Why AYB Exists

That’s where Above Your Baseline comes in.

AYB exists to support people who are tired of just getting by, and ready to move toward a version of themselves that feels more grounded, resilient, and aligned with what matters most - without perfection, pressure, or hustle culture.

We don’t start with 'fixing' you.

We start with understanding you, your context, and your current baseline.

Life can leave us feeling stuck, burnt out, or running on autopilot. We know we want more for our health, relationships, and quality of life, but attempts at change often fizzle out under the weight of work, stress, and responsibility.

What We Believe

Whole person approach.

Your health isn’t one thing... it’s everything interacting. Real change happens when we support your body, mind, and environment together.

You’re not broken - just stuck.

Struggling doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means something needs attention, not fixing.

Small shifts create big change.

Over time, small, intentional steps build resilience and transform the trajectory of your life.

Progress beats perfection.

Lasting change is built on small, consistent wins, not all-or-nothing thinking.

Setbacks are part of the path.

Every stumble holds insight and can be a step forward if we choose to learn from it.

Alignment, not optimisation.

When your actions align with what matters most, change becomes meaningful and sustainable.

Real resilience comes from adapting, softening, and adjusting when life changes — not forcing yourself to follow rigid rules.

Flexibility is strength.

You don’t need another extreme programme.

You need a way of working with your mind, body, and environment that actually fits real life.

What We Do

Using approaches from psychotherapeutic models like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we help you handle life’s challenges and build habits that last in the real world.

• Help you understand your current 'baseline' - the patterns, pressures, and habits that keep you stuck

• Teach practical psychological tools to manage stress, worry, and self-criticism and self-sabotage

• Support you to build healthier routines around movement, rest, food, and recovery

• Work with you to cultivate self-compassion instead of harsh self-judgment

• Create change that feels sustainable and aligned with your values, not someone else’s expectations

This isn’t about quick fixes or chasing extremes. It’s about learning how to rise Above Your Baseline self in a way that works for your life.

This means learning skills and tools you can use day to day. With our support, you can:

British Army Veteran, Health Psychologist, and Founder of Above Your Baseline

I’m Carl... a former British soldier turned Chartered Health Psychologist.

After leaving the Army in 2008, I spent years studying psychology and health behaviour change, eventually completing a Doctorate in Health Psychology.

Outside of AYB, I also work in Clinical Health Psychology at Salford Royal Hospital, supporting people living with long-term health conditions. My work sits at the intersection of science, real life, and what it actually takes to make change when life is full and often overwhelming.

But AYB isn’t just built on professional training, it’s grounded in lived experience.

I know what it’s like to burn out, live on autopilot, and feel ashamed that you 'know better' but can’t seem to 'do better'.

I also know the power of small, compassionate steps and flexible foundations.

AYB was shaped by my own experience of burnout and misalignment, but built for anyone who feels stuck and wants to move forward sustainably...

...those carrying more than anyone can see, knowing better but struggling to do better.

…those who’ve pushed through, hit a wall, and are ready for a different, kinder, more sustainable way forward, and willing to take responsibility for the part they can control.

Meet Dr Carl Bryce

If you’d like the fuller story behind Above Your Baseline, plus the psychology and method, I’ve put it all together in a free guide you can download below.

"Above Your Baseline isn’t just a service... it’s a movement."

The Invitation

AYB is for anyone who’s ready to step away from survival mode and start building resilience, health, and momentum... one small, intentional step at a time.

You don’t have to earn support by having it all together.

You don’t have to do it perfectly.

You just have to begin from where you are.

A Journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.

"

― Lao Tzu

"Your baseline is not your limit... Let's rise above it - together!"