Dr. Raquel Cocquyt, ND

I have always been a curious person, the kind of kid who constantly asked “why,” much to the irritation of my parents and teachers. That curiosity naturally grew into an interest in people, my surroundings, and how the body and mind work together.

When I was 13, I started running around my neighbourhood to stay active and improve my endurance for hockey. I quickly developed a real love for running and enjoyed challenging myself to go farther or faster than I had before.

A few years later, I began experiencing significant pain in my knees and shins that eventually made running impossible. When I saw my medical doctor, I was told to take two Tylenol before each run. I remember asking, “Before every run? Forever?” The answer was yes.

At 16, that did not sit right with me. It felt like a band-aid solution, but it was the only option being offered.

So, I got curious.

I began asking questions. Why were my knees and shins hurting? What was causing the inflammation? Could something in my diet, stretching routine, or running form be contributing?

As it turned out, adjusting my stride length and making a few changes to my diet completely resolved the pain. That experience changed how I think about health. It showed me that when we ask the right questions and look deeper, the body often has the ability to heal.

That curiosity eventually led me to complete an honours specialization in psychology, earn a holistic nutrition certification, and graduate with my doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine.

Today, my philosophy is simple: health is multifaceted and deserves a thoughtful, holistic approach. My goal is to remain curious about each patient as a whole person and to help uncover and address the root causes of their health concerns.