DAVE THOMAS (& BILLY!)
CEO/OWNER
The man that started it ALL! “The passion that got me into this is that I wanted to share the transformation I had in my own health, and to see other people do the same,” Dave said.
“To help them be the all-natural versions of themselves.” Dave was responsible for Lynchburg’s original nutrition store (before it was the “cool” and marketable thing to do). He is also the mind behind Millie’s, the first ever plant-based café in Southwestern Virginia!
Millie’s Living Café was named in dedication to his mother, who was the catalyst for Dave’s lifestyle revolution.
MEGHAN FOWLKES
INVENTORY/GROCERY MANAGER
Meet Meghan — that is if you haven’t already. Meghan is the quirky, hard-working, baking guru (we all know about her delicious demos!), Japanimation-living encyclopedia of Health Nut. She can answer pretty much any question about any ingredient in any category. We love Meghan, & we know you do too!
While there are many interpretations of “organic,” Meghan’s Interpretation is: “I feel that when "organic" is being used as an adjective or as a state of being, the word is meant to signify a strong connection with nature, and to appeal to nearly everyone's innate desire to retreat into their own inner Walden. To this extent, I feel that “living organically" means to live in a way that is closer to (& more synergistic with) nature — both by abstaining from the use of synthetic chemicals & preservatives, as well as by reducing personal waste & resource consumption.”
She is a woman who feels living organically & mental wellness are interconnected. It isn’t just about making sure the word organic is on an item; it is about understanding how much waste comes with genetically-modified, chemically-tainted foods.
Living organically has made her aware of her everyday actions & how they affect the world around her. She does her best to maintain a lifestyle of self care, positivity, & waste reduction.
We are so thankful for you Meghan! Thank you for, stumbling into Health Nut “in much the same way that most kids stumble into their first job — at their parents' behest!”
You are a staple here!
ALISSA HALL
HEALTH & BEAUTY MANAGER
Alissa Hall was raised on a farm in Chatham, VA, & brings her passion for natural living & Sustainability to her role as Health & Beauty Manager! A graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Strategic Communication, Alissa combines her professional expertise with personal experience to guide others on their wellness journeys.
Her interest in gut physiology & the gut-brain axis stems from her own health journey of overcoming anxiety, panic, & hormonal imbalances tied to gut health. After experiencing the disruptive effects of antibiotics, she became deeply committed to clean, cruelty-free, & small-batch products that honor nature & reduce environmental impact.
An animal lover & advocate for minimizing plastic waste, Alissa thrives in a community of like-minded individuals who value sustainable living! Outside of work, she enjoys horseback riding & diving into research that deepens her understanding of holistic health. At Health Nut, Alissa is dedicated to empowering others to embrace their own paths to natural living!
ALVA PICK
AROMATHERAPIST
Beautiful, but more importantly intelligent, kind, & creative: Our Alva 💚. She has SO much information to share about Natural Wellness & the power of essential oils! As a student of Aromahead Institute, she is dedicated to ordering the best quality oils for our customers. She also selects the most amazing products from MegaFood, SilverBiotics, and many other staples here at HNN.
After several years of life’s many challenges, she found herself stressed out & veered away from the healthy lifestyle she had grown accustomed to. This lead to a rapid decline in her physical & mental health. When she decided to go back to her "roots" & implement all she had learned- her health & energy slowly returned.
Alva joined our team back in February 2015. To say the least, Alva is an Extraordinary woman.
Any day is a beautiful day when Alva is near.
Come and meet Our Alva, at HNN.
DONNA BREITZ
HERBALIST/Bulk Manager
Coming into Health Nut was always her stress relief! Donna finds so much joy in Herbalism & Homeopathic Healing! She desired to expand her knowledge by surrounding herself with inspiration for further education. And working at Health Nut has provided just that!
Donna started her own health journey with a few essential oils, and now she makes most of her herbal products & tinctures from scratch with products from Health Nut! She has really incorporated “Tea as Medicine” in her life in the last year and am passionate about making herbalism accessible & approachable to the average, busy person!
She has since launched her own herbalism brand, Defender Herbs, that she sells at local markets & here on our shelves at Health Nut!
Some of her hobbies on the side include creating her own herbal remedies, baking sourdough bread, & Gardening! She also loves anything hockey related!
EVA REEDE
END CAP MERCHANDIZER
Eva is a Certified Holistic Health Coach with a deep passion for hormone health, fertility, & educating women about their cycles. She loves helping women understand how their hormones fluctuate & how nutrition, supplementation, & non-toxic living can support each phase of their cycle naturally. She takes a balanced, ingredient-conscious approach to wellness, ensuring that what we consume is truly nourishing for both body & mind!
