Meet the team
The Body Retreat was founded by Julie Brealy & Juls Abernethy in 2010 and is the only health and wellbeing retreat that is run exclusively by women for women. All our team are handpicked not only for their impressive qualifications and professional experience of women’s health but also because they are real, down to earth women just like us.
Julie is the engine that runs The Body Retreat. As well as designing, delivering and managing he Movement element of all The Body Retreat Programmes Julie is in charge of all administration and operations. It is very likely that Julie will be the person who answers your call back request, she knows the business inside and out and can answer your questions.
Julie is a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, Weight Management & Obesity Specialist, Level 4 Personal Trainer, Level 4 Master Kettlebell Trainer, Running & Sports Coach, Olympic Lifting Coach and was premier designer of some of the top UK weight loss bootcamps before The Body Retreat, you can be confident you are in very good hands.
Julie has worked and studied health and fitness for over 20 years and what sets Julie apart from other trainers is her down to earth attitude and incredible techniques to inspire everyone she works with to reach goals they never thought possible. Julie’s programmes ensure that you see and feel results quickly while at the same time building a strong foundation for your future health.
Julie’s personal passion for fitness has seen her seek out the best national and international coaches and trainers to continually develop her own skills and knowledge and these are passed on to you though her dynamic and down to earth style of training.
Julie left behind a sporting career after being told she needed double knee replacement surgery. She declined surgery and threw herself into learning about rehabilitation and sports therapy, to date, without the surgeries Julie has gone on to complete 3 ultra marathons, 10 marathons and over 35 half marathons around the world, it’s no surprise Julies personal Motto is “Never Say Never”
With an insatiable thirst for knowledge Juls keeps us at the forefront of Women’s Wellness. There is a wealth of nutritional and health information available on the Internet which is at times conflicting, overwhelming and difficult to navigate. Juls down to earth and entertaining classes and workshops seeks to cut through the noise and provide real practical solutions that are easy to impliment.
Before The Body Retreat Juls had a varied professional career, from Catering & Hospitality Management to HR & Training Director. It was during her HR career that Juls began her studies in Neuro Linguistic Programming to Master level, going on to study Clinical Hypnotherapy & Applied Psychology at the University of West London and now specialises in women’s well being, weight management, stress and sleep.
Having suffered from Burnout Juls is passionate about helping other women recognise the signs and symptoms and understand how they can help themselves to better manage stress in their daily lives.
As well as managing the behaviour programme for The Body Retreat Juls began to develop her skill and training in food and nutrition and has trained at one of the UK’s leading cookery schools and oversees the kitchens on retreat.
In her free time Juls loves to be outdoors, walking, cycling but especially cold water swimming of which she is so evangelical that it makes random appearances into Retreat programmes.
Kate graduated with a first class honours degree in Nutritional Therapy at the University of Westminster and is fully registered with the British Association for Applied Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy, the Nutritional Therapy Council and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
Kate specialises in working with people who have high levels of stress, She runs clinics in west London focusing on weight loss and sports performance. Kate’s approach is friendly, practical,calm and she provides realistic recommendations. Above all her first priority is to inspire people to make more healthful food choices and be interested in food and the part it plays in health.
Kate enjoys outdoor events including triathlons, running and trekking.
Dr Monica is an experienced Consultant in sexual health and menopause care,
with over 25 years of experience working in the NHS and private practice.
Gaining Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 1998, becoming a specialist sexual health NHS
consultant in 2010. In addition to standard medical and academic
training Dr Monica also gained a postgraduate MD at University of London in
Immunology.
Preferring an integrative medicine approach, using
lifestyle changes and the latest innovations in hormone therapies and
nutritional support that can bring a holistic approach to health. Dr Monica is
passionate about finding the most impactful approach for women to thrive
through the mid-life transitions in a way that is empowering and
transformative.
Professional Qualifications: MD FRCP (UK) DipGUM DipFSRH AFMCP (UK)
Originally from the Netherlands, Renate has been traveling the world and lived in 4 different countries before settling in London with her Brazilian husband. It was there were their two children were born. After 18 years of working in the corporate world as a communication and project manager, she started a Masters in Psychology at University of East London (which she will complete in the summer of 2025) in search of a career switch. She is passionate about helping and healing people.
Renate joined our team in May 2023 and works on ‘all things behind the scenes’ at The Body Retreat, mostly assisting Julie with admin related requests.
Fleur is a Master Baker and chef and you will see her in the retreat kitchen prepping and testing recipes. Previously ran her own wood-fired bakery producing sourdough breads and vienoisserie. Fleur is passionate about creating better relationships between food producers and consumers. She believes eating seasonally, using organic where possible and building relationships with small local producers can help us work towards a more sustainable future. Fleur enjoys testing and developing recipes balancing nutrition and flavour and experimenting with the seasons.
As well as spending her days off cooking and eating with family and friends, Fleur loves to be in nature and enjoys walks, foraging and swimming outdoors when the weather is nice.
Tam gained her first massage qualification in Swedish massage in 1993 and since then has gone on to gain qualifications in Sports Therapy, Clinical Aromatherapy, Stone Therapy and Remedial Massage. Tam has continued her professional development and in 20204 studied Thai Table Massage Stretch.
