A Liverpool entrepreneur who turned her back on the world of sales, to promote health and wellbeing in the workplace, has been shortlisted in this year’s Merseyside Woman on the Year awards.

Nicola Forshaw, founder of Mindfit, which promotes health and wellbeing in the workplace, will now face a public vote to be named Woman of the Year at this year’s awards, after receiving her initial nomination from her mum.

The 38 year old from Crosby, has also been shortlisted in the One to Watch category which is sponsored by Liverpool and Sefton Chambers of Commerce.

Since 2010 Nicola has helped over 2,000 people to improve their mental health and wellbeing via natural holistic therapies, such as reflexology, hypnotherapy, meditation and mindfulness training. She has helped people overcome a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety, stress and confidence, as well as weight loss and smoking.

Nicola started practising meditation in 2007, to help her deal with her own depression and work-related stress. Determined not to rely on prescribed medication, Nicola discovered meditation after reading a life changing book ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ by Robin S. Sharma. Over time she transformed her way of being and was able to deal with the pressure of her working environment in a natural way, which benefited both her body and mind.

It was this experience which inspired her to retrain, and after 15 years in corporate sales, she quit her job to expanded her part time therapy business and create Mindfit, which officially launched in August 2014.

Her ambition is to inspire others to invest in their mind in order to enhance their way of living and working. Within the next five years she hopes to help 1million people improve their mental health and wellbeing through the power of meditation and mindfulness.

Nicola has recently embarked on Spark Up a 20-week programme designed to encourage and inspire entrepreneurial thinking, to help her reach her business goals.

She said:

“One in four of us suffer with mental health problems – including stress, anxiety and depression, which are becoming more and more common. People are looking for simple, practical, ways to cope with modern day living – mindfulness and meditation gives them that.

“I teach meditation because I know it works – I am happier, healthier and performing better than ever before and I want to share this knowledge with others and help to bring meditation into the mainstream.

“Looking after our mental well-being, from the very start can help prevent conditions such as depression and anxiety from occurring, as your mind and your body is better equipped to deal with the stresses of everyday life. But Mindfulness is not all about reducing stress or depression, it is a way of being, that helps us lead happier, fuller lives, this can only be a positive thing for society as a whole.

“I have worked with some amazing people and businesses, who have experienced lots of positive change since practising meditation techniques – this motivates me to keep on going!

“I am delighted to have been nominated for the Women on the Year award – it was a surprise to me and there really are some truly inspiring women shortlisted this year so I just feel honoured to be included”

The Merseyside Women of the Year awards is now in its 13th year and celebrate the city’s unique and inspiring women.

Nicola’s mum Pauline Wallace said:

“Nicola inspires others because she teaches through personal experience. She is really passionate about helping others – especially women – make a positive change and be the best that they can be. Nicola is a fantastic role model for women and as her mum I am very proud of her and look forward to seeing her Mindfit business grow over the next few years.”

You can vote for Nicola as Woman of the Year here: http://www.merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/vote/663-nicola-forshaw Winners will be announced on 26th June.