Staff Spotlight | Laura Knoff’s Journey from Biochemical Labs to Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist

Content Summary

• A Health Crisis in the Lab: After 23 years working in biochemical laboratories, Laura Knoff suffered from chronic fatigue and digestive issues caused by chemical exposure and stress. Conventional medicine offered no relief, prompting her to seek a path to heal herself through nature.
• The Transition to Holistic Nutrition: In 1998, a chance meeting with Bauman College instructors at a functional medicine seminar changed her life. Laura enrolled immediately, discovering that fresh, organic whole foods were the medicine she truly needed to reverse her symptoms and regain her vitality.
• A 25-Year Legacy of Teaching: Since graduating in 2000, Laura has become a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist and a dedicated instructor at Bauman College. She has spent over two decades teaching the “Eating for Health” model and witnessing dramatic transformations in her students’ lives.

For over two decades, Laura Knoff, NC, BCHN® has been a pillar of the Bauman College community, but her path to holistic nutrition began in a very different setting: the high-stakes environment of biochemical laboratories.

After 23 years of working with chemicals and enduring the high stress of the lab, Laura’s body began to push back. At age 43, she found herself struggling with weight loss, chronic fatigue, and debilitating digestive symptoms. When the medical profession couldn’t provide the answers she needed, Laura realized she would have to find the path to healing herself.

The Discovery That Changed Everything

In 1998, Laura attended a seminar by Dr. Jeff Bland through the Institute for Functional Medicine. It was there that she met instructors and students from Bauman College.

“I was thrilled to find that a holistic nutrition school existed,” Laura remembers. “I felt that I would finally be able to learn enough to heal myself and change my career to one that would help many people. I enrolled immediately.”

As a student, Laura’s scientific background met a new kind of data: the power of whole foods. She discovered that while supplements have their place, they are no substitute for fresh, organic ingredients. Slowly but surely, by embracing the Eating for Health model, Laura began to heal.

From Lab Scientist to Nutrition Consultant Instructor

After graduating in 2000, Laura made what she calls “the best move I ever made.” She left the laboratory behind to become a Nutrition Consultant and an instructor at Bauman College.

Having her certificate allowed Laura to become a professional member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) and achieve board certification in holistic nutrition. This credential gave her the confidence to build a successful private practice while simultaneously shaping the minds of future nutritionists.

“I love working with students to improve their understanding of nutrition and health,” Laura says. “I love teaching this important information so my students, and all who they teach in the world, can become healthier.”

Witnessing Miracles in the Classroom

In her 25 years of teaching, Laura has seen the principles of Bauman College work wonders. She has watched students’ health improve dramatically during their time in the program. Some of her most touching success stories involve students who struggled with infertility and were finally able to conceive after adopting the holistic lifestyle and dietary changes taught in the curriculum.

For Laura, the transition from analyzing chemicals to promoting life-giving nutrition has been a profound personal and professional victory.

Advice for Future Nutrition Consultants

When asked what she would say to someone considering a career in holistic nutrition or the culinary arts, Laura doesn’t hesitate.

“Just do it,” she advises. “Knowledge is power and cannot be taken away. You won’t regret learning how to stay well or get well.”