Think Winter 2020 - early 2021, in the midst of lockdown life, things were pretty bleak to say the least. While holding huge awareness of my immense privilege that I was safe + physically healthy, not forgetting the gratitude for the safety + wellbeing of my loved ones, I will admit that, like for millions of people the world over, it was a really moment where I needed to find new ways to stay well + on top of feeling good. Enter my introduction to Nadia Josse, cool-French-girl extraordinaire come breath-work practitioner, who upon realising I could actually attend her group classes from home here in Ireland (Nadia’s based in NYC), I booked right in + got my breath-work on. I’ve since attended, either live or on the recording sends out post the session, pretty much every group session she’s held along with some private 1:1s with Nadia who’s approach is kind + gentle with a technique that’s absolutely worth it’s weight in gold. On a personal level, it’s been a really powerful part of my collection of wellness tools over the past few years now + each time I work with Nadia, I go deeper + find that little bit more peace within. Here we speak about her journey into the space, how she sets herself up for success + what she does to get that glow.. (Nadia’s skin is the most glowing I’ve ever seen)

HSF — Nadia, what brought you to begin your journey toward the wellness space + specifically to this beautiful practice of breath-work?

NJ — Moving to NYC was a huge catalyst for me. I had to find an output and a way to ground myself. I found a yoga practice, which slowly led me into Reiki, meditation and lastly Breathwork.

HSF — Have you always been so passionate about your health or have there been challenges that afforded you a fresh perspective on what it means to feel good?

NJ — Yes I always nerded out on health books. I feel like in my 20’s I was trying to find myself. I tried a LOT of different modalities - I was vegan for a little bit, paleo, keto haha. I think my biggest challenge which eventually led me to really lean into a Breathwork practice was fertility and conceiving. I had to manage my stress, regulate my hormones and connect with my feminine energy.

HSF — As you know, I’m a huge believer in your breath-work, having worked with you on a 1:1 level + attending so many of your group sessions but for those new to your work, can you explain the specific modality of breath-work you use in your teachings..

NJ — I teach a method that really focuses on emotional release. David Elliot and Erin Telford were my teachers. It’s a heart opening practice. Some people call is 3 steps breathing. It’s a way to release stuck energy and trauma from the body , reconnect with your truth and strentghten your intuition.

HSF — How has breath-work impacted your life?

NJ — It’s changed my life but more than that it gave me confidence that I had the answers and the power to heal within me. I used to seek healers and gurus. People who would tell me what to do and who I was.

HSF — For those new to breath-work, where or how do you suggest someone to begin?

NJ — Start with one of my group classes and then if you want to go deeper you can do 1-1 sessions or even try on your own.

HSF — Your career appears quite demanding with a lot of travel + big industry events.. yet you manage to make it all look so chic + elegant. What tips can you give for a demanding schedule, especially with traveling between time zones?

NJ — I plan, I do lists. I set myself up for success. I also have non-negotiable in the morning that set up the foundations for my day. I wake up early, I journal, meditate (depending on the days I would do a combo of meditation and Breathwork or one only) and then I exercise. If I’m traveling I’ll adapt and try to do a shorter version of all this. But sometimes that doesn’t work and that’s ok. I get back on my routine and feel great.

HSF — What does your morning +/or nighttime routine look like?

MORNING—

Wake up - make coffee

Drink coffee / Journal

Meditation + Breathwork for 15 to 20 mins

Tracy Anderson Class in Tribeca (my favorite workout) I sweat like crazy and I love it.

Go home - cold shower, supplements (I take Lyma supplement, Cymbiotika Omega, B12 and D3)

Smoothie with plant protein, collagen (love Agent Nateur), Fiber (PaleoFiber), Creatine and L- Glutamine).

And then I head to work!

NIGHT —

I try to wind down early like 7:45.

I do my skincare

I turn on my red light in my room with peaceful sounds (love my Lotfie alarm).

I take magnesium and gaba

I turn on my BioMat and read on it for 20/25 mins.

I get into bed and sleep. I need the room to be VERY cold.

HSF — Let’s talk skin for one second.. yours is always glowing. Who or what are your secrets?

NJ — RED Light! Recently got the LYMA laser which I love. My facialist Cynthia Rivas (in NYC) uses Is Clinical products which I love. She has a very simple outlook on skin - no fluff no extra steps. KEEP IT SIMPLE! I see her once a month. Obviously I use retinol and SPF 365 days a year. IPL lasers and medical peels also helped my skin a lot.

HSF — What one product could you not live without?

NJ — Is Clinical Pro Heal serum and their face wash. It’s the best. I also love Bioderma micellar water. Oh + ELTA MD tinted SPF.

HSF — A quick (but important) note on your style - again, always so chic. What is your personal style philosophy + how do you build out / invest in your wardrobe each season?

NJ — I don’t buy any Zara, Mango or cheap clothes. I prefer to wait and invest in a VERY good piece that will last me forever. My style has evolved a lot over the years. I really want to buy pieces that are not the “trendy” thing and that will last through the years.

HSF — You’re one of the coolest people to follow on Instagram; a style connoisseur + wellness aficionado, all with a killer career + the cutest family. How do you switch off though? Do you find the pull of social media + always being turned on a challenge? Where do you find balance in doing it all?

NJ — I delete instagram from my phone from time to time and I take a break. Right now it is very difficult to be on. It’s taking a toll on my mental health so I only use it to promote my classes and try to stay away.

HSF — On a personal level, what do you hope to impart to those you teach + who’s lives you enlighten with your breath-work?

NJ — I just want for people to realize they can change and they hold so much power within. Breathwork is the ultimate tool for self discovery and self love.

HSF — The last book/ movie/ tv show/ podcast you loved?

Podcast: I love the Armchair Expert with Dax Sheppard. Such great convos.

Book: I’m currently reading the Fourth Wing

TV Show: Obsessed with a lot of shows - the last one I loved was Fleishman is in Trouble on Hulu

Movie: Triangle of Sadness

HSF — Your favourite piece of advice?

It’s not about you. So don’t take this personal.

HSF — Nadia, what has been your proudest moment to date?

NJ — The birth of my baby. Unmedicated, beautiful and chaotic.

HSF — What are you excited about for the future?

NJ — Continuing to teach, launching more online offerings and retreats.

