Grace Hughes
Founder of Santélle NaturopathyHello I'm Grace, a degree-qualified Naturopath, passionate health educator, nutrition and herb nerd, and yes, an unapologetic coffee lover.
My health journey started at 15, when my skin started to breakout. Overnight I went from normal teenager worries (like getting that A in French and whether the cute boy from the school social would text me back) to all I could think about was my skin.
My mum and I tried everything - we tried Proactiv as recommended by Justin Bieber, we tried all the skincare products recommended from dermatologists and the Dolly Magazines, the dairy-free diet, the gluten-free diet. You name it, but nothing worked.
But the worst part of how this affected me was that I wasn't living as a teenager should. I don't have captured memories from that time because I was so self-conscious I refused to have photos taken of me. I avoided the foods that all my friends would be eating and I had no confidence in myself and the way that I looked, even though looking back now, I was beautiful enough - I just couldn't see it.
So after trying all the natural things, I went on Accutane. My dermatologist promised me there was a very high chance it wouldn't come back. However, for me it did come back as an adult. At that point I felt really hopeless because I thought that was the last resort and there was nothing else left.
I also had debilitating period pain that took me to the emergency department a couple of times, only to be told "why are you even here?" And fatigue that meant I was acting like I was 60 years old - knitting, crocheting, going to bed at 8pm when all my other friends in their 20s were going out to parties and celebrating. I was just missing out on everything.
Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy)
Registered with ANTA
How I Found My Way to Naturopathy
After seeing multiple doctors and specialists without any answers I became so desperate that I ended up studying nutrition, which then led me to studying naturopathy. It was the only thing that worked for me. Whilst originally I didn't really believe in naturopathy (thanks Wikipedia), after learning about the increasing science behind its approach and learning about the Naturopathic Principles I realised it literally is what our current health care system is missing!
Don't get me wrong - our healthcare system is incredible at putting out fires. If we have broken bones, a cardiac arrest, or any life-threatening emergency, we're so lucky in Australia to have access to a free and amazing healthcare service.
However, when it comes to chronic conditions like acne, fatigue, PMS, period pain, and IBS, many of us who seek support from our GP are often left feeling dismissed. You're rushed through a 10-minute consult, given limited treatment options (usually medications that come with side effects), and there's no conversation around diet and lifestyle - which are often driving or contributing to these conditions.
That's why I became a naturopath. I wanted to be that person who has the time to really listen, who can be your personal detective invested in your health journey. Someone who can dig deeper to find out what's actually going on and address those gaps that aren't being addressed by modern medicine - like diet and lifestyle factors that, if left untreated, often manifest into bigger health issues down the track.
I also wanted to provide other treatment options that can come with fewer side effects and additional health benefits, giving you more choices for your health.
It was focusing on these things myself that finally helped me get to where I am today.
Why I'm Telling You This?
Because I've been there. I know what it feels like when someone says "oh, you're too young to feel tired." I know what it feels like when you're sick and tired of seeing all these glowy skincare trends on TikTok and people recommending products that you've already tried and spent $1000s on, only to still see no results. I know that your period pain has made you dread that time of the month and you've wasted so many weeks of your life to PMS and debilitating pain.
Your struggles are real. Just because things haven't worked doesn't mean nothing will - you just haven't found the right approach yet.
Here's My Promise…
I won't see you for 10 minutes and hand you something you could get from the internet. I won't make you cut out every food or take 15 supplements "just in case." I won't be putting you on expensive skincare products for life - money that could actually be put towards a trip to Europe.
I'll treat you like the complex, busy human being you are. Someone who may not like to cook, who's struggling with work and kids and doesn't have time to meal prep, who doesn't necessarily enjoy meditation - we'll find something that actually works for you.
You're not just another appointment - you're someone whose life I genuinely care about. I care about your results just as much as you do. I'm your personal cheerleader.
Ready to Start Living Your Life?
If you're nodding along thinking "finally, someone gets it," let's chat. If you don't want to be in the same position 10 years from now, if you're wanting to change your story then this is your sign. It will literally cost you $0 and 15 minutes of your time to figure out whether I'm the right person for you and whether we can change your story together.
