About Me

Hey, y'all! My name is Kendahl Jourdan Heckstall, and I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I graduated summa cum laude from Georgia State University (GSU) with a B.S. in Nutrition Science. I previously attended Florida A&M University, where I studied Biological Systems Engineering but decided to take my education in a different direction.

My career goals include establishing a non-profit organization that educates marginalized communities on the importance of nutrition and provides affordable, nutritious food options, owning my own farm, and becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I believe in the power of food as medicine and am passionate about finding sustainable ways to grow it, making it more accessible and affordable for all, and providing education on nutrition. While at GSU, I received my Health and Wellness Coach certification and recently passed the board exam to be a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)! I am passionate about helping others discover what being healthy looks like for them and taking sustainable actions to achieve it.

After graduating, I was unsure how best to achieve my career goals, so I decided to take a gap year to explore my options. At a farmer’s market, I asked a farmer for advice for aspiring farmers, and he suggested finding a farm and beginning to learn how to tend the land. This led me to gain exposure to farming and gardening through Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) in Washington State. After returning from Washington, I knew I wanted to continue gaining experience in farming and gardening while integrating my passion for nutrition education. I accepted a position as Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator at Montgomery Heart and Wellness Center (MHW), which integrates medical practice with food-driven lifestyle changes. I coached patients to transition from a standard American diet to a plant-based diet focusing on raw whole fruits and vegetables. I am now an administrative assistant at MHW, helping oversee the reconstruction of the on-site garden!

I also enjoy all things creative, from beauty, music and all things entertainment! I have started my own show called The Girl, which is a mock docuseries following the life and adventures of college student Payton Sims!

I am excited to integrate my various passions and interests into different aspects of my life! Please feel free to contact me for any inquiries!

My Experience

  • Wellness Administrative Assistant | Montgomery Heart and Wellness (2024-Present)

    Developed and implemented protocols and systems using Word and Excel to streamline non-medical wellness programs in collaboration with the lead Cardiologist and Director of Operations

    Designed engaging graphics, pamphlets, and educational resources using Canva and Photoshop for in-clinic displays and events.

    Conducted outreach calls to gauge new patient interest in wellness programs, fostering community engagement and program participation.

    Assisted out-of-state patients in coordinating their visits, including scheduling office appointments, coordinating treatment plans, and providing hotel recommendations to ensure a smooth experience.

    Managed the on-site garden, promoting a holistic approach to wellness and enhancing the clinic's environment.

  • Wellness Coordinator | Montgomery Heart and Wellness (2023-2024)

    Conducted in-person nutrition counseling, online coaching, nutrition and wellness education courses, and addressing questions and concerns relating to plant-based food and nutrition for over 250 patients.

    Collaborated with Cardiologist and Physician’s Assistant to help patients and wellness clients create sustainable goals, custom meal plans, and supplement orders.

    Provided nutrition education and health coaching expertise to assist patients dedicated to changing their lifestyle.

  • Tea Sales Specialist | Nature's Vine (2022-2023)

    Sold loose-leaf tea blends at various farmers markets throughout the Metro-Atlanta area.

    Engaged customers, educating them on the benefits of different tea blends and answering their questions.

    Managed the setup and breakdown of displays, ensuring an inviting atmosphere for patrons.

    Assisted with packaging various tea blends while ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

  • University Assistantship Program | Georgia State University (2021-2023)

    Assisted on various research projects exploring raspberry and/or blackberry consumption as a potential therapuetic approach, prevention, treatment, and/or management of different chronic diseases.

    Conducted an honors thesis project investigating raspberries as a potential nutritional strategy for liver disease.

  • Food, Energy, Water Nexus Research Experience for Undergraduates | Washington State University (2021)

    Cultivated a research project exploring how over tree netting can help mitigate climate change's impact on sunburn risk of apples in the Columbia River Basin.

    Utilizied R Studio to analyze the different Representative Concentration Pathways for climate projections.

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant | Florida A&M University (2020)

    Assisted with research focusing on the impact of the agri-food supply chain on the environment, primarily through Life Cycle Analysis.

    Responsible for identifying and analyzing over 150 articles related to the agri-food supply chain to aid the creation of a comprehensive literature review.

  • Biological Science Aid Internship | USDA-ARS and Washington State University (2019)

    Studied various areas of wheat breading and the production process:

    - Emasculated wheat

    - Crossbred different types of wheat together

    - Conducted KASP test via a PCR machine

    - Tested the quality of the flour produced by the wheat