Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nikki Burnett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nikki, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Reflecting back on my life journey to discovering my passion and purpose allows me to recognize the gifts I received along the way.

In 2002 I met my current husband, and we married in 2005. One day in 2003, I got a headache, and that headache lasted two years straight.

It never stopped hurting for even a moment, and it was so painful. For two years, I went to bed thinking, “Tomorrow, I won’t have a headache! Tomorrow I will feel normal again!” And I’d wake up feeling hopeful because every morning for the first hour, the headache would be gone. But it always came back.

It got so bad that it was difficult to concentrate, work, have fun, or enjoy time with my Lowrey or any of my friends. Quite honestly, I’m surprised that Lowrey still wanted to marry me.

There were times when my head would spin – not fun at all when you’re driving! My ears would stop up, and there were times that my hearing was impaired for days. If anyone touched my head, I would burst into tears. My movements had to be slow and methodical to prevent excruciating pain.

Over-the-counter nor prescription medications helped.

I had never experienced anxiety before, but with no understanding of what was happening, I had a significant amount of fear and frustration.

Then, one day, I snapped. I thought to myself: “There must be an answer! Someone has to have an answer!”

So, I drew a line in the sand and started looking for support. I knew that I could only take myself so far, and I wasn’t willing to go another moment with this pain and frustration. I was tired of merely existing and surviving. I was willing to do whatever it took to get answers, even as scary as it was.

I started digging for the truth. I researched and experienced many modalities in healing. I learned to advocate for myself. I saw multiple doctors, neurologists, ophthalmologists, naturopathic docs, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and dentists. I did scans and MRIs. I took supplements, did fasts and cleanses…you name it, I did it.

As difficult as it was, I’m grateful for the experience.

Because today, my life is amazing. I no longer feel the daily pain. Instead, I experience the headaches infrequently. And, most mornings, I wake up feeling so grateful that my health is on track. I often go to sleep at night feeling at peace that I am beyond that point in my life and will wake up pain free. My life is not perfect, but it is SO good that I am able to function fully, exercise, and move without pain. I live now without fear of what’s to come and trust what is going on with my body.

My digging not only led me to understand the cause of the pain, but I found more answers that I didn’t know I needed. My headache was a symptom of a bigger problem.
I was stressed, frustrated with my work, and I felt like I was floundering with no real purpose. Although I didn’t know what my purpose was, something deep inside me knew that I was created to live large and thrive in a life I loved.

The day I got married was the first day in two years that I didn’t have a headache.

As life continued, my jobs changed. I was working my way up the ladder in Corporate America, pursuing success that promised me happiness, but I still felt lost and unsure. Why was I put here in the world? What am I good at? Where can I really make an impact and feel fulfilled?

I had coffee with a friend, and we started chatting about health. He told me he was going to nutrition school. I remember so vividly how I felt – a little envious. I think I said out loud – “that’s so amazing! I’ll never have time to do something like that.”

I felt drawn to it, but I didn’t believe I could make the change, and I couldn’t give myself permission to move away from what I thought was stability.

Then it happened – I was laid off.

I was heartbroken, confused, angry, frustrated – why was I not good enough? I felt even more unsure about where my place was and what was for me? About a week into my pity party, it came to me – nutrition school!! At that point, there was no thinking. It was excitement and passion, and I went full steam ahead into the local program. I was being led. I finished a two year program in about fifteen months. I knew I had a mission.

So, even though I’ve come a LONG way, I’m still very present to and passionate about the struggle that so many people wrestle with every day – the pain they feel, not knowing its origin or cause, and feeling hopeless and desperate as it seems no one can or will help them. It’s exhausting to feel like everyone has answers, but never the right answer for you. And discouraging spending huge amounts of money to continually wake up in pain or discomfort.

That’s my WHY! That’s why I do the work I do. I don’t want anyone to have to struggle with not having answers and continue to live in pain, struggle, and existence. I want them to enjoy amazing health so they can live out their incredible life-giving all they are meant to give to this world.

