Meet Lianna Nielsen

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lianna Nielsen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lianna below.

Lianna, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Growing up I had a strong feeling that I was meant to do something of impact but for years was perplexed as to what it was. My purpose didn’t find me until my late 20’s when I had a major health crisis and was forced to slow down, examine my life, and change my habits. Looking back, I was always interested in health, wellness, and self-development but it wasn’t until my body was compromised and I had no where to turn, that my path naturally changed. I was seeing countless doctors and getting no real answers so I started to do my own research. I began to experiment with different ways of eating, sleeping, moving, even meditating. Within just a few weeks I started to see major improvements in areas where doctors had no clue. I was so inspired by what I was learning I decided to go back to school to become an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Though I initially became a health coach to continue my own healing, my passion for it slowly took over my life. The ability to help others through my passions and what I’ve learned through my personal struggles, has led to the most rewarding and purposeful work.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve always been a highly sensitive and creative person who loves to learn. My career started in the arts as an actress, but I was constantly reading anything I could get my hands on that would allow me to more deeply understand my mind, body, emotions, and behavior. I spent many years acting in New York until I got sick and was forced to examine how I was living. My habits and lifestyle were encouraging illness and my body was asking me to slow down and listen. Learning how to do that changed my life: not only did it lead to healing but it changed the trajectory of my life, and continues to, in the most amazing ways.

At the core of what I do now is teach people how to listen to and trust their bodies. In that ability to both listen to your body’s specific and unique signals, and then be brave enough to trust them, is the key to health, longevity and creating a life you love. My work as an actress before becoming a health coach, as well as my training in both, informs the work I do. My education combined with my own healing journey from an undiagnosable autoimmune condition, bulimia, anxiety and depression has given me a unique set of tools and skills that helps support both physical and mental health. Each one of us has our own distinctive set of needs that will support our health and it’s up to us to figure out what they are. With my clients I combine education in nutrition, hormone balance, gut health, blood sugar, neuroscience, and mindfulness with embodiment work. Teaching individuals to listen to their bodies signals while we implement change is where the magic happens. Developing that inner dialogue not only leads to health, but also, allows them to anticipate their needs or sense their discomfort sooner. Through this process we not only improve their health but the quality of their lives.

I work individually with clients, periodically lead group programs for women, as well as host a podcast called “Love Through It.” The podcast is a fun and exciting opportunity to learn from experts and those with stories of transformation in all facets of health and wellness. The goal is to continue to give my audience the tools to create lives and bodies they love.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Though at times I’ve felt that everything I was pursing professionally was unrelated, looking back, it’s all been an important part of who I am and what I do. And because may path hasn’t been traditional, my ability to be curious, brave, and to take personal responsibility for my life has allowed me to build a fulfilling career.

Whenever you try something new or find yourself feeling stuck or frustrated adopt a curious mindset. Approaching life with curiosity allows for more growth, creativity, surprise and delight, as well as eliminates judgement. When I was sick, seeing countless doctors with no answers, I felt paralyzed. I got sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and I started to wonder if there was anything I could do myself. If I could learn more to help my situation–and there was (hint: there usually is). In that curiosity and entire new career path started to grow. When I wanted to learn more about what I had experienced, I again became curious about how I could help others like myself. Whenever I hit a road block I always come back to curiosity. I get curious about what would be the most fun, interesting, or exciting thing for me to do and start there.

Bravery helps the most when it comes to execution of new ideas, leaving situations that you’ve outgrown, and carving out a new path. It’s not always easy, but I’ve found that when you’re excited enough about an idea, you can tap into that passion and find the bravery there. The tendency is to stay in our comfort zone, to do what everyone else is doing, or what we think we “should” do, but to build a life or career that you really love it will always take courage. Often the most exciting path is going to require you to step outside the box and that can be scary but going for it will always be worth it.

Taking personal responsibility for your circumstances can be uncomfortable. There’s a tendency, especially when you’re young, to think (or hope) that someone is eventually going to show up and save you: hand you the perfect job or provide the right answers. Once you realize that you’re that person, and that you have the ability to not just save yourself, but to build the life of your dreams, everything changes. Once you commit to taking accountability for your life, you have the ability to tap into your inner wisdom–we all have it. It’s that inner voice urging you towards balance, peace, love and your dreams. It can be scary to listen, and sometimes even hard to hear, but as soon as you commit to taking responsibility for yourself, you get access to it, and it will never lead you astray.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Earlier than most, my parents took a step back and stopped telling me what they thought I should do and started encouraging me to think for myself–I hated it. As a shy, indecisive, not always confident. young woman, I struggled at times to figure out what I wanted. For years I yearned for someone to give me direction but there was none. As a sensitive person who knows what she doesn’t like, it was easy for me to say no but I was often scared to commit to new ideas. I would ask for advice and they would often just listen and then turn the question back on me. I would find it so frustrating but it slowly helped me to connect to my own inner wisdom and to start to listen and trust myself. Much of society teaches us that the answers come from outside of us: doctors, experts, your boss–but if you want to find purpose, be healthy, and build a life you love–you are the only one who knows what to do. While you won’t always have the answers, your inner wisdom will lead you to the right people or places that will give you the insight or lessons you need. Cultivating the ability to listen and trust yourself is the best thing you can do for yourself (and your kids) — but again it goes back to being curious enough to go within and brave enough to listen to what you hear.

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Image Credits
Emilia Aghamirzai

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