This interview series is about professionals and why they do what they do. As you know I am a coach and an occupational therapist and I spend my days learning about what other people do, what motivates them, what doesnt, what their interests are, how they got to where there are and how all of this impacts on their health and wellbeing both positive and negatively. People fascinate me, I love to work with people and facilitate them towards individual, team, health, professional goals.
This series provides you with a little bit of insight into different individuals and what they do, what is important to them, what frustrates them. If you have any questions for the professionals that you read about do not hesitate to contact them via their provided details or their websites.
RENEE HUBATKA – Acupuncturist
Business – Seed For Life www.seedforlife.com.au
1. What attracted you to open your business?
I had a vision of helping people with their health and well-being from a young age. After completing my bachelors in health Sciences and Acupuncture I had to make that vision come to life. I have worked since, creating a healing space and environment to encourage just that.
2. What Services do you offer through Seed for Life?
Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Cupping, Chinese Dietetics and health and wellness coaching.
3. What are the different environments that you work and offer your services?
I offer two environments. One is the clinic operates out of a Gym in Burleigh Heads and the other a home clinic. Both environments harbor a relaxing feel to help the nervous system calm down.
4. How has your business evolved?
In a business sense, I have evolved from contracting to an already established clinic to starting my own clinic. This has been a real jump into the depths of it all and I am really enjoying it. From a treatment perspective, my practice is always evolving as new information is becoming available in the Acupuncture and Chinese Medical field. The development in scientific research of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine on various conditions has really evolved and with that comes the evolution of parallel treatments.
5. What interests you most in your area of practice?
Change. Definitely change! I think when you see a patient in pain, feeling ‘stuck’, suffering from a condition and you see the change in them, this interests me most. I have specialised and taken special interest since starting in practice to treating womens conditions such as; hormones, fertility, pregnancy and post-partum care.
6. What disruptors do you see having a major effect within the industry in which you work?
In recent months private health funds have cut most natural health modalities from their claim lists. Although Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is still claimable we have had to scientifically prove ourselves as a modality to stay on the list (this isn’t such a bad thing as it keeps the trust in the profession). However, with the lack of other funding available it does make it less affordable to some.
7. What do you think the draw to more esoteric services is indicating about society?
I think the draw comes from necessity. I think that society is now moving into a new health conscious state. I believe people are thinking more about the cause of conditions, rather than masking the symptoms. I have found that with the increase in social media platforms that information about esoteric services has been increased and listened to.
8. What do you bring to your client’s that is unique and you know makes a difference?
I think one point of difference is designing the treatments to work with mind, body and spirit. I use additional techniques such as coaching and teaching methods to reduce stress on a daily basis.
9. What book are you reading at present?
The Conscious Parent- By Shefali Tsabary. I highly recommend for any parents.
10. What do you do to take care of yourself so that you can turn up for all the roles that you are involved in your life?
Firstly, meditation every day for at least 20 minutes is a non-negotiable! I believe that self-care is also about identifying what areas in your life really matter most to spend your energy and what are your boundaries. I set times without a phone and spend undivided time with our family and our daughter. I also believe a well balanced diet and drinking plenty of warm water daily is a necessity. I do something I want to do everyday- it can be as simple as stopping by the beach for 15 minutes, but it is a daily necessity.
11. What is one thing on your bucket list you intend to do soon? And why?
Build my own clinic. We are currently in the council approval stage of building a new clinic. I believe the space you enter for healing matters and I have always had a vision to create exactly that- a space with a lovely healing feel. This is a massive bucket list tick for me and can not wait to share it.
