Haley Lealand is a former nurse, beauty therapy tutor, and qualified nutritional therapist with a passion for helping people build healthier relationships with food and their bodies. A graduate of our online Nutrition course at The Nutrition Institute, Haley has turned her own health journey—including losing over 40kg—into a thriving career supporting others on the path to sustainable health. Through @hjnutritionnz, run in collaboration with her sister’s business @empowerfitnz, Haley helps clients build realistic, lasting habits without restrictive dieting.
In this post, we’ll explore Haley’s journey from nursing and beauty therapy into nutrition, how her own weight-loss experience shaped her approach, and how her studies with The Nutrition Institute have helped her turn that passion into a career. Join us as we discover her “North Star,” her favourite wellness habits, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Image Source: Haley Lealand from @hjnutritionnz.
I’m a former nurse, beauty therapy tutor, and qualified nutritional therapist with a passion for helping people build healthier relationships with food and their bodies. Having personally lost over 40kg, I understand the challenges of creating lasting lifestyle change, and I now enjoy supporting others to achieve sustainable health without restrictive dieting. My approach is centred around creating realistic habits that fit into everyday life and empower people to feel their best.
Not many people know this about me, but I always dreamed of being a singer. As a child, I regularly competed in solo singing competitions and loved performing on stage.
My own health journey sparked a deep interest in nutrition and the powerful role it plays in overall wellbeing. During my time as a nurse, I saw firsthand how lifestyle factors can impact long-term health, and I wanted to gain the knowledge and skills to support people in a more preventative and holistic way.
I also teach nutrition to students enrolled in the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) programme at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT). Sharing evidence-based nutrition knowledge with young minds is something I am deeply passionate about, so furthering my education felt like a natural next step.
Both. I wanted to deepen my own understanding of nutrition while also gaining the skills and confidence to support others professionally on their health journeys. I work alongside my sister, Rochelle, who is a qualified personal trainer and strength coach at EmpowerFitNZ. Completing the Diploma of Nutrition has allowed us to combine our expertise and offer a more comprehensive approach to supporting our clients’ health and wellbeing goals.
Yes. My background as a nurse and current role as a beauty therapy tutor gave me a strong foundation in health and wellbeing. My personal weight-loss journey also provided valuable insight into behaviour change, habit formation, and what it truly takes to create sustainable lifestyle change.
Image Source: Haley Lealand from @hjnutritionnz.
My days are a mix of teaching beauty therapy, supporting my clients through @hjnutritionnz, creating educational content, developing meal plans, and prioritising my favourite part of the day—lifting heavy at the gym.
I love helping people understand nutrition in a way that feels realistic, achievable, and sustainable, while balancing my work, family life, and my own health practices.
I love simple, balanced meals that include plenty of protein and vegetables. Nourishing bowls, hearty salads, and easy family-friendly meals are some of my current favourites. My husband, Ben, is also a fantastic cook, so I’m very lucky to have plenty of delicious options to choose from at home.
Prioritising protein, strength training, spending time outdoors, and focusing on consistency over perfection. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that small habits, repeated consistently, often have the greatest impact over time.
I’m always looking for nutritious, high-protein meals and healthier twists on family favourites that are both practical and enjoyable. As a busy household, we’re also big fans of one-pot meals—they’re true lifesavers!
Image Source: Haley Lealand from @hjnutritionnz.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning to look beyond calories and understand nutrition within the context of the whole person. I also really enjoyed learning more about behaviour change and the many factors that influence our relationship with food, health, and wellbeing.
My North Star is helping people create sustainable habits that improve their health without feeling restricted or overwhelmed. I believe nutrition should enhance life, not take it over. When people learn how to nourish themselves with confidence and flexibility, lasting change becomes possible.
I would love to see people move away from the idea that health requires perfection. Food should be viewed as nourishment, enjoyment, and connection, not something to fear or constantly control.
I believe sustainable health is built through consistency, balance, and self-compassion. It’s not about following extreme diets or striving for perfection; it’s about creating habits that support both physical and mental wellbeing for the long term.
Image Source: Haley Lealand from @hjnutritionnz.
Compassionate, supportive, and determined.
Most people are surprised to learn that I’m a singer. I spent many years competing in solo singing competitions when I was younger, and I still have a love for music today.
Via Instagram at @hjnutritionnz, in collaboration with @empowerfitnz.
Haley’s journey is a testament to the power of turning personal experience into purpose. Her practical, compassionate approach to nutrition, shaped by her own health transformation and years working in healthcare and beauty therapy, has helped her clients build habits that last, without restriction or perfectionism.
If Haley’s story resonates with you and you’re passionate about making a meaningful difference through nutrition, it’s never too late to start your own journey. With the right education, dedication, and a clear vision, you too can transform your own health journey into a successful and fulfilling career. Let Haley’s path inspire you to help others build sustainable, realistic habits for life.
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