Passion and Purpose: The Journey Continues

Passion and purpose matter—perhaps even more so when life’s challenges alter the path we thought we were on. Chronic health conditions can shape-shift our lives, often impacting everything we do, the way we view ourselves, and the goals we once had. They challenge us to reconsider, to slow down, and ultimately to transform. When health becomes uncertain, it can feel like a loss of identity, direction, and dreams. Yet within this shift lies the potential for deep, meaningful growth and rediscovery.

The Rough Ride of Transformation

It’s natural to feel a roughness to this journey, a turbulence as you watch the life you once lived change, or perhaps even vanish altogether. Passion and purpose—those seemingly rock-solid aspects of ourselves—may feel as though they’ve slipped through your fingers. But as disorienting as this feels, it’s not the end of your story. The truth is that passions and purpose are meant to grow and change as we do. They evolve and adapt, often in ways we can’t foresee.

As I reflect on my own journey and see how the shifts and changes in my own passion and purpose have grown, initially in unseen places, but still there, strengthening and deepening.

My Journey: From Doctor to … the Unknown

For over 25 years, as a dedicated doctor, my vocation, and my professional identity. Then, one day, that life came to a halt. Health challenges took over, and I was left standing at the edge of a great chasm. My work, my calling, and the purpose I had served for so long were gone. It was as if I had stepped off a cliff, landing in a void of uncertainty. So much of what had once defined me felt as though it had disappeared.

There was no quick fix, no way to speed through this loss. It took time—time to grieve, time to sit with the uncertainty, time to let go of who I thought I was, and time to discover who I was becoming.

Emerging from the Fog

That time spent felt endless. But slowly, very slowly, clarity began to seep back in. A new purpose began to take shape, though it was nothing like the one I had left behind. Initially it felt fragile, but it was there, persistent and insistent.

And what did this new purpose look like? It looked nothing like the purpose I’d known before. I found myself drawn to practices that connected me more deeply with my body, mind, and spirit. Yoga and meditation became central in my life, offering me not just physical benefits, but a new way of being. The practice of embodiment—connecting with the sensations, experiences, and wisdom within the body—opened a door to healing I hadn’t known I needed.

From Psychiatry to Yoga and Embodiment Coaching

As I delved deeper into yoga and the rich world of embodiment, I realised that my journey wasn’t about recreating my old purpose; it was about discovering a new one. I found myself teaching again, to share what I was learning, and to support others on similar journeys of transformation. So, I began the process of becoming a yoga teacher, a meditation guide, and a life coach, spiritual coach, and then an embodiment coach.

This path has been so rich and rewarding, filled with incredible teachers and mentors who have profoundly shaped my life and work. Each one has added a new layer to my understanding of healing, wellness, and purpose. Kristine Weber’s Subtle Yoga brought me a new deep understanding of yoga for holistic health; the foundation. Mark Walsh, through Embodiment Unlimited, deepened my awareness of embodiment practices and coaching skills. Caroline Shola Arewa, Deb Dana, and Swami Vidyanand have all been part of this new tapestry, weaving in knowledge, compassion, and guidance.

My learning continues. I am currently studying with Claire Macpherson, adding depth to my coaching skills, and soon I’ll begin Nervous System Regulation Practitioner Training with the Institute of Applied Somatics. Each step is another layer in this new foundation, one that feels true to who I am today.

Purpose Evolves with Us

What I’ve learned is that purpose isn’t static. It isn’t a rigid path we must adhere to for life. Instead, purpose grows with us, shifting and adapting as we do. When health challenges, life changes, or unexpected losses knock us down, they also create space—however painful it may be at first—for something new to emerge.

In this process there is space, for the time and grace we need. Passion and purpose may feel distant or even unreachable, but they aren’t gone. They’re simply evolving, finding new roots and creating new pathways through the richness of our experiences.

Your Journey: Give Yourself Time

I share my story in the hope that it inspires you to be patient with yourself, to recognise that the journey of rediscovering passion and purpose is not something to rush. It’s a process, one that deserves care, compassion, and time. If you are navigating your own sea of survival, know that you are not alone. There are others who understand, and there are ways forward—even if they are not yet clear to you.

Allow yourself the gift of time. Be gentle with yourself, and trust that the path of purpose, however winding, will reveal itself as you take each small, courageous step forward. Passion and purpose matter, and they are always within you, ready to grow and transform as you do.

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