Hi, I’m Lana, and I’m YAMA’s in-house nutritionist.
Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing practical nutrition guidance and simple ways to support a healthier overall diet. What you won’t hear from me is quick-fix weight loss advice, diet trends to follow, or the latest “must-have” health product. As you get to know me, you’ll understand why.
I love challenging nutrition myths and staying far away from mainstream wellness fads, but I haven’t always felt this way. When I completed my Bachelor of Health Science in nutrition, I had a very narrow view of health. I believed nutrition was the answer to everyone’s problems, and that many conditions could be solved with the right probiotic, magnesium, or a superfood from Peru. Over time, through years of working with clients and continuing my own research, I came to see that nutrition is only one small part of a much bigger picture. Ignoring everything else was doing people a real disservice. That realization led me to pursue a master’s in Public Health, where I learned just how much access to healthcare, food, employment, education, housing, movement, mental health, and the protection of our spiritual energy can shape wellbeing.
To me, a person’s weight and appearance are truly the least interesting things about them. At YAMA, we want to help you move beyond that and feel empowered to reconnect with the parts of yourself that need nourishment.
Like Elissa, I’m deeply drawn to adventure and travel, and I’ve learned far more from stepping outside and exploring the world than I ever did from collecting qualifications. At 20, I decided I wanted to see the world, write my own story, and question the way life is “supposed” to be lived. I once thought I was simply trying to be different, but I now understand I was doing it for my health. Every part of me longs to learn from people, cultures, landscapes, energies, and different ways of living. And whenever we drift away from our true purpose, we do our health a disservice. I encourage you to seek nourishment in all the ways YAMA offers — through meditation, yoga, movement, adventure, nutrition, connection, and a deeper understanding of your place in this world and how you can contribute.