Welcome to the very first Rewild You Fireside Session – a live conversation with a sold-out audience, held right here in the heart of Fiordland. In this special episode, Hannah sits down with adventurer, mother, and community builder Dulkara Martig for an evening of real talk, laughter, and reflection.

Note: The audience Q&A kicks off just after the 60-minute mark. The audio is clear and very listenable, though not quite the same as our usual sound quality.

Together we explore:

* Early life + the meaning behind her name – from chasing paradise ducks as a toddler in Aoraki to growing up in Roa’s rugged bush.

* Adventures near and far – adventures in Fiordland, traversing the Dark Cloud Range, navigating Alaska’s wild landscapes, long trips in the Himalaya and discovering the joys and challenges of long missions.

* Confidence, resilience & body image – how outdoor adventures shifted her relationship with herself, from teenage struggles to pregnancy and motherhood.

* Motherhood & ‘The Double Life’ – balancing wanderlust with a home in Te Anau, an evolving career with DOC, and raising her son.

* Women’s stories & empowerment – why representation matters in the outdoors, and her hopes for more flexible, inclusive workplaces.

This fireside session is a raw, generous conversation about adventure, belonging, identity, and choosing courage in both the wilderness and everyday life. Follow Dulkara’s next adventures on Instagram here @dulkara.martig.

Massive thanks to Fiordland Frontier Supplies for hosting, and to everyone who joined us in person for this first-ever live Rewild You event.

Keywords

Outdoor adventure, motherhood, body image, women empowerment, personal growth, adventure racing, community engagement, self-discovery, balance in life

In this soul-stirring episode, memoirist and book coach Tanja Pajevic joins Hannah for a rich and tender conversation about grief, healing, intergenerational trauma, and the power of writing (and dancing!) through life’s hardest moments.

Tanja shares the profound impact of losing both her parents—her father in her twenties and her mother decades later—and how each loss shaped her identity, values, and creative voice. From estrangement and depression to parenting young children while grieving, Tanja shares about her own healing path and how she’s now helping others tell their stories too.

Whether you're navigating grief yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode is an invitation to let your experience be messy, non-linear, and deeply human—and to find your own creative language for moving through it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

* How grief in her twenties “blew up” Tanja’s life—and eventually became a gift

* Why she approached her mother’s death with more intention and compassion

* How writing and dance became essential tools in her grief journey

* The role of intergenerational trauma in shaping our identities and emotions

* Why safe, creative containers like writing groups, movement, and ritual matter so much in grief

* How to begin writing your story (even if you don’t call yourself a writer)

Key Quotes:

“I wanted to learn how to grieve consciously. And I just don’t think we’re taught that.”

“There are very few places in life where you can scream, cry, laugh—and be fully accepted.”

“It’s okay to hold grief and joy at the same time. That’s part of being human.”

About Tanja Pajevic:Tanja is the author of The Secret Life of Grief, a powerful memoir about navigating the loss of her mother. She’s also a memoir book coach who supports others—especially those working with vulnerable material—to find their voice and share their stories with courage and care. Her work draws on her Serbian heritage, lived experience, and a deep belief in the healing power of writing.

Connect with Tanja: 🌐 Website and work with Tanja: https://www.tanjapajevic.com 📚 The Secret Life of Grief – available wherever books are sold. Audiobook released very soon! 📩 Download Tanja’s free Story Starter Kit at her website

What happens when the race is over - but life keeps going?

In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, elite endurance athlete Dougal Allan shares the truth behind his decade-long pursuit of Coast to Coast Longest Day victory, what it really took to become a two-time champion, and how his identity has been reshaped by setbacks, injury, and stepping back from professional sport.

From navigating concussions that ended his rugby dreams, to pushing his physical and mental limits in Ironman, multisport and adventure racing, to finding himself in a surreal new chapter as part of Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup - Dougal brings raw honesty, wisdom, and humour to his story.

