Success Stories
“Maria is such a special person. I will never be able to thank her enough for helping me with my anxiety. I was housebound through fear and never thought that it would be possible to enjoy life again. How wrong I was. Maria helped me to look at both myself, my fears and life through completely fresh eyes. This allowed me to move forward and take back my life. I will never be able to thank her enough”
Lorraine Meller
“For years I suffered from depression after the death of a close family member. Nothing could seem to shift the dark cloud and I felt hopeless. Until I met Maria. What she helped me to see and achieve in a very short space of time changed my life. The simplicity and power of her explanations helped me to see that I’d been believing things about myself that just weren’t true. Through her passion and her guidance, I was able finally able to see the light. I will never forget Maria or the impact that she had on my life”
P. Sykes
“Since my first session with Maria in 2014, I have wanted so much to put into words my eternal thanks for the impact she has made on my life, but at the time I felt no words could describe it well enough.
Now in 2020, more than ever I feel the need to express my gratitude, to let her know how much she has helped me and to let others know that positive change is truly possible, no matter how much you might think it isn’t.
For the past 12 years of my life I have suffered with depression, absolutely convinced that this was wholly the person I would be for the rest of my life, and struggling through almost every ‘remedy’ I could think of.
But that was just it. I had been searching for a ‘remedy’, when what I needed was to question my perspective. Maria was the first person in my life to question whether the person I thought I was, was actually me. That concrete idea of who I was, a person forever plagued by the darkest of depression, didn’t have to be my reality.
Maria helped me see that life is fluid, we are not our thoughts and we all have the ability to truly know what makes us happy, and to make the changes to achieve it. She helped me be kinder to myself, to understand what I truly valued in my life, to help me have courage, and to help others whenever I could.
The tools she has given me will last for the rest of my life and I can now say, since Maria would tell me to be proud of my achievements, that I have my own successful business which I truly love and has created a purpose in my life, but more importantly I now believe I am worthy of it.
I honestly couldn’t write enough words to explain how truly thankful I am to you Maria, you have been supportive, wholeheartedly kind and you will remain an inspiration to me for years to come. Thank you xx”
Claire Headdon
“When I first met Maria I was in a really dark place feeling anxious, tearful and just not myself, stress at work, a health cancer scare and everything in my life changing all at once, my youngest son moving out and joining the RAF and his brother also in the RAF getting a three year posting to Canada. I couldn’t see anything positive about this and to top it all we had Covid. I wasn’t going out or enjoying anything about my life.
With Maria’s help over six sessions and the tasks I had to focus on each week I learnt that there are positives in all of this. With regards to Covid our grandchildren will be learning about this in years to come and we have learnt to like the simple things in life and spending time with family. I will have new places to visit such as Canada. I have learnt that I can’t control everything so why am I stressing about something I can’t control.
Working with Maria has made me realise that I want to do more with my life and really live, so I am going to do a coaching course next year. Maria and I changed roles, Maria was my first client, it made me feel good about myself knowing that I can help people in this way.
Maria has also taught me that I can have parts of my perfect day every day and yes I can have long term goals but really I can have the things I enjoy sooner than I think.
Working with Maria has changed my life and I am a better person for it. Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness. Thank you Maria.
Jayne Charnley
I just wanted to say thank you for helping me find myself again. I never thought that it was possible to move forward having been through what I’ve been through but how wrong I was! You have helped me gain a whole new perspective on my life and future. So much of my life has changed since seeing you. I’m happier, healthier and now have a very positive outlook and feel that I can deal with whatever comes my way! My friends and family cannot believe the change in me! And neither can I! I will never, ever forget what you did for me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Maria literally ‘turned my life around’ with her supportive and inspirational one to one sessions. The Turbo Charge Your Tool Kit day course was the cherry on the cake, a ‘must do’ day to inspire benefit coaches / therapists / clients /everyone. to take you to the next step. Highly recommended.
