Clinical Nutritionist and JSHealth Vitamins Founder Jessica Sepel shares how she lives life well in our exclusive interview.
We thoroughly enjoyed your books - The Healthy Life; Living the Healthy Life; and The 12 Step Mind, Body & Food Reset. We also fondly recall your launch event for Living The Healthy Life at our Cavendish store some years back. Could you please share a bit about your evolution from nutritionist, through author, to vitamin and natural beauty entrepreneur?
Looking back, it all happened very naturally and authentically. Before any products existed, JSHealth began as a community, which remains at our very heart today, and this then grew into the global brand known as JSHealth Vitamins.
My fascination with supplements started in childhood, watching my grandparents and parents take their daily vitamins. I was captivated by the idea of using them to support wellness. As a teenager, I worked in health food stores and pharmacies, immersing myself in the ingredients and benefits of different formulas.
Despite my passion for wellness, I wasn’t without my own struggles. In 2012, I began blogging candidly about my personal journey as I navigated escaping from a world of fad dieting, a restrictive mindset and feeling completely disconnected from my body. I believe it was my authenticity that quickly attracted a large following of people on a similar path, and I found my voice supporting this community to find balance with food and embrace body love alongside me.
Then it began to snowball. I became a qualified Clinical Nutritionist, authored three best-selling wellness books detailing The Healthy Life philosophy and released our innovative JSHealth App, before creating JSHealth Vitamins’ very first formula that is loved by millions all over the world to this day - our Hair + Energy capsules.
Every product we make really ties back into supporting the JSHealth community to live their very best healthy and balanced lives. Since JSHealth was born, I have been continually propelled by my mission to support the global community in achieving the happiness and confidence they deserve - this is what has seen the business evolve to include so many different streams of health goals and concerns that our solution-focused products address.
My time working in private practice gave me further insights into what was missing in the supplement industry, and put me even more in touch with what people, especially women, were going through health-wise. Whatever I hear the community needs, I set out to create, and having this range of targeted formulas is in a sense a wonderful accident… It has really been a natural extension of my purpose to make a difference in people’s lives all along. Today, as I reflect on this journey, I am constantly fuelled by my mission to empower our community, helping them discover the happiness and confidence they truly deserve.
Our readers may not all know that you are a proudly Johannesburg girl! How do you think your South African roots have helped shape you into who you are today? How would you say the natural health industries in South Africa and Australia compare?
Growing up in Johannesburg was mostly a really idyllic childhood. I was surrounded by a culture that celebrates the beauty of fresh, whole foods and a deep connection to the land. I’ve also been lucky enough to be very close with my family, and remember my grandparents taking their vitamins each day while embracing an active and nourishing lifestyle. These were the first seeds that later shaped my own passion and career.
When it comes to comparing the natural health industries in South Africa and Australia, both countries have their unique strengths. In South Africa, there is a strong tradition of using indigenous plants and herbs for medicinal purposes, passed down through generations. This deep-rooted knowledge adds a distinct respect for the natural health industry. On the other hand, Australia has a thriving wellness scene with a focus on holistic approaches and integrative medicine. The Australian market is known for its innovative products and cutting-edge research.
My South African roots have gifted me a deep appreciation for the healing power of nature and a holistic approach to wellbeing. It's a perspective I've woven into my journey here in Australia, and it continues to inspire me every day as we expand the business worldwide. Blending these two cultural influences has truly shaped my path to creating a holistic, science-backed and balanced approach to health that resonates with all who seek the healthiest lives for themselves.
We are thrilled to now stock JSHealth Vitamins in our stores! We know that you are very conscientious about the quality of your ingredients and formulations. Could you share a bit about your journey of expert collaboration and development in this regard?
I am truly so excited to have our vitamins in your stores in South Africa! Quality and authenticity have always been at the heart of our brand, and the journey of expert collaboration and formulation development has been both enlightening and deeply rewarding.
Our formulations deliver results and truly have a positive impact on our customers’ lives - this is why people come back to them time and time again.
From the very beginning, my passion has been to create products that truly make a difference in people's lives. I understood that in order to achieve this, I needed to collaborate with experts who shared the same vision and dedication to excellence. That is why I surrounded myself with a team of highly qualified professionals who specialise in various fields, including nutrition, herbal medicine and formulation science.
Our journey of expert collaboration and development starts with extensive research and sourcing the highest-quality ingredients. We work closely with trusted suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability, purity and potency. Each ingredient is meticulously selected based on its nutritional profile and therapeutic benefits, ensuring that our formulations deliver targeted support for specific health concerns.
To ensure the efficacy and safety of our products, we invest in rigorous testing and quality control measures. We follow strict guidelines and adhere to industry standards to guarantee that every product bearing the JSHealth name meets the highest quality benchmarks.
Through ongoing collaboration with experts, we continuously refine our formulations to stay at the forefront of scientific advancements and nutritional research. This is what allows us to keep innovating and creating products that address the evolving needs of our community.
As well as this, we are committed to transparency as a cornerstone of our brand. We believe our community deserves to know exactly what they are putting into their bodies. That's why we provide detailed information about each ingredient, its purpose and the scientific rationale behind it.
“Wellness Warehouse strives to help you live life well but because we are retailers and not medical practitioners we cannot offer medical advice. Please always consult your medical practitioner before taking any supplements, complementary medicines or have any health concerns and ensure that you always read labels, warnings and directions carefully, prior to consumption.”