Gemma - The Mindful Practitioner

We all have a story, we all face adversity, pressure and demand but how we respond is what matters

My work advocates for mental agility - the ability to adapt and adjust with accountability & resilience. What underpins this is emotional intelligence. This construct sees individuals and sectors thrive. My experience in education, social care, retail and hospitality saw me reach middle management across sectors. Coaching and mentoring are disciplines I advocate for, equally believe that informed practice shifts hearts and minds.

About Gemma

Coach | Mentor | Facilitator | Speaker

Professional Athletes

Academy Athletes

About

Gemma's life is a story of complex adversities, but a change of embedding mindful practices changed the direction of her outcomes. At 12, she almost jumped out of a window in the hope of stopping a feeling she couldn't explain. Like most of us, her adversities started in childhood, but she just called it life because the conversation around mental health was never healthy, informed or progressive. Her biological mother suffered poor ill-mental health, She was homeless at 17, experienced abuse, both domestic and sexual, academic struggles, low self-esteem, lack of belonging, which fuelled shame, guilt and fear.

THE CHANGE I NEEDED

Work was often the only thing offering stability, but one decision led me to meet someone who would change my life

Meeting a 12-year-old who was diagnosed with PTSD, I saw a mirror of my own life. That moment led me to write these words in a journal: "The old way is no longer an option."

I decided to learn about trauma, engage in therapeutic practices, and study in my areas of discipline, all self-funded. At the time, my coaching and mentoring spanned 15 years, while I followed American frameworks, becoming an informed practitioner changed my life, and of course, outcomes. From this personal change, I created a framework I've been using, the triangle of care to navigate pressure, demand, and adversity in my life which I can stand strong and say this was a lifesaver when I had to recover from sepsis, losing 30% lung capacity, and having a stoma.

As a result, I became a brand advocate for Salt's Healthcare, which was a decision close to my heart. I wanted to show others that it's not your adversities that make you, it's how you respond to them.

My work background is varied, from education, social care, retail and hospitality. While my personal life was plagued with adversity. At work, I thrived. Within the service space, I excelled compared to my peers in building strong connections, providing excellent customer service, welfare, pastoral care and safeguarding. My personal life was never an excuse for poor standards. To give others the care, compassion, or service I would have liked was paramount.

It was this approach that led me to achieve 3 100% mystery shopper awards across two sectors and a leader award for outstanding service with young people while in education.

Using my knowledge, experience, and frameworks to change hearts and minds

I left education at the end of 2020, and since 2021, I have been working with organisations dedicated to improvement in areas of mental health, community engagement, mentoring, trauma-informed practices, leadership, and pastoral care. Since 2021, my mentorship has largely been with professional athletes, providing a safe, reflective, accountable, mindful, and outcome-based interaction. I have worked with both male and female athletes in the UK in the championship, as well as players internationally.