Hi! My name is Sarah Brenchley
I am a degree qualified naturopath, medical herbalist and nutritionist with further qualifications in life, mindset and health coaching.
I am also a woman in her 50's, who has experienced 10 years of perimenopause and has learnt from trial and error how to navigate this transition at a time when no one was talking about it. I started working specifically with perimenopausal women back in 2017 when it was not talked about and over the years I have seen it come out of the shadows. Now period health and menopausal health are in the mainstream (although we still have LONG way to go) and you cannot put that menopause cat back in the bag now! I am a licensed champion for Menopause Experts Group, an amazing global organisation that is dedicated to menopausal education services and products to help relieve and manage symptoms. They provide support and solutions to the negative experiences some women feel when going through menopause. They also advocate on behalf of menopausal women and offer training to corporate organisations to improve the experience of women trying to navigate the transition through menopause whilst trying to keep it together at work. I am also a licensed MenoChef facilitator providing recipes and nutritional education on how to use food to manage symptoms and ensure good general health.
I have been the Programme Leader for both the Diploma of Nutrition and Bachelor of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine at Wellpark College, NZ and have also been a clinical supervisor for both nutrition and naturopathic final year students. I am on the board of the Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of NZ (the only professional association for NZ Naturopaths) with a special interest in education, mentoring and research. I also work as a health coach/research assistant for Auckland University of Technology on a study looking at whether health coaching can reduce the risk of further stroke for those who have a history of stroke and cardiovascular disease (Trial of Individalised Intervention for the Prevention of Stroke (TIIPS). This has allowed me the opportunity to see first hand how diet, lifestyle and stress can impact long term health and how coaching and diet and lifestyle change can make a massive difference and prevent chronic disease. Considering postmenopausal women are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke due to the decline in oestrogen - what I have learned on this study has just fueled my passion.
I am married with 2 teenage children and live in my happy place - surrounded by trees and animals (my 2 favourite things apart from gin and coffee). I have 2 dogs, a giant bunny and a wild chicken.
Strengths
- Shared decision making – no agenda’s and no judgement whatsoever! I love creating plans in partnership WITH YOU & FOR YOU.
- Teaching – so you can take back control and be in charge of your health from an informed place.
- Making the complex simple. I love metaphors, analogies and stories.
- My sense of humour. After all laughter is medicine for the soul.
Qualifications and Awards
- Masters in Human Nutrition (current student).
- Graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition (Deakin University, Australia).
- BA (Ed) Hons – First Class (Reading University, UK).
- Bachelor of Naturopathy – Distinction (Wellpark College, NZ).
- Diploma of Herbal Medicine – Distinction (Wellpark College, NZ).
- Diploma of Nutrition – Distinction (Wellpark College, NZ).
- Certificate in Relaxation Massage & Specialised Therapies (inc. aromatherapy) (Wellpark College, NZ).
- Certificates in Yoga Teaching (Beginners, Intermediate, Natal & Kids).
- Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner Certificate (Transformations, NZ).
- Professional Life Coaching, Health and Nutrition Coaching, Mindset Coaching Certifications (Transformation Academy, USA).
- Program in Professional Health Coaching (Momentum Life Coaching & Training Ltd., NZ).
- Advanced Modules in Relationship & Group Coaching; Life Purpose and Career Coaching (Momentum Life Coaching & Training Ltd., NZ).
- Academic Excellence in Naturopathy Award (Wellpark College, NZ).
- Best Clinic Practitioner in Herbal Medicine Award (Wellpark College, NZ).
- Tohu hāpāio Award (for upholding the spirit and values of Wellpark College, NZ).
- Invited to join the prestigious International Golden Key Honour Society (the world’s largest collegiate honour society. Membership into the Society is by invitation only and applies to the top 15% of college undergraduate and graduate students).
Experiences
- Programme Leader and Senior Tutor for Bachelor of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine and Diploma of Nutrition at New Zealand’s Leading Natural Medicine College (2014 – 2019)
- Clinical Supervisor for Diploma of Nutrition (2019) and Bachelor of Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine, Wellpark College, NZ (2021 – 2022).
- Board Member of Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of New Zealand.
- Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) Committee Member for World Naturopathic Federation.
- MC for NMHNZ Conference, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
- Speaker at NMHNZ Conference, 2019.
- Regular columnist for Kumeu Courier and monthly contributing writer for Menopause Life magazine – Menopause Life
- Licensed MenoChef (R) facilitator and Licensed Champion for Menopause Experts Group (MEG).
What People Say
… The naturopath with a fairy heart… Sarah is one of the most inspiring health practitioners I have worked with because she keeps it so R E A L. Sarah understands that being human can be really tough sometimes, and she makes it her job to understand what it is you need the most. Leading with kindness and compassion, Sarah is all about prescribing achievable, realistic goals that empower you to feel you are making a positive change, every. single. day. There is no such thing as “messing up” or “failing” with Sarah. Her support will help you to fall in love with taking care of your body again, your way. Being a part of a group offered connection, encouragement and a place to share. In cheering for each other, I think we were all uplifted and inspired to care for ourselves more deeply. There is a special kind of power that comes from women empowering women.
I love working with you! Thank you so much for helping me to transform some of my habits into healthier ones, for making me accountable for what I do and giving me the tools to work with! I have been in a much better head space with my diet and general health since working with you. You are so positive and care so much about making positive changes that it makes me feel more positive, happy and encouraged!
I met Sarah through my colleagues' niece who was Sarah's student in one of her classes. I had an instant connection with her because she cared and didn't once judge me. She listened through my tears to my life story. I believed in what she said and how much passion she has in what she does. She taught me to see my inner beauty and to care for myself. I felt supported and nurtured the whole time. I told her what I didn't want and she listened and built a program for me as an individual. What I needed was a group support frame that when I wobbled there would be cheering and support. Sarah has shown me how to support myself. I loved my journey and will always be grateful for the things that I have learned about myself and food and exercise. I could write so much more...