A Chronic Entrepreneur: Mary-Anne Bennett
Mary-Anne Bennett is a Clinical Nutritionist who was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue in 2011. On her way to work one morning, she heard an advert on the radio about an open day for a natural health university, which had a course in nutrition. She went along, and enrolled on the spot. This was August 2014, 3 months before she turned 50. Fast forward to today, Mary-Anne has her own business, Adelaide Nutrition and Wellbeing, where she practices as a Clinical Nutritionist, and helps women heal from chronic illness. Read on to learn more about Mary-Anne Bennett’s inspiring story.
What’s your Chronic?
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Diverticulosis, Coeliac Disease.
What makes you an Entrepreneur?
I started my nutrition business with the goal of helping women heal from chronic illness and hopefully make some money too. Being an entrepreneur to me really just means taking a risk and putting yourself (and your finances) on the line to make a difference.
How did the path of entrepreneurship come to you?
Going to uni at 50 to study was about healing myself. But I realised during my time studying that there was more for me to do. I had a dream of helping others find the solution to their health problems, because I had to do it for myself. I had to be my own detective.
What’s your diagnosis story? How old were you?
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue in 2011 after years of going to doctors to try and find out what was going on. I had many long term health issues including migraines, digestive issues and chronic UTIs. I was 46 years old, I had 4 children and 3 grandchildren. The rheumatologist who diagnosed me told me there was nothing he could do to help me other than medication, and I would “just have to live with it for the rest of my life”. So I spent a few years going to different practitioners and trying to help myself heal, but after spending thousands I really wasn’t getting better. So on my way to work one morning, I heard an advert on the radio about an open day for a natural health university, about studying nutrition, I went along and enrolled on the spot. This was August 2014, 3 months before I turned 50. I didn't know if I could do it, I hadn’t studied since I left school in 1980.
So I spent 4 years studying part-time then full-time, and what I learnt helped me to heal myself and now I help my clients do the same.
Here is the link to my story that I wrote for LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-middle-aged-nana-qualified-nutritionist-my-illness-bennett/
What’s your frame of mind like at the moment? How have you survived the pandemic?
I am really excited about life right now. Business is steadily building and I am excited, knowing that I am making a difference one client at a time. I have big dreams, and I know I will achieve them. Because when I achieve them, it will mean I have truly made a big difference to many people.
When Covid hit last year, it meant I had to pivot and take my whole business online. I started (like everyone else) doing free webinars and just building my presence online. Though the pandemic is still affecting us all, it has meant I can spread my message further and I have been able to have clients interstate, which I would not have even thought of doing pre-Covid.
What have you learnt about yourself through this journey? How have you changed, if at all in your relationships, decisions, what you value/your life philosophy?
For me so far, the biggest changes have been personal. I had many underlying fears around success and putting myself out there. Fear around failure and money and childhood conditioning. I had a fear that if I was successful at business I would fail at parenting and would let my family down. And when my hubby retired, I had pressure from my family to just retire and be a “grandma”. But for the first time in my life, I was actually doing something for myself, I was me, not just a mum, nana and wife.
My biggest learnings have been around mindset and beliefs. My family now understands that I can have my dreams and vision for my business and be there for them too but I had to believe it first. Whilst my partner and my kids and grandkids will always be my priority, my business goals are what keep me excited about the future and how far I can go.
Did you go through any sort of 12-stages of grief with the diagnosis or take it in its stride? In other words, how did the grief process manifest itself – did you immediately reassess your life or was it more gradual?
I spent years trying to find a “label” thinking that knowing what disease I actually had would make a difference. I think the only grief I had was realising that the label meant nothing and the drs really still had no idea and no solutions. I did spend six months thinking I had no other options, but I guess it was more that I just needed to stop and give myself time.
What would you say to your ‘first-diagnosed’ self, or someone else who has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness?
NEVER GIVE UP- Learn all you can about your chronic illness, you are the person who needs to take control of your health. You need to understand that chronic illness is your body’s way of telling you to stop and take notice. There are three areas you need to look at - your genes, your diet and lifestyle and your toxic environment. And if you're stuck and don’t know what to do, find someone who does. And if you try one practitioner and it’s not working, try another, the answer is out there.
Are you on any treatments? What modalities are in your wellness team?
I have a great GP now, it took a long time to find one. I don’t take any medication. I eat an all natural healthy diet, gluten, dairy free. I take supplements for natural pain management and to support my health and my genes. I have regular hypnotherapy and reiki, as well as seeing a chiropractor and a physiotherapist. I do yoga three times a week and regular walking. And my favourite self care is having a soak in the bath with a good book.
What is a ‘bad day’ for you? How do you look after yourself on a ‘bad day’ or a day that is particularly stressful?
A bad day for me is usually if I don’t sleep well or wake with pain or a headache. I set my work schedule so I have time for self care in the morning - no rushing around to get the day started.
Who are your back up dancers?
My biggest support is my hubby. He loves to take care of me, cooks cleans, does dishes and is always there for me to talk to. My daughter is also a big supporter, she loves to spoil me and buys me lots of pressies.
Best & worst bits of being A Chronic Entrepreneur?
Best bit is knowing that I am my best asset, so I need to look after me or the business suffers. Worst bit, being unable to always do as much as I need to in my business. Pacing has definitely been something that I have to be aware of.
Are you a 5-year planner or are you winging it?
I am on the side of winging it. I think the last year has made me accept that going with the flow and adapting as required, is less stressful and better for me and my health. And I guess it helps just having the belief that everything in life happens if it's meant to.
What are your dream weekend plans and have these changed over the past year?
Hubby and I love fishing- we have our own small boat. So going away fishing is our ideal weekend plan. We have been able to do this mostly, but with more caution than before. We have been lucky here in South Australia, our lockdowns have not been long and extended, so internal travel is still possible.
Who are your ultimate dinner party guests, (dead or alive), and who would you seat on either side of you?
My ultimate dinner party list would be some of my natural medicine heroes, Dr Yael Joffe, Dr Christine Houghton, Dr Mark Hyman, Dr Datsis Kharrazian, Amanda Archibald, Dr Lara Briden, and I would like Christine Houghton and Yael Joffe on each side of me so we can discuss nutritional genomics.
What are you looking forward to in the next 6 months-1 year?
In the next six months, I am looking forward to my daughters wedding, my son turning 40 and my oldest granddaughter turning 18. In the next year I am looking forward to continuing to build my business and help as many clients as I can. To build my reputation and my connections in the natural health space so I can educate everyone- My message is simple- I want to dispel the myths around healing from chronic illness.
Where can people support you online?
Website-adelaidenutritionandwellbeing.com.au
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/adelaidenutritionandwellbeing
Instagram- @adnutwell
LinkedIn- www.linkedin.com/in/mary-anne-bennett
