- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Brock University, Canada) – focus on human social relationships and institutions.
- Post Graduate Degree in Teaching (University of Auckland)
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 Nutrition Coach
- Certificate in Sports Training and Development (SIT)
- Certificate in Personal Training – Fit Futures
- Heke Kawa Oranga/Diploma in Māori Health Promotion and Exercise Science
- CrossFit L1 and L2, CrossFit Weightlifting, CrossFit Gymnastics, CrossFit Mobility
- Deep Tissue Massage Therapist
Heather Breen
Tenacious * Empathetic * Patient * Curious * Inspired * Lifelong Learner
Who is this girl?
I come from an Endurance Sports background – running, biking, rowing – anything long and hard was my favourite! I’ve always loved to be physical, and out in te Taiao (nature). Born in Canada, I grew up in a big city – but we also had a family cottage on a remote lake in Northern Ontario. We would spend our summers there, many of my days passed by playing solo in the water and out in the forest. Daydreaming, singing, imagining. A self-professed ‘feeler’, I’ve always known a strong connection to the universe and something bigger than myself.
When I got older, I completed a Degree in Sociology, the sister programme to Psychology. Growing up with the magic of solitude in nature versus the crazy, busyness of city life, had proven to me that nothing happens in a vacuum; we are all shaped by the invisible hand of the environment around us. I moved to New Zealand after University and went on to further studies (forever the student!) gaining a Grad Diploma in Teaching ECE, teaching little humans and little humans teaching me. It was a great match.
The next ten years flew by… Met a boy, got married, had 3 children back-to-back – this took quite the toll on my body… Who was I?? Where did I go? I looked in the mirror and I didn’t recognise myself anymore (physically and spiritually).
I stumbled upon CrossFit in 2013 and this was the beginning of the most wonderful journey that I’ve been on. A true love-affair with something that was bigger and greater than me. I lost the baby weight, but I gained myself back in the process. I was beginning to remember who I was and what I really believed in. If I could do this, I could help others to do the same! How many of us have been feeling this way and not sure how to change it? How could I share my learning with others?
Thus, over the last decade I have literally poured my heart and soul into learning everything I could about Movement, Nutrition, Sports Performance, Recovery, Health, Wellness…. I attended every CF certification I could find, I spent a year qualifying at a Nutrition Coach, I travelled all over the world following my key mentors and learning directly from them. I got immersed in competitive CF and reached the podium at Nationals. I started to coach private clients, groups, run seminars and workshops, provide keynote speaking to organisations and for charity events. All the while continuing my studies further – Gaining a Certificate in Sports Training and Development, along with achieving a Diploma in Kawa Oranga – Sports Science and Māori Health Promotion in 2021. More recently, I have been attending wananga (courses) in traditional Māori healing such as Mirimiri and Cultural Therapy through Wairua (spiritual) healing modalities. All of this knowledge overflowing in my head and being shared in my private practice with clients.
And I can ASSURE YOU I am far from done! A life-time learner, a student at heart and teacher by soul… This is my one truest purpose and mission in life – to empower others towards a healthy, beautiful life.
But how!? Interestingly, the more I dug, researched, asked experts, and practised myself, the more I found that the answers kept returning back to some really key basics. In essence, The Lifestyle Block has been created out of my own deep exploration and answer-seeking into Health and Wellness – the project naturally took on a life of its own!
