By: Jacqueline Harvey
From a young age, I knew that I wanted to do a job that would have a social impact. Growing up in a family of people in caring jobs (a couple of my sisters are nurses, another is a therapist, my Mum is the union rep at her workplace and others are counselors), you could say this was my natural calling.
For me however, the health and fitness route seemed the most appropriate as I like empowering others to help themselves. Also, I had my own health issues, both stress-related and environmental to deal with from a young age. I had to work on myself to get through them and I firmly believe that you can truly help others through what you have experienced first-hand and recovered from yourself.
In my youth, I noticed that women were constantly worrying about their bodies, dissatisfied with how they looked. During the 80s, there was an obsession amongst British women to be thin, which was largely spurred on by the super slender feminine ideals broadcast in the media.
Where I come from in the West Indies, female role models were different. Women needed to be fit and strong to be able to care for their children, and carry out their work. They were happy in their own skin and not worried about having 'bellies', so long as they were fit and healthy. I feared a health epidemic in the UK and knew it was my obligation to battle against the 'being thin' aesthetic that was plaguing British women.
I set up my own business in the early 2000s and Crystal Clear Health in 2006, a one-stop health management clinic providing bespoke health packages. I didn't see the attraction in sitting in an office looking at stock reports and figures, as I am not a person who is driven by money. Perhaps this is down to my Catholic upbringing, but my motivation lies in helping others, and giving as opposed to receiving. I felt that by teaching others how to make changes in their lives to contribute to their own happiness, I would be doing a good public service.
Looking after our health is more important now than ever. In the UK, there is a high elderly population and not enough young, leaving fewer resources to pay for the NHS. In the near future, the State is not going to be there to pick up the bill. We must become responsible for our own health and make it a priority. This is not a quick-fix problem.
It is only through education, changing our lifestyles and our attitudes to food that we will be able to reach a long-term solution. We as a nation have developed bad habits with food, due to reverse advancements. Supermarket shelves are full to the brim with cheap pre-packaged food, whilst organic foods are the most expensive. A large part of the problem is psychological; we are hooked on the food. Children need to be taught from a young age that these foods are not good for them. My mother taught me how to cook fresh every day and this is something I encourage my clients to do to this day.
Our lifestyles are to blame too. Never before have we eaten so much and moved so little. Combined with the consumption of high-levels of unhealthy food packed with saturated fats, people are exposing themselves to increased health risks like diabetes, cancer, obesity and high-blood pressure. I encourage my clients to make small every day changes, setting small, achievable goals. This leads onto changing the bigger things and builds their confidence to act independently in the future, showing them "Yes, I can!"
The concept behind my work focuses around mental and physical health, not fitness alone. The unity of mind, body and spirit is at the core of my ethos. Our physical, mental and emotional health must all be taken care of in order to achieve a healthy state of wellbeing. My aim is to inspire people to take an alternative route to health and wellbeing, with long-term solutions that go beyond the fad-diets and exercise-centred regimes that are prevalent in the media.
Most important is that people get to know their own bodies, talents and abilities. Acceptance of yourself is essential for inner peace and happiness.
I am proud of the people I have helped and for being the catalyst to their development. Through my work, I have been able to build awareness and show alternative ways of thinking. I hope that more people will take action to develop themselves and take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing, leading to a greater, positive societal change.
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About Jacqueline Harvey
Jacqueline Harvey is a pioneer of applied mind-body communication, with over two decades of experience as a health expert. Over the course of her career, Jacqueline has provided her expertise to an extensive celebrity and aristocratic client-base, including Fearne Cotton, Erin O'Connor, Mica Paris, Belinda Carlisle, Callum Best and Brenda Emmanus.
In 2006, Jacqueline set up her health business Crystal Clear Health, a one-stop health management clinic providing bespoke health packages. Jacqueline has appeared as a health advisor on national television and radio, including BBC Radio London's Late Show, ITV and Channel 5 and was chosen to act as the face to launch Nike Town. She is also a published author of two books; Your Health is Your Wealth (2008) published by Hay House and Boost Your Energy in Four Weeks (2010), which was commissioned by Essentials Magazine.