Functional Health/nutrition and yoga! Hi, I am Francesca a Yoga Teacher & Holistic Nutritionist based in Mangawhai, Northland.
I live here in our little slice of paradise with My Hubby Nathan and two (not so small now) munchkins Sienna Rose & Ethan. I love to float in the ocean, get outside in nature, create little wearable pieces of art in jewellery and hang out with my scrumptious family. You will often find me barefoot and drinking tea ( I am a tea monster).
My philosophy on nutrition is holistic, I take wholefoods, non-fad, non-diet approach to eating, believing that nature provides everything that the body needs to heal and function. At the beginning of 2020 I was all set to go into clinical practice after completing my Diploma in Nutritional Science. However, as we all know 2020 changed a lot of our plans and our goals. The brakes were put on to me setting up a practice, I continued to teach Yoga and learn. I soon realised that Clinical practice was not all that I wanted to do. I am a creative and compassionate being and I love connecting with others. I want to help others eat well and nourish themselves but not be to attached to restrictive diets, expensive supplements and to let go of emotional eating, to help people their bodies and stop wasting precious energy on how you look but to tune in to how you feel. This is where my focus will be in 2021 alongside seeing clients one on one, so stay tuned for updates on exciting up and coming group workshops combining nutrition, mindset and yoga! (all of my favourite things).
I have been practising yoga for around 20 years so. Not always a dedicated practice but always in some way shape or form. After sustaining injuries whilst surfing a few years ago, my own personal practice had to change. Little did I know at the time that this would be the beginning of a very exciting and soul-nourishing journey. I began to find new ways to move in order to build strength and improve my functional ranges of movement. I learnt more about anatomy and biomechanics so that I am able to understand movement so much more for myself and for my students. I had previously completed 250 hr vinyasa teacher training qualification but found that this was not in depth enough forthe way I was wanting to teachto teach, so I went on to study with Nikki Ralston. Nikki has devised her own method of Yoga called The Ralston Method. Her focus is on functional movent and strength whilst keeping the heart of Yoga very much the focus of the practice. This training changed the way I practice and teach, I love to share movement and yoga, giving people the power and the knowledge on how to move in their own unique bodies If you would like to practice with me see Yoga for more details and class timetable or feel free to contact me.
Let us honour our mistakes by allowing them to teach us. Let us consider our failings to be gifts and share them humbly with others. Let the cracks in our facades let in light and air so that new life can grow Through Them - Molly Gordon
20/09/2025
When we start eating in a more whole-food, nutrient-dense way, it can sometimes feel a little restrictive at first.
It’s common to hear,or even think, things like, “I wish I had more variety.”
But let’s pause and unpack that. Picture 1 shows what whole-food eating really looks like: colorful, diverse, and full of possibilities. Picture 2, on the other hand, shows the kinds of highly processed foods we often crave ,which, if we’re honest, are usually made from the same handful of ingredients in slightly different forms.
So next time you catch yourself thinking you need more variety, it might be worth asking: do I actually want variety, or do I just miss those familiar flavors and textures?
Sometimes, all it takes is getting a little more creative with whole foods, herbs, and spices. Yes, it might take a bit more effort, but the rewards,more energy, better health, and a renewed relationship with food,can be life-changing.
19/09/2025
Hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopause, like many meds, can easily become a band-aid approach.
HRT can be incredible and I am not dismissing it. But there are layers. Suppose we jump straight into hormone replacement without first supporting the basics - Elimination pathways, alcohol habits, sleep, adrenal resilience and gut health. In that case, we risk missing the bigger picture and in some cases, we may make things worse.
Taking this approach makes sure the terrain is ready. Hormones do not work in isolation and when we support those systems first it is much easier to work out where the support is needed.
Now of course it is different for everyone- If for example, sleep is being disrupted by relentless hot flushes, then, yes this might be a time when HRT becoomes a helpful tool so that you are able to work on the foundations.
