Q: Thanks for your time, Dr Coates. Maybe we can start by explaining what epigenetics is all about?
A: Absolutely. Epigenetics is the science of how our environment and lifestyle choices can influence the way our genes behave without altering the underlying DNA itself.
If you think of your genes as a grand piano, epigenetics is the pianist. You can’t change the keys on the piano, but you can certainly influence the music that’s played.
This means we can dial certain genes “up” or “down,” depending on the signals we send through what we eat, how we sleep, the way we move, how we respond to stress and even how we connect with others.
Q: Sounds intriguing. What does it hope to achieve?
A: What epigenetics aims to achieve is empowerment, personalised health based on how your unique genetic makeup interacts with your lifestyle.
I’m particularly passionate about translating this exciting science into plain language and practical, doable actions people can take every day.
It’s one thing to know you have a particular genetic vulnerability: it’s quite another to know what to do about it.
My goal is to show people how to take control of their health trajectory, to feel well, age well and reduce their vulnerability to chronic medical conditions.
Dr Coates (right) with wellness expert Sharon Kolkka
Q: You’re hosting the next Genes for Health retreat at Gwinganna next month. What can guests expect from this retreat?
A: This retreat is designed as a complete reset, both physically and mentally. Guests will step into a nourishing environment where the outside noise quiets down and their health becomes the focus.
We’re combining the world-class wellness environment of Gwinganna with the power of personalised genomics.
Every participant will receive their Fitgenes Health & Wellbeing DNA profile, which gives us detailed insight into how their body manages inflammation, detoxification, vitamin D metabolism, stress hormones like cortisol, cardiovascular function, insulin sensitivity and even how they metabolise caffeine.
Over five days, we dive into tailored education sessions where I help guests interpret their gene results and connect the dots to their lived experiences – fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, hormone imbalance, or stubborn weight gain.
But it’s not just about learning. We build a personalised action plan: from food and movement, to sleep and recovery practices, to targeted bio-hacks and evidence-informed supplement strategies.
It’s about creating change that lasts far beyond the retreat.
Q: Why do you think wellness travel is so popular these days?
A: We’re living in a world that’s constantly switched on. Stress is chronic, sleep is disrupted and many people are living in a state of low-grade burnout without even realising it.
Wellness travel has become a way to step off the treadmill and reconnect with what really matters, our health, our purpose and our sense of vitality. It’s more than just a break from routine. It’s a circuit breaker.
People are realising that they can’t outsource their health. They’re hungry for experiences that help them feel like themselves again or perhaps discover a better version of themselves for the first time.
When you combine a beautiful natural setting, expert-led programs, nourishing food, restorative movement and true rest, transformation happens. It becomes a recalibration of the mind and body.
Q: Is this retreat solely for women or would it benefit men as well?
A: It’s absolutely designed for both. While much of my clinical work has focused on women’s hormonal health, the principles of nutrigenomics apply universally.
Our genes don’t discriminate and neither do the health challenges we face, whether it’s inflammation, insulin resistance, sleep issues, or cardiovascular strain.
Men attending the retreat often come with curiosity but leave with a deep appreciation of just how impactful these insights can be. They’re often surprised at how relevant the conversations are, especially around energy regulation, resilience, mental clarity and longevity.
This retreat is for anyone who wants to understand their body better and learn how to support it more effectively.
Q: Obviously helping people lead healthier lives is a noble goal but what do you get out of a retreat such as this on a personal level?
A: For me, it’s incredibly rewarding to see people experience those “aha” moments when a genetic insight suddenly explains why they feel the way they do, or why a particular diet or lifestyle tweak finally makes a difference.
There’s a deep satisfaction in knowing that I’ve helped someone connect the dots in their health story.
Personally, I find these retreats energising. The combination of nature, meaningful connection and the chance to teach what I love, it fills my cup.
I also learn from every single person who attends. Their stories, their resilience, their insights. It reminds me why I chose this path in medicine: not just to treat illness, but to support wellness and longevity in a truly personalised way.
Q: Finally, what do you hope those who attend your retreat will take away with them?
A: I want guests to walk away with clarity, confidence and a sense of control. To truly know how their body works on a cellular level and how to support it.
Whether it’s better sleep, reduced inflammation, improved mood, or feeling lighter in their body and mind, they’ll leave with practical tools and a personalised plan created during the seminars and tailored to their unique genetic blueprint.
But more than anything, I want them to leave with hope. That wellness isn’t a mystery. It’s a science. And when you understand the science of you, that’s where real transformation begins.
The Genes for Health Retreat runs for seven nights from July 20.
