HCA Talks Health

In this episode, we’re joined by Izabella Natrins, CEO of the UK & International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA), a health research psychologist, registered Health Coach, trained chef and author of The Real Food Solution. With nearly 40 years across nursing, research, corporate leadership and coaching, Izabella brings a rare depth of insight to the conversation about why health coaching places the person, not the problem, at the very heart of lasting change.
Izabella shares her path from corporate life to chef training in Ireland, where she learned that food and health "start in the soil", and explains why clients are the real experts in their own lives. We talk about behaviour change, the importance of professional standards in a largely unregulated space, and our lost connection to real food and cooking.
In this episode, you will discover:
- Why health coaching focuses on behaviour change and self-empowerment rather than delivering treatment
- How a whole-person approach weaves together our biological, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing
- What truly separates a well-trained, accredited Health Coach from the "Instagram health coach" crowd
- How holding space for the messy, non-linear reality of health helps clients thrive
- How reconnecting with real food and cooking can become a quiet act of self-care
- Izabella reminds us that health isn’t about chasing perfection, but about reconnecting with what makes us human and taking the lead on a life that truly flourishes.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & welcome
00:01 – Izabella's background & career journey
00:03 – From corporate life to chef training at Ballymaloe
00:04 – Launching a cookery school and stepping into health coaching
00:07 – The mission & vision of UKIHCA
00:09 – Why health coaching matters
00:13 – Self-empowerment vs empowerment
00:14 – Anecdote: the client who already had the answers
00:16 – The future role of Health Coaches
00:20 – Accreditation & what sets a trained coach apart
00:25 – The challenges facing Health Coaches
00:27 – The "Take the Lead On Your Health" campaign
00:31 – Anecdote: scrapping the intake form
00:37 – Defining whole person health
00:41 – Food, cooking & "The Real Food Solution"
00:45 – IPM Conference: "Unprocessed: Taking Back our Plates"
00:49 – How Izabella's definition of health has evolved
00:53 – Personal reflections on ageing, movement & creativity
00:56 – What's for dinner: the yuk sung recipe
01:01 – Where to find UKIHCA
01:03 – Closing message: health is deeply human
Connect with Health Coaches Academy:
📸 Follow HCA on Instagram: @healthcoachesacademy
🌿 Explore a rewarding career in Health & Wellness Coaching: https://www.healthcoachesacademy.com
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In this episode of HCA Talks Health, Zena Le Roux interviews Dr. Mark Morningstar, a leading expert in scoliosis care and integrative medicine. Dr. Morningstar shares his transformative journey from frustration with patients seeking quick fixes to finding purpose in working with children with scoliosis and their dedicated families. He dives into the root-cause approach to scoliosis management, exploring how factors like hormones, digestion, and nutrient status impact spinal health. Dr. Morningstar also highlights practical, evidence-based strategies to manage scoliosis conservatively, reduce the need for surgery, and support long-term back health.
In this episode, you will discover:
- Why a root-cause approach is essential for scoliosis management.
- How hormones, digestion, and nutrient status influence spinal health and bone density.
- The importance of early intervention and proactive care for scoliosis.
- Practical lifestyle habits to support a stronger, more resilient back.
- The role of health coaches in empowering patients to take an active role in their care.
For Health Coaches, this episode offers invaluable insights into supporting clients with scoliosis through a holistic, proactive approach. Dr. Morningstar’s expertise provides a roadmap for addressing the root causes of scoliosis, empowering clients to manage or even prevent progression while improving overall wellbeing. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of spinal health and integrative care.
🌐 To learn more about Dr. Mark Morningstar and his work, visit www.scoliosispractice.com. 
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Welcome with Zena Le Roux and Dr. Mark Morningstar
01:00 – Dr. Morningstar’s journey: From ethical dilemmas to specialising in scoliosis care
04:00 – Early success stories: The role of parents and proactive scoliosis management
06:00 – Root causes of scoliosis: Hormonal, digestive, and genetic factors
09:00 – Importance of early intervention and addressing long-term neglect in adults
12:00 – Lifestyle factors: Physical activity, anti-inflammatory diets, and neurotransmitter testing
16:00 – Shifts in patient attitudes: Financial pressures and proactive health care
18:00 – Integrative care: Individualised testing for gut and hormone health
22:00 – Dr. Morningstar’s personal health practices and family lifestyle
23:00 – Misconceptions and evidence-based conservative treatments for scoliosis
27:00 – When surgery is necessary: Medical reasons versus cosmetic purposes
31:00 – Early detection advice: Symptoms, x-rays, and proactive care
33:00 – Resources for scoliosis care: Back Genius network and Dr. Morningstar’s practice
34:00 – Final thoughts: Leaving no stone unturned in scoliosis care  
📸 Follow HCA on Instagram: @healthcoachesacademy
🌿 Explore a rewarding career in Health & Wellness Coaching: https://www.healthcoachesacademy.com
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In this episode of HCA Talks Health, Zena Le Roux interviews Dr Jane Seghal, an NHS GP who shares her powerful journey from the high-pressure environment of the medical field to her current role as a Health Coach. Dr Seghal provides a candid look at the personal and professional challenges—including a demanding training system and significant family health crises—that eventually led to her own experience with burnout. Now working as a health practitioner and coach, she discusses the importance of workplace wellbeing and why "your health is your wealth".
In this episode, you will discover:
- Burnout is often a result of sustained, "creeping" pressure rather than a single event.
- Recognising the professional and personal importance of being told "it’s okay to not be okay".
- Navigating high-pressure environments (like the NHS) where systemic demands can erode team empathy and individual compassion.
- Identifying how severe mental burnout can frequently present as physical symptoms.
- Challenging the "power through" mentality.
- Emphasising that a practitioner’s health is their greatest wealth.
For a Health Practitioner or Health Coach, tuning into this episode offers a vital roadmap for navigating the high-pressure demands of the industry without sacrificing personal wellbeing. Dr Jane Seghal’s powerful transition from a burnt-out NHS GP to a balanced Coach provides essential insights into identifying the early "creeping" signs of exhaustion before they manifest as physical illness. By understanding the systemic pressures that erode compassion, listeners will feel empowered to establish healthier boundaries and move from a reactive to a proactive model of care. This shift not only protects the practitioner but creates a ripple effect of authentic, empathetic support that deeply enhances client outcomes. Ultimately, this conversation proves that a professional life built on health is the foundation for truly sustainable healing.
🌐 To learn more about how Dr Jane can help you, visit www.betterhealthwithdrjane.com. 
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to HCA Talks Health with Dr Jane Seghal
00:19 – Jane’s journey: From chemistry degree to medical school 
03:09 – Early years: Music scholarships and childhood aspirations 
04:52 – The transition from medical student to junior doctor 
06:36 – GP training and the impact of personal challenges 
08:09 – Systemic barriers to flexible and part-time working 
11:23 – Family health crisis: Navigating a husband’s brain surgeries 
13:22 – "It broke me": The cumulative toll of stress and lack of compassion 
16:55 – Physical warning signs: Severe back pain and the road to burnout 
18:03 – Maggie’s Cancer Centre: Receiving the "power of permission" to rest 
20:21 – Six months off: The reality of recovery and reflection 
20:46 – Hindsight and wisdom: What she would have done differently 