If you are unsure about where to start on the foundations then work with a practitioner that can support and guide you.
And if HRT is something you would like to explore then I recommend finding a GP who is well-versed in this area and will take your unique needs into consideration.
05/09/2025
I often wonder what this world would look like if more people actually focused on health. Not just fixing symptoms or following trends but real foundational health.
The kind that makes you feel grounded, strong and capable.
Imagine if energy, sleep, digestion, hormones and mental clarity were treated like essentials not luxuries.
If people realised just how much power they had to change things just by tuning into what their bodies actually need rather than what they want.
This is not about perfection but connection.
Just imagine the ripple effect that this would have on our human experience 🤯🪐
28/08/2025
This time in our lives can be a bit of a wild ride.
It can feel like the last decade went by in a blur and we suddenly wake up not even recognizing ourselves.
We feel like things have changed but don’t feel like we have changed a thing.
But if we look under the surface, so much has.
Yes, this time in our lives can be challenging but if we meet it with curiosity, love and understanding then it does not have to be so much of a rough ride.
19/08/2025
Why is this part of your body so important?
Because it contains a pretty amazing gland called the Thyroid Gland.
Thyroid hormones act on every single cell in the human body. So pretty important right?
Approximately 10% of the population experience thyroid dysfunction.
Up to 90% of those cases of hypothyroid may be the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s and up to 60-80% of hyperthyroidism will be Graves.
Up to 60% of people with Thyroid disorders are unaware of their condition. 🤯
If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition. Or suspect you may have one DM me for our free thyroid guide! 🦋
04/08/2025
We talk a lot about food, exercise, and supplements,but one of the most powerful healing forces for the human body isn’t found in food or a supplement.
It’s connection.
Real, human connection.
The kind that makes you feel seen, safe, heard,and like you belong.
Why does connection matter for your health?
Because we are wired for it
Loneliness has been shown to increase inflammation, weaken the immune system, and even raise the risk of chronic illness.
On the flip side, meaningful relationships boost oxytocin, lower cortisol, support nervous system regulation, and even improve hormone balance and sleep.
We don’t just want connection.
We need it
It’s a biological imperative - a vital nutrient for the mind, heart, and body.
That is why the Body Reset Program is so successful.
You do not just get a nutrition and movement plan. You get support and human connection through 1:1 coach calls, specialist calls as well as group calls which include Q & A’s, topic calls and mindset calls.
If you want to be part of an awesome community send me a DM so I can show the way 🥰
29/06/2025
Day one of the school holidays and you are already exhausted?
It is not that you don’t want to hang out with the kids - of course you do. But keeping up with their energy whilst juggling chores, work and maybe squeezing in a moment for your self ? That’s a lot.
The good news is there is a solution. It is possible to wake up feeling ready to head out for that bike ride, take a walk or even paddle out for a surf with your teens.
We walk awesome humans, just like you through simple practice steps to nourish your body with food that fuels you rather making you feel like you need to take a nap, and support you to manage your time better so you can actually fit it all in.
If you want a little taster, hop over to try our 5 day FREE gut reset.
Link in the bio
Or flick me a message for the link ✨
27/06/2025
Life lessons from this not so little anymore legend today!
This one is now 15 years old and trains pretty hard in surf ski, rescue board and most recently is swimming in the ocean in training for her summer events as we have no pool facility near by.
We surfed this morning. When back at the car park getting changed she mentioned that she is scared every time she has to paddle out in big swell or swim in the ocean but she does it anyway!
This mindset will serve her so well later in life, to find things challenging, scary even but pushing through and doing it anyway.
I wish I learnt this lesson when I was in my teens and not my thirties and forties.
08/06/2025
24/05/2025
I’ve been on this journey of self-awareness for a couple of decades now, and there are always deeper layers to uncover and unravel.
One of those layers I’ve been aware of for a while is my tendency to procrastinate—which, let’s be honest, often leaves a bit of a tornado in my wake (just ask my hubby 😅).
