(A bit) About me

Drawing on my experience and expertise in clear and conscientious communications, as well as wise speech and creative expression, I support people to capture and articulate their stories in a meaningful and authentic way.

I work with individuals and organisations in the NGO sector, specifically human rights and refugee/asylum advocacy, academia, mental health awareness and recovery, environmental science and the arts, to name a few. As a freelance writer, I also contribute to various print and online publications in a journalistic capacity.

As a mentor, writing coach and teacher, I provide group and 1:1 personalised practices to people who are in one form of recovery or another, largely from all too human unhelpful thought patterns, cultural conditioning, the dehumanising culture of productivity, emotional exhaustion and mental overdrive.

All of my work draws on my ongoing personal and professional experience of learning, applying and sharing practices of mindful movement, skillful communication, introspection and expression.

My own, ongoing, experience and explorations of discovery and recovery has taught me several things: the value of disentangling from habits of striving, perfectionism, seeking and self-loathing; that life is a process to be navigated with all its undulations; the practices of observing the mind and working in the interests (rather than punitively resisting the changing rhythms of) the body, are best approached with an attitude of kindness, self acceptance and patience.

In other words, do it, feel it, allow for it, then let it be. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh:

"If we want to survive in our fast paced society that is overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, fear and despair, we have to learn how to deal with it...Thanks to the energy of mindfulness, concentration and insight, you can survive in a stressful, toxic environment and thanks to your understanding and compassion, you don't contribute to making it worse."

Question everything, that’s one of my core practices and the basis of my offerings – always consider; is this true, is this wise, does it help or does it harm, what difference will it make, is it necessary, can this be said or done with more compassion, who will be impacted, what’s the underlying intention and the motivation?

Over more than 20 years, this curious and critical nature has led me to work in journalism, human rights, environmental science, mental health awareness and recovery. As a writer, yoga facilitator and volunteer, I’m uplifted by working with organisations and individuals who want to challenge existing narratives and create meaningful change.

As part of my personal development and ongoing practice, I’ve spent many years engaging in contemplative practices, inspired and influenced by philosophical teachings and embodiment modalities, the Dharma/Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Contemplative/Reflective Writing and Yoga. At heart, my personal and professional process is shaped by a desire to explore, nurture, sustain and restore the relationships we have with ourselves, each other and our shared environment.