Sophie Benalioua (van IJsselstein) holistic functional nutritonalist

About Sophie

I’m certified from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Training Program and Gut Health Advanced Program, and I’m currently studying for a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. I’m also a member of the American Nutrition Association and The Institute for Functional Medicine.

I’m passionate about understanding the science behind how the body works and translating this complex knowledge into easily digestible information to help others. I’ve been deep diving into nutrition, biochemistry, cellular biology, physiology and psychology to better understand the underlying key pillars behind human health. During this exciting time, I’m sharing with you functional & science-based explanations combined with the foundations of integrative and holistic health practices to help you on your self-healing journey to optimal health and wellbeing.

I’m French (born and raised) from North-African parents. I lived half of my life in Asia (Singapore). I’m married to a wonderful Dutch man, we have two little ones together and are currently living in Los Angeles, USA. I’m a world citizen and have uniquely experienced different cultures and ways of living that have taught me so much about the combined influence of environment, history and genetics when it comes to holistic lifestyle and the cornerstones for optimal health. We are all different, what works for one may not work for another, but we all are the reflection of the interaction between physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and lifestyle factors.

Why the Holistic Health Whisperer?

I spent the first 15 years of my working life in corporate financial services, climbing the ladder to senior managerial positions, until my health plummeted and I decided to make a shift, which I further explain in the blog article “ My Story”.

During my own health struggles where I reached rock bottom, I wish somebody shed light on the underlying causes of my health issues and helped me address them. At the time, the only option I had was all I knew about: my doctor and the endless prescriptions to manage my symptoms but to reappear even worse later. I’ve been endlessly told that my labs were normal, that there was nothing wrong with me except allergies, until I started to question all I’ve been told and dig deeper, to understand, to connect the dots, and to heal myself.

Nowadays the gap between how we address illnesses and understanding each individual’s healthcare needs is growing wider than ever. We are facing an epidemic of chronic and “mysterious” diseases that often result from a cascade of interconnected events within the body, the mind, our lifestyle and environment, which is sadly too often overlooked when treating people. Medicines are often provided to manage symptoms instead of educating patients on what they need to do to reverse disease progression and prevent it from happening in the first place. Identifying and addressing the root cause(s) of imbalances is fundamental for lasting health improvements and everyone should be empowered with this information. That’s how I started The Holistic Health Whisperer, my purpose is to openly educate and share the knowledge I gained through the in-depth scientific and holistic studies I undertook and leveraging from my own self healing journey to help others reinstate balance for healing.

Because food is medicine, because lifestyle is what pulls the trigger, because the body is science and because knowledge is power: my purpose is to empower each and everyone of you with the knowledge to heal yourself holistically and live to your utmost potential.

Thanks for being here. Let’s get on that transformative journey together!

Sophie, the Holistic Health Whisperer

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