We were lucky to catch up with Tara Coyote recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I spent time learning how to swim in a mermaid tail in the water, giving myself the time to seep in the complete joy of the experience and develop my water skills. I spent time with inspiring leaders like the OG mermaid Hannah Mermaid. Practice, perseverance, patience and staying dedicated to developing the art is important as well!

The obstacles that stood in the way was my own doubt in myself. Once I let go of my own reluctance and fear of succeeding, the path was clear for abundance!

Tara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I had a remarkable journey healing from stage 4 cancer after being referred to Hospice in the winter of 2019. I ended up writing a book about it called ‘Grace, Grit & Gratitude: A Cancer Thriver’s Journey from Hospice to Full Recovery with the Healing Power of Horses’. Sharing my story of healing cancer got my story out to a larger audience.

I was raised in a family of biologists/ earth activists/educators/inspiring/whale watching/safari leading parents, which installed a great love of the earth in my brother and I.

Four years ago, both of my parents died suddenly and tragically within 4 months of one another. I was extremely close with them and their deaths were completely heartbreaking (especially my fathers). About five months after my fathers death, I stumbled upon a woman who taught mermaiding lessons on Maui, who then introduced the art of being a mermaid to me, which literally brought me out of my immense grief and helped me find my joy again!

Finding this ocean loving path, woke me up on a deep level, healed me over time and made me realize how the general population is not aware of the fragility and important nature of the health of our ocean. I started using my voice to speak out to educate others about ocean conservation.

I ended up writing an ocean conservation kids book called ‘Kaimana the Hawaiian Mermaid’ and have interviewed inspiring ocean leaders like Hannah Mermaid, Ted Cheeseman of Happywhale (my brother) Jim Abernathy and others.

My greatest joy is swimming with large aquatic mammals, like the humpback whales, sharks, turtles etc.

I ended up being trained as a Padi mermaid teacher and have my own mermaid biz called Kaua’i Mermaid Experience on Kaua’i, Hawaii where I teach mermaid lessons and offer professional photography packages. I also offer underwater portrait photography sessions.

Being in the ocean and sharing the joy of it, while basking in the healing energy of the ocean brings a great sense of fulfillment.

It is also vitally important to me to teach others of the importance of ocean conservation. Without a healthy ocean we cannot survive as a human species.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, I have found great healing in being in the water as a mermaid and learning the fine art of underwater portrait photography. It has been such an incredible process for me that i was inspired to share this liberating experience with others. It is incredibly fulfilling to witness others tap into their own joy and healing while being in the water.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience on social media coming at it from a few different avenues. I had been sharing my journey with cancer publicly and gradually grew an audience through. my vulnerable shares. Once I wrote a book, that audience grew even more. Once I got into the mermaid world, that developed a fascination with the public for the magical underwater world I was sharing.

The key seems to be authentic and share what is authentic to your heart. Social media can be a tricky balance of learning what audiences like, but also being true to your heart. I think it’s important to have fun with it and not get too caught up in how many likes and follows you are getting!

Contact Info:

• Website: I have a few: https://www.kauaimermaidjoy.com/ (Mermaid) https://www.taracoyote.com/ (Author) https://www.cancerwarrioress.com/ (health) https://www.windhorsesanctuary.com/ Horse work
• Instagram: Again i have a few, but i will just share two: https://www.instagram.com/taracoyote/ Mermaid: https://www.instagram.com/the.kauai.mermaid/
• Facebook: I have a few: @TaraCoyote and TaraCoyote/TheKauaiMermaid
• Linkedin: @Taracoyote
• Twitter: @TaraCoyote
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaraCoyote

Image Credits

1st image: Erena Shimoda – Underwater Transformation
2nd: Odyssey Photography
3rd: Fran Reina

All the rest – me – Tara Coyote – Kaua’i Mermaid Experience