Mala McAlpin There are now less than four weeks left until BEAUTY & SPA Insiders – SPA+CLINIC’s first ever industry event, co-hosted alongside Professional Beauty. The event will be a unique summit for spa, salon and clinic practitioners and business owners alike, with inspiring topics and a fresh, interactive platform unlike any other. Registrations are still open and tickets start at just $395.
The programme is available online, where you will find a stellar line-up of industry speakers, and we wanted to give you the chance to get to know them a little better before seeing them grace our summit stage.
Chiza Westcarr, from Nutritional Skincare Academy, will be speaking on the topic Beauty From The Inside Out.
Chiza is a university qualified nutritionist and skin specialist. She began teaching in 2000, imparting current, nutrition and skin-relevant information to Medical Practitioners, Nurses and Skin Therapists alike. Chiza has developed a reputation as an extremely engaging, knowledgeable speaker with a real passion for all things skin and nutrition, recognising the real connection between gut health and skin health and she is often invited to write for magazines as well as speak nationally and overseas on various skin health-related topics.
In recent times, Chiza’s focus has turned to clinical consultation with a particular focus on gut health and a strong belief that the health of the gut should be the starting point to restore health and wellness. Skin conditions, weight management, lethargy and bloating are just some the health concerns Chiza works with.
Her impressive list of credentials include – CIDESCO, ITEC Hons., CIBTAC, B.Business Studies, Bachelor of Health Sciences (Clinical Dermal Therapies), Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Advanced Dip. in Nutritional Medicine. Chiza created and runs the Nutritional Skincare Academy, providing online and face-to-face training for skin specialists wanting to learn more about the role that diet plays in skin health.
Tell us why you’re looking forward to speaking at BEAUTY & SPA Insiders
Anyone who knows me will confirm that I jump on any opportunity to educate and empower! There are so many incredibly amazing speakers in the lineup that I can’t wait to listen to and be inspired by. It will be great to be amongst like-minded people from industry.
Tell us your daily routine in a nutshell
I’m an early bird and my eyes typically ping open at 5.30am. I lie there for a bit, hitting the mute button on my alarm clock until about 5.45am, then get up and go to the gym most days for an hour or so. It’s tough getting up, but the effort is so worth it. I’m not a coffee drinker so my gym workout gets me going. For breakfast I will either have a smoothie or I’ll fast ’til lunch time. Depending on what day it is, I might then hop on my computer and respond to enquiries about the courses I offer through my academy, The Nutritional Skincare Academy. I might be preparing material for classes, writing magazine articles, consulting in clinic in my role as a Nutritionist or working as a Dermal Clinician. I love that my days are unpredictable and so varied.
What is your favourite treatment/service to provide and why?
I don’t think it’s necessarily a treatment or service..;I think it’s the initial consultation process because it allows me to completely understand the clients’ needs, which is key to helping them achieve their goals. In my role as a Nutritional Medicine Practitioner, I most especially love helping clients with poor gut health and inflamed skin conditions as both have a very close dietary link. I set out a realistic plan that we review along the way. The satisfaction you feel when you know you have improved another human’s health and outlook on life is beyond measure.
What do you love most about your job?
I’d have to say the variety. No two days are alike! I work as a Nutritionist as well as a Dermal Clinician, and I run my own academy – The Nutritional Skincare Academy. I run classes for skin professionals, focusing on skin health, as well as the dietary link to inflamed skin conditions. I feel blessed that I also get to work hands on and give realistic advice to those who sign up for my classes, empowering them to go back to their clinics and implement all the suggestions discussed. The difference they make to their clients’ skin health and their excited feedback from their clients upon implementing the suggestions, is absolutely why I created the Nutritional Skincare Academy in the first place.
Name someone who inspires you and why?
Hmmm. that’s a hard one… there are so many that I draw my inspiration from but I’ll go with my father. A man with an incredible work ethic, self-discipline, integrity, and determination. His motto, among others, when we were growing up, that serves my siblings and I to this day, was ‘no one ever died from hard work, always give and do your best’, and he has lived by that, always giving his uncompromising best. I find that as he is getting on in years, bless him, that self discipline is still very evident. He is my yardstick when it comes to what I want from a partner, which might explain why I’m single! Haha!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Firmly placed providing my courses to a global market! My goal is to have instructors working alongside me and bringing with them their own expertise to further enhance the learner experience. I also hope to have a book out and products to support what I do.
What is your top tip for separating business and pleasure?
You’re asking the wrong person. I struggle to be honest… I find that I am always working on my business, constantly researching to update and improve upon what I teach. Exercise, spending quality time with my family and catching up with friends…oh and cooking, give me immense pleasure!
Your greatest achievement to date?
I’d say making the decision to leave a secure job that I loved, to go out on my own and create a space where I could teach skin specialists about my obsession, the importance of adopting a holistic approach and understanding first, then explaining to a patient or client, the real link between diet and inflammatory skin conditions.
Favourite quote?
People don’t always remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
Something you would say to your 20 year old self?
Don’t be scared to fail, and if you do fail, then try again. Always be daring, and open to trying new things! Live and love life!
