Graduate Spotlight

On the One Hand…
An Alumni Interview with Leslie Marioni, Bachelor of Science in Natural Health

Prior to CCNH, what was your educational experience?

I am a graduate of Bauman College. I completed the Nutrition Educator Program. I am also an Associate Raw Food Chef and Instructor trained at the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute located in Fort Bragg, CA.

How did you become interested in natural health and holistic nutrition?

During the early 1980’s to 1990’s I was a fashion model. I traveled between Tokyo, London, Paris, Milan, San Francisco and Lisbon. This extensive traveling and the pressure to stay thin took a heavy toll on my body. I did some radical things to stay thin, and I paid the price with my health. I found myself in and out of hospitals, constantly feeling sick and in pain. I started to read and research everything I could find about alternative health. I went to acupuncturists, nutritionists, body workers, ND’s, homeopaths, herbalists… and more! I started to understand the principles of natural health and my responsibility for taking care of this body that I have been blessed with.

How did you decide on CCNH in particular…and how has this experience worked for you?

I love the curriculum. The classes are subjects that I wanted to learn. I have also been helped on my journey to health by authors such as Linda Page, ND, Ph.D and Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D. who are graduates of CCNH. The education that I have received from CCNH has made me more well-rounded as a health educator. Instead of focusing just on nutrition and food, I have gained valuable information regarding herbs, homeopathy, naturopathy, and the healing power of the mind and our belief system. This allows me to have a greater dimension of knowledge to use within my private practice.

Do you have a specific area of interest within the field of holistic nutrition?

My expertise is the raw food diet. I have appeared on local radio shows and in local newspapers and magazines. I am currently working on a raw, vegan meal plan that has a daily step-by-step guide for food preparation, recipes, and shopping lists for a 30 day all-raw experience. I am also working on an E-Book format for my popular three-day cleanse. This three-day cleanse is a blended feast of powerful raw foods. You don’t feel hungry, it’s easy to prepare, all you need is a blender. I have had my clients lose up to six lbs in just three days.

Who is your favorite author within the field of natural health, and why?

My favorite author is Annemarie Colbin who wrote Food and Healing. I have re-read this book every year since 1992! It never gets old. Whenever I find myself getting too extreme with my way of eating, I read this book and it reminds me of the importance of balance.

Let’s close by sharing your favorite quotation, health-related or not. You can learn a lot about a person from their sources of inspiration.

Sure, that’s easy. “Our task must be to free ourselves — by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” Albert Einstein.

This article was based on an interview with the graduate.

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