Hello … I’m Holly
Let me tell you a story … a story about me and what makes my heart soar and my soul sing. If you’re expecting to read a story about where I’ve studied and the places I’ve worked – you may be disappointed (although that’s all available over on LinkedIn if you want to connect there?).
This is a story about nature. It’s incredible. Over the years it has become my place of sanctuary. My happy place. When there’s something I need to work through or I need to lift myself – I take myself out to somewhere I can be surrounded by the natural world. It might be on a beach, just watching the waves. I could be in a forest surrounded by the gentle giants of the trees that live there. Perhaps it’s in a meadow or out in the middle of a field. Sitting in the quiet of a bird hide. Or even just by my window – watching the clouds pass by. It’s somewhere that I can be quiet and listen. Sometimes I’m listening for the answers, sometimes it’s for guidance on the next steps I should take. Whatever the reason – I trust that Mother Earth is there to support me. And if she’s there for me – perhaps she could be there for you too?
Some of the most profound moments in my life are, in someway, connected with time spent in nature. In my mid-20’s I backpacked around South Africa. Towards the end of my trip I went on a camping trip in the Kruger. There I saw my first wild leopard and I cried at just how beautiful it was. Sitting in a zodiac off the coast of Vancouver Island and witnessing the shadow of a grey whale pass under the boat and then breach some way off. Witnessing a female green sea turtle lay her eggs in the sand of a Caribbean beach before being pelted with sand as she covered the eggs. Watching other hatchling olive ridley sea turtles emerge from beach and head off for their first taste of the salty water of the Pacific Ocean. Walking along the beach in Uvita (the happiest of all my happy places) on my first trip to Costa Rica and seeing 5 scarlet macaws fly overhead – I took the worst photo I’ve ever taken as tears were streaming down my face. The electric blue flash of a kingfisher passing by as I stand by a river – feeling the connection in that moment with my Dad (who is no longer with us) as it was his favourite bird.
Being out in nature helps ground me. Any sense of ego is lost as I am reminded of my place in this magical web of interbeings that we call earth.
Whilst the Eco Monkey came into being in 2020 – the journey started the year before. I was in a job that frustrated me. I felt like a tiny insignificant cog in a big machine – remove me and nothing changes. That’s not what I wanted. I wanted then, and still want today, to make an impact and make a difference. I took myself off to Costa Rica for a month to make some big life decisions. A dear friend once described Costa Rica as the land of manifestation. Things happen just happen there. So I went with an open mind and an open heart, ready to receive whatever was offered to me. I was ready to say yes to whatever the universe had in store for me. After a few days exploring Corcovado and Puerto Jimenez, I headed to Uvita – a place I feel deep sense of connection with. A place that has brought some extraordinary people into my life. I spent hours walking backwards and forwards along the beach there – repeatedly asking the question of “what did I want from life?”. To this day I don’t know whether it was the pounding waves of the Pacific to one side of me or the vibrant jungle to the other – but something spoke to me. Something told me that my life was about nature. I had no idea what that meant but I said yes and started walking down the path that I continue to be on.
I started Eco Monkey for a number of reasons. Primarily it was to help people reconnect with the natural world. The naturalist and broadcaster (and one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met), Simon King OBE, once described it to me as you have to help people get to know the natural world. Once they know it they will come to love it. And when you love something you want to take care of it. That was his role as a wildlife filmmaker – and that’s what I aspire to do with the Eco Monkey. I want to help you connect with the natural world so, in time, you too come to love it and want to look after it for future generations.
Nature connection is all about slowing down and being present. Being in the here and now. That’s where the breathwork I do comes in as the breath is only ever in the present. It’s about remembering that we are nature – as much as the trees, the birds, the flowers and the skies above. When you look at indigenous cultures and languages from around the world you’ll find many don’t have a word for nature in them. When you give something a name you are putting it in a box and separating it from yourself. Why would you separate nature from yourself?
Through the workshops and retreats I offer – I will offer you invitations to open your heart and your senses to embrace the nature that is both in and around you. I will help you unlock the tools that you have within you – to support your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. The number one rule with the Wim Hof Method is there is no forcing. And I follow that rule through all I do. I just open the door and guide you on your journey.
So why am I called the Eco Monkey? There are many reasons why. The eco part comes from bringing an awareness to our own environment and ecology. About remembering our place within a much larger picture (eco not ego). As for the monkey part – there are two reasons. First is around helping you manage your monkey mind, allowing you a moment of calm and quiet. The second is I love monkeys. As a baby, my aunt made me a cuddly monkey called George (Curious George to be precise) who remains a faithful companion for me today and who sparked my near obsession with monkeys, primates and apes. I have to thank one very special soul, Akana, for coming up with the name. Not only did he name my business for me – he also inspired much of what I do and was a pilar on strength as I started walking this path. To him I am eternally grateful.
So that’s how I got to be where I am now. I am still saying yes and trusting in whatever the universe offers me. Who knows what the road ahead has in store for me – I’m ready to welcome whatever it maybe in and look forward to sharing this path with you.
The Eco Monkey 