Nourish Move Love Bali Was Born From My Personal Journey

I was born in a small little town in South Africa to an amazing family. My mother catered for functions and prepared all our family meals every day, so food was a big part of our lives (still is). As a teenager, I viewed food as either my enemy or a reward. When I felt I “deserved” to eat I would reward myself with a meal or a treat, but if I didn’t get that A in a test — no food or no treat for me.

This disconnected relationship with food developed into a serious eating disorder for most of my life. There were times I would starve myself to the anorexic version of myself and then binge to the fuller version.

During my twenties, I stepped into the corporate world and worked like a maniac. I was underweight, undernourished, stressed, and burned out. My external achievements were matched by my internal unhappiness: I had an unhealthy relationship with food and alcohol use became a problem. In my late twenties, I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and burnout; two years later, the symptoms of both became worse and I was diagnosed with Addison’s disease (an autoimmune condition that is often preceded by adrenal burnout). Once my health issues were identified, I began paying attention to what triggered them—and realised that my limiting believes was a major factor. I found that I was exhausted, not just from waking up in the morning but also from trying to live in a body that I no longer recognised as my own. I felt that there should be more to live than what I was experiencing.  Surely that wasn’t all that my life had to offer me?

I began researching, reading, and experimenting with different approaches to health and healing. I tried the Master Cleanse, raw food, colonics, and acupuncture. Each experience taught me something new about myself and my body. Later, working with a Homeopath named Helen Muir, I cultivated a holistic way of life. My energy levels increased; but I still felt that something was missing from life.

In my early 30’s, I experienced an ‘aha’ moment after learning about self-immolation during a cellular health workshop. Tibetan monks set themselves on fire in 2009 in protest of the Chinese government taking over Tibet. I admire the strength of mind that allows a monk to set himself on fire, yet most of them would begin screaming at the end of their lives— which shows you that no amount of meditation could suppress what the body feels.

I realised then that health is not just about what you put into your body, but that mind, body and spirit are connected, and when one is out of balance the others are affected. My healing began when I started practising yoga and meditation, which helped me to focus on what was within me rather than on the physical level—what my body looked like compared to that of my friends.

I completed the following training in different fields : holistic health coaching through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition,  nutritional therapy through the Health Science Academy, Buddhist psychology through Lion’s Roar Academy and my Psychology degree through IAP Career College. I am also a 200 hour certified yoga teacher in Vinyasa, 200 hour certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher, 50 hour certified yin yoga teacher, 20 hour certified Pregnancy yoga teacher, 20 hour certified meditation teacher. These qualifications have provided me with the knowledge and confidence to make a huge career change and start living my dream life and fulfilling my mission : empowering woman to not let their limiting believes and habits hold them back from creating their dream life, while living in beautiful Bali.

I am not a professionally trained chef, but I am a self-taught home cook who loves good, delicious food and healthy cooking. I don't cook fancy gourmet meals -- I'm a mom after all -- so the recipes here are easy and wholesome.

Today I approach a healthy lifestyle with a gentle and respectful attitude. I have discover who I am beyond my mental, physical and emotional body. I have created strategies to for self-care to prioritize physical, emotional and mental well-being.

 I have realised that I am enough and has always been enough and that I am deserving of living the life of my dreams. And so are YOU!

 I'm here for you. I'll help you discover who you are beyond your mental, physical and emotional body, what your limiting belives are that is holding you back and be your biggest cheer leader to start living a healthy, fulfilled life filled with purpose and passion!

Namaste

Alka xxx