Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonia Harris.
Hi Antonia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has really been about growth, healing, and following my purpose — even when the path wasn’t always clear. I started in special education, where I spent over 15 years helping students and families navigate challenges with compassion and care. While I loved the work, I also began to realize how important it was to care for myself — mentally, physically, and spiritually — in order to keep showing up fully for others.
That realization led me to wellness. I started exploring yoga, breathwork, meditation, and sound healing — not just as hobbies, but as tools that transformed my own life. Over time, what began as personal healing grew into a calling to help others do the same — especially Black women and those who often carry so much on their shoulders.
Now, I’m building something that reflects all parts of who I am: educator, healer, creative, and guide. Whether it’s through retreats, coaching, or content, my mission is to create spaces where people can pause, reconnect with themselves, and step into their power — mind, body, and soul. Creating spaces where boxes don’t exist.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish. It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. There were seasons where I felt completely burned out, especially working in special education for so many years. I was constantly pouring into others — my students, their families, my colleagues — but I wasn’t always taking care of myself in the process. That caught up with me emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I had to face my own patterns of overextending, people-pleasing, and not setting healthy boundaries.
When I began exploring wellness — yoga, breathwork, meditation — it wasn’t just a new career opportunity, it was survival. Shoutout to my first therapist for the introduction to yoga and meditation, showing me it takes a village for this healing journey. It was me learning how to heal parts of myself that I didn’t even realize needed attention. And even stepping into this new chapter brought its own struggles: fear of starting over, fear of being seen, imposter syndrome, and learning how to build something from the ground up.
But every challenge has helped me grow. I’ve learned to give myself grace, to trust my intuition, and to believe that my story — even the messy, imperfect parts — can be used to help others. That’s what keeps me grounded in the work I do now.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of my work, I help people — especially women, educators, and caregivers — reconnect with themselves, find balance, and create space for healing. Currently, I serve as a Social Behavior Skills teacher, supporting students with emotional, behavioral, and social needs. In that role, I help my students navigate not only academics, but also their emotions, coping strategies, and self-regulation — skills that many adults also struggle with. It’s deeply fulfilling, but also emotionally demanding work that requires patience, empathy, and a strong understanding of trauma and the nervous system.
My background as a special educator for over 15 years has shaped my entire approach to wellness. I’ve seen firsthand how stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue can weigh on both students and adults. That’s what led me to explore wellness practices like yoga, breathwork, meditation, and sound healing — first for myself, and now as tools I offer to others.
What I specialize in is helping people recognize the mind-body connection, and how emotional regulation, nervous system support, and mindfulness can help us not only survive but thrive — both inside and outside the classroom. I’m known for creating safe, nurturing spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported, whether it’s in a classroom, a retreat, or a coaching session.
I’m most proud of building something that reflects my full journey — as an educator, a healer, and someone who has personally experienced burnout and healing. What sets me apart is that I don’t just teach strategies — I live them. My work bridges education and wellness, blending both clinical knowledge and lived experience to help people create sustainable practices for long-term growth and healing.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is: give yourself permission to start small, and give yourself grace along the way. When I first started exploring wellness, I felt like I had to have everything figured out before I could begin. But healing, growth, and even building something new is never a straight line. It’s okay to learn as you go.
I wish I had known earlier that perfection isn’t required to serve others. You don’t have to wait until you feel “ready” — your lived experiences, your authenticity, and your heart are often what people connect to the most.
Also: protect your peace. Set boundaries early. Whether you’re working in education or wellness, burnout is real if you don’t take care of your own nervous system. You cannot pour from an empty cup — and you deserve the same care you give to others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: iamtonidee
- Facebook: Toni Dee
- LinkedIn: Antonia Harris
Image Credits
Maurice Harris the photographer for solo shots.
