Evidence-based · Plant-forward · Personalized

Food is medicine.
Let's build a life
your body can heal in.

Personalized Lifestyle Medicine consulting and health coaching that gets to the root of chronic disease — not just the symptoms. Through whole food, plant-based nutrition and the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, we rebuild your health from the foundation up.

30+ Years nursing in critical care, cardiology & GI
6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, fully integrated
1:1 Coaching designed around your life
Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
Registered Nurse, 30+ years
T. Colin Campbell Plant-Based Nutrition
American Society of Health Coaches
Forks Over Knives Culinary Certified
ACLM Member
Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
Registered Nurse, 30+ years
T. Colin Campbell Plant-Based Nutrition
American Society of Health Coaches
Forks Over Knives Culinary Certified
ACLM Member
The Six Pillars

A whole-person approach, not a quick fix.

Lifestyle Medicine treats chronic disease where it actually starts: in daily habits. Every program we build rests on these six evidence-based pillars — because health isn't one thing, and neither are you.

Pillar 01

Whole Food, Plant-Based Eating

Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds — minimally processed, maximally nourishing. The single highest-leverage change most people can make.

Pillar 02

Regular Physical Activity

Movement that fits your body and your life. We focus on sustainable routines — not punishing workouts — built around what you actually enjoy.

Pillar 03

Stress Management

Chronic stress drives chronic disease. We build practical tools — breathwork, boundaries, pause points — into the fabric of your day.

Pillar 04

Restorative Sleep

Sleep is when your body repairs itself. We address sleep quality as a clinical intervention, not a luxury you'll get to someday.

Pillar 05

Avoidance of Risky Substances

Tobacco, excessive alcohol, and other substances quietly undermine every other effort. We work through this piece without judgment, at your pace.

Pillar 06

Positive Social Connections

The people around you shape your health as much as your plate does. We build systems of support that make change stick.

Susan Nelson, RN — Founder and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
Est. MMXXI
Susan Nelson, RN Founder · Practitioner
Meet Your Practitioner

I've spent 30 years watching people manage disease. I built this practice to help them reverse it.

I'm Susan Nelson — a Registered Nurse with decades of experience in critical care, cardiology, and gastroenterology. For most of my career, I watched the same patients cycle back through our doors: more medications, more interventions, same underlying habits.

Lifestyle Medicine changed everything. When my own family shifted to a whole food, plant-based way of eating, I saw firsthand how radical the results could be — and I decided the rest of my career would be about helping other people find their way there too.

I work one-on-one and in small groups, blending the clinical rigor of my nursing background with the warmth of a coach who's been in your kitchen. No gimmicks. No fad diets. Just the science, the food, and a plan you can actually live with.

Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Registered Nurse, BSN Winona State University
Plant-Based Nutrition Cert. T. Colin Campbell Center · Cornell
Certified Health Coach American Society of Health Coaches
Programs & Services

Personalized paths to lasting change.

Whether you're ready for a full lifestyle overhaul or just want to dip your toe into plant-based cooking, there's a starting point that meets you where you are.

Flagship
Program 01 12 weeks
$1,500
All-inclusive program
3-Month Intensive

Intensive Lifestyle Medicine Intervention

For clients serious about reducing medication dependence, improving chronic conditions, and potentially reversing Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. A complete, guided transition — with structure, accountability, and the six pillars fully integrated.

  • Initial in-depth consultation & health history
  • 5-week Intro to Plant-Based group class series (10 hrs instruction)
  • 12 weekly 1:1 health coaching sessions (30 min each)
  • In-home pantry & fridge setup recommendations
  • Guided grocery shopping tour
  • Penzeys Spice shop tour
  • Final consultation & long-term plan
Book a Consultation
Group
Program 02 5 weeks
$400
5-week class series
5 Weeks · Small Group

Intro to Plant-Based Series

A five-week group class series designed to give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make lasting dietary change — plus the camaraderie of people on the same journey.

Join the Waitlist
Hands-On
Program 03 1 hour
$25
Per guided tour
1-Hour Sessions

Grocery & Spice Shop Tours

Put what you've learned into practice. Hands-on tours of your local co-op and Penzeys — reading labels, finding staples, and stocking your kitchen with confidence.

Get Tour Details
I recommend this program to my patients wishing to lose weight or improve their diabetes.
Lisa Ley, PA-C · Fairview Edina
Why Lifestyle Medicine

The science is remarkably clear.

Your genes load the gun — your lifestyle pulls the trigger. Which means you have far more control than most of us are ever told.

80%

Of premature heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes cases are preventable through lifestyle change.

6

Evidence-based pillars — integrated together, not as isolated tweaks, for compounding returns.

1:1

Every plan is built around your life, your kitchen, your schedule, and your health history.

Sustainable habits, not 30-day resets. Built to last decades — because that's the point.

How It Works

Four steps from overwhelmed to in control.

Change doesn't come from willpower. It comes from a good plan, small steps, and someone in your corner.

i.

Discovery Call

A relaxed conversation about your health, your goals, and what's gotten in the way so far. No pressure — just listening.

ii.

Personalized Plan

We map out a program around your medical history, schedule, budget, and kitchen reality. Your plan, not a template.

iii.

Guided Implementation

Weekly coaching, hands-on classes, pantry setups, shopping tours. Small steps that compound week after week.

iv.

Sustainable Habits

We don't just change your meals — we change your relationship with food. The habits stay long after we stop meeting.

Upcoming Classes

Cook with me. Learn together.

Hands-on whole food, plant-based cooking classes at Hopkins Community Education. Come hungry and curious.

September11Thursday
Chickpea & Tomato Coconut Curry Soup Fragrant, creamy coconut broth · spiced cashews · brown basmati
6:00 – 8:00 PM Eisenhower Community Center $49
Register
October23Thursday
Vegetarian Quinoa Chili Instant Pot · loaded with veg, beans, lentils · homemade tortilla chips
6:00 – 8:00 PM Eisenhower Community Center $49
Register
November13Thursday
Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup Creamy cashew-white-bean base · mushrooms · whole-grain bread
6:00 – 8:00 PM Eisenhower Community Center $49
Register
November15Saturday
Take Charge of Your Health Presentation + cooking demos · 6 key health behaviors · Community Ed Day
2:00 – 3:30 PM Eisenhower Community Center FREE
Register
December04Thursday
Zuppa Toscana Tuscan classic, plant-based · vegan Italian sausage · focaccia for dunking
6:00 – 8:00 PM Eisenhower Community Center $49
Register
In Their Own Words

What clients are saying.

"The entire series went well beyond my expectations. Motivating, encouraging, and fun — I left every class excited to cook."

Class Participant Intro to Plant-Based Series

"I recommend this program to my patients wishing to lose weight or improve their diabetes. Susan's approach is practical and grounded in real clinical experience."

Lisa Ley, PA-C Fairview Edina

"I never thought plants could taste this good. Susan showed me flavors I didn't know were possible — and my bloodwork is finally where my doctor wants it."

Ready when you are

Let's talk about your next chapter.

Every program starts with a conversation. Reach out and we'll find 20 minutes to discuss your health, your goals, and whether this is the right fit — no pressure, no sales pitch.

  • sue@leonhardtlifestylemedicine.com
  • Twin Cities Metro · Minneapolis, MN
  • Response within 1 business day

Send a message

Tell me a little about yourself and what you're hoping to change.