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I feel blessed to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand. I emigrated here from England in 2004 to create a new life and better health for myself. My personal family health challenges and frustrations have fuelled my life-long passion for learning about the cause and prevention of disease. This has lead me to my purpose of leading myself and others away from ill-health, by focusing on proven strategies that lead to better health outcomes.
My hormones, metabolism and mental health were in crisis from my teenage years in the 1980's, right through to my late 20's. I pursued a variety of standard medical and psychological interventions to try and 'fix' my issues, but at that time Health Coaches didn't exist, so I had no support in addressing my dysfunctional eating habits, stinking thinking, anti-social habits, bad food and lifestyle choices. I was suffering insomnia, depression, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, acne, mood swings, chronic indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fungal infections, weight issues, muscle and joint pain. All exacerbated by ignorance plus a lack of self-worth and self-efficacy. I kept on going around in circles, lacked motivation and felt like there was 'something wrong with me' for many years. |
So what is Health Coaching and how do I know if this is for me? Click here to find out... |
My worst times of crisis and desperation unlocked spiritual doorways to synchronicity, courage and determination. I began to read a selection of self-health-improvement books (there was no internet back then!), and experimenting with a number of spiritual and mental health practices. I gradually moved onward and upward, although often falling 3 steps back (and beating myself up over it!). In 1997 I personally gave up smoking and drinking alcohol (for a while until I slipped up!) and began my healthy obsession with nutrition and health science. From 2002, for several years, I worked in a residential hospital school with children and adolescents who were suffering with complex neurological issues. It was there that I first learned of nutritional and lifestyle interventions for epilepsy and chronic health conditions. During 2002, a number of life coaches and health improvement practitioners helped me move forward towards the life I wanted for myself and I followed my dream by moving to New Zealand in 2003.
Fast forward ten years to 2013, with a stressful work environment and some lifestyle habits that gradually chipped away at my health, resilience and hormonal balance. It was then, through the magic of the internet, that I discovered Functional Medicine and Epigenetics, which has changed my life in so many ways. To cut a long story short, in 2015 I left the corporate world to follow my passion and get formally educated in Positive Psychology, Motivational Coaching and Behaviour Change Science. My passion and purpose was fully realised in 2017 when I completed my first round of 'Health Coach' training with the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy and began my practice, blending the science of coaching with Lifestyle Medicine principals. I continue to update my knowledge and skills with the latest advances in health, wellbeing, lifestyle medicine, positive psychology and behaviour change science in order to keep my clients ahead of the game.
My most life-changing moment was when I began to practice self-compassion rather than self-condemnation, which is one of the core aspects of my professional practice with my clients too!! I'll walk with you as you discover and implement the solutions that work best for you and best serve your health goals, your hopes and dreams. You are the 'expert' on your own personal health transformation journey, it is not for me to tell you what to do, but you can have access to my support, knowledge and skills to help facilitate better-informed choices and personalised outside-the-box solutions.
Fast forward ten years to 2013, with a stressful work environment and some lifestyle habits that gradually chipped away at my health, resilience and hormonal balance. It was then, through the magic of the internet, that I discovered Functional Medicine and Epigenetics, which has changed my life in so many ways. To cut a long story short, in 2015 I left the corporate world to follow my passion and get formally educated in Positive Psychology, Motivational Coaching and Behaviour Change Science. My passion and purpose was fully realised in 2017 when I completed my first round of 'Health Coach' training with the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy and began my practice, blending the science of coaching with Lifestyle Medicine principals. I continue to update my knowledge and skills with the latest advances in health, wellbeing, lifestyle medicine, positive psychology and behaviour change science in order to keep my clients ahead of the game.
My most life-changing moment was when I began to practice self-compassion rather than self-condemnation, which is one of the core aspects of my professional practice with my clients too!! I'll walk with you as you discover and implement the solutions that work best for you and best serve your health goals, your hopes and dreams. You are the 'expert' on your own personal health transformation journey, it is not for me to tell you what to do, but you can have access to my support, knowledge and skills to help facilitate better-informed choices and personalised outside-the-box solutions.
Director I Facilitator I Advocate I Coach
Vital Keys : Flourishing Health
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"I have a passion for brain health, mental wellness and maintaining performance, function and vitality as we age. Empowering people to make the rest of their life the best years of their life."
The challenges of my own journey have cultivated in me a compassion for people with special health needs, experiencing stress, fatigue, low self-esteem, fear or anxiety. My passionate interest in the philosophies of epigenetics, functional medicine, lifestyle medicine, holistic nutrition, positive psychology, human behaviour and mind-body medicine gives me a holistic focus on the uniqueness of each individual and their internal and external environments. I am a change agent with a professional and ethical business mind. I have a professional background as a trainer, manager, carer, support worker, mentor and coach, supporting groups and individuals to grow, learn and succeed. My professional education, training and certifications include the following:
Education, Certifications & Courses
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“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
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