The Wellbeing 5 Project
Mary Velan
Head2Toe Health Coaching
The Physical Wellbeing 5
5 Simple Questions to help with physical wellbeing with answers from Experts, Thought Leaders, Campaigners & Advocates
Mary Velan
Mary is a health & lifestyle coach, a yoga instructor and a hormone balance, holistic nutrition & gut health expert. Her company Head2Toe Health Coaching has a unique approach to health coaching, helping people to “Find Wellness Through Balance.” She received her training through The Institute of Integrative Nutrition and is a certified coach through the Coaching and Training Women Academy.
Mary has studied with some of the world’s top health and wellness experts including Walter Willett, MD, DrPH (chair of nutrition at Harvard University) & Andrew Weil, MD (director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine)
Find out more about Mary here
The Physical Wellbeing 5 with Mary Velan
1. What is your favourite quote, anecdote, proverb or experience that helps with physical wellbeing?
Mary: “To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our minds strong and clear.” – Buddha
2. What is your top piece of advice for physical wellbeing?
Mary: Our bodies are smarter than us, and no diet or exercise works for everyone. In fact, what works at one moment will likely change throughout the lifetime. Each individual has a unique biological, emotional and mental makeup, and has different needs to sustain overall wellness. We must maintain a strong connection with our bodies and respond to their needs rather than fight them or push them to fit into a trending diet, exercise routine, etc. If your body is craving something, it is best to honor that craving in a nourishing way rather than push against the messages we are receiving.
3. What is the one change in the world that you would like to see? (in your area of wellbeing or in the world in general or both)
Mary: I would like to see a more honest discussion about health and wellness that does not revolve around a standard of beauty or physical body type. There is a plethora of damaging messaging being fed to us on a regular basis that equates body image with individual value. This is prevalent in our culture, specifically, and quite damaging to the mental, physical and emotional health of all exposed to it. I want to see a diversity of people discussing wellness from a variety of perspectives. I also want to see health and wellness discussed as an individual journey, not a list of rules everyone must follow. A focus on rules and restrictions is not only damaging to our health but further disconnects us from our bodies and the messages they are sending us. All of these concepts focus on compassion, love and understanding of our own wellness journey and how it will likely differ from those of others – which should be seen as a beautiful learning opportunity.
4. Which resources (books / websites / videos etc) for physical wellbeing would you recommend?
Mary: So many books, so little time 🙂 but one book that comes to mind is The Body Is Not An Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love, by Sonya Renee Taylor. The author does a wonderful job of introducing some key mind-body concepts, discusses diversity across the globe and encourages readers to embrace the differences in our bodies rather than fight them while working toward some arbitrary standard of beauty and health. Very powerful and accessible.
5. What’s the one thing that always makes you smile?
Mary: My dog and animals in general. She has such a vibrant personality, I cannot help but smile anytime I get to hang out with her.
Further Exploration - Mary velan
Website: Head2Toe Health Consulting
Mary's Head2Toe Coaching website including information about her, the services and approach she offers, resources, her blog and how to get in touch
Recipe Library
The Head2Toe Health Coaching recipe library including healthy and balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Blog
The Head2Toe Health Coaching blog providing posts on how to boost both mental and physical health & wellbeing
Social Media - Follow Mary & Head2Toe Health Coaching below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews Below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews
With answers from experts, thought leaders, advocates and campaigners to help with physical wellbeing