Wellness Within Contributor Program
Wellness Within is excited to offer a diverse panel of speakers including expert doctors, coaches and yoga & breathwork facilitators; some with their personal healing stories to share. All are thought leaders who offer fresh perspectives on timeless topics; with the shared purpose of fostering mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Dr. Lara Toni Benigson
Clinical Audiologist, Functional Medicine Health Coach, and Breast Cancer Thriver
I help women reclaim their balance, energy, and confidence by blending audiology, functional medicine, and health coaching. Whether navigating dizziness, tinnitus, or life after breast cancer, I guide women to uncover the root causes of their challenges and create a path to thriving what I call living the Equilibrium Life.
My passion is deeply personal. As both a breast cancer thriver and a clinician, I’ve lived the reality of fatigue, overwhelm, and the search for answers. This experience showed me that true healing requires more than medicine ,it calls for compassion, connection, and lifestyle shifts that honour the whole woman. Now, I channel both my professional expertise and lived wisdom to help other women feel supported and empowered on their own healing journeys.
I use a unique blend of science and holistic care from advanced vestibular and audiology diagnostics to functional medicine coaching, lifestyle medicine, mindfulness, and self-regulation tools. My approach helps women not only relieve symptoms but also build resilience, restore energy, and reconnect with their bodies so they can thrive.
I am available in person in Johannesburg and online internationally, supporting women wherever they are in their journey.
Dr Skye Scott
Wellness Entrepreneur, Public Speaker and Women's Health GP
I am a wellness entrepreneur, public speaker and women's health GP. I have a special interest in hormone health, lifestyle medicine, organisational health and integrative holistic care. I work with a team of wonderful women. I host the Health with Heart podcast which is a tool for individual and collective wellbeing.
I was raised on homeopathy and alternative healing and so I come to medicine with a very open and inclusive mindset. Every method has its place and the marriage of old and new wisdom is a powerful duet. My interest in womens' health and patient education has evolved naturally over time. Empowering patients to take responsibility for their wellbeing and be co-creators of their future health is a central theme in my work
The body is a wealth of wisdom, it's like a tuning fork that you can listen in for guidance. Getting out of our heads and into our bodies is a such a powerful step towards feeling more vital and embodied. Using our bodies as they were designed to be used, nature, movement, connection, music, dance and finding awe in every day.
Online and In person. Soon to be available in CT too. For now:
book online:Â www.healthwithheart.co.zaÂ
Dovi Stern
Wellness Architect and Conscious
Change Facilitator
I am a Wellness Architect and Conscious Change Facilitator, helping individuals and groups re-engineer their lives through resilience, self-trust, and awareness. My own journey surviving stage 3 bone cancer, multiple surgeries, and over 10,000 hours in hospital taught me that the unfamiliar holds the doorway to new possibilities. Blending modern science with ancient wisdom, I empower people to cultivate vitality, presence, and purpose. This work comes to life through one-on-one coaching, immersive workshops, and powerful keynotes designed to spark lasting transformation.
My passion was born from necessity. When I was given a 5% chance of survival, the hospital became both my battlefield and my classroom. Those years of pain and uncertainty revealed powerful lessons: that vision can be stronger than reality, that self-trust is the foundation of transformation, and that true resilience is not toughness but presence. Today, I share those lessons so others don’t have to wait for a crisis to unlock their inner strength and freedom.
I work with integrative frameworks that merge neuroscience, behavioural psychology, and Eastern practices:
The Currency of F.A.T.E.™ -  mastering the inner currencies of Focus, Awareness, Time, and Energy.
Unfold™, The Board Game of Inner Discovery - an experiential tool that helps individuals and teams uncover unconscious patterns, challenge limiting beliefs, and spark deep reflection through play.
The Warrior’s Quest & Modern Day Warrior™ Experience - immersive practices for resilience, vitality, and heart-led leadership.
Unfamiliar™ - a story-driven, Zen-inspired path of self-discovery and transformation.
Practical tools from NLP, Meta-Coaching, mindfulness, and Eastern energy practices to help people embody change.
Keynotes:
10,000 Hours in Hospital: Lessons in Resilience
Stage 3 bone cancer. Nine hip replacements. Two knee replacements. One above-the-knee amputation. What was meant to end my story became the classroom that reshaped it. In this raw and powerful keynote, I share five life lessons forged through 10,000 hours in hospital lessons that challenge audiences to rethink resilience, purpose, and the way they live today.
What If the Missing Piece in Healing… Is You?
True healing starts where medicine ends within. This keynote explores how shifting your mindset, strengthening resilience, and reclaiming self-trust can accelerate recovery and transformation. It’s about becoming an active participant in your healing journey, not just a patient of circumstance.
