[ep 093] Elisa Kosonen on eating mindfully and finding joy & adventure in our food

Elisa Kosonen's empathetic, intuitive nature is a gift. It's why she is an incredible storyteller, having spent the last few decades in various senior level roles—editor, writer, publicist, marketing & communications—at magazines (NUVO and Flare), start-ups (Garmentory), and global brands (Aritzia and Mindful Collective). Now a registered holistic nutritionist, she recently launched her practice 14 Carrots. Her offerings include 1:1 coaching focused on reconnecting to your physiology and discovering your unique nutritional needs, reconnecting with your body/mind, and creating a lasting foundation for a full and energetic life.

Raised in the suburbs surrounding Vancouver, her childhood was idyllic—her father was an educator, her mother launched a career counseling business, and the home was filled with fun. Elisa was both creative and athletic, fascinated with the body from a young age. Though excelling in English, she always wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon—so, at university, she began a major in kinesiology. But it didn't feel aligned at the time and she explored other avenues, finding her lane in journalism. After graduating, she landed an editor role at NUVO Magazine, then had life chapters in London and New York. When her late mother was diagnosed with cancer, she returned to Vancouver and settled into her career. During the pandemic, her true calling came knocking—and she went back to school to become a registered holistic nutritionist & certified health coach. 

In this episode, we discuss her creativity and penchant for storytelling; what she's learned about the beautiful interconnectivity of our bodily systems; understanding the crucial role of digestion & being present with our meals; how trying different foods can help us discover what makes us feel our best; rituals and mindfulness in eating; and much more.

[TIMESTAMPS]

00:00 - Introduction and Childhood in Coquitlam

06:03 - Exploring Creativity and Storytelling in the Fashion Industry

13:09 - Transitioning from Fashion to Nutrition

31:13 - Personalized Nutrition and Unique Nutritional Needs

36:22 - Tuning Into Our Bodies and Exploring Different Foods

39:24 - Honoring Cultural and Ethnic Influences on Food Preferences

41:06 - Rituals and Mindfulness in Eating

45:14 - The Power of Holistic Nutrition for Well-being

50:13 - Finding Joy and Adventure in Our Meals

[TODAY'S SPONSORS]

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