Why me?
About 6 months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I landed a job writing about scientific breathwork.
Within weeks, I was up to my eyeballs in research papers, learning about respiratory chemistry and its connection with chronic illness.
Months of research and writing culminated in a book by breathwork expert, Patrick McKeown. The Breathing Cure launched as a bestseller. It has had amazing feedback from medical doctors, breathing coaches, lay readers, and from James Nestor, author of the New York Times bestseller, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art. I’m really proud to have helped Patrick get his experience and expertise out to a wider audience.
Since then, I’ve completed work on two further books, finished an extensive website re-write, written articles for all sorts of online publications, created the UX copy and assisted with user flow for an app, and much more.
But the real journey began many years earlier…
My Own Wellness Story
I’m a trained classical violinist. I’ve been playing since I was 5.
In 2008, out of the blue, I had a back injury. A slipped disc in my lumbar spine that put me out of action. Realising I wouldn’t be picking up the fiddle for a while, I signed up for an intensive postgraduate course at the London School of Journalism.
That’s where I learned to weave a story, to research and to become an expert on any subject. I also learned how to spin an angle to sell — an aspect of journalism that ultimately turned me off becoming a news hack, but one that’s invaluable when you want to connect people with products and services.
London School of Journalism, Class of 2009
My first foray into health and wellness writing came in the form of a print feature about the stigma of injury in the classical music profession. My article made the cover of Classical Music Magazine and sparked a valuable conversation about wellbeing that contributed to a healthier mindset within the profession.
It took me almost a year to recover from the back injury, during which I experienced near-constant pain. I accepted an editorial internship at a magazine and spent all my free time (and money) on a wide variety of therapies, conventional and alternative, to manage the mental and physical challenges. I even took swimming lessons for the first time since school.
I began performing again with the help of an Alexander technique specialist. Just a few weeks later, I was lucky enough to be invited on a 7-week tour with one of the London freelance orchestras. Would I like to travel all over the US performing the orchestral music from the Star Wars films? Let’s just say, nobody had to “force” me to say yes!
Tour was a blast. Then, we hit Europe. After that, the US and Europe again with Sting’s Symphonicities, a gig that culminated in the Live in Berlin DVD.
During the Sting tour, the rota of physio exercises I was using for my back became a yoga practice. I’d tried yoga before and never stuck with it. This time, though, I was inspired.
Back in London, I decided to deepen my practice by learning Vedic meditation.
All that was more than 10 years ago. In the last decade, I’ve moved to the countryside in Devon, where I’ve been working as a content and copywriter. I still perform too. I meditate twice a day and keep up my yoga practice.
I also started painting, and have since shown my work in New York, and at the Royal Academy of Art in London.
And I have built a solid portfolio of regular content clients.
When the first 2020 lockdown began, I saw an opportunity to improve my writing services for my clients, and I seized it with both hands. I tend to work long-term with businesses, and clients started asking me regularly to write outside of content.
So I invested in a dozen courses on everything from mindset to sales copywriting. I began wading through a library of books by marketing and business gurus. And I took 1-to-1 coaching. Because I know that excellent training, followed by consistent application, is the key to success — for myself and for my clients.
Since then, I’ve also trained as a breathing instructor, and a Reiki practitioner. When it comes to wellness, I like to walk the talk!
L. The Tom Robinson Show, BBC 6 Music, with the Santiago Quartet and Julian Rowlands. R. A poster for a group art exhibition in NYC.
What does all this mean for you?
Yoga, classical violin, art, writing, coaching, deliberate, lifelong learning — it’s safe to say I’m pretty focused on mastery.
And that’s what I bring to every project I write. Curiosity, persistence, diligence. My own experience of being in chronic acute pain, depression and anxiety, and coming out the other side… And my journey, which I’m grateful to have shared with some truly exceptional people.
Which is why I love to write about breathwork, yoga, meditation, personal growth — and all things health and wellness. Because I know your customer’s language. I’ve been that customer.
I still am.
Why do I write for health, wellness, and personal development businesses?
If I can communicate something about your brand that helps transform someone’s life, I know I’m using my talents, skills and knowledge in the most positive way I can.
And that feels really good.
But enough about me. I’d love to hear how I can be of service to you and your business.
Book a call with me. Let’s talk.
“I have been working with Johanna for nearly 2 years and it’s been fantastic. Efficient and thorough in her research, she is able to make even the most complicated technical explanations simple and easy to understand.
Having her as an extension to our team is incredibly valuable. She is open to trying new ideas and well-versed in writing with SEO and an overarching content strategy in mind. Do hire her, she is worth every penny!
Sarah Marks
Head of Marketing and Communications, Rezcomm