We are very proud of our Director Heather and her recent feature in HAVEN MAGAZINE

Owner/Director of Medical on Miami and Burleigh Cove Medical, Heather McLellan-Johnson, is one mama who rocks. From juggling a stellar wellness business and a unique family unit, she’s living proof that wellness is, well, the new black.

YOU
Full name: Heather McLellan-Johnson
Married to: Widowed – boooooo. My beautiful mother, Barbara lives together with us – and thank god, because she cooks!
Mum to: Kai (17) and Che (13)
Title, company: Owner/Director, Medical on Miami and Burleigh Cove Medical

BUSINESS
Tell us about your business?
Our business is about evidence-based healthcare. We are a General practice and combine this with Complementary Professionals, such as Psychologists, Physios, Dieticians. We have a GP who is also a Qualified Naturopath, as well as Doctors who are able to prescribe Medicinal Cannabis.

Where did the concept for this come from?
Dr Mark Spanner (my business partner) and I discussed this idea over 10 years ago. We wanted a place where people can come to, to feel well even before they sit down. The team, the surrounds, chairs, plants and artwork are all orchestrated to make people feel just that little better even before they see the doctor. We’re in the business of wellness and we want people to feel that.

What’s your business background?
I’ve been in the Management and Leadership for 30 years, 28 of those in the Medical Industry.

How is it different to anything the Gold Coast has seen before?
Our points of difference for our crew are that we’ve built something people enjoy working in, with light and air and laughter. For the Professionals they are enjoying a non-corporate company – the buck stops with me and my business partner! For clients we wanted to build something joyful and peaceful.

HOME
What time does a typical day start for you?
5am up with the birds, straight to the coffee machine. Quick breakfast and I like to drop my son to school. It’s a lovely catch up time together.

Who does the cooking and cleaning at your house?
My fantastic Mum, Barbara, does all the cooking – I swear to god we would starve if it was left to me – or bankrupt with Uber-Eats! We have a cleaner, a gardener, a pool guy – it takes a village!If you have 10 minutes to yourself, what do you like to do?
Watch the sunset. Be very still. Acknowledge my day and be peaceful.

KIDS
What sort of one-on-one activities do you do with your children?
I take my boys on individual dates. That way I can focus on just them and how they are going – it’s a kind of ‘checking-in’ but privately. Since their father passed we have all laughed and cried and endeavoured to maintain good mental health. To that end the children are very resilient, open and honest about their grief. I never once held my tears from the kids and that gave them much permission to grieve as well.
What do you do for fun as a family?
Giggle, play in the pool, build campfires, go for dinner, go to every movie ever made by Stan Lee, dance around the kitchen to Will Smith.

FUN
What is your favourite local place to visit?
The Alley – Currumbin
How about favourite place to eat out as a family?
We are mad on Balboa (Palm Beach), and love Man on the Bike Pizza (Tallebudgera). There’s an Italian theme going on here…

GIRL STUFF
Where do you head to when you get time for a girls’ night out?
We’ve been loving Grandad Jacks of late. We also do sleepovers at the Casino so we can indulge in the Day Spa there and dance the night away at the Garden Bar later on.

What is your best health tip for mums?
I can only speak of mental health – you know if you are doing your best. If you are not doing your best, pick up your game. Go see someone, have a really good chat and a cry if you need, in a safe space.

Favourite way to enjoy some ‘me’ time?
Head to toe massage… nothing better. I go and see Gemma from Earth Essence upstairs at CornerStone, Currumbin.

TIPS
Must-have parenting tip or tool?
Understand that they are the future of the world. They deserve the best leg-up we can muster, with a little dash of humility and to learn that ‘entitlement’ is a dirty word.

Can you share any tips on finding the right work/life balance?
LOL…people tell me to lock in going to and coming home times. I’m working on that. Our baby – Medical on Miami – is still a toddler… it needs a bit of extra help right now. It’s only just started on solids!

How do you stay motivated in your career?
It’s usually pretty easy! The crew are so wonderful they keep me buoyant. I put one foot in front of me every day. Some days that foot is only a toe long and other days it’s a stride. I chant to myself “keep going”.