Meet Christina Lombardo of Fork This! Nutrition and Wellness by Christina in South Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Lombardo.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my health journey at the age of 12, while watching a late night infomercial. It was the first time I heard an adult say ‘food’ could be unhealthy. I write ‘food’, because often what is in our refrigerators and cupboards, doesn’t count as food. Our bodies literally don’t know how to process it. At 12, I chose to be a vegetarian for the next 10 years. That didn’t go over so well in a house that ate mainly beef and processed meats but I’m stubborn and persevered! Fast forward through the years, I had several major health issues arise, many in which doctors were often at a loss as to what was wrong or even how to treat what they could figure out. They were well meaning but rarely, did tests and always pushed pills and exercise but never diet. I was overweight and was beginning to suffer from aches and pains that no 20 something year old should have. My idea of eating healthy was a small salad, with ½ cup of ranch dressing on it or one breakfast sandwich, instead of two, from my local fast food place. I had an idea of what foods were healthy but honestly didn’t understand how to cook them or thought, I couldn’t afford them. I knew I needed to work out, so I got a gym membership and was absolutely lost. Looking back, I literally didn’t even know I was doing push-ups wrong! But, I was young and could not only, not afford a trainer, I didn’t see the value in having one. I chose, instead, to fight for my own health. I wanted to be the best single hardworking woman I could be, to the best wife and then mother. Many of my health issues followed me through life and kept me from being present for my family or even myself. I discovered, through trial and error, remembering, not all ‘food’ is healthy, what works for my body. A healthy lifestyle is not one size fits all and my goal with Fork This! is to help others find what works for them and help save them a lot of time by skipping the trial and error phase I went through.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There’s been so many challenges! Life is not a journey without some rough road. The saying, “You don’t know, what you don’t know” is ever true when walking into entrepreneurship. You learn along the way, accept that failure is still moving forward and the journey is as fun as you allow it to be.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fork This! Nutrition and Wellness by Christina – what should we know?
Fork This! is a nutrition and wellness company, specializing in the individual. I make custom fitness and nutrition plans, specific to each client. Many of the programs on the market today are one size fits all. They do not take into account food allergies or preferences and, the fitness plans are often so intense, many people burn out on them. My goal is get my clients onto a sustainable path of fitness and proper nutrition. The fitness plans have the exercise descriptions as well as videos and are based on how easy or intense the client would like. My nutrition plans are all customizable, many dishes have recipes included and come with shopping lists, to help take out the guess work. I also encourage people to go outside. Go walking, hiking, biking, anything. As a family, we are outside a lot and, as often as possible. Often times, as we begin a new healthy lifestyle journey, it can be a little lonely. My clients know they have me in their corner, each step of the way.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband is always my biggest cheerleader. He inspires me to follow the best version of myself and will do whatever is necessary in order to make that possible.

Stacy Kokes, who started a yoga community called Beneath the Olive Tree, has been encouraging and has taken time out of her extremely busy days, to answer my questions. She really is a gem.

Also, Hustle Phoenix. They are an amazing nonprofit in Phoenix, which teaches budding entrepreneurs how to start a business. They walk you through the formation phase all the way up, to helping put you together with mentors, to get your business off the ground.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.forkthis.trainerize.com
• Phone: 602-999-6375
• Email: christinalombardo14@gmail.com

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.