About Nina Cherie Franklin

I’m Nina Cherie Franklin, a wellness expert, speaker and consultant dedicated to making healthy living practical, inclusive and sustainable. My passion for health and wellness is deeply personal—shaped by my own experiences growing up in a food desert, facing economic hardships and witnessing firsthand how limited access to nutritious food impacts entire communities.

These challenges fueled my commitment to breaking down barriers and making wellness accessible to all.

With a PhD in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Rehabilitation and over 25 years of experience in health, wellness and fitness, I’ve built my career around empowering people with science-backed strategies that fit into real life. As the founder of That Salad Lady, I work with individuals, organizations and brands to help them embrace balanced nutrition, sustainable fitness and long-term well-being.

As a healthy living coach and author, I continue this work through The Build Your Bowl Salad Cookbook, which brings a flexible, no-rules approach to meal creation. Featuring 75 customizable recipes, this book empowers people to build nourishing, flavorful meals—without complicated restrictions or sacrificing the joy of food.

I believe that wellness shouldn’t feel overwhelming or out of reach. Through my writing, speaking and collaborations, I strive to make healthy living something people truly enjoy and sustain for life.

My Credentials

Education

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)

PhD in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Rehabilitation

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)

MS in Movement (Exercise) Science

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

BS in Kinesiology

The Soma Institute

Technical Diploma in Clinical Massage Therapy

Certifications

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Exercise Physiologist (EP-C)

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Group Exercise Instructor (GEI)

American Council on Exercise (ACE Fitness)

Health Coach (HC)

American Council on Exercise (ACE Fitness)

Nutrition Fitness Specialist (NFS)

Featured Contributions

National Media Outlets

  • Ebony.com

  • Shape.com

  • BostonMagazine.com

  • OutdoorOnline.com

  • HuffPost.com

  • MedicalExpress.com

  • DailyBurn.com

  • TheGreatest.com

  • Healthyway.com

  • Livestrong.com

  • ConsumerHealthyDay.com

  • Diabetes.co.uk

  • NationalPainReport.com

Scientific Publications

  • Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases

  • Journal of Hypertension

  • Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders

  • Postgraduate Medical Journal

  • Heart Failure Clinics

  • Mayo Clinic Proceedings

  • European Heart Journal

  • Frontiers in Physiology

  • Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

  • American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine

  • Encyclopedia of Lifestyle Medicine and Health

  • Aerobic Exercise: Health Benefits, Types and Common Misconceptions

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