In Conversation; Victoria Dunn

Written By Lexi Mccrohan

Victoria Dunn is a mum and nutritionist who is passionate about sharing recipes and what a balanced life looks like to her. I had the pleasure of being able to chat with her about body image, her pregnancy journey and what a day in her life as a nutritionist looks like.

Your content that you share is so honest and relatable. Can you share a little about yourself and what you do?

I am a nutritionist who now resides in Brisbane QLD with my husband Zak, kelpie Fang, and soon to be son! I moved here for a job working for the Butterfly Foundation (an eating disorder organisation) from Adelaide in January 2021, where I lived for the year escaping the strict Covid lockdowns. I had just graduated university and was living on my own in Melbourne, unsure of how long lockdowns would continue, I decided to move home to my parents horse property in the Adelaide Hills. That decision allowed me to launch my nutrition business Waking Wellness and really live and teach what I love…. Health and wellness. I used to fear that my content would not resonate with people as I tend to just post what I am eating that day, what I am enjoying, or write about things which are of interest to me. I have learnt that even if the post reaches one person who it has helped or inspired, then it is worth it, and this is why I continue to do what I do.

You often touch on body image quite openly and your perspective on it, especially on your journey to becoming a mum. Can you tell us about this journey and why you think it’s important to share these thoughts? 

I think body image is not discussed enough within our culture. Especially on social media, I think we are all guilty of posting just the ‘highlight reels’ and the most flattering image we have on our phones. This makes our feed look aesthetically pleasing, but it can impact other people's own understanding on body ideals and self-worth. I am trying to be more transparent with this, starting by never using filters, and writing openly about my own body image struggles.

I have a long history of eating disorders. I worked in the fashion industry for many years, so the pressure to look a certain way was ingrained into me. It took me a long time to let go of my past self and accept the new. I am going through a similar transition now with motherhood. I also found that this was never discussed and I expected to just immediately love my changing pregnancy body. When this wasn’t the case, I felt embarrassed and ashamed for these feelings. I then spoke openly about it and learnt so many other women felt this but did not voice it either. I think honest conversation is so powerful. 

Since you started your pregnancy journey can you share what has surprised you the most and how you have adapted to this? 

I used to function at such a fast pace! I have always been studying (I have 3 degrees and now doing my fourth… HELP), working multiple jobs, maintaining a social life, and filling my spare time with errands or appointments. I thought this was normal and never gave myself the time to just sit and read or relax. I always had to be doing something productive! 

Pregnancy has been such a force to make me slow down. First trimester I felt so unwell with all day sickness and fatigue. I was still studying and working multiple jobs so it was hard to slow down at that time, but my body was crying out for it. I think that is also why I struggled so much mentally with the changes that were happening during pregnancy. Second trimester I felt much better but found myself battling with body image concerns as my bump began to appear and I had to say goodbye to how I liked to dress and what I felt good in. Third trimester I feel the best mentally and physically throughout the whole pregnancy, and now that study and work has ceased, I am really loving the slow lifestyle. Literally I am living and breathing such a contrast to my old lifestyle. 

I know that no two days are the same, but can you tell us what a typical day looks like for you? 

I am currently on maternity leave, as my baby boy is due in just over 2 weeks. So, my days are very casual! Typically a day for me right now consists of:

  • I wake up at 5am (it is bright and warm here in QLD by this time), and take Fang for an hour walk.

  • Get home, have a shower, burn some incense, listen to a record or the radio and make something for breakfast.

  • I will often document what I have for breakfast and put it on my IG story.

  • In the morning I usually do life admin (emails, cleaning etc), and currently still see nutrition clients so often will schedule an appointment in for this time so I can do an online consultation, write up their meal plan and treatment plan then send it over.

  • I have also been enjoying baking, so I may bake something to enjoy and photograph (freezing half the batch so I have some quick and easy treats ready for postpartum).

  • For lunch I have been enjoying making rainbow wraps, or vegetable bowls topped with hummus or tempeh. This changes everyday, but I am so grateful to be enjoying colour and variety again (trimester 1 and 2 I could only really stomach beige foods).

  • I then go to a local swimming pool and do some laps there in the slow lane. In between I sit in the sun and read my book.

  • When I get home I will often just relax (I get very fatigued in the afternoon now) and read more of my book with Fang either on the balcony or inside under our ceiling fan if it's very hot out.

  • I will then prepare something for dinner for Zak and I, and take Fang out for a play when the heat of the day wears off.

All the brand partnerships you share are genuine to what you believe in. Can you tell us a little about this process and your key values when taking on a collaboration? 

All the collaborations I partner with have happened organically. I do not have a large following so do not get approached by many brands. I have two going at the moment with Boody and Love Ya Guts which are two brands that I love anyway. I think they must have just seen my page and seen me using and talking about what they believe in and offer, so that is how it started. I do not get paid for the partnerships, rather they just send me some products to incorporate into my daily life, so they are things I generally use and will happily promote on my page. I often politely decline any collaborations that include products I would not use myself or that went against what I believed in. 

What are some of your favourite self care rituals? 

Doing something for yourself every day! I used to think food shopping counted as self care back when I was so busy… can confirm this is not self care, it is something you may enjoy but it is not a necessity. 

I love walking in nature with Fang, weekly acupuncture, buying a new cookbook and making unfamiliar recipes, face masks, and reading.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to anyone as they enter their pregnancy journey? 

I’ve recently made an eBook pregnancy guide which I am sending out for free if anyone is interested in learning more (in an honest way) about what to expect during pregnancy. You can find this on my instagram here

What are 4 beauty items you can’t live without?

Lexi Mccrohan
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