In the rainforests of Puerto Rico grows a remarkable tree called the tabonuco.
At first glance, each tree appears to stand proudly on its own. Its trunk stretches confidently towards the sky and its branches sway independently in the wind. But beneath the forest floor, another story is unfolding.
Over time, the roots of neighbouring tabonuco trees naturally grow together, creating an underground network of support. Researchers studying these forests discovered that when hurricanes swept through the island, the trees connected through these root systems were far more likely to remain standing than those growing in isolation.
Their resilience wasn’t simply found in how deeply each tree was rooted. It was found in the strength they shared beneath the surface.
When I came across this story, I immediately thought about women.
On the 9th August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month as we remember the courageous women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1956. More than 20,000 women from different walks of life stood shoulder to shoulder in protest against the pass laws. They achieved something extraordinary because they stood together, united by a common purpose.
Seventy years later, that image still feels incredibly relevant.
Women have come such a long way. We are leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, caregivers, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. We continue to break barriers and create opportunities that previous generations could only dream of. Yet despite all of that progress, I sometimes wonder if we forget one of the greatest lessons those women taught us.
Seventy years later, that image still feels incredibly relevant.
Women have come such a long way. We are leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, caregivers, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. We continue to break barriers and create opportunities that previous generations could only dream of. Yet despite all of that progress, I sometimes wonder if we forget one of the greatest lessons those women taught us.
Like the tabonuco trees, they have stood through changing seasons. They have navigated personal challenges, overcome obstacles and continued to show up with grace, professionalism and compassion. Behind every therapist is a story that our clients may never know. Some are caring for parents whose memories are slowly fading through dementia. Others are supporting entire families. Many are carrying challenges that never make it into conversation. Yet every day they arrive ready to care for someone else.
I have had the privilege of watching these women bloom, and I never stop being inspired by them.
If there is one area where I believe we, as women, still have room to grow, it is in how we see one another.
For generations we’ve been conditioned to believe there isn’t enough room for all of us. That another woman’s success somehow means there is less success available for everyone else. Without even realising it, we compare ourselves. We question whether we’re good enough. We wonder if we truly belong in the room. We look around and assume everyone else has it all together.
The truth is, we’re all growing.
I’ve come to realise that real confidence isn’t having all the answers. It’s becoming so secure in who you are that someone else’s success no longer feels like a threat.
To me, that is what a grounded woman looks like.
She doesn’t need to compete because she knows there is enough room for everyone to flourish.
She is the woman who celebrates another woman’s success as though it were her own. She opens the door instead of standing in front of it. She makes introductions, shares opportunities and creates space at the table. She lifts the young girl beside her so she can see a little further. She lets someone newer step into the spotlight because she knows her own light doesn’t become any dimmer when someone else begins to shine.
In fact, I think it shines even brighter.
I’ve experienced this in my own life more times than I can count.
Recently, while navigating some unexpected challenges with our London business, I found myself feeling overwhelmed. Before I had even worked out my next step, my sister was already beside me, helping solve problems, calming the chaos and quietly putting out fires.
She reminded me that strength isn’t always about standing alone.
Sometimes strength is knowing a sister is standing beside you.
Nature understands this beautifully.
Flowers don’t compete with one another for beauty. Through pollination, one bloom helps another flourish. Together they create a garden far more spectacular than any single flower could ever become.
Perhaps women were designed to grow in much the same way.
Every conversation that builds confidence. Every opportunity shared. Every recommendation made. Every introduction. Every piece of encouragement. Every time we choose collaboration over comparison, we are pollinating each other’s growth.
And when we do that, something remarkable happens.
We don’t simply become stronger as individuals.
We create communities, businesses, families and workplaces where everyone around us begins to bloom.
This Women’s Month, our theme is Root & Rise.
For me, it is a celebration of women who know who they are, who stand firmly in their values and who understand that true strength isn’t measured by how high we climb alone. It is measured by how many people rise with us.
My hope is that every wellness experience we create this August leaves women feeling seen, valued and appreciated
I hope it reminds them that they belong.
That there is room for them.
That another woman’s success is never the reason they won’t succeed.
And that the strongest women are often the ones quietly extending a hand behind them as they continue climbing.
Just like the tabonuco trees beneath the rainforest floor, our greatest strength may not always be visible. It lives beneath the surface; in the connections we build, the encouragement we give and the women we choose to lift along the way.
Because grounded women don’t simply rise.
Grounded women lift everything around them.
Happy Women’s Month.
Here’s to rooted women, rising together.
Warm regards,
Nadine Malherbe
Founder & CEO
Sheer Bliss
