It’s funny how life has a way of surprising you. I was reminded of a pivotal moment in my journey this morning during a client’s weight loss coaching session. Nearly 20 years ago, I saw a photo that changed everything for me.

It was from a Christmas lunch for work in 2006. When I looked at it, I was shocked—this wasn’t how I saw myself. It didn’t reflect the real me.

In that photo, I was significantly overweight. I was also a smoker, and living a life that was moving me toward a future of poor health, discomfort, pain, and unhappiness.

But in that moment, something clicked. I realised that if I didn’t do something about it, that image would eventually become my reality.

It was a hard truth to face, but it was the wake-up call I needed.

The Decision That Changed Everything

I made a decision right then and there.

I chose to change. To lose the weight. To stop smoking. To get fit. To get healthy! 

I promised myself I would find the “real me” and live a life that felt authentic to who I truly was. It wasn’t going to be easy, and I knew that, but I knew it was the only way forward.

I was tired of living a life that wasn’t aligned with my values and desires.

At that time, my actions and values were so far out of sync that it would take me five years to finally feel like I was on the path to becoming the person I wanted to be.

There were countless challenges along the way—every day was a reminder of the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be. But I stuck with it. Slowly but surely, the person I had been hiding all these years started to emerge.

After those five years of personal transformation, I reached a point where I felt confident and comfortable in my own skin. It was a beautiful feeling—a sense of peace and acceptance I’d never felt before. But that wasn’t the end of the journey. In fact, it was just the beginning.

Helping Others Find Their Authentic Selves

For the next nine years, I continued to grow, learn, and develop the tools I needed to help others. I knew that my journey wasn’t just about me—it was about how I could use my experience to support others in finding their authentic selves, too.

It was through this growth that I decided to pursue a career as a weight loss coach. Today, I’m proud to say that I’ve had the privilege of helping so many incredible clients on their own journeys. It has been such a rewarding experience, seeing their transformations and knowing I’ve played a part in guiding them toward the healthier, happier versions of themselves.

A Full Circle Moment- and Lots of Happy Tears!

And just last week, on 30th January 2025, I received an unexpected honour: I was awarded Fitness and Nutrition Coach of the Year at the Paseda360 National Coaching Awards. It was an incredibly emotional moment as you can tell from the photo at the top of this article.

This recognition was not only a reflection of my own growth, but also of the work I’ve done to help others. It’s a reminder that my story—my struggles and triumphs—have a purpose. The transformation I went through all those years ago has allowed me to be of service to others.

I never could have imagined that seeing that photo in 2006 would set me on this path. That one moment, that single decision to change, set the wheels in motion for everything that has come after.

The Pain Becomes the Inspiration

The message I want to share is simple, but powerful: The pain we go through can become our inspiration. Not just for ourselves, but for others, too. We may not always know where our journey will take us, but that’s part of the beauty of it.

Life has a way of leading us exactly where we’re meant to go, and we just have to start.

If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain, know that the world is full of opportunity. Whatever your struggle is right now, it has the potential to become the inspiration that changes your life—and someone else’s.

I’m grateful every day for the clients who’ve trusted me to help them find their authentic selves. And I’m here to help you, too.

If you’re ready to make that change, to live a life that feels aligned with your true values, I’m here to support you on that journey.

The road ahead may not always be easy, but I can promise you this: it will be worth it.