My Background
I’ve spent the last 15 years working and studying in the health and wellbeing industries. Initially I trained and worked as a nurse with cancer patients and then in a hospice. I then trained and worked as a personal trainer and fitness instructor and now as a life coach integrating my experience to offer people an inside out, whole health approach to wellbeing. I also have a degree in psychology and I am fascinated by all things health and wellbeing. It’s so clear to me that our bodies health, our brains wellbeing and our hearts happiness are so inextricably linked. Working to connect all parts of myself has been the most powerful work of my life, I know it can be for you too.
My Beginning
I thought I’d share my story in the hope it inspires you to know more is possible in life than what you may believe. My fascination with health and wellbeing came from seeing my mum really struggle with her own physical and mental health as a child. I really wanted to understand how to help those I loved and I wanted and hoped for a brighter future for myself.
During my nursing career I was not looking after myself, I didn’t eat well, I didn’t exercise and I would get sick all the time. So I decided to make some changes. With some help from my brother I began to exercise and eat a healthier diet; it was not easy, I found it so hard at first and there were numerous setbacks, but once I really made it a consistent part of my routine, honestly so many things changed. I went from hating exercise to loving how it made me feel. I noticed all the physical changes you’d expect such as weight loss and toning, but what I hadn’t expected was the energy it would give me or the confidence I would feel. I felt less stressed, stronger, more resilient and capable. What surprised me the most was the change in my immune system, I had gone from having almost continuous colds in the winter with more severe symptoms to having one to two colds a year with only mild symptoms.
Grief
Life didn’t end with this success story, I sadly lost my mum, then my dad a few years later, I had a beautiful 1 year old daughter at the time, but I was in chronic pain from my pregnancy and I was experiencing horrible anxiety. There was a period of time where I just felt broken and I was scared I’d never find a long term solution to any of the pain.
Something in me was determined not to let that be the case. So I signed up for multiple courses learning from anyone I thought might have answers. I trained in in somatic practices and breath work, compassionate self forgiveness, mindfulness, mindset work and emotional mastery mostly from the incredible Alyssa Nobriga. I also trained in physical rehabilitation from Sarah Duvall and Katie St Clair.
Change & safety
Practicing being so kind and loving to myself was such a relief from the constant feeling I needed to be doing better. What’s more rather than judging myself for judging myself, I began to love the parts of me that were so critical and harsh on myself. The criticism was my brains way of trying to motivate me to do better, it was simply trying to protect me in the best way it knew how. Loving this part of myself changed my relationship with my inner critic and somehow it began to let go all on it’s own.
The thing that changed me the most was the somatic practices. Learning how to move trapped experiences through my body was so powerful, learning to sit with the sensation of anxiety and bring love and safety to that energy was so profound. I haven’t had any anxiety since that experience. Not that it can’t and won’t every show up again, but I now feel I understand how to navigate it if it ever does.
Pain to power
Physically I learnt so much about the causes of pain but also how much our nervous system is involved in our experience of pain. When we experience stress or anxiety our nervous system signals a completely different set of muscles to function and over time what begins with muscle tightness can change the position of our bones, compress nerves, even organs. The good news is all of this is potentially reversible and there is so much healing available to us with the right support.
None of us know exactly where life will take us next, but I can say I’ve learnt to find love, safety and happiness within myself. It doesn’t mean I never look for these things on the outside, but ultimately I know I can give myself what I need in any moment. This has bought me so much joy, contentment and wellbeing on a level I didn’t really know was possible. If you’d like to find your way home to yourself, then I’m here to support you every step of the way.
“After having a baby I was nervous about getting back into exercise. I knew there were things I should avoid doing, but didn’t know what they were. It was great to have Clara to give me gentle, safe exercises tailored to me and my goals. Clara is so knowledgeable and relaxed, she motivated me to keep going and made each session fun. I would defo recommend her!”