I am FINALLY getting around to writing my first ever Steemit post! YAY! My sis in law @redrica has been singing it's praises for a few months and now is the time for me to jump on board.
My name is Amanda Pickering, 32 year old Health Coach, living in London, England with my husband of 8 years (who is also joining - yay!) and our gorgeous 11 month old Golden Retriever, Clover. That first pic is when we are behaving ourselves, but I would say our little family is more like that second crazy one where my pup looks like a turkey!
Both me and the hubs work from home full time - I as a health and life coach and him as a Singer/Songwriter.
I used to manage a charity in Camden supporting homeless people but after my turbulent journey with weight and illness my career change was inevitable.
You see, before the age of 21 I had more health problems then most people have in their lifetime! I'm talking glandular fever, chronic fatigue, thyroid disorder and anxiety disorder, the latter of which almost took my life I was so sick. I was so unwell that I was unable to even go to university and having 6-8 panic attacks a day for 3 years was the most emotionally debilitating experience I have ever been through. Going from being outgoing and daring to being too scared to even leave the house was terrifying to say the least. I felt like I was in such a deep hole and the walls were covered in slippery paint. There was no way I was ever getting out.
The doctors had basically told me there was nothing they could do for me and I would have to figure things out on my own.
So I had a choice - literally die or try a different approach... I chose the latter!
I learnt literally EVERYTHING I could about health, nutrition, mindset and fitness and I transformed my life. I healed myself from every single sickness and illness both mental and physical and lost 25 pounds in the process.
My life changed over the course of 6 months and I was never the same again - that was back in 2013.
I also did the hardest workout ever put on DVD - Insanity and that helped me discover the fight in me, the lioness that has become my identity now but who I didn't know was in there before.
After my transformation, I wanted to pay it forward. I realised if I could do this for myself I could help other people do the same thing. So I studied to be a Health Coach and started my business Amanda Pickering Health and Wellness. I now coach women around emotional eating, the self limiting beliefs we often place on ourselves and how to create their lives by design, not based on what they thought was possible! 
I wake up every morning excited to serve those that need my help. I do that through my private coaching programs, online courses, group programs and online health and fitness groups.
My mission is to help people realise the greatness they have inside them and transform their lives, which almost always starts with their health.
Other things about me:
- I love and I mean LOVE The Gilmore Girls - I was a late starter so just finishing now :-)
- I am obsessed with tea, cozy country cottages and walks in nature
- My parents are Egyptian and I just love everything about the culture - especially the food!
- My favourite food in the world is pizza - I mean like legit, if you want me to be your friend, buy me pizza :-) I could eat it everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner - but being a health coach that might not go down so well for me or my clients ;-)
- I met my husband when I was 16 and we didn't start dating till I was 22. He moved to the UK to be with me (he's Namibian) and I'm so glad he did because he is the pinnacle of what a soul mate is :-)
I can't wait to get to know so many of you on Steemit
So much love
Amanda xx