Nicola McFen

I work as a Nutritional Education & Training Specialist for Revive Active, an Irish supplement company. My role involves educating both internal teams and external partners – including retailers, pharmacists and stockists – on our products and the science behind the ingredients.

No two days are the same. I translate complex nutrition science into clear, practical information that different audiences can understand and apply. That might mean delivering training sessions, creating educational resources, supporting the sales team with scientific insight, or presenting to healthcare professionals.

I’ve always enjoyed helping people understand the “why” behind recommendations. Breaking down research. The job combines two things I’m passionate about – evidence-based nutrition and communication, and this role allows me to do that on a wider scale. What I enjoy most is the variety and the opportunity to keep learning – especially around ingredients, formulation, and the supplement industry. The most challenging part can be balancing scientific integrity with commercial objectives, but that’s also what makes the role interesting and dynamic.

I use my degree every single day. My background in nutrition throughout the lifespan, metabolism, and research methods allows me to confidently understand ingredient formulations and critically evaluate scientific evidence, all while considering the key consumer of the formula. Beyond the scientific knowledge, I regularly use the practical skills I developed during my degree.

The experience I gained presenting at university has been invaluable. Creating presentations and infographics is a core part of my role – whether that’s developing internal training resources or educational materials for external partners. I present to a range of audiences, from small staff teams to groups of over 180 international pharmacists. The degree didn’t just teach me nutrition – it gave me the confidence to communicate complex science clearly, professionally and credibly.

Travel is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job. It not only allows me to see new places, but also to meet new people, experience different cultures, and understand how nutrition and healthcare are approached in different settings. Travelling for work keeps things varied and exciting — whether I’m delivering training sessions internationally or supporting product education in different markets. It pushes me outside my comfort zone, helps me grow professionally, and means no two weeks ever look the same. Being able to combine science, communication and travel is something I feel very fortunate to do.

My goal is to bridge the gap between science and consumer understanding. I’m passionate about raising standards within the industry and promoting scientific integrity, ensuring products are backed by robust evidence and that education remains transparent and responsible. I’d love to continue developing within nutrition education and strategy, particularly influencing how evidence-based information is communicated in the supplement industry.

I was working as a Personal Trainer when I started my degree. Nutrition naturally went hand in hand with the fitness industry, and initially I wanted to deepen my knowledge so I could offer something more specialised and evidence-based to my clients. I saw it as a way to develop a niche – I didn’t fully realise where it would eventually take me.

Becoming vegetarian forced me to think more critically about food choices, nutrient balance and variety. It’s the moment my personal interest in nutrition actually began. It made me reassess my own diet – not because I believe everyone should eat that way. It sparked a curiosity about how dietary patterns influence health and performance. What started as a practical step to complement my work in fitness evolved into a genuine fascination with the science behind nutrition – how it affects the body, how evidence shapes recommendations, and how powerful it can be when applied correctly.

I chose Edge Hill because it was somewhere I already felt comfortable and connected to. I was working at the University Sports Centre at the time and really enjoyed being part of the campus environment. It’s a place I already knew was supportive, welcoming and well run – so it made sense to continue my journey somewhere I trusted. Being familiar with the campus and facilities meant I could focus fully on my studies from day one. Looking back, it was absolutely the right decision. The supportive atmosphere and strong sense of community really shaped my university experience.

Not only is Edge Hill a beautiful campus, it also has everything you need. I loved the gym and The Hub… exercising and eating, my two favourite things. Nowadays I still love going the gym, walking, spending time with my dogs.

The people were what truly shaped my Edge Hill experience. From the lecturers who supported and challenged us, to the friends I made along the way. University can be intense at times, but having a group of people to lean on, study with, and support each other through deadlines made all the difference. We pushed each other to do well, celebrated the wins together, and made even the stressful moments enjoyable. Looking back, it’s those relationships – both academic and personal – that stand out the most.

My lecturers were supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in our development. They encouraged critical thinking rather than just memorising information, which built confidence. They were approachable and always willing to offer guidance, particularly when it came to career direction.

The biggest challenge on my degree was managing workload and time effectively. There are periods during a degree where multiple deadlines and responsibilities all overlap, and it can feel overwhelming. I quickly realised that organisation was key. I learned to step back, plan ahead, schedule my time carefully, and prioritise what was most important. Breaking tasks down into manageable steps made everything feel more achievable. I also learned that while you can’t always control the volume of work, you can control how you respond to it. Developing resilience and learning to go with the flow during busy periods was a skill that’s stayed with me well beyond university.

The advice I’d give my younger self? Be patient. Enjoy where you are right now – because some of these moments will become your favourites, even if you don’t realise it yet.