I’ve been on a long journey, struggling with my mental health since I was a small child. There is so much to say, but here’s an abridged version.

I’m in recovery from eating disorders, including severe anorexia, depression and complex PTSD. For many years, I functioned highly, without realising I had experienced trauma. I was a perfectionist, achieved top grades, pursued many hobbies, went to a “dream” university, had a “dream” job, and appeared to be living a “dream” life — yet inside, I felt like I was drowning. I experienced panic attacks, under-nourished myself, was obsessed with exercise, and lived in a constant cycle of doing and achieving, with no room to stop, breathe, or truly live.

I hated myself and couldn’t understand why I couldn’t “just cope,” why I wasn’t strong enough. I thought if I pushed harder or worked more, I would eventually be okay. I was also deeply lonely and often isolated.

I reached many breaking points over the years but never truly stopped to get help — partly because access was impossible, with NHS waiting lists stretching for years, and partly because I didn’t think I had time to pause. I kept getting back up and kept pushing.

As they say, the body keeps the score — and mine did. My body, and therefore my mind, remained in a perpetual state of stress, cycling between high panic and dissociation. Eventually, everything collapsed — both metaphorically and literally.

I then spent years in mental health hospitals and intensive therapy, forced to stop the grind and reset the story. This was the beginning of the challenging journey of realigning my mind and body, reconnecting with my true self, and learning to listen to what my body actually needed, rather than what I believed it should need.

On paper, I did this through psychotherapy, trauma therapy, body-based healing (including yoga and somatic practices), and coaching.

In practice, I healed through connecting, listening, processing, communicating, pausing, reflecting, moving, and resting. I discovered the power of co-regulation building deep connections with peers on similar journeys. Having others bare witness to your experience and journey holds so much power.

I healed my relationship with myself through others, and my relationships with others through myself.

I’ve spent the last few years studying and reflecting on how these practices helped me — and continue to help so many others. This has become my passion and my authentic purpose.

And this is the essence of what I want to offer: the power to reconnect to yourself, and to experience what it truly feels like to connect with your heart.