"I now have greater awareness; a good holistic approach"
"10/10! I've been given tools to go beyond the internal battle!"
Testimonials
Chris, you are a fantastic trainer. Thankyou once again for taking me from 76kg down to 66.
Victoria (Albert Park, May 2009)
Chris Eastham has coached me for more than 12
months, focusing on work-life balance, fitness and wellbeing. During this
period I had the pleasure of working with a highly professional, intuitive and
caring coach who was able to motivate me and give me ideas that were just right
for my situation. During the process Chris showed true dedication,
thoroughness and creativity in approaching the various issues that I was
confronting.
I have also seen Chris working in a group situation and he is an excellent
communicator who is able to engage with people of all ages and
backgrounds. His passion for his work and the positive impact it has on
others is apparent, and his commitment to ongoing professional development
means he has a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to draw upon.'
Diane
Taylor (Director Stug Engineering Dec 2008)
Everyone and everything else always had priority over time for my own health and wellbeing. Chris and the Open Door Program helped me focus on what I really wanted from my life and how incorporating diet and exercise could help me achieve these ambitions. Thanks Chris.
Sue Foley (Bank Manager/Musician May 2008)
The spark program was completely different to what I expected. Spark has taught me how to change the way I think & everything else has just fallen into place! Over the past 12 weeks I have made many improvements to my lifestyle. Now food is just food..i don’t need it to fill other voids. I now eat a more balanced diet and exercise regularly without even really thinking about it. It just seems to happen naturally! This has come about as a gradual and constant change and I am very happy with the results. My satisfaction is 10 / 10!!
Shona McDonagh (Marketing Manager, Oct 2008).
To help me come to terms with
my health deterioriation and to assist in the decision making
surrounding lung transplant was the overriding objective [of the
coaching program]. Analysing both the rational and emotional issues
and resolving their different perspectives into a coherent choice of
action was really vital to help in determining a strategy to cope.
Some of the techniques discussed to reduce anxiety and stress levels
surrounding my hospital visits really worked for me. Talking about the
risks in context together with visualising possible futures made a
large decision much more managable. Jon Rolfe ( In preparation for Lung transplant Jan 2009)
Having now reached 90 years but with a body much younger so the doctors
say, I am aware of the importance of trying to stay active and happy
especially as you get older. Around 30 years ago I was one of the
first ladies to go on TV demonstrating exercises in the afternoon
program - yes black leotards and all. I could do a backwards
somersault then.
I am very pleased with mpself for undertaking some simple exercises as
directed by Chris at The Open Door. the exercises have mae such a
difference to the way I feel each day without too much effort. I find
that I am walking with more surety in my step , not wobbling so much
and able to keep my body a lot straighted than before.
chris has a lovely caring and encouraging manner about him, he
listens and he thinks about what is right for you so his teaching is
very personalized.
Being able to get around more confidently I find I have lost
weight, I have more confident and going out and about and my general
health has definitely improved. This outcome for so little effort had
given me a greater sense of wellbeing which in turn makes me feel a
happier person
Margaurette (20/11/2009)
Almost 2 years ago, I met Chris. I had had trainers periodically over the years, with little success. A few kilos would drop off, or I would be able to run longer, but inevitably my bad habits increased at the same rate as the new exercise or other good behaviors = net gain was zero.
Chris didn't approach me with an "exercise plan" or by creating "goal markers" to measure against, but instead incorporated those tools with an overall philosophy of changing my lifestyle as a whole to ensure long-term success, not just short term wins.
By exploring what I love to do, where I would love to be emotionally and physically, how I would love to feel as far as health and happiness, and what obstacles were in my way preventing me from realizing my "ideal me", we came up with some things to focus on - and at least half weren't related to food or exercise.
I had always used negative emotions (self-nagging) to try and change my habits, but he got me to think positively and not reprimand myself for slipping up but instead just manage it.
I learned sleep deprivation was a root cause of many of my mood and healthy habit slip-ups and made that a priority.
I loved hanging with friends, but switched dinners and drinks for bike rides, walks and hiking.
I loved to cook, but switched from heavy foods with large portion sizes to smaller but more flavorful.
I loved to sit and relax, but found a way to do that without indulging on comfort food.
I learned to use exercise as a natural mood enhancer - which I never believed would ever work and it did!
My life is now so much more rich and without missing anything I used to do before. The fact I lost 10 kilos is actually a side note, as my new outlook and balance of life is the true success. I now scuba dive, have greater enthusiasm for my job, energy to go on travel trips where I can see things that aren't just on the bus tour, having more courage to try things I was scared to do before.
And I am confident he had given me the tools to not let me return to my old self ever. Dana Landis, PMP (Project Manager,Infosys AustraliaFeb 2010)
Testimonial for SPARK
I have always been “weight challenged” and knew I should do something about it before illness did something about it for me. Till I started SPARK I had never found something that could hold the interest in the idea for me. I would get so far and get bored.
I learned at SPARK that there is nothing more interesting than understanding the choices I had. I just needed the opportunity to hear my thoughts expressed out loud through coaching. Chris has a kit of amazing exploration techniques that get you thinking and experiencing that it is possible to live healthy and stay interested and enjoy your food and become empowered by the choices one makes.
