Welcome, I'm Angela Bryant and you're listening to The Angel Rated Show, where we have inspiring conversations with the people behind the products and services most often used by online business owners. On the show, you'll hear how their personal beliefs and values have influenced their businesses. If you're an online entrepreneur, he wants to know about the integrity and impact of the businesses you're buying from, then this is the show for you. Hello, and welcome to this episode of The Angel Rated Show. I'm Angela Bryant and with me today, I have Aisling FitzGibbon who is a Holistic Nutrition Coach and founder of Aisling's Health School. Welcome, Aisling. It's great to have you with us today.

Yeah, thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here on your show. And I think I'm the first episode.

You are indeed. Really excited to get going with this and to get it out to the world. Would you like to start by telling us a little bit about yourself and your online business?

Yeah. So I suppose a little bit of the background as to why I even ended up doing this. When I was in university, I got really unwell when I was 19. And I went to the doctor at the time, and I was prescribed antidepressant medication, because my symptoms are basically like really low energy, low mood, anxious, you know, all those things. So I was put on medication. And at that time, I was kind of like, didn't want to be taking medication. But I also felt so bad that I was kind of like, I didn't know what to do with myself. So at the end, I actually qualified as an occupational therapist, and I just felt like, everyone was applying for jobs and I was even offered a job in my last placements. And I didn't even have energy to apply for a job and I just like, that's it. I have to, I have to get to the root cause of why I'm so unwell. So I ended up going to nutrition has been down in Devon, and yeah, it just totally opened my mind to a whole new possibility, and I was like, Oh my gosh, I have to do this. Like, I knew that I wanted to get to the root cause of it anyway. And I kind of had an idea that there has to be some imbalance in my system. Or, you know, I knew that there was some reason why I was feeling so unwell. So that's how I ended up falling in love with nutrition. And after a couple of months, I was just like, Oh, my gosh, I started feeling so much better. But then I was like, I want to do this, like, I want to do this as my career. So I went back then, and I trained as a nutritionist, like, then you're kind of like, Oh, I'm a nutritionist. What next? So I was kind of like, how do I actually make this into a business? You know, and I actually ended up going to a Hay House weekend over in London, I met this lovely lady called Samantha, and she was a Business Coach. And I was telling her about what I was doing. And I was just I just qualified. So yeah, I was actually really like, how do I actually started practicing? So basically, I was just seeing people like as I was training, and they were coming to my house, and then I was thinking, Oh, I'll continue I'll continue having like, in person sessions, and then I was just like, Okay, this is really more confusing and harder than I ever realized, like, just even putting myself out there was so difficult as well like the confidence piece. Because you're very much like doing it on your own. You know, it's not like you're in a, an Occupational Therapy, you kind of walk into a job and you know, you're guided, and you have all that support. Whereas with this, it's very much like, uncharted territory. So it was a couple of months into seeing my clients on my own, that, I was on the fence of actually joining B-School as it was in the February of 2016. And my mom at the time was like, okay, you have to like, do you feel like this is, like a, like a full Yes. So I just put my hand on my heart and I was like, No, I'm not meant to join. And then I ended up then like, a week or two later, two weeks later, I think it was this lady who I connected with in London. She was running a group program for people who were setting up online business. And who are like, straight out the gate like isn't just starting off for the first time and bringing different, you know, some like different backgrounds and different professions. So I saw that anyway. And I just signed up to that straightaway and working with her it was really like instrumental in being able to number one, understand that I could practice nutrition online, like I didn't even think I could do that or that people would actually even be happy with that service. And so I just started with that and started seeing people then one on one. And instead of seeing them in one off sessions, I started to seeing them over three months. Yeah, then over time, by 2017 years, it's like the development of like understanding of like run group programs. So I've run a few programs. And then in 2018, I launched my membership for the first time and that's recently been rebranded as Aisling's H ealth School.

Fantastic. And it sounds like you've been on obviously quite your own health journey and that's led you all the way through to setting up Aisling's Health School. So how do you say that that's your, you know your purpose in life.

