Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Robert Hensley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Robert, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know is hard to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
As a creative, I’ve had to overcome imposter syndrome more than once. Every time I’ve tried something new, stepped into a new genre or medium, there is that horrible encroaching self-doubt, telling you that you aren’t fooling anyone as you play at being a makeup artist, a writer, a director…what have you. It’s a horrible feeling.
However, what I’ve learned from nearly three decades in the entertainment industry is that you just have to do it. Finish the gig, write the screenplay, finish the film. Then, you’re not an imposter, because you’ve done it. And if you’ve done it well, then the response from others will validate your worthiness in that role.
I think the worst bout of imposter syndrome came after I had become certified as a sound therapist and a meditation leader. I’d taken the classes, done the work, and passed the tests. I was teaching classes, and even hearing positive feedback, I felt like something was missing – it wasn’t really connecting for me, so how could I make it connect for others – and I had to step back to figure out what I still needed to do. That’s when I discovered personal rewilding.
It wasn’t until I’d finished a course in rewilding and spent months on my own practice, that I felt like I could pull all the pieces back together and present something that didn’t leave me feeling like a kid playing dress-up. Then, when positive feedback started coming through, I knew this was mine – I could own it. I wasn’t just playing in the world of personal transformation.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a certified meditation leader and personal rewilding coach. The mission of my practice is to help others reclaim their connection to Nature through meditation, immersion exercises, and journaling. The importance of my practice is to help curb the harm the prevalent disconnection between most people and the natural world is causing – not just to Nature, but to my clients.
Personal Rewilding is based on concepts of Ecopsychology, or the study of the effects of people living out of synch with the natural world. For generations, we have been conditioned to work against Nature’s rhythms and cycles, to focus on personal material wealth, and see the natural world as a challenge to be conquered and exploited. This disconnected conditioning has led to mental and physical health issues, as well as a planet that can barely sustain life.
What I love about what I do is the near-immediate change that comes with it. Your clients feel better – physically, mentally – with less stress, less anxiety, and more energy. It’s a lifestyle shift that carries with it a shifting perspective and an increased awareness of the environment.
As part of my practice, I’ve created a deck of meditation cards available on Etsy – the Celtic Spirit Animal Elemental Meditation deck – which is used to deliver a daily meditation prompt, based on the building blocks of creation, and the wisdom of the most common spirit animals in the Celtic tradition. I’ve written an eBook – “Rekindling Your Relationship with Nature” – which is a guide book for starting your journey to personal rewilding in just 15 minutes each day. “The Basics of Meditation” is a digital course in 8 short video modules designed to help people start a meditation practice with confidence. And I have designed a signature, personal rewilding initiative for Om Body Massage and Wellness in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, taking advantage of their surrounding natural sites.
I am also available for speaking engagements, classes, and one-on-one coaching. Information for all this can be found on my website at www.rhnaturereconnect.com.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First, I would say, “Don’t force it.” When I started as a costume designer, I just knew I’d be working on Broadway. Then, things changed, and I was moving into makeup, and I just knew I’d be creating monsters and gore effects. Then, things shifted again… and you just have to let things unfold organically. You can’t put too much pressure on a square block and a round hole, because you just wind up damaging the hole and the block. It’s important to be flexible.
Second, I would say, “Never stop learning.” Even if you feel like you’ve learned all there is to know about something, you haven’t. There is always someone building on the work of others, and you should too. However, you have to know what you’re doing as good as the person who did it first in order to play in their league. Be open to improving your craft. That’s what gives you value in a competitive field, and you have to protect that. Know your worth.
Third, and this might be most important, I’d say is “All you have is your name.” I don’t mean your moniker – but your reputation. Every job gets your best work. No one should ever have a complaint about your work. It’s crazy to watch people who are just starting out, throwing fireballs at bridges they won’t ever be able to repair – and not even realizing there is no coming back from their actions. Everyone you work with no matter how high or low on the totem pole is a reference.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who wants to change their perspective of the world. They recognize that how they’ve been conditioned is not working, that something is missing, and they want connection. I want to work with people who are open to finding a healthy balance between being plugged into the socket and plugged into the natural world. Whether someone has meditation experience, or is an accomplished outdoors-person is irrelevant; I want to work with people who are ready to experience the benefits of living with a relationship to Nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rhnaturereconnect.com
- Instagram: @rhnaturereconnect
- Facebook: @rhnaturereconnect
- Other: Learn more about me at linktr.ee/iamroberthensley
Image Credits
Headshot – self portrait by Robert Hensley B&W – Robert with Chris Roe – photo by Christopher Roe Robert with Danny Trejo – photo by Georgiana Lainfiesta All Nature Photography – by Robert Hensley
