From googling “what’s a naturopath?” to becoming a naturopath in Wagga
TL;DR:
I was recently a guest on the Students of Natural Health Podcast where I shared how I went from Googling “what’s a naturopath?” to studying naturopathy full time, volunteering overseas, and launching my practice as a naturopath in Wagga Wagga. In the episode, I talk about what it really takes to study naturopathy, build confidence as a new practitioner, and and why I’m now so passionate about helping students study more effectively and sustainably.
How I became a naturopath in Wagga (and what it really takes to study naturopathy)
People often ask how I ended up becoming a naturopath.
As a teenager, I became interested in nutrition and natural health (influenced by my mum). One day, I was reading a blog from my favourite nutritionist at the time, and she mentioned naturopathy. I had never heard the word before, so I googled it.
Herbal medicine, nutrition, lifestyle, wellness… it felt like someone had described my personality in a career.
After finishing year 12, I considered career pathways like teaching, psychology and dietetics - jobs that the majority of society would approve of and would offer secure employment. But deep down, I knew that natural medicine was my passion. I remember listening to a podcast one day (I found it here: How to find your calling on the Crappy to Happy Podcast). Listening to this podcast on my drive home, I had a moment of realisation that the path forward was to follow my passion for natural medicine. I told my mum straight away and she suggested I do some work experience first. From there, I eventually started studying naturopathy at Endeavour College in Sydney for four years full time.
My degree was a mix of on campus learning and a big shift online during COVID, filled with double speed lectures, endless flashcards, last minute assignments, and the gradual realisation that I did not need to know everything to be on the right path. Along the way, I learned that becoming a naturopath is not just about loving natural health, it is grounded in anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, research, and hands on clinical training, all of which taught me how to think critically, practise responsibly, and truly understand the body rather than just talk about wellness.
My degree was a huge personal development journey for me, emotionally, spiritually and physically. I learnt how to truly care for my body and to support the people around me with natural medicine.
A moment that changed how I saw my role
During my degree, I volunteered in Fiji on a public health and nutrition project. We conducted basic health checks and delivered education in communities with high rates of type 2 diabetes and limited access to care.
It was the first time I truly felt, that my skills could make a real difference - even as a student.
That experience deepened my commitment to natural medicine and service to others.
Read more about my volunteering experience here.
How to study naturopathy more effectively (without burning out)
During my degree, I worked as a Peer Assisted Study Session leader, supporting first and second year students in foundational subjects like anatomy, chemistry and research skills.
Through this role I realised that we are never actually taught how to study.
Everyone is capable, but without the proper systems it can feel too hard.
I loved helping students build efficient habits, organise their resources properly, and navigate the workload without burning out. That passion is why, in my first year after graduating, I dedicated time to building structured study resources to help students be proactive, strategic and confident in their learning journey.
If you’re currently studying naturopathy and feeling overwhelmed, you can explore my study resources including my free masterclass to get you started.
The real effort behind the title
I graduated at the end of 2023 and launched my practice in 2024. What most people don’t see is the business learning, mindset work, mentoring, and late nights that come after the degree.
Today, I practice as a naturopath in Wagga Wagga, offering both in-person and online consultations across Australia.
Being a naturopath is not just about being holistic or alternative. It’s the responsibility to share relevant, evidence-informed advice. It’s investing in ongoing education. It’s becoming a confident business leader so you can actually reach and support people. And it’s having the humility to say, “I don’t know yet, but I’ll find out.”
If you’d like to hear the full conversation about my journey, study tips, volunteering in Fiji and building a practice from scratch, you can listen to the podcast.
Let’s connect
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Looking for more?
Explore my services here.
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📧 info@oliviagracenaturopathy.com.au
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