In this deeply moving episode of Rewild You, I’m joined by the vibrant and courageous Cecile Dransart. Cecile shares her story of navigating the sudden loss of her husband while they were living as a family overseas — and how she found her way back to life, joy, and authenticity.

We talk about her relationship with Dave, the shock of his passing, and the raw early days of grief. Cecile offers honest insights into parenting through loss, leaning into community support, and reshaping life after tragedy. Through her lived experience, she shows us that grief and hope can — and do — coexist, and that rebuilding a life after loss, while messy and imperfect, is powerful and possible.

Listen here on Substack or tune in on your favourite podcast platform.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

* The early aftermath of sudden loss — and why not knowing was the hardest part

* How community connection helped Cecile survive those first days

* Why celebrating life — colourfully and loudly — was her act of defiance and love

* Parenting through grief and helping her boys navigate their loss

* How Cecile found her way back to love, joy, and purpose — without losing her connection to Dave

* The role of authenticity, emotional vulnerability, and spiritual trust in healing

About Cecile:

Cecile is a solo mother of two, a lover of meaningful connection, and a passionate advocate for living life to the fullest — despite, or perhaps because of, life's hardest moments. Today, she supports others on their path to self-empowerment and authentic living through her coaching practice, Aligned Holistic Coaching.

Resources and Links:

Follow Cecile on Instagram: @alignedholisticcoaching

Connect with Cecile on LinkedIn.

Tune in now to hear Cecile’s incredible story — and be reminded that even in deep grief, life can still be vivid, courageous, and fiercely beautiful.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com

In this episode of Rewild You, I sit down with endurance athlete and adventurer Harriet Watson to explore her journey of navigating life with endometriosis while embracing the challenges of endurance sports. 

From growing up in a multi-sport family in rural New Zealand to tackling grueling events like the Coast to Coast and ultra-distance adventures, Harriet has never shied away from pushing her limits. But her path hasn’t been without its struggles—particularly when it comes to managing a chronic condition that affects every aspect of her life.

Harriet shares:

• How growing up as the youngest and smallest in an adventurous family shaped her resilience.
• The pivotal moment when she realized that hard work could turn her struggles into strength.
• The emotional and physical toll of endometriosis and how she found her way to a diagnosis.
• The power of endurance sports as both a challenge and a coping mechanism.
• How she turns her pain into purpose, using her platform to raise awareness for endometriosis and women's health.

Through it all, Harriet has developed a mindset of persistence, learning to embrace the highs and lows of both sport and health. Her story is a testament to the power of self-advocacy, movement, and mental resilience.

Follow Harriet’s adventures on Instagram: @hazzas_adventures 

https://www.instagram.com/hazzas_adventures/

Endometriosis New Zealand website & resources: https://nzendo.org.nz/

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Jess Simson shares her remarkable journey from struggling with mental health to becoming an elite endurance athlete—and ultimately discovering joy and authenticity. Growing up in New Zealand and now residing in the Canadian Rockies, Jess reflects on how she turned personal challenges into opportunities for growth and transformation.

Jess opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to endurance sports, how she overcame self-doubt and resistance, and the lessons learned from hitting burnout. Through her story, she offers profound insights into the power of movement, the importance of trusting your instincts, and how to reconnect with your authentic self.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Jess used movement as a tool to navigate mental health challenges.
• The transformative power of diving into the world of multisport and endurance racing.
• Lessons learned from burnout and how it reshaped her approach to life and sport.
• How yin yoga and mindfulness became integral to her healing journey.
• The shift from fear-driven performance to self-love and joyful movement.

Key Takeaways:

• "I didn’t know what I was capable of, but I knew I had to try."
• "Burnout was my greatest teacher—it forced me to rethink everything."
• "Movement is now an act of self-love, not punishment."

About Jess Simson:

Jess Simson is a former elite endurance athlete and world multisport champion, a mindfulness advocate, and a devoted mother living in the Canadian Rockies. Drawing from her personal journey, she now inspires others to embrace their authentic selves and find balance through self-care.

Resources and Links:

• Jess’s website: https://www.stokedlife.ca/
• NZ Spirit Fest: https://www.nzspirit.com/southislandfestival
• Follow Jess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stokedlife_jess_simson/

🎧 Tune in now to hear Jess’s inspiring story and learn how to transform life’s challenges into opportunities for growth.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com

Welcome to Rewild You, where we explore stories and strategies to rebuild and thrive through life’s toughest challenges. In this first solo episode of 2025, I’m thrilled to share five powerful lessons about resilience drawn from my experiences in endurance sports. Whether you’re an athlete or navigating life’s peaks and valleys, these insights are designed to inspire and empower you.

