Why Relationships Shape Your Mental Health More Than You Think
Workload isn't the full picture. Research shows relationships shape mental health at work more than we realise. Here's what actually moves the needle.
Read morePositive Mental Health
Blog
Real talk on wellbeing, work & life.
Welcome to my little corner of the internet.
Science, stories and relatable imperfection. This is where I share what I know about positive mental health, what I’m learning and how I attempt to weave it into my life.
With a sprinkle of humour, a dash of adventure and a very cheeky cocker spaniel.
Happy Clients:
Latest Positive Psychology Blogs
Why Your Brain Is Working Against You at Work (And How to Work With It Instead)
It's not willpower. It's not you. Your brain is doing exactly what it's designed to do. Here are 3 small shifts to help you work with it.
Read more
Why You Can’t Focus Anymore (Even When It Matters)
It's not a discipline problem. It's an environment problem. Here's why focus feels impossible at work, and 5 simple shifts to rebuild it.
Read more
Workplace Positive Mental Health: Why organisations are shifting their focus
Mental health at work has been in the spotlight for years, yet many organisations still feel stuck. I see professionals every week from workplaces that genuinely say they care about their people but are relying on surface-level initiatives rather than building the systems, skills and culture that actually support wellbeing.…
Read more
Positive Mental Health: Learning to Thrive in a World Set Up for Stress
What Is Positive Mental Health? Positive mental health isn’t taught like maths or science. So, while some people figure it out as they go, for others it can turn into a lifelong struggle. Today I’ll help you unpack what positive mental health really is, why it’s harder than ever and…
Read more
Quick Take – The World Happiness Report 2025
The 2025 edition of the World Happiness Report is out and I love it! It’s produced by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. This year The World Happiness Report focuses on the theme of caring and sharing and their effects…
Read more
Prioritising YOU – The Magic of Self Care
As the holiday season arrives, life often picks up speed. With Christmas approaching, we find ourselves moving faster, juggling more, and prioritising everyone else. Yet, amidst the busy season, it’s easy to forget that self-care isn’t a luxury but a necessity. Think of yourself as a candle—burning brightly, offering warmth…
Read more
Awe: How One Simple Emotion Can Transform Your Busy Life
In his book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, Dacher Keltner delves into the profound impact of awe and its potential to shift our busy, stressed out lives. Whether you’re juggling professional responsibilities, managing a family, balancing multiple commitments, or all of…
Read more
81 and Starting Singing Lessons – Dad’s Musical Adventure
In the last three months, my 81 year old dad has started learning music, and I’ve never seen him more alive. He’s playing the aerophone beautifully, learning to sing, and now tackling the guitar. Watching him embrace this new chapter has been a true inspiration, and it’s a beautiful reminder…
Read more
10 Ways to Shift Workplace Negativity and Improve your Culture
Workplace negativity can spread quickly, dampening morale and productivity. Research from positive psychology shows that a more optimistic environment fosters better well-being, creativity, and engagement. Positive emotions, according to the Broaden-and-Build Theory, expand our capacity to think, learn, and solve problems, helping teams thrive. Here are ten ways to shift…
Read more
Three simple ideas to protect and prioritise your wellbeing – in our messy modern world.
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, protecting and nurturing our mental wellbeing has become more critical than ever. Recently I’ve read three insightful books, “How Modern Media Destroys Our Minds” by The School of Life, “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathon Haidt and “Dopamine Nation” by Ana Lembke. While they have…
Read more
Building Community Wellbeing – A big idea in a little town
In March 2020 I began work on an incredible community wellbeing project. I didn’t know it at the time but staying in Tasmania when covid-19 hit would be a pivotal point in my life and change the lives of many people in the small community of Break O’Day. My…
Read moreBlog Categories
Adventure and fun are core to my positive mental health.
Positive Mental Health Program Feedback
“Jodie was a terrific presenter at our recent Staff Development day. Her enthusiasm and positiveness was well received by all attendees.”
Veronica Macdonald, Uniting Burnside
“Jodie facilitated a wonderful and engaging session for our team, she presented some thought provoking concepts and encouraged us the challenge ourselves as individuals and a team. Thank you Jodie.”
Nicole Ryan, Workplace Investigations. Catholic Education Office
“Working with Jodie over the last two months has been great. I’m feeling much calmer, much more in control and I’m now able to let go to the little things that used to stress me out. I’ve learned lots of simple strategies to improve my life and Jodie helped me to set and achieve meaningful goals, it really is a winning formula.
My mindset has shifted in a positive direction and I’m much happier in general now. I’m excited again about what I can make of my future! Yes, Coaching with Jodie Cooper was a great decision!”
Logan Stojcevski. Project Manager
“Jodie immediately made a friendly and very professional impression on me. When I met Jodie life was starting afresh for me, I had no contacts for my business and no direction as to how to grow my client base and business contacts. At her invitation I embarked on a 6 week program with her and at the end of these sessions I had realised all of my personal and professional goals and am now running a successful bustling Cooking School in our local area.
Jodie stood by me every step of the way, guided me and encouraged me to do the things I would not have had the confidence to do on my own. She kept reinforcing with me my natural abilities and even though I know I would have eventually achieved these successes, I also know I would never have done it in the short space of time without her support. I would recommend Jodie’s’ life coaching program to anyone wishing to expand their possibilities in any area of their lives. Jodie is establishing herself as Illawarra’s leading Life Coach with her simple yet determined guidance, which she hands over with intimate care, precision and clarity.”
