My Invitation

I was bumping along the bottom of my so-called life—burnt out, exhausted, and stuck in a cycle of dysfunction. My family was falling apart and my job was a dumpster fire. I felt alone, angry, and very, very tired. I thought:

“If this is what life is going to be, I don’t want it.” 

One very bad day, I walked into the woods with a head full of misery. I dragged my snotty self along, nearly blind with tears. When I stopped to blow my nose, I saw something— one perfect pointy little deer track in the soft mud.

It was delicate, fresh— a sign that something young and wild was out there.

I looked up. An owl sat on a low branch. Watching, silent and still. It locked eyes with me, then blinked, spread its wings, and swooped down over my head. I felt the soft air on my face. Just like that, it was gone.

I turned to follow the owl’s path, and that’s when I saw the tree.

A massive trunk, dark in a sea of yellow leaves. And the whole forest was ablaze. Gold everywhere! The azure sky zinged my heart. Then the wind came up like a second act, and I watched one leaf let go and fall, fall, fall, gently coming to rest with all the others.

I took a breath, stepped off the path and walked right up to the big tree. The bark was rough and deeply grooved. It was so tall, I couldn’t see the crown. So wide, I couldn’t get my arms around it. I circled the trunk and found a gentle hollow on the other side. I paused, turned and leaned back. I fit perfectly. The tree took my weight. I closed my eyes, and the sun warmed my face. For the first time in a long time, I rested.

Later, after all the leaves fell, I learned the tree was an oak— the only oak in a sea of maples. For reasons I didn’t yet understand, I began to visit the tree. It was one solid thing in my messy life. It was there through fall, winter and spring. I made the journey almost every Sunday, and if I missed a day, I felt incomplete. I walked through snow, rain and swarms of mosquitos to get to that tree. Every trip is worth it, and I experience something new each time. When I worry or ruminate, I imagine my tree. Just thinking about it brings a few moments of peace.

This is the origin story of Owl & Oak. This is how I became a bona fide tree hugger, and a certified trauma-informed coach.

Your Invitation

The universe’s invitation to stop and live in the present that fall day changed my life. I came home to nature, and began to restore my sanity and sense of wonder. I found my way to more healing in therapy, then discovered connection in Al-Anon. Finally, with the help of a wonderful personal coach, I relocated my wisdom, grew my resilience, and flew into my purpose. Today, my life is beautiful. And so is yours.

Who are you today? Who do you want to be tomorrow? Life is not always easy, but it can be beautiful, and it can be all yours.  

I learned to live the hard way. Medical trauma, loss, mental illness, anxiety, addiction and codependency— these are all part of my life story. This life I’ve lived hasn’t always felt like mine. Maybe you can relate. Do you feel like life is just happening to you? Do you feel stuck? Dissatisfied? What about your dreams? Are you being the real you? Do you have enough time? Do you wish you had a plan? Purpose? And when was the last time you actually listened to your intuition?

If you’re stuck, struggling or harboring secret, unrealized dreams, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. But your life is indeed yours. You’re not perfect, but you are strong, whole and resilient. Trust me, you are enough as you are. You have all the wisdom you need to start building the life you want right now.

I invite you to invest in you. You deserve the life you dream, and you can create it.. With great tools, dedicated support, and friendly accountability, you can soar. I’m here to help you fly forward.

Nature, therapy, Al-Anon, yoga, friends, travel, medication and learning are all part of my personal resilience practice. Your resilience is personal too, and I can help you create, explore and deepen your own practice— I work with you, for you.

My coaching practice is nature-based, and trauma-informed. I work with you, your experience and your wisdom to customize a coaching plan with a diversity of experiences to help you thrive. I integrate discussion, nature, writing, movement, reiki, forest bathing, yoga for trauma, mindfulness and meditation. I’ve been an outdoor educator for 3 decades. I’m also a published author, writing instructor, naturalist and master gardener. I served as a nonprofit leader for a decade, and I get work dynamics. Today I’m a certified coach who is proud to run her own business to help you live your life, your way.

Resilience Is Always Possible

This is the Owl & Oak creed. My coaching is rooted in the knowledge that resilience is always possible. The wise owl and the strong oak are part of my story, and I want them to be part of your your story too. Challenge, burnout, loss or trauma are not the end of your story, just the beginning. You can fly forward.

Welcome To Owl & Oak,

Marlais “Marlis” Brand, she/her