Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Triden.
Hi Lori, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a teenager, I struggled with chronic health issues that left me searching for answers when conventional treatments didn’t seem to provide relief and actually caused more harm. Out of sheer necessity, I began exploring alternative ways to support my well-being. It started with learning about the transformative power of supplements, how a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet could make a huge difference, and how adopting a positive mindset could dramatically improve my life. I was immediately fascinated and didn’t understand why this wasn’t common knowledge.
This journey sparked a profound curiosity and passion for holistic health that would shape the rest of my life. Determined to turn my personal struggles into something empowering, I decided to go back to school to formally study become a Health Coach and Certified Holistic Practitioner. That pivotal decision gave me the tools, knowledge, and confidence to help others the way I had helped myself. Shortly after earning my certification, I started my own wellness coaching business, where I had the privilege of guiding clients to lead healthier, more balanced lives.
Over the years, my career blossomed in ways I hadn’t imagined. I had the opportunity to work for other businesses managing Wellness departments, serving as a regional trainer for wellness teams, and becoming a coach manager for health coaches. Each experience deepened my understanding of health, business, and leadership, all while helping me refine my ability to connect with people on their wellness journeys.
These roles were incredibly fulfilling, but I always dreamed of creating a space that embodied my passion for health in a tangible way. With that dream in mind—and bolstered by years of experience—I took the leap and opened a café in Savage, MN. The café is a reflection of everything I believe in: it serves healthy, mostly organic, gluten-free food and uses eco-friendly containers to prioritize both people’s health and the planet. The response has been heartwarming, and it’s becoming a hub for people seeking delicious, wholesome options.
Meanwhile, I continue to run my wellness coaching business, which remains close to my heart. It’s a joy to combine one-on-one coaching with the café’s mission, both grounded in the belief that health is an empowering and lifelong journey. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how the challenges I faced as a teenager laid the foundation for a career I’m deeply passionate about—and one that allows me to make a meaningful impact every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been shaped by a couple of mottos I use often “I will figure it out”/”How hard can it be?”. Sometimes I’m not even sure I believe it, but I step forward that way anyway. I joke that they might be slightly delusional but in most cases this mindset has served me well.
Facing chronic health setbacks was an ongoing challenge. Like most people with a chronic illness there are going to be setbacks. Even when you make changes and are constantly learning, the body demands to be heard when you push it. I try to be transparent that while I value a healthy lifestyle, I live it imperfectly.
While going back to school and then starting a business, I worked a full-time job—a juggling act that required a great deal of dedication. Additionally, it was a conscious choice to change our family finances, as I had been working as a Sr. Data Analyst.
On top of that, I was raising my amazing daughters and managing the intricacies of family life. That meant a lot of late nights and the constant effort to balance my dreams with the needs of my family.
I faced moments of self-doubt that tested my confidence, but with each setback I chose to push through those insecurities to build the life I envisioned. Staying authentic to myself was especially challenging in a world where others seem to have it all figured out.
When I opened the café, I was determined to prioritize health, sustainability, and affordability, even when navigating the logistics of creating cost-effective, healthy, organic, and eco-friendly solutions felt overwhelming.
Through it all, my daughters have been my inspiration and my cheerleaders. Their love and support reminded me why I was pursuing these dreams in the first place. Every challenge I faced—whether it was working long hours, staying true to my mission, or figuring out how to bring my vision to life—taught me to have faith in myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am deeply passionate about my work, which centers around empowering others to take control of their health and well-being. As a wellness coach, I specialize in individualized solutions while leaning on my knowledge of nutrition, mindset, and supplementation, including herbs and homeopathies. I firmly believe that a one-size-fits-all approach rarely delivers sustainable results. Each person’s journey is unique, and I’m here to support my clients in finding solutions that work specifically for them.
What I truly love about my work is problem-solving alongside my clients and customers, especially those who might be newer to thinking about health and wellness in a holistic way. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help them uncover their potential and see the mindset shifts that pave the way for massive life improvements.
I offer Specific Issue coaching sessions, the 6-week Reboot Your Gut course, or the 3-month The Authentic You course.
I am proud to have created a book, Gut Health Empowerment for Women, intending to shed light on the incredible connection between gut health and overall well-being, empowering women to take control of their health journey. And I am working on a book focusing on empowerment after chronic health diagnosis, I seek to inspire others to first respect their feelings of grief and lose but to learn to rise above fear and denial and embrace the power of resilience.
In terms of the café, I am aiming to provide something missing in our community. I provide healthy on-the-go options that people can afford. When I get the opportunity to connect with customers, I find that we often learn from each other and that brings me incredible joy.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My childhood was a bit unconventional. I have always been more introverted and could be quite shy. I dealt with that by being a bit of a chameleon in order to connect with people. I think that had it’s perks in that I learned about a lot of different things and I still love to learn and deep dive into new things as an adult. It did, however, lend me to have strong people pleasing tendencies. That is where the passion for authenticity and empowerment comes in now. I am still learning to step into the most authentic version of myself. However, there was always a rebel mentality underneath. I often questioned the status quo, even if just in my own mind. I see that coming through in this need to keep revisiting the path of entrepreneurship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atrueu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshtrueucafe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshTrueUCafe
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-true-u-cafe