I like to think of myself as a detective. I will do whatever it takes to discover the root cause of your pain, discomfort, or disease. And together, we will find the answers and the solutions you yearn for and deserve! I’ll partner with you in your health journey and walk out the path to living the life you were created for – living fully, living healthy, living happy!

Nikki, 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?

Nikki is a Functional Nutritionist and Founder of Taste Life Nutrition – a Health Detective Practice.

Over 7 years in practice and 25 years of study, Nikki has helped hundreds of clients rediscover their health after suffering from complicated health conditions such as chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune conditions, and infertility – which is affected by all of these!

Nikki digs to find the root cause of dysfunction and then addresses it step by step in a manageable, strategic, methodical manner to allow for repair, balance, and the ability to thrive. When you’re thriving, life is next level!

Nikki cares about helping people live to the fullest expression of themselves and believes that when we are empowered by understanding the body and its needs, with freedom from debilitating symptoms, we can live the exceptional lives we are meant to live.

Health is Wealth, as they say, and Nikki’s clients often undergo transformational experiences contributing to lifelong health and wellness. There is a realization that we have an amazing amount of control over our health and our future, and we don’t have to succumb to our family history of disease. WE DO have control over our genetic destiny!

For those seeking to have children, preconception care can create optimal health that contributes to the health of 7 generations to come. We have an amazing impact on the future of health!

For Nikki, after suffering from a 2-year headache that affected every part of her life and dealing with the frustration of feeling helpless with no answers, she decided to take her health into her own hands.

Over time and consistent research into many health modalities, Nikki became her own health detective and found the answers she so desperately needed.

Today, Nikki lives that optimal, empowered, amazing life, which drives her to help others to dig deep and achieve their health goals. She works with her clients as their partner – taking the complicated and making it simple through baby steps and sustainable change. Remember, Food is Life – Taste Life!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Reflecting back on my life journey to discovering my passion and purpose allows me to recognize the gifts I received along the way.

In 2002 I met my current husband, and we married in 2005. One day in 2003, I got a headache, and that headache lasted two years straight.

It never stopped hurting for even a moment, and it was so painful. For two years, I went to bed thinking, “Tomorrow, I won’t have a headache! Tomorrow I will feel normal again!” And I’d wake up feeling hopeful because every morning for the first hour, the headache would be gone. But it always came back.

It got so bad that it was difficult to concentrate, work, have fun, or enjoy time with my Lowrey or any of my friends. Quite honestly, I’m surprised that Lowrey still wanted to marry me.

There were times when my head would spin – not fun at all when you’re driving! My ears would stop up, and there were times that my hearing was impaired for days. If anyone touched my head, I would burst into tears. My movements had to be slow and methodical to prevent excruciating pain.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications didn’t help.

I had never experienced anxiety before, but with no understanding of what was happening, I had a significant amount of fear and frustration.

Then, one day, I snapped. I thought to myself: “There must be an answer! Someone has to have an answer!”

So, I drew a line in the sand and started looking for support. I knew that I could only take myself so far, and I wasn’t willing to go another moment with this pain and frustration. I was tired of merely existing and surviving. I was willing to do whatever it took to get answers, even as scary as it was.

I started digging for truth. I researched and experienced many modalities in healing. I learned to advocate for myself. I saw multiple doctors, neurologists, ophthalmologists, naturopathic docs, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and dentists. I did scans and MRIs. I took supplements, did fasts and cleanses…you name it, I did it.

As difficult as it was, I’m grateful for the experience.

Because today, my life is amazing. I no longer feel the daily pain. Instead, I experience the headaches infrequently. And, most mornings, I wake up feeling so grateful that my health is on track. I often go to sleep at night feeling at peace that I am beyond that point in my life and will wake up pain free. My life is not perfect, but it is SO good that I am able to function fully, exercise, and move without pain. I live now without fear of what’s to come and trust what is going on with my body.

