Welcome to The Pantry party a podcast celebrating Innovation food and life in the health and well-being. We're your hosts Liza and bran and today. We are talking to Tess hand ring us. If you heard that cute little noise when Brown was talking about hours a cat Cow from well nothing stuff is going on.Um test is one of another one of our good mates from uni, we wouldn't have met until second second year. She had as you'll find out in the episode a little bit of a different Pathway to get to where we were but I got to know where because fun fact we were on the Monash nutrition and dietetics Society committee together test was Treasurer and I was secretary signature spent a lot of time together, which was probably I got to know where the most to be.And I'm going to be super honest and say oh it's a really good way to meet other people like Al course that I hadn't really been friends with before I guess in the best possible way, like nutrition degrees are always super small and cliquey and not clicking in the sense that like everyone hate each other just that everyone has their friends and it's really hard to kind of get out of that because you have a lot of group projects that you're doing and like everyone kind of ends up working together in the same groups. Yeah. Oh and also the president this is another fun fact, but it is Roxanne who was episode two of us. This is how there we go. Yeah and cool. So yes, that's how we know tears. She introduces herself really well talks about balancing motherhood and her Korea and doing multiple things in her career and trying to figure out how to balance all of that and how she's gone about that and I recently said this episode again and was I really enjoyed listening to it. I think I just this is gonna sound real life. But just out of like the three of us were just catching up without work things. Yes, very cute. Yeah, Texas like just in general. So wholesome and I families so cute and I guess when I the first real leg, I guess not contacts I have that sounds weird. But like the first real like direct interaction and like working together thing that we did together. Other tests and I was a moron placement in third year doing a food service placement. I was quite big a group like a big group of us. So it wasn't like it was just the two of us working on this thing. But like she was pregnant with Emilio at the time which is hilarious because now she's pregnant. Yeah, like she will be giving birth soon when this episode goes up. This also might have already given birth. Yeah, we're trying to get out dates. Wait wait, we're recording this a few weeks in the past to you. So congrats test already given birth. It's not waiting. Yeah. Yeah, but I think that's a cute little like yes Circle moment. And yeah test is just gorgeous in general. So I'm really glad that we got to include her in this group and have a nice chat. I think she's show like the realities. Yeah studying and I In the best possible way being a bit older and being a different stage in your life to a lot of other people in the cohort actually in saying that I think our cohort would not necessarily balance for about like a 75 25 percent in terms of people come just out of school or like a nose first you wish years and then a bit like a bit older or like that. Yeah. Yeah or like done a different degree in coming in on done something else. Yeah, so it was nice to sort of I think pick that apart a little bit and see. where her priorities were and that it's okay to shift things along the way and things come up and you have to deal with that and I think sometimes we all have a bit of an idea of how our crew is going to go and you kind of freaked out when it doesn't go to that plan and I think test is a fabulous example of how Tell us great it's all worked out the way it's supposed to even though she had enough she intended for it to go that way but she's taking a little bit of a different pathway and I think it's important for us having not had that experience and to seek out that and talk to people who have gone through that because I mean for every person there is like you and me there be another person like test going through that degree and I think I mean it's just one of those things that we as women have to account for having kids and having a family and balancing all of this together and so on. Think with your partner as well. Yeah. Yeah, that's something that tastes touches on really well and that I'm actually not proud for the right way by very respectful of her. Oh, yeah, the way that she's handled that and maybe not necessarily put her career first at all times, which is a very admirable thing to do. Yeah. Did I say very good balance with it all which I think is really really nice. So, yeah, I think it was it was really good chat, and I'm really glad that we got to have her on the podcast and he Her voice and have her opinions and it's ideas thrown around because I think she's got a very good approach to nutrition as well in terms of like she's not too far over one side yet do it, you know agreed. Yeah, so hopefully you enjoy this episode as much as we do as always all links and everything will be in the show notes down below. If you want to find her find her cute pictures of babies and dogs dog singular who you will hear it start this episode. So without further Ado here is our episode where Tessa and Rita's. Hi. Hello, how are you? So because we know you but our viewers don't look at go through a bit of a Fast Five like get to know your students. So it's going to jump straight into it so that we can get on with it. First question big one for the pantry party is what? Three cannot live without Pantry items. Okay, definitely olive oil go through way too much of it cinnamon and also vanilla. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Hmm. Yeah. I see that. What's your favorite? Cause I'm so naughty your favorite olive oil brand. Wow. This is very it's not a bright. Well, there's two Brands. So I'm very lucky that I have family and friends who have their own Olive Groves and make their own olive oil. So, Sandy Creek, Olive oil is amazing. Thank you, Auntie and Brendan and then also it also will and when I make the most Divine olive oil from it was well, so they would be my favorite not a cobra more fully. All right. What is your favorite self-care strategy favorite self-care strategy is doing a little bit of yoga before. Do you do it often because I've tried to get into stretching before bed, but I know but I just want to sleep. I want to sleep and then also I'll have a dog outside scratching at the door wanting to come in which really takes away from my zen. Not a joke. Annoyed that I'm on the floor and he's not on like literally next to me. So yeah, okay question number three if you're going to a dinner party or something, what's your go-to dish to bring? Okay, I'll always bring a dessert because that is my forte. Currently. I will talk about the dish that I've made today and it's an apple Sicilian Apple taught. Oh, or it'll be Nigella Lawson's flourless. Chocolate olive oil cake. Yeah. Yeah in the theme of The Pantry party. What was your most memorable birthday party party event wedding, but you've been to my own wedding would have to be a little I'm really really proud of you waiting. I am it was it was it was beautiful. It was 4 years ago. Yes. It's my favorite by far my favorite