Meet Brielle Salamone | Doctoral Student of Traditional Chinese Medicine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brielle Salamone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brielle, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As a 27-year-old doctoral student of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), my understanding of balance has evolved significantly over time. Growing up, I thought balance meant trying to do it all—juggling school, work, social life, self-care—without letting anything drop. But shortly after starting my TCM studies I learned that this approach just led to burnout and stress.

Now, I think about balance more holistically. In TCM, balance isn’t about perfect equality; it’s about being responsive to your own needs. I’ve learned to tune in to my body and energy levels, recognizing that what I need changes day by day and season by season. Sometimes balance means focusing deeply on school, and other times it’s about rest, spending time with loved ones, or simply doing something playful that brings me joy.

To me, balance is really about cultivating harmony within myself, so I can show up fully for my work, my studies and my personal life in an authentic, sustainable way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m currently almost done with my final year as a doctoral student in traditional Chinese medicine, and my journey so far has truly shaped my vision for the future. I have a deep passion for cosmetic acupuncture and holistic health, and what excites me most is the chance to create a new standard in the beauty industry—one that goes beyond surface-level treatments. I believe beauty should be about radiance and wellness from within, not just quick fixes. My goal is to shift the focus from superficial, temporary results to something more natural, sustainable, and empowering.

Graduating in April 2025 and sitting for my board exams in July, I’m working toward launching my own practice this time next year. I plan to bring a different approach to beauty and self-care that celebrates each person’s natural features and prioritizes health and longevity. Through cosmetic acupuncture and other holistic wellness practices, I hope to help people feel rejuvenated and confident in a way that honors their whole self.

Getting to this point has definitely come with challenges. Balancing full-time studies, part-time work, and building my vision for the future has taken a lot of commitment. I’ve had to learn resilience and patience, especially on days when it feels like there’s so much yet to achieve. But every challenge has reinforced my dedication and shown me the importance of staying focused on what I believe in.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my brand and story, it’s that true beauty isn’t about altering your face to look like everyone else’s; it’s about enhancing the energy and glow that are already within you. I’m here to help redefine beauty standards, to provide an experience that supports natural health, and to encourage a culture that celebrates wellness from the inside out.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting San Diego, I’d plan a week full of all the best experiences, mixing local gems, outdoor adventures, and some classic California flavor. Here’s how it would go:

Day 1: Kick things off with dinner at Cori Pastificio Trattoria for the best Italian food in the city —trust me on this! We’d end the night at Lou Lou’s Jazz Club for mocktails (or cocktails) and live jazz.

Day 2: Start with a Torrey Pines beach hike, where you get stunning cliffside views and can walk down to the beach. Stop for amazing sandwiches and matcha at il giardino di Lilli in La jolla. Then walk by and see the sea lions at the Children’s Pool. In the afternoon, we’d head to Mission Beach for roller skating along the boardwalk. We’d end the day with In-N-Out—an absolute must for East Coast friends!

Day 3: A Saturday morning stop at the Little Italy Farmers Market, picking up fresh produce, snacks, and checking out local artisans. Then brunch at Morning Glory for a fun, over-the-top yummy meal with amazing views and Instagram-worthy decor. Then take a yoga or aerial yoga class at Trilogy Sanctuary and grab a bite at their delicious vegan, gluten free cafe.

Day 4: We’d rent bikes and explore Mission Bay and grab a latte & a bite at Superbloom. For dinner, a cozy night at the Olympic Cafe for mom and pop style Greek food.

Day 5 : If it’s fall, a drive to Julian for Ma’s famous apple pie and cider. If it’s winter, we’d ice skate at The Del in Coronado with views of the ocean. In summer, nothing beats a day at Windansea Beach for lounging and soaking up the California sun.

Day 6: Explore the art, food, and laid-back vibe of North Park and South Park, with plenty of time to check out local boutiques, coffee shops, and thrift shops. We’d end the night at Aladdin, my favorite Mediterranean cuisine.

Day 7: Before my friend heads back, one last brunch at my local and favorite cafe, Kensington Cafe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to give a huge shoutout to my boss and mentor, Cassie Dominach founder/owner of Sage Haven. Cassie has been instrumental in my journey, not just in traditional Chinese medicine, but in helping me see what’s possible when you commit to a vision and just go for it. She’s taught me so much about the business side of things, and how to leverage social media and marketing to reach and genuinely connect with people.

One of the greatest lessons Cassie has shared with me is the importance of taking risks. She’s shown me that if you have a vision, you owe it to yourself to dive in head first and not let fear or other people’s opinions hold you back. Watching her build her own successful business and put herself out there, unapologetically and authentically, has been incredibly empowering.

I’m so grateful for her guidance and for everything she’s taught me about trusting myself and taking bold steps forward.

Website: https://Www.brielledoesacupuncture.com

Instagram: @BrielleDoesAcupuncture