6 minute read
HEALTH & FITNESS NEWS
HEALTH & FITNESS UPDATES AND NEW PRODUCTS FROM THE SECTOR
Paul (centre) with HSST students Jen (left) and Bonnie
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FEEL FIT (AND PLANET-FRIENDLY)
A new eco-friendly fitness brand has launched in Bristol with a range of sustainable gym and leisure wear including leggings, tops, and accessories.
Feel Fit founder Ellie Crawley is a strength and nutrition coach keen to develop her profile as one of Bristol’s leading health and fitness experts. Wishing to make a difference to people’s health, and the planet’s, too, Ellie Crawley teaches and promotes long-lasting change in terms of health, fitness and nutrition and hopes to extend her ethos and effect similar change to Bristol’s fitness wardrobes.
Created with sustainability in mind, Feel Fit items are produced with ECONYL® regenerated nylon fibre made of pre and post-consumer waste. The new signature range features classic pieces designed to make wearers feel good about themselves and their workout, as well as helping to preserve the planet. “We all find fitness at different times in our lives and for different reasons but we believe when you are physically strong it will carry over into every aspect of your life,” says Ellie. “By putting sustainability into every aspect of our lives, every choice, we will get the right results.”
• myfeelfit.com
Signature bralette, £35; leggings, £65
Invigorate high-waisted cropped running leggings, £55
NURTURING EXPERTISE
The fertility clinic in the South West of England with the highest rate of success for IVF is consolidating its position as a regional centre of excellence by investing in the development of the next generation of fertility experts.
Five practitioners at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) are being supported to pursue two different higher qualifications, with two embarking on the Higher Scientific Training Programme (HSST) –which will eventually qualify them for consultant level/leadership roles –and three are participating in the Scientific Training Programme (STP), the qualifying programme for careers as clinical embryologists.
“Our entire reason for existence is to help women with fertility issues achieve their dream of having a baby,” said Paul Wilson, BCRM’s scientific director. “We’ve already been instrumental in thousands of births and we aim to help with many more, which means continuing investment in our staff’s expertise is essential.”
The clinic is staffed by world-recognised experts in fertility, many of whom are involved in innovative research, including Jen Nisbett, one of the candidates who has just started on the HSST programme. Jen won a top prize at Fertility 2020 – the sector’s annual national conference –with her research into how implanting frozen embryos in patients is more likely to result in a viable pregnancy in certain circumstances than using fresh embryos.
Jen and colleague Bonnie Dickinson have both committed to a demanding five-year workplace-based programme that will equip them to become consultants. The programme includes a healthcare leadership and management postgraduate diploma from the University of Manchester, professional exams at the Royal College of Pathologists and large research projects for a Doctorate in Clinical Science. “Nationwide only around 60 scientists have enrolled on the HSST this year, of whom we believe just three are doing the reproductive science programme – and two of them are us,” said Jen. “Both the HSST and the STP represent a huge amount of work for the trainees and for the department, but the clinic has world-class facilities, technology and expertise so it’s the best place to train.”
Jen and Bonnie are the first two candidates from BCRM to enrol on the HSST programme, but the clinic has trained a large number of STPs since the programme launch in 2009.
Competition for entry to both programmes is fierce, with the most recently published statistics by the National School of Healthcare Science quoting 20 applications for every STP post, and HSST candidates facing the dual challenge of securing funding and undergoing a vigorous recruitment process for a relatively small number of highly coveted places.
“These programmes demand real commitment – both on the part of the trainees and those of us who are involved in delivering their training,” Paul concluded. “But these dedicated students help perpetuate BCRM’s position as a centre of excellence, all playing their part in ensuring we continue to deliver the very best fertility treatment for NHS and private patients equally. So everybody benefits: trainees, the clinic, and patients alike.”
• fertilitybristol.com
CNM has completely changed my life
Emma Gould, CNM Naturopathic Nutrition Graduate
What attracted me to CNM was its flexibility around lectures, its proximity to where I live and the fact that my uncle used to be a lecturer. I especially loved the people I met at CNM. I made so many great, similar-minded friends and the lecturers were extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of nutrition and wellbeing.
If I had to use three words to describe CNM they would be educational, flexible and fun. CNM has completely changed my life; I feel like I’m now fulfilling my purpose in life.
I was medically diagnosed with psoriasis after the birth of my first child in 2011. At first, the recommended steroid creams seemed to work but soon my skin got used
to these and I needed more to get any relief. Eventually their effect stopped working altogether and I was just getting worse and worse. I was variously recommended light therapy, oat baths and other mainstream creams but nothing about nutrition. Seeing no improvement and increasingly disheartened, I decided to change my diet and lifestyle, to see if these changes helped. I had always been brought up to look at the body holistically as my grandmother was a homeopath, so it made sense to try a whole lifestyle approach.
In 2015 I discovered a book called “Healing Psoriasis” by Dr Pagano. In it he explains his techniques in using diet and lifestyle interventions to heal psoriasis. I strictly followed his protocol from June to October 2015. My skin completely cleared after four months! Prior to this I was around 50% covered. I still get some spots if I’ve not been taking care of myself, but as soon as I implement nutrition and lifestyle measures, it’s fairly instant, I clear up again. Now I support my psoriasis using only natural therapies.
I have a degree in Human Biology and Psychology and an inquisitive nature so I wanted to learn why my body had responded like this, which is why I studied Nutrition at CNM. Now I have qualified, I hope to be able to help others in similar situations. I am still working as a secretary part-time whilst I am building up my own business, Nutrition by Emma, specialising in helping people with psoriasis and skin conditions. I love sharing the knowledge of everything I have learnt with others and, even better, watching them improve with my help.
To anyone who is thinking of studying at CNM, relish every minute of the studying, I miss it now it’s gone.
CNM Online Open Events
Discover how natural therapies promote true health and vitality. Our events are packed with inspiring tips on how to nurture yourself in natural, sustainable ways.
And if you are thinking of turning your passion into a career, an Online Open Event will also Geoff Don cover what you need to know about studying at CNM.
Visit cnmcourses.com or call 01342777 747 to find out more
