Karen’s Story
I’m Karen Porter, founder of LifeWorks Studio.
​
My work is built on one clear belief: true strength is never just physical, and real change happens when we stop treating the body, mind and emotions as separate.
Over the years, my work has evolved into something far more integrative than standard fitness or standard coaching. I support women through a combination of movement, breathwork, coaching, nervous system support and fascial work, because so often the things people are struggling with do not sit neatly in one box.
Stress can live in the body.
Emotional strain can affect posture, breathing, pain, confidence and energy.
A dysregulated nervous system can leave someone feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, exhausted or stuck, even when they are doing everything “right”.
This is why integration matters so much to me.
I bring together Pilates, coaching, mindfulness, breathwork, fascial manoeuvres and nervous system awareness to help people feel stronger from the inside out. To me, core strength means both physical and emotional strength. It is the strength through the centre of your body, but also the steadiness within you — your resilience, self-awareness, capacity to cope, and ability to feel more grounded in yourself and your life.
I am deeply passionate about helping people understand what their body may be holding, what their nervous system may be protecting, and how lasting change becomes possible when we work with the whole person rather than just the symptom.
My own personal journey has shaped this work too.
Life has taught me that strength is not about pushing through at all costs. It is about learning to listen to your body, understanding how experiences affect you, rebuilding when life has challenged you, and finding your way back to yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. That lived understanding sits alongside my professional training and is a huge part of what I bring to the people I work with.
What I offer is warm, thoughtful and professional. It is intelligent, whole-person support for people who want more than a quick fix — people who want to feel stronger, calmer, clearer, more connected, and more fully themselves.
Because when you work with the body, the mind and the nervous system together, things begin to shift in a deeper and more lasting way.
That is the heart of LifeWorks.
A holistic approach to wellbeing
Karen’s work combines movement, nervous system awareness, coaching and holistic wellbeing practices to support sustainable transformation physically, mentally and emotionally.
​
Rather than focusing on pressure or perfection, sessions are designed to create calm, awareness and supportive change that feels realistic and sustainable for everyday life.
Whether through Pilates, coaching, fascial release or studio classes, the focus remains the same: helping people reconnect with themselves in a more supportive and compassionate way.​ Wellbeing is not about pushing harder, it’s about learning how to support yourself more deeply.
Qualifications & Experience
Accredited Fascial Maneuvers Coach - Human Garage
ICF Association Certified Coach
Master NLP Practitioner — trained with Sue Knight
Mindfulness & Breathwork Diploma - BSY accredited
CBT Level 6 Diploma - BSY accredited
Pilates - Reebok & BSY accredited
FitPro
Member
2019 & 2020 Life Coach & Trainer of the Year
Mental Health
First Aid
First Aid at
Work
2018 Inspiring and Wellbeing Award
Why LifeWorks Studio Was Created
LifeWorks Studio was created to offer a calmer and more supportive wellbeing space — one that encourages people to move, breathe and reconnect without pressure or intimidation.
Karen wanted to create an environment where wellbeing could feel more human, holistic and sustainable, especially for people navigating stress, overwhelm or disconnection from themselves.
What Karen Believes
Movement should feel supportive
​
Not punishing or overwhelming.
​
Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in movement spaces
Wellbeing should feel welcoming and accessible.
Wellbeing is deeply individual
​
There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
​
The nervous system matters
​
The body responds best when it feels safe and supported.
Sustainable change matters more than perfection
Supportive consistency creates lasting transformation.
Calm environments create better wellbeing
Spaces influence how we feel, move and connect.
More Information About NLP
Karen is a master NLP practitioner, and support the training of other coaches in NLP.
​
NLP or neuro-linguistic programming is often regarded as “a brilliant tool-kit for the mind” or an “owner’s manual” on how to use your brain. NLP is the practice of understanding how people organise their thinking, feeling, language and behaviour to produce the results they do.
​
I harness the power of language to break down the mental barriers and limiting beliefs we unknowingly create for ourselves. NLP can be used to improve all areas of a person’s life – including providing the right methods to help fight anxiety and stress, improving overall health and wellbeing of our bodies, improving all our relationships at home and in work, facing fears and phobias and ultimately building confidence.​
​​Anxiety and stress
NLP coaching can be an effective method for addressing feelings of stress and anxiety because it identifies the through patterns that may be causing the pressure. As soon as these unconscious thought patterns are recognised they can be changed.
​
Fears and phobias
NLP is well-known for its effectiveness in helping people cope with fears and phobias. As with anxiety and stress, NLP can reveal the thought process behind the often ‘irrational’ fear. NPL can help change how a person thinks and feels about what was causing them fear, so they are no longer afraid.
Health and wellbeing
One of the most important ideas underpinning NLP is that the mind and body are closely connected. When exercising for example, people will experience positive mental and physical energy. By improving the way we approach and think about the world, we can improve the health and wellbeing of our bodies.
Relationships
NLP can help a person become more aware of how they communicate. Understanding this can help people accept that others may have different views. One opinion is not wrong or right. With NLP coaching, practitioners hope that by developing empathy skills, a person will find it easier to build strong and long-lasting relationships.
​
Business
NLP is an excellent tool for understanding people and their ways of communication. In terms of business, learning these tips from an NLP coach will help a person improve how they communicate and improve their ability to empathise and negotiate with colleagues and managers.
Confidence
​
It is common for people to see an NLP practitioner for relief from their own fears and limitations. NLP is effective in boosting an individual’s confidence by teaching them how to make decisions based on their dreams, rather than fears.
LifeWorks Studio in Cranbrook, Kent
Based in Cranbrook, Kent, LifeWorks Studio offers a welcoming environment for Pilates, coaching, fascial release and holistic wellbeing support.
​
The studio is designed to feel calm, supportive and approachable, creating space for movement, connection and sustainable wellbeing practices within a small community-focused setting.
