Inspiring Conversations with Tina Alexander of Integralife

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Alexander

Hi Tina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Tina completed her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from University of New Mexico. She is passionate about integrating nutrition, physical activity, adequate sleep, proper hydration and stress management to assist individuals in achieving optimal health. Her passion roots from a family history of diabetes and heart disease, which has driven her to become a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and obtain her Certificate in Obesity and Weight Management and become a Certified Trauma Specialist in Nutrition and Integrative Care. With her own struggles with weight due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), she is very compassionate and understanding with her client’s needs and struggles. She has experience working in chronic disease management, weight management, weight loss resistance due to hormonal imbalances, and improving mental health including depression and anxiety through nutrition and lifestyle.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Never smooth. Many ups and downs as I have built my career. With PCOS being affected by stress, I have been in a larger body and smaller body throughout my career. My PCOS always tells me when I need to slow down and take care of me, the scale and waist line will tell me. However, even with my own personal struggles and learning to create a group practice, I love what I do and who I work with and the clients we help. My passion and drive comes from those that walk away feeling more at peace with their bodies and health.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
IntegraLife was carefully chosen to emphasize our mission of maintaining integrity, our integrative approach to nutrition and lifestyle medicine, and the importance for us to play an integral role in your overall health care. We as a group practice understand that nutrition and wellness are not a “one size fits all” concept. Everyone’s body is unique and responds to food and lifestyle modifications differently. With IntegraLife’s flexible approach, anyone can successfully improve their nutrition and lifestyle improving overall health.

Often there is a disconnect when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. We know what’s good for our bodies, but we don’t always act accordingly. IntegraLife aims to mend the gap between knowing and doing, by catering to each individual’s unique circumstances. Whether it is weight management, developing a healthy relationship with food, or improving a health condition; IntegraLife offers a variety of services and packages designed to meet your needs.

As of March 2023, IntegraLife is now an American Diabetes Association recognized program. This can assure you that we have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education programs.

We also offer the CDC’s Prevent T2 course which is considered the national diabetes prevention program, alongside, getting approval to offer it to those with Medicare as well as commercial plans.

What sets us apart from other dietitian practices is that we offer more than nutrition, we offer insulin pump training, CGM interpretation, all nutrition therapy services of all chronic diseases, diabetes management and prevention, and all my team members have 10+ years of experience which gives me peace that every individual no matter how complex their complications are we can help.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have had many colleagues that have personally supported helping our practice become successful and well known. The local representatives for all the pump companies as well as continuous glucose monitor companies have supported our success since day one. Knowing that each and every person no matter socioeconomic status, location, learning ability etc all individuals deserve quality education and care. One of my longest colleagues, Jennifer Pas, was my first employer and mentored me through the first 5 years of my career guiding me to be a more self sufficient dietitian and a leader in any situation I am guided to. My colleague Brenda Murphy was a great mentor in helping me understand more deeply how to support individuals on dialysis. Jennifer Okemah and Tammy Hargett are two private group practices like myself that have help mentor, guide, support me through my growth and expansion. At the end of the day growing a large practice takes a village.

Pricing:

• We take most Commercial, Medicare, and AHCCCS plans
• Individual Initial Consultations $125 *We try to keep our prices low since it is typically a small percentage of our clientele
• Follow Up Consultation $90
• Medical Weight Loss Program $249 Initial Month with Provider and Dietitian
• Medical Weight Loss Program $199 Follow Up visits

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.integralifeaz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integralifeaz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/integralifeaz
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-alexander-rdn-cdces/

Image Credits
1. adobe stock licensed photos
2. Canva Pro licensed photos
3. Integralife graphic designer created/generated photos
4. family photos