The Nutritional Supplement

What Course(s) did you graduate from at CNELM and when did you graduate?

I graduated in 2013 with a BSc Honours degree in Nutrition Science from CNELM, having already completed a Nutritional Therapy Diploma with ION in 2010.  I actually started the BSc before entirely completing the Dip.ION—in the last month or so of the Diploma course. 

What did you do before doing this course?

Before studying nutrition I was an at-home mother for 20+ years although I was a fully qualified teacher (across the age spectrum) and previously attained a B.A. in Humanities at Bradford College USA.  I completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Education in 1986 at Sussex University in Brighton and taught briefly before maternity leave and a long period of doing the most important job in the world—raising children/young people.

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

A variety of very personal factors simultaneously occurring made me decide to study nutrition:  being ready to find employment after raising my kids, a variety of minor health issues in my mid-40’s that made me feel uncomfortable about myself, having an overwhelming desire to be able to run a mini-marathon, and then achieving weight loss of  23 kgs (approx. 50 pounds) over a 4 months period entirely through healthy eating and exercise. 

Although at that point I had not specifically studied nutrition, I had grown vegetables and fruit organically for years, and instinctively began following a clean and almost ketogenic diet incorporating a 14 hour fast almost daily.  Approximately half way through this period of weight loss I had seen a Nutritional Therapist for a couple of consultations—some supplements were added and some slight alterations to my diet were suggested.  All minor health issues had resolved; strangers at the gym were approaching me intrigued and wanting to know my ‘secret’.

When someone at a party casually asked me what I would like to do for work if I could do anything, I replied, ‘to help others do what I had done’.  I knew this meant either becoming a Personal Trainer or a Nutritional Therapist.  Nutrition seemed the better option!  The casual question enticed me to investigate available course options.

After completing the Therapy Diploma with ION, I wanted to continue my studies and attain a full degree.   As an ION student I had also attended a lot of CPD courses by various supplement companies and I had attended some short courses offered by CNELM including the Sports Nutrition series that greatly impressed me. CNELM at the time offered degree courses in both Nutrition Therapy and Nutrition Science.  I felt the Science Degree opened more opportunities and Kate very kindly tailored my conversion bridging course with CNELM.  The personal touch and caring environment at CNELM impressed me immediately.

Incidentally, I highly recommend attending as many CPD and learning events as possible—even as a student.  The easiest way is via webinars which can often be viewed at convenience to fit around busy schedules.

How soon were you able to build up a successful practice after graduating?

My personal situation could not be considered ‘normal’ as I was experiencing many of life’s highest stress situations simultaneously.  I intended to set up a practice after organising part-time paid employment. 

Whilst still an NT student, I worked as a MEND Theory leader; I taught obese teens/pre-teens and their families about healthy diet/lifestyle and about positive mind-set toward achieving their health goals.  This may be one of the most satisfying roles I have ever had, but ended when funding ceased.

I worked as a PA for a busy and successful naturopath for a couple of years whilst finishing my CNELM degree.  After graduating from CNELM I considered a variety of options, including joining a PhD research programme.  I was offered the opportunity to publish my Research Project in the Nutrition Practitioner magazine and later, to supervise research projects with CNELM students.  I also returned briefly to teaching, including half a term as a Food Technology teacher at a secondary school.  Each role taught me something, broadened my experience and contributed to my understanding of nutrition and health in its widest sense.

Eventually I also found work as a Nutritionist at one of the larger NutriCentres and worked at the Slough branch for approximately 18 months until the entire company closed forever in May 2016.  Although balancing retail requirements with professional integrity can be a challenge, it is achievable. Working in a retail environment was a valuable experience that I would recommend; I particularly enjoyed learning about products from a large variety of supplement companies, conducting supermarket tours teaching the public how to read food labels, participating in ‘Farm to Fork’ initiative with groups of school children, giving public talks and colleague conference calls (to other NutriCentre Nutritionists). 

After the NutriCentre closed I did finally set up my business with a clear but varied focus that included plans to run public workshops, offer writing services and skin therapy alongside Bach Flower therapy, Nutritional Therapy consultations and the work I had started with CNELM as Research Supervisor. 

From Day 1 of self-employment (December 2016) writing opportunities presented themselves and I found myself working 24/7, writing attributed articles on nutrition and health subjects for the internet.  I also wrote articles for supplement companies, did ‘ghost-writing’ for a published sports nutrition writer, was commissioned to create a diet plan for a nutrition client and completed various other writing roles.  There are many nutrition writing opportunities out there.  Writing is an excellent way to promote healthy diet and lifestyle; I recommend considering this—whether the writing is paid or promotional (e.g. blogs, recipes, internet e-books). And I highly recommend having a website that showcases your writing or any other skill you might have.

I also recommend considering one’s personal strengths and interests when initiating self-employment.  Research and formulate a business plan; knowing what I wanted to do and what skills I possess helped me. Whilst I enjoy motivating others, I best love writing, presenting and educating.  Being flexible and adaptable is essential.

