My Full Story - Living My Dream by Following My Heart

Bachelor of Science, Nutritional Therapist (B.Sc.), RD, Systemic Coach (ECA, European Coaching Association), Systemic Trainer, Business Health Manager (IU, International University), AEVO certified

Hi. I´m Steff Hazel.

Welcome to my world, where passion for a healthy lifestyle isn't just a dream—it's my reality. As a fully certified B.Sc. Nutritional Therapist & Nutrition Expert with a special focus on vegan/plant-based nutrition, my mission is to inspire and empower you. Whether you're a visionary ready to shift your mindset or someone curious about integrating more plant-based foods into your diet, I'm here to guide you towards a lifestyle that's not only healthy but also liberating and joyfully easy. 

🤫 And if you read along until the end, I’ll share a little secret about my name that sums up the essence of my journey...

Living My Dream by Following My Heart

My journey isn't just about nutrition; it's about making nuanced, healthier choices accessible to everyone. You don't need to be vegan or aim to become one to benefit from a healthier mindset & lifestyle. However, I stand up for for a plant-based lifestyle because, honestly, it's a game-changer. Why wouldn't you want to give it a try?

A Glimpse Into My Life

Curious about the person behind the passion? If you've moved this far into my site, I'm guessing you're someone who appreciates the depth and authenticity of a personal story. Well, you're in for a treat because I believe in connecting on a real level.

What I Love & Where I Come From

Originally coming from the beautiful Franconia in Germany, I've found my vibrant home in Berlin (at least for now.) My life is a mix of experiences, from savoring the world's most delicious vegan dishes to embracing the thrill of surfing (or at least attempting to) & an absolute love for traveling. My adventures have taken me from the winding beach streets on my longboard to exploring the vast culinary world of plant-based foods—a world far more expansive and exciting than I ever imagined.

Transitioning from a typical Western diet to a plant-based lifestyle has been a huge revelation. Gone are the days of toast for breakfast and Spaghetti Bolognese for lunch. Now, my diet is as colorful and diverse as my experiences, filled with vegetables, fruits, and an endless variety of vegan delights.

The Wake-Up Calls That Changed Everything

But holy f*, how wrong I was about what "healthy" really meant.

My Own Health Journey: A Childhood Discovery

One of my earliest wake-up calls happened at just about 10 years old, during a routine visit to the doctor's office. After a blood test, we discovered my cholesterol levels were alarmingly high—230mg/dL, to be exact, well above the adult upper limit of 200mg/dL. I remember feeling confused, telling the doctor, "But I only eat fries, and those rarely...as unhealthy food." I was so confused and didn't understand. The doctor reassured me, but that moment stuck with me. It was a clear sign that my understanding of health was fundamentally flawed.

Critically Low Iron Levels & Fainting Spells

Fast forward to my twenties, and another major health challenge occurred. I fainted at a post office—a moment of blacking out that, although brief, was enough to spark worry among the concerned-looking people around me, who tried to call an ambulance, which I denied. Instead, I went to the doctor. This wasn't my first fainting episode; it happened all too recently throughout my adolescent years, but it was the most memorable. Following tests at the doctors office revealed alarmingly low iron levels, leading to urgent medical intervention. These episodes were very scary; I thought I was eating healthily, but my body was telling me otherwise.

Stomach Pains and the Search for Answers

Years later, I became used to feeling heavy and experiencing stomach aches after eating certain foods. It felt "normal" to be in discomfort, a sign of how disconnected I had become from understanding my body's needs. Despite undergoing tests for fructose and lactose intolerance and various allergies—all of which came back negative—I was left without answers.

Then, one day, after eating salted crackers from a well-known brand and experiencing severe stomach pain, I had an epiphany. Something was fundamentally wrong with the way I was eating. Digging through the trash to inspect the cracker packaging, I realized that the ingredients and my body were not in harmony.

