About Black Conch

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I founded Black Conch in 2019, following a call to leap off of the public sector wheel I’d been spinning in for over 11 years – a wheel which had left me at the peak of a wave of anxiety and detachment from myself. Not many people knew this though, as on the outside I was a high-performing worker, successfully leading and managing a ‘high-risk, high-profile portfolio' for my organisation. Despite feeling completely overwhelmed, I somehow kept performing. Until I decided, enough. 

I didn’t want to do this anymore, I didn't want to feel like this anymore. So I turned to meditation and nature, as I had as a teenager when I first began experiencing such waves of anxiety. Together, these became my lifeline, helping me to slow down, breathe deeply, and quieten down the noise in my head. From here Black Conch emerged, along with the vision for it to be A Place to Connect. A place to connect people to their inner and outer landscapes through engagement in science-based self-care practices, which I use myself. 

Such practices aid in managing anxiety, depression, pain, trauma, overwhelm, exhaustion, reactivity and navigating big emotions. They promote slowing down, settling the nervous system, restoration, and being present. In times when we are constantly being pushed and pulled in all directions, I view such self-care practices as radical actions. 

People I work with find that taking such radical actions can be challenging yet lead to transformation. My teaching and guidance is trauma-informed, and my intention is to hold space with care so people can process what arises and then arrive to places of self-compassion, peace, insight and joy.

Much love, 

Donna - Founder, Black Conch