Active Health Group

28/03/2026

When people think about training, they often picture the lessons, resources, and live sessions. What they don’t always see is the research, reviewing, updating, quality assurance, and collaboration that happens quietly in the background.

At Active Health Group, creating professional training in health coaching, nutrition, and therapy-based disciplines is about far more than delivering content. It’s about making sure learning is relevant, credible, supportive, and grounded in both professional standards and real-world practice.

Meaningful education takes time, care, and continual refinement and we believe that work matters.

We’ve shared some fuller reflections on this over on our Substack for anyone who’d like to take a deeper look.

When people think about professional training, they usually imagine the lessons, workbooks, live sessions, and hands-on learning.

27/03/2026

“Your whole life is a qualification — even the difficult parts.”

Meet the Team – Linda McClure

At Active Health Group, we are proud to work with tutors whose journeys into health and wellbeing are shaped by real-life experience. Today, we are introducing Linda McClure, whose path into therapeutic nutrition has been built through both professional experience and personal transformation.

Linda’s career began in the world of hairdressing, where she spent 38 years working in salon management and ownership, travelling and working across Tenerife, Dubai and Guernsey before eventually returning home to Scotland. During those years, she developed a deep understanding of people — learning how to truly listen and recognise what was often left unsaid.

Her journey into holistic health began almost 20 years ago and led to a BA in Complementary Healthcare. However, her path into Nutritional Therapy was shaped during a personal health crisis in 2019, when she faced a serious autoimmune condition. Choosing to explore nutritional approaches, she discovered the powerful impact of food as a therapeutic tool — a turning point that changed the direction of her work.

Linda began studying Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) protocols and later discovered the profound benefits of ketogenic nutrition during her time as a student with Active Health Group. This became her specialist area, and today she focuses on Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction and Ketogenic Nutrition for metabolic health, gut health and autoimmune conditions.

She continues to expand her knowledge through advanced training in Ketogenic Science, Carnivore nutrition and Diabetes Reversal.

As a Tutor and Assessor at Active Health Group, Linda brings both scientific understanding and lived experience into her teaching. She is passionate about helping students understand patterns in health and supporting them to see the body as an interconnected system rather than isolated symptoms.

Alongside her clinical work, Linda also supports coaches, nutritionists and practitioners in developing their businesses, combining her earlier creative background in Art & Design with her knowledge of the digital world and holistic health practice.

Advice for someone starting out

"Your whole life is a qualification. All the pivots, challenges and experiences that may feel messy are often the very things that shape your authority. Don’t wait until you feel perfect to begin — your clients need a real person, not a perfect one. Your story is often the very thing that connects you to the people you are meant to serve."

Over the coming weeks, we will be introducing more of the wonderful people who make up the Active Health Group team, including both our tutors and the administrative team who support our students behind the scenes.

25/03/2026

“Stay curious. Try things, explore widely, and never stop learning.”

Meet the Team – Beth Tennant

At Active Health Group we are fortunate to have dedicated individuals who support our students throughout their learning journey. Today we are introducing Beth Tennant, who plays a central role within Active Health Group as our Student Support & Assessor Lead.

Beth’s journey into healthcare began in childhood, inspired by her father’s career as an RAF nurse. She later trained at Manchester University and went on to work in operating theatres, where her fascination with anatomy and the workings of the human body truly flourished.

Never one to stand still, Beth later retrained with Active Health Group as an Advanced Clinical Sports Therapist, developing a thriving practice rooted in holistic health, lymphatic therapy (MLD), trauma-informed myofascial work and medical acupuncture. She also went on to qualify as a Level 6 Health Coach and Nutritional Therapist, further strengthening her integrative understanding of health and wellbeing.

Beth’s love of the human body — particularly the elegant logic of clinical anatomy — remains one of her greatest passions to teach, alongside her interest in lymphatic therapy and oncology-informed practice.

In 2025, Beth shared her expertise as a guest speaker at both the Manchester MacMillan Nurse Conference and Active Health Group’s 25th Anniversary Conference, reflecting her continued commitment to professional learning and clinical excellence.