Connect with Health Coaches Academy:
📸 Follow HCA on Instagram: @healthcoachesacademy

🌿 Explore a rewarding career in Health & Wellness Coaching: https://www.healthcoachesacademy.com

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Kenneth Schlenker worked on product and data at Google, contributing to Google Maps, YouTube and Google Ads. He now runs Opal, an app that helps people manage screen time and stay focused.

His earlier work was about keeping people engaged on their devices. At the time, that was the goal. But he’s since seen the downside. These systems are designed to keep people on their phones for longer, whether they enjoy it or not. On average, we spend around 5 hours a day on our phones. People are finding it harder to stay present in real-life interactions and to focus on one task. The patterns are starting to look a lot like addiction. He sees this as a wider issue, not just a matter of willpower. Opal is his response to that. It adds small barriers to make phone use more intentional and easier to control.

In this episode, you will discover:
Modern apps are engineered as "engagement factories" that monetise your time by selling it to advertisers.
Digital addiction isn't a failure of willpower; it’s the result of systems designed specifically to defeat human self-discipline.
Excessive screen time is a primary driver of the current global mental health and productivity crisis.
Using tools to create "friction"—like breathwork or puzzles before opening an app—helps break compulsive cycles and reclaim focus.
Long-term change comes from reframing your identity rather than relying on short-term diets or restrictions.
This episode offers Health Coaches a powerful framework for helping clients navigate the "attention economy" by shifting the focus from guilt to structural change. By understanding that these digital systems are specifically engineered to override self-discipline, you can better support your clients in implementing "intentional friction" to protect their mental wellbeing and productivity. This shift from relying on willpower to redefining one's identity allows clients to move beyond passive consumption and rediscover the value of presence, rest, and focused living.

