Founder of Happy Head Health
Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
Hi, I’m Anna, I am middle-aged and happy to say I’m loving it. Why? Because I’m lucky enough to be doing exactly what I believe I am meant to be doing with my life – helping people achieve health and happiness within themselves through the holistic practices of yoga and positive psychology. When I’m not running my business www.HappyHeadHealth.com, an online yoga and coaching practice for your mental health and happiness, you can catch me mostly on the Tennis court, Padel court, swimming in my local lake, walking my dog in the Surrey Hills or kayaking down the River Thames. When I choose to be less in my body and more in my head; my mind loves eating up the latest studies of neuroscience, positive psychology and pontificating over ancient philosophies, world religions and rituals with a generous side salad of fashion, travel, food, wine, lifestyle magazines and reality TV. I’m a guilt-free sucker for a night on the sofa with the stars of Made in Chelsea, Selling the OC and Bake Off!
What inspired you to work in the mental health and yoga industry?
I was inspired to work in the wellbeing industry because despite swiftly ascending the career ladder and enjoying a high-flying, international life in Advertising and Marketing, I wasn’t equipped to deal with the combination of work and personal stress factors that were put upon me and the pressure that I also piled upon myself. Simply put, I had a mental and emotional breakdown, in fact two, when several work and personal things happened all at once and got too much. In hindsight, my breaking down was a breakthrough – it was the start of the path I am on today – where I now teach the tools I wish I had back then. To say the full transition from Advertising Consultant to Mental Health and Wellbeing Yoga Teacher and Life Coach was quick and easy wouldn’t be correct, but it was the necessary one. I transitioned from corporate life to being my own boss over a course of a little under a decade. I sometimes miss the international travel and a regular pay cheque, but I don’t miss the stress and the politics and would probably never go back to working for someone else. I like the autonomy too much! I’m so grateful that I followed this path; before I was chasing future happiness and worth outside of me and today, with my tried and tested tools of yoga and psychology, I always have access to the peace and happiness within me – not matter what life serves me!
How do you maintain your own personal wellbeing?
I have a simple mantra; ‘I enjoy S.E.E.ing to my health daily’. This means, above all else, I prioritize Sleeping, Eating and Exercising well. I know, it doesn’t sound sexy, but 85% of our mental health gains come from these foundational cornerstones of physical health. When I S.E.E. to my health everything else falls into place.
What is your career highlight so far?
I think I have two career highlights so far – one is simply being witness to the huge personal transformations people go through on my signature courses, ‘Anxious Head to Happy Head’, ‘Transform Now’ and ‘Yoga for Bipolar’. Helping people find their peace and joy within will be something I will want to do till the day I die. The second highlight would be seeing a whole class of yoga students practising on my Happy Head Health branded yoga mats – you can take the girl out of marketing, but never marketing out of the girl!
What would you say are ‘must have’ life skills for young people today?
A must have life skill for young people I’d say is Adaptability – Plan to Pivot. It’s great to have a plan, but you can only base your plan on what you know at the time. If we’re lucky, life is long and is always going to throw in the unknown and you are going to learn a tonne of new stuff as you go through the experience of doing. So, it makes sense to enjoy the art of adapting your plans and pivoting your ideas when and where necessary and when opportunity knocks!
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
The two best bits of advice I’ve been given were from the great advertising man Nigel Bogle himself; “Actively listen, rather than wait to speak”. And from my mum, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get” – never be afraid to ask for anything!
Do you have a fond memory from your time at Wellington that you would like to share?
I have many fond memories of Wellington, many too naughty to mention, but what I think never leaves you is just how beautiful and special a place it is to live and learn. I don’t think I’ve ever seen or been to a more beautiful school than Wellington and for that memory I am eternally grateful.
With thanks to Anna Rowe Thomas (Ap 96) for this spotlight piece.