What is Mind Body Training? A SIMPLE guide
- Coach Alan
- Dec 14, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 27
What is mind-body training?
Well, it depends on who you ask. To me, mind-body training is the integration of mental and physical practices to enhance overall wellbeing: improving how you think, move, and live.
At Mind Body Training, I help clients develop both aspects, the mind and the body, using a blend of cognitive coaching, structured strength training and nutrition coaching, along with the cultivation of mindful awareness.
Let’s explore how it works.
The ‘Mind’ Side of Training
To train the mind, we use cognitive exercises and coaching rooted in psychology. These tools can help lower stress, ease anxiety, and support a more balanced mood.
But they’re not delivered in a clinical or formal way. They’re woven subtly into:
Group conversations
Individual check-ins and 1:1 coaching calls
Our live, online strength training workouts
Guided mindfulness sessions
The methods draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and my own lived experience of overcoming mental health challenges.
These mental techniques don’t just improve emotional wellbeing, they can positively influence physical choices too.
When clients think more clearly, they tend to make better decisions about food, exercise, and recovery, leading to visible body transformation that begins from within.
The ‘Body’ Side of Training
The physical side of Mind-Body Training rests on two pillars: exercise and nutrition.
Research shows that movement and good nutrition have a bi-directional effect: each benefits both mind and body.
When you move regularly, you're likely to feel better mentally; when you eat well, you're likely to think more clearly.
This creates a positive feedback loop:
A stronger body supports a healthier mind, and a healthier mind sustains a stronger body.
That’s the essence of mind-body synergy; one system, not two competing parts.
Are the Mind and Body Separate?
In short, no.
The mind and body aren’t distinct entities; they’re two sides of the same coin. The only thing that separates them are the words and labels "mind" and "body".
The truth is, they are both one and intertwined, and one can influence and even change the other.
For example:
Your thoughts affect your hormones, posture and what you do with your body
What you do with your body, in turn, can change how you think and feel.
That’s why, in my coaching, I integrate both sides:
I use mental strategies to help you change your physical actions.
And I use physical training to help reshape how you think and feel
Using the Mind to Change the Body
Here’s where mindful exercise plays a key role.
Clients learn to practise mindfulness meditation, not just in calm environments, but during workouts, moments of stress, or food cravings.
This teaches self-awareness in real time:
Recognising when motivation drops
Calming impulsive decisions
Refocusing attention on the process instead of the outcome
Alongside mindfulness, we use acceptance exercises and cognitive reframing to help clients enjoy the ups and downs of training, rather than resist them.
This makes the journey more sustainable, and success more attainable.
Using the Body to Change the Mind
Let me share a client story that shows how powerful this can be.
A client joined my 12-Week Online Personal Training Programme struggling with motivation and consistency.
Here’s the simple mindset plan I gave her:
“When you feel like cancelling a session, don’t.
Instead, message me, write down your thoughts five minutes before class, then give yourself permission to leave after ten minutes if you still feel low. Afterwards, write how you feel.”
Two weeks later, she sent me a message, amazed.
She realised that while she’d started tired and unmotivated, after moving for ten minutes she felt energised and clear.
By changing her behaviour first, her mind followed.
She kept practising this, and over time, her mindset shifted completely. Today, she trains consistently, manages her emotions better, and enjoys the process.
That’s the power of using the body to train the mind.
Client Success Story:
Patricia, another client, had this to say after completing her 12-Week Mind-Body Transformation Programme:
“I cannot recommend Alan and his 12-week program highly enough. Personally, completing this program was one of the most self-enriching actions I’ve ever taken in my life and one of my proudest moments. I didn’t only transform my physical aspect (lost 23 pounds in only 10 weeks!) but I also gained so much insight into personal issues and behaviours. It was a holistic transformation all round. I was in a very dark place when I joined and all I knew was that I wanted change but didn’t know where to start. His support from day one and throughout the program was exceptional. The approach he applies goes far beyond physical training, with simple, small, tailored weekly goals that are almost impossible not to achieve. In my honest opinion, it’s an educational and self-empowering program for those ready to make a positive change in their life. I hold very high regard for Alan and I’ll be forever grateful for his support throughout this time. This program has impacted my life, and those around me, in ways I never expected. A year later I’m still a client of his, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I would 100% encourage anyone to give it a go, because, from personal experience, it won’t disappoint you.”
– Patricia, Mind Body Training Client
The Circular Effect
Mind-body training creates a continuous, reinforcing cycle:
Better mental focus → leads to better training and nutrition choices
Better physical action → leads to improved confidence and mood
The cycle repeats, building long-term health and self-belief
It’s not about perfection; it’s about awareness, adaptability, and growth.
Why Mind-Body Training Works
Scientific evidence continues to support this connection:
The Journal of Mental Health and Physical Activity found that interventions which integrate mindfulness with physical activity are effective for improving mental health and well being, and potentially more effective than either approach alone (Remskar et al., 2024)
The HSE Mental Health Guidelines confirm that regular movement supports both emotional regulation and stress resilience.
In other words, mental fitness and physical fitness are one system, and training both gives you the best results possible.
Final Thoughts on Mind-Body Training
So that’s what mind-body training means to me, and how I help clients use it to change their minds, transform their bodies, and improve their lives.
When you strengthen both together, you gain not only a fitter body but also a calmer, more capable mind.
If you’d like to explore this approach through my online personal training programme, you can learn more at:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mind-Body Training a form of therapy?
While Mind-Body Training can have therapeutic benefits, and although Coach Alan is a psychotherapist in training, Mind-Body Training does not offer clinical psychotherapy to personal training clients. Instead, we provide holistic coaching tools, including psychoeducation, to support long-term behaviour change as it relates to health, fitness and well-being. It is not a replacement for therapy or clinical treatment, but could be helpful to use in conjunction with them.
Can I take part if I’m already in therapy?
Absolutely. Many clients combine personal training with ongoing therapy. This approach often helps bridge physical habits with emotional awareness in a safe, complementary way.
Who is Mind-Body Training suitable for?
While the majority of clients who join Mind-Body Training are full-time working mothers in Ireland, it’s ideal for anyone seeking to improve both physical health and mindset, especially those who want sustainable results rather than quick fixes.
How long does the programme last?
The standard structured programme runs for 12 weeks, but ongoing support and maintenance plans are available for long-term progress. You can see our 12-Week Online Personal Training Programme here: https://www.mindbodytraining.ie/12weekonlinepersonaltrainingprogramme
About The Author
Coach Alan, qualified QQI Level 3 Personal Trainer, is the founder of Mind Body Training and a psychotherapist-in-training under the Irish Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IICP). He combines evidence-based psychological principles, fitness and nutrition science, and mindful behaviour change to help clients achieve sustainable physical and mental transformation. Please note: Mind Body Training provides coaching, education, and personal training services, not personal therapy or clinical counselling. Clients seeking therapy are encouraged to work with another qualified mental health professional in parallel.
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