MEET LIANNA
LIANNA NIELSEN
Integrative Nutrition Health & Wellness Coach
I was lucky to grow up in a beautiful little town in the woods of Maine. At 18 I traded organic food and fresh air for city life at the George Washington University.
The decline in my health initially started in college when I developed an eating disorder, which led to a 10-year struggle with depression and anxiety. The higher stress levels and hectic lifestyle that came along with moving to New York and becoming an actress, only made things worse. By 25, I found myself suffering from a whole array of undiagnosable health problems (hormonal imbalances, weight-gain, hair-loss, no period, changes in skin, and intestinal bleeding). When faced with the option of taking steroids for the rest of my life, I decided there must be a better way.
I began to do research and took my health into my own hands. I started making major diet and lifestyle changes and was amazed how quickly my mind and body started to heal. I couldn't believe I had seen so many different doctors only to discover it was food that was making me sick. More shocking even, was that with these changes, my depression and anxiety completely disappeared. I was so inspired by my experience that I knew I needed to learn more. I was thrilled to discover the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I studied a variety of dietary theories and practical lifestyle coaching methods. I went on to specialize in both hormone health as well as gut health.
Over the years, I realized that while my specialty was in nutrition, what I was actually doing, was teaching people how to listen to their bodies and connect to their intuition. Clients would come to me to lose weight, improve their digestion or balance their hormones, and we would accomplish not only those goals, but I would find myself also coaching them into better jobs or healthier relationships. This led me to study under Kathleen Schafer, founder of The Human Being Store, author and expert in personal leadership and development, so I could be better equipped to coach my clients in all areas where people felt disconnected or dissatisfied in their lives.
While I was living in New York, I taught nutrition classes at the Maggie Flanigan Studio and guest lectured at NYU. I have been featured in Parade Magazine and Voyage LA, and well as a number of different podcasts including NPR. I work with individuals, teach workshops and guest lecture at events. I co-create completely personalized actions based on my clients goals to move them toward their ideal vision of health, wellness and purpose within their unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and resources.
I practice a holistic approach to health and wellness,
which means that I look at how all areas of your life are connected. Does stress at your job or in your relationship cause you to overeat? Does lack of sleep or low energy prevent you from exercising? Our work will examine how all parts of your life affect your health as a whole.
Because creating lasting health is a comprehensive process, I use both an outside in (looking at food, exercise, sleep, etc.) and and inside out (examining mindset, self talk, mindfulness habits, etc.) to help you achieve your goals faster. We will work together to develop a deeper sense of listening and connection to your body. We will learn to decipher your cravings and teach you to eat intuitively. As we gain a deeper understanding of your unique body’s needs, we also gain clarity on other areas (connection to self, relationships, career, etc.). that may be out of balance.
Together we’ll work to reach your health, personal and/or professional wellness goals in areas such as achieving optimal weight, improving gut health, balancing hormones, maximizing energy, mental clarity, focus and creativity, improving or attracting the right relationships, up-leveling your career and discovering your purpose. As we work together, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the food, self-care and lifestyle choices that work best for you specifically and implement lasting changes that will improve all areas of your life.
Primary Food
It’s easy to overlook all of the things that contribute to our sense of nourishment and fulfillment. It’s not just the food we eat that affects our health, but all of the other factors present in our daily lives. Healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, regular physical activity, and a spiritual awareness are essential forms of nourishment. When these “primary foods” are balanced, what you eat becomes secondary. I will support you in achieving all of your goals, from eating the right foods for your body to living an inspired, fulfilling life.
Bio-Individuality
The concept of bio-individuality is the idea that each of us has unique food and lifestyle needs. One person’s food is another person’s poison, and that’s why fad diets tend to fail in the long run. Working on the principle of bio-individuality, I’ll support you to make positive changes that are based on your unique needs, lifestyle, preferences, and background.