What Is.. Sound Healing

August 10, 2023WellbeingRebecca O'ByrneComment

In the past year or so I’ve been so blessed to experience sound healing on a really deep level. A very close friend of mine Audrey, the founder of CoreState, is a qualified Sound Healer + she’s been so kind to do some bespoke sessions with me, tailoring the direction of each to my specific needs at each given session.

I am a huge believer in so many wellness modalities + practices, implementing many into my own life on a daily, weekly basis. But with this particular one I will admit that before my more recent experiences of sound baths with Audrey, I understood the practice to be a more fanciful type of self-care - something I always loved however, somehow not as justifiable in my mind as say my weekly therapy call or my gym membership + rather something of an occasional indulgence. It felt, to me, like more of an expensive way to take a nap as I’ve always found myself drifting off in any of the sessions I’d been to over the years. Despite this though, I always felt a sense of inner calm coming out the other side. And man, is it so much more than an expensive nap I’ve come to believe. It’s deeply healing. The more I’ve practiced the more I’ve realised the deeper meaning of it + the benefit of it’s not-so-woo-woo magic.

Sound healing, or therapy, might seem like it’s just popped up in recent times but it is in fact an ancient holistic healing practice that holds many therapeutic values. As humans we have used sound as a way to communicate, express, celebrate, heal + restore for thousands of years, transcending cultures, geography + belief systems. From the ancient mantras of yogic + Tibetan practices to more modern ways like The Haka, a sound + dance ritual performed by the New Zealand rugby team at the beginning of each game to showcase, in ceremony, their courage + determination. At a basic yet powerful level, think about how music can change the way you feel, it can help shift a dark + heavy mood into something more tolerable; taking us from overwhelm to a somewhat calmer state. Sound has been healing us for a long time.

Sound baths are an elevated version of this. Now backed by science, the point of sessions like an actual sound bath is to bring us, as entire beings, from imbalance into balance. To encourage a homeostasis state. The practice works wonders to switch on the parasympathetic nervous system, something I’m understanding more + more of late + the importance of it’s activation in nurturing the rest + digest side of our system which is becoming more vital with this very fast paced, high stress world we find ourselves in 2023.

And not only is it something for the soul to enjoy + explore, for anyone slightly on the more cynical side of the fence, it is scientifically proven to work on a cellular level. The sounds + vibrations of this modality are essentially frequencies created by + flow through the tools used by your practitioner that enter the conscious + subconscious, the physical + subtle energy fields within + around our body encouraging a state of wholeness. Reducing stress in general is a positive thing of course but at this cellular level the body + mind reap a lot of very tangible + long-lasting rewards. From regulation of the immense system, slowing the heart rate, supporting the production of melatonin which aids in a natural sleep flow along with lowering blood pressure, the prolonged effect is that it nurtures the longevity + quality of our mind, body + life in gerneral. For my fellow sleepers, I’ve also learned that dosing off is a sign of going deep while in a sound bath so it may, in one way, act as a nap but it’s definitely an elevated + high healing one so don’t worry about nodding off during a session.

Check out Audrey’s work HERE where you can book in with her for a private session, attend one of her groups or online classes.

HSF Wellness Travel Guides; The London Edition

January 25, 2023Travel, WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

An HAUTE so FABULOUS Wellness Guide; The LONDON Edition

M O V E M E N T as M E D I C I N E

Basic Space - Jaime Hepburn can literally do no wrong when it comes to yoga + aesthetics so when she opened her own studio in London, it quickly became the hottest studio in town for the aesthete’s out there looking for authentic yogi embodiment with a major touch of chic // The Rogue Room - ok this is one of the coolest yoga concepts out there. Look out fir their pop-up classes + their bigger events which are held at FABRIK London - SUCH a vibe! // Love Supreme Projects - I have found some incredible new teachers by attending this beautifully loving + welcoming studio. Always on the look out too for online workshops or classes to attend, this is the perfect place where teachers from all over the world tend to come to share their magic // Indaba - this is my home studio for London, it holds a special place in my heart as it is where I trained for my 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, the array of classes available are incredible. Teachers I love there are Amrab Vallo (my teacher trainer), Stewart Gilchrist (be prepared for a whopper class) + any of the Forrest Yoga teachers // Nobu Pilates - for a super boujee but authentically classic reformer, Nobu is my go-to for reformer in London // Barry’s - as always, my favourite high intensity class whatever city I’m in. I’m admittedly fully addicted // Psycle - OK, this is my London vibe! I absolutely adore this brand when I’m in town. Any of the early morning spin classes are just epic + if you appreciate a beautiful Sunday afternoon flow, do your mind, body + soul a favour + book into Alanna’s yoga class at the Mortimer St. location. It’s absolute weekend heaven // Soul Cycle - an obvious classic but always a good idea to get a serious sweat on, I love Soul Cycle + my go-to location in London is the Nottinghill one // BLOK, ok BLOK is a viiiiibe. I first fell in love with it when we lived in Manchester for a year a while back + the classes are so diverse. One of my favourite barre teachers is Ellya Sam who is head of barre at the brand + who’s classes will set your glutes on FIRE. Also I highly recommend trying out some of the more unusual discipline of classes on offer, I’ve tried them all + it’s amazing to step outside your comfort zone. I literally had to stand there in calisthenics as I couldn’t do a thing, entirely humbled watching people do inspirational things with their strength // BXR - for HIIT classes this is a real kick in the butt.. so worth it though.

O U T D O O R S

London is so vast; expansive like few other cities. Because of this, I adore walking everywhere I possibly can when I’m here. My average steps go way up in my London days. Running in Regents Park is one of my favourite ways to get a good sweat in on a sunny day. Or strolling from one side of the city to another, taking in all the different neighbourhoods along the way. Hyde Park, of course is a classic but in fact, Regent’s park is my personal preference.

S H O P S

ilapothacary - in Notting Hill is an entirely wholesome obsession of mine. This beauty + wellness brand is a dream come to life with the most amazing products that work to heal from all angles. Try Beat the Blues Pulse Point Roller or the Beat the Blues Room Spray. Oh + the SOS Body Balm is BEYOND // Planet Organic - such a great classic for all things healthy for // Daylesford Organic - another British classic, the Marlybone + Notting Hill locations are my preferred in the city. A perfect point of country-chic reference in the city for all things organic, healthy + beautiful.

