Meet Susie Burrell

Dietitian. Author. Podcast Host. Food Industry Consultant. Media Commentator.

Susie Burrell is one of Australia’s leading dietitians and is known for her extensive knowledge of food, eating behaviour and weight control. Susie holds an Honours degree in both Nutrition & Dietetics & Psychology and a Masters of Coaching Psychology.

In her career Susie has worked as a paediatric dietitian at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead; as a sports dietitian to several elite sporting teams including the Parramatta Eels, St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney University Sport, and for 12 years as the resident dietitian at Channel 7’s top rating breakfast show, Sunrise.

Susie now spends her time as one-half of the top rating podcast, The Nutrition Couch, which has had over 4 million downloads to date, whilst still consulting remotely, specialising in weight control for women in Peri and helping executives fuel for top performance.

Susie is mum to twin boys Gus & Harry who keep her busy retrieving their rugby and soccer balls; she is a secret lover of building Lego houses and always has a series and good book on the go.

Susie, I’m fascinated by your Masters of Coaching Psychology! What was the defining moment or inspiration behind you choosing to combine this with your Nutrition & Dietetics & Psychology degrees?

While I always wanted to be a dietitian, really my interest is in people, what makes them tick, individual differences, the psychology of motivation, and changing habits and behaviours. Unlike my undergrad degrees which were an extension of school, I loved studying again at Sydney University. It took me 7 years to complete the Masters, and even though I had 2 small babies,I loved every minute. It gave me tools and strategies I use with my clients every day.

That’s truly incredible! We can only imagine how busy your mornings are! Could you share your morning routine and the first few actions you take when you start your workday?

I wish I had the space and time ATM to indulge my own self-development goals but with two 8yo it is more about survival each day to be honest. I set each day up the night before and after getting the twins off to school I try and exercise. It’s during this time I do a lot of planning and listen to podcasts. I always start the day with a hot skim latte and then have breakfast at about 9/10 am when I am hungry again.

Balancing a demanding career and family life has to be challenging. Tell us about your support network and how it has evolved over the years?

Maintaining a balance between my career and family requires a strong support network. My parents play a vital role in managing household tasks, providing invaluable assistance. Additionally, I'm fortunate to have a dedicated nutritionist who helps organise my digital assets, and a nanny who cares for my boys, allowing me focused work time. Alongside my colleague Leanne, we receive tremendous support in managing Designed by Dietitians and The Nutrition Couch, ensuring our businesses thrive.

Is there a particular performance tip or habit you consider a game-changer in achieving top results, both personally and professionally?

 I try to keep action-focused, so if there is a goal I am working on I try to work on it each day, even if it’s just few minutes to keep things moving. I start each day with a firm list of what I want to get done and then I alternate intense work periods with a decent amount of downtime, near the water to regroup and refocus on what I am working on next. I focus on not wasting any time when I am working, so I can enjoy the rest of my life!

Susie Burrell standing in her kitchen writing in her Performance Planner, with her cat Charlie observing.

Given your immensely busy schedule, what are three desk essentials you consider vital for maintaining focus and productivity throughout the day?

At least 80% of my work is completed on my phone, whether it’s writing articles on the run, shooting recipe images or messaging clients. I am old school and write everything down, both in my Not Stationary Notebook and Performance Planner. They are packed with lists, goals, brainstorming, to do's - all handwritten!

Tell us more about your hugely successful podcast and newly launched Designed by Dietitians Nourish Women’s Protein, and how has your background in nutrition and psychology played a role in shaping it?

 I started The Nutrition Couch Podcast with Leanne Ward (The Fitness Dietitian) because we knew there was a thirst for evidence-based, practical nutrition information from clinicians who actually see clients. And over 4 million downloads later, we know it helps people everyday. The natural progression has been a product range as we recommend so many products that we thought we should be making and formulating our own, based on the fact that we know women need.

But we won’t stop here, the next 12-24 months are all about digital products and growing Designed by Dietitians as we know there is a huge demand for scientifically formulated supplements and foods for busy women (as a mother of twin boys, I can vouch for that!)

Reflecting on the evolution of your business, what are one or two lessons you've learned that could serve as guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Get your accounts / tax / super sorted early as it just becomes harder and more complicated the bigger the business gets. Also, current online media moves quickly and you have to move with it to keep ahead of the curve and constantly evolve and change your offering to move with the market.

How do you incorporate mindfulness or well-being practices into your Daily Practices to ensure you're performing at your best?

I try and get out in nature - the bush, the beach at least a couple of times each week to recentre and, I try and keep off the phone. Exercise helps with this, as you can’t do much else when working out.

With your busy life and varied roles, how do you achieve harmony between work, personal interests, and family time?

Everyone is different but for me, life is so busy during school term that there is not much balance. So I go hard, at 100% and then take a break after each term. I try to do very little work on a Friday and keep Sundays as quiet as possible to help prepare for the week ahead. I find my time in nature exercising, and mapping my week and month in my planner enables me to optimise all areas of my life.

And finally, what’s one piece of advice you wish someone shared with you 10 years ago?

Stop wasting time and attention on people who do not reciprocate your time and attention - trust me, I’m still learning this one!


Oh, I love that! Thank you Susie x

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Unlocking Balance and Fulfilment: Mastering the Wheel of Life in Your Performance Planner