I travelled to the beautiful South and stopped in Galle to meet a remarkable woman who goes by the name of KK Carolė. With roots in Jamaica (background Caribbean), KK was born in the UK. She later (in 1995) migrated to Australia for 16 years, crossing through Sri Lanka at the time because her sister was getting married in Wadduwa.  That was her first time in Sri Lanka. KK recalls “My first memory was that of a suicide bomber hitting the Central Bank, which happened on my first morning in Colombo staying at the Intercontinental Hotel”.   KK also adds “You know even though it was when Sri Lanka was going through hard times and despite this introduction, I left Sri Lanka two weeks later feeling very connected to the 'spirit of the land and its people'. I had a deep sense of knowing that I would return.. didn’t know how or when.. But just knew it would happen sometime in the future.”

 

 

A multifaceted 21st century woman

 

Over the years, KK has had the opportunity to cross over to many different places through her career and life journey. She graduated from college as a Fashion Designer in the late 80’s and then catwalked her way through the industry, starting with modelling for the likes of  the late Alexander (Lee) McQueen at London Fashion Week to then being assigned as In House muse at FENDI, Italia in London - a brand known for their luxury fur coats and accessories and a label about to launch its first women’s collection, with designs back then by Karl Lagerfeld.  A few years later, whilst living in Milan, KK also got selected from a casting to play the part of an African Waitress in the film, Vita Con Figli.  She impresse renowned Italian Filmmaker and Director Giancarlo Gianini in 1992 with her acting efforts, who upgraded her to a cameo appearance and more speaking parts... in Italian! Today KK still works part time as a model, in recent times gracing our runways at Colombo Fashion Week and appearing on fashion campaigns for homegrown and overseas designers.    

 

 

 

Body Worker & Fitness Coach 

 

 

With a glamorous lifestyle presenting itself, KK left Europe thinking “There must be more to life than this...”  A brief excursion to New York again, never tempted KK to take a bite out of its Big ‘buzzy’ Apple. City life was not what she craved for. So then she decided to hang up her catwalk heels, only to find out that one day she would become a Healer. She ventured off  'to find herself’ and settled in ‘the Land Down Under’; tropical North Queensland in Australia became her home - and a more balanced and holistic way of living presented itself to her. 

 

Carolé adds “Ahhh.. Back in the day lol! ... Look, I always knew the UK was not for me.  My childhood was pretty miserable, the weather was always cold and I never felt that great about myself . I knew that if I was to reach my full potential I would need to change a few things and my environment was one of them.   So I set off travelling and found myself in Australia. Oz changed my life in a massive way.. Apart from doing a naked bungee jump and literally falling in love at the time.. (that’s another story!) environmentally speaking, the warmer climate was better for my well being.  That became obvious quite rapidly.  Breath to me, is ultimate. Being able to breathe properly in Australia was sheer bliss.  For the first time I experienced clarity in my breath, vibrancy in my body and my mind simply soaked up the stillness and serenity that my new lifestyle and the nature surrounds had to offer..  Life was beautiful one day.. And perfect the next.  I could then relax with enough room to delve into my own healing process and learn to trust in that.”

 

 

 

KK adds “I believe everybody holds an innate power to heal themselves or to transform an aspect of their lives. The secret to manifesting lies in the palms of one’s own hands. It's not magic! You just need to tune into yourself and it’s there.. 'A deep well waiting for you to tap into. When you listen to the subtle signs, you can figure out what your mind, body and soul needs. Over the years I have learned to become a good listener."

 

Intrigued from the start KK studied anatomy and physiology becoming a Personal Trainer & Group Exercise Instructor , with modules in Holistic Fitness such as Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi learned along the way. She then went on to study the body in more detail through Remedial & Therapeutic Massage therapy training, which she achieved whilst living in the holistic capital of Australia - Byron Bay.  "From 2003 I started to work more in service to others and their well being.  I'm not a saint! ... Nor I am any one’s healer - but my own.  I got into 8 years of inspiring and life changing bodywork around 'The Bay' where I could put my programmes and philosophy to work at leading hotels and spas such as the 'Gaia Retreat & Spa' owned by Olivia Newton-John, 'The Sanctuary' - an elite service offering private and luxury drug rehabilitation programmes, and 'Rae’s on Wategos' beach, a boutique hotel to the rich and famous .. to name a few in Australia."

