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Teddi Mellencamp Confirms Her “All In" Brand Is Launching an Internal Review After Diet Controversy

Photo credit: Courtesy - Instagram
Photo credit: Courtesy - Instagram

From Good Housekeeping

  • Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave, 39, is responding directly to new allegations made against her All In by Teddi coaching programs, which promote fitness routines and diets.

  • The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star admits that she once asked her clients to sign NDAs before starting the program. But she denies that her meal plans are overly restrictive, and says the brand "never encourage[s] anyone to starve."

  • She tells Good Housekeeping that the brand will launch an internal review after fielding complaints.


After earning a reputation for upholding accountability while appearing on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Teddi Mellencamp is taking responsibility for her All In by Teddi wellness brand and signature coaching offerings. The reality star-turned-wellness figure took to her podcast last week to "speak out," she says, after sharing that she feels recent criticisms over her brand's coaching services have turned into "complete hate" and are "not necessary."

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A post shared by Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave (@teddimellencamp) on Sep 15, 2020 at 4:25pm PDT

"For one, I wanted to say I love All In… I 100% feel confident in the fact that we let you know before signing up exactly what the program entails. If it’s something that you want to do and you want us to hold you accountable to your goals, we are there to do that for you," Teddi shared on Instagram, where she first acknowledged the controversy. Later, on her podcast Teddi Tea Pod, she fought through emotions and claimed that her accountability services aren't really about dieting or making money: "The reason I started All In by Teddi had nothing to do with a business. I had no big plans on creating a business; I wanted to change my own life… I created my own happiness by taking care of myself, and I used Instagram as a tool to hold me accountable."

She claims that All In has helped over 15,000 clients to date — with new clients signing up for her text message-based "coaching services" that can cost as much as $599 in the first few weeks.

Recently, a series of accusations and allegations about Teddi's All In programs began circulating on social media sourced from anonymous users claiming to be former All In by Teddi clients. The messages allege that the program's coaches often push unhealthy, restrictive standards of dieting on clients. There are no nutritionists or licensed healthcare providers directly on staff at All In, as acknowledged by the brand on its website.

How exactly does the program work, then? What are some of the most common complaints shared about Teddi's brand? And how has Teddi responded personally? Here's everything to know about the All In by Teddi programs, and Teddi's response to the criticism.

Anyone battling an eating disorder, or experiencing negative, concerning thoughts about their body, should seek medical attention immediately. A great resource is the National Eating Disorders Association, which maintains a hotline at 1-800-931-2237. Learn more about eating disorders and how to help loved ones right here.

How does All In by Teddi work?

According to People, Teddi first launched All In after she personally lost 80 pounds after giving birth to son Cruz almost 7 years ago. There are a multitude of programs and services provided under the All In umbrella, and according to its website, it all starts with a two-week "detoxification" known as "Jumpstart." New clients in this program are paired with one of the brand's accountability coaches who communicate with them via text message and "cheer" these clients towards individual goals, which often focus on fitness and health transformations. The total cost for this particular segment of All In is $599.

From there, clients can move onto three other programs with different focuses in mind — most move onto the "monthly" program, which costs $399 per month and can be continued for as long as users choose to do so. "Weight and Workout" programs cost $165 a month and the cheapest program, "Maintenance," includes "casual" communications with a coach at $95 per month. There are newer offerings that the brand is releasing to clients, like Teddi's "Postpartum Program," which charges new mothers $525 for six weeks of communication designed to help establish "a post-baby routine of healthy habits and self-care, with a direct focus on nourishment."

The brand's website confirms a no-refund policy, and Teddi addressed the concept of clients being dismissed by coaches for non-compliance in her podcast.

When asked if clients are dismissed if they don't routinely work out, Teddi acknowledged that those with excuses aren't reprimanded for missing a workout occasionally, but that coaches keep their clients to a strict expectation. "If there's a repeated situation where somebody has signed up for the program, and they're not being active in some capacity, then we aren't doing the job they're paying us to do," she said. "How are we doing our job by letting you continue to do that?"

How is Teddi responding to criticism?

Seemingly all of the allegations against All In by Teddi have been shared anonymously on social media, with some posts suggesting that clients in the program must sign a nondisclosure (NDA) agreement before signing up.

On her podcast, Teddi confirmed that she originally asked clients to sign an NDA form, but on the basis of potential clients wishing to speak to her solely due to her role on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. "This company has also evolved since it first started, I originally had an NDA because, you know, when I first started the show, people were signing up solely because they wanted to talk to me," she explained. Now, Teddi maintains that any paperwork signed by new clients is a "consent form" as opposed to an NDA: "We want to make sure that you are not pregnant, that you have not had a past eating disorder, and [that you are aware] we are not licensed professionals, and we have no healthcare training," she said.

As for the fact that none of her coaches hold medical qualifications, Teddi said she designed the program purposefully so: "All of my coaches were once a client, so for me, it was more important about having somebody that has actually changed their life on this program, lived this lifestyle," she explained. "To help coach [clients] to reach their goals versus somebody who has a certificate."

Lastly, Teddi denies that her coaches are "bullying" clients, adding that some clients require messages like "We're here for you, we love you" while others need extra motivation to be active. "I am one of those people," she said. "[I need messages like] 'You are worth this. Get up. You have got this, we know you can do it.'"

In a statement to Good Housekeeping, Teddi says that her company is indeed working on an internal investigation of complaints. "We regret that anyone ever had an unsatisfying experience with our program, but since evolving our program a few years ago, we are at nearly 100% satisfaction, which makes us very happy," Teddi tells us. "We take all feedback very seriously and will review internally to be sure we’re providing the best support for our clients."

Is the All In by Teddi programs actually healthy?

Because each of the coaching programs provided by the brand are reportedly individualized for each client, it's unclear on how All In by Teddi actually structures most of the fitness or nutritional advice it doles out to clients. But Teddi maintains that her programs are not a prescribed diet: "I don't like to call it a diet, I like to call it a lifestyle change," she told podcast listeners.

As for claims that suggest that All In dieters must weigh themselves every day and submit photo evidence, Teddi did acknowledge that coaches review scaled weigh-ins regularly. "What we do is we use the scale as a measurement tool. So it's not a punishment, it's not anything like that, but because our entire business is over text message, we have to have a way to measure your accountability," Teddi said.

While we were unable to review any materials related to any nutritional advice given to All In by Teddi clients, many health experts adhere to guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which suggest 1,600-2,400 calories is the estimated amount of calories needed to maintain weight for most sedentary adults.

Stefani Sassos, MS, RD, CDN, the Good Housekeeping Institute's registered dietitian, believes 1,200 calories is the absolute rock-bottom minimum intake anyone should aim for while striving to lose weight. "Under 1,200 calories, you likely will be unable to get all of the nutrients your body needs, which can lead to potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies," she explains. "There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to weight loss. Your needs are unique and depend on your current weight, goal weight, height, physical characteristics, and activity level. With calories, quantity is important but quality of the foods you choose to eat is equally as important in my opinion."

The bottom line: You should always speak with your healthcare provider first before starting a new long-term lifestyle, dietary, or fitness routine. All In by Teddi isn't designed or influenced by licensed medical professionals, according to its own website. Regardless of the diet or program you choose to adopt, your calorie intake should always be informed by your own level of activity and personal needs, and at a bare minimum for optimal nutrition, should account for at least 1,200 calories, and likely more.

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