My Story
During my childhood on the Isle of Wight, I grew up surrounded by nature and my family loved to grow their own food. I also learnt to cook at a young age, making roast dinners on a Sunday whilst my mom did the chores and I loved to bake, so I feel blessed with an understanding of the importance of good nutrition at a formative time in my life. I remember the joys of wandering barefoot to the sea and sleeping beneath the stars in makeshift tents.
I discovered my fascination with nutritional sciences, herbs and natural health when I worked as an IT consultant. I had reached a point where I felt stressed and 'wired', living on copious amounts of coffee and chocolate and my nervous system literary collapsed. I was teary, exhausted and struggling to keep my mental health together. My immune system was shot and I suffered from chronic respiratory and severe fungal infections and constant urinary tract infections. In a bookstore one day, I picked up some literature about nutrition and immersed myself in self study desperate to manage the anxiety and regain my health and my sanity. I changed my diet and supported my nervous system and the change I experienced over the next few months was astounding. I felt calmer than I had in years, no longer teary, I slept better, felt more balanced and in control and my lost energy and resilience returned. I was a different person. I was hooked and so began my fascination and lifelong passion for nutrition, herbs, naturopathy and functional medicine.
Later my partner became sick and it was serious. I had wanted to retrain in a career in natural medicine for years and something had always got in the way, but this proved to be the catalyst I needed and I went back to college. Studying nutrition and naturopathy gave me the confidence and knowledge to be able to support him and myself and give guidance through a very anxious time. I strongly believe that this proved invaluable in his journey to get well.
When I hit my 40's I began to experience hot flushes, anxiety and palpitations and I honestly did not have a clue that I was experiencing peri-menopause symptoms as I never thought I would enter the menopause until my 50's. I was officially post-menopausal at the age of 46 and this took me completely by surprise. I understand that this is a crucial time in a woman's life and that we need to treat ourselves with the care we should have been treating ourselves with all our lives. There is so much we can do to support ourselves and make the transition a smoother one.
The principles of naturopathy with its emphasis on vitality, homeostasis, the healing power of plants and herbs (medica) and the wonders of good nutrition, really do have the power to make a great difference to your health and I believe it lies at the heart of our optimal well being.
In 2019, after living and working in London for over 30 years, myself and my husband made the decision to relocate to Somerset where I now enjoy my spare time foraging and surfing the coastline, lingering in food markets and growing my own organic fruit and vegetables.