We recently connected with Ilene Cohen and have shared our conversation below.
Ilene , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
Establishing PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness, LLC, was a journey deeply rooted in both my personal experiences and professional aspirations. After years of working in hospital clinics and diabetes centers, I realized the profound impact of integrating nutrition with holistic practices such as yoga. My vision was to create a space where individuals could address their health concerns in a way that acknowledged their unique needs, incorporating not just nutrition but also stress management and mindfulness. This realization became the foundation for PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness.
The process of building my practice involved several transformative steps. I began by identifying a niche that combined integrative and functional nutrition with yoga therapy. My goal was to offer a truly comprehensive approach to health and wellness, one that went beyond standard dietary counseling. To achieve this, I pursued advanced training, becoming a certified yoga therapist, which allowed me to integrate yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques into my practice. These tools became essential components of the personalized care I provided to clients.
In 2013, I made the significant decision to leave my full-time role in a hospital setting to focus entirely on my private practice. This transition required not only emotional courage but also a practical understanding of business formation. I officially founded PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness LLC, beginning with services in Santa Monica, California, and later expanding to other states, including New York. Along the way, I navigated complex licensing and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and establish credibility in multiple locations.
One of the most challenging and pivotal moments in my journey came when I was diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately, the condition was healed through surgery, but the experience required me to temporarily close my practice. This period of personal healing and reflection led me to reevaluate my offerings and realign my practice with a deeper sense of purpose. I emerged with a renewed commitment to providing holistic, client-centered care, incorporating the lessons I had learned about resilience, healing, and the importance of mindfulness.
Building PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness was not without its challenges. Managing the multiple roles of business owner, practitioner, and marketer was often overwhelming. Financial management was another hurdle, as investing in advanced training, certifications, and business operations required careful planning. Additionally, establishing credibility and building a client base in a new practice took time and consistent effort.
Looking back, there are things I would have done differently. For instance, seeking mentorship earlier in the process could have streamlined my journey and helped me avoid common pitfalls. I also wish I had embraced delegation sooner, outsourcing administrative tasks to free up more time for client care. Incorporating digital tools earlier in my practice would have enhanced operational efficiency and allowed me to reach a broader audience.
For young professionals considering starting their own practice, my advice is to first clarify your vision. Define the unique approach and services you wish to offer, and invest in education to enhance your expertise. Develop a solid business plan that outlines your mission, target market, services, and financial projections. Networking with other professionals is invaluable for building relationships and gaining referrals. Finally, prioritize self-care. Starting a practice is demanding, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential to prevent burnout.
The journey of establishing PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness has been one of growth, resilience, and transformation. It has allowed me to align my professional work with my passion for holistic health and has provided me with the privilege of supporting my clients on their own journeys to wellness. While the path has had its challenges, it has also been immensely rewarding, reaffirming my belief in the power of integrative approaches to health and healing.
Ilene , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey into nutrition and wellness began as a deeply personal one. In college, I lived with a vegan roommate, which sparked my interest in veganism and led me to embrace a plant-based lifestyle. However, I soon discovered that soy—a staple in my diet at the time—was causing adverse reactions. Eliminating soy from my diet transformed my health, and this eye-opening experience ignited a passion for understanding the profound connection between what we eat and how we feel. Since my liberal arts college didn’t offer a nutrition program, I pursued a master’s degree in nutrition to follow this passion and turn it into a career. Later in life, when I faced a cancer diagnosis, fortunately healed through surgery, I found myself reflecting deeply on resilience, healing, and the importance of aligning my work with my personal experiences and values. These pivotal moments shaped not just my career path but the entire philosophy behind PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness, LLC.
At PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness, I provide a comprehensive and personalized approach to health that integrates functional nutrition with holistic practices like yoga therapy. My services range from one-on-one nutrition counseling to customized wellness plans that incorporate stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, and breathing exercises. A core part of my work involves leveraging advanced functional nutrition testing to address my clients’ unique needs. I offer tests such as the MRT (Mediator Release Test) for food sensitivities, GI microbiome analysis to understand gut health, nutritional genomic and genetic testing to uncover how your body uniquely processes nutrients, and micronutrient testing to assess potential deficiencies. These tools allow me to dive deeper into the root causes of health challenges and develop evidence-based strategies to promote optimal wellness.
What sets my practice apart is the unique blend of science and mindfulness. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Yoga Therapist, I bridge evidence-based nutrition with the healing power of holistic modalities. This combination allows me to not only address physical health concerns but also provide tools to manage the emotional and mental aspects of well-being. My clients often tell me that they feel truly seen and heard—an experience that can be rare in conventional healthcare settings. I prioritize building a genuine connection with each client, creating a space where they feel supported and empowered to take control of their health.
