Thinking back, what was the problem you needed to solve when you contacted Craig?

When I first approached Craig, I was in a very difficult place.

I was approaching the crunch time in my Masters' degree and I wasn’t balancing my life well. I wasn’t exercising or eating consistently, my sleep hygiene was all over the place and my confidence was lacking.

My overall wellbeing was at a dangerous low.

I wanted to improve my physical fitness but, most importantly, I wanted to improve my mental and emotional health.

Previously, I’d arranged for Craig to create a workout programme for me to follow. However, through discussions, we discovered there was a deeper and much broader root to my issues.

In order to help me manage my Masters', cope with career stressors and equip me with better knowledge regarding nutrition, lifestyle and exercise, we agreed to work together.

What do you feel you’ve achieved during your time working with Craig?

Craig has equipped me with the tools and resources to help manage my health and wellbeing.

He has helped educate me on valuing my own health and becoming more mindful of my habits. For example, one important lesson that can be applied to two areas of my life involves 'taking a second'. This could comprise of eating without any distractions to eating slower and more mindfully.

To help cope with recurrent stressors, we’ve applied this strategy to breathing mindfully: a relaxation strategy to focus on inhaling and exhaling, whilst only focusing on the breathing element.

Not only have these habits been of use, but Craig's knowledge and support in the workouts he sets has been excellent.

One of my most recent achievements has involved accomplishing a PB in a back squat, dumbbell chest press and pull-ups. I wouldn’t have reached any of these physical achievements without Craig’s encouragement and support.

What’s different in your life today compared to before you started working with Craig?

I feel more resilient.

I approach life with more meaning and purpose as a result of eating better, a healthier lifestyle and a more focused workout routine.

I still face the same career stressors as I did six months ago but I feel I’m better equipped to handle them and reframe my mindset so I can use my mental/emotional resources more efficiently.

My life isn’t entirely "fixed" as it isn’t as simple as that.

Craig doesn’t "fix" people with a magical spell book. Instead, he helps empower people to find ways to reach their goals.

If you had to pick one thing, what would be your highlight so far? Which thing are you most pleased about?

One stand-out moment was when we were discussing my routines, timetable and commitments to my work, career, partner, family, etc.

Craig then posed a simple but thought-provoking question: "What do you do for you?".

This made me stop and think, but it was a huge breaking point. I did a lot for other people and towards my career but what did I actually do for my own wellbeing?

This epiphany gave me a more focused determination to improve my health and wellbeing.

The physical, mental and emotional results are really starting to show.

How has Craig helped you solve your problem? What do you particularly like about his approach and delivery?

Craig has provided me with better tools and resources to cope and manage the demands I place upon myself.

He’s increased my knowledge of behavioural nutrition and also offers unique perspectives on how to manage or reframe any lifestyle issues I disclose to him.

Craig offers a person-first approach and is not only very good at catering towards his clients’ needs, he also possesses excellent people skills (empathy, authenticity, transparency).

I really enjoy the discussions we have and the professionalism and understanding he shows.

What are your health and fitness goals from this point onwards? Are they any different to before you started working with Craig?

I think the underlying issues remain the same, but they’ve evolved over time.

My health and fitness goals are to keep thriving and progressing, whilst managing the demands asked of me. I hope to keep achieving PBs and new accomplishments and hope I can learn to value, appreciate and recognise all the progress I make.

Sometimes, recognising your own progress, when you’re very self-critical like I am, can be difficult.

That’s part of my next challenge which Craig is helping me towards.

If someone was to ask you your thoughts about working with Craig, what would you say?

I’d fully encourage people to get in touch with Craig to work towards any fitness, nutritional or lifestyle-related goal.

The initial discussion with Craig is key towards understanding if he can help you and whether you’re willing to work hard with him towards achieving your goals.

If you are, then I can guarantee that you’ll progress, and Craig is the ideal coach to help you do so.