Oh, yeah, definitely. Yeah. Cuz I felt like it was actually 10 years ago, I have this journal in front of me here that I started when I started my healing journey and like, you know, recovering my own health. And I think, I think after like a month or two, I started writing because it was in the very beginning. And I was saying, you know, you're here, you know, I want you I want to, I want to share this information. I want to empower other people, I want to have a Healing Center. I want to teach other people what I'm learning, because I feel like this is so empowering. So I feel like yeah, everything in Aisling's Halth School is really like the why of like, why I'm here and the thing that's, like my calling to know, and I came to us because I was, it wasn't like a conscious decision. It was more like, my health fell apart. So I had to discover I had to go on that path. And through that, I kind of quickly started to realize, Oh, you're actually finding the thing that you're here to do. And, you know, I was very passionate like when I was training in Occupational Therapy but I always felt like, I didn't fit into that system like a lot differently. And I also I also Yeah, I would always be kind of more holistically minded, as opposed to say, you know, in mainstream conventional medicine, you know, it's very much like, everything is very separate, whereas I would be naturally more holistically minded. And that's because of the upbringing that I had with my mum, like she was just, you know, exposed me to so much that. You know, I think when you plant those seeds, and somebody very young, it's like, they start to come through and I think you can't deny who you are. So I think for me, it's like being able to have my work be not something separate to me, but actually just a complete expression of who I am so that I can be my happiest and at my highest service to others in the world as well.

That sounds fantastic. So what legacy is it that you want to create from your Health School?

Yeah, I suppose that I could say I want to create is part of this new Health model that's emerging. And there's many, many great pioneers that are part of this. And like who I trained with was one of those people who inspired me in being able to really educate myself about how the body works and how the body heals naturally. So yeah, the legacy that I want to create is to be part of this holistic health model that is emerging right now. And it's not it's not fully there, but I think more and more people are interested in getting to like the root cause and you know, even in like, say the US how, like integrative medicine is becoming more popular and you know, people are definitely becoming more conscious of food and the impact of their lifestyle. So, yeah, I really want to be part of creating that connection for people, but also in a way that isn't like depriving or boring but actually in a way that she feels the most life affirming and the most nourishing. So yeah, the health school will hopefully be something that will live on, far beyond like when when I'm not long no longer physically here, and just be part of this movement really, it's not just, you know, I'm one of many that are bringing this through. But I feel like the way in which I do that it is very inviting and also helps to break down that change into very simple easy steps for people. And also just to make people realize that, it's really just about like remembering and realigning with, with nature and like what's most natural and real. And the more that we're in tune with nature, the more our health starts to flourish, and all parts of our health, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual health, you know, and I'm looking at myself now I'm in my early 30s. And I think, yeah, well, I have hopefully another 50 years of this work to kind of make this impact on the world. So I'm, I'm doing it in a way that's Yeah, I'm just like, I'm in this for the long term.

Great. You've mentioned your mum a couple of times while you've been talking. Do you want to share a bit more about the influence she's had? All your life and on your business and on your journey.

