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My journey from a broken system to empowering and supporting communities

We all know the health systems are in crisis. It’s hard to ignore when we see the strain on both professionals and those who need support. As someone who spent years working within this system, I can tell you it’s not just a theory that it’s broken—it’s a reality.

I’ve always been the type of person who wants to help and see the positive side. It’s in my nature and from my early days in social work, I’ve felt a deep calling to support others, walk and guide them through challenges and make sure they are safe, feel heard and valued. But after working within a system that was alarmingly stretched thin and overburdened, I found myself facing a huge challenge. I was watching as the very system I had dedicated my career to breaking down in more ways than one that I found deeply traumatic.

The turning point came when I realised the people I was working with were not getting the help they deserved—not in the way they needed it and my colleagues were suffering too. I tried – believe me, I tried and I kept surviving and as much as I wanted to help them in a more meaningful way, I felt like I was stuck in the very system.

After my own “breakdown” I felt there had to be another way I could support people in a meaningful way—a better way—to help communities thrive and to support individuals to live their best lives, without being bogged down by the limitations of a broken system.

It was bloody hard to have courage and make a decision to step away and not be part of something that was grinding my values. I knew I couldn’t continue working in a space where I felt my hands were tied.

I’ve had to take time for my own recovery and it’s a journey. It was time to do something different. It was time to focus on empowering people through wellness and mental health support, not just from a place of crisis management, but from a proactive, preventative and healing perspective. This is where All About Tranquil (AAT) was born—an opportunity to offer something that I believed was truly missing: accessible, real-world support that honours people’s unique needs and cultures. Human rights was at the forefront.

I wanted to bring together everything I had learned over the years—evidence-based strategies, lived experience and a deep understanding of mental health and wellbeing—and create something that could make a real impact. It wasn’t just about offering courses; it was about creating a space where people could learn to take control of their own wellbeing, understand mental health and support each other.

At AAT, we deliver tailored, holistic wellness training that focuses on building strong, resilient communities and workplaces. We offer accredited programs like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), ASIST, Wayapa Wuurrk, and more. Our approach is all about doing our best to support you feel confident in your ability to step in when someone is struggling, or when you need to support your own mental health journey. We teach real world skills to help people understand mental health, reduce stigma and create a culture of care.

For me, this isn’t just about a business; it’s about giving people the tools to change their lives. It’s about recognising the power of connection—both to the earth and to each other. Wayapa Wuurrk, one of our flagship offerings, has been especially close to my heart. It’s the world’s oldest certified Indigenous wellness modality, and it brings together mindfulness, body movement and Earth connection in a way that taps into the wisdom of the world’s longest-surviving culture. It’s not just a workshop; it’s an invitation to reconnect with the Earth, ourselves and each other.

The journey to creating AAT has been a deeply personal one for me. It’s been about seeing the cracks in the system, feeling that frustration and knowing that change is possible when we come together and take action. It’s about offering a better way, not just for individuals, but for communities, workplaces and families. We’ve seen firsthand how this approach can transform lives and it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that shift.

If you’re here, reading this, then I know you’re looking for something more—a way to help those around you thrive, and a way to take control of your own health and wellbeing. Whether it’s through our workshops, training, or one-on-one support, we’re here to support you and empower you with the skills and tools to make a real difference.

Let’s build a better tomorrow, one where we support each other in ways that are meaningful, real and lasting. It’s time to take action and I’m here to walk alongside those who would like to.

With gratitude and care,
Michaela