Meet a Mom: Rebecca Glick, Board-Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach

Introducing to the Chicago North Shore Moms’ Meet a Mom community spotlight Highland Park mom of two and founder of Nefesh Living, a health & wellness coaching practice designed to help midlife moms prioritize themselves – their energy, health, and overall well-being at a time of life when things like balanced nutrition, consistent movement, adequate sleep, and stress management really matter.

Rebecca is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to helping women feel their best. Now, before you roll your eyes, just hear me out. Rebecca emphasizes that it doesn’t require perfection or rigid discipline – what it does take is a willingness to experiment, shift old mindsets, and uncover the wisdom you already have about your body. Like all good things, “design is in the details,” and it’s no different for our bodies and minds. Rebecca explains, “we can all make small, sustainable shifts with the right support, mindset and building upon what’s already working…”

Rebecca is trained as a nationally board certified functional medicine health coach, executive coach, mind-body stress reduction expert and organizational psychologist, treating the whole person. Read on to see her approach to protein intake, gut health and sleep hygiene, with a few nuggets of actional advice mixed in, just like a delicious salad. Welcome, Rebecca!

 

Photo credit: TK Photography

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Hi Rebecca. Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?

Hi!  I’m Rebecca Glick, mom of 2 and founder of Nefesh Living. I was born and raised in the city (Wrigley field out one window, Lake Michigan out the other) and suburbs of Chicago (Glenview) and currently live in Highland Park with my family (husband, 2 daughters and rescue cockapoo). I’ve lived in Prague (where I studied abroad in college) and New York (2x, once for a summer internship and once for graduate school and also met my husband there the 2nd time around), otherwise I am a dedicated Windy City gal.  

 

 

Growing up I used to come to downtown HP to go shopping at stores like E-street Denim (now Madam Zuzu’s), Style Shop and Campus Colors and always loved that there was a real “downtown.”  I also loved growing up near the Lake and learned to ride my bike (scarily) on the main lakeshore drive bike path.  I’m very happy to call HP home!       

 

Tell us about your children and do brag away!

I am the proud mom of two amazing daughters 13 and 11. Both eerily share similar habits, personalities and looks to me and my younger sister, so sometimes it’s like parenting myself and my sister 🙂  Both my girls are super special in my mind, similar in their kindness and caring for others, yet also quite different personalities and energies – which I love and keeps me on my toes. They both play softball, participate in musical theater and we all enjoy spending time together outdoors, family travel, board games and movie nights. 

 

Photo credit: TK Photography

 

In addition to living in Prague and New York City, what are one or two fun or interesting things to know about you?  

I love being outside as much as I can (getting a dog 2 years ago certainly helps fulfill this in all seasons) and also enjoy playing pickleball and tennis. One of my more interesting facts that surprises people is that I gave up caffeine cold turkey 20 years ago! I was drinking an absurd amount throughout the day to manage working by day and grad school by night and woke up one day realizing how much it was controlling my body and decided no more. It was hard at first but I don’t miss it one bit now!   

One other interesting fact that people may not know is that I am a former journalist.  Asking probing questions is in my DNA (I was the anchor on our high school TV station and newspaper reporter and editor in college). While I didn’t pursue a career as a journalist, I believe I take forward my inquisitive mindset and interest in uncovering everyone’s unique story in my coaching work.   

 

 

What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and eats to frequent with family, date night, hang out, etc.? 

As much as friends said when we moved from the city to the burbs, there is no good food in the burbs, I disagree!  We still venture in the city sometimes but some of my local favorites are Abigail’s, Pomeroy, Inovasi, Madam Zuzu’s, True Juice and A&O Sushi.  

I enjoy finding new spots that are lively and focus on fresh, local ingredients. I’m super excited about Local Leaf Farm to leverage local microgreens. My family and I love Elawa Farms too for biking, walking and when my kids were younger, the animals to visit were a huge hit.  

Hanging out, you will often find me walking down Ravine drive and exploring the mini “secret forest” near Millard Park or a walk to Rosewood Beach.  I also frequent the preserve areas in Fort Sheridan – I always find it such a peaceful reset. I love the Lake and watching the waves all year round!  

 

 

Any good reads or tv shows you’ve binged lately?  

TV – Gilmore Girls with my girls and just finished Friends & Neighbors.  Excited to catch up on The Morning Show and Nobody Wants This when I have the time – some plane rides ahead perhaps!  

Re: books a better question might be what’s on my nightstand with a strong aspiration to read? 😉 I am notorious for ordering new books without finishing what I have and often like to rotate between serious and silly. I recently finished Nothing Can Stop You by Erin Rachel Doppelt – so many amazing messages and insights about mindset shifts and living your authentic life; but one of my favorites is around slow living… finding ways each day to slow down what you are doing even amidst the chaos.

I love all things Kristin Hannah (author of The Nightingale) and almost done with The Great Alone.  Her books are so powerful in descriptive settings, depth of characters and amazing twists and turns.  

