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Dr. Tara
My passion is to inspire and empower others to experience the joy and richness of life. I embrace a holistic definition of health and wellness with a focus on lifestyle. Time and again, I have seen the dramatic impact nutritious food, physical activity, quality sleep, and positive environmental and social connections can have on overall well-being.
Dr. Tara's Sunshine website and coaching program is the culmination of my unique and diverse training, and life experiences. I bring to this endeavour a background of nearly two decades as a medical physician and psychotherapist combined with years as an avid traveller, fitness fanatic, music-lover, and aspiring chef. I understand the fundamental need we have as people to establish our own supportive community networks. I also recognize the importance of properly nourishing both our bodies and minds to better face the challenges and demands of modern day life.
I was raised in a small town in Southwestern Ontario and attended Queen’s University where I completed concurrent undergraduate BA (Psychology) and BScH (Life Sciences) degrees and received a number of honours and awards. My interest in food science, nutrition and supplements led me to take several relevant courses during that time, including Metabolism & Biochemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, Proteins & Enzymes, Drugs & Their Actions (through the Department of Pharmacology), Leadership in Health Agencies and Nutrition & Health Promotion (both through the Faculty of Nursing).
After graduating from Queen’s, I attended the University of Toronto Medical School. As a medical student, I was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and awarded the Gladwin Ridings Memorial Scholarship for high academic standing, practicality, modesty, sensitivity, and reverence for human life. I graduated at the top of my Class of 2000 as the Governor General’s Gold Medalist.
I began my residency training in internal medicine. However, I later switched into family practice to nurture my growing interest in preventative medicine, psychotherapy, and the mind-body-gut connection. Since retiring from traditional medical practice a few years ago, I have focused on wellness education. This inspired me to take a coaching course (Foundations of Professional Coaching) through Adler/OISE which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am currently training to become a certified nutritionist through the Institute of Holistic Nutrition (IHN). I believe that nutrition certification will allow me to provide a broader scope of meaningful and impactful coaching services to my clients.
My main interests include nutrition for optimal physical and mental performance and in midlife, especially (peri)menopause; the gut microbiome; sleep optimization; and the impact of lifestyle on healthspan. In an effort to stay up-to-date and provide the most relevant information to my clients, I am an active member of the US Menopause Society and continue to educate myself on nutrition, fitness and menopause through daily reading and podcasts as well as medical seminars, conferences and observerships (in clinics such as Toronto’s Mt. Sinai Menopause Clinic). I use my website and social media (@drtarasunshine) to share my love of healthy cooking and living to inspire others. As an influencer, I have been involved in nutritious recipe development for several US and Canadian brands and organizations including Del Monte, Nuzest, Lakanto, Eaton Hemp, GoMacro, Rawcology, Good Food For Good, Further Food, and The Women’s Brain Health Initiative. I look forward to creating more recipes and incorporating social media into my nutrition & coaching practice moving forward.
Perhaps most importantly, I am the proud mother of 3 remarkable teens. I currently reside in Toronto, Canada.