Welcome to Supported – a community designed to guide you through growing your family in our weight-obsessed world.
You’re in the right place if:
- you want to get pregnant in the next 12-18 months
- you’ve been to see your doctor about fertility and been turned away and told to lose weight (maybe you haven’t even got that far because you know that’s what they’ll say)
- you’re struggling to find a fertility doctor or clinic that will support you based on your BMI
- you don’t have anyone you can trust or feel supported by on your healthcare team
I want you to have people in your corner who wholeheartedly believe (and have the evidence to back it up!) that you can and should get pregnant at the weight you are now.
I want you to have the support to rediscover that your body is a phenomenal force that is capable of miracles, including getting pregnant and having a wonderful pregnancy.
I want you to find your community of people overcoming these same injustices of not being able to access the support that you deserve and are entitled to when it comes to your fertility.
In our weight-obsessed world, it’s so hard to find support and care that doesn’t focus on weight-loss and doesn’t make you feel shame around wanting to grow your family in a fat body.
You bounce from doctor to doctor trying to find someone who’ll investigate why you haven’t gotten pregnant yet and offer you a real solution, but the only thing you hear is “lose weight and come back in six months”
As part of my work as a fertility coach, I used my research skills from my training as a clinical scientist to explore the research around fat fertility and by reflecting on my own lived experiences in my fat body, I realised (and have the evidence to back me up!) that our bodies are incredibly capable of getting pregnant and having healthy pregnancies.
What’s holding us back is not the fat on our bodies but the anti-fat bias in our medical systems. The way that we are treated by healthcare professionals means that we don’t get access to the same tests and treatments that people in smaller bodies do.
- Instead of telling you to lose weight, we work together to figure out what regular habits you can incorporate into your life to get you from where you are now to your own version of what health looks like.
- Instead of withholding tests and treatments, we learn how to understand what’s going on in our bodies from the tools we’ve got and to advocate with healthcare professionals to influence them into providing us with the tests and treatments we need.
- Instead of invalidating your lived experience and labelling you as “non-compliant”, we’ll work together to honour your lived experience and use that knowledge to inform the decisions you make about your body and your wellbeing.
- Instead of dismissing your mental health as irrelevant, we’ll look at how being fat in our society impacts our mental health, taking care to recognise any trauma from previous healthcare interactions. We will focus on how we can support your mental health throughout your journey and use your mindset to your advantage.
About me
Hi Folks, I’m Nicola (she/her).
I’m a fat-positive fertility coach who supports fat people who want to get pregnant.
I was diagnosed with PCOS at 16 and told I would never get pregnant, but *spoiler alert* it turns out the doctors were wrong.
My unique FAT+ve framework can help you define your own version of health without dieting, advocate for yourself, relearn how to trust your body and believe in your ability to get pregnant.
For close to a decade I’ve been working in the fertility field with fat people who want to get pregnant.
- I’m a qualified acupuncturist and naturopath, spending years specialising in fertility.
- I’m a trained integrative fertility coach
- I’m the author of “Fat and Fertile”, the only book about getting pregnant as a fat person.
- Prior to finding my calling working with fertility, I completed a BSc in Physical Science, an MSc in Medical Engineering and Physics and worked as a clinical scientist so my work is always rooted in research and is evidence-based.
Supported is the culmination of my experience working within the fertility field and 20 years living in my fat body. Together we will be exploring how you can take the best care of your health and fertility using my unique FAT+ve framework.
The FAT+ve Framework
F – Formulate your health plan
Build an action plan of steps to support your health that don’t involve dieting and weight loss so that you can take small, manageable steps each week to your vision of health, without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll feel confident that you are taking positive action. Get acquainted with what the science and evidence really say about fat bodies and pregnancy, not just what biased health professionals tell us.
A – Advocate for your fertility
Get trained in how to advocate for yourself with healthcare professionals, work colleagues and your friends and family. This allows you to influence the care that you receive, create strong boundaries with others and learn how to get your needs met from others.
T – Trust your body
We’ll explore tools and techniques that support you in relearning how to trust your body. For so long we’ve been taught that our bodies aren’t good enough and that they have failed us. Nothing could be further from the truth. Build a strong relationship with your body so that you can feel safe in it and have complete trust that it is able to support you in your desire to grow your family.
+ve – Creating positive beliefs
Build a toolbox of ways that you can support your mental health so you can have confidence that you are worthy of support and are going to be a phenomenal parent.
