Food Freedom Coach

Another school holidays done and dusted. During this term break, I’ve done a bit of reflecting and I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

As some of you know, I started my Food Freedom Coach business in January 2024. I’ve worked incredibly hard, pulling long hours, networking, upskilling and constantly putting myself out of my comfort zone. It is starting to pay off, as I have a full case load with a waitlist system. God has been good and blessed my business.

But here’s the thing - I have not taken a single day off during the school year. No sick days, mental health days, or days off due to school holidays.

I would like to get to a point where I take days off without feeling guilty and it doesn’t impact on my work/business. I guess I’m still figuring out what my work-kids-husband-wife-me balance looks like.

Do you feel you have achieved this, what does it look like and how did you get there??

Proud mum moment 🥰 Asher played in the championship finals last night for Year 3/4 basketball ⛹️‍♂️🏆. Although we didn’t come away with a win, I have seen Asher push hard and give it his all through the past 8 weeks 💪. So proud of his resilience and sportsmanship 🏀🏅. Love this little dude

Wow this was 11 years ago. I had a vision when I decided to go back to uni (after 5 years of hard work already with a Masters in Nutrition) that I wanted to help people struggling with an eating disorder. I wasn’t exactly sure how I would get there, so it was a MASSIVE step of faith. The next two years were HARD. I was newly married, went from earning money to not, and lived with my in-laws. I never imagined it would lead me to where I am today - a business owner running my own private practice, talking to people who had never spoken about their struggles their entire lives (let alone get help for it), learning more and more about trauma and healing, and now delivering CBT for insomnia. My professional journey hasn’t been easy - I constantly feel stretched, challenged and sometimes doubt my abilities. But to do nothing would be worse. To live for only my comfort would be a very empty and unfulfilling life. On the hard days, I remind myself of the stories I have heard, the tears I have shared with my clients - and I tell myself it is all worth it. So I keep on battling until I can battle no more, one foot in front of the other each day.

I am excited to announce that I am a 𝗖𝗕𝗧-𝗶 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟭 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 (𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗻𝗶𝗮)!

I saw time and time again, how disrupted sleep was affecting my work with clients. Disrupted sleep doesn't just affect your energy levels the next day. It affects mood regulation, impulse control, cravings and urges, decision making, focus and concentration and insulin sensitivity. When you are sleep deprived, you are much more likely to seek comfort from energy-dense food and your capacity to use skills decreases. That is why I decided to upskill in CBT-i and I am excited to offer this as part of my Eating Disorder service.

Check out my newest blog to learn more -

www.foodfreedom.co.nz

Upskilling on Schema Therapy for Eating Disorders. This is blowing my mind. Already, I have started to implement a Schema Approach in my sessions and people really resonate with it.

Schema Therapy is an evidence-based treatment for clients who do not respond to first line treatment and/or those with higher complexity and co-morbidities.

Clients have said things like, "That's exactly it, but I've never been able to put words to it", "That explains it up perfectly", and "Wow, I've never heard it put that way but yes, that is how it is [for me]".

I am super excited to learn more about Schema Therapy for Eating Disorder and use it more and more in my practice.

Back at school today!! It’s been 8 weeks of holidays and although it’s been filled with laughter, relaxation, connection and new adventures, we are ready for some routine and using our brains in a different way! Year 6 and Year 3, here we come 🥰🥹🙌👊

A a new year begins, you might be reflecting on how things can be different this year.

Unless something changes, we often stay caught in the same cycle. A new diet won’t fix a long-standing issue. Diets aren’t sustainable.

Sustainable change comes from learning the truth about food and the body, building skills to cope with stress, clarifying your values, and living them out day by day.

This client’s journey is a reminder that change doesn’t require perfection or willpower - just the right support, at the right time.

If you’re entering this year wanting more peace with food, this might resonate with you.

💛Food Freedom Coach
💛Freedom from Binge Eating and Bulimia: Expert help, lived experience and online coaching.
💛Auckland, New Zealand