A FORMER triathalon competitor who opened an organic food shop at Caringbah four years ago has stepped back from that last role.
An international Qantas flight attendant for 23 years, Sue Pryer said her demanding former careers and fitness regime made her realise she had to change her diet and look beyond being a vegetarian.
"I started eating different foods available in the US, raw foods," Ms Pryer said.
Several lifestyle changes such as leaving Qantas resulted in her moving back to Sutherland Shire, where she had lived 20 years before.
"There wasn't anyone serving health food and that kind of store selling good health food," she said.
"I had to go to the eastern suburbs to get what I wanted."
The result of all the forces in her life were behind her decision to open Arete Wholefoods organic market in April 2010.
There she has combined the retail side of the business with a home delivery service and the chance to share her culinary ideas.
"I haven't had careers in nursing or naturopathy," she said.
"I just have a passion about living a healthy lifestyle."
The business has grown and thrived so much that Ms Pryer decided it was time to move on and one of her customers offered to take on the business, rather than see it shut.
The result is new owners and a new name, Arete Organics, with Ms Pryer staying on to lend her support.
Arete Organics: 218D Willarong Street, Caringbah, 9526 8088.