party or event that we threw my father just expensive one. I'm too but it was nice and integrated both of our Lives into into the day. We even had like the bombonera was we had fruit and veggies along the table is like a table decorations and little jars of her boobs are like the name tags on it. So people got to take those arms as well. So definitely always something food-themed in there for both of us. Yeah, nice and question 5 Fast Five is what do you currently into a whole lot of sleeping? But also probably the moment I enjoy the time that I have with Alex. I'm sitting on the couch watching The Black List. No, it's a black this terrible acting terrible. It's about like a Bia agent and a fugitive but we keep watching I think winter season five for Weaver. Is it like consuming like is it a you actually pay attention attention? No, no been planning a trip to France on the side. Okay. Well, thank you so much for having me. I'm really excited to be a part of this podcast. So my name is Tess. I'm an accredited practicing dietitian. I practices a non-diet dietitian. I work in both the clinical sector also in private practice and I also run my own business on the side as well and alongside that I'm a mum of 1 and 1/2 cups. 50 photos, that's me. We're super excited to have you on because you kind of have a different perspective to us especially and then a lot of people in the area with kind of like aim to try and get quite quite a broad range of people on so I guess for you we wanted to talk about how you balance everything and how that all kind of fits in the effect that that's had on you. So should we jump into it? Yes solutely going to start with the stock standard which is why Why did you choose dietetics? Why hurry up? Yes, they why did I choose those headaches? It's really interesting. I guess it's probably something that isn't really spoken about a lot in the dietetics world, but it's very common that people who study dietetics have had a background of an eating disorder or disordered eating and that they might come into the profession as a way of recovery or a way of helping others. So I guess it's something I've never really spoken about and it's not something I really want to speak too much about But I guess that's kind of the background that I'm coming from and I came in I guess wanting to help others one dietitian that I follow on Instagram also has a similar story to me. I don't know if you follow Lauren Newman at all. Don't beat yourself choose an American institution. Yes, and I guess she makes a really valid point that she also has a history of disordered eating or not eating disorder, but she's not going to share her story. Three because they're eating disorder population is saturated by influences of I guess thin a white privileged women and I guess I would just be adding to that space. So I'm trying to make room for people that don't fit in to that aesthetic so they can come and share their story too because you can sort of the back to everybody when we need to hear more of that. So I guess that's kind of how I got into dietetics and super important to acknowledge that like Well, you're not going to share it does give you a lot of it personal experience to kind of relate to your clients. And absolutely and I guess anyone that does identify in a similar setting to me. I guess your story is still really valid, but I'm just not going to go into that. And yeah, I guess we're more of a professional point of view. What was your sort of background education lie that led you to dietetics because it you would not know mean maybe you're a bit older like I did. But you're writing student. So I didn't I didn't come straight from school. So I guess I initially started off studying I did when I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I guess dietetics was always in my background, but I kind of told myself I didn't want to do it if that kind of made sense. So I wanted a diploma of Health Science and then I started to do a bachelor of Health Science and in amongst that I took some time off and worked full-time in retail and then it kind of waking my senses but know this is what I really want to do. And so I did all the prerequisites in my health science degree because I didn't do Kim at school and then I transferred over to The Bachelor of nutrition and dietetics at Monash where I got some credits for some of my units and that's kind of one from there. So it's taken me 10 years in the process to get my degree, but we're finally there. So I guess it all kind of works out for the best. So you've mentioned your Where your app now with your career, but you want to talk a little bit about why you've chosen to take the path that you have and where you see that going in the future. Absolutely. So I guess one of the great things about dietetics being such I guess a female-dominated profession is that it is really family friendly. So that's something that really was appealing to me. I guess my concern graduating was that most for example grade 1 clinical roles are full-time and that's something that I never wanted to do. Why not that I never wanted to do just it's not right for me at this stage in my career. So I looked at other avenues of how I could create opportunities for myself, I guess and so I was very much at the Forefront that a job isn't going to be handed to me. So I need to make one myself. So that's kind of how joyful nutrition evolved. So that's kind of my business side of things was kind of getting the ball rolling getting nutrition information out there than on diet message out there as well and the Ready to say I guess clients around my family schedule which is really good. And then the same with private practices while I'm there to half days a week, which is really fantastic. So that fits in well, and then I'm just working casually in the clinical sector to so it's kind of making it work making a Juggle working in around my husband shift work as well. But we're getting there. Yeah, I guess it's a good thing about especially being a new grad Phi. Dietetics is that there's so much you can do as in everything's part time. So it's sort of stick your fingers in everything and work out what works for you. Absolutely. So yeah, I guess I never really saw myself going down a private practice role and yet here we are. Yes, and this could not be true if you're at all but especially during my experience. Anyway, was that throughout you anymore like you're not going to get a job. You're not going to get a job and then I guess to that joyful nutrition. Come out of knowing that and trying to use it as an employability aspect. What was it? Totally a hobby? No, it was definitely a job prospect. So I guess pre joyful nutrition. I was the emerging dietitian. So I don't know if he used to read my blog. So that was more throughout uni that was kind of an outlet for me. I just really enjoyed writing and creating recipes and I guess from that it emerged into dry for nutrition. So I still have a Blog section and a recipe. Section, but then it's definitely more excuse me, and a business focus now of this is a way that I can generate an income and I guess that's kind of how it how it stemmed. It was more. I'm going to be proactive in making sure that I'm employable and that I can still help people to that. Um, if there's not work out there for me, I guess that makes sense. Yeah it sort of and