We were lucky to catch up with Nicholas Hockley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicholas , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea of Love Portal, which is an a nomadic ecstatic dance, sound healing, and community gathering, came to me during a mushroom journey. In this vision, I could see the event from a bird’s eye view, as if I were witnessing it from above. The whole gathering was surrounded by a distinct energetic barrier, almost like a sacred portal, that people entered as they came into the space. It felt as though I was being shown the blueprint for something meaningful, a path to create a unique environment for connection, expression, and transformation.

Leading up to this moment, I had spent years immersed in the nightlife scene as a DJ, running a record label and hosting monthly events. However, when COVID hit, my connection to the nightlife culture began to shift. This shift coincided with a period of deep healing work, which ultimately led me to a spiritual awakening. Afterward, I found myself drawn to experiences that aligned more closely with this new chapter of my life.

The first DJ gig I played post-pandemic was an ecstatic dance in Philadelphia, and in that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging that I had been missing in the nightlife community. It was as if the universe was opening a new door for me, showing me a path to DJ in a way that was truer to who I was becoming. The experience was profound, yet I noticed that the music typically played at these events wasn’t what inspired me or was passionate about. I knew, though, that there was an international audience that loved the kind of music I played but hadn’t experienced it in an ecstatic dance setting.

The real magic of ecstatic dance lies in its foundation: an alcohol- and drug-free space, intentionally crafted with opening and closing circles inspired by ancient cultures worldwide. I saw a chance to merge this practice with my skill as a DJ, creating a unique space where people could dance to uplifting DJ sets and experience a more conscious, wellness-focused environment. I also realized that there were people within the nightlife world who would love this kind of experience but didn’t know it existed. Love Portal could be a bridge—a gateway for curious souls seeking deeper connection without compromising their love for great music and dance.

During this time, I was also exploring sound healing, studying with mentors and gaining certifications. Love Portal felt like the perfect space to incorporate my new passion, adding an extra layer of healing and depth. The event flow evolved to include an opening circle, a movement warm-up, a two-hour ecstatic dance set, a sound healing session, and a closing sharing circle with rotating collaborators. Each element weaves together to create an experience that’s both expansive and grounding.

What makes Love Portal distinct is that it’s an authentic expression of my journey as an artist, DJ, and healer. Like artists I admire, such as Mose with his Cacao Dance, Love Portal is an extension of who I am as a sound artist. It’s about serving the communities with a safe space for expression and it’s a vision of the world I wish to see—a blueprint for change and a catalyst for remembrance of our divine connection to sound. Through this event, I aim to create a sanctuary where people can experience healing, joy, and authentic connection, celebrating the power of sound, movement, and community.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Nicholas Hockley, and I am a DJ, musician, and sound healing artist. I perform and produce music under the alias Nah Mean? and have been DJing and hosting dance events for over ten years. My journey with music began as a deeply personal exploration. When my dad passed away in 2012, I found myself navigating grief by spending countless hours alone with a DJ mixer, blending sounds and frequencies. This journey evolved into sharing my work publicly, and I quickly found that my style and track selection resonated with others. Over the years, I’ve evolved from playing college parties and bars to performing at nightclubs, festivals, and now ecstatic dance events, including international gatherings in destinations like Costa Rica and Mexico.

Music and sound are integral parts of my life—when I’m not creating or sharing, it feels as if something is missing. I’ve also been producing electronic music for the past eight years, with several releases that have received global support. In the last three years, my sound healing practice has blossomed, and I’ve begun hosting sound healing sessions for both groups and individuals while continuing to DJ. My sound healing instruments include gongs, healing bowls, drums, Shruti box, voice, chimes, shakers, rattles, and various other shamanic instruments.

My passion for sound healing was sparked by a powerful experience during a plant medicine ceremony, where I felt a direct, profound connection to the divine as a bowl resonated above my head. That moment ignited a calling to serve others, offering them a space to connect with sound in a way that can lead to deep healing and transformation. I aim to create spaces where people can experience freedom, clarity, and connection—whether it’s through dance and movement or restorative sound healing events.

What motivates me is hearing the experiences people share after working with me. Attendees have described seeing visions, connecting with ancestors, relieving physical pain, reducing stress, and finding deep peace and presence. These experiences inspire me to continue offering spaces for transformation, healing, and connection. I want my clients, followers, and fans to know that Love Portal is more than an event—it’s a sacred space where sound becomes a pathway to connection, self-discovery, and healing.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What’s really helped me build my reputation in this space is authenticity. Love Portal is an extension of who I am—my journey, my healing experiences, and my passion for sound. Everything I share, from DJ sets to sound healing sessions, comes from a deeply personal place. I don’t offer anything that I haven’t lived and felt myself. People can sense when something is real, and I think that genuine energy has resonated with those who come to Love Portal events.

In a world where it can be easy to fall into trends, I’ve stayed true to what I believe is meaningful, creating a space that combines the joy of dance with the healing power of sound in an intentional way. Each Love Portal experience is designed to offer people a space where they can connect, heal, and truly be themselves. My community recognizes that commitment to authenticity, and it’s been the foundation for the trust and connection that continues to grow.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Two books that have significantly shaped my management and entrepreneurial philosophy are Tao of Leadership by John Heider and Be Here Now by Ram Dass. Tao of Leadership offers a perspective on leadership that’s rooted in flow, presence, and leading without forcing—an approach that deeply resonates with how I facilitate Love Portal events. It’s taught me the value of creating an environment where others can thrive naturally, holding space without imposing or controlling.

Be Here Now by Ram Dass has had an equally profound impact, guiding me to live and create from the heart. This book encouraged me to let go of conventional expectations and trust in the present moment, allowing Love Portal to emerge as an authentic expression of my journey and passions. These insights have not only influenced how I create but also how I connect with and serve the Love Portal community, keeping heart-centered values at the core of everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveportalevents/ https://www.instagram.com/nahmeannick/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveportalevents
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nahmeanmusic

Image Credits

Photographs by Pan Davis and Corey Pugliese