Today we’d like to introduce you to Kanna Laird.
Hi Kanna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Japan, where appearance seemed to matter above all else. Success and beauty were often equated with being skinny, and self-worth was heavily tied to how you looked. This cultural pressure led me to develop eating disorders and low self-esteem for over 20 years. I never felt skinny enough unless I was anorexic, and I never felt pretty enough. To compensate, I would dress in expensive clothes and prioritize others’ needs, even if it meant self-sacrifice and destructive behaviors like excessive drinking and smoking.
A turning point came when I had the opportunity to stay in Canada for a year on a working holiday visa. The people I met there completely changed my mindset and challenged my limiting beliefs. They weren’t obsessed with being skinny, yet they were happy and content with themselves. It was a revelation to me that happiness and acceptance could come from within. They introduced me to the concept of self-work and inner beauty, which was entirely new to me at the time. I immersed myself in self-help books and slowly began to heal my relationship with food and myself.
I went on to become a certified personal trainer, a registered holistic nutritionist, and an integrative health coach with a focus on emotional eating psychology. Since 2007, I have dedicated myself to helping others through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and online courses in both English and Japanese. This spring, I published a Japanese book aimed at helping emotional eaters and those struggling with low self-worth. The positive reception it received has been incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in my community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. The journey has been far from smooth. When I was struggling with eating disorders, resources in Japanese were almost non-existent. Initially, I didn’t even realize I had an eating disorder. There was no information about my condition available in Japan at the time. My inner critic constantly told me, “I’m the only one who can’t figure out this binge eating or disordered eating. Shame, shame, shame.” It took years, if not a decade, to realize and admit I had issues with food. The resources I eventually found were all in English, which made the process a lot harder since English is not my native language.
I knew that investing in therapy or counseling was the right path, but for many years, I felt unworthy of receiving support. I wasn’t ready to invest in myself or my self-healing. It took a long time to overcome these barriers and start my journey toward recovery.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I help binge eaters and people with body image issues. My work also involves helping people shift limiting beliefs and improve their self-worth. I’m known as a nutritionist for both body and soul because I take a holistic approach, considering many aspects of life beyond just food, exercise, or mindset. I examine how a person spends their 24 hours each day to understand their overall well-being. What I’m most proud of is my clients’ progress. I love witnessing their internal transformations, seeing them accept themselves, reconnect with their authentic selves, and utilize their unique gifts to live life to the fullest. Their genuine, satisfied smiles are incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is my ability to bring together both Japanese and North American cultures, languages, and resources. I understand the cultural differences, tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses that can impact the healing process, allowing me to provide the best possible support for my clients.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You’re not alone if you struggle with controlling food cravings or managing your relationship with food. How you eat doesn’t define your worth. You are enough, and you are worthy no matter how you eat. Brené Brown teaches that shame grows in secrecy, which was true for me—I didn’t talk to anyone about my eating issues, and they only got worse. The antidote to shame is to talk about it. Share your struggles with someone you trust, someone who has earned the right to hear your story. Find someone who can offer you a warm, safe space without judgment.
If you can’t find anyone like that, it’s okay. You can always email or message me—I’m here for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kannalaird.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthcoachkanna/
