Gemma Frankland is an Internationally qualified Health & Fitness professional, with over 20 years of experience helping clients to transform their physical and mental wellbeing.
She is a certified National Board of Health & Wellness Coach (regulated by the National Board of Medical Examiners), an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Health Coach, and also holds Advanced Coaching and Group Coaching qualifications.
In addition to her Coaching certifications, she holds many Specialist Exercise, Fitness, and Nutrition qualifications, and also a BA Hons Degree from Bristol University. A full list is available here.
Gemma has worked with people from a range of backgrounds, cultures and ages. Each client is greeted with an open mind and without judgement. In this safe, confidential space, enduring health and wellness changes can be made.
Gemma believes that, while online and AI tools have their place, they do not nurture the trust, and feeling of support, that a person-to-person relationship creates.
‘There will never be an App to replace the self-belief and strength generated by having someone on your side, cheering you on, and believing you can do whatever you set your mind to.’
Gemma delivers her one-to-one coaching sessions face-to-face via Zoom/other video platform. A single exploratory session is available if you are unsure whether coaching is right for you, after which there is no commitment to sign-up for further sessions.
For any further information, please use the Contact Form or email provided, and Gemma will get back to you within 24-hours.
Full contact and pricing details can be found here.
You may not have heard of Health & Wellness Coaching. Odds are though, that you have heard of LIFE COACHING and how it can help people understand what’s really important to them, what they want from life, and then to set goals and make that vision a reality.
Health & Wellness Coaching is a highly SPECIALISED form of Life Coaching. And it is in increasing demand as more people struggle to take control of their physical and mental wellbeing.
Alongside studying all types of coaching skills (motivational interviewing, positive psychology, behaviour change theories, the latest neuroscience findings etc) certified Health & Wellness Coaches have qualifications in specific health-related areas. In Gemma’s case this includes:
Sleep
Nutrition
Cardiovascular Health
Anxiety & Stress
Obesity & Weight loss
Exercise & Fitness
Mindfulness
Gut Health
Relaxation Techniques
Hypertension
Pregnancy
Menopause
Type II Diabetes
Work Burnout
Smoking
Alcohol Abuse
Technology Addiction
Aging
This focused knowledge means Gemma is primed to help you improve your health and wellbeing – whatever your goals.
You’ll work together to define your goals and an action-based plan to reach them. Over 12 or 20 sessions you’ll try new ways of thinking about things, experiment with new ways of doing things, and rapidly gain insights into what does/doesn’t work for you.
It can be hard work, but also good fun, refreshing and liberating. And you’ll learn new techniques and gain new insights to take into the future after the coaching period ends.
What some of Gemma’s clients say about their Coaching experience:
‘I have really enjoyed the process and trialling different methods.’
‘I feel more connected and self-aware than before.’
‘I have really enjoyed working with Gemma, as it has helped me to analyse the ways I make choices and how to be kinder to myself. I believe that the coaching sessions have helped me in all aspects of my life not just my health.’
‘I wouldn’t have made any of these steps or set goals without the coaching. I didn’t know where to begin before!’
‘I now appreciate how I am taking steps to take care of myself – mind and body.’
‘I would recommend Health Coaching to anyone who feels that traditional diet or fitness culture is not suited to them!’
‘Thank you so much for my coaching sessions! I can’t believe how much of a difference they have had on shifting my mindset and how differently I look at exercise, it’s so refreshing!’
In the next section, you can read more about Gemma, her qualifications, experience and coaching approach. It is natural that you want to find out more about the Coach you’ll be working with, so if there is anything else you would like to know, please just ask.
HOWEVER … coaching IS NOT ABOUT THE COACH … it is about YOU.
As your Coach, Gemma will be there for YOU. Listening to YOU. Supporting YOU. Cheering YOU on as you move towards a healthier and happier life. You’ll work in partnership, with YOU choosing the path, and Gemma helping you every step of the way.
When we talk to family, a partner, a friend, or a peer about our hopes for the future, it is never a one-way street. They have an agenda too, even if it is a subconscious one. They may wonder what impact you changing will have on them. They may want to change themselves. They may be supportive and inspired, or they may feel alienated and discouraged by your plans.
This can make it hard for YOU to be true to YOURSELF.
This is where Coaching is invaluable. The only agenda is YOURS.
The only person you have to focus on (for once) is YOU.
Health & Wellness Coaching helps a wide range of people, with a wide range of challenges. It is right for you if:
Perhaps you want to stop smoking, drink less, lose weight, start exercising, sleep better or cope with stress – or something else that is important to you. Maybe you have tried in the past to make this change without sustainable results? Or maybe it is a new goal for you? Either way, Coaching will help.
You have been diagnosed with a health condition that has changed the way you need to think about your health and future. Coaching will help you make sense of the path ahead, develop self-advocacy with your medical team, and develop a positive mindset about your wellbeing.
You are just feeling unsatisfied with your life. Maybe you lack energy? Maybe you feel ‘out of sync’? Maybe you feel pessimistic about the future and what it holds for you? Coaching will help you find direction, implement health changes and feel more alive.