🌐 For more information on Opal, Kenneth’s screen time app, visit https://opalapp.com/ 

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to HCA Talks Health 
00:54 – From Google to Opal: Building systems for engagement vs. focus 
02:14 – How the "Attention Economy" and autoplay keep users hooked 
03:55 – Is it addiction? The impact of smartphones on sleep and attention 
05:52 – The trillion-dollar business model behind capturing your attention 
06:58 – Understanding "Sentiment of Regret" and compulsive phone use 
08:22 – The data: Why we spend over 5 hours a day on our phones 
09:22 – The Mental Health Crisis: Linking smartphones to depression and anxiety 
10:52 – Digital Distraction Tools: Infinite scroll, stories, and notifications 
11:58 – The future of engagement: How AI creates intimate digital relationships 
14:47 – Why willpower fails and the need for "Intentional Friction" 
15:47 – How the Opal app works: Breathwork, puzzles, and self-awareness 
16:48 – The Impact: Saving 300 million hours of screen time 
17:40 – Managing attention as a fundamental life skill for 2026 
19:11 – Behavior Change: Why consistency beats intensity 
19:42 – Changing Identity: How to reframe your relationship with technology 
21:44 – Kenneth’s personal struggle with attention and his daily routine 
24:55 – Step one for Health Coaches: Building awareness without guilt 
25:21 – The #1 Takeaway: Stop blaming yourself—it's the system, not your willpower

Connect with Health Coaches Academy:
📸 Follow HCA on Instagram: @healthcoachesacademy

🌿 Explore a rewarding career in Health & Wellness Coaching: https://www.healthcoachesacademy.com

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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

In this episode of HCA Talks Health, host Zena Le Roux sits down with Nicole Askwith Williams, an award-winning educator and the founder of the Women's Wellbeing Club. Nicole shares her personal transformation from an 11-year corporate career in finance to becoming a dedicated Women's Health Coach, a shift sparked by her own long-term struggle with undiagnosed hormonal symptoms. We explore how to better align our daily lives with female physiology and how Nicole empowers women to thrive by working in harmony with their natural biological rhythms. 
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The importance of filtering online health trends to find evidence-backed advice
- Why tailoring your nutrition and exercise to suit your specific life stage is so important
- The simple, science-backed habits that can help regulate your hormones and boost daily energy
- Why trusting your intuition is the most important first step in reclaiming your physical and mental wellbeing.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Nicole Askwith Williams and the Women's Wellbeing Club
01:00 – Nicole’s journey from teenage hormonal struggles to the corporate world
03:00 – Transitioning from the fitness industry to a deeper focus on hormonal health
05:00 – Defining holistic life coaching: moving beyond exercise and nutrition to work-life balance
07:00 – How Nicole educates organisations on supporting women in the workplace
08:00 – Implementing bespoke, small-habit changes for long-term health behavioural shifts
11:00 – The reality of misdiagnosis and the "insane" level of health misinformation online
13:00 – Debunking the "hormone balancing" movement and discussing lifestyle triggers
17:00 – The importance of evidence-based advice and proper coaching qualifications
21:00 – Overview of one-to-one coaching and group support programmes available
24:00 – Closing thoughts on trusting your intuition and taking the power to change your life
Ultimately, Nicole reminds us that if something doesn't feel right within your body or your mind, you possess the absolute power to change it. By moving away from "one-size-fits-all" trends and towards evidence-based, individualised care, women can move from feeling unsupported to feeling empowered. Whether you are a Health Coach looking to better support your clients or an individual ready to take action on your health, this episode serves as a vital reminder to trust your intuition and take that first step towards a more vibrant version of yourself.
To learn more about Nicole’s education initiatives, visit the Women’s Wellbeing Club: www.thewomenswellbeingclub.com 

Connect with Health Coaches Academy: 
📸 Follow HCA on Instagram: @healthcoachesacademy

🌿 Explore a rewarding career in Health & Wellness Coaching: https://www.healthcoachesacademy.com