Tam has been been in practice for over 20 years. She became interested in massage whilst taking an evening class in aromatherapy, and found that she had an aptitude and love for helping people stay mobile and active.
In her spare time she loves to read, preferably on a beach. Loves salt and freshwater wild swimming, and walking on Dartmoor. Tam also rows and cox gig boats, and takes part in Regattas around the coast. Tam has a 5 year old daughter who also loves the sea.
Tam has 2 black cats, (one aloof, one cuddly) and would love a dog someday.
Nadiya has been teaching yoga for twelve years. Her approach combines somatic movement, mindfulness, gentle hatha, yin and restorative yoga to support anyone who wants to make space and time to breathe deeply, reconnect with their body and settle their mind. As a certified yoga therapist, and currently training in Somatic Coaching, Nadiya specialises in trauma-informed yoga therapy for women seeking body-based, therapeutic practices to support them in shifting from stressed, anxious and in chronic pain to rested and restored.
In her leisure time, she enjoys riding her bike, gardening, and taking a dip in the sea, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Ozzie. Her passion for movement and creativity is influenced by her background in dance, design and photography.
After a career in the NHS as a Registered General and Registered Mental Nurse, and many years as a Health Visitor, Kathy qualified as a Level 3 Pilates Teacher with one of the worlds top Pilates schools; Body Control Pilates and has gone on to gain qualifications in bone health, hypermobility, pre and post natal Pilates, small equipment pilates and most recently pilates and the menopause. Kathy is currently training to become a Hypopressives teachers, an exciting professional development, with many health benefits, including pelvic floor health. Kathy loves her work and is very committed to sharing her knowledge and enabling clients to reach their full potential through Pilates.
Always been interested in health and wellbeing loving most forms of exercise in particular beautiful long country walks and sea swims. Kathy has three grown up children and three beautiful granddaughters and shares her home with husband and joyous little Sporting Lucas Terrier, Maggie.
Sarah has many years experience as an exercise to music instructor and level 3 swim teacher. An all round instructor Sarah is also qualified in aqua fit, kettlebells, spinning, Pilates, and yoga her passion is helping women to find the exercise that best suits them.
Sarah has 2 daughters, both of whom have followed her love of fitness and both are trainers now themselves, not to mention 4 grandchildren which keep her very busy. In her spare time Sarah likes to keep fit as you would imagine, walking her dogs and loves camping.
Devon born and bred, Sharon lives in the South Hams, just outside of Modbury, with husband, Andy, and two dogs, Colin and Bill.
After working for nearly 40 years for a large corporate company, leading on learning and Development, and more recently HR, Sharon was delighted to be able to retire early and spend time doing the things shes loves, like sewing ( Sharon makes our gift bags) and walking – although obviously not at the same time !
Sharon helps Julie with client correspondence and Juls with social media admin, Sharon alsos supports our Body Breakthrough clients on and off retreat, inspiring them with her own weight loss journey.
With a background in dance and fitness and a BA in Performing Arts, Slyv currently teaches PE and Dance at Secondary School but her love of fitness means that in her spare time Slyv loves to join us on Retreat and share her motivating and fun classes, you cannot help but smile in Slyv's classes.
Slyv is also a mama to her young son JJ who is her world and keeps her on her toes!! When not teaching Slyv loves travelling and conquering new challenges in life!
Janet had a very successful career in teaching and teacher education at UCL in London, she decided to combine her two passions of Pilates and teaching and thus qualified with BASI as a Level 3 Pilates Mat Teacher in 2020. Since qualifying, Janet has undertaken many professional courses to deepen her knowledge and understanding in many areas including spinal conditions and injuries, the pelvic floor, hypermobility, breathing and injuries and conditions that affect the hip, neck, and shoulder. She has really enjoyed using all her experience in research, teaching and learning to plan lessons that are customised to meet the needs of the individuals in the class but also challenging, motivating and fun. Teaching Pilates is such a rewarding career and Janet has thoroughly enjoyed helping people get out of pain and supporting them to move freely and increase their general strength and flexibility.
KettleBella “Bootcamp” Brealy or Bella for short.
My main role at The Body Retreat is motivation and distraction. It is true that I do spend an awful lot of time sleeping under the Retreat desk, but I also earn my keep and work at the retreats. Mostly you will see me on walks, where anyone struggling to make it to the top of a hill is welcome to hang on to my lead and Im sure to get you there.
Despite being named after the Kettlebell… I’m not yet taken with them. In my spare time I like playing catch, eating socks, chasing birds and running in puddles. The simple pleasures in life.
Bailey "Barbell" Brealy
My main role at The Body Retreat is to step in when a Retreater is missing their pooch at home and I can fill in as surrogate, for cuddles and petting which I hear is good for the feel good hormones. Mostly you will see me on walks, I am sure to take your mind of the hills that Julie is so fond of, just keep your eyes on me, I will show you the way to the top.
It has been said that I'm not as well trained as Top Dog Bella but I do my best, I'm still only little, I will get there.
