Char’s Journey to Wellness: Insights on Healing and Growth
Instagram: @chardenty
Q: How do you define wellness? What does wellness mean to you?
For me, wellness is about coming home to yourself.
It’s not just about fitness or eating well, it’s about how you care for your mind, body, and spirit in a way that feels true to you. Wellness is deeply personal; it’s about honouring your needs, creating space for healing, and finding balance in all aspects of life.
For me, movement has been a key part of that journey. Pilates, yoga, and even the ritual of lighting a candle have become ways for me to reconnect with myself, especially after experiencing loss. True wellness isn’t about perfection, it’s about awareness, self-love, and giving yourself grace as you grow.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your wellness journey?
My wellness journey started after a heartbreak. I was in a really low place, and one day, my sister’s boyfriend handed me a Vogue magazine and suggested we meditate together. That moment sparked something in me, I started exploring yoga, and for the first time in a while, I felt present. But just a few months later, my father passed away suddenly, and that loss hit me hard. I needed something to ground me, something to keep me going.
Movement has always been my safe space. I grew up in a performing arts school, doing ballet, tap, and jazz from the age of four to fifteen, so movement was second nature to me. But this time, I wasn’t just moving for performance, I was moving for healing. I found comfort in Pilates, yoga, and even candle-making, which required my full attention and became a meditative practice in itself. Journaling also became a huge part of my process, helping me understand my emotions instead of running from them.
Now, I’ve built a wellness routine that’s completely centred around what makes me feel good, what truly works for me. And through this journey, I realised I wanted to help other women heal through movement, too. I want to help women remain present, reconnect with themselves, and understand that while we all have a story, it doesn’t have to define us. We can write our own narrative through the way we care for ourselves, movement, mindfulness and finding joy again.
Q: What were the hardest challenges you came across during your healing process, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was being at constant loggerheads with my emotions. I wanted to move forward, but my feelings would pull me back. Some days, I felt okay, and other days, it was like I was drowning in grief and heartbreak all over again. It was frustrating because I thought healing meant feeling better every day, but that wasn’t the case.
I overcame this by learning to understand my emotions instead of fighting them. Instead of seeing sadness or grief as setbacks, I started seeing them as part of the process. Movement helped a lot, Pilates and yoga gave me a way to release what I was feeling instead of suppressing it.
Journaling helped me make sense of my thoughts. And, most importantly, I gave myself permission to feel without judgment.
Healing isn’t linear, and once I accepted that, things got easier. I stopped rushing the process and instead focused on what made me feel good in the moment. That shift in mindset changed everything for me.
Q: Are there any specific habits or practices that have been pivotal in your healing journey?
I believe healing comes from a combination of daily practices that help keep me grounded, connected, and present. One key habit for me is making time for reflection, whether it’s through journaling or quiet moments where I just check in with myself. This allows me to process emotions, acknowledge how I’m feeling, and gain clarity about where I am in my healing process.
Another important practice is maintaining a balance between productivity and rest. While it's easy to get caught up in the demands of life—work, family, or personal goals—I've learned that real healing comes when I listen to my body and mind, respecting when I need to rest and when I can push forward.
Additionally, connecting with others, whether it's through conversations with loved ones or surrounding myself with a supportive community, has been essential. No one heals in isolation, and finding people who uplift me has played a huge role in my journey.
In the end, the pivotal habits have been those that allow me to stay present, nurture my body and mind, and stay connected to what matters most.
Q: Can you share a moment or breakthrough in your healing journey where you thought, “Wow, I’m really healing from this?”
The true breakthrough came when I finally accepted where I was in life, both emotionally and mentally. There was a moment when I stopped fighting against my circumstances and allowed myself to fully be present with everything that was happening in my life. I stopped putting pressure on myself to have it all figured out and realised that healing doesn’t look like perfection.
When I understood that life is a cycle of ups and downs, growth and setbacks, it clicked for me. I understood that each phase of life has something to teach us, and it’s okay not to have all the answers. It was in that acceptance that I really began to heal. I wasn’t waiting for the "right moment" to start living or "waiting to feel better." I embraced where I was, and that shift allowed me to move forward with clarity and peace.
Q: How has your mindset shifted as you’ve worked on yourself and prioritised your well-being?
My mindset has shifted tremendously. One of the biggest changes has been the development of empathy and understanding. I’ve found that as I’ve worked on myself, I’ve become more compassionate, not just with others, but also with myself. I understand people on a deeper level now, and I’m much more patient with the process of life, including my own growth.
Prioritising my well-being has also helped me approach challenges differently. Instead of seeing obstacles as setbacks, I now view them as opportunities to learn and grow. This shift in perspective has helped me maintain a sense of peace, even when things don’t go as planned.
Q: What role has community or support systems played in your journey?
Community and support systems have been essential in my journey. When things got tough, having people around who understood, listened, and offered comfort made all the difference. Sometimes, it wasn’t about advice or solutions, but just knowing I wasn’t alone. The people in my life have helped me feel grounded, reminded me that I’m not carrying everything by myself, and gave me the space I needed to heal at my own pace.
Q: How do you think there’s a connection between physical and mental/emotional wellness, and how do you nurture it?
