Clean Eating, Holistic Health, and Healing: A Conversation with Elissa Goodman on Nutrition and Wellness
Nutrition plays a crucial role in overall well-being, and making thoughtful, science-backed lifestyle changes can support long-term health. In this conversation, SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein speaks with holistic nutritionist Elissa Goodman about how diet, stress management, and self-care can complement traditional medical treatment. Elissa shares her personal journey with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, how she used nutrition and lifestyle adjustments alongside medical care, and the lessons she’s learned about healing from the inside out. Together, they discuss the importance of digestive health, hormone balance, and the power of choosing nourishing foods to feel and function at your best.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
Well, I am here today with someone I would consider not just a friend but a guiding force in health and wellness—Elissa Goodman, a holistic nutritionist. Of the five people in my family, three or four of us see you in different ways, and you’ve had a major impact on how we think about health. You’ve truly changed how our family approaches well-being, both individually and as a unit. I know your journey to this work is an incredible one, and I’d love for you to share it with us.
Elissa Goodman:
Yes, I’ll give you the short version and the long version!
Amy:
I want them all.
Elissa:
I was born with a low white blood cell count, and in those days—64 years ago—doctors didn’t know what to do with that. They just told my parents, “She needs more sleep.” No one talked about stress, food, supplements, vitamin D, or the benefits of being in the sun. I got sick constantly—strep throat, tonsillitis, mono, allergies, gut issues. I always felt like something was off, and emotionally, it was tough because my parents were so high-energy. They never seemed to get tired, and I was always exhausted.
Later, I moved to New York, worked in advertising, and got sick even more often. When I moved to California, thinking the lifestyle might help, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I was 32.
Amy:
How did you find out?
Elissa:
I was getting a massage, sitting upright, and the masseuse found a swollen lymph node on my collarbone. She told me to get it checked out, and I’m so grateful she did. It turned out to be an early-stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Amy:
That’s incredible. It’s rare for a massage therapist to pick up on something like that.
Elissa:
It was a lifesaver. What wasn’t easy was the treatment process. I saw multiple doctors, each one scaring me more than the last. Then, I met an oncologist at St. John’s who asked me something no other doctor had: “Are you happy? Do you love your life?”
Amy:
Was that the first time anyone had asked you that?
Elissa:
Yes. And I was completely taken aback. But I answered honestly—I wasn’t happy. Moving to L.A. had been hard. I was working at Vogue in a high-pressure environment, and I had no idea what inner peace even felt like. I had spent my life in go-go-go mode.
That question changed everything for me. I started therapy, read every self-help book I could find, and got into yoga. I changed my diet, cutting out sugar and caffeine, and started juicing. I did half the recommended radiation, no chemo, and ultimately healed.
Amy:
How did you know what “healthy eating” meant back then? It was the low-fat, high-sugar era.
Elissa:
Great question. My mom had asthma and used to take groups of women to Rancho La Puerta in Mexico—a holistic wellness retreat. I went with her as a teenager, and even though I hated it at the time, I saw how food, movement, and mindfulness transformed these women in just a week. That memory came back to me when I got sick.
Amy:
You also later faced another devastating health journey with your husband.
Elissa:
Yes, 11 years after my diagnosis, my husband was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was only 45 when he passed away.
Amy:
I can’t imagine. That must have been so difficult.
Elissa:
It was heartbreaking. I truly believe his fear-based mindset made his fight even harder. He didn’t believe in the role of nutrition or lifestyle changes—he only followed what doctors told him. It was frustrating because I had learned so much about healing from my own experience, but he wasn’t open to it.
Amy:
And after that, you made it your mission to help others.
Elissa:
Yes. I wanted to ensure my daughters, who were 10 and 7 when he passed, didn’t grow up thinking cancer was inevitable. I went back to school for nutrition, started working with restaurants like M Café and Café Gratitude to develop clean-eating programs, and later launched my own food delivery cleanse.
Amy:
Tell us about the cleanse.
Elissa:
It’s a five-day program with soups, salads, tonics, fermented veggies, and broths—plant-based, organic, anti-inflammatory, and rich in fiber and protein. People say, “I’m eating more than usual, but I feel lighter, my digestion is better, and I’m losing weight without trying.” That’s because real, nourishing food supports your body rather than depriving it.
Amy:
Speaking of digestion—one of my favorite topics—how important is gut health?
Elissa:
It’s everything. The gut affects immunity, hormone balance, and even mental clarity. But stress, poor hydration, and processed foods all take a toll. I always tell people:
Drink more water (with electrolytes to help absorption).
Get enough fiber (30+ grams a day from foods like chia seeds, berries, and beans).
Support digestion with bitter foods, digestive enzymes, and probiotics.
Amy:
And stress?
Elissa:
Stress completely shuts down digestion. That’s why breathwork, meditation, and sleep are non-negotiable for gut health.
Amy:
Let’s talk about hormones. Women’s bodies change constantly, yet we don’t always have the right support.
Elissa:
Exactly. Hormonal imbalances start younger than people realize, often due to stress, environmental toxins, and diet. I do full blood panels on women of all ages to assess hormone levels, and I’ve found that many young women are already low in DHEA and pregnenolone—key precursors to estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Amy:
That’s fascinating. We need more education around this.
Elissa:
Yes, and the same goes for menopause. Many women don’t realize hormone therapy can be life-changing, improving bone health, brain function, and overall vitality. It’s about understanding your options and making informed choices.
Amy:
If you could give one piece of advice for overall well-being, what would it be?
Elissa:
Self-love. We’re so hard on ourselves, but learning to appreciate your body and listen to its needs can be the most healing thing you do.
Amy:
That’s a beautiful way to end. Thank you, Elissa, for sharing your story and your wisdom.
Elissa:
Thank you for having me.
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.