My story
My path to becoming a Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner began with my own relentless pursuit of answers to my chronic health issues, when I was told there was 'nothing wrong' time and time again.
Countless blood tests indicated everything was ‘normal’ – and yet clearly it wasn’t. I was given a long list of possible diagnoses: depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, hormone imbalance, migraines and insomnia, and a cocktail of drugs to match. None of these gave me my health back.
I was desperate to get my life back and feel well again.
My search for answers led me to explore alternatives and this search led me to functional medicine. Through working with a functional medicine practitioner I was able to finally understand what was going on with my body. What helped me the most was working with someone who could investigate the root causes of my symptoms, explain how these were affecting my body, and coach me to make the changes needed in order to rebuild my health.
Connecting the dots and understanding that health was so much more than a myriad of seemingly unrelated symptoms was life-changing and everything began to make sense.
Little did I know that falling through the cracks of conventional medicine was to ignite a journey that would lead me down the path of healing and self-discovery and towards my true purpose. I embarked on this new path with excitement – studying Nutrition with the renowned College of Naturopathic Medicine and Functional Medicine in the USA with the world-leading Institute for Functional Medicine.
As I dug deeper into the world of nutrition and functional medicine, I realised the profound impact diet and lifestyle could have on our overall well-being. Experiencing the transformative power of food, lifestyle, and a personalised approach, I 100% knew I had found my calling.
Playing detective in my own health concerns was not the end of the journey though…
The pivotal moment came when my son was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) accompanied by sensory processing disorder & ADHD.
Feeling relieved at finally receiving a diagnosis, after an endless, frustrating and expensive road, I was naïve to think that having the diagnosis would somehow ‘fix things’ and make life easier for him. In reality it was just a label. He still struggled every day with acute anxiety, difficulty communicating and socialising, poor attention and concentration and dysregulated behaviour. Determined to find answers and provide him with the best possible support, I delved into the research, connected with experts, and immersed myself in understanding the intricate connections between nutrition, genetics, environment and neurodevelopment.
This was not about trying to cure him or change who he was, but about helping him to be the very best version of himself and to help him to reach his fullest potential.
Just like my own struggle with unexplained symptoms, I could see that conventional medicine was not going to give me the tools to keep my son as healthy, happy and focussed as possible. And this time I was armed with the knowledge and motivation to find answers for him.
Investigating the root cause of my son’s symptoms gave me the tools I needed to help support him in the right way.
Lab tests shed light on imbalances which informed dietary changes - these made an immediate difference that spurred us on to dig even deeper. The results have been profound. He is now a happy, well-adjusted 12 year old. He will always be quirky and shy – that’s part of the wonder of him - but he has made strong friendships (and had his first sleepovers and playdates!), is gaining confidence and excelling at school, and has developed strong interests in sport and music – finding the confidence to join after school clubs that previously would have been overwhelming and beyond his reach. He makes us laugh every day, is loving and affectionate, daft and sensitive. Everything he was before, and much more. It feels like in functional medicine we have discovered the key to unlock the puzzle that was our son’s ASD.
It has not always been easy!
It is not that easy to convince a child to eat (or not eat) certain foods – especially if they have sensory issues and are approaching adolescence! I’m not here to tell you I have an easy fix as I know from experience there are no ‘magic bullets’. I’m here to tell you the hard work is worth it and with the right support we can keep ourselves and our children healthy with an ongoing commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes.
In my virtual clinic I work with clients with any aspect of ‘brain health’ - including diagnosed neurological conditions, neurodivergent conditions, cognitive decline, mood disorders, brain fog and fatigue. I also work with clients with unexplained symptoms, digestive issues and hormone imbalance.