Oh, yeah, absolutely. Well, I don't think I'd be doing what I'm doing without my mom or her support. because ever since I was young, she was always like, just her own self, like she was very much on her own path of like discovering who she she was. And she was very, very passionate about like food and naturopathy. And she said, like, when she was 18 in college, she did yoga and she had this like yoga mentor who taught her about fasting and naturopathy. And so she she actually she qualified in university as a teacher, and then she move to the UK and the 80s because there was no work in Ireland. And then not long after that she had me but she ended up having like a bout of chronic fatigue, then, like, not long after having me so that was how she really started to get into like nutrition and like literally our whole house is just like books and books on nutrition and spirituality and you know, all these things. So she was always like constantly learning, constantly developing so that was I was just surrounded by that. But she never like imposed like, Oh, you need to do this she very much like let me discover who I am and didn't tell me like, Oh, this is what you could be doing or should be doing. But she really like until it was she was always talking about like, oh, you're here to follow your dreams. And that was very much in contrast with my dad who would be, who wouldn't speak like that. He wouldn't he wouldn't speak like that at all. And so she would be kind of saying to me, you know, you're here to follow your dreams and I'd be kind of like, Oh, I'm not really sure like who I am or like what I'm here to do. But she was just like, Oh, I trust in who you are. And then when I became unwell like she was like a major support to me. Really just learning how to because I think the part of like being unwell is like it's not just about physical. Oh, eat this don't eat this. It's very much like for me anyway, it was it was like a spiritual awakening journey because it was like I had to learn to accept myself and to surrender and to let go and to release like, you know, stuff that I was holding on to and all these things. So my mom was like this mentor that was helping me through that process, because she had gone through that herself. And yes, so she was basically like holding the space for me to be able to like, then go back and like, you know, she fully supported me going back and, you know, I've just done University now I'm going back into training as a nutritionist, you know, she was like, of course you are, like, that's just part of your path, and I'm here to, like, hold space for that. And then, in 2018, she became suddenly unwell. And so the person that was like my biggest supporter biggest cheerleader, and just like my best friend, everything was just like swiped away. She had a seizure and she was endup up in a, she ended up being put into a coma, medically induced coma for 12 weeks. And then she passed away on the 10th of May. So during that time, it was just like, yeah, it was just like the hard, it was just like going through the biggest storm ever. But it was also in a way, it was funny because even though it was the hardest thing I went through, also, I was shown by life like so many people came in and supported me. As like, as I was like letting go slowly of my mom at the time, I didn't realize because I was like, she's gonna recover 100% you know, I had that in my mind. But it was very much like, a process of like, you know, you've you've come this far now. And you know, you can stand on your own two feet now, you don't need for me to hold hold you anymore. And then a couple months later, I was talking at an event. And the lady who was the speaker after me, she came onto the stage and she said, Oh, you know, we all have contracts with each other before we come into life. And Martha and, my mom's name is Martha, said Martha and Aisling had a contract to work together. And Martha brought Aisling up the perfect time that it was her exit. But she said have no doubt that Martha is still working with Aisling from the other side. So I was just like, I sat there gonna go, oh my gosh, I don't know who this I didn't even think I was just like, that is absolutely the truth. I could just feel it. I just was like, Oh, that's why I'm here. And you know, and I met that lady afterwards. And she just says, you know, you need to put all your story into a book. And you know, because I'm obviously condensing it down. So yeah, like, the fact that I'm even talking to you today, it wouldn't be the fact that my mom, you know, my mom was basically instrumental in creating the conditions for me to be able to find who I am, like, trust in my own voice and have the confidence to do something that's completely off the beaten track. You know, to go against I suppose, like most people's advice, say in my family would be, especially after my mom passing away, it was like, Oh, my gosh, you know, just go just go back and just do occupational therapy, you know, that's a secure job. You don't need to stress yourself out, you're in this. And there was part of me that was kind of like, Oh, my God, that would be so much easier. But then the other part of me was like, but that would just that would destroy you. But that was not that it was I, you know, I would do very well in that job and you know, and it would be a nice profession, but it's like, not when I'm here to do this. You know. So it was like Yeah, just navigating then grief and kind of going through that, but actually writing the book has been really, really helpful to just express everything. And I know yourself, you're a sea swimmer. So it's like, you know, when you have a heavier emotion, it's kind of like it just clears it. So when it's like if you go into the sea it clears that like heavy emotion, the same way as writing, and I'm sure a lot of a lot of creatives and writers are like that, you know, they have a lot of emotion. And to actually put it into some some form of work and expression actually releases it from you and puts it into something that's like, tangible and concrete. So yeah, my mom is, like, my greatest inspiration and just, I think she showed me on so many different occasions, just like even when things get really hard, even when things get really, really challenging, but it's like to have faith in who you are. And to like trust in trust in life, you know, and it was just like, the most mad like, I wouldn't even say synchronicity. It was like Just a message from her like, she was in a coma. And you know, they said at the very end, we have to take off the life support machine. So then, you know, I've never been in that situation before so I was like what happens? So they basically take off the machine, but the person like she breathed like you breathe on your own, then you breathe the room air. So I was like, Oh my god, she's not gonna be able to breath straightaway. They're like, Oh, no, no, she can breathe. But she'll breathe the room air until she can't anymore. So we had our like, had her then. And we didn't know how long it would last for or anything like that. So we everyone just surrounded her and one of her sisters put on music, she loves ABBA. So she had Spotify on with ABBA playing. And I was lying beside her. So I just had my hand up on her chest and I was just cuddling into her. And the nurse Anyway, you know, everyone was just like, monitoring her and everything. And all of a sudden anyway, I could hear her feel her heart rate just like reducing. I was like, Oh my gosh her heart rate's going. But actually the song that was playing at the time was I have a dream by ABBA. Just the lyrics of the song. It was like, especially if you knew my mom, it was literally her the way she would talk. And it was just like, the fact that she left. She literally left on that on that song. She started leaving, and she was gone by the end of that song. And it was just like, and I was like, Oh my god, like I was so just, like, devastated. But at the same time, I was like, amazed. I was like, Oh my god, it was like, it was like, she couldn't speak to me because she was completely sedated. She was not conscious. But yet, her body chose to go on that moment at that song. And it was just like, yeah, it just showed me this. There's more to this more to life and more to like, our existence and just what we can see through our eyes. And that really showed me that. Yeah, and that really kind of kept me not kept me going. But it just gave me that kind of faith in her leaving physically. It was like, to just have Yeah, not not to, like be completely. Like, oh, that says it's over. Now. It's kind of like no, you're to go on you know, it was like very much like you're to go on with what you're here to now. And it's, it's kind of like your turn. So that's been my discovery over the past two years. And yeah, I still feel sometimes like Bambi, you know, learning to walk. But, but actually the call of my work is what keeps me not even going because it's not like I have to, you know, I love my life outside of work as well. Like, I love spending time in nature. I love going swimming. And, you know, I feel very blessed to be alive. And but I feel my work is actually just, I yeah, it's like the highest offering that I can give. And I'm just so honored to be able to do that like to be in a position now to be able to do this and to be able to grow it as well, is something that I'm very, very grateful for. And that is the kind of thing that helps me to navigate the nerves and the doubt. And it's been a constant process for me just like letting go of needing to see the outcome. But just actually really like accepting where I am in what, like, what, where I am right now what I'm creating, and also being able to really enjoy the process of what I'm creating, you know, like with filming videos and, you know, connecting with people and really to just enjoy it because I think, for so long for me anyway, I was obsessed with the outcome of, I'll be happy when my business has grown to this point, I'll be happy when I have this much certainty. I'll be happy when everything is up and running and I have a team and I have all these things. And I was like, you'll never you're never going to be satisfied with what you're creating, unless you are satisfied where you are now and build on that, you know, so that's, that's a huge like, test of your mind because your mind is obsessed with like certainty and especially after having something like grief, you kind of crave certainty you know cause something that's like the literally the ground is being pulled from underneath your feet. And so yeah, it's been definitely a very very interesting time. But again, like everything I do and share is then kind of put into My work in many different forums, you know, whether it's through writing or through podcasting or through client work. So I feel like everything, everything kind of feeds into each other.

