Hey Family!
We’re Eric and Maleka, a husband-and-wife team with a passion for health and wellness. As master nutritionists and health coaches, we’ve seen firsthand how better nutrition can transform lives, lower the risk of chronic diseases, and boost overall well-being.
We founded BetterChoices with a mission to inspire and empower others to take control of their health. Through our coaching and community, we’re all about making positive, lasting changes in your lifestyle, nutrition, and fitness habits.
With our degrees in Human Environmental Sciences and Nutrition from the University of Alabama, we’re here to guide you on your journey to better health.
Let’s do this together!
More about us...
AS MASTER NUTRITIONIST, WE PROMOTE
Nutritional balance, prioritizing daily physical activity, making time for self care, self control, & accountability, process and patience mindset.
AS HEALTH COACHES, WE DO NOT
Promote fad diets, quick fixes, diet supplements, weight loss products or programs, gym culture, or unrealistic expectations.
Our Journey: Why It's Personal
A moment of fear became the turning point that changed everything for us.
It started when I realized I weighed 400 lbs—something I hadn't even noticed until a joke hit too close to home. Suddenly, thoughts of dying young flooded my mind. At 35, I knew there were countless ways my weight could take me out, but the real question was, what was I going to do about it?
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And yes, both Maleka and I were obese. We were ignoring the signs, even after losing my mother to colon cancer. We were living our lives without seeing the bigger picture—our health, our future, and the well-being of our boys.
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We had to ask ourselves: What kind of future were we creating if we kept up with the bad habits, inactivity, and lack of focus on our health?
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The answer was clear—it was time for a change.
IN PURSUIT OF
Optimal Health
PASSIONATE ABOUT
Nutrition Education
FAVORITE TEAM
Lakers
LITTLE KNOWN FACT
We're Comedians
WHAT WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT
Truth
Nourishing Our Health in the NOLA
Our journey to better health didn’t mean abandoning our love for the rich flavors of New Orleans.
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We never really saw ourselves as unhealthy or obese—it’s amazing how unaware we can be of our own reality. But that changed when Eric visited the doctor for a sore throat and discovered the scale couldn’t read his weight—he had hit 400 lbs. When he came home, I could see the frustration in his eyes. He wasn’t angry at the doctor; he was angry at himself for letting things get this far.
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At 276 lbs myself, I asked Eric what he planned to do. He was ready to make a change right then and there. Initially, I resisted, fearing what we’d have to give up and making excuses not to start. But Eric was determined, and that determination became our turning point.
In the Press
Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to share our story and mission of BetterChoices on The Oprah Show and Essence Magazine, just to name a few.
A Journey Together: Committing to a Healthier Life
After a few days of resistance, Eric sat me down and asked one powerful question: 'If you don’t take time for yourself, then who will?' That was my 'A-HA' moment! We started with exercise DVDs and mapped out a walking route. We read books on health, nutrition, and exercise, and found healthier ways to enjoy our favorite foods. Committing to working out 5-6 days a week, we transformed our lives.
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In just 10 months, Eric and I lost over 100 lbs each—Eric dropped 156 lbs, and I lost 138 lbs. Our journey led us to Oprah’s Weight Loss Finale Show, where we shared our story. This experience inspired us to launch BetterChoices, with a mission to teach, motivate, and empower others to make better health decisions every day. Our 300 lb weight loss wasn't a quick fix—it was the result of consistent, healthier choices.
Remember, the foods we choose to consume daily will either fuel better health or feed chronic disease.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER FROM BETTERCHOICES
Meet The Team
