Many of us spend years feeling dissatisfied with our bodies, trying to change them through rigid food tracking or relentless gym routines. This cycle of guilt, restrictions, and self-criticism dims our joy, saps our vitality, and holds us back from truly living. In this Q&A, certified Nutrition and Body Image Coach Gaelle Millard shares how her approach empowers adults and young people to make peace with food and their bodies, breaking free from disordered eating for a richer, fuller life.
Q: Gaelle, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
A: Growing up, I watched my mom struggle with her body image, and I internalized that thinness equaled worth, leading me to diets and eating disorders that left me miserable. This went on in the background for many years: while on the surface I had a successful career and a happy family life, inside I was still struggling. My turning point came when my 6-year-old daughter asked, “Mummy, am I fat?”, a moment that showed me how my unhealthy body image was starting to impact her as well. That inspired my journey to make peace with my body and food.
I left my career in engineering to pursue training in nutrition and body image. As a certified coach, I’m now able to blend personal insight with evidence-based expertise to guide people, parents especially, toward healthier and happier lives, rediscovering joy in eating and true confidence.
Q: What drives your work as a Nutrition and Body Image Coach?
A: I’m driven by a mission to help adults and young people overcome disordered eating behaviors rooted in negative body image, which often go unrecognized but quietly erode daily energy, relationships, and self-worth. Patterns like skipping meals, emotional eating, or constant self-criticism don’t just limit your ability to live fully, they affect your gut health, your ability to lose weight sustainably, and your capacity to balance your hormones.
Many don’t see these as urgent issues, but the longer they’re ignored, the more they fuel inflammation and imbalance. Acting now, with practical tools and compassionate support, can break these cycles and help you feel better, in your body and in your life.
Q: What techniques do you use to improve body and food confidence?
A: My approach begins with awareness: guiding clients to recognize the negative thoughts and behaviors, like food guilt or body checking, that quietly shape their day. Together, we explore what purpose these habits serve, whether it’s about seeking control, avoiding discomfort, or reacting to stress.
Then we start to shift, gently. Through small, manageable steps like intuitive eating practices, positive self-talk, or reframing movement as a form of self-care instead of punishment, clients begin to rebuild trust in their bodies. These strategies often help reduce inflammation, gain energy, and make it easier to adopt nourishing habits without guilt or restriction.
Q: How does your work complement MyAuthentikSpoon’s approach?
A: My coaching aligns seamlessly with MyAuthentikSpoon’s mission to guide people toward balance and vitality through nutrition and lifestyle. I bring specialized body image coaching to complement their holistic approach, addressing the emotional and psychological barriers that often go overlooked.
It’s not uncommon for someone to eat all the “right” anti-inflammatory foods for weight loss or detox and exercise regularly, yet still feel frustrated or stuck because of how they see themselves. When we work on those deeper beliefs and create a more accepting mindset, it becomes easier to stick to nourishing routines and sustain long-term results.
Q: How has living in Dubai shaped your perspective?
A: Having lived in Dubai with my family for over two years, I’ve seen how the city’s fast-paced, appearance-focused culture can amplify body image concerns, especially among expats juggling high expectations. At the same time, Dubai is a place of opportunity and openness. Many people here are ready to take ownership of their well-being, but they need a space to step back, reconnect with themselves, and find their own path to health.
My work offers that space: non-judgmental and supportive. It’s about helping individuals and families restore balance and joy in the middle of busy lives.
Q: What’s your vision for the future?
A: I envision a world where people no longer feel at war with their bodies, where food isn’t a source of stress, and where the drive to lose weight doesn’t eclipse the need to feel well and alive. Through coaching, workshops, and community events, I want to help more people shift from shame to self-care, from restriction to resilience.
My Embrace Your Body programme, available through MyAuthentikSpoon, is a gentle but powerful place to begin that transformation.
Q: Can you share a favorite beauty tip?
A: Absolutely! But first let’s bust a myth: working on your body image doesn’t mean letting yourself go. It’s the opposite! Improving your body image channels your energy into honoring and beautifying the body you have, from a place of love and respect, not external standards.
For me, nothing beats the glow of healthy skin! My go-to nutrition tip for radiant skin is omega-3 fatty acids, essential fats your body can’t make. They strengthen your skin’s lipid barrier for plump, hydrated skin and reduce inflammation to calm redness or issues like eczema and acne.
Stock up on S.M.A.S.H. fish: salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring, 2–3 times a week, or sprinkle plant-based omega-3s like chia seeds, flaxseeds, or walnuts into smoothies, yogurt, or porridge daily to nourish your skin with healthy fats and fiber. They support gut health and hormone balance too, which reflects in your energy, digestion, and even your mood.
An invitation to reconnect with your body
If this conversation resonated with you, if you’ve ever felt weighed down by guilt, confused by conflicting advice, or just tired of chasing the “ideal” body, know that you’re not alone.
There’s a gentler, more nourishing way to feel better in your skin, support your well-being, and live with more ease.
Gaelle’s Embrace Your Body, Nourish Your Life coaching program is designed for exactly this. Through three 1:1 sessions, you’ll explore what’s been holding you back, learn tools for intuitive eating and body acceptance, and begin creating a lifestyle that truly supports your energy, your health, and your joy.
💬 “It was a real turning point for me,” said Laura D., “Today, I feel calmer, more confident, and better equipped to handle emotional eating thanks to Gaelle’s practical advice and tools.”
You don’t have to fix everything all at once. But you can take the first step.
👉 Learn more about Embrace Your Body, Nourish Your Life
And begin your journey toward a more confident, balanced, and peaceful version of you.
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About the author
Meet Nabil, the co-founder and COO of MyAuthentikSpoon, an online plateform dedicated to helping people make better food choices for stronger wellbeing. If you’re ready to tackle wellness with a fresh perspective, schedule a complimentary private consultation with our expert naturopathic coach to receive personalised dietary insights and weight management strategies. This is your opportunity to have your questions answered and to learn how to incorporate the food choices into your lifestyle and achieve a better wellbeing.
