A PERSONAL development coach from Ealing says his life was 'transformed' once he realised how past events had shaped his behaviour.

Andre Petrolo, of Alexandria Road, Ealing, is now hoping others will benefit from his insight and is running a free seminar next week explaining how to identify and then tackle habits of a lifetime holding people back.

The 33-year-old said: “It's about how the mind works and how it has contributed to all the events and circumstances in your life, how you can recognise them and how to change them. It usually stems from childhood, an event or decision that, unbeknownst to you, carries forward into your future.

“For example, when someone when they were about 15 years old builds up the courage and asks someone out and the answer is not what they wanted to hear. That's something we can all relate to but we don't just shrug that off, it can become ingrained in our minds and can stop us putting ourselves forward for other things in our lives because we don't want to be made a fool of.”

Once these subconscious reactions are highlighted the next stage is to work on changing them, something which Mr Petrolo admits takes courage but says he knows first-hand that it can be done.

The special needs teaching assistant, who came to London from Australia a year ago, said: “I'm not magic, I'm nothing special, the only difference is that I've done about six years of personal development work. Now I have everything I'm wanting in life which is quite a turn up for the books for me. Coming to London was the first thing and now I'm in a fulfilling relationship and writing my first novel which I hope to get published.”

It is a world away from when Mr Petrolo first discovered personal development.

He said: “My parents divorced about seven to eight years ago and that had quite an impact on me. I had some therapy for about six months and my friend suggested I try a personal development course. I was anxious and depressed and it made me realise there was a way to turn that around.

“I know there are other people in a similar position and that's why I want to pass it on, so they have an opportunity to change, whether I see that change or not. For some people it works quickly and other people may take years but I know it makes a difference.”

The seminar will be held at Ealing Town Hall on Monday (7) from 7.30pm.

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