To welcome the start of Spring and re-birth energy, we were delighted to welcome goddess healer, clinical herbalist and spiritual mentor, Altaire Cambata. For us Altaire represents the essence of mermaid, with her broad thinking, compassionate nature, upbeat positivity, multi-skilled diversity and magical energy. Altaire pivoted from a history of working in International Aid & Development to exploring the healing arts, her true calling. Here she shares some wisdom and offers some actionable tips for body confidence, staying centred, managing stress and dealing with anxiety.
Altaire can you tell us what you do?
I do what feels most natural to me on this earth, which is to be a curious and compassionate student of the World and a student of Life. I think the true reason that I am a healer, an herbalist, a nutritionist, a Life Coach, a business and leadership coach and all of these things is to connect people back to the significance of their story; to connect back to the meaning and purpose of their journey in a way that captures the magic, the awe, the possibility of love and countless other enriching elements. The stories we tell ourselves about the world are very powerful, and ultimately I help people tell a very empowering and magical story for themselves. The most fascinating aspect has been to see the very rapid evolution and growth in the lives of my clients, and how they grow to see the world completely differently after we work together. It’s as if they are seeing the world through rainbow-tinted glasses. I see light literally pouring out of them by the time we finish our work together. This will never cease to inspire me and therefore of all of the jobs I have had — from barista to sushi waitress to art education to UN Environmental Policy Assistant — helping others re-discover their inner light and their untapped power is my greatest pleasure in life. I apprentice healers ready to soar as leaders so that they can start serving powerfully and receiving abundantly.
How did you evolve into providing these services for other beings?
I feel I didn’t find this work, that it found me. I pivoted from a history of working in International Aid & Development to exploring the healing arts, when I realized that even in the field of international development there was very little emphasis on personal development (office employees included!) And after spending time in the field in remote areas that are notoriously very poor, in Asia, Central America and elsewhere, it became clear to me that the inner growth of individuals and their leaders was so clearly the determining factor in the health of a community and its capacity to thrive, rather than its access to material resources.
How did life events shape your path?
However, I would likely still be in that field or something similar if I hadn’t have a.) broken up with my boyfriend b.) was totally broke and had only just started a brand new job in a town I didn’t know at all c.) was dealing with a painful digestive disorder and d.) my dad almost went to jail and e.) my brother tragically passed away of a heart attack: ALL IN THE SAME MONTH!
I was in a deep state of grief and restoration and knew that I needed to make a change in my life. I knew I needed to take time to heal and recover and then start my own business and lead a life of independence, success, love and abundance and commit to the real work of helping others — like I had always wanted, and what my brother wanted for me.
What do you think is out there that we don’t know about?
Well there is certainly much, much more to the universe than meets the eye! I started saying that I was, “Making Magic Real Again” because we have all grown accustomed to associating the magical with the fantastical – the imaginary, the make-believe. But true Magic, real Magic, in the sense of being able to experience miracles, cast spells, to heal yourself and others, to have visions of the future, to have an intuition that nudges you in the right direction, to have a soul, spirit guides, ancestors, angels and signs from The Universe: all of that is absolutely real and as soon as we embrace it, the faster the magical moments begin to appear! I promise!
What is the greatest gift you give to others?
I think of myself as having three main gifts: teaching, leading and creating. The more of these three gifts I am able to share with others the happier I am! But in terms of the greatest gift I or anyone else can give to others is to see them with love. This is the ultimate gift that will keep on giving; see others, see the world, with love.
What does being a mermaid mean to you?
To me, being a mermaid is about flowing. It means sometimes getting up with the sunrise and sometimes sleeping in for another 2 hours; it means being curious about my world and other worlds, never being in one place for too long; it means playing, laughing and dancing in the waves, even when it’s a stormy day; it means connecting with Mother Earth and the ocean and all of the elements, thanking and loving other beings and being gentle with all forms of life. It means moving and feeling with the moon, breathing with the tides and diving deep into the corners of who we really are. I am honored to be a mermaid and I salute mermaids everywhere!
Can you share some quick tips with our mermaids who are feeling overwhelmed or anxious?
Any practice or tool that helps to calm, soothe and rebalance the central nervous system, reminding you that you are in control of creating your own reality. I love to put my hand on my heart and take three deep breaths, reciting the words, “It is all going to be okay.” Or I ask myself, “If everything was fine, how would I be breathing?”
Are there any herbs or supplements that help with feeling overwhelmed or anxious?
B-Complex is key to cognitive wellbeing, central nervous system function and other systems that impact our emotional wellbeing. I herbal love teas or tinctures that contain passionflower, lavender, skullcap, milky oats, linden and rose. I also recommend Elm and Mimulus from the Bach Flower Remedies.
In times of stress, what can our mermaids do to feel grounded, safe and positive?
Come back to the present moment (perhaps by identifying 5 things you are observing with your senses), remember that you are in control of your thoughts and your emotions, and then re-direct your thoughts. Re-align with the dreams and intentions you have for yourself and your life. It gets so much easier with time, I promise.
What is your life mantra?
“Everything is always working out for me, and life just keeps getting better and better.” I have to say that I don’t have any complaints in that department, which is a far cry from where I was even just 5 years ago, when my life going through a massive overhaul. I call my coaching program The Power of the Phoenix because I feel felt like I had to set my old life on fire to step into my dream life. I was willing to lose it all to gain it all, and today I feel in true harmony with abundance, success and a beautiful life. But I had to start believing that everything was going to work out for me, and it has.
In times of challenge how can our mermaids stay centred?
I feel like 80% of the time, if we are feeling irritated, challenged, triggered or upset by events with work and family, or any relationship, we can first go within and ask ourselves why we feel that way, and can often find resolution by releasing our own resentment or judgment. We feel “triggered” or a charged emotional response to someone elses’ behavior usually when they are embodying a quality that we don’t like in ourselves, a quality which we can thank, release and replace in order to find peace. Also, be mindful of what you are tolerating/permitting based on your own self-worth and free will in your life. I’d say that 20% of the time it’s important to make an external shift, by limiting time with certain individuals, or even quitting a job.
How can mermaids improve body confidence?
I was speaking to a fellow healer who will be featured on my upcoming podcast who said that when she looked at my Instagram she thought I came from a modeling background – which couldn’t be farther from the case! I felt invisible sitting at work desks and in commuter trains for much of my 20’s, and had unresolvable health issues that depleted my metabolism, gave me horrible digestive issues and really spotty skin. It really messed with my body confidence. I also had a boyfriend who was obsessed with how he looked, which didn’t help. When I went all in with my own healing journey, I swear that I started to look way younger in just a matter of months; I was starting to glow again. Making art through photography helped me to reclaim my self confidence. Now, I recommend 1. HEALING your relationship with the mirror by making it a practice of focusing on appreciating what you DO like rather than obsessing or correcting what you DO NOT like and 2. I really don’t think it’s about “loving your flaws,” I think it’s about recognizing that whether you have beauty, or flaws, it’s irrelevant.
Make dressing up, self care, adornment and beauty regimens an opportunity for fun, self-expression and healing – not comparison, shame or because you feel you “have to.”
Altaire is about to launch POP! Academy, an online group coaching course that helps healers and change agents manifest their dream life using the power of their gifts. Enrollment is opening this weekend. For more information on how to get involved, follow Altaire on Instagram @Altaire.Cambata, and visit her website at www.AltaireCambata.com
