What does "WILD" mean to you? It's not about untamed chaos, but about returning to our most authentic selves—a state of connection we've gradually lost in our hyper-controlled, technology-driven world.
Why do we spend tens of thousands of dollars to go on a trip of a lifetime, like a safari, to see animals in their natural habitat? We do this because it resonates with something deep within us. Returning to a state of natural connection is a stepping stone to understanding ourselves more completely. The most valuable experiences are often the ones we convince ourselves are out of reach. But what if the wilderness we seek is already surrounding us?
The recently held Rx for Renewal Retreat became a powerful exploration of what it means to break free from the invisible chains that bind us. The first liberation began with a simple act: a basket for cell phones. As attendees hesitantly surrendered their digital lifelines, I witnessed something remarkable. The initial fear in their eyes gradually transformed into a sense of freedom. These were professionals who had forgotten what it meant to be fully present—to experience joy without the constant interruption of notifications and digital distractions. By removing the information being pushed to them, they were becoming more aware of the voice within them.
Movement: The Path to Rediscovery
My journey from a structured pharmacy environment to entrepreneurship revealed a startling truth: we've become a society of sedentary beings. As a former pharmacist who now spends most of my day at a desk, I intimately understand how easily movement can slip away. My physiotherapist's amused reaction to my limited mobility became a turning point. She couldn't believe how tight my hamstrings were. Without any form or reference, I knew something had to change.
Movement isn't exercise—it's medicine. It's not about punishing workouts or calorie counts, but about integrating intentional motion into every aspect of life. I've become that person doing air squats in grocery lines and calf raises while waiting for coffee—and I make no apologies for it.
Here are practical ways to reimagine movement:
Calf care - do seated calf raises until failure
TikTok jacks - do jumping jacks during online videos.
20/20 squats - every 20 minutes of sitting, do 20 squats
Brushing back sit - wall sits while brushing teeth.
Hallway hoists - carry dumbbells when passing through hallways
Don’t Sleep Walk (or sleep on the benefits of walking)
At our recent retreat, PK Mills emphasized the value of walking. Walking has been shown to improve our mental and physical health. Consistent walking reduces the risk of mental decline, depression and burnout, while improving creativity. Physical benefits include lowering the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure while slowing bone density loss.
The science supports this approach. Walking just 8,000 steps 1-2 days per week can reduce cardiovascular mortality risk by 8.1% over a decade. For those 60 and older, 6,000 to 9,000 daily steps can lower cardiovascular disease risk by 40-50% compared to a sedentary 2,000 steps. This protective effect appears to plateau between 3-4 days a week of achieving 8,000 steps. Even if you can’t maintain this level of activity daily, you can still gain meaningful results by doing it most days.
Hopefully, this serves as a reminder to include simple and consistent bouts of movement throughout your day. And it is ok if people stare at you. The benefits of your actions will outweigh any embarrassment you might feel while working to silence your inner critic.
Remember, the wild isn't something external; it lives within us, waiting to be rediscovered through presence, movement, and intentional living.
Action Items
Break free from digital dependency by reading '24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week' by Tiffany Shlain. It shares a practical way to reduce dependence on your phone while providing many examples of the benefits you may see. I have done this myself and it proved to be a useful and eye-opening experience.
Create a movement accountability partnership. Share these strategies with your partner or a close friend, transforming personal wellness into a shared journey of growth and mutual support.
Checkout our next Somatic Breathwork Journey being held on Friday, May 2nd at Goji Yoga Studio in Oakville. You can register HERE.
Manjit Hansra is the founder of Rx for Renewal. Through keynote speaking, 1:1 coaching, corporate workshops and curated retreats, I share evidence-based tools to help professionals prevent and manage burnout. Check my offerings HERE and book a complimentary call to improve your mental fitness HERE.
I’d really like that.
You and your friends, abusing my hole, no mercy, unsafe..,
For days