Who is Vanessa?

I am a Functional Nutritionist, Speaker, & founder of ‘The Pause’.

Evidence Informed

I trust credible research & extensive training in both NZ & the US.

Acting with Integrity

I’m always open, honest and ethical. If I can’t help you, I’ll say so.

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Listening to Understand

I take the time to listen - not to judge or lecture, but to truly understand.

This is what I am all about

My Training is Extensive

I’ve studied with global leaders in diet + lifestyle as medicine, microbiome testing, change psychology and mindfulness.

International Training

You’ll work with a wellness expert - trained by industry leaders both here and in the US.

Lived Experience

I draw on my experience as a corporate workaholic & a life-changing accident.

I Act With Integrity

I am always honest, & ethical. If I can’t help you, I’ll say so.

Passion For Wellness

I am obsessed with all things health. I love to empower & teach others how to improve theirs.

I Listen (Really Listen).

Not to judge or lecture you, but to truly understand.

Knowledge Is Power

I believe you should have access to simple, easy to understand advice when it comes to your health.

What Clients Say

  • "I’d highly recommend Vanessa, she’s extremely knowledgeable, friendly and easy to talk to!"

    Vanessa is wonderful to work with - she provides in-depth advice around supplements to support well-being and also takes the time to explain what each supplement does and share the research behind her thoughts.

    Kate Carey

  • “I got in touch with Vanessa and she listened patiently to my story, symptoms, and worries."

    She gave me invaluable advice based on facts & studies that have been published, she explained the chemical reactions in my body in a way that I could understand it, and she suggested nutritional & mindfulness solutions to me that continue to work to this day.

    Michelle Audrey

  • “Vanessa has been such a huge help in my health journey. The real difference is Vanessa is the only person that has ever really listened to me"

    …often - going away and coming back with ideas after thinking about what I have told her. Always the advice and knowledge has been spot on! I like that Vanessa is practical too with what might suit your lifestyle. I would highly recommend Vanessa.”

    Natasha Scott

  • “100% recommend Vanessa.”

    She goes above and beyond and cares deeply about her clients.

    Katherine Kennard

  • “Working with Vanessa helped me much more than just trying to lose weight and gain muscle"

    - she was like a life coach too. Very passionate and understanding about my life and situation.”

    Bryn Neilson

Read more reviews on Google

My Story

I spent many years working on building a career in the corporate world. The more senior the role, the more I put the work first - and the more my body paid the price.

Symptoms came and went - extreme bloating, terrible skin, trouble with sleep, low energy, brain fog, hormonal issues and weight fluctuations. Not to mention the digestive issues! 

I was doing ‘everything right’ - dieting, fasting and exercising, but nothing was working. Then, one day, everything changed.

I headed out for a run. Headphones on, music up loud. As I was running across a crossing, a car accelerated to overtake a truck - the one that I'd just run out in front of.

“I collided with the car at over 50 kilometres an hour. The rest is a blur.”

I knew things were bad when I gained consciousness during a CAT scan for a brain injury.

The brain injury sent my hormones haywire: sky-high cortisol, relentless fatigue, brain fog, was unable to sleep and wild temperature swings - was either sweating profusely or freezing cold.

During a long recovery process, I used all that I knew about food and lifestyle as medicine - and went back to study to ‘fix’ myself.

Fast forward a few years and I was feeling great.

Then perimenopause hit. Little did I know all I learned would apply again.

The symptoms I thought I’d left behind resurfaced. Trouble sleeping, brain fog, weight gain, and deep relentless fatigue.

But this time, I had the knowledge and tools to navigate it.

Today I have little to no symptoms. I think clearly, sleep soundly, exercise almost daily and have energy for days.

You can too.

Questions?

Wondering how I can help you?

  • Anything you need to improve so you’ll feel really well.

    Things like weight loss, food intolerances, increasing energy or focus, reducing stress, improving sleep, gut and hormone health.

    I’m one of the few people who has qualifications across exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness.

    As a coach, I am also an expert in behaviour change (often the bit that’s the hardest).

  • Book a (free) consult .

    If I think another type of Practitioner would be better for you, I’ll say so.

  • Yes thanks to the modern wonders of Zoom.

  • No. While I have extensive training on common health conditions, exercise (including common injuries) and wellness I don’t diagnose.

    I can work with your GP (or any other specialist) to help you understand GP ‘speak’.

  • I have several Functional Doctors I can refer you to if your needs are outside my scope.

  • Functional just means looking for the ‘root’ cause of your symptoms.

    The goal is to find and 'fix' the problem - being preventative rather than just masking a symptom.

look. feel. work. well 

Simple, science-based advice proven to work