A few weeks ago, I came across a quote that flipped a switch in me. I’ve heard similar words before—in coaching sessions, in books, and yes, from my husband (not that I like to admit it 😅).
But this time, something clicked. It was the right message at the right moment in my life, and I felt something shift inside me.
The moral of the story? Keep doing the work, even if it feels like it’s not landing. Because one day, something will stick. And when it does—it can change everything.
11/05/2025
Uric Acid is a blood marker we often see elevated when working with clients.
Most have been told to avoid high-purine foods like meat. But is meat really the issue?
The truth is, no, not really! Sometimes it can be but most of the time, there are other factors at play.
There is so much more to uric acid than meets the eye. If uric acid is high in the blood, it may be more to do with inflammation and clearance than too high intake of purine-rich foods such as meat and seafood. When elimination is not as effective as it should be, the blood becomes oversaturated and crystals are deposited in the low circulatory areas such as the toes and the fingers, which is the painful condition called gout.
Purines are actually present in all of our cells, our DNA and RNA, energy cells etc, that is why foods like meat which is cellular tissue, is rich in purines.
So if you are prone to high uric acid, looking deeper into the root cause may be beneficial.
Things to eliminate or significantly reduce if you have high uric acid.
🍺Alcohol
🍭High Fructose Corn Syrup.
🧃Juice
Things to address
🍃Gut Health
😡Inflammation
🧫 Mould
This is a simplified breakdown of uric acid but I hope you find it as fascinating as I do 😊
12/01/2025
🎉 Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉 Wishing you all a year filled with health, happiness, and harmony!
I am excited to announce that yoga classes are starting again next week!
Join us for gentle to moderate sessions on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9 AM to 10:15 AM, and if you're ready for a bit more challenge, come check out our stronger, more dynamic class on Wednesday evenings from 6 PM to 7:15 PM.
All classes are held at the Mangawhai Domain Hall. You don't need to book. If you do not have a yoga mat and props, I have some available.
If you have any questions or want to know more, please send me a personal message or email me at francesca@wildwellness.nz.
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Welcome to Wild Wellness, a small holistic wellness company with an enormous heart-based in Mangawhai, New Zealand. Wild Wellness combines ancient Yoga wisdom and philosophy with modern-day anatomy and biomechanic knowledge to bring a full body and mind experience. For more information and timetable visit www.wildwellness.nz
Francesca the founder of Wild Wellness is also a qualified Clinical Nutritionist offering in-depth Consultations to access your individual nutrition and wellness needs. Francesca works in a holistic way, honoring your whole body and lifestyle to improve your health and wellness, combining modern science and functional testing to get to the root of your health concerns. There is so much more to wellness than just how we nourish ourselves, we need to consider our behaviors, our sleep patterns, how we think, feel, and how we connect to nature For more information or to book a consultation for nutrition please do not hesitate to contact Francesca at Wild Wellness for more information
Francesca's own experiences have led her to this path of holistic wellness and functional mindful movement through her yoga practice. After battling her own health issues she decided to study Holistic Nutritional Science at The Naturopathic College of New Zealand so she could help others on their health journeys.
Yoga has been a support system for her for many years both mentally and physically, however, after sustaining injuries during surfing she found herself unable to practice as she once had. This led her to gain a further 250hr teacher training certificate from Nikki Ralston of The Ralston Method. A method of yoga that incorporates functional mindful movement practices into traditional yoga, to ensure strength and healthy mobility.
Our bodies are remarkable and when given the chance through nourishing, moving and connecting back to nature, we at Wild Wellness believe you can begin to invite balance and healing back into the body.
We look forward to sharing our passion for Nutrition, wellness, and Yoga with you.
Let us honor our mistakes by allowing them to teach us. Let us consider our failings to be gifts and share them humbly with others. Let the cracks in our facades let in light and air so that new life can grow Through Them - Molly Gordon