Meet Ayden
Health Coach
About
I graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Packaging Science in 2020 and began my career as a Chemical Sales Engineer with Ecolab. After three years in the corporate world, I realized I wanted a more meaningful path, one aligned with being of service and helping people improve their health. I quit my job, traveled, and returned home with a renewed sense of purpose.
That shift led me into functional medicine. In August 2024, I completed my Health Coach certification through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and I’ve continued to advance my education and experience ever since. I’m committed to building a career as a functional medicine health coach and consultant, empowering others to take ownership of their well-being through sustainable, science-backed lifestyle changes.
Why Functional Medicine?
Coming from an engineering background, this style of medicine makes the most sense to me. Instead of focusing and treating the symptoms, functional medicine targets the root cause of the problem. If you have a tac in your foot, you’re not going to take aspirin or Advil to alleviate the symptom of pain, you simply take the tac out of your foot!
What is Rising Tide to you?
Rising Tide to me is an example of what I think healthcare should be. Rising Tide is a community of patients and practitioners all focused on improving their lives through their health. It’s an honor to call myself a part of this community because I love everything that it stands for. With this opportunity to be of service and help others, I have learned more about myself and become a better human because of it.
How do you take care of yourself?
Since deciding this new career path, my health has become a top priority for myself as I have learned to understand, to do my best in my career, in my relationships, or any other area of my life, I need to take care of myself. So, I would say that the first thing I do to take care of myself is by prioritizing my health. I pride myself on being disciplined with my health because I believe that discipline in self-care is the highest level of self-love you can have.
I love to be active. I do weight bearing exercises 5 times a week. I try to go on long walks at least twice a week. In the Fall and Spring, I participate in a men’s soccer league in the evenings. I love to get in a yoga class at least once a week. I have also recently picked up the hobby of surfing.
I have learned to love healthy and nutritious foods. After comparing how I felt with a typical diet compared to one with adequate nutrients, there is no going back! I love to diversify my diet with the intention of consuming an appropriate amount of protein, healthy fats, and veggies.
What areas in your life do you see opportunities for growth?
I see potential for myself to grow in every aspect of my life. That does not mean that I am not proud or happy with where I am at currently, but I try to stay open to the idea that I can always improve my life, whether that is in my career, spirituality, my relationships, my emotions or my mental health. That said, my career path has taken precedent recently as I work towards my dream of becoming a functional medicine practitioner.
More About Ayden!
As mentioned before, I love to be active, but if my activities can be a reason to travel then I am completely stoked. I absolutely love the adventure of traveling to new places, not knowing a soul, learning new cultures and trying new foods. I am a social person, who loves to connect and learn from others. I cherish the relationships I have with my family and closest friends.
Your family:
I am blessed to have two sets of amazing parents. My mom and dad were divorced when I was 5 but have gone on to happily remarry. Because of this, I can confidently say that my family tribe has grown for the better. After my dad remarried, he and his wife had two amazing little girls, who I absolutely love and adore. Anytime I can spend time with them is a blessing! They are located in Charleston, and I am blessed to see them very often. My mom now lives in the upstate with her husband in a little town outside of Clemson. Anytime I can go up there and spend time with them is always great.
Favorite book:
Either The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton or As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
Top played song on your Spotify account:
As of 2023: Cold Damn Vampires by Zach Bryan
Favorite quote:
“ Your thoughts create your identity” James Allen
“We are only responsible for our effort” – unknown