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Who am I?
I am in my 50’s, living in Marlow, near London in the UK. I am Mum to grown-up children and a wife to a busy working husband. I am proud to be a Health Coach, providing wellbeing support to mid-life women who are struggling with menopause-related symptoms to make lifestyle changes to reduce their symptoms. I take a holistic ‘whole person’ approach, and I believe the following are ALL important for health and wellbeing:
I am also the Programme Development Director for the UK Health Coaches Association, where am focused on 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. Other relevant experience that I have comes from previous roles working at the Trusted Coach Directory, and in training and advice services, including at the Citizens Advice Bureau and running my own training business. I chose the name 'Bloom with Mary' partly because I love the positively, the sense of growth, and the element of nature, but also because it was my maiden name. My Mum was delighted! 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 glass of bubbly! |
My Lifestyle Journey
I have always been passionate about living a lifestyle that enables me to get the best from my life, although that doesn't mean it's been an easy or smooth journey. As I've faced each obstacle in my life, I have climbed over it, driven through it, or ducked around it, with the help of various lifestyle changes. And in doing so, I've learnt more about myself, and more about the power of making lifestyle changes to keep myself sane and well.
There have been several key points in my mid-life journey when I have had health issues which I have addressed by making lifestyle changes.
Depression
In my early 40’s I suffered a bout of clinically-diagnosed depression. I was prescribed antidepressants, which I reacted badly to, so I turned to alternative remedies including exercise and dietary changes. Running became particularly important for me, and I remember going out in all weathers, knowing that I would be able to face the next day only if I did so.
Perimenopause
A few years’ later I started getting hot flushes, night sweats and my sleep went AWOL. I was perimenopausal. Looking back, I think the depression was probably the start, as I know now that the first perimenopausal symptoms are often related to feelings, emotions and anxieties and the impending mindset shift that our body is trying to message us about to prepare us for the second half of our lives.
When I started getting classic menopausal symptoms, I once again turned to lifestyle changes. Exercise became particularly important, but I also used supplements, changed my diet, avoided triggers, bought clothes I could layer up (and off) and worked my way through it step-by-step.
What I learnt then is that the menopause is a natural stage in life, and that if we work with our body and our mind, we have the capacity to find a path that is healing, liberating and positive.
Sleep
When I decided to train as a health coach 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 in my early 50's, which I assumed is just what happens when women get older. 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 again I made some lifestyle changes, managing my circadian rhythm better, improving my evening routines, reducing my stress levels and taking on a new mindset.
The result, you ask? It's been amazing! Firstly - my sleeping has improved significantly. It's not perfect, but so much better than before, and I understand now what affects my sleep, so I am more motivated to manage it, and I am less worried when it doesn’t go so well. But changing some of my habits also had secondary effects - I have lost weight and I feel more relaxed and positive in myself. I didn't set out to prove my own theory, but I have!
This has been my mid-life journey, and I feel positive and empowered to move forwards to the next stage of my life.
Essential oils
I have always enjoyed using essential oils, and part of my holiday packing has always been a bottle of lavender and tea tree oil in my 'first aid' kit.
More recently I have been introduced to the wonders of doTERRA, and having tried a range of their oils I am completely hooked on their powerful properties that I use to help me sleep, wake up, feel energised, relax, support my hormones, zap colds, clear up warts, support weight loss. You name it, they seem to be able to help! Therefore I include essential oils in my programmes, because I believe they can provide amazing beneficial support to our wellbeing.
My mission
My mission now is to share the benefit of my experience and skills to help other women navigating their mid-life changes, to help them take back control of their health and feel confident to embrace their future.
I have always been passionate about living a lifestyle that enables me to get the best from my life, although that doesn't mean it's been an easy or smooth journey. As I've faced each obstacle in my life, I have climbed over it, driven through it, or ducked around it, with the help of various lifestyle changes. And in doing so, I've learnt more about myself, and more about the power of making lifestyle changes to keep myself sane and well.
There have been several key points in my mid-life journey when I have had health issues which I have addressed by making lifestyle changes.
Depression
In my early 40’s I suffered a bout of clinically-diagnosed depression. I was prescribed antidepressants, which I reacted badly to, so I turned to alternative remedies including exercise and dietary changes. Running became particularly important for me, and I remember going out in all weathers, knowing that I would be able to face the next day only if I did so.
Perimenopause
A few years’ later I started getting hot flushes, night sweats and my sleep went AWOL. I was perimenopausal. Looking back, I think the depression was probably the start, as I know now that the first perimenopausal symptoms are often related to feelings, emotions and anxieties and the impending mindset shift that our body is trying to message us about to prepare us for the second half of our lives.
When I started getting classic menopausal symptoms, I once again turned to lifestyle changes. Exercise became particularly important, but I also used supplements, changed my diet, avoided triggers, bought clothes I could layer up (and off) and worked my way through it step-by-step.
What I learnt then is that the menopause is a natural stage in life, and that if we work with our body and our mind, we have the capacity to find a path that is healing, liberating and positive.
Sleep
When I decided to train as a health coach 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 in my early 50's, which I assumed is just what happens when women get older. 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 again I made some lifestyle changes, managing my circadian rhythm better, improving my evening routines, reducing my stress levels and taking on a new mindset.
The result, you ask? It's been amazing! Firstly - my sleeping has improved significantly. It's not perfect, but so much better than before, and I understand now what affects my sleep, so I am more motivated to manage it, and I am less worried when it doesn’t go so well. But changing some of my habits also had secondary effects - I have lost weight and I feel more relaxed and positive in myself. I didn't set out to prove my own theory, but I have!
This has been my mid-life journey, and I feel positive and empowered to move forwards to the next stage of my life.
Essential oils
I have always enjoyed using essential oils, and part of my holiday packing has always been a bottle of lavender and tea tree oil in my 'first aid' kit.
More recently I have been introduced to the wonders of doTERRA, and having tried a range of their oils I am completely hooked on their powerful properties that I use to help me sleep, wake up, feel energised, relax, support my hormones, zap colds, clear up warts, support weight loss. You name it, they seem to be able to help! Therefore I include essential oils in my programmes, because I believe they can provide amazing beneficial support to our wellbeing.
My mission
My mission now is to share the benefit of my experience and skills to help other women navigating their mid-life changes, to help them take back control of their health and feel confident to embrace their future.
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My qualifications, skills and professional memberships
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