Sarah Burgin Health

The deeper I go into my nutrition studies, alongside my life experience, the more I realise something important: knowing the science is only half the story. The other half, and often the harder half, is behaviour change.

Most people already know the basics. They know vegetables are good, they know water matters, they know too much sugar or processed food isn’t ideal. But knowledge doesn’t equal action. And action, real and lasting action, is where the change happens.

As both a student and a parent, I am constantly reminded how messy real life can be. No one lives in perfect conditions, and even with the best intentions, routines and priorities often get pulled in different directions. Sticking to good intentions is not always straightforward. That is why connection matters so much. The more I learn, the more I believe that our ability to meet people where they are, to understand their motivations and barriers, is the key to helping them succeed.

As I look ahead to my final year, this is what I want to strengthen in myself: the ability to walk alongside someone, not just give them advice. To make them feel heard and supported. To help them build habits that truly fit into their lives, instead of making them feel they have failed if they cannot follow rigid rules.

For me, behaviour change isn’t an extra skill. It is the skill. It is what turns all the knowledge we learn in textbooks into something that actually changes lives. That is the kind of practitioner I want to be: someone who sees beyond the nutrients and numbers, and focuses on helping people create change that lasts.

When I think about the future of our field, I don’t see it being defined only by new research or guidelines. I see it being defined by how well we, as practitioners, can connect. And that is the difference I want to make.