Marilu Hayes

WhatsApp Image 2025-02-15 at 18.37_edite

Health and wellbeing coach

S2: E7

Marilu Hayes has an MSc in Consumer Psychology and has done multiple courses in Medical Neuroscience, Counselling, and Health and Nutrition. She is a metabolic health coach and behaviour change specialist focusing on trauma, ADHD, Autism, substance misuse/abuse, anxiety, depression, phobias, restorative practice, metabolic, gut and brain health and chronic health conditions. Marilu is a registered member of the UK International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA) Her aim is helping you reach your goals through personalised and sustainable strategies and support. She has a holistic approach focusing on the body-mind connection to promote lasting wellness. She has a passion to help people and is also a volunteer with AVP Britain, a violence prevention charity, and Shout, a suicide and self harming prevention charity. Marilu is also a podcast host on her podcast Facets with Marilu. Marilu is also currently working on a book exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences. She aspiring to make her mark in the field of psychology.

1. What is your field of study?

My field of study is behavioural science, but I am currently veering into the clinical psychology field with a focus on the influence of metabolic health and nutrition on mental health.

2. What made you decide to go in this direction?

I have always been interested in human behaviour and have always had a passion to work with and help people. Some personal struggles with chronic health conditions and mental health lead me to do more research about my conditions and the influence of nutrition on our mental and metabolic health.

3. How would you say the study of Psychology and Social Science connects with writing characters for one's novel?

Psychology is often seen as a social science as it is not an “exact science”. It’s not like physics where you can put something in a vacuum and test the outcome. There are many variables when it comes to humans and this often complicates things. I think the same applies to characters, you can start writing a character and have an idea in your head about how that character will act and react but it can often take a different direction once you start writing. We often draw from experiences when we write, whether that is social, personal or environmental, and that can strongly influence the way a character is written.

4. What is the difference between mental health and personality disorders and can an author successfully incorporate it into their novels?

Mental health is the broader term used to describe the health of your mind. Personality disorders fall under mental health and usually consist of someone that has difficulty relating to themselves and others as well as struggling to cope with day-to-day life.

5. Have you thought of writing a book about your research and experience?

That is a very good question, I am actually currently writing a book on Adverse Childhood experiences.

6. Are there any other social media links, websites, or other places to learn about you that we should add?

7. Are you part of any communities?

I am a member of the UK & International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA)

8. If you could give any advice to a writer/author who wants to implement mental health and psychology into their characters, what would it be?

Do your research, but not on TikTok. Also don’t try to write characters with severe or loads of mental health conditions otherwise it becomes messy and very complicated.