W E L L N E S S P R A C T I C E S

Roscop Practice - Frederic Roscop is an Osteopath + founder of Roscop Practice who has been bringing health to a whole new level in London long before it was ‘cool’ to care about what it actually feels like to be well. Covering many aspects of health including acupuncture, movement, massage + osteopathy, all from the core concept of integrative health measures being the ultimate way to live well + prioritise well-being at all levels. I believe in this concept so deeply so it’s one place that always draws me in // FaceGym - I’ve been doing FaceGym on + off for years now having dipped in + out of their in-person facials in different cities, attending their Zoom classes throughout lockdown for Gua Sha + the FaceGym at home tutorials + of course their tools.. their tools are wonderful! // Get A Drip - Great + affordable IV drips + vitamin shots with several locations around the city, it’s a welcome boost when you’re feeling in need of a little energy lift // The Mandrake Hotel - Here you can find an incredible offering of wellness + spiritual gathering including sound baths + varying sound healings, Reiki, breathwork, yoga + more. I have loved anything I’ve gone to here + Barbra May + Maria Lodetoft from Mystic Sisters host much of their energetic classes here which are literally a hug for your soul // RE:Mind Studio - OK this is one of my favourite places to take the pace down in London. RE:Mind is a luxe level unwind for your mind, body + soul. Everything I’ve gone to here has taken me down to earth while simultaneously taking me far from anything earthly. It is HEAVEN // Last but most definitely not least is Ricari Method - the OG of lymphatic drainage + it coming into my psyche some years back. I’ve been to the ones in London + New York + it is always a dream. Try to book with Anna if possible but if not, anyone in NYC +

C A F É S + R E S T A U R A N T S

Sunday in Brooklyn - literally lines down the street, it’s exactly as it suggests, as though you’re out for brunch on a Sunday.. in Brooklyn. It’s a thing + must be tried // Ottolenghi - ANY + ALL of the Ottolenghi locations. Just anything he does really food wise. He can do no wrong // Farmacy - a chi-chi haunt made famous by the Notting Hill crowd, Farmacy is a great one to do just once. Healthy, fun + great people watching // Rovi - Another genius Ottolenghi creation. Divine on all levels // Wild by Tart - Founded by Jemima Jones + Lucy Carr-Ellison created Wild by Tart after the success of their bespoke catering company Tart London. Seasonal dishes with a strong focus on sustainably sourced ingredients, it’s a really nice girls lunch spot with a fun aesthetic // Farm Girl - With locations in Notting Hill, South Ken, Belgravia, Fitzrovia + Soho, you can be sure to find a healthy (with twists) option whichever Farm Girl you stumble upon // Island Poke - One of my go-to Deliveroo options when in London, you can never beat a great Poke bowl // Rika Moon - OK the complete opposite of Deliveroo style nights, this is your next must when in London. I was introduced to this incredibly cute, chic + VIBEY Japanese-fusion dinner spot + fell in love at the first bite. The food is OUTRAGEOUSLY divine + the vibe is so on-point. Sushi + champagne, yum // Atis - My idea of salad heaven. Literally all there is to say: this is me in a meal - SO good // Kol - Impossible to get into, this is one I’m yet to experience in person but it’s top of my list to check every time I know I’ll be in town. Think Mexican but elevated!!! //

J U I C E S + C O F F E E

Gails - I love my morning coffee at Gails when I am staying with my gorgeous cousin Jess. It’s my little go-to. And I will admit that their salads were my everyday lunchtime choice (literally on repeat) while I was over doing my Yoga teacher training last year // The Monocle Cafe in Marylebone is another of my go-to favourites for a coffee + some time spent watching the world go by if you’re lucky enough to catch a seat outside. Plus the matcha here is insane // Daylesford Organic - Any of the London locations are just as chic as the brand’s first location in the Cotswolds - a perfect little spot to grab a coffee + a moment to recharge // LIFT Coffee - I love this spot in Notting Hill for really really great coffee + a laptop day // Shreeji Newsagents - I love grabbing a coffee here + sitting outside watching the world go by. It’s right by Chiltern Firehouse (+ next door to Monocle) + is the perfect little spot to pick up the best magazines + let the hours pass you by

Confessions of a Recovering Apple Watch Addict

January 19, 2023WellbeingRebecca O'ByrneComment

Admittedly, as my husband would (rightly) suggest, I am absolutely (and willingly I might add) a slave to the supreme cult-like existence of Apple. Completely “indoctrinated” by the brand when my parents bought my little brother + I a - now probably vintage - Mac back when we were kids - think dial up connections + not having a clue what the internet really even was, I am grateful for Apple, in all it’s crazed-up-marketing genius glory, because it works for me + I’m happy to flow in the ease of my entire digital life + work syncing for me on every device without fault.

When Apple came out with the Apple Watch though, I was, much to my own dismay, hesitant to allow myself one. I know my personality. I get into things. Like really into things. Sometimes in an all-consuming way. But at some point I thought, hey, maybe I’ll just give it a go. I can control this. It was Series 6 by the time I chose to dive in so it was a good few years on the market at this point. And you guessed correctly, I loved it. I mean, I loved it. I was obsessed from the get go. The ability to see my activity data so clearly on the daily was like the drug for me I knew it would be. A healthy one at some level as I love to move, it was part of my wellness routine really kicking into a new gear. However.. there’s healthy + then there’s, well.. let’s just say an unhealthy level of control. And while it was all fun + giggles for a while, I knew it had been getting too much yet was resistant in admitting it out loud. Apple’s collection of my data was working on me - or perhaps more aptly, against me. Each month the targets the watch would set for me were increasingly insane based on my performance the month previously. In full type-A style though I was hitting them all. But I wasn’t feeling good from any of it really. Movement energies me yet I was tired. For me moving my body is medicine for my entire being, it is part of my life in a very positive way + it was past the point of any real enjoyment because it was entirely whatever the watch was indicating that was doing rather than what I actually felt like doing. I wasn’t even really present on an evening stroll with my husband cause it was slowing up my stats. While it low-key drives me crazy how slowly he walks, I admire how he goes for a walk to enjoy it rather than it being an exercise. But this had gone beyond me - the fun part of wearing the watch.

