21/12/2017
This is an interview I did for a friend a couple of years ago, it never ended up getting published as she left her workplace in the end.
I hope it gives you a laugh and makes us all feel a little more human. It also happens to be Winter Solstice today, a time for reflection.
It may also help to explain my sporadic posting on here! It is long but I hope you enjoy:
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WHY DID YOU START "ASHA NATUROPATHICA"?
I had a hippie name, what else could I do? Other common naturopath names include Kate, Amanda, and Claire... what can I say, sometimes we are just born into it.
To clarify, I haven't actually started my own business yet, I predominately work as a naturopath in a retail setting, although I do give short consults as part of that work. I'm still treading water, so to speak, waiting for some higher inspiration to tell me what I should be doing. You could say that Asha Naturopathica is a work in progress...
BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
A psychic once told me that I should be running my own business and that I would be busy with my hands. I'm still waiting to find out what that second part means, it leaves a lot to the imagination.
BEST PERSONAL ADVICE?
You can do anything.
WORST BUSINESS ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
You can do anything.
WORST PERSONAL ADVICE?
You can do anything.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NATUROPATHY?
Initially, I was drawn to naturopathy because of a vague interest in herbal medicine (and because I had a hippie name). I sometimes wonder whether I had a choice in it at all.
Naturopathy combines evidence-based medicine with traditional medicine, which is great, but more and more I'm realising that the intuitive side of things is really important. That being said, there are a lot of crazies out there and a lot of wellness bloggers who either have no training or inadequate training (and lie about brain tumours). So some rigorous scientific scrutiny is not a bad thing. However there is also a lot of traditional knowledge that is being lost as a result of the scientific age we live in. I would like to think that some things are just too complex to be confined to a scientific study and I hope that one day we will accept and celebrate this too.
DO YOU SPECIALISE IN ANY PARTICULAR AREA OF NATUROPATHY?
The area of female health interests me. I'm not allowed to say I specialise in anything, I leave that to the doctors, but I think that female health is where naturopathy can really shine. Conventional medicine still has very few answers and it's a real shame. Unfortunately hormonal disorders are incredibly common. Maybe they have always been common but I think that the more information available to women the better. In my opinion we are still emerging from the Dark Ages, as far as female health is concerned.
HEALTH IS A CHALLENGING INDUSTRY AND NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU'VE LEARNT IN STARTING A BUSINESS IN THE WELLNESS FIELD?
Everyone else wants to start a wellness business too and some people are a lot better at social media than I am.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned from working in this industry (not so much from starting a business), is that people have a large hypocritical streak. This applies to any industry and to people in general, but it is particularly evident in the "wellness" industry. Often there is a large gap between what is said (and sometimes preached) and what is done. Despite holistic values, staff are often mistreated, or despite values of compassion, a business is more interested in making money. We are all hypocritical to some extent. It's my job to strike a balance, and to help you find one too.
In a general sense, I've found that people just want to be heard, to be understood, to be valued and supported. If you can help support someone in any of these ways then you've got a good thing going. Maintain their integrity, while maintaining yours. It's hard work. Some days are better than others.
HOW HAS YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS ROUTINE CHANGED OVER TIME?
Grudgingly and not without a fight. Dairy has always been a problem for me and milk in particular. I think that most people are generally better off without it. Gluten and sugar are the next on the list but I’m also a big advocate for enjoying life- there's nothing worse than watching a health-conscious person fret about every single thing they put into their mouth. If you're a celiac or suffer from an inflammatory condition and/or autoimmune condition, skin condition, gut issues, hormonal disorder, or have mental health issues, then maybe you should consider a few changes…have I left anyone out? Some people are also up against a lot of hereditary factors, which makes life a little harder. Enjoy life, but make life easier for yourself too. Ask for help if you need it.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE HEALTHY SWAPS IN THEIR LIFE BUT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ORGANIC PRODUCTS FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIFE?
Mac and cheese is not a way of life.
If you're talking about real food, there is a list called the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen, which lists foods that are more susceptible to pesticide residue and therefore what you should try and buy organically if you can. In general, the more veggies you can eat the better. Buying organic meat is also a good idea as chemical residue is often stored in the fat.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO IS WANTING TO TURN A PASSION INTO A CAREER?
Go and do a yoga teacher training course, everyone else is.
The term "passion" is bandied around a lot these days and I think that social media has a lot to answer for. By definition, a passion is a strong and uncontrollable emotion. If you do find out how to turn your passion into a career, please let me know! In the meantime, if you have an interest and a vision, that's different, pursue that and let your passion burn on the side. Keep your passion uncontrollable.
Chances are, the universe will have something else in store for you anyway, it's just a matter of timing. Stay open.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE STRESS ATTACHED TO YOUR CAREER?
Wine. Sometimes whiskey. I have other interests on the side and other naturopaths (Kate's, Amanda's, Claire's, and hippie-names) to share the load with. Exercise also goes a long way.
I also think that seeing a counsellor or psychologist should be a part of all self-care and not just for people who work in the health industry. Enough with the stigma.
WHAT ASPECT OF HEALTH IS CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART?
Mental health, but I'm also really scared of it. I dance around the edges.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I need some more Passionflower to answer this question.
Harmonious families inspire me. People who turn out to be incredible people, despite not receiving the love and affection they deserved at a young age, inspire me. People's strength of character, in general, and compassion, despite all the hardships they have been through, inspire me. Any kind of creative pursuit inspires me. The creative process inspires me. When you step into the flow of the universe, that also inspires me. I don't know how how else to put it.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES?
People who aren't afraid to go their own way and people who are incredibly generous and compassionate.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN OTHERS?
Kindness. A sense of humour. Honesty.
DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL MOTTO?
It's hard to stick to just one personal motto when our perceptions are constantly changing.
I do like this Irish proverb at the moment: "A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything". Don't lie about brain tumours is also a good one.
FAVOURITE SELF-CARE RITUAL?
At the moment, foot soaks with lavender and Epsom salts at night, to calm my hurried mind. I also like to stretch.
DO YOU HAVE A MORNING RITUAL?
Depends how hungover I am.
After the usual Salutes to the Sun at sunrise, green smoothies and gratitude lists, it doesn't leave a lot of time (joking). A green tea and a coffee usually go down well in the mornings. Occasionally I try and avoid social media in the mornings, if only so I can join the morning throng of commuters with a fresh-faced commitment to my phone screen. In other words I wait until I'm out and about in the real world, to check on the virtual world. It also uses up more of my phone data when I'm not at home, so I'm winning on both accounts.
ANY RULES THAT YOU LIVE BY FOR A HEALTHY BODY, MIND AND SOUL?
Music, creativity, exercise, surrounding myself with lovely people. Hydration. I probably need to do more meditation. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, it's hard to be in balance all of the time. I try not to blame myself too much. I also try and take responsibility for myself. Do the work.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
You have much to learn, young Padawan, but the force is strong in you. Forgive you, I do. It's not your fault you were born with a hippie name.
HOW DO YOU RELAX AFTER A LONG DAY?
See all of the above.
