A Story of Awakening, Loss, and Growing Something Good – Exclusive Interview With Joanne Louise Bray

Joanne Bray is a leader in plant life. She has been to the darkest depths of despair with her mental health. Nurturing plants and learning all about them led to her own healing journey. She discovered the immense joy, and mindfulness that nuturing plants provides, so she began to write about them within her membership site, create courses, paint parts of nature that she fell in love with, and write books in the hope of sharing her passion, and helping others to connect back to the beauty and wonder that nature supplies. Joanne is very passionate about eradicating the use of chemicals within gardening, and so she offers solutions using plants that either attract beneficial insects or deter pests.

Joanne Louise Bray, Founder

Please tell us more about you.

I possess a deep sense of awareness of myself, nature, and others. I try to approach ideas with a broad perspective, never limiting my thoughts to my own experiences. My curiosity is relentless, and though my openness has not always served me well, I continue to embrace it.

Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.

Lockdown forced me into deep reflection, and I began uncovering truths about the world and myself that had remained hidden in the chaos of everyday life. I became acutely sensitive to scents, sounds, and the energy of those around me. As I sought to reshape my life, I found that change did not come without resistance. Many in my circle felt unsettled by my transformation. Sometimes, what feels like the end is the beginning if we’re brave enough to listen. Even in the silence, nature was whispering, but I just hadn’t learned how to listen yet.

After dedicating a decade to my roles within the charity, I found myself shunned by those I once considered colleagues, friends, and even family During a time of deep societal division, I chose a path that felt aligned with my values, one that ultimately led to exclusion from the communities and colleagues I had once trusted. That loss forced me inward, toward clarity, healing, and eventually, nature. The betrayal was sharp, the loss unexpected. Yet in losing familiarity, I discovered a deeper truth, one that would ultimately reshape my path. My mental health declined rapidly; I struggled under the weight of isolation, yearning for escape.

At my lowest, which was my suicidal stage, I discovered plants. What began as simple research soon became a source of solace. I wasn’t just learning about nature, I was rediscovering myself. I chose to spend my time with plants rather than with people, nurturing life that, in turn, nurtured me.

With a lingering fear of employment after the mistreatment I had endured, I took a bold step forward: I built a gardening company, despite having no funding. The struggle was immense; without money, dreams often feel impossible. Yet fate introduced me to a generous millionaire, proving that kindness can come from unexpected places. He shared both his story and knowledge, inspiring me to take my life into my own hands.

Tell us a bit about your story. How did you build your career until this point?

The newfound path led me to writing. First, a Mediterranean herb garden instruction booklet, detailing care tips and the culinary and health benefits of each plant. Then came a novel, a psychological romance exploring deeply relevant societal themes. Next, a book on pet-safe houseplants was inspired by the concerns of customers at farmers' markets. Finally, I launched a membership site, offering knowledge on plants, their health benefits, and natural gardening methods.

But my transformation didn’t end there. Through pain, I uncovered another hidden talent, art. Nature became a defining feature in the works I create; they are like a reflection of my journey from darkness to renewal. Through resilience and reinvention, I transformed suffering into purpose. What began as a simple fascination with plants became a livelihood, a creative outlet, and, most importantly, a new way of life. Nature didn’t just offer me a career; it offered me a new way to exist, to create, and to thrive beyond the limits of my past and the mistakes I had made.

What is your business name, and how do you help your clients?

Plantlife Joy was born from adversity and built with intention. I help people reconnect with nature, whether through pesticide-free growing, plant-based healing, or ancestral wisdom. My membership platform offers practical guidance and soulful learning, grounded in integrity and compassion. I believe that every act of nurturing is a quiet rebellion against harm, and that in healing the earth, we begin to heal ourselves.

My goal is to cultivate a community of people who recognize that we are not separate from nature; we are nature itself. What began as personal healing soon blossomed into a mission to help others reconnect with nature. The membership and courses available are aimed at anyone who wants to reconnect to our ancestral roots. The membership site offers two tiers: the first grants access to the articles and community, where members can share their experiences and insights, while the second includes in-depth courses designed to deepen the connection with nature. You can also purchase my currently unpublished books or art.

Through Plantlife Joy, I not only reclaimed my sense of purpose, but I also created a space for others to reconnect, grow, and flourish just as nature intended. I have many other avenues, which I intend to travel to enhance my ability to connect with others.

What values do you stand by in the way you operate or serve your customers?

I operate with integrity, compassion, and a deep respect for the environment. I believe in serving others honestly, offering only what I truly believe in, and making space for every individual to feel seen and heard. Whether it’s sharing knowledge about pesticide-free gardening or helping someone reconnect with nature, I aim to foster trust and promote healing, both in people and the planet.

What has been your biggest challenge so far, and how did you overcome it?

I built my work from the ground up through adversity, clarity, and a deep love for nature. After years of navigating personal trauma, medical hardship, and institutional injustice, I came to realise that healing begins where exploitation ends.

My biggest challenge has been unlearning the conditioning I was raised with, the belief that compliance is safety, that silence is kindness, that suffering is deserved. I’ve had to rebuild not only my path, but my sense of worth, often with no financial support, sometimes without food or heat. But the soil taught me what the world didn’t: that life wants to grow, even in the harshest conditions.

Through growing without poisons, and teaching others how to do the same, I offer more than just an alternative; I offer a return to integrity. I believe in honest work, in regenerative practices, and in giving back more than we take. Every plant I nurture, every workshop I teach, is a quiet rebellion against systems built on harm.

This isn’t just my business. It’s my way of showing that you can start with nothing and still grow something deeply good.

If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?

If I could change one thing about the plant industry, it would be the dishonesty. Many plant influencers mislead their audiences, purchasing large, healthy specimens and presenting them as proof of their expertise, rather than truly understanding plant care. Many people seem to be unaware of the environmental and biodiversity impacts of both indoor and outdoor gardening. They are sold a lie that perfection is required, and to achieve that perfection, toxic chemicals are used, which have devastating effects on humanity, the ecosystem, and the planet. It’s not just this industry, though it seems to be all of them, so obviously I want to change that fact.

What would you say to your readers?

You don’t need permission to begin again. You only need soil, some light, water, and the courage to grow wild. If my journey speaks to you, come and find me. Let's root deep, rise slow, and bloom anyway.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info!

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