About Jen
Hey there! I’m Jen Pantall, a wife and mom to a teenage son and daughter and 2 fur-babies. I’m also a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Health Coach, Personal Fitness and Pilates Trainer with over 15 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry. I graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and after college worked in the pharmaceutical industry, but health and fitness were my passion. Living in the Northern Virginia area I work with clients of all ages locally and virtually. My goal is to help my clients improve their health and meet their fitness goals using a balanced, lifestyle-based approach. I believe there is no one-size fits all formula to fitness or health. An individualized approach is key to meeting each client where they are and providing the tools and support needed to achieve their goals.
My Story
Growing up in my family we ate mostly homemade foods but relied a bit on convenience foods as my mom was a single mom, working full-time. My brother and I were active as these were the days before the internet and smart phones. Our family health history is similar to many and full of the Standard American Diseases, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, autoimmune conditions and cancer. Growing up in the “low-fat” era we believed that avoiding fat was the way to stay healthy. Though it didn’t really work for previous generations.
In high school I found running and aerobics as a way to relieve stress and stay fit and continued these habits to a degree through college, though I ate like a typical college student. I struggled with digestive issues my whole life and figured it was just my “normal.”
When I got married and we decided to start a family I realized quickly that things were far from “normal.” My hormones were totally out of balance. I saw every doctor and specialist I could find and no one was able to find the root cause and just wanted to prescribe more hormones to fix the problem. We were grateful this worked to start our family, but I was determined to figure out what was really going on with my body and my health. I was teaching fitness classes and personal training to stay active and manage new-mom stress.
Motherhood is a really hard time to focus on yourself so that journey was put on the back burner for about 10 years when in my late thirties my body started to scream out…or shut down. I finally paid attention because my face was literally screaming. The skin was angry, red, inflamed, painful – and there for the world to see.
Again, back to all the doctors and specialists: General Practitioner, OB/GYN, Endocrinologist, Rheumatologist, Dermatologist, Psychologist. I had brain scans, body scans, and tons of blood tests. No answer, no root cause, just TONS of prescriptions to try to manage symptoms as I got worse.
Here’s where the story turns.
I knew nutrition was at the root and had become certified as a health coach to learn more about how nutrition impacts our health. I also started Chiropractic care and crossed paths with an osteopath and holistic dermatologist. These holistic-minded practitioners were able to help me get to the root cause (causes) and begin to heal. My skin, digestion, hormones, and mood began to improve.
Then the world hit 2020 and the combination of stress and age lead to another flare in all areas. This time I reached out to a local midwife and NTP and was introduced to the amazing world of Nutritional Therapy, again finding health and healing. I immediately began the program to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and share this knowledge and practice with my clients.
Life and health are a journey. You start on one path and hit a detour and have to find another way. Along the way you grow and learn the fast lane is often not heading where you’re going. I want to help guide you on your journey. I can point out the potholes, forecast the storms and get you to the destination where you live your life to the fullest.
What People Are Saying
“Through Simply Fit & Fresh I learned a lot about my body and my mind. I always knew that food was important but was limited in my knowledge of how my dietary habits could truly enhance and maximize the fuel my body needs on a daily basis. I’m a college athlete and have always had a pretty busy schedule day to day, so that meant that most meals were on the go or eaten quickly. Through Simply Fit & Fresh I have been able to build a strong foundation that allows me to constantly be at my best. I learned that the food we choose to put in our body is more than something that’s consumed, it’s a process that when done thoughtfully and with focused attention can help you be the best version of yourself. I love what I have learned and how great my body feels each and everyday, thank you Jen!!!”
— KF (Collegiate Nutrition Program)
“Jen Pantall of SimplyFit is truly one of a kind in the world of nutrition and wellness coaches. I know this is true because throughout my lifetime of 47 years I have struggled with weight and recently perimenopausal issues, and have invested in the services of many talented professionals in the industry. Simply put, what makes Jen unique is her attention to detail, instinct and deep-rooted knowledge in many facets of nutrition. Jen is not solely focused on calories or the scale, she helps people examine the full picture of personal health and making the right choices for lifelong wellness. ”
— BK
“I had the great pleasure to attend Jen's zoom training - "Nutrition for Active Adults." It was fun, interesting, and very informative! Jen has a mastery of nutrition and how to intentionally incorporate healthy eating habits in our lives and those of our families. So much of what I have learned over the past is not applicable with today's updated science and flexible lifestyles. Jen addressed our personal questions and she provided us with very valuable references for continued personal learning. Thank you, Jen and I greatly look forward to our next training. Great job! You are such a wonderful asset to your community and your students / fans in this virtual world!! "
— SH
“If you are looking for someone that is exceptionally knowledgeable, passionate and so real, look no further than Jen! I started working with Jen on my nutrition and have never felt better, and I have loads more energy. She taught me about timing and balance of food and how to listen to my body. But I'd say one of the best things about working with Jen is that she lives in the real world and coaches as such. She encourages grace, forgiveness, stress-management techniques and self-love. 2020's have been tough on everyone, but it's a little easier with Jen in your corner.”
— LN
“2 years ago I was barely able to zip my jeans and feeling really bad about myself. I always thought I was a healthy eater and in fairly good shape fitness wise. I reached out to Jen and wow did she help me see that I needed to make some changes. Her support and positivity put me on the path to healthy weight loss, increased fitness, and a lifestyle I still maintain 2 years later! I’m down 25lbs and have kept it off. My blood work, never “bad” to begin with, is now in optimal ranges and I feel confident in my body’s ability to fight disease, a huge relief during the pandemic. Thanks a million Jen!”
— KD
“Simply Fit & Fresh was a welcome addition to the dialog I’ve been having with myself for 30 years. Jen learns what your goals are and what has been in your way of reaching those goals. Then she works with you to change the dialog and patterns you’ve been having with yourself. Jen’s incredible knowledge paired with her genuine belief that no health goal is out of reach, was the perfect match to change my ways and reach my goals. She’s there for you and wants you to succeed.”