Our people at Shambala

Owner and facilitator, Maggie Ireland.

At the age of 27, I thought I was the picture of happiness. Married with two small children a lovely house, everything everyone said I should have to make a perfect life. Then I was diagnosed with cancer and my picture turned upside down. No one could give me any logical reason for why it was, in fact, nothing relating to my illness made any sense at all. I was alone and I was very scared, and the doctors told me I had no choice – but to follow their advice of chemotherapy and all that that entailed and hence become a product of the ignorant waiting game.

This was my awakening...

Deep within myself I knew this wasn’t the truth. Surely no one could possibly be here without having some choice about it? It was a ridiculous notion to me. And so I started to see for the first time, that no one actually knew anything about the outcome of my life, but me.

My inquiry into these thoughts made everyone around me very nervous, but my mortality became my own business, thank goodness! With every step I took into the unknown the universe responded with more answers than I had questions. I started to see a world that had never revealed itself to me. I was starting to feel a joy that had been missing all my life. Teachers, healers, philosophers, like-minded people all started to come out of the woodwork and become the examples of truth before me.

With my old life disintegrating around me, I leapt into the unknown with flight I never knew I had. My yearnings lead me to India, where I found a teacher that filled me in all the places that were sad and parched, and has continued to this day, encouraging me to find my own way.

Within this quest, and the miraculous disappearance of my cancer, came the unswerving desire to help others find themselves before the need to manifest illness and disease. This brought me the greater understanding of who I really was, and not that which I had played and believed for all of these years. I became the creator of my life, I realised who I was and the magnitude with which I played. I was free, finally, from my own belief system!

There is a catalyst for all of us, whether an illness or emotional crisis, and from this can become the awareness of something much bigger, or just another negative happening in our life. My big reminder was bigger than most, but completely necessary for the person I need to be today.

“Shambala is a vision born out of this awareness. No matter who we are, no matter where we are, whether rotating on your office chair, or in an ashram in India, or standing on top of a mountain, the questions will always be the same... WHO ARE YOU? WHY ARE YOU HERE? AND WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”

Facilitator Meg Giuliano

From a very young age, Meg contemplated the meaning of life and the unknown reason for her existence on this planet. Whilst having no idea what exactly she was looking for, she knew there were answers near. Younger than many of us could contemplate, Meg took herself into a search for her truth. So young, this brought many challenges, all of which are now so integral to the fabric of her teaching.

Her greatest interest, lay in the field of body awareness, to the point that she contemplated becoming a doctor, however with due introspection the lack of awareness towards prevention was alarming and in itself was the catalyst for her desire to understand and focus on the true meaning of sickness versus wellness. Meg believes that our soul is continually expressing itself through the body and its surroundings, and it is a blessing for each of us to decode this mystery and flow with the magic of life. 

 Meg has worked with many relevant teachers and therapists, and has now developed her own unique healing modality, specifically applied to the individual process using tools of advanced kinesiology, energetic and intuitive healing along with a profound inner knowing that has been widely acknowledged and appreciated.

“My desire in life is to transcend the limited expression that so often applies to spirituality. The human spirit is just that, our spirit, and therefore is not at all separate to us and neither is our quest”.

General Manager Gael Seymore

As Manager of Shambala By The Sea, Gael will ensure that your stay is comfortable and nurturing and that your individual needs are met. She has lived all over the world, West Africa, South Africa, Italy, UK and has travelled extensively through Australia, Europe, Asia and the U.S., and has now lived on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for 15 years.

Gael is a trained Lifeline Counsellor, with a personal interest and passion for supporting and inspiring people towards an awareness of their personal greatness.

Her professional experience includes: 5 years as Intake Manager at a private Drug/ Alcohol/ other Addictions Clinic; 2 years as partner and manager of an holistic health centre; 2 years as director and manager of a Lifestyle Change Facilitation business; 4 years studying nutrition and working in the health food area; 5 years in hotel management; 5 years as director of a residential services business and 2 years as CEO of the Australian arm of an international community development organization.

“I am committed to my own “spiritual journey”, with my early morning routine of insightful reading, meditation, yoga or walking on the beach, this reminds me to remain mindful and conscious of the present”.

Chef Holly Davis

Holly was born in Britain and moved to Australia in 1982. On her way she spent a year in Japan and studied at the Lima Oshawa School of macrobiotic philosophy and cooking. Macrobiotics caught Holly’s attention at the age of 14 and has been a major influence on her cooking style ever since. In 1984 she opened Manna in Rozelle, Sydney, this was her first whole food restaurant. In 1985 she co founded “Iku Wholefood”, a unique food outlet advocating that the care and consideration put in during the creation of a meal is reflected absolutely in the customers' satisfaction at the end.
Iku began as a single small eatery in Glebe and has since become a growing phenomenon. There are currently 10 stores with plans for more to open soon, Holly sold her share in 1997. Holly contributed to the Good Weekend Magazine as a food writer from 1999-2004 and she now contributes to the health pages of News Magazines ‘Notebook’.

Since it was published in 1999 her much loved cookbook Nourish has taken its place in homes all over Australia, the UK and USA.

“To me cooking is love made edible, creating irresistible food that supports and nurtures an individual’s awakening is my delight. Your meals will be created using as much of Shambala’s vibrant seasonal produce as is available and Australia’s finest biodynamic and organic offerings. When asked, I will happily share what I know and understand about food and its power to create change”.

Return to about us