Let your story inspire others to greater health and wellbeing
Our story
Our journey began right in the midst of the SARS2-COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020. This unprecedented time in human history tore communities apart, generated mass hysteria and caused a significant amount of fear amongst much of the world’s population. The negative impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, physical distancing, isolation, home schooling, job losses and the inability to see loved ones, led to widespread mental, physical and emotional suffering (Lifeline). More than ever, this was a crucial time for people to reconnect with themselves and lean on the community for greater health and wellbeing. The foods we eat, and the lifestyle choices we make, all impact our bodies ability to fight off the possible threat of CV-19 or other potential diseases (Immunity). Unfortunately, this information was not actively promoted by governments or health authorities around the world, leaving people in a state of vulnerability and not knowing how to cope.
As a husband and wife team, we pride ourselves on creating a happy and healthy home. Since moving in together in 2009, we have adopted many lifestyle habits to improve our overall health and wellbeing. This includes keeping fit and active through playing sport or coaching group fitness classes, eating mostly home-cooked whole foods full of vegetables and fruits, and regularly spending time with loved ones. It wasn’t until the first of our two very active and energetic boys were born in 2013 that we elevated our health game. We substituted to cleaner ingredients in our foods, removed highly processed foods altogether, cut-down on refined sugars, and ensured we kept a loving, positive home as much as possible. During the pandemic in 2020, many people were affected physical, mentally and emotionally. More than ever we knew health mattered and we saw this as an opportunity to take our family health to the next level. We began cooking more healthy baked goods, added more nutrient dense foods, switched out home items to non-toxic products, went for routine outdoor walks & rides, and embraced the extra family time together. As the global uncertainty continued, we continued to thrive as a family. The pandemic also provided the opportunity for us to stop and appreciate life more, as well as think about our passion for helping the people in our community live happier and healthier. We both decided to formalise our health education and embark on a new adventure as a family.
Healthful Connection was born in August 2020. Our vision to create a healthier, more thriving world through building connection and community was established. We aim to source, simplify and promote information from the world’s leading holistic health advocates. We provide science and evidence-based advice using a combination of traditional and modern approaches and cater these to meet the needs of our community. We want to empower people to make good nutritional, lifestyle and healthful choices, and mentor them through their transformation to a better you. In this digital information age, technology allows us to stay connected more than ever, however achieving your health goals or knowing where to start can be overwhelming for most. Our intention is to simplify this process and use the power of social connections and community to push each other to greater health and wellbeing.
Our Health Coaches
Mustafa
Mustafa
Founder, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
“Everyday is an opportunity to find balance & improve our health”
Since a very young age, I have always taken great pride in keeping in the best shape possible. Throughout my football career, I was fortunate to have experienced some of Australia’s elite players, coaches and modern training techniques. At the age of 17, I was awarded a full football scholarship with the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) where I learnt about sports science, strength and conditioning, and the importance of nutrition. This was my first taste of holistic health and it was the catalyst for my health journey ahead.
We are social beings that thrive on connection, and we find great joy in sharing our successes with others. Growing up, having played a team sport for most of my life, I know the significant positive impact a group of friends or a team of people can have on each other. As a leader, I have alway practiced what I preach in order to motivate those around me. That is, I facilitate an environment that fosters friendships and trust, provides learning opportunities, and inspires each other to success. This is the same philosophy I still apply today, and the same one we apply to our Healthful Connection community.
As an Integrative Health Coach, I mentor individuals and groups of people to make positive behavioural changes towards greater health, by focusing on our key pillars of nutrition, movement and lifestyle. My professional and sporting experiences spanning 20 years have helped shaped my holistic, forward thinking, systems approach to our health. Like any system, our bodies perform harmoniously when we feed ourselves the right information - on and off the plate! By shifting our focus to prevention over cure we can all lead towards a longer, happier and healthier life.
