A personal story of support through BeingWell, WBOP PHO’s free mental health and wellbeing service, and how it helped someone move forward.

Stella was referred to BeingWell, WBOP PHO’s free mental health and wellbeing service, through her general practice team in June 2025. To protect her privacy, we are not using her real name and have chosen not to name her Health Coach or medical centre.

She was living with long-term health concerns that were starting to affect her daily life. She felt overwhelmed and unsure what support would look like, but she chose to say yes. What follows is her story, shared with permission.

Around June last year, I went for my routine yearly check-up. I knew my health was not ideal, but I was in denial about how bad it was.

My blood results gave me a big fright. My cholesterol was too high. My blood pressure was high. I was one point away from pre-diabetes. These conditions run strongly in my family. I have seen them take lives and change lives of my loved ones. Still, I kept telling myself I was fine.

To be completely honest, I had been slowly harming my health with food and lack of movement for over five years. It was never just one biscuit or a few chips. My moods dictated what I ate and when. Happy? I ate. Sad? I ate. Bored? I ate more. I was always pushing past that “off switch” that everyone around me seemed to have.

Binge eating constantly, feeling depressed about it, crash dieting, punishing myself with exercise and then binge eating again was my entire life. My weight had climbed to over 140kg, with no signs of slowing down.

Everything hurt. I had no energy but could never get enough sleep. I neglected things that needed to be done because I just could not do them. Even grocery shopping was exhausting. My body hurt for hours afterwards. I was always out of breath.

Sadly, I had become very good at hiding it from my partner and denying it to myself. It is only now that I can really see how bad things had become.

Then I was asked if I wanted to be referred to a BeingWell Health Coach. The best thing I have ever done for myself was say YES.

A way out

Not knowing what to expect was scary. I wondered if I would be judged. I wondered if she would understand what it was like to live in a body like mine. I wondered what she could do for me that I had not already tried before.

The connection was instant. She was incredibly warm, cared deeply and was not afraid to ask hard questions. With her help, I soon realised that I did not want to spend the rest of my life living this way. My family deserves a healthy, happy mum and wife. But most of all, I deserve that too.

Our weekly check-ins quickly became the highlight of my week. I felt that someone finally saw me. I felt that maybe, just maybe, there was a way out of this.

We went back to basics and focused on learning how to eat properly again. I always left with information I could refer to later. Those resources soon took pride of place on our fridge and in our kitchen, opening up honest conversations with my family that were long overdue.

There was no more searching for fast ways to dump weight and no more horrendous crash dieting. We also set simple goals around gently becoming more active, and I jumped into it with both feet.

A body screaming for help

Being encouraged to join a walking group was a massive turning point for me. Not once did I feel forced or judged. I felt welcomed straight away.

Then came the day that changed everything for me. Nothing opens your eyes to your health like almost passing out on a simple walk around the park. My body was screaming for help, and I had completely missed the warning signs. I have never been as scared about my health as I was that day.

From that point on, I became a regular on group walks and also started walking daily on my own. I went from struggling with one to two-kilometre walks to comfortably walking eight kilometres with my partner and our dog.

Sustainable choices

My weight started to come off as a result of the hard work, and it became easier to move my body. Removing the “I have to lose weight” mindset and changing it to “I want to be healthy” made everything feel different this time.

Saying YES to new things became much easier. I started attending the coffee group and even Aqua Fit classes. My confidence has grown so much, and my desire to get out and live my life has returned in ways I never thought possible.

I am always reminded that the changes I am making need to be sustainable, because they are choices I will need to keep making for the rest of my life.

The support I receive continues to help me set and reach realistic goals. Eight weeks ago, I said YES to the gym. This was well outside my comfort zone, but stepping into it has been incredible.

Having my life back

The gym has become my haven four to five times a week, for up to two hours at a time. My mental health has benefited as well, and I have found a new emotional strength there. Where food used to be how I managed my feelings, the gym has given me a healthier way to do that.

The battle with food is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. But my love for the gym, and the peace it brings to my mind, continues to outweigh that struggle. Seeing my body lift, bend, carry and grow stronger has been the most empowering experience. I feel like I have my life back, and it is better than I ever hoped for.

Around the time of my first appointment, I set three goals for myself. To fit into size 18 clothes by Christmas, to be able to run with my three-year-old granddaughter and to climb Mount Maunganui. That last goal was one I never truly believed would be possible.

My most recent weigh-in showed my weight had dropped from just over 140kg to 116kg, and my clothing size had changed from 24–26 to size 18. Running with my granddaughter is now easier, faster, and far less painful. She loves that her gramma is more active and is always keen to go swimming with me at the beach.

Once out of reach

Climbing to the summit of Mount Maunganui, well before December even started, was my biggest achievement of 2025. While I often tease my health coach about “cracking the whip” and pushing me up there, I am endlessly grateful for her seeing through all my excuses and roadblocks, and quite literally climbing that mountain with me.

In my mind, I had already decided that making it halfway would be enough. My health coach would not let that happen, and it was exactly what I needed. The gentle encouragement, counting stairs, lots of laughter and me leaning on trees to catch my breath are such special memories that I am proud to share.

At the top, she gave me space and privacy while I cried like a baby. It still has not sunk in that I did it. I am now looking forward to heading up again as my fitness improves, so I can take it all in rather than complain the whole way up.

A brighter future

I genuinely feel I have gained a life-long friend through this journey. Someone who holds me accountable, helps me set realistic goals, listens when I cry, laughs with me and supports me every step of the way.

After talking with others who have shared this space with me, there is no doubt that lives are being changed one session at a time. I honestly do not know where I would be today without this support.

2026 is looking brighter than ever.
For the first time in a very long time, I am excited about what lies ahead.

The work is not finished yet. My weight is still higher than it should be, my cholesterol needs to improve and I want to come off blood pressure medication. But it no longer feels overwhelming. Little by little, one step in front of the other, I am reclaiming my life, and I am well on my way.

Taking the first step with BeingWell

BeingWell supports people to take small, realistic steps towards better mental health and wellbeing. The service is free. You can contact the team directly. You do not need a referral from your doctor to get started. There is no judgement. There is no pressure to be ready.

If this story feels familiar, you can learn more and connect with us at wboppho.org.nz/beingwell.