Rhi Hepple Naturopath
I became a Naturopath because of how it had transformed my health and I was passionate to help others to heal too.
In 2010 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. I would suffer with very painful swelling on my legs as well as inflammation in my lymph glands, especially in the groin area. I was fatigued, depressed, breathless, had tingling and numb toes and suffered with panic attacks. I spent 2 years of going through the conventional route and being on steroids, pain killers, sleeping pills etc.
Despite the medication, I was still suffering and in pain and because of the medication I was suffering with a lot of side effects which made my digestive symptoms worse. Some days I was in so much pain I would crawl around the house, because the weight of standing up was too much.
I was in my early 30s, a mum of two boys under the age 5 and thinking; “is this it?”. “Am I to be living the rest of my life like this?”. I felt so disconnected and ashamed of my illness and deeply unhappy. I would put on a mask of coping but it took so much energy to do this and I would feel totally drained. I was missing out on so many joyful moments with loved one, with my children. I was missing out on life.
I was also concerned about the effects of living a life on medication, so I was desperate to look for an alternative. I had to, for my two young boys. I needed to be well for them and I needed to be well for ME. This was when I discovered Naturopathy and Nutrition.
In just a few months, I was able to see a remarkable improvement in my symptoms and wellbeing and was soon able to slowly come off my medication. I started to transform my health, to reconnect with my body and learn how to love and nurture myself to good health.
I was so inspired and eager to learn more, I signed up with The School of Naturopathic Nutrition to do a Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition. As I already held a qualification in anatomy and physiology I studied with them for 2 years. This was a healing journey for myself which dramatically changed my life, my lifestyle and helped many friends and family. I learnt so much and I was amazed at how much healing and rebalancing of the body you can do with nutrition and naturopathy. I learnt so much about myself too, I am more ME than I have ever been.
I was so delighted to qualify in 2016 and be able to help others to be inspired and empowered to improve their health too. After a few years of working in a clinic with clients, I then went on to continue my studies and qualified as a Specialist Naturopath.
Since then I have been drawn to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and wanted to understand how we can use food as medicine to support our individual constitutions so that we can further personalise our nutrition and lifestyle practices to build health, vitality and immune resilience. I qualified as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Advisor from The Ayurveda Academy in September 2023.
I had previously worked in the health and beauty industry since 2000. Initially working in editorial and then the Marketing Manager of a spa called The Urban Retreat at Harrods in London and Website Editor for Beautybible.com. I became a Reiki Master Practitioner in 2005 and went on to study Indian Head Massage and Reflexology.
I look back and think what a gift my illness has been for me.
I believe I needed to be ill to learn how to heal myself. To truly love and respect the amazing healing power our body has so I could empathise with those in the struggles of illness. And to have the capacity to inspire people to take their own steps onto their own healing journey.
Living in nature
I moved to Lymington from Pembrokeshire in 2015 and set up my practice here in the New Forest. I am now able to work fully online so I can see clients all over the UK and have even worked with clients in Europe and America. The wonders of technology!
I launched my first online course; The Natural Gut Reset, in April 2021. In 2023 I joined the renown Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa as their resident Naturopathic Nutritionist and offer 1-2-1 consultations, run the Reset, Revive, Rejuvenate programme and also offer a number of workshops and retreat days there. I am also now the Wellbeing Coach for the staff at Warner Music.
I am a happily married mum to 2 teenage boys. I enjoy yoga and meditation and hikes in the New Forest or by the sea. We also love to paddle board and windsurf. I love living in the forest and by the sea and I feel utterly blessed to be in the heart of so much nature and beauty.
In 2024 I launched Healing Kitchen Supper Clubs with The Tinkers Granddaughter in Lymington. A healthy supper club to learn and be inspired how you can use food as medicine.
My qualifications
Homeobotanicals Therapist - Association of Naturopathic Practitioners - Debs Kerlake - 2024
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Advisor - Practitioner Conversion Course- The Ayurveda Academy 2023
Applying Ayurveda - 66 hours - The Ayurveda Academy 2023
Peri/Menopause Masterclass - 12 hour CPD course Health Masters Live 2022
An Introduction to Ayurveda - 33 hours - The Ayurveda Academy 2022
Diploma in Specialist Naturopathy - School of Naturopathic Nutrition 2020
Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition - School of Naturopathic Nutrition 2016
Diploma in Reflexology - West Shires School of Complementary Health 2014
Anatomy & Physiology - West Shires School of Complementary Health 2014
Hopi Ear Candles - Zodiac Complementary Therapy Training 2014
Indian Head Massage - Zodiac Complementary Therapy Training 2013
Reiki Master Practitioner - Jan Lawler Usui Reiki Master Teacher 2005
Reiki Level 2 - Lynn Hubbard Usui Reiki Master Teacher 2003
Reiki Level 1 - Lynn Hubbard Usui Reiki Master Teacher 2003
BA Hons in Fashion Promotion and Journalism 2000