I also just started The Relaxed Woman – it’s about recognizing the guilt we often feel to actually relax and societal norms of “go-go, do it all” often imposed on women – the hook on the front cover and 1st chapter got me: “Do you know a relaxed woman?”  🙂 

 

Your mantra?

Hmm, I really have a few that I float around, it’s hard to pick just one.   

• Be kind – to others and yourself!  
• Assume positive intent – you never know what someone else is going through.  
• Everything happens for a reason – even the worst most tragic scary moments have something to teach us. 
• Progress over perfection – I have certainly held this close as a new small business owner and certainly an ideal I help my clients uphold as they seek to make changes to their lifestyle and health. 
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.  It’s so easy to lose sight of what really matters/ is life altering versus an annoyance or bump in the road; I try to remind myself of that when little things can be frustrating.   

 

It’s time to get down to business. Congratulations on the launch of Nefesh Living! Tell us all about what this is and your wonderful credentials behind it. 

Thank you! Nefesh Living is a health & wellness coaching practice designed to help midlife moms prioritize themselves – their energy, health and overall well-being – at a time of life when lifestyle habits like balanced nutrition, consistent movement, adequate sleep and navigating stress — can have a really big impact.

I like to say that I am the missing piece of the puzzle of navigating your health — the one who helps you bridge the gap between what you know you “should” do and what you actually do consistently. My approach focuses on small, intentional changes that can lead to big outcomes.

I am trained as a nationally board certified functional medicine health coach, executive coach, mind-body stress reduction expert and organizational psychologist. That means I am skilled in motivational interviewing, unlocking stuck mindsets and simple ways to ground your mind and body, in addition to my newer knowledge base of root-cause approaches and lifestyle levers (aka functional medicine) to help you feel your best. 

But ultimately it’s less about letters and schooling, and more about my unique street “creds” as a mom, former corporate professional and change expert, that I bring as not your ordinary health coach to help my clients be successful in shifting habits and mindset – one small step at a time. 

 

 

What inspired you to start Nefesh Living?

As a midlife mom myself, I know how easy it is to put your own needs on the back burner while caring for everyone else. Through my own health journey, motherhood, and years of coaching, I’ve learned that you can’t pour from an empty cup — and you don’t have to keep running on empty.

After years in corporate life, I felt a strong pull to pivot toward something that aligned more with health, wellness, and meaning — and that offered a bit more flexibility for my family. The wake-up call came after my family fled from the July 4th parade shooting in Highland Park, which reminded me how short and precious life is. That moment pushed me to finally listen to my inner voice and follow my passion for helping others live their healthiest, most fulfilling lives.

I created Nefesh Living as a space for midlife women to feel seen, supported, and empowered — to build simple, sustainable wellness habits and mindset shifts that fit real life. The name Nefesh comes from the Hebrew word for soul — a reminder that true well-being connects body, mind and spirit.

I’m so grateful to be doing work that brings together my passions, experience, and purpose — supporting women in reconnecting to themselves and restoring their energy from the inside out.  And equally important, helping them understand the major role lifestyle shifts can make (which often gets a bit lost in the conventional medicine world) to alleviate hormonal imbalances. 

 

What did you do before moving headfirst into the health and wellness space?

Prior to starting Nefesh Living, I spent more than two decades in professional services roles (PR, leadership consulting and executive coaching). I know what it’s like to balance a demanding career, family and the never-ending to-do list.  In PR I launched marketing campaigns for consumer brands, specifically the Dairy industry, and as a consultant, I led engagements in change management, executive assessment, succession planning and leadership teamwork, primarily working with Boards, CEOs and CHROs to identify and nurture top talent.  

My work today blends my behavioral change expertise with a functional medicine lens to help you stop spinning your wheels and actually stick with the changes you want to make. My clients have told me that my support, accountability and empowerment — in not just shifting habits, but mindset — is what makes all the difference. 

 

What are some common misconceptions or roadblocks people feel when it comes to hiring a health coach? 

I often hear things like, “I feel fine,” “Just tell me what to eat,” or “I don’t have time for one more thing.” The truth is, change is hard — we’re human — and it’s even harder when we try to go it alone.

Lasting change doesn’t come from being told what to do; it happens when you’re in the driver’s seat. Research shows we’re far more likely to stick with habits we help create and connect to a deeper why.

When we work together, we uncover what’s keeping you stuck and create small, realistic shifts that fit your real life. My goal is to help you move from overwhelmed to empowered on how to feel your best — with the clarity, support, and confidence to make lasting change.

 

 

Our readers want to know… what are two pieces of actionable advice you can offer us today?

Go back to basics – you don’t need fancy tools to feel good!   

• Eat lots of different colorful vegetables every day. 
• Eat actual meals at consistent times.  
• Go to bed early.  
• Find movement you enjoy and stick with it.  Don’t underestimate the importance of regular strength and resistance training. Walk or move after meals. 
• Manage stress – don’t look to erase it but start to raise your awareness of where / when it creeps in.  

 

Most importantly, check in with your body – and don’t ignore the cues.  It tells you a lot if you choose to listen. 

