Meet Dani Thompson | Holistic Practitionser & Wellbeing Witch

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dani Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dani, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work life balance has changed completely over the last few years. When I was living in London and working as an actress, I felt like I had to say yes to every job that came my way. Between paying a mortgage and London’s sky high service charges, there wasn’t much room to slow down or be selective. Work always came first because it had to.

Looking back, though, I’m incredibly grateful for how hard I worked throughout my twenties and thirties. All those years of graft, along with being fortunate enough to make money on my property in London, have put me in the position of being mortgage free by the time I turned 40. I don’t take that for granted. It’s given me the freedom to focus my energy on building a soul led business that reflects my values and the life I want to live.

Stepping away from acting full time and building my holistic business has given me something I value far more than I ever expected: freedom. I still have commitments to my clients and my class schedule, and those will always come first, but everything else is much more flexible. If the weather is beautiful and I decide I’d rather spend the morning hiking than sitting at my desk, I can simply move my admin to later in the day. That flexibility is something I never had before.

For me, work life balance isn’t about working less, it’s about working in a way that feels aligned with the life I want to live. My business supports my lifestyle rather than the other way around. Now that I am based in the North East of England, during the summer I make the most of the long days by getting up early and walking the coastal cliff paths every morning before I come home and start my admin. Being outside, surrounded by nature, is just as important to my wellbeing as the work I do with my clients, and I genuinely believe it allows me to show up as a better practitioner.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has been a bit of an evolution and, looking back, every chapter has naturally led to the next. I started out modelling before moving into acting, spending many years working in horror films. I loved both industries at the time, and each taught me something different about creativity, resilience and myself. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve grown too. My interests changed, my priorities shifted and my career evolved with them. It would be strange to think I’d still be the same person at 40 that I was at 20.

What I’m doing now feels different because it has purpose. Through Stardust Holistics and Resting Witch Pose, I get to create experiences that genuinely help people reconnect with themselves. It’s heart led, soul led work and I feel incredibly grateful that I’ve found a career that aligns so closely with who I am.

Professionally, it certainly wasn’t the obvious path. Leaving London, moving to a completely new part of the country and starting a business from scratch ina completely difefrent industry to the one I’d been known for was a huge leap of faith. There were no guarantees that it would work, and like any new business there have been challenges along the way. Building a client base, finding the right venues and putting yourself out there takes time, consistency and belief in what you’re creating.

I think what sets me apart is that I don’t see wellbeing as something separate from everyday life. My own connection to nature, the seasons, the moon and the outdoors naturally weaves its way into everything I offer, whether that’s a sound bath or one of my Resting Witch Pose classes. I want people to leave feeling more grounded, more connected and reminded that a little bit of magic can be found in ordinary moments.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to trust the journey. Every experience I’ve had, even the ones that didn’t make sense at the time, has helped shape the person and practitioner I am today. I genuinely believe that opportunities appear when you’re ready for them, and that sometimes the biggest leaps of faith lead to the greatest rewards.

The move to the North East and the decision to build Stardust Holistics have been the best decisions I’ve ever made. I wake up every day feeling grateful that I get to do meaningful work while living a life that’s aligned with my values.

If I want people to know one thing about me and my brand, it’s that it’s authentic. I don’t create an image of a wellbeing witch, I simply live the life that inspires my work. Stardust Holistics is a reflection of my own journey and my hope is that it encourages others to slow down, reconnect with nature, trust themselves and find a little more magic in the everyday.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If one of my best friends came to stay for a week, I’d probably wear them out because we’d spend most of it outdoors. The North East has completely stolen my heart and I love sharing it with people.

Every trip would start with the coast. We’d spend our mornings walking along the beaches and coastal cliff paths, cup of tea in hand, breathing in the sea air before deciding where the day would take us. I genuinely think being by the sea is one of the best things for the soul.

There would definitely be plenty of hiking. We’d explore places like Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle and the beautiful ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, soaking up all the history and magic they hold. We’d make the pilgrimage to Holy Island, carefully checking the tide times first, and spend a day walking Hadrian’s Wall, imagining the stories those landscapes could tell.

I’d also take them to some of my favourite places to browse. Barter Books in Alnwick is an absolute must for any book lover, and we’d happily lose a few hours wandering around Fannies Antiques in Morpeth looking for hidden treasures. I love places with character and history, and the North East is full of them.

Food would, of course, be an important part of the week. We’d head to Fisherman’s Bay in Whitley Bay for what I honestly think are some of the best vegan fish and chips around. Then we’d find a cosy café somewhere after a long walk, because nothing beats a slice of vegan cake after a day of exploring.

More than anything though, I’d want them to experience the feeling of the North East. It’s not just the incredible coastline, castles and countryside, it’s the slower pace of life, the friendly people and the sense that adventure is never far away. Whether you’re wandering through ancient ruins, watching the sunrise over the sea or discovering an independent bookshop or antique shop, there’s a kind of everyday magic here that I don’t think you can fully appreciate until you’ve experienced it yourself.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friend Cheryl Neve who I also have a side hustle business with. Both being in the film industry, we had nothing but time on out hands back in lockdown so we started a Murder Mystery company called Murder Mysteries Inc where people can host their own murder mystery parties with our packages. She is an incredible writer and also the best advebture buddy.

Website: https://www.stardustholistics.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/stardustbydani www.instagram.com/restingwitchpose

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/stardustbydani