Overcomer Series with Brandice Lardner

What do you do?

I am a nutrition coach and blogger. I have a faith-based health and fitness blog, Grace Filled Plate with a heavy emphasis on grace (where the REAL power to change lives!).

Growing up, did you always dream that you would be doing what you’re doing now?

No, I wanted to be a veterinarian and then a super model 🙂 Can you tell that I am a child of the 90’s? The heavy emphasis on appearance and weight led to crashing dieting and eventually an eating disorder. I decided that modeling was not for me, but I had NO idea what was!

What made you decide to “go for it” in terms of your career goals/ambitions?

In 2006 I worked with a personal trainer who transformed the way that I looked at exercise. This interaction birthed in me a desire to do the same for others. I became a certified personal trainer and enjoyed coaching my clients. Through the course of training, I discovered my true passion- nutrition! I obtained a nutrition certification and began working with an online, one-on-one nutrition coaching company. I fell head over heels in love with my job. Helping others find true freedom and joy is the greatest reward of all!
and I am so grateful to share this message with others!

Did you face adversity? How did you overcome that?

In 2016 I decided to mesh my passion for nutrition and nutrition coaching with my faith and began a faith-based health and fitness blog. I loved being able to share the message of TRUE freedom, with Biblical references and personal testimonies. Unfortunately, several months after I started the blog I was fired from my beloved job as a nutrition coach for having “different values”. I hold no grudges as I see this closed door as God’s way of ushering me into his calling for my life. Since this time I have been pouring my heart and soul into my blog and I am so grateful to share this message with others!

A lot of women have these big goals & big ideas that they’d like to bring to life, what advice would you give them in terms of how they can make that happen?

If you feel a calling on your life to move towards a big goal, pray about it. If you feel a “go” in your spirit don’t let anything stop you. You WILL have challenges and even “failures” and that is 100% ok! Perfection is not required for success. In fact, the expectation of perfection is a huge roadblock to success. Keep moving forward, keep trying new things, and when a project or idea flops, thank God for His direction in the closed door.

What’s the biggest regret you have when it comes to your blog/shop/business?

My biggest regret is that I kept my focus on myself for far too long. I let the fear of what others would think of me hold me back and keep me from pushing forward unapologetically.

What’s been your proudest moment so far?

Not freaking out when I was fired! Yes, there were tears and moments of anger, but I was able to recover and find my faith in a short period of time.

And, just because we like our coffee around here, how do you take yours?

Decaf with stevia and unsweetened almond milk. I have heard this referred to as a “Why bother?”, lol. I guess no caffeine, no sugar, no fat… why bother?

I believe in the story of the overcomer. That has been my story and I believe that is your story too. We want your journey here on the blog to help encourage others just like you and me. If you’d like to share that with us, please come over and share your story with us!

Was this story an encouragement to you?  Share it with others!