At the beginning of December last year I had a moment where - for the first time in two years except for our wedding day, cause hey, let’s face it it’s not exactly the most bridal look ever - I forgot to put it on. I had literally worn it every single day without fail until that point. It needed charging during the day + shockingly I forgot to put it back on. But then I realised something really clearly that evening, my thinking that came to light that day was pretty alarming(even to my madness): shit.. I can’t go for a run now cause it won’t show my full day of data, what’s the point?! OK.. wait what, Rebecca!?!?!? You can’t go for a run because you didn’t wear your watch for the first half of the day? Like WT(actual)F! A run is a run. Stats or no stats. I used to be that person to jokingly (kidding but not kidding) say that if I didn’t record it, did it even happen? But what on earth does that even really mean!? What is the real motivation behind moving my body? Like seriously. Emotionally I would only know how to feel about myself depending on what the numbers came in as at the end of the day. Was I good enough? Had I done enough? Did I need to walk around the house a little more to hit the goal? Run up + down the stairs like I’d actually lost it? Had I reached some completely made up version of “perfection” for the day? The watch dictated how I was allowed feel or think about myself. It was unhealthy. And I knew it. So.. I choose to try on something new: freedom from the stats. And I haven’t worn the watch in a couple of months now.

The results? Well while firstly I am aware this might all simply highlight my kind-of bonkers side - something you hopefully don’t relate to at all, I hope, if you do relate, that you might find some freedom in the idea of not wearing your smart watch with me one day if it’s become more of a prison for you than just the intended information it provides because on the upside, while I took a little break from working out since being floored by a flu recently I’ve been enjoying my walks so much more, being present with my husband on our (ok slow walks is so his thing.. I still love to walk fast, it’s just who I am, ha) slower walks together. For real though, I’m more in the moment, letting our little dog Winston stop + sniff as many times as he wishes cause let’s face it, he doesn’t give a damn what pace we take so long as he gets to stop a million times to pee on every plant + check out all the corners. And how do I record my workouts you might (or totally might not) ask? Well in case you were wondering for friend, this week I went to my first class since being sick + it was fabulous. I was there, on the reformer, in my body.

And while I’m definitely not saying I won’t ever wear it again or dive back into the desire to track my movement, for now it’s a welcomed calm in mind + body to move with more of a body-mind connection as my focus + to cherish what it feels like to move again rather than how a device dictates it should feel to me. A more nourishing + self-respecting body-mind connection is something I am really working toward as it’s something I notice is still very much a work in progress for me. Well if I can give up the stats, then maybe we really can do anything. Here’s to progress, not perfection.

Wellness Retreats for Your Consideration, 2023

January 11, 2023WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

NUSHU RETREATS // COSTA RICA + UPSTATE NY

NUSHU is a wellness collective I had the pleasure of encountering last year while on a retreat in Spain. A beautiful company with immensely meaningful + soul strengthening foundations, NUSHU was founded by Vanessa Cornell in New York City with the vision to hold safe space + a supportive environment for those seeking to live authentic, inspired + more joyful lives. With regular groups held virtually, the company also hosts the most beautiful destination retreats ranging from surf retreats in Costa Rica to rock climbing + hiking adventures in Upstate New York where each time the sole aim is to combine adventure, fun + joy with opportunities for connecting with incredible women in a safe, nurturing + judgment-free environments. And what’s more curative than a dreamy escape with a wonderful group of women supported by the open-minded + healing power of a NUSHU group.. quite literally nothing. NUSHU is a space to find home within.

Learn more // NUSHU.COM

LA DOLCE VITA YOGA // LECCE, ITALY

I was recently introduced to the beautiful yogi ways of Roberto Bitettio through my gym in here in Dublin. I’m not someone who would take a yoga at a gym too seriously to be honest but I felt called to attend Roberto’s vinyasa class + I couldn’t be happier I did. A true yogi, Roberto’s energy on + off the mat is a genuine delight. His yoga flows + sequences are empowering + powerful, both gentle yet strengthening all at once. I love a challenge + he most certainly brings that to the mat. I have been booking back in as often as possible + now I’m looking at his beautiful retreats for the year in his home in Lecce, Southern Italy where he hosts yoga escapes that seem as dreamy in real life as they look + read.

Learn more // ROBERTOBITETTIO.COM

ŌTIUM //VARIOUS LOCATIONS

I just recently stumbled upon ŌTIUM late last year + have since been dreaming of escaping into their world as soon as humanly possible. Focusing on well-being + self-exploration through the mediums of creativity, movement + the art of unwinding, ŌTIUM focuses each of their retreats on a specific theme depending on the location. ŌTIUM’s founder spent the last decade in the luxury industry bringing other brand’s vision’s to life while continuously diving into other cultures + local delicacies in some of the world’s most luxurious destinations. Now, Samantha brings her vision toile via ŌTIUM upon the beautiful principles that act as the brand’s foundational ethos: the road less travelled is always one of self-discovery, impactful + intimate gatherings harness truthful + meaningful connection, ancient wisdom never gets old + ŌTIUM is always based on entirely immersive experiences for the individual.

Learn more // ŌTIUM.COM

SHESHE RETREATS // VARIOUS LOCATIONS

For she who loves movement, she who seeks adventure + she who values peace” a retreat with She She Retreats is a must addition to your bucket list. With a strong emphasis on movement + mind, nourishing nutrition, community + conscious living, the only thing you need with you in attendance of a She She retreat is an open mind to your own untapped potential upon reconnecting with your most authentic self. Stripped back of all the distractions of every day life, it is the greatest gift of all to give oneself the space + time to rebalance within + that is exactly whatShe She Retreats does to a tee + in incredible locations that will take your breath away.

Learn more // S H E S H E - R E T R E A T S .C O M

JAIME HEPBURN // GREECE

I first came across yoga teacher, Jaime Hepburn a few years ago + immediately fell for her calm energy, incredible aesthetics + her clearly innate gift around design. Drawn in pretty much straight away though to her yoga teachings + online classes, it has been her teaching style + incredible way of guiding students through a variety of flows that has kept me an enthusiast. At the time she was based on the West Coast of the US + her adventures were beautiful Cali vibes, sunshine + yoga. But even in rainy London, her authenticity, vision + practice remains in tact + no matter where she is her retreats seem to be as beautiful IRL as IG would suggest. Having practiced on her digital platform The Yoga Library + been to Basic Space, her now in-person studio in London, I can attest to the fact that to flow in retreat with Jaime must be a dream.

