‘The Moments That Made Me’ - Roxie Nafousi, shares her journey to healing herself and helping others
What Made Roxie Nafousi
Roxie’s job is extremely multi-faceted, her work consists of many titles; emotional health adviser, writer, qualified yoga teacher, self-love activist, ‘The Moments That Made Me’ podcast host, Instagram agony aunt and mental health ambassador. All of which has led to Roxie becoming a renowned figure within the wellness space. She now hosts her own workshops, providing clients with the tools to reach their full potential. Within this interview, Roxie traces back to the beginning of her journey, discussing where it all began and the key experiences that led her to where she is today. We chat about the importance of speaking openly about mental health, advice on starting manifestation practices and what inspires her, especially in relation to her podcast.
By Hannah Tappin
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend listening to Roxie’s inspiring podcast, which hosts a range of guests who discuss their three defining moments, with no topic off-limits. Think ground-breaking epiphanies, rock bottom reflections, heartbreaks and chance meetings, no details spared. It’s emotional, refreshingly honest and invaluable to listen to and learn from others key life lessons. Make it your Spring/Summer inspiration must-listen to on Spotify!
As well as her podcast, Roxie also splits her time coaching clients and writing all about wellness and emotional health in a host of famous publications! - POOSH, British Vogue, Glamour, Evening Standard and Marie Claire to name a few! She also balances motherhood, advocating self-love and teaching the life-changing positive impact of manifestation. If you want to explore all these facets of wellness in further detail then keep reading.
Hannah: Roxie, you have a very diverse job - emotional health adviser, writer, yoga teacher, self-love activist, podcast host, Instagram agony aunt and mental health ambassador. I would love for you to share how this journey into wellness and emotional health began? What life experiences prompted this?
‘I think that if we don’t talk about mental health people internalise it. Then their problems get bigger and bigger and bigger. Often, it’s only through hearing someone else go through a similar experience that we are able to recognise that we are not alone and there is a solution. Recognising you are not powerless. All of this, requires an open conversation’
Roxie: So, when I was in my 20’s I lived a very hedonistic lifestyle, fuelled by partying, drinking and so on. I was very lost, unhappy and unfulfilled. I noticed whenever I went on a retreat to focus on my wellbeing and physical health, that I felt great. My depression would lift. I realised that my depression was a result of my lifestyle choices and not feeling like I had purpose.
Firstly, I did my yoga teacher training and originally this was my plan. I had always written about mental health and had studied Psychology at University but I didn’t know at that point you could build a career around advice giving. I then started doing Agony Aunt Sundays. I knew that I loved reaching people on social media to talk about their issues. Initially, I didn’t feel as though I was in a position to help as I was still in an unhealed place myself.
I started the first steps to self-healing which was my yoga teacher training and then I immersed myself in self development for my own healing journey first. I read endlessly, listened to podcasts, watched Youtube’s. Essentially, I explored every option of how you can transform your own world.
I then fell pregnant, which was a whole journey in itself. Then, as soon as I had Wolfe, I knew it was time to step into my purpose. I decided to announce a workshop and fully commit to my aspirations. Then, the rest is history.
Hannah: Amazing! It’s great to hear you also studied Psychology. In some of your writing you have openly spoken about suffering with depression, why do you believe it is so important to speak out about such issues? How can the fashion industry better introduce honest conversation about mental health topics?
Roxie: I think that if we don’t talk about mental health people internalise it. Then their problems get bigger and bigger and bigger. Often, it’s only through hearing someone else go through a similar experience that we are able to recognise that we are not alone and there is a solution. Recognising you are not powerless. All of this, requires an open conversation. I know before I heard other people talking about mental health that I didn’t realise that I had depression. I think a lot of people are similar and learn to accept that this is who they are and how they will always feel. Once you delve into yourself, you start to realise that everything can be changed.
Hannah: You contribute to POOSH and have work published in renowned publications. Within some of these articles you regularly discuss the importance of manifestation. For those new to manifesting techniques, what is the best way to implement them into your life? Why do you believe they are so important?
