Do you a recall the moment you were first interested in natural health?
I got into health and wellness from a young age as I wanted to fuel my body in a better way and have greater energy. But my real interest in natural health stemmed from when I was diagnosed with PCOS and was given no other option than the contraceptive pill. I knew there had to be more out there that could help me.
I have always loved nature, so it felt right to go down the path of natural health and learn about natural remedies to support my body. This is also why I believe I am so strongly pulled towards learning all about natural, sustainable alternatives for women’s health and wellness as I want to support women who are in similar situations to what I experienced.
I am really passionate about sustainability and conserving our precious environment. Providing people with natural health alternatives has been an incredible opportunity for me to pursue both of my passions.
What are you studying at Endeavour College of Natural Health?
I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy.
Why did you choose to study at Endeavour?
After doing lots of research on Naturopathy courses, Endeavour gave me the most in-depth and informative content. It also has a great reputation and high employment rate, as well as extensive support networks and opportunities for students. I also wanted to make the most of the college’s extracurricular services in the fields of business and marketing.
What do you love the most about your degree?
I love all the incredible content that I’m learning and the people I meet who work in this field. Honestly, everyone is just so lovely and down to earth.
Have you faced any challenges while studying and how did you overcome them?
I have had my fair share of challenges while studying. One of my biggest is getting the overall balance of life right. For me this means making sure I have time for myself, friends, family, regular exercise, eating good consistent meals, work, rest, play and enjoyment; it’s often a balancing act.
I used to be quite stressed with my studies as I was working too many hours on the side and didn’t have enough time for all the other great things in life. This year, I decided to take more time off work so I could focus on my studies and it has done wonders for my energy, stress and inspiration levels.
Another big challenge is learning when to switch off and having boundaries in place to protect my energy and wellbeing. Studying mostly online means I can work anywhere at any time. Yes, this is a big blessing and I love the freedom it provides me, but it also means that it can be hard to switch off. I have now implemented better systems to avoid this, like always switching my computer off by 4-5pm and usually starting my work in the morning by 9am after I have done my morning routine and self-care practice, so that I always know I am caring for myself first.
What are three tips you would give someone looking to start a career in natural health?
Make sure you find experience outside of your studies working in clinics or health food stores. This will help massively in terms of your knowledge and ability to know the products you may be working with in the future.
Find out what area of natural health really lights you up and brings you the most joy. There are so many different natural health disciplines to choose from; it can be overwhelming, so do your research and listen to your heart.
Be prepared for the hard work that’s involved. Many people believe that a career in natural health may be “airy fairy” and that it doesn’t require much work. This certainly isn’t true! There is plenty of content to create, along with all the business, marketing and social interaction skills needed to get you where you want to be.
What does your wellness practice look like now?
My wellness practice fluctuates depending on how I’m feeling and how much topping up my cup needs. These days, I love prioritising sleep and allowing my body to wake when it naturally wants to. I have been doing some research into how important sleep is and have noticed how much a great sleep boosts my energy and vitality.
I have also been practising Hal Elrod’s “SAVERS” from his book Miracle Morning, which has been a huge game changer. The acronym stands for:
Silence (meditation for 10-20 minutes), Affirmations, Visualisation, Exercise/Movement, Read something that inspires you and Scribe, which is a fancy word for journalling and getting everything out of your head and onto paper.
Wellness for me is all about balancing life and making sure there is plenty of time for rest and activities. I love swimming in the ocean, walking in nature, biking, diving, yoga and consuming lots of delicious nutritious food throughout the day. My wellness practices change day-to-day, depending what I feel I intuitively need.
What’s next for you?
Finishing my degree — I’ve got just over two years left. I am also in the process of developing a beautiful community on my Instagram (@amyjadewellness) where I share personal updates and naturopathic content related to women’s health and wellness.
I am in the process of creating some beautiful products that are carefully curated to support women’s hormones and natural cycles, which I will start selling on Instagram. And I hope to create some eBooks and more creative content to empower and educate women all over the world.
I currently also conduct interviews with like-minded health professionals in the field of women’s wellbeing, so I plan to continue running these and sharing this incredible information with my audience. Eventually, once I finish my degree, I also hope to start taking on clients and running consults.
For more, visit amy-jade.com.au or @amyjadewellness on Instagram.
