My interview with Plant Sumo
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Plant Sumo Interviews Bea Lyus
2021-02-21
What is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift, and why? Or what are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life? I don't think I have given many books as a gift as they are so personal and you don't want to get it wrong when you are giving a heartfelt present. But if I would again, then I would do either Rhonda Byrne: The Secret and/or Paulo Coelho: The Alchemist. They are in the top 100 best selling books of all time.
What purchase of £/$100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)? My readers love specifics like brand and model, where you found it, etc Currently, we have a lockdown 3.0 in the UK at the moment so going to shops again would be wonderful, but impossible. My latest investment was into some Tropic products as I love their ethos, they harm no animals, they support education in vulnerable countries and they rate really high on the "Think Dirty" app, i.e. there are no nasty chemicals, toxins, parabens and SLS in them. I am so surprised but their products actually work. In order to get Tropics, you need an Ambassador that can sell products onto you. If you don't know one, just go on YouTube and google Tropics Ambassadors, I have seen some of them advertise their videos there with shopping opportunities. My favourite is their Skin Feast facial cream or their Rainforest Dew serum for dehydrated skin.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do? (If helpful: What questions do you ask yourself? Get outside and head to be surrounded by some greenery. Spending time in nature has got amazing benefits to the mind. Deep breathing is another one I would do or recommend, like belly breathing.
What are the bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise? I hear a lot of "just eat those biscuits, it really doesn't matter how much carbs you are eating a day, as long as you are happy". I always ask myself what will happen when after all the biscuits their blood sugar drops? Surely a nutritionist should know better that it will further invite more cravings.
In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life? Practicing gratitude helped me a lot, to be thankful for my life, family, opportunities, friendships and of course, my true calling to help people with their health. Finding the thing that floats your boat is also a big one for me out there. Sometimes it's not mindfulness, yoga or running which can help you through the difficulties, we are all different so if it's collecting antiques, knitting, wathcing old movies, then that is yours. You just have to find the one where you can immerse yourself in something so much so, that you forget about time. That's what you would need to do more of.
What's your favourite vegan meal? It has to be a joint win amongst vegan shepherd's pie. lentil dahl with brown rice and aubergine gratin with courgettes.
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc. My worthwile investment was to dedicate time and study naturopathic nutrition. The insight & knowledge I got out of it, helps me to become the best person, live a fuller, longer and healthier life and at the end of the day, I can say I am really making someone's life better by educating them about their health and nutrition. It has certainly a ripple effect, the more people I can reach the more people I educate, the more people will become healthy as my clients will pass on the positives to their household and the whole family will eat better and healthier.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions or billions — what would it say and why? It could be a few words or a paragraph. (If helpful, it can be someone else’s quote: Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?) The following quote: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND ALL THAT YOU ARE. KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING INSIDE YOU THAT IS GREATER THAN ANY OBSTACLE - by Christian D. Larson.
When did you first become a rebel? (e.g., dropped out of school against your parents' wishes/start a project no-one believed in?) I have always been brave in my life, I guess when I decided to move and live in another country in my mid-twenties. :-)
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours? I think the key point is not to take failure personally. Failure is only feedback, or life's way of telling you that there is a better way of doing something.
Tell us about your business. What does it do and what value do you add? I'm a registered nutritional therapist and use natural remedies and therapies for all things connected with the mind, brain and energy. I have created a name, The Mind Solution to encompass what I do, and my experience is that almost anything to do with our mental and physical wellbeing can be effectively improved with safe, natural therapies. I help people by first finding the problem, by looking at diet and lifestyle factors, then using scientific testing to understand one's body’s nutrient profile and how it responds to different foods. I then design a therapy programme using food as medicine, supported with nutrient supplements and lifestyle changes, backed up with health coaching, emotional support and wellbeing exercises. To best answer, if people are feeling down, struggling to sleep at night or stay energised and focussed during the day, suffering from brain fog or forgetfulness, or chronic fatigue, their life is getting out of control, they are in the best hands with me.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would probably study hypnotherapy and practice body, mind and soul together.
Where do you see your industry in the next 5 years? I hope in the next 5 years, nutrition becomes a more mainstream priority and nearly every person would have a nutritional therapist to ensure a healthy, happy and long life - as opposed to only people with a condition coming to see me to get fixed. There is no diet which cannot be optimised further. :-)
How do you feel about artificial meat products and its role in vegan/vegetarian-ism's growth in the coming years? If the question refers to meat substitute products as opposed to lab-grown meats, I think that they have an insufficient level of protein for a balanced and healthy diet.
How has Covid-19 changed your industry? It shifted consultations from face-to-face to online.
How has Covid-19 changed your company? It broadened my horizons to think nationally rather than locally.
What's your favourite vegetable? My favourite vegetable is kohlrabi. It is such a shame that it is so rare here in the UK.
What did you have for breakfast this morning? Avocado smash with hard boiled eggs on sourdough toast and a Rooibos tea.
