Founder of Nourished, Discover Winona Benson's Personal Health Journey

What was happening to me?

At the age of 40, my body was shutting down.

My own journey for a healthier body led me to pursue a career in health coaching, nutrition education, and culinary instruction. I personally struggled for years with an auto-immune condition that was seemingly invisible to the mainstream medical community that I frequented. I exercised, I ate what I thought were good foods, I rarely drank alcohol and did my best to get the sleep my body needed.  Yet...I would fall asleep on the couch if I sat down, I was cold all the time and had terrible muscle spasms.  My joints hurt and my hair was thinning.  

Ironically, I was teaching in the field of nutrition as a Nutrition Educator when many of my symptoms became nearly unbearable. I started seeing a holistic medical practitioner and after thorough testing was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  I began treating my thyroid under a doctor's supervision and started feeling better but I still had a lot of issues. I still had joint issues, chronic yeast infections, and digestive problems.
 

On a search for the root cause, I was tested for food allergies and found out that I was very sensitive to gluten, casein, whey, eggs, cheese and a myriad of other things. That brought on a total lifestyle change.   In my quest of feeling better, I began to study plant-based nutrition and nutrition science. Dr. Joel Fuhrman and Dr. T. Colin Campbell became my mentors (through education) on this journey.  I completed the courses that they offered and got my Plant-Based Nutrition Certification through eCornell T. Colin Campbell Foundation in 2013 and my Advanced Nutritarian Studies certification through Dr. Fuhrmans' Nutritional Education Institute in 2014.   

 

Since then, I have taken Nutrition Science courses & have become certified as a Holistic Health Coach and have completed several professional plant-based cooking courses.  I have learned so much about the body, how food can be a healer and a hindrance, what REAL food looks like, how to cook delicious, nutritious foods, and how to listen to my body.   

Through my work as a nutrition educator, I have had the privilege to share many of these skills with others. Teaching people to cook, introducing them to beautiful and healthy new foods, revealing ways to fight diseases, and instructing on ways to move your body through exercise and lifestyle changes are very satisfying and rewarding lessons to share!
I want to continue to help people to make healthy changes that promote a healthy lifestyle. with simple, yet effective steps. Making the choice to change your lifestyle and embrace healthier changes can be overwhelming and often confusing. I will walk alongside you and help you to make changes that will improve your health, lifestyle, and relationships. 

 

Today, I am thrilled to be able to support people on their journey to health

Start your journey to health today!

More on Winona Benson

As owner of Nourished Health Coaching Services, Winona Benson has been optimizing the health and wellness of her Palmer Alaska community since 2014. Some of her credentials include:

 

  • 9 years experience as a Nutrition Educator through University of Alaska Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension Service
  • National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, 2021​
  • Behavior Change Specialist, American Council on Exercise, 2020
  • Weight Management Specialist, American Council on Exercise, 2020
  • Hormone Health Certification, Institute of Integrative Nutrition, 2019
  • Professional Plant-Based Culinary Certification from Rouxbe Cooking School 2018​
  • Certified Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition 2016
  • Culinary RX Certification from Rouxbe Cooking School 2016
  • Certified Health Coach from American Council on Exercise 2015 - current
  • Master Gardener Certification from UAF CES 2015
  • Advanced Nutritarian Studies: Nutrition Educator from Nutritional Education Institute 2014
  • Plant-Based Nutrition Certification from Colin Campbell Foundation 2013
  • National Nutrition Paraprofessional Certification from Utah State University 2012​​ 

Your Health, Your Growth, Your Journey, You ARE worth it!

6330 N Britchenstrap Drive Palmer, AK, 99645, US

(907) 982-9933   winona@nourishedhcs.com

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