‘Manifesting simply means, the ability to create the life that you desire and attract what you want into your sphere. I would say that there are numerous steps but the first key one is that you don’t manifest from your thoughts, you manifest from your conscious beliefs about what you deserve. Self love is the driving force behind manifesting’
Roxie: I have compiled my seven steps to manifestation so it is hard to put it into one answer. What I can say is that manifesting completely changed my life. Everything that I have achieved is solely due to learning to manifest.
Manifesting simply means, the ability to create the life that you desire and attract what you want into your sphere. I would say that there are numerous steps but the first key one is that you don’t manifest from your thoughts, you manifest from your conscious beliefs about what you deserve. Self love is the driving force behind manifesting. Self worth is really at the soul of manifesting. If you can begin a journey, you need to be clear on what you want and remove any fear and doubt surrounding it. You have to cultivate self-love into your life.
Hannah: On top of everything else you do; you host an amazing podcast titled ‘ The Moments That Made Me’. Each week you sit down with an incredible host of guests discussing the three defining moments in their journey. It’s so emotional, inspiring and amusing! I am intrigued to know what are your three defining moments?
Roxie: Funnily Enough I did an episode covering this! My friend Josh Smith, who is incredible, interviewed me on my three moments. It was such a cathartic experience to talk through. The three were: 1) being in a relationship with someone twenty five years older than myself when I was twenty one 2) Was a rock bottom moment where I wanted to change my life 3) Falling pregnant.
So, please have a listen if you fancy it!
Hannah: I am a huge fan of yours, I think your podcast is so uplifting, honest and inspiring. I would love to know who or what or where inspires you most?
‘Anybody can commit to inner work to change their life and that is most inspirational to me’
Roxie: Love this question! I love the renowned Marisa Peer, who featured in my podcast, but essentially I find it everywhere. Even from my clients stories. It sounds cringe but also all the people that message me on Instagram who have changed their lives since attending a workshop. That to me, is so inspirational. Anybody that can commit to inner work to change their life.
Hannah: For young graduates about to kickstart their careers, looking to be inspired and seeking creative or wellness jobs, What advice would you give?
‘Be fearless, take action, be proactive and I always say if you don’t do it someone else will. You have to put yourself out there and take the risk. You will only regret it if you don’t. The more we focus on our own lane and do things from a place of authenticity, the more we will attract to us’
Roxie: Be fearless, take action, be proactive and I always say if you don’t do it someone else will. You have to put yourself out there and take the risk. You will only regret it if you don’t. The more we focus on our own lane and do things from a place of authenticity, the more we will attract to us. Carve your own space, do something a bit different. Be inspired by others, but make it your own. I love anyone courageous enough to do their own thing.
Hannah: Excellent advice. Within HannahRoseInspired, I explore psychology in the realms of fashion, beauty, wellness, self-care and creativity. How does your style, self-care routine, exercise and work improve your mental wellbeing?
‘Whatever goal you have, you have to look at how all your life fits into it. Are you treating yourself in a loving way in how you eat, exercise, the people you surround yourself with, the routine you have? Can you create habits that align with the person you want to be?’
Roxie: I would say that everything feeds into one another. Whatever goal you have, you have to look at how all your life fits into it. Are you treating yourself in a loving way in how you eat, exercise, the people you surround yourself with and the routine you have? Can you create habits that align with the person you want to be? If you want to have a really successful business then think about the habits people with successful business have. Create these for yourself. For me, I use self-care, self-love, routine, healthy eating and exercise to all feed into who I am.
Hannah: What quote is inspiring you most right now?
‘Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. There is no bad outcome’
Roxie: I love quotes! Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. There is no bad outcome.
Hannah: I like that too. Finally, what are your hopes for the future and for the podcast?
Roxie: So, I have a new element to the podcast where listeners can share their three moments. They have really inspirational stories and I think it’s not a podcast just for celebrities, everybody has a story. Rebecca O’Byrne did an incredibly moving episode with me. Opening up a space for her to tell her story was one of the proudest moments in my career. I have some exciting things happening this year, which I can’t say! But mainly continuing to help and reach more people and keep going with it.
Hannah: Thanks so much for taking time to chat Roxie! It’s been so nice to hear more about your journey. I look forward to booking a workshop of yours in the future. To learn more from Roxie about wellness, follow her instagram by clicking here or to read more of her articles, view her work, or shop her recommended click here for her website link. Finally, don’t forget to give her podcast a listen!