I was able to understand what thoughts occur to me when I reach for a beer or for some chocolate. Without this understanding I was essentially addicted... to food, especially chocolate. For me a beer was associated with the need to relax. Now I am able to recognise that I can have a break and I have a choice as to whether I have the beer or not!
What I discovered through exploring my thoughts, too, was the way I think about myself. I realised that the way I was treating my body was with complete disrespect. How can I expect others to respect me when I don’t respect myself? Now I never learned that at any gym or by doing any diet! In fact these ideas just made me feel worse about myself.
In fact in 6 months I lost 10 kilos but you should know that wasn’t my goal. It was actually to live a more healthy lifestyle. Losing weight was just a by product of the new lifestyle choices. I have had so much fun exploring fun ways to cook food, exercise by doing things like belly dancing and enjoying the great outdoors and reducing the carbon footprint by riding my bike to work occasionally. Even the dogs are happier as they get more walks.
I recommend SPARK to anyone who has found it hard to lose weight and be healthy. It’s so much more fun, more real and more genuine than anything I have come across in the health industry to date.
M.M. (Personal Development Coach and Consultant, July 09)
Thank you so much for all your assistance to date in helping me add exercise into my lifestyle to manage arthritis – and especially in helping me overcome the fear of pain that was inhibiting me from exercising.
Fiona Best (Marketing Manager age 38, 28 Jan 2009)
I have really enjoyed all of our time together and you have really helped get me on the straight and narrow with my exercise. You'll be pleased to hear have already been for a run, a bike AND even a swim this week. You've been a great confidante and always very encouraging and motivating. I hope that we can continue to stay in touch
Rachel Robertson (PR Manager 20 Oct 2009)
Of all the trainers I have worked with, I have found Chris Eastham to be the most competent and understanding trainer I have ever met, being a lifelong back sufferer, he devised exercises that were suited to me and had infinite patience and understanding in teaching me to regain mobility that I had lost many years ago. Whoever employs his services will find him to be a great asset, not only as a first class trainer but as a man of great understanding and personality.
Anthony Kaye (Aged 76 - 06 March 2002)
The impact The Open Door made was profound! We had an experienced HR team, however, our wellness processes and organizational structure left much to be desired. After a thorough examination of our business, he shared with us a concise strategy for incorporating a progressive wellness program into our operations and evaluating its effect on company performance. Within months, we were noticing measurable improvements in our staff productivity and absenteeism."
Natalie Shalcross, HR manager, Knightsbridge Petroleum, London UK
Chris has assisted us in creating a wellness program that staff enjoy, and one that definitely benefits the business bottom line! Chris demonstrated and preached the importance of knowing your employees as important in any program including corporate wellness. He stressed the value of taking time to talk to your employees, to listen and hear what they have to say. I would recommend Chris to any organization that was looking for leadership and someone who could add a fresh perspective on a situation.
Greg Bremner, Great Engineering, Port Melbourne
The Circle Health club engaged The Open Door wellness consulting to work with our fitness department and move beyond basic gym instructor services. With his help we gained a much better understanding of what our members wanted. We implemented a personal training program, niche fitness classes for mature women, ‘women-on-weights workshops', started providing healthy lifestyle information and partnered with the Hospital of St John & Elizabeth to provide our members executive medical assessments.
Chris was able to work well with all our staff. We liked his enthusiastic style, his willingness to pass information on and allow us set up long term strategies as a result of his appointment. I would recommend The Open Door wellness consulting to any business or fitness organisation looking to develop its health and wellbeing program.
Nic Medhi Club Manager, Circle Health Club, St Johns Wood, London
‘Animals Alive', the exercise class for children with developmental Disabilities. Developed by Chris Eastham fromThe Open Door and implemented at The Bridge School in Archway, London.
Over the past few months several children under my care have benefited from this remarkable exercise programme. The ideas prescribed by this well researched programme have led to the children exhibiting several improvements in the following areas:
co-ordination
concentration
more relaxed attitudes
responsiveness
Most importantly though, the students find it easy it follow and thoroughly enjoyable. In addition to this, as the instructor/ teacher, I have found it remarkably simple to plan the lesson. Previously PE session took a great deal of forethought, bearing in mind the students' range of abilities and use of equipment. This programme allows each child to access physical exercise at different levels... ideal for students with ASD as they all have different abilities in different areas. Because young people with autism require routine, the programme can be used in such a way so that the students familiarise themselves with the activities. I believe that we will see even more improvement in the above areas after more sessions.
Janine Scholefield, Senior Teacher at The Bridge School for autistic children - Archway, London
In July 2001 I was involved in a car accident which initially left me with severe whiplash in the neck and shoulders. By the time I met Chris Eastham in January 2004 I had seen : an osteopath for 8 months, 2 physiotherapists – one for 9 months, 2 back consultants – one of them wanted to give me a cortisone injection in my spine which I refused, a pain consultant, 4 general practitioners and an insurance assessor. I also tried leaving my back to mend itself – to no avail.
Chris had a very open and honest approach, he didn’t promise miracle cures but did say that as an exercise physiologist there was a lot we could work on and there was a good chance for improvement. I am now feeling my own age, much happier and looking forward to a normal life again. I am also aware of how to use my body in the best way and looking forward to playing tennis again – something I haven’t been able to do in over 3 years.
Mrs Jorgina Baker, Member of Amida Wellness, Beckenham, London - October 2005
Testimonials 
