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

Hi Vivek, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

About 10 years ago, my life came to a standstill. I was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune conditions (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis). No medications or diets helped, and the symptoms slowly robbed me of the things I loved most. I couldn’t get on the floor to play with my kids. I was a pastor, but struggled to preach sermons. I’d spent years playing flag football and basketball, but now I could barely get out of bed on some days. Simple things like eating a meal, going to work, or grabbing dinner with friends became sources of pain and anxiety. These diseases not only changed my life, they changed my soul.

But what felt like a curse, was also a gift. I began diving deep into how the body works, and exploring the root causes of inflammation, food sensitivities, & gut health. That’s when I discovered nutritional therapy. As I started applying what I learned, things began to change. Slowly but surely, I came off medications, got back to doing things I’d missed, and most importantly; felt like myself again.

That journey lit a fire in me. I knew I wanted to help others who felt stuck, overwhelmed, or dismissed by conventional approaches to chronic illness. So I went back to school to study Nutritional Therapy, and started my practice: Vivek Wellness.

My mission is simply this: To empower people to take back control of their health and reclaim their life. I specialize in working with clients who are navigating autoimmune issues, gut health problems, fatigue, hormone imbalances, weight challenges, and many other chronic health issues.

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?

At Vivek Wellness, I work one-on-one with clients to create personalized, sustainable health plans that support their unique body, lifestyle, and goals. Each person is unique, and deserves a unique plan. And everything I do is rooted in a functional, bio-individual approach that addresses the root causes of their symptoms.

What sets me apart is that I’ve been the client. I know what it feels like to be told, “There’s nothing more we can do,” or “It’s not that bad.” My clients often come to me feeling discouraged, like their health issues are just something they have to endure. But as we work together, they experience something better.

I help people regain energy, reduce pain, restore gut function, balance hormones, and rebuild confidence. My clients often tell me they don’t just feel better physically, but emotionally and mentally also. Watching someone go from being in pain and feeling stuck and exhausted, to feeling hopeful, energized, and well is what motivates me to do this work every single day.

And so to anyone reading this: If you’re struggling with chronic health issues and feel like you’ve tried everything, I’d love to offer you a free consultation. Sometimes, finding the right person to help is the hardest part, and I’d be honored if you’d give me the opportunity to help you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Absolutely! LA has something for everyone. If you’re into big city vibes, catch a Lakers/Clippers, Dodgers, or LAFC game downtown and then head to Badmaash for some delicious Indian-Mexican fusion.

If you’re a beach lover, I’d recommend a scenic drive to Laguna Beach, followed by Heritage Barbecue. It’s easily the best BBQ west of Texas.

Kenneth Hahn Park offers great hiking and views. And then afterwards, hit up Jerusalem Chicken or Mizlala for flavorful Mediterranean food.

LA taco trucks are not ideal for nutritional therapy, but they are ideal for flavor. Marisco’s Jalisco is a must-visit, and so is Leo’s Tacos.

And if you’re traveling with kids, then the California Science Center is free and packed with fun, interactive exhibits. And be sure to take your kids to a local “frutero” for some fresh fruit.

If you’re into camping, weekend trips to Sequoia or Joshua Tree are breath-taking & beautiful.

I know I named a bunch of stuff, but Los Angeles is has whatever you could possibly want!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

My faith in God has carried me through a lot in my life. A passage that I come back to regularly is 2 Cor 12:8-10. The gist of the verse is that God’s power can shine through our weakness. This is such a paradox, so much of me doesn’t want to reveal my weakness or be humble. But it’s in moments of weakness where I get to experience God’s power, and be a conduit for God. There have been countless times in my health & business journey where I have felt weak & humbled. And in those moments, I’ve experienced more of God’s grace to persist and keep moving forward.

As far as people go, there are so many people who have supported me and encouraged me. But I want to specifically mention Erica, my wife. Over the past 2 years I’ve changed careers, went back to school, moved cross country to Los Angeles, and started my own practice (all with two little kids). Erica has not only believed in me and motivated me to press on, but has made it possible to chase this dream. She has been working hard as the “bread-winner” of the family, and also caring for our kids. Not only has she provided me the time to study and work on my business, but also the space to care for myself with all my autoimmune conditions so I can feel my best and show up for myself, my family, and my clients. Without Erica, Vivek Wellness could not exist. She is our family’s hero, and we are all so grateful for her!

Free Consultation: https://www.vivekwellness.com/appointments

Website: https://www.vivekwellness.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivek-baranwal-a7551161/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vivek-wellness-los-angeles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vivekwellness

Other: Google: https://g.co/kgs/ttyn49L

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vivekwellness

Image Credits
Lucas Abreu

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