Steph Boniface
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I'm terrible at small talk and would rather want to dive straight into sharing our life stories. So here's one of my defining stories. I've been on a journey of getting to know myself since I decided to leave the religion I was raised in at 18. It was the hardest and best thing I've ever done. The religion was so deep-set into every part of my life; what I wore, what I ate, what I watched, my political opinions, and what I thought life was about. To go against what I'd spent my whole life believing was so intense and scary, but it taught me to actively question where my beliefs and values come from. It has made me more adaptable and open-minded and less judgemental and reactive.
What are 3 things you are passionate about & why?
1. Self growth. I believe the best gift we can give to ourselves, our loved ones and the world is to know who we are. The more I understand myself the better my relationships become, the less reactive I become, and the better I take care of myself.
2. Rejecting diet culture. Studying to be a Dietitian really opened my eyes to the huge harms the diet industry causes, and I'm really passionate about helping people stop wasting precious time, stress and energy in trying to change our appearance and instead put this energy into things that light us up.
3. Talking about 'taboo' topics. I think we inherit shame about topics like sex & periods through silence from our
How did you get into health coaching, pilates & dietetics?
I started studying Dietetics first because food was the only thing I could think of enjoying studying for four years!
I decided to do my Pilates teacher training in my third and most difficult year of University which was probably this busiest time of my life - but I don't regret it for a second. I love Pilates so much but it was getting too expensive for a poor Uni student, so I thought, why not get paid to do what I love instead!
I started my Women's Health Coaching course last year because I wanted to expand on my Dietetic skills and move into coaching women to improve their relationship to food and their bodies. I really love that health coaching is about helping a client to forge their own path as they are truly the expert on their life, as opposed to the typical health professional style of giving recommendations.
What inspires you?
People who are both kind and honest.
If you could give any advice to your younger self, what would you say to her?
Trust yourself. Get a menstrual cup. You don't need to shrink yourself to be loved.
Why did you create femme.gc?
I was sitting on this idea for a long time while I was doing a maternity contract in Hervey Bay. Being away from my incredible group of girlfriends really made me appreciate how having a supportive community can really improve your life. I wanted to do something creative that my friends could be apart of, and I also wanted to start networking and building a community of professionals and artists who are also passionate about supporting and empowering women so I could confidently refer my clients to the right people. I wasn't really sure if I'd be able to do it as I can be quite introverted, but the support from my friends has been so overwhelming and having them as part of the project
What does the world need more of?
Emotional literacy. I believe that understanding, owning and giving yourself permission to actually feel your emotions is so healing.
Tell us something that made you smile recently
Chocolate