In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of juggling a career, family, social life, and maintaining good health. For many years, I found myself trapped in cycles of yo-yo dieting, quick fixes, and unhealthy habits while living life at full speed. My focus was on keeping up with everything around me, pushing through without really considering how my choices were affecting my physical and emotional well-being. It wasn’t until I faced several health setbacks that I realised the profound impact my lifestyle was having on my health.

For 23 years, I worked in high-pressured recruitment roles in London and Sydney, spending 19 of those years running my own media recruitment company. Throughout my career, my true passion has always been helping people. In recruitment, I was dedicated to supporting people in finding the right roles, guiding them through career decisions, and helping them achieve their personal and professional goals. This passion for helping others is at the heart of what I do now as a Health Coach and the reason I’ve found such fulfilment in helping people take charge of their health and well-being.

In the midst of my recruitment career I relied on convenience foods, sugary snacks, and takeaways to keep up with the demands of my busy job, while my social life revolved around various events or parties, usually with a lot of drinking. I stayed fairly active through walking, running, and the occasional gym session, but looking back in hindsight, I know my lifestyle wasn’t serving me, weakening my body and leaving me more susceptible to illness. It wasn’t until years later, after a series of health challenges, that I realised I had to make a change.

In my late 20s I had experienced Shingles and Pneumonia in the same year, both serious health setbacks for someone so young, but this didn’t stop me getting back to my fast-paced lifestyle. In my late 30s, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease from a tick bite, and in my early 40s, experienced the emotional and devastating trauma of baby loss, followed by a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroid condition. At my heaviest weight and with the rollercoaster of perimenopause setting in, I knew I had to make some changes.

I began learning about and focusing on new ways to nourish and look after my body. I discovered how to balance my blood sugar levels using nutritious whole foods that curbed my cravings and helped me achieve and maintain steady energy levels and a healthy weight without restrictive diets, explored other forms of less intense exercise and prioritised self-care/me-time to address my emotional health. My energy levels returned, my cravings eased and I started to feel like myself again.

It was through my health struggles over the years and realisation of how I had been living my life, that I became fascinated by how diet and lifestyle impact long-term health. My curiosity and drive to understand health more, led me to study Biomedicine, giving me insight into how disease affects the body. Pairing this knowledge with my Level 5 Diploma in Health and Wellness Coaching from the Health Coaches Academic, I now understand the power of taking a holistic approach, focusing on nutrition, movement, stress management, and emotional well-being to support long-term health.

The changes I made in achieving a healthy weight, regaining consistent energy, and developing a more positive, confident, and happier mindset have really transformed my life and my own journey has inspired me to help other women over 40 achieve the same.

Now, as a certified Health and Wellness Coach, I help guide my clients to break free from unhealthy habits, rediscover their energy, and create lasting change. I don’t prescribe a one-size-fits-all plan -we work together to create personalised strategies to fit my client’s own needs and goals. It’s about finding what works for them and then empowering them to make sustainable changes.  Here’s how I work with my clients:

• Nutrition: We explore ways to nourish their bodies with whole foods and balanced meals, not through restrictive diets, but by creating habits that fuel their energy and overall well-being.

• Movement: Exercise is about more than burning calories. We focus on finding enjoyable ways for them to move their bodies that fit seamlessly into their lives, boosting their mood and supporting long-term health.

• Stress Management: Chronic stress has a huge impact on health. I share practical strategies to help my clients feel calmer and better equipped to handle life’s demands.

• Sleep: Restful sleep is vital for health. We discuss ways to improve sleep quality so they wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

• Creating Sustainable Habits: Real transformation results from small, consistent changes. We focus on manageable steps that fit their lives and become second nature over time.

• Accountability: Change isn’t easy, but they don’t have to do it alone. I provide encouragement, celebrate their wins and help them navigate challenges while keeping them motivated and on track – very much like having their own personal cheer-leader! 

Health coaching doesn’t just help you feel better now, it can play a critical role in preventing chronic health conditions. Research shows that sustainable lifestyle changes such as improved nutrition, regular movement, and stress management can lower the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, and other chronic illnesses. By addressing these areas proactively, health coaching supports a healthier future.

If you’re ready to take charge of your health and make meaningful changes that will truly support your well-being long term, a Health Coach can help you get there. If you are interested to see if health coaching might work for you and then create a plan that feels achievable and fits into your life, get in touch via ellie@elliewhitewellness.com or book your Free Wellness Review here.

Written by Ellie White Wellness

This article is a part of our Wellness Budget Campaign, encouraging women to think differently about wellness and money.

Want to work with Ellie White Wellness? Join her Jumpstart January Programme!

Jumpstart January is a 7-day reset programme starting on Monday 20th January designed to provide you with new knowledge and a plan to help you take back control of your eating habits, while giving your energy levels a boost and a kickstart to helping manage weight.

It’s a mini group hosted in a private WhatsApp group by registered Health & Wellness Coach Ellie - there will be no more than 10 people in the group - this is a great way to keep up motivation and accountability. 

I will send a pack the week before we start with guidelines, suggested meal plan with delicious, nourishing, easy to make recipes, shopping list, daily itinerary, mindful eating and self care logs and an energy and blood sugar review.

Cost is £45 for one person, or if two people sign up together £69.

Limited spaces available and the closing date to sign up is Sunday 12th January.