(Click image for my full bio)
Alycia Mustafa
Founder, Health Coach
“Health is not phase, it is a way of life”
I am a proud mum raising two energetic boys with my supportive husband and everyday they challenge me to be the best I can be. I love cooking heathy meals and baked goods for my family, I love dancing, teaching group fitness classes and connecting with my like-minded community. Most of all, I have always found great joy in helping my family and friends to live happier and healthy lives, and now I am grateful that I have the opportunity to help many more in my growing community.
Health and wellbeing always played an important role in my upbringing. I grew up in a performing arts school competing in many dance competitions, played all the school sports like cross country running, and loved spending time with my friends. My passion for dance eventually led me down the path to become one of Australia’s first certified Zumba instructors in 2009. I played a strong part in growing the Zumba community in Australia and I love engaging with people from all walks of life. As a full time mum, certified Group Fitness instructor and Aromatherapist, my health journey continues to evolve and I love exploring new ways to enhance mine and my family’s health.
As a Health Coach, my philosophy is that Health is not a phase or a time in your life, it is an opportunity to nourish the mind, body and spirit everyday. My belief is that nature has all that we need to thrive in this world. From the food that we eat, to the water we drink and the environment we live in, to the products we use, all play a major role in our overall health and wellbeing. I promote a natural lifestyle as much as possible and I want to guide my community to benefit from all that this earth has to offer.
(Click image for my full bio)
Our Pillars
Connect
We aim facilitate positive relationships, strong social networks and a support system through our programs to foster sustainable, long term success.
We want to connect people both locally and remotely who share the same health issues, beliefs or passions about health to help achieve a collective goal.
We encourage people to inspire and motivate others in our connected community through sharing their health successes, personal growth and small wins to be a positive influence on others.
Community
We want to build a global community that fosters supportive and aspirational people that prioritise health and wellbeing, share ownership and empowerment to influence those around them.
We want to provide opportunities for social participation and engagement in group activities, programs and events that bring people together for a shared health goal.
Our community has a sense of purpose, a collective voice to spread their health successes to family, friends and many others in the pursuit of creating a healthier world.
Health
We aim to provide simplified, evidence and experience based healthful information that encourages people to make behavioural changes that are conducive to good health.
We aim to provide an environment that enables people to shift their mindset to take control of their health, make incremental positive changes, and work towards a better, healthier future for themselves.
Our environment will promote an agile approach to health through daily mindfulness, self-discovery and balance.
Our Vision, Mission & Values
Our vision is to create a healthier, more thriving world through building connection and community.
Our mission is to influence and inspire people to reclaim their health by taking a holistic approach to our body, mind and spirit.
Our values underpin everything that we believe in and live by. These are:
Community - Build a healthy community mindset, connect people, share success stories to inspire others.
Respect - Respect people of all diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs so that we can learn and grow as a community.
Open-minded - We live and learn with open minds and hearts, everything is possible, nothing is impossible.
Empowerment - Be a compassionate leader and mentor empowering people to be the best version of themselves every single day.
What is Health Coaching?
Health coaches are at the forefront of today’s health revolution. At a time when one in five people will die of lifestyle-related disease, as well as when diabetes and obesity are at an all-time high, health coaches provide the nutritional and lifestyle guidance society desperately needs to reclaim their health.
A Health coach is a health authority and supportive mentor that guide people through the steps of long-term behaviour changes towards greater health. They explore areas of life that might be out of balance, help guide organic transformation rather than forced or organised change, they help build self-awareness of feelings, mindsets and behaviours, as well as help identify perceived barriers.
More importantly, Health coaches hold their clients accountable and provide the on-going support to help them achieve their goals. Health coaches fill the void often left by doctors and physicians that lack the time, resources, and support team to help patients create sustainable lifestyle changes (Dr. Hyman).
Health coaches are forward thinking, constantly learning, and follow rapidly evolving holistic health space. They provide both science and experience based support using a combination of traditional and modern approaches catered to each bio-individual client.
