Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilyrose O’Donovan.
Emilyrose, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into the wellness world was born out of survival. Years ago, I suffered from debilitating chronic pelvic pain and women’s health issues that completely stripped away my quality of life. The physical and emotional torment was so severe that it brought me to the very edge of ending my life.
My path to healing began when I found an incredible pelvic floor physical therapist who saved me. Experiencing that profound transformation changed everything. I never intended to enter the healthcare industry, but surviving that darkness became my calling.
I developed an overwhelming urge to help other women pull themselves back from the edge of chronic pain. Driven by this purpose, I studied and qualified in holistic massage, pregnancy massage, myofascial release, mindfulness, and yoga. To ground my training in clinical excellence, I spent years working as the resident wellbeing therapist inside the very women’s health clinic that saved me, learning directly from the physical therapist who changed my life.
Just around the start of COVID-19, I took a leap of faith and launched my own business. Today, I run a thriving wellness practice nestled in the beautiful countryside and seaside of Waterford, Ireland.
My work blends advanced physical techniques like myofascial release with Celtic intuition, mindfulness, and the raw, healing power of the Irish landscape.
Now, I am beautifully bridging my two worlds. Minnesota is my home away from home—it is where half of my family lives, and a place I have visited since the day I was born. I am officially expanding my business to offer specialized wellness retreats in Minnesota, bringing authentic Celtic healing traditions, deep life experience, and a profound understanding of women’s recovery to the Midwest.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but the obstacles have ultimately shaped the strength of my practice.
First, my own health journey has had its dips over the years. While dealing with health setbacks as a wellness professional is challenging, I view these moments as vital checkpoints. They keep me deeply rooted in reality and constantly renew my understanding of what my clients are going through. These personal experiences ensure that my empathy never becomes theoretical—it remains sharp, active, and deeply felt.
Second, learning to step into my own flow and power has been a constantly evolving practice. For me, this has required a fierce commitment to setting boundaries. In the business world, you are often told to be available 24/7, but that contradicts true wellness. I have had to make tough decisions to leave certain places, practices, and people behind to protect my alignment.
Sometimes, staying true to my values means not answering my phone every time it rings or intentionally stepping away for a digital detox. While this boundary-setting has occasionally meant losing short-term business, it is a non-negotiable principle for me. I refuse to compromise on my values. By protecting my own peace, I ensure that when I am present with my clients, I am giving them my absolute best, most grounded energy.
We’ve been impressed with Kawa Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My organisation is built upon the pillars of specialized bodywork, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation—all deeply intertwined with nature and the land. I operate on the core belief that your environment shapes your health. Everything matters: what you are around, who you are around, what you breathe, what you eat, and how long you look at a screen. Your surroundings dictate your well-being.
Personally, I live with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Because of this condition, my physical tissues and my personality are inherently soft and sensitive. Embracing this sensitivity has completely dictated my approach to healing. Unlike the aggressive, heavy-handed methods common in the industry, the massage and bodywork I perform work in harmony with the nervous system. I specialize in a gentle, slow style of myofascial release that incorporates breathwork, active communication, mindfulness, and meditation. It is a practice of inviting the body to relax and release, rather than forcing it.
While myofascial release has exploded in popularity recently, what sets me apart is a decade of experience sitting on both sides of the table—both as a chronic pain patient and a trained professional. I do not fall for modern wellness fads. I do not believe in the ‘no pain, no gain’ philosophy, nor do I subscribe to the viral videos showing clients in immense pain sobbing hysterically during treatment.
Ultimately, I do not believe that a practitioner can simply ‘fix’ someone. Instead, my brand is known for holding a safe, knowledgeable space and building genuine relationships. I provide the expertise and guidance so my clients feel safe enough to let their own mind and body find its way back to health. Our approach is deeply personalised, human, and real.
As I expand our offerings into Minnesota, readers can look forward to immersive wellness retreats that capture this exact philosophy. These retreats will combine nervous system regulation and gentle bodywork with the grounding power of nature, creating a sanctuary for those looking to heal without force.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned on this journey is the absolute necessity of boundaries. Because my nervous system and physical tissues are inherently soft and sensitive, I am highly permeable to outside influences. I absorb the energy, environments, and emotions around me. Whether I like it or not, this permeability makes me a canary in the coal mine.
Early on, I realized that without fierce boundaries, this sensitivity would lead to complete burnout. I had to learn that saying ‘no’ to certain energies, clients, or business demands was not a failure of kindness, but an act of survival. Boundaries are what keep me safe, grounded, and healthy.
Crucially, this hard-won lesson is exactly what makes me a better practitioner. Because I understand how deeply the world can impact a sensitive system, I know how to create an environment that feels entirely safe for my clients. My boundaries protect my energy so that when someone enters my space—whether in Ireland or at my upcoming retreats in Minnesota—they are met with a therapist who is fully present, completely anchored, and capable of holding space for their deepest healing. As well as knowing and empathising with my clients about how difficult it is to set and maintain healthy boundaries for your health.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kawawellness.setmore.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kawawellness_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579418387377
Image Credits
Hayley K Stuart
