Meet Alexandria Ruiz | NTP & Hashimotos Advocate

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

Hi Alexandria, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Seeing my family struggle with their health and personally being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, I knew it was my life’s purpose to help support those with their health and nutrition.

I knew I wanted to approach nutrition from a functional, holistic aspect, so becoming a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner was a no-brainer.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Being plus-size, I always had a passion for health and fitness but felt like I didn’t look the part. And after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, I thought I needed to heal myself to help others.

But one day, I realized a couple of things:

1. My size does not discredit my knowledge
2. My experience is just as valuable as my education in helping others
3. Healing is a never-ending process.

I finally shifted my mindset from self-doubt to self-confidence that I am worth helping others.

Through functional nutrition and lifestyle therapies, I help women with Hashimotos learn to thrive with a chronic illness, understand that we are more than our diagnosis, and know that our healing journey is worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting in town, here’s a sneak peek of the things we’d do

Hikes in the following places:
Malibu
Griffith Park
Los Angeles Forest
Mt. Baldy

Food/Cafe spots:
Cha Cha Matcha
Highly Likely Café
Spoke Bicycle Cafe
Bacari Silverlake
Gracias Madre

Self-care things:
Spa day at Burke Williams
Health date at Next Health in WeHo

Other things to do:
Beach day in Venice/Manhattan Beach
Improv show in NoHo or WeHo
Drinks at Ep & LP rooftop bar in WeHo

I’m all about things that are good for your health – so anything that has good quality food, moves your body, or provides some self-care…I’m all for it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out to my mentor Alison Marras (@foodbymars on IG). Throughout my entire journey, she has guided me personally and professionally. Sometimes, we all need a little confidence booster. And thankfully, she believed in me at times more than I believed in myself.

Website: justalexrae.com

Instagram: justalexrae

Image Credits
Image Credits: Eric Fisher Joel Marasigan