Kelly Ryan

ByCSNN

Career

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Connect with Kelly

Website: nerdynutrition.ca

Email: kelly@nerdynutrition.ca

LinkedIn: Kelly Ryan

Tell us about yourself!

Kelly Ryan is a Certified Holistic Nutritionial Consultant™ professional (C.H.N.C.), the 2023 Winner of the Julie Daniluk Award, and the founder of Nerdy Nutrition Corporate Wellness in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. During the first six years of her career, she coached seniors, exhausted moms and their families in making wellbeing changes.

Three years ago, Kelly changed her career path by leaning into her authentic, “nerdy” personality and pioneering a completely new category: gamified corporate health and wellness. Today, she facilitates done-for-you, interactive team-building experiences, including Wellness Murder Mysteries, Corporate Escape Rooms, and “Lunch, Learn, & Laughter” sessions. By replacing dry lectures with immersive play, Kelly helps organizations break down departmental silos, try a varienty of wellbeing activities, alleviate workplace stress, and build positive corporate cultures. A sought-after speaker and facilitator, she regularly presents at major regional events, including the CPHR NL (Chartered Professionals in Human Resources) Symposium and Expo Labrador, proving that natural nutrition and self-care can be accessible, competitive, and genuinely fun.

Why did you decide to work in this industry?

I originally came to CSNN out of a personal health journey and a fierce desire to protect my children’s well-being. After working with a Naturopathic Doctor to uncover that I was functionally anemic and allergic to North American gluten and cow dairy, I realized just how powerfully our food and lifestyle choices dictate our health. Once my kids were born, I knew I didn’t want them facing those same roadblocks. While most people would just Google solutions, my nerdy personality took over, I decided to go back to school at CSNN so I could provide holistic well-being for my family and beyond.

What brought you to study holistic nutrition at CSNN?

My journey into holistic nutrition started at home. Dealing with functional anemia and significant food sensitivities opened my eyes to how deeply our environment and nutrition impact daily vitality. When I had my children, my protective instincts kicked in. Instead of relying on internet searches or quick fixes, I chose to enroll at CSNN to gain a comprehensive understanding of the human body. What began as a personal mission to heal my own body and protect my family quickly evolved into a passionate career empowering others to take control of their well-being without stress or restriction.

How did you choose your specialty/area of focus?

My specialty actually found me through trial, error, and listening to my clients. Over my first six years in business, I tried several traditional models, coaching seniors, busy moms, and families, as well as auditing standard corporate wellness programs. But I kept hearing the same feedback: trying to be healthy is stressful. I realized that corporate wellness was stuck in two outdated modes: dry, lecturing seminars or isolating digital step-challenges. I decided to take the stress out of well-being by combining my background in holistic health with my love for puzzles, games, and my natural “nerdy” personality. That is how I pioneered gamified corporate wellness through interactive murder mysteries and escape rooms.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

As a solopreneur, my weeks are a vibrant mix of creative design and high-energy facilitation! Right now, I wear all of the hats! My week is split between working in the business and working on the business. I am either networking, creating and building, or doing the mundane business tasks, or I am facilitating fun wellbeing-inspired workshops, escape rooms and lunch, learn and laughter sessions.

What's your favourite thing about what you do?

It’s amazing to watch my corporate clients completely let their hair down. Seeing professionals in high-stress, serious industries running around a room, laughing, getting fiercely competitive, and genuinely bonding with co-workers, all while learning practical tools to take care of their mental and physical well-being, is the most rewarding feeling in the world.

What was your career "a-ha" moment?

Three years ago, while working with a business coach, she helped me admit to myself that traditional 1-on-1 coaching wasn’t bringing me or my clients joy anymore. I realized that community, levity, and connection are just as critical to holistic well-being as food and hydration. When I stopped trying to fit into the standard “nutritionist box” and pivoted to interactive, gamified corporate events, my business exploded, and I finally fell completely in love with what I do.

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

Learning about the foundational connection between chronic stress, digestion, and overall bodily systems during my time at CSNN was a massive turning point for me. Recognizing that stress directly impacts how our bodies absorb nutrients and function day-to-day is ultimately what inspired my current career path. It made me realize that if we want people to be healthy, we first have to lower their stress, which is exactly why my corporate offerings focus on laughter, play, and taking the stress out of wellness.

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We recently participated in Nerdy Nutrition’s Corporate Wellness Murder Mystery and it was such a fun experience. It was the perfect mix of entertainment, team building, and wellness education, leaving our group energized, engaged, and inspired. Each team member had the opportunity to play an active role… We solved the mystery but also walked away with practical wellness tips that we can implement in our daily routine.

Stephanie Sheppard

McInnes Cooper

What's your go-to recipe? What are your 3 favourite things in your fridge/pantry?

I am a huge believer in keeping nutrition simple, approachable, and stress-free! My everyday go-to recipes are nutrient-dense but incredibly easy, like a balanced chicken, fresh salad, and rice bowl for supper, or a powerhouse morning smoothie packed with avocado, banana, berries, hemp hearts, and fresh spinach. When I want a cozy treat night, my absolute favorite is making homemade pho from scratch.

As for my kitchen staples, my freezer is always stocked with frozen fruits, berries, and veggies for quick meals, and you will consistently find high-quality fish, artisanal sourdough, grass-fed yogurt, and oat milk in my fridge!

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While most people would just Google solutions, my nerdy personality took over, I decided to go back to school at CSNN so I could provide holistic well-being for my family and beyond.

Kelly Ryan, C.H.N.C.

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