Empowering People to Live Healthy Lives | Net Impact

Nana Boateng is a 2016-2017 Net Impact Fellow and a student at Hult International Business School. She is part of the Healthy Food cohort and through her project she is educating people on what the word “healthy” really means. 

Can you tell us more about your action project? 

My action project is centered around empowering individuals and families to take a proactive part in their health. In today’s world, there’s a plethora of pop experts who are giving the wrong advice to people in search of right answers. This is why it’s important for me to first and foremost be a learner; question every standing myth circulating our world today. I developed a website, and set up social media accounts where I share recipes for simple, nutritious meals, under the theme: ’as good as it gets…naturally’. Apart from food, I use my website as a platform to discuss certain myths about health, and present my audience with the facts that have been for so long swept under the rug. 

How did you know this was the right project for you to work on?

Overall health and wellness has always been a passion of mine. I see so many people in search of answers, and I see even more doing everything they have been told is right, yet still struggling with chronic diseases and other health implications along the way. Having been through it all, I know this is the time for me to use this platform as a mouth piece to get the right information out there.

What aspect of your fellowship experience are you most proud of?

Being able to take time out and sit and plan my next steps. The journey of a 1000 miles begins with one step. This is the first thing I have initiated single-handedly. I am my own motivator and I believe in my mission. It makes me proud to always get feedback from followers whom I do not know, sharing how inspired they have been by my work so far. And this is only the beginning.

What is something you learned from your fellowship experience that you weren’t expecting? 

Diligence. You have to fight hard for what you stand for, against all odds.

Have you thought about how your project could be continued after you're finished with your fellowship?

Absolutely! I intend to publish a book by the end of this year. I intend to go back to my home country Ghana, which is a very agricultural country, and educate and encourage farm-to-table lifestyles. That is why I am grateful for my International Marketing degree. 

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be and why? 

1. Julia Child because I share in her love and belief in real food
2. The CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation because I love the mission of the organization!
3. Lebron James- because he has been my favorite basketball player

Learn more about the Net Impact Fellowships, our four cohorts - Impact Design, Criminal Justice, Healthy Food, and Racial Equity - and all of our amazing fellows here.