We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aubrey Shannon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Aubrey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents really instilled in me a strong sense of empathy and a deep understanding of the for the hardships of others. I remember a moment so clearly—my dad and I were driving down East Hastings. I was observing the difficult situations around us, and he turned to me and said, “We need to have a strong sense of love and empathy for these people becasue they are all here because they are in pain. No one chose to be here. The circumstances of their life have led them here, and we need to walk through the world in a way that honours the people around us, and prevent us from doing harm, and causing pain.” That moment stuck with me and shaped how I approach my work and my life.

It gave me a deep understanding of hardship and allowed me to move into a career of helping. I wanted to help people and bring them out of pain. It’s why I got into Naturopathic Medicine and eventually co-founded Friday Health with partners who share similar values. This foundation has promoted a curiosity in and around the different ways we experience pain, and how it can be treated. Whether it’s coming from a mental or emotional place, a physical place that is often seen in Sports Medicine or even a digestive place, meaning pain and discomfort in the gut.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a naturopathic physician based in the lower mainland, with almost a decade of practice under my belt. I’m also a mother to a labradoodle and a toddler, a passionate snowboarder, and someone who loves good food, golf, and spending time with friends and family. When I’m not with patients, you’ll likely find me in the mountains or by the sea—those are the moments that recharge me.

From an early age, I knew I wanted to be in healthcare—whether as a dentist, a vet, or a doctor. But it wasn’t until I lost a parent to cancer during my undergrad degree that I was introduced to Naturopathic Medicine. Witnessing the power of non-conventional therapies was truly eye-opening, and I felt drawn to an approach that wasn’t hospital-based because of the emotional triggers tied to my grief. I also realized I’m not a fan of cats (so vet school was out!).

Through the process of elimination, I was left with two paths: dentistry or Naturopathic Medicine. I read a book by Iva Lloyd called *The History of Naturopathic Medicine* and became obsessed with its principles. From there, I knew I was meant to become an ND. Early on at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, I realized my passion for pain management, which tied back to my dad’s lessons on compassion. Pain is such a prevalent part of the human experience—it can drain joy from life—and I wanted to change that. This is the bulk of my practice today.

I’m deeply passionate about holistic wellness and physical medicine, and I have a focus in regenerative injection therapy, digestive issues and fatigue

I think “What am I most proud of” is a really hard question. I’m proud of so many things, and I don’t think there is a “most”. One of the things I’m proud of is the clinic I co-founded—Friday Health. It’s been incredible to see the space we created positively impact thousands of lives.

I also work with Canada Snowboard, providing nutrition mentorship to athletes. Connecting with these athletes and being part of their journey is something that truly feeds my soul.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When my partners and I were deciding on the space for our clinic, we had a clear vision of what we wanted it to look like. However, the Vancouver market wasn’t offering anything that fit our timeline. Then we found a space that had been an existing clinic—larger than what we initially envisioned, but it felt right. The idea of taking on more space and a renovation was daunting, but we decided to dive in. We relied on our community to help us reimagine the clinic’s design and trusted that this space had come into our lives for a reason.

Now, 19 months later, we’re already outgrowing the space and can’t imagine how different things would have been if we’d only opened with three treatment rooms, versus the seven that we have now. It’s been a reminder that sometimes you have to take a leap, trust the process, and embrace the unknown.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Connection — it’s one of the core values of Friday Health.

In this field, many people feel disconnected from their healthcare providers. They often don’t have the space to share everything they’re going through, or they may not feel truly heard. Creating that space for connection with patients has been one of the most important things that has helped me succeed. It’s not just about treating symptoms; it’s about helping people understand the link between what they’re experiencing emotionally, physically, or mentally, and how that manifests in their bodies.

By providing that space for patients to feel seen and heard, and empowering them to take charge of their own health, I believe we create an environment where healing can truly take place. That sense of connection—both with me as their provider and with themselves—is what allows us to make a real impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fridayhealth.ca/
• Instagram: @fridayhealth

Image Credits

Karolina Turek Photography, Rachel Jane Photo