Your daily commitments leave you no time to breathe, let alone find time for your health and wellness. Coaching will help you form a strategy to integrate improvements into your crammed schedule. In short, to work smarter, rather than harder, at your approach to health and wellness.
If you feel that Health Coaching could be for you, please get in touch here and Gemma will get back to you within 24 hours. Full pricing details are also provided – and a single exploratory session is available after which there is no commitment to sign-up for further sessions.
I am evangelical about the work I now do as a Health Coach. Since starting my business, BE HEALTHY, I feel I’ve ‘put on a hat’ that fits perfectly and is congruent with who I am and want to be.
I love the way Coaching empowers people to take control of their own health and develop the awareness and confidence they need to create joyful, flourishing lives. I believe strongly in self-responsibility and ‘owning’ your actions – and Coaching fosters these characteristics.
Getting to this stage in my life, however, has been an interesting journey.
If you’d told the 22-year-old me that I’d end up working as a Health & Fitness professional, she’d have looked at you with a rather lofty, condescending eye and laughed away the suggestion.
Graduating in 1995 from Bristol University with an English degree, I was ready to take on the World. I took a Graduate training role at an Advertising firm, bought my first suit, and felt epic. The new suit was joined by a flat and convertible car as I worked my way up the ranks. But then the shine wore off.
It took me a while to realise why. Money didn’t ‘float my boat’, I hated the long hours and the ‘work hard, but drink harder’ culture. Most of all though, I always felt like I was playing a part. I’d hear business jargon coming out of my mouth, and feel like a puppet.
So I got out. Admittedly in a rather drastic way. I resigned, rented out my flat, and hopped on a plane to Pakistan for the start of a period of travelling. I realise now, that I was effectively running away – exiling myself from London for fear of being lured back into the business world after a couple of weeks holiday.
However, it turned out to be the best decision I have ever made. It was a decision born from gut instinct and an innate survival compass that would just not let me be unhappy.
That initial ‘hop on a plane’ turned into two years away, travelling on my own through some pretty tough countries. It’s where I learnt my own strength, and my ability to adapt and survive. I chalked up a good quota of my nine-lives, but I returned to the UK in one piece, but totally transformed.
What did I want to do next? That was the question, and the answer was clear after a Life Coach advised me to put aside a list of job titles and think about how I wanted my day-to-day life to look and feel. And also to make sure it included what I was most passionate about.
So thinking (and feeling) cap on. I wanted to be my own boss. I wanted to have time to lead a healthy lifestyle, I wanted to engage with people in a genuine way, but also have time to myself. And so my Health & Fitness journey began.
I trained as a Personal Trainer in Vancouver in 2003 then returned to London to earn my stripes working for a large gym chain. Tough hours and pay, but work I enjoyed and experience I could build on. Experience that meant when I broke away to become my own boss, I quickly had a healthy client base.
Some wonderful opportunities came along during this period; I studied new techniques and research and started pre and post-natal classes and workshops; I trained midwives about exercise and pregnancy; I advised Dental Nurses on Harley Street and NHS researchers; I worked with clients with serious illnesses and conditions, but also trained clients to complete extreme sporting events and ‘bucket list’ goals.
In 2018 I travelled to San Diego to the IDEA World Health & Wellness convention. It was here the final bit of my jigsaw puzzle emerged. There were several seminars on Health & Wellness Coaching, exploring how effective this emerging discipline could be.
I had always felt that something was missing in our approach to Health & Fitness. It was obvious that TELLING someone how to improve their health very rarely translated into them adopting new lifestyle behaviours. Obesity, illness and anxiety levels were rising, despite all the how-to health information on the web.
Health Coaching had me hooked. I enrolled in a certification programme and after 3 years of juggling assignments, exams, my PT business and Covid chaos, I certified with the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches – and BE HEALTHY was born.
On this journey, I was trained by one of the Founders of the Health & Wellness Coaching industry, Dr Arloski (www.realbalance.com/about-dr-arloski), who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Health & Well-Being Coaching Conference 2023. I was also funded by Sport England to deliver coaching sessions to furloughed young people during the pandemic.
Since the pandemic I have seen an increase in clients wanting to address anxiety and stress related challenges, alongside the more traditional issues of weight loss, exercise and smoking/drinking cessation. I have completed a 14-week NHS Mindfulness course, and have also studied many other relaxation techniques. These methods are invaluable tools for working with clients who are struggling with mental/emotional health issues.
I am always hungry to learn more and keep up-to-date with the rapid changes in the Health & Wellness industry. My main two certifying organisations (NBHWC and ACE) demand continuing education credits from me – and I love embracing new information and techniques as they emerge.
Being stuck or stale is a no-no for me … and I hope I can help my Coaching clients press ‘go’ and take what they want from life too.
NBHWC (National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches)
Studied and passed the Health & Wellness Coaching exam – Feb 2021
Certified Health & Wellness Coach – Gemma Frankland NBC-HWC
The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching was formed in 2012 and in 2016 the organization formed a partnership with the National Board of Medical examiners (NBME) to establish an International ‘gold standard’ for Health & Wellness Coaches. For more information on the NBHWC and NBME please visit www.nbhwc.org and www.nbme.org
AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE
Behaviour Change Coaching Mentorship – Applied Principles – 2023
20+ hours of real-time role play under pressure using the principles of Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology and Values in Action.
