Greetings to all,

As a receiver of regular Thrive updates I know you are aware of all the events here at Thrive. But many of you have not yet put a face to Thrive and in this busy life we lead, it’s easy to miss the personal touch. So I thought I’d take this opportunity to introduce myself to those of you I haven’t yet met, and fill the rest of you in on where I am taking Thrive this year. Thrive is entering its seventh year since conception in 2001 and it’s certainly been an amazing experience for me. I have met many wonderful people and shared their journey towards a happier, healthier life. My original inspiration for creating a healthy lifestyle resource centre came from 30 years of eating, breathing and practicing the healing arts. For 12 years I ran my own Tai Chi Academy in Byron Bay, I raised my child on fresh foods and home cooked meals and I have contributed to inspiring my friends and family to eat consciously. Thrive is an extension of everything I have learned, experienced and practised with regards to food and health. What keeps me going now is my absolute conviction that the only way out of this health crisis we are witnessing everyday around us, is to make simple sustainable lifestyle changes on a daily basis. And to do that, we need skills, knowledge and time. We need to prioritise and allocate time to the fundamental truth that every bite we take is affecting the outcome of our health on every level. At this point I am 46 years old and I have a 26 year old son who is in his third year of studying Homeopathy in the UK. He is a source of joy to me in that my greatest hope for him was to raise a child who has the knowledge to look after his own health. Not only has that been achieved, but he will go on to help so many others achieve the same.

For what is life without our health? And how misaligned and out of tune are we with the true meaning of real health? How do words like optimal wellness, vibrant health and healthy longevity resonate for you?

It is my passion, intention and resolve to help as many people as I can discover the experience of these words. You won’t find it on a corn flakes box, in a TV commercial, through diet fads, pills, or on the net. It is a living, palpable experience, nurtured over time and delivered through caring, persistence and conscious effort.

My commitment is to provide the practical skills, cutting edge information, and the motivation to help you put these words into motion.

Another exciting development for me is the introduction of ‘Relax, revive…thrive Sessions’, starting soon. Ever wished you could just take a short break and come away feeling refreshed and renewed? Soon you will be able to book your own personal Relaxation Session here at Thrive, selecting from a 30 minute power rest through to a 90 minute deep relaxation. Lifestyle consultations and personal counselling will also be available. As always, I will keep you posted.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you who have supported me over the years to achieve a voice and a platform from which I can continue my work. You are all the reason that I am still here and still enthused to move forward…

Yours in health,

Michelle Russell

Thrive Natural Foods

‘People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care….’