Welcome to Thrive
About Gay
Health Coach · Guide · Thrive
Hi, I'm Gay Rutherford.
For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by what helps people feel truly well. Not just free from illness, but full of energy, purpose and joy. That curiosity has shaped my entire life.
Over the years I've studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Therapeutic Massage, Counselling, Tisserand Aromatherapy, and Health Coaching. Every qualification has added another piece to the puzzle, but the greatest teacher has been life itself.
Seven years ago, my own health took an unexpected turn when I experienced heart failure. I was faced with difficult news and uncertain outcomes, but instead of giving up, I leaned on everything I had spent decades learning about nutrition, lifestyle, stress, mindset and the body's remarkable ability to respond to positive change.
Working alongside my medical care, I made gradual but meaningful lifestyle changes that helped me regain my strength and return to doing the things I loved, including walking the hills that have always brought me peace.
Then life reminded me of something I now share openly with my clients. Wellness isn't a destination you reach once and keep forever. It's something we choose, day after day. Like many people, I drifted back into old habits. Earlier this year my health declined again, and I found myself rebuilding once more. That experience reinforced something I have always believed: every day is an opportunity to begin again, no matter your age or where you're starting from.
That is why I created Tired to Thriving.
I don't believe in guilt, perfection or impossible health plans. I believe in practical, sustainable changes that fit into real life. Small steps that build confidence, restore energy and help you feel more in control of your health.
Whether you're living with heart failure, feeling constantly exhausted, or simply know you could feel better than you do now, my role isn't to tell you what you're doing wrong. It's to walk alongside you with compassion, experience and encouragement while helping you discover what works for your body and your life.
Everything I teach is grounded in years of study, supported by current evidence, and shaped by my own journey. I understand how overwhelming it can feel to lose your health, but I also know how empowering it is to take it back, one step at a time.
My hope is simple: to help you move from surviving to thriving, with the knowledge, confidence and support to create lasting change.
Gay's Credentials & Training
Gay is a registered Health Coach with HCANZA — Health Coaches Australia & New Zealand
- Nutrition (T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, Cornell University)
- Lifestyle Medicine (American College of Lifestyle Medicine)
- Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture (Christchurch College of Natural Medicine - trained by Chinese tutors)
- Holistic Therapies including Therapeutic Massage, Tisserand Aromatherapy and Counselling (Christchurch College of Natural Medicine)
- Health Coaching (PreKure)
Gay has appeared on TV One discussing the relationship between Tisserand Aromatherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
How Can We Help?
Our work together is about transforming those 'off' feelings into moments of clarity and calm. We'll help you notice the signals your body is sending—the tension, the heaviness, the restlessness—and understand how they're affecting your thoughts and actions. Together, we'll explore what's really going on beneath the surface and help you shape the next chapter of your life with intention and peace.
Your Heart Holds the Key to a Worry-Free Future
Your heart is your life force. It's where calm is created and where intuitive wisdom lives. When you learn to listen to it, everything changes. You stop living in reaction mode and start living with purpose. You move from anxiety to clarity, from overwhelm to peace, from disconnection to deep alignment with yourself.
"We want every session to feel supportive, aligned, and genuinely helpful, because this work is built on trust, care, and real results for the long term — not quick fixes or guesswork."
Testimonials
Hear from people who have transformed their relationship with their heart and reclaimed their vitality.