alive Contributors

Dr. Cassie Irwin, ND, works with soul-led women who are ready to expand their intuition and calibrate to their ultimate state of being.

Neil Zevnik is a private chef who writes about food, the environment, and social responsibility as a way to make his small contribution to changing the world for the better. 

Joshua Duvauchelle is a regular alive contributor and certified personal trainer who lives in Victoria, BC. 

Lisa Petty, PhD, is a health advocate, writer, and educator who aspires to be the healthiest possible version of her human self.  

Brendan Rolfe, BA, DipA, is an advocate for functional movement and work/life balance in Penticton, BC, where he strives to bring healthy lifestyle choices to every household. 

Rachel Werner, CHN, is an author and alive Academy alum. She creates beauty, culinary, and travel content for print and digital publications. Her cookbook is Macro Cooking Made Simple (Chartwell Books, 2023).

Matthew Kadey, MSc, RD, is a dietitian, nutrition writer, and recipe developer. He is also the author of Rocket Fuel (VeloPress, 2016) and Muffin Tin Chef (Ulysses Press, 2012). 

Deena Kara Shaffer, PhD, is a learning specialist and lecturer at Ryerson University, co-creator of the Thriving in Action initiative, and owner of Awakened Learning, resilience-based educational coaching and consulting. 

Theodore D. Cosco, PhD (Cantab) CPsychol, is an Assistant Professor of Mental Health and Aging (Simon Fraser University) and Research Fellow (Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford).

Desiree Nielsen, BSc, RD, a registered dietitian, host of The Allsorts Podcast and author of the bestselling plant-based cookbook, Eat More Plants. @desireenielsenrd

Kristen Ma is an esthetician and Ayurvedic practitioner who owns a holistic spa chain. She is the author of Beauty: Pure + Simple (McArthur and Co., 2010) and runs a beauty blog.

Leah Payne is a writer, author, and editor based in Vancouver, BC. She is the author of Get Outside! and Less is More. (Headshot credit: Notting Hill Photography). 

Alexa Everett is an award-nominated multimedia journalist based in Vancouver, Canada. Originally from Montreal, her work has been featured on CBC, Ricochet Media, the Montreal Gazette and MAtv Montreal. Passionate about human-interest stories and a dedicated volunteer, Alexa hosted bi-weekly paint nights at a women's shelter in Montreal and now engages seniors in activities at a Vancouver adult day center

Vibha Shukla is an editor and staff writer at alive. She loves writing about a sustainable, healthy future for people and the planet.

Isabela Bonnevera is a freelance writer from Vancouver now based in Barcelona. She is a founding editor of <Feminist Food Journal>, a magazine and podcast dedicated to feminist perspectives on food and culture.

Makena Wardle is an editor and staff writer here at alive. She is passionate about people, the planet, and really yummy food.

Ashley Linkletter is a writer and poet based in Vancouver, BC. Her work has appeared in delicious living, Culture: The World of Cheese, Edible Vancouver & Wine Country, Ink & Marrow, Campfire Confessions, and others.

Corinne Quesnel is a Vancouver-based photographer, recipe developer, and health writer. She creates visually stunning, nutritious recipes, blending her passion for food and wellness with creative flair.

Rebecca Heaton is the former editor of Live Naturally magazine.

Emilie Richardson-Dupuis is a journalist, writer, and health nut.

Stephanie MacDonald is a West Coast writer and editor who nurtures her soul with friends and good wine.

Dr. Gillian Flower is a naturopathic doctor at the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre and counsels her patients in the judicious use of natural supplements.

Tracy Peternell is a mother of two, a certified school teacher, and a healthy living enthusiast. She is the Editor In Chief and Group Content Director at Alive Publishing Group.

Helena McMurdo is a writer, food stylist, and photographer based in Vancouver.