Lifestyle guru

Lifestyle gurus (also called lifestyle coaches, lifestyle trainers, lifestyle consultants) advise people how they can make themselves happier through changes in their lifestyle. Lifestyle gurus are a profession popularised by several celebrities, including Cherie Blair and Madonna in the 1990s and 2000s.[1] They came to be seen by the rich and famous as confidants on several lifestyle subjects, including which clothes are fashionable and which hobbies are trendy.

Prominent examples of lifestyle gurus include Carole Caplin, who worked as a lifestyle guru for the Blair family.[2] Among the activities the Blair family has taken part in recent years is a Mayan rebirthing ceremony when on holiday in Mexico.

Many celebrities view lifestyle gurus as very beneficial, as they put them in touch with the latest things that it is trendy to be seen doing. However, they have come under heavy criticism in recent years, with most criticisms concerning their utility.[2] Other criticisms have centred on the perception that they are a symptom of the indecisiveness of today's society.[3]

A lifestyle guru's pay rate is subjected on a case by case basis, as every client will have different goals and objectives. Lifestyle gurus' prices can range anywhere from $100 to over $350+ per hour or they may choose to charge the client a day rate ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000 per day.

Frank Furedi, a professor of sociology at the University of Kent, has been a prominent critic of lifestyle gurus.[4] Lifestyle gurus have received criticism for preaching unscientific ideas and thus influencing public opinion.[1] One example was Andrew Lansley criticising Jamie Oliver for interfering too much in what British children eat, ultimately undermining efforts to persuade children to eat healthily.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Randerson, James (2007-01-03). "Neutralise radiation and stay off milk: the truth about celebrity health claims". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2014-09-29. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  2. 1 2 Womack, Sarah; Petre, Jonathan (2005-10-28). "How the cult of the guru puts gullible nation under its spell". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2006-02-11. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  3. ↑ Knight, India (2005-10-30). "Tone it down, gurus". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 2010-06-05. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  4. ↑ Furedi, Frank (2005-11-18). "The age of unreason". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  5. ↑ Triggle, Nick (2010-06-30). "Minister rejects 'Jamie Oliver approach' on health". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2016-05-13.


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