“Even though all the medical tests came back fine, I knew something was wrong,” Darren said. “I had energy, gut, immune, skin and mental health issues. I felt lost, and after seeing many doctors, the naturopath was the first person to listen to my concerns and guide me in the right direction.”

Inspired by his experience and subsequent research, Darren enrolled in Nutritional Medicine at Endeavour in Adelaide. He later transferred to Naturopathy to broaden his career options.

“I heard an ad on the radio for Endeavour’s Open Day and went along,” he said. “At the college, I felt like I was in a room full of my people. It resonated with me, so I decided to give study a go. I figured even if I didn’t become a practitioner, the knowledge would still benefit me.”

“The first year was tough, and at first, nothing made sense. I had never enjoyed high school. I scraped through with Cs, and the only subject I failed was science,” he said. “I was told that I’d never go to university and should do a trade.”

Things were different at Endeavour. Darren found he enjoyed the course, so he kept going. “The lecturers were wonderful, and they and the friends I made encouraged me to keep going. Studying opened my mind to a whole new world. I graduated with high distinctions at Endeavour.”

Darren is unsure why more men don’t consider naturopathy as a career, although he recognises he has a competitive edge as there are not as many male practitioners in the industry.

“There’s no reason for just females to study this degree, but perhaps male students have the same misconceptions I did about natural health. My advice to other men is, give it a go and see where it takes you. Even if you didn’t do well at school, you can make something of yourself.”

By the end of the course, Darren knew he wanted to be a practitioner. “Even though the student clinic was anxiety-inducing, I jumped in and had a go,” Darren said. “It does set you up for the future.”

After graduating, Darren worked for another practitioner, building his skills and confidence before going solo. Three years on, he runs two businesses. At the Adelaide Naturopathic Clinic, Darren helps patients, especially those with gut concerns. With Natural Health Connections, he provides natural health resources for other practitioners and students.

“I can’t store everything in my head, so while I was studying, I created treatment plans and reference materials to save time and effort in the student clinic. I still use these resources every day, and it made sense to make them available to others.”

From someone who struggled to get through the day, Darren has plenty of plans today, including a multi-modality clinic. “That’s the beauty of the natural health industry – you can go so many different ways,” he said. “I love what I’m doing, and helping people is so rewarding. I’m happier and healthier than I’ve ever been.”

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