1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist, Hypnobirthing Practitioner, Buteyko Breathing Practitioner & Master NLP Practitioner. But, more importantly a mother, a wife, a daughter and a friend. My passion for helping families have a great start in life is what motivates me.
When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family. My husband and my two children are the reason I stay grounded. We only have one rule in our home – be kind – I really believe if we were truly able to be kind to all around us the world would be a much gentler place for all.
My curiosity drives my constant hunger for education – life is all about learning and growing. We live in a world where information is at our fingertips at any time day or night – it’s an exciting time to be alive. The world is changing and people are seeking alternatives to gaining more health and wellbeing. I feel very blessed to be able to play a small role in helping families, parents and children have a healthier start in life.
I used the phrase “when I am not working” but truly this passion is not work – it really is who I am. My greatest joy is to leave a person better, happier or more content than when I found them. We are designed to bring love and joy to the world – it’s who we are.
2. What work do you do?
I am the General Manager for Kids & Baby Division at Curaden South Africa, and that role allows me the opportunity to impact infant health right from birth. It truly is a privilege to be able to positively contribute to health. My mission is to make health contagious and my view below is what I always focus on.
.Having a child is a life-changing event & when parents feel empowered and knowledgeable they can trust their instincts to parent easily. The ripple effects of healthy oral care and ensuring optimal jaw, tongue & palate development is far reaching, it can & will impact on breathing, feeding, eating, nutrition, speech, swallowing, digestion & systemic health for your baby. Let’s make health contagious by giving your child the best chance at a healthy, sustainable oral care routine.
3. How long have you been in the industry?
I have been in the dental industry for over 20 years and have been involved with childbirth for around 20 years. These two, very different fields, have dove-tailed into each other so perfectly – I now have the opportunity to educate Health Care Professionals and Parents about Jaw, Palate & Tongue Development. This education is vital for giving our babies the best start in life.
4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why.
My passion is to make health contagious and the information I get to share on health on a daily basis means I am giving infants the best start in life. Our oral health and development is vital for feeding, sleeping, concentration, nutrition, and ensuring proper oral development can and does play a role in a healthy mind. We live in a fast-paced world and we need to be as healthy as possible to function well. If we are breathing well, we are sleeping well, if we are sleeping well we are thriving.
5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?
As a woman in this sector, I believe I have an advantage in not only having the expertise but also being a woman empowering other women to take charge of health and understand their full power and potential. We are magnificently designed to bring life into this world.
If all women were able to harness or even realise the power of childbearing and childbirth – we would have a world filled with mothers who trusted their intuition and stood in their true power. At some point we need to positive thinking towards giving birth and placing less emphasise on the pain but rather embrace our power to birth our children the way we want too. A woman who has experienced a positive birth experience is unstoppable in her power.
6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?
I find that bringing a new concept to medical professionals is always challenging as they are often set in their ways based on what they know.. But I always have my moto in mind that says “We can only do better when we know better”. Bringing new information to the market that truly changes the way we practice in a positive way is a challenge but also the greatest achievement.
7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?
Challenge your thought process and stay curious about your industry. Life is ever evolving, and each day is a learning experience. Ask twice as many questions as you give answers or advice. Learning happens when we listen.
8. Who inspires you in your industry?
We have so many wonderful midwives, lactation consultants and dental professionals in our community. I can name several who challenge the status quo with new, well researched information – these fantastic humans continue to improve how we understand health. These are the humans that are making health contagious.
Dr. Farah Seedat, Naseema Osman, Angela Buck, Hettie Grove, Dr. Margreet Barnard, Heather Pieterse, Frane Clark, and many, many more.
9. What’s the best advice / key learnings have you received from your industry peers?
“You have two ears and one mouth, use them in that ratio”.
10. What is your leadership style?
I am a people’s person and I love to see people around me grow. My role as a leader is to provide the right education and tools for the team to be able to enjoy and perform well at their roles. I want to see people in the team really enjoying their roles, staying curious and growing each day. We spend so much time at work – it’s truly important for us to have fun and enjoy what we do. My grandfather always said “If you find a job you love, you will never have to work another day in your life”.
11. Have you experienced failure in your career, if so, what lessons did you learn from that?
Failure is vital for growth, so yes, I have most certainly failed in my career. My view is not to see it as failure but look at what happened and truly learn from that experience. Rober Allen said “there is no failure, only feedback”. I encourage my children to fail – if you are failing you are trying something new.
12. What are your plans for the future?
To truly make health contagious! I really feel that if we are able to nurture our children and ensure they have optimal oral development it can and will impact our health crises in the world. Optimal oral development means our children are able to breathe well, sleep well, focus at school, eat well, enjoy a vibrant life, use their creativity and imaginations, feel excited and energised and more importantly be emotional & physically healthy and well.
To get in touch you can reach Janay by emailing: janay.gilchrist@curaden.co.za or connect via Instagram @janayalexandergilchrist
