Our Impact

Linz Herbert

My 9yo Daughter and I attended an emotions seminar with Natalie and both found it very informative. As much as it is mainly directed at the children it has definitely made me realise just how deep and vast the world of emotions really is. As soon as the seminar finished my daughter turned and asked if we could attend the level 2 seminar as she had enjoyed it and found it helpful.

Having been through a tough year she has been holding back but has now realised that talking is more helpful. I think these seminars are perfect as they incorporate fun interaction getting the children to open up in a relaxed & safe environment. Teagan and I are looking forward to the next level.

Elise Taylor

I cannot recommend the L1 Emotions enough! Both I and my 7yo thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and both took plenty away with us. I’ve already used some of the knowledge by letting my 4yo know feeling angry is okay. My 7yo was quite shy in the workshop but still got involved and we both can’t wait for the second one!

From 7yo: “It was fantastic! I learned it’s okay to feel emotions.

Willow Hood

Before working with Mrs Bryden my daughter Willow struggled with her confidence and separation anxiety. Since working with Natalie she has blossomed. Willow is supremely confident in all aspects of her life. She manages issues that come up at home, at school, with family and friends with resilience, but importantly without denying the emotions that issues raise for her.

She knows how to navigate what are sometimes difficult choices for children when it comes to friends, she sticks up and advocates for herself and for others. She still has separation anxiety sometimes but no longer lets it get the better of her. It is something she feels but can manage.

As parents I think we can sometimes be resistant to getting help or support. I thought that I was the only one able to and best placed to help and support my daughter through the difficulties she was facing. I am so glad I chose Mrs Bryden to work with Willow and be a role model for her.

Natalie has a unique gift with children. Being able to command absolute respect while being kind, fun and firm all at the same time. She shows respect for children as children so doesn’t expect wisdom or behaviour that is beyond their years while not patronising them either. Children want to earn her respect she is an exceptional role model.

I’ve learned a lot from watching and talking to Natalie about parenting and life in general but most of all it’s been wonderful watching Willow come into her own as a result of working with her. Thank you so much Mrs Bryden, we are so grateful for everything you have done for us.

Natalie high-fiving child she has coached

Steph McMenemy

My earliest memories of My Aunt are cloudy but clear. I must have been around the age of 5, she had her now old style mini - Bluebell parked outside of my Mum and Dads house with all of her teddy’s lining the back window, ready to take me into town for a walk around. As a Five year old girl, obviously all I wanted to do was to take the teddy’s on our adventure with us! Of course I was always allowed to pick one to take on our travels. Inevitably said teddy ended up on the floor in a shop abandoned when I had found something else that interested me more. Leaving Nat carrying around teddy until we returned to Bluebell the mini.

Or the many times she let me eat the dreaded marmite on toast, giving her a small taste, even though it was the most ghastly food for her to have anywhere near her lips let alone taste.

The point of those small story’s is that, even from as young as I can remember Nat has always supported my decisions, let me choose my way and always supported me. In later years she became my confidant. Throughout the teenage stages of my life, when the world sat heavy on my shoulders. She often offered me an outlet to express how I felt without judgement. Helping me recognise and regulate my emotions, guiding and making me a big part of the adult I am today. Even right up to the present day at a few years shy of a 30 year old woman I always know that if I need to talk to Nat about anything at all her ears are always open. That brings me to my girls, they are just young ladies starting out in the world but the impact she has already had on them is huge, my eldest especially.

At 5 she already looks up to “her Nat” not only as a leader but as someone she can feel incredibly safe around. The look I see in my daughters eyes when she looks at Nat throws me back to when I was her age. It’s how I remember feeling all those years ago. Safe, loved, heard and understood.

I know that Nat will continue to do great work with children and young adults because I know how amazing she has been and continues to be with myself and my children.There will never be enough words to describe the impact she has had and does have on my life. I am incredibly lucky to be able to call her family.

The Suttons

Our three children started their martial arts journey five years ago and Mrs Bryden has been there for them on every step of their journey.

She has helped them grow in confidence, taking the time to know their individual strengths and weaknesses. Our eldest son has special needs and Mrs Bryden has been pivotal helping us help him to learn to control his anxiety and be comfortable being an individual who just thinks a little differently. She has helped shape his ability to control his emotions and understanding so much so that now he is able to test himself in challenging environments and situations knowing he has the strength and resilience to deal with them.

As a family we are so happy to have had the pleasure of having Natalie Bryden help us.

Becky Paris

When I first met Natalie, I was in an extremely bad place and was relying on alcohol and drugs to get through my life, I was suicidal and fresh out of hospital and I decided that before I closed the book on life, It was worth trying to turn the page as I had nothing to lose anymore.

I messaged a few Martial Arts clubs in the area as it was something I had wanted to do my whole life, a few messaged me back but I felt drawn to the club that Natalie worked at because she made me feel so welcome, the other clubs just told me to come and join in but my anxiety wouldn’t allow it! However Natalie invited me to meet privately face to face and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Most people looked past me or looked down on me, I was very unwell, underweight and withdrawing from hard drugs, I felt I could be very open and honest with Natalie and she made me feel so welcome, She looked past my vices and my troubled past and treated me like a real human being and reassured me and supported me every step of the way and got me onto the mats the next day, even though there were 20/30 people in the room Natalie honestly made me feel like I was the only person in the room and showed me incredible compassion and kindness.

I fell in love with Martial Arts and stayed at the club for several years, I have Autism and ADHD and at the time I was unmedicated and getting no help, I had previously masked this and got through situations by using drugs and drinking but because I was now clean and sober I was not coping well and I had developed a serious anxiety disorder which stopped me from doing so many things, however Natalie saw potential in me and fought for my corner and said she thought I could be an instructor one day, I was blown away as I struggled to even say hello to people let alone stand up in front of a room of people and speak! The thought of it terrified me but the fact Natalie advocated for me and had faith in me helped me get through hundred of hours of instructor training with her supporting me every step of the way. I eventually qualified as an instructor and was standing in front of a room of people instructing them, I never dreamed in a million years that I could have the confidence to even speak in front of people yet alone teach!

The support and guidance that Natalie gave me went well beyond her role and she helped me in countless situations in and out of work and was always there for me, I felt very alone in the world when I first met Natalie I had just gone through a bad breakup, But Natalie proved to me that sometimes in life all you need in someone in your corner supporting you.

I went through the absolute worst time of my life with Natalie there for me every step of the way, I genuinely believe to this day that if I hadn’t messaged her that night I would not still be here today.

Natalie goes above and beyond and makes every person feel as if they are the most important person in the room – She is a fantastic mentor and a real role model, she taught me life skills that I use every day and all the training and help she provided I’ve carried with me every step of the way.

I will forever be grateful to her for taking a chance on me and seeing the potential in me rather than the problems, I can honestly say that she changed my life and I will always treasure all the time that we spent together and will always hold her in high regard – she has a very special place in my heart that I will carry through life. Thank you for taking a chance on me and thank you for everything you’ve done for me Natalie you are one in a million!