LWWGP Coaches
The coaches on this page have been personally trained and mentored by me in the Living Well with Gastroparesis (LWWGP) philosophy and approach. This is the framework behind my books, videos, and programs, which have supported tens of thousands of people living with gastroparesis over the past 15 years.
At the heart of this philosophy is the understanding that living well with gastroparesis is about more than managing symptoms. It’s about gastroparesis being one part of your life, rather than the center of it. The LWWGP approach prioritizes feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally. We focus on practical strategies that are sustainable rather than perfect, and on helping people regain a sense of normalcy and freedom.
Samantha Cook
Samantha was diagnosed with Gastroparesis in 2010 and spent nearly a decade believing that careful daily symptom management was the key to improving her quality of life. She meticulously followed routines and lists, but soon realized her mind had become crowded with “shoulds” and constant self-judgment.
Her turning point came when she discovered the inside-out understanding of wellbeing — the recognition that our experience is created from our thinking, not our circumstances. As her mind settled, her body began to calm as well. While her symptoms didn’t disappear, they became far more manageable, and she began to feel that she was truly living rather than just existing.
With more than 25 years of experience as a Psychologist, Samantha brings deep professional expertise to her work, along with a personal understanding of life with a chronic illness. Her approach blends psychological insight with compassionate, grounded support for others navigating health challenges.
Samantha is particularly passionate about helping individuals address the emotional and mental strain that often accompanies gastroparesis — including anxiety, fear, frustration, and loss of identity. Through her work, clients learn to break the fear-symptom loop, reduce suffering, and regain a sense of calm, control, and resilience.
Samantha lives in New South Wales, Australia, and co-hosts the Living Well Pod.
Samantha offers one-on-one coaching via Zoom, as well as group coaching and support through her Thriving with Gastroparesis community. Visit her website or email her at transformativepsychservices@gmail.com to find out more about her services.
Stefanie Maira
Stef is a coach who understands the realities of living with gastroparesis and motility disorders from the inside out. She developed gastroparesis after a Nissen fundoplication surgery for reflux in 2017 and was officially diagnosed in 2019, an experience that has shaped her deep empathy for others navigating complex digestive symptoms and a long road to answers.
Over the years, Stef has moved from a life dominated by fear, restriction, and constant symptom monitoring to one marked by more ease, flexibility, and a fuller sense of living with her condition rather than for it.
That personal transformation, and a desire to help others avoid the difficulties she encountered, led her to pursue formal training as a Living Well with Gastroparesis (LWWGP) coach. She also hosts the I’ve Got Guts podcast, where she shares conversations and insights for people living with digestive disorders.
As a coach, Stef offers individualized support and gentle accountability grounded in the LWWGP philosophy. She helps clients work toward practical symptom relief, calmer and more confident relationships with food, and a sustainable symptom management plan that leaves more room for what truly matters to them.
Stef offers one-on-one coaching via Zoom, including single sessions and packages. Schedule a free consultation using this link or send her an email at Stefanie.a.maira@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Samantha and Stefanie are both wonderful, capable coaches, and you can’t go wrong with either. That said, they have different areas of focus.
Samantha’s expertise is in supporting clients who are struggling with things like symptom- or food-related anxiety, stress and overwhelm, grief or loss of identity due to their diagnosis, and the mental load of chronic illness.
Stef’s focus is on helping clients create personalized, sustainable management plans that prioritize symptom relief, confidence with food, and a life that expands beyond the diagnosis. -
Please contact Samantha or Stefanie directly to inquire about their services or book a coaching session.
You can reach Samantha at: transformativepsychservices@gmail.com
You can reach Stef at: Stefanie.a.maira@gmail.com -
The price for coaching is set by each coach. Please inquire with them directly for current session/package pricing.
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I am not currently taking on new coaching clients. You are in very good hands with either Samantha or Stef!