I was asked two great questions in an interview recently. The first one was, who has had the most impact on my health and wellness journey? And the second was, Who do I NOW turn to for health and wellness information? And because I LOVE sharing this kind of stuff with you (and ‘cos I always get so excited when I stumble upon someone who’s AWESOME!) today I want to spill the beans on all of ‘em — right here, right now!
Let’s start with question one… Who has had the most impact on my health and wellness journey?
When I first started out, Jess (aka The Wellness Warrior) was a massive resource of health and wellness information for me, as was the Institute For Integrative Nutrition (IIN). My wellness journey began back in 2010 when I ended up in hospital incredibly unwell and unhappy. I knew I had to sort my health and life out, but I realised I had no idea how. There was/is so much conflicting information out there, that I knew I wanted to go study holistic nutrition so that I could have the knowledge and understanding I desired, and so I could make the best and most informed choices for myself. Deep down, I knew knowledge was the key.
This is why I LOVED IIN so much. It gave me the tools and knowledge I needed at that exact time in my life. I particularly loved the philosophy of bio-individuality — meaning, everyone is different and no one diet is going to work for everyone. It inspired me to explore all the different ways of eating and to really find out what works best for me and my body. It’s an amazing course for anyone — whether you’re a mama wanting to further her knowledge for herself and her family, or someone who wants to become a holistic health coach, or if you’re already in the health and wellness space (i.e. a personal trainer or life coach) and want to add another tool to your wellness tool kit. Basically: I loved it, it changed my life, and it put me on the path I am on today. PLUS they offer a free sample class too so you can try it out and get a feel for it before you enrol in the course.
Next, it was the work of Dr Stephen Cabral that truly impacted me and my family. Nick discovered him in 2017 when he was very unwell and dealing with depression. It would be an understatement to say that Stephen bought him back to life. We have worked with him one on one now for years as our personal health coach and have never felt better. We are also proud ambassadors of his Integrated Health Practioner (IHP) certification.
In order for you to make the most informed health choices, you first need knowledge.
Another goodie is Donna Gates and her book The Body Ecology Diet. It radically influenced me, especially when I had candida and SIBO. Donna’s food combining principals saved my guts (literally!). A must-read for everyone.
Alright, on to question two: Who do I NOW turn to for health and wellness information?
For up to date and relevant information, right now I turn to these three epic peeps. They are all very well researched and know their stuff when it comes to health.
I listen to his podcast, use his products, love his program, refer back to his book time and time again, I gift his book and I see him one on one as my health coach.
I listen to his podcast, made many of his delicious recipes, read his books and refer to his website all the time
I listen to his podcast, made many of his recipes, read his books and refer to his website often.
The best part about all these peeps is that they are truly walking their talk. They are living examples of what they preach, and all of them glow from the inside out. I always think if you are going to take health and wellness advice from someone, they really should be the picture of health. After all, you wouldn’t take financial advice off someone who is in millions of dollars in debt, would you? And you certainly wouldn’t take relationship advice from someone who has never been in a relationship, right?! So be mindful where you are getting your knowledge from, and make sure you (and they!) are well researched.
Most of all though, always ALWAYS tune into yourself and do what feels right for YOU. (Remember: no one — no matter how great — is your guru.)
There are so many great resources above, so have fun diving in.
Now I would LOVE to hear from you, beautiful — Who is your number one expert that you turn to for health and wellness advice? Share with us in the comments below, and let’s make a long list of amazing people. And remember, thousands of peeps come here every week for inspiration, so please share your best recommendations below. The person you share may be the PERFECT fit for another beautiful soul in our MA Tribe who’s desperate for insight on their health journey… so share away!
Thank you so much for being here. I love supporting you to be the best version of yourself.
P.S. Do you know someone who needs some health inspo or is interested in studying at IIN? Forward this post onto them. And if/when you’re ready to dive in you can call IIN at +1 (877) 780-5455 or email admissions@integrativenutrition.com and make sure you ask for the ‘Melissa Ambrosini Scholarship’ so you get $1500 off your tuition.
P.P.S. Gorgeous, I just wanted to let you know that some of the above goodies I have mentioned are affiliate links — which means that if you choose to purchase, I get a small commission. Transparency is essential for all of us here at MA, so please know that I only ever recommend things that I LOVE and have made a massive difference in my own life.
*This post has been updated since it was originally written in 2016.
Thank you so much Mel. Am deeply honoured to be mentioned right up there with Chris Kresser, Daniel Vitalis and Dave Asprey!! I’ve learnt so much from you too and am certain that we will continue to Inspire, educate and stretch each other till we are old and (stylishly) grey
Love you so much sista!
