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Who am I?
I have lived in Marlow for over 20 years, having moved here shortly before starting a family, and have brought up my children through schools in Marlow. I am a Health Coach, the Programme Development Director for the UK Health Coaches Association and I work for the Trusted Coach Directory. I have worked in training and advice services, including at the Citizens Advice Bureau and running my own training business. In my role as Programme Development Director, I am developing UK-based health coach training, building partnerships with coaching and health & wellness organisations, as well as developing accreditation pathways to create and maintain the highest standards in health coaching in the UK. I love being outside in the fresh air, especially walking. My favourite animal is elephants and my favourite holiday location is being in the mountains. And I can't resist chocolate and a really good glass of bubbly! |
Why health coaching?
I have always had an interest in health and wellbeing, and realised the power of lifestyle medicine when I suffered a period of depression, and I had a bad reaction to antidepressants. I thought – if pills won’t work, what else can I do? I started exercising, and literally exercised my way out of the days in bed, not being able to face the world. Since then I have kept up doing some form of exercise as much, if not more, for my mental health.
When I first heard about health coaching, I immediately thought what a fantastic role to do - supporting and empowering people to be happier through living a healthier lifestyle. I began researching and learning about functional medicine and holistic health. Finding it so interesting and logical, I decided to apply some of the principles to my own life. I have slept like a log most of my life, but that changed a few years ago, which I assumed is just what happens when women get older, especially after the menopause. Through my research for becoming a health coach, I realised that I didn't have to just accept it, and that maybe there was something I could do. So I decided to try out some of the techniques that I had been researching, about how to sleep better, as well as tweaking my diet with some newly-found great recipes, and reducing (not eliminating!) my alcohol consumption.
The result, you ask? It's been amazing! Firstly - my sleeping has definitely improved. I'm waking up fewer times in the night, and if I do, I'm usually going back to sleep more quickly. It's not perfect, but so much better than before, and I understand now what is likely to have an effect on my sleep, so I am more motivated to manage it. But changing some of my habits also had secondary effects - I have lost weight and I feel more relaxed and positive in myself. I wasn't trying to lose weight, and I acknowledge that drinking less will have helped, but as I didn't give up completely (and definitely not given up chocolate), that's not the whole picture. I think it's because I'm sleeping better and more relaxed, that my body is more in balance, and is making better use of the food I am eating. I didn't set out to prove my own theory, but I have!
I have always had an interest in health and wellbeing, and realised the power of lifestyle medicine when I suffered a period of depression, and I had a bad reaction to antidepressants. I thought – if pills won’t work, what else can I do? I started exercising, and literally exercised my way out of the days in bed, not being able to face the world. Since then I have kept up doing some form of exercise as much, if not more, for my mental health.
When I first heard about health coaching, I immediately thought what a fantastic role to do - supporting and empowering people to be happier through living a healthier lifestyle. I began researching and learning about functional medicine and holistic health. Finding it so interesting and logical, I decided to apply some of the principles to my own life. I have slept like a log most of my life, but that changed a few years ago, which I assumed is just what happens when women get older, especially after the menopause. Through my research for becoming a health coach, I realised that I didn't have to just accept it, and that maybe there was something I could do. So I decided to try out some of the techniques that I had been researching, about how to sleep better, as well as tweaking my diet with some newly-found great recipes, and reducing (not eliminating!) my alcohol consumption.
The result, you ask? It's been amazing! Firstly - my sleeping has definitely improved. I'm waking up fewer times in the night, and if I do, I'm usually going back to sleep more quickly. It's not perfect, but so much better than before, and I understand now what is likely to have an effect on my sleep, so I am more motivated to manage it. But changing some of my habits also had secondary effects - I have lost weight and I feel more relaxed and positive in myself. I wasn't trying to lose weight, and I acknowledge that drinking less will have helped, but as I didn't give up completely (and definitely not given up chocolate), that's not the whole picture. I think it's because I'm sleeping better and more relaxed, that my body is more in balance, and is making better use of the food I am eating. I didn't set out to prove my own theory, but I have!
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My qualifications and professional memberships
I am a qualified Cognitive-Behavioural Coach with the Centre for Coaching, approved by the British Psychological Society and I am a member and the Programme Development Director of the UK Health Coaches Association. I am a level 4 City & Guilds qualified Trainer (PTTLLS), and have run many types of training over the years, including interviewing and advice skills when I worked at the Citizens Advice Bureau, where I gained my Certificate in Generalist Advice. Additionally I am trained in interviewing through the IQCS (Interviewer Quality Control Scheme.) I am a qualified Anatomy, Physiology and Massage Therapist, including Seated Acupressure and Indian Head Massage. |
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My principles
As you may be able to guess from my personal experiences I've outlined above, I am a holistic Health Coach, taking a ‘whole person’ view. If you come to me because you want to lose weight, we won’t just look at eating, we will review all the other elements, which together will make up your personal lifestyle profile.
In addition to my considerable life experience and interests, there are two major influences on my Health Coaching approach:
***Dr Chatterjee, and his '4 Pillar Plan’***
***Blue Zones – a project to identify the lifestyle habits of communities around the world with a higher than average proportion of centenarians.***
Based on these sources, I believe the following elements are ALL important for overall health and wellbeing:
Food
Movement
Relaxation
Sleep
Life purpose
Community
As you may be able to guess from my personal experiences I've outlined above, I am a holistic Health Coach, taking a ‘whole person’ view. If you come to me because you want to lose weight, we won’t just look at eating, we will review all the other elements, which together will make up your personal lifestyle profile.
In addition to my considerable life experience and interests, there are two major influences on my Health Coaching approach:
***Dr Chatterjee, and his '4 Pillar Plan’***
***Blue Zones – a project to identify the lifestyle habits of communities around the world with a higher than average proportion of centenarians.***
Based on these sources, I believe the following elements are ALL important for overall health and wellbeing:
Food
Movement
Relaxation
Sleep
Life purpose
Community
Please note that if I identify that you need a specialist service, such as nutritional advice, I will help you find a suitable practitioner, and help you ensure you get maximum value from this service.
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In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
