Meet The Founder
I’m John, the founder of Elementa Functional Nutrition.
My journey into nutrition didn’t begin in a classroom or a business plan. It began with an experience that fundamentally changed my understanding of health, resilience, and the importance of nourishing our bodies.
What started as a personal journey of recovery eventually became a passion for creating products that bring together whole-food nutrition, functional ingredients, and everyday convenience.
Today, that passion is at the heart of Elementa and our first product: Elementa Smoothie Cubes.
A Turning Point
In October 2013, my life changed unexpectedly.
I underwent urgent brain surgery to remove a tumor affecting my lower brain and brain stem. What followed was a long journey of physical and cognitive rehabilitation, rebuilding abilities I had previously taken for granted: balance, coordination, endurance, and speech.
Recovery became my full-time focus.
That experience changed my relationship with health. I began looking more closely at how I lived, how I nourished my body, and the daily choices that influenced my well-being.
It was the beginning of a new direction.
Discovering the Power of Nutrition
During my recovery, I became deeply interested in the relationship between food and how we feel.
Fresh juices, whole foods, and nutrient-dense smoothies became part of my daily routine.
I loved the simplicity of preparing food from real ingredients. The vibrant colors, natural flavors, and connection to what I was putting into my body made nutrition feel less like a set of rules and more like an enjoyable daily practice.
As my interest grew, so did my curiosity about the science behind nutrition.
I wanted to understand not just what we eat, but why it matters.
That curiosity eventually led me back to school, where I earned a Master of Science in Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine.
My education helped connect years of personal experience with a deeper understanding of nutritional science, food composition, and functional ingredients.
From Passion to Purpose
My passion for nutrition first took shape through The Good Juice Company, where I began sharing fresh, cold-pressed juices and smoothies with the community.
What started small grew through long nights of preparation, farmers markets, music festivals, and the support of an incredible group of friends, collaborators, and customers.
Along the way, I brought a vintage 1974 Airstream Argosy to life. We call her Big Juicy.
More than a mobile juice and smoothie bar, Big Juicy became a gathering place. A place to connect with people, share nourishing food, and experience the energy of community.
After years of preparing fresh juices and smoothies, I recognized a common challenge. People want to eat well, but finding the time to prepare nutrient-dense food consistently isn’t always easy. I wanted to bridge that gap, and I thought…What if a thoughtfully formulated smoothie could be ready in just 60 seconds? That question inspired Elementa Smoothie Cubes.
A Personal Note
“Elementa is more than a product I’ve created. It’s an expression of everything I’ve learned through recovery, education, entrepreneurship, and the people I’ve met along the way.
I know firsthand how quickly life can change and how valuable our health really is.
I also know that taking care of ourselves doesn’t need to be complicated.
Sometimes it begins with something as simple as making a better smoothie.
I’m grateful for everyone who has supported this journey, from the early days of juicing to this new chapter with Elementa.
Thank you for being part of it.”
JOHN, MScN