One of the things I am most proud of is the trust and transformation I have been privileged to witness in my clients. Seeing someone overcome years of digestive distress, improve their relationship with food, or simply feel more at ease in their body is incredibly fulfilling. My goal has always been to offer a space where people can heal not just physically but holistically—mind, body, and spirit.
What I hope potential clients and followers understand about my work is that it’s deeply rooted in authenticity and care. My own experiences with food sensitivities, overcoming health challenges, and pursuing my passion for nutrition have given me an empathetic lens, and I bring this perspective to every client interaction. PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness is about more than just providing nutritional advice—it’s about fostering a journey toward health and balance that is sustainable and life-changing. If you’re ready to take that step toward a healthier, more vibrant you, know that I’m here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Facing a cancer diagnosis was one of the most challenging and transformative experiences of my life. I vividly remember the day I received the news—it was a moment that shook me to my core, forcing me to confront fears I had never faced before. As overwhelming as it was, I knew I had to summon all my strength to navigate the road ahead.
I underwent surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), a place renowned for its exceptional care and expertise. Walking into that facility, I felt a mix of hope and uncertainty. The experience was humbling; it reminded me of the fragility of life but also of the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and I was able to heal physically. Yet, the emotional and mental recovery took time and introspection.
During my recovery, I found myself reflecting deeply on my life, my work, and the values that mattered most to me. It became clear that this was not just a health battle—it was a turning point. I decided to temporarily close my practice, PranaSpirit Nutrition & Wellness, to focus on healing and to rethink how I could align my offerings with a deeper sense of purpose. This period of pause wasn’t easy; stepping back from something I had worked so hard to build felt daunting. However, it gave me the clarity and strength to pivot my practice in a way that truly reflected my passion for integrative, personalized care.
The lessons I learned from this experience—about vulnerability, perseverance, and the importance of self-care—have profoundly shaped how I approach my work today. I don’t just help my clients heal physically; I understand, firsthand, the need to address the emotional and mental aspects of resilience. Whether I’m guiding someone through a nutrition plan or supporting them through stress management, I bring with me the empathy and insight that this chapter of my life gave me.
This experience reminded me of the importance of trusting in one’s inner strength, even when faced with uncertainty. Resilience isn’t about being invincible—it’s about rising after every fall, adapting to change, and allowing life’s challenges to shape you into someone stronger and more compassionate. My journey through cancer not only strengthened my resolve but also deepened my commitment to helping others find their own paths to wellness and balance.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
While training and knowledge are undoubtedly critical for success in the field of nutrition and wellness, I believe that emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a deep sense of purpose are equally important. Success in this field requires the ability to connect with clients on a human level, to meet them where they are, and to guide them toward their goals with compassion and understanding.
Emotional intelligence is at the heart of my practice. Nutrition counseling and holistic health care are inherently personal; they require trust and openness from clients who may be sharing deeply vulnerable aspects of their lives. Being an effective practitioner means not only having the technical expertise to interpret lab results or craft individualized plans but also the ability to listen actively, empathize, and respond to a client’s needs with sensitivity. Clients need to feel seen, heard, and supported before they can take meaningful steps toward change.
Adaptability is another key factor. No two clients are the same, and what works for one person may not work for another. Success in this field demands flexibility and a willingness to adjust strategies as new challenges arise. For example, I may work with a client who initially seeks guidance for food sensitivities but later uncovers underlying stressors contributing to their symptoms. Being able to pivot from a strictly dietary approach to a broader focus on stress management or mindfulness is essential for achieving long-term results. This adaptability also extends to staying current with the evolving science and best practices in the field, ensuring that my clients receive the most up-to-date and effective care.
A deep sense of purpose is what sustains me through the challenges of this work. Nutrition and wellness are more than just professions to me—they are a calling. My own experiences with food sensitivities and my journey through healing from cancer have given me a profound understanding of the struggles my clients face. These personal stories fuel my passion and remind me of the importance of helping others transform their health and lives. Purpose creates resilience, allowing me to navigate the inevitable obstacles that come with running a practice and supporting clients through their unique journeys.
Ultimately, succeeding in this field is about building relationships and inspiring trust. Clients need to believe in your expertise, yes, but they also need to believe that you care about their well-being. This connection is what drives compliance, fosters collaboration, and leads to meaningful, lasting change. When practitioners combine emotional intelligence, adaptability, and purpose with their knowledge and training, they can truly excel in this rewarding field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pranaspiritnutrition.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theayurvedadietitian/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilene.cohen.yoginiRD/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilenecohenrdn/
Image Credits
Bernadette Marciniak from SolHaus Media