Holistic Coaching For Lasting Anxiety and Stress Relief – Exclusive Interview With Simon Frese

Simon brings a rich background in the creative industries to his work as a certified Life and Breathwork Coach. Integrating Coaching with somatic practices like Breathwork and Meditation, he supports clients through both personal and professional transitions. Simon helps individuals navigate challenges such as anxiety, stress, grief, burnout, dependencies, and relationship dynamics with a grounded, holistic, and spiritual approach.

Passionate about empowering the next generation of creatives, Simon also collaborates with organisations such as St Giles Trust, a charity for at-risk youth, and the Paul Smith Foundation, where he coaches emerging fashion designers and young creatives.

Simon Frese, Transformational Life & Breathwork Coach

What inspired you to start Simon Frese Coaching?

For me, it really began with personal experience. Coaching and periods of therapy helped me through a very dark period in my life. I had a difficult upbringing and struggled with self-confidence for years. To cope, I turned to self-medication, which quickly became a dangerous path.

Eventually, I made the call I had been putting off for far too long and reached out for help. That first coaching session was memorable and initiated a transformation of my life, ending in a place I had not even imagined was possible. It was not a quick fix, but with the continued support of my coach, I was able to rebuild my life from the ground up.

Later, while working as a talent agent, I found that coaching naturally became part of my role. I really enjoyed the nurturing and coaching aspect of being an agent, as it wasn’t just about guiding careers. It extended to helping talents navigate real personal challenges, things like anxiety, bereavement, or illness. That experience showed me how powerful coaching can be, and it inspired me to dedicate myself to it fully.

How would you describe your coaching approach in three words?

My main pillar is my MindBody philosophy. My coaching integrates physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. I am also a certified Breathwork coach and support my clients through various practices, including Meditation, Somatic (body-based) work, and Breathwork, all designed to help them tune into their deeper selves, their essence.

I certainly do not glamorise hardship, but my own experience with life’s challenges allows me to meet others with a felt empathy. One of my innate gifts is a heightened intuition: I often pick up on emotional or energetic imbalances, sometimes even remotely. This intuitive sensitivity enables me to connect deeply and genuinely with those I work with.

Curiosity is the third pillar of my coaching. I am naturally inquisitive, and I bring that energy into every session. I love finding out what makes people tick! I ask thoughtful questions, challenge assumptions, and invite a deep-dive exploration. My curiosity isn’t just intellectual, it’s compassionate and attuned. I am deeply interested in who my clients are beneath the surface: their values, desires, fears, and untapped potential. I am invested, I really want my clients to succeed, grow, find their purpose, and their North Star. 

What common challenges do your clients typically face?

More and more, I see clients, particularly younger generations, struggling with anxiety. With the relentless pressures of work, personal life, and the omnipresent influence of social media, more people are feeling overwhelmed than ever before. Add to that the constant stream of distressing news: from the climate crisis to wars, and economic uncertainty. In many ways, we’re facing an emotional and mental health epidemic.

Another common theme is career and personal transition. Many clients who come to me are at a crossroads. They are feeling unfulfilled or burnt out and seeking something more meaningful. There’s a growing desire to move away from purely money-driven careers and towards work that feels purposeful, that aligns with their values, their communities, and sustainability. I find it incredibly rewarding to support people in navigating those shifts.

How do you measure success with your coaching clients?

I think coaching has evolved and is moving beyond the classic goal-, success-, and outcome-focused approach. I also believe people are beginning to realise that there are no quick fixes, despite what Instagram proclaims (“3 tips to stop anxiety once and for all,” “5 tips to combat stress,” etc.). I'm not devaluing this advice; it can be helpful, but in many cases, people don’t find lasting relief because these solutions don’t address the underlying roots of the issue. Without solving these, you will soon find yourself again in square 1. 

What sets your coaching services apart from others in the industry?

What truly sets my coaching apart is the holistic, mind-body approach I bring into every session. I'm certified both as a Life Coach and a Breathwork Coach, and I believe transformation happens not just in the mind, but through the body as well.

Many traditional coaching models focus heavily on cognitive tools like NLP or thought reframing, which are incredibly valuable, but they sometimes overlook the body's role in holding onto stress, trauma, and limiting beliefs. My work integrates somatic practices, especially Breathwork, to help clients access and release what words alone often can't reach.

The body tells a story sometimes more honestly than our thoughts do. We're seeing a growing awareness of this through the popularity of books like The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk and The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Maté. My approach honours that wisdom. It's grounded in science-based techniques, and it’s all about helping people come home to themselves in a safe, embodied way.

I also make a point to bridge the gap between holistic practices and grounded coaching methods. My goal is to demystify healing tools like Breathwork; there's nothing “woo-woo” about helping your nervous system regulate or releasing long-held emotional patterns from the body. It’s powerful work, and it’s incredibly rewarding to witness the breakthroughs that happen when we bring the whole self, mind, body, and breath into the process.

Some clients are surprised at how different they feel after the session. Coaching can sometimes stir up overwhelm, especially when becoming aware of the many issues that need solutions. But with the integration of Breathwork or meditation either at the start or the close of a session, clients often leave feeling grounded, calm, and recharged. It creates space not just for clarity but also puts things in perspective.

Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.

A visit to the ground-breaking healing retreats Kamalaya in Thailand and Vana in India was truly life-changing for me and completely shifted the direction of my coaching practice. Listening to some of the resident spiritual mentors and learning various meditation techniques, I had the chance to learn from some of the world’s most gifted meditation and breathwork teachers, whose practice is rooted in ancient wisdom and traditions.

It was during this time that I realized I wanted to take my coaching beyond the classic goal-based, transactional style. I wanted to help my clients dive much deeper and guide them toward genuine transformation, not just temporary relief, helping them create new paradigms and a meaningful vision for their lives.

These experiences have shaped the way I coach today.

What advice would you give to someone considering coaching for the first time?

I would say start by doing some research, but ultimately trust your intuition when choosing a coach. It’s often not just about an impressive resume but personal connection and chemistry. That’s where real transformation begins.

And my biggest advice? Don’t wait. I’ve personally regretted not making that call sooner, because I kept coming up with excuses to delay. If you feel ready, take the step now; it can change everything.

If you needed a sign, this is it.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!

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