Deeply Nourished Dietitian

17/09/2026

I'm offering a different perspective.

Everyone has an opinion about what happened.
Why didn’t she stop?
How could she do that?
Why didn’t HYROX step in?

From a behaviour change perspective, I’m interested in what made continuing feel like the only possible choice in that moment.

We all makes mistakes, she made a big mistake on an international stage for millions to see. Thank God SM wasn't around when I was 22...

Elite athletes are trained to focus, tolerate discomfort and keep going. These qualities can create exceptional performance, but there is a fine line between commitment and becoming so fixed on winning that you lose sight of the wider context.

Winning became the dominant value, overriding health, dignity, self-respect, safety and responsibility to others.

Every choice needs to be considered within its wider ecology:

Was it good for her?
Was it good for others?
Was it good for the wider sport?

Understanding what influenced her behaviour does not excuse it. It helps us understand what needs to change....

Responsibility did not belong to her alone. HYROX was unprepared and failed to intervene. Athletes, officials, coaches, support teams and sporting organisations all have a role.

She is 22. She has apologised, withdrawn her result and acknowledged that she should have stopped. Whether it's seen as genuine apology doesn't matter. She could be in a bad distressed place where she can't communicate or cope. She might be ok and not realise the damage for years to come. We don't know. She will need a long time to process.. reflect, repair the harm and find a way forward. She is 22! She is human . Holding her accountable through humiliation is not kindness. How can she be supported to get through this?

How do we develop athletes who are disciplined enough to keep going, conscious enough to know when to stop, and supported enough to come back when they get it wrong? Conscious in their choices when pushed to limits...and balanced in their values.

I think of the triathlete who lost the race to help his brother who was collapsing. He found balance. Thoughts?

31/08/2026

🥹🥹 actually the best morning with Chere Bailey from Wild Pear Kitchen who kindly bought and donated copies of my book "Kai's Big Food Discovery", to two special kura today. Thank you Waitara East Kura 💚

Today we had a special visit from Dietitian Kendall North and Chere Bailey from The Wild Pear Kitchen, who delivered copies of Kendall’s beautiful book: Kai’s Big Food Discovery: How Food Helps Every Part of Us!

~ Join Kai the Kiwi and Tiki the Tūī on an adventure to learn how food gives us energy to play, helps our brains think clearly, supports our emotions and connects us with each other. A perfect fit for our tamariki learning about kai and covering all areas of Te Whare Tapa Whā! ~

A huge thank you to Chere and Chesney (Wild Pear Kitchen) for sponsoring these books for our kura, and to Kendall for sharing your mahi with us. Your generosity means our tamariki can keep learning, questioning and building a positive relationship with food.

Nō reira, e mihi ana ki a kōrua!

26/07/2026

Being a New Zealand Registered Dietitian is about much more than knowing about food. It's a profession that covers a huge depth and breath in Health.

Iam a registered health professional. I am accountable for the advice I give, and I have a legal responsibility to work safely, ethically and within my scope. I bridge the gap between nutrition and medical.. in many many settings.

I need to keep learning, question my own beliefs and stay up to date with the evidence. I also need to recognise when I do not know something, when more information is needed, or when another health professional is better placed to help.

My job is not to push my own way of eating onto someone else. It is to understand the person in front of me, including their health, culture, values, finances, family, relationship with food and what matters to them.

When I change one part of nutrition, I also need to think about what it may affect elsewhere. A short-term result should not come at the expense of long-term health, nourishment, mental wellbeing, muscle, energy or quality of life.

It also means being honest in how I market my work. One person’s result cannot promise what will happen for someone else. Testimonials, before-and-after photos and dramatic claims can be misleading, even when the story is true. We also don't know the whole story.

They represent responsibility, reflection, integrity and a commitment to protect the people I work with.

Use this information to help guide you, you deserve the best care.

Here's to my fellow dietitians.

31/03/2026

Life gets busy. Carry snacks.

These are non perishable and travel well.

It's better to have a snack than hit the afternoon or gym feeling like a sack of crap, or overeat the next opportunity.

Life feels better when you're fed x