With over a decade of experience in high-pressure jobs, moving across countries, and establishing her own PT studio, she understands the toll of a busy lifestyle on one's health. After suffering from chronic burnout, and a range of debilitating symptoms, she embarked on a journey to become a nutritionist. Specialising in helping individuals with chronic health conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and autoimmune issues, she focuses on personalised nutrition and lifestyle adjustments to restore vitality and well-being.
Mirela Simic, Nutritionist and Personal Trainer
Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
Hi, I am Mirela Simic and I'm originally from Croatia, and I moved to Sydney in 2009. Not long after my arrival, I became a mother. Adapting to life in a new country, its unique lifestyle and its climate was quite challenging in the beginning. My ex-husband and I decided to open a personal training studio shortly after we settled in Australia. We believed in the potential of our fitness venture and were dedicated to making it work. However, after a few years we decided to go separate ways in the business and personal relationship.
Despite the personal challenges, I decided to continue working with clients as a personal trainer. The demands of motherhood, the stresses of relocating to a new country, and the rigours of running a business eventually took their toll on me, leading to a burnout.
It was during that challenging period which lasted more than three years, characterized by chronic fatigue, body aches, memory lapses, digestive distress, insomnia, severe anxiety, and an overwhelming inability to function, that I truly grasped the toll this high-stress lifestyle can take on our well-being. My journey towards healing and recovery led me through consultations with various medical specialists and naturopaths, but none provided the solutions I sought. Frustrated by the lack of answers, I decided to embark on a transformative path, ultimately becoming a nutritionist. Through years of dedicated study and the practical application of my knowledge, I achieved significant improvements in my health and discovered effective strategies to manage my debilitating symptoms.
This response provides a comprehensive overview of your life journey and the challenges you've faced, which will help the readers get to know you better.
What is your business name and how do you help your clients?
"My business, 'Melas Nutrition and Training,' takes a comprehensive approach to assisting our clients in achieving their health and fitness goals. Specializing in personalized nutrition plans and offering a variety of fitness training options, including personal training and small group classes, my team of skilled personal trainers and I work closely with each client to set and attain their specific objectives. We primarily focus on working with women who are in their late 30s and beyond, tailoring our training services to their specific needs. However, as a nutritionist, I extend my expertise to both men and women, providing guidance and support for a broader audience. We are dedicated to educating them on proper nutrition and exercise, providing continuous support and accountability throughout their journey.
Moreover, we closely monitor their progress and offer guidance on overall health and wellness. Our holistic approach ensures that our clients receive the guidance and resources required to lead healthier lives. As a nutritionist and personal trainer, I have a particular focus on helping individuals facing chronic health conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and autoimmune ailments. My mission is to empower these individuals with the knowledge and tools to better manage their health conditions and regain their vitality.
In my practice, I place a strong emphasis on rejuvenating well-being by optimizing nutrition, addressing specific nutrient deficiencies, and implementing lifestyle modifications as needed. Tailoring my approach to each individual's unique needs, my goal is to bring about lasting and positive transformations, enabling my clients to regain control over their health and experience life to its fullest."
What is some advice you offer your clients that you practice and believe in?
I'm a strong advocate for a balanced approach to nutrition, portion control and the inclusion of a diverse range of foods in my daily diet. Additionally, I firmly believe in the value of personalized supplementation based on individual DNA profiles and OAT (Organic Acids Test) results to enhance overall health.
In terms of exercise, my fitness journey has evolved. While I once had a passion for running and weightlifting in my youth, I now find myself favouring lower-impact workout routines. These routines blend elements of Pilates and yoga with integrated resistance training, offering a gentler yet effective approach to staying fit.
I place a significant emphasis on the impact of stress on our health and well-being. Managing and reducing the impact of stress is one of my top priorities. I strongly believe in the influence of one's mindset on their overall health and life. To nurture mental well-being, I actively practice mindfulness. These principles, which I wholeheartedly embrace in my own life, form the foundation of the advice I provide to my clients to assist them in achieving their health and wellness goals."
How do you balance consistent study and development/work/being a mother/friendships?
As women, we juggle numerous roles in our lives, including being mothers, tending to family needs, maintaining friendships, excelling at work or running our businesses, handling household chores, and taking care of our children, especially when they're unwell. What I've discovered is that to successfully manage all these responsibilities, it's absolutely essential and non-negatable to prioritize our own health, mental health and well-being.
I maintain a simple and practical approach to life. I avoid overthinking, focus on taking each day as it comes, prioritize essential tasks, and avoid getting caught up in minor details. My passion for what I do makes my work enjoyable and less like a chore, which greatly helps in creating a balance between consistent study, personal development, work, being a mother, and nurturing friendships.
Lastly, any two tips that you feel would make an instantaneous difference if people were to start it from today?
I have a broader range of tips, but if I were to highlight just two that could bring immediate changes if started today would be to make sure you get adequate and restful sleep each night. Quality sleep is essential for overall well-being, energy, and mental clarity. And forget about strict diets that eliminate groups and focus on a balanced approach to nutrition.
