Our Team
We are a team of specialised doctors, nurses and therapists who create a caring and supportive environment for healing.
Founded by a group of like-minded doctors, therapists, and patients, LifeShine offers a unique space where conventional and complementary therapies work together to support chronic, complex, or immune-related health challenges. Our team includes experienced medical doctors, nursing sisters, specialised therapists, and practitioners who bring both professional skill and genuine care to every aspect of your journey.
Our centre is specifically designed as a peaceful and soothing environment, where patients can focus on healing without the feel of a traditional clinic. We combine nutrition, emotional support, education, and non-toxic holistic treatments to optimise the immune system and help the body function at its best.
Located near Stellenbosch, LifeShine is a place where science, experience, and compassion meet to support your journey toward renewed health and vitality.
Your journey begins with a conversation, a careful, attentive step into being seen, heard, and understood. When you reach out, we connect you with Dr Helen Stutz, Dr Carel Bredell, or Dr Oliver Macleod-Smith, who will listen to the whole of your experience.
Rather than focusing on isolated symptoms, we explore the patterns of your body, energy, stress, and overall wellbeing. From there, we guide you to the therapies and support that best meet your needs. Every plan is personalised, thoughtful, and paced according to your readiness, comfort, and the rhythm of your body, so that each step toward health feels possible and sustainable.
Dr Helen Stutz PhD
Our founder, Dr Helen Stutz, a molecular microbiologist who worked for the Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, is a cancer survivor herself. She brings both scientific expertise and lived experience to the heart of LifeShine. As the centre’s co-founder and CEO, she envisioned a place rooted in compassion, integrity, and warmth, where patients are empowered to restore balance and resilience.
“From our family at LifeShine to yours, there is hope, there is support, and there is a way forward. We are here to help you navigate it, one step at a time.” — Dr Helen Stutz, CEO, LifeShine
Dr Carel Bredell is a medical doctor who qualified with an MBChB from Stellenbosch University and earned a DA (SA) from the College of Medicine South Africa, a qualification awarded by the CMSA’s College of Anaesthetists (CASA) that recognises advanced expertise in anaesthesia. As a General Practitioner, he combines conventional medical training with functional medicine, offering personalised, evidence-informed care that focuses on treating the underlying causes of health problems, rather than symptom focused healing. His practice includes Biopuncture therapy, Orthomolecular medicine, and Herbal and Homotoxicology therapies, supporting long-term health and wellness through a holistic lens.
Dr Carel Bredell MBChB
Dr Oliver Macleod-Smith MBBcH
Dr Oliver Macleod-Smith is a medical doctor who qualified with an MBBCh from the University of the Witwatersrand and is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. His work includes an interest in integrative approaches to health, with experience in electromagnetic and frequency-based modalities, he focuses on alternative and adjunctive approaches to long-term health and chronic conditions, while remaining rooted in the skills and knowledge of his medical training.
Hilton Calder is a registered clinical psychologist (HPCSA – Clin. Psych.) with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. He also holds an undergraduate degree in Communications and has undertaken additional studies in business and specialised training in psychedelic‑assisted psychotherapy. He brings extensive experience across psychotherapy, executive and life coaching, psychometric assessment, and individual and business consulting. His approach integrates clinical rigour with practical insight, creating tailored interventions that help clients navigate emotional challenges, life transitions, stress, and professional development.
Hilton Calder HPCSA – Clin.Psych.
Where the body’s natural intelligence is honoured, not overridden.
The Science behind the journey
At LifeShine, every therapy we offer is guided by evidence and ongoing discovery. Our team is committed to researching the latest findings in the fields that inform our work, from physiology and mental wellness to holistic and integrative approaches. We actively track and record outcomes, monitoring each intervention for effectiveness, safety, and individual response. This structured approach allows us to adapt our methods intelligently, ensuring that every client benefits from therapies grounded in both science and careful observation. By bridging rigorous research with personalised care, we create a pathway where informed practice meets individual transformation.