Dr Lesina Nakhid-Schuster has opened up about her recent breakup, the tragic loss of her close friend, and her future family plans. The former Bachelorette New Zealand star revealed that she and her former partner called off their engagement despite attending therapy together. Lesina shared that although she initially thought he was “The One,” she ultimately realized that love alone is not enough to sustain a healthy relationship.
Ending an Engagement and Managing Relationship Realities
Reflecting on the split, Lesina admitted she got too caught up in the early stages of the romance and overlooked deeper compatibility issues. The pair struggled with communication and conflict resolution, noting that their differing perspectives meant they simply did not gel. Even though they sought professional help through therapy, the bad times eventually outweighed the good.
Support from loved ones helped Lesina through the difficult transition. Friends stepped in with sleepovers, dinner dates, and movie nights as she began working on herself. To aid her personal growth, she turned to the relationship guide Attached and Secure and focused on her “happy list,” which includes nature walks and Duck Island milk chocolate fudge ice cream.
Did You Know? Lesina Nakhid-Schuster previously searched for love as the star of The Bachelorette NZ, ultimately concluding her stint on the reality show by choosing none of the eligible contenders.
Balancing Medical Training and New Dating Standards
Alongside her personal reflections, Lesina remains deeply focused on her demanding career. She is currently working through an intense five-year training program to become an ear, nose and throat surgeon. Despite a busy professional life, she has begun re-entering the dating scene.
This time around, dating feels more empowering because she has a firmer grasp of her personal needs. While she acknowledges that a cool, aloof partner can feel exciting at first, she now prioritizes stability. She actively seeks someone grounded, happy, secure, and supportive of her fast-paced lifestyle.
Coping With Tragic Loss and Embracing Future Hopes
The relationship breakdown is not the only heavy burden Lesina has carried lately. She continues to grieve the sudden death of her close friend Thinh, who drowned after going swimming in Tauranga over a weekend. Lesina was at work when police contacted her while trying to reach his family in Vietnam, a tragedy she describes as much harder to process than her breakup.
Seeking comfort and perspective, Lesina later traveled to New York to visit her sister Shani and brother-in-law Eric for Christmas, celebrating the birth of Santiago during a six-week stay. Surrounded by family, she found renewed excitement for her own future. She is considering freezing her eggs and remains hopeful about having children one day, viewing motherhood as a journey she will embrace whenever the right time arrives.
Reasons for ending the engagement and current medical training
Why did Lesina Nakhid-Schuster end her engagement?
Lesina and her partner ended their engagement because, despite attending therapy and holding onto good memories, they struggled with fundamental issues like communication and conflict resolution. She concluded that love alone was not enough to maintain a sustainable relationship.
What is Lesina currently doing for her career?
She is busy completing an intense five-year training program to become an ear, nose and throat surgeon.
What are Lesina’s plans regarding children and family?
Following a family visit to New York for the birth of Santiago, Lesina is considering freezing her eggs. She remains hopeful about having children in the future and is open to embracing motherhood later in life.
What qualities do you think are most important for maintaining a long-term, sustainable partnership?
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