About Thriving Habits
Our Philosophy
At Thriving Habits, we believe that healthy eating isn’t about rules, restrictions, or willpower - it’s about developing a sustainable, positive relationship with food that nourishes both body and mind. Our approach is built on the understanding that lasting change doesn’t come from quick fixes or rigid meal plans, but from deeply ingrained habits, self-awareness, and a shift in mindset.
We take a non-diet, evidence-based approach to nutrition, grounded in the latest research in nutrition, intuitive eating, and behavioural neuroscience. By combining the principles of mindful eating, habit formation, and practical, real-world strategies, we help individuals and families build long-term, flexible habits that work in their everyday lives - without guilt, restriction, or the cycle of dieting.
Whether you’ve spent years stuck in the frustration of unsuccessful programs, want to break free from food rules and toxic diet culture, or are simply looking to feel stronger, healthier, and more in tune with your body, Thriving Habits is here to support you. We offer personalised, down-to-earth coaching that meets you where you are - because we know that true change isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress.
Chelsea Handley
Founder and Nutritionist
Chelsea is a mum, business owner, and nutritionist with a deep understanding of the challenges that come with feeding a family, navigating diet culture, and breaking free from food rules. As a Bachelor of Food and Nutrition graduate from La Trobe University, she blends evidence-based nutrition guidance with a real-world, judgment-free approach that helps individuals and families build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food.
Like many, Chelsea spent years caught in the pressures of diet culture and societal expectations around food, body image, and health. But through her own journey, she discovered the power of intuitive eating and habit-based change - learning to trust her body, embrace balance, and enjoy food without guilt or restriction. Now, as a mum to a young son, she’s committed to laying a strong foundation of healthy habits from the very start, free from the cycles of restriction and shame that so many experience.
Beyond her expertise in nutrition, Chelsea has extensive experience supporting people through different life stages, with a background in early childhood education and disability mentoring. This hands-on experience has shaped her empathetic, realistic coaching style, meeting clients where they are and helping them create sustainable, lifelong habits that fit into their busy, ever-changing lives.
Ian Handley
Co-founder and Behaviour Change Specialist
Ian is completing a Master’s in Business and Neuroscience, with a deep focus on how individuals and organisations can develop adaptive behaviours in an ever-changing world.
With 10 years of service in the Australian Air Force, followed by a career in national business leadership and senior management, Ian has first-hand experience navigating high-pressure environments and the impact of chronic stress on decision-making, behaviour, and well-being. His personal and professional journey coupled with his academic pursuits has given him unique insight into the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms that drive habit formation, behavioural patterns, and resilience—particularly how they shape the way we eat, move, and live.
Through this experience, Ian helps design science-backed, practical programs that align with Thriving Habits’ mission: to create meaningful, lasting change in the way people approach health, habits, and performance.