60 Seconds with Sarah Lacey

Monday 2 September 2024

Tell us about your role and your organisation.

I provide my twenty years of expertise in mental health, nutrition, and female hormone health through 1:1 coaching and group coaching, both in the community and corporate settings. Currently, my focus is on providing specialist input to local businesses in their corporate wellbeing strategies to minimise incidences of sick absence and to assist staff in transitioning back to work after a period of absence. I believe this is particularly important, given the difficulties in accessing timely and appropriate specialist support (particularly for mental health) that can improve wellbeing in a preventative manner as well as serve as a rehabilitative measure.

Northern Ireland has the highest rate of mental health issues in the UK, costing our economy £3.4 billion each year and making it the leading cause of employee absence. Therefore, prioritising employee wellbeing in timely and effective ways is essential for a successful organisation.

This is why I am actively working with local businesses to improve company physical and mental health, which will, in turn, enhance work performance, and productivity, reduce instances or durations of sick absences, and facilitate phased returns to work, thereby reducing business costs and fulfilling their duty of care to staff.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far.

I founded Nourish & Nurture in 2020, just as the Covid-19 lockdowns began. I have worked as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in the NHS for 20 years. During the lockdown, I added to my qualifications and achieved my Level 4 Nutrition qualification, which perfectly complemented my clinical skills and significantly enhanced my clinical practice. From 2018, it was clear that there was a gap in the market where I could combine my specialist CBT role with nutrition coaching, thereby addressing both physical and psychological issues that affect weight loss, emotional eating, low mood, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

I have always believed in the strong connection between psychological and nutritional health, which works on the premise that if you feel differently, you will eat differently, thereby reducing instances of overeating and other forms of self-sabotage, and overall enhancing wellbeing.

A busy mum of two, I draw on my own weight loss and wellbeing journey to support clients. I lost 55 lbs postpartum while battling chronic autoimmune disease, crippling anxiety, and postnatal depression. By teaching myself emotional regulation, stress management, and optimising nutrition, I successfully lost this weight and regained my confidence as a woman and as a mum.

I'm also keen to dispel the misconception that women with thyroid issues who are chronically stressed and sleep-deprived are unable to lose weight. I am "living proof" that weight loss in this situation is achievable.

My business values are Educate, Empower, Impact. I want to educate and empower as many people as possible so they can have the biggest impact on their own lives.

Awards:

June 2024: Wellness Specialist Winner - Mighty Women NI
September 2023: Highly Commended Wellness Specialist (NI Health & Fitness Awards)
August 2023: Best Psychological & Nutrition Coach - GHP Awards (UK)
September 2022: Nutritionist of the Year (NI Health & Fitness Awards)
August 2021: Health & Wellness Entrepreneur of the Year (GHP UK)

Describe yourself in three words.

Dedicated, passionate, resourceful.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role?

Two, actually – empathy and active mindfulness (I'm a mindfulness teacher too).

What advice do you have for women in your sector?

Control the controllables, listen to your gut, and do it anyway.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us?

I am currently partnering with a social enterprise (CIC) on a corporate wellbeing programme and hope to collaborate with other companies across Northern Ireland to provide the highest quality mental health, nutrition, and menopause support.

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?

Not one person in particular, but Becca Holland, all the amazing women I met at the Mighty Women NI awards last week, and the women I met at yesterday's coffee and connect.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?

"Heart Still Beating"

What's your favourite break-time snack?

Protein yoghurt

How can your fellow Women in Business members keep up to date with you and your organisation?

You can keep up to date with me on LinkedIn and across Instagram, Facebook, and www.emotionalregulationcoaching.com.

Monday 2 September 2024