responsibility

It's Not Your Fault, But It Is Your Responsibility

July 02, 20255 min read

You’ve Been Dealt a Hand—Now What?

If you’re dealing with energy dips, stubborn weight gain, mood swings, joint pain, or brain fog, here’s the truth:

It’s not your fault.

You were born into a system that prizes convenience over vitality. You were probably raised on low-fat dogma and ultra-processed snacks, in school chairs instead of trees, and you’ve been marinated in a modern world that separates us from the basics of health: movement, light, connection, rhythm.

But....

It is your responsibility.

And if you’re reading this, odds are: you have more agency than many. That doesn’t mean guilt. It means opportunity.

You can change the story.

Not just for you. But for your children, your community—and maybe even for those with less voice or less choice.

We Are the Storytelling Species

Humans are unique not just for our thumbs or brains—but for our ability to curate environments and craft meaning.

We tell stories. And our stories shape our biology.

“I’m just big-boned.”
“Getting older means slowing down.”
“It’s genetic.”

These stories become self-fulfilling. But what if the real story is:

“My body responds to the environment I give it. And I get to shape that environment.”

Humans are not just shaped by environment—we are shapers of environment. That’s our evolutionary superpower. No other species builds culture, crafts rhythm, or curates sensory input like we do. And that means we can create a world around us that upgrades our biology instead of draining it. The food in your fridge, the light in your morning, the tone of your household—all of it feeds back into how much energy you have, how clearly you think, how calmly you respond. And here’s the magic: as your energy and clarity rise, so does your agency—which lets you craft an even better environment. That’s the upward spiral. That’s the momentum shift. And it starts wherever you are, with whatever you’ve got.

storytelling species

Understanding Your Starting Point (Without Shame)

We’re not here to blame you for not knowing what you were never taught.

You inherited:

  • A cultural script full of low-fat spreads, desk jobs, and snackable screens.

  • A metabolism shaped by childhood food and movement.

  • A nervous system impacted by generational trauma or economic stress.

None of that was your doing. But what comes next? That’s where your power lies. Not in shame. Not in blame. But in choice. And rhythm. And momentum.

The Biology of Change: Your Body Wants to Heal

Your cells are constantly regenerating. Your gut lining renews every few days. Your brain can rewire with new movement and breath.

You are not a fixed object. You’re a process. And that process responds to:

  • Movement (especially natural, varied, daily movement)

  • Nutrient-dense food (not just macros, but minerals and mitochondrial signalling)

  • Nervous system tone (fight-or-flight or rest-and-digest?)

  • Light exposure, circadian rhythms, sleep

  • Connection—both relational and environmental

The question isn’t: “Can I change?”
The question is: “Am I willing to show up long enough for my biology to respond?”

And yes, some days will feel like going backwards. And yes, there may well be birthdays and biscuits and burnout. But you don’t need perfection. You need pattern.

The Parent Multiplier Effect

This isn’t just about you.

If you’re a parent, your rhythms become your children’s blueprint. Your kitchen habits, your language about your body, your way of dealing with stress—they soak it up.

Even more powerful: when you make a change after they’ve known the old pattern? That teaches them that transformation is possible... because they see it before their very own eyes - that's real visceral learning!

You’re not just building your own resilience. You’re modelling it... and you’re building a robust legacy (one that goes way beyond some £££'s).

passing on health to the next generation

But What About Inequality and Access?

Let’s not pretend everyone has the same starting line.

Some of us were born into safer homes, better food access, cleaner air, stronger support systems.

Some of us weren’t.

Taking responsibility isn’t about pretending the playing field is level. It’s about saying:

“Because I do have agency, I won’t waste it. I’ll use it—for me, and for those who can’t.”

Responsibility isn’t blame. It’s response-ability.

And that includes how we show up for our families, our neighbourhoods, our wider culture. Especially those still stuck in the churn of modern food, sedentary culture, mental fog, and under-resourced health (or disease management) systems.

Where to Start: Simple. Possible. Powerful.

  • Tidy up your food. Eat like a human. Prioritise protein. Ditch the seed oils. Cook.

  • Move daily. Not just workouts—crawls, climbs, walks, play.

  • Breathe better. Learn to downshift your nervous system.

  • Sleep like it matters. Because it does.

  • Tell a new story. “I’m building health from the ground up, one meal, one movement at a time.”

Don’t try to perfect it. Just begin. One foot in front of the other.

You’re not behind. You’re just starting.

positive upward spiral

Whole Life Health: Here to Help Guide the Process

You already have what it takes to change your health story. What most people need isn’t more willpower—it’s the right support, the right rhythm, and a nudge in the right direction.

That’s where we come in.

Whether it’s 1-on-1 coaching, family-based guidance, breathwork, strength training or reconnecting to natural movement—we walk beside you as you reclaim what your body has always known.

The next chapter starts here.
Book a free call to begin.

FAQ

Isn’t it unfair to expect people to take responsibility when the system is broken?
Yes.... And? Systems change when individuals step up. If you can, you must!

What if I’ve failed before?
You haven't failed, you've just had some feedback. Learn from it! Health isn’t linear. But if you’re alive, you’re adaptable.

I want this for my kids. Where do I start?
Start with yourself. They’ll follow.

Do you offer support for families or couples?
Yes. We coach individuals, couples and families together.

Want more?
Read: Why Relying on Health Insurance is a Risky Mistake
Read: Intermittent Fasting: A Primal Guide
Read: How Small Stresses Build Big Resilience

Jake Mahal is a Master Health Coach with 21 years of experience of coaching and training in movement and exercise, nutrition, sports and lifestyle.

Jake Mahal

Jake Mahal is a Master Health Coach with 21 years of experience of coaching and training in movement and exercise, nutrition, sports and lifestyle.

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certified movnat trainer
vivo barefoot coach
breathwork coach
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strength training for women specialist