What is Holistic Nutrition?

Holistic nutrition is an approach to health that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit through whole, nutrient-dense foods and purposeful lifestyle habits. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of well-being, aiming to support optimal health by considering an individual’s routines, environment, spiritual and emotional health alongside their physical nutrition.

what does a holistic nutritionist do?

Hi, I’m Olympia!

I am a board certified Holistic Nutritionist (BCHN®) who loves health, community, culture, and food.

  • I am client- focused and address therapeutic dietary and lifestyle recommendations for the whole person:body, mind, and soul.
  • I am particularly interested in integrative medicine, joining both allopathic and natural remedies for acute and chronic disease
  • I also focus on functional medicine, a cohesive method of medicine that seeks the root cause of disease. Rather than individual systems, I focus on addressing the whole body.
  • I work with people of all ages. My specialty is autoimmune disease and musculoskeletal disorders.
  • I am empathetic, explorative, and willing to meet clients in any stage of health or disease to find solutions that will promote your healing and restoration.

My Journey towards Holistic Functional Medicine

\My desire for health and wellness is informed by my own experience with chronic illness. A runner, dancer, and active individual throughout my childhood and teenage years, my world drastically changed when I developed two rare, serious autoimmune diseases in my second year of college. Diffuse scleroderma, polymyositis, and lyme disease have since taught me the intricacies of pain, fatigue, loss, grief, misdiagnosis, medications, blood plasma infusions, emotional trauma, extreme diet changes, allopathic specialists, functional medicine, naturopathic doctors, acupuncture, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. I know first hand what it is like to function in a body that feels foreign.

Amidst of the struggle of chronic illness, I have learned that there is a deep whole body connection between what we believe, what we eat, and how we live, and through that I have learned that healing is always possible.

Before realizing I would one day become a nutritionist, I worked in the health & food world since 2008. I worked for a local, organic apple farm for four years where I first developed a love for fresh, rich simplicity found in whole foods. I then worked as a nutrition brand representative for a nutrition bar company, merchandizing product, working with major health food store chains, and educating managers about health food choices. In 2015, my position as Team Educator for the Whole Body department at Whole Foods Market increased my love of natural remedies, holistic healing, and education while I simultaneously received my Bachelor of Science degree in Theology, Sociology & Cultural Studies.

In 2020, I decided it was time to take the leap into nutrition consulting others so that I could use the knowledge I’ve gained to help other people in similar situations. I studied Holistic Nutrition Consulting at Bauman College in Berkeley, California and worked for almost two years with Dr. Christine Ilovan DAIM, Dipl. O.M., L.Ac, MS, FMP, MP-NLP at her functional medicine and acupuncture clinic to expand my knowledge of integrative functional medicine and holistic nutrition. I counseled over 40 clients in a one-on-one clinical setting to help them set and achieve their health goals.

In April of 2022, my husband and I moved to North Carolina where we started our homestead and are working on other community-focused ventures. I love to educate our local community about holistic living, medicinal herbal remedies, therapeutic loose leaf teas, and long-fermented sourdough bread that’s amazingly good for you. In our spare time, we love gardening by using sustainable, regenerative agriculture, having tea parties, hosting family and friends, picking flowers, and picnicking (and napping) on blankets in the orchard. We are are embracing holistic health, living as close to the land as possible, and inviting others to join in with us!

Testimonials

An Expert with Resources

I started to work with Olympia Rusu to address the headaches through nutrition. Olympia is super knowledgeable and she definitely can empathize with her patients as she has deep personal experience with nutrition and wellbeing. While she is an expert in this area, I really, really appreciate her understanding of ‘me’ and offering very specific nutritional changes and coaching that were realistic and achievable. Olympia also gave me a copy of her booklet, Eating for Health. This is exceptional – it is a full turnkey guide that includes research, recipes, shopping lists, food plans and more – love it! I highly recommend Olympia Rusu.
Scott, California

From SIBO to Thriving

When I came to Olympia a few months ago, I was suffering from SIBO and had many difficult symptoms, including inflammation and itching. After an elimination diet lasting about three to four months, and a planned gradual reintroduction of foods, my symptoms are largely gone, my digestion is feeling solid and strong, I’m absorbing and utilizing food better, and my energy is back. Moreover, I feel that I have a clear plan for maintaining that good condition. Olympia is extremely knowledgeable, easy to work with, thorough, and caring. She goes above and beyond, writing and sending detailed meeting notes, often with accompanying links, contact info and recipes. I feel very well taken care of by Olympia, and I give her my highest recommendation.  She has a passion for getting her clients well.
Bob, California

Got Questions?

Want to learn more about one-on-one nutrition counseling services, pricing, pantry makeovers, grocery store tours, and health coaching? Or are you interested in attending our next herbal remedies class or Back to Basics course? Message me for more info!