- In person:Â Cape Town (primary) and Johannesburg (on request for key events and programs).
- Online:Â Available globally for keynotes, workshops, and one-on-one coaching.
Website:Â www.dovistern.com
Facebook:Â https://www.facebook.com/dovisterncoach
Instagram:Â https://www.instagram.com/dovi.stern/
LinkedIn:Â https://www.linkedin.com/in/dovistern/
Nicky Rowbotham
Author, Speaker, andFounder Of Inspired Change and Foundational Frequency
Nicky helps people redefine success, reclaim their personal power, and improve holistic health. Drawing on over 20 years of leadership experience in financial services, she now works as an author, speaker, and founder of Inspired Change and Foundational Frequency. Her mission is to guide individuals and organizations out of stress and overwhelm into greater energy, resilience, and alignment so they can live and lead with ease, authenticity, and flow.
Following a powerful personal transformation triggered by a health crisis that revealed the hidden toll of chronic stress, Nicky transitioned into consciously-led wellness work. Today, she blends science, energy, and soulful wisdom to support holistic transformation.
In 2018, she founded Inspired Change, a wellness lifestyle brand offering journals and analogue tools designed to cultivate intentional living. She is also the Chief Energy Officer of Foundational Frequency, a wellness and energy-alignment practice that helps people reconnect with their innate ability to heal at a cellular and energetic level.
The catalyst for Nicky’s shift from corporate leadership to wellness mentorship was a startling physical revelation: she failed to notice a dislocated shoulder, a sign of how disconnected she had become from her body due to stress. This moment served as a wake-up call to the profound impact of her high-pressure lifestyle on her well-being.
Determined to heal, Nicky immersed herself in research on stress, energy, and holistic health. Her recovery sparked a new purpose and professional mission: to help others avoid the same path and instead create lives grounded in ease and alignment.
She has since authored two books that share her frameworks for transformation:
- 7 Steps to Finding Flow: Flip the Script on Stress (2021)
- Embrace Your Elegant Power: Your Path to Success through Ease (2022)
Her journey continues with her forthcoming third book, Fine Tune Your Frequency, which explores balancing energies and trusting oneself as the foundation for authentic living.
Nicky supports transformation through three interconnected modes—mindset, grounded physical wellness, and energetic realignment—brought to life in her books, talks, and practice:
Energy & Frequency Work – through Foundational Frequency, she helps people shift the quality of their energy to create more ease and vitality.
Elegant Power Framework – she teaches the distinction between power and force, guiding individuals to trust themselves, set boundaries, and embrace their unique gifts.
Stress Transformation Practices – drawn from 7 Steps to Finding Flow, she shares tools for nervous system regulation, flipping stress patterns, and cultivating resilience.
Holistic Wellness Tools – emphasizing sleep optimization, circadian rhythm alignment, and proper mineralisation to support health and vitality.
Mindset Shifts & Self-Trust Practices – empowering people to rewrite their stories, step out of limitation, and embody intuition and self-worth.
Talks, Workshops & Writing – through her books, keynote talks, and practical sessions, she provides frameworks for both personal and organizational transformation.
Available online and in-person in JHB
Dr Peter Schoub
specialist radiologist focused on breast imaging
I am a specialist radiologist focused on breast imaging. My work involves using mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRI scans to detect breast cancer - whether through routine screening or when investigating symptoms. When something concerning is found, I perform image-guided biopsies to confirm whether it is cancerous. Ultimately, my role is to provide clarity and guidance, helping women and their doctors take the next best step forward.
Early in my career, I had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Harry Said, a remarkable breast radiologist and mentor. His knowledge, skill, and deep compassion for patients inspired me to dedicate myself fully to this field. As the first point of contact for many women navigating breast concerns, I see my work as a blend of science, service, and humanity. While it can be difficult to deliver hard news, I find purpose in ensuring cancers are detected as early as possible and in supporting patients with accurate information. What inspires me most is witnessing women move through their treatment journeys with resilience and courage, and being part of their stories of healing and survival.
Diagnostic radiology; specializing in mammography and breast MRI
Cryoablation for Breast Tumours
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Academic Contributions
In person in Johannesburg and online
Pia Tedeschi
Wellness Entrepreneur, Public Speaker and Women's Health GP
As the founder of YogiHood and BigKiss Wellness, I bring together a yoga studio in Norwood, Johannesburg, and bespoke corporate wellness experiences. The two complement each other beautifully, each feeding into the other.