Learn more // JAIMEHEPBURN

WYLDER RETREATS // VARIOUS LOCATIONS

WYLDER Retreats is another company I came across late last year in my search for something to ground + balance in 2023. Founded by private yoga teacher, Charlotte Townend, the company is home to a collective of brilliant creatives based in Ibiza + Formentera. Teaming up with local chefs, movement practitioners + other creatives, Charlotte curates each retreat with the aim to immerse you in the local beauty + experiences of these special Spanish islands. An escape that is entirely beautiful + nourishing.

Learn more // W Y L D E R R E T R E A T S

LT&CO // VARIOUS LOCATIONS

From Mallorcan style fincas to riads in Morocco, wherever LT & Co. decides to retreat, rest assured it’s going to be one fabulous experience for your mind, body + soul. With much attention directed to the nurturance of the mind-body connection through experiences in nature + wellness practices beyond the obvious, each retreat is carefully curated by LT & Co.’s founder Lizi, a pilates instructor who embodies the well-being of the Mediterranean lifestyle from her base in Spain. To assist in a full mind + body reset, farm-to-table nourishment is brought to life by a collection of plant based + vegetarian chefs using all locally sourced seasonal produce. The idea of an entire experiential journey is what you’ll step into with LT & Co.

Learn more // L T & C O

Photo Sources 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

What Is.. Forest Bathing

November 15, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'ByrneComment

Full disclosure, forest bathing sounds slightly more elaborate than it is. You don’t need your swimsuit, not even a towel + actually it is not even really an organised event as such. Forest bathing is simply the act of mindfully immersing oneself in nature; bathing our senses rather than our bodies. However it is the effects of forest bathing that are so much more interesting than the now trendy term often appears. As old as nature itself, the expression was only coined in the ‘80’s when the Japanese put structure to what cultures around the world have historically used for thousands of years: the irreplaceable healing effects of the natural world on human well-being.

Seen as an antidote to a rather aggressive emergence of the tech-boom, shinrin-yoku as it is known in Japanese, was a welcomed remedy to the then very stressful environments materialising in the workplace throughout Japan. In fact it was seen to be so effective on people’s health that the Japanese government began prescribing it for highly-stressed-out workers. By the ‘90’s, researchers were becoming more + more interested in the positive impact the practice was having on people’s mental + physical well-being that they began looking into the benefits for everyone no matter the scale of stress. What distinguishes forest bathing from a simple walk though? Great question. Well, striping everything back to the power of our senses has significant capacity to decrease anxiety + depression; working to slow everything down in the mind positively feeds through into the body as greater embodied level of overall health. As we become more aware of how detrimental mental stress is to the physical body we actually have more ability to heal ourselves than ever before. And as is often typical of the most powerful healing tools, it really is simple.

These days there are many trending groups coming to light with professional guides to take you on mindfulness / meditative walks all over the world. Some therapists - see Hike Psych as one example - are even taking sessions outdoors in an effort to further influence the work done during psychotherapy treatment. Some things to consider though if you decide to embark upon a more immersive experience in nature yourself are to leave your phone behind if it’s safe to do so. Being present with the capacity to connect with the world around you is the only real focus. As wonderful as it is to go with others, try it by yourself if you’re looking to tap into your innate ability to heal + hone a more focused ability to tune out the world + into your intuitive powers. Don’t clock your walk or time on any device, it’s about mindfulness without judgement, not achievement of any kind, especially not steps, calories or distance. As you step away from the distractions of your everyday world, seek to bring awareness to your senses, ask yourself, what do I see? What can I hear? What does it feel like to touch the trees or how does it feel to walk over the different textures of the forests floor? Can I smell anything?

There’s just one question left, are you ready to feel the power of nature in a whole new way?

HSF Wellness Guides; The New York City Edition

September 14, 2022Travel, WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

Regular schedules + routines break while traveling; no matter how type A one is (or, admittedly I am), it’s inescapable that what you routinely practice at home - when you do it + how you implement it - isn’t as perfectly guaranteed to remain so solidly intact while away from the certainty of what you make happen each day in ‘normal’ life + trust me, even the best plans + intentions get blindsided by the natural, albeit wonderful, upset that comes with travel to anyone’s otherwise flowing schedule. And so while routine in it’s at-home version might be different while away, what does come with us is the approach we have to our own well-being + the rituals + practices that make us feel good no matter where we may be. What’s important while away is focusing on what we can do from our usual groove to make us feel our best + with that in mind, I’ve pieced together some of my favourite wellness locations + practices to try in New York City, one of my heart’s dearest home-away-from-home cities.

HAUTE so FABULOUS Wellness Guide; NEW YORK CITY Edition

M O V E M E N T C L A S S E S

Barry’s - my favourite high intensity class whatever city I’m in // New York Pilates - for a vibe-y but authentically classic reformer // The Class - something you won’t ever forget, if you can at all book into Taryn’s class as she is the founder + an incredible inspiration. You can read my piece on The Class HERE // Skyting Yoga - one of my favourite yoga communities in NYC, it’s so good + the classes here are always so heartfelt + based in genuine yoga philosophy // Three Jewels - ok this is the other of my beloved yoga places in the city, I adore this place + the meditation + breathwork classes are also phenomenal here too // Humming Puppy - such a chic place to get your flow on // The Tracey Anderson Method - the Tribecca location for this is such a fun + fabulous vibe. It’s so New York I love it + the TA method is famous as one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s favourite workouts // Soul Cycle - an obvious classic but always a good idea to get a serious sweat on, i love Soul Cycle + my go-to location is the NoHo one on Lafayette // DogPound - the place to box, you might bump into Karlie Kloss in class. I did once // NW Method - something super fun to try if you’re open, it’s a holistic approach to movement that works through the chakras, it’s like therapy + fitness combined.

