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Melisa Cannella, R.H.N.

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CSNN National Page > Melisa Cannella, R.H.N.

Sometimes it takes a personal health struggle to push you on a new path. Taking the Natural Nutrition Program gives you the tools to improve your own health and inspire you to do the same for others. CSNN graduate Melisa Cannella had a career “a-ha!” moment that changed her life and career for the better.

Connect with Melisa

Website: melcannourish.com

Facebook: @melcannourish

Instagram: @melcannourish

YouTube: mel can nourish

LinkedIn: Melisa Cannella

Tell us about yourself!

Before becoming a Registered Holistic Nutritionist™, I spent 16 years in broadcast media, where I had the privilege of serving as Senior Manager of the TSN Brand Partnerships team. During that time, I developed and brought to life customized brand campaigns across multiple media platforms throughout Canada. After such a rewarding career, I felt called to follow a new passion and pursue my dream of becoming a Registered Holistic Nutritionist™, with the hope of helping women over 40 achieve sustainable weight loss and empowering professionals through corporate wellness talks. 

Why did you decide to work in this industry?

I decided to work within the industry of health and wellness because it has been close to my heart for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I was drawn to books and magazines about nutrition, mental resilience, and spiritual growth, always wanting to understand how I could live a more balance, vibrant life. As I built my career in corporate, I began to see a gap that deeply resonated with me. So many people were achieving success professionally, but at the expense of their own health. That realization stayed with me. It made me want to be part of the solution. When I discovered CSNN later in life, it felt like everything finally aligned, as though I had found the path I was always meant to follow. 

What brought you to study holistic nutrition at CSNN?

I choose to study holistic nutrition at CSNN because it felt like a true calling. I have always believed that real health goes far beyond food alone and is grounded in a deeper connection of body, mind, and spirit. After seeing how easy it is for people to lose themselves in the demands of life, I was drawn to an approach that honours the whole person and creates space for healing, transformation, and lasting change. CSNN have me the opportunity to turn that passion into purpose, and to walk a path that feels deeply meaningful to me. 

How did you choose your specialty/area of focus?

I chose this specialty because I wanted to simplify health and wellness in a way that feels realistic, empowering, and sustainable for clients. My approach is rooted in helping people create healthy habits they can truly live with, rather than feeling overwhelmed by complicated rules. Mental health is also an important part of my focus, as it affects everyone in some way and often plays a major role in overall health. I believe deeply in educating clients on how nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle choices can work together to support the body and help restore balance from the inside out. 

What does a typical work day look like for you?

A day in the life of Mel is never the same, and that’s part of what makes it so exciting. Some days are very client-focused, with back-to-back sessions, health assessments, custom protocol and meal plan development, and regular coaching check-ins. Other days are dedicated to creating educational content, including scripting, filming, and editing videos for my YouTube channel. I also spend time developing content for social media and preparing presentations for corporate talks. Since becoming a Registered Holistic Nutritionist™, I have also continued my personal growth by coming a Certified Reiki Master, Mindfulness Coach, and Sound Healer, allowing me to bring an additional layer of support to my work.

What was your career "a-ha" moment?

My career “a-ha” moment came shortly before I made the life-changing decision to leave my 16-year corporate career. After returning to work as a new mother of two, I was eager to get back into the rhythm of my job, but the transition quickly became overwhelming. Between weaning my baby, adjusting to work, and coping with PTSD after my son’s febrile seizure, I experienced a perform storm that led to delayed postpartum depression. That period required me to step away and focus on healing physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Through that experience, I came to understand the importance of balance and homeostasis in the body at every stage of life. I also realized that suppressing emotions in the name of a hectic life is not sustainable. It was in that moment that I knew I wanted to learn more, heal more deeply, and help others do the same.

Was there a particular course at CSNN that motivated you towards your career path?

The courses that motivated me most were the science-based ones, especially Chemistry, Biochemistry, Anatomy, and Pathology. I was deeply drawn to learning how the body truly works on a physiological level, because it gave me a greater appreciation for the incredible intelligence of the human body and brain. Those courses made everything feel more meaningful for me, as if I was finally understanding the deeper “why” behind health, healing, and balance. They strengthened my desire to pursue this path and to help others better understand and care for their own bodies. 

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Mel was a true highlight of our Women’s Winter Wellness Retreat. She shared powerful insights on nutrition and inflammation in a way that felt approachable, compassionate, and easy to understand. Her ability to explain what our bodies truly need helped many of us reconnect with our own health in a deeper way. Mel created a grounded, safe space that encouraged curiosity without overwhelm or judgement. Her knowledge was both science-based and deeply intuitive, making the information feel practical and empowering. We left feeling informed, inspired, and more confident in supporting our bodies with intention.

Corporate Testimonial for Melisa
“

OMG, OMG, OMG … you were the first person I wanted to share this with! Today I hit my 50-pound weight-loss! All I did from November until now was continue clean eating as you taught me – I even added more food to my daily intake and increased walking a bit more and lost maybe a couple of pounds here and there. I didn’t pay attention too much to losing weight just to the way I felt when I ate until I reached another 10-pound loss! I feel amazing!!! I love you for teaching me how to love myself and eat to lose. Thank you, Mel.

Client Testimonial for Melisa

What is your favourite thing about what you do?

My favourite part of what I do is having the opportunity to educate and inspire others by showing them how even a few simple lifestyle changes can make a meaningful difference in their health and wellness journey. I’m especially passionate about emphasizing sustainability over fads because so much of diet culture encourages quick fixes instead of long-term results. Helping people build habits they can truly maintain is what makes this work so rewarding. 

What's your go-to recipe?

I love my Golden Milk Recipe (aka – Turmeric Latte) which I drink often. It’s a deliciously warming beverage that dates back many centuries. I fell in love with this drink years ago as a substitute to my morning coffee when I acquired sensitivities to caffeine. The main ingredients are turmeric, ginger and cinnamon which all contain anti-inflammatory properties – amazing for arthritis, heart disease, cancer, brain health – you name it. Especially beneficial this time of year with the rise in influenza as curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal which can help fight nasty infections. The beauty of Golden Milk is that it’s super easy to prepare and can be enjoyed any time of day – for breakfast, as a snack, as a substitute for sweet cravings or even as a pre-bedtime beverage.

What are your 3 favourite things in your fridge/pantry?

  1. Miso Paste to make delicious Miso Soup as it is a fermented product that aids in digestion and is loaded with beneficial bacteria and enzymes along with many other nutrients.
  2. Grass-fed Butter as it’s so delicious especially when coating steamed vegetables, sweet corn or to simply use for high heat cooking as it has a higher smoke point. I also love it because it’s rich in beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin K2.
  3. Red Radicchio: Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE my red radicchio and eat it in my largest bowls. I’m a fan of bitter vegetables and this qualifies as one of them. It boasts a ton of health benefits like liver support, it aids digestion due to its high fibre content, it’s high in vitamin K and is rich in antioxidants due its beautiful colour.
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Mel – there are not enough words in the universe to express what you have done for me physically, spiritually, and emotionally. This journey has brought me to a beautiful place of acceptance with my new reality. You are my mentor, cheerleader, and friend. Thank you for everything and thank you for making me feel so important. I could go on forever. I am so grateful.

Client Testimonial for Melisa
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