Allison Ribaux - Human Resource Consultant - Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist - Yoga Instructor - Anthropologist

I’m Allison—Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist, Yoga Instructor, Anthropologist, and founder of SwitchBack Holistics.

After spending 20 years as a Human Resources Executive, I made the decision to step away from the corporate world and build something that aligned with my values, my health, and the life I wanted to live. SwitchBack Holistics is the result: a blend of my experience in people development, coaching, and business leadership with my deep training in holistic wellness. My mission is to help women reclaim balance, reconnect with their bodies, and create lives that feel aligned—not just productive.

My journey into holistic wellness began long before I ever imagined it would become my work. I’ve always been an athlete—running, biking, and hiking with my dogs across British Columbia, Quebec, and now Mexico. I’ve run ultra marathons, competed in triathlons, and found my greatest joy in movement and the outdoors.

But I also live with Fibromyalgia. After more than a decade of chronic pain, and later a car accident, I found myself cycling between years of feeling “fine” and sudden flares that left me barely able to walk across the street. Conventional medicine wasn’t giving me answers, and I knew there had to be another way to support my body.

That search led me to the healing power of plants, nutrition, and mindful movement. I dove into formal training, completing the Community Herbalist Certificate and the Holistic Nutrition Program at Pacific Rim College—comprehensive programs rooted in traditional knowledge, modern science, and cross‑cultural approaches to wellness. I also completed my Yoga Teacher RYT-200 this past March.

Life is short, and my own health journey—combined with a lifelong case of wanderlust—has shaped the way I live and the work I do. I want to show others what’s possible. Traveling, adventuring, and even living a nomadic lifestyle is possible with chronic pain. You don’t have to give up your dreams; you just need the right tools, support, and strategies.

And that’s what SwitchBack Holistics is all about.

Specializing in Holistic Solutions for Fibromyalgia and and Chronic Pain - Nomad Version

Here, healing begins at the root. I specialize in holistic, plant-based approaches that support the body’s natural ability to restore balance, reduce chronic pain, and strengthen immune function. Whether you’re navigating autoimmune conditions, long-term inflammation, or recurring illness, I offer personalized herbal protocols and natural healing methods designed to address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Together, we’ll tap into the wisdom of nature to support lasting wellness from the inside out.

Root Cause Medicine: Looking Deeper

Modern medicine often treats symptoms with medication or procedures, which can be helpful in the short term. However, when symptoms return or worsen, it may be a sign that the underlying issue hasn't been resolved.

Holistic health asks important questions:

What triggered this illness or imbalance?
What factors in lifestyle, nutrition, environment, or emotions might be contributing?
How can we support the body in healing itself?

By looking at patterns, habits, emotional well-being, and physical health, a clearer picture often emerges.

The Immune System: Your First Line of Defence

The immune system plays a central role in keeping the body healthy. It's a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that protects against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and toxins.

When the immune system is weakened—by stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, or chronic inflammation—it becomes harder for the body to heal or resist illness.

Holistic immune support includes:

Nutrient-dense foods (rich in vitamins C, D, zinc, antioxidants)
Herbal allies like echinacea, elderberry, reishi, and astragalus
Reducing stress and getting quality sleep
Movement and breathwork to encourage lymph flow
Gut health support, since over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut

Chronic Pain: Listening to the Body

Chronic pain is the body’s way of asking for attention. Whether it’s arthritis, migraines, back pain, or fibromyalgia, long-term pain is often rooted in inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, or structural imbalances.

Holistic approaches to chronic pain often include:

Identifying and reducing inflammatory triggers (like processed foods or allergens)
Gentle movement therapies: yoga, tai chi, stretching, or somatic practices
Mind-body techniques: meditation, breathwork, acupuncture, or craniosacral therapy
Anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, boswellia, and willow bark
Emotional release and trauma-informed practices, recognizing that the body holds memory

Final Thoughts

Healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. Holistic health reminds us that true wellness comes from addressing the whole person—not just treating isolated symptoms. Whether you're supporting your immune system or living with chronic pain, the key is to listen deeply, ask why, and support the body’s natural wisdom.