The Test : Taking the Exam, Reconnecting And Rejoicing

My friend Kim and I at the IIN Reconnect and Rejoice conference. We’ve been online friends for two years, going through classes together, and finally got to meet in person last weekend.

I’ve told a few select people, but now I’ve decided to tell all of you. I took “the test”. After two years of getting an education in a completely new profession, spending months reading, cramming online with zoom study buddies, Facebook groups and endless practice tests, finally the day descended. I awoke early, made some breakfast, grabbed my coffee and water, and drove to the other side of town at 6:45 am, to a Prometric testing center. Upon arrival I was required to remove all of my jewelry and my watch, place my belongings in a locker, have my spectacles inspected, pull up my pant legs and roll up my sleeves to reveal I was not carrying any concealed cameras or cheating materials, then “wanded” to ensure I was not hiding any metal or other illicit objects. My photo was taken, I was issued two dry-erase markers, two laminated sheets of paper and escorted to a cubicle which would be my testing station for the next four hours, with a video camera perched overhead recording my every move.

This is what is expected when one sits for a national board certification. Mine, the NBHWC, National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches, which is governed by the NBME, National Board of Medical Examiners (which board certifies physicians). My friends in other professions have undoubtedly experienced similar scenarios for their professional credentials. I have no idea how I performed and will not have results for at least 6 to 8 weeks. It’s one of those tests where, no matter how much you study, or think you know what to expect, you walk out feeling bewildered and slightly defeated.

I haven’t spoken about it much until now because, well, I’ve literally had my nose in books and my computer screen for the last 6 months. It was hard. And my college experience was nothing like this because I was an art student. We were the anti-students. Our all-nighters were spent at our drafting boards, finishing graphic design projects, hand-comping typography and developing photographs in the labs, pre-computer design. When I became a pastry chef, my training was on the job. Sure I studied cooking methods and was certified in safe food handling, but the bulk of my education was in the heat of the kitchen. For this test, I wasn’t sure my brain could keep up. It’s old and has been conditioned to respond to immediate needs rapidly, one after the other, not to sit still and focus on specific topics for hours at a time. It was hard. (I know I already said that, but it was.)

So I thought I would share my experience as a means to give myself yet another affirmation that I might have done OK. That perhaps, all of you reading this might send positive thoughts, prayers and other good will my way as I anxiously await an email with the results. Some might believe that I’m jinxing myself for speaking about it out loud, cursing my impending fate. Others might think that speaking about it, then failing, would require admitting shame. For me, whatever the outcome, I went in as prepared as I could have possibly been. And If I did not pass, there will be another opportunity to try again. No remorse, pass or fail, I will announce my results to you with satisfaction that I did my absolute best.

I celebrated finishing this phase of my new career by attending the IIN Reconnect and Rejoice conference in Miami last weekend. IIN, or, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, is where I have been spending most of my online time these past two years. I’ver made so many Zoom friends in study groups and coaching circles. This was the first conference IIN has held since before the pandemic. It was thrilling to see the founder of the school, who taught two segments, and so many health leaders from this community. Finally meeting friends face to face, who I’ve only known virtually for the last two years, was wonderful. We instantly had a connection because of all we’ve accomplished together. It was profoundly encouraging to see so many people my age, putting themselves out there, launching a new phase of their lives, as I am.

Embarking on a new career at my age has allowed me to prove to myself that I can do hard things. I have the capacity to create my own destiny. That I’m never too old to learn new tricks. I am especially elated at the support I’ve received from all of you, my ever-growing community. Without you following me on social media, absorbing my emails and sharing how much you love my recipes, I would have not been thriving the last two years. Pass or fail, having all of you makes me a success.