Each month, through our partnership with The Sampson Foundation, we award free tuition to one individual who is actively working in their community to make a big difference in health and wellness. 

We’re excited to introduce our January Sampson Foundation winner, Anna Rubano! 

When selecting Sampson Foundation winners, we consider why they are passionate about health and wellness, and how they will use an Integrative Nutrition education to better their communities. 

Here’s Anna’s story in her own words:

When I was 27 years old my health tanked! I was so ill that I could barely stand for five minutes without massive fatigue! Everything I ate seemed to hurt instead of being a source of nourishment. I went to several doctors and specialists, but no one could figure out what was wrong. I was fortunate enough to be referred to a Chiropractor who also practiced holistic nutrition. He was very quickly able to see I was suffering from a severe case of candidiasis. After a nutritional detox and major change of diet, it was as if I came back to life. From that point, I began a slow journey towards what it meant to not diet, but to eat, live, and thrive.

Once I had children, things got challenging again. I needed more! More energy and more information. I kept learning, modifying what I ate and how I exercised to meet the needs of my body so that I could meet the needs of my family.

My son was diagnosed with ADHD at a very young age, and my daughter, who is three years old, was also severely speech delayed. I knew that something had to change with my approach to their wellness. But there was so much information out there, and I needed to discern what was right for them. Everywhere I looked it seemed that the holistic integrative approach to nutrition was needed. Not just for my family and myself, but also for people in my community who were legitimately hurting and seeking answers, further than what their doctors were advising.

An IIN Health Coach saw my passion and encouraged me to apply. I believe I will be a compassionate and relatable health coach because of my personal experiences. I have been the young woman who had “no hope” in ever finding out what was wrong. I have suffered with an autoimmune disease. I have children who have extra challenges, and I spent years not listening to my body. My personal journey has not been an easy one, but it has led me to this wonderful longing to help others. For that I am thankful! 

There are many people like me who are going through similar circumstances.  I come across them on a weekly, if not daily, basis. I want to offer them hope, options, and an integrated approach to health and wellness. We live in a world that desperately needs people like Health Coaches to show others that there is another way to truly live and thrive!

We cannot serve our families, our communities, or ourselves if we do not consistently walk the journey of true health and wellness.  I am thankful for this journey, and the deep desire it has conceived in my heart to become an IIN Health Coach.  I am hopeful that the next chapter in my life will be the story of how I, someone who never ever could possibly conceive this path, would see her dream fulfilled, and her passion lived out in serving others as an IIN Health Coach!

Anna hopes to use her forthcoming Integrative Nutrition education to serve her church community. Her church has a mix of people from all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds many of whom want to better their lives through good nutrition but don’t know where to start. As the “healthy one” in her church community, Anna receives questions on a daily basis about nutrition, dietary theories, health and wellness. After completing the Health Coach Training Program, Anna hopes to be able to further help them on their journeys to healthier lives.

What an amazing story, Anna! We can’t wait to see how you use your passion and Integrative Nutrition education to bring your dreams to fruition! 

Interested in applying for the Sampson Foundation? More information can be found here.

If you’ve already applied, we have good news; you don’t need to apply again! We reconsider applicants regardless of the month you’ve applied.