The Institute
of
Holistic Nutrition
My journey to IHN began with the loss of Uncle Wayne, my father’s partner, who was a steady, caring presence in our family and a true pillar of strength for me. He was foundational to our family, offering stability, guidance, and love. He was also a caretaker in our community—whether it was fixing a neighbour’s broken fence, making soup for someone who was sick (he was an incredible cook), or finding other ways to nurture and support those around him. His generosity, warmth, and attentiveness left a lasting impact on everyone he met.
Losing him forced me to reflect deeply on life and the ways we can care for others, just as he did, and it ultimately inspired my path toward the wellness industry. After his passing, I took time to pause—practicing yoga, spending hours in the library, connecting with my community, and reflecting on what truly mattered. Over time, I realized I wanted my work to have meaning: to help people feel stronger, healthier, and more empowered in their everyday lives. Supporting others on their health journeys became a way for me to honour the time we have and ensure that the care and knowledge I share could make a real difference.
When I discovered IHN, I was drawn to their thoughtful, foundational, and transformative approach to health & wellness. It felt like the right place to turn reflection into action and purpose into practice. This year marks six years since losing him, encouraging me to look back on all I’ve learned since he’s been gone and to recognize the inspiration he continues to spark in me.
As Brené Brown says, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” Embracing this idea has become my guiding principle: by approaching others with openness, empathy, and courage, I can help them take small yet powerful steps toward healing and wellness. Holistic nutrition embodies this philosophy, and studying at IHN has given me the tools, knowledge, and confidence to dedicate my time and energy in ways that contribute meaningfully to the lives of others.
I worked in wine marketing, collaborating with family businesses across Canada and internationally. I loved it because wine brings people together, fostering tradition, conversation, and laughter, which is medicine in its own way. I’ve had the opportunity to work at CanPrev, which has been life-changing. Through my work at CanPrev, I’ve learned so much from my colleagues, many of whom are now friends, and I feel fortunate to have been gifted these meaningful, enduring connections.
I studied Communications at Wilfrid Laurier University, where I honed my writing and research skills. I also had the opportunity to study business abroad in France, which sparked my passion for wine marketing. I completed a minor in Community Engagement, volunteering at a community garden and greenhouse in Kitchener. Since then, I’ve continued volunteering, including at The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto, supporting their farmers market and emotional wellness programs. Currently, I volunteer at a nature sanctuary in Victoria, BC, teaching children about the environment and strategizing ways to nurture it together.
Uncle Wayne was an avid gardener, and while I spent a lot of time volunteering in community gardens over the years, this season, I’m excited to have my own garden for the first time. I am excited to put into practice what I’ve learned at IHN, particularly in my herbal medicine course. Using insights from The Way of Herbs, a required text for the class, I’ve begun exploring the medicinal and nutritional properties of plants and look forward to continuing to deepen my knowledge, and thinking of Uncle Wayne as I do.
I want to contribute to my work at CanPrev by understanding nutrition holistically and integrating that knowledge into my professional and personal life. I aspire to be a leader in my family and community, sharing my knowledge to help others. I am particularly interested in preventive medicine and supporting recovery from disease, addiction, or injury.
My proudest achievement has been integrating what I’ve learned about nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle into my own life. This journey has helped me cultivate wellness, happiness, and a healthier body and mind. It’s a gift I continue to give myself every day.
Before shifting to this industry, I felt depleted, tired, and stuck. Studying holistic nutrition has given me freedom and clarity in my life, helping me make future decisions thoughtfully and intentionally. I also took a courageous step by moving across the country to Victoria, BC, something I wasn’t sure I could do. Two years ago, I made this move with my now fiancé and it has been life-changing, opening new personal and professional opportunities and deepening my connection to nature and community. We love exploring the natural beauty here on hikes with our dog, Henry. Taking this leap reminded me that I am capable of stepping into the unknown, and it has strengthened my confidence in myself.
People are often surprised by how intensely focused I become when immersed in a project. Whether I’m working, reading, or learning, I enter a tunnel-like state where nothing else seems to exist until I’ve fully explored the task at hand. It can be quite funny to watch!
One of my first courses at IHN, Nutrition Through the Lifespan, led by Anita Sauvé, has been foundational and eye-opening. I really enjoyed the case study element, which allowed us to apply what we were learning in real-life scenarios. We also worked with the book Staying Healthy with Nutrition by Elson Haas, MD, which emphasized the importance of preventive care through everyday choices. A key takeaway for me was how small, consistent lifestyle and dietary adjustments can profoundly impact long-term health, at every stage of life, something I’ve already started integrating into both my own life and the way I think about supporting others on their wellness journeys.