Kaytee Boyd on Optimising Health

Kaytee Boyd has been involved in the Health and Wellness industry for over 25 years. She has a double degree in Human Nutrition and Sports Science. Kaytee's a member of the Nutrition Society of NZ, a foundational partner of MINND (specialising in Autism), and an advisor on the Board of the Breast Cancer Network Foundation.

As a retired athlete, Kaytee lives and breathes healthy living. She has two busy clinics in Auckland and heads weekend masterclass workshops for patients, nutritionists, dietitians, healthcare staff, and the wider community.

Today we're privileged to catch up with Kaytee to learn her tips and tricks for living a health focused life.

What does health & wellbeing mean to you?

Mental or physical? 😉

Mental - Well, we really can’t prioritise and spend energy with our physical body if our mental health is not optimal. So I absolutely see mental health as a cornerstone for the capacity to then focus on taking care of the rest of out human “suit”.

Physical - For some of us, we don’t really know what health is until we lose it, or our body starts to tell us. One of the greatest gifts of all is our ability to have great energy, mental clarity, a regular menstrual cycle without much PMS, and no aches and pains. A vital, exuberant, fully functioning body and mind that goes #2’s at LEAST once a day!

Health and wellbeing means being able to live a full, long and happy life, with an astute mind and memory; without the restrictions of movement or pain. And the ability to do what ever we wish.

Why did you start your personal wellness journey?

I was hospitalised at a young age, and it was due to my poor diet. At the time I was racing BMX and we were heading to the world championships in Australia. That was a turning point for me at around 12. If I wanted to perform well I needed to start eating healthier foods.  I ended up taking a job at the local gym and as a teen took aerobics classes before school.

What three things are a must for you to feel happy and healthy?

One: Every 6 months I re-evaluate my needs and values, what am I doing, what serves my purpose?

It has hands down been one of the most powerful tools to help me remember what I am working for, who I am, and what kind of people I want to surround myself with. (see at the end of the blog how to get a copy of this awesome tool)

Two: A morning routine. Absolutely critical for the rest of the day to be awesome. The night before, I write in my journal three things I need to do for:

• my work e.g. complete a plan for a client, learning modules I am missing in my “tool box”, constructing new recipes etc. 
• my personal life e.g. call a friend/family member, audiobook on self improvement, plan a date night with my man.
• my physical body e.g. goal to drink 2 L filtered water (not my favourite thing!), exercise plan, I am huge on a low toxin environment so my toiletries and food reflects that. Things like, I am running out of EVERKIND deodorant? Need to order more!!

In the morning, I go back and read over it. I write a little more about how I am feeling or whatever comes up, and then have a glass of water with lemon and straight into exercise. It sets me up to have a RAD day. 

Three: I realised quite early on in my life that I am most happiest when I make sure I tick these boxes.

• Challenge (am I being stretched enough mentally, values-wise and physically?)
• Novelty (something new! A trip away, new food, different environment, meeting new people, learning a skill) -
• Creative expression (pink hair, a bright outfit, dancing/surfing/handstands!!!)
• Social connection (face to face, phone calls, adventures OUTSIDE with people I love and care about)

What are the simplest changes people can make when they’re first getting started?

Get started on living a healthier life.

I work a LOT with cancer patients, and it will come as no surprise to the Everkind tribe that 95% of cancer is environmentally related.

If we want to look at our environment. What is the easiest thing to start with?

• Water and air quality. Do we need a water filter?
• What are you putting on your skin? Start with what covers the most surface area or has the most amount of toxic load and swap them out one by one.
• Start growing your own food. Hands down.

You run some amazing workshops in Auckland, can you tell us what they cover?

We WERE before Covid! All over the Pacific like Niue and even in Franz Josef. I will be looking at running everything from burn-out, surf and cancer retreats from 2023 in Northland.

What has been the biggest learning for you from running the workshops?

How utterly amazing the participants that invested time and energy into themselves are. That over the 20 + years of being in the industry the basic fundamentals around health and wellbeing remain the same.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Worry wastes your life.

Life is soooooo short. What you will regret is weeks or months of the kind of mindless, self-destructive ruminating worrying that is just so destructive. You are going to wish you had that time back. Stop worrying so much. At the end of your life, what will that worry actually mean? 

And finally, tell us your current favourite healthy recipe?

The simplicity of seasons!!!

Asparagus steamed with fresh butter and Celtic salt, chia berry jam, zucchini fritters - I LOVE them all!

Kaytee Boyd's Raspberry Chia Jam

Ingredients:
3 c of fresh or defrosted berries
6 Tbsp filtered water
Lakanto or stevia to taste
2.5 Tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions:
Soak the chia seeds in water for 10 minutes.
Place all ingredients in a blender and process for around 90 seconds.
Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes to set.
It should keep for up to 2 weeks in fridge.

I loved catching up with Kaytee, and I hope you've enjoyed it too! This raspberry jam is AMAZING. I've made it three times in the last week. 🥰

If you'd like to connect with Kaytee and learn more about how she can help you, head over to her website . 

Also, if you'd like a pdf version of Kaytee's needs and value tool, send us a note in the comments form below, and we'll email it to you. 

Until next time, take care! 💖