Hey there - I’m Meredyth El-Amine.

I’m so happy you’re here.

My education, credentials, and experience

BA Fine Art - University of West Virginia - 2002

Masters in Education - George Mason University - 2009

Behavior Analysis Certificate - Florida Institute of Technology - 2012-2017

Nutrition Coach Certifications - Level 1 + 2 - Precision Nutrition - 2019 and 2021-present

Currently pursuing national board certification in health + wellness (NBHWC)

Special Education Teacher - Intensive Behavior Services - Loudoun County Public Schools - 2006-2011

Founder/ Owner/ Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) - Core Behavioral Consulting - 2011-2018

Owner/ Head Coach - Brazen Fitness - 2017-present

Founder/ Master Certified Health Coach - Inner Strength Coaching - 2018-present

My story, a fairly condensed version

My gym-life started way back when I was 15. A friend’s brother taught my girlfriends and I to use the equipment in his gym and I’ve been weight training ever since. My professional life was completely separate and started in the elementary classroom.

As a substitute teacher, seeing if the field was “right” for me, I was introduced to a 5 year old with autism. Within days I accepted a full time position to be this kid’s teacher. With no verbal language, still not potty trained, and a whole mess of aggressive, destructive behaviors, he opened my world to the field of behavior analysis. If you’ve never heard of applied behavior analysis, you’re not alone. I’ll spare you the lengthy dissertation. Just know that it’s a natural science with broad application for changing human behavior. It was through those early years in behavior analysis that I awakened to my gift of helping others change in ways that not only increase their own joy in life but also the lives around them.

I always felt so lucky to get so much meaning out of my work. I went full steam ahead in both continuing education and career moves for nine years all the while slinging weights after work. Then, after starting a small behavior analysis practice I stumbled on a CrossFit gym. If you’ve never been to a CrossFit gym GO. Actually, go to mine. I own one now. My husband and I own and operate Brazen Fitness in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia.

Not long after falling in love with the group training atmosphere of our gym I started a deep dive into all things movement and coaching. Again, I felt incredible joy sharing CrossFit with people of all levels in athleticism. I mean, I got to be a part of transformation after transformation. People seemed to be shy and unsure on day one but almost always shifted into confident and empowered humans within a years time. This was still the part that excited me the most. Real, meaningful, positive change.

In both fields of study and work I was guiding that change process. So, eventually I went from CF coach and behavior analyst to certified nutrition coach. This was not easy for me. If you’ve ever left a career after a lot of field specific study and certification you know it can be a bit of an identity crisis. The catalyst was my first pregnancy (of 3!). Then juggling parenthood and gym ownership, it became more and more clear. I really wanted to press pause on my behavior analysis practice. I could not stay at home with my kids, be an amazing nutrition coach and run my behavior analysis practice. I was too splintered.

Nutrition coaching quickly became my obsession. I found myself, yet again, inspired, and driven to learn and grow my skills helping people make real, meaningful, positive changes through re-creating their lives with holistic nutrition practices.

With the profound sense of joy came an undeniable felt sense of responsibility. Specifically the responsibility to dismantle diet culture in the lives of my clients. People were, and still are, suffocating from messages that their bodies were not good enough. The prevention of eating disorders and yo-yo dieting became clear targets for me as a coach. I realized you can’t be a nutrition coach and ignore the things that get in the way of someone living a deep health lifestyle. Today my work-life is full of joy, raising kids, and running Inner Strength Coaching. (We still own Brazen, too!) I get to draw on and grow in my life’s work as well as help others achieve meaningful, lasting change. The kind of change that affects generations. How cool is that?!