we've talked about this before but it's almost at your online presence, especially the dietitian. It's almost a portfolio. Like it's almost a really met. Yeah, absolutely. So yeah, it's very interesting to find the people that follow you or the people that come into as well and it's a fine line and I guess I've actually probably recently disengaged a little bit more from social media. Then I previously been quite involved particularly when I was on the job hunt. I think that it was very consuming so but I'm aware that by not being overly active on social media that can also affect my job. It's kind of a double-edged so it doesn't always show that you've got it balanced. Like I feel like if you're not. Totally spending all your time on social media to potential employees and can be like look she's obviously making an effort. To break out into a different field, but also maybe she's doing other things in their life why I absolutely it's not that I'm on it 24/7 I've got other things to do. Yeah, absolutely and I guess it's being also confident in the message that you're betraying as well on social media. I guess it's something that definitely no degrees. We never covered. Oh, so I guess it can be quite scary to put yourself out there as well in a professional and I guess also personal contact. Yeah. Yes. It was like we've this Of what could use very personal. Do you find that you get much feedback about that that challenges your opinions? Not not a whole lot as of yet, but I'm sure it's coming as I get more active in my social media. I have no doubt that that will that will happen and I'm a person who thinks about things a lot. So I guess I need to work on some strategies on how I could disengage and because at the end of the day is still a person. Yeah, exactly. Yeah and like a lot of of us getting to the non-diet approach because it is something that we're really passionate about and personally identify with I like I know from my experience like I've had feedback where people have really been questioning my opinions. I don't know if you were to see my post a couple of weeks ago about body positivity like and like the sum of its really great and people are willing to have conversations about it. But others are just trying to attack you for who you are it ends up being a really personal comment and it's like how do you disengage from that and say no that's actually IT professional or in that context it wasn't really professional opinion. But you know, how can you kind of separate that out too? Yeah, I think that's something that like is obviously with the rise of social media such a New Concept that we're all kind of having to learn together. It's kind of I had a good chat someone who's doing a PhD in Psychology and eating disorders the other day and we came for this concept of would you trust a health? nor who has Like I wouldn't influence your choice to go to a health professional has gone through the same thing as you had and almost have that like do you want to see them totally objectively so they can analyze you clinically and help you out or you almost want to have that emotional like empathy that they've obviously experience with the same as you and does that should there be a line drawn to Baby clinicians that don't have that personal experience because it's way is the way they practice or but I suppose for us. It's so food is such a personal thing. That you can't draw that line when we feel like it's really important, too. Have some sort of personal opinion or a lot of things especially with the non-diet approach. Yeah, and I think like the more involved you are in it the more you can kind of like have an opinion on it because obviously you're experiencing it for yourself. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. So what sort of Drew you to the non died approach in a I feel like it was a lot of fear in asylums beautiful work. I've met her on a few occasions and I've definitely told her that I'm a fan girl. So it was over that fear. Sorry, I guess again in dietetics course, I think we had one lecture from Fiona if that luckily I've come across her work much earlier in my dietetics career, and it definitely resonated with me on both a personal and professional level. I guess I then struggled throughout the rest of the degree being in such a white Centric Focus even going through some of my like notes and my clinical case studies. Just just the way they're written just actually gives me anxiety. Now and thinking that that's the way I don't even know not many 95% of our cohort might be practicing and I know that they want to be practicing an evidence-based way and that's doing right for their clients. But ultimately they might not be the case which terrifies me a little bit. So I guess it's out with me and just in terms of inclusivity point of view and looking at the person purely as that a person and taking away any Judgment any labels and I just wish that there was more of that integrated into our degree. I did enjoy actually fourth year. We've got to do a few different advocacy pieces where I clearly stated my views on which I was a bit concerned actually how I will be marked upon that but it was actually quite refreshing. So yeah that going a bit more Liberty there, but that's definitely what drew me into it. I've since done Fiona will is non-diet training which have also loved and finishing off. Those assignments and yes slowly learning my way through but it feels quite alone. I guess it's quite a lonely little only way to practice but I guess given where I'm at in my career. I kind of struggled with that a little bit but I'm really grateful that I've got a wonderful Mentor who is very non-diet approach and she's very established in her career. So she has lots of great inside for me which is A wonderful assistants. Yeah. Yes. I think that's the only way to get that message across as well as surrounding yourself with people who are practicing in that way because like you say, it could be so lonely, especially when a lot of friends are practicing clinically and seeing overweight patients in quotation marks and so white Century could that like when you want to practice totally differently to that that is evidence based somewhat emerging it feels really really isolating and almost think you question yourself as well. And I guess when it's so different as well, I guess to what your patients are expecting you to practice. So I guess a really steep learning curve for me is actually having those conversations before the client even steps in the room. So they know exactly how I practice and what the consultation will look like and if that aligns with their values to which is not an easy thing to do, no particularly when it's a source of income as well and you might yeah actually lose quite so yes because you're both not you're about to start. