Wild Times With... Hannah Phang from Rain Wellbeing
by Jenny Clark · Sat 18 Mar 2023
We recently caught up with Hannah, the Managing Director of RAIN, who have some gorgeous wellness products including a CBD Balm we love to use in our yin yoga and yoga Nidra classes on our retreats. Hannah has a fascinating and varied background in entrepreneurship and sustainability consulting and is also the co-founder of The Now Work, a flexible talent platform for sustainability.
In addition to building start-ups, Hannah has served as Head of Marketing and Advocacy of Futerra, the sustainability strategy and communications agency, and on the Steering Committee of the UN Fashion Charter for Climate Action. She has worked with both start-ups and global corporates including Google, Formula 1 and Yoox Net-a-Porter on launching and promoting their sustainable products and initiatives.
1) Why do you love being outside?
Being in nature helps me to feel grounded and reminds me of just how magical it is that we are living on a floating rock hurtling through space that is filled with such beauty and intelligence.
Nature is such a great source of inspiration on how to operate efficiently, knowing that nature does not rush yet everything is accomplished. It reminds me that we are part of nature and not separate from it, so it helps me to tune into how I am feeling since I can so often get lost in my own head.
2) Favourite nature fact?
There are way too many to choose from. Instead I’d love to offer a recommendation of reading the books The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. They really help bring to life just how intelligent nature is and offers so much insight into what we can learn from nature.
3) Favourite wild place?
I’m from Vancouver Canada and there are so many magical wild places in that part of the world. There are some incredible spots on Vancouver Island or up the Sunshine Coast. Whenever I go back to visit I always go to Pacific Spirit National Park. It’s right in the city of Vancouver so isn’t necessarily wild, but it is amazing to have city access to such wonderful forests.
4) What would you like your legacy to be?
I would like to support people in reconnecting with their own true nature. I often find that the incredible and ambitious people I surround myself with are operating on an automatic mode, moving through life on a wave of socially acceptable norms. I would like my legacy to be helping people to tune back into theirauthentic purpose and ways of being and helping to shift the societal narratives and structures that can facilitate that.
5) Describe your perfect day.
My perfect day involves walking in nature, meditation, learning or self development, reading while having a coffee, exploring the city and stopping in a cute looking place for a coffee or perhaps a cheeky glass of wine while having a meaningful but also hilarious conversation with friends.
6) What would be your one tip for someone who wants to reconnect to nature/spend more time in the wild?
My tip would be to just start with what is achievable. Connecting with nature doesn’t have to look like trekking in the wilderness or traveling to a remote place on the other side of the world. It can look like spending time gardening, caring for your plants, going for walks in your local park. If you start doing these activities with intention and appreciation, it can be a great way to start rebuilding your relationship with nature. I also always love to remind people that we as humans are nature. So spending a couple of minutes just reconnecting with yourself and your body is also a great way to reconnect with nature, especially if you can tap into your own wild side.
7) How do you ground yourself?
Walks in nature is my favourite way, but if I’m at home and am just feeling too much in my head I will do a workout, take a shower, or do a grounding meditation in order to settle my energy and feel more grounded and connected to my body.
8) Favourite campfire food?
S’mores!
9) One thing you’re grateful for today:The sun! Although it’s still cold out, it’s amazing to feel how energising the sun is.
10) What does ‘rewilding’ mean to you?
Rewilding to me means returning to our natural state of being in flow and a part of nature, rather than working against it or being unaligned with it.
RAIN is a restorative force; a constant companion to a life in motion, tending to your everyday needs. RAIN have designed a support system of wellness products, powered by natural ingredients, such as CBD, that seamlessly fit into your daily rituals. Loved by athletes, world-leading entrepreneurs, and ambitious people committed to their wellbeing alike, RAIN crafts highly effective products that positively enhance your mental and physical state. hello@rainwellbeing.com@rainwellbeing