Jacqueline Hurst is a Life Coach trained in Advanced Structured Hypnotherapy, NLP and CBT (essentially methods of changing thought processes to eliminate negative behaviour). I shout from the rooftops that Jacqueline is one of the best people I’ve ever “worked with”. She calls your time together work, because it takes hard work and dedication to change thought patterns (habits) you’ve carried since your childhood.
When I began my fashion career I worked 18 hour days, seven days a week, often back to back. I lived by the phrase, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” and was beyond proud of my work ethic. In three weeks I’d flown to New York Fashion Week, caught the red eye back to London Fashion Week – (I landed at 7am and was sat front row by 11am) – jumped on the Eurostar for Paris Fashion Week and the day I got back was booked to style Flo-Rida for the X-Factor. It was beyond exciting! I was convinced I’d created my own formula of ambition and success. Work hard – get the job done – attend as many fashion events and parties as possible… And then without fail I’d run a fever or get a cold, sleep for 24 hours, recover and do it all over again without question.
One day I felt absolutely broken and my sleep was a mess. I opened up a copy of Harper’s Bazaar (at 4am) and read an article about Jacqueline Hurst and how to get a healthy mindset. I was booked in to see her that afternoon.
It remains one of the best things I’ve ever done. She’s been my go-to in “a crisis” until she taught me that there’s really no such thing. And that it’s how you think about – respond to – and act – about a situation that in turn defines both it and us.
Since this year has been one filled with change and uncertainty – I couldn’t think of any one more befitting to feature… And to help get us all thinking that little bit better, smarter and healthier.
“What you think about creates how you feel.”
For those who don’t know – what exactly is a Life Coach?
When our thoughts are off key we create a life of anxiety, frustration, boredom and unhappiness. We blame other people, places or things for our feelings and simply get stuck. My coaching helps people to become unstuck by challenging their thinking and in turn feel better and change things around to get the results they want. I coach people who come to me with a wide range of issues or problems including but not limited to, low confidence, anxiety, low self worth, stress, anger etc. I specialise in helping people with emotional eating and body image.
What made you want to become a coach?
I always wanted to help people. My own life journey took me to the depths of despair and back again. I have seen life from so many perspectives. I turned my own life around at the age of 25 after a 10 year battle with drugs, anorexia, depression and many other addictions, and learning that all the power was within myself via the right mindset – I knew that I had to help others learn how to do the same. My business started many years ago, and everyone around me told me not to do it, yet within 6 months the Sunday Times Style magazine called and asked to do a feature on me, going from a party girl to a spiritual gangster. I always knew I was meant to do this and I believe when we follow our gut the universe opens up for us. I also created an online school called www.thelifeclass.com which runs courses, one which trains people to be a Certified Life Coach and the other is the Foundation Course that people can take for themselves to learn the ‘how to’ when it comes to mindset.
Everyone’s mental health is so very different. What might make a person want to – or identify that they should perhaps get in touch, read one of your articles or simply watch your videos for some help?
I really believe that when we are sick and tired of being sick and tired we reach out for help. No man is an island and we cannot fix the problems we create with the same mind that created the problems. Getting help is the first step.
“We cannot fix the problems we create with the same mind that created the problems.”
Why is it so important for us to take care of our mental wellbeing?
If your mind isn’t right, nothing will be. You can drink all the green juice, make all the money, sleep with all the beautiful people, get the best job in town, but if your mind isn’t right your feelings wont be. Getting the right mindset and learning how to think is the best gift in the world that you can give yourself.
You once said to me that we are what we read, watch and consume via media. We’ve been very dependent on our NETFLIX, AMAZON and SPOTIFY accounts. Do you have any favourite songs or feel good movies you’d recommend if someone is feeling low, lost or just downright unmotivated?
I love the movie ‘The Secret’ because it explains to you the law of attraction, that you get what you think about. It is powerful and important. I also love Abraham Hicks and you can listen to her on YouTube. Spotify is great for Hip Hop to dance it out, and also great for meditation to slow it down. We are so lucky to be in the time of tech at our fingertips!
Who are your favourite brands for relaxation, restoration and for feeling uplifted and strong?
I laze around my house in Aviator Nation, Sweaty Betty. I go to work in Saint Lauren and Celine. I am obsessed with Agent Provocateur and La Perla! I really believe underwear is very important because it makes you feel good when you put it on. Candles are also a slight obsession and Diptyque is a favourite as well as Cire Tridon. As for juices it is Purearth. They are amazing girls who set up this juice company and their juices, kefirs and broths are divine.
Fashion is a highly competitive industry. Social media heightens this. What advice do you have for anyone who feels like they need to always appear busy for the ‘gram’.
I would say let it go and start learning how to accept yourself and be authentic. I think the more that people are willing to be themselves and show their truth, the more society will teach the next generation that it is ok to be human and imperfect.
So many people’s financial circumstances drastically changed this year – but there’s always the temptation to splurge. Do you have any advice on how to be smart and not be tempted to get caught up in the ‘keeping up’ of it all?
Question why you think you need to ‘keep up’, with what, or who and why. These are really important questions to ask yourself. The point is that if this lockdown has taught us anything, it should be that what we look like is the least important thing to be focussed on. We should be focussed on health and wellbeing, connection with others and giving back. Our role models should be the people on the frontline, not the people on Love Island.
For anyone feeling stuck right now – what tips do you have on how to take care and stay afloat.
Get your mind right. What you think about creates how you feel. It is a perfect time to do some inner work and get your mindset strong and powerful. It is also really important to know that you don’t have to be productive, do 1000 sit ups a day or bake perfect brownies. It is ok to have days full of energy and days where you have none. Don’t judge yourself, you are in the middle of a pandemic
What motivates you personally?
Helping others really motivates me. I get amazing emails from clients and students that often say their lives have turned around from the tools they have learnt with me privately or from my school. This motivates me to do more and more.
How has the easing of lockdown been for you?
Slow and easy. The pace of life is still slower but a lot more balanced and I like it!
What was the first thing you did?
Made a beautiful meal for my family which was great to all be together again.
You live in town. What has it been like? It looked so peaceful on your Instagram.
I loved it and hated it in equal measure! Standing in Trafalgar Square all on my own, or walking through Soho with no one there was so strange. I really wasn’t sure if I loved it or hated it. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Very powerful.
What were your biggest lockdown lessons?
To slow down – and actually do it!
As we enter what I call ‘Phase 2 of the New Normal’ with schools reopening and people going back to work – what tips would you give to anyone that still feels a little in limbo at what’s going on in the world?
The world IS still in limbo, we are SURVIVING a pandemic and life is not as we knew it so it is totally ok to feel a bit overwhelmed / underwhelmed / happy / sad / confused etc… There is no ‘right way’ to feel right now, just go with it and go slowly.
Do you think we’ll ever return to normal?
A different normal, yes.
What has this time given you?
I had a very tough two years leading up to lockdown with a situation that was out of my control. And as lockdown started, I realised I should be feeling guilty as I had manifested ‘time to just be in my home to breathe and just be’, and here it was!
What have you learnt?
That I am strong. That family matters. And that ultimately, we are all connected. All things I knew before but even more so now.
Jacqueline Hurst is always working on exciting projects be it as GQ’s Resident Therapist, collaborating with brands or sharing healthy mindset tips via her Instagram which we highly recommend you following. She founded the The Life Class to help people really understand themselves better, boost emotional intelligence and start getting the results they really want. If you’re struggling, you can contact her at www.jacquelinehurst.com.