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I have some clients is that like deterring takes on our we've had a conversation is about the fact that people expect. Well, I know what I've had conversations with people helping a dietitian that I call so you just help people lose weight. That's like immediately. Let me give me a meal plan. Exactly. Yeah as a business. Does that frighten you have five me? In fact my first client that I saw wanted a meal plan and it was very challenging for me to have the conversation to say that I actually am not going to do that and explain the reasons. Zwei, but I need to get your more comfortable having those conversations. But also, you know more effective manner I think as well without it not place. I don't think I placed blame or anything like that but just communicating it and so it comes more from this out of you and like they come up with the reasons why that that might not be an appropriate and I think because obviously as a concept the non-diet approach is quite publicly unheard of like the general Like he's probably where of it. It's kind of difficult to explain like have to justify the way that you're practicing while you're trying to treat someone, you know, like the you're there to help them. You're not there to justify yourself. I don't know if they can trust that your methods are evidence-based and what's right for them great. But a lot of people do have those kinds of questions and you do have to have that conversation before they can fully trust you as a professional. So I think that's yeah. It's definitely a skill too. To learn obviously, you've gotten through your degree and then your early career with young family. How have you found that like navigating that it's been I feel very grateful for that opportunity. It's been eye-opening to say the least. I guess. I had very specific views on how I would parent and feed my child prior to having my child. I think a lot of potential Barrett's have that. Um idea as well. So I guess my main thing that I there's two main things I guess I wanted to practice what I preached in terms of making sure that I was being kind to my body and not overtly saying anything shouldn't be saying anything negative. Anyway that might Church like translate and Trigger down to my daughter because that would be that heartbreaking to me if she then model that behavior. So that was kind of a big Thing for me and then also just making sure that we had a exclusive no judgment household and no food labels and she can eat what she wants when she wants stop and she's fall doesn't matter what it is, which is being quite challenging. I guess when you know even looking at mums forums and talking about what comes home from like school lunch boxes, and I guess the stigma that's associated with good and bad food. So I guess Does it really good foundations now so that she's able to kind of navigate through that in terms of her nutrition. It's been interesting for me. I guess we did baby LED weaning. So do you know much about I mean you can tell everybody so I guess it's we I was quite strong that I didn't want to go down appear a pathway with her. That's just how I personally felt it's not anything professional. It's just what I thought was going to be best for her. So We did a food first approach and just offered her finger foods and she always just chose what she want to take and how much and whether it was just to explore and play or she actually wanted to have some of the food so that worked really well for us for a little while. But now she's got a bit older. She's a toddler and she's a typical fussy toddler who will eat a variety of food at Childcare that she would never ever touch at home and is very simple in her food preference and we'll only one type of vegetable. So I guess at the end of the day is made me realize that we're all human and being a dietitian does not change that whatsoever and she has an innate preference for sweet plain foods, and that's fine. And I know that when she gets older she'll be able to honor her hunger and fullness and eat What She Likes so we'll just get through. This hasn't always helpful with having childcare to force her to be exposed to certain the food. I don't know I guess we've always been that way the family meal and whatever it Is is what's put in front of her and sometimes she might choose us not to have anything to eat, and we just deal with that and that's okay, but I just think it's the social aspect of when she's at Childcare with Satan other kids in they're all sitting around the same table that the same age as her. They're all eating the same food. There's just something about that environment that she's more willing to try new things. So, I think I think it's been really good and I guess on days that she's at Childcare. I don't worry about her intake so she doesn't want to eat dinner. She comes home. That's why I don't know she's eating is probably three or four servings of whatever their pet at lunchtime. So yet I don't know that a date leaders develop Eco food preferences for later in life, which is really good. So, yeah, like I guess it's interesting to see how again then the other side of it how having direct exposure and direct experience with you know, childhood nutrition. How does that change your practice as a professional? It's made me be more realistic I think and just kinda parents. I think that I kind of understand and in fact, I was talking to a parent whose daughters 12 now and she said her food choices that are very similar to Amelia's when she was little and now she eats absolutely everything. So it was actually quite comforting on the other side to know that there's light at the end of the tunnel and I guess coming from it from the other perspective to of being a mum and just being kinder to yourself and saying more really realistic expectations in what? Had managed and also within your own body. Is there anything about Amelia's journey to eating proper food for to admit that you found really interesting to learn about that. Like you hadn't thought about all learn from uni or learn from other experiences. No, I feel I feel really grateful that we never had any difficulties with tongue tires or any anything like that and our journey to get to solid foods was very simple, which I know it's not the case in a lot of you know, a lot of months. So I'm really grateful for that. I guess what just really got me was just how inquisitive nature and just how she was so fascinated by simple things like broccoli. I never knew was juicy and yet she used to suck like, oh, it's juice. It was just amazing and just the playing the enjoyment of food and just kind of taking things slower which I guess. In our busy day, we just kind of we try to eat mindfully, but it might not necessarily happen all the time. But just to watch that wonder and enjoyment and that Fascination has just been really enlightening. I guess. It's something that it's been nice to watch through her eyes. Although on the other Spectrum now dinner times are very interesting and sometimes I wish that I ate dinner on my own because it doesn't make for a very enjoyable. And I often have to like scoff my food down because she won't the even though the exact same fruits on her plate you want what's in my bowl and I will get no food. So that's been a really interesting Journey that I need to shove food in my mouth. So I actually get fed. So I'm a bit worried about this second child if he's ever going to be able to eat anything. I wish it was just take it over we're working on that I guess on that note. Like how do you go with role modeling a healthy relationship? A ship with food. Hmm, I guess that I just find that we include a really balanced diet. I guess we don't have any labels. We eat what we feel like we eat what we have at home and make the most of that. I guess that one thing I've been very not strict on but is really important to