My Local Life… Jane Casey, Wellness Coaching 
To kick off the New Year, The Listing talked to Jane Casey, a qualified wellness coach and personal trainer. She has been a registered nurse since 1999, predominately in palliative care, and covered the Royston area when she worked in the community setting. Jane is a Royston Runner, lover of cheese, garlic, red wine, animals, being outdoors and being active.
What is wellness coaching?
I get asked this all the time. Clients have said to me that wellness coaching is something you don’t know you need until you have it! Coaching is not counselling. Coaching is a professional therapeutic partnership between a qualified coach and their client. The coach guides and prompts the client to manage their behaviour to make better health choices based on what matters to them. Wellness coaching doesn’t just focus on physical health. It covers any aspect of the client’s wellbeing – it is holistic.
Where do you live and for how long?
Despite several attempts to move to Royston it just has never happened, for several reasons (having said that, I spend most of my life in lovely Royston!) I have lived in the beautiful village of Weston for 8.5 years now and absolutely love it. One day I still hope to move to Royston to be closer to friends and the Heath.
How do you keep fit?
I love to be active. It’s so important for me to maintain a positive frame of mind. Being active never came naturally when I was younger but now I understand that my whole wellbeing depends heavily on being active. I am a Royston Runner, love yoga and lifting weights (so important for us women!). I love to swim outdoors in summer but my favourite way to keep active is to walk miles in the countryside or meet friends at the Heath, with my two little Romanian rescue dogs, Ember and Lola. I am currently in training for a 26.2 mile walk in London on 28/01/23 to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. I actually think walking that distance is harder than when I ran marathons! Or maybe I am just a lot older!
What’s your favourite local place to eat?
I love the Heath bar/café. Who doesn’t?! The Heath has been an integral part of my Royston social life for many, many years. A wide variety of great food (oh those sausage rolls and cakes….! Mmmm!), excellent selection of drinks, lovely staff, amazing scenery. The Heath has it all. It was a life saver in lockdown, a great place to meet, grab a coffee, walk and feel comfortable.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Food! I love food. I love looking at recipes, writing shopping lists, finding interesting ingredients and experimenting with different types of food. My biggest pleasure in life is feeding people. I have been told I am a feeder! I am never happier than when I have a house full of lovely friends and I am looking after them and they are enjoying foods I have prepared, the wine is usually flowing and I always cook far too much. I adore left overs too.
What is your most valued possession?
My most valued possession is my health. After 20 years working in palliative care, I never take my health (and the health of those I love) for granted. I give gratitude every single day I wake up and feel fit, healthy and that I am able to do the things that make me feel happy. It really is true that if you have health you have everything. The fact that my body allows me to do the things I want it to is something to be respected and cherished.
What is your favourite place in the world?
I have been very, very fortunate that I have travelled and seen lots of wonderful things in the world. I absolutely love India with its incredible diverse religions, cultures, landscapes and kind, beautiful people. But the food….. Just gorgeous! Edinburgh is another favourite place and I have been lucky enough to have lived there on two occasions. But my favourite place in the whole wide world now (sad, some might say) is my own house and garden. My little haven which I share with my husband Sean, Ember and Lola.
What are you looking forward to most this year?
June 2023 brings my 50th birthday. So I am feeling grateful for that and have lots of fun planned with my wonderful friends and family.
But more importantly, I am really excited about working with new wellness coaching clients. It is an incredible feeling to support them in their journey to take control of their own health and wellbeing. In 2022 I have worked with clients who have worked hard on their relationship with food or exercise, clients who have reduced or managed to stop their blood pressure or diabetic medications (with the guidance of their doctor), clients who have learned to set boundaries and say no when they feel taken advantage of, clients who thought they were ‘born worriers’ – but discovered a way past thought beliefs. My clients have all challenged old, life limiting beliefs and gone on to live happily, feel more liberated and in control. I can’t describe the pride that brings. They have worked so hard and I feel honoured to have shared their journey. So let’s bring on 2023!