This course has been nothing short of a life-saver for me. Moving into this phase of life where we’re trying to start a family, it’s supposed to be exciting – and whilst it is – it’s filled with so many questions and concerns and can easily become more stressful than exciting.
Having Nicola is like having a personal fertility cheerleader – whether it’s helping me focus on tiny action steps I can take to improve my health and fertility to just helping calm the anxiety by reminding me to believe that my fat body is 100% capable of getting pregnant.
Honestly, I don’t know how people do it alone – Nicola’s guidance and support has been instrumental in keeping me feeling positive about what’s ahead
Throughout our time together, you will:
- Be part of a community where you will feel validated to counteract all the negative experiences you may face
- Feel in control of your own well-being and know that you’re making the best decisions for your health
- Learn tools and tactics to powerfully advocate for yourself for the whole journey
Community support.
Over our time together, you will have support in a number of ways:
– monthly check-ins for you to reflect on the steps you are taking to support your goals.
– a community space where you can post questions and seek support from me and our community whenever you need to.
– have all your questions answered each weekly via office hours
– monthly group coaching calls to guide you through the work and so that I can personally answer all your questions. Calls are currently held monthly on Tuesday at 9am GMT (8pm AEDT) and Thursday at 7pm GMT (11am PST/ 2pm EST) for 90 mins and are recorded for those unable to make it.
During these touchpoints, you can ask any questions you have about your own experiences, your own care and any of the things you’ve worked through in the program. You might want to:
- post in our community for some reassurance before heading into an appointment
- vent after an annoying family member offers some unsolicited weight loss advice
- ask for help figuring out how to track your cycles
- ask for recommendations about which supplements to try
- get help figuring out which clinic to contact
Access to the intimate community group with others working through the program
You will have access to the group over the time that we work together and I will be there with you every step of the way. The group will act as a place where we can get to know each other, share our experiences and questions throughout the program.
The group is housed on a site/app called circle.co. It’s intentionally not a facebook group so you can be anonymous as you want to be and can be super intentional about when you interact with the group.
The 10-step program designed specifically for fat folks navigating fertility issues
Each module is a stand-alone guided process that leads you through informational and mindset tools specifically designed to face the unique challenges we see as fat people seeking fertility support. The program is 10 modules long and you’ll get access to the program content for as long as you’re a member. Work through each module at your own pace, taking it one step at a time. Modules include:
- formulate your healthcare plan,
- creating a supportive healthcare team,
- preparing for healthcare appointments,
- building a toolkit of ways you can support your mental health,
- your relationship with food
- …and so much more.
You’ll also get access to the fat positive fertility hub which contains lots of additional resources to support you throughout the year. Whilst the modules guide you through the process, the hub acts as a library you can dip in and out of for specific resources including workbooks, meditations and so much more.
Fertility issues are sooo challenging and Nicola was there with information, guidance, support, an advocate’s spirit, a true willingness to do the research and find more answers, and deep deep care. She is exactly who I wanted on my side.
Working with Nicola was the best choice I could have made in terms of fertility.
In the midst of all the ups and downs that was trying to conceive, she was always there for me – whether to congratulate me on a step in the right direction, gently hold me accountable on my goals, encourage me advocate for myself with doctors, help research important topics, or simply be an ear to listen or virtual shoulder to cry on.
I truly don’t know how I could have survived the last year without her unwavering support. And I’m so happy to say that it worked and my husband and I could not be more excited to welcome a new addition to our family in the coming months.
What does it look like?
When you join the program, you get immediate access to all 10 modules in the program and the FAT+ve fertility hub. These resources are all housed online so you’re able to work through them and download everything you need via your computer or phone at any time.
You’ll be added to the private community group.
You’ll get a weekly email on Monday, sharing the scheduled events that are happening that week. These include:
- a monthly check-in that you can fill out in 5 minutes of less. This allows you to see all the incredible progress you are making in support of your well-being and helps you to prioritise what’s important for the week ahead.
- a monthly group coaching call so we can come together to share how we are doing and you can ask questions. There are two calls each month so you can pick which one works best for your timezone and schedule.
- weekly office hours where you can ask me questions and share what is going on for you
Cost: £600 (or 3 installmenst of £200)
Want to pay in a different currency or need a longer payment plan? Send me a quick email [email protected] and we’ll sort it out.
