For those of you I’ve met in my workshops, you know I’m a big fan of the science—but an even bigger fan of the person. Seeing so many of you lately has reminded me that while we’re all on different health journeys, we’re often dealing with the same frustrations. If you feel stuck, tired of the same old advice, or just plain unheard, I want you to know that I get it. Not just because I work in healthcare in Dubai, but because I’ve lived it.
When Knowledge Isn’t Enough
On paper, my credentials looked solid. I trained in the UK and spent years studying how the body is supposed to work. But the real education happened in my own body.
For a long time, I struggled with morbid obesity, insulin resistance, PCOS, and fatty liver disease. Here I was someone trained in healthcare —yet I felt completely lost. I was stuck in the exhausting cycle of trying everything and getting nowhere.
The Psychological Impact of “Eat Less, Move More”
I tried every diet you can imagine and sought professional help. What I encountered was disappointing.
I was met with conflicting advice and weight-based bias. I kept hearing “just eat less and move more,” as if change were simply a matter of willpower. My symptoms were blamed entirely on my weight, and I felt judged rather than supported. From a psychological perspective, this kind of experience can be deeply damaging, leaving people feeling ashamed, unheard, and disconnected from their bodies.
The system focused on weigh but ignored stress, emotional eating, hormonal challenges like PCOS, and the mental fatigue caused by chronic dieting.
A Holistic, Evidence-Based Way Forward
The turning point came when I realised that willpower wasn’t the issue. What was missing was holistic, evidence-based care that addressed both physical and psychological health.
By combining metabolic science with psychological insight, I stopped dieting and started managing insulin resistance and PCOS in a way that actually fit my life. Addressing mindset, emotional eating patterns, and stress was just as important as addressing biology.
That experience shaped how I now approach my work with clients in Dubai.
How We Work Differently
Whether through one-to-one sessions or group programs, the focus is on sustainable change—not quick fixes. The approach looks at the whole person:
- Psychological Health: Understanding emotional eating, motivation, and self-compassion
- Metabolic Health: Supporting insulin resistance and hormonal balance
- Lifestyle: Creating realistic strategies that fit busy lives in Dubai
- Long-Term Change: Moving away from restriction toward sustainability
Beyond the Scale — Continuing the Conversation
I’m launching a newsletter called “Beyond the Scale”, where I share insights on the psychology of weight, emotional eating, PCOS, and metabolic health—along with encouragement and practical tools.
If you’re based in Dubai and this story feels familiar, you’re not alone. You’re very welcome to join the conversation by subscribing below.