It's all part of your journey. So you've touched on it a bit there. But would you like to tell us a bit more about your personal values and beliefs and how they play out in your business?

Yeah, I suppose. Yeah, my values will be authenticity and integrity. And yeah, just being able to choose the highest outcomes for both myself and for those that I support. So I think Yeah, in terms of like, everything that I that offer is how I place of like, truth and like direct experience. And I weave that into everything that I do so I think with that, but it really helps to, like build that therapeutic relationship that I have when I have the honour to be able to work with people in such an intimate way. Because like health is such an intimate thing, and it's such a personal thing. And so I feel like, yeah, just being able to weave that through, and I feel as well, that when, like, when I was unwell, it's like you so appreciate that level of authenticity in somebody, like who was supporting it, because that makes like, you can spark somebody to go Yes, I can, when they are actually feeling the worst that they've ever felt you know. So it's very much like, how I want to treat others is how I would want to be treated. So it's very much like woven into the foundation of what I do. And hopefully as I grow, then you know, that I'm able to express that, like if I have a team that I'm able to weave that in as well into a culture of authenticity and integrity in that, like everything I do is coming from the highest place and and it's all you know, like I suppose at the cutting edge, you know, like everything I do was never like, Oh, this is a static thing. Like I'm constantly developing my own self, my own understanding of health and how to create health and how to best support somebody who was out of balance or unwell. So, yeah, that's, I suppose, is my biggest value. And what else did I say about values? Yeah, just like the value of connecting people then back to like the healthiest type of food for them. And I think that's something that people lose in their busy lives and in lives that are very much focused on the outside you know, focused on their careers, focused on their families. So yeah, that that reconnection part for me is is huge. And when I see that happening, it's just like, no greater feeling in the world when I can when I can see that like blossoming in somebody. So yeah, I would say they're, they're my main ones.

Yeah. And are their ways that your business is giving back or supporting charities or helping those less fortunate than yourself.

Yeah, well, at the moment, I well since the COVID happened. I was thinking that like, I was like, I feel you know, I'm at a stage where I'm still like very much in the infancy of what I'm developing especially with Aisling's Health School, it's very much like in the early days, so I was like okay, where I am, what can I practically do to give back so and what I came up with for people find out that a gift, a membership then to a friend or somebody that they feel would benefit from it in the present time. But definitely like my plans are like as I'm growing it is to be able to offer like scholarships to people who wouldn't be able to afford the membership fee. So that would be that's on my top priority to weave that in. And I'm hoping like over the next couple of years anyway, as it gets, as it gets bigger, you know, that that giving back process will get bigger as well that I will be able to fund more of the things that I want to see developed. So I'm in the early days, but that that's definitely something that I feel like I've always wanted to do that. It's like I think if you are receiving abundance It's very important to be able to share that then with others who aren't able to access those resources. And I've seen scholarships and other programs like work really, really well. So I think that's, for me anyway, that's a really lovely model that I'd love to incorporate into what I do.