I believe physical and mental/emotional wellness are deeply connected. When I take care of my body, I notice a positive shift in my mind and emotions. Movement, whether it's through Pilates, yoga, or even just walking, helps me release tension and clear my head. It allows me to process emotions that might be trapped in my body, which is why physical activity is such a powerful tool for emotional wellness.
To nurture this connection, I prioritise activities that benefit both my body and mind. I practice mindfulness, whether that’s through deep breathing, meditation, or just being present in the moment during movement. I also listen to my body and honor what it needs, whether that's rest, movement, or something that brings me peace. When I focus on nurturing both my physical and emotional well-being, I create a balance that supports my overall health.
Q: Are there any wellness resources, books or podcasts, that have deeply impacted you and that you would recommend?
I don’t typically read wellness books, but one book that really impacted me was All About Love by Bell Hooks. It made me realise that I didn’t truly understand love, and it helped me unpack my own emotions and what love really means. I’m still in the process of defining what love means to me, but that book gave me a new perspective on how love plays a role in healing and personal growth.
I also don’t listen to traditional wellness podcasts, but I’d recommend The Receipts Podcast. It’s a sisterhood-based podcast, filled with real, raw conversations and a lot of girl talk. It’s kind of like sitting down with your closest friends and discussing life, and it’s definitely helped me connect with myself and others on a deeper level.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out on the healing and growth journey?
My advice would be to be patient and kind with yourself. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s okay to not have all the answers or to feel lost at times. The most important thing is to show up for yourself consistently, even when it feels difficult. Take it one step at a time, whether that's through journaling, movement, or simply taking a moment to breathe. It's all part of the process.
Also, surround yourself with people who support and understand your journey. Community is a powerful tool for healing. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether from a therapist, friends, or people who’ve gone through similar experiences. Remember: healing is not linear. There will be ups and downs, but they are all part of your growth.
Q: How do you find a balance between your daily life, staying committed to your wellness goals, fitness goals, building your company, spending time with your family, being a mom, and continuing your healing?
Finding balance is definitely a challenge, but I’ve learned to prioritise what’s important to me and create a routine that works for my life. First, I’ve realised that wellness isn’t just about physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being, so I try to integrate small moments of self-care throughout my day, whether it's taking a few minutes for deep breathing, stretching, or simply being present with my thoughts.
Fitness and wellness are essential parts of my routine, so I carve out time for movement, whether it’s Pilates, yoga, or just going for a walk. I don’t see it as a chore, but as a time to recharge and connect with myself.
Building my company is something I’m incredibly passionate about, so I make sure to set realistic goals and be intentional about how I allocate my time. I take things one day at a time and try not to overwhelm myself. I also make sure to delegate tasks when I can, so I’m not doing everything alone.
Spending quality time with my family, especially as a mom, is a top priority. I balance this by being present when I’m with them, putting away distractions and truly engaging in the moment. I also give myself permission to have boundaries when needed, to ensure I’m not neglecting my own well-being.
Overall, it’s about being flexible and adjusting when needed. Healing and growth are ongoing, so I remind myself that balance doesn’t always look perfect. It’s about doing what feels right for me and allowing myself grace when things don’t go as planned.
Q: What is one thing you wish everyone knew about healing and personal growth?
I wish everyone knew that healing and personal growth are deeply individual journeys. What healing looks like for you may not look the same for someone else, and that’s perfectly okay. Personal growth is about setting your own goals and honouring your unique path, regardless of how it might appear to others. It’s about understanding yourself and what you need, not about meeting someone else’s expectations. When you focus on your own growth, that’s when you truly begin to glow,because it’s authentic to you. Ultimately, it’s your journey, and only you can define what growth and healing mean for you.
Q: Looking back, is there anything you would’ve done differently in your journey?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve learned that it’s okay to mess up along the way. The mistakes, the so-called ‘fuck-ups,’ are all part of the process. They’ve led me to a deeper understanding of myself, and those moments of failure often bring the most growth. It’s important to remember that healing and growth aren’t perfect, and it's totally okay to not have everything figured out. Each misstep is a step forward in understanding who you are and what you need. So, it’s all part of the journey, and it’s okay to fuck up.
Q: How do you celebrate your milestones, big or small, on your journey?
For me, celebrating my milestones is all about reflecting and truly acknowledging where I’ve come from. I don’t always make a big deal of it, but I take the time to recognise my growth. Gratitude is definitely part of it, but I also think it’s crucial to celebrate those milestones because they push me to the next level. If you don’t stop to acknowledge where you are, you can’t really see how far you’ve come or know what you’ve accomplished. I like to mark those moments for myself because it motivates me to keep going and level up.
Q: What does the future for your wellness journey look like and what are you most excited about?
The future of my wellness journey is full of growth and new opportunities. I’m excited about hosting more wellness sessions and expanding into corporate spaces, bringing wellness to more people. I’m also looking forward to growing Denty and Co while continuing to explore the healing potential of movement. I’m in the process of getting my Pilates certification, which is something I’m truly passionate about, and I can’t wait to integrate that into my offerings. On a personal level, one of my goals this year is to go on a spiritual retreat, to step away from the noise, reconnect with myself, and fully recharge. It’s all about continuing my journey of healing and growth while sharing that with others.