Today we’d like to introduce you to Lianna Nielsen.
Lianna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was in my 20’s running around New York City auditioning like crazy during the day and bartending in the Lower East Side at night–it was a blast….until it wasn’t. It started slowly over the course of a few years: I noticed I was experiencing more anxiety and feeling less excited about life, I gained weight, became allergic to a lot of different foods, my period stopped, my skin started to change, my hair was falling out by the handful and finally, my intestines started bleeding. I was seeing a variety of doctors and no one could tell me what was going on. Convinced I had some form of cancer, I got a colonoscopy. The test results came back inconclusive and the doctor told me “it was probably some sort of autoimmune disease” and to “come back in a year when it gets worse” so they could put me on steroids. I knew there had to be a better way.
I took my test results and started doing research. I discovered that ALL of my symptoms stemmed from inflammation in my intestines and if I wanted to turn things around I needed to start there. This research led me to a book on rebuilding the microbiome (the collection of microbes that live in your intestines and basically control everything) and figured I had nothing to lose. I took a leap of faith and followed the protocol, cutting out all processed foods, grains, sugar, dairy, alcohol and caffeine, while adding healing supplements. In less than two weeks, I saw drastic results—everything started to change. Within a few months, nearly all of my symptoms had reversed. I couldn’t believe how quickly it happened and that I had basically done it on my own—after seeing countless specialists with no results. I was fascinated. I felt better than I had in years and it was so exciting and empowering. I knew I needed to learn more and help others.
I looked into a number of different nutrition programs and the only one that was teaching anything about gut health and the microbiome was the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. I devoured their program and became a certified Health Coach. I couldn’t believe how much food (“healthy foods” like whole grain bread and yogurt) was not only making me sick, but making me feel depressed and anxious. I felt I needed to spread the word to other actors and artists. I started teaching holistic nutrition workshops for performers, which lead to me teaching at a conservatory and guest lecturing at NYU, as well as working with private clients.
Over the years, I realized that while my specialty was in nutrition, what I was really doing, was teaching people how to listen to their bodies and their intuition. People 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 also coach 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 they felt disconnected or dissatisfied in their lives.
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting this business has definitely had its challenges. Having healed my own body was helpful (although a challenge in itself) as I’m so passionate about this work, but learning how to market myself and find new clients was difficult. Since what I do is a bit outside of the box, and when I started, contrary to the popular understanding of nutrition, it felt at times challenging to “be an expert” even though I knew I was in certain areas.
Having the confidence to help people when I am neither a registered dietitian or a doctor was also hard for me initially, but once my clients started seeing results and feeling better, I got over that. Additionally, when I realized that my areas of expertise were expanding, it also was also a bit difficult to acknowledge that I was pivoting and I needed to embrace that and allow myself to expand.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Healthy By Lianna – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a holistic health and wellness coach and speaker. I work privately with clients, teach workshops and classes as well as speak on panels and at events. While my focus is on individualized nutrition, intuitive eating and food as medicine, I simply teach people how to listen to their bodies. I specialize in connection. I help people connect to their inner knowing, which guides them — not only to choose foods that are healthiest for their bodies but also to gain clarity on their life purpose as well as what they want in a partner.
How I differ from other health or life coaches is that I start with improving nutrition habits to help you connect deeper to the rhythms of your body and your own intuitive knowing. With these new tools, we naturally gain clarity on how to align other areas of your life and build individualized habits that support these new discoveries and goals.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I LOVE LA! I was in New York City for 14 years, and though I thrived on all it had to offer, it was exhausting! A few years ago, I started visiting more often and I knew I needed to make Los Angeles home. I love the pace of life here and how it is much easier to find balance. I love how there is an emphasis on health, much better produce and easier access to nature. I love how you can hike in the mountains then swim in the ocean in the same day if you want to. I don’t love the traffic but since I work from home most of the time (and since we’ve been sitting at home in quarantine) it hasn’t been that much of an issue these days.
Pricing:
- I offer a free discovery call for potential new clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: healthybylianna.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: healthybylianna
Image Credit:
Karjaka Studios, Alli Caudle
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