Meet Courtney - my former teaching colleague who took me under her wing when I was a brand new teacher in the UK with a thick Kerry accent nobody could understand.
Years later, she reached out stuck in the cycle so many teachers know: nailing it during the week, completely falling apart at weekends.
This conversation was recorded in November 2023, about 8 months into working together. At this point, Courtney had lost over 3 stone and had only missed ONE session since starting.
What I didn’t know then was how her story would end.
Courtney stayed with me for over 2 years. She left in July 2025, down 26 kilograms total. Six months later, she’s kept it all off - still running consistently, still training consistently.
She learned the system. She didn’t need me anymore. That was always the goal.
In this episode, Courtney shares:
• Why structure (not motivation) changed everything
• How she discovered she was massively undereating (not overeating)
• Why she can have ice cream for dinner and still make progress
• The mindset shift that made consistency effortless
• How she went from avoiding the gym to actually enjoying it
This is proof that sustainable transformation is possible for teachers - not through 90-day quick fixes, but through learning a system that works with your life.
What is From Surviving to Thriving?
Surviving to Thriving: Real Teachers. Real Transformations.
This podcast shares the inspiring journeys of everyday teachers who’ve taken back control of their health, energy, and confidence, without sacrificing their careers or joy. Through raw conversations and occasional solo episodes, we’ll explore what it really takes to go from burnt out to thriving inside and outside the classroom.