What led you to holistic health? Was there a moment on your personal journey that you struggled with and found that your current area of expertise could help you and others?
As a teenager, I had terrible cystic acne and irregular but heavy periods. I was diagnosed with PCOS in my early twenties and put on the oral contraceptive pill. It did help with the skin and menstrual issues, but after a long while, I realized that suppressing your period for over 10 years might not be the greatest idea for your body. After stopping the pill all my previous issues came back, and some more. I decided to try the naturopathic way, seeing a traditional Chinese medicine acupuncturist alongside a medical herbalist. It took a few months, but my periods finally became regular and easy (no PMS, very little cramping), and my skin cleared up. This journey made me acutely aware of how easy it is to become disconnected from your body, and how feeding it the right nutrients (including emotional nourishment) can reverse a lot of physical symptoms. Retraining in herbal medicine and naturopathy allows me to help patients experience these deep and durable changes in their health and help them live much happier lives.
How can your specialist area support those considering, or already on a fertility journey?
I have 15 years of experience in medical research, and I also deepened my knowledge of herbal medicine by training in endo biogenic medicine, which focuses specifically on the relationships between the nervous system and hormones. All of my experience allows me to get to the root cause of hormonal imbalances and really refine and personalize my treatments.
How do your clients integrate your practices alongside conventional medical treatments? How do the two co-exist?
Before prescribing any treatment I always discuss with the person/couple how feasible and sustainable some lifestyle/diet changes are. I also always ensure that the medicinal herbs and functional supplements I prescribe do not carry any interaction with existing treatments.
If you were speaking to your younger self what advice would you give her?
“Follow your intuition” is the advice I would give my younger self. When thinking back to pivotal moments in my life I see now that I had the gut feeling way before my conscious mind made the decisions.
Do you have a personal mantra or favorite quote that you live by / inspires you?
“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Do yourself justice. Don’t half-ass it. Ever.”
Have you had any mentoring on your journey or someone that has guided you that you look up to?
I do not have one particular person, but more an archetype of people who inspires me. People who stick to their principles, who are true to their selves, whatever the circumstances, whatever the adversity, people who manage to never lose sight of who they are.
What do you think is the biggest challenge your female clients face when it comes to fertility or their general health?
In my experience of talking to dozens of women going through their fertility journey, one of the most heartbreaking challenges they face is the feeling of inadequacy, of being somewhat “broken”, of being robbed of something that comes so naturally to other women, the challenge of going through multiple tests to figure out “what’s wrong with them”, which only adds to the stress of the situation.
What excites you the most about SheWell’s mission to bridge medical and holistic approaches to fertility?
What excites me most about this project is that I truly believe this is the only way we can make a sustainable positive impact on people’s lives, not just for their fertility, but for every other aspects of their health.
What conversation do you feel we are not having as women and should be having when it comes to fertility and female health? Would you like to come on a podcast and discuss this with us?
An aspect of fertility that is very seldom acknowledged is the pressure a lot of women feel to conform to what society, culture, family, and partner expect of them. We don’t talk about the impact of being absolutely clear within yourself of your desires and expectations and the sacrifices that come with that.
What the best way to get in touch with you for future services?
The best way to get in touch with me is to email me:
marie@cityalternativetherapies.co.uk or WhatsApp me : 00447792725620
