio show: Rock Your Midlife: Wellbeing – Transformation – Lifestyle is launching in March on the Voice America Radio Network.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up with the sun and do a series of longevity exercises called “The Five Tibetans” followed by meditation and intention setting for the day. I work in 1-2 hour blocks and the morning is usually creative work such as writing or making videos. In the afternoon I work with my coaching clients and have meetings with companies I work with.
I prioritize my health and wellness staying fueled with a smoothie that contains kale from our garden in the morning and a huge salad with a lean protein like salmon or beans for lunch. At some point in my day, I take a long walk by the lake with my dog, Rosie. To keep my muscle mass up, which is key at midlife, I do a 30-minute strength training session 3 times a week.
Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate?
Outside of work and home, I am passionate about ending food insecurity and hunger and helping to ensure that people locally and globally have enough healthy food to eat. My partner and I have a huge garden and bring extra produce to our local food shelf. I donate money to local and global organizations to fight hunger and have done cooking classes at food pantries to help people learn how to stretch their food budget. To promote food security, I support Vermont farmers by buying as much food as I can locally.
I am also passionate about hospice work. Providing the highest quality of life possible in a person’s last months and supporting family members is so important. I’m fortunate to be able to volunteer with a local hospice organization where I can provide Reiki, a type of energy healing, to patients, family members, and hospice staff. It’s amazing to see how Reiki helps to reduce pain, fear, and stress.
I support local colleges by doing guest lectures and mentoring young women by providing internship opportunities.
I have also supported physicians and other health professionals by volunteering as a coach which has been very rewarding.
What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome?
Going into business by myself after my divorce. My ex-husband and I worked together for years. He got the business in the divorce, so I had to start from scratch, learn a ton, and rebuild. It was scary, and I made many mistakes, but now after 4 years I am rocking my life personally and professionally.
From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc?
I draw inspiration from my clients and followers who amaze me at their ability to transform. I have had several coaches and teachers who have been amazing mentors including self-compassion pioneer Kristin Neff and Wellcoaches Founder Margaret Moore. Other women who inspire me include, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Obama, Carol King, Malala Yousufzai, Jane Goodall, Helen Keller, Lucille Ball, Gloria Steinem, Margaret Sanger, Frida Kahlo, and Ellen DeGeneres.
I also am inspired by spiritual teachers including Thich Nhat Hahn, Ram Dass, Deepak Chopra, Louise Hay, Tara Brach, Pema Chodron, Caroline Myss, and Eckhart Tolle.
Spending time in nature inspires a sense of awe and reminds me that there is an unbelievable capacity for healing and that life is always working for me, and I am part of all that is
What do you do to keep yourself sharp? What one thing have you done in the past year that has made a significant difference in your life/your business?
I’m always reading, taking classes, and learning something new from coaching skills and mastering social media to playing the ukulele. Understanding the body-mind connection, I eat a whole food plant-based diet, get 7-8 hours of sleep a night and exercise for at least an hour a day. I also meditate and write daily.
I joined Quantum Leap and The National Publicity Summit, two programs run by Steve Harrison, publicist for Jack Canfield who wrote Chicken Soup for the Soul.
What one thing would you like to learn this year?
How to have a successful podcast/radio show that reaches and supports millions of listeners. Personally, I just took up the ukulele and am loving learning how to master it.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Writing more bestselling books, having a very successful radio show, and traveling the world doing keynote speeches. Playing a major role in how individuals and society view midlife and helping to change the health care and food systems so there more emphasis on well care (i.e. healthy lifestyle change) and plant-based diets.
What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment?
Cooking fabulous meals, yoga (hatha and kundalini), biking (we have a tandem which is so fun), kayaking, sailing, hiking, traveling, dancing, playing the ukulele, listening to music, reading great books, and watching movies.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
You’re never too old to go for your dreams. You can transform yourself by following the 7 steps in my book Rock Your Midlife. Midlife can be the best time of your life.
What’s the best way for the readers of WE Magazine for Women to connect with you?
Website: https://themidlifewhisperer.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KMD4T7L
Instagram: @The_Midlife_Whisperer
Twitter @RockYourMidlife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrEllenAlbertson
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drellenalbertson/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tigerwellness1/_created/