The Monday Q&A: Whanganui health and life coach Steph Brunt

Whanganui health and life coach Steph Brunt is the subject of this week's Monday Q&A. Photo / Supplied

Every Monday, the Chronicle fires 10 questions at a Whanganui local. This week, Ethan Griffiths finds out about Whanganui health and life coach Steph Brunt.

What does being a health and life coach involve?

Basically, I work with people who are feeling a little bit stuck. They're struggling with self-comparisons, there are thoughts of not being good enough, worrying about what other people think, stress and anxiety.

The job involves helping people with those stresses that get people down, finding what they really want, and helping them get there. We work on goal setting and working to reach those goals.

How did you get into this line of work?

I had a massive career and lifestyle change, actually. I'm originally from Whanganui but moved to Wellington after I left school, went to university and stayed down there.

I had a corporate job and started a family, but the corporate job was too stressful for what I wanted for the family. We moved back up here in 2019, and I thought I just couldn't move back to the corporate world.

I've always been passionate about health, fitness, wellbeing and helping people - health and life coaching seemed like the perfect thing to do.

What's your favourite thing about Whanganui?

It is the best place for families - it's got everything. We've got three little boys and they are doing all sorts of different things up here. Everything is right here, and it's a really beautiful city.

How had Whanganui changed in the years you were away?

That's an interesting question because I'm looking at it through different eyes now because I'm at a different stage in life. I think the things I love about it now, I took for granted when I was growing up here.

I feel as though there's been a lot more put into making Whanganui the beautiful city it is now. The main street, the wall art, the murals, the development along the river - the features that we have always had have been enhanced a lot more.

Where's the most memorable place you've ever travelled?

That's a hard one - I have done a bit of travel, but New York has to be up there.

I spent a week there and it sucked it out of me because it's so fast-paced. But I loved it - to be able to go watch a show on Broadway, to go to Times Square and experience Central Park. It was very special.

What are you looking forward to doing most this summer?

I'm really looking forward to camping. The family is going up to Blue Lake this summer, Covid-dependent of course, but hopefully we'll make it work.

Who is your favourite musical artist?

I am not a muso at all! The first person that comes to mind is Adele - her new album is pretty amazing.

What is your favourite home-cooked meal?

Having three little boys means it has to be something that's not too tricky that I can get on the table quickly.

I love something basic like baking some chicken drumsticks or thighs coated in a bit of coconut oil and some herbs and spices, and then putting that with either steamed or roasted greens. That's a really good, go-to nutritious and healthy meal.

Looking at your life coaching, what is a piece of advice you'd give to your 20-year-old self?

Do your best not to worry about what other people think of you, because actually, they probably don't have those thoughts at all. You're probably worrying about something that's not even happening.

If you weren't a health and life coach right now, what would you be doing?

I would probably still be working in my corporate communications job, and being a mum.