Katinka Blackford Newman
LIFE COACH, PERSONAL TRAINER, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
MENTAL FITNESS COACH
KBN Life Coaching
Hi, I’m Katinka
My purpose is to help high functioning, mid-life professionals navigate anxiety and become unstoppable in the face of any challenges by becoming mentally fit.
I know from personal experience that even for the most successful, driven and confident people, life’s challenges can bring about feelings of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, perfectionism and being overwhelmed. They don’t have to.
Let’s begin this journey together.
In 2012 I was a successful, award winning documentary film director travelling around the world making films for BBC TV, Discovery and National Geographic. I juggled this with being a mum and thought I could manage any situation. But the prospect of divorce left me anxious and overwhelmed. I couldn't see a way forward and had terrible insomnia. I went to my doctor for sleeping tablets and instead he gave me an antidepressant.
It didn’t work out well for me and this led me on a journey to discover that for many, “happy pills” can cause more problems than they solve.
I wrote a best selling book about my experience 'The Pill That Steals Lives: One Woman's Terrifying Journey to Discover the Truth About Antidepressants', and shared my story on TV, radio and in national newspapers.
I became an expert in the side effects of mental health medication and now write regularly for the Daily Mail Good Health section on this subject and speak publicly around the world.
Knowing medication can cause problems for so many, I decided to look for alternatives. I realised the importance of diet and exercise in boosting mental health and I qualified as a personal trainer.
I immersed myself in self-development and discovered that the anxiety and negativity that had held me back in so many areas of my life were caused by my thoughts.
I trained myself to develop a new mindset which meant I let go of catastrophic thinking and so I became calmer, took more risks and bust through my fears to achieve goals I never thought possible. My thinking has gone from self-critical to self compassionate and I’m grateful I had those sleepless nights, anxious thoughts and hospitalisation because it has led me to a life I love.
The final stage of my journey was qualifying to become a full time life coach and I’m now mentally and physically fitter than I’ve ever been .
I’ve now helped clients with a range of mid-life challenges including divorce, dating, developing positive habits, career change, emotional eating, retirement, burnout or general anxiety about “what’s next?”.
I’m here to help you get through challenging circumstances with skills not pills.
By the end, you’ll feel calm, confident, and in control—ready to face challenges with clarity and purpose. This is your chance to take charge and create the balanced, fulfilling life you deserve.
Let’s do this!