me is to have family meal time so that we can role model that positive relationship of eating together as a family being present. And having conversations and then it's actually the center of the home. I guess rather than just something we have on the go. Obviously there are some times when we need to eat on the go but definitely dinnertime is a really important important time for us to kind of set those babies and I know Brandi would have seen ameliorate probably quite a bit. She's quite capable and quite independent in her eating which I'm proud of even though now, she's to two and a quarter but I think for a long time being able to give her that That Independence and self feeding and self-regulation has kind of given her a big advantage of totally objective ways. Well, it's been interesting having the old times with her as like a non child 23, like just seeing her she will eat and then she knows when she wants to stop them like she just it goes back to that sort of intuitive eating aspect of nutrition and that she's just felt something switches and she's done. Yeah, and it's amazing that we have that Sorry a nightly within us from when we're born. Even from when they're having milk. They just know when to stop when they're full and yet somehow as we get distorted in diet culture and all these messages we lose that and we trust we lose that trust in our intuition and our body which is sadly sir. I really I'm really hopeful that I can help shape her life so that she doesn't lose that intuition. How do you Hope to maneuver that like it's all questions. Obviously, it's something that we all grew up with and was shoved in our faces from get go. Yeah, how how do you hope to I guess it's kind of its he's a very big aspiration whether or not it's realistic is another thing. I guess. There's two things is to help educate and Empower her about her own body and like if people want to give them their opinion their own, About what she's eating or what her body looks like being able to have the autonomy to say. No, actually this is this is me and please don't talk about and in that way and I think that she is quite an assertive young woman. So I'm hoping that we can we can work on that as she grows older but also part of it is also educating people that are really in her close circle of family and friends, so A lot of my family and friends obviously know that I'm a non-diet practitioner, but not everyone I guess knows exactly what that means and what those values are. So I guess educating them to make sure that their language that they use is kind and caring around her and ultimately I would love for them to feel that way about themselves to yeah. Yes egg ways nicely into talking about your husband. Yes. He's in the Next Room and bye. Can you tell us a bit about him and his approach to non-diet and that kind of aspect if you're comfortable to absolutely so Alex he is a senior emergency registrar. He's about to sit his Fellowship exams, which is why he's in the Next Room studying with noise canceling headphones. So I guess that's It's a really interesting question and it's something I guess we're at the moment of it's okay to have our differences. That's where we're set up. So I guess we've had lots of lengthy somewhat heated discussions about the non-diet approach and how it fits in not only to his practice but my practice and also in terms to our family so definitely in terms of our family values, he's on the same page as me, but when it becomes to a professional level, it's quite different so he supports me. Way that I practice in for my clients, but I guess when he thinks about his work and the role that he plays it's as I guess it's a struggle to get on the same page. And so for example, I know that he's definitely told patients in an emergency department before that. They need to lose weight and I've discussed with him my thoughts on that and how I don't think that's necessarily appropriate. So we're at a little bit of a standstill. I think our last discussion was was that we were going to have a night where we both I sat down with the evidence. I think post exams. That's that's coming better. Yeah, it's tough, I guess because it's something that I'm so passionate about and innately mightily used in both my personal and my professional life. And so to have that kind of disparity I guess is difficult, but I think Coming from that medical background. I guess the training that he's had as well. It's understandable and I don't think that I'll ever stop fighting the fight. So I will keep you posted on how we going to be an interesting topic though how you can kind of sway other practitioners to not necessarily agree with you, but just understand where you're coming from because like I work in a medic and Sports, Physio Clinic And obviously with like joint Replacements arthritis. There's a big message to lose weight in order to manage symptoms and kind of having those conversations not only with patients, but with other practitioners is really I find really valuable, but obviously that's they're not a part of my personal life so I can kind of dissociate from it and not have to bring that home with me, but I think it's just really interesting that you've had that perspective bring it home and then also Applying it to your family and it's interesting to see that he can kind of agree with you on some levels especially like in the home. Yeah, but then still separate that from his professional. I think it's a I think it's something what I saw on social media at something about health at every size but not every size. So I think there's a limit to what that that knowledge. I guess would apply to in terms of his contacts. And so I guess it's just about breaking down those is but those barriers are quite strong and determined as a mind is in progress and that we've talked about this as well was that the reason lies aren't I kind of don't really want to go down and clinical path entirely as in that's not going to be the be-all and end-all about Korea and I think a large part of that is because in the acute care, there's very limited space to practice in non-diet approach as obviously even just said that Alex is approach because at the space his in all although this is that keeping it to a weight centered environment is almost just a normal course of progression. Yeah, exactly. Exactly officiants the word. I think you can sort of got to see it especially if you work in private practice almost like a public health being like it's almost you stopping people going down a really disordered eating path and then having to rely on a public system to help with what might be the outcomes of that which is I think I personally think is a really good way to view it because you still are So doing something that's going to help the system and it's entirely hopefully been in the run-down, but I don't really through having another diet approach in your practice and in public health messaging you're going to be able to empower people to actually seek help for their health rather than just for their weight. Yes. So ideally that will then impact on people like Alex seeing, you know, not seeing as many patients with certain things that they've let get away because their doctors been more focused on the way. I don't know that yes. I've had this conversation at length with a few people where people who are in a bigger body. They