An Inspired Chat with Toni MSN, PHN, RN of Global

We recently had the chance to connect with Toni MSN, PHN, RN and have shared our conversation below.

Toni, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Before my feet hit the floor, I start with a 10-minute guided meditation—still in bed, eyes closed, setting the tone with intention and presence. It’s how I ground myself before the world starts moving.

Then it’s puppy love—my little morning joy. A few cuddles, a stretch, and then I’m up for a 10- to 30-minute yoga or mobility flow, depending on what my body’s asking for that day. Movement gives me clarity; it’s my reset.

After that, I head outside for my daily garden check-in. I walk through slowly, taking in the scents, noticing what’s growing, what needs extra care, and just being with nature. It’s my version of quiet observation and devotion.

Finally, I brew my first cup—usually fresh chamomile tea with a bit of lavender or mint straight from the garden. Some mornings it’s coffee, but lately I’ve been loving what’s grown close to home and steeped with care.

That first 90 minutes is where I align—mind, body, spirit—before stepping into the rest of the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Toni — a public health nurse, wellness strategist, and author.

I lead a wellness brand built around self-care, movement, lifestyle, and mindset, all grounded in the spirit of love, luxury, and longevity. I work with Fortune-level companies, hospital systems, and universities to bring real, sustainable wellness into high-pressure environments. Through live masterclasses, executive sessions, mobility and strength content, creative rituals, and intimate retreats, I help teams and leaders integrate wellness into their daily lives and leadership.

My memoir, Grow Your Own Way, tells the story of how I created a wellness lifestyle that honors who I am, not who I was told to be. It’s honest, layered, and deeply personal. If it inspires others to explore their own path, I’ve done what I came here to do.

I’m also the founder of Whole Wellness for Thriving Futures, a mission-driven initiative I launched in March 2025 to support the personal grooming, hygiene, and mental wellness needs of elementary school students. It began with a wellness morning for third through fifth graders, where I led a presentation and Q&A centered on confidence, care, and mental well-being. Each student received a full wellness kit, stocked with full-size grooming and hygiene products, mental wellness tools, and practical resources. The initiative was fully funded through sponsorship and a grant, and is completely separate from my business. What started with one school has grown into a long-term commitment to helping students feel clean, confident, and cared for.

This is the work I do — in boardrooms, classrooms, and everywhere wellness is needed.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a scared, insecure, and uncertain child—unhealthy in ways I didn’t fully understand. I was searching for security, acceptance, and love, and maybe just to be seen at all. I wasn’t kind to myself, and I didn’t always know how to be kind to others either. I didn’t have the language or tools for wellness. I just knew something felt off, and I didn’t know where or how to begin.

Before the world told me who I had to be, I was trying to survive, never knowing that I deserved to feel whole, well, and worthy.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You don’t have to earn love, prove your worth, or shrink to stay safe. You are already enough — even when you don’t feel it. Keep going. Keep listening. Keep choosing you!

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
For a long time, I believed in that old “no pain, no gain” mindset when it came to health, wellness, and fitness. I followed it—thinking if I wasn’t pushing myself to the point of pain, I wasn’t doing enough. But the truth is, I was unhealthy the entire time. I chased quick fixes, extreme routines, and short-term results that never lasted and never helped me.

It took me years to realize that pain doesn’t equal progress. What I needed was to nurture my body, give it time to heal, and begin to practice real self-care. I had to learn how to listen to what my body was asking for instead of forcing it into what it wasn’t ready for. That “no pain, no gain” mentality was one of the most harmful beliefs I ever held. Now, I know that sustainable wellness comes from consistency, care, and honoring my body with ease, not punishment.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I’ve learned—through nursing, personal healing, and watching whole organizations fall apart—is that self-care isn’t an indulgence; it’s infrastructure. Most people still treat it like a spa day or a guilty pleasure. They miss that the micro-choices we make to rest, move, breathe, and refuel are the very scaffolding that keeps our minds clear, our bodies resilient, and our emotions steady.

Ignore those signals—whether they whisper or scream—and the cost shows up as burnout, chronic illness, fractured relationships, and stalled purpose. Honor them, and everything else you value has a stable place to stand. That’s the truth I hold closest: consistent, unapologetic self-care is the preventive medicine for every layer of life.

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