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.
BONUS:
If you’ve found this in May 2025 and enjoyed my conversation with Cecile - perfect timing! We’re hosting an event together: Wintering with Grief.
When: Sunday 25 May, 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Where: Mt Pleasant Community Centre, Christchurch
What: Grief doesn’t follow a timeline—it moves in cycles, like the seasons. But in a world that moves fast (so fast!), grief is often left unspoken, unprocessed, and unseen.
As we enter winter, we’re offering a space to slow down and turn inward. Not to fix or rush your grief—but to tend to it gently.
Join grief-informed coaches Cecile Dransart and Hannah Rae for Wintering With Grief, a 2.5-hour soul-centred workshop designed to honour your unique grief journey. Together we’ll weave ritual, journaling, creative expression, and nervous system tools to help you reconnect with your inner strength and create space for healing.
Whether your loss is recent or long ago, you are welcome here. No “right words” needed—just a willingness to show up as you are.
You’ll leave feeling more connected, more grounded, and with practical tools to support yourself when the days feel heavy.
Special pricing: $55 single ticket or $100 for two – bring a friend. (+ booking fee)
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
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wildheartnz.substack.com
