Siobhan Swart

I lived most of my life in Cape Town and came back to my roots and immigrated to Ireland in August 2019. My father was born and raised in Gorey, Wexford, and living here now is an absolute blessing.

We all have a unique story and this is mine.

I worked in finance for 15 years. I had a stressed belly.  Work life was stressful and having four children didn’t leave much down time, let alone any me time.  I was overweight, chronically constipated, in pain and I lacked energy.  I will never forget our family trip to Disney World.  What a magical experience it could have and should have been – I certainly didn’t experience it as “the happiest place on earth”.

Shortly after that experience, the direction of my life and my focus changed completely when my father was diagnosed with cancer. Colon cancer. I was heartbroken and filled with fear. I immediately knew I had to make changes. I began reading everything I could find on nutrition and natural remedies.  I signed up for my first course on nutrition and qualified as a Hallelujah Acres Health Minister after completing the Hallelujah Acres Health Minister Course. The conventional treatment wasn’t an option for my dad but I thank God that nutrition turned his life around. After experiencing first-hand what a massive difference we make in our own health, learning more became my main focus.

I was still overweight, eating super healthy but calorie-dense foods.  A very close friend of mine was a weight-watcher follower and she saw me make my breakfast smoothie one morning and was horrified. She exclaimed that the number of calories alone in my breakfast was more than I was “allowed” all day. Calories are not the be all and end all, but definitely something we need to consider if they are contributing to excess fat on our bodies.

When I learnt about Patrick Holford’s Zest4Life nutrition and weight-loss coaching,  I immediately registered for the Patrick Holford’s Zest4Life Nutrition and Weight-Loss Coaching Training and eventually became a Zest4Life coach. I worked for 2 years helping people lose weight and regain their health by following a low GL diet and keeping their blood sugar stable. This is the basis of good health and still my starting point when working with people because uncontrolled blood sugar leads to many other health issues.

After my journey with Zest4Life I signed up with The College of Natural Medicine and completed their 3 year diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition. Upon completion of my diploma I registered as a Nutritional Therapist with the Nutritional Therapists of Ireland, a professional association that requires that Nutritional Therapists are fully insured and comply with the NTOI requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Code of Professional Ethics & Practice. Since qualifying I have helped people in many areas of their health.

 

Nutritional Therapy is not just about food.  One of the biggest areas we need to address and manage is stress.  We have all heard many times that stress is the biggest driver of disease.   Anger, bitterness, conflict, irritation, manipulation, loneliness, aggression, lack of forgiveness – they all breed disease. Love, joy, gratitude, interest, awe – they all bring healing.  When we are stressed the first system that shuts down in the body is the digestive system.  And how many people are stressed all day and all night without even being mindful of this fact? Too many of us.

 

I love Tony Robbins – his teachings and his beautiful heart for people. I heard about Robbins-Madanes Training and completed an Advanced Relationship Coach Certification Through Strategic Intervention. I use these tools and strategies during sessions with my clients to teach them how to better manage their lives, their relationships and their stress.