Deanna Lee

I am a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, having graduated with first-class honours from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, British Columbia.

When a cancer diagnosis in 2011 plunged me into a period of deep reflection and growth, I was forced to face some hard truths about the ways I had been treating my body and neglecting my mental health. It took a few years for me to realize that things had to change. I became determined to use my experiences to help others, so after much consideration, I stepped away from a successful 15-year professional career in retail management to pursue my newly formed passion for health and wellness.

My goal as a Nutritional Practitioner is to help individuals with a cancer diagnosis regain their confidence by fostering healthy relationships between food, nutrition, and emotional well-being. Experience has taught me that cancer can be a symptom of a fundamental imbalance in our bodies, and that proper nutrition and self-care are vital components to restoring balance.

In my spare time, I volunteer with InspireHealth, Vancouver’s first not-for-profit supportive cancer care centre. I became a member the same week I was diagnosed, and I feel a great bond to the organization as they helped me to transform my fears about the cancer diagnosis into health-inspired action. I also participate in integrative counselling programs at internationally-renowned education centres in British Columbia (including The Haven on Gabriola Island and Callanish Society in Vancouver).

I have fallen in love with paddling. Being on the water, surrounded by Vancouver's beautiful views has become a form of meditation for me. Recently I joined an outrigger crew and in 2014, I became a member of the world’s very first breast cancer dragon boat team, Abreast In A Boat, which is based in Vancouver. I am incredibly proud to be a part of an organization that encourages such camaraderie and vitality for life.

www.deannalee.ca