Family First
Overall Health and Wellness
What is Family First?
Family First, LLC was started in 2007 as a family owned nutrition consulting company. Natalie Stephens started the company with her mother, Jayne Pugh. Both Jayne and Natalie are Registered Dietitians.
Since the creation of Family First, we have practiced dietetics in many capacities including, consulting in small in patient hospital and nursing homes, senior centers, private nutrition and fitness consultations, and educational trainings and seminars.
Hey yall, I am Natalie
Professional– After graduating from Auburn University in Nutrition and Food Science and completing my internship/graduate studies at Oakwood University in Dietetics, I started out my professional career as a consultant dietitian. I provided dietetic services to many nursing homes, small hospitals, child care centers, and individuals needing advice.
During my time consulting, I was offered a position as a WIC coordinator. I served as the WIC coordinator for the Head Start program for many years until our WIC program was shut down (due to funds).
Because of my love for nutrition and for the community that I took a position as the Registered Dietitian at a non-profit agency. I helped write a grant to provide nutrition and exercise counselling to the community. This program became very successful and over the years I have been able to help many people (of all ages) with nutrition related disease control, weight maintenance, and nutrition and exercise needs.
I taught nutrition education classes as well as exercise classes for many different groups and organizations. It was during this time, that I decided to pursue a certification in fitness. I became a certified fitness instructor my the American Council on Exercise and later became received a certification as a Behavior Change Specialist.
After much prayer and encouragement from my family, I decided to leave the agency I was working with and focus on Family First LLC and fully embrace my passions of nutrition, fitness, and self-defense.
Personal– I am married to the love of my life. We have two children, a daughter and a son.
We live on a little farm in a house that we completely redid ourselves (from the plumbing up, thank goodness for YouTube videos).
My hobbies include all things Martial Arts. I hold a 4th degree black belt in Yoshukai Karate and a black belt in ITA Tai Kwon Do. I also hold rank in Jujitsu and have practiced Tai Chi, Hapkido, and others. I teach karate in the evenings to adults at AU Karate through Auburn Parks and Recreation. I have been practicing Martial arts for 30 years.
I love to garden. I love growing my own food (I grow a lot of weeds too!). It is so amazing to see a seed that you put into the ground blossom into a fruit or vegetable that you can eat to help your body.
I am a huge believer in lifestyle exercise! I do my fitness routine at the gym as I have time and I love watching and participating in online fitness videos. But I also believe that you can exercise anywhere and anytime. All you need is your body and a willing mind.
At 17 I had a massive brain stroke caused by a birth condition that we were unaware of at the time, arterio-venous malformation. Because of this, I had 5 major brain surgeries and was given less than 1% chance of living. My mother prayed for a miracle and by His grace I made it through the initial surgery. I was left with partial paralysis on the left side of my body.
I had to relearn all the daily functions of life including feeding myself and walking. But this life changing event led me to know that I can do anything.
I truly believe if the Lord gives you the ability (or re-gives the ability) to walk then you should learn to run…
Residual effects of the stroke and subsequent brain surgeries has made me aware of my physical limitations and when to push the limit and when not to.
I also suffer from a severe autoimmune disease – autoimmune hepatitis with primary biliary cirrhosis. It took years to diagnose the autoimmune disease. I went through many surgeries, including gallbladder removal surgery as a teen. This auto immune disease has affected my life more than most other things. For years many foods that I ate caused severe digestive problems and pain.
It was not until after I had my two children that my health was at an all-time low.
I took complete control of my diet and lifestyle in order to live a “healthy” and happy life.
The decision to put my family first by changing my nutrition and lifestyle habits was the best decision ever!
Why choose Family First?
I am a Registered Dietitian, Certified Fitness Instructor, Certified Behavior Change Specialist and Martial Artist.
I have the education and knowledge to help you no matter where you are on your health journey.
So far in my career, I have helped many clients reach their fitness and nutrition goals; given many educational seminars; taught exercise and self defense classes to various groups.
I also have personal experience various diets and weight loss. I suffered from an unhealthy relationship with food for many years. As an adult, my nutrition and fitness habits have fluctuated at different stages of my life. So, I understand the mental trauma and prejudices that come along with weight and food issues.
I will help you create a diet and exercise plan that fits your needs and schedule.
I have a passion for self-defense! I believe every person needs to learn how to defend themselves. Everyone needs to learn some basic self-defense skills to be more confident in this life.
Family First 