The year I graduated with a degree in Medical Radiation Science (Diagnostic Radiography), my Dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma with secondary brain cancer. For a fit and extremely healthy human, it came as a devastating shock to our family.

Over the years that followed, Dad embraced every aspect of his treatment plan under the guidance of his specialist team, including multiple brain surgeries, radiation treatment and immunotherapy. Alongside this, he made significant changes to his lifestyle — improving nutrition, prioritising movement, managing stress and sleep. We incorporated natural, alternate therapies with his conventional treatment, and tackled every aspect of his health.

Today, more than 10 years later, you will likely find Dad walking, riding, swimming and socialising — living a very full and active life. He has stable brain tumours and has been free from conventional cancer treatment for over 4 years. Watching Dad fight Stage IV cancer, a seemingly grim prognosis, sparked my interest in Naturopathy and continues to inspire my work. It reinfored my belief that the two worlds of medicine can, and should, co-exist.