But this episode isn’t just about sport. It’s about identity, uncertainty, growth, and what it means to pause after years of performance-driven living. Dougal opens up about working with a counsellor for the first time, leaning into vulnerability, and choosing integrity, loyalty, and humility as his compass for whatever comes next.

Whether you're facing a transition, questioning who you are without the thing you've always done, or wondering how to begin again - you’ll find insight and inspiration in what Dougal shares in this episode.

What We Talk About:

* The long road to Coast to Coast victory - and what came after

* Why process > outcome when it comes to motivation

* His trial for Emirates Team New Zealand & becoming a cyclor in the America’s Cup

* Working with a counsellor for the first time at 39 years old

* Discovering more beyond the “athlete” identity

* How to find your core values during times of uncertainty

* The power of showing up vulnerably with your mates

* Building a life beyond performance

Connect with Dougal:

📸 Instagram: @dougalallan🌐 Website: dougalallan.com

Like what you heard?

Follow the Rewild You Podcast on your favourite platform and leave a review to help others discover these meaningful conversations.

For more tools, updates, and free resources to support your own journey through change, visit hannahrae.nz or follow on Instagram @hannahraeoutdoors.

In this deeply moving episode of Rewild You, I’m joined by the vibrant and courageous Cecile Dransart. Cecile shares her story of navigating the sudden loss of her husband while they were living as a family overseas — and how she found her way back to life, joy, and authenticity.

We talk about her relationship with Dave, the shock of his passing, and the raw early days of grief. Cecile offers honest insights into parenting through loss, leaning into community support, and reshaping life after tragedy. Through her lived experience, she shows us that grief and hope can — and do — coexist, and that rebuilding a life after loss, while messy and imperfect, is powerful and possible.

Listen here on Substack or tune in on your favourite podcast platform.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

* The early aftermath of sudden loss — and why not knowing was the hardest part

* How community connection helped Cecile survive those first days

* Why celebrating life — colourfully and loudly — was her act of defiance and love

* Parenting through grief and helping her boys navigate their loss

* How Cecile found her way back to love, joy, and purpose — without losing her connection to Dave

* The role of authenticity, emotional vulnerability, and spiritual trust in healing

About Cecile:

Cecile is a solo mother of two, a lover of meaningful connection, and a passionate advocate for living life to the fullest — despite, or perhaps because of, life's hardest moments. Today, she supports others on their path to self-empowerment and authentic living through her coaching practice, Aligned Holistic Coaching.

Resources and Links:

Follow Cecile on Instagram: @alignedholisticcoaching

Connect with Cecile on LinkedIn.

Tune in now to hear Cecile’s incredible story — and be reminded that even in deep grief, life can still be vivid, courageous, and fiercely beautiful.

BONUS:

If you’ve found this in May 2025 and enjoyed my conversation with Cecile - perfect timing! We’re hosting an event together: Wintering with Grief.

When: Sunday 25 May, 4:30pm - 7:00pm

Where: Mt Pleasant Community Centre, Christchurch

What: Grief doesn’t follow a timeline—it moves in cycles, like the seasons. But in a world that moves fast (so fast!), grief is often left unspoken, unprocessed, and unseen.

As we enter winter, we’re offering a space to slow down and turn inward. Not to fix or rush your grief—but to tend to it gently.

Join grief-informed coaches Cecile Dransart and Hannah Rae for Wintering With Grief, a 2.5-hour soul-centred workshop designed to honour your unique grief journey. Together we’ll weave ritual, journaling, creative expression, and nervous system tools to help you reconnect with your inner strength and create space for healing.

Whether your loss is recent or long ago, you are welcome here. No “right words” needed—just a willingness to show up as you are.

You’ll leave feeling more connected, more grounded, and with practical tools to support yourself when the days feel heavy.

Special pricing: $55 single ticket or $100 for two – bring a friend. (+ booking fee)

In this episode of Rewild You, I sit down with endurance athlete and adventurer Harriet Watson to explore her journey of navigating life with endometriosis while embracing the challenges of endurance sports.

