I am passionate about helping women and their families gain control of their health. I meet you where you are and together we build personalized, integrative plans that focus on building foundations of optimal health. My lifelong interest in promoting and encouraging healthy lifestyles began as a young gymnast years ago. I competed at the elite level, was a member of the U.S. National Team, and earned a full scholarship to the Stanford University Women’s Gymnastics Team. After four years as a Division I NCAA student-athlete, I began training and racing triathlons while earning my master’s degree. After graduating I helped build sports programs for kids in Japan, organized triathlons and led bike tours in the Southwest, and managed the sports program for Special Olympics Nevada. I then spent three years inspiring audience members performing as a professional acrobat in Cirque du Soleil’s KA at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while also continuing to participate in full-distance triathlons. I was then introduced to naturopathic medicine during a 4,500-mile, self-supported bicycle trip with my husband where we witnessed the unequivocal interconnectedness of the environment and health. I was motivated to learn more and earned my naturopathic doctorate degree from Bastyr University while growing our family. I now have my own, small private practice in Maple Valley, WA where I encourage, coach, and help patients live their best life in person and via telemedicine. As a mom of three, I understand the juggle of home, work, school, play, self-care, and all the roles that come with being a mother. My passion is helping you navigate your own juggle so that you can optimize both your own and your family’s health. I cannot wait to hear your story!

I count myself amongst the lucky ones. In contrast, to most medical school educations, I had the privilege of spending hundreds of hours in nutrition during my doctorate at Sonoran University (previously Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine) and it was there that I first became exposed to the likes of Ornish, Esselstyn, Campbell, Goldhamer and others, to name a few. The underlying tenants that I practice, embrace a philosophy of health and wellness rooted in prevention. To this end, nutrition is central to all health and a Whole Food Plant Based orientation is quite simply, the best way to accomplish this task.    I remember an instance several years ago when my son, Silas, came home from school, recounting a story of one of his 6-year old classmates, who brought not one, but two cans of Mountain Dew in his packed lunch. As I sighed and braced myself for the inevitable, why-can’t-I-have-soda-in-my-lunch question, I pondered how best to answer his concerns. But, he never asked that question. Instead he stated with some level of resignation in his voice, “Well, mom, I guess that’s what we should expect from some kids, after all, his mom isn’t a Naturopathic doctor.”   In my mind, that moment crystallizes a couple of principles that seem to characterize the WFPB lifestyle and my own core values. (1) Practice what you preach and be the change you wish to see in the world. (2) Change is often caught rather than taught, often when we least expect it, even though it can seem difficult or even insurmountable.  

Marla Friedman Ph.D. (Psychology) is NYS licensed and Nationally Certified in Clinical Mental Health Couseling with over thirty years in practice. She is a Certified Nutritionist, an Associate of the Viktor Frankl Institure for Meaning Centered Therapy, a Certified Trauma Professional trained in EMDR, an Advanced Fellow and Board Certified in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine (ABAAHP),  holds a Certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine in Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice, and is Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell. Dr. Friedman offers individual, couples, and group psychotherapy integrating the benefits of in-depth emotional and nutritional helaing. 

Dr. Asha Subramanian is a Board-certified family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician with specific expertise in evidence-based lifestyle change. She received her B.A. and M.A. in psychology with Honors and Distinction from Stanford University. Dr. Subramanian received her combined M.D./Master of Public Health degree from Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, and completed her family medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh St. Margaret Hospital. Dr. Subramanian also completed a fellowship in community health at Georgetown University Medical Center. She is an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University in the Department of Family Medicine. In 2018, Dr. Subramanian obtained a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition through Cornell University and in 2019, became a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. In 2019, she also became a Certified Food for Life instructor. Dr. Subramanian is a recipient of the Washingtonian Top Docs Award. Her professional interests include lifestyle medicine and the use of good nutrition, exercise, sleep and other strategies to optimize health; health behavior change; whole food, plant-based cooking, and community health advocacy. Dr. Subramanian founded Diya Lifestyle and Wellness LLC to better help individuals and families attain their health and wellness goals.

Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers grew up in Atlanta, GA.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN in 2003 where she earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Dr. Toombs-Withers earned a Doctorate Degree in Osteopathic Medicine from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine located on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA in 2007.  After completing her formal medical education, Dr. Toombs-Withers continued her medical training at the University of Cincinnati, The Christ Hospital.  She is double board certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine. Over the years, Dr. Toombs-Withers has served as Adjunct Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine with the University of Cincinnati Family Medicine Residency Program and she worked as a Family Physician for a federally qualified health center caring for underserved populations in the Cincinnati area. In 2013 Dr. Toombs-Withers was named as the Medical Director for the All Care Health Center in Council  Bluffs, IA where she continued to practice family medicine and supervised a staff of physicians and nurse practitioners. Dr. Toombs-Withers moved to Chattanooga, TN in 2015 and became a Family Medicine Physician in the UT/Erlanger Primary Care Medical Group at the Pineville Road office.  She earned a certification in Plant Based Nutrition in 2016 and the was board certified in Obesity Medicine in 2018. Dr. Toombs- Withers has practiced a plant based diet for over 15 years and over the past 5 years she has moved to a vegan diet.  She has trained as an endurance athlete and she has completed the New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Ironman Chattanooga 70.3, Ironman Augusta 70.3, Ironman Texas and a host of other endurance races. Dr. Toombs-Withers founded the Essence of Health Wellness Clinic in Chattanooga, TN in 2019 so that  she could combine her deep knowledge of medicine, plant based nutrition, and athletic training to provide comprehensive primary care to her patients using a Concierge Primary Care Model. Outside of work, Dr. Toombs-Withers is a mom for her three sons, wife, and dog wrangler.  She loves Chattanooga and all of the outdoor experiences it has to offer.  She enjoys cycling, hiking, camping, swimming, triathlons and trail running.

