When I was 15 I read an article about meditation and visualisation. It spoke of using your mind to create an inner world of peace, confidence and calm – feelings I was struggling to experience in the real world at that tender and turbulent age.
I would lie back at bedtime and notice my breath entering my body, feeling it relax into the mattress as I exhaled, and I would take my mind off to a happy, safe and peaceful place.
I could go to that place whenever I wanted and all would be well for as long as I stayed. Such a simple thing to do but it brought so much respite to my heavy adolescent heart.
From this simple beginning, meditation became a reliable guide throughout a tumultuous journey towards self-love and acceptance for myself, eating and my body.
For 18 years as I struggled through Bulimia Nervosa, meditation proved useful in picking up the pieces. It gave me hope and confidence that one day I would make it through and be living the life I was creating in my mind – once I overcame the underlying beliefs that kept me stuck.
It took many years to challenge and change the negative mental programming and take responsibility for my own thoughts, but meditation was instrumental in giving me the time and space I needed to explore, sit, breathe and listen – to find my own authentic voice.
It helped me find a way through body-hate, food addiction, hormonal imbalances and self-disgust. And my safe, peaceful place provided refuge from the grief of losing my mother to cancer at 24.
Five years ago my life journey changed. There I was at a crossroads: follow my heart or remain in fear of the unknown. I had waited so long to feel loved and supported, and worked so hard to feel worthy and deserving.
Before the self-doubt and fear got too comfortable in my mind I resigned from my job, packed up my home and leapt forward with everything I had. I moved two hours away from the comfort of friends and family to build a new relationship and life in a place where I knew no-one except the man I loved.
As I searched for a way to support my new life, my ever-supportive partner (now husband) sent a link for a meditation therapy and holistic counselling course.
With it I could visualise an opportunity to combine my qualifications in fitness, health, coaching, food and wellness with a passion for meditation and helping others. Finally I could fulfil my dream of a heart-centred and sustainable business of my own!
Before I had even completed my studies, I began creating my website and clarifying my ideal customer. I contacted local medical centres, psychology houses and complementary therapists. I rang the newspapers and offered to write articles; I visited local health food shops and farmers markets to build relationships and network my services.
In five years I have built a successful and meaningful business from scratch. I didn’t always know ‘how’ I would do it, but I had passion, intention, and above all, the self-belief to propel me forward.
I owe a great deal of my confidence to meditation. I love the power of the mind and its’ ability to be changed. As often as I berated myself for not being good enough, pretty enough or thin enough, meditation took me back time and again to stillness and knowing – that I really was all of those things and more. I just kept forgetting in my attempt to prove it to myself.
Now through further business development and a constant mind for learning, I work with people all around the world. I am interviewed for online summits and newspaper quotes, and am asked to speak at interesting events and teach some amazing people all about stress and relaxation.
I’ve had the privilege of connecting with the beautiful mantra music-makers Deva Primel and Miten, and interviewing mind-body medicine and healing cancer advocate, Dr Ian Gawler.
In 2014 I fulfilled a lifelong dream of hosting my own Women’s Wellness and Meditation Retreat to mark the beginning of my forties!
In 2015, I hosted two successful full day Women’s Wellness Talks in Toowoomba, with a schedule for three more this year.
Using meditation as therapy has enabled me to build a growing business to promote mind-body medicine, self-love, eating psychology, lifestyle management and healing whole foods.
There is no other heart-full feeling than to love and accept yourself exactly as you are in each beautiful moment, and share that gift with the people who need it most.
That’s what I aim to teach all of my clients and students here at the MindBodyFood Institute.
Your life is yours – how will you live it?
Author:
Viki Thondley
Viki Thondley-Moore is an Integrative Holistic Counsellor, Brain-Based Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Mind-Body Somatic Practitioner, Wellness Coach, Meditation Teacher, Educator and Disordered Eating Specialist. Viki is founder of MindBodyFood and Founder/Director of the MindBodyFood Institute.
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