Love this post Melissa! it is very interesting, particularly as I am deeply interested in balancing hormones and fertility. Was it Dave Asprey’s cookbook or Lani Asprey’s book that specifically gave you insight into your own personal hormonal imbalance all those years ago? or was it just a mix of all the above? I intend to read all of them but was just interested!
Thankyou lovely!
It was a mix of all of the above sista! So many nuggets in all the above resources. You will love.
Fabulous- thanks so much, Melissa! I’m a huge fan of Star Anise’s products too (the activated nuts are incredible!)
I was just wondering, will there be replay of the IIN call? I’m not able to make it live, but it’d be great to hear more.
Thanks!
Katie x
Hey honey,
Yes, you can go back to my Facebook page any time and re-watch the video 😉
Fabulous- thanks, lovely lady! x 🙂
Hi Melissa,
“Before discovering these peeps, I was a vego with no period, I had eczema all over my body, I lacked energy, had adult acne, adrenal fatigue, thyroid problems, leaky gut, candida, SIBO, high levels of mercury, hives, depression, and loads of vitamin and mineral deficiencies just to name a few.”
Are you talking about me?
Although I do have a regular period the rest could really be me! After having been vegan for more than 7 years, some months ago I decided to eat some organic meat and cream again and at the same time to cut out gluten. And yes, I am already feeling better.
So your post could not be more on time for me, as I am also planning to get pregnant in the near future.
Thank you very much for the information.
I am not sure if I will be a “full paleo” girl any time soon and eating innards etc., but bone broth, meat and eggs will also be a good start! 😉
Best greetings from Germany,
Dominique
Hey Dominique,
You don’t have to be anything but you sista! No need for labels here just eat the way your body want’s you too 😉
Thank you for sharing this, and for emphasizing that everyone’s body is unique, and that their healing journey will honor that. You’re a big inspiration for me 🙂
Marie
marietheresebatt.com
Hey Melissa,
First off I need to start by saying I love everything you stand for and you just radiate so much love and light and health! Your skin and eyes glow constantly! I follow you on snapchat and love learning new things you are doing that I can apply to my own life, so thank you!
I am a holistic nutritionist and I am kind of embarrassed to say that I am experiencing all sorts of crazy symptoms lately, which I believe is candida. I’ve been reading the bulletproof diet and I am trying to wrap my head around going from eating no meat to eating meat. I am a vegetarian that does eat fish, but no dairy, no meat and no gluten. Yet I am always tired (exhausted) foggy brain, headaches, muscle aches, PMS every month (bloating for 2 weeks) and cannot lose weight no matter how hard I try.
Can you give some advice on how you at least got started back into eating meat or bone broth for that matter? I am finding it very overwhelming with so much information these days on this diet and that diet. People advocate no meat, no eggs, no gluten, no dairy, no sugar and so on.
I know I should be able to figure these things out on my own. But really I am trying to find balance in my own life right now. Something that works for me.
Thank you so much xoxoxo
Hey beautiful,
Thanks for your question and kind words 😉
I started small with just half a cup of bone broth per day and worked my way up. I listened to my body, tuned in and always gave it what it desired. That’s the best thing to do sista! I would also go see an amazing naturopath if I was you to get some more guidance. Don’t be hard on yourself. Trust the process. Read. Educate yourself and always ALWAYS listen to your beautiful body.
Does that help honey?
Thanks for sharing Melissa! Love your work and your snapchats are SO inspiring for me in the mornings 🙂 My Naturopath in Adelaide is awesome.. for anyone interested, checkout: http://www.myhealthmyhappiness.com.au/ (Kasey Willson)
Thanks for the recommendation sista! And glad you love the snappy’s 😉
I found you through Ali Schuler
Love her so much! Thank the stars 😉
Hi Melissa
Totally on board and also love all your reccomendations. It’s funny how we all navigation organically towards similar people along this path.. The only one I hadn’t heard of was your hiking friend so I will take a look. Thankyou.
One thing I personally struggle with is that whilst I’ve been on an intense 20 year healing journey I am in truth physically very sick still. I don’t feel well or look well. But I am living my truth – and learning and growing exponentionally. I explore health and wellbeing all the time and have a wealth of knowledge. The struggle is that other people may not find my advice / info credible whilst I’m not seeing results personally? On the outside at least. It was a reason I initially held back from blogging … How can I blog about health when I’m still sick etc? …. But actually it works. I do believe – that although it’s much more complex and you do meet resistance from some – you can be valuable and share knowledge credibly from a place where you are not yet glowing yourself . I just wanted to explore his concept a little as your words do make sense, yet I believe it’s very important to acknowledge that there is another layer, and I do believe it’s possible to be the light and share wisdom even when your own body is perhaps not yet shining? I just wanted to share my thoughts on this as I know a lot of chronically ill but incredibly wise people who hold back (and have low confidence) for this reason.