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about adapting to change. Through endurance sport, I’ve learned that resilience grows from showing up even when it’s hard, finding comfort in discomfort, and pacing yourself for the long haul. These lessons apply far beyond physical challenges and can shape how we face adversity in every area of life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or wondered how to cultivate resilience, this episode will guide you through strategies to navigate life’s hurdles.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Showing Up Even When It’s Hard
   • The power of consistency and commitment, even in uncomfortable conditions.
   • A story of training for the XTERRA World Championships in Hawaii during a New Zealand winter, and how it taught me to persevere.
2. Finding Comfort in Discomfort
   • How mindfulness and focus help us push through pain, whether it’s a grueling race or a tough life moment.
   • Insights from my Coast-to-Coast adventure across New Zealand.
3. Managing Yourself When Things Go Wrong
   • The importance of asking for what you need and embracing self-care during challenges.
   • A simple yet transformative lesson learned during a six-hour rogaine.
4. Pacing for the Long Haul
   • Why knowing and honouring your own pace is key to sustainable growth and success.
   • Reflections from a five-day ultramarathon in the Wadi Rum Desert.
5. Finding Meaning in the Journey
   • How connecting with others, embracing personal growth, and finding joy in the process enriches life beyond the finish line.
   • A deeply personal moment at the Pioneer Race in 2018 that reshaped my perspective.

Interested in deeper support? Book a free consult to map out your next steps: Free Consult.

Let’s keep showing up, pacing ourselves, and finding meaning in every step of the journey. 🌿

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com

Note: This episode was first published in October 2022 on the Yarns for the Soul podcast episode #6.

In this heartfelt episode of the Yarns for the Soul podcast, my sister Nicole (yes, my real life sister!) and I dive into the profound and often messy journey of grief. Together, we explore the raw realities of loss, the resilience it takes to navigate its depths, and the mental health tools that have helped us along the way.  

I share my personal story of navigating grief after losing my father, a dear friend, and my grandfather in quick succession. We discuss how these profound losses transformed not only my identity but also my approach to life, sparking a new path as a coach. This candid conversation sheds light on the ongoing nature of grief and the ways we can move forward, step by step, while carrying the weight of loss.  
This episode offers tools for grief and insights for building resilience, including ways to support yourself or others who are grieving. Whether you’re navigating grief firsthand or supporting someone through it, we hope you’ll find this conversation a source of comfort and empowerment.  

What we cover in this episode: 

• The emotional and physical toll of grief and how it reshapes our lives.
• The tools that helped me process grief, including yin yoga, slowing down, and connecting with nature.
• The challenges of returning to work and daily life while navigating loss.
• How language, societal expectations, and traditional approaches to mental health can fail grievers—and what we can do differently.
• The importance of showing up for grieving loved ones with presence, compassion, and practical support.
• Tips for supporting someone in grief, including what to say (and what not to say).
• The role of coaching in helping people process loss and move toward healing.  

Through sharing personal stories and insights, Nicole and I highlight the power of vulnerability, resilience, and community in the face of grief. This episode is a reminder that, while grief is a deeply personal journey, none of us have to walk it alone.  

Tune in to this episode and join us in an honest, heartfelt conversation about navigating life after loss.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com

In this moving and insightful episode, we explore the profound challenges and lessons of navigating pregnancy loss and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) pregnancies. Dr. Kathryn Mangin-Heimos shares her deeply personal journey through pregnancy complications, including pregnancy loss, life-threatening symptoms, and mental health struggles.

Note: This episode was recorded during an Instagram Live session, so there are slight audio disruptions. Thanks for your patience, and I hope you find the conversation valuable despite these minor technical issues.

Kathryn’s story highlights the resilience required to face such an intense experience and her mission to support other women faced with similar challenges. She discusses reclaiming agency during and after an HG pregnancy, the power of mindset, and the ripple effects these experiences can have on motherhood and family planning.

Join us as we unpack how even the most painful moments can lead to personal growth, meaningful work, and the capacity to guide others through grief, loss, and life’s unexpected hurdles. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating women's health challenges, pregnancy, or loss. 

Episode Highlights  

• Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Pregnancy Loss: Kathryn’s candid account of her first pregnancy loss and the extreme physical and mental toll of HG on her subsequent pregnancies. 
• The Ripple Effect of HG: How HG can alter family plans and lead to grieving the envisioned future of motherhood.
• Reclaiming Agency and Mindset Mastery: Practical advice on taking small but impactful steps to regain control, even in the darkest moments.
• Finding Support: The value of connecting with others who have walked similar paths and creating a personalized strategy for recovery and wellbeing.
• Turning Pain into Purpose: How Kathryn’s experience fueled her mission to mentor and coach women through HG and beyond.  

Kathryn’s wisdom shines through in her reflection: "Reaching out for help is an empowered step on your journey. If that's all you can do at that moment, ask for help."

