From People-Pleaser to Purpose-Driven: Majella’s Journey to Lasting Change

There’s a saying: “You are the average of the people you surround yourself with.” And I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I trust Unislim. It’s more than a weight-loss plan, it’s a community built on real food, real people, and real life. No gimmicks. No nonsense. Just the truth about weight loss and wellness from people who understand it, because they’ve lived it too.

And I should know, because I’ve tried everything.

My Journey Starts at Four

I was obese at just four years old. A bubbly, happy little girl on the outside, but inside, I was already developing patterns that would shape my life for decades. I was a people-pleaser, deeply sensitive, and I turned to food for comfort. Like so many others, I tried every quick fix, every fad, every ‘miracle cure.’ I lost weight more times than I can count, but keeping it off? That was the real mystery.

Once, after losing five stone, I felt unstoppable. Invincible. Then I met a man who told me, “Anyone can lose weight, but only the smart, chosen few learn how to keep it off.” I was raging. I thought, I’ll show you. But the next time we met? I had gained back every pound, plus a few extra.

Always the Smiling Girl

I was the heaviest girl in primary school. And in secondary school. And in college. I wore the “Miss Reliable” badge with a smile, but inside, I was dying. I never felt smart enough, thin enough, pretty enough… just not enough. I clung to this elusive number on the scales that I believed would finally make me happy.

But it wasn’t really about a number, it was about feeling worthy. I let fear and low self-worth hold me back from living fully. I look back now with sadness at all the years I let pass me by, anxious and hiding behind a façade.

Freedom in a Foreign Land

After college, I moved to the U.S., where something magical happened: anonymity. I was still overweight, but suddenly, I felt free to just be me. I ate real food, exercised outdoors, soaked up nature, and slowly, confidence began to grow. I met my now-husband and walked down the aisle six stone lighter than I’d ever been.

But life happened, moving home, opening a business, becoming a mother. And with it, the weight started creeping back. I was a “morbidly obese, geriatric mother,” according to the medical forms. But when I held my daughter in my arms, everything changed. My why was no longer just about me, it was about health, energy, and being the kind of role model she deserved.

Slow, Steady and Real

My weight loss was never fast. In fact, it took over three years to lose it sustainably. And I kept it off, until 2019, when life threw me a storm: serious illness, business loss, my Dad’s terminal diagnosis, menopause, the pandemic. Within six months, I gained over two stone.

When my Dad passed in 2020, I felt lost. Everything that used to work for me wasn’t working anymore. Hormones and metabolism changes hit hard. That’s when I turned to Unislim, not just as a member, but as a scientist.

You see, I’m a biochemist. And what I love about Unislim is that it’s not fluff. It’s grounded in science, built on 50+ years of experience. It’s about real food, real structure, and real support.

From Breakdown to Breakthrough

I retrained as a Nutritional Advisor and Life Coach because I understood something deeply, weight loss is never black and white. Life happens in the grey. And ironically, while I once hid in black clothes to disappear, now I embrace colour in every sense of the word.

As a Unislim Leader, I get to inspire, educate, and uplift others by blending science with soul. We believe in balance, moderation, and the kind of emotional and mental transformation that lasts. The magic happens when we heal our relationship with food. That was my turning point. I stopped labelling food as “good” or “bad.” Now, food is food. Neutral. Nourishing. Enjoyable.

The Bigger Picture

Yes, it’s important to “know your numbers,” but the number on the scales? It’s only part of the picture. Real wellness includes sleep, hydration, movement, rest, nature, connection, and self-love. When I stopped making excuses and focused on what I could control, everything shifted.

Now, my non-negotiables include daily movement, time in nature, good sleep, and most importantly, choosing me. Saying “no” to others to say “yes” to myself was a game-changer.

I also believe stress management is absolutely crucial to weight loss. So is gratitude. And tracking? It’s your accountability buddy, it’s one of the simplest and most powerful tools you can use.

What I’d Tell My Younger Self

If I could speak to my younger self, I’d hug her. I’d tell her she is so enough. That perfection doesn’t exist, but progress does. That she doesn’t have to compete with anyone else…..just aim to be 1% better than yesterday.

And above all, I’d tell her: When your head and your heart are aligned, that’s when the magic happens. When they’re not, give yourself compassion and keep going.

This is a journey, not a sprint. There’s no rush to the finish line. And the only real finish line is living fully.

My Golden Rules

Here are my non-negotiables and top tips for a healthy, happy, sustainable life:

1. Eat in season. Eat lots of colour. Eat like your grandparents did.
2. Gut health is central to wellness and weight loss.
3. Eat mindfully, sit down, slow down, and really enjoy it.
4. Stop eating by 7pm and move after dinner, even for 15 minutes.
5. No devices 90 minutes before bed. Use that time to journal or plan.
6. In the morning, sky before screen, no phone for the first hour.
7. Only drink coffee in the morning-hydrate with 2L of water and herbal teas.
8. Move your body every day. Add structured exercise and increase general daily movement.
9. Laugh, connect, make memories. Spend time with good people.
10. Stress management and relaxation are key.
11. Nature is healing-spend time in it every day.
12. Have things to look forward to.
13. Spend time alone.
14. Protect your mind-be mindful of what you eat, watch, and who you’re around.
15. Trust only those who inspire you.
16. Choose quality-in food, friendships, and information.
17. Track daily. Plan ahead. Batch cook.

Come Join Me

If any part of my story resonated with you, I would love to welcome you to one of my Unislim classes. Whether you’ve struggled with your weight for years or you’re just starting out, I’m here to support, guide, and cheer you on every step of the way.

Come join me and our amazing community at:

Majella’s Unislim Classes
📍 Online classes: Every Monday @ 8pm

📍 Killarney, The Height’s Hotel, Cork Road Friday 7.30am-12.30pm

📍 Listowel, The Plaza Hall. Upper Church Street, Listowel. Thursday 6.45am-10.15am

Let’s take back control, together. You deserve to not just exist, but to thrive; and I’m here to help you do exactly that.

Majella xxx