For over a decade, I led humanitarian and health responses in some of the world’s most demanding environments. I worked in war zones, responded to disease outbreaks, and supported frontline teams under relentless pressure. I believed in the work, in the mission—but in the process, I lost myself.
Burnout crept in slowly, disguised as dedication. I watched colleagues push past their limits, and I did the same. We were saving lives, yet neglecting our own. The systems we worked within prioritised urgency over sustainability, survival over well-being. And like so many in this field, I learned the hard way: resilience isn’t about endurance; it’s about connection.
Burnout doesn’t just drain your energy, it disconnects you. From yourself. From your body. From the people around you. From the environment that once felt grounding. The more we push, the further we drift, until we no longer recognise the version of ourselves that remains.
Connection is the foundation of health. Science now confirms what ancient traditions have long understood: we heal when we are connected; to ourselves, to our bodies, to our environment, and to each other. True well-being isn’t just about treating illness; it’s about balance, energy, and the daily practices that sustain us.
This understanding inspired me to create Humanitude, a health movement dedicated to helping people reconnect with themselves and their communities. Humanitude combines ancient wisdom with modern science, offering health coaching, events, workshops, and tailored health programmes. Its mission is simple: prevent burnout, restore vitality, and make well-being practical, accessible, and sustainable; whether you’re navigating a demanding career, a busy life, or a high-pressure humanitarian context.
For those constantly on the move, including humanitarian workers, international staff, and digital nomads, I created Global Health Companion, a digital platform that provides tailored pre-travel health guidance and ongoing wellness support. It helps individuals thrive wherever they are and assists organisations in supporting a resilient, healthy workforce.
For me, dance has been a language of reconnection, bringing presence, freedom, and emotional release when words fall short. This inspired Alma, a dance community in East Croydon, London. Alma isn’t just about steps or technique, it’s about creating spaces where people can reconnect with their bodies, let go of stress, and experience the joy of movement. It’s about feeling alive, feeling seen, and remembering that we don’t heal alone, we heal in community.
Humanitude, Global Health Companion, and Alma Dance are all expressions of the same mission: to reclaim balance, restore health, and live fully connected lives. Because connection isn’t just part of well-being, it is well-being. When we reconnect with ourselves, our bodies, and each other, we rediscover the vitality we were never meant to lose.
