Hello!
My name is Melissa. I am an holistic and integrative nutritionist, occupational therapist, mother, spouse and a self professed "nerd". I am a life long learner with a "can't stop, won't stop" attitude towards acquiring knowledge and lover of all things related nature, flowers and fresh air.
I am passionate about health, healing and empowering others to learn how to understand the body's needs and nourish them in a way that supports feeling your best so that you can live the life you want to live.
My Story
My journey towards the health and wellness sector is multi-faceted. Where do I start...?
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1. Nutrition and my life..... the beginning of this journey
Sometime in my late 20s it became abundantly clear that I did not know how or what to eat to keep my system healthy. I was always tired, plagued with frequent colds, stomach aches and brain fog. I was a terrible sleeper and never felt rested. I always felt like I was running on fumes. Through some exploration, experimentation and an openness to exploring nutrition and lifestyle change (think learning about whole foods, nutrient dense smoothies, gentle movement, stress management), my life took a drastic turn for the better. It become clear that what I exposed myself to, and what I allowed into my system MATTERED. Within 6 weeks of focusing on nutrient dense whole foods, my energy levels sky rocketed, my stomach aches improved drastically and my skin went from an ashy grey colour (that I didn't recognize) to a vibrant, bright tone. It was at this point I truly understood the idea that "food is medicine".
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2. Experience in and with the health care system.... looking at supporting recovery from a different lens
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I have been a practicing Occupational Therapist for the past 15 years, working mainly in neurological rehabilitation. Through this work I have witnessed first hand the strength, resilience and fragility of the body and the impact that nutrition and lifestyle can have on the recovery process. While Occupational Therapists are such forces in helping individuals re-engage with occupation after a potentially life-altering injury, my internal compass steered me to ask the question..... "what would the recovery process, from pain management to exploring root causes of chronic disease look like if nutrition was also integrated into the process"? This led me to complete a Master's of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Integrative Health. This program equipped me with the tools and knowledge to dig deep and explore the power of nutrition as it relates to pain, chronic disease, gut, immune and hormonal health.... let me tell you.... the outcomes can be life changing. What a fabulous and enlightening journey it has been!
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Our healthcare system is overburdened and overtaxed. Exploring a way to address some of the issues people are often plagued with, in a bid to keep them healthy and out of the system, has become a personal goal. While our system is so important for acute issues, addressing chronic issues from a root cause perspective is something that is still to come. I firmly believe that nutrition has a large place here.
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3. Learning how to nourish my own children.... When the struggle is real....
Learning how to nourish myself was one thing.... teaching my own young children to eat was something else. Blessed with 2 beautiful girls who are fierce, independent and ultimately very selective eaters, teaching them what and how to eat has been an incredibly humbling experience. Children can truly be our greatest teachers... if we allow them to be.
Appreciating the role nutrition can have on behaviour, sleep, energy, mood and focus (among others, of course), I have poured my heart and soul into equipping these babes with life long skills of understanding where food comes from, how to choose foods that will support them throughout the day and engaging them in the meal preparation process. While we are always a work in progress, we have made great strides. This journey alone has provided me with insights, thoughts and experiences that have left me in wonder and awe of just how impactful nutrient dense foods can be.
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Through all of these different areas of my life, I've learned that is no one "perfect way" to give the body what they need, but through tuning in, listening and feeling, the body will show you. Once we make sure we have the foundational building blocks nutrients can offer, we are better equipped to take on whatever is happening in life.
With that, I would be honoured to share my experience and learnings with you.
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