About the founder…

Cooking for my friends and family has always been one of my greatest joys. There’s nothing quite like watching a loved one savor something I’ve created — that moment of connection through food is priceless. But my path to functional nutrition wasn’t immediate or obvious. It took time, exploration, and a lot of learning to realize how deeply I was drawn to the healing power of food. I didn’t always know I’d end up here — but over time, I found myself more and more interested in how food can heal, support, and empower. That’s what ultimately led me to functional nutrition.

From early on, I also knew I was destined to run my own business. I’ve been a fan of Shark Tank for years, even winning a Shark Tank-style competition back in high school. That entrepreneurial spirit evolved into The Pretty Vegan (TPV), a brand born from my passion for plant-based living and my drive to make a positive impact. TPV has already opened amazing doors — including the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step up to the plate (literally) for funding at the San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park in August 2023. (You can read more about how TPV turned into Healthy Habits SC HERE or by visiting the TPV tab in the menu above.) It wasn’t until this opportunity that I withdrew my application to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and decided to focus on Functional Nutrition Counseling instead.

With a background in marketing and a lifelong passion for food, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place when I discovered the Functional Nutrition Alliance and their Full Body Systems certification. Over the past year, I’ve dived deep into the study of the body’s seven main systems — digestive, immune, urinary, cardiovascular, endocrine, neurological, and reproductive — gaining a profound understanding of how nutrition can either support or disrupt health.

Today, as a Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor, I bring together my love of food, my entrepreneurial heart, and my commitment to helping others. I am a compassionate listener, a confident speaker, and a dedicated caretaker.

My work also extends beyond nutrition. I serve my community as a substitute teacher in the public schools of Santa Cruz County, a server at Paradise Beach Grille, a regular volunteer at the Holy Cross Food Pantry, and a caregiver to my grandparents — roles that keep me grounded, inspired, and in tune with the everyday ways we show up for one another. These experiences aren’t separate from my journey — they’re part of it. They reflect my belief that healing and connection shouldn’t be limited to clinical settings, but should also live in classrooms, dining rooms, and the places that feed the soul — like the beach.

I truly believe every step of my journey has led me to this point, and I am honored to be practicing in Santa Cruz, California — a place I love, and a community I’m proud to support in more ways than one.