Driven by an unwavering dedication to health and well-being, Niki Davis, MD, made a transformative shift from a career in rocket science to become a board-certified family and lifestyle medicine physician. Her journey began as a young teen when she conscientiously started eliminating animal products from her diet due to health concerns. Despite earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and contributing significantly to the space shuttle program, her true passion was rooted in health and nutrition. Motivated by the aspiration to enhance both her own and her family’s well-being, she wholeheartedly embraced a plant-based lifestyle.

Rekindling her profound interest in health, Dr. Davis redirected her path, leaving her engineering career to pursue medical studies. She graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine in 2017 and completed a rigorous Family Medicine residency program in 2020. During her residency tenure, she not only served as Wellness Chief but also co-founded Plant Based Montana, an advocacy group dedicated to educating healthcare providers and the public about the advantages of a plant-based diet.

Dr. Davis is a sought-after speaker at national and virtual plant-based events and has had the privilege of learning from esteemed mentors such as Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Anthony Lim, Dr. Laurie Marbas, and Dr. Alan Goldhamer, among others. She is a regular guest on Chef AJ’s YouTube channel, holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies via eCornell, and is certified in The Starch Solution. She is on the board of directors for Plant Based Support.

Passionate about Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Davis offers TeleHealth appointments through LifestyleTelemedicine.com, aiming to provide comprehensive care and guidance to individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle. In addition, she runs plant based wellness retreats in locations around the world.

After I found plant-based eating 7 years ago, I was thrilled!  I lost weight, felt more energetic and slept better!  But I couldn’t get myself to kick the cravings…no matter how hard I tried!  I felt embarrassed that I couldn’t stick with it, that I didn’t have more willpower, and that I couldn’t stop eating!  
 
Then I learned the missing piece that helped transform my relationship with food and heal my digestion 100%!  Now I use the tools I learned to help my clients take control of food, lose stubborn weight and create the body of their dreams with confidence!  My mission is to help YOU be as wildly successful as possible so that we can spread the word about the plant-based diet to the world! 
Learn more about me at MicheleVilseck.com/meetmichele

I am a board-certified Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine physician and work with people to help prevent, treat, and even (with some conditions) reverse disease.  As part of someone’s health we talk about nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, and support system and these all play critical roles in health.
In addition to the in-office/telemedicine visits, patients and community members are welcome to attend the Walk With A Doc monthly walks at the Ventura Pier (currently held as an education over Zoom due to COVID-19) or other group visits for education, support, or to ask questions.  
I am part of a larger medical group (Dignity Health) and we accept almost all insurance plans. 

Medical Director at the Health for Life Medical Centre in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.  We provide a team-based Lifestyle Medicine approach to assist our clients to achieve Optimal health.

I have been a Whole Food, Plant-Based eater since 2016.  I lost 60# with Bright Line Eating in 2016 and reversed hypertension, obesity, and borderline diabetes.  Both plans are the most effective and sustainable for accomplishing improved health and optimal weight.  I am a Family Nurse Practitioner working at Harbor Community Health Center in San Pedro, CA.  I am available to assist anyone who is interested in learning more about these two ways of eating to improve his or her health.  I can prescribe medications for those who need them, with a goal of weaning off medications as your diet improves.  Our clinic accepts self-pay or various insurances, including Medicare, MediCal, and several HealthCareLA plans.    

Lisa Rigau is a registered nurse, nutrition counselor, and community educator of health, wellness, mindfulness, and nutrition. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Delaware. Lisa received her master’s degree from Marywood University in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Science.  Since 2003, she has been the owner of Healthy Lifestyle Management where she provides private and group nutrition counseling, stress management through mindfulness, and educates clients on the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: Plant-Predominant Nutrition, Exercise, Stress Management, Sleep, Social Relationships, and Avoidance of Risky Substances. Lisa is a trained mindfulness teacher where she is a Level 2 teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction through the Mindfulness Center at Brown University.  Lisa is a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional.  

The Vegan MD, Lifestyle Medicine and Plant-Based Nutrition.
By vegans, for vegans. 
We focus on the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, specialize in vegan patients and reducing recidivism, veganism during pregnancy, preventing and treating micronutrient deficiencies, chronic diseases, schedule building. 

Passionate about the power of the plate to effect change personally and societally.