WHO AM I?

My name is Rachel and my interest in natural and alternative health began in 1996 at the age of 14 when I was drawn to an after-school course in Aromatherapy. 

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I never really thought much more about the way I lived my life until the early 2000’s when I realised just how sad and unfulfilled I had been feeling for quite some time. I went to see my doctor who prescribed antidepressants and talking therapies to help my mood and I remained on medication for a couple of years.

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In 2004, my daughter was born and I was feeling much happier about life. I decided to do something for myself and I enrolled in an evening Swedish Massage course at the local college which I enjoyed so much I enrolled in another class as soon as I passed, this time in Indian Head Massage. At the time I was working part-time and studying in my spare time. I knew something big was changing – me!

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​In 2009, I said goodbye to a successful and secure corporate career to study a Foundation Degree as a Complementary Therapist, this time at Newcastle College which was very exciting and scary both at the same time!

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During this transformational time, I was fortunate to stumble across an inspirational dog charity called SHAK (www.shak.org.uk) and I fell in love volunteering with rescue dogs who had been mistreated and neglected.  

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After qualifying as a Complementary Therapist I secured a job in Occupational Therapy for a mental health NHS trust; hoping to be able to use my skills in the local community, I felt content for a little while, excited and motivated to help and support people suffering from mental health difficulties.

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​I began my yoga journey (I especially love Kundalini and Yin), my love for Meditating began and I also made the transition from Vegetarian to Vegan.

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​A few years later I secured a full-time post at a primary care mental health NHS site where I worked with both working age and older-aged adults on acute wards.

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I thought I had my dream job, I thought I was where I wanted to be, that I was living life to my best, looking after all of myself and helping people, but I came to realise I was still deeply sad. I felt completely alone, lacked self-belief, and lost all hope. 

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​The time came when I just couldn't continue and my pain became too much for me to cope with. My mood was incredibly low, I had zero motivation, I had issues with food, I couldn't focus and I preferred being asleep to living.

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I felt worthless, lost, ungrounded and I found myself needing help again. For a few years, I struggled in a dark place, sometimes not believing I was ever going to feel alive again.

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​It was then I came across two books: 'Reasons To Stay Alive' by Matt Haig and 'Shoot The Damn Dog, A Memoir of Depression' by Sally Brampton.​ I also listened to an audiobook by Vishen Lakhiani (co-founder of Mindvalley) every time I drove the car called 'The Code of the Extraordinary Mind.'

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These discoveries changed everything. It didn't happen overnight but something clicked inside and I knew I was going to feel better. I could see a future again, I began to believe in myself more and I reconnected to a mission I now realise is mine.

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My light inside began to glow once again and my recovery started gathering pace.

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Fast forward to summer 2019; I was ready to take a huge leap of faith and so LIFE Holistic Therapies was born. (I still remember the first evening I spent brainstorming what I dreamt of, imagining all LIFE could be and in how many different ways it could make a difference - something which continues to excite me still.)

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I have loved providing treatments at Yoga Retreats and also treating clients in their own homes, then in January 2020, I opened my business premises where my clients can encounter treatments in a comforting, peaceful space - where they can 'just be' - opening a gateway to their health. 

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My work with the amazing dogs at SHAK (and with my dogs) has opened opportunities to explore the use of essential oils and offer gentle, natural remedies for common issues. I can’t wait to see how things develop and I'm especially excited about helping to create a new Sensory Garden full of enrichment and beneficial plants for the dogs to explore.

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In 2021, I conquered another dream, something I had been manifesting since studying at college when I took LIFE to a local manufacturing factory.  Offering a bespoke, first-class service, I created a therapy wellbeing package for employees to combat workplace stress while promoting good physical and mental health, and I continue to return monthly for Staff Wellbeing Days.

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​I struggled (and still do at times) with confidence, motivation, and low mood but I have learned what works for me, what helps me overcome destructive thoughts, how to battle negative energy and unhelpful behaviors, how to manage my emotions, recognise triggers, how to prioritise myself without feeling guilty and accept I don't need to be 'fixed'. 

I will always be a work in progress (healing is a full time commitment!) and I am ready to share my experiences, healing hands, wisdom, and 'tools' with you so you can be your most authentic self.

I feel lucky to be able to combine my passion for complementary and holistic health with my love for nature, animals, and people. 

My journey hasn't always been so holistically led, meandering this way and that, but I believe everything I have experienced has been for a reason and my true purpose and passion - to help other people and animals - is what LIFE is all about.

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It's 2022... I have high aspirations of working with our community and growing LIFE.  Now is an exciting time to be alive, anything is possible!  Connection and awareness are at the heart of everything and I'm going to do my best to reach as many beautiful souls as possible.

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Make this year all about your healing journey...

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Just imagine how incredible your LIFE can be when you release your past and heal.  When you accept, when you grow, when you align with your truth. 

Just imagine all the gifts you have buried deep inside ready to share with the world.

You are unique and the world needs you!

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Love Rachel