“It’s definitely busy,” laughed Hollie, “One of my challenges is the work-life-study balance, especially when I get excited about something and forget to do what I need to do to look after myself – like rest! But I’m very organised. I do a lot of planning and prepare meals ahead, and I prioritise my powerlifting training, which helps me to recharge.”

Hollie’s move to a plant-based diet inspired her study. Although she had done a lot of research before the transition, she hadn’t worked out how she was going to feed herself. “I started to get very creative in the kitchen. My husband had lots of questions, and he encouraged me to write down my recipes. In the end, I created and self-published two cookbooks,” Hollie said.

Her adventures in the kitchen led Hollie to a short course in health and nutrition coaching with Well College Global. “I started working with people to help them take on better food habits, and I realised I wanted to know more,” Hollie said. “I wondered if I could go back to uni, which seems strange now, because of course, I could!” Hollie was able to use credits from her coursework at Well College Global to put toward her Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine).

“Endeavour’s holistic degree and progressive focus really appealed to me. I love their smaller classes and the wonderful mix of people who are not all straight from school. They bring their life experiences to class and, like me, they’re focused on getting their studies done so they can get out in the industry and use them.”

“Endeavour has been flexible in helping me to manage my studies. I live in Wollongong, and I’m currently doing all my study online. When I have to commute to Sydney, Endeavour helps me squeeze as much as possible into a day on campus.”

Hollie thinks her study comes at a perfect time with Australia facing a chronic disease burden. “I want to push for greater education in schools to prevent and minimise illness. But I also find it so rewarding to help individual clients. I have a super-star client who after a heart attack, asked me to help him with a plant-based diet and exercise. He’s now fit and healthy and off all his medications. It’s stories like his that keep me going!”

Although she has established herself in the world of plant-based nutrition, Hollie says there is no judgement. “More fruit and vegies are a good idea for everyone!”

In the future, Hollie would like to be a dietician working with autistic children. Based on my teaching experience, I know it can be very challenging for them to try new things, but they can benefit so much from a healthy diet.”

Find out more about studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional & Dietetic Medicine).

Future of Wellness

The Future of Wellness series features stories from current Endeavour students around the country. From where they started to where they are now to where they are headed, we celebrate their unique stories and perspectives.

Interested in reading more Future of Wellness stories? Head here for more.