Megan truly believes that caring for the health of your gut is one of the most effective ways to enhance your overall health and wellbeing. Gut health can be intimidating, which is why her goal is to make it approachable and easy to digest! To her, a happy gut equals a happy life
What is your special focus as a health coach and why?
I specialise in gut health.
I find the human gut microbiome so fascinating because it is so integral to overall health. It’s something that is also very close to my heart because I used to struggle with food sensitivities, fatigue, acne and anxiety for years – working to care for and heal the damage and imbalances in my gut has honestly changed my whole world!
Today, I am passionate about teaching people that there is more to the gut than they’d ever imagined.
Can you name some people/teachers who have had the greatest impact on your health coach journey?
Wow! All the teachers and lecturers at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition have really played a huge role in my journey.
But one specific gastroenterologist, Dr Will Bulsiewicz, has taught me so much about how diet can impact your gut microbiome.
What is your personal eating philosophy/plan?
My philosophy has changed so drastically over the last 4 years. I used to count calories and now I count how many plants I can eat in a day!
What are the top 3 things in your opinion that people can change right now to move towards a happier and healthier life?
Eat more plants.
Move more. Practice stress management techniques like deep breathing.
Have you experienced a personal health crisis and how did it transform you?
Yes! Totally!
I ended up in hospital a couple years back and was told to stay away from all “reactive” foods.
Apparently gluten was a major problem. So I ended up staying away from so many foods that my diet became so restrictive and bland. It was after this that I started to explore gut-health.
It’s been such a beautiful journey of learning that eating an abundance of nutrient-dense, plant-food, is where the healing lies. Since then, my acne has cleared, my fatigue has improved hugely, I don’t have any anxiety and my food sensitivities have completely disappeared.
It sounds almost too good to be true, but it just shows how powerful the state of your gut is.
What role does self love play in health?
It plays a huge role in health!
Health is not just one thing, you can have the “perfect” diet and expect to be your best self. Focusing on your mental, spiritual, and emotional health play such an important part in overall health and wellness.
For me, self-love is getting that balance right.
What are your favourite ways to slow down and relax?
Exercise is my go-to. In any form really.
But I also love to bake and cook to wind down. Also, there’s not much more relaxing than a little Netflix binge every now and then.
Deep breathing and praying form a part of my daily routine and are key to helping me stay calm throughout the day.
Can you describe your morning routine?
Most days I wake up around 5amish to train (run, swim, cycle, Crossfit, whatever I feel like really).
Then I come home, make a cup of coffee and do my morning devotions. After that I make a delicious smoothie or breakfast bowl and enjoy that very mindfully.
Then I shower, get dressed, do 5 – 10 minutes of breathing exercise and then I’m ready for the day.
What is the best way to get back on track if you’ve slipped up with healthy eating?
Hmmm, I try to steer clear of the idea that you can ever “slip up”.
I believe that food has an important role to play both for physical health and mental health.
There is no “good” or “bad” food and you shouldn’t feel guilty for eating or not eating a certain type of food. When I feel like my body is in need of some dietary TLC, I focus on feeding it with lots of greens and nutrient dense foods. I believe in adding in, rather than cutting out.
What part of being a health coach do you enjoy the most?
Connecting and walking with people who are on a journey to healing. It’s the most challenging and rewarding part of what I do.
Meg’s favorites
Favourite plant based breakfast?
This changes almost weekly. At the moment I’m loving my Acai & Hemp seed smoothies. Last week, millet porridge was the go-to and the week before that nothing could beat smashed avo on home-made sourdough bread.
Plant based comfort food?
A warm bowl of creamy oats topped with nut butter, cacao nibs, and homemade granola
Plant based treat?
I love making all sorts of gut-loving treats. I made a killer snickers bar made mainly from dates and nut-butters! Mmmmm.
Plant based book?
Fiber Fueled by Dr Will
Plant based recipe to share
My current favourite – Salted Caramel Chocolate Chia Pot (see recipe here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9BsaZ0pv6v/)
The next plant based recipe I’d like to try is…
A cake! hahaha! I really need to master a delicious plant-based cake – I hardly ever follow recipes so I don’t have one in mind. But hopefully I’ll be creating a winner soon!
A plant based eatery anywhere in the world I’d love to eat at
I’ve heard Dirty Candy in NYC is pretty cool. But to be honest, some of my best plant-based meals have been from small, unassuming cafes in Bali and Vietnam.