Today we are thrilled to be chatting with Nat Kringoudis, a bona fide women’s health revolutionist and fertility fixer with a big heart for natural healthcare. We couldn't think of anyone more fitting to be featured on the website, especially with Mother's Day fast approaching, as Nat is the pure picture of health, wellness and all things mama bears!1) Tell us a bit about your career. Describe a day in the life of you!
I’m a Dr of Chinese Medicine, a speaker and an author - so that question really depends which day you get me! I own and direct my clinic The Pagoda Tree, a hub for women’s health here in Melbourne. I get to practice my TCM and integrative treatments there for my patients which I love! As time has gone by, I have realised that what really makes my heart sing is sharing health and wellness information and helping women get a good sense of their own health so they can make informed decisions. So with this, I’ve stepped into speaking and writing to help share this vital message, to really shake it up for women and have them understanding themselves. My passion really is for young women to have the chance to get to know their bodies, to assist them into their fertile years.
2) What inspired you to follow the career path that you did?
Oh now that is a very good question because I kind of feel as though it was decided for me! After nearing the end of my very first degree (Bachelor of Health Sciences with a bio-science stream) I felt as though it didn’t really take me to where I wanted to go and I had a lot of unanswered questions. I somehow found myself studying Chinese Herbal Medicine after some mucking about (I originally thought I was doing Naturopathy) and stuck with it until I opened my clinic around 11 years ago – The Pagoda Tree. I once vowed never to treat women’s health but life had other ideas and after an influx of women wanting help with fertility, I decided I needed to lift my game and be the best at the lady part stuff! So I invested so much time and energy into learning as much as I could about integrating TCM (acupuncture and herbal medicine) with modern knowledge of the body to really come up with a winning formula. And then as life would have it, I followed on this path to soon to have the revelation as I released my first ebook (which is now all grown up as my published book Well & Good) that what if, I began reaching out to young women before things were broken, to pave the way for changing up the way we approached our health as women and get clued up to make well informed choices about our health – made perfect sense to me! I’ve been holding on tight with this rollercoaster ride and it’s been nothing short of magical.
3) Describe a day on your plate.
I’m an eggs woman - feed me eggs and I’m one happy woman! So I’ll generally start the day with a couple of poached eggs. Lunch is typically soup, fish or a delicious curry and dinner we love slow cooked meals, soups and stews. We are very lucky, my mother in law who is greek cooks for us a lot of an evening - I’ll never say no to somebody else preparing my meals! That said, I do enjoy getting into the kitchen. I rarely get a chance to snack at work, since I’m generally on my feet until I pick up the kids at 3:30pm from school.
4) Why do you think toxin-free beauty is the way to go?
Toxins in our beauty products and skin care (alongside all conventional household products) are a disaster for our hormones. They raise our oestrogen levels, as our bodies see the chemicals as oestrogen like (xenoestrogens which mimic our body’s own oestrogen). This can severely push our hormone balance out, contributing to a host of issues like Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, some cancers, endometriosis to name a few. Toxin free is absolutely the way to go.
5) Who do you look to for inspiration?
Not only do I totally look up to my wellness peeps (Jess Ainscough, Sarah Wilson, Madeline Shaw, Samantha Gowing, Dr Libby etc) but I am inspired by savvy business women like Rachel Zoe and Arriana Huffington. Women who lead with heart - that’s what I love to see.
6) What do you think makes a woman a natural beauty?
Charisma, whit and integrity. Like I said, a women that leads from a feminine place is a woman not to be messed with!
7) What is your mantra; which quote do you swear by when it comes to feeling happy and successful?
I have a mantra. †œI am empowered and euphoric, making a difference in this world.† It’s on my phone reminders and it flashes up daily at 11am. It’s a constant reminder of who I am and who I continue to strive to be.
8) What is one beauty product you never leave the house without?
Mascara. I never ever leave without mascara. It’s my absolute must.
9) What are your tips for healthy, radiant skin?
I’m a wild fan of oil cleanser. For years I stripped my skins natural oils and could never work out why I continued to make more pimples! Changing to oil has been amazing - oil dissolves oil! I’m also a massive advocate for hydration. I draw on the benefits of tea and water not only for cleansing but for hydrating!
10) Which products from www.lukbeautifood.com do you think are the perfect tools for creating a stunning, glowing makeup canvas and why?
My skin tone is quite uneven, so for me it would be drawing on the wonderful benefits of a natural foundation just like the 100% Pure Healthy Skin Foundation, followed by creating a healthy glow with golden peach to add some definition to cheeks. Of course 100% Pure Black Tea Mascara and a lick of Luk Beautifood Lemon and Mint Lip Nourish and I’d be one happy camper!
11) What makes your mum so special?
She’s one of a kinda, she loves me unconditionally and truly one of the most dedicated woman to her family that I know. If I can be half as good as she is, I’ll be very happy.
Got a question for Nat? Leave a comment natural beauties x