Life coaching has helped me to realise that you are in charge of your life and you only have one, so why should you not live it the full. I seemed to go from one depression state to another. I had everything to live for, I was 42, divorced, remarried to a lovely man, two healthy grown-up children, lovely home, good job and fairly healthy. For some reason, it just didn’t seem good enough. Every knock sent me into a low and each low point became closer to the next and before long I was on a constant low. I came across life coaching by accident and thought I had nothing to lose so I would give it a go. Maria made me feel comfortable and it was easy to openly discuss what I thought were problems. After the first session, I felt slightly enlightened. I thought we had cracked it and I had discovered what it was that was getting me down. It was, however, the first step on a voyage that made me look closely at myself and how I reacted to various situations and how by readdressing my actions everything could change. I had to be open for change and it wasn’t long before I was reacting to situations completely differently and I felt in control. Life coaching can change your life if you let it. You must be open to change but it is up to you. You are in control of your life, learn to control it and don’t let it control you.
Since having coaching sessions with Maria, my life has changed beyond belief. I realise now that life is “all about choices”. We can live how we want to if we only open our minds and look into our soul. I worked in a job I hated for years, Maria made me realise that I could choose how I want to live, where I want to work, and who I want to spend my life with. I now realise that I spent years living my life “by other people’s expectations”, without a thought for what I wanted. Since my coaching sessions, several things have happened… I quit my job and am now self-employed doing work that I love, and I now acknowledge that I am totally capable of being successful and achieving. Most importantly, I now know who I really am, what is important to me in life, and what I want out of life. Maria’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious and her passion for coaching is clear to see. I only wish I’d met her sooner!
I cannot thank you enough for the help that you have given me. Through talking to you, I have realised that my life can be and has become changed. I don’t have to accept bad behaviour or treatment from anyone. I decided what I want from my life and no-one has the right to make me accept less. I am not controlled by anyone. They must deal with their problems and not put them onto me. I am free to live my life as I choose. I am much happier now and feel a sense of freedom and release. Thank you again for your help, support and belief in me. You gave me the strength and courage to change my life. I will never forget you.
Maria is a great source of inspiration and has a limitless supply of energy which never fails to motivate and impress me. If you’re looking for a trainer and coach who can lift your spirits and set you on the path to incredible success, then look no further.
Maria is indeed motivational! She came to speak to our group of trainee coaches and was a huge inspiration. Her manner, the techniques and knowledge she shared and the language and activities she used to motivate us were brilliant. We were buzzing for the rest of the course! The longer-term effects of that talk are now beginning to emerge – we are all moving on positively as a result.
It’s hard to put into words how Maria touches your life and you find the confidence and strength to overcome what you thought was impossible. To understand you need to experience it. And like me, you’ll never look back only forwards enjoying a fulfilling life where everything is possible. She has a special place in my heart.
I arranged to see Maria because I was desperate to change my situation and I’d heard she’d had magical results with someone I know. My problem was that although I appeared confident and knew a lot of people I felt incredibly lonely. This was a lifelong feeling that was causing me a lot of suffering. I wanted to know how to make friends. I wanted to be included in weekend activities and to go on holiday with other people and to get to know my neighbours. I had tried other therapy for this before but the effects hadn’t lasted. Maria has incredible enthusiasm and energy and empathy. She is experienced, intelligent, thoughtful and so quick to grasp what is happening. Whatever I got stuck with Maria had a suggestion to help me work through things, if I got stuck again she could try something else. The pool of resources that Maria has is bottomless! I worked very hard as I had to change my situation, as soon as I met Maria I knew I could trust her to help me. She listens very well. Over a number of weeks I went away with exercises to move me closer to my goal. I had to do them, and when I did they worked! This was incredible, somebody was actually telling me the real things I could physically DO to change my situation. The results came in thick and fast. I am often being asked round to friends for meals and I know all my neighbours really well. Now I know how to make friends, it just happens for me. I see people every day, I chat to strangers with comfort. And, most importantly I know that people like me, that I am an ok person, just like everyone else. Another good thing happened, when I was coming to the end of my sessions I noticed that I had kicked off my procrastination habit too. I think that having had to overcome my personal challenges, I learned how to deal with other things too. My experience was totally incredible, it was like asking for the impossible. I feel like I am a different person now, and one of my friends says I look years younger. I am a very comfortable person now.
