31/12/2025
🌟✨🌟 As we roll towards the end of 2025 and enter a new year, I have been struggling to write a witty, clever, “moderne” type of post and it has had me going around in circles for days
Modern Gurus and marketing strategists tell us we have to concentrate on our “Why”, sell our “Why’, explain our WHY, and wrap it up with marketing bells and whistles … especially if you’re making a change within your business or changing its direction … but you know what? Im really not that kind of person
My “Little voice” keeps bugging me and telling me to “Tell it from the heart”. “That’s who you really are”. “That’s what you do best”!! And it’s right. That is who I am, so if you’re looking for something glitzy and glammy or “deep” … keep scrolling because Im going to be honest and straight from the heart here, and tell you (not about my WHY), but about … my “BECAUSE” …
So, here we go (bear with me as I try to put everything into focus) …
I think back to what a rocky start this year was, and what an emotional ending 2024 was for me personally 🤔
I had had a year of battling the hospital system to try and get my smashed (on 02.012024) wrist reconstructed and was getting nowhere. It had impacted on my business, my ability to fully fulfil services for some of my people, and as my hand stopped working and the pain grew to mind blowing proportions at times … it impacted my daily life in every way
I was still totally in pieces after losing the battle to save the little rescue puppy we had named Libby. Something very deep happened inside of me as she took her last breath in my arms that morning, and as her beautiful little eyes dimmed before she saw the sun come up again. Pieces of me shattered that I didn’t even know existed, and the pain of that experience was still raw as we stepped into 2025 … and has not left me even now
BECAUSE of that experience, I was so angry at the waste of her beautiful little life, I resolved to honour the short time Libby was here and find a way of using my education to help animals more. After using essential oils for our Maisie for so long, I began by re-visiting an Essential Oil course that I had completed in 2022. It was with one of the women in our Functional Medicine Practitioner group who is not only a pharmacist; she is also an Essential Oil scientist 🧪
Strangely, as I was working my way through the Course, the opportunity to study Essential Oils with an American Essential Oil Vet called Dr Janet Roark appeared and BECAUSE of the success I’d had with Maisie, I was IN!!! I started on my journey as an Animal Aromatherapy Specialist in October 2024 and am now halfway through Level 2 … and loving it immensely. Essential Oils also play a big part in the health of two of our other doggies … our special needs little girl called Molly, and our PTSD girl called Hartley 🐕🦮🐕🦺
So, BECAUSE of all of them, my 2025 study has now encompassed completing an Animal Naturopath Certificate, an Introduction to TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine), and I continued on with another year of Functional Medicine study with Dr Gillespie … BECAUSE … they all cross over and complement each other beautifully. It’s amazing just how much they can be co-combined for such significant change 🩺🔬🧪
My year this year took a truly heartbreaking turn when we lost our Maisie on 29th of July. The same day, I was hit by a speeding car as I crossed a side street in the Hutt. I was thrown off the bonnet and through the air onto the road behind me and as I landed, knew that for some reason, an intervention of some kind had just happened. I was not seriously hurt, and I know it sounds corny but, lying there on the road looking under that car was a pivotal moment for me. I made a promise to the Universe to do something significant. Why? BECAUSE … me surviving that car’s hit really was more than a miracle 🙏🌟
My wrist surgery (that had finally been scheduled for the following morning) was cancelled, and I spent the day in and out of two hospitals. I was beyond distraught, but it was put off for the right reasons. I was very sore, needed X-Rays and medical assessment, and was in no fit emotional state to heal after a major surgery
I have to say … isn’t it surprising at times how total strangers can be so amazing when you’re in the depths of despair? I was blown away and at times, overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and compassion. The amount of truly lovely people who helped me through those two days were just so many, and they absolutely restored my faith in humanity … especially as they put up with my torrents of tears with amazing patience, and endless grace 😭😭
The surgery was re-scheduled early (thanks to a cancellation), and my wrist is now recovering better than expected. I am so grateful and even though I still have another 6 months to let it recover completely … there really aren’t words to express how much I appreciate having my hand and wrist operational again after waiting almost 2 years. My accident injuries have all pretty much been put to rest, and I now step into 2026 feeling more like myself … stronger … and much more functionally capable
My last BECAUSE is partly down to my new business and spiritual coach/mentor. We interestingly think much the same, and my journey going into 2026 … although on a different path … is following a similar place in its trajectory to hers. She takes no prisoners which … being someone who hates sticking their head above the parapet … (in other words … I’m a big baby if I have to do that), is exactly what I need
BECAUSE of her, I am following my heart in 2026 to continue working with animals and also teach mum’s and dad’s pet owners how they can look after their pets and family members themselves. I have so much to look forward to thanks to her guidance and encouragement, and am excited to be stepping onto that road 🚶♀️🚶♀️🚶♀️🚶♀️
My final word on 2025 is to acknowledge my “40 years in business Anniversary”. In a world where many only survive 3 years, it is significant, and I attribute it to my amazing friends/mentors/coaches/teachers and my very patient husband. They have inspired, supported, reinforced, and up-skilled not only me, but also themselves to everyone’s benefit. Im beyond grateful for them all over these years, and would not (and could not) have become the Coach, Specialist, or Practitioner that I am today without them 🙏
I also want to acknowledge my beautiful and amazing people who come to Fitness Plus and who inspire me every time they come here. They have been so patient with me this year, and so supportive of my multiple times off … Im beyond grateful to their lovely hearts and continued support of both my business and me. “Bless you all … because without you, I don’t get to do what I love so much” 🙏💖🥰
So … goodbye 2025 … and as I step into 2026 …
📍I will use my heartbreak over Libby and Maisie to fuel my new future, and to help others going forward
📍I give thanks to my Fitness Plus people for supporting me and my business for another year and look forward with excitement to seeing them all progress further
📍I truly give thanks to all who have supported, guided, mentored, and encouraged me this year … helping me on the journey towards my new destination with an expended vision now
📍And I give thanks from the bottom of my heart to the Universe because I am still here … and in one piece 🙏
Happy New Year everyone and I wish for you all a year full of joy, laughter, wonder and great health. See you in 2026 🤩🎊🎉🥳