"Over about ten years my body slowly changed. As a youth I was involved with the Great British training programmes for swimming and rowing and I could eat whatever I wanted. Since I retired from competition, what was muscle turned to fat and I lost my drive to train.
"Over about ten years my body slowly changed. As a youth I was involved with the Great British training programmes for swimming and rowing and I could eat whatever I wanted. Since I retired from competition, what was muscle turned to fat and I lost my drive to train.
Qualifications
Certificates
Awards
-
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology University College London (UCL)
-
MA Hons Psychology (First Class) University of St Andrews
-
Certified Personal Trainer
National Academy of Sports Medicine
-
Mindfulness Interventions in the Workplace,
Oxford Mindfulness Centre, University of Oxford
-
Principal's Medal for Outstanding Achievement
University of St Andrews
-
McNeil Scholarship
University of Pennsylvania
I’m on a mission to empower people to master their mindset and become healthier and happier. My method is based on Stoicism, Buddhist philosophy, my own scientific research at University College London, one of the world’s leading research institutions, and decades of groundbreaking studies into the most effective ways to maintain behaviour change in the long-term. By grounding my life’s work in science, my aim is to arm people with the best available evidence so that they can make decisions that they feel confident in and that give them the greatest chance of success. Researchers have estimated that it takes 17 years on average for scientific evidence to be translated into practice. This is too long. I want people to be able to benefit from applying science-based insights to their lives now.
An integral part of my journey has been mindfulness. Mindfulness involves living in the present moment, rather than getting caught up in thoughts about the past or future. Through the most difficult points in my life, mindfulness has been a tool that's brought me a sense of peace and allowed me to respond more skilfully to challenges. I’ve practiced with different teachers, including Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, co-founded the first mindfulness groups at three globally-renowned universities, and developed specialist mindfulness courses for the NHS. Now I apply mindfulness principles to individual sessions with clients, and to my own life, to find the joy in the moment while still moving towards new goals. Personal highlights so far have been running ‘The Wall’, a stunning 69-mile ultra-marathon along Hadrian’s Wall that has to be completed in less than 24 hours, and achieving my sky-diving license (I've always wanted to 'fly' since I've been a kid). Outside of coaching, I'm a big fan of peanut butter, cake, gelato and riding my motorbike.
I believe that we're all connected by our desire to live healthy, meaningful and fulfilling lives. Life has a tendency to throw us curveballs and give us lemons at times. I've personally experienced, witnessed, studied and researched the power of the mind to transform lives. My goal now is to help as many people as possible to better understand their own mindset to achieve their personal health, body and life goals, and lead a life that they love, starting today.
"I've known Dr. Aria for many years and have always been struck by his ability to bring out the best in people. He is kind, bright, and absolutely committed to excellence."