Kerry has over 20 years’ experience in the health industry, and as a nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner she has a special interest in gut health, mental health and autoimmune disease, as well as something called nutrigenomics, which effectively means the scientific study of the interaction of nutrition and our genes.
Nutrigenomics is a growing area in the nutrition world and we are learning more each month about how unique and individual we are, and how we interact with the our food and our environment.
Here we get to know Kerry a bit better, and not just about her work!
How long have you been a coach/therapist?
I have been in the health field for 20 years and ten years of that has been as a functional medicine nutritional therapist. In that time I’ve trained as a massage therapist, reiki practitioner, and breathwork practitioner … I think that’s all!
What led you to train/re-train in this field?
I have never considered any other line of work except that of personal health. Growing up with a mentally handicapped sister and experiencing my own depression as a teen, I have always had a passionate interest in the brain and how we can “heal” it through a natural means which led me to study psychology and then nutrition with a focus on mental health and brain development.
In my late 20s I was diagnosed with RA (rheumatoid arthritis), but was fortunate enough to have already studied nutrition and I immediately implemented ways to support myself , as well as furthering my studies on immune and nutrition (and I have a keen interest in psychoneuroimmunology - an area of study that that looks at the interactions between your central nervous system and your immune system. I am still medication free!
It was also then that my lifelong IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) cleared, which has drastically changed my life as I no longer fear going out (incase a bout of explosive diarrhoea happened which is exceptionally embarrassing when there is a shared toilet , and you on a date). My goodness I’m so happy I don’t have that anymore !!
What is your passion/who do you LOVE to work with/what is it you love to be able to teach midlife women?
I love working with women who are in pain or experiencing persistent embarrassing symptoms (such as I described above). I LOVE A COMPLEX PUZZLE I and will work with these women to put their health pieces together using a carefully tailored diet based on disease presentation and test guidance.
I love to see these women feel empowered with knowledge about their health and what they can do to manage it, and I especially love those who have an interest in the biochemistry and the why/how - the ones where we can learn together.
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
I’d say honestly be more curious about how you can connect with nature and health - my two passions (and maybe don’t drink so much!)
What is the one thing you do for yourself that is non-negotiable for your health?
Sleep!! Without good sleep nothing else will matter. This is something I’ve grown to love over the years and won’t do late nights easily now.
What does your morning routine look like?
EEK - I'm doing emails in bed at 7am! OK- I wake up around 6.30 but don't get up straight away. I love lying quietly listening to the birds, My husband knows not to disturb either. I'll then get up, have a cup of tea/coffee (outside in summer) with breakfast and contemplate the day followed by a shower. I have no set routine from there - my preference is to walk in the forest or go for a swim in the lake early in the morning. If I can't do that before work then it will be done as soon as the work day is complete.
Do you have a daily supplement routine? If so, what is it?
Fish oil with one of the main meals
Glutathione at night (thats at the moment, not all year.)
Vitamin C
I have vitamin D for winter (but have never really needed it except when living in South Africa, potentially due to the fact that we eat grass fed meat, oily fish and other vitamin D rich foods)
The other supplements are taken according to what is needed at a specific time eg bitters before a fatty meal, rhodiola if going through a stressful time.
What brings you joy/how do you take time out for you (that isn’t spending time with friends and family – something ‘selfish’ that you love to do for you)?
Kayak and explore new spots around the lake in Summer. In winter its cold and snowy so I stay cosy indoors with a paint-by-numbers whilst listening to my favourite music with a glass of good wine. I believe being creative in some way is essential. Back in South Africa I may do some woodwork, but in Switzerland we have limited space. My family all have an artistic and science ability, I just inherited the science part so thats why I need the numbers :)
I also LOVE to dance and will turn up the tunes and get moving any chance I get.
What’s your biggest rant/grip about the area you work in?
Influencers and their click-bait articles or ‘health weekends or webinars’ that are promise you the earth over a weekend (e.g. 5 days of “the best minds” giving you all this info for free!). I have friends who have denied life saving medical treatments due to this, and now my father is falling into the trap of “take this to save your brain” like its just one thing!
I also despise practitioners that give bucket loads of supplements because they make money from it and simply do not know a more effective way. If you want to work in nutrition then study nutrition - don’t be a ‘doctor’ that charges the earth just because you swapped one pill for another.
What are you reading at the moment?
I like to mix, one sciencey and one that gets me into another world .
What tune always gets you dancing?
Geraldines Routine by Tape Five
Who would play you in a film or boxset?
Hopefully someone quirky like Helena Bonham Carter, or Keira Knightly as she plays intelligent roles and was great in A Dangerous Method
You wouldn’t know it but …
I am actually shy and find groups intimidating and overwhelming
Best life hack
I’m working on this but it’s to “Just do it!” and don’t let what others get in your way.
Favourite quote or saying
“Ubuntu” Every South African will know this as its the slogan of our land - basically meaning "I am because we are" (also "I am because you are"), or "humanity towards others"
I also LOVE the poem Desiderata by Max Ehrman - every line resonates with me. You can read this poem here
To work with Kerry or find out more about how she can help you, simply hit the button below and book in a free 30-minute discovery call