O U T D O O R S

Walk or run the High Line - pick a time that isn’t peak touristy or super busy as it can get super overcrowded // Central Park - just all of it really, just being outdoors in nature but in the most fun city in the world always feels incredible // Run the Central Park Resevoir (aka: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir) - or choose any loop in Central Park, it’s divine but the Jacquie O Resevoir is pretty famous with amazing views of both the East + West sides of the city-scape against the treetops. It’s my favourite run in the city // Walk or run the Hudson River Greenway - another of my chosen city runs

S H O P S

Goop - need I saw another word? Always a good ideas to see what’s hot // Brodo Broth - famous for amazing bone broth, random but I swear by bone broth // The Alchemists Kitchen - such a serene little haven in Soho with an extraordinary selection of plant based remedies + tinctures. My kind of heaven // Anima Mundi - this one is right next door + one of the places I buy my adaptogens; Anima, the brand’s founder, is the coolest + most authentic example of living in harmony with our bodies + has managed to bring the power of ancient remedies to the modern world while making it sleek + cool yet never compromising on the deep respect it deserves // Clean Market - such an amazing wellness shop with a dreamy edit of brands + products // The Well - this is where East meets West right in the city, another amazing edit of niche wellness brands + specifically sourced items - I really love is here

C A F É S + R E S T A U R A N T S

Bonberri Mart - one of my all time favourites to pick up a fabulous salad, smoothie or a delicious healthy treats - Nicole Berri , Bonberri Mart’s creator is one of my hearth heroes + has inspired me a lot by her lifestyle that she shares at her cafes + in her beautiful book ‘Body Harmony’ which I absolutely recommend // Sakara Life - the Sakara Life girls are also health heroes of mine. Sakara is for home delivered only as of yet. On so many levels it’s a brand I’ve been following from the start; their cookbook is awesome + their protein powder is the hero product in my smoothies. Oh + while you’re strolling the streets of NYC listen to their podcast too "‘The Sakara Life Podcast’, it’s immensely educational on the integrative health way of living // Dr. Smood - a shop as well as a cafe, I love it here for guaranteed major healthy but also seriously delicious options no matter what you’re craving. They have amazing protein bars too that I always pick up when I’m in the US // Spring Cafe Aspen - A cute but super scene-y spot with a whooper menu for anytime of the day, I love it here. Have lunch + then also get something to take away as you will want to repeat as soon as you leave // Honeybrains - nothing fancy but such a great concept for health meals anytime of the day // Little Beet Table - a vegetarian focused, full sit down restaurant, this is a really great dinner location that follows seasonal offerings // Le Botaniste - if you love bowl food as much as I do, you’ll love it here. Totally plant based, everything here is organic + the whole concept is powered by totally carbon-neutral practices that bring a whole new meaning to food as medicine // Alta This is a cutesy spot with small plates inspired by the delicious food-scape that surrouns the Mediterranean Sea a a great dinner with friends option // Rose Bakery at Dover Street Market - using all organic produce + ingredients, Rose Bakery was created by Rose Carrarini + her husband Jean Charles to elevate simple, delicious foods // Whole Foods for grabbing something on the go

J U I C E S + C O F F E E

Café Kitsuné West Village - just like it’s Parisian equivalent, Café Kitsuné from Maison Kitsuné is so effortlessly cool + exactly where I’d love to pick up my iced coffee with a dash of oat milk every morning // Sant Ambroeus - I adore both the Upper East Side + Soho locations, both amazing for coffee pit stops or // Pressed - always a brilliant spot to pick up amazing juices, I often order for home delivery too with Pressed while in the US, they have the most straightforward brilliant offering // Joe + The Juice - love to pick up a smoothie here post a workout, also awesome if you’re in London or Stockholm // Happy Bones // Cafe Integral - great coffee is hard to come by in the US, fact. But heree it is in complete abundance; the cutest spot with amazing coffee right in Nolita // Lafayette - love love love everything about here. Such a vibe + the coffee is amazing

W E L L N E S S P R A C T I C E S

Clean Market - for IV Therapy, Cryotherapy + Infrared Sauna // Higher Dose - my go-to for Infrared Sauna + seriously amazing lymphatic drainage massage, I go here every time I’m in the cit without fail // Ricari Studios - for beyond amazing specialised lymphatic drainage + other massage techniques // The Well - every service here is endorsed by Dr. Lipman, an alternative medicine advocate + doctor who believes in the body’s ability to heal from within, I adore the foundational philosophy of everything he does, it’s an incredible menu of treatments // IMD Beauty Spa - another incredible place to let your lymphatic system know you love it, IMD has been around for 35 years + is one of the originals in advocating for this hugely beneficial way of riding the body of what it doesn’t need // Remedy Place - for something super new to the city, this is where wellness gets super cool,. .. like freezing, as in ice baths are their thing!

What are.. Adaptogens

July 21, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'ByrneComment

Adaptogens. You’ve probably heard of this super on-trend topic of conversation in the wellness space. Ashwagandha. Reishi. Lion’s Mane. Cordyceps. Ginseng. Chaga. Maca. Among a whole host of others are all adaptogens. I first came across them + was drawn in when Moon Juice launched in 2011 + to be quite honest, I didn’t really understand them or know exactly why I was using them but I was intrigued by their Eastern roots, the powerful + natural properties I read about + to be really frank, I admired the way Amanda Chantal Bacon, the founder of Moon Juice lived her life + shared about her own health journey. Something I was struggling with so intensely + in every part of my life at the time.

Truthfully, I am in the process of learning more about their individual uses + understanding the why of each one’s existence + appropriate consumption on a personal level but to put it simply + at a general level, adaptogens are natures way of offering the body a real way to heal itself; they are adaptogenic substances ( herbs) extracted from plants + mushrooms that assist the body in it’s response to a variety of real or perceived traumas including stress, anxiety + fatigue. Adaptogens have been avaialble - and in use - for millions of years in Eastern healing methods. Working WITH the body to counteract the resulting effects of stress that can manifest physically, mentally + emotionally, the more consistent one is in using adaptogens in your day-to-day routine the more the body begins to positively adapt toward the desired outcome of the specific adaptogen being used. It’s about coming home to your center-point, that state of homeostasis where the body + each of it’s functional systems flow in harmony, toward a more sustained + favourable equilibrium; all in support of + in co-existence with a healthy + rewarding state of well-being. It is really about regaining balance in the overall working of our physiological processes. Adaptogens are a natural way of calming the nervous system in the moment while also working to alter the bodies ability to regulate itself over time.

In sourcing adaptogenic products, I am quite choosy, as like many of the wellness products on the market, some are not created with integrity or enough knowledge. Brands that work directly, + in some cases solely, with adaptogens that I can personally recommend, trusting they work at a very authentic level with the power of adaptogens are: Supernova Living, Anima Mundi, Moon Juice, Four Sigmatic, ARTAH, Pukka, Hone + Wild Nutrition. Each of these brands use them in a variety of ways from coffee substitution to pure forms to be added to your morning coffee or smoothies. There are endless others on the market but upon my own experience, these are the ones I’ve tried + loved. Have you tried them? What do you think?

