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From Non-athletic high school student to health and fitness role model – Lauren Parsons

How do you go from a non-athletic high school student to health and fitness role model who has helped thousands of people?

Lauren Parsons is still yet to attend a high school reunion but says that when she does her peers will most likely be surprised at her career choices.

“I used to hate P.E. at school, I wasn’t any good at it! I can even remember trying to get out of it if I had the chance! I guess not being naturally ‘sporty’ I can relate to people that have been there too.” Now as a wellbeing specialist, Lauren says “I absolutely love helping people that typically don’t like gyms to discover fun, fast ways to exercise and feel fantastic as a result.”

Straight after high school, Lauren spent a year in France on exchange where she fell in love with the French culture, food and way of life. She returned home with a deep understanding of how the French eat so well, and with the idea to open her own creperie (French crepe restaurant) in New Zealand.

She thought a business degree at Massey University would be the best idea before launching this new restaurant and in her first year Lauren joined the gym just like everyone else.

Lauren recalls being very intimidated by the gym scene, but says that “one day a friend took me along to a step aerobics class and I discovered that it was actually quite fun even if I didn’t get all the moves.”

Later on she completed the aerobics instruction qualification, started teaching classes and went on to become the aerobics manager. She hasn’t turned back since and has dedicated her career to the health and fitness profession.

She worked in a number of management roles in gyms and began personal training. Later she became senior lecturer at the NZ College of Fitness (now, MAX International College for Fitness Professionals). “I loved it! I loved teaching everything from anatomy and physiology to nutrition and knowing that our graduates would go on to have such a positive impact on the world. It was such an inspiring place to work!”

As a personal trainer, Lauren specialised in strength training to help women drop fat and re-shape their bodies, but she soon realised that while lifting weights is great, something else was missing. So she did further study to become a Life Coach to help people with ‘the top six inches’ so she could really help people change their lives for the better through positive thoughts and habits.

“Now I work more with groups than one on one. I am more of an educator and coach than just a personal trainer. I get to reach so many more people this way and I love the impact within an entire workplace for example where colleagues can cheer each other on long after I’ve left them to it!” As a wellbeing specialist Lauren runs wellbeing retreats, does corporate speaking, writes regular articles and runs a 12 week online coaching programme.

Because Lauren kept getting the same questions over and over from her clients, she found she was constantly repeating herself, and so decided to write all her best advice down in a structured way and Voila, her ‘Get Fit Feel Fabulous’ programme was born. “Its all about helping people to feel amazing both inside and out.”

Being research minded, Lauren seeks ongoing feedback and does regular focus groups to find out what people want. She sees the biggest challenge for people as being the myriad of fitness myths that exist.

“It is incredibly confusing with all the fads, diets and crazy exercise equipment available. I love de-bunking the myths, keeping it simple and safe and explaining the truth on what really works.”

“I have developed my ‘Snack on Exercise’ philosophy because people are busy. They need to know what is the least they can do to have a real impact on their health and see and feel the benefits. People love discovering just what a difference little things make!”

Lauren’s revolutionary philosophy is based around her five Live Well Principles; Uplift, Nourish, Invigorate, Strengthen and Restore which provide a complete framework for great health and happiness.

She is an expert at helping people save time and see results by making things simple, easy and fun.

Lauren says her approach is “all about balance and definitely not about dieting, deprivation or a ‘no pain no gain’ mentality. That just doesn’t work long term. Plus that’s no fun and life is definitely meant to be enjoyed! Laughter really is the best medicine.”

At just 34, Lauren is seen as a leader in the health and wellbeing profession. She is a regular speaker at the national ‘FitEx’ fitness conference, serves as a member of the Personal Trainers Council of New Zealand and most recently Lauren has been recognised for her work in the community, receiving the prestigious national ‘Community Award’ at the 2013 Fitness Industry Awards.

This award recognised her initiative to start a free weekly walking group for women of all ages called the ‘Hot-Pink Chicks’. The group raises money for the breast cancer society through gold coin donations and other events. They have a wonderful esprit de corps and have carried on even long after Lauren has moved cities.

For more information on starting your own group you can head to http://www.laurenparsons.co.nz/events/walking-groups

She still hasn’t opened her “dream creperie”. “I guess my priorities changed. I have so many ideas of other things I’d love to do and never the time to do them all justice!” While Lauren’s family still eat crepes at home she focuses on investing her time between her young family, her church and community life and assisting her many clients and regular readers.

“Running wellbeing retreats is my absolute favourite thing to do. I get to share lots of things in great depth, share cooking demos which are super fun and really allow people space to reflect. It is such a privilege being part of such positive experience in people’s lives and to see them blossom.”

Lauren’s vision is to equip and inspire people to truly boost their health and happiness, for life.

She invites her clients to help her spread the positive ripple effect by sharing her tips and advice with their own friends and family. “That is when the magic happens, by my clients empowering the people in their world!”

Want to know Lauren’s Top Tips for anyone that wants to feel amazing every day…?

Here is her top ten:

Snack on Exercise
Eat more “real” food
Strength train. It’s your fountain of youth!
Eat fruit first
Drink plenty of water.
Breath deeply and slowly every day.
Add short bursts of intensity to your workouts.
Take time often to do things that restore your soul.
Be present.
Always, always, focus on what you want!

For full details on these and other tips head to http://www.laurenparsons.co.nz/blog/quick-tips