Brenda’s Journey: From War Refugee to Forest Therapy Guide and Educator

Today, we’re exploring Brenda’s incredible journey—one of resilience, healing, and personal growth. Brenda’s story is not just about overcoming challenges; it’s about finding connection, healing, and purpose through nature and inner exploration.

Brenda, an educator and forest therapy guide-in-training, takes us through her personal journey from being a war refugee in Kosovo to finding peace in nature, and now bringing that peace into her work with students.

Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter the circumstances, healing is always possible.

Brenda’s Story: A Journey of Healing and Growth

Brenda’s journey began under incredibly difficult circumstances. She was born in Kosovo, and when war broke out in 1999, she and her family became refugees.

“I was only five years old when I left my country with my parents and my little brother. At that time it was only me and my brother. And then eventually we had another sister, another brother, and we moved with my parents to Australia. But it has been... I cannot explain with words how difficult it is to go through war times at that age, because it definitely leaves you trauma in your mind and it's difficult to get through.”

Her early years were marked by displacement, fear, and uncertainty—experiences that would later shape her understanding of healing and the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.

“You need a lot of healing when you get to an age where you see something is missing.”

Despite these challenges, Brenda found strength in her experiences, and over time, she began to understand the need for deep, holistic healing.

From Education to Forest Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Healing

Brenda has spent over six years as an educator, helping immigrants and people whose first language isn’t English to find their voices in a new world. But despite her passion for teaching, Brenda couldn’t ignore the disconnection between mind, body, and spirit in the educational system.

“I completed my master’s degree in education in Germany where I studied Waldorf Pedagogy. It's all about holistic approaches, connecting students with nature, connecting students with arts... going back to that wholeness of mind and body.”

The Waldorf approach was a transformative influence on her, one that she tried to incorporate into her work. Yet, as she moved into the public education system, Brenda began to see the limitations of traditional schooling.

“From my experience... there’s no physical activities, no arts taking place... it’s just very different from Waldorf settings. There is a disconnection unless the teacher decides to take initiatives on their own.”

This gap between theory and practice sparked Brenda’s desire to connect nature with her work. She knew the benefits of the outdoors, having seen it firsthand, and believed that bringing students outside would nurture their minds, bodies, and souls.

“I really love when students are given the opportunity to learn outdoors. Nature is the medicine itself, right? If I’m talking all the time in the classroom, and the students are extremely sleepy, that’s not gonna happen if I was outside with them.”

The Role of Nature: From Personal Healing to Helping Others

As Brenda navigated her transition to the United States in 2022, she faced challenges that felt familiar from her early days as a refugee—loneliness and the struggle to find connection. But in the absence of socializing, Brenda turned to nature.

“The lack of socializing with people automatically should be substituted with something. And in that case, if you're not socializing with people, I think the best friend in that moment is going to be nature.”

She started studying Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) and immersed herself in the practice of connecting with nature. This connection became her refuge from the fast-paced, noisy world.

“I didn’t wanna leave that... I decided to make that connection with nature.”

And as she continued to explore the transformative power of nature, she realized that forest therapy was the perfect fit for her. Brenda is currently a forest therapy guide-in-training with the ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy), blending her love for teaching, her experience as an educator, and her passion for nature.

“I think it’s really about awakening people’s senses, where their body is going to be present... in nature, you're going to deal with your edges, with your fears, with your challenges.”

Brenda’s view of nature shifted from something to simply visit to something deeply transformative, a place to heal not just the body, but the soul.

Reflections from Me: Connecting the Dots

What I love most about Brenda’s journey is the deep sense of connection she has to both nature and her role as an educator. Her path hasn’t been easy, but she has found a way to blend all her passions and experiences into something greater than herself—helping others to heal through nature, just as she did.

Brenda’s journey is a testament to the power of finding your tribe, even when it feels impossible. Moving to a new country, facing the trauma of war, and working in challenging educational settings could have left her feeling lost.

But instead, she used those experiences to fuel her growth and healing. She listened to the calling of nature, and in doing so, found the guidance she needed.

Why I’m Sharing This Story

I’m sharing Brenda’s story because I believe in the power of transformation. Just as she found healing through nature, I believe anyone can, no matter their past or present circumstances. Nature offers us a space to reconnect, to be ourselves, and to heal.

Brenda’s story is an inspiring reminder that no matter where we come from or what we’ve experienced, we can always choose a different path—a path that leads to peace, fulfillment, and a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Brenda, Thank You.

Brenda, thank you for sharing your powerful story. Your courage, resilience, and willingness to face your fears head-on is truly inspiring. It’s clear that your journey is not just about finding healing for yourself, but about bringing that healing to others. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share your story.

🎥 Want to Watch the Full Conversation?

Brenda and I dive deeper into her experiences in the full conversation. We talk about the challenges of transitioning to a new country, the healing power of nature, and why forest therapy is such a vital tool for self-discovery.

Come join us. Listen. Reflect. Heal.

🔗 Want to Connect with Brenda?

Brenda is open to connecting with anyone who resonates with her journey and would love to share more about her work as a forest therapy guide.

📲 Feel free to reach out to her via email at brendaademi@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram/Facebook.

🌱 Over to You

What about you? Have you experienced moments of transformation through nature? Or perhaps you’ve gone through a major life transition that led to a deeper understanding of yourself?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

If Brenda’s story resonated with you, feel free to share your own journey—we’re all healing together.

With love and respect for your journey,

Klara!