Becoming a ‘mature’ student

My journey into Holistic Life Coaching and Italian Language

There’s a world of possibility beyond our doors (and screens). Ever felt like you were born in the wrong era? I have. But then also, I haven’t.

When I left school I went to Teacher’s College. I got qualified and worked as a teacher here in NZ for four years before adventure began calling. I then packed my bags for London, where I continued teaching for a little over a year. It was there that I left the classroom for the last time, initially leaving to travel while working for Contiki.

When I returned to New Zealand, I opted for the big city lights of Auckland, looking for something a little bigger than my roots in regional Marlborough. I joined the corporate world and I haven’t looked back.

What I have looked into though, is creating a life outside of work that puts a fire in my belly. That goes beyond the day to day grind, enables me to find my purpose in life, and helps me to embrace the things that put a spring in my step.

There are so many different career options out there nowadays, and while a part of me would have liked those options when I left school, a part of me is glad I was able to explore them after learning what I was truly interested in, thanks to this thing called life.

In some ways, my 2023 learning journey has been a long time coming. I’ve enrolled in both an Advanced Certification Holistic Lifestyle & Nutrition Coaching course, and Italian language classes, so my evenings and weekends are suddenly very busy!

A random mix, maybe, but what they have in common is that they’re each things I’ve been interested in pursuing for a number of years, and I've finally had the guts to say ‘let’s do it’.

Holistic Lifestyle & Nutrition Coaching

Over the years, I’ve engaged my own health and lifestyle coach, Michelle Matangi, at different times. Michelle has been a good sounding board for me when I’ve had moments of uncertainty or have made goals that I’ve needed someone to hold me accountable to. 

Navigating life, or at least some of its more challenging hurdles, is so much easier with an impartial ear to bounce ideas off.

Coming off the back of covid-19 and a few different life directions over the past few years, I’ve been increasingly pulled toward getting my own life coach certification. Will it become a full time gig? Who knows, but I’ve taken it on with the intention that I’ll not only learn a whole heap about myself, but that I’ll come out with the tools to help others do the same, should I decide to. 

I’ve signed up for the Advanced Certification Holistic Lifestyle & Nutrition Coaching course through the Mind Body Institute, an internationally recognised organisation. 

I’m doing the course part time, and you can learn more about it here. 

Italian Language Courses

Before we knew how lucky we were to have free rein of the world, I’d fallen in love with Italy. The landscapes, the colours, the food, the language. 

When covid-19 locked us down, I vowed I would return, and I’d love to do so with some more knowledge of the language and culture.

I signed up for an Absolute Beginner’s Italian language course through Società Dante Alighieri Auckland, a fab society for everyone who is interested in Italian. The society was set up to promote Italian language and culture in Auckland, and I’m loving immersing myself in the culture right here in little ol’ NZ. 

The classes are making me miss the shores of Italy even more, and I know I’ll be returning in the next few years.