For most of my life, I’ve cared for people. I’ve spent 26 years as a Registered Nurse, and 14 of those years leading as an Operating Theatre Nursing Unit Manager. I’ve stood beside adults and children during moments when life felt fragile — moments filled with fear, hope, uncertainty and healing.

Caring for people never felt like just a job. It was a responsibility and a privilege.

But after 14 years in a leadership role I loved, my world changed unexpectedly. Following a change in executive leadership, I found myself navigating an experience I never imagined — leaving an environment that had been such a significant part of my identity and my life.

The shock was real. The uncertainty was overwhelming. And the emotional toll was heavier than I ever imagined.  I questioned myself, my abilities and my future. I experienced the challenges of rebuilding confidence, navigating unfamiliar territory and finding my way forward while protecting my reputation and honouring my values.

And somewhere in the middle of all that pain, I learned something important:

Healing isn’t just physical. It is emotional. It is spiritual. It is the quiet, uncomfortable process of reconnecting with ourselves when life forces us to stop, reflect and begin again.

Before everything changed, I had already started exploring yoga, Pilates, meditation and sound healing. At the time, they were simply small moments of calm amongst a busy life, but they began to resonate with me in a deeper way.

A spontaneous journey to Ubud, Bali became a turning point.  Initially uncertain whether I was ready to travel mentally, I trusted my husband’s encouragement and embarked on a wellness retreat. What unfolded was an experience that changed the direction of my life.

During my time in Ubud, I experienced profound moments of connection and insight. I met beautiful people who encouraged me to explore Reiki, meditation and wellness practices. These experiences inspired me to begin a new journey of learning and self-discovery.  Their kindness and wisdom opened a door I didn’t know I needed.

I began to understand that perhaps this challenging and difficult chapter was not an ending — it was an invitation.

An invitation to slow down.
An invitation to heal.
An invitation to discover a new way of caring.

While sitting by the pool at Soul Shine one afternoon before returning home, I registered my business name:

To Be Human.

The name represents everything I have learned through life, nursing, leadership, adversity and healing. Being human means facing change, uncertainty, vulnerability and growth. It means falling apart and finding yourself again. It means learning to reconnect with who you are beneath the noise.

To Be Human was created to provide a space for people to pause, breathe, restore and come home to themselves.

Through Reiki, yoga, meditation, sound healing and breathwork, my intention is to support others as they move through their own seasons of challenge, healing and transformation.

This isn’t the end of my story. It’s the beginning of a new chapter — one rooted in compassion, connection and the courage to start again.

Renae x