Natural Health Heroes

In an overly clean and sanitised world, is it possible that we have become too hygienic?

Laila Helena was born in Adelaide but lived for 12 years in Brazil, where her parents established one of the country’s first permaculture centres. Homeschooled and taught to venture outside to gather plants and herbs, naturopathy was a natural career choice for Laila.

Paramedics was Dannielle Illingworth’s first study choice when she finished high school in Adelaide. But she quickly realised she was more interested in preventative health than emergency medicine and dropped out of university.

Fate determined Bridget Backhouse’s niche in naturopathy when a space became available for her within a skin clinic.

Building a strong immune system involves many key components, including a well-balanced gut microbiome. The commensal bacteria and other microbes do more than simply shield and crowd out potentially harmful microbes; they play an active role in the development and maintenance of the immune system in the gut and beyond.

As Gina Ulrich’s family has expanded, so has her nutrition business. With four children ranging in age from baby to teenager, Gina manages the evolving dynamics of home and business by reminding herself to practice what she preaches.

When Vicki Yap-Khaw and her husband moved their young family to Adelaide, it was an opportunity to re-consider what they wanted to do in life. For Vicki, the door opened to a whole new career in healing.

Rebecca (Bec) Harwood lived the fast-paced lifestyle of events but knew she couldn’t stay in it. When she moved from Tasmania to South Australia, she came across Endeavour and leapt into full-time study. That decision propelled her into a new career and personal wellbeing.

Belinda Felstead and Vera Lukic came to the study of naturopathy from different careers. Paired together to support each other in Endeavour’s student clinic, they realised they had the makings of a successful business partnership.