What made you decide to specialise in immune health and healthy ageing?

I have to admit to having a wide variety of interests when it comes to nutrition/health. My interest in healthy ageing is normal at my age!

My interest in immune health has developed more recently since appointment as Education and Training Manager at Rio Health—a company specialising in South American botanicals and distributing the NutraMedix practitioner range of tinctures that form the Cowden Support Programme used to address Lyme disease and its microbial co-infections.  As part of my role I create and deliver webinar presentations; recent subjects have included Viruses and Viral Infections, Parasites and Parasite Infections and I am currently researching for the next one (live on 10^th July 2018) on Bacteria and Bacterial Infections. 

My dissertation for the BSc at CNELM was on circadian rhythm disruption and this is still a strong interest of mine. It is a subject increasingly talked about but, at the time, was unusual to be linked with nutrition except in research material.

I am currently researching for my first book which will be on Oral Health (including its impact on systemic health). It will be part of the ‘Personalized Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine for Healthcare Practitioners’ series, published by Singing Dragon and edited by Lorraine Nicolle.  I was offered this opportunity after presenting a webinar for Rio Health on the subject and then a google search led the publisher to my websites including the one that showcases my writing.

Tell us a bit about your conferences with IHCAN.

I am fortunate to be able to attend all the IHCAN Conferences (with a wide variety of top nutrition speakers) as part of my role as Education and Training Manager with Rio Health, which is one of the sponsors.  We exhibit our products and network with practitioners and students.  It’s a fantastic opportunity for attendees to refresh and further their understanding of nutrition subjects, meet other practitioners and renew acquaintances, as well as to update knowledge and inform about current trends in the health world. 

Target Publishing, who produce IHCAN (Integrative Healthcare and Applied Nutrition) magazine also produce a variety of other magazines.  As part of my role with Rio Health I write articles for and make contributions to these magazines and other nutrition magazines, for example ‘Only Natural’, the magazine from The Natural Dispensary, Revital Practitioner Magazine and Target.

IHCAN also produce and promote the webinars I earlier mentioned.  I have so far presented 5 webinars and have 3 more to present this year.  More than 600 practitioners (and student practitioners) registered to attend my last webinar.  I spend a long time researching and furthering my knowledge of the webinar subject and enjoy sharing this information with attendees.  It’s a great way to learn!

I consider myself lucky to have employment that allows me to do all the things I enjoy: writing, teaching, researching and presenting. CNELM played a large part in guiding me, directly and indirectly, to where I am today.

Tell us about the work you do at CNELM.

My role at CNELM is as Research Supervisor which means I help final year BSc students during the module that completes their learning experience for their degree.  The module is individualised self-directed study and the Research Supervisor role is more as guide than as teacher.  I try to ensure students understand what makes this module different from other modules and how the research process they undertake is both different and necessary for the final outcome to have relevant contributory effect to both their learning and the field of nutrition.

Ironically it is the work I do for CNELM as Research Supervisor that finally linked me with the job I now have, and I had been interested in for 3 years.  As Research Supervisor I receive all student forum emails and one of these happened to be advertising the role at Rio Health.  I was very happily fully self-employed at that, but this was a job I had sought for 3 years.  I applied and was the successful applicant.

What or who has most inspired you in your work?

A variety of situations and individuals have inspired me in terms of my work in nutrition.  Many tutors and lecturers encountered during my ION and CNELM studies and during CPD courses have inspired me in different ways—for their knowledge, devotion or passion for what they do.  Some are inspirational speakers; others are great at making the complicated easily understood.

I could name a few: Linda Marais, Marilyn Glenville, Tom Fox, Dr Dale Bredesen, Christine Bailey, Leo Pruimboom, Orley Moyal, Holly Taylor, Lorraine Nicolle and Antony Haynes. There are many others.

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

I try never to regret choices I have made. 

I found that thinking carefully about what I wanted and what I enjoy doing helped (and continues to help) me make decisions.  Some of my choices actually scared me: deciding to go fully self-employed, for example, was terrifying.  But I never looked back once I made the choice, and everything fell into place almost immediately.  I was ready for the experience.  Perhaps I needed to have the other experiences, including 6 months unemployment and job searching first to be ready for it.  Perhaps I was successful because I had taken the leap of faith after so much planning and thinking. 

The decision to go self-employed, the fortuitous offer of internet article writing, the curiosity that enticed me to open the email that lead to the job offer at Rio Health that gives me opportunity to write articles and webinar presentations and the most recent offer of a book deal after one of those webinar presentations—together these led me to this point in my career.  I know there are many places still to go and I remain open to these—I can only discover new strengths and interests by remaining adaptable and flexible.

My recommendation is to love what you do—whatever that is.  And do more of what you love to do.  If you enjoy and are passionate about what you do, others will sense that passion. Be ready, IF you ARE ready.  Otherwise, do something else first if you need to.  And don’t be afraid to need to.  Just keep your goal in mind.  See it.  Believe it. It will happen.