Interview with holistic therapist and author Kezia Kecibas
Kezia Kecibas is a holistic therapist, author, and mother, dedicated to empowering individuals on their journeys of self-discovery and personal growth. With a background in performing arts and holistic therapy, Kezia blends her passion for creativity with a deep commitment to mental and emotional well-being.
After facing the challenges of a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis at a young age, she transformed her experiences into a source of strength and now helps others navigate their own struggles. Through her writing and therapy practice, Kezia inspires resilience and promotes the importance of self-care, encouraging her clients to embrace their true selves and live their best lives.
What’s your career background?
I trained at De Montfort University in Contemporary Theatre and being involved in performing Arts was easy for me as I’m naturally confident and outspoken. This helped hugely with my initial interview and subsequently job in sales and I quickly moved from call handler to Director of the advertising paper with minimum effort.
How did your career change after having children?
My career changed as a result of my children. Initially, in what I now, expect, was a hormonal reaction, I resignation from a very well-paid job in an outburst of righteousness during a heated “telling off” of another team, for their lack of sales, I quit and later that same day, I discovered I was pregnant.
I was fortunate enough to get some temp work with The Festivals and Events team for my local council. After my son was born, I craved a bit of adult time, and the local college ran courses with a free creche. The courses that this applied to were accounting or Holistic Therapies. I’d had to retake my G.C.S.E maths, so Holistic it would be. My mum had an herb garden, and I walked on my dad’s back as a child, surely, I was already halfway there.
I volunteered at Sure Start teaching reading to parents that were struggling and the manager put me forward to do a Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities 12-week course. My decision was fuelled by a free buffet and childcare and this combo went onto me helping to set up a more accessible parenting class and facilitate just that.
I incorporated my holistics training into these classes, showing the parents stress relief, anger management and confidence boosting techniques. Alongside this work I qualified as a holistic therapist, and I began working part-time with one of my fellow graduates.
Halfway through my holistic training I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Initially I ignored the signs thinking I was just an exhausted mum and put into place coping strategies and techniques to hide my disability. I had a salon built in my garden, so that when my inevitable decline happened, I could still practice and this hideaway salon meant I could work at my own home, around my son, and later on my daughter, whilst not using up too much energy commuting.
Having had (a hidden) diagnosis gave me empathy for my clients that would come and share their trials in a safe space. I made the salon tranquil candlelit and smelling of essential oil blends. Work became a retreat and escape for me too.
As my MS progressed my medications become stronger , alongside my research for natural remedies and dietary adjustments. After over a decade of hiding my diagnosis, I was given the prognosis that I would inevitably be in a wheelchair by Christmas.
I was a stubborn mother and took this as a much needed, push to “come out.” I fundraised for a fairly new treatment (a stem-cell transplant). People were shocked but generous, and we raised nearly £50,000 so I could head to Russia, and here lies my next job.
How did you move from idea to actual business?
On my return the world had decided we needed more time out, and Covid hit. I wrote Rose-Tinted M.y S.tory. Having made videos of everything I had to go through, in order to show people my “behind the scenes,” gave me the confidence to share all my MS shames. No-one should be ashamed of their disabilities.
The people I reach out to are those that need a safe space or just “time out”. Touch is so important and in the western world it seems less prevalent. This is where Kelebek Holistic Therapies comes in. Massage and Reflexology are just some of the treatments I offer. These help both physically and subsequently mentally.
There is most definitely a mind and body connection. Examples of this are butterflies in our stomach or our face reddening when we get embarrassed. I adapt and alter each treatment to cater for what my client needs at that moment in time.
My book is an open. Yet funny, account of my MS journey from diagnosis, treatments and living with a disability whilst juggling normal life and being a mum. I use humour a lot in the book which I’m told makes even the hard facts palatable. The book gives hope and light-hearted optimism for those struggling.
What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest obstacle was my own ignorance in thinking that I should hide my disability, I was concerned that people would think less and stop coming for treatments. I now realise I was just hiding my diagnosis from myself.
As my disability progressed and I found it harder to do some of the basic things that I always took for granted, I put into place my coping mechanisms and which led to me taking control back from the MS and me dealing with my diagnosis and sharing my struggles. By being open this led to me feeling much more positive in general (not having to hide from the world) and embracing and feeling proud of the person I am and the body I am in.
How do you spread the word about what you do?
I’ve spread the word through talks both in person and on-line alongside social media posts and have just started to add PR into the mix for further reach.
What are your proudest moments?
My proudest moments were firstly during fundraising. The money rolled in from friends, family and complete strangers. My son turned to me and said, “there is something in this karma stuff you talk about” Secondly when my book arrived on my doorstep my daughter picked it up, looked at the cover and said “it’s you” as she opened it “actual words.”
Why is your work important to you?
My work is important as it proves to others and myself that you have to keep strong. That you can achieve, even when the odds are against you and that you need to have hope.
Where does you inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from those around me. My clients talk openly about their lives and what is happening. I visit the Leicestershire Multiple-sclerosis Therapy centre weekly for physio and oxygen. The people that go there are true warriors. The support they give each other is nothing but admirable and I’m in awe of how many keep their smiles.
How do you balance your work with your family?
Time is so precious and so I make sure I block out time to spend with my children and time out for myself too. Years of teaching stress-management and relaxation has come in handy and I need to ensure I take the time I need and encourage others to do the same.
What are your three top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do something similar?
1) Stay positive
If you look at things in a positive manner opportunities are more likely to come in your direction.
Visualise what you want to achieve and stay focussed. If this takes the form of manifesting, vision boards, or just keeping your “eye on the prize” do it.
To manifest, be specific. Place yourself where you want to be. What can you hear? What can you see? Is there a specific smell?
Go back to the sounds, make them louder. Go back to what you can see. Make it clearer. Back to the smells, make them stronger. If you are so inclined is there a sensation? Taste? Be specific.
2) Network
By this I don’t mean lots of stuffy meetings. Talk to people, smile, be sincere and remain approachable. Opportunity can arise at any time or place.
One of my best clients I met in a bar whilst ‘out out’ with the girls, plus I get a lot of work that comes from referrals. To this day I truly believe that word of mouth (friend of a friend) is my most effective advertising.
3) Be your own advocate
Believe in yourself. What you do is special, and you need to acknowledge this.
Remember how far you have come, but also how much further you can still go. You don’t always get a pat on the head for day-to-day tasks so it’s important that you keep grasp of how much you have actually achieved daily.
Find out more about Kezia Kecibas and Rose-Tinted M.y S.tory.