From our first meeting – two faces on Zoom across the world from each other, there was a sense of familiarity and comfort that was a healing balm for a lifetime of food struggles and dieting. Without realizing how much damage I had done to myself by adhering, for decades, to restrictive food plans and rigid diet programs, Xen had a way of redirecting the harsh and negative self-talk and sending me forth each week with compassion, mindfulness and a new way of seeing myself in the here and now. Gone are the maybe somedays, and if-only, and when-I’m-smaller thinking. Now I am committed to the imperfect and rocky path to listening to my body, accepting my perfect imperfections, and rejecting diet mentality. Those negative voices will revisit me from time to time, I know, but Xen has offered valuable tools for meeting each day as a fresh start – another choice, another chance. Her devotion to this work and her belief in her clients is a remarkable gift; I am so fortunate to have found her. It is never too late to let go of the drama and embrace joy, ease and self-acceptance. Karen L, Denver, USA

I reached out to Xenia because 2021 started on a tumultuous note for me. Between deaths, businesses suffering, hospitalizations, and job losses in our personal circle, I felt depleted and found myself being available for everyone but myself. Then I was hit with an unexpected health diagnosis, which was the last straw as it meant giving up “healthy foods” and workouts that I leaned on for my well-being and stability. Despite working in wellness (Yes, coaches and healers are vulnerable too!), I found myself reaching out to desserts for comfort. I like to live a life of permissions (not labels or deprivation leading to bingeing), so I wanted to work with someone who approached healing from a place of mindful compassion. I didn’t want to be my own client. Xenia was great in reminding me to be kind to myself. Working with her, brought me peace and helped shift my mindset. I love how desserts and I look at each other now. Sweta Vikram, Author, Speaker, & Ayurveda Coach, New York

I have been very blessed to find Xenia as my Intuitive Eating coach. I knew in reading her bio that she was the one for me out of hundreds on the website. Xen helped me to release beliefs that there are good and bad foods, as well as to learn instant forgiveness of myself when my eating goes out of control. She always brought a more positive perspective to my small-minded thinking in this area of my relationship with food. I always left our sessions uplifted and encouraged. As a result of my work with Xen, I am finding my way with food, using gratitude and Presence to counter act my old beliefs about myself and food. I am eternally grateful to have worked with Xen and I will continue to call on her when I need her loving support. Grace, Arizona, USA

Since my teens I was on and off various diets. Losing and gaining the same weight and then more weight. I desperately wanted to be “healthy” but the truth is I just wanted to be skinny. I restricted my food so much – no carbs or sugar or fat. I was permanently hungry and miserable. Of course the weight would always come back and all the compliments I would receive for the weight loss would stop and I would feel so ashamed to see people. After many years of doing this, I read about Mindful Eating and I found Xen. Working with Xen was a game changer for me. After working together for a few months my relationship with food radically changed. I no longer felt like a failure. I now have the tools to nourish my body with foods that feel good in my body. I don’t feel guilty about eating cake or chocolate, I also don’t overeat cake and chocolate. I no longer feel the need to exercise to compensate for my eating. I feel much more free around eating and I am more accepting of my body. Xen has a nonjudgmental and compassionate approach to coaching and really supports you in the process. Rachel, Dublin, Ireland

Working with Xen has been very empowering. Her approach is so refreshing from the usual. I have learned that I am in charge and that I get to choose what I put in my body and how to move my body in a way that I like! I get to make my own choices. It’s so liberating. Once you get a taste of freedom with food, there is no turning back to old ways! Thanks Xen for guiding me along the way to freedom. Heather B, Cork, Ireland

Working with Xenia was amazing. She armed me with a bunch of tools to help me through difficult times. Xenia is the kind of person who really cares for helping you in the long run. Her work will forever have an impact in my life. Daniela Velásquez, Ottawa, Canada

The greatest gift Xenia has given me is a sense of peace around food. I went on my first diet when I was 11 years old and lost, regained, lost and then regained, and gained some more, several times throughout my life. I can’t believe it took me so long to realise that was not the way. I found Xenia when I was on the post-diet upward spiral of weight gain and felt completely out of control. Every time I got on the scale, I wanted to cry and thought “I can’t do this again!”. Then I happened to come across the “Intuitive Eating” book and it made such perfect sense. I was so thrilled to find out that Xenia, a certified Intuitive Eating counsellor, practised in my home town!” Through Xenia’s coaching, I have come to understand clearly how that pattern of dieting and restricting my food was not serving me and how listening to the body’s infinite wisdom and accepting is really the only way. I have managed to halt the rapid weight gain and for once feel like I may have a chance of losing some weight without going through the painful, miserable dieting process and all the accompanying self-flagellation. I still have a long way to go until I can truly say that I accept my body and eat intuitively most of the time, but at least I feel like I know how to get there and am not riddled with anxiety around food and my body as I used to be. The difference I have experienced so far has been amazing. Xenia, I cannot thank you enough. You really are a fantastic coach and you have helped me so much!Marie, Pretoria, South Africa

The three greatest lessons I have taken from my coaching with Xenia – is to listen to my body, sit with my emotions until they pass and to be kind to myself. Such small lessons really, but they make a fundamental difference to the way you approach living your life; feeling your emotions and judging your actions (note, not failures, just actions). Xenia came to me in a time of emotional turmoil, and 2 years into my quest to lose the horrific amount of baby weight I gained. I jumped into coaching quite thoughtlessly, but once I read Brooke’s book, I was hooked on the concept of listening and being guided by your own body. Xenia thoughtfully yet firmly steered me through the labyrinth of emotions driving my need to eat…..and drink. I have learnt so much about myself, lost some weight, and continue to try and apply the lessons in everyday life. Listening to my body, and feeling my emotions, is still something that I find challenging but I continue to strive…..in a kindly manner. Kim, Cape Town, South Africa

Xenia, I just wanted to tell you how thankful I am for meeting up with you. You definitely played a huge role in restoring my faith in myself, helping me regain my energy, and making me aware of what I want. I’ve been working again with such focus and it has given me much joy. I have a much better awareness of what and when I eat as well. The journal has helped. So thank you. Karen, Melbourne, Australia

Xenia’s coaching helped me gain awareness for the reasons I overeat and gave me tools to learn how to stop eating and identify why I am overeating. She helped me distinguish the difference between real hunger and emotional eating. I loved her no nonsense approach yet still felt the genuine care she feels for me as a client. This is not a quick fix and the 2 biggest take aways I have are that guilt and beating yourself up doesn’t help you lose weight or achieve anything! Marussia, Pretoria, South Africa

Xen, thank you for an inspirational 8 weeks. It has been an introduction to a whole new perspective in terms of my relationship to food and my body. Your unconditional love, support and non-judgemental way of coaching has made the start to this journey possible. I look forward to working with you again in the future. Lisa, Johannesburg, South Africa

Xenia is a wonderful coach, her interest and passion for what she does shows in her work. She is compassionate for you when you share and does not push you farther than you feel comfortable to do. I found the 8 weeks very interesting and insightful. Also comforting to know that you’re not alone and can be happy in your own body. Jenny, Florida, USA