The Nutritional Supplement

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

BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy and Master NLP Practitioner 2005

What did you do before doing this course?

My working career started out in finance where I worked at an actuarial company. After that, I fully embraced my role as mother and migrated towards an interest in nutrition when my brood started nursery.

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

Even back in the day, confusion regarding human nutrition was an issue and I read so many conflicting accounts on what was considered the right and wrong foods to eat. I thought the best way to proceed was to study the subject and therefore know the facts before it was distorted in the media and skewed by caring friends and family members who always seem to want to offer eating advice. My choice of study back then was limited to ION or CNELM. Given that CNELM offered a degree qualification and was situated near my home, it was the obvious choice.

What have you been doing since graduating?

I played squash for a few years both on a national and international level whilst working in the field of nutrition. I set up my own clinic in the beginning, but the best learning came when I worked in an established practice as the lead nutritional therapist for a few years. That experience gave me great insight into the business side of our profession and my subsequent private practice was, and still is, a resounding success. In addition, I act as consultant nutritionist for a London based theatre company, work with musicians and write, both articles and a book that has just been successfully published. I have gained another BSc (Hons) degree in the interim in Molecular Cell Biology and Health Sciences - and feel like I have done enough in terms of further education necessary for my career.

Tell us a bit more about your new book and how it came to be

This book is the result of a successful clinical practice and contact with average citizens that showed me how ill-informed and confused people still are, despite the wealth of information available.  My work with young people at a theatre school in London shows that a new generation of school leavers are not even aware of how foods are classified as protein or carbohydrate rich options.  This lack of basic knowledge can have a devastating effect on overall nutrient status in a subsection of the population who most need it.  Malnutrition, mental health and eating disorders are particular concerns for this age group, all of them exacerbated by misguided food choices. Support around food shopping and meal preparation is key to helping their future offspring have a better chance at good health outcomes. The science shows that we are what our forefathers ate. The sooner we implement optimal nutrition, the better the long-term outcome for all concerned.

The message of healthy food choices needs to be broadcast and re-iterated to reach people who are prevented from seeking expert advice due to financial challenges, geographical location or time constraints. Not everyone can afford to travel to Harley Street to see the best expert, but most people can invest £10 in a book for invaluable, irrefutable, comprehensive health information with regards to food choices.

Which of the things you’ve done so far has been most successful?

Success is a difficult thing to measure. I have a stack of letters from clients telling me how they have benefited from my expertise, even years after our last contact. I have been consulting with a London based theatre company since 2011, making a definite difference in the students’ approach to healthy eating in an environment rife with eating disorders and mental health challenges. On the 29^th of March 2019 I published my first book. I both enjoy and am immensely proud of my work in the field of nutrition. But as far as my greatest success, I do not know how to answer that.

If you were graduating now, would you do anything differently?
Setting up a practice or choosing a specific area of interest takes time and should not be rushed. I have learned on the job and I believe that it is imperative that you give yourself the opportunity to find your niche all in good time. The expectation to get it perfect the day after graduation would be denying yourself a valuable part of being a worthwhile nutrition expert. Seeing yourself grow as a nutritional therapist is an immensely rewarding experience.

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

This is your business, not a charity. Put a fair price on your work. If a job takes you two hours, then bill for two hours. Free advice is neither valued nor followed so avoid those situations. I worked in a low-cost clinic when I first started and the uptake was a great disappointment despite the ridiculously low rate I was charging. When I moved to Harley Street my method did not change, my hourly charge did and suddenly clients paid attention and worked with me - and not all my clients are well off. Some pay me in full with crumpled up £5 notes or wait until they have saved up for the next session. When a client values your expertise they will be fully engaged in the process, making for a wonderful relationship and ultimately a successful realisation of their health goals.

What or who has most inspired you in your work?

It is one thing to read the manual and quite another to see the results in action. Every client outcome inspires me, either to go back to the drawing board or celebrate a success. Even after all my years in this profession I still marvel at how powerful small dietary changes can be and how little we still know.

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

Ensure that your paperwork is comprehensive. Create a document for every client and write all communication in there. We are taught to do this, but it is very easy to leave out a text message or phone call when you are distracted or not near your computer.

Be professional. I never answer my phone when I am in a noisy area or away from a notebook. I only ever communicate via email with my clients using my computer, never my phone or tablet. This will make it easy for you to cut and paste that communication into the client file, thus keeping your records up to date.

It is very likely that someone will complain about you at some point if you are in private practice. Your record keeping can be the difference between a dismissal of the claim or a smear against your name. In this business your good name is currency, do not squander it.

Make friends with other practitioners and share information. If someone contacts you with an issue that is not your area of expertise refer them on to someone who has greater experience in that field. This behaviour will be greatly rewarded.

Practice what you preach. If you are going to recommend tests, then complete them yourself to fully understand the process. If you recommend certain diets or food exclusions, partake so that you can empathise with the client.