A few years ago, I was stuck. I’d hit rock bottom – physically, emotionally, professionally. I was a burnt-out physiotherapist with irregular periods, gut issues, and a sneaking suspicion that something deeper was wrong.

Today, I’m a fertility coach helping women learn to conceive naturally, reconnect with their bodies, and take control of their health through cycle charting. But getting here? It was a journey of total transformation.

Here’s how everything changed – and how tuning into my cycle became the missing piece that changed my life.

The Job That Broke Me (And What Came After)

When I accepted a promotion to manage a physiotherapy department, I thought I was stepping up in the world. But the 12-hour days, constant commuting across Melbourne, and soul-sapping office politics wore me down fast.

The final straw? A toxic relationship layered on top of an already toxic workplace. My body felt it before I did – I was exhausted, angry, anxious, and sick all the time. Eventually, I couldn’t even get out of bed. And with a dream trip to Egypt looming, I knew something had to give.

The Diagnosis That Forced Me to Listen to My Body

After months of stomach pain, fatigue, and chaotic periods, I was diagnosed with Coeliac disease. Finally – an answer. But it also came with a huge wake-up call: chronic stress had wrecked my body, and something had to change.

That diagnosis turned out to be a blessing. It pushed me to overhaul my nutrition, clean out my pantry, and start building a new version of myself – one that paid attention to the signals my body was sending.

Reclaiming My Health (And Ditching the Pill)

As I recovered, I realised I wanted more than just symptom relief – I wanted real health. I dove deep into health coaching and nutrition. I was already a physio with a background in women’s health, but something was still missing.

That missing link? My menstrual cycle.

I decided to stop taking the pill – terrified, because I’d relied on it for over a decade. But that one decision was the turning point. I discovered fertility awareness and started charting my cycle. Slowly, I started to understand just how powerful and informative my monthly rhythm really was.

Why Cycle Charting Was the Game-Changer

Charting my cycle taught me how to work with my body instead of against it. I noticed patterns in my energy, my mood, even my cravings. It changed how I exercised, what I ate, how I slept, and how I planned my days.

This wasn’t just period tracking. This was cycle charting – tracking fertile signs like cervical mucus and basal body temperature – and it taught me when I was fertile, when I wasn’t, and what my body needed at every phase of the cycle.

Suddenly, I felt more in control than I ever had on the pill. I could predict my period to the day. And best of all, I finally trusted my body.

Bringing My Partner Into the Process

Meeting Dan changed everything again. Now I wasn’t just charting for myself – I had to make it work in a relationship. And that was scary. Would he understand? Would he support it?

Spoiler alert: he did. In fact, he became the most clued-in, cycle-aware man I know. We talk openly about fertility, charting, and what it means to plan for a baby without relying on hormonal contraception. These conversations made our relationship stronger, more equal, and way more connected.

From Personal Healing to Purpose-Driven Work

Becoming a fertility coach was never part of the original plan. But when I look back, it makes perfect sense. My background in physiotherapy, my obsession with learning, my personal journey through chronic stress and cycle chaos – it all led me here.

Today, I help women tune into their cycles, rebalance their hormones, and discover the power of natural fertility. Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or just want to ditch hormonal contraception without the guesswork, I’m here to remind you: your body already holds the wisdom. You just need to learn how to listen.

The Power of Knowing Your Body

Understanding your cycle isn’t just about fertility. It’s about confidence, empowerment, and being in tune with your body. When you know when you’re fertile – and when you’re not – you can make informed decisions without fear.

So if you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or disconnected from your body, I’ve been there. And I want you to know that change is possible. Cycle charting gave me back control. It helped me heal. And it led me to a career that lights me up every single day.

And I want that for you, too.

Final Thoughts

Your “why” doesn’t have to be big or dramatic. It just needs to be meaningful to you. For me, it was learning how to live in sync with my body and helping other women do the same.

Because when we’re educated about our cycles and empowered to make choices from a place of confidence? That’s when the real magic happens.