Life is filled with surprises, and I never thought I would end up where I am today, being a Wellness and Mindfulness Coach. I didn’t even know what a health coach was, and if it weren’t for my health journey, I would have never found my purpose and inspiration in pursuing what I love as my career.
I used to work in the PR/Marketing industry and found my love of cooking in high school. I enjoy cooking for others and seeing how something I create brings my family and friends joy and satisfaction (most of the time!). I started teaching cooking classes on the side and found that lively interaction with the students and sharing my knowledge and experiences in the kitchen resonated with me. It wasn’t about having the perfect final dish but more about getting the students to enjoy the process and guiding them on moving efficiently in the kitchen with tips and hacks. I feel this opens up the space for them to explore and discover their unique ways of cooking, building confidence in them and allowing them to become better home cooks. I love making a difference, even if it starts in the kitchen.
This same idea is what I bring forth into my wellness and mindfulness coaching. Everyone has the innate ability to heal themselves and become the best version of themselves with guidance, encouragement and space. I have learned to value and nourish myself physically and emotionally through awareness, boundaries, and grace.
I wanted to share this way of life with others - that being sick, tired and drained is not set in stone. We can all make a change if we only know where and how to start and are not overwhelmed by choices and noise. This is why I became a functional medicine certified health coach, a singing bowl therapist and an EFT practitioner. Along with my experience in cooking, this combination of knowledge and skill sets has allowed me to create unique mind and body practices and wellness programs for my clients.
I believe in and love routines, especially those that add to my sense of wellness.
First thing in the morning, even before getting out of bed, I would meditate for 30 minutes. It sets me up to live each day with intention. Regarding skincare, I wash my face with a gentle cleanser, then put on toner, Vitamin C serum and a nourishing moisturiser. I would then use my jade gua sha tool to wake my face up and get the circulation going, using the gua sha down the sides of my neck to drain my lymphatics.
I love brewing my cup of coffee in the morning. The smell of good coffee just put a smile on my face. Then I would read, journal and map out three important tasks I must complete that day.
I always make myself a nice hot cup of herbal tea at night. This act is the first signal to my body and brain that it is time to wind down and get ready for bed. Then it’s my choice of essential oil, a good book and my gratitude journal to wrap up my day.
I listen to my body, go with my cycle, and nourish my body the way I feel it needs. Fasting gives my body enough time to rest, detox and recover. However, I don’t fast during my cycle because my body is already under quite a bit of stress and with the cycling of my hormones, I need to eat breakfast to feel well. I also plan less these days as I know my body needs more rest. I prioritise rest, sleep and stress management.
If we eat well and satisfy our body in every meal with whole, fresh and nutrient-dense foods, our body will not crave the sugars and junk food it used to crave. I keep refined sugar, simple carbohydrates, and processed foods to a minimum, as these foods cause inflammation in our bodies. Our skin is usually the first organ to reveal these inflammatory symptoms. If you fuel your body with the right foods, you will feel amazing and get that natural glow.
When I do have the indulgence, I just let myself have them and enjoy them. There is no need to feel guilty about it because I am mindfully choosing to put these foods into my body and not in an excessive way.
Having the courage and confidence to do the inner work on yourself is beautiful. Be the most authentic and kindest person you know so that the person you present to the world reflects you on the inside.
Live each day with gratitude and never stop doing what you love.
I ensure I stay hydrated and always have a large bottle of water with me. On demanding days, I amp up on a few more supplements to ensure my body and mind get the support they need. I also prepare nourishing meals and snacks in advance to bring them with me. The last thing I need is to stress eat and binge on fast food.
No matter how busy or how much I need to get done, I rarely go past 8.30 pm. I don’t compromise on my rest; I set clear boundaries for myself and communicate them clearly to my clients and others. Learning to say No was one of the most liberating skills I learned to keep a balanced lifestyle.
I understand that not everyone can do this. There will always be things that need to get done, and I am grateful that I have the privilege of having a flexible schedule that allows me plenty of recovery and downtime. One tip I would give, even if your days are packed, is to schedule in pockets of rest and stillness daily. Even if it’s just a 3-5 minute break where you stop everything you are doing and take some deep breaths, make a cup of your favourite drink or whatever you find relaxing. The key is to be fully present at the moment and not think about what you must do after this mini-break.
And no matter how tired or late I unwind, I always take off my make-up, deep cleanse and hydrate my skin. Never sleep with makeup on!
I treat beauty as part of my holistic wellness. Some products and gadgets I mention below may differ from typical beauty items. Still, they help me with my overall physical, mental and emotional health, essential for staying beautiful inside and out.
Skincare beauty products:
Supplements must-haves:
Self-Pampering items:
Wellness gadgets and app: