Eat, Pray, Self-Love
Leanne’s journey to self-discovery began after leaving the high-drama world of reality TV. She found herself in an environment that didn’t align with her true self, but this led her to the realisation that she wasn’t living authentically and felt like she was only playing a character.
“I was in a disempowering environment on the show. The drama thrives there, but for me, it was deeper. I realised I wasn’t being true to myself,” Leanne shares. “We all play roles depending on our environment, but the most important thing is to remember who you really are.”
This wake-up call inspired her to work with One Woman at a Time, a charity that sponsors girls at risk of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) in Kenya. “Travelling to Kenya was life-changing. It opened my eyes to a world outside of my bubble and reminded me that I was destined for something more,” she reflects. Her passion to empower others continued to grow, and she launched her podcast, "With Love Leanne", which launched in 2020. “I wanted to share everything I was learning to help empower others. I knew I had to give back.”
It was through the podcast that Leanne crossed paths with Sophie, the other half of Eat, Pray, Self Love. “When we
met, it felt like we had known each other forever", Sophie says. "Our friendship was so natural. We both felt we were meant to meet and empower each other during crucial moments in our lives".
After facing an unimaginable health crisis, Sophie’s perspective on life (and food) shifted dramatically. Diagnosed with a 15cm cancerous tumour on her pancreas at just 31, Sophie was forced to re-evaluate her health and lifestyle. "I went through something I never imagined. It forced me to understand how our bodies truly work," Sophie says. "Our bodies need real food from natural sources to thrive. It’s not just about eating, it’s about healing, inside and out."
Sophie and Leanne began working together after connecting deeply on several retreats by Jess Cunningham, and Eat, Pray, Self Love was born. They offer a safe and calm, yet fun, space where open minds can grow and share knowledge, wisdom and love. They believe in the power of mutual learning and always take away valuable lessons from those who attend their retreats. The space they’ve created is not only nurturing but also a place of continuous transformation, where everyone feels empowered to explore and evolve. The retreats combine holistic practices like yoga, meditation, transformational breathwork and sound healing. Sophie, with her background in nutrition, ensures that the food at the retreats is nourishing not just for the body but for the soul.
One of the biggest challenges for Leanne and Sophie has been navigating the technical side of running a business. “We are both creative people, so the business side of things was a steep learning curve,” Leanne admits. “Marketing, ads, and building a community, there’s so much to learn. But we’ve made it work, and we’ve seen incredible results.”
While building their business was a challenge, what really matters to them is the impact their retreats have on participants. “We guarantee that if you’re open to the experience, you will leave feeling empowered, confident and with clarity about your next steps,” Leanne says.
Sophie shares one of her favourite success stories, “Tayla came on our retreat smoking, drinking Red Bull every day, and struggling with her health. After the retreat, she completely transformed. Not only did she stop all of her unhealthy habits, but she also learned about magnesium for her son, who had been non-verbal. Now, he’s speaking, and their lives are forever changed.”
Both Leanne and Sophie continue to focus on their own personal growth alongside their work with Eat, Pray, Self Love. Leanne is developing an online course around grief and a programme for women in midlife. “Midlife is a powerful time for self-reflection,” Leanne highlights. “I’m passionate about helping women rediscover their spark.”
For Sophie, the journey continues as she holds regular sound healing workshops and nutrition coaching. “It’s all about finding balance, how we nourish ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally.”
Their upcoming retreat in a beautiful French château in June 2025 promises to be the next big step in their mission to help others transform.
You can download a free meditation here:
https://eatprayandselflove.co/womenfest and access all the information for their upcoming retreat in France this June.
To learn more, visit @eat_prayselflove on Instagram or email them at eatprayandselflove333@gmail.com.
You can also follow Leanne at @leanne_brown_1111 and Sophie at @Sophie_baines_.
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