426. Her Mother's Struggles Shaped Her Career

Lori Shemek

As a psychologist, Lori spent years counseling clients struggling with health and lifestyle issues, and she saw how simple changes could positively alter the dynamics of a whole family. In her late 30s, she began to imagine: How powerful would it be to marry psychological insights with nutritional wisdom?

Dr. Lori Shemek is a leading fat cell researcher and recognized authority on inflammation and its role in weight loss, preventing disease and optimizing health. Both a psychologist and certified nutritional consultant, she is the best-selling author of “How To Fight FATflammation!” and “Fire-Up Your Fat Burn!” Lori has made it her mission to help clients lose weight and educate the public on the toxic effects of certain foods and lifestyle choices and how they create inflammation in the body resulting in weight gain. The Huffington Post has recognized Dr. Shemek twice as one of the top 16 health and nutrition experts alongside such names as Dr. Oz.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

In childhood, Lori witnessed her mother struggle with poor health and unhealthy lifestyle choices, which was the cause of her death at 36. “At my mother’s memorial service, I realized what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to help other people—I had always wanted to help other people, it was just a part of my nature—and I wanted to let them know they can make healthy choices. That became my main mission, and still is to this day.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

After offering psychological counseling to clients for years, Lori returned to school to earn certification as a nutritionist. “Because I was so interested in health and nutrition, and because I saw what happened with my mother—who was the catalyst for what I do now—I decided in my late thirties to marry the disciplines of psychology and nutrition to create my own company and carry out my mission to help people make healthy choices.”

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

“I never thought I was a good writer. I liked to write, but not a lot. One of the things I’ve learned about myself is that, yes, I can write! So, I often encourage people who want to create their own business or do something different with their lives, don’t disregard the things that you think you won’t like or the things you think you don’t want to do. Very often, you may find you are great at it. You may even fall in love with it.”