You’ve met Amy before. Amy is my personal assistant and one little go getter (or should I say BIG go getter – she’s taller than me!). Amy is studying Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and recently began study with The Institute of Integrative Nutrition to incorporate holistic health coaching. She also has a blog – learning to F.L.Y. (First Love Yourself) where she shares about her own wellness journey. I want you to know a little more about her and her mission. (I actually cried a little when I read her beautiful answers below!) Check out her site too – not only does she share her insights, she has super delicious recipes on there too! Now, over to Amy.

How did you begin on this wellness journey?
This wellness journey really began when I was very young. I went through weight issues at both ends of the scale, both very overweight and underweight, and I went through a phase where I was total gym nut, you can read more about this in a post I wrote on my blog. In my days of being overweight and my efforts to loose the weight I tried every diet under the sun, this journey exposed me to many ways of eating and allowed me to discover what was right for me. With my weight issues and certain life events came a lot of issues with self acceptance and self love. I got to a point in my life where I was at my lowest, after completing a self development course a friend had recommended to me, all of a sudden I was shook out of my hole of self-pitty to understand I really could have amazing relationships, live my wildest dreams, be happy! But it would be up to me to go and get it and happiness is a daily choice. I fell back in love with my life and my body and naturally have ever since only wanted the best for it. My choice to take on a career in the health and wellness industry, especially my love for Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, as you know Nat came from you. For people who don’t know the story. I went to Nat back in September 2010 with shocking migraines and digestive issues that I thought I would be stuck with for life. My GP had tested me for everything they could think of, but they found nothing. I refused to accept that I would have to live my life with these issues, the day I met Nat my life changed forever. (tear – I love this woman). I haven’t had a migraine since my first Acupuncture session and after completing a cleanse Nat tailored for me, I have had a healthy functioning gut ever since. I was beyond amazed by this shift in my health and I wanted to know more. I was at a point in my life where I wanted to further my education so I decided to study Chinese Medicine. Why not huh? My thirst to know more grows every day. I want to help people to take control of their own lives, to step up and ask big questions, to find what works for them. Don’t sit back and accept you have to live your life any other way than what you want.

What do you feel was the turning point of getting to where you are today?
It was absolutely my self-development course back in 2009. It’s been a process to fully take it all in. It wasn’t like an overnight fix, but it has given me a nifty little tool kit to deal with every day life, to take control, make better choices and move through difficult times far easier than I once would.

Who inspires you?
Hmmm, where do I start…. YOU! Without sounding like a total suck up, Nat really is such an inspiration to me. I stepped in to her clinic a total mess, I am forever grateful for the amazing being that she is, for every opportunities she has given me and for the change she is creating in this world. My Mum would have to be my biggest inspiration, this Woman is stronger than anyone I know, when I was young I couldn’t appreciate her for all that she did for me, she made some really hard decisions but they have played the biggest part in me becoming the woman I am today, she continues to inspire me every day. And my Dad, one of the wisest souls I know. He has been on to all this health stuff for years, he has been such a huge influence on me to live a healthy, happy life. My parents are amazing – Just sayin 😉 xx

Where to from here?
Right now it is all about finishing my studies and sharing my message which is why I started the blog. In 12 months time I will have my health coach qualification and I plan to start working with people to help them move towards and achieve their health, wellness and life goals.

What’s your favourite quote?
I have many but my two faves are, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’ by Gandhi and ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine by thy food’ by Hippocrates

What’s one thing I don’t know about you? (I being Nat)
I love antiques! (not sure if you know that or not) I get this form my Dad. I love anything that has a history and a story, that someone has loved and cherished.

Anything else you want to share?
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who said it not even if I have said it. Unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense ~ Buddha.

These words speak very loud to me. I want people to take responsibility and be their own doctor (by this I don’t mean jumping on google with all your symptoms to see what pops up). Slow down and start listening to the subtle messages from their body before their body starts screaming back in the way of bigger things like cancer. There are people in the health and wellness industry that are here to help and guide you to be well and be happy, but make choices based on what echoes in your heart and what rings true for you, not because someone in a white coat said you should or because it’s the latest fad. No person on this earth knows you’re body like you do, remember this.