A few years ago I worked as an Addiction Therapist on a little Thai Island called Koh Chang under Dr Jocelyn Mercado. Here I was fortunate to learn & understand how to connect outer place with inner space.

I was new to this specific role, although a seasoned Counsellor. I’d always wanted to work in Thailand as I love to travel and I was ready to sink my teeth into elevating professional work.

It was intense, challenging at points, fast paced and I could easily see how burnout could arise if a Therapist didn’t have the insight on how to take care of themselves. I experienced the overwhelm at points myself. So I realised that I had to exercise, eat nutritionally, hydrate fully and sleep well (safely) to take care initially of my wellbeing whilst living in a new country, on a new continent. In a very different work environment. The psychological shifts were powerful.

Surrounded by nature and overlooking the sea. 6am became my friend 3 mornings a week as I swam for 30 mins in the quiet of the day.

I learnt quickly. My colleagues open & willing to share their knowledge, support and insight. No question I asked treated as stupid. I built trust in them, to be me fully, over a period of time.

On the weekends I would catch the 9am taxi and take myself to the most touristy beach, away from the facility. Spending the day untangling my thoughts about the demanding work. Talking with my family in the UK and wandering in and out of the water until returning home in the evening, I’d watch a movie with a cup of tea, sitting on a balcony watching monkeys frolic. Cicadas prepare for nightfall, whilst glimpsing glistening water in the far distance.

On Sundays I’d walk the hills, hydrating on the way until reaching the little I Do, I Do restaurant where I’d sit and eat Pad Cha. The Thai dish which became the main influence for my street food and event catering business.

I’d made friends. Learnt about living in a different culture. Connecting with nature. My well-being and mental wellness improving through stimulating work, living somewhere beautiful and fulfilling a personal dream. Which connected outer place with inner space.

It was brief. It was meaningful.
I brought myself to life fully and was working with helping others do so too. I was in the sweet spot. I had equilibrium.

Many clients told me they’d always wanted to visit Thailand. Yet I always questioned did they feel the need to self sabotage simply to fulfil a personal dream.

I wondered then how I could help the high achieving professional connect outer place with inner space. The desire for it to be used in a pro-active & preventative way.
The walk & talk was borne