One Day : Sophie Whippy - Founder at Nave
Location : London
Profession / passion : Founder of Nave
Website : www.thisisnave.com
Instagram : @_thisisnave
One Day is an ongoing project sparked by the Covid-19. In the days of isolation we would like to focus on what we do best; bringing people together. Read more about the project here.
We will be posting one new day of someones life every day until we run out of contributors. See our instagram stories to experience these peoples One Day in action.
What is the story behind your profession/ passion?
The rumblings of Nave started in 2013 after I had my eldest son. I didn’t feel hugely informed or supported throughout my pregnancy, birth or postpartum period and I felt like I was missing something. It was in 2015 when I was doing a pregnancy yoga training that I found out about Doulas, and from here I trained as both a doula and a birth coach.
How do you want people to react to your work / passion?
My biggest wish is for all people, regardless of age or gender, to be curious about their own bodies, the function, all the amazing things they can do. I feel that we’re really missing a trick if we aren’t in complete awe of what our bodies do for us day in day out. We often hear negative self-talk but how often do we hear people celebrating their bodies? I hope that my work will at least encourage that curiosity.
How has the current situation affected how you work?
The word Doula means to Serve, or literally translated into Woman Servant. It’s pretty hard to be a servant online! I have 7 people I’m working with at the moment, fortunately I’m not due to attend any births until July as at the moment ‘visitors’ are limited to just one (other birth parent) and in some cases none at all, but we’re all hoping by July things will have settled down a little so I can physically support people.
Your greatest achievement?
I think I have to say my boys? It would make me a bad mum if I didn’t right?!
Define what beauty means to you.
Beauty to me is confidence and ease. In people, attitudes, movement, art etc. If it’s done with an easeful confidence, it’s beautiful.
Function or form?
Function 100% - especially when it comes to women’s health. What’s the point in having a sculpted body if you’re suffering from incontinence when running, dancing, practicing yoga!
Describe a smell that brings back memories to you.
Escentric Molecules 01, it’s so subtle but it takes me back 10 years
Your best trait?
I think i’m naturally nurturing, I often have friends come to me for comfort.
What traits do you treasure in other people?
The ability to be vulnerable and humour. I think you need both in equal parts!
Your most treasured possession?
Again - terrible mum if I don’t say my kids?! Apart from my children I would say my engagement ring which is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been given, and also the road bike my husband got for my 30th! They both bring me so much joy daily.
What was the most defining moment in your life?
Definitely becoming a mother. I wouldn’t be who I am now if I hadn’t had my boys. When you become a parent you have no choice but to face up to your own baggage and work through it - becoming a mother has pushed me to be the best person i can be... I’m still working on it!
Who do you miss?
My mum & dad hugely. I think it’s just not knowing when I can see them again! And my oldest school friend who is due to give birth any day, it’s killing me that I can’t be closer to support her.
How was your spiritual and religious upbringing and how did it shape you?
I went to RC schools and church as I grew up, but my parents weren’t hugely religious. As with all forms of authority I kicked against it and stopped attending church as soon as I was able. Now as an adult, I don’t follow a particular organised religion but I am a spiritual person. I believe in energy, I believe in something bigger than us, that we are small parts of a huge picture and the power of the universe. I think when people talk about their god, we are all ultimately talking about the same thing. A sense of belonging and meaning. We just use different language to communicate out beliefs.
When was the last time you learned something new and what was it?
How to use InDesign properly! Next I’m enrolled on a course to teach Sex & Relationships Education to children & teens - I’m so excited for this!
Have you actively chosen to live in the city/town you live in?
Yes! I moved to London when I was 17 for university and haven’t left. It’s my home. We will leave one day and my heart feels heavy just thinking about it, but when it’s time it’s time.
How do you relax?
Until lockdown I was swimming outdoors every day. It gave me headspace and quiet. Now it’s finding 30 mins to practice yoga every day, or reading a book (currently reading Glennon Doyls ‘Untamed’).
If you were forced to sit still for one month straight without pursuing your current profession, how would you spend your time?
If I were in lockdown I’d write a book or do hundreds of online courses as I love studying and learning. If I were a free woman I’d travel and take photos of my journey.
What does freedom mean to you?
Choice. The ability to make a choice.
Do you have any regrets in life?
I don’t think so. I’ve done plenty of things that I wouldn’t repeat, but I don’t regret the journey I’ve taken to where I am now.
Should calm come from within or be facilitated by the environment?
It’s within. Always. A calming environment is helpful but we can’t control what’s going on externally, we can control our response or reaction.
Lastly, how do wish to see this current situation have a positive impact on our lives?
I feel that we’ve been told to slow down. I appreciate the devastation that this situation has caused, but it’s also made us stop or at the very least slow down. We live at a pace, consume at a pace, develop at a pace that isn’t sustainable both for the planet and for our health. I hope that when we come out of this we stop grasping for what’s beyond us and are able to sit and enjoy where we are now.