Also I wanted to say how much I loved your recent interview with Nick. Amazing. And I was fascinated to hear about his Lyme Disease diagnosis as after 20 years I too have now stumbled across this for myself which has opened up a massive new are an to explore. I wondered if I could possibly write to him?
Many thanks Melissa.
Carly xx
Hey Carly,
Thanks for sharing so openly.
I was the same, for ages I didn’t start blogging because I wasn’t yet ‘healed’ but I soon realised that in sharing authentically I was in fact inspiring so many others. I am still on my journey too and working through some stuff, it’s a process and a lifelong journey.
I would be interested to know if you have read my book yet? There’s a lot of helpful information about mindset in there which I think you would get a lot out of. Let me know.
xx
P.S. And yes you can contact Nick from his website angel 😉
Thanks Melissa. Yes I have your book thanks. Even wrote a review of it on my blog 😉 ….not sure if you read it but there was a lot of praise.
I love mindfullness and incorporating a healing lifestyle. Many thanks for your supportive wordsxx
Would love to read it sista. Post it here so I can read it 😉
http://living-brightly.com/inspiration-harmony-bliss/an-open-letter-reflecting-on-love-mastering-your-mean-girl-with-melissa-ambrosini/
Here it is Melissa. In the format of an open letter to you … http://living-brightly.com/inspiration-harmony-bliss/an-open-letter-reflecting-on-love-mastering-your-mean-girl-with-melissa-ambrosini/
Hope you like xx
Bursting with love angel <3
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for the recommendations – they all seem like amazing books!
A book that I absolutely love is “Super Nutrition for Babies” by Katherine Erlich and Kelly Gunslinger. My Mum got it for me after having my daughter and thank the gods she did. It explains so much, such as why we need to be feeding our babies the most nutrient dense foods (such as organ meats, cod liver oil, salmon roe, beef marrow, bone broth etc), also offering what to feed at during each month of development and some great recipes (Weston A Price is mentioned).
Much love x
Kelly
Sounds AMAZING Kelly. I am going to check it out.
Thanks for the awesome recommendation sista!
xx
I struggle with deciding on the best bone broth to get and also probiotics? Do you have any in particular that you recommend?
Hey honey,
I make my own bone broth (there’s a recipe in my ebook The Glow Kitchen and regarding probiotics I would go see a great naturopath and get her advice as there are so many on the market and you need to make sure you are getting the right strains for bacteria for you. Does that make sense honey?
Okay thank you Melissa! I thought I saw in a comment somewhere in your blog that you were working with a different Naturopath. Are you still seeing her? I’ll take a look at Kultured Wellness website now, sounds great thanks! 🙂
Hey Emma,
Yes, I also work with Kylie Seaton who you could check out. She’s awesome!
xx
Okay so not Anthia Koullouros anymore? I noticed you mention her a couple of times in your blog through comments. I’ve just had a look at Kylies website now! She looks great, thank you! I like to do my research or get recommendations before I go and see someone.
Nope not seeing Anthia any more but I am seeing Kylie and Kirsty. Check them both out 😉
Can I ask why you don’t see Anthia anymore? Sorry to sound forward and for all the questions but you inspire me so very much. All the health issues you had, I have. And you are everything that I aim to be – positive, healthy, happy, full of energy. You literally are glowing and the past year I have been so down and low – no energy, eczema, bloating, gut issues, high levels of candida, sibo etc. I am beyond frustrated because sometimes I feel I may never get better, but you inspire me to one day be healthy again. I know it takes time and it takes alot of loving and self care but I guess I just want to find a good health professional. To be honest I was only looking at going to see Anthia because I know you saw her when you were starting out on this whole health journey and I have noticed you have said that she helped you in the past so I guess I just want to know if she really did or not.
Hey Melanie,
Different people have different strengths and my needs changed as I progressed, so naturally the people who guide me will change also. It’s an ever evolving process. Does that make sense honey?
Yes that makes sense and I understand. I will consider going to another Naturopath as it sounds like Anthia didn’t help you much and I need someone who can help me as I have alot going on with my health at the moment. It’s all overwhelming. Thank you.
Hey Melanie,
Anthia absolutely did help me loads for where I was at many years ago. Kylie and Kirsty are now supporting me with what I have at present.
Have you looked into Kylie or Kirsty yet?
Hi Melissa!
Thanks for the great read..could I ask what yohr views are on veganisim? I am very confused in what the best diet is for optimal health especially after just watching “forks over knives”.. Which advocated a whole foods plant diet and all the statistics around it being the optimal diet for humans.
Would love some advice!
Melissa x
Hey sweetie,
The best thing you can do is listen to these two podcasts and make your own decision. Here’s the first one and here’s the second one.
