With thanks to Vicky Shilling for modelling best practice in this regard. Read more about what she has to say and whom she credits here.

Since training to become a Coach in 2020, particularly in relation to the Non-Diet, Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size movement which I studied (and continue to learn from and endeavor to practice in my own life and work) I have been increasingly aware of my own privileges.

I share these publicly in full disclosure that they have undoubtedly made my life easier both personally and professionally, and in recognition that not everyone has had the opportunity to benefit in the same way that I have. I endeavor to highlight these where appropriate through any and all content that I produce, both of my own accord and in collaboration with others. I also commit to learning and understanding a clients privilege, or lack thereof, when working with them.

Family

I grew up in a close-knit middle class family in a peaceful town in East Anglia. When I was growing up I was never worried about where the next meal was coming from or whether we’d have a roof over our heads. Even in my late 30s, I know that if the worst happened and my husband and I found ourselves without secure accommodation or the finances to care for our daughters we would be able to ‘go home’.

Education

I was educated in a local C of E primary school from Reception - Year 6. I was desperate to go to boarding school (a big fan of Enid Blyton’s ‘The Twins at St Clares’ and ‘Mallory Towers’ books as a child!) and as such my parents allowed me to sit the entrance exam to a boarding school around 25 minutes from my family home, on the condition I’d only be permitted to go if I won a scholarship. I won an academic scholarship which, combined with the bursary I was eligible for as the daughter of a seafarer, made the fees just about affordable for my parents. I remained at the school from years 7-13. I was eligible for student loans as a student at university and my parents also gave me a weekly allowance whilst i was studying.

Career

I was encouraged to work from a young age, and had a part-time waitressing job in the school holidays from the age of 14. I worked throughout University to supplement my student loan and upon graduation moved back into my parents house while I found my feet on the career ladder.

Health and Body

I’m a white, cis-gendered heterosexual woman and my body naturally fits a UK size 12-14 most of the time, all things that are routinely considered ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’ in todays society. I have no physical illness or incapability that prohibits me from working or taking care of my family. My mental health is typically stable. I struggled with eating disorders and body image throughout my late teens into my twenties and was fortunate that my parents accessed private care for me which accelerated my support from the NHS. I had two miscarriages between November 2020 and April 2021 and struggled with perinatal anxiety from the start of my first pregnancy to the birth of my first child. I was able to self-refer to the perinatal mental health team in the care system of the country I lived in at the time and had access to regular low-cost counselling throughout this period. I am British but travel as a ‘trailing spouse’ in support of my husbands career and am typically afforded private health care as a benefit of this.

Support

Since leaving my ‘corporate’ career as a result of redundancy due to the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020 I have had the financial support of my husband and reassurance that we could live on his salary if necessary. I currently live in Malaysia where good quality childcare is easily available at an affordable cost and as such benefit from full time day care for my two children. My husband is a teacher, working regular hours and rarely works in the evenings or at weekends. He has school holidays off. This allows us to plan our days with reasonable consistency throughout the week.

Faith

I was christened and confirmed as Christian within the Church of England and attended church on a regular basis until the age of 18. I rarely attend church as an adult but would still mark ‘Christian’ on a census.

A note on boundaries

The nature of my work means I often disclose my personal life for marketing material and content. This sometimes includes stories or anecdotes about my husband, children or other friends and family close to me. Names / identities will be changed where appropriate to maintain confidentiality. I will never share images of my children’s faces online for the purposes of marketing, growing my business or promoting myself or for any other reason.

I’m a relatively open book. If you’ve got a question about my life, privilege or perspective that I haven’t covered please get in touch.