Since I was younger, I’ve always felt that I’m here to be of service.
To make a difference.
To share my love for life.
To share my inner spark that I was once too shy to show.
The natural conversationalist that I appear to be today is certainly not how my ‘life journey’ started. It’s the ability to connect with others and share my story along the way that fuels my desire to coach and mentor others for many years to come.
Looking back now, I can see how much my shyness held me back. And, as I write this blog, I can also see how my shyness stopped me from being seen and heard.
When I was younger, I used to hide behind my mother’s legs and chew on the
Tupperware beaker cup that I still have to this day (along with the tiny teeth marks that are proof of my inner fear of talking to other people).
Imagine a blonde-haired, blue-eyed young girl being the only Brownie not holding hands with the other Brownies around the toadstool. Putting my money in the pot and standing proud as a Sprite, saying: “Here we come, the sprightly Sprites, brave and helpful like the knights.”
My hand was never held by other Brownies because my eczema was so bad that other children thought they would catch it. I went from a village primary school of a mere 40 students to a high school of over a thousand and got teased for the oversized skirt that went past my knees (I had to grow into it). I even got bullied for being taller than the boys.
Oh, the things we go through to come out the other end unscathed.
It’s times like these that you remember what it was like to be young and innocent. When your mind is resting and reflecting after a busy day, or at times when you’re asked why you find it so easy to stand on stage in front of hundreds of people, showing no sign of nerves.
Let me tell you the truth.
I’m not a naturally confident woman. I learned the art of becoming one – step by step.
Fast forward through the years. After delivering wellbeing workshops and being a team leader in multiple local councils, I had my own adversity to contend with in 2020: a diagnosis of early breast cancer at the age of 44, just before we headed into COVID-19 (that’s a story for another blog!).
My diagnosis catapulted me in the direction that I had craved for years. I wanted to set up my own wellness events business where I could create and co-design wellness coaching conversations in the community and beyond. A pure desire to read, digest and deliver information that would generate enthusiasm in other people, along with a deep fascination with neuroscience and behaviour change.
As a certified Health and Wellness Coach (graduated in 2021 from Wellness Coaching
Australia), specialising in women’s wellness, community wellbeing and menopause, my 25 years in local government have also been a rich and rewarding career – leading and designing events and programs that support older adults, people living with disability, carers and local communities to connect, thrive and feel supported.
These experiences continue to shape the way I coach today – placing people, relationships and self-awareness at the heart of everything I do.
You know that shy village girl that I was talking about? Well, she’s still here as a 50 year old woman, yet the drive to support others certainly outweighs the need to retreat.
My passion is helping women and communities (including organisations) to navigate and explore life with confidence, resilience and self-compassion. Through delivering workshops, keynote presentations and wellness events, I want to continue creating safe and welcoming spaces to pause, reflect and discover long-lasting ways to improve overall wellbeing.
Drawing on both my career so far and my own health adversity with breast cancer, I strongly believe that meaningful change happens through small, sustainable steps and genuine human connection. We all know that social connections and a sense of belonging help us to move forward in many aspects of our lives. It’s also about having cheerleaders that see, hear, and respect you – and celebrate your small wins with you.
Alongside my coaching business, I’m proud to contribute to my community through several volunteer roles. I’m the founder of The Breast Friend Project, a Heart Foundation-registered walking group supporting people touched by breast cancer; a Cancer Council SA Ambassador; a volunteer with Grandcarers SA; a dragon boat team coach, producer and host of the Wellness Words for Women podcast; and an active member of the HCANZA Special Interest Group – NDIS. A full life and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Above all, my mission is to inspire people to slow down, reconnect with themselves, embrace change with confidence, and create a life that feels healthier, calmer and more meaningful. I’m sure you would agree personal wellbeing isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s about creating space to live with greater intention, balance, and joy.
What’s your passion as a coach?
To end my blog, I’d love to share a snippet from the book I wrote in 2021:
Love your life. Live it with grace and zest. Dance if you want to and be the sunshine in someone’s day.
