We were lucky to catch up with Robert Hensley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Robert, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

For over twenty-five years, closer to thirty, I have worked in the entertainment industry. I’ve been a costume designer, a writer, a filmmaker, but my bread and butter was makeup. I am an Emmy-nominated makeup artist… and in 2022, that all changed when I suffered a hand injury. The thought of losing that part of my creative career was devastating. It took me to a very dark place.

A friend suggested I take up meditation. It was not something I would have thought to do on my own. I took their advice and found a class…and that changed everything!

That first class led to another and another, and to the first sound bath, and so on…and then, I decided to become a certified sound therapist and meditation leader. I chose to specialize in Elemental Meditation. Over time, that led to learning more about personal rewilding, and reforming our relationships with Nature.

In this industry, it’s out of sight, out of mind. At the risk or losing my place in my creative community, I have focused more and more of my attention on creating a platform to help others find their own paths to personal rewilding. My practice takes me out of the city and into the wilderness for weeks, if not months, at a time. I’ve missed makeup and production opportunities, and I’ve had to make my peace with that.

It’s a risk I am willing to take.

Robert, 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?

Robert Hensley Nature Reconnect was born out of my desire to help others. I built a website to act as a digital platform from which I could share information, and make my classes and expertise easily available. There is an online reading room for sharing the rewilding articles I write, a services tab that allows people to book sessions with me, and gives them access to eBooks and digital classes.

My practice, which specializes in Elemental Meditation, started with one-on-one meditation coaching. I shared it with my clients and practiced it with actors in the makeup trailer. I taught my first group class at a personal transformation conference, the success of which led to classes and sound baths in various wellness studios across the country.

As a personal rewilding coach, I am able to utilize meditation, Nature immersion, and journal exercises to help others rekindle their relationship with Nature. So many people don’t realize how far from the natural world industrial globalization’s conditioning has pushed us. The physical and mental health benefits of living with a conscious connection to the natural world are profound.

Now, working in partnership with OmBody Massage and Wellness, a wellness studio in the lush Laurel Highland mountains of southwestern Pennsylvania, I’ve created a personal rewilding initiative which launches in May. This involves creating classes and exercises, along with planning other activities and retreats. The goal is to help launch these initiatives in other wellness studios.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think, aside from your expertise, the thing most helpful in succeeding in any field is confidence. It’s one of the first things clients notice, and it’s the key to gaining their trust. It’s what ensures you know your worth. Confidence also holds off imposter syndrome, which begins to creep in the minute you have any self-doubt.

However, confidence should not be confused with ego. It’s healthy to have a little ego – but it can be disastrous to have an over-inflated sense of self. In many cases, ego-mania acts as a deterrent, making potential clients unsure of placing their trust in you. Ego can be the thing that makes you over-priced for what you provide.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Your reputation is built up on your ability to say what you do and do what you say. You have to have the expertise and practical know-how to deliver on the promises you make. When people are paying for a service on which you’ve promised a particular outcome, you have to be able to confidently execute that service for the client – or they’ll never come back to you, and they’ll tell at last ten people how awful the experience was.

Whether it’s makeup or meditation, it’s been the same. Each gig gets your best work. You’re only as good as your last job. That is how you build a solid reputation in any business.

There’s an old addage: “A pleased customer will tell their closest friend, a customer with a complaint will tell everyone.” Misery loves company, so anytime you have a dissatisfied customer, know they’ll tell anyone who’ll listen how much they dislike you and your work. Negativity spreads like wildfire!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.rhnaturereconnect.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/@rhnaturereconnect
• Facebook: facebook.com/@rhnaturereconnect
• Other: Learn more about Robert at linktr.ee/iamroberthensley

Image Credits
Headshot – self portrait by Robert Hensley, All Nature Photography – Robert Hensley, Robert with Charlotte Crouse – Natalie Miller, Robert with Chris Roe (B/W) – Christopher Roe