It is often significant events in life that prompt reflection. A recent significant event for me was my graduation ceremony … a time to celebrate accomplishing a Master of Science acknowledging the 3 years of hard work, commitment and determination. But it was also a time to reflect on how great my life is! Graduation comes a year after actually passing my post-graduate degree but in those 12 months I have had the pleasure of experiencing the most personal growth ever – which you have played a pivotal role in. You provided me with the opportunity to take time out to reflect and evaluate what was happening in my life, discover/identify what I wanted to change, and implement a course of action. All of this by making active choices about how I want my life to be to become my personal best. I had no idea this would be such a simple yet effective and life-changing experience. “Who you spend time with is who you become” … These words you shared with me have great meaning to me. I choose to spend my time with people who uplift me, support me, believe in me and ultimately ignite my passion and curiosity for life. I want to say thank you to you for all your support and guidance in this time. Your energy is contagious and you are truly inspiring. I have realigned my priorities, identified my values and opened myself up to endless possibilities. I am the most fulfilled and happiest I’ve ever felt. If you think that life is “okay … but could be better” or you’re drifting through life without much direction/purpose – book an appointment with Maria. You will not be disappointed!
I am so grateful for having the opportunity to meet Maria! I initially went to Maria for help with a 14-year skin picking disorder, however, I have gained help for so much more than just that. From the moment I contacted Maria I have received endless support, motivation, knowledge and inspiration whether it be by email, phone or during my 1-1 session. Her skills, activities, advice and positivity have helped me open my eyes and enabled me to learn so much about myself. Maria is an inspiration and has changed my life for the better! Thank you!
For the first time in my life I feel truly alive! Never did I think for one minute that it was possible to feel so alive! Thank you so much for your belief in me, because now, for the first time in my life I believe in me.
I decided to make an appointment with Maria as I really could not see any kind of happy picture infront of me. I knew the answers were in me but they were so merged that I could not make out the bigger picture. A lot of things in my life had changed dramatically and suddenly and in a sense could not see the wood for the trees. I was becoming frustrated and recluse, numb and doubtful. Maria helped me pick out the pieces of my life that still had meaning and sense, helping me to recover my self esteem and self worth in a number of fascinating and effective ways. I was amazed at the results, seeing my life through someones else’s eyes helped me to realise why I was feeling down and Maria also gave me exercises to help me feel more uplifted and assured. Life really is what you make it and it is amazing to have a smile on my face, as Maria would say it is infectious, and it has been! Maria is a breath of fresh air and as soon as I met her I felt safe and in good hands, she challenged me in areas that I was resisting and praised me in areas that I did not give myself enough credit for. I started off sceptical and am now walking proof that life is what you make it and you really can reach for the moon! Thank you Maria I actually feel like myself again and feel positive and happy about my future.
I was living in limbo. I was 39. I had been a housewife and mother for twenty years and I had also suffered from mental health issues all my life. I had had finally started to see a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to my depression as I had had counselling and CBT but I was left with crippling anxieties, very low self esteem, I couldn’t make a decision for myself (it had gotten so bad that if it was left to me to make a decision I’d not do anything at all). I had no direction in my life, I felt I had no control over my own life, I allowed other peoples feelings and needs to com before mine (even down to the family dog). I was miserable. I had this constant internal screaming for me to do something with my life and it was slowly driving me insane as I had no idea what I should do or how to deal with it. I went to see Maria after seeing the positive changes that she had encouraged in my best friend and remember thinking, ‘That is what I want for me’. Making that decision (which was terrifying for someone like me) was the best decision I have ever made. We worked on my feelings of worthlessness and direction. I came out of that first session with so much enthusiasm and excitement that I couldn’t shut up, I think I scared my husband a little. He had driven me down to the appointment as one of my problems was driving to unknown places. I felt I now had a some idea on how to move forward in my life. I made some pretty huge life changing decisions after a seed had been planted in that first session with Maria. On my next visit I drove myself from Newquay to Helston and anyone that knows me, will know what a huge achievement that was for me, I even got lost and didn’t have a melt down. In this session Maria worked mostly on my confidence but also on the negative voice that I had carried around in my head my entire life. The one that told me I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, interesting enough, thin enough, pretty enough and on and on as many of you out there will relate to. With life coaching, NLP and hypnotherapy that voice has gone. I have a new (it’s tentative but growing), voice that supports me and encourages me in everything I do. I still have doubts like everybody else but they are fleeting and I don’t blow them out of proportion. I have to say that Maria is part Magician. Everybody had already seen a huge change in me but I don’t think anyone was ready for the me that has emerged since that second session. I have become who I was supposed to be, and she is pretty great. I came out of that session feeling like I could conquer the world and do it with ease. For the first time in my life I feel capable, in control, I know my self worth. I am going back to college in September and training for a career. I walk tall with my head held high, I actually measure taller by three quarters of an inch. Who knew that was even possible. I can hold a conversation without constantly worrying that I’m not interesting enough, as I now know I am. I have respect for myself and feel comfortable in my own skin for the first time (ever), in my life. If you feel like I did, in limbo or irritated by your own inability to progress in your life. If your confidence is on the floor, if you are crippled by indecision or anxiety then I would recommend that you make an appointment with Maria. She is warm, caring and I would say the most gifted person I have ever met. She has helped me do in two sessions what I haven’t managed in a lifetime. I can truly say she has changed my life.