At YogiHood, we bring together a team of incredible teachers to offer a variety of yoga styles, creating an experience that encourages students to connect inwardly and cultivate mind-body coherence. We welcome everyone, from absolute beginners to seasoned practitioners, with classes that are accessible, challenging, and fun. In every session, we return to the breath and ground ourselves in the body, fostering presence and awareness in the moment. Over time, these practices become second nature, supporting profound personal transformation, deeper intuition, and alignment with one’s higher purpose. Yogi Hood is my great love, and its energy naturally flows into the wellness experiences I design for corporates.
BigKiss Wellness focuses on crafting tailored wellness events that nurture connection, balance, and a sense of wholeness for employees. These experiences may include yoga, breathwork, meditation, and other modalities. Within this space, I also share my personal journey as a cancer survivor. Having faced three primary, unrelated cancers - stage 3 breast cancer, stage 2 kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer - I bring firsthand insight into navigating treatments, multiple surgeries, and confronting mortality, all while maintaining daily life and parenting three beautiful children. By sharing my story, I aim to offer hope, inspiration, and practical tools to those walking similar paths. Living with radical gratitude underpins everything I do.
My heart has always been in healing work. With an undergraduate and honours degree in psychology, I have been drawn to understanding wellbeing and wholeness for as long as I can remember. Yoga has been a part of my life for many years, and teaching it allows me to share this ancient practice in a way that extends far beyond the mat into everyday living. Teaching feels like a creative download for me. It’s in these moments that I know I am truly flowing in my purpose.
Having faced cancer three times, I’ve learned that true healing comes from integrating both Western medicine and alternative practices. My journey has taught me the power of nurturing oneself, staying present, and honouring the profound gift of life, even in the face of its deepest challenges.
I facilitate change and healing through:
Yoga – movement and mindful stretching to reconnect with the body
Breathwork – conscious breathing to regulate the nervous system and cultivate calm
Meditation & Mindfulness – presence, awareness, and inner stillness
Compassion, Intuition & Gratitude – guiding people to reconnect with themselves and their higher purpose
I am available for in-person and online sessions in both Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Website:Â yogihood.co.za
Instagram:Â @yogihood_jozi
Princess Nakedi
I am a breast cancer survivor, wellness facilitator, activities coordinator, oncology patient navigator, founder of the Princess Nakedi Foundation
I am a breast cancer survivor, wellness facilitator, activities coordinator, oncology patient navigator, and the founder of the Princess Nakedi Foundation. I design and deliver wellness workshops that focus on emotional healing, resilience, and empowerment. My work centres on creating safe, nurturing spaces where individuals — especially cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and community members — can explore self-care, rebuild confidence, and find practical tools for living healthier, more balanced lives. Through interactive sessions, storytelling, and creative activities, I guide people to reconnect with their inner strength and embrace a renewed sense of hope.
My passion for wellness facilitation was born from my own journey of survival and healing. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 just before Covid19, I experienced firsthand the fear, isolation, and life changes that come with the illness. Yet I also discovered the transformative power of family support, early detection, and emotional healing. This experience became my calling — to turn my pain into purpose and be a beacon of hope for those who have lost hope, and advocate for the voiceless. Today, I dedicate my life to helping others navigate their own journeys, showing them that cancer or adversity does not have to be a death sentence but can instead be a catalyst for growth, strength, and renewed purpose.
My facilitation approach is holistic, combining evidence-based practices with creative, heart-centered methods:
Narrative Healing & Storytelling – using personal stories and guided reflection to foster hope, resilience, and meaning-making.
Support Circles & Workshops – creating safe, inclusive spaces for emotional release, peer support, and empowerment.
Creative Expression – activities such as bra-decorating, journaling, art, and vision boards to unlock self-discovery and confidence.
Education & Awareness – teaching early detection, healthy lifestyle practices, stress management, and self-care routines.
Mindfulness & Gratitude Practices – integrating breathwork, gratitude exercises, and gentle grounding techniques to promote emotional balance.
This blended framework allows participants to shift from fear to empowerment, rebuild their self-worth, and develop sustainable wellness habits. My sessions are not only informative but transformative, leaving participants feeling seen, supported, and inspired to take charge of their own healing journey.
I fully support initiatives that offer pro-bono wellness facilitation and am happy to contribute my time and expertise to empower communities.
Gauteng:Â I am available for in-person facilitation within Gauteng at no facilitation fee. Covering travel costs will be highly appreciated.
Online:Â I am available to facilitate online sessions anywhere in South Africa.
Outside Gauteng (e.g., Cape Town):Â I am happy to travel to other provinces to facilitate workshops; however, as this would incur additional costs, I kindly request that travel, accommodation, and meals be covered by the hosting organization.
This arrangement allows me to continue offering my services pro-bono while ensuring the practical costs of travel are met.
Branding, Design & Media by Melisa Liebovitz :
083 393 1313 * mliebovitz@gmail.com * http://www.behance.net/melisa-liebovitz
