Like many people, I did not know what I wanted to be when I was growing up, even after I left school, after university, into my 20s I was just doing things because. I was doing them because I thought they were the right thing to do, I was doing them because others had told me it was what I should do, I was doing things because it was keeping people happy and keeping them off my back from the continuous stream of “what are you doing with your life Chelsea?”

I fell, quite accidentally really, into the coaching space in 2018. Working with people in the fitness industry was very rewarding and it did a huge amount for me as an individual, getting me to grow more confident within myself, getting me out of my comfort zone and into a mindset of learning and growing. I remained in that space for some time but I was also going through my own spiritual journey and development and I could not ignore the fact that although I felt I was contributing to people in an impactful and meaningful way, I knew I wanted to do more. 

Through a breakup from a very unhealthy 5 year relationship and then getting locked down in Zimbabwe (where I wasn't living) during Covid-19, I knew it was time for a change and that I was ready to grow some more. I did a Yoga teaching course during lock-down and started teaching that online and eventually in person but although it aligned more ‘spiritually’ with the path I was heading, it still wasn't fulfilling me in the way I was looking for. 

In early 2021 I embarked on a Cacao facilitators training, not only is this an in depth training around the plant medicine Cacao but also a deep dive into you as an individual. It opened up my eyes to shadow work and seeing the parts of me that I had been hiding from both myself and the world. It also fostered an incredible connection with the people I was training with and taught me the power and beauty of being able to hold space for people.

The last training I did to get me to this point was a Holistic Lifestyle course by an incredible company called The O23 (The other 23 hours in the day outside of the gym). Holistic meaning whole meant we looked at the whole picture of a person's life when we were coaching them, the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. This was finally a way of coaching and working that felt right to me and that has been a big part of my job for the past 2 years. I created my brand and business called Move&Groove - helping people move into their groove and thrive in all areas of their life. I started working more in the space of workshops and retreats, constantly battling imposter syndrome and questioning whether I really was good enough or qualified enough or wise enough to be taking people through these processes. 

I am telling you all this because I believe all of these courses and training have in some way molded me into the person I am today and built the idea and vision of the way of life I would like to live, work and contribute to the world. At the end of the day they are all just another qualification but the lessons learnt, the healing done throughout the process is why I am here today.  I now know that helping people in my calling and the path I am meant to walk.

While living in London again in 2022 I went to a Cacao and breathwork session. In all honesty I was going for the Cacao part as that is what appealed to me, I had done various breathwork practices in yoga and Cacao ceremonies before so I thought I knew what to expect and that I had an understanding of what breathwork could do. Well I was wrong, I had no idea of the possibility that this session held. 

It was a conscious connected breathwork session, actually hosted by Jenni Whale, one of the Breathing Space Teachers. The session was incredible, I had never felt or experienced anything like that before, both from a physical sense from what I was experiencing in my body, to a spiritual sense. I can't really fully put into words what I felt at that time. I cried, I felt euphoric, I felt so deeply connected to the music and to my higher self. It was a moment that changed my view toward breathwork forever. 

It was finally the bridge between the outer world and inner world that connected everything I had been doing together. Yes breathing is a physical process, but it holds so much power to transform and to help people. I think this is why I felt so deeply called to it.

Not long after that I made the decision to move back to Zimbabwe properly for the first time since school. I wanted to be closer to my family, I wanted to be a part of a community and I wanted to be close to nature and all the incredible healing energy that Africa has to offer. 

Not having any access to people who teach Breathwork on that level in Zimbabwe got me searching at great depth online for teachers, trainings, sessions that I could partake in. Most facilitator training sessions I was unable to attend because they were too far away or for too long a period of time to be away and not working. Some resonated and some did not. I started following Breathing Space through Jenni and actually last year looked at doing the apprenticeship program with her, but at the time I actually don't think I was in the head space to commit to the full journey, it sounded too long and too big for me to imagine committing my time to.

Going into 2024 my word for the year was POSSIBILITY. This applied to all areas of my life but embarking on a Breathwork Facilitators training was a big goal of mine. One thing led to another and I ended up on a call with Ben, I kind of figured why not? I knew the second I got off the call I wanted to train with him, of all the people I spoke to about training with, Ben was the person I felt most seen and heard by and the online training meant I could work it into my schedule and do it from Zimbabwe.

The timing was perfect, I knew I was ready to step into the next chapter of my life in this training. The rest is history, and how I am here writing this for you today! 

For my entire life I have struggled with worthiness, of believing I am capable enough, of being able to see just how amazing I am and how much I have to offer the world. Time and time again I push past this belief and proven to myself just how capable I am. However that belief and doubt runs deep in me, so there was a large amount of fear when I signed up about whether or not I would be able to do this. I am sure this will continue to rear its ugly head throughout the process but I do already feel incredibly supported by the team at Breathing Space and people in my life who believe in me and my capabilities wholeheartedly. 

I am doing this training both for myself and for others. There is still much healing and hurt, much self doubt and limiting beliefs, many ways I still self sabotage or distract from feeling. I am not expecting this training to fix them all (this is a lifelong process) - but I am fully going to lean into every opportunity to break free from all that has been holding me back previously. I am healing myself so that I can heal the world. I am breaking these patterns to carve a space where others feel safe to do so too. I am journeying into these both uncomfortable but also magical places within so that I can meet myself deeply enough so that others can do the same. I am leading with an open heart, with kindness, love and compassion, because every human on earth deserves to feel this. 

I look forward to learning to share breathwork with others. To help them on their journeys. To help them heal, grow and transform as it has done for me (and I am sure will continue to do).

About Chelsea Maloney

Chelsea is a Holistic Wellness Coach and is training to be a breathwork facilitator. She hosts workshops to allow people to deeply connect with themselves and allow them to thrive in the world. You can read her blogs at https://substack.com/@chelseamaloney and follow her journey and coaching on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_moveand_groove/