Janie Wood’s Integrated Approach to Well-Being

Janie Wood has had a knack for knowing what’s next her entire life. Now, the London, UK, native is helping others combine contemporary understanding of nutrition and gut health, right alongside the age-old wisdom of treating wellness holistically, as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. With options from check-ins all the way to three-month programs and continuous retainers, she helps clients focus not only on health markers and nutrition, but mind-body wellness, too.

            Starting out in fashion, at well-known brands like Louis Vuitton and Donna Karan, she moved into beauty and then health-tech brands, helping them grow and evolve. Her ability to spot trends was a key part of encouraging partners to adopt and adapt new ideas, balancing innovation with timing. Even in those fields, she started to lean toward wellness, such as introducing adaptogens to Sephora and working with a national drug chain on a women’s health display that promoted day-to-day health solutions.

Having her own health challenges, Wood, who is now based in LA, then began to discover there was more to the story than traditional medicine, and also sought alternative options that opened her to a new world of options. Now, clients can enjoy all of Wood’s combined gifts by working with her through her company at Janie.wood.com. Read on to hear more about the power of her integrated approach.

SBS: Tell us more about your company and your current offerings.
JW: At the core of my coaching is the belief that truly feeling healthy goes beyond just diet and exercise. While managing blood sugar, optimizing protein intake, and incorporating weight training are crucial for physical health, the connection between mind and body is equally important. My clients face a wide range of challenges, from stubborn weight gain and hormonal changes to fatigue, constant travel, low immunity, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and autoimmune issues. I also work with people who feel stuck, don’t know where to start, and who recognize what they’ve been doing isn’t working anymore. I offer monthly, three-month programs, as well as long-term retainers for corporate teams and executives.

SBS: What skills/approaches did you take from your other work into your work as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach?
JW: Listening, patience, human connection, empathy, teamwork, managing budgets, and conscious leadership. I’ve had my own health challenges, so I’m in this with you!

SBS: What was your path to becoming an INHC? Why did you choose this path versus other nutritional/dietitian approaches?
JW: Officially, I’m certified as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and I hold a Certificate of Advanced Education in Hormone Health from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I’ve been a curious, unofficial student for 25 years, constantly reading, attending talks, and listening to podcasts and experts from around the world. I’ve experienced various healing modalities firsthand, from bentonite clay cleanses in Thailand to naturopathic medicine that healed my PCOS. I’ve worked with elite nutritionists to learn how to eat for optimal body composition.

SBS: If someone wants to work with a health coach, what should they look for?
JW: You should feel a connection with your coach and be at ease. It’s an intimate journey, and we’re working together to reach your goals.

SBS: What are your top three tips for overall wellness?
JW: I’ll give you four! First, prioritize hydration: Staying well-hydrated supports cognitive function, mood, skin health, digestion, and more. It also helps regulate blood sugar and supports energy levels. Second, balance your blood sugar: This is key for both short- and long-term health, helping with sustained energy, hormone balance, weight management, emotional well-being, and reducing disease risk. Next, sleep: Sleep restores both mind and body. It supports cognitive function, memory, and hormone regulation, boosts immunity, and aids in muscle recovery. Finally, community and friendships: Socializing, trying new things, and stepping out of your routine help with stress management, cognitive function, and cardiovascular health. Fresh experiences with friends fuel inspiration, productivity, and creativity.

SBS: What are the top mistakes you see people making when trying to live healthier lives?
JW: ‘Healthy’ snacking: Snacking all day, even on healthy options, causes frequent blood sugar spikes, which keeps insulin elevated, making fat burning harder. It also raises cortisol, leading to fat storage around the abdominal area. Over time, this cycle can lead to weight gain and inflammation, and it makes it harder to maintain steady energy levels.

SBS: How has your own view of wellness changed along your journey?
JW: I take better care of my liver now, eating well and limiting alcohol. The liver is the hardest-working organ. It detoxifies the blood, processes nutrients, regulates hormones, produces bile, and metabolizes fats, proteins, and carbs for energy. I also care about my mind, breathing, and thoughts. It doesn’t matter how perfect our diet or exercise routine is; if we’re not connecting mind and body, we won’t see the full benefits.

SBS: What self-care practices have been most helpful along your journey?
JW: Meditation, breathwork, and spending quality time with close friends have been lifesavers for me.

SBS: What were some challenges, as well as happy surprises, along your journey?
JW: Things I was excited for haven’t always worked out, but something better has always come along. It’s the law of attraction. Keep your mind focused on the good, and the good will keep flowing.

SBS: What was the path to having your own business? Any practical tools and tips for opening a business?
JW: My wish for you is to know that your path is your path. Educate yourself on business basics, and when you can, hire a life coach.

SBS: What’s your personal wellness approach/routine?
JW: I stick to my four most important tips (as mentioned earlier) as the foundation of my day, and I weight train, which I’ve been doing since I was 15.

The best, zaniest part of being Janie: I love sipping my coffee on my stoop before anyone else is up, soaking in that peaceful moment. I’m always up for new experiences, traveling to see friends and family, having a good laugh, and listening to accomplished speakers. I aim to live a full life, full of ease and joy.

Janie’s SBS Mantra: Be Thankful. When I focus on being thankful and appreciative for the good things I have, more of them seem to happen. I’m endlessly thankful for my friends and family who always have faith in me and take my calls!

Janie’s LA Faves:

Healthy Restaurant:  My friend Zoe’s house.  
Splurge Restaurant: The restaurant and bar at The Bel Air Hotel
Yoga Studio: Shefayoga Venice
Fitness Studio: IRON Fitness to see my trainer, Susie Lin; The Studio MDR 
Fun Activity: Laughing, dancing, and Backgammon
Calming Activity: Surfing on a warm, sunny day
Online Resources: Amazon; Audible 
Books: Why We Get Sick by Benjamin Bikman; Let It Be Easy by Susie Moore