Nourishing Careers: Conversations with NZ's Nutrition Professionals

Emma and Clare sit down together in this podcast to introduce the series and where the idea came from, as well as dive into Clare’s work in the nutrition industry. Clare is the rather famous PCOS Nutritionist, and has entered the industry into what some would call a niche market, with the idea that being an expert in one field will help provide better care for people with this condition (which is a large number of the population, about 1 in 5 women). Clare shares where this inspiration came from, as well as a lot of insight into how she carved her nutrition career, which might be seen as a little unorthodox after spending 10 years working in the commercial and tech industry post nutrition study. Clare really champions the idea of seeing every opportunity as a chance to grow and develop yourself, and how getting out into the workforce in whatever capacity following graduation is not a backwards step for your nutrition career, but instead likely to shape it in a more meaningful way. Listen to this podcast if: You have an interest in clinical nutrition consulting or working in a niche fieldYou’re worried about arriving into the nutrition industry later in lifeYou’re after a career or industry change For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

In this interview Emma and Clare, co-hosts of this podcast, sit down to talk about Emma’s journey into the nutrition world, and how she became the Senior Nutritionist at The PCOS Nutritionist, working alongside Clare.  Emma opens up and shares where her interest in food and nutrition stems from (which isn't uncommon in the nutrition and fitness industry), and how her relationship with food has shaped her career, and equally her career has shaped her relationship with food. They discuss how a personal health journey can really change your perspective and empathy with patients in a positive way, and provide motivation to help others overcome similar struggles. Emma had a background in the food industry, working for a prominent kiwi meal kit delivery service from the bottom to her dream role as a Nutrition Manager for the company, then pivoted into the world of clinical nutrition to upskill in a new area of nutrition, allowing her to work with clients in a totally different way. Listen to this podcast if: You have an interest in food industry nutrition or clinical consulting You’re worried you weren’t a perfect student, or have enough knowledge or confidence to work in the clinical space You have a personal health journey that might have influenced your career choices For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

Clare sits down with Jenny Stewart to discuss her incredible career across both public health and policy, and workplace wellbeing. Jenny shares her experience of feeling burnt out from the slow pace of public health, and the volatility of this industry with the ever changing governments and policy makers. From here Jenny has moved into contracting for workplace wellbeing, and seeing this progress into the health and safety side of wellbeing. Jenny’s loving the ability to pick and choose the work she does with her contracting style of working, choosing companies she wants to work with and for, and having space to write a children’s book too! Jenny speaks about how she took risks to create this work for herself, but how empowering and flexible it has been for her life. She also touches on the importance of picking the trends, and using this as cues to up skill in these areas to create more opportunities for yourself. Listen to this podcast if:You’re interested in moving into workplace wellbeing You’re interested in working for yourself or having a career pivot but unsure where to begin Creating your own roles and networking is an interest for you https://www.linkedin.com/company/workplace-wellbeing-matters/ For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

Clare sits down with Amanda Brien, currently the Manager of Health and Wellbeing Manager at Kāinga Ora. With a passion for preventative nutrition Amanda is loving working in this space. Amanda has had an incredibly rich work history, working in a number of different roles across both public health and in corporations. From building more drinking fountains to TV appearances (Amanda was one of the nutritionists on TV show Eat Well for Less), to working for the NZ Health System (especially with the COVID response team) to the UK’s NHS, Amanda has incredible variety. Amanda is an absolute go getter, not only in her nutrition career but also working after hours as a Les Mills instructor. It’s awesome to hear from Amanda how much scope there is to work in the nutrition industry. Listen to this podcast if: Your interested in public health nutrition, health promotion or workplace wellbeing The relationship between policy makers and public health You’re interested in influencing change around health in New Zealandhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brienamanda/@amanda.ate For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

Emma sits down with Hayden, a nutritionist new to the workforce and cracking into it with great pace. Hayden shares his background in sport, and his use of food to manipulate his performance, and how this eventually led him into the study of nutrition. Hayden is the Sports Nutritionist for North Harbour Rugby, having previously worked with the Blues rugby team. Hayden also consults at Feel Fresh Nutrition, and has his own nutrition company, working predominantly with young athletes to support their nutritional needs and improve performance. Listen to this podcast if: Sports nutrition is a field you’re interested in You’re unsure how to break into the nutrition industry as a new graduate You want to understand what work in the nutrition industry can look like You can find hayden at @haydenchristienutrition or hayden@feelfreshnutrition.com For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