As Student Support & Assessor Lead, Beth plays a vital role in helping students grow in confidence, develop practical skills and feel supported throughout their training journey.

Advice for someone starting out

"Stay curious. Try things, explore widely, and never stop learning. The more skills and perspectives you develop, the more meaningful and effective your work with clients will become."

Over the coming weeks we will be introducing more of the wonderful people who make up the Active Health Group team, including both our tutors and the administrative team who support our students behind the scenes.

23/03/2026

Low testosterone is becoming increasingly common in modern men.

Many men today experience symptoms they cannot quite explain:

• low energy
• brain fog
• reduced strength
• poor sleep
• increased belly fat
• irritability

Often these symptoms are connected to hormone health.

Factors such as chronic stress, blood sugar instability, poor sleep, and sedentary lifestyles can quietly suppress testosterone levels.

The good news is that simple lifestyle habits can make a significant difference.

Strength training, morning sunlight, quality sleep, and balanced nutrition can all support healthy hormone function.

We’ve created a short educational guide outlining practical strategies to support men’s hormone health.

Download it here: https://www.activehealthgroup.co.uk/resources

If this topic interests you, our upcoming Men’s Health & Wellness Coaching Course explores these issues in far greater depth and trains practitioners to support male clients effectively.

19/03/2026

“Great practitioners are not created by techniques alone, but by curiosity, compassion and the willingness to keep learning.”

Meet the Team – Richard Johnson

Over the past few weeks we’ve been introducing the team behind Active Health Group. Today we are introducing our founder, Richard Johnson.

Richard’s career in health and wellbeing spans more than 35 years, with over 25 years dedicated to practitioner education and training.

He established Active Health Group in 2000 with a clear vision: to create training that combines strong scientific understanding with practical therapeutic skills, while recognising the complexity and individuality of human health. From the beginning, the aim was to move beyond rigid protocols and instead support practitioners in learning how to think, observe and respond to the person in front of them.

Over the years, Richard has been involved in developing practitioner training across health coaching, nutrition, sports therapy, bodywork and integrative health practice. His work has consistently focused on helping students bridge the gap between learning information and becoming confident, thoughtful practitioners who can work safely and effectively with real people and real health challenges.

He continues to lead the development of Active Health Group’s programmes, working alongside a team of experienced practitioners and educators who each bring their own clinical insight into the learning environment.

Alongside his work in education, Richard remains closely connected to the wider wellbeing community through teaching, mentoring practitioners and supporting charitable and community health initiatives.

At the heart of his work is a simple belief: that good practitioner training should not only develop knowledge, but also curiosity, integrity and a genuine respect for the individuality of every client.

Two areas Richard particularly enjoys teaching

Integrative health and practitioner thinking: Supporting students to think critically about health and understand the interconnected nature of the body, mind and environment, rather than relying on rigid protocols or one-size-fits-all approaches.

Developing confident and ethical practitioners: Helping students move beyond theory to build the self-awareness, professional judgement and practical skills needed to work responsibly and compassionately with clients.

Advice for someone starting out

"Stay curious and never assume you have finished learning. Health and wellbeing are deeply individual, and the most effective practitioners are those who remain open, reflective and willing to keep developing their understanding throughout their careers."

"Active Health Group has always been built as a collaborative effort, and it is a privilege to work alongside such a committed and experienced team."

Over the coming weeks we will continue introducing the people who make up the Active Health Group team, including both our tutors and the administrative team who support our students behind the scenes.

18/03/2026

Men’s health is one of the most underserved areas in modern wellbeing.

Across the UK, men are:
• less likely to seek support • more likely to die prematurely • more likely to struggle silently with mental and physical health challenges

Yet there are very few practitioners specialising in men’s health.

At Active Health Group, we believe this needs to change.

Over the past 25 years, one pattern has become increasingly clear. Many men are not engaging with traditional health and wellbeing services. Not because they do not care about their health, but because those services are not always designed in a way that resonates with them.

Something needs to shift.

Over the coming weeks, we will be introducing a new programme focused on men’s health and wellbeing coaching. A programme designed to better understand how men think, engage, and respond to support.