don't want to go to their practitioner because all their GP or whoever it is because they're afraid of what the doctors gonna say. They'll wait until something really horrific happens to be an end up in Ed or end up somewhere else in order to get help which is not the point of the healthcare system is that we want to start preventing things before it gets becomes a burden. Yeah and like Health at every size. As a point of it is to focus on their health and I think that's what a lot of people Miss in that when you're explaining that approach them. They're like, oh but if you're not looking at their way, what are you looking at? And so I called all these other day as an industry be more effective at communicating that will be a big change, but it's not quite there yet. No, it's gonna take a lot of work. I suppose about your career motivations and your employees ended up in private. Practice and you mention that's not what you want where you thought you would end up Yahweh. Sort of, I guess. Where do you hope to go with your career? I guess and work-life balance and that kind of stuff. I guess that's a really good question, I guess because it's still so fresh. I'm still open to anything, but obviously it has its limitations with my family last coming first. So I guess it's just finding that balance of what career is actually going to work best for me. I'm actually really loving Working in the private practice sector. It's completely different from the clinical world and you made a completely different clientele which is both of very very rewarding. So I guess I would love to expand my private practice work further, but I also think that my clinical work really supplements my knowledge base and gives me that graphic Foundation to apply into my private practice work. So I guess I don't really have a clear vision of say where I want to be in five or ten years. In terms of my career. I'm just happy to see where it goes and I'm really grateful for the opportunities that I've had so far. Mmm. Oh, yeah something that's common with a lot of people have gone over recently graduated from dietetics. It's almost just same thing the Yes, man saying, yes, no matter if it's vaguely related to your field are not related at all and just going going down that path. I guess. The only thing for me was that I had really certain values that I was quite specific that if it didn't align with my values then I wasn't going to take that position. Vision or if there wasn't I guess a way to potentially wave my belly's in there. It's in the clinical sector. I'm really looking forward to hopefully integrating more of the non-diet work into the clinical sector because it's so needed in that space But it's just about having the resources and the support behind me to do that. So, I guess that's an unknown whereas say my private practice work. I was very upfront in my first interview and said this is a way that I practice and I was aware that I Could not have got the position based on that. So I guess being a yes person but making sure it aligned with my personal and professional values. Yeah, I think we want to go back a few years now. I'm just looking at questions but studying and building a family. How did that go? That's a really good question, I guess because I guess I was a bit older. I just found myself in a position in. Third setting of second. You really we're will ready to have a family and I guess it was never going to be great timing and I guess it's never a good time for anybody in the Korea to take a break and start a family, but it was just where we're at. So we made it work. So I remember contacting uni and asking them saying that we wanted to stop trying and could I possibly go part-time or what? Could I what were my options in terms of studying? So I was lucky that they were very Very supportive of me. There was no part-time option, but I was able to take a year off from my studies to raise my daughter, which I'm very grateful for and then come back and complete my degree. But the issue was was that the degree was ending that year. So if I didn't come back then I would have had to go down a master's pathway, which was a big motivator for me not to do that more expensive. At that have like having to go back impacted your decisions around your family to the extent where it changed anything to be honest. Fourth year was a bit of a blur. My I was very grateful that Alex went part-time with work and that he's working it with him to do that. So I was very grateful for that. And then we had a million childcare a couple days and we're wonderful mother-in-law helped you out as well wherever she quit so I'm grateful that I had a really big support network behind me in order to facilitate me to finish my degree because that was something that was so important to me. I guess it terrified me to grow back. I guess at there's a lot of mom guilt that comes with that and things that I missed. I remember my last day of clinical placement and I took her to the park afterwards and I actually cried because she was so independent going up the steps to go down the slide and I'm like what have I missed and what have I done that for but at the end of the day, I'm really grateful that I got to do that. Times are changing my practice. I think the only thing was was that I was just more efficient with my time. I guess I made sure that when I got home from uni, I had a couple of hours to spend with her before she went to bed. So it was quite present in those moments. Although given clinical placement. I did fall asleep on the couch quite a lot and I also broke my ankle in that time too. So that added another level level of complexity. So just to add to the chaos, but at the end of The day I just think it may be more organized and I also decreased by expectations of myself. So I was always someone who had to get the highest back or at least a high distinction that's just was non-negotiable past wasn't wasn't doing well for me. So I guess I went back in with the expectation of just passing a and that's okay because at the end of the day, my family is more important. And so yeah, my grades did drop but I'm still really proud of what I managed to accomplish and realistically it's not actually going to affect your No, I don't know. When what to my GP. Yeah students don't realize well, I mean it's kind of known but you don't actually practice it that it's kind of okay to take because I mean everyone's going through different like exactly situations and think something that needs to get across especially to new grads. Is that like we say no one looks at your GPA when you're applying for jobs because you've it's a rigorous degree. Everybody's agree everybody around smart. I know that And I guess what I guess led me to my job's is my communication skills and wearability to not not sell myself or not the right word but develop relationships with people because both jobs that I have we're not advertising. It's yeah, I know or who I contacted to kind of make those opportunities. So yes, that's the most important thing but yet that's not really portrayed either. No. No, it's very might be told in the last week if you need exactly and that's what this whole podcast was born out of it was that we kind of feeling very very under equipped to deal with all of that is sort of being able to talk to people about their Journeys and what they've done and