about kirsty

 At a young age I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and experienced debilitating panic attacks that had me barely managing through high school. I spent my adolescence and twenties going round in a cycle of ’pushing through’ and then burning out until I was unable to leave the house for months on end due to crippling anxiety. This led to bouts of severe depression and suicidal thoughts. I couldn't understand why I was like this. I tried the familiar path of talk therapy and medication but still felt stuck and unable to move forward. I didn't know how to help myself and I didn't want to keep going in circles on this miserable merry-go-round.

 Being given labels and told that there was nothing I could do about it left me feeling helpless. After years of chronic stress, anxiety and some traumatic life events, my body hit a breaking point and I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome/M.E, as well as adrenal fatigue, mould illness and gut dysbiosis. My body was overburdened, inflamed and unable to function. I slowly lost my ability to work, drive, socialise, walk and even look after myself. At my worst I was left bed bound, which ended up being a turning point for me. 

 I could allow myself to sink further into illness, disempowerment and despair, or I could lean into my feelings deep down: where I knew healing and recovery was possible for me. I knew I was meant for more. I pursued holistic healing modalities and began to understand the intricate link between the mind and body, no system works alone. On my path to wellness I discovered breathwork and was blown away by how much of a positive impact it had on my body. 

 The intensity of my symptoms decreased. I was able to start moving my body again and felt my energy slowly start to increase. I became fascinated by how something as simple as breathing could affect me so positively. Aside from the physical benefits, breathwork helped restore a sense of safety in my body - something I had never felt before. Chronic anxiety and depression began to dissipate. In addition, somatic parts work helped me understand all the ways my subconscious was trying to keep me safe and how it manifested physically and through my beliefs and behaviours. I finally felt like I had come home to myself, discovering the authentic me that had been buried under years of pain, illness and conditioning. I had learned how to became my own healer and take back my power; I was no longer a prisoner to the past.