More details coming soon.

If you work in health, coaching, or wellbeing, this is one to watch.

16/03/2026

“What makes a great practitioner is not just technique, but the ability to stay present, observe carefully and keep learning from every client.”

Meet the Team – Christian Platts

At Active Health Group, we are fortunate to work with practitioners who bring decades of experience into both their clinical work and teaching. Today, we are introducing Christian, Co-Founder of Active Health Group, who has been working in the field of natural health for more than 25 years and has helped shape the organisation from its earliest days.

Christian began his career in natural health at the age of twenty. Over time, his work has evolved into an integrative approach that bridges structural bodywork and Myofascial Release with breath-based therapies, coaching practices and trauma-informed approaches to health and wellbeing.

Alongside teaching Myofascial Release and Vocal Massage, Christian is also co-lead in the development of Active Health Group’s online health coaching programmes and trauma-informed and trauma-responsive training.

He has trained to Level 3 in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and facilitates weekly men’s sharing circles in association with the Mentell charity.

Over the past 25 years, Christian has facilitated community workshops, industry conferences, group processes and charitable wellbeing initiatives, while maintaining an active clinical practice supporting clients through bodywork, breathwork, trauma healing and therapeutic coaching.

Two areas Christian particularly enjoys teaching

Rib cage and breath mechanics: Exploring how breathing patterns influence structure, posture, psychology and overall health, and how restoring functional breathing can support both physical and emotional wellbeing.

Trauma-informed practice: Helping practitioners recognise and work safely with emotional patterns held within the body, creating environments where clients feel supported, respected and understood.

Advice for someone starting out

"Focus on developing strong listening skills, good sensory awareness and genuine curiosity about the body and mind. Techniques are important, but what makes a great practitioner is the ability to stay present, observe carefully, map the patterns you see, and continue learning from every client you work with."

Over the coming weeks, we will be introducing more of the wonderful people who make up the Active Health Group team, including our tutors and the administrative team who support our students behind the scenes.

13/03/2026

“Always look beyond the pain and take time to understand the whole person in front of you.”

Meet the Team – Nikki Sneddon

At Active Health Group we are fortunate to work with practitioners who bring decades of real-world experience into both their teaching and clinical practice. Today we are introducing Nikki Sneddon, who plays several important roles within our organisation as a Tutor, Assessor and Internal Quality Assurer (IQA).

With more than three decades of experience in the health and fitness industry, Nikki has built her career around helping people better understand the body and move beyond pain. Her background spans fitness, sports therapy and education, where she has spent many years supporting therapists, coaches and health practitioners as they develop their skills and confidence.

Nikki specialises in working with pain and helping to reset and regulate the nervous system so the body can function more effectively. As a root cause specialist, she is passionate about identifying the deeper factors that contribute to pain and dysfunction, and supporting practitioners to look beyond symptoms when working with clients.

Alongside her clinical work, Nikki is deeply committed to high-quality education. Through her work as a tutor, assessor and IQA, she helps ensure that students not only understand the theory but also develop the practical skills and professional confidence needed to work safely and effectively with clients.

What Nikki particularly enjoys about teaching

Hands-on learning
Helping students feel, see and understand what is happening in the body rather than learning theory alone.

Supporting practitioner confidence
Watching students develop real practical skill and confidence as they grow into capable therapists and practitioners.

Advice for someone starting out

"Stay curious and never stop learning. Always look beyond the pain and take time to understand the whole person in front of you."

To learn more about Nikki go to her page at https://www.facebook.com/ribbletherapy/

Over the coming weeks we will be introducing more of the wonderful people who make up the Active Health Group team, including both our tutors and the administrative team who support our students behind the scenes.

10/03/2026

“The same symptom in two different people can have entirely different roots.”

Meet the Team – Nikkie Windsor

At Active Health Group we are fortunate to work with a team of experienced practitioners who bring both clinical expertise and real-world practice into the classroom. Today we are delighted to introduce Nikkie Windsor, one of our tutors.