what sort of Life Experiences have led to what their career is is really really important because I think the other issue is that a lot of especially in the dietetics world where everyone's quite tie Bay is they kind of put all this pressure on uni and forget about all these other skill sets that you develop through work volunteering whatever it is you're doing Having out a funnel that into a career as well. And like as you said I would agree was a full-time to Great like it's basically taking up hours that are a full-time job. So you don't really have much time to kind of develop those skills out. Maybe I mean, obviously you had a lot going on when when you were studying like I was working on the weekends just to be able to pay rent and that kind of yeah, but I found I'm graduating that it's actually like I'm glad that I was working because in that job I learnt skills. Is that I can then apply to whatever like where else wherever else I end up. So I think it's really important to kind of be able to take a step back and go look like yes, I'm studying. Yes, you know, this is really important and I need to part us but if you're not it like allowing yourself to build those other skills, then you're not really going to benefit from having that degree. It's absolutely absolutely and I guess but also putting yourself out there in positions that you're not necessarily comfortable with I guess networking to me is Terrifying not my strong suit at all. I think once I went up to someone and said I follow you on Instagram and that was not my best ever. So I would not recommend that but at least trying to get yourself out there and make relationships and it's definitely not easy. It's definitely a work in progress, but it's so important. Like I said already touched on it a little bit but in terms of time management how have you found that you're like, obviously you've got so much going on. How do you have you found that approach? Like it's exhausting to be honest. It's really really exhausting and I find that the person that gets affected the most is me. So I'm always been a person that thinks about everybody else first and how I can accommodate them above my own needs and particularly now as a mum. Of course, that's at the Forefront. So it's been a really big learning curve for me a particularly as quite Alex tell you to study for his exams too. So it's really quite difficult for me to say, you know what I'm just going to go to a pilates class or ago classic that doesn't exist for me at the moment. So it's about how can I make time for self care practices at home? Particularly what Abby Lee is going to bed particularly what I would have go to bed and just kind of setting a little bit of time aside for myself. So I think becoming a bug just makes me more organized than I ever thought I could. could be and I'm definitely a list person but I'm really working on that balance and then once his bug comes along I have no idea how I'm going to juggle everything, but I'm sure I would have and I think obviously we've touched on you doing Private Practice clinical social media the whole lot of stuff with that social media aspect you've mentioned that you don't spend as much time on it anymore previously. What was your experience with that? Was it like all-consuming? Was it a I'm just going to go on here to post my own stuff. What was your balance? I think it was just more that it took away from me being present in the moment with my family. Don't that I was ordered all day every day, but I've just made a very conscious decision that I'm not really on it during the day unless Amelie is asleep or less what she's going to bed at night so that way I could be focused by full attention on her. And then anything else could white to to later. So that's kind of where that's come from and also just exhausted and particularly in these pregnancy. I've been so tired. I didn't have even the mental capacity to get that this space and Mia and I guess at the end of the day realizing that I guess the relationships that I have with people in real life are more important to me to me personally the what social media is, although I know you can make wonderful connections all day which they translate into real life. Yes. It's do You mentioned just before that, you know that stigma around being that type of mum especially yeah in the aram's and that kind of thing. How have you found that in terms of your own social media content? Because I mean if someone's like for me who I'm like not as close to your family as bran is you it's pretty easy to believe you've kind of got it all together, but knowing medium social media How do you approach not giving that kind of unrealistic expectation to your life? Because like I know that you you know, you're busy and you've got everything going on but having that kind of come through on your social media feed. Yeah. Absolutely. I think that I've trying more to make sure that it's not so curated that even if it is a pretty picture that it might have a caption that relates to some of person I don't want people to think that all we do is drink. Smoothies and Baker that there's no tattoo rooms that I'm never exhausted. I never say that I can't do it because it happens that happens a lot and I get fatigued but I guess something that really helps me is my support networks around me and that I reach out to so making sure that I'm surrounded by people who get that and get that I need a break is really important. But I guess that I need to be more active in translating that social media because it's particularly as a noob of I guess. Have all these expectations of what motherhood should be like and what you should be able to accomplish, but I guess that was one of my main concerns going into it was just to be gentle and myself would be kind to myself and just getting through each day's okay don't need to cook elaborate meals or anything as long as your babes happy at the end of the day you're happy. That's all that that is. So I guess social media can be dangerous and that way that people portray that last perfect. It's so easy and it's not so it's definitely something I'm working on. Yeah, but I think as well. Like it's not really something that's very well understood about social media. That is a highlight reel. Hmm because of course you're not going to share all the Tantrums in the down like no one wants to hear that. I don't want to hear about everything but there is a fine line between, you know, being realistic about it and then also or on the other side portraying this life that doesn't really exist. Exactly exactly. There's so many struggles that go on that people just don't don't know about that isn't meant to And and I guess social media is a fantastic way to raise more awareness, but it's also about having the courage to do that Terry. Do you think the city like being surrounded by people who are similar situation to you on social media. Do you think that impacts your own kind of I guess self confidence in you the way that you're going about things. I make sure that I only follow people that make me feel good about myself or what I'm doing some terrible. I just mean that like II don't mean that I just want positive. But if there's someone there that's promoting something that I don't agree with or is to curated that I won't follow them Vallely follow them if it generally makes me feel good if I