Registered nurse and entrepreneur writes Amazon bestseller on healthy lifestyle strategies

Shawna Curry, BN’11, BKin’03, is a registered nurse, professional coach and international speaker who is passionate about making an impact on global health. After graduation from UCalgary, she worked in acute care at the Foothills Medical Centre and then in primary care as a chronic disease management nurse.

Being proactive and preventative in living a healthy lifestyle are the key messages behind her company, Health Redesigned. She founded her own business in 2014 to offer clients total-health solutions and overall lifestyle strategies for everything from fitness and sleep to nutrition and self-help.

In 2017, she wrote and self-published a book called Healthy by Choice: Your Blueprint for Vital Living which became an Amazon bestseller less than 48 hours after its release. In the book, she shares her own personal experience from years of competing in triathlons and marathons while dealing with food sensitivities, inflammation and multiple sports injuries to help teach others how to take charge of their own health.

Curry has since turned her material into an online platform to enhance workplace wellness programs so that participants can be empowered to take an active role in their own care. She has presented at the CARNA100 Conference and also done numerous presentations for The Running Room, Lupus Society of Alberta, Alberta Health Services Women’s Health Resources, Canadian Firefighters Hockey Club, Momentum Health Calgary and The Tech Shop.

“My passion comes from wanting to help people who struggle with health issues that are easily improved with lifestyle changes,” says Curry. “I've also worked on an acute neurology unit for over seven years and love how I continue to learn something new every day.”

Tell us about the work you do and what drives you to do it.

“I'm the Founder of Health Redesigned, a bestselling author and an international speaker. I design and deliver workplace wellness programs and personalized health coaching programs. Health Redesigned is about taking charge of your own health. It’s directing your own medical care. It’s preventing problems and diseases so you don’t have bigger problems down the line. It’s setting an intention for your own choices and fully understanding the health decisions you’re making. It’s feeling your best and living life to its fullest.”

What’s a memorable experience you had at UCalgary Nursing?

“I remember the orientation on the first day, where a speaker told us to be open to new opportunities. She said that we may not end up in the direction we had in mind. I was focused on careers in the community and had no interest in acute care. My acute care placement was overwhelming and challenged me in ways I never expected. I've now spent over seven years working in an acute care setting and love it — something I never thought would happen. Day one instilled in me to always be open to new ideas.”

What most excites you about the future of nursing or changes coming in the profession?
“I am most excited about the increasing scope of practice for nurses. I can't wait to see what new opportunities will open up for RNs in the future.”

Is there a nursing issue you are especially passionate about or you would like to change?
“I have a vision of a world where no one has to suffer from preventable disease. I love working with clients to teach them the skills to take care of themselves - it's so much easier than people realize.”

Any advice for aspiring nurses?
“There are so many career options available to you. Shadow lots of different nurses to help shape where you want to be. Don't be afraid to try something new!”

All through 2019, we'll be highlighting 50 Faces of Nursing and profiling nursing members in celebration of our 50th anniversary. If you know someone noteworthy (faculty, staff, alum, students, partners, etc.) who you would like us to feature, tell us more with this short online form. For more, visit nursing.ucalgary.ca/50