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Read about my journey:

In general:
    Short Bio
    Read the whole story
    See my life in pictures

Specific branches:
    Hypermobility
    PCOS
    Candida
    Weight loss
    Changing career
    Travelling
 

I was an overweight child, and by the time I was 20 I was over 280 pounds (20 stone). I remember the exact moment I decided to do something about it – amazing how one moment can herald the beginning of something completely new: I refused some chocolate raisins that were offered to me over a jigsaw on Boxing Day! This resolve continued and between the ages of 20 and 21 I lost over 110 pounds (8 stone), which I kept off. My health improved dramatically. Eating a high raw diet since 2009 has seen me lose another 28 pounds (2 stone) without even trying. I feel healthier, more energetic and more beautiful than I ever have done.

 1993 aged 18  2011 Aged 36
1993 aged 18 2011 Aged 36

 

I spent the first part of my 20s climbing the career ladder. By 25 I was working for Microsoft, earning big bucks and driving a BMW. I was barely giving 50% to my job and yet getting great reviews. The work and industry didn’t inspire me but I could see a lucrative career path mapped out – all I had to do was glide on to it. I had continual nagging doubts though – that this wasn’t right, that I should be giving more, living more, that I wasn’t being true to myself. In the end, I left this job, sold my house and car, moved to a flat-share in London and started work with a music charity. Here, I earned less than half my previous wage and cycled across the city to work every day. My life was simpler and I was much more engaged and happy. In 2006 I moved on from working in an office, knowing it would never satisfy me. I decided to return to studying.

My early 30s were a difficult period for me; I had two periods of very poor health. The first, a problem with vertigo spells and almost constant dizziness, happened at the same time as a relationship break-up. It resulted in me leaving my job and spending 6 months recovering. The second, about a year later, was a debilitating neck problem (I’m hypermobile so more susceptible to this sort of injury than most). During this time, I experienced constant, intense pain; I often spent days in bed as I felt unable to support my head. I left the college course I was on, and, unable to leave the house, I became very depressed – it was the lowest point of my life. Both these times gave me courage to follow my dreams…I remember thinking at the depth of the pain and depression, ‘If I can only just get better, I’ll go to Italy, I’ll find a way. This is what I want, this is what life’s about’…
 
So, a couple of years later here I am: Living, learning and teaching in Italy – a country I’ve been in love with from an early age. Previously, I thought that I ‘wasn’t the sort of person’ that moved countries, but now I know we can achieve whatever we set our minds to, and that we become what we believe of ourselves. 
 
Each of us is totally unique and our lives are a series of small steps that create our own individual path. Every time we challenge ourselves and find the courage to take a step, we gain confidence; this supports us, becoming a spring board for our next move. Slowly, each of us can carve a path towards our dreams – and we will enjoy the journey, feeling more inspired, vibrant and connected than ever.