Meet Ally: LJW Nutrition Adviser and Conception Junction's Most Famous Export

Welcome back to the LJW Mini Podcast! This week we're getting to know Ally, one of our nutrition advisers here at Lexi J Wellness. First day of college vibes — tell us something about yourself, Ally.

"Let's see. I've been married for 10 years."

Ten years — and going on 11 — to her college sweetheart, Jake.

A Country Club Love Story

They met at a country club, working the same summer job.

"We really were bartenders and he cooked in the back."

Their very first day on the job, they were moving pool lawn chairs and breading tenderloins together. Ally was mortified.

"I was embarrassed because I was sweating in front of him carrying lawn chairs. I'm like, 'This is embarrassing. He's going to see me sweat.'"

Now? They sweat together on purpose. The two share a home gym and try to work out together as often as their schedule — and three boys — allow.

"It's rare that we get to work out at the same time. I love when we do. But we have three kids, so sometimes we just have to take turns of who's getting to work out when, and sometimes we're all just all out there and it's mass chaos."

Three Boys and a Change of Plans

Two was always the plan.

"We had always said two kids. Like we were adamant on having two kids."

But after their second, Ally had a feeling they weren't done.

"I don't feel like we're done. And lo and behold, we have another one."

Boys two and three are 19 months apart. And while three boys is a lot, she wouldn't have it any other way.

"God knew what he was doing giving me boys. They humble me every single day. But they also bring just more of my light-heartedness out of me. Chill, mom, it's fine."

The questions Leslie was asking, by the way — no submitted questions were required for this one.

"They're from me. I'm like, Ally, what do you do with this?"

Ally's answer: "You pray a lot."

From Hamburger Helper to Sourdough

Ally's newest hobby is sourdough — trying out different recipes and playing around in the kitchen in general.

"That's been a newer hobby in the last year or two."

Which is, apparently, quite a transformation.

"When Jake and I first got together, I literally could make boxed mac and cheese and hamburger helper. Like I couldn't cook really."

She once called her mom from her morning shift at the country club with a very important question.

"It was my job to make coffee first thing in the morning. And I called her and I was like, 'Where do I put water in this coffee pot?' Like I knew nothing about anything in the kitchen."

Now she's sneaking vegetables into meals and recipe-testing with her oldest son, who loves cookbooks and loves to say "let's make this, Mom."

"It's just lots and lots of practice, lots and lots of mess ups, and you just keep going."

On Vegetables (And the Bell Pepper War)

As a nutrition adviser and self-proclaimed fiber queen, Ally is in a constant, gentle standoff with her kids over vegetables.

"We're working on vegetables in general with my kids."

The hill she cannot seem to climb: bell peppers.

"The one that they absolutely will just never touch — bell peppers. Cook them. Don't cook them. They just don't love them right now."

Her tip: "Eventually, change up the way that you're giving it to them. You'd be surprised — sometimes they'll eat it all up."

She also notes that taste buds really do change. As a kid, she ordered everything without pickles and without tomatoes.

"Those are two of my favorite things now."

What Ally Does at LJW

Ally's actual job title — which almost got skipped entirely.

"Oh, I — minor detail."

"I'm a nutrition adviser. I get to work with clients and talk all things food, basically nutrition."

And that's why, as Leslie pointed out, the two of them talked about food for the majority of the episode. Ally's title is confirmed: the food queen.

"I'm okay with that title."

One Unorthodox Thing You're Grateful For

Ally is from Conception Junction, Missouri — population 202. She graduated with 15 people.

"Shout out Conception Junction, Missouri, by the way, which — what a crazy name. First of all."

"I don't know who named it, but we know what happened there."

Her unorthodox gratitude? Growing up small.

"I'm thankful for small town, though. I just feel like you develop a really good community and just really good people. Good values and morals that you grow up with. I just had a good experience with it."

Strong foundation, indeed. And now, somehow, a bunch of small-town people all end up at LJW.

"We all want that community. Give me that. Give me that."

Thanks for tuning in! Have a question for Ally or anyone on the LJW team? 

Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/8j4upDAAuuH7sSi67