Rhian Stephenson, Founder of Artah; The Interview

May 26, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

Having been on my own personal health journey for many years now I have come to unquestionably respect + appreciate the importance of a truthful, effective + loving approach to my wellness as a whole. As part of this continued path for me, I have been genuinely inspired by the work of today’s interviewee. I am so honored to introduce you to Rhian Stephenson, someone at the absolute forefront of the well-being industry. Founder of ARTAH, a whole-body holistic wellness company based in London but with a Spanish retreat location, Rhian is a force to be reckoned with + a wealth of important knowledge in her approach to healthful + conscious longeivity around our minds + bodies, cutting out all the BS fads that have, unpon the precieved ‘failures’ of their targets, made so many company’s their billions. I spoke with Rhian about her own journey + the practices that keep her feeling well, energized + at her best..

HSF - Rhian, tell us about yourself + your journey to date... beyond the brand, who are you?

RS - Well I’m originally from Canada where I trained as a trained Naturopath, Nutritionist and Medical Herbalist. I grew up as a competitive athlete so my love for health and fitness started at a really young age, and its contributed to why I have such a holistic approach to blending movement with nutrition + healing practices to create overall health. Before I started Artah I was the CEO of Psycle London and led the brand for 7 years before moving back into functional medicine, so I've been lucky enough to be able to blend both of my loves in my career path to date. I have a young daughter named Maisie and as I write this, am 9 days away from delivering my next daughter... so lots on my plate!

HSF - And on the brand, ARTAH is such a beautiful, nurturing + wholly authentic culmination of your expertise. For anyone yet to experience ARTAH though, explain if you would the vision + philosophy of the company + how it came to fruition...

RS - As a child I was extremely sick. From chronic bronchitis and sinus infection to stomach migraines and debilitating headaches, I was never well and always felt different to everyone else. I was processed through just about every specialist in the traditional medical system but nobody could find a cause of my symptoms, so I was labelled a 'sickly' child with a weak consitution and always sent home with painkillers and antibiotics. Finally when I was in my late teens, my mother took me to a Naturopath who discovered I had an allergy to caesin (a protein in milk), numerous vitamin deficiencies and chronic inflammation. After about 3 months of working with her I was a different child - I had energy, my symptoms had virtually disappeared, and over the course of the next year my academic and athletic performance skyrocketed. This was when I realised that the food you eat can change your life, and that just because there is an absence of disease it doesn't mean that we are healthy. This is what got me really excited about getting to the root causes of imbalances and helping people cultivate optimal health. When I was at Psycle, we saw thousands of people per week and even though they were falling in love with movement and getting fitter, so many were still plagued with similar issues of imbalance - IBS, skin issues, menstrual problems, disrupted sleep, anxiety, hormonal imbalances... all of these things were still so prevalent even with a population of people who were invested in health and fitness. So with Artah I wanted to bring everything together and make the principles of functional medicine more accessible - from practitioner grade supplements to nutrition plans and retreats, we really want to empower people to live life in their best health.

HSF - Have you always been so passionate about health or have there been challenges that afforded you a fresh perspective on what it means to feel good?

RS - My experience as a child helped me understand what health really means, but I had another challenge that helped me empathise with what people are up against after I had my daughter. I was going through an extremely stressful work transition right after I gave birth which caused a huge amount of anxiety. Coupled with sleepless nights, breastfeeding, the pandemic, recovering from a c section, and the general challenges that new moms face, I was in the worst place I had ever been. I could feel that there was something underlying going on that had been brought on by this experience, but when I went to the Dr they wouldn't do any tests and just offered me anxiety medication. I think that it's really challenging to advocate for yourself when you're a patient, especially when you're in a vulnerable state, and if I didn't have the background I have I would probably have just left it there and gotten worse. I tried to push for blood tests but ended up going private, and it turned out that I had post-partum thyroiditis and anaemia, so once I found that out I could work on getting back to health. I think we're taught to accept that feeling bad can just be normal or in our head, which is incredibly disempowering and holds a lot of people back from experiencing great health.

HSF - You work holistically on all elements of people’s health, from the physical to the mental. For anyone wanting to begin to feel better in themselves, where do you suggest beginning? It can be daunting for many...

RS - I think it's really important to start off with the right mindset - which is that this approach takes time and you don't need to do it all at once. I often see people 'fail' because they try to implement everything all at once in an incredibly extreme manner and then be perfect from day one, but we don't expect this from anything else in our lives and it's a hard standard to live up to. So, once you know it's process, I think a great first step is an audit. Go through physical health, emotional health, nutrition, and movement and see where you are compared to where you want to be. From there you can start to create actions. There may be some really obvious things that stand out - that you can change right away for immediate impact while you work on others. It's important to get onto a good nutrition plan because of how impactful that is for emotional health and then build in from there.

HSF - What are your tips for building a strong routine around wellness as a lifestyle, a mentality of longevity in a way..

RS - Mentality wise, the most important thing is to move away from thinking solely about weight and aesthetics to understanding the enormous impact that wellness has on emotinoal health, relationships, longevity and disease risk. Connecting wellness to happiness is important - this will help you feel confident and consistent in your choices and the habits you wish to cultivate. I always recommend that people set 3 non-negotiables. These can change as your lifestyle changes or throughout the years, but it helps you commit to positive behaviours that you know will be additive to your health. I also think it's important to set aside time for yourself a few times a year - whether you want to call it a cleanse, a reset, or a retreat - to focus on yourself and feeling good. We often neglect the rest and restore aspect of wellbeing and I see so many people who burn the candle at both ends but never take time to replenish - this is totally unsustainable. Finally, I think it's important to realise that we are responsible for our health - and if we want it to come through for us we need to invest in it.

HSF - Do you have a morning +/or nighttime routine?

RS - At night I always take 10-20 minutes to unwind with a little bit of stretching and yin before bed. Because I run my own business, it's so easy to be on email right up until I turn the lights out, and when I do that my sleep is terrible, so I need to set a screen limit and get back into my body before I go to bed. I've also noticed that since my baby I am far less tolerant to coffee in the morning - it makes me incredibly anxious. So, everyday I have 500mls with our Cellular Hydration before I do anything else and this really energises me and sets my mood on the right course. Other than that my routines have pretty much been focused on baby/toddler care for the past 2 years!

HSF - What wellness products or tools can you not live without? Anything you think is worth investing in?