Maria Mitzikis, The Food Muse
“I have had the pleasure of attending several executive coaching sessions and public speaking workshops with Jodie.
I am in awe of Jodie’s energy, positiveness, genuine and sincere support and understanding of the key issues that relate to the individual.
I strongly recommend Jodie’s executive coaching skills, advice, skills and current knowledge to those who want a competitive edge.”
Karen Gardner. TAFE NSW
“Jodie is a fantastic mentor and executive coach that can assist you in performing to your potential. Jodie’s approach is personal, professional and supportive. Working with Jodie has been a great advantage for me in improving my leadership skills and developing a valuable team.”
Stacey Corbeski, Brand & Marketing Strategy. Aster Group
“We’d like to thank you for your uplifting and motivational presentation at our Annual Audiometry Conference in Wollongong this year.
Members found it inspirational and thought provoking whilst having a calming effect on their own wellbeing. We would love to have you back to explore more ways to look after our health and wellbeing whilst working in such a hectic environment. Thank you again.”
Tracy Hawes, President. Audiometry Nurses Association of Australia Inc.
“Before meeting Jodie at a one day course she presented, I thought Life Coaching was for people with more dollars than sense. But during the course I felt strongly that Jodie could really help me develop a clear course towards my goals.
Once we got talking about what I wanted out of my career and out of my personal life, Jodie’s insights were a revelation. Life Coaching has shown me how to make important changes in my life and I feel confident about my future for the first time in a long time!”
Rachel Flannery, Copy Wrighter
“Thank you so much for delivering the Developing a Positive Culture workshop with my senior Managers group at Blayney Shire Council. The energy in the room was great and they all have said how productive the afternoon was learning more about themselves as leaders and their communication styles.
A positive and supporting culture in an organisation permeates from the top and you reinforced the message of why personal wellbeing is critical for leaders to manage and supervise a group of people in the workplace. We look forward to having you back again.”
Rebecca Ryan. General Manager, Blayney Shire Council
“Jodie Coopers positive psychology coaching brought insights to myself. It helps in ways that have a lasting impact, I would recommend to anyone.”
Jason Dyer, Owner. Reliable Pest Solutions
“I thought the sessions were great and it made me take time to myself. I really looked forward to going.I have become much more forthright in my communication. I’m not afraid to express what I’m really thinking and I’ve been able to verbalise my feelings better. I think because I understand better exactly what I’m feeling and experiencing I’m better able to put that into words.
I am absolutely able to deal with my challenges differently and better. I still need to work on my self care but I’m a work in progress.
The most beneficial thing about my coaching was being in the moment with myself and focusing on what I need to improve. Thank you Jodie!”
Jennifer Nelson, Manager Community Relations. Care South
“Jodie facilitated a fantastic group session on Rethinking Resilience with our senior leadership team! She worked with us prior to the session to understand our group and to tailor the content and activities to our needs. Leveraging evidence-based approaches and life stories, Jodie provided valuable strategies and elicited feelings of joy, positivity and hope amongst the whole team. Thank you!!”
Emma Barrett, Associate Professor. The Matilda Centre. University of Sydney.
“I have been in business for 39 years and had this thought in my head “What could Jodie possibly teach me? She is so young.” Well I was pleasantly surprised. Jodie not only helped me with my business but also in my personal life. Jodie helped me to understand and handle myself and my relationships better.
I achieve so much more in a day with the simple but effective tools that Jodie has given me. I can now face my fears and just do it. I am so much more organised I have more time and my life is more balanced.
The sessions with Jodie more than met with my expectations and I now have a completely different opinion on Business and Life coaching than I did before. Thank you Jodie Cooper!”
Maralyn Young, Managing Director. Casa Mia
“The Executive Coaching sessions I had with Jodie was money and time well spent. Her expertise & perspective on my business meant we were able to nut out a list of manageable tasks that would increase my business, my data base and my productivity. She gave me the confidence and the motivation to achieve tasks that I previously baulked at. Thank you Jodie for your understanding and insight.”
Maiya Kenny, Healing Steps Wellness Centre
“I am so grateful having met you, I absolutely could not have done it with out your encouragement! You made me realise home truths about myself in a non-judgemental environment and that for me, has been critical as to how I conduct myself through the next phase of life.”
Sarah Tanti, Real Estate Professional
“Jodie was calm and deliberate in her training, and I felt like it was exactly what we all needed to see what a great team we are and how we all fit together so well. The wellbeing side was very important for the team due to the nature of the organisation.”
Workshop Participant, Rare Cancers Australia
“Jodie is a wonderful inspiring leader. Her workshop is delivered in an honest and authentic way, drawing on her own life experiences. Her messages are easy to understand – simple yet powerful. She encourages you to want to bring out the best in others, and gives practical tips how to do that. Best leadership course I have ever done!”
Karen Charlton, Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics. UOW
“I just wanted to say a big thank you for last week. Your presentation resonated so much with me and I loved your message and loved your vibe.”
Anna Price
“The Public Speaking course was not just an exceptional course, it was an exceptional experience. I enjoyed every minute of it! I gained a multitude of new skills and my confidence levels increased ten fold. I went away feeling like I could really capture and engage my audience in a way that I have not done before. Thank you Jodie, I can honestly say that this course was life changing!!”
Tina Hunt. Wollongong Cancer Council
“Attending Jodie’s public speaking course opened up unexpected opportunities. I not only learnt techniques for public speaking, I was able to transfer skills into 1:1 conversations. Jodie made a very daunting course, comfortable and safe environment. Thanks Jodie!”
Sarah Lisle. Speaking with Confidence Participant