My digging not only led me to understand the cause of the pain, but I found more answers that I didn’t know I needed. My headache was a symptom of a bigger problem.

I was stressed, frustrated with my work, and I felt like I was floundering with no real purpose. Although I didn’t know what my purpose was, something deep inside me knew that I was created to live large and thrive in a life I loved.

The day I got married was the first day in two years that I didn’t have a headache.

As life continued, my jobs changed. I was working my way up the ladder in Corporate America, pursuing success that promised me happiness, but I still felt lost and unsure. Why was I put here in the world? What am I good at? Where can I really make an impact and feel fulfilled?

I had coffee with a friend, and we started chatting about health. He told me he was going to nutrition school. I remember so vividly how I felt – a little envious. I think I said out loud – “that’s so amazing! I’ll never have time to do something like that.”

I felt drawn to it, but I didn’t believe I could make the change, and I couldn’t give myself permission to move away from what I thought was stability.

Then it happened – I was laid off.

I was heartbroken, confused, angry, frustrated – why was I not good enough? I felt even more unsure about where my place was and what was for me? About a week into my pity party, it came to me – nutrition school!! At that point there was no thinking. It was excitement and passion, and I went full steam ahead into the local program. I was being led. I finished a two year program in about fifteen months. I knew I had a mission.

So, even though I’ve come a LONG way, I’m still very present to and passionate about the struggle that so many people wrestle with every day – the pain they feel, not knowing its origin or cause, and feeling hopeless and desperate as it seems no one can or will help them. It’s exhausting to feel like everyone has answers, but never the right answer for you. And discouraging spending huge amounts of money to continually wake up in pain or discomfort.

That’s my WHY! That’s why I do the work I do. I don’t want anyone to have to struggle with not having answers and continue to live in pain, struggle, and existence. I want them to enjoy amazing health so they can live out their incredible life, giving all they are meant to give to this world.

I like to think of myself as a detective. I will do whatever it takes to discover the root cause of your pain, discomfort, or disease. And together, we will find the answers and the solutions you yearn for, and you deserve! I’ll partner you with you in your health journey and walk out the path to living the life you were created for – living fully, living healthy, living happy!

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

Through my career I’ve had one major revelation: People often don’t realize the power they have over their health and the health of the future.

Over the years, much of my practice has been working with client’s suffering from autoimmune conditions and GI dysfunction. More and more women started seeking guidance who were suffering with these conditions but also struggling to get pregnant.

Data shows that preconception care significantly decreases rates of negative outcomes.

When the goal is to get pregnant, it’s important to be as healthy as possible. This drastically increases the success of the pregnancy, the baby, the baby’s future, and future generations.

So many of us suffer with symptoms without understanding the root cause or how to address them. These symptoms are our bodies talking to us trying to give us information. If pregnancy is the goal, it is of great importance to address the root cause to allow the body to repair and balance.

We live in a toxic world with food that is depleted of nutrient density, but we have so much control over our health and the health of future generations.

The data shows us that our health today has the potential to affect 7 generations to come. This puts a lot of accountability on each of us…how empowering!!!

As a Fx Nut, health detective and lover of life, my goal is to help people realize the power that they have in their own health journey, and for those who are planning to get pregnant, they power they have in creating healthy families for generations to come.

Soul-Full Conception is a program created to help guide women and their partners through the journey of preconception care. It is experiential and full of guidance and knowledge from me as well as other amazing collaborators, with wisdom to share.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tastelifenutrition.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastelifenutrition/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TasteLifeNutrition
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-burnett-tastelifenutrition
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgx2D7A57GDPOaVAvyrrL4A/videos
• Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/r2r/JNXEiFIQqIKWyJonX0s1Dw
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/nikki-burnett-996080467 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taste-life-nutrition-podcast/id1548546820 https://open.spotify.com/show/5g8szGENo4m9yqyfsnaWUH https://www.facebook.com/nikki.bentleyburnett/

Image Credits
Kalen Jesse Photography