From growing up in a multi-sport family in rural New Zealand to tackling grueling events like the Coast to Coast and ultra-distance adventures, Harriet has never shied away from pushing her limits. But her path hasn’t been without its struggles—particularly when it comes to managing a chronic condition that affects every aspect of her life.

Harriet shares:

• How growing up as the youngest and smallest in an adventurous family shaped her resilience.
• The pivotal moment when she realized that hard work could turn her struggles into strength.
• The emotional and physical toll of endometriosis and how she found her way to a diagnosis.
• The power of endurance sports as both a challenge and a coping mechanism.
• How she turns her pain into purpose, using her platform to raise awareness for endometriosis and women's health.

Through it all, Harriet has developed a mindset of persistence, learning to embrace the highs and lows of both sport and health. Her story is a testament to the power of self-advocacy, movement, and mental resilience.

Follow Harriet’s adventures on Instagram: @hazzas_adventures

https://www.instagram.com/hazzas_adventures/

Endometriosis New Zealand website & resources: https://nzendo.org.nz/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Get your FREE Resilient Mind-Body Toolkit - Discover Five Simple Steps to Reset, Recharge & Restore Your Inner Calm.

Stay updated and say hello on Instagram @rewildyouhq

Questions or comments? Email us at: hello@rewildyouhq.com

Book your FREE 30-minute consult to create a clear action plan to begin your transformation - from feeling stuck in a rut to stepping into an empowered, purposeful life.

Check out the tools, resources and support at: rewildyouhq.com

Jess Simson shares her remarkable journey from struggling with mental health to becoming an elite endurance athlete—and ultimately discovering joy and authenticity. Growing up in New Zealand and now residing in the Canadian Rockies, Jess reflects on how she turned personal challenges into opportunities for growth and transformation.

Jess opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to endurance sports, how she overcame self-doubt and resistance, and the lessons learned from hitting burnout. Through her story, she offers profound insights into the power of movement, the importance of trusting your instincts, and how to reconnect with your authentic self.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Jess used movement as a tool to navigate mental health challenges.
• The transformative power of diving into the world of multisport and endurance racing.
• Lessons learned from burnout and how it reshaped her approach to life and sport.
• How yin yoga and mindfulness became integral to her healing journey.
• The shift from fear-driven performance to self-love and joyful movement.

Key Takeaways:

• "I didn’t know what I was capable of, but I knew I had to try."
• "Burnout was my greatest teacher—it forced me to rethink everything."
• "Movement is now an act of self-love, not punishment."

About Jess Simson:

Jess Simson is a former elite endurance athlete and world multisport champion, a mindfulness advocate, and a devoted mother living in the Canadian Rockies. Drawing from her personal journey, she now inspires others to embrace their authentic selves and find balance through self-care.

Resources and Links:

• Jess’s website: https://www.stokedlife.ca/
• NZ Spirit Fest: https://www.nzspirit.com/southislandfestival
• Follow Jess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stokedlife_jess_simson/

🎧 Tune in now to hear Jess’s inspiring story and learn how to transform life’s challenges into opportunities for growth.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Get your FREE Resilient Mind-Body Toolkit - Discover Five Simple Steps to Reset, Recharge & Restore Your Inner Calm.

Stay updated and say hello on Instagram @rewildyouhq

Questions or comments? Email us at: hello@rewildyouhq.com

Book your FREE 30-minute consult to create a clear action plan to begin your transformation - from feeling stuck in a rut to stepping into an empowered, purposeful life.

Check out the tools, resources and support at: rewildyouhq.com

Welcome to Rewild You, where we explore stories and strategies to rebuild and thrive through life’s toughest challenges. In this first solo episode of 2025, I’m thrilled to share five powerful lessons about resilience drawn from my experiences in endurance sports. Whether you’re an athlete or navigating life’s peaks and valleys, these insights are designed to inspire and empower you.

