2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
My unique approach to parenting at mealtimes has a major focus on how we communicate with kids about food. I focus on WHY the child is having trouble eating and trying foods. The framework I use with my clients and in my online courses revolve around parental mindset, ways to decrease food anxiety, and increase food variety using play, fun, no pressure techniques that increase the child’s comfort and confidence and support a respectful parent/child relationship.
I have a Master’s Degree in clinical nutrition and dietetics. You can find me on social media (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok) @family.snack.nutritionist
// Favourite inspirational quote
Persistence beats resistance. Done is better than perfect.
// Let’s get to know you
When I was in my undergrad degree I studied overseas in the US to be with my then-boyfriend. It was during this time I took a class that made me fall in love with nutrition. I found a master’s degree course called Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at Deakin University and I vowed to apply. After 3 years I completed all the prerequisites, even chemistry and biochemistry that seemed way out of my league. During this time I got married. When I applied for the master’s degree I’d worked so hard for, my husband tried to persuade me not to do it because he wanted to go back to America. When I got accepted it almost ended our marriage because I decided to stay in Australia and complete the degree. I loved it so much.
After completion I moved to American almost immediately and was unemployed for some time due to not being a recognized dietitian in the US and not being a green card holder yet. I volunteered with the American Red Cross in emergency preparedness. I started a blog and researched new nutrition research and wrote about it in an amusing way to keep up my professional competency. After a year I started volunteering at a food pantry at Jewish Family Services of San Diego where I contributed some of my nutrition knowledge to education. A few months later I connected with some professors at San Diego Mesa College and got a job as an adjunct nutrition professor of nutrition. I taught sports nutrition, introduction to nutrition, food and culture, and advanced nutrition. I loved this job!
After I became pregnant with my second child the newly appointed chair of our department made it clear she was unhappy with my plan to take paid parental leave. A series of events resulted in her fraudulent evaluation of my teaching and my termination. I fought this decision being heavily pregnant. They gave me my job back and I took my leave. A few months after having my second baby I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety. I was having a very tough time as a mother and remained largely unsupported as my family lived in Australia and I didn’t have much support from my then husband.
I began posting pictures of plates on Instagram and translating nutrition research. I took an online business course for entrepreneurs and social media and my Instagram took off over the next few months as I began to focus on child nutrition and picky eating. After a few months I decided to create a mini online video course that sold like crazy. About a year later I redid the course in much more detail with handouts, reflection exercises and better video content to help parents. In mid 2020 during the pandemic my then husband was laid off and agreed to look after the kids some of the time so I could started one on one coaching.
I decided I wanted to leave my teaching job and go ‘full time’ (but really part time) in my business. I smashed my income goals and left my job in January 2021. We left the US in March 2021 and relocated to Adelaide. In Jan 2022 I made the decision to take my children and leave my marriage that had been fraught with years of domestic and family violence. I didn’t even know it until I spoke to the police and a lawyer. There was a history of verbal, psychological and emotional abuse. Since this time, over 2 years, I’m still not divorced. My ex is making it extremely difficult to settle any matters and finalize our divorce, he also makes claims on my business.
In the last 2 years I’ve risen to the challenge of being a fully financially independent woman in business. I’ve read extensively about investing and personal finance so I can teach my 2 young girls about financial independence. I continue to work in my business supporting family in Australia and world wide. I support NDIS families with neurodivergent children as well as ‘neurotypical’ children who are picky eaters and extreme picky eaters. It’s been a wild ride!
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
Helping parents communicate with the picky eaters to increase their child’s variety of foods and decrease everyone’s stress levels at mealtimes brings me so much joy and fulfillment. I’m watching these families transform from anxious and mealtime madness, to mealtime enjoyment. The approach I take is deeply rooted in respect for the child and parents. Parents work on the same team as their child to better understand and connect with them. This is authoritative parenting at mealtimes. I have preschool coordinators emailing to do trainings with me from other countries and last year I was able to hold an in person session at our local playgroup.
// If you could share one takeaway from your career or business journey, what would it be?
Enjoy the journey. Take regular breaks. Remind yourself what you enjoy in your business. Outsource what you can (early).
// What would being a 2024 Woman to Watch mean to you?
It’s an amazing opportunity to connect with other women in the community. It would mean so much to help elevate and inspire other women.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
This question made me think!
I’d like to see more education for girls in school about personal finances and what a respectful vs abusive relationship looks like.
Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it buys options. If I didn’t have my education and my business I wouldn’t have had the option to leave my marriage and fight for an equitable property settlement. Freedom from the patriarchy involves women understanding money.
Get in touch with Thalia:
LinkedIn: Thalia Prum
Website: www.theplumpantry.com
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.
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