A note from Joshua Rosenthal:
Today I’m very happy to introduce you to IIN grad Jil Larsen, who went from paralegal and party girl to vibrant juice bar owner. Get ready to be IINspired!
What was your life like before IIN?
I look back at that girl and think, “There’s no way I’m the same person.” I used to go by the saying “work hard, play hard,” working 16-hour days at a law firm and partying the night away.
At some point, my body was bound to shut down. It did in the form of fatigue, stress, and eventually, melasma, a hormonal skin disorder. It’s scary how sometimes illness is what it takes to wake up. Two months later I quit my job, got a dog, and had a real yearning for healing my body and mind.
What brought you to Integrative Nutrition?
After spending six months cleansing with juices and a raw vegan diet, I started noticing changes in my health, however, I also knew there was more to illness than just nutrition.
I love that IIN uses the mind-body-spirit connection with primary food and secondary food. I also love that IIN gives the opportunity to experience a wide selection of dietary theories and health experts, and that there’s no judgment or labeling of any kind.
What happened from there?
I opened my juice bar, Magic Mix Juicery in New York City, shortly after graduating from IIN in 2012. I wanted to create a place that was clean, transparent, and celebrated good energy. I really just wanted to give everybody the opportunity to add in the good, experiment with plant-based meals, and embrace bio-individuality.
How would you describe your experience with Integrative Nutrition?
A sense of community, belonging, and bonding with the end goal of wanting to feel good! Today, that’s a big part of what I share in my Magic Mix tribe.