Shelley Varnam​

Being drawn to live in the beautiful BOP I moved here nine years ago from the lovely Waikato after my children moved away from home. I grew up on a dairy farm in Cambridge, spent a lot of time traveling the world, and then lived and worked in Hamilton while raising my family.   I love cooking, and gardening, beaches and nature, reading and being creative, along with spending time with my two daughters and two grandchildren.

Having a background in holistic wellness and health coaching is integral to who I am as a person.   I have a professional and personal interest in natural health, plant-based wholefoods, and complementary wellness practices. Our bodies and minds are designed to self-heal, and provided with optimal conditions, can do so. Outside of my coaching profession I promote self-care through the beautiful modality of Reiki.

About the Health Coach role.

Health coaching is designed to allow people to design and manage their own self-care goals long term. Intrinsically we know what our needs are, therefore my role as a Health Coach is to help my clients uncover and understand their needs, then work collaboratively to create positive outcomes.  

The health coaching role has been created to assist people with mental health issues, addictions, long-term conditions and other well-being challenges, building knowledge and skills with clients to increase wellness.

Health Coaches are a mobile workforce who work with whanau, individuals and groups. We see people in settings such as GP practices, a person’s home, or at a handy café. 

Clients can see health coaches in the short or long-term to talk about their feelings, plans, goals and progression. There are no barriers for whaiora to access Health Coaches, no referring criteria, and no charge.