The Story of a Wellness Coach

By Jenna Gillespie

Image by Kira auf der Heide , via Unsplash  

For five years I have been suffering at the hands of my anxiety and depression. As I grew older it grew with me and manifested into something that consumed my whole life. Daily life was a whirlwind of panic attacks, resulting in feelings of despair and emptiness at the situation I faced.

When I left secondary education, my mental health deteriorated as the loss of family members and the lack of routine and meaningful activity took hold. I witnessed my friends move on to employment and further education while I was left behind to deal with what I felt was the shattered pieces of my life. I withdrew from my friends and as time passed I grew increasingly frustrated at my perceived weakness and my inability to move on.

Determined to make a change for the better I spent a large amount of my time with occupational therapists, GP’s, and mental health nurses — combined with my own personal research into  what could rescue me from the situation I found myself in. I tried everything in the hope of finding even one thing that would control what was happening inside of my own head.

Through the accessing of these many services, the purchasing of a large amount of stress relieving products and finally medication I found myself settling in a place that I felt was almost manageable. Panic attacks were fewer than before and my general anxiety had decreased significantly. However, my confidence was still remarkably low, and I had resigned myself to believing that this was the best I was ever going to be.  I would never be employable or attend University as I had planned during my secondary education. My identity had been stripped away and despite the decrease in anxiety I lived in fear of pushing myself too far and it all returning.

“My identity had been stripped away and despite the decrease in anxiety I lived in fear of pushing myself too far and it all returning.”

I was first introduced to The Health and Wellness Hub through a family member, they had opened a therapy centre in the shopping centre of my hometown, Motherwell. The organisation captured my interest as they offered services that I had never had the opportunity to try before. I resonate with the goals of the charity which is also a social enterprise. The organisation has been established to fill a recognised gap between exclusion and access to health services within North Lanarkshire. The Hub supports people suffering from anxiety, depression, poor mental health and social exclusion by providing affordable holistic services, whilst giving them the opportunity to strengthen their skills and confidence through volunteering, accredited training in therapies and development opportunities.

A number of months ago I took a big step and along with a family member attended the centre for a massage treatment. Much to my surprise, the massage was very much relaxing, enjoyable and professional, especially considering its affordability. However, what struck me even more was the friendly and cheerful behaviour of the staff. I was amazed to see that everyone seemed proud to work there and of what they were personally achieving. The positivity was infectious and I felt immediately that this place was free from any shame or judgement.

“Accepting the position there was a huge step for me and my own personal development. I was terrified of so many aspects, the commitment, the fear of failure, being social with people and so much more.”

A few months later, I was offered a supported employment post as a Wellness Coach at The Hub.  Accepting the position there was a huge step for me and my own personal development. I was terrified of so many aspects, the commitment, the fear of failure, being social with people and so much more. However, I could never have predicted the positive change it would have on my life. Being employed at The Hub has resulted in me being more optimistic about my future, allowing me to recognise my abilities and potential, as well as the capacity to develop new skills that could benefit me in my future. My confidence has rocketed to a whole new level, I feel a sense of achievement that I had lost for so long and have begun reaching out to friends again. I am proud, for the first time, of what I am achieving and no longer feel ashamed or embarrassed by my own vulnerability.

The Health and Wellness Hub has given me a new safe place, where people empathise and relate to my own personal struggles with mental health. I have a shared bond with these people and although we all have had different experiences we have mutual respect for what each person has or is going through. Not only that,  we realise that these difficulties have brought us to this place where we can share, grow and show our compassion and support to whoever walks through the door of our centre.

Through the Hub I will have the opportunity to access a wide range of training including, stress management and first aid courses, listening skills, Swedish Massage and Reiki training along with other alternative therapies. Not only am I achieving in a job which I previously believed myself incapable of but I am also looking forward to training to become a therapist within the organisation and providing a service of care to others. Suddenly my future doesn’t look as dim as I once believed, I not only have goals for the future, but I am excited at the numerous possibilities ahead for me and where they might take me.

“My wish would be that this could be replicated throughout Scotland and others could experience like me the benefits of accessible and affordable holistic therapies and learn to practice them.”

Two months from joining The Hub, my personal growth and progress has been exponential.  The dedicated team of staff have not only supported and cared for me, but also provided me with so many opportunities to recognise my own value and the training to support others. I have seen my mental health, confidence and optimism improve in a way I would have never believed possible. Words cannot describe the gratitude I feel towards the organisation that lifted me up to the next phase in my recovery and growth. I am one of the many who are seeing their lives transformed by this unique service. My wish would be that this could be replicated throughout Scotland and others could experience like me the benefits of accessible and affordable holistic therapies and learn to practice them.