WEN would like to applaud Members who have had great wins, overcome obstacles, used innovative approaches or made other strides as an entrepreneur and who are ready to share their tips with you!
We are delighted to showcase our WEN premium member Neelam Daswani, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and Founder of Neelam Pure Health
Business Nature:
Neelam Daswani is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and a graduate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She specialises in guiding clients to implement dietary and lifestyle practices that address the root cause of imbalances and disease, helping them to heal their bodies and optimize their overall wellness. She provides one to one coaching sessions, working alongside the Functional Medicine Practitioner, to guide individuals with their health plans. She works to help them not only balance healthy eating habits and exercise, but she takes a holistic approach on health, such as stress management and sleep optimisation.
Business Start Date:
January 2020
Tell us what made you take the entrepreneurial plunge?
I am a Japan-born Indian living in Hong Kong and the founder of a successful boutique PR agency, Purebuzz.
The protests and COVID were challenging as PR was brought to a halt.
Over COVID, my dad ended up in ICU post-bypass surgery and I found myself embracing a more holistic approach during his recovery. This difficult time also motivated me to return to school and I became a certified Health Coach through the Integrated Institute of Nutrition (NYC). I have always been very passionate about health & nutrition and hence was able to welcome this new career! I love, love working with people and making positive changes in their well being and life, it’s a huge sense of an accomplishment seeing clients and patients change for the better!
What does your Company do and how is it unique?
Health is BIO INDIVIDUAL, My services are all personalised. I work with client on their individual needs and health cannot be a cookie cutter solution. What works for a women in menopause is not the same as what works for a 30 year old.
Over the coaching, I review one’s food and health history and share valuable insights into progressing towards one’s health goals, including current food intake and lifestyle. I suggest some areas to focus and prioritise to be your best self in order to maximise your energy, improve your sleep and overall health.
Areas covered are:
- Adequate protein intake
- Understanding hidden sugars
- The inclusion and importance of healthy fats
- Review of supplements
- Quality of sleep
How do you transform a challenge into an opportunity?
After PR came to a halt over the protests and COVID, I decided to take a break, dig deeper and understand my ‘IKIGAI’
This is a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living. I am very happy as I’ve totally found my ikigai. My clients and friends see how passionate I am about my coaching…and I feel like I have truly found my ‘ikigai’!
Where do you see your company in the next 3 years?
I hope to work with corporate wellness programs and possibly start some group coaching to branch out beyond just the 1 on 1. I have also just completed a degree in HORMONE HEALTH, I plan to continue educating myself in the FUNCTIONAL space.
What are your top tips to share with other women entrepreneurs?
– Magnesium Nightly
Even though Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body, you might not have enough! Magnesium, for men & women alike, is vital for over 300 biochemical bodily functions ranging from
- Regulating mood
- Hormone health
- Supporting sleep
- Muscle recovery and nerve function
- Stress & cortisol levels
- Energy production
- Constipation & Cramping
– Protein rich breakfast – Go savory for breakfast
Eating healthy is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. I encourage everyone to start their day off with a high protein breakfast with a source of fat. A savory high protein breakfast will curb all sugar cravings one may have during the day, as it helps balance sugar levels. In general once needs anywhere between 1-1.5 grams of protein for every kilo of body weight, hence planning meals around protein is key. Make sure to eat from the trifecta, FAT, FIBER & PROTEIN for all 3 meals. Starting your day of with cereal, bread and oatmeal is a big no no , as you will end up craving more sugar throughout the day!!
– Daily Mindfulness
I aim to go for a GONG or Crystal Singing Healing Session once a week. Scientific evidence suggests that certain forms of sound therapy prompt damaged humans DNA strands to repair themselves Some tones may even promote vitality and healing. I also take 10 mins out of my day daily to meditate. I most prefer to do this at around 3-4pm in the middle of my day. Helps me reset, re-charge for my day ahead. The Latin root of the word “meditation” is the same as the root word for “medicine.” The simple yet profound practice of meditation allows us to experience inner contentment and balance, bringing healing and relief from the stress of daily life – a form of medicine.
One thing women should do more of?
RESISTANCE TRAINING!!!
Muscle is a powerful longevity organ, specially once you reach menopause.
Building our muscles through strength training is a very effective way to combat the side effects of perimenopause.
And unlike anything you’ve heard, strength training does not mean “bulking up” as we do not have the testosterone levels for it to happen easily! Instead, strength training will help you get lean and strong, and it has countless other benefits too!
Busting the “bulk up” myth for women, I can’t emphasize enough on how important it is for women over 40 to begin Strength Training!
Muscle is like a “power suit” that keeps your spine and joints upright and supported. As we get older and muscle declines, bone loss and occasional aches and pains become much more common, specially if you’re transitioning through #menopause. Hence why Resistance (or Strength) Training is one “super habit” that you should definitely follow that helps support you through this phase.
