Meet Vivica Menegaz: Functional Nutritionist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vivica Menegaz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vivica, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I am a very driven person, also an ‘A’ type personality, so I love working and always had a hard time setting boundaries with that. When I started my virtual practice I would easily put in 14 hour days, 6 days a week. After about 5 years I pretty much burned out, so I decided to start working smarter and do what I really wanted to do, which is working with less people in a deeper fashion. Now I might be making less money, but I love my work and I am deeply satisfied by where I am in my career. It’s not all about money, quality of life is very important, and as Italian I am lucky enough to have learned that right from the start.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I consider myself a Functional Nutritionist, or more widely a holistic practitioner, which means I treat the whole person, not just parts of human. I see human beings, my patients as holographic images projected into a multidimensional space that includes their case timeline and all the layers existing in the present moment: the physical, the physiological, the psychological, the emotional and the spiritual. The work I do with my client usually starts in the physical, then starts encompassing the other layers. I think my greatest strength is the gift of synthesis! Being able to make sense of very complex scenarios and simplify them in to a working strategy. My career path was similar to my life-path, a constant evolution, tat finally led me to my true calling: the healing arts! I see myself as a helper, a health facilitator, and nutrition was the first step into this role. I think that any path aligned with purpose has its challenges, but I see those as the necessary tests, to really learn who I am and what I am committed to. We might experience a lot of resistance on out path but I think that’s a sign of lack of confidence in oneself, and needs to be overcome. I love helping humanity and I love learning and evolving, and that reflects in my brand. As I am about to embark in yet another transformation into my new identity, Journey 2 Wholeness. A truly holistic practice, where the whole being is treated.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I spent most of my LA life in Mar Vista and Venice, so that’s been my favorite area to hang out, but I also have been traveling so much in the last few years that I feel like a stranger in a city that is rapidly changing. I would start the visit north of LA, in Santa Barbara and Ojai, checking out the beaches and the shops and restaurants in Ojai under the arches. Especially my favorite Acai bowl in the world at Revel and the Sunday Farmers Market. then I would hit the beaches in Malibu and head south towards Santa Monica, where one of my favorite sushi restaurants has been for more than 10 years (after moving from West LA), Sasabune Sushi on Wilshire. I will then spend some time in Venice. I would take my friend to the boardwalk and to the drum circle to experience the “classic” Venice beach. Then eat gelato at Wanderlust! I would also take them to Korea town for a Korean Spa on Olympic, my favorite being Olympic Spa. Then of course we would go to one of the amazing Korean BBQ restaurants. Of course we would spend some time in DTLA, where even if I am too old to know the “in” scene, we would find some cool bars to discover! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to Dr. Deborah Penner of Whole Food Medicine in Chico CA. She was my first mentor and the person who got me started with nutrition. I learned so much with her mentorship and example! She has a deep knowledge of physiology and holistic wellness, combined with a fabulous intuitive knowing of what is going on with her patients. I am grateful for all she taught me and for her friendship.

Website: https://www.journey2wholeness.love/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenourishedcaveman/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivica/

Twitter: @wholefoodviv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNourishedCaveman

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyl1J_UOu5QPtHkefgYgv5g