Bonus for midlife women: ALL of these accessible lifestyle habits play a critical role in balancing your hormones.   

 

“Big shifts start small. Begin with what’s already working, and build from there.”

 

There’s a lot of discussion around protein intake these days, particularly for perimenopausal and menopausal women. In a nutshell, what’s your take?

As women enter into midlife, protein becomes even more important. It plays a key role in building and maintaining lean muscle mass — something we naturally begin to lose with age — and that loss can affect everything from metabolism and strength to energy and mood. Getting enough protein helps stabilize blood sugar, support hormones, and ultimately keep us feeling energized and more emotionally balanced throughout the day.

A general rule of thumb is around 30–40 grams of protein per meal, though it varies by individual needs and activity level. I often help clients take a realistic look at what they’re eating and spot where they might be falling short. Sometimes a simple food and mood journal can be eye-opening. From there, we can make small, sustainable shifts — like identifying what protein sources you are already eating (and like eating!), ones you are open to exploring, and adding a bit more at every meal.  

 

And probiotic foods?  

There’s definitely also a lot of buzz around probiotics and really gut health in general  — and for good reason. Our gut houses much of our immune system and has strong connections to our mood, energy, digestion, and even hormones. When it’s in balance, everything else tends to function better too.

Probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut can be great ways to support gut health, while prebiotic foods (like garlic, onions, and ripe bananas) help feed those good bacteria. But it’s not as simple as just adding a bunch of probiotic foods or supplements. If the gut is already off balance, those additions alone may not make a big difference.

My role is helping clients recognize symptoms that might point to deeper gut issues  — which sometimes might mean seeking further evaluation from a medical professional who can diagnose what is going on with further testing.  From there, I can help my clients put practical steps in place to restore their gut balance, usually through food, lifestyle and stress support.

 

Are you also able to help improve sleep in your clients?

Yes! Sleep and energy are two of the most common areas I help clients with.

For so many midlife moms, shifting hormones can really throw off your circadian rhythm and disrupt getting restful sleep. While everyone is different, I often start by helping clients look at their current sleep habits and experiment with small, realistic shifts to see what makes a difference for them.

What many people don’t realize is that your good night’s sleep actually starts the moment you wake up. The way you expose yourself to natural light, manage stress, and even the timing and make up of your meals, can all play a role in regulating energy and sleep. 

And like everything in functional medicine, it’s all interconnected — your days affect your nights, and your nights affect your days. Poor sleep impacts your ability to make healthy choices, regulate stress, and even manage your weight. When we start to see sleep through that whole-body lens, it becomes a powerful foundation for energy, balance, and overall well-being.

 

What is the process like for those who work with you?

It’s pretty straightforward! I currently work 1:1 with clients virtually.

We start with a brief discovery call to get to know each other. I learn about your goals, challenges, and reasons for seeking coaching, and I share more about my approach. Coaching is a co-created process built on trust — and it only works when you’re in the driver’s seat and I’m your guide on the side. That’s how real, lasting change happens.

If it feels like a good fit, we begin with a detailed intake session that sets the foundation for our work together. We’ll explore health history, daily patterns, and — most importantly — your why. It’s not just about setting a goal like “I want to lose weight,” but understanding what that means for you: How will it change your life? How will it make you feel? That deeper reflection becomes the motivation that keeps you going when things get hard — and it’s one of the biggest ways coaching differs from simply being told what to do.

From there, we typically meet every other week for a few months, with check-ins, supportive tools, and resources in between. Each session blends practical guidance and goal setting with a mind-body approach — we might start with a grounding exercise, mindfulness practice, or strategies for tuning in to your body’s cues.

My goal is to help you build the habits, confidence, and self-trust to carry your progress forward long after our work together — and I’m always here for “maintenance” check-ins when needed.

 

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about yourself or Nefesh Living?

I love celebrating with my clients in their wins and successes.  Recently a client texted me a picture of a new breakfast recipe they tried that we had discussed in our last session.  It brought me such joy to see them applying a new behavior — to start their day with a new food that would keep them satisfied and energized throughout the day. It was a simple, doable and repeatable experiment in how they can support their health and loved to see it. 

Also in the new year, I’ll be launching a Working Woman Reset Coaching Program – drawing on my years as a corporate working mom – and designed specifically for professional moms who want to take charge of their health in a realistic, sustainable way.

At the Working Woman Reset Coaching Program we’ll cover things like:

• eating well while traveling
• better sleep for busy schedules
• simple stress relievers you can actually fit in.

As I shape this program, I would love your input here. I’m also taking a waitlist now: Get on the list

Lastly, stay tuned for a women’s wellness night in the Spring with Chicago North Shore Moms that you won’t want to miss! 

 

Give us your dets!

I’m excited to share that I just officially launched my website – nefeshliving.com  – so please check it out and share any feedback!  

You can follow along on my Instagram @nefeshliving or sign up for my free newsletter packed with practical tips, healthy and delicious recipes and motivational ideas to live your best life in midlife.  

If you want to chat more about how I can support you, you can book a free discovery call.

 

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