 

 

"Through my work I love to encourage others to believe they can heal their life.. they can learn how to self  heal and take preventative measures.. like exercise often, listen to the subtle signs in the body/mind connection that are calling for change and learn how to choose the appropriate action to get yourself back into balance.  It's not complicated but it needs to be practised regularly.  And you can start the process off by just thinking positive thoughts about yourself. And once that’s in practice, to then generally try not to think too much having any problems... Give yourself a break .. Take time out from thinking.. This is very important.  I think the fancy term they use for this is meditation.

 

 

 

A Budding Performance Artist Too

 

With her fingers in many pies,  KK is never bored. Besides working as a healer and being chosen over the years for fashion and film projects, KK's image has also helped promote wellness giant 'Vitality 4 Life'  products worldwide since 2006.  Her dynamic sense of self  just keeps strutting its stuff.  "About a decade ago I was performing monthly in a dance troupe called 'Solid Gold' in Byron Bay. We brought the house down by the way, each time!  And that was such a sensational, fun feeling!  Music and dance for me, is my soul’s greatest tonic. And as a child I didn't get much encouragement to drink from that tonic unfortunately.  But that’s OK.  Now I've got past the "I'm not good enough stage.."  I get to quench myself and make up for lost time... Expressing myself more than ever now!”  KK was asked to open an event for  The Art Biennale  in Colombo with a song and later performed a funky set for the Aqua/Cantaloupe event Playground at 23 Palms, in Galle late last year.  

 

KK adds “ I think I was a showgirl in my past life! Because somehow, I keep finding a way back to fulfilling that stage performer in me; whether I'm back on the catwalk, on the stage presenting a group fitness class, dance performing - Troupe Style! Or just putting my hand up and volunteering to get into another personality. I’ve also switched on my funky soul diva  alter ego.. and sing solo a song or two..  That’s my recent challenge ‘Saying yes I can do it!’ I would like to explore more of that.”

 

 

Back to Paradise

 

When KK came back to Sri Lanka in 2009 it was to run a retreat centre for a year. Since then she has been coming to Sri Lanka on holiday because she always feels a sincere warm welcome by the people of this country on her arrival. “ I love this Serendip island... When I ‘arrive’ I come into my very own process.. and it’s a special feeling. I let go and through this there is a cleansing that goes on.  I relax., rejuvenate and find inspiration from my surroundings. I use this time to create more energy for myself and more self expression.  Then after a well deserved break here in paradise, I then return refreshed to the island of Ibiza in Spain where I live and work and treat my clientele during the Summer season with my mind/body fitness coaching and divine bodywork therapy. And they are like ‘WOW! who is this woman!'  So I think I would like to give Sri Lanka some credit for that. I also look forward to sharing my discoveries and adventures of Sri Lanka with those that join me in my up and coming retreats.  

 

 

 

Escape with KK

 

The very first “Escape With KK” retreat in Sri Lanka will happen at the end of this year in December 2013. KK shouts out “Sorry guys but this first one is a retreat for the ladies!” For women that may feel frazzled from the daily grind of city life or women that just simply need some chill out and connection time with other like minded females. “I will facilitate the retreat, which will take place in The Galle Fort down south. It's an opportunity for the ladies to “Get Out Of Their Heads & Into Their Body’s”, literally... And it will be a wonderful journey! Think spa treatments and self care techniques, followed through with essential holistic body workouts and musical fun to keep the energy moving.  I also love to sing and encourage others to join me in 'Mantra and Melody.'   That’s a great way of uplifting the spirit and goddess energy in every woman.. Wouldn't you agree?”, she asks.   

 

To see what others have to say about her services, visit KK's testimonial page at www.Escape-With-KK.com        

                                                                                 

Or if you would like to connect with KK and 'Be Inspired through Skype'  search for SKYPE username KKByronBay     

 

 

 

 

Interview & pics by Jayantha Fernando