my why

Why I Do What I Do:
A Reflection for Children’s Well-Being Practitioners

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25% off courses and resources until midnight on December 19th.
Use the code: DEC25.
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December always brings a moment of pause for me — a natural turning point in the year, and, as it happens, my birthday month too. And this year, as I celebrate another lap around the sun, I’ve been thinking deeply about why I do the work I do.
It’s something I often encourage other practitioners to reflect on as well, because our “why” shapes every decision we make — how we teach, how we hold space, how we show up for children, and how we take care of ourselves in the process.

So today, I wanted to share the real story behind my work, in the hope that it sparks something reflective and grounding in you too.

From Classroom Teacher to Well-Being Practitioner
Before Well-Being Adventurers existed, I spent many years as a primary teacher and school leader. I loved teaching, and I loved the children — but when I became a parent, everything changed.
Returning to education suddenly felt impossible.
My anxiety was overwhelming.
My confidence evaporated.
And although I had always been a good teacher, I suddenly felt as though all of the qualities that made me a strong teacher had leaked out of me completely.

Yoga, mindfulness and well-being practices — tools I had used throughout my adult life — became essential. They helped me find my footing when I felt lost, stretched, and disconnected from myself. In many ways, they carried me through.

Eventually, I reached a point where I realised I couldn’t go back to teaching in the way it was. My mental health, my family life, and my own sense of purpose needed something different. Leaving was a big decision, and a painful one, but it was also the first step towards choosing something that aligned with who I truly was.


Choosing to Teach What I Believe In
When I retrained in children’s and family yoga, it wasn’t just a career shift — it felt like coming home.

I wanted to do work that felt meaningful, grounded and true.

I realised that I could no longer teach things I didn’t personally believe in, or push children through systems that felt misaligned with their needs or mine.

What I share now comes from lived experience, research, compassion, and a genuine belief in the importance of these skills for both children and adults. That belief is what led me to complete my MSc in Mental Health and Well-Being in Education — to be sure that what I teach is grounded in evidence, not just opinion.
Everything I offer today — classes, trainings, resources — is based on what I know works, what I’ve seen make a difference, and what I wish every child and educator had access to.


The Ripple Effect: Why This Work Matters
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned over the years is that well-being work always ripples outwards.

A child teaches a breathing technique to their sibling.
A parent uses a relaxation strategy learned from their child.
A teacher brings a mindful moment into their classroom.
A practitioner adapts a session in a way that transforms a child’s day.
It spreads. Quietly, gently, but powerfully.

My master’s dissertation explored this ripple effect, and the research backed up what I’d been seeing in real life for years: when one adult learns these skills, they don’t keep them to themselves — they share them. And the impact unfolds far beyond the original setting.

This is the legacy of well-being work. Not a final “product,” but a widening circle of influence.


A Personal and Professional Legacy
Birthdays always make me think about legacy — what we leave behind, what truly matters, and what lives on in the people we’ve touched.

Recent losses in my extended family have brought this into sharper focus.
What do we pass on?
What do we stand for?
How do we shape the lives of the people we meet?
For me, my legacy isn’t about achievements or outcomes.

It’s about the hope that the children and adults I’ve taught feel even a little bit more equipped, connected, and cared for — and that the practitioners I train feel more confident, supported and grounded in their own work.
This is why I do what I do.


Your Turn: Why Do You Do What You Do?
I’d love to invite you into this reflection too.

You might already know your “why,” or perhaps it’s something that needs a bit of unearthing.

You might find it helpful to journal, take a mindful walk, or simply sit quietly with these questions:

• What has brought you to children’s well-being work?
• What personal experiences shape the way you teach?
• What is most important to you when you hold space for children?
• How do you hope your work ripples out into the world?
• What do you want your legacy to be?
  

Your why matters. It sustains you. It guides you. And it helps you stay grounded during the inevitable challenges of this work.

A Little Birthday Gift to Support Your Journey
Because it’s my birthday month (🎉), and because I’m updating many of my trainings and resources in the new year, everything on my website — e-courses and digital resources — is 25% off throughout December with the code DEC25.

If you buy now, you’ll also receive all upcoming updates automatically.

If you’d like support with planning, behaviour, props, structure, or ready-made documents for your children’s well-being business, feel free to explore.

Thank you for being part of this community
This work is meaningful because of people like you — people who care deeply, who show up with compassion, and who want to make a difference in the lives of children.

I’m grateful to walk this path alongside you.
With warmth,
Julia x