As an End Cap Merchandizer at Health Nut, Eva thrives in a community that values growth, learning, & supporting others. She enjoys exploring new supplements, educating customers about nutritional eating & non-toxic living, and helping them make informed choices for their health!
Outside of Health Nut, Eva is a Professional Photographer & loves to capture special moments for others! She also stays active through hiking and functional training! Catch her sipping a matcha or golden milk latte with goat milk to fuel her for the day!
BLAIR DAWSON
HR MANAGER/CAFE MANAGER
Being the granddaughter of Millie, Blair has carried the torch of the Cafe with her passion for health & food! She has been here since the beginning! She leads well & has become a prominent part of giving natural superfood options to the Lynchburg community!
Blair attended Liberty University & studied Graphic Design there. She loves local art & uses her degree for advertising & signage at the Cafe.
When not at work, she enjoys being with her family, walking her dogs, or binge watching a good show!
Her order of choice is the Riptide bowl & our Loaded Avocado Toast!
LEA BENNETT
SUPPLEMENT DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Lea Bennet grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and has called Central Virginia home since 1989. After five years in New England, she’s happy to be back in Lynchburg, where the warmth of the community and mountains welcomes her.
Her passion for holistic health began when her three-year-old struggled with chronic ear infections. Raised on natural foods, she turned to holistic remedies, sparking a lifelong commitment to natural wellness.
With over 25 years in the natural health industry, Lea has worked at Fresh Air in Lynchburg and spent 11 years as Supplements & Body Care Assistant Manager at Rebecca’s Natural Foods in Charlottesville. She loves helping customers discover the benefits of herbs and supplements for vibrant health.
Her credentials include an Associate degree in Art, Massage Therapy Certificate, Community Herbalist Training, and a Health Coach Certification. She specializes in herbal medicine, homeopathics, supplements, and clean, natural body care!
Outside of work, she enjoys creating art, tiny home living, cooking, baking, and gardening. She has also served in youth ministry for over 25 years.
Lea is excited to be part of Health Nut Nutrition, helping others take charge of their health naturally!
ANDREA FORTUNATO
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Originally from Cary, North Carolina, Andrea is passionate about holistic health, recognizing that true wellness extends beyond physical fitness to include overall well-being! With a Degree in Behavioral Sciences from Liberty University, she understands how each aspect of life is interconnected & is dedicated to helping others embrace a well-rounded approach to health!
Her journey began in middle school with a class called “Your Body, God’s Masterpiece,” which sparked her lifelong pursuit of nutrition, movement, & Holistic Well-being. She has also always loved staying active through jump rope, playing pickleball, hiking, or rock climbing. She believes movement is just one piece of the wellness puzzle, with balance in all areas being key to a thriving life!
With becoming the Events Coordinator at Health Nut, Andrea is able to blend her Love for Community, creativity, & health to Create Experiences that inspire & empower others! Over the past two & a half years at Health Nut and Millie’s, she has not only found a career that aligns with her passions but also a supportive community here in LYH that shares her mission! Whether she’s planning events, making the perfect cup of coffee, or encouraging others in their wellness journeys, Andrea is dedicated to fostering a space where holistic health is accessible & embraced as a lifestyle!
ALLAN FONGEALLAZ
WHOLE BODY SPECIALIST
As a Lynchburg native, Allan grew up going to local health food stores with his family. He loves living a wholesome lifestyle. Being healthy is more than just making a single, healthy choice; It’s a culmination of good decisions stemming from Stewardship of the bodies & health we are blessed with!
As a Health Nut legend, Allan is well loved by our customers and offers much insight, knowledge, & a good pun or two!
He enjoys connecting with our customers here at Health Nut and cultivating relationship over sales. If you get the chance to meet him, ask him about his desire for Filmmaking! He loves to tell stories as a writer/director that foster conversations and point people toward a loving God, who cares deeply for them!
ALEXIS JOHNSTON
MEDIA & MARKETING MANAGER
The face behind the camera!
Originally from the desert of Southern California, Alexis joined the team in spring of 2018 working in the Cafe & then moved her way over to the Health Nut side! With prior years of experience in juicing & working in the health food industry, she’s gained a lot of Whole food Knowledge that she’s been able to continue to grow in & share!
Health Nut Nutrition has given her an avenue to hone her love for holistic healing even more, & a platform to be able to serve others with their natural health journey! With experience in Essential Oils & herbs, her Love For The Earth has bloomed into a passion for learning everything it has to offer! She has taken many classes in Environmental Biology to deepen her knowledge of bio-diversity, botany, our various Eco-Systems, & symbiosis!
Some of her favorite health topics are Regenerative Agriculture, the Hemp Industry, & Functional Mushrooms!
On the side, she enjoys photography, cooking, being outside, & now being a mom! She also loves doing competitive CrossFit & being active!