Ready? Here’s what to do next:
If you are ready to join, click the button below. It will take you to a payment page where you can set up your payment.
You’ll get immediate access to the program materials and the community. You’ll also be sent a series of emails guiding you through how everything works.
Got questions? Book in a free 30 minute chat with me to talk about the program here.
What’s stopping you?
This is a BIG investment!
I understand that it can feel uncomfortable to make big investments in our health and wellbeing, especially as fat folks who are told repeatedly by society that we are worth less. I want you to make this decision from a fully informed place, yes this is a big investment AND yes I will be alongside you to support you in every way I can to support you to grow your family. You might also be saving every available penny for fertility treatment, which is totally valid. If you have any questions about whether this is the right program for you, please do send me an email [email protected] I reply to all emails personally.
If it helps you to feel safer, the program comes with a 14 day no questions asked refund policy.
Why should I choose you Nicola?
The honest truth? There is no-one else in the world that is offering this support for fat folks! As a fat woman, I spent years believing I would never be able to have kids due to PCOS and my size. Now, I’m committed to spending my time supporting fat folks growing their families and fighting the systems that stop us.
- I use my coaching skills and empathy to support you where you’re at.
- I use my research skills to create evidence-based resources so that you don’t have to.
- I use my “fuck this shit” skills to teach you how to advocate for your care.
- I use my activism skills to change the system so that future fat folks don’t need to go through this.
But if I just lose X kg, I won’t need this right?
I understand this desire all too well. The myth we’ve been sold that if we just lose the weight, then everything will be ok.
It’s truth time: How many times have you tried to lose Xkg before?
How many times has it worked long term?
The research backs this up. For 95% of folks, diets don’t work long term AND fat folks can and do get pregnant all the time. It’s your body so you absolutely get to choose, but wouldn’t it be nice to stop hating on your body and start treating it with the respect it deserves?
I'm just starting TTC. Is this program for me?
Absolutely. This program will give you all the tools and support you need to grow your family with confidence in your body and the skills you learn will be so helpful throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
I live in the US/Canada/Australia/Europe, is the program UK focused?
The program is designed to support you no matter where you live. We have folks from Canada, US, Australia and the UK in the group right now.
I don’t have the time to commit to this
The amount of time you need to commit to this program depends entirely on what you need and how much support you’d like. You can mix it up every week.
- You can attend the monthly coaching calls and follow the steps we create together moving forward = 2 hours
- You can listen in to the replay of the calls whilst cooking dinner = 1 hour
- You can post in the community through the week with questions you have about what’s going on in your body right now = 30 min
- You can work through a module of the course = 45 min
Nicola offers something that folks who want to get pregnant all need – a doula who walks with you through your entire fertility journey, not only in the delivery room.
With her warmth, wisdom, and wit Nicola has created an experience that brings the humanity back into a space that has been dominated by shame and fear.
From your first conversation with her, it’s so easy to tell that Nicola puts her whole heart and mind into supporting people holistically. She’s that friend you never knew you were missing and now you can’t imagine your journey without her.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your refund policy?
This program comes with a 14 day no questions asked refund policy. No refunds will be accepted after 14 days.
What are the terms of the program?
You have access to the program materials and community group for as long as you choose to be a member.
Refund policy: This program comes with a 14 day no questions asked refund policy when you first join. No refunds will be accepted after 14 days.
A condition of being in the community group is adherence to the rules of the group Being a member of the community group is a privilege not a right. Fatphobia, racism, sexism, misogynistic language, homophobia, ableism, xenophobia, transphobia, etc. will NOT be tolerated. We reserve the right to remove members for breaching the rules. You are not entitled to an extended refund just because you are removed from the group.
I have PCOS/ Endometriosis / Adenomyosis / Hypothalamic Amenhorrea is this program suitable for me?
The skills, tools and community in this program is suitable for folks with all different health conditions.
I'm just starting TTC. Is this program for me?
Absolutely. This program will give you all the tools and support you need to grow your family with confidence in your body and the skills you learn will be so helpful throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
What if I get pregnant during the program?
I designed this program to grow with you. All the skills you learn will be even more relevant throughout your pregnancy.
The design of Nicola’s course has been an immeasurable resource to me in my fertility journey. I had been “stuck” in my fertility journey for over a year and through the written materials and group check-ins, I have a roadmap. I know that when I need to change my route (or maybe just need to fill up my tank), I have a solid support to work with.