A Journey of Transformation

Meet Megan

Brisbane to Bridport:
A journey of continual change and growth spanning 15 years.

Brisbane, November 2009 - it was the week before my youngest son Luke graduated high school...

When I spotted a £120 one-way ticket to London, I knew it was more than just a bargain - it was destiny calling. With my sons Timothy and Luke grown and independent, I felt now was the time to chase my long held dream of living in the UK.

My original plan when leaving Australia was a 10-year journey with a specific goal: to return home with enough experience and insight to write a TV series called "The Making of Mandy." While that particular series never materialized, what emerged instead was something far more valuable - a life richly lived, filled with unexpected turns, profound connections, and personal growth that no script could have predicted.

Apart from living and working in the UK for extended periods over the last 15 years, I have also lived in Turkey, South Korea and Bali, each place leaving an indelible mark on my soul and creative spirit. Now residing in beautiful West Dorset for the past four years, I've found my home -however at the same time I so wish to have my Australian life and the Australian sunshine too.

A WomanSpeak Event Brisbane 2018

Finding My Voice, Empowering Others

2017-2019, I was living in Australia to be close to my mum in the final years of her life. It was during this time, a seemingly simple decision to attend a Women's Public Speaking workshop in Brisbane that I discovered the environment I was craving. An enriching and supportive women's circle and program which would play a fundamental role in enabling me to stand in my personal power and share my voice. Through WomanSpeak, I discovered not just my voice, but my calling - helping other women find theirs.

As someone who spent years in the shadows (so much so that people would forget meeting me!), I understand the transformative power of stepping out and overcoming the vulnerability of standing out and saying what needs to said.
See below for more on my WomanSpeak journey.

The day of William and Kate's Wedding - April 2011

Istanbul - September 2011

South Korea - August 2015

Ubud Bali- 2019

Community & Creativity

February 2020 I re-entry UK for the third time to live and work here, just days before the world was entering a time like no other due to Covid 19. I worked from March to July for an older couple at their rural country estate in Oxfordshire, which enabled me to purchase a van to travel in.
In the October I applied for a job in West Dorset and I was fortunate to live and work as a member of The Othona Community - a place offering spirituality and community in an outstandingly beautiful location east of Burton Bradstock. The retreat house provided visitors a sanctuary away from life's stresses, allowing them opportunities to rest, learn, rebuild, and contemplate.

This environment was ideal for my personal development. I hosted and facilitated retreats supporting others in their spiritual and personal growth journeys. Settling into Dorset life has been a wholehearted embrace.

The obvious next step for me was to train to be a WomanSpeak Circle Leader.

Nate my van - 2020

The Othona Community and my first WomanSpeak Class September 2021

WomanSpeak and
The Jawbone Collective

2025…

My time at The Othona Community confirmed to me the profound impact of creating spaces for spiritual growth and personal development offers. This has fueled my desire to assist others in claiming their true voice and creative expression, through storytelling, poetry, and speech craft, I offer this through my WomanSpeak Circles and The Loom a women's story night - as well, I proudly serve as the Communications Director and Events Producer of The Jawbone Collective.

As a Director of The Jawbone Collective, I and the Jawbone Team bring together diverse, underrepresented creatives, with a passion for Poetry, Spoken Word and performance, creating platforms where creative expression flourishes and where compassionate community thrives. Our initiatives span from intimate writing workshops to vibrant open mic nights and showcases, each designed to nurture true expression and foster connection.

Through our various programs and events, we've built a thriving creative ecosystem that celebrates diversity, champions inclusivity, and empowers individuals to share their unique self. This work perfectly complements my role as a WomanSpeak Circle leader, allowing me to offer multiple pathways for women and gender diverse people's to share their, insights and ideas and creative voice in our communities.

What excites me most is witnessing the transformative power of community-centered well held spaces. Whether it's the women attending my WomanSpeak Circles developing internal safety so she may cultivate her true voice, or a nervous first-time performer finding their confidence at The Loom or an open mic night, or a workshop participant discovering their writer's voice, these moments of breakthrough, confirm that these opportunities are necessary in our communities. Hence why I proposed OmniVerse a series of performances and workshops over six weeks in the market town which I live, Bridport, Dorset.ces to

I am totally committed to the to developing communities that recognise the need of diverse voices and allowance of unique perspectives. I have a rantra

To Be Heard... It's not just for a few and not just for the loudest - we need to enable the Unheard to be Heard

The Jawbone Collective Showcase Plymouth Poetry Festival April 2024

One of my first Spoken Word Performances, Exeter Phoenix 2022

MCing The Loom - December 2024

Performing at Apothecary - Bridport July 2023

My WomanSpeak Journey

For many years I'd been looking for a way to feel comfortable and proficient in sharing the wisdom I had acquired from the unique transformational experiences I have undergone, by taking many roads 'less travelled' during my life.

Immediately I knew I had found something really special and profound - A female centric program which acknowledges and empowers women. Assisting them to rise to their fullest expression.

Attending this WomanSpeak circle offered a safe container to bring voice to my desires and wisdom. Enabling me to feel extremely comfortable with my innate knowledge and power.

It was a blessing to find the WomanSpeak program, as well as Chantal Roelofs my circle leader and all the amazing women in my WomanSpeak circle. With Chantal’s affirming guidance, I underwent a 16 month transformational journey and obtained my WomanSpeak Certification.

In 2018 I attended a WomanSpeak foundation course with WomanSpeak founder KC Baker. Experiencing KC’s teaching from her personally supported me in embracing and embodying the power of this work.

Residing in West Dorset UK since 2020 - On first arriving I was fortunate to live and work as a member of The Othona Community, which offers spirituality and community in an outstandingly beautiful location, east of Burton Bradstock.

Hosting and holding workshops and retreats, the community offers visitors a place to take time away from the stresses of their lives. Allowing them the opportunity to rest, learn, grow and have time of contemplation.

The retreat house was an ideal place to develop myself in many areas. I hosted and facilitated retreats supporting people in their own spiritual and personal development.

It was natural progression to undertake the WomanSpeak Leader Training.

Since 2022 I have navigating the journey of developing WomanSpeak Circes in West Dorset.
I host a The Loom a monthly women's storytelling event in Bridport. It has been extremely well received.

As a WomanSpeak licensed Circle leader gives me an opportunity to support women locally and globally to fully express their true nature.

My WomanSpeak journey started because I had a desire to be seen and to be heard. However, I have to confess that I spent much of my childhood, teenage years and aspects of my adult life hiding. So much so that many people did not remember meeting me.

Does this sound familiar?

Luisa Orza Co Host of The Loom

Megan Simson WomanSpeak

1 Manor Farm Court

Walditch DT6 4RN

+447379747301