The Nutritional Supplement

Which Course(s) did you graduate from at CNELM and when did you graduate? BSC Hons Nutritional Therapy in 2014. I started the course in 2008 and worked throughout.

What did you do before doing this course? I managed support services for vulnerable groups of people.

What made you decide to embark on this course of study and what attracted you to CNELM? I was interested in using nutritional therapy as support for vulnerable groups. I was attracted to CNELM because of its clear academic focus; it was the only college at the time that provided an inhouse BSc option. I was interviewed by Ian Craig at the open day and he made a strong impression. As a distance learner (at the time the majority of students attended the college), CNELM appeared very organised and always so welcoming when I attended.

What was your first role after graduating? Nuffield Health Nutritional Therapist and setting up my own practice.

How did you kickstart your practice / career? Working for Nuffield Health and working alongside two established personal trainers.

Where has your career taken you so far? I have my own business and have developed a particular focus with female pelvic health. I also run the Bristol BANT groups and am now part of the SW BANT team.

Do you specialise in a particular area of health? Vaginal and pelvic health, anxiety, PMS/PMDD and peri menopause. I am planning to niche further in 2021.

Which part do you think has been the most rewarding or successful? Getting results with clients and seeing the quality of their lives increase is the most rewarding part of my career. They often forget all about the initial symptoms that were plaguing them.

A few years ago I spoke at a boarding school for young women and was contacted afterwards by an attendee to say that now she understood the importance of food, she was taking steps to cease her restrictive diet and eat more whole foods.

If you were graduating now, would you do anything differently? Yes, many things! I would be confident that it is possible to work as an NT and put all my energies into it rather than focus on the issues. I would invest in marketing and website support from the beginning. I would focus on a particular ‘niche’ area. I would network. I would charge more – never underestimate your value!

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

More focus on how I could translate what I was learning into practical support for me when in practice, for example a mentoring scheme like the one BANT offer.  

What or who has most inspired you in your work? Many people. Kate Neil of course, still today I think of what Kate would have advised. Also Moira Bradfield, Ed Joy, Stella Chadwick, Khush Marks, Patricia Peat ( who supported my mother successfully through pancreatic cancer when I was at CNELM) also Dale Bredesen, Sandra Greenbank, Natalie Gillan my supervisor and Lucy Peel.

Recently also Gilian Crowther, Sarah Myhill, Ray Griffiths, Daniel Baden and Anthony Haynes. I interviewed them all for the 2020 BANT SW Mitochondrial Health Conference and was blown away by their commitment to sharing the huge knowledge and skills they all have.  

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

• Say yes to opportunities that can develop you further.
• Develop relationships with complimentary practitioners.
• Don’t undersell yourself.
• Don’t simply focus on clinical training; time needs to be spent developing the business.
• Pay for expert support you can’t do – for me it is marketing and website support.
• Invest in a virtual assistant
• Specialise as soon as possible.
• Network with other related businesses, other NTs and other enterprises.
• Limit the amount of information given to clients and actions agreed. Start with achievable food changes.
• Use Practice Better, Penocchio, Swandoola or a similar platform  
• Sign up to a supervision group
• Use one of the business support groups. I love Sandra Greenbank’s Business Bootcamp. Others include Nicki Williams, Gwen Warren and Zest for Life. They are all excellent, it is about finding the right one for you.