Nikkie is an Integrative Nutritionist, Trauma-Informed Health Coach and Breath Coach whose work focuses on gut health, the gut–brain axis and nervous system regulation. Having lived with Crohn’s disease since the age of fifteen, her approach is shaped by both lived experience and rigorous professional training.

Within Active Health Group, Nikkie teaches across areas such as gut health, fermentation, fasting, metabolic flexibility and breathwork. Her teaching always takes an integrative perspective, encouraging students to ask not only what the body may need, but why the same intervention can produce very different outcomes for different individuals.

Nikkie is also the creator of our Build Your Practice series, designed to help students bridge the gap between qualification and establishing a sustainable professional practice. The series explores the practical business knowledge, marketing understanding and systems that are rarely addressed in training programmes but are essential for practitioners building their work in the real world. She continues this support through regular practitioner development sessions.

Two areas Nikkie particularly enjoys teaching

Integrative practice and individual context
Understanding that every person is biochemically and experientially unique. Nikkie encourages students to move beyond symptom-focused thinking and develop the ability to see the whole person in front of them. Good practitioners learn not only when to intervene, but when restraint and observation are the wiser response.

Bridging the gap between study and practice
Helping students develop the practical and human skills that sit alongside clinical knowledge. This includes building confidence, finding your voice as a practitioner, and creating a practice that is both sustainable and genuinely supportive for the people you work with.

One piece of advice for someone starting out

"Learn your subject deeply, but learn your client even more deeply. The same symptom can arise from very different causes depending on the individual. The practitioners who achieve the best outcomes are often not those who know the most techniques, but those who understand when to hold back, when to refer, and how to meet the person in front of them with curiosity and care."

To learn more about Nikkie’s work and her clinical practice, you can visit: https://thejunglegoddess.com/

Over the coming weeks we will be introducing more of the wonderful people who make up the Active Health Group team, including our tutors and the admin team who support our students and programmes behind the scenes.

07/03/2026

A Special Place for Learning

While much of our teaching at Active Health Group takes place online, our practical training days are held in a place that is truly special.

We are fortunate to run our in-person training sessions at The Monastery Manchester, one of the most remarkable historic buildings in the city.

For us, the environment where practitioners learn matters. When students come together for practical training, it’s not just about developing skills — it’s about stepping into a space that encourages reflection, discussion, and professional growth.

Over the past few years we have held all of our practical training days, student get-togethers, and wellbeing conferences at the Monastery, bringing together students, graduates, and tutors to share knowledge, explore new ideas, and strengthen our community of practitioners.

The building itself is extraordinary, and it’s much more than just a venue. Visitors often comment on the welcoming atmosphere, the beautiful architecture, and the sense of calm that the space creates.

If you haven’t visited before, it’s well worth exploring. The Monastery also has a lovely café, a beautiful secret garden, and a stunning new green oasis that has been created as a space for quiet reflection and connection with nature.

We feel incredibly fortunate to be able to hold our training here, and it’s always a pleasure introducing students to such a unique place.

If you’d like to learn more about the Monastery, go to https://themonastery.co.uk/

02/03/2026

AI can now: Write nutrition plans, Analyse health patterns, Suggest behaviour change strategies

Which raises an important question.

Will it eventually make health practitioners irrelevant?

In our latest Active Health Perspectives article, we explore how the future of health coaching, nutritional therapy, and soft tissue therapy is changing and why the most valuable practitioners of tomorrow will not be the ones delivering information, but the ones helping humans safely create change.

The future of practice isn’t about competing with technology.

It’s about doing what technology cannot.

Read the full article here: https://activehealthperspectives.substack.com/p/training-practitioners-for-the-age

27/02/2026

Not sure where to begin with a career in health coaching?

Our Level 3 Health Coaching Access Course is designed as a supportive starting point for those exploring the world of personalised health and wellbeing.

This fully online course introduces the foundations of lifestyle health, behaviour change, and client-centred support — helping you understand how coaching can make a real difference in everyday lives.

Whether you are considering a future career in health and wellbeing, or simply want to build your knowledge before progressing further, this course provides a clear and practical first step.

Learn more here: https://www.activehealthgroup.co.uk/health-coach-access-course