Hello there! I'm Carmen van Straalen, and despite spending over two decades in Auckland and a stint in London, I now call Te Awamutu, in New Zealand's magnificent Waikato region, home. Here, I share life with my husband, three cats, three dogs, and quite a few cows. When I'm not working, you'll find me on my yoga mat, walking the dogs across our farmland, or lost in a good book in a quiet corner.
For thirty years, I was a Legal Assistant and I loved it - no two days were the same. From New Zealand's largest firms to a small rural practice, I worked in every area of law. I got to share with clients their happy times (buying their first home) and also their difficult times (losing a loved one or when a relationship ended). I also got to work with some very talented people who had a passion for what they did.
I pretty much knew my job inside out, it was easy and familiar, it was safe and a big part of the incredibly comfy, comfort zone that I was living in. That was until something unexpected sparked my interest.
My journey took an intriguing turn when I discovered reiki. What began as curiosity evolved into passion after my first session left me feeling centered and energised. This led me to pursue my Reiki Practitioner certification, followed by achieving my Reiki Masters certification in February 2023. During reiki sessions with my clients, I noticed something fascinating: the post-reiki conversations with clients often became powerful moments of self-discovery. By simply providing space for reflection, clients naturally found their own solutions.
This "ah ha" moment led me to holistic life coaching through the Mind Body Food Institute in Australia. Their comprehensive approach, focusing on the mind-body connection and viewing people on a holistic level, perfectly aligned with my philosophy. Never in a million years did I ever imagine I would leave my secure corporate career to become a Reiki Master | Teacher and Holistic Life Coach. Yet here I am, embracing this new chapter with open arms.
Looking back, my path from legal assistant to Reiki Master and Holistic Life Coach feels like a natural progression—each step preparing me for the next. Today, I combine these experiences to help others navigate their own transformative journeys, proving that sometimes the best destinations are the ones we never planned.
Much Love
Carmen x
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