Viktoria Vamosi

Which course did you graduate from at CNELM and when did you graduate?

I graduated from CNELM with an MSc in Personalised Nutrition in 2015. As I was living in the US at the time and didn’t start practicing right away, I later completed the Practice Diploma in 2019 after moving to the UK. This was essential to refresh my knowledge and meet the requirements to start practicing here, as I had been out of practice for over two years.

 

What did you do before doing this course?

Before pursuing the BSc in Nutritional Medicine (in 2011 from Plaskett College) and the MSc in Personalised Nutrition, I was working in the international fashion industry. The fashion industry was a dynamic and creative experience, with a strong emphasis on weight, energy, and hair and skin health, but very little focus on overall nutrition and wellbeing. Experiencing this gap first-hand, along with being prone to infections due to nutritional deficiencies, sparked a growing passion for optimising overall health.

One day, I came across a textbook about nutritional medicine through a student I was working with, and as I started reading it. I instinctively thought, 'I need this knowledge, no matter what.' This moment, combined with my growing interest in health, ultimately inspired me to change my career path and pursue personalised nutrition.

 

What made you decide to embark on this course of study and what attracted you to CNELM? 

I completed my bachelor's degree in 2011, but it felt like just the beginning of my journey. I didn’t feel confident enough to start practicing yet, so I began exploring opportunities to further my education. While searching for courses online, the CNELM MSc program immediately stood out to me. The curriculum was everything I was looking for—comprehensive and tailored to personalised nutrition. It was like love at first sight; I instinctively knew it was the perfect fit and exactly what I needed to take my knowledge and career to the next level.

 

What was your first role after graduating?

The timing of the MSc programme was quite unique. I submitted my dissertation in February 2015 and defended it just two weeks before my son was born. So, my first role after graduating was actually becoming a mom and focusing on taking care of my son during that exciting and transformative time.

 

How did you kickstart your practice / career?

Kickstarting my career was definitely a challenge, especially with a small child. It wasn’t easy to get back into practicing while juggling motherhood. We also moved from New York to London when my son was 2.5 years old, so I didn’t officially start my career as a nutritional therapist until after I completed the Practice Diploma with CNELM in 2019. In the beginning, I didn’t have many clients, and I found it difficult to market myself effectively. I also struggled with confidence, but what really gave me a huge boost was landing a job as a senior nutritionist at a longevity clinic in London. Over the two years I was there, I was exposed to hundreds of clients, their case histories and test results, which provided invaluable experience and helped me gain confidence and eventually grow my practice.

 

Do you specialise in a particular area of health? 

I don’t necessarily specialise in just one area of health. My main focus is on optimising health wherever you are in your journey. That said, I’ve recently started working more with clients going through perimenopause and menopause, as I’ve found this area to be incredibly important and impactful for many women’s overall wellbeing. Additionally, as a bit of a specialty, I’ve been working with functional diagnostics for about 1.5 years now. I really enjoy analysing blood results and understanding the data, using it to guide clinical decisions and provide a more personalised approach to each client’s health.

 

Which part do you think has been the most rewarding or successful? 

I love working as part of a team, and as a true team player, I’ve found that working alone as a nutritional therapist can sometimes feel challenging and lonely. That said, building my knowledge and understanding more and more over time always feels rewarding and successful. The feeling when something finally clicks—whether it’s when a client starts making progress or when a symptom begins to fade or disappear—is incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to be a lifelong student, always approaching knowledge with gratitude, curiosity, and humility.

 

Is there anything you wish you’d known before finishing your studies that you might have prepared for differently?

Not sure, to be honest. I think I was so focused on gaining the knowledge and expertise that I didn’t fully assess how sustainable a nutritional therapy business could be. Looking back, I probably would have put more effort into developing a solid business action plan to have a clearer path forward once I graduated.

 

What or who has most inspired you in your work?

Personal growth is always inspiring for me. I’m very open to learning, and although I don’t have a lot of time, I make it a point to listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I’m walking, or watch webinars whenever I have some free time. For me, inspiration can come from anyone or anything, and I stay open to that. Some of the people who inspire me every day, in no particular order, include Deanna Minnich, Dr Sara Szal (Gottfried), Dr Carrie Jones, Mike Ash, Peter Attia, Dr Mary-Claire Haver, Andrew Huberman, Dr Jenny Goodman, Dr Leo Pruimboom, Robert Greene, Brene Brown, Anthony Haynes, and Kyle Gillett. I love learning from them (and from others like them) and their diverse insights into health and wellness.

 

Do you have any tips, hints, things you’d have done differently...?

This is a difficult question. The CNELM MSc was a thorough and challenging course, and I feel that I did my best throughout. The research dissertation was especially challenging, particularly since I was pregnant at the time. Looking back, if I could do it differently, I probably would have discussed my topic more with my mentors to refine it in a way that could potentially lead to publication. I also think I would have focused more on areas that are currently trending in the field, as those tend to attract more attention and have a good potential for growth and impact, like sports nutrition.