Nat Kringoudis likes to call herself a ‘hormone revolutionist’ aiming to shake things up in the way women think of their hormone health and to inspire positive changes. Nat chose the path of alternative medicine after several years studying biosciences, as she constantly felt she needed answers and wasn’t getting them from conventional medicine. She set out on a quest to better understand the body and landed in Chinese medicine. Apart from being a mum and devoted wife, she is an acupuncturist, author, speaker and all-round natural fertility expert. Nat is also the founder of Melbourne women’s health clinic The Pagoda Tree, and producer of HealthTalks TV.

“Fertility is SO much more than pregnancy. Being more ‘fertile’ can actually improve your general health and well-being.”

“It’s fair to say that I love life and helping women tap into their supercharged well-being,” she tells Neos Kosmos.

NK: Why did you move from traditional medicine to a naturopathic philosophy?

The deeper I looked, the more I discovered what we didn’t actually know. I love that it is an all-encompassing health morality that is all about the individual rather than treating symptoms, actually looking at the root cause. Over the years I have tried to step it up and integrate the two. Understanding the body from a physiological perspective and meshing that with Eastern medicine has been a game changer for my patients. Chinese medicine is very left of centre, so essentially it’s important to be able to look at a health condition from all angles which I feel it allows me to do alongside the rest. I feel as though it’s the icing on the cake in really making a difference to somebody’s life.

NK: How do you manage to combine family life and so many professional activities?

I think it comes with growth and the ongoing need to know more. What’s more, Chinese medicine really taps into the emotional side of health. I went through a period of time where I was hit with an influx of women experiencing fertility issues around 8 years ago, and so it motivated me to really dig deep into women’s health and hormones which really has been the stand out point to date. That’s where I tapped into fertility. In doing that though, I also recognised the need to reach out to young women, to educate them on hormone health so they could make informed choices to influence their long term fertility. I figured if I could fix it before it was broken, we could tackle the infertility epidemic. I also love to communicate which led me to writing and speaking – that really ignites something inside me, communicating to people on a larger scale. I think it helps that I love to talk.

NK: You are the founder of Melbourne women’s health clinic, The Pagoda Tree, and producer of HealthTalks TV. What does your role in each involve?

The Pagoda Tree has been in operation for almost 11 years and has been servicing not only women and men of Melbourne but all around the world which has been such a delight for me. To be able to individually lead people to greater hormone health and help them take the reigns of their well-being is such a gift that I am very grateful for daily.
In my clinic I wear several hats as owner and director. I assist in staff management alongside a wonderful in-house management and admin team, mentor our younger practitioners and of course treat patients myself. As for HealthTalks TV, a couple of years ago we set out to make great wellness TV program that was available for all to view. Little health snippets to really encourage people to implement practices, tips and tricks for a healthier life. The show took us to places we never imagined and really helped to propel each of our careers in the wellness industry. With the passing of my beautiful co-host Jess Ainscough, HealthTalks has taken a long holiday but I really do hope we can continue again soon. It’s a costly exercise to create quality TV but something that I knew was helping people immensely.

NK: You say you can make women’s hormones happier than a Pharrell Williams song. What do you mean by that?

To women, hormones are everything. We can have the best diet and lifestyle in the world but if our hormones are sending mixed signals, then it is a disaster. To lead women to greater hormone health is a sweet thing and that’s certainly my vision. I want women to feel like as good as they can, strong, healthy and vibrant. We all deserve that much.

NK: What is hormone ‘debunking’?

Laying aside the mis-truths and the confusion of our health ongoing. We love to blame ill health on our hormones but what does that truly mean? Many of us don’t actually know. I like to provide women with as much information as I can toward their health so that they can make informed health choices. It’s certainly not about preaching or judging but more so sharing information so that we can each make choices based on what feels right for us individually from a place of education, rather than guessing or being lead in the wrong direction. Innately we each actually know what’s right but sometimes for whatever reason we can make choices out of fear when it comes to our health, which long term isn’t always ideal.

NK: Does a change in lifestyle actually help women get healthy and override serious problems related to the thyroid, cervix, ovaries and so on?

Lifestyle certainly is one aspect. I guess lifestyle encapsulates diet and hormone health which if you can get these things sorted is your best chance at tackling illness. Of course medicines save lives, no question, but it is what you do each and everyday ongoing in your own home that counts most.

NK: Is an e-course sufficient or effective enough to properly educate women about their health?

I have created several e-courses and e-books, as I have written conventional book to help women gain more information for themselves. I’ve got courses about ovulation and PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome). Other courses aim at helping women to manage or overcome the hormone challenges by becoming more aware on how their diet and thyroid health may affect hormone balance. Being a professional and a mother, I have to realise the detriment of everyday stress on our lives; something we certainly aren’t taught to manage but affects our hormones tremendously. It is worth mentioning that many women haven’t had to worry about their cycles because of the pill which is a game changer when it comes to natural fertility and conception.

*For more information head over to www.natkringoudis.com.au