And are there any other causes or things that are happening in the world, some of the biggest issues that we're facing, that you feel very connected to or strongly about?

Yeah, I feel well, at the moment, I have been really taken aback by the Black Lives Matters movement, you know, I've been really well yeah, just because I think I'm empathic and like, if you have any bit of heart and sensitivity, you know, it's hard not to be impacted by that. So like, at the moment, what I've been doing is just reaching out to other black thought leaders and teachers and I'm starting to have them on my podcast to really I suppose, be part of this movement of handing over the mic or empowering people who don't necessarily you know, because obviously in the self development world, it's very much like, and I've heard this like, but it's very white oriented. And there's more predominantly white people. And so I think that's like, for me anyway, where I'm like, Okay, how can I start making my work more inclusive. So that was something that I came up with straightaway. It was like, I need to be able to, you know, my platform isn't massive, but I would imagine as it grows, it's very, very important to amplify the voices of those who are actually helping and healing people in the black black community. And so yeah, I feel like when that happened, and kind of hit the worlds I was just like, Oh my gosh, like, you can't ignore this, like, this has to be something that's an ongoing development for all of us that are here to create, like impact driven businesses. It's like, you know, it's, it's, it's, um, I feel it's very important that we all all do our own piece. You know, we don't have to do everything, but I think we all need to do our own part that we feel that we can at the moment.

It sounds like a lot of what you're focusing on is empowering other people and helping them to focus on their own health and well being. But what about you? What do you do in terms of your own self care practices?

Yeah, so I've gotten really good around like having a good like morning routine and evening routine. And that's kind of you know, it's not like set in stone as to what it is but it's really about like making sure that I have proper sleep and that I'm, you know, constantly like filling myself up with positivity and like, you know, reading stuff that makes me feel good and actually comedy is a huge part of my self care routine. So I love things like I don't know if you've ever seen Schitt's Creek, it's a program on Netflix, I love it. So I love light hearted comedies and comedies because, you know, the work that I do is kind of heavy and serious and I can get very heavy and serious. So it's very important to me to kind of lighten things up a bit and just be playful and then spending time with my dogs. I have two dogs and they are just like the funniest little characters ever so I have so much fun with them. And then I just love being I love exercising in nature so that whether that's walking or swimming, especially swimming in the sea. I absolutely love so. And then, you know in terms of food and stuff like that, it's like, oh my gosh, like, I just love nourishing myself with lovely food and you know, that's something that I'm like, really excited to learn new recipes and to, you know, discover new ways of creating healthy foods and you know, making them really, really delicious. So, for me, like just even creating food, even though it's part of my job, like I love it. So it's something that gives me massive joy. And then, you know, in the time obviously at the moment, it's kind of like a funny time in the world, but I love to like spend time then we'd like really close friends. But I think it's really important to have empowerment when you are creating something that you're empowering others, it's like you have to create spaces where you're receiving empowerment. And then my relationship my fiance is also like a huge source of self care and happiness. And, you know, he's a musician, so he's doing his own thing as well. And so it's really lovely, that we get to both work together and you know, we do different things, but we collaborate and we support each other. And next year, we're planning on going on the road with a camper van. So, yeah, that'll be fun.

That definitely does sound like fun. Thank you ever so much Aisling for coming on the show today and sharing more about your journey and what drives you and the big why behind your business. Do you just want to finish off by sharing with listeners a bit more about where they can find you and how they can connect with you.

Yeah, so you can find me. My website is AislingFitzGibbon.com. So you can find all my offerings there. I have Aisling's Health School there. And if you want to send me an email, send me an email and happy to chat. And if you wanted to connect with me on social media, I'm often on Instagram and Facebook. So it's AislingFitzGibbon on both. I have a free guide, actually, for your listeners if they're interested on tips to boost their immunity. So that has like lots of nice recipes and ideas for building immunity in this time. So yeah, happy to connect.

That's great. We'll make sure we get all that information added to the show notes so that people know how to connect with you. And thank you once again for joining us. To read the show notes from this episode, go to AngelRated.com/podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love you to subscribe to the show and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. And don't forget to share this episode with your online business buddies. The Angel Rated Show is brought to you by Angel Rated, the independent directory and review site for all the products, courses and services used by online business owners. It's the best place to find the perfect product for the next stage of your business or personal growth. Learn more and list your business free of charge at angelrated.com