From Education to Empowerment: Finding the Subject I Was Always Meant to Teach

Hi, I’m Alice Monk - a Nutritionist, in-person gym instructor, and online 1:1 coach, with a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition.

From a young age, I was inspired by educators, which naturally led me towards a career in education. Initially, I was drawn to primary education; however, I’ve always been curious about digging deeper into the “why” behind behaviour, learning, and development. Studying Early Years and Special & Inclusive Education allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how and why children enter primary school with such varied needs, experiences, behaviours, and relationships with learning.

After university, I worked as a cover teacher in a secondary school, where I was often asked, “Would you ever teach a subject yourself?”My answer was always honest: “I’d love to teach - I just don’t know what.”

I enjoyed subjects such as media studies, sociology, and physical education, but none of them resonated strongly enough for me to commit to teaching them alone. There was always a sense that something was missing - a subject that truly aligned with my values, interests, and desire to make a meaningful impact. Alongside this, I spent a significant amount of time working closely with the pastoral team, supporting children with SEND and those presenting with more challenging behaviours. It was there that I became deeply interested in behaviour change - understanding why behaviours existed, how environments, routines, and support systems influenced them, and what needed to shift for progress to happen. Looking back, this curiosity around behaviour, habits, and individual needs is exactly what later drew me to nutrition.

That clarity came when I discovered my passion for nutrition and began to understand the power of food - not only physiologically, but psychologically and socially too. Nutrition gave me a subject that combined science, behaviour, society, and real-life application. It wasn’t just something to learn; it was something to teach, live, and share. Much like education, sustainable nutrition is never about simply telling someone what to do - it’s about understanding why current patterns exist and how to reshape them in a realistic, compassionate way.

My background in early years and inclusive education now plays a central role in the psychological work I do with clients. It allows me to support individuals in understanding themselves more deeply, exploring their habits and lifestyle with curiosity rather than judgement, and recognising how past experiences can shape present behaviours. My approach is rooted in empathy - having compassion for your previous self while still wanting to grow, evolve, and make positive, sustainable changes moving forward.

Completing my Master’s in Human Nutrition has enabled me to ground this work in evidence-based practice, ensuring clients feel both supported and informed. And that evidence-based approach feels more important than ever.

Nutrition requires nuance. There is a huge amount of noise online: from supermarket walkthroughs designed to shame food choices, to fearmongering around fortified foods (despite their vital role in preventing population-wide nutrient deficiencies and supporting public health), to more “what I eat in a day” videos than most of us have had hot dinners. While trends around nutrition, wellness, and the so-called “clean girl” era can be inspiring, they can also become exclusionary - subtly reinforcing the idea that health is about perfection, aesthetics, or who can afford the “cleanest” ingredients.

This is exactly why I built my online presence as ‘Alice your Nutritionist’. I want to be a trusted, approachable voice in a space that can often feel overwhelming and elitist. Someone you can turn to for real, evidence-based advice that fits into your life - without it costing a fortune or requiring a complete lifestyle overhaul. Good nutrition should be accessible, flexible, and realistic, not something reserved for a select few.

Now, I’m incredibly grateful to bring all of these interests together through fitness coaching, 1:1 nutrition support, collaborating with brands I genuinely love, and creating educational content that helps people feel more confident, informed, and empowered in their everyday choices.

In many ways, I didn’t step away from education - I just finally found the subject I was always meant to teach.

Advice for the SheConnects Community

1. Get curious about the why, not just the what.Whether it’s nutrition, career decisions, or lifestyle habits, lasting change doesn’t come from rules alone. Understanding your routines, triggers, and patterns is often the first step towards meaningful progress.

2. You don’t need perfection to move forward.Progress is built through small, consistent actions, not extremes. Sustainable change rarely looks impressive online, but it’s the kind that actually lasts.

3. Have empathy for your past self while still wanting more for your future self.Every decision you’ve made has been shaped by the information, support, and circumstances you had at the time. Growth doesn’t require guilt - it requires compassion.

4. Be mindful of the ‘noise’ you consume.Not all advice is designed to help you. If something leaves you feeling fearful, ashamed, or “not enough,” it’s worth questioning whether it deserves your attention.

5. Connection changes everything.Surround yourself with people and communities that encourage honesty, learning, and confidence (like attending SheConnects events). When women support one another, progress becomes far less isolating and far more empowering.

Simple, Evidence-Based Nutrition Foundations

Supporting your health doesn’t require extremes or expensive products - just a few consistent foundations:

• Stay hydratedRegular fluid intake supports energy levels, digestion, and concentration. Water, teas, and sugar-free drinks all count.

• Get morning sunlight where possibleMorning light exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythm, supporting better sleep, energy, and appetite regulation throughout the day.

• Aim for balanced meals so, build meals around:

• Protein for satiety and muscle health

• Carbohydrates for energy and brain function

• Healthy fats for hormone and nutrient absorption

• Plenty of fruits and vegetables for fibre, vitamins, and minerals

• Prep ahead and embrace leftoversPreparing meals or snacks in advance (or simply cooking extra portions) reduces decision fatigue and helps consistency during busy weeks.

• Take a vitamin D supplement as recommended by the NHSIn the UK, adults are advised to consider a daily vitamin D supplement, particularly during autumn and winter, to support bone, muscle, and immune health.

How I Support Women Through Nutrition & Coaching

Today, my work centres around helping women build a healthier, more confident relationship with food, movement, and themselves - without extremes, guilt, or unrealistic expectations.

I offer 1:1 nutrition coaching and fitness support, both in person and online, working with women who feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice, stuck in cycles of dieting, or unsure how to apply nutrition in a way that actually fits their lifestyle. My approach is evidence-based, inclusive, and deeply personalised, focusing on behaviour change, habit-building, and long-term sustainability rather than quick fixes.

I support clients to:

• Build confidence by showing up for themselves, even on imperfect days

• Develop consistency with food, movement, and daily habits

• Understand their eating patterns and routines without judgement

• Create balanced, realistic meals that support their goals and preferences

• Feel good, look good, and feel more comfortable and confident in their clothes

• Navigate busy lifestyles, digestive conditions, or past dieting experiences

• Build habits they can maintain long after coaching ends

  
  

If you’re looking for support that prioritises understanding, empathy, and long-term change, rather than perfection, I’d love to help.

When women are met with empathy, knowledge, and genuine connection, confidence grows - and meaningful, lasting change becomes something they never have to navigate alone.

You can find me on Instagram: aliceyournutritionist

You can contact me directly via email: hello@aliceyournutritionist