Laura earned a B.S.in Nutrition from Montana State University – Bozeman, and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She became a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist 15 years ago. Laura worked as a clinical dietitian for almost twenty years before founding Take Control. In the hospital setting, she saw a disconnect when trying to educate patients while they were in a medical crisis. Her advice was falling on deaf ears, because they weren’t in any position to make a change. As a natural problem solver, Laura had a vision for a program that could educate people in a more meaningful way – when they were ready for it. After years of working clinically with patients, and understanding how adults learn, Laura developed the Take Control program as a one-year support and guidance program to make meaningful, lasting health changes that decrease the chance of reverting back to old behaviors. Laura lives in Missoula and has two grown daughters, Madeline and Olivia. In her free time she likes to mountain bike, knit, spend time at the lake, and hike.
Shannon earned a B.S. in Community Health Education from Western Washington University, with a desire to make “healthy” more approachable for everyone, regardless of where they are starting. She enjoys guiding people away from an all-or-nothing mindset, to making one simple change at a time and adding consistency, which leads to success. Shannon says "most clients know internally what they need to do to be successful, and I love helping them tap into that inner knowledge, choose their goals, and succeed." She believes everyone deserves to have strategies that work when it comes to health and wellness goals. Shannon is nationally certified as a personal trainer with Athletics and Fitness Association of America, and certified in maternal and women’s health. In her free time, she loves running and being active outdoors, reading, and making great memories with her husband, two adult children, extended family, and friends.
Linda earned a B.S. in Nutrition from Montana State University – Bozeman, and completed her dietetics internship with the Veteran’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City. Her interest in helping others stemmed from working with the elderly and observing the vast health differences between those who struggled with health and those who were living well because they prioritized healthy food, regular exercise, and balanced living. Linda believes that everyone deserves to be heard and understood. She strives to hear your unique story, develop an understanding of where you’re at, and support and guide you toward your goals. Life’s stresses can get in the way of good health; Linda helps gather resources, build a team of providers, and create a stable place for you to get back to living the life you desire. With you in the driver seat, she will listen, help you customize your goals, address obstacles head on, and cheer you on to success! Linda lives in Bozeman and in her free time enjoys biking, walking, hiking, and taking in the valley and state’s awe-inspiring sights with her husband, sons, grandchildren and loyal German Shepherd.
Lindsay received degrees in Health and Human Performance and Nutrition from The University of Montana and Montana State University, respectively. She completed her dietetic internship through the Cal Poly. Lindsay was drawn to the nutrition field with a desire to make healthy eating simple and accessible for everyone. She wants people to know they are not alone in their journey, particularly when working with women in first-time pregnancies. Lindsay enjoys being a trusted resource to help pregnant women sort through the vast information available when it comes to staying healthy during their pregnancy, which leads to having a healthy baby. She believes the one-on-one customized support and information we provide to new moms is unique and invaluable. Lindsay is the mom of three young children, which inspired her to become a lactation consultant in 2017. Lindsay and her husband live in Missoula, where she enjoys trying new recipes, hiking on local trails, and spending time with her family at Flathead Lake.
Richel has a B.S. in Physical Education with a minor in Recreation from East Carolina University. She loves seeing people overcome barriers and gain confidence in themselves as they achieve their health goals. Richel points out that she’s not here to grade people or judge them, she is here to cheer them on, point out their successes, and help them be the best version of themselves. She believes that everyone deserves grace, particularly from themselves, as they work to make changes. Richel says “some days we can get off track, but we can certainly get back on track as well.” She will make sure you don’t throw in the towel by bringing empathy and encouragement to help you get back on track and achieve the health you desire. Richel will remind you that progress and success are measured in lots of ways, not just numbers on a chart. Richel was born and raised in North Carolina, but has lived in Missoula with her husband and daughter for over 20 years. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, hiking, cross country skiing, and cooking. She’s most popular in the kitchen making gourmet pizza for family and friends.
Catherine’s life has always been rooted in a love for physical activity and healthy living. Her work history reflects these values, including managing outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, corporate wellness and chronic disease programs, as well as teaching group fitness classes and Yoga. She has a passion for fully engaging people in wellness by helping them re-connect with and live according to their values to become the best version of themselves. Whether the goal is to be able to play ball with their grandkids or to run a marathon, Catherine believes everyone deserves a coach who can provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore possibilities and to take the first steps to change. She has long admired Take Control’s approach to helping people break down their lab work and provide pathways for them to improve their health, and is happy to be part of the team. She says that within coaching there is “no right, no wrong, and no failure, just growth.” Catherine graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Exercise Science and a M.S. in Sports Medicine. She is a Board-Certified Wellness Coach and holds a Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification through the ACSM. She lives in Kalispell with her husband and three boys. She is an avid skier, hiker, yoga instructor, and loves to spend time camping.
From a young age, Troy had an interest in pursuing a career in the medical field, with aspirations of having MD behind his name. Troy earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Montana State University- Bozeman. When plans for medical school did not materialize, he was able to fulfill this passion by helping others through the sales and servicing of orthopedic implants. For over 20 years, patients in Central Montana benefited from innovative products Troy provided to orthopedic surgeons and their respective facilities. Through his daily interactions with healthcare professionals, Troy began to observe a major gap happening within the healthcare system. Patients were advised by their doctors to engage in health-conscious activities such as losing weight, changing their diets, exercising more, and quitting smoking. Instead of receiving education and instruction on how to make positive lifestyle changes, patients were handed a “How To…” pamphlet as they walked out the door. Troy understands that changing behavior on our own is very difficult. He realized that the bridge needed to fill this gap was through Health Coaching. Troy enrolled in the Health and Well-Being Coach Training at Duke University, becoming a certified Health Coach in July 2024. Troy’s role as the Recruitment Coordinator utilizes his background in medical sales to enhance his understanding of the benefits that health coaching offers. When he is not explaining the advantages of using a health coach, Troy can be found hiking, mountain biking, camping, and cross-country skiing in remote areas of Montana.
