Megan Barefoot Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant
Founder of No Shoes Nutrition
BSc., C.H.N.C.
(Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant ™)
My journey to holistic nutrition.
I had a great career, lead a very busy professional life working long hours — living a corporate life. Then, I had a baby…. life changed, it wasn’t supposed to.
My body changed, my sleep changed, my hormones changed…I changed. I didn’t know what had come over me. I had a life plan, goals and focus. Now I wanted different things, for different reasons and I wanted this beautiful change, but along with it came an awakening.
I couldn’t keep living my corporate life with these changes. My health was suffering and I needed answers I wasn’t getting. I had abdominal pain and bloating, fatigue, weight that just wouldn’t come off no matter what I tried and my thinking was foggy. These were changes that I was NOT willing to live with despite doctors telling me that they were normal after having children — that my symptoms were common.
I decided to take my health into my own hands and educate myself on ways to support my body. I have noticed improved energy, weight loss, clearer thinking, glowing skin and less pain. Looking towards the root cause of my symptoms and learning to manage stress has put me on the path to healing my own body. I still consider myself to be a work in progress and I am grateful to have the tools and knowledge that will support me in optimizing my health. I am honoured to be able to share this information with my clients, guide them with their health struggles and help them rebuild their health too.
Education.
After graduating with a BSc. in Science from the University of Windsor, I graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. I learned innovative coaching methods, practical lifestyle management techniques and over 100 dietary theories. I also studied at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, the most established science-based Canadian natural health school, where I learned to connect the symptoms experienced to the systems of the body and then balance the systems through whole foods for preventative health. I most recently trained with Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to become a Certified Gut and Psychology Syndrome Practitioner. I am a Reiki Master and can work with a client’s energy if requested.
Influences.
Along the way, I studied with some of the world's top health and wellness experts including:
Joshua Rosenthal, founder and director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Deepak Chopra, MD, leader in the field of mind-body medicine
David Katz, MD, MPH, director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center
Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, chair of nutrition at Harvard University
Andrew Weil, MD, director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
Gabrielle Bernstein, bestselling author and life coach
Susan Blum, MD, MPH, assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mark Hyman, MD, founder of The UltraWellness Center
Geneen Roth, bestselling author and expert on emotional eating
David Wolfe, raw food leader and nutrition expert
Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, professor at New York University’s Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health
Mark Bittman, food writer for The New York Times and bestselling author
Joel Fuhrman, MD, family physician and leading expert on nutritional healing
Megan Barefoot is a Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant in Calgary with many years of experience in holistic nutrition and also teaches at CSNN in Calgary.
Meet Roxane Shymkiw
At No Shoes Nutrition, we are incredibly lucky to be supported by an amazing team of people who help bring our mission to life: empowering others to feel their best, thrive in their bodies, and live with energy and purpose.
Each person brings unique skills, passion, and heart to what we do — from the science and strategy to the systems and support that help everything run smoothly.
Whether it's helping clients feel heard and supported, keeping our programs flowing, handling the tech side of things, or bringing creative ideas to life, this dream team allows us to: coach, connect, and support you on your wellness journey.
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C.H.N.C. & ChefFood has always been at the heart of Roxane’s story. Growing up in a first-generation Chinese Canadian family, food was more than just nourishment — it was connection, celebration, and a bridge between cultural traditions and new experiences. Whether it was learning how to make Hamburger Helper or experimenting with lasagna recipes from borrowed library cookbooks, her childhood was shaped by the joy of discovery through food.
After completing a Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, Roxane’s journey took an unexpected — but delicious — turn while living in the UK. While searching for work in engineering, she enrolled in culinary school and earned her Cordon Bleu diploma. What followed was a vibrant chapter working as a personal chef and caterer to London’s elite, as well as running her own business and teaching culinary classes. Her love for global cuisine blossomed through travel and immersion in London’s multicultural food scene, where she learned how simply prepared meals could be both nourishing and soul-satisfying.
Upon returning to Calgary, Roxane continued sharing her passion for food by teaching cooking classes. When her daughter decided to become vegetarian, Roxane’s natural curiosity led her to deepen her understanding of nutrition through the Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from Cornell University. She found a plant-forward, inclusive style of eating that worked beautifully for her family — omnivores and vegetarians alike.
Still, Roxane noticed that despite people’s best efforts to eat well, many — including herself — were struggling with lingering health concerns. She wasn’t willing to accept that fatigue, inflammation, and discomfort were just part of “getting older” or “having kids.” That question — why do so many people still feel unwell? — led her to the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. There, she found the science-based, holistic approach that connected all the dots.
Today, Roxane brings her incredible blend of culinary creativity, scientific insight, and heartfelt care to her work as a holistic nutrition consultant. Her mission is to help others find joy in food while making simple, sustainable changes that support lifelong health. She is honored to support clients in creating vibrant, delicious lives — one meal at a time.
“To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we will not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”
-Buddha-