🔗 Resources and Connect

• Connect with Kathryn and FREE resources: https://linktr.ee/hgmentor
• Follow Dr. Kathryn Mangin-Heimos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hgmentor/

Listen and subscribe for more episodes on grief, resilience, and navigating life transitions. Don’t forget to rate and review the podcast on Spotify or iTunes!

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com

In this episode of Rewild You, Hannah sits down with Dae-Maree, a holistic wellbeing coach, to explore the depths of grief, healing, and the transformative power of mindset. Dae-Maree shares her personal grief journey and the profound impact of losing her baby girl and her beloved Nana in the same year. This heart-wrenching experience became the catalyst for her own personal growth and paved the way for her to support others in navigating life’s challenges.

Note: This episode was recorded during an Instagram Live session, so there are slight audio disruptions. Thanks for your patience, and I hope you find the conversation valuable despite these minor technical issues.

Dae-Maree’s insights into grief, particularly how it manifests differently for everyone, serve as a powerful reminder that grief is not a one-size-fits-all journey. She talks about the varied forms of loss—whether it's the death of a loved one, the loss of a pet, a job, or even a sense of self. In a world that often pressures people to "move on" from grief, Dae-Maree highlights the importance of honoring one's unique grief journey and emphasizes that healing has no timeline.

Throughout the conversation, Dae-Maree and Hannah delve into tools for grief, such as grief journaling, which helped Dae-Maree process her emotions by writing letters to her daughter. They discuss how writing can be a powerful therapeutic tool, offering both reflection and release. Whether someone is dealing with fresh grief or has been carrying it for years, this episode offers insights to explore how to move through grief and navigate other challenges.

In this episode, we cover:

• Dae-Maree’s personal grief journey and her approach to helping others heal.
• The different ways grief shows up in our lives beyond death.
• Practical tools for dealing with grief, including journaling and grief coaching.
• Challenging societal expectations around how long grief should last.
• The importance of mental health awareness in the grief journey.

Tune in to hear Dae-Maree's reflections on her evolving grief journey and how she has transformed her pain into a tool to help others. Whether you're in the early stages of grief or looking for ways to continue your healing, this episode provides valuable insights and practical tools to navigate grief with grace and compassion.

For more on Dae-Maree's work, you can follow her on Instagram @thegrowthproject___  where she shares her journey, resources, and upcoming collaborations aimed at supporting those facing life's many challenges.

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Book your FREE 30-minute consult to create a clear action plan to begin your transformation - from feeling stuck in a rut to stepping into an empowered, purposeful life.

Check out the tools, resources and support at: rewildyouhq.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the transformative journey of Sarah Robb, a woman who has faced unimaginable loss but who has emerged as a beacon of hope and healing for others. Sarah shares her raw and honest account of losing both parents by the age of 26, and how these profound experiences shaped her path to becoming a mindset coach and grief advocate.

Note: This episode was recorded during an Instagram Live session, so there are slight audio disruptions. Thanks for your patience, and I hope you find the conversation valuable despite these minor technical issues.

Sarah's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for growth even in the darkest of times. She candidly discusses the challenges of navigating grief in her twenties, a time typically associated with fun, travel and adventure. Her insights offer a unique perspective on dealing with loss at a young age and the complexities that come with it.

Through her story, Sarah unveils the tools and mindsets that helped her not just survive but thrive in the face of overwhelming grief. From reframing her relationship with emotions to embracing spirituality, she provides listeners with practical strategies for moving through grief rather than trying to move on from it.

Sarah reflects on the pivotal moments that changed the trajectory of her healing journey. She recounts a confronting yet transformative interaction with her coach, who challenged her to choose healing over suffering. This moment of clarity became the catalyst for Sarah's decision to use her pain as a force for good, inspiring her to help others navigate their own grief journeys.

This episode delves into the often-overlooked aspects of grief, such as the ongoing nature of loss and the challenge of grieving the passage of time. Sarah's insights into these nuanced elements of bereavement provide valuable validation for those who may feel isolated in their prolonged grief experiences.

Throughout the episode, Sarah's warmth and compassion shine through, creating a safe space for listeners to reflect on their own experiences with loss. Her vulnerability in sharing her ongoing journey with grief, even years after her losses, normalizes the long-term nature of bereavement and offers hope for those in the thick of their pain. 

Sarah's story serves as a powerful reminder that while grief may be an inevitable part of the human experience, it also holds the potential for profound personal growth and transformation.

Find Sarah on Instagram @springwithsarah or head over to her gorgeous website: www.springwithsarah.com.

