HEAL & Philosophy

HEAL is a Toronto-based company specializing in coaching people to Healthy Eating and Active Living. Started in 2006 by Tara Postnikoff, Registered Nutritional Consultant and Certified Personal Trainer, HEAL's mission is to improve clients' health and well-being through natural nutrition and exercise.

The Evolution of HEAL

When I first started running in 2002 it was more because of a dare by a friend of mine than a quest for fitness. In the beginning, as I struggled through the initial phases of the program it was more for fun and the social aspects than for the running itself. As I shed some 20 pounds over the next two years I believed I could eat and drink what I wanted because I was running so much (oh how wrong I was!). Throughout 2003-2005 a personal decision led to a career change, and I saw the need to incorporate healthy eating with my active lifestyle for greater success and total health. I believe that those two concepts must go hand in hand to achieve the goals you want. As a result, HEAL was born.

About Tara

Tara Postnikoff, Hon B.A., RNCP/ROHP, CNP, PTS-Can Fit Pro

As a Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner and Certified Personal Trainer, Tara provides individualized nutrition coaching and personal training services aimed at the athletic individual.

Tara works with fitness-minded individuals, weekend warriors, and competitive athletes looking to train harder and perform better. She also works with individuals who are looking to achieve optimal health through natural nutrition and active lifestyles.

Tara's interest in health and fitness is rooted in the idea that everyone can be and deserves to be healthy and fit. She uses a whole-body, holistic approach with each client, implementing incremental life changes in nutrition, health, and fitness. Each program is tailored to the client's individual needs.

In addition to a private practice, Tara is a regular speaker on Nutrition and an Instructor for the Running Room clinics. Tara is also a regular columnist for the Running Room Magazine in "Ask a Nutritionist", Breathe Magazine and was quoted as a subject area expert in "Get Real" by Patricia Lovett-Reid. Tara has been a speaker at the Toronto Can-Fit Pro Conference and the HSBC Triathlon Series Awards Event.

Always having led an active lifestyle beginning as a competitive swimmer in her youth, Tara started running in 2002 and has completed numerous races including over 10 half-marathons and three marathons. Her newest passion is Triathlon racing and she completed the Muskoka 70.3 Half Ironman, September 2008. Tara has also placed in her age-group for some shorter-distance triathlons, including taking the Provincial Title in her age group at the Cobourg Olympic Distance Triathlon in 2009. Tara will be competing at the ITU World Championship in Budapest in September 2010.

Personal race records include:

• 10k - 45:51.6 (2010)
• Half-marathon - 1:44:55 (2010)
• 30k - 2:55:25 (2008)
• Marathon - 3:56:46 (2009)

In 2000, Tara graduated from McMaster University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Honours Anthropology and a minor in Biology. Tara also holds a diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition and a designation of Certified Nutritional Practitioner graduating with First Class Honours from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in 2006. A CNP designation requires a minimum of 600 hours of training together with 50 hours of Co-op education. Tara’s RNCP / ROHP designations are granted through the International Organization of Nutritional Consultants (IONC), a professional organization dedicated to upholding the educational standards of nutritional practitioners through ongoing requirement of annual continuing education courses. Tara has completed specialized nutrition training in Nutritional Supplementation(2007) and Applied Endocrinology (2009) through the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and is currently working towards the Certified Sports Nutrition Advisor designation through the Cory Holly Institute. Tara is certified as a Personal Trainer Specialist through Can Fit Pro, the largest provider of education in the Canadian fitness industry.

How HEAL Helped Me

"Tara took my wife and I to our local supermarket so that we could see if we were buying and eating the right foods." Read More

"HEAL has improved the quality of life for the Kern Family! Tara Postnikoff gave my two sons Sean, 20, and Ethan, 18, as well as Gill my wife and myself a full and comprehensive nutritional assessment." Read More

"Tara took me through a comprehensive nutritional plan for my athletic needs. I have been riding stronger, feeling less pain and feeling great!" Read More

"I've got a good routine now with my supplements that I feel great about. Such a relief to have it all sorted out!" Read More