When I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, I was told I would likely need medication for the rest of my life. Before beginning treatment, I chose to spend six months focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, stress management, and other supportive changes to see what effect they might have for me. That experience transformed the way I thought about health. Rather than asking, "How do I manage this symptom?" I began asking, "What factors might be contributing to how my body is functioning?" That question eventually led me to functional nutrition.

Over the past decade, I have immersed myself in learning about nutrition and whole-person wellness, ultimately completing my training as a Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor through the Functional Nutrition Alliance. My goal has never been to collect information for its own sake. I believe knowledge becomes meaningful when it is shared in a way that helps someone else improve their life.

One of the most important lessons I've learned is that meaningful change rarely comes from dramatic overhauls. Lasting progress is built through awareness, education, and manageable steps that fit into everyday life. My role isn't to hand you a perfect plan or expect overnight transformation. It's to help you understand your body, recognize patterns, and build the confidence to make informed decisions about your own health. You are the person who spends the most time in your own body. My place in your process isn't to replace your healthcare team—it's to help you understand your health more deeply and become an active participant in your own well-being.

Compassion is at the heart of how I work. Every person who walks through my door has a unique story, shaped by experiences I may never fully know. I believe the best care begins with listening. My hope is that our work together leaves you feeling supported, understood, and increasingly confident in your ability to care for yourself. If one day you no longer need my guidance because you've developed the knowledge and tools to navigate your health independently, I'll consider that one of my greatest successes.

The name KiStones was born during a philosophy club discussion about the idea of a "keystone"—the central stone that holds an arch together. At the time, I was also studying Reiki, where ki refers to life energy. The two ideas came together in an unexpected way. I began thinking about wellness as an arch supported by many stones: nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, purpose, relationships, creativity, and countless other aspects of life. None of these foundations exist in isolation. Together, they support the energy, resilience, and wholeness we all seek. 

When I'm not working with clients, you'll usually find me on a hiking trail, practicing restorative yoga or meditation, exploring bookstores and art galleries, or immersed in a creative project like woodworking, wire weaving, or drawing. I've spent a lot of my time on organic farms and invested in learning ancestral skills as both are things that help me feel more grounded. I believe creativity, movement, learning, and time in nature are all important parts of living a balanced life, and they continue to shape my own wellness journey.

My hope is that KiStones becomes more than a place to receive nutrition counseling. I hope it becomes a place where people feel empowered to better understand themselves, make thoughtful choices, and build a life that supports the health of their body, mind, and spirit. That is the heart of KiStones.

Wherever you are in your wellness journey, I'm glad you're here.

Daria Ymir