About
About Krista Barry
Krista Barry - At a Glance
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• Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP), Distinction
• Published researcher in Applied Positive Psychology (Annals of Leisure Research)
• Research featured in The Australian Women’s Weekly
• Presenter at the International Positive Psychology Association World Congress
• Founder of Flow Like Water Academy
• Owner & Director of Godfathers of the Ocean Surf School (25+ years)
• Former elite Australian swimmer and Australian Institute of Sport swim team member
• Contributor to Central Queensland University’s Positive Psychology & Workplace Wellbeing course committee
• Facilitator of water-based wellbeing programs with the City of Gold Coast Active & Healthy Social Sport Program
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About Krista
Krista Barry (MAPP, Distinction) is a Positive Psychology Practitioner, published researcher in Applied Positive Psychology, and the founder of Flow Like Water Academy.
Her work draws on applied positive psychology, neuroscience, and evidence-based well-being practices to support resilience, and sustainable wellbeing through evidence-based education, coaching, and experiential learning.
Journey
Krista’s connection with water began early. As a former elite Australian swimmer and member of the Australian Institute of Sport swim team, the ocean and pool were the places where she first learned discipline, focus, flow, and self-belief.
She later founded Godfathers of the Ocean Surf School on the Gold Coast, where she has served as owner and director for more than 25 years. While she is not a surf coach herself, Krista is the founder, director, and program architect behind the school’s wellbeing-centred learning philosophy.
Her lived experience in high-performance sport and decades of program leadership sparked a deeper question that eventually shaped her academic path:
What helps people truly thrive — not just perform, but flourish?
This question ultimately led her into academic research and the field of positive psychology.
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The Flow Like Water Philosophy
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Flow Like Water Academy is built on the understanding that well-being is not something we force; it's something we learn to move with.
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The work integrates three key pillars:
1. Applied Positive Psychology
Evidence-based tools for mindset, resilience, behaviour change, and sustainable wellbeing.
2. Neuroscience-informed Practice
Understanding how stress, regulation, clarity, and focus operate in the brain and body.
3. Nature, Water & Movement
Using water, walking, breath, and embodied experiences to restore presence and balance.
Krista also draws inspiration from natural rhythms and the idea of working with life rather than against it.
Her guiding belief is simple:
Wellbeing grows when people learn to move through life with rhythm, awareness, and flow.
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How I Work With People
Whether working with individuals, community groups, or organisations, Krista’s approach is:
• Evidence-based – grounded in positive psychology and behaviour research.
• Practical and embodied – tools that can be integrated into everyday life.
• Applied well-being practice – supporting personal growth, reslience, and overall well-being through evidence-based interventions.
• Holistic but grounded – recognising the role of mindset, habits, movement, environment, and connection.
• Authentic and grounded - no hype, just meaningful conversations and practical guidance.
Krista believes people flourish when they learn to work with their own rhythm rather than constantly pushing against it.
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Where My Work Is Applied
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Krista’s work has been applied across a variety of community, education, and organisational settings.
Through Flow Like Water Academy, she has collaborated with universities, community groups, workplaces, and local government programs to deliver practical wellbeing education and nature-based learning experiences.
Her work includes the facilitation of ocean-based and nature-supported wellbeing programs within the City of Gold Coast Active & Healthy Social Sport Program, as well as educational sessions and workshops that combine positive psychology, movement, and environmental connection.
Krista also continues to contribute to the development of wellbeing education through her involvement with Central Queensland University’s Positive Psychology and Workplace Wellbeing course committee, supporting the next generation of wellbeing practitioners.
Across all of these settings, the aim is the same:
to create simple, evidence-informed experiences that help people reconnect with clarity, resilience, and balance.
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My Mission
Flow Like Water Academy exists to help individuals and organisations:
• strengthen mindset and resilience
• restore balance in the nervous system
• reconnect with purpose and direction
• build clarity, confidence, and self-trust
• navigate life’s seasons with greater adaptability and ease
All through practical, science-based, nature-supported wellbeing practices.
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Work With Me
If you’re ready to bring more clarity, resilience, and flow into your life or workplace, Krista would love to connect.
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Research & Academic Work
Krista Barry graduated with Distinction from Central Queensland University with a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP).
Her master’s research explored the well-being benefits of water-based experiences, particularly for women in midlife, integrating insights from positive psychology, neuroscience, and nature-based well-being practices.
Krista presented her research findings at the International Positive Psychology Association World Congress in Vancouver (2023) and continues to contribute to the field through both academic engagement and applied wellbeing programs.
Her peer-reviewed research was published in the journal Annals of Leisure Research (2024) and has also received wider media attention, including features in The Australian Women’s Weekly.
Krista continues her professional development in neuroscience-informed wellbeing practice and holds additional qualifications, including:
• Certificate of Professional Development in Applied Neuroscience and Brain Health (2021)
• Neuroscience Coaching Certificate (2023)
She also contributes to the development of future wellbeing practitioners through her involvement with Central Queensland University’s Positive Psychology and Workplace Wellbeing Course Reference Committee.
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Coaching and Consulting Services
With over 25 years of experience running my own business, including the Godfathers of the Ocean Surf School, I have established programs that connect individuals to the therapeutic advantages of water.
My consulting services support various organisations, such as small, medium, and large companies, schools, youth groups, and community or sports organisations. I assist them in applying positive psychology principles to cultivate a healthier workplace culture, boost employee engagement, and offer strategies to prevent burnout while fostering a positive work environment. Organisations of all sizes can benefit from adopting positive psychology principles.
Alongside consulting, I provide personalised one-on-one and group coaching, as well as one to three-month coaching programs tailored for individuals at any life stage.
These programs are designed to address specific needs, such as navigating career transitions, enhancing overall well-being, or improving sports performance. My coaching emphasises identifying character strengths and applying evidence-based positive psychology strategies and principles.
At Flow Like Water Academy, I provide diverse services, ranging from traditional consulting and coaching to immersive water experiences, nature programs, and strength-based goal-setting coaching.
Through surf lessons, swimming coaching, or walk-and-talk sessions, I strive to foster an environment where individuals feel appreciated and empowered to pursue their goals. My coaching is offered both in-person at Burleigh Beach and online via different platforms. Together, we'll delve into the principles of positive psychology to nurture meaningful and sustainable changes in your life.