Nicole’s Journey: Healing through Movement, Nature, and Play
- Klara Tselenchuk
- Jun 30
- 6 min read
Welcome back to another heartfelt edition of Healing in Nature Stories. This space has always been about sharing stories that connect us all on a deeper level—stories that show us that, despite our struggles, healing can take many forms. It’s a place to feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Today’s story is one of those that makes you pause and reflect.
I’m excited to share Nicole’s journey with you—a journey filled with movement, healing, and the wisdom of the forest.

Nicole, a kinesiologist, health coach, and forest therapy guide, takes us through her own transformation—a path that led her from the fast-paced business world to a slower, more intentional life in tune with nature.
Along the way, she discovered the healing power of trees, the importance of play, and the deep connection that exists when we allow ourselves to truly slow down.
From Biology to Forest Therapy
Nicole’s journey didn’t start in the forest. It began in a small town where she and her brother were among the only Asian kids in the community. She faced the teasing and isolation that often comes with being different.
“I made this decision, ‘People are bad and mean, so I’m going to be a biologist, live in the forest with a fox and a crow as my best friends.’”
That was her childhood dream. Nature, for Nicole, became an escape—a place to find peace and refuge from the world around her.
But life has a funny way of steering us in unexpected directions. As Nicole pursued her dream of becoming a biologist, she found herself working at a gym. There, she met a woman who would change her perspective forever.
“I wasn’t even a personal trainer, I was just a receptionist, and she came up to me and said, ‘Thank you so much for all of this. You’ve helped me transform my life and feel so much better about myself.’”
That moment sparked something in Nicole—she realized that helping people find their inner light was her calling.
“I could help people,” she said, “because when I saw the light in her eyes, I knew I could bring that into the world. I wanted to help people feel happy and healthy, and I believed that if they were happier, they would take care of the world more.”

Nicole’s path from biology to kinesiology was born out of this desire to help people. But the connection she made between human health and environmental conservation, though pure in intention, was harder to realize than she anticipated.
“I thought, if I help people be happier, they’ll care about animals and the environment.” But, as she discovered, life isn’t that simple. “Not everyone can see that connection. People are just trying to survive, and they don’t always realize how their actions impact the world.”
After spending 20 years in the business world, helping people through physical rehabilitation and fitness, Nicole started to feel like something was missing. She knew there had to be a deeper way to connect with the world—both for herself and for others. And that’s when she stumbled upon the concept of forest therapy.
The Power of Nature: A Healing Shift
Nicole’s transition into forest therapy came at a pivotal moment in her life. After the death of her dog, Shadow, who had been her constant companion on hikes, she found herself questioning everything.
“When Shadow passed, I couldn’t go on those hikes anymore. Something was missing. It made me question my whole life—what was I doing, and why was I working 60-hour weeks?”
It was through this grief that Nicole began to reconnect with nature in a more meaningful way.
“I started hiking just to be in the trees, not to reach a destination. I wanted to feel the forest, not just walk through it.”
It was a call for presence, for slowing down and being in the moment. The experience of losing Shadow and the subsequent reflection on her life path led Nicole to make a bold decision.
“I Googled ‘forest therapy,’ and it just felt right. It was the perfect fit for my background in human health and my passion for nature.”
For Nicole, forest therapy isn’t just about the physical benefits, although there are many. It’s about a deep, emotional connection.
“Every time I’m in the forest, I feel a connection with Shadow. It’s like he’s still with me, guiding me.”
It was then that Nicole decided to sell her business and dive headfirst into a new life as a forest therapy guide.
Reflections from Me: The Power of Slowing Down
As I was holding space for Nicole’s story, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the way life has a way of guiding us when we’re ready to listen. Nicole’s journey is a reminder of the power of slowing down—of finding peace in the process rather than rushing to the end.
I think what struck me most about Nicole’s journey was how she embraced the grief of losing her dog, Shadow. Rather than rushing to move on or numb the pain, she sat with it. And in that space of grief, she found clarity.
Nature, for her, became a place of healing—not just through the physical activity of hiking, but through the emotional connection it provided.

In her blog post Grief and the Wind Phone, Nicole introduces the concept of the Wind Phone, a symbolic space where people can speak to their lost loved ones, finding closure and comfort through their words. It’s such a beautiful and profound way that nature can help us process grief and feel supported during the healing process.
If you're curious to learn more about the Wind Phone and how it can aid in your own journey of grief, I invite you to read Nicole’s full blog post here.
This is why I am so passionate about forest therapy. It’s not just a walk in the woods; it’s a profound experience of reconnecting to ourselves, our emotions, and the world around us.
As Nicole so beautifully put it, "If I can help people have a positive experience in nature, they’ll understand that they can care for it. They’ll recognize that this isn’t just a tree or a clump of bushes. It’s a relationship.”
Why I’m Sharing This Story
Nicole’s story is one of transformation. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t come from one grand event or a single decision. It comes from the small, everyday moments—moments of slowing down, of listening to what nature has to offer, and of embracing the messiness of life.
I’m sharing Nicole’s story because I believe that healing through nature is something we can all tap into. You don’t need to be a forest therapy guide to experience it. It starts with one small step—whether it’s sitting under a tree, listening to the sound of running water, or simply feeling the earth beneath your feet.
This is how we reconnect to ourselves and to the world around us.
Nicole, Thank You
Nicole, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story with such openness and vulnerability. I’m so grateful that you allowed me to be part of it.
Your journey is deeply inspiring. Your willingness to embrace grief, move through it, and channel that experience into something as beautiful as forest therapy and the Wind Phone is something I truly admire.
It’s incredible to witness how you’ve taken the pain of loss and turned it into a calling—to help others reconnect with nature, and ultimately, with themselves. This is a beautiful reminder that our wounds can often be the birthplace of our greatest strength.
I’m so thankful for the work you do in the world and for the way you’ve inspired me—and I know many others—to approach life with more playfulness, presence, and intention.
Your story is a gift, and I’m confident it will continue to touch the lives of everyone who will encounter it.
Thank you once again, from the bottom of my heart, for your generosity in sharing such a personal and transformative story.
Want to Watch the Full Conversation?
Nicole and I dive deeper into her journey in the full conversation. We talk about the role of play in adult life, how to bring more joy and presence into our days, and why forest therapy is such a transformative experience.
Come join us. Listen. Reflect. Heal.
Want to Connect with Nicole?
Nicole is open to connecting with anyone who resonates with her journey and would love to share more about the power of forest therapy.
Feel free to reach out via email at coralmountainwellness@gmail.com if you'd like to ask any further questions, learn more about her services, or simply say "hi!" She’d love to hear from you!
🌱 Over to You
What about you? How has nature helped you slow down and reconnect? Do you have a special tree or place in nature that makes you feel supported?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And if you’ve had a moment of healing in nature that you’d like to share, please feel free to do so—I’d be honored to hold space for your story.
With love and respect for your journey,
Klara!
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