Interview by Chris Tiessen; Photos by Stacy Blount of Lili Creative Design
Healthcare and self-care are often treated as separate worlds. One tends to be clinical and problem-focused; the other promises rejuvenation, confidence, and a little glow. Yet many of people’s primary concerns – which might include issues related to skin health, hormonal changes, migraines, weight, stress, confidence – don’t fit neatly into either of these categories. Brain & Body Co is poised to operate in the space between. By bringing primary healthcare, aesthetic medicine, and wellness services together under one roof, Brain & Body Co offers a model that addresses the whole person: a model grounded in thoughtful, medically-guided care in a clinic setting that feels both modern and refreshingly human. TOQUE recently spoke with Elyse Poulin, Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Brain & Body Co, about her clinic’s integrated approach to care. Here’s what she had to say:
How did Brain & Body Co begin? The company grew out of a gap I kept seeing between traditional healthcare and the world of self-care and aesthetics. As a nurse practitioner, I often saw patients whose concerns existed somewhere between medicine and self-care, and they didn’t know where to turn. Their concerns might be minimized in medical settings while aesthetic/cosmetic spaces often failed to provide appropriate clinical context. I wanted to create a place where health, prevention, and confidence could be approached through a medical lens, augmented by a focus on education and continuity of care – a place where primary care, skin health, and overall wellness could all be part of the same conversation.
What services does the clinic offer? We offer services similar to a family practice, but with particular interests in talk therapy, dermatology, migraine management, medically guided weight loss, and women’s health. The clinic also offers self-care in the form of cosmetic injectables, facials, brow and lash services, microneedling, chemical peels, hair restoration, and pelvic-floor rehabilitation, allowing clients to access both medical and aesthetic care in one supportive space. Each member of our team of four professionals provides personalized care through specialized medical or aesthetic expertise.
Med-spas and healthcare clinics both exist. What makes your approach different, and how does being a nurse practitioner shape the experience? Our model is medically led – not driven by trends. At Brain & Body Co, aesthetics and healthcare operate within the same clinical framework, guided by safety, education, and long-term outcomes. Many concerns that appear cosmetic are actually connected to hormonal, dermatologic, or other medical issues, and my training as a nurse practitioner allows me to recognize and address these links. I practice with full medical scope – assessing, diagnosing, prescribing, and providing ongoing care. Rather than treating a symptom or delivering a single service, my colleagues and I strive to look at the whole person. Continuity of care and thoughtful risk management helps us build a strong sense of safety and trust for patients.
Your name suggests a link between mental wellbeing and physical appearance. How do you approach this relationship? Physical appearance and mental wellbeing are closely connected. We try not to focus too narrowly on outward change; we aim to avoid treatments that might exploit vulnerability or reinforce insecurity. We strive to have honest conversations about why someone is seeking care. Sometimes we suggest an appropriate treatment; sometimes we find solutions in education, reassurance, or in addressing underlying health or lifestyle factors. We believe that when care respects both the brain and the body, outcomes tend to be healthier and more sustainable.
What kinds of changes do you see in patients beyond the physical results, and why emphasize subtle outcomes? Often the most meaningful changes aren’t physical – they’re emotional and behavioural. When people begin to feel healthier or more confident in their appearance, they tend to show up differently in their own lives. They take better care of themselves, feel more comfortable socially and professionally, and become more motivated to maintain their health. Aesthetic medicine should enhance someone’s features, not change their identity. My goal is for patients to look rested, healthy, and like themselves – not appear noticeably ‘treated.’ Subtle results tend to age better, carry less risk, and support long-term confidence rather than short-lived trends. Sometimes the best decision is doing less – or even waiting.
Your clinic has a calm, restorative atmosphere. Tell me about the design. The environment shapes how people feel before care even begins, so I wanted the clinic to feel welcoming and calming. Natural materials like exposed limestone, limewash walls, walnut accents, soft neutral tones, and greenery create warmth and calm. There’s also a fireplace and our trained therapy dog, Louie, who helps ease anxiety for many patients. When people feel comfortable in their surroundings, they’re more open and confident.
Who tends to find their way to Brain & Body Co? Many people who come here are looking for a different kind of care experience – one where their concerns are understood within a broader health context. Some arrive for medical care and others for aesthetics, but most are seeking thoughtful guidance and continuity. Our ideal client values education, safety, and natural outcomes, and wants to feel healthier and more confident without pressure or trend-driven decisions.
What has surprised you most about building this business? The biggest challenges haven’t been clinical – they’ve been systemic. Running a healthcare business means balancing patient care with funding limitations, rising operating costs, and a system that still doesn’t fully support nurse practitioner-led models. At the same time, the opportunity has been energizing. Patients clearly value accessible, collaborative care and the chance to spend meaningful time with providers who strive to see the bigger picture.
What’s next for Brain & Body Co? The goal isn’t simply expansion – it’s impact. I want the clinic to serve as a model for modern, integrated care that is accessible, prevention-focused, and deeply patient-centred. This means growing thoughtfully, investing in education and mentorship, and helping redefine how nurse practitioner-led care fits into the future of healthcare.
BRAIN AND BODY CO. 89 Surrey St E, Guelph ON brainandbodyco.ca