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Book your FREE 30-minute consult to create a clear action plan to begin your transformation - from feeling stuck in a rut to stepping into an empowered, purposeful life.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com

In this powerful exploration of grief and men's mental health, former rugby player Aaron Callaghan shares his journey of loss after his wife Kate's death from aggressive breast cancer. His story offers a unique perspective on how to deal with grief, breaking stereotypes about masculinity and providing practical tools for coping with grief.

Note: This episode was recorded during an Instagram Live session, so there are slight audio disruptions. Thanks for your patience, and I hope you find the conversation valuable despite these minor technical issues.

Through the lens of his grief journey, Aaron discusses the mental health challenges of being a widowed father and the unexpected tools for grief he discovered along the way. Self-proclaimed as “rugby mad” he shares his insights from bridging the gap between traditional masculinity and emotional vulnerability, offering valuable guidance for men's mental health and grief support.

This episode provides a raw, honest look at grief and the complex path of healing, offering listeners practical strategies for dealing with loss while maintaining their mental health. Aaron's approach to grief recovery through action-oriented steps makes this episode particularly valuable for those seeking tangible ways to move forward after loss.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• Navigating cancer grief as a spouse and parent
• Essential tools for grief survival and mental health maintenance
• The intersection of men's mental health and grief expression
• How to deal with grief through consistent, small actions
• Physical and emotional aspects of the grief journey
• Breaking stereotypes about men's mental health and emotional expression

Throughout the episode, Aaron provides practical advice on how to deal with grief, emphasizing the importance of taking consistent, small steps. His approach focuses on action-oriented strategies that help combat the "victim mindset" often experienced during the grief journey.

This powerful episode serves as both a guide to grief management and a candid exploration of men's mental health in the face of loss. Aaron's story demonstrates that with the right tools for grief and a willingness to embrace vulnerability, it's possible to navigate the grief journey in an empowered way. Thanks for tuning in!

You can find Aaron here: https://www.aaroncallaghan.com/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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Questions or comments? Email us at: [email protected]

Book your FREE 30-minute consult to create a clear action plan to begin your transformation - from feeling stuck in a rut to stepping into an empowered, purposeful life.

Check out the tools, resources and support at: rewildyouhq.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com

In this candid conversation, we dive deep into the cancer journey of Sjaan, a mother and farmer diagnosed with stage 2b cervical cancer at age 33. Sjaan shares her emotional rollercoaster, from the initial shock of diagnosis to navigating treatment and recovery. Her story highlights the unique aspects of cancer grief, including the fear of leaving her family behind and the physical changes to her body.

Note: This episode was recorded during an Instagram Live session, so there are slight audio disruptions. Thanks for your patience, and I hope you find the conversation valuable despite these minor technical issues.

Sjaan discusses the importance of community support and how it helped her cope with the challenges of cancer treatment. She emphasizes the need for open communication and vulnerability, encouraging others facing similar situations to reach out for help. The conversation touches on various tools for dealing with grief, including the “visitor” analogy for managing difficult emotions.

The interview explores Sjaan’s mental health journey throughout her cancer experience and how it has shaped her outlook on life. She shares valuable insights on how to deal with grief, including the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions fully while also knowing when to “kick out” negative thoughts. Sjaan's story serves as an inspiring example of resilience and the power of a positive mindset in the face of adversity.

Highlights of this episode include:

• Sjaan's diagnosis of cervical cancer during the COVID-19 lockdown
• The emotional impact of cancer on both her and her loved ones
• The importance of community support and practical help during treatment
• Strategies for coping with grief and difficult emotions
• Dealing with physical changes and limitations post-treatment
• Sjaan's amazing advocacy work for gynecological cancer awareness

Our conversation also touches on the concept of vicarious grief, as Sjaan describes her concern for how her potential death would affect her family. This unique perspective offers listeners insight into the complex emotional landscape of a cancer diagnosis.

Throughout the interview, Sjaan emphasizes the importance of knowing one's body and being proactive about health concerns. She advocates for increased awareness and funding for gynecological cancers, drawing parallels to the success of breast cancer awareness campaigns.

The episode concludes with Sjaan sharing her current passion project: hosting an annual Daffodil Day fundraiser for gynecological cancer awareness. This initiative not only raises funds but also serves as a platform for education and community building around women's health issues.

Our hope is that you will come away from this episode with a deeper understanding of the cancer grief experience and practical tools for dealing with grief in your own life. Sjaan's story serves as both a source of inspiration and a call to action for increased support and awareness of gynecological cancers.

Links

Talk Peach Gynaecological Cancer Foundation 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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Questions or comments? Email us at: [email protected]

Book your FREE 30-minute consult to create a clear action plan to begin your transformation - from feeling stuck in a rut to stepping into an empowered, purposeful life.

Check out the tools, resources and support at: rewildyouhq.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rewildyouhq.substack.com