By a proud Wiradjuri woman, married to a Yagel man, living on beautiful Bundjalung Country.
When I talk about health, I’m never just talking about gym sessions, step counts or salads. I’m talking about the deep stuff – our connections to country; to family and Elders to stories, how we keep our spirits steady, our minds clear, and our bodies strong.
I’ll walk with you
As a proud Wiradjuri woman, my promise is simple: I’ll meet you where you’re at. We’ll work in ways that respect your story, your culture, and your responsibilities. We’ll focus on practical steps that fit your life, and we’ll celebrate every win, no matter how small.
Strong spirits. Strong bodies. Strong communities. Let’s make those choices together, one step, one yarn, one healthy habit at a time.
We’ll start small and build from there. Maybe it’s one or two 10-minute walks a day, or choosing simple, nourishing meals that suit your family and budget. Personally, I love gym sessions and walking, including on my under-desk treadmill, because it keeps me steady in body and mind. You don’t need fancy gear to start; you just need one small step you can follow and build on.
I’d like to share a little bit about my background. My cultural background connects me to my ancestors, community, and country, and like all us mob it’s an important part of who I am. It guides my values of respect, resilience, and collective responsibility. This way of seeing the world shapes how I support and engage with others – both personally and professionally – as a Health Coach.
Culture sits at the centre of my approach to health, and I’d like to share about what motivated me to coach, and how you can take a simple first step today.
Culture first: Why holistic health matters
As First Nations people, we’ve always understood health as holistic – cultural, physical, emotional, and spiritual, wellbeing woven together. Connection to community, culture, and country isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s our foundation. When those connections are strong, we feel grounded and well. When they’re interrupted, everything else can wobble.
That’s why I encourage others to see health not as a quick fix, but as ongoing care for self, kin, community, and country – an approach now echoed in Queensland’s system-level strategies to embed culturally safe care and eliminate racism in health services.
What guided me into First Nations health coaching
I was motivated by a strong, simple purpose: to support people who felt overlooked or misunderstood by mainstream systems. I wanted to walk alongside people in ways that are practical, culturally safe, and sustainable, never pushy or bossy. That means listening to your story, recognising your strengths, and working together around changes you can actually live with. It also means acknowledging and respecting traditional knowledge, especially around connection, storytelling, and holistic wellbeing, while working alongside proven approaches.
My biggest influences? My family and my community, especially my grandmother who has always been a powerful role model whose wisdom keeps me on track. The lived experiences of the people I’ve worked with over the years, and my own journey through study and work, continue to shape how I show up every day.
Of course, there have been challenges; balancing personal responsibilities with study and professional development isn’t easy. I got through with persistence, strong support networks, and keeping my eyes on long-term goals. That’s a lesson I now share with participants: when you know why you’re working towards your goals, it’s easier to keep going.
What a typical coaching day looks like (and how that helps you)
My working days include client consultations, program planning, documentation, and community engagement, along with ongoing learning and professional development. That means when we meet, I’m not just bringing generic advice, I’m bringing community knowledge, best information, and a culturally safe approach to help you set realistic goals that respect your values, your time, and your responsibilities.
Community is our strength
Nothing changes in isolation. Community connection is central to our wellbeing, it brings support, accountability, and belonging, which are the building blocks of lasting health outcomes. That’s why I encourage group programs when they feel right: you get to yarn, learn, and lift each other up. And in Queensland, there’s real momentum to wrap care around culture, from strategic frameworks to community-led initiatives, so we can all access services that feel safe and respectful.
The change I want to see, and how you’re part of it
I want to see improved access to culturally safe care, stronger prevention, and greater empowerment for people and communities to lead their own health journeys.
And the wider system is moving too. Queensland’s First Nations First Strategy 2032 sets out a vision to eliminate racism, transform care, and strengthen the First Nations workforce, so our experiences match our expectations of respect and quality.
Gentle guidance to get you going
There’s no perfect way to begin your health journey. What matters is starting gently, staying connected, and taking steps that feel right for you.
- Start small. Choose one or two changes you can keep and build on.
- Be kind to yourself. Setbacks happen; what matters is the next step.
- Lean on your network. Family, Elders, friends, coaches – we’re all stronger together.
- Keep culture close. Let country, story, and community ground your choices.
- Do the free My health for life online Health Check. Our qualified Health Coaches can support you to make real, lasting changes.
If you’re feeling nervous, that’s normal. Many of us put others first and leave ourselves for last. But taking this step is not selfish; it’s a gift to your family, your future, and your community.
Mandy
Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Telephone Health Coach
My health for life
