Founder story
By Stacey · 5 min read
If you've spent any time on my homepage, you might have seen a quick snapshot of my story: an ex-corporate-ladder-climber turned yoga teacher, whose journey started with burnout, a one-way ticket, and a yoga mat I barely knew how to use.
It sounds like a dramatic turning point — and in many ways, it was. But the truth under the surface is much deeper, a lot messier, and shaped by years of learning how to show up for myself so I could eventually help you show up for yourself.
Here is the real story of how Ohso Yoga came to be, and why 2026 is our biggest chapter yet.
Long before I ever led a retreat or stepped onto a yoga mat, I was a young professional paralysed by anxiety.
In my very first jobs, the fear was overwhelming. If anyone looked at me, I'd turn red, break into a sweat, and battle full-blown panic attacks at my desk. I was terrified of presentations, terrified of being seen, and honestly, scared to even walk across the office to the bathroom for fear of drawing attention.
To cope, I drank. I wore a mask of over-functioning to mask how desperately shy and terrified I was inside. People thought I was aloof; in reality, I just wanted the ground to swallow me whole. I wanted to fit in, to prove my worth, and to climb a career ladder I wasn't even sure I wanted to be on.
Eventually, I reached a breaking point. I needed an exit.
I took off to Thailand with three girlfriends. When they went home six weeks later, I stayed. Alone.
I wandered up north and signed up for a one-day yoga class. My body felt like a stiff, unyielding wooden board, and honestly? It hurt. But despite the physical struggle, something profound shifted inside me that day. For the first time in my life, I felt a strange combination of challenge, deep peace, and a sense of absolute belonging.
The teacher noticed something in me and invited me back the next day for free if I helped her serve lunch. I stayed for three months — helping with her classes, living in her home, and working my body so hard there were days I could barely pull myself out of bed.
That experience taught me something crucial: I could do hard things.
Yoga became my mirror. It forced me inward, teaching me to replace harsh self-judgement with curiosity, and fear with presence. I fell in love with how it felt to move in time with my breath — not just on the mat, but in life.
My life didn't instantly turn into a serene pastel dream. I returned home a far more confident person, moved to London, and climbed all the way to Operations Director at a top advertising agency. I had my first son and raised him on my own while navigating high-stakes agency life. Years later, sons number two and three arrived in quick succession.
Life was a whirlwind. Long work days, three young kids, a partner who travelled constantly, and a heart that was breaking because I wasn't able to be the present mother I desperately wanted to be.
So, I did what I do best: I took another leap.
I quit London, flew back to Thailand with two babies in tow (and my incredible sister for backup!), and completed my Yoga Teacher Training. I came back, built a studio, and worked my absolute arse off. When the studio alone couldn't cover the bills, I took on full-time corporate contracting alongside running retreats, raising three boys, and teaching.
For ten years, I ran retreats in the margins of a packed, exhausting life. But deep down, I knew my community deserved more of me.
As women, we are so often conditioned to serve everyone else first. We carry the weight of responsibility, the mental load, and the endless "shoulds" until we lose sight of who we actually are underneath it all.
I know that feeling because I lived it for decades.
Reading energy and holding space has become my superpower. I can feel what my guests need before they even articulate it themselves. My goal with Ohso Yoga isn't to tell you my story — it's to use everything I've learned to guide you back to your joy. I want you to feel free, empowered, safe, and deeply seen.
Which brings us to right now.
In 2026, I officially stepped away from corporate contracting for good. No more splitting my energy. No more late-night slide decks between retreat prep.
I am 100% all-in on you.
Now that I've dedicated my full energy to this business, we are levelling up every single detail:
Deeper, Richer Retreats: More intentional programming, thoughtful touches, and transformative experiences tailored to what you truly need.
Life Beyond the Mat: New courses and integration offerings to keep that post-retreat magic and clarity alive long after you go home.
An Unshakable Community: More opportunities to connect with women who get it — no pretending, no posturing, just real warmth and shared growth.
You don't have to carry it all alone, and you certainly don't have to wait for burnout to start choosing yourself.
Welcome to this next chapter. I am so glad you're here.
Come find out what a retreat built around real empathy actually feels like — or stay close for what's coming next.