About Me!

What is Holistic Health?

Contrary to what you might think, holistic health isn’t really all that complicated or mystical. If you have any knowledge of it, you might be imagining someone rattling off spiritual mantras, engaging in meditation/yoga, or utilizing herbal remedies instead of going to the doctor. While these practices can take a role in a holistic approach to health, they do not appropriately define what holistic health is.

At its roots, holistic health centers around the idea that “health” encompasses more than just a proper diet and exercise routine. It acknowledges that our body is an interconnected system of complex parts making up the mind, body, and soul. It challenges the misinformed idea that health is limited to one scope.

It helps me to think of it like this:

We each have a unique collection of puzzle pieces. These pieces resemble the elements that contribute to our healthy/happy life. If we only see half of the pieces as valuable to the whole puzzle, we will never be able to finish the puzzle and see the beauty of the whole picture.

Whether you are into yoga or not, there is an open space at the table of holistic health, eagerly waiting for you to come and sit. It doesn’t matter where you come from, how much experience you have, what interests you have, how old you are, or even what you believe. You are welcome in this space! So if you’re ready, come with me to pick up the rest of those puzzle pieces, and watch your beautiful picture start to show!

Sunni’s Health Philosophy

1. I believe that individuals should feel empowered to listen to their bodies.

We are entitled to the right to advocate for our needs (whatever they may be!), and we deserve access to knowledge that will allow us to do this. I believe we spend too much time listening to the health advice of others and not enough time learning how to listen to and understand ourselves.

2. I believe that finding health can be exciting, freeing, and explorative.

Too often, chasing health can end up feeling like you're dragging a ball and chain, and I don’t agree that true health should feel this way. I believe that everyone has the potential to find a version of health that balances needs AND wants. This way health is able to be not only sustained but also enjoyed.

3. I believe that food should never JUST be about healthy eating.

As important as it is to integrate nutritious foods into our diet, it is equally as important to make space for food to serve our health in other ways. For example, I believe that food is not only medicine but also a way to express yourself, a way to connect and commune with others, and a way to experience the joys this world has to offer! Each of these plays an important role in balancing a healthy relationship with food.

Sunni’s Health Journey

An emphasis on the message of prioritizing health was integrated into my life early on. My mom (“Mama”) homeschooled me and my three older brothers until I was in 8th grade. Thanks to this, I had the pleasure of spending most mealtimes sitting around the table with my family.

Doing school at home also meant that I had ample time to learn about whatever interested me. During this season, I learned how to grocery shop, how to cook for nutrition and for flavor, how to read labels and understand ingredients, how to look past confusing marketing to choose quality foods, how to try new things, how to shop with the seasons, and mostly importantly, how to listen to my body.

When I left for college to become a student of nutrition, my health and my life began to feel like they were truly in my hands. Realizing this led me through countless phases of testing my boundaries and exploratively learning how to support my personal health journey.

During this time, I uncovered my struggles with anxiety and depression. I learned how to define these and began to understand how they were impeding my life. I discovered that I'm a highly sensitive person, gifted with a wonderful capacity to hold space for emotions, while also finding myself prone to overwhelm and sensory processing difficulties. I learned that my gut issues and acne had been directly related to my mental health and stress levels. I learned that my struggles with relationships were a direct reflection of how little energy I was putting back into myself. I learned about my hormonal imbalances, nervous system dysregulation, and childhood traumas.

Each of these discoveries invited me down new paths toward illuminating what my mind, body, and soul need to thrive. They also continuously reinforced this fundamental truth: health is not a destination, but an ongoing, multifaceted endeavor. It's a lifelong expedition into self-discovery, self-care, and self-improvement.

Today, I have a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics and a deep passion for holistic health! I do my best to openly share the knowledge I have gained from not only my years of education but also my personal journey. I am still learning every day, and I am determined to let growth forever be a valuable part of my life. I invite you to come and learn with me! Let’s learn to embrace our health journeys with the enthusiasm and commitment they deserve.

- Sunni