Simone Tai. Photo by @unicornproductionsla
Right now more than ever, we need hope. Hope that this new world and all of the mental/emotional hardships that come with it. It’s hard to live a life on pause with constant concern for family, friends, and community, then add the complexities of infertility - cancelled cycles or feeling a sense of guilt to still be in it and/or possibly even scared that it might be cancelled at any given moment, or possibly even the anxiety of being pregnant after so many disappointments during the journey.
Enter Simone Tai, a beautiful soul who found her purpose during her infertility journey. Inspired by serving others and comforting herself, Simone left the film industry and became a meditation teacher. During this time of uncertainty, Simone’s kind heart and expertise remind us that above all hope and gratitude are not cancelled.
It is my sincere pleasure to introduce you to Simone.
Describe yourself in 5 - 7 words.
ST: Liverpudlian lass with an adventurous compassionate soul. (Liverpudlian means from Liverpool, England and ‘Lass' is slang for girl in the North of England)
Quote that you live by?
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
What is your purpose and how did you find it?
ST: To help women learn the tools to suffer less and know their true value, power and purpose. I’ve always naturally done this with friends but discovered it was my purpose during my own fertility journey.
I realized if I could learn how to get out of the way of my own pain and suffering and feel as fulfilled as I do today then I could truly help others do the same.
I learned how to harness these skills and see it in full effect when I became a meditation teacher.
You've been on a fertility journey of your own, would you mind sharing a bit about it?
ST: Of course. It's a LONG story but I’ll try and keep it snappy.
My husband and I started trying for a baby soon after we married in 2012. Over the next 8 years we did everything and anything you can imagine (8 rounds of IVF, 5 rounds of IUI, clomid, supplements, acupuncture, energy work, plant medicine, crystals, multiple tests and procedures such as hysteroscopy for a septate uterus, immunology testing, laparoscopy, & recent diagnosis of endometriosis). No stone left unturned… It was one of the hardest things i've been through and I’d never felt so worthless and broken. It became cathartic for me share my story by blogging about it in ‘bubblesandbumps’ and going on to do a TEDx talk. Hearing from supportive, kind women in the same boat made a big difference to me.
After nothing but miscarriages and chemical pregnancies we did our final final frozen embryo round in January of this year which wasn't viable and have decided on no more medical intervention. We will continue to take care of our health and will try naturally of course, but we are now really excited to be going through the adoption process and can’t wait to see how our baby will come to us.
The journey has been messy, it broke me, my husband and our marriage BUT we got help and healed.
Today, we have never been stronger, happier, more in love or more ready to have a family. A few years back I would never have thought this was possible.
How has meditating taught you how to cope with the roller coaster of infertility?
ST: On a physiological level, meditation taught me the power of our thoughts and the mind-body connection. Research shows how mindfulness balances our hormones and regulates our monthly cycles (a crucial part of fertility that’s often ignored in Western medicine). I also use mindfulness to help me sleep and to feel energized in the day - a lifeline when taking meds and feeling overwhelmed and stressed!
On an emotional and spiritual level meditation taught me that I am more than my fertility story.
It showed me that I had the power to heal and soothe my suffering. That no matter what obstacles come my way in life I have all of the tools to navigate them. I now know how to live a life where I THRIVE and not just survive.
What has this time of uncertainty taught you that you would like to pass along to readers?
Like so many others right now my job (at a local meditation studio) stopped abruptly and therefore so did my income.
I panicked and felt isolated at first but then asked why is this happening FOR me? It gave me chance to PAUSE, look around and ask, how can I do this differently?
I embraced my fears and started my own online meditation classes and events, within 1 week I was booked by 2 big clients: NBC studios and CBS to be their regular mindfulness coach. IF I had stayed in the safety of my studio I wouldn't have braved something new. Sometimes we are pushed in a new direction but it feels wrong at first, but the terrifying new road might just be the route that makes you.
What keeps you going?
The feeling in my heart. The power of compassion. The desire and ability to help transform suffering (mine and others) and into a life of love and beauty.
As Thich That Hanh wrote ’No mud, no lotus' The secret to happiness is to acknowledge and transform suffering, not to run away from it. The beautiful lotus flower needs the mud to grow.
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would be and why?
I’d have a dream dinner party! It's my nature!
Oprah for her wisdom and stories for days, John Lennon, fellow Liverpudlian to sing at the party, Martin Luther King to share his profound wisdom and compassion. I'd ask how he would handle modern day conflicts and corona virus! Prince Harry to share the royal gossip and because of his fun, cheeky side. I’d also have ‘Moira' from Schitt's Creek. She cracks me up! We all need humor in our lives, it's healing.
About Simone Tai:
Simone Tai is a British Meditation Instructor and dedicated practitioner for over 14 years. Her qualifications include: 400hr Mindfulness Meditation teacher training, 200hr Vinyasa Yoga TT, Mindful Self-Compassion TT, Google’s Mindful Leadership SIYLI, and Reiki levels 1 & 2.
Coming from a background of 15 years as a TV Producer, Simone first turned to meditation to help with work related anxiety and pressure. But it was an emotional 7 year fertility journey (shared in the blog 'Bubbles and Bumps) that led her to dive deeper into the practice. After seeing the immense benefits in her personal life and career, Simone now combines all her training and experience into her classes, workshops and courses to help others build inner strength, resilience and happiness. Her aim is to offer kindness and support whilst making meditation accessible and digestible to all!
Try this free 15 minute fertility meditation that helped soothe my anxiety and build my inner strength.
Learn more about Simone through her site and Bubbles and Bumps fertility blog. For more meditation tips, please visit Simone’s YouTube channel. You can follow her on Instagram here or email her to find out about private sessions at simonetai@me.com
Photo credits: First photo: @unicornproductionsla. Others: @jacquelinepattonphoto