My life has been touched by some uber amazing women whose passion for life and the way they choose to live it have really inspired me. A few years ago, I started the She’s So Inspiring series to showcase these amazing stories because I knew that they would inspire others. Some of these inspiring women are bloggers, some are not, their lives are all different and they are all incredibly special. I am so honoured that they are sharing their stories and sprinkling a little bit of their awesome right here. May you be wom-inspired!
Meet Chelsey Prior.
I can’t remember how or why Chelsey and I first connected online but I’m jolly pleased we did because Chelsey is an absolute gem! I’ve followed her (but not in a stalky way) over the last few years and seen first hand how she has tapped into her own magic and used it to thrive – she really is living her best life!
I have watched on and seen how Chelsey’s passion for mindfulness, meditation and movement have changed and enriched her life and how passionate she is about sharing this with others. She shows how easy it can be to implement wellness practices into every day life and always in a fun, compassionate and non-judgy way. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before she gets me on a yoga mat!
Both Chelsey and I believe that each of us has unique gifts and that we can learn from each other and our stories. If you like the She’s So Inspiring interviews, you’ll love Chelsey’s The Heartspace Connect series where she too puts inspiring women in the spotlight (even me!) But for now, meet Chelsey, she’s so inspiring!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Growing up, I was immersed in natural holistic health thanks to my Mum. From a young age she taught me how to use essential oils, make DIY cleaning and beauty products (like the tomato facial peel or sand body exfoliant) and knew a natural remedy for just about anything. She was really into healthy eating too and would share random nutritional benefits at the dinner table like “turkey gives you confidence” or if you needed a memory boost it would be a good time to eat more walnuts. Growing up as an only child to a single Mama gave us a special bond.
It was only in my early twenties that I really realised the healing power of holistic health when I was faced with numerous health challenges including chronic allergies, stress, anxiety and depression. I cleared out my makeup bag and bathroom and kitchen cupboards of anything unnatural and full of chemicals (almost everything!), and replaced them with natural, low-tox alternatives. I left an 8 year relationship that was no longer serving me. And I took a look at my lifestyle habits and started doing less of the stuff that brought me down and more of the stuff that added value to my life, like spending more time with friends and family, practicing yoga, committing to daily meditation, traveling to all of the places I’d been dying to visit for years, eating a plant based whole food diet and listening to my intuition. I’d had a love for writing since the moment I could hold a pen and spent much of this time journaling or writing about my adventures into holistic living for my blog www.theheartspaceconnect.com.
When my Mum was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer on New Years Day 2017 my world was turned upside down. I became her full time carer and when I wasn’t taking her to medical appointments I was researching complementary natural therapies that might help with the healing process. We juiced, we went to yoga and meditated during chemo and to help her relax and get to sleep at home. We did everything in our power to help her heal.
It was during this time that I discovered Theta Healing, a powerful healing modality, which helped not just my Mum but it also helped me to overcome the uncertainty and stresses of being a carer for a loved one dealing with illness. I was managing a yoga studio at the time and being able to practice yoga and meditation, eat well and practice energy healing regularly helped me through this difficult time. After my Mum passed in September 2017 these holistic practices provided me with an anchor in the storm. They gave me a healthy outlet to express the grief, sorrow and whatever came up in the day to day as I navigated through the new reality without my Mum.
I was then called to explore yoga and meditation teaching with Mark Breadner, AcuEnergetics, more Theta Healing with Nicole Saba and Reiki Level 2 with Marcia Kothe. This helped me to find my Dharma, my calling, and now I practice Energy Healing, one-on-one yoga and meditation sessions, Holistic Counseling and sharing essential oils every day. I love it.
I continue to share heart-centred, holistic lifestyle content on The Heartspace Connect and enjoy slow travel, getting creative and helping others relax, connect, heal and grow.
Tell us 3 things you are and 3 things you’re not.
I change all the time, as we all do, but right now…
Three things I am – curious, connected, inspired.
And three things I’m not – what I have, what I think or what I do.
Complete this sentence, ____________________ changed my life. How and why?
Yoga, meditation and energy healing changed my mind, my body and my life. These simple practices bring more meaning, flow, space and energy to my everyday and when the everyday brings up challenges, it’s these practices that keep me centred and grounded.
What has been life’s greatest lesson?
Life is what you make it.
What is your biggest achievement?
Listening to my heart (even when it’s challenging) and sharing compassion with myself and others along the way.
What has been your toughest obstacle and how have you overcome it?
Walking hand in hand with my Mum through her battle with Pancreatic Cancer and losing her 9 months later.
If it weren’t for practicing yoga, meditation and energy healing I can’t imagine where I would be now. In every cloud there is a silver lining and I can now see the lessons and blessings in this one.
Viktor Frankl says “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how.” Everyone needs a purpose, what’s yours?
What began as wholeheartedly helping my Mum find natural healing methods to relax, reconnect and heal turned into a purpose driven life.
Whenever the “how” gets tricky, focusing on my “why” helps everything else fall into place.
What are your words to live by?
Treat yourself.
Sometimes that means making some Me Time, connecting with others, doing something you love, sleeping in, listening to your heart, saying no, saying yes, having that Nutie donut and always means practicing self-care.
If you could have any mentor, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
I’d love to sit down for a cuppa with Louise Hay or Wayne Dyer. Both of their offerings are incredible, imagine what being mentored by them would be like!
If you could play hookie for a day what would be on your list to do?
I would go straight to the beach, soak up some sun and take in a little Vitamin Sea.
You give so much to others, what do you do to take care of yourself?
Self-care is so important and I make it a habit to practice it everyday. I practice yoga, meditate and check in with myself every day.
A hot bath, diffusing essential oils, reading, connecting with nature, connecting with friends and family, good food, music and writing all help to fill up my cup too.
Thank you for sharing, Chelsey.
Let Chelsey inspire you a little bit more…
on the blog
on facebook
and on instagram
