We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tara Lee Oakley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tara Lee , appreciate you joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I was at University studying Japanese and Management, but movement was more my idea of fun. I was never very academic and although I’m grateful I’ve been to University I think I only really went because I felt that I had to. I thought if I didn’t go to Uni I wouldn’t get a job. In my first year I joined the Middle Eastern Society and I started learning belly dancing. I absolutely loved it and even though I had never learnt to dance before something about this dance felt so right for my body. A few months later bored of working as a waitress in local restaurants I decided to head into a Lebanese Restaurant and ask if they needed a dancer. Sure enough they decided to give me a try- and that’s where it all started!!! I wasn’t a good dancer but what I lacked in skill I made up with fun. I was having the time of my life, shimming around the tables and making good money and even getting an amazing free dinner at the end. It was my perfect job!! Entertaining people, listening to music, dancing, meeting new people and having a such a good time. That was it- from there my work grew and grew and I ended up working as a professional belly dancer for over 20 years

Tara Lee , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started out as a belly dancer and from there got into teaching dance. Then I started to grow more into the fitness world also teaching, yoga, pilates, barre, zumba, aqua, pre and post natal and personal training clients. The longer I stayed in the industry my fascination in the body developed more and more and then I studied massage and body work. I became a massage therapist along side my fitness work and the two compliment each other really well.
Then because I love travelling I thought to start organising retreats as well. I’ve taken clients all over the world, India, Sri Lanka, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt and Madeira.
Now I am studying biomechanics and looking forward to help my clients with their pain, injuries and athletic development.
I believe that movement is the most powerful healing tool available to us, and my mission is to to get people out of their heads and into their bodies, to feel uplifted, liberated and appreciate their bodies. Movement transforms you, physically, mentally and spiritually and I would like to inspire people to move more.
I am proud that I’ve run my own business since I’m 23, I did it all on my own! My business is ethical and healthy and I am proud to do work that changes peoples lives.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Almost 3 years ago I got run over by a car.. I had life changing injuries. This accident damaged my body for ever and I cannot do the things I used to.
I am self employed and no one is paying me to stay at home. I had no choice but to work.
Somehow I managed though sheer desperation, courage, hard work and kind supportive clients to keep my business going even though I was in a wheelchair and then crutches for 9 months. At points I was teaching clients from my chair with only one arm and leg working. It wasn’t easy but It kept food on my table and a roof over my head

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had to make a huge pivot in business when covid lockdown came. I was teaching live 25 fitness classes in gyms a week… then suddenly lockdown was announced. I panicked – how was I going to live? I was self employed and had to find a way to make money as initially there had been no Government support for self employed people.
The lockdown was announced on the Friday in the UK and by Sunday morning I had set up a full weekly online class timetable, payment system and sorted out my zoom class tech. I invested in lights, a microphone and turned my living room into a dance studio!! I had no experience in online teaching so this was new for me. I remember being one of the first teachers I knew to organise classes online! Being one of the first benefitted me massively and I was having sometimes over 50 people in some classes. What turned out being a huge stress actually turned out to be very profitable for me and I loved the challenge.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tarawellbeing.com www.shesensu.com
• Instagram: thisistaralee
• Facebook: Tara Lee Oakley

Image Credits

Yasmina of Cairo