Let me know what you think once you have had a listen.
xx
Hi Mel!
Thanks so much for sharing!
I was wondering if you could share a few of your favorite health & nutrition books & / or inspiring books you have on your bookshelf!
P.S. You are always glowing!!
Thanks 🙂
Thanks so much Kay. Here is a list of my fav books for you. Enjoy sista!
I love ‘The Body Ecology’! I’m just scrolling through some of your blog posts now and I find you truly inspiring. I know you have made mention in some of your comments for people to see a Naturopath or health professional. Was there/is there anyone in particular that you saw for your health issues to help you heal? Are you still healing? Did you ever have any difficulty with digesting high fodmap foods when you had leaky gut/sibo? I have a long list of foods I cannot eat – eggs, dairy, gluten, grains, high fodmaps, nightshades etc and I find it very frustrating. Like you I suffer from all the problems that you have mentioned you have had – thyroid issues, depression, adrenal fatigue, leaky gut, sibo, heavy metals, candida, vitamin deficiencies, low energy, eczema, hormonal imbalances and I hope to have healed like you have one day – sometimes I lose all hope. Thank you for being inspiring and giving people guidance. Glad I found your page!
Hey beautiful Melaine,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I work with Kirsty from Kultured Wellness as I have found her to be the best. Check her and her 6-month gut healing program out, it’s awesome!
xx
Okay thanks Melissa I will check out her website now! I saw in comments on your blog you were seeing another Naturopath in Sydney. Do you still see her or any other Dr or primarily just Kirsty?
I also see Kylie Seaton. Check her out too.
xx
I’ve heard you talk about an app on your podcast where you can search cosmetics or foods ingredient lists for “baddies” I’m specifically interested in non chemical sunscreens. Usually I use the if I don’t know what it is, it’s probably bad method but I want to know more about zinc and titanium dioxide based products! Does this app sound familiar?
Hey honey, it’s called Think Dirty. Check it out! xx
What about Dr. Stephen Cabral? You were mentioning him also as a lifesaver on your journey. Do you still promote his course? Thanks for everything! <3
Hey Marina, yes I LOVE Dr Stephen Cabral but I wrote this blog post over 3 years ago before I met him so thank you for reminding me that I need to update it to include him. I will do that now. xx
Hi Melissa I am an avid follower of both you and Nick. Both so inspirational and insightful and you’ve helped me cut through the ton of information to find the experts as well as listen to your incredible podcasts.
Food is confusing and when I read your inspirational people, was a little more confused as I know you’re a vegetarian, as they all are not. I do remember you recommending Game Changers (which I watched) and didn’t think either you and Nick ate any animal products. No doubt we are all different but that movie has certainly created some controversy and Kresser does a good job of setting the record straight. Do you cover this confusion off this in your health talk?
Also you didn’t mention Stephen Cabral as one of your go to health experts. Do you and a Nick still use him and recommend him and his protocols or have your needs changed?
I’m really looking forward to your Heath talk and always am grateful for how much you share of both your professional and personal life!
With gratitude for your openness
Michelle xx
Hi Michelle, thank you so much for your message and kind words. I wrote this blog post about 3 years ago so thank you for reminding me that I need to update it which I will do now. Enjoy the update. xx
Hi Melissa, I just want to say that it is so refreshing listening to motivational people like yourself who aren’t afraid of doing what you want to do to better your own body! I always feel more inspired after listening to you so thank you ☺️
My husband and I have been gradually making changes to our way of living over the last few years – which only continues to change as we learn more about nutrition and a more minimalist and an environmentally friendly lifestyle but I feel constantly judged for not eating what society wants everyone to eat, and feel the push to go back to eating the ‘normal’ of what everyone else does i.e eating junk food. Something so simple as deciding to go dairy free or bringing my own container to a butcher, and I feel I am looked at differently. Instead of positive praise for healthy changes, people always seem to negatively comment – ‘that sound expensive’, ‘that would be time consuming’ etc…
Just commenting for all those reading to ignore the people who feel the need to comment on YOUR healthy life choices and to just keep doing what you want to do.
Also a podcast that has inspired me to always continue to research on health is the ATP Project. Always informative.
Xo
Hey Jessica, thanks for the comment angel. Well done on all the little things you are doing that are making a big difference. Keep going! Please don’t focus on what other people may think and continue to focus on how good it makes you feel. People are always going to have an opinion and it’s not your responsibility to worry about theirs. Just stay true to you. Stay in your own lane and focus on what feels good and true for you and your family. That’s all that matters! xx
Hello Melissa!
I’m hoping that you can share a list of your most recommended health & wellness books.
Sure can honey. Check them out here and here. Enjoy! xx