Origins in Lifelong Friendship

Women in Mind, Women in Kind

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Two childhood friends came to the same place in life at the same time, realising they had shared skills and resources that could make a difference to the health and education of women across the globe. They are inspired to connect lives with compassion. Their own passions in life have fused with the intent to create a cycle of giving and receiving which can nurture self and serve others.

One woman’s purpose and passion for sharing mindfulness (women’s health physiotherapist and business owner, Mandy Hogan) aligned with the other woman’s passion and dedication to teaching self-identity and belonging (teacher and business owner, Liz Phillips).

Both Mandy and Liz have invested high levels of energy in their separate successful businesses for over 25 years and have been dedicated to their growing families and local communities. In 2017, they each arrived at a time in their lives that sees them shifting focus from some of those past responsibilities to expand and pursue a greater purpose in their future vocations.

Bringing Us Full Circle

History has a habit of bringing people full circle. After painting and dressing-up together at kindergarten, Liz and Mandy later shared secondary school classes, with big dreams for their futures. As sixteen year olds, they marvelled at the cultural differences in the world on their first overseas school trip to Papua New Guinea. At age 20, they found themselves embarking on their dream adventure of trekking together in the wondrous Himalayas of Nepal. On arrival in Kathmandu those 30 years ago, they were each presented with the white Khata scarf which is a Tibetan tradition for sharing compassion and purity of heart, from the giver to the receiver. These actual scarves have since remained on Liz’s bedside table awaiting their future direction!

Recently a combined vision for these women came to light over a glass of pinot noir in the Huon Valley, Tasmania on a 50th birthday celebration weekend with other old school friends. As they toasted and celebrated their gifts in life, the ‘girls’ reflected on their learnings in life.

Mandy shared her desire as a health professional to have a greater impact on educating busy Western women that taking time for self is essential for protecting mental health and nurturing physical health. She described her practice of taking 'one white day a week' on a regular basis. This is her example of her own self-compassion that dedicates time for replenishment of mental, emotional and physical energy reserves. It allows her to sustain health whilst keeping up with the demands of a productive and goal-oriented life.