Nadine Young

My family moved to Santa Clarita when I was beginning 1st grade and I’ve been here ever since! I grew up watching the mall go up, was part of the first graduating class at Stevenson Ranch Elementary school, attended Placerita Jr High and then Valencia and Hart High, bought my first home here and watched it being built, I was married at Robinson Ranch, and had both of my babies at Henry Mayo. I guess you can say, I’m a hometown girl and love this community through and through!

It is truly serendipitous to now be able to serve the sweet community that supported me so much as I grew up. Being a small business owner in Santa Clarita; serving the members of our community, and improving the wellness of our town is truly an honor. Being able to raise my family here is the icing on the cake; there is no better place to foster community and family values while providing a safe space for my kids to grow in.

Q: What made you step into the wellness field?

For as long as I can remember I was involved in activities that fostered wellness and strength. My Mom was an advocate of keeping my brother and me as healthy and physically strong as possible. I was a dancer from the time I was a small toddler all the way until college. In between classes I rode horses and did gymnastics. Every summer I participated in the Jr Lifeguard program at Castaic Lake.

During my junior year of High School, I was chronically not feeling well. I went to one doctor that diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Not satisfied, my Dad took me for a second opinion. The second Doctor told me I needed more sunshine, more yoga, more time to laugh and play, lots of water, real food, and a positive perspective. After figuring out some food allergies and realigning my life, my body healed completely. I was in awe of the power of wellness and how I felt like it saved me and forever changed my trajectory. I quickly became a gym regular and would ask the local trainers and nutrition experts a million questions every time I would visit.

In my senior year of high school, the gym I was attending asked me if I wanted a summer job. That gym ironically wasn’t in Santa Clarita and the job ended up being a flop. Thankfully a friend told me the Spectrum Club was hiring and I leaped at the opportunity. I made a deal with the manager; asking if I could start at the front desk while I went through my Personal Trainer and Nutrition Certifications and be transferred to the training department as soon as I was certified. I thought the opportunity would be a fun job while I attended college. Little did I know I would fall in love with helping people and end up changing my college major to the wellness field.

Q: What is your favorite project you are currently or have worked on?

My teen program A Space to Breathe is my passion project! Giving tweens and teens a space to move their bodies, learn about solid nutrition, and exhale makes my heart happy. You never know what a teen may be going through in their life or in their mind. Sometimes all we need is just a little Space to Breathe!

Q: What is your current career role?

Most of my work lies in my role as a Nutritionist! I will always love teaching Pilates and Fitness and it will always be a part of my world. However, from day 1 in this field; I’ve seen the need for real Nutrition education. So many people, kids to adults; deal with feeling less than optimal or struggle with health, mood, or body confidence issues. Nutrition can be so simple and it’s so rewarding when I help clients find the balance.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m married to my High School sweetheart! Our daughter is 10 years old and our son is 7.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been in the wellness industry for 19 years! I began with Personal Training and Nutrition Consulting. I moved into Fitness Manager positions and quickly realized I missed working with the clients. I certify trainers and nutritionists through a nationally credentialed organization and I teach pilates. Currently, I am working much more in my role as a Nutritionist. Helping my clients understand real nutrition versus the diet culture is where my passion lies. Real food and real food education are so healing and freeing. I feel incredibly blessed to be a filter and a beacon of hope as my clients reach goals they weren’t sure were possible!

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Egg Plantation, The Daily Harvest, and Eat Real Cafe are my ultimate favorites. When my parents were getting divorced, my dad would pick me up and take me to Way Station before school every morning. That spot will always have a special place in my heart!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Santa Clarita since I was 6 years old. My first job was at a local hair salon when I was 15.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I’m not sure I can choose just one person. Santa Clarita is made up of some truly incredible people! I love hearing everyone’s story; from the local small business owners who are so filled with grit and heart to the CEOs of nationwide companies nestled in our small town. I love chatting with my teen clients and learning about their life perspectives. I have a heart for the elderly and could sit with any one of them for hours, listening to their wisdom. If you want to know anything in this valley; go chat with a local Mom…they don’t miss a beat around here 🙂

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Anywhere! The pandemic made me realize how much I miss traveling and exploring.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Dirty Dancing will always be a favorite classic. I love any good comeback movies. TV shows? Is there anything on TV other than my kid’s Netflix?!

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Know that when you change your mind, you change your life. Limits only live in your mindset and when that changes, everything changes for the better! Also, there is always something to be grateful for, always. During hard times, it’s so important to remember no storm can last forever. Even if a circumstance seems like it will never change, our feelings about it can. Look for the light, the hope, the rainbows, and hold onto those moments for the strength to carry you through the tougher times.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
So much of my bucket list has to do with traveling. I would love to visit an amazing animal sanctuary, maybe elephants, somewhere exotic, and just see the animals in their natural habitat. Something about how intuitive and how present animals are just fascinate me.

Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Country, always something Country. The heartfelt lyrics just put life in perspective and get me every time!

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Java and Jazz! Oh, how I loved that coffee shop. My Mom would occasionally let me ditch school to go grab a treat with her, I met up with friends there in Highschool and studied there in college.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Oprah! I grew up with her on the TV as soon as I came home from school and I’ve always appreciated her role. I love how open and humble she is when she interviews anyone, even though we all know that person is sitting across from her internally freaking out that they made it on her show. We would have to go to San Ysidro Ranch, it’s so beautiful!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the blend of deep-rooted history and new builds. When the pandemic began, and we didn’t know what to do. I often took my kids on drives through the older parts of town showing them some of the amazing histories.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
We will probably still be here! We would love to move into a different area in Santa Clarita with a little more land and space but I’m not sure I would ever want to leave this valley.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
When I’m falling asleep, I dream about what I want to see happen. Sometimes it’s simple like being a calmer version of myself when my kids were in that trying toddler phase and sometimes it’s big dreams like a place to travel or a dream home. I’m super visual and I really believe you can program your mind to a more positive state.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been to?
Hiking in Kuai, that island is just magical.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
October! It’s my birthday month but it’s also when it just begins to feel like fall around here. Christmas has always been my favorite day but that first day of summer break with my kids is pretty special. I always light up knowing I have long summer days to soak them up for a couple of months.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Our town! Seriously, we’re so blessed to live here. Raising kids here is a treat and I’ll never take that for granted; the paseos, walking to school, meeting up with friends at the park; it’s the glue of our days and I’m so thankful for those simple blessings.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband and my kids. My husband reminds me no dream is too big and my kids teach me how fleeting time is. I’ve never been more motivated and supported to reach my goals; for myself, for our family, and for my business.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
This is crazy, but pulling up to Rosewood Equestrian, the barn my daughter rides horses at, is my favorite smell. The joy on her face, those gentle giants, and the fact that my cell reception is spotty there is the perfect combo to exhale and be present. I’ll balance that out with the smell of spring flowers blooming on a morning run.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Roots, Heart, Exhale…The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.