When I first booked a session with Maria, I was stressed out with my job and was miserable about where my life seemed to be heading. That first session was a complete breakthrough: I realised that I wasn’t living to my own life values and I wasn’t in a career that suited me. Since then, Maria has helped me with my fear of flying so that I could go on my honeymoon, and she has helped me break through the things that were holding me back from chasing my dreams. Maria works a little magic into her sessions. She is inspirational and I would encourage anyone (and have) to book a session with her. Maria changes lives. Discovering her was the best thing I’ve ever done.
Our daughter, age 11, has struggled with Emetophobia and associated anxieties since around the age of 4 years old.
For years on and off she has had anxiety ranging from mild to severe from a deep rooted paranoia of being poorly or sick, to the point where she would avoid certain foods, or places, or people. She is acutely aware of germs, and of any unfamiliar sensation or feeling in her body and worries it is because there may be something wrong with her. She also experiences immense anxiety worrying about disease, illness and general bad things happening to those around her who she is close to.
This has resulted in many sleepless nights, tears, missed days of school, and panic attacks. It has had a hugely negative impact on her life, and at times we did not know what to do to help her. We were in despair. We had times where she was convinced she had a lump in her throat, or a pain in her neck, or a problem with her heart, or she just felt “funny” and these thoughts would spiral into panic lasting for weeks or months at a time.
She would worry about dying, or some unknown illness she might have that was undetectable.
Despite many trips to the doctors, there was nothing medically wrong with her. Our family doctor could offer no real solution, other than she was a “worrier” and we were told she would grow out of it.
We tried everything to make her feel better, distraction techniques, exercise, scented candles and oil
It was not until much later when she was around 9, and thanks to seeing Maria, that we had a name for her condition – Emetophobia. This made a massive difference to us all, as having a name for the condition meant we could gain knowledge of it and begin to truly understand how our daughter felt, and how we could support her.
Maria has spent many hours working with our daughter teaching her valuable techniques to manage her anxiety, and to reassure her she “she will be ok”.
She talked to her about her fears, about sickness and illness, about the human body, educating her about the condition and how the brain works. For our daughter, knowing she was talking to someone who truly understood made the world of difference.
Maria’s caring and positive approach has enabled our daughter to regain confidence and cope with her fears.
She has gone from a sad, confused, frightened little girl, socially recluse and at times very unwell and suffering severe panic attacks, to now feeling generally happy, eating well, enjoying school and time with friends, and on the whole being a happy “normal” girl once again.
She does still experience the occasional set back and some days are more difficult that others, but she now has the knowledge and the tools to cope and manage her feelings. Knowing Maria is there if she needs her again makes a big difference too.
We cannot emphasise enough how special Maria’s skills are. She has a gift and a genuine care for people, and we could not have found anyone nicer to help our daughter. She made her feel safe, and over several sessions we could see the gradual change happening.
Our daughter trusts Maria and feels completely open and comfortable to chat about her anxieties and feelings, and whatever her worries are, Maria has a wonderful way of reassuring her and changing a negative thought into a positive thought. We cannot recommend her highly enough, or thank her enough for helping our daughter through a very difficult time in her life.