REAL BALANCE GLOBAL WELLNESS SERVICES
Certified Wellness & Health Coach – 2018
Certified Group Wellness & Health Coach – 2018
Certified Advanced Wellness & Health Coach – 2019
I wanted to make sure I had the depth & breadth of skills to help clients achieve their full potential. As such, I qualified with Real Balance Global Wellness Services – one of the few organisations Worldwide providing gold standard training for Health & Wellness Coaches (www.realbalance.com).
This training took over 18 months to complete, and included studying Behaviour Change Psychology, Coaching Best Practices & Research, Learning Styles, Motivational Interviewing, Neuroscience and much more. It involved live Buddy Coaching, Case Studies, Practicums, exams and course work. I was trained by one of the Founders of the Health & Wellness Coaching industry, Dr Arloski, who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Health & Well-Being Coaching Conference 2023.
As a Graduate of Real Balance, I have access to their Forums & Research so that I am up-to-date with all the latest developments in the industry.
THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF HEALTH & FITNESS
Certificate of advanced qualification –
The Fitness Professional’s Guide to Lifestyle Wellness Coaching – 2017
2019-2021 Funded by Sport England (sportengland.org) to deliver Health & Wellness Coaching sessions to young people to help with anxiety during the pandemic.
Internationally Qualified Personal Trainer since 2003 with certifications gained in the UK, Canada and America.
Experience of working with clients with specific health conditions (often in tandem with medical professionals) including:
– heart surgery
– TIA and stroke
– breast, prostate, stomach, bone and ovarian cancer
– knee and hip surgery
– asthma
– severe hypertension
– Type I, Type II and pre-diabetes
– skeletal fractures
– osteopenia & osteoporosis
– osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
– ankylosing spondylitis
– Diverticulitis, IBS and ulcers
– Thyroid problems & other autoimmune diseases (Lupus/CTOS)
– Hernias and Pelvic Floor issues
– Depression and Anxiety
ACE (American Council on Exercise) International Personal Trainer
ACE Programming for Special Populations
ACE Exercise & Pregnancy
ACE Pilates Mat Training
ACE Chronic Musculoskeletal Challenges for 50+ Older Adults
ACE Strength Programming for Older Adults
ACE Understanding and Motivating Midlife and Older Adults
ACE In-Home Training for Seniors
ACE Functional Training Specialist
BCRPA (Canadian) Personal Trainer
RSA Aerobics and Group Exercise Teacher
BAWLA (British) Free-Weights Instructor
BAWLA (British) Gym Instructor
Over 9 years’ experience of teaching classes alongside a Physiotherapy team to clients with a range of fitness levels and abilities. This also involved writing-delivering Exercise Workshops to both patients and Medical Professionals including NHS Midwives, Harley Street Dental Nurses, and NHS Researchers.
NUTRITION DIMENSIONS
Certified to work with clients in specialist Nutritional areas:
Nutrition for Women – Sexual & Reproductive Health
Nutrition for Women – Diet & Diseases of Lifestyle
Men & Women – Advanced Functional Foods
The Treatment of Eating Disorders
Completion of a 14-week NHS approved Mindfulness & Meditation Course, 2016.
Experienced volunteer working with victims of the Sex Trade in East Africa, and insight into different cultures having travelled alone in 2001 and 2003 to over 30 Countries.
Worked in the Communications Industry as an Account Director/Business Development Director 1994-2001. Clients included Microsoft Ltd, KPMG, Accenture, Air Miles and multiple Health Authorities.
BRISTOL UNIVERSITY – BA Hons English Literature 1995
If you are unsure whether you want to commit to Coaching at this stage and just wish to consider your options, a one-off initial consultation is available, after which there is no commitment to continue with further sessions.
80 minute one-off exploratory session £85
Changing habits and ‘practising’ them so they become fully established takes some time. As such, a minimum of 12 sessions (spread over a 3-4 month period) is recommended.
Session format – face-to-face online Coaching using Zoom
Session length – 1 x 60 minute first session, then 10 x 40 minute sessions, and finishing with 1 x 60 minute session (12 sessions in total)
Price: £620
A 20 session commitment (spread over a 5-6 month period) may be appropriate if you want to change multiple areas of your Health & Wellness, and/or feel you would like the support for a longer time period.
Session format – face-to-face online Coaching using Zoom
Session length – 1 x 60 min session, then 18 x 40 min sessions, and finishing with 1 x 60 min session (20 sessions in total)
Price: £1160
If you have a group of friends/colleagues/familiy members who would all like to improve their health and wellness, please contact Gemma to discuss what is available.
Note: Payment is usually required in full, in advance. In some cases, however, it is possible to pay in instalments. Please ask for details.
If you have any questions about Coaching with Gemma, please complete the form below or email her at info@behealthycoaching.co.uk and she will get back to you within 24 hours.