*Before and after shots used as an example. Your results may vary.
About Gordon
Let me tell you a little about me, because my story relates to why I’m so certain I can help you take control, stop struggling and change your life forever.
Let’s start with the physical: I used to be obese! I’m only 5 ft 5, so my 40 inch waist meant i was as round as I was tall. My thighs were so fat that the top of my things used to rub through my trousers causing holes, and my cheeks were so large that my face looked a bit like that of a chipmunk! I was ashamed of my body, and was learning to dress to hide my body.
I was obese, not because I had a problem with food, or a lack of exercise, although both these things were definitely symptoms of how I lived at that time. I was obese because I was unhappy. I just wasn’t coping with my life. The real problem wasn’t my weight, it was my inability to cope.
At work, the company I worked for was struggling, the stress was crippling me mentally and my inability to cope was changing who I was. I was bitter and resentful and angry at the world, If only I’d known more about the expectation gap back then. On top of that my relationship with my fiancee was ending as she was cheating on me (to be honest I can’t blame her.)
I had my own health concerns too, primarily caused by stress. This reached breaking point one morning around 2am, when I woke up with pains in my chest and had to call 999. It turns out that my heart was fine, and it was just stress – serious – but not a heart attack!
This event was really scary, especially given that my father had suffered 3 heart attacks and my younger brother had also had one at the age of 30! Great health didn’t exactly run in my family. This was my wake up call.
The next day I went to the doctors and when he asked me what was wrong I just broke down in floods of tears. He prescribed anti-depressants. Strangely, I left the surgery feeling much better – lit was like I was no longer being crushed by an invisible force. The emotions that I’d been holding trapped inside me had found a release. I only ever took one antidepressant tablet, and then decided that I didn’t need them. There had to be another way.
So I’d reached the bottom – I couldn’t cope, I was burnt out, I had no energy to get to the gym (one of the stories I told myself) and I used food as my primary way to feel better (although at the time I didn’t realise quite how much). Life wasn’t good, I was way off track, but I was determined to turn my life around.
This was 11 years ago!
I quit my job and went to university to study exercise and health science, with the huge goal of solving the weight loss problem. Whilst at university I realised that weight wasn’t the only big problem most people were struggling to cope with. Mental and emotional wellbeing is every bit as big a problem today as physical wellbeing.
When I left university I formed Kaizen Active, a fitness company with a holistic approach to helping clients get fit, lose weight and feel great. During the next 6 years we achieved some amazing things with our clients whilst learning lots about what works and what doesn’t.
At the beginning of 2016 I sold the gym to follow my passion for helping people stop struggling and transform their lives. This was when The Happiness Guy was born! There is a Vlog about loving your future self more here.
My time as personal trainer and gym owner taught me that most people need a lot more help than a gym workout, or a diet plan to follow to get sustainable results.
People need their own personal recipe for happiness, health and wellbeing and to develop this they need education, guidance and support along the way. This is what the Happiness Guy does!
Contact me today to arrange a free exploration session!
Some Posts by Gordon
Lessons from “A Monster Calls”
Self Compassion Not Self Harm
What Clients Say
Gordon helped me see that focussing on ‘me’ was not selfish and in fact was critical to be able to support others around me. Some personal changes have happened this year that I could never have expected however I am certain that with Gordons support I have coped with them better and am in fact feeling very positive about the future. I am eternally grateful, Thank you!
Sheena
Gordon has taught me how to love and take care of myself and prioritise my needs so I am strong enough to help and support those around me. My life has already changed in ways I never thought possible and I’m excited to see what we still have to achieve. *
Sarah Jane Luton
I am now almost 3 stone lighter, fitter than I have been in most of my adult life and conscious of how a fit body and mind can have a massive impact on the way you feel. My only regret is not looking to change my lifestyle earlier. *
Niall Joyce
I have worked with Gordon intermittently over a period of 4 years now. Anytime I felt like I am a little stuck with life I give Gordon a call. Over time I feel I can handle any situation by being able to use the techniques that he has taught me and helped me embed in my thought process. That is invaluable to me and now I can give importance to the wonder that life is. I always walk out of his office with a skip in my step! I can’t thank him enough.
Saimah Rafi
From the outset it felt like I had real help, someone who knew what they were doing, on my side. By helping me realise what was happening inside my brain due to chronic high stress levels, Gordon started me on the path back to feeling like my real self. He has given me really valuable, sustainable tools to help me challenge negative thoughts, manage stress and stay happy.
NHS Manager
I continue to work with Gordon as he is exactly what a coach should be: supportive yet challenging, respectful and observant, kind and clear, the the while knowledgeable and continuing to learn. Most of all Gordon is trustworthy …. [I] highly recommend Gordon to others who seek to help themselves. *
Niki Walker
I now have a very clear set of values to ground myself and I’m now getting much more from life and I have to thank Gordon for unlocking the real me and letting me realise that at 60 life is not done and there’s so much more to live for
Sheena R
Gordon’s help has been invaluable and life changing!!! If you want to make positive changes in your life, Gordon’s coaching will ensure the best possible chance of you forming great new habits so you can make lasting positive changes. *
Amy Ritchie
All of those who attended the session have unanimously found it very relevant and extremely helpful. With more requests from the GPs for Gordon to come back again. A very big thank you from all of us for your professionalism and your dedication. It has made a big improvement to the resilience and morale of our clinical teams.
John Doe
Gordon encourages me to make one change at a time, and surprisingly our sessions have never been overwhelming or physically difficult. I was expecting to be thrown in a gym and put through my paces but there’s been none of that and I’ve still achieved my original goal (to lose 2 stone). *
Fiona Macmillan
*Testimonials and before / after shots are used as examples. Your results may vary.