Feeding my passions…

I grew up on the north shore of Long Island, the second daughter of a brilliant, complicated father and a mother who cleaned up his messes. She was a fashion illustrator, though left that life to raise her kids, working several jobs to keep us afloat.

Though my mom was no longer working as a professional artist she found ways to be creative in the kitchen, and took great pride in preparing delicious meals for our family on a very tight budget.

My love of cooking comes from my mother.

A bit more personal history: I was born hungry, willing to eat anything. And everything. By my sixteenth birthday I weighed well over 200 pounds.

I wasn’t happy being obese. A visit from a male pen pal was the trigger I needed to lose weight. I wish I could say it was healthy eating that helped drop 100 pounds within a year.

Truth is I starved myself, and for many years food was something to fear and limit.

My mother also influenced my career path.

Her drawing table and pens, along with file cabinets of her illustration work, sat in the corner of my parent’s bedroom. I was fascinated by these relics, and from an early age knew I wanted to be a graphic designer.

By my mid-thirties I had a career I loved and two beautiful children. On the surface it looked perfect, but my first marriage was failing. I found solace in fitness, and changed the way I nourished my body.

A few years later I met a wonderful man and remarried. As the years went by I found continued joy in my work and in cooking for my friends, family, and coworkers.

Change happens. Thank goodness.

In 2019 I left my corporate position of 30+ years and launched CREATED by Kathi Hersh, building a personalized cooking business that has fed dozens of clients AND my passion for health, wellness, and cooking.

As a NASM-certified nutritionist and personal trainer, I find extraordinary satisfaction in helping others nourish themselves in a healthier, less-stressful way.

Contact me to start the conversation.