I’m on a mission to showcase the incredible small business women we have in my local community, because I believe that…

If you want to achieve your goals, you need to help others achieve theirs.

The purpose of this blog is to create a NETWORK and build CONNECTION. By reading about THE BIGGER PICTURE behind all of these blog editions, I hope that we gain a new understanding, find some perspective, share solidarity and not feel quite so alone. Because, let’s face it, running your own business sure can be a lonely place.

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by incredible small businesses in the South West run by mums in their spare rooms or out in their gardens and they each have a unique story to be told; a BIGGER PICTURE to be discovered.

So, to celebrate some of the amazing women we have in our backyard, I shall endeavour to introduce you to one of them each month!

My feature for August, is the very lovely,

Meg Sonego

Thrive Wellbeing

As I sit here writing this blog, sipping some delicious organic @thrive_wellbeing herbal tea, it’s been lovely reflecting on my relationship with Meg. We first met as brand new mums, with babies that would NOT sleep. We would meet at our Mother’s Group, with eyes hanging out of our heads, nearly crying as we struggled to socialise through our sleep deprived states. We would look at each other and smile, no words needed, as we understood each other’s pain in this shared experience.

Now, years later, Meg continues to amaze me with her empathy, patience and compassion. With a special interest in supporting busy women who are trying to do it all; wearing multiple hats, feeling tired, overwhelmed or underwhelmed, stressed, with gut issues, hormonal issues, or immune systems needing a boost, Meg is a health practitioner who is truly in your corner and I am delighted for you to read her story.

Tell us about your business and what services you offer.

By utilizing a holistic framework, I offer a range of services that support all areas of health and wellbeing; physical, emotional & mental, herbal and nutritional.

I run Pilates Mat & Reformer classes and individual sessions, with a focus on biomechanical alignment to decrease aches & pains.

I offer Natural medicine & Ayurvedic medicine consultations with options of programs, courses & coaching to help clients stay on track to meet their individual health goals.

I offer counselling & kinesiology to support the emotional and mental health aspects of health. Why? Because we aren't robots! We feel, we overthink and we get unmotivated at times. Body AND Mind Health is the key.

Is there a story behind the name you chose?

When I began my business in 2013, I read the saying 'You are not here to merely survive - but to THRIVE.' Straight away I thought that the word thrive encompasses how I want my clients to feel both physically and emotionally.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My own health journey was the initial driver of my passion to continue learning to find answers that mainstream medicine couldn't fix. My bowel disease actually forced me to look at other complementary health pathways to heal myself and whilst I am in no way saying ditch mainstream medicine for natural healing, I absolutely endorse working with your medical practitioners and natural health practitioners to create a framework of healthcare that works together to achieve the best possible outcome.

I took my own health and wellbeing into my own hands and jumped into studying naturopathy at age 19. Back then, naturopathy was a bit left of centre and I went on to study a more 'sensible' line of work in the social work field and health promotion, within which I worked for 10 years. While I absolutely loved this, I ended up blending all my passions of health and wellbeing together in order to focus on the combination of body, mind and health.

What is your favourite part of your job?

I ADORE getting messages saying, “Thank you so much! I cannot believe how good I feel now!” Seeing people's lives change for the better is an absolute JOY! Having clients trust you in their health and wellbeing can be a very vulnerable process and I feel privileged that clients let me into their journey.

What do you offer your clients that no one else does?

My ability to call upon multiple health modalities to support the client to meet their goals in all facets of health and wellbeing. I understand when you desperately want to heal from your ailment - I CARE and want clients to feel well!

My motivation to study and continue studying multiple modalities to support a client’s health is my passion!

YES I’m a health GEEK! Why? Because no one size fits all! Using multiple modalities of complementary healthcare allows us to work together on all aspects of health.

Is it that... or is it that I truly care so deeply about the client’s outcome that makes me work hard to find a way to get to the bottom of the health concern?

No matter what, I love creating online programs to empower people to take their own health into their own hands!

Giving people knowledge is power; Power to change and feel great.

We are so lucky to have such a passionate practitioner like Meg in our community. Having not only been a friend but also a client of Meg’s for many years, I can honestly say that I have never met a person who listens quite as intently as she does. To say that you feel ‘heard’ when you visit a health professional is no small thing.

Whether you are attending one of her pilates classes on the beach as the sun rises, a natural medicine session or reformer class in her cosy home studio, or simply addicted to her delicious teas (as I am), Meg’s empathy and warmth shines through.

Edwina xx