RS - If you really want to invest in a larger product, I would recommend the Joovv light. It's a red and infrared light therapy box which I have found incredibly helpful for mood, energy, skin and sleep (especially throughout the winter!). In terms of other things I can't live without, I obviously am pretty attached to my supplements. Enhanced Nootropics, Essential Omegas, Essential GLA and Cellular Hydration are my go to. Finally I love bodywork, so one of my favourite tools is the bed of nails acupucnture mat.

HSF - Gut health is thankfully becoming a more recognised + integral part in the conversation around long-term health, what is your philosophy on it?

RS - I'm really glad that the importance of gut health is finally being recognized. From a functional medicine POV and from a traditional medicine POV - whether you're looking at Ayurveda, TCM or any other traditional form of healing - gut health is integral to every aspect of health. This notion was quite misaligned with allopathic medicine, where everything was viewed of as separate. Now we know that the microbiome influences everything, from the neurotransmittors that govern our mood and signalling that influences appetite, to inflammation, immunity and insulin balance. This doesn't even take into effect one of the most important actions of the gut, which is the digestion and assimilation of nutrients, so ensuring our gut health is on track is fundamental to any health goal.

HSF - We live in quite a high energy world now - for many there is a lot of anxiety in the everyday - how can the ARTAH way of living play a more positive part in our mental + emotional health?

RS - A simple and impactful way to influence our emotional health is to balance blood sugar. When our blood sugar and metabolic health is off we can literally feel unhinged, so cultivating a positive and consistent approach to nutrition is one of the most important things we can do. The Artah philosophy strives to empower individuals to understand and take control of health, energy and mood. This doesn't mean that you need to be perfect, but it means that you build awareness and knowledge around how your body actually works so that you're able to interpret the fluctuations that naturally occur and kow what levers you can pull to get back on track or reset when you need to.

HSF - On the idea of beauty + wellness in general I find it so destructive that women have been sold the idea of “beauty” being the goal. There’s a false sense of necessity in it to ensure one’s success in life; something you can attain in the next procedure or detox, moisturiser, or mask. I guess so much of the industry has been all about the aesthetic for so long. I love to see this shifting toward an importance around feeling good + living healthily in a more holistic way. Beauty from the inside out, I guess. I really admire brands that prioritise wellness as a form of beauty + empowerment. Thank you for being part of that for women. It’s an important adjustment. Do you see people’s mentality shifting when it comes to the value of overall well-being from the inside out? Is that a driving force behind ARTAH or something that naturally results in what you do?

RS - It's something that's inherant to our philosophy, because being truly well isn't about hitting a goal weight or having perfect skin. When we're solely focused on aesthetics, it's so challenging to maintain and can be incredibly destructive. When we're focused on health, energy, fulfillment - this is when we naturally start to see changes in everything. Our attitude, demeanour, resilience, relationships - everything improves when we are well and healthy. Things like a healthy weight and good skin will be a natural side effect of creating a healthy internal environment. Don't get me wrong, it's ok to want to look good, but not at the expense of feeling good or true emotional health.

HSF - What do you do to stay mentally well?

RS - Daily movement is probably the most important - I love running and it really helps me feel grounded and happy. But I also need dedicated time to rest and recharge, I find it really exhuasting to manage a business as a new mom so I need to make sure that I have enough time to chill out and take time for myself. I use supplements as a way to ensure I stay happy. Right now with a business and kids, I don't sleep as much as I'd like and I definitely need more of the nutrients that support stress. Magnesium, methylated b vitamins and ashwagandha are in our Enhanced Nootropics which I take daily. I also use Cellular Hydration for energy, mood and concentration and feel a big difference when I don't take them.

HSF - Do you have any non-negotiables in your day?

RS - Movement and nutritious food are my non-negotiables. I learned long ago that eating the wrong foods makes everything harder, so I'm actually quite good at buckling down and taking care of my nutrition when I'm stressed because I know how much harder evreything else is when that is off track.

HSF - Your favourite piece of advice or approach to live by?

RS - A good friend of mine once said to me 'you can't eat an elephant in one sitting.' I love this piece of advice - it reminds us that big things take time so we need to be kind to ourselves and a little more patient.

HSF - If you had one more hour in your day, how would you spend it?

RS - Well right now I'm pregnant with a toddler.. so the honest answer is I'd probably sleep! But honestly, as a mother running a business, I never feel like I have enough times for friends and social connection, which definitely affects me. So, I'd want to spend it with friends, whether it be a walk, a fitness class, cooking together or just chatting.

S H O P T H E H S F E D I T

Skin Clinic - Pro-collagen factors + deep HYDRATION

Energy Fix - STIMULATE metabolism + combat cravings

Metabolic Fix - Regulate blood sugar + cellular energy

Enhanced Nootropics - MOOD, NEUROTRANSMITTER + STRESS SUPPORT

Cellular Hydration - Energy, Recovery + Deep hydration

Digest + Debloat - REGULATE + CALM THE GUT

Deep Detox - Enhanced detoxification + liver support

Wellness Podcasts On Repeat, Part I

May 17, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

E X P A N D E D W I T H L A C Y P H I L L I P S

I adore everything Lacy Phillips does + have been a member of her platform, To Be Magnetic for some time now. Lacy is a manifesting expert who’s philosophy is founded on the reality rather than the fluff which I love as it’s actual practices you can implement into your life + a lot of which I’ve come to use as part of my own way of living. This is her podcast where she and her business partner Jessica share their wealth of knowledge + interview other’s with similar mindsets + approach to the art of manifesting as a way of living.

Listen anywhere you get your podcasts //

G O O P

In classic wellness-addict style, GOOP always makes my weekly list of listens. Interesting + interested, the GOOP team are always on the hunt for what’s hot in every imaginable domain of the wellness arena. Let’s just say, if it’s in GOOP it’s a thing + even if it's not something you personally wish to apply, it’s typically something worth learning about.

Listen anywhere you get your podcasts //

T H E S A K A R A L I F E

I’m a huge, huge Sakara Life fan + when it’s founders Danielle Duboise + Whitney Tingle launched their podcast in 2020 I was immediately addicted as I’d always been a fan of their core philosophy around whole health in body, mind + soul. Taking on a variety of topics + conversations Whitney + Danielle say, “everything you take in, from the food you eat to the content you absorb, ultimately informs who you are” which is exactly my own school of thought.