Nutrition Course Tutors

Courtney Myers

Courtney is the author of our Plant-based Nutrition Advanced Module and is an expert in the vegan and plant-based nutrition space.

Courtney completed her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics with first class honours. During her honours degree, she published her study in an international nutrition journal. Courtney uses her experience in research to provide evidence-based nutrition advice to her clients.

Courtney created her own business named ‘Nourished by Plants’ as she has a passion for supporting clients to adopt and maintain a plant-based diet that is nutritious, delicious and sustainable. She understands that everyone has their own unique needs, preferences and lifestyles and tailors all health and nutrition recommendations to suit. Courtney has been vegan for many years herself so she understands the struggles that come with following a plant-based diet and lifestyle, which she believes allows her to empathise with her clients and collaboratively create a plan that will greatly benefit their health and wellbeing.

Courtney also has experience working in the social media space (e.g. Instagram), has been a guest on multiple podcasts such as the Planty Podie, has collaborated with Youtube personalities, completed menu reviews for plant-based meal delivery companies and hosted nutrition workshops for gyms. She enjoys working with vegan businesses and individuals to spread evidence-based messages about vegan diets and lifestyles.

Outside of work, Courtney enjoys spending time with friends and family, visiting vegan friendly cafes and restaurants, going to the gym, walking, listening to podcasts, watching sports, attending live music events and spending time outdoors.

Get to know Courtney

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into nutrition?

I went through my own weight loss and health journey as a teenager, which sparked my interest in health and fitness from a young age. Straight after high school, I became a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and when it came time to choose what to study at university, nutrition naturally stood out to me. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry and nutrition throughout my degree. I loved gaining a deeper understanding of how the body works and how nutrition can influence health and wellbeing, and I was eager to graduate and begin putting everything I had learned into practice in the industry.

What inspired you to become a tutor?

I was really drawn to the opportunity to support and provide feedback to students studying a subject I’m so passionate about. I had some wonderful teachers throughout school and university who had a positive impact on my learning, and the opportunity to pass even a little of that support and encouragement on to others really appealed to me.

What are some essential skills or qualities that every nutritionist should possess?

I believe a nutritionist should be warm, approachable, empathetic and friendly, which will creating an environment where clients feel comfortable talking openly about their health, lifestyle and challenges. They should also have strong attention to detail, as this is essential when assessing a diet for nutritional adequacy. A nutritionist should be genuinely motivated to support each client, with a strong understanding of nutrient requirements across different age groups and stages of life. They should also have strong communication skills to make sure their advice is practical and clear, so the client knows exactly what they need to do with confidence.

Do you specialise in a certain area of Nutrition?

Plant based nutrition including both vegetarian and vegan diets.

What is your teaching philosophy when it comes to nutrition?

That nutrition is not one-size-fits-all. Every individual has different needs, preferences, lifestyles and schedules, so being able to adapt advice and recommendations to suit the individual is key.

What are some key skills and knowledge areas you focus on in the course?

Motivations for following a vegan diet, nutritional adequacy, the core food groups to prioritise, nutritional requirements, nutrients of concern on a vegan diet and common myths and misconceptions of a vegan diet.

What is your favourite part about being a tutor?

Identifying when students have genuinely understood the course content and can apply their knowledge effectively. I particularly enjoy seeing students confidently explain what constitutes a balanced vegan diet and then put that knowledge into practice by creating a meal plan that reflects those principles.

What advice would you give to new students?

Take your time learning the course content and speak to others around you (e.g., friends or family) about what you are learning. This is a great way to identify if you have a thorough understanding of what you are learning and can communicate this effectively to others. Also ensure you look into the requirements of the assignment in depth before submitting it.