Hey, I'm Nicole
...and I've got a personal story I want to share with you.
As a health coach/personal trainer I get a lot of people assuming that I’ve been healthy, fit, and slim my entire life, and therefore I can’t relate to those whom I am coaching. But I’m here to tell you that that’s not true, and just because I don't always share my struggles, it doesn’t mean I never experience them.
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Growing up I had a lot of energy and was always moving my body. When I first started school my teacher thought I had ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) because I was very inattentive and would never sit still. I’m not sure why, but I was never put on medication (thankfully), instead my parents enrolled me into several sporting programs to try and tire me out. And so, from early on in my life I became heavily involved in competitive sport. In my early teens I started training in martial arts, and this eventually led to me competing in Taekwondo at an elite level, even representing Australia on the international circuit.
I developed some very unhealthy relationships around food and exercise...
While Taekwondo had so many positive influences on my life and helped shape me into the person I am today, it unfortunately provided an environment in which I developed some very unhealthy relationships around food and exercise. Having to constantly ‘make weight’ for competitions left me dieting, fasting, over exercising, and dehydrating myself for days and sometimes weeks before fights. Long term under-eating combined with excessive training not only resulted in an unhealthy mindset around food and exercise, but it also caused some serious damage to my physical health and wellbeing. At the peak of my career I experienced burnout and had a complete mental breakdown. As a result, I had to quit a sport that I had loved for nearly 10 years.
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I was desperate for help...
Unfortunately I continued to struggle with disordered eating, poor body image, and several health issues I had acquired during this time. My hormonal and adrenal health was a mess, and my metabolism was wrecked from long-term under-eating, which resulted in significant weight gain. I was desperate for help, and through my struggles found ‘health professionals’ that recommended different diets to help regulate my weight and health issues. I tried various diets, from the Metabolic Typing Diet, Blood Typing Diet, and Paleo diet, just to name a few. Unfortunately, none of these diets helped me... In fact, some of them actually made me feel worse!
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But then, I discovered something that would change my life forever...
I effortlessly lost over 18kg and regained my health...
For years I received the wrong advice from the wrong people, and it just made me more and more frustrated. It wasn’t until I discovered a whole-foods, plant-based diet, that my body finally began to heal itself from years of unintentional abuse. Thanks to this lifestyle I have effortlessly lost over 18kg (40lbs) and have been able to maintain my weight without 'dieting' or excessive exercise. Most importantly, I feel so much healthier, both physically and mentally. I've overcome hormonal imbalances (including over 4 years of amenorrhea), improved my digestion, and now experience much higher energy levels. As an athlete I have also noticed significant improvements in my athletic performance and my ability to recover after hard training sessions. Best of all, this lifestyle has taught me to have a healthier relationship with the food I eat, and to never deprive or restrict myself.
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Now at 35 years old I am healthier, fitter, and leaner than I was at 21!
I know how it feels struggle with poor health and weight gain...
I know how it feels to experience disordered eating and body image issues...
I know how it feels to constantly obsess over food and exercise to the point it just ruins your life...
I know how it feels to deal with the frustration of trying SO many different ‘solutions’ and never getting the results you were promised...
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And that’s why I do what I do.
I want to empower you to overcome your bad relationship with food and exercise and achieve the results you deserve without resorting to unhealthy habits that damage your health.
I want to inspire you to become the best version of yourself through changing your mindset, and developing healthy and sustainable lifestyle habits.
And I want to be there for you so that you can avoid all the mistakes that I made...
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If you would like me to personally coach you 1-on-1 to achieve your goals then click here for more info.
It's time to gain your life back.
"I don't feel superior because I'm vegan. The truth is I am vegan because I don't feel superior to others."
~ Michele McCowan
Choosing to go vegan was easily one of the best decisions I have made in my life, but it wasn't just for my own personal benefit. When you go vegan you are choosing to follow a more ethical and compassionate lifestyle that prevents the needless exploitation and suffering of animals and reduces harm to our planet. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle please click here.
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MY PHILOSOPHY
I received my training as a health coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. During my training, I studied practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods with some of the world’s top health and wellness experts. Additionally, I studied Plant-Based Nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Centre for Nutrition Studies, and I am also a qualified personal trainer with a degree in human movement (exercise science). My education and experience within the health and fitness industry has equipped me with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, lifestyle coaching, and preventative health. Drawing on these skills and knowledge, I work with clients to help them make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results.
I practice a holistic approach to health and wellness, which means that I look at how all areas of your life are connected. As we work together, we will look at how all parts of your life affect your health as a whole. We’ll work to reach your health goals in areas such as achieving optimal weight, increasing sleep, and maximising energy. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of the food and lifestyle choices that work best for you and implement lasting changes that will improve your energy, balance and health.
It’s easy to overlook all of the things that contribute to our sense of nourishment and fulfilment. It’s not just the food we eat, but all of the other factors present in our daily lives. Healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, regular physical activity, and a spiritual awareness are all essential forms of nourishment. I will support you in achieving all of your goals, from eating the right foods for your body to living an inspired, fulfilling life.
MY QUALIFICATIONS
B.APP.SC. HUMAN MOVEMENT AND HEALTH STUDIES (EXERCISE
SCIENCE)
University of South Australia
(2006 - 2009)
CERTIFICATE III & IV IN FITNESS
Australian Institute of Fitness
(2009)
INTEGRATIVE NUTRITION HEALTH COACH (INHC)
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
(2014)