The Turning Point: A Journey of Discovery and Transformation

Discovering the truth about what I was putting into my body became a vital moment in my journey. For the first time, I consciously examined an ingredient list and was taken aback by what I found. Among the basic ingredients like flour and water, there it was—monosodium glutamate (MSG), an additive I never expected to find in a simple salted cracker. This discovery led me to avoid MSG and, to my surprise, I started feeling better. It was a revelation: I was reacting to the synthetic form of MSG in foods.

This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, where I started to question everything I knew about food and experiment with alternatives, like probiotics from the pharmacy (though I've since moved away from recommending those).

Interestingly, I also noticed that consuming large amounts of sugar caused me discomfort & bloating—a reaction that seemed odd at the time. But now, with a deeper understanding of the science behind nutrition, it all makes sense. Fortunately, sugar has become a rarity in my diet, so it's no longer a concern.

My Passion set off in 2015

My true transformation began in early 2015 when I experienced the growing trend of people adopting a vegan lifestyle for a month. Initially skeptical, I dismissed it as just another diet trend. Diets were never my thing, and the concept of veganism seemed implausible. Why would anyone want to eliminate dairy from their diet? Meat, I could understand—to save the animals. But dairy? It was beyond my understanding.

A Skeptic's Awakening to Veganism

Driven by curiosity—a trait I've inherited from my father—I decided to dive deeper and watched several documentaries. I approached them with a degree of skepticism, aware that what I was about to learn could change my life forever. And it did.

Within minutes, my entire belief system was challenged. Was everything I thought I knew about nutrition wrong?

Or were the documentaries misleading? The truth was undeniable: the documentaries made sense, far more sense than anything I had been told by the media throughout my life.

This was the moment my journey towards a healthier, more conscious lifestyle truly began. It wasn't just about diet; it was about making informed choices that aligned with my values and understanding of health. Veganism, once thought to be illogical, became a beacon of hope and a path to a better, more ethical way of living.

A New Perspective: The Journey to Veganism

The journey into veganism began with a simple question: Why accept the widespread belief that milk is healthy without analyzing it myself? This curiosity led me down a rabbit hole of research, captivating me to watch more documentaries and critically check all animal products in my diet. The turning point came with a documentary that highlighted the CO2 footprint of animal products on the environment.

It was an eye-opener that made me question everything I had been taught about food.

Suddenly, everything clicked, and I became vegan overnight. It was a heartfelt & intense realization that resonated with my core values, and I knew this was a lifelong commitment.

This Day My whole life changed.

Navigating the Challenges

Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle wasn't without its challenges. The initial weeks were particularly tough, as I struggled with what to eat and had to educate myself extensively. Although I had experimented with vegetarianism as a teenager, it was a fleeting phase without much depth or understanding. Embracing veganism was a whole different ballgame. It challenged me in ways I hadn't anticipated, extending far beyond the simple act of avoiding meat for the sake of animal welfare.I lost a lot of weight and was trying to find a solution to stop the weight loss. I searched for a professional expert in a plant-based lifestyle, which I didn't find—not even imagining that I would become one myself a few years later. Knowing only one thing - I´ll never go back to a western diet. However, with time and dedication, it became second nature.

The Importance of Reading Ingredients

My commitment to veganism led me to study food labels intensely, ensuring everything I consumed was free from animal products. This practice opened my eyes to the bewildering array of ingredients found in seemingly simple foods. For instance, discovering that a basic flour tortilla could contain around 20 ingredients was a shock! Shouldn't there just be water & flour? Questions flooded my mind: What are these additives, and why are they necessary in foods that should only contain a handful of ingredients? This curiosity fueled my passion for understanding nutrition on a deeper level.

the passion i feel for this topic, makes me do what i love ♡ - every day

My passion for this topic fuels my daily activities, driving me to pursue what I love wholeheartedly. After years of searching for it - it was the passion that found me. It captivated me, drawing me in with an irresistible pull. This newfound passion pushed me through nearly seven years of rigorous academic pursuit, marking the beginning of a transformative journey!

Learning to Lead: My Adventure from Nutrition Education to Life Application

The next pivotal step in my journey was transitioning from theory to practice, which led me on a path to explore nutrition and wellness in depth. At the age of 28, I returned to school for a full-time year, followed by a challenging period of working and studying full-time for another four years. This dedication culminated in my becoming a fully certified and licensed Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Therapy (BSc). However, my curiosity didn't stop there. I realized that understanding what people need to eat to live healthily was just one part of the equation. I wanted to dive deeper into why people make the choices they do, especially when it comes to unhealthy eating habits. This realization led me to invest another two years to acquire four more fully registered and licensed degrees.

My Degree in Systemic Coaching (ECA), accredited by the European Coaching Association (ECA), has equipped me with the profound ability to explore and deeply understand individual belief systems. Alongside my Systemic Training Degree, I am an expert at establishing effective training frameworks. My Business Health Management Degree enables me to apply these insights within corporate wellness programs while getting a big lesson of psychology, and my AEVO certification allows me to teach these valuable skills to others.

It's the perfect Match - Combining my Passion for Nutrition with a Deep Understanding of Human Behavior, all aimed at Cultivating Healthier Lifestyles.

This journey, powered by sheer passion, was one of the most challenging periods of my life, during which I sacrificed so, so much. Yet, it's a testament to the transformative power of finding one's true calling!

I'm here to be Your Dependable Guide.

My mission is to help you understand how your body reacts to certain foods, how to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and how to navigate health issues that have remained unresolved. For a long time, I faced similar challenges, but I'm here to show you how to embrace healthy living and a nutritious diet, including how to thrive on a vegan diet if that's your choice. With the right knowledge, it's entirely possible to get all the nutrients you need from a plant-based diet.

Let's talk about protein and cholesterol.

A light-hearted vegan joke I often share is, "Don't ask me about my Protein, and I won't ask you about your Cholesterol." - it's a humorous way to break the ice on the countless myths and prejudices surrounding diet choices. If you're intrigued by how I manage to meet my protein needs through a vegan diet, I'd be delighted to guide you in addressing your cholesterol and health concerns. Together, we can work towards aligning with your health goals and achieving a vibrant, healthier lifestyle.

My biggest accomplishment out of all

Unlock Your Path to Lifelong Health: Discover My 8-Week Online Course

Throughout my journey, I've collected & transformed my most profound and successful strategies into an 8-week online course, designed with YOU in mind. This course isn't just a learning experience; it's a transformational journey that I've personally curated over the years to guide you every step of the way towards achieving your health goals for life! Whether you're aiming to lose weight, gain weight, change your Eating Habits, or find your way back to health after a diagnosis such as cancer or arteriosclerosis, this course could be the breakthrough you've been searching for!

Included with the course is an extensive 130+ page transition eBook, your roadmap to a healthier you, filled with insights and practical steps to support your journey. This comprehensive package is crafted to put me on-demand as your guide, ensuring you have the knowledge and support needed to make lasting changes.

Every piece of content is meticulously crafted with love and passion, 100% by me, ensuring that you receive authentic and heartfelt guidance on your journey to wellness.

If you're ready to take the first step towards a healthier, happier you, find more details [click here]. Your journey to transformation is just a click away. 

Have questions or interested in collaborating? I'd love to hear from you. Reach out and let's make health your priority.

This is my story so far. To be continued.

♡ With love, 
Steff Hazel

P.S. Wow, if you've read this far, I have a little secret to share with you. My real name is Stefanie Haselmann, but I go by Steff Hazel. Why, you ask? Because I believe in simplifying life to uncover our true essence and potential. "Steff Hazel" embodies the spirit of transformation and growth that I wish to share with the world. It's more than a name; it's a reminder that change is possible, and it starts with making new choices. Plus, it also adds a simplicity to my name which originates in Germany. But as my content is borderless and meant to reach everyone, I use English and want the name to be pronounceable for all. Join me on this journey of discovery and let's embrace the power of transformation together.

Your transformative pathway to Health with Steff Hazel and Nu.Choices