Alex Neilan
Photo courtesy of Alex Neilan

Meet Alex Neilan, and it's easy to see why his work has gained national attention. He speaks with quick precision - part scientist, part storyteller - moving effortlessly between psychology, nutrition and behaviour change. His enthusiasm isn't just for health itself, but for the people behind it - particularly the women who, as he puts it, 'have been overlooked by an industry that often doesn't speak their language.'

'I've met countless women who feel like they've failed,' he says. 'They've tried every plan, every challenge, every trend, and they're made to believe it's their fault when it doesn't work. It isn't. The problem isn't them - it's the system that keeps promising quick fixes.'

For Neilan, health isn't a side project or a short-term goal - it's an investment. 'People think of health as something to fix when it breaks,' he says. 'But it's the most valuable investment you can make in your future. Like any investment, small, consistent deposits create the biggest returns.'

That principle sits at the heart of Sustainable Change, the health and fitness coaching company Neilan founded in 2016 to help women make progress that lasts - practical, evidence-based, and genuinely personal. What began as a one-to-one coaching practice has grown into a trusted platform guiding women through sustainable nutrition, weight loss, behaviour change and confidence-building.

Alongside it, Neilan leads the Sustainable Weight Loss Support Group, a 90,000-strong online community that brings his message to a national audience - offering free, science-backed advice and everyday support to women determined to take control of their health for good.

Reframing Women's Health

Neilan's approach focuses on women who've often felt left behind by the health and fitness world - those balancing work, families, and real-life pressures that leave little time for rigid routines. 'The fitness industry still sells an all-or-nothing mindset,' he says. 'It's all about extremes. But most women just need a plan that works with their life, not against it.'

His philosophy is rooted in behavioural science - helping women build habits that last through structure rather than willpower. 'Motivation is emotional,' he says. 'It fades. Structure endures. When you have a system that fits your world, progress becomes consistent.'

That focus on sustainable change rather than perfection is what sets his programmes apart. 'Ten minutes of movement every day beats an intense week you can't sustain,' he explains. 'It's about progress you can actually live with.'

He's quick to point out that progress isn't linear - and that real change involves patience. 'There's no failure if you keep showing up,' he says. 'You'll have slips. Everyone does. You only fail if you stop trying.'

From Coaching to Community

The Sustainable Weight Loss Support Group is a central part of Neilan's mission - a free, supportive space where women connect, share experiences, and celebrate progress together. 'When women support each other, everything changes,' he says. 'It's clear that they're not alone, and that makes all the difference.'

Members often describe it as the first place they've felt understood and encouraged rather than judged. 'That's the key,' Neilan says. 'Health should never make you feel like you're failing. It should make you feel empowered, capable, and in control.'

It's this sense of connection that he believes is missing from much of the modern wellness world. 'Information isn't enough,' he says. 'People need community. They need to know someone's got their back.'

Science With Heart

With academic roots in Sports and Exercise Science, Health and Nutrition, and Dietetics, Neilan blends evidence with empathy - translating research into everyday habits women can sustain. 'Most people know what to do,' he says. 'The challenge is doing it consistently. We help them bridge that gap by designing systems that make healthy choices the easy ones.'

His coaching style is practical and personal. He talks about 'reducing friction,' 'stacking habits,' and 'making behaviour automatic.' Yet his tone is warm, conversational, and free of jargon - the hallmark of someone who genuinely wants people to understand, not just follow.

'Sustainability isn't about being perfect,' he says. 'It's about being consistent in a way that feels achievable. You don't have to start over every Monday. You just keep going.'

Health as the Smartest Investment

Neilan often uses the language of finance to explain wellbeing - and it resonates with his clients. 'You wouldn't spend every penny and expect to be wealthy,' he says. 'Health works the same way. You have to invest in it regularly, protect it, and let it compound over time.'

That mindset - practical, evidence-based and compassionate - has become Sustainable Change's signature. 'We don't sell transformations,' Neilan says. 'We build confidence. We help women find a version of health they can actually maintain - one that supports their whole life, not just their appearance.'

Beyond Business: Giving Back

Beyond his coaching and community work, Neilan has used his platform to support charitable causes, raising more than £130,000 for campaigns including UNICEF's Children of Gaza Crisis Appeal, for The Stroke Association, the Magic Breakfast Children's Food and Education charity, and other health-focused initiatives. 'Sustainable change isn't just about individuals,' he says. 'It's about creating a ripple effect - helping people, families, and communities thrive.'

Looking Forward

As Sustainable Change continues to grow, Neilan remains focused on a single goal: to help one million women achieve sustainable health and happiness. 'The next generation of wellbeing isn't about doing more,' he says. 'It's about doing what matters, consistently, and without guilt.'

'We talk about investing in money, careers, property,' he says. 'But health - that's the investment that pays you back in everything: time, energy, confidence, and life. And the earlier you start, the greater the return.'