1. What brought you to study Holistic Nutrition at IHN?
I decided to study Holistic Nutrition at IHN because of my own health journey. Ever since I was a kid, I struggled with gut issues, no diagnosis, no clear answers, just constant discomfort. I tried avoiding certain foods, experimented with different diets, but nothing really helped… until I went plant-based about seven years ago. That’s when everything changed. My symptoms started to ease, and I finally felt like I was healing.
That experience made me curious, why did it work? Was being plant-based the right long-term path for me? I wanted to understand how to take care of myself in a way that felt empowering instead of frustrating.
Also, a big part of my “why” is my mom. She had MS and passed away from complications when she was around the age I am now. Watching her health decline so quickly left a deep mark on me. It made me want to learn more about how chronic illness affects women, and how much of a role food and lifestyle might play in prevention and support.
2. What course has been your favourite so far, and why?
One of the things I’ve loved most about IHN is how it blends science with nature. Courses like Symptomatology and Herbal Medicine really stood out to me. Learning how to connect the dots between symptoms and body systems, how to build personalized protocols, and how herbs, even the ones growing nearby can be used to support healing has been so eye-opening.
3. Describe your best experience at IHN so far?
Even more than the course material, the community at IHN has made a big impact. Being around people who are also passionate about healing and wellness has been really comforting. It’s helped me feel less alone in my journey, and the support from fellow students, instructors, and even the admin team has been amazing. I’m really grateful I took this step, it challenged me in the best ways and reminded me of my “why”.
4. What professions have you worked in prior to enrolling at IHN?
I’ve taken a few different paths over the years. I’ve always been drawn to creative work—things like architecture, writing, and getting involved in all kinds of interesting projects. After moving to Canada, I worked as an aesthetician for a little while, then eventually found my way into graphic design, which became my main career. I’ve spent most of that time working in the publishing industry.
At some point, my creative side started blending with my growing interest in wellness. I began developing plant-based recipes, doing food photography, and writing about nutrition on my website. That passion kept growing, and eventually led me to IHN.
5. What degrees or academic achievements did you have prior to IHN?
I originally studied architecture, but had to leave before finishing because of what was happening back home in Kosovo. After coming to Canada, I studied graphic design and have worked in that field ever since.
Even though my path has taken a few turns, I’ve always been drawn to creativity, problem-solving, and looking deeper at how things work. Studying holistic nutrition at IHN has opened up a whole new way of understanding health and life, something I wish I had access to much earlier.
6. What are your goals/aspirations as a CNP?
I’m drawn to gut and brain health and I’m fascinated by how it influences mood, memory, focus, and long-term brain health.
Autoimmune diseases like MS, and conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, affect women more often, and that really drives me. I want to focus on how we can use nutrition to protect the brain and the immune system, ideally starting earlier in life. My goal is to help women understand how deeply their bodies and minds are connected, and how food can be a powerful tool in caring for both.
7. What has been your personal best achievement?
Honestly, my biggest achievement is that I never gave up. Life has taken me through a lot of changes, and I’ve had to adapt and start over. But each time, I’ve found the motivation to keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the possibility of something better.
Even now, at this stage of my life, I’ve chosen to start again, going back to school while working full-time. It’s not always easy, but I keep showing up. That persistence, that belief that it’s never too late, is something I’m really proud of.
8. What is something you overcame in your life, that you didn’t think you could?
One of the hardest things I’ve ever faced and something I never imagined I’d overcome was leaving my country and starting over from scratch. It wasn’t a choice; it was something I had to do. I left behind my family, my studies, my friends, my entire world. With nothing but a suitcase and my husband by my side, I landed on a new continent and had to rebuild my life from the ground up. It was overwhelming, isolating, and at times heartbreaking. But that experience shaped me. It taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and grounded me in a strength I didn’t know I had.
And, two years ago, when my daughter left to study in Europe, I found myself struggling again, this time with the quiet, the emptiness, and not knowing how to motivate myself. That shift pushed me to rethink my own path. During that time, I made the decision to go back to school and here I am, studying Holistic Nutrition at IHN.
9. What is something about you that would surprise people?
Something really special to me is my name—Vjosa (though in Canada, it became Viosa). It’s the name of the last wild river in Europe, flowing through Albania. I carry that name with pride because the river stands for resilience, freedom, and natural beauty.
In 2023, the Vjosa River was declared Europe’s first Wild River National Park, a huge win for the environment and future generations. If you’re curious, you can learn more here.
