About Me
I love helping people change! People are my passion! I studied and gained a degree in Psychology as I was fascinated by human behaviour. I did my thesis in Health Psychology; completing research into satiety and smoking. I went on to teach Psychology at GCSE and A-Level, again, specialising in Health Psychology.
I have been lucky enough to spend the last 25 years working as a Probation Officer, allowing me to practice Psychology in the field of behaviour change. Over the years I have helped thousands of people turn their lives around and it’s something I will never tire of; change is difficult, but I know that with the right support, encouragement, guidance, education and commitment, anyone can change. I’ve seen it happen and it’s always a privilege to be there alongside!
We all go through periods in life when change is necessary……sometimes it’s easy, but often we need a bit of support. For me, when I hit 50 and the menopause I struggled! I suddenly realised I will be 91 when my youngest son turns 50 and I want to be dancing at his party like he was at mine! I was suffering with constant headaches, anxiety, hot flushes and it took me a good few years to get an HRT prescription. That definitely helped, but what really turned my life around was Health Coaching. I learned about the profound impact food can have on the body and mind, and have adapted my lifestyle so that although I’m busier, I’m less stressed! I’m exercising everyday, and incorporating aerobic exercise, strength training and yoga into my routine. My headaches have gone, I’m sleeping well, enjoying time with people and doing things I love, and my kids have even started to take an interest in healthy eating!
I qualified as a Health Coach so that I could help others who are feeling burnt out, stressed and tired and use my years of experience in the fields of psychology & behavioural change to empower my own clients. Now I love to help others enjoy the transition into the second half of life, by implementing strategies that fit in with their lifestyle to improve not only their health, but their family’s too. My boys are now 11 and 13 so I’m taking a particular interest in adolescent health and supporting kids through puberty.
I am passionate about all people, whatever their background and whoever they are; I love to hear people’s stories and I never judge – I’d love to hear your story! Once I’ve gained an understanding of my client as a person, we develop a plan together and I will be cheering you on as you move step by step closer to the new you; vibrant, energised and happy.
If I can help you to feel happier, that makes me happy too 😊
QUALIFICATIONS
BSc Hons Psychology
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Teacher of Psychology)
BSc Hons Community Justice
Diploma in Probation Studies
Diploma in Health Coaching
About Health Coaching
So what does a Health Coach do?
A health coach is there to support you in your change to a healthy life. A life where your body is in balance and you feel great. This happens partly through education; through teaching you how to leave those highs and lows behind, and eat a wide variety of delicious and colourful foods that nourish your body and keep you feeling alert and energised throughout the day. Food has a profound impact on the body and good nutrition is vital to ensuring you achieve optimal health. Health coaches are trained in current nutritional science and body systems and can help you to understand how to eat to suit your body and lifestyle. No diets involved; this is about feeling great, eating regularly and well so you feel satisfied, and creating long term, sustainable change. However, diet is not enough, so a health coach is also trained in lifestyle modifications. Research shows that sleep, exercise, and managing stress through relaxation and mindfulness are excellent ways to ensure optimal health and longevity. A Health Coach will work with you to find lifestyle interventions that suit you as an individual, taking all of your life circumstances into account. They can also help you address specific health goals such as weight loss, fitness, managing stress, or balancing hormones.
The Health Coaching process
Your Health Coach will first help you establish what is working well for you, and then what isn’t working so well. They will help you identify your strengths, and tap into your motivations, overcoming any barriers that stand in the way of change. Although change is hard, the rewards feel exceptional.
Your Health Coach will help you identify your personal value system and work out what you want and why. If you are clear on your values, you can live a more authentic and comfortable life, with a clear purpose and vision for your future.
Your Health Coach will help you set goals and make plans to ensure you succeed at achieving them, one step at a time. They will encourage you to take committed action, and, so importantly, they will gently hold you to account. They will help you to stay on track, cheer for you, celebrate those wins with you…..and hold you to account when you agree to take action. If you are struggling, they will help you work out why and move past the difficulties, breaking through towards new possibilities.
Your Health Coach will help you overcome challenges, break bad habits and adopt new healthier ones in their place. They have the time to support you through this change. It takes 3 weeks to change a habit, and 6 weeks to embed a new healthier habit; they will be with you along the way, until you are confident to continue moving forwards without them. Once you have succeeded in achieving your goals, they will work with you to make sure you maintain your results and achieve long term success, so that the new habits eventually become second nature and a part of your new lifestyle.
Does it work?
The programme I use has been transforming people’s lives since 2003. It has been tried and tested in the UK, South Africa, Ireland, Canada and Europe since 2003 and thousands of people have benefitted. The research shows it to be a unique health and weight loss process that works better than any other method because of the added accountability health coaching provides and the flexible nature of the nutrition plan. Typical 4-week volunteer results, for those that commit to and complete the programme, are:
100% experience health benefits
90% experience increased energy
90% lose weight
60% improve in areas such as memory, concentration, or mood
Other recorded improvements include sleep, skin, digestion, hair, reduced aches and pains, as well as overall wellbeing, happiness, improved confidence and positive life changes.
Is it worth a try?
As a busy Mum and Probation Officer I used to think I didn’t have time to focus on my health, until I got to the point where I had to do something because life was becoming a struggle – for me and those around me. I can honestly say I will never regret engaging with a health coach, I just wish I’d done it sooner; it has turned my life around! I now have the energy to enjoy doing all the things I love with the people I love. I’ve reduced the risks of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart attacks, which means I will hopefully live longer to enjoy this energy and zest for life!
If you’re feeling in need of a healthier life, I would highly recommend it; so is it worth it, yes!
Choose life, choose health, choose a health coach!