Nutritionist Spotlight Series: Joy McCarthy
Meet Joy McCarthy, a holistic nutritionist, entrepreneur, and wellness powerhouse who has built not just one but two thriving businesses Joyous Health and Hello Joyous.
Whether she’s whipping up new recipes, formulating natural skincare products, or inspiring her community to embrace a balanced, vibrant lifestyle, Joy is all about making wellness simple and, well, joyful!
With her background in holistic nutrition, Joy believes in nourishing the body from the inside out. From her nutrient-dense meals to her carefully curated beauty line, everything she creates is rooted in health and sustainability.
But beyond the businesses and wellness philosophies, Joy is also a mom, a wife, and someone who loves the little joys in life like a warm cup of tea, long walks, and the occasional Gilmore Girls binge session.
In this month’s Nutritionist Spotlight, we got a behind-the-scenes look at Joy’s daily habits, favourite wellness trends, and how she balances running two businesses while staying true to her mission of empowering others to live their healthiest, happiest lives.
What's the first thing you do as soon as you wake up?
That depends if it's a weekday or a weekend. However, most days I drink a large glass of water first thing because every night before I go to bed I put it on my bedside table so it's there for me when I wake up.
Then I scrape my tongue (sounds gross I know) and brush my teeth. If my daughter is not awake yet, I go and give her some cuddles to wake her up.
What does your morning routine look like?
Mornings as a mom may not be glamorous, but they’re definitely grounded in routine! Since I thrive on 8–9 hours of sleep, I don’t wake up before 6:45 a.m. (unless absolutely necessary).
The first part of my morning is all about getting my daughter ready—making breakfast, packing her lunch, and dropping her off at school.
Once that’s done, I take a moment for myself. Most days, I’ll go for a walk or get in a workout. Then it’s time for my own breakfast.
Of course, I also take my supplements before getting ready for the day, and doing my skincare routine is essential.
Since I work from home, I head up to my office with my giant water jug and latte in hand, ready to start the day!
What do you typically eat for breakfast?
Usually eggs, fruit, and a matcha latte with a homemade marshmallow (I make them in big batches because they’re amazing for gut health, thanks to the beef gelatin!). If I’m extra hungry, I’ll add crunchy toast with nut butter.
What's one food you always have in your fridge or pantry?
Eggs! They are such a valuable low-cost source of protein and healthy fats for brain health. They are satiating and I love cooking them up with some ghee.
What's your most used kitchen gadget/appliance?
My nut milk maker. I drink a tea latte daily and I refuse to buy nut milk, unless it's the frozen concentrated kind from NutBar Cafe, but otherwise I make my own. I make a big batch about every 5-6 days.
What's your favourite go-to recipe?
Lately it's been either Hemp Banana Cake or Gluten-Free Banana Bread. In the cold Canadian winters, having a healthy treat with a cup of tea makes afternoons so nice and cozy. Then I have something healthy and yummy for my daughter as an after school treat.
What does your skincare routine look like? Favourite products?
Hello Joyous of course! My skincare routine is super duper simple. I'm anti-10 step routines. As a busy mom and entrepreneur, I'm all about a less is more approach.
I cleanse only once per day at night before bed and then I use Magical Mist Toner and Hella Hydrating Serum. That's it!
If I am getting ready in the morning, I also apply sunscreen. Yes, I wear sunscreen 365 days per year. I'm very fair skinned and have freckles so I need to protect my face.
What's your favourite go-to supplement?
That's really hard to choose my favourite. But my top 3 would be vitamin D, magnesium and collagen.
What's one health habit you could not live without?
I can only choose one? :) Movement. I love exercise and lifting weights. It makes me feel strong, confident and essential for me to age well.
What's your favourite way to move your body?
Walking, and lifting weights would be a close second. I enjoy walking so very much. I find it's the best way to bring mindfulness into my life.
What's your favourite grab-and-go food?
Thai food. We order take-out a couple times per month and Thai food is a go-to because it's always made fresh and tastes delicious. Great way to get in all my veggies too.
What's one health habit you're willing to spend money on?
Good quality food. Grass-fed meats, poultry, pasture-raised eggs, organic produce when available and affordable.
What's one health trend you're currently loving?
Lifting weights and eating adequate protein.
What's one health trend you're not a fan of?
Excessive amounts of protein like the carnivore diet.
What's on your bedside table right now?
My kindle, reading glasses, Hello Joyous body butter, black tourmaline stone and my little alarm clock that emits no blue light!
What does your evening routine look like?
After our daughter goes to bed, I do my skincare routine, wash my face, tone and slather with Hella Hydrating Serum. Make a tea, usually TLC which is a blend of herbs for sleep and nervous system relaxation.
Then I watch a bit of TV with my hubby. Right now we are watching the Gilmore Girls (it's so cute!) and then I read before bed. If I didn't meditate in the morning, I will do it before bed.
What does your typical work day look like?
Every day looks a little different when you’re running two businesses Joyous Health and Hello Joyous, alongside my hubby, Walker. It’s never a dull moment!
Some mornings, you’ll find me in the kitchen creating recipes to share with my community or developing new dishes for a food brand.
Other times I'm working on product development, recording content, managing marketing activities like social media and email campaigns, or even visiting stores to check in on our products.
Every day brings something new, and I love the balance of creativity, strategy, and connection that comes with growing these brands!
What's your favourite thing about being a Nutritionist?
I get to empower, educate, and inspire people to take better care of themselves—because they deserve to feel their best!
One of my favorite things about being a nutritionist is helping people connect the dots between what they eat, how they feel, and their overall well-being.
Seeing someone make small, sustainable changes that transform their health and confidence is incredibly rewarding!
Whether it’s through recipes, education, or simple lifestyle shifts, I love being part of that journey.
What's your least favourite thing about being a Nutritionist?
For the first seven years of my career, I worked one-on-one with clients, but I no longer offer nutrition coaching. When my second cookbook came out, I found myself juggling so many things that I started to feel overwhelmed and unfocused.
Making the decision to step away from coaching was tough, but it was the right choice to bring more balance into my life.
That said, one thing I don’t miss is writing custom meal plans—it was incredibly tedious and time-consuming!
What big goal do you have for your nutrition business right now?
Much of my focus is on growing my organic beauty brand, Hello Joyous! However, at our core, we are truly a wellness brand.
While I may be doing less one-on-one nutrition work through Joyous Health, I still get to educate and inspire our community about the importance of a holistic healthy lifestyle—because wellness isn’t just about what you eat, it’s also about what you put on your body!
Joy McCarthy is proof that wellness isn’t about extremes—it’s about consistency, balance, and making choices that truly nourish both body and mind.
Whether she’s lifting weights, making homemade nut milk, or developing the next must-have product for Hello Joyous, Joy is always looking for ways to help people feel their best in the most sustainable way possible.
Her journey from one-on-one nutrition coaching to building a multifaceted wellness brand is a testament to following your passion and evolving with your purpose.
Through it all, she’s stayed committed to educating and inspiring others—because, as she puts it, everyone deserves to feel their best!
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