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about adapting to change. Through endurance sport, I’ve learned that resilience grows from showing up even when it’s hard, finding comfort in discomfort, and pacing yourself for the long haul. These lessons apply far beyond physical challenges and can shape how we face adversity in every area of life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or wondered how to cultivate resilience, this episode will guide you through strategies to navigate life’s hurdles.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Showing Up Even When It’s Hard
   • The power of consistency and commitment, even in uncomfortable conditions.
   • A story of training for the XTERRA World Championships in Hawaii during a New Zealand winter, and how it taught me to persevere.
2. Finding Comfort in Discomfort
   • How mindfulness and focus help us push through pain, whether it’s a grueling race or a tough life moment.
   • Insights from my Coast-to-Coast adventure across New Zealand.
3. Managing Yourself When Things Go Wrong
   • The importance of asking for what you need and embracing self-care during challenges.
   • A simple yet transformative lesson learned during a six-hour rogaine.
4. Pacing for the Long Haul
   • Why knowing and honouring your own pace is key to sustainable growth and success.
   • Reflections from a five-day ultramarathon in the Wadi Rum Desert.
5. Finding Meaning in the Journey
   • How connecting with others, embracing personal growth, and finding joy in the process enriches life beyond the finish line.
   • A deeply personal moment at the Pioneer Race in 2018 that reshaped my perspective.

Interested in deeper support? Book a free consult to map out your next steps: Free Consult.

Let’s keep showing up, pacing ourselves, and finding meaning in every step of the journey. 🌿

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Get your FREE Resilient Mind-Body Toolkit - Discover Five Simple Steps to Reset, Recharge & Restore Your Inner Calm.

Stay updated and say hello on Instagram @rewildyouhq

Questions or comments? Email us at: hello@rewildyouhq.com

Book your FREE 30-minute consult to create a clear action plan to begin your transformation - from feeling stuck in a rut to stepping into an empowered, purposeful life.

Check out the tools, resources and support at: rewildyouhq.com

Note: This episode was first published in October 2022 on the Yarns for the Soul podcast episode #6.

In this heartfelt episode of the Yarns for the Soul podcast, my sister Nicole (yes, my real life sister!) and I dive into the profound and often messy journey of grief. Together, we explore the raw realities of loss, the resilience it takes to navigate its depths, and the mental health tools that have helped us along the way.

I share my personal story of navigating grief after losing my father, a dear friend, and my grandfather in quick succession. We discuss how these profound losses transformed not only my identity but also my approach to life, sparking a new path as a coach. This candid conversation sheds light on the ongoing nature of grief and the ways we can move forward, step by step, while carrying the weight of loss.
This episode offers tools for grief and insights for building resilience, including ways to support yourself or others who are grieving. Whether you’re navigating grief firsthand or supporting someone through it, we hope you’ll find this conversation a source of comfort and empowerment.

What we cover in this episode:

• The emotional and physical toll of grief and how it reshapes our lives.
• The tools that helped me process grief, including yin yoga, slowing down, and connecting with nature.
• The challenges of returning to work and daily life while navigating loss.
• How language, societal expectations, and traditional approaches to mental health can fail grievers—and what we can do differently.
• The importance of showing up for grieving loved ones with presence, compassion, and practical support.
• Tips for supporting someone in grief, including what to say (and what not to say).
• The role of coaching in helping people process loss and move toward healing.

Through sharing personal stories and insights, Nicole and I highlight the power of vulnerability, resilience, and community in the face of grief. This episode is a reminder that, while grief is a deeply personal journey, none of us have to walk it alone.

Tune in to this episode and join us in an honest, heartfelt conversation about navigating life after loss.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Get your FREE Resilient Mind-Body Toolkit - Discover Five Simple Steps to Reset, Recharge & Restore Your Inner Calm.

Stay updated and say hello on Instagram @rewildyouhq

Questions or comments? Email us at: hello@rewildyouhq.com

Book your FREE 30-minute consult to create a clear action plan to begin your transformation - from feeling stuck in a rut to stepping into an empowered, purposeful life.

Check out the tools, resources and support at: rewildyouhq.com