Why nutrition?

My decision to study nutrition came towards the end of an exciting decade in the world of international publishing, where frequent travel and glamorous events were the norm. I found myself with two demanding toddlers and a different perspective on what a successful career looked like for me. I wanted to do something more face to face, more personal and less corporate. I had also been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during that time which had forced me to make some significant diet and lifestyle changes, especially during my pregnancies. Living with a chronic illness, I was suddenly faced with my mortality and began to understand that it was my responsibility to look after myself to reduce the risk of further complications down the line.

Nutrition has always been an exciting topic for me, but such a confusing one. Always a popular topic of conversation, whether at work or with family and friends, it seemed everyone was confused. The latest fad diet or documentary had everyone disagreeing about how we should be eating. I wanted to stop feeling confused - for myself and my family, but also to be able to make a career helping and educating others to live and feel better. After 3 years of study, I learned that nutrition will never stop being confusing. But my training has allowed me to develop the tools required to analyse and critically appraise the latest research, in order to make sound conclusions based on scientific evidence. I have learned the importance of taking a holistic approach - the person as a whole and not simply their symptoms. Nutritional therapy is about addressing the root cause of your symptoms. I don’t believe that complementary therapy should replace conventional medical treatment, but it can play an incredibly important role in your wellness journey.