Clinical Nutritionist, mum of four, founder of Odi and cancer survivor Gina Urlich shares why she believes the notion of balance is setting us up to fail…
Is the idea of having balance in our lives, actually just setting us up to fail?
Women’s lives are often talked about as being a balancing act – many of us are juggling so many different hats and responsibilities: our careers, our children, our homes, maybe acting as caregiver to other family members and, well, the list just continues to be busy from there on.
But as we take on so much – particularly of the mental and household load – it’s little surprise that women are now 20% more likely to suffer from burnout.
It’s something clinical nutritionist Gina Urlich has seen a lot of in her career – busy women who forget to put on their own oxygen mask first.
Gina Urlich started off her career as a nurse, first in palliative care, before working in a private hospital in the gynecologic oncology ward.
It was a game changer for Gina, who realised what she really wanted to do was to help women in a more holistic sense, focusing on the importance of holistic care, nutrition, lifestyle and prevention.
In the years since she’s become a clinical nutritionist, launched a brand, Odi, dedicated to providing nourishing, wholefood-based convenient solutions for babies and young children – and she’s become a mum of four herself. On top of all of that, in the last few years she’s dealt with a stage four cancer diagnosis. Across this journey she’s learned about the importance of being intentional with her energy and incorporating small self-care rituals.
Why Balance is a Bad Word
Gina’s spent years helping women – and men – in her clinic, where she had a special interest in natural fertility, preconception care planning and hormone analysis.
And what she’s seen time and time again, is women who are exhausted. Exhausted from trying to do everything, wear all the hats and trying to find the perfect balance in their lives.
“I believe the notion of balance often sets women up to fail, and I’ve seen it in myself and my clients,” she says. “We carry the mental and household load, raise children, and lead with passion at work, all while risking burnout and serious health issues.
I’ve let go of the idea that balance means everything feels even because it rarely does. Like every other mum, I juggle kids, a household, and my passion for work. For me, it’s about being intentional with my energy and incorporating small self-care rituals. This way, I can show up as the best version of myself as a mother, wife, and professional.”
Gina says she’s also learned to lean in the chaos and stay flexible. “With kids, anything can happen, forgotten lunchboxes, last-minute school events. Some days are busier at home, while others are work-focused, and that’s perfectly fine. What matters most is being present in whatever role I’m in, instead of striving for perfection in everything.”
A Diagnosis Out of The Blue
It was a diagnosis that came as a complete shock for Gina. She’d spent a decade as a nurse and another working in women’s health – yet, when it came to her own little health niggles, she set them aside. She had four young kids, she was dealing with some stress, so she chalked up her symptoms to that – until she could no longer deny them.
A mass was found in her stomach, and a couple of weeks later she received the stage four cancer diagnosis.
“It completely blindsided us,” she says. “As someone who has always prioritised health and worked in health, it was a shock to suddenly find myself on the other side of the hospital bed as a patient.”
It was there though, that she began treating herself as a client – working out what she needed to bring in, to really nourish and support her body.
“I witnessed firsthand both the strengths and limitations of Western medicine; there was no discussion about diet or lifestyle,” she says. “After going through extensive surgeries and treatment with horrific side effects, the whole experience reinforced the importanceof holistic care, nutrition, lifestyle, and prevention. What became clear is that the real gap lies in the space between these approaches. There’s immense potential for them to work together, yet they often exist in silos.”
Gina says the past two years have made her more intentional about health and driven to empower others with a more integrated approach. “This significant life experience has changed me forever, the trauma, loss of multiple organs, and ultimately, a deep admiration for the body’s ability to recover,” she says.
Concentrating on the Little Ones
While she’s spent a lot of time supporting busy women, as the founder of Odi (formerly named Norish), Gina’s also been very focused on early nutrition and the impact it can have on a child’s life for much of her career.
“Those first 1,000 days matter so much; they shape everything from brain development to immunity and long-term health,” she says.
But choosing what to feed our babies and young children can be fraught – the supermarket aisles are full of pouches and packets that are targeted for little ones. Many of them have claims about the different vitamins and minerals they’re packed with, the organic produce they use, the ‘no added sugar’ or great taste they have. But, are they all they cracked up to be?
“What I find challenging is that a lot of parents trust that if something is marketed for babies, it must be good for them,” says Gina. “But that’s not always true. Many baby foods are low in the nutrients kids actually need, and often higher in sugar than people realise. For me, it’s about trying to shift that. With Odi, the focus is on unique, nutrient dense food made from real, organic ingredients, things that genuinely support growing bodies. It’s also about making it easier for parents to make good choices without overthinking it, and helping them feel confident that what they’re feeding their kids is actually doing them good.”
Gina’s Three Top Tips for Getting Good Food on the Table For Your Family – Without the Stress
As a nutritionist and a mum of four, I get it. Finding time to make nutritious meals is a challenge.
Here’s what works for me:
- Platter-style meals: Just throw together proteins, healthy fats, and colourful veggies on a plate. Kids love picking at things like boiled eggs, leftover chicken, avocado, veggie sticks and fruit. It’s fun and stress-free for me & them.
- Division of responsibility: I decide what, when, and where we eat; they choose if and how much. This takes a lot of pressure off everyone.
- Seasonal produce: It’s usually cheaper and tastes better, plus it simplifies meal prep.
Remember, it’s all about consistency, not perfection. Keep it simple, and mealtime can be much easier!
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