Emma sits down with Kelly Nelson, an Active Health Nutritionist at Kia Pakari te Ora (Green Prescription for Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti). Kelly is an incredibly warm and positive person, and shares how her want to give back to, care for and support the community landed her in the nutrition industry. We chat all things cooking to crocheting (the hip new trend in Gisbourne), as well as discussing how experience in a ‘dream role’ can change our perception on what we thought we wanted to do for work. Listen to this podcast if: Your interested in public health nutrition Your aspiration in your career is to care for and support othersYou’re keen to work in the regions You’re wondering how to build a career when part time work is all that’s on offer https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-nelson-a6350219b/https://sportgisborne.org.nz/active-health/green-prescription/For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

In this episode Emma chats to the lovely Stephanie Polson (these two have known each other since primary school days!). Steph is registered as a nutritionist in both New Zealand and Australia, having moved with her previous company, Sanitarium, a few years back. We talk about Steph’s career in the food industry, and her determination and grit to land the dream nutritionist role here, as well as all the jobs that got her there. Now Steph is embarking on an exciting new chapter with Up_Statuss, her online program and consulting practice to help individuals eat more plants, and better manage their nutrition. Steph also has an epic podcast of her own, so be sure to check it out! Steph and Emma chat about all things around food upbringings, university days, working with cow’s pericardium to create medical devices (techy!) and grafting hard to open doors in the industry. Listen to this podcast if: You’re currently putting yourself out there, trying to open doorsYou’re interested in a career the food industry, or self employment @up_statussUp_Statuss podcast https://programs.upstatuss.com/ For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

Joanne (Jo) Urlich is the GM of Community, Programmes and Outreach at Te Hiku Hauora - Northland’s Māori Health Provider.  Jo sits down with Emma and shares an insight into the incredible work Te Hiku Hauora are doing, their incorporation of kaupapa Māori principles and how important this resource is for their community. Te Hiku Hauora are a welcoming hub of health knowledge and support, from prenatal nutrition support to breastfeeding advice, anti-smoking awareness to oral health and diabetes education, and even jumping in to do vaccinations when covid hit - there’s nothing Te Hiku Hauora won’t take action on when it comes to the communities health and wellbeing. Jo also shares about the beautiful life she lives in the far north, with plenty of shared meals with whānau in the form of kaimoana and Croatian style BBQ’s, time at the beach and family sporting commitments. Listen to this podcast if:You’re interested in community nutrition support You want to learn more about what regional nutrition and health promotion can look like Māori health is a field you’d be interested to work in https://www.tehikuhauora.nz/https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-urlich-6b908724/ For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

Emma sits down with Abbie O'Rourke in this podcast to discuss the wonderful world of clinical nutrition practice. Abbie is the proud owner of an incredible platform, Feel Fresh Nutrition, which is a modern approach to classical nutrition consulting. Abbie has an incredible team, and talks about the importance of collaboration, and her ethos of putting the client first, always. Feel Fresh Nutrition dabbles in both personal nutrition consulting, as well as consulting to corporations to help establish better workplace wellbeing.Abbie has an interesting and not so linear path to her mahi in the nutrition field, and shares some inspiring wisdom around being a mature student, taking risks and following your intuition! Listen to this podcast if: You have an interest in clinical nutrition consulting or workplace wellness You’re worried about arriving into the nutrition industry later in lifeYou’re after a career or industry change @feelfreshnutritionhttps://feelfreshnutrition.com/ For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io

Rosa Flanagan is one of the Two Raw Sisters, known for their incredible plant rich recipe books and app, their sellout cooking workshops, their hilarious social media presence and of late, their exciting new corporate catering venture.In this incredibly vulnerable and raw conversation with Emma, Rosa opens up about her training addiction and food restrictions, and how this ultimately led her into her nutrition study, and recovery with her food relationship. Rosa is a magnetic, energetic personality, and a big reason why the Two Raw Sisters have such a captivated following. They have also of late been working with the Life Education Trust van (a.k.a. Harold the Giraffe) helping to educate the next generation on healthy eating, as well as delving into the world of hormones, helping their audience to optimise their eating for better hormonal outcomes. Listen to this podcast if: You love food and recipe creationSelf employment is a goal for your career  Nutrition communication and education is the field you want to work in @tworawsisters www.tworawsisters.com For more information on becoming a registered nutritionist with the Nutrition Society New Zealand, head to https://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ For more information on Ovie, head to https://www.ovie.io