look at their package of that make sense. So that's also very sorry that I've done quite a bit the last year or so. I've just made short particularly with my dietetics page. It's only things that align with my values that I follow and if something pops up that I don't agree with I will unfollow. Yes. Yeah. Yeah has your follow like The people people you follow has that changed from I suppose the beginning of social media or the conception Instagram to going through those headaches having a kid. What like what's your social media? Like, so my personal social media is a whole lot of money blockers, which I love I love and I get fantastic tips and tricks and just you know, General craft baking ideas or like fun family activity. So that's generally what the predominant of my social media is or beautiful kids clothes that I really don't need to be by hope. So that's absolutely absolutely changed and then even get even going through searching through something called my social media other day went through it unfolded all these companies like I don't even know what you are like it. Yeah, it's been around for a really long time but to even yet. Yeah the content of what I post on my own page is so so different to what I previously used to post whatever it used to be like, so I feel like we yeah. A general yq long journey halfway almost at this like halfway point. Yeah have a child like studying dietetics and it's been about half of your life. Yeah. It's like the for habeas late was a lot about our holidays, which I'm really grateful for but also there was a lot of like Fitness and food and like I'm right had one that was like a one-hour exercise. It's like for our when I workout is like 4% of your day. What's your excuse like stuff like that so stuff that way whatever. Because I have other things in my life. So that was what it was previously and it's definitely changed and I guess the reason I've got to social media accounts was a lot of the reason people follow me on my current account is for motherhood. So they weren't particularly interested in my nutrition information, which is completely fine. And that's why I created another platform to promote that right, but just cherubi. Yeah. It's a touchy subject. I think social media is hard to navigate especially because it's kind of grown as we've come into adulthood and as we you know, it's really impacted the way that we practice as well because obviously like, you know, ten years ago as you really exist so as the like Frontline and practitioners that are now involved in a yes, we kind of have to be aware of that so you could all be good to finish on I guess what does food mean to you and your family and How is it played a role in your life so food to me is everything particularly as it's my career as well? I think about food all the time. I'm always thinking about what I'm going to cook when we're going to have people over when we're going out which now is very limited. But food is a really really big part of my life and it's a really big part of my family it's life as well. So at likes his Heritage is Greek in Italian. So we got the best of both worlds in terms of amazing food, but it's also I've been such a big part of their family in terms of bringing everybody together. So that's something that's been really nice for me. I guess I came from a really small family. And now it's nice to have these really big family events, which is centered around beautiful delicious, wholesome food. So I guess that's what it means to be. It's also a way to for me to bond with my daughter to through cooking and getting her involved in the process. Yeah. Don't like favorite dishes from like family gathering. Um, so yeah is chocolate and walnut cake, you know, you're special when she makes up for your birthday. Like I knew I was in when she made that for me for my 21st birthday was is the best thing so that that is the most amazing cake and I'm looking forward to she's making it again for my sister-in-law's engagement in a couple of months time, and I cannot wait Each other definitely there's also my mother-in-law's potato pizza, which I would never find a better potato pizza in my life. That is a perfect and then I guess the other thing that brings really fond memories is the day that we had Amelia. My in-laws brought in brunette is cannoli. So that is going to cannoli it was amazing cannoli. And so we had it again on her birthday and I think when this both comes along again, we'll have it again. So I think that's just something that's a bit symbolic to us as well. Well, and then the other thing is is I always make rocky road on anniversary because Alex loves it so much significance to lately. Yeah, and even I was sick the other day and I remember posting something on social media of how I have plain chips and lemonade when I'm sick because that's what my granddad when I was sick growing up and how that in made me feel a little bit closer to her even though she's no longer with us and it's just something good tradition that I keep carrying on even though I know It's fun to be a sea turtle in the lemonade on our nice. Oh, that's beautiful thing to end on. Yeah. Well, thank you for being a guest. All right. Thank you for having me. It's been an absolute pleasure. We'll just to wrap up where can people find you so they can find me. My website is joyful nutrition. So enjoy full Fu Double L nutrition docked come daughter you they can find me. On the Instagram handle a trifle nutrition and also test Henry knows probably the easiest ways to family. Yeah. Thank you so much for being on our podcast really appreciate like obviously taking up the time out of your busy busy while I feel like she might have ended the podcast maybe next time. Hey, what are you still doing here? The party's over. Thanks for sticking around though. And thank you so much for coming to our pantry party. Yeah. I hope you had a great time. I mean we sure did. Oh, no, don't worry about doing the dishes leave them there. Yeah, look tomorrow. Just get home safe. Yeah, okay, if you really want to do something you can hit the link down below. It takes you to our patreon page or you know, just check out our website or Instagram share this episode right us on Apple podcast maybe will be new and noteworthy ones. Got to be a great room for a party. Yeah, but either way go home the episodes over by.
In today’s episode, we’re chatting to our good friend Tess Handrinos. While the rest of the cohort was struggling to meet assignment deadlines, Tess and her hubby Alex had another due date in mind, welcoming their beautiful daughter Emilia in late 2016. After a short but well deserved break from her studies, Tess went on to complete her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, managing to ace both her degree and motherhood. Now working as a non-diet dietitian and with baby number two on the way (VERY soon! ), Tess is THE queen of work/life balance. She has spent the last year building her business, Joy Full Nutrition, whilst practising both clinically and in private practice. Tess continues to be one of the most thoughtful and caring people we know; is an amazing mother and friend and, quite honestly, an inspiration to both of us. In this episode, we find out how Tess manages to keep it all together - expertly balancing work, motherhood and life, all while maintaining her own personal values. Enjoy! 