After many years in the jewellery business one thing I have noticed is that most of the jewellery I make and sell is bought by women. Long gone are they days of having to wait for a man to give you jewellery. Many of those women today buying jewellery for themselves, are doing it because it’s very rewarding in a natural kind of way. Many do it treat themselves, to praise themselves or even to motivate themselves. My aim with this series is to highlight these women who are strong and independent enough to commission their own pieces, to find out what inspires them and keeps them motivated.

First up in my inspirational women series is: Tina Lond-Caulk. Tina is the founder of “The Nutrition Guru”, she is a woman on a mission : She is dedicated to educating young children and students on the benefits of cooking for yourself and is a practicing nutritionist.

Tina joined the team at Charter Harley Street, a leading London day addiction centre in 2009 and enjoys helping transform people's lives by giving informative, educational workshops about the importance of nutrition as well as counselling clients on a one to one basis, to help them achieve improved health and wellbeing

Why did you choose to be a nutritionist?

I have always been interested in food as medicine, I had bad acne as a teenager and noticed that when I ate certain foods my skin would improve eg. fresh walnuts which have high levels of anti inflammatory omega 3 healing fats. That really inspired my own reading and learning about nutrition. It was wonderful then to go onto study BSc in Nutritional Medicine at university and understand what certain foods do to heal our bodies and how we can use nutrition as a therapeutic tool for our health and wellbeing and to prevent diseases.

Why did you choose to go the route of talking in schools?

After graduating with a BSc 1st in 2003, I was extremely fortunate to be offered a job in Harley Street at a leading integrative medical centre The Health Doctors clinic.  I have worked with them for the past 17 years part time and joined Charter Harley Street – an Addiction clinic in 2009. Through my work at Charter Harley Street working with young people with eating disorders and alcoholism, I developed a series of educational wellness talks and workshops for senior schools. I feel hugely passionate about educating young people on the importance of nutrition for their mental and physical wellbeing. I give talks on how food affects our moods, motivation and concentration, boosting immunity, optimising wellness and creating energy all day long, the gut-brain axis and so much more. I spoke to over 20,000 young people in schools in 2018 and I hope to write a book to compliment the Food for Life programme  I’ve created. 

What have you learned from teaching nutrition in schools?

I feel strongly that nutrition should be part of the national curriculum as well as teaching children and teenagers cooking skills. Our UK highly processed diet can create so many health problems including diabetes, skin conditions, fatty liver, heart disease, diverticulitis, IBS and IBD and so much more. Truly what you feed yourself every day will impact every aspect of your wellbeing, your mental health, whether you have vitality and energy every day and can influence whether or not you get certain diseases in the future. In my clinics I meet so many people with all manner of health problems that are all preventable with improved nutrition.

What inspires you?

Thats a difficult question, I am inspired by so many things.  I am a big foodie and cook obviously, love painting and art, I’m obsessed by travel and never tire of new destinations and meeting new people and truly LOVE life and sharing my knowledge and helping as many people as possible live their healthiest lives with passion and purpose. 

How would you define your jewellery style?

I love jewellery that makes a statement! I have so many pieces from Militza that are exceptionally special and every time I wear them people comment on how gorgeous they are and they can tell they have been hand made as they are so stunning. I wouldn’t choose anyone else to make my jewellery for me. She is so talented and completely understands my needs. If I want a gift for myself she’s my go to girl.

Any special jewellery “memories”?

I do have a really special jewellery story for you. Back in 2003 when I got my first job after graduating I walked past a jewellery shop in Marylebone High Street on my way to work each day and saw the most stunning Blue Topaz chunky statement ring in the window. I thought I would save up for it and never mentioned it to anyone. On Christmas day that year I opened a christmas present from my husband and it was that exact ring from that jewellers. It was extraordinary how he could have known that was what I had had my eye on for a few months and just happened to wonder past that shop himself and thought Tina would love that. That was so special and a great surprise.