About Me.

My Life Story In 500 Words Or Less

Growing up I moved houses and schools around 10 times, at one point even moving to New Zealand. I always felt most at home in the Blue Mountains, though – the community and nature there made me feel whole, creative, and free. The eldest of 11 children (from a separated family), I felt a strong sense of duty towards my family and younger siblings.

As a child I was full of extroverted, silly energy, but as a teenager I became very shy and socially anxious (hiding in bathrooms, frequent panic attacks, selective mutism). I retreated socially, preferring to write stories and play video games instead. As a Leo with a Cancer moon, I was torn between the extroverted and introverted sides of myself. I was both ambitious and energetic, and sensitive and compassionate.

However by the time I started university, I grew tired of being scared and secluded, and I started therapy. Cognitive-behavioural therapy and exposure therapy slowly but surely began to change my life. Over the course of around 5 years, I learned that others didn’t hate me, that I had plenty of good qualities to offer people, and that I didn’t have to live in fear anymore. I learned to challenge my negative thoughts, breathe from my diaphragm not my chest, and do things that scared me until they didn’t scare me anymore.

I started to explore the world, travelling to countries like Japan, England and France. I studied Media Arts, followed by English and Psychology. I became an environmental activist. I trained in tennis, singing, pole dancing, slam poetry, and modelling. The world became bigger and brighter.

I developed a desire to help others who have suffered from anxiety and depression, and studied a degree in psychology. I thought I would go on to become a clinical psychologist, but as I studied I became more and more hesitant about the idea of working one-on-one in an office from 9-5.

I found myself drawn to disability support work, and ended up in a job that I absolutely loved. I finally found a job where I felt a sense of purpose and connection. I was able to support people and make a difference in their lives, without being confined to four walls. I travelled between client’s houses, took my clients out for bushwalks and shopping trips – it was amazing!

Yet at the same time, I felt like something was missing spiritually. And then I fell into Nin Yoga, a yoga studio in Western Sydney. I was hooked from my first yoga class. After searching my whole life, I had finally found a community that I truly felt a deep sense of belonging to. I felt spiritually fulfilled, with a sense of peace and certainty I hadn’t experienced for a long time.

I enrolled in a 200-hour yoga teacher training course, and the rest is history!