I just wanted to let you know all the amazing things that have happened since I last saw you about nearly 2 years ago. I first ended a bad 7 year relationship that I wasn’t able to get out of for years, which made me really unhappy and depressed. I passed my driving test and got a car. I had a breast reduction, and now I have passed a course to be a lifeguard (and first aid) and start my new lifeguard job this Tuesday. On top of all of that I very, very, rarely have anxiety or panic attacks and am able to go out to places by myself with no worry and loving life. I’m so thankful for the help that you gave me a few years ago because of without that, I wouldn’t of been able to change my self and make this amazing new life I have now.
After living with bouts of depression for over 30 years I sat on the edge of my bed not wanting to do anything or go anywhere. It felt like this time it was worse than other times. I couldn’t stand the thought of going back to the doctors for antidepressants again.
So I started searching for help in another way. After going back and forth to different websites for therapy information I came across Maria. Thank god I did.
I booked my first appointment over the phone with her and I could tell just by that first chat she was the one for me. She said I would start feeling better after my first session and I can tell you I did think to myself – Really can that be right after just one session. Yes it was right. I went to see Maria for quite a few sessions which were definitely an emotional roller coaster but each time I left her I felt lighter and lighter, stronger and stronger.
I really can’t express the power she has to do this but it’s almost like magic, I know that sound funny but anyone who has seen Maria I’m sure would agree. She is very passionate about helping others. Why didn’t I do this years ago.
For my family and friends it’s been exciting to see the new me emerge. Since my sessions my life has really changed, my out look has changed but mostly I have changed.
For years I had wanted to do some sort of volunteering but was to busy with our family business but with Maria’s help I found help at work which enabled me to a volunteer one morning a week at the cancer unit at our local hospital.
And I am climbing Ben Nevis this year (2018) in aid of cancer care. This is a massive turn around in my life. I couldn’t have done any of this with out Maria, she is the most gifted lady I know but she also works really hard at what she does.
I could go on and on about how wonderful she is but if you are reading this then you need to find out for yourself as she definitely has the right title (UK Life changer).
Not only do I love life, I love MY life. Thank you for helping me Maria
On 14th December 2018 I left my fourth and final appointment with Maria knowing that my life as I had known it would never be the same again and I cannot tell you how amazing that felt.
From the age of around 7 I began to suffer with chronic anxiety. This came and went throughout childhood in various degrees without there appearing to be any obvious cause. I had feelings of awkwardness, being uncomfortable in my own skin and that I did not fit in or have a place anywhere.
At the age of 19 I experienced a huge personal loss which I dealt with the best way I could at the time, however, the loss only reinforced all the negative feelings I had about myself. These feelings did not change, despite numerous attempts at counselling and various forms of therapy.
I am now in my 40’s and it was a logical conclusion to draw, after all these years, that I was just wired up this way. I was a naturally anxious, neurotic, overthinking, under-confident person – it was in my genes right? Despite this belief I felt so frustrated I was ‘this way’ and resentful at the person I was which was a far cry from the person I wished I had been born.
During a recent ‘episode’ when my anxiety levels were excelling themselves to the point I could not function properly, a dear friend recommended I give Maria a try. I was desperate but not hopeful. I did not doubt Maria was very skilled at what she does – my friend was living proof of this – I just did not see how she could alter what was genetically ‘my lot’.
I will never forget the first meeting with Maria and explaining how things were and the struggles I experienced. Looking me straight in the eye she said confidently ‘You were not born this way. You were not born with these fears, you just learnt them along the way which means you can unlearn them. You did the best you could but you got it wrong’. It became apparent that I had unconsciously allowed experiences in my life (starting as young as the age of 5) to form and grow beliefs that were untrue.
This realisation was overwhelming. This wasn’t ‘my lot’ after all. This was huge, a real game changer and beyond exciting! Over the next few weeks Maria opened up a whole new world to me. Now, for the first time in my life I feel comfortable in my own skin – my authentic self – and it feels good! My life has just begun and now I am really going to live it.
I will always be grateful to Maria and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone who needs some help to find themselves and live their best life.
Thank you Maria.
