Get to know me - an interview with Rachel by Hannah Gerukink

I was honored to be interviewed by a very kind soul named Hannah Gerukink for her blog - you can find her blog linked here. Below I am sharing the interview —

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Let’s start with getting to know you a little. Who would you say you are? Name, where you are currently living, what you do, really anything you want to share? 

 Hi! My name is Rachel Levine. I currently live in Asheville, North Carolina but only moved here three months ago. I have lived and traveled all over the world and grew up in New York. I help people reconnect to their intuition and strengthen their mental health using my modalities as a Yoga Therapist, Human Design guide, Herbalist and my own intuitive gifts. 

Your work focuses on human design, yoga therapist, and herbalist. How would you explain these to someone who knows little to nothing about these topics? Is there one that you focus on most of the three? 

Yoga Therapy is a form of healing that takes into account ones mind, body and soul. It uses practices to help you ground and heal whatever it is you individually need to. Human Design uses your birth information to create a blueprint of who you came here to be in this lifetime. Herbalism is a modality that utilises nature to help us heal and connect to ourselves and the world more fully and deeply. I tend to focus on all three equally but it really depends on who I am working with and what they need. 

I feel like using the word “intuitive” in your personal branding has to do with trusting your feelings. What would you say to someone who argues that people should trust facts over emotions? How do you try to tune into your own feelings when making decisions, big and small? Do you have examples of how this has worked out for you in your life? 

No one’s path is the same. We are all meant to live our unique authentic lives and the only way to do that is to listen to our intuition. That is not necessarily about trusting your feelings, although it may be, everyone’s intuition speaks to them differently (you can learn how your intuition speaks to you through your Human Design chart). However, when we can get out of our head and into our intuition, we are able to tune out the noise, the expectations and the “should’s” and decide what is truly meant for us. 

As an emotional authority in human design I make sure to take time before making a decision. I don’t answer right in the moment. I let myself feel into what my intuition is telling me and separate myself from what others are telling me I should or should  not do. Listening to my intuition is what has guided me down my path with everything in life - recovery, business, relationships… These decisions have not been based on fact or logic, they are purely based on intuition, and it has never led me astray. 

You have a post on your Instagram that discusses the difference between intuition and fear. I guess this also relates to my last question, but I would love to hear more about this! 

Sometimes our fears can speak so loudly to us that they override our intuition and we believe that they are one and the same. When we are able to know the difference between our intuition and our fear, we are able to listen to our intuition despite our fears and trust that we are making the right decision. 

You have moved around quite a few times in your life. How would you say that this is related to the ways in which you prioritize your intuition. Of the recent places you have lived, do you have a favourite? What are some of the things you have learned from moving so much?

I always let my intuition tell me where I am meant to be and when it is time to leave somewhere and when. My favorite place I have ever lived has probably been Australia. Traveling and moving around has taught me SO much. It has reinforced how important it is for me to prioritise the relationships in my life, no matter where these people are in the world. It has taught me that I must always be in a space that makes me feel grounded, aligned and at peace. It has shown me different cultures and has allowed me to meet people from walks of life that are drastically different than me. I have learned to be more open minded, non judgmental, accepting and welcoming to anyone and everyone. And to never make assumptions on who someone is based on appearances.  

You have been fairly open about some of your personal mental health struggles. What are some things you do to try and take care of your mental health on a daily bases?

Maintaining my recovery is the most important thing in my life, it is my foundation. I use practices such as meditation, breath work, journaling and time in nature daily. I also utilise herbalism by incorporating plants into my life that I know I need on any given day. I also make sure to prioritise listening to my intuition and what it is telling me everyday. 

What is your human design type and how do you use this knowledge in your day to day? What would you recommend for someone who wants to start knowing more about their own human design? Are there any favourite resources you would recommend? 

I am a 5/1 emotional manifesting generator. This informs how I listen to my intuition, how I make decisions, how I structure my days, how I speak to those around me, and so much more. For someone interested I would recommend looking up your chart on Erin Clare Jones’ website, downloading the my.humandesign app or booking a session with a human design guide you feel drawn to. 

You recently started a podcast. What are some of your current goals for that and where you see if going? Do you have dream guests you would like to interview or topics you really want to discuss on there? What are some of your favourite podcasts to listen to or that you admire? 

With my podcast I hope to continue helping others reconnect to their intuition, strengthen their mental health and talk about topics that society has told us not to talk about. I hope to create a space where people feel seen, welcomed and fully accepted. I want to bring all sorts of guests on to share their stories and talk about what they wish was talked about more so we can all remember we are not alone and that their is no shame in who you are. No topic is off limits and everyone is welcome! I think everyone has a story to share. 

Some of my favorite podcasts are Almost 30, the Expanded Podcast,  Human Design with Jenna Zoe, and Live Beautifully with Katrina Scott. 

When did you first learn about herbalism? Maybe this is a weird questions, but do you have a favourite herb? If you what is it, why is it a favourite, and what is it commonly used for? 

Well I’ve known about herbalism for so long but I first started getting really passionate about herbalism about four years ago! My favorite herb changes depending on what I am needing in that time in my life. Currently I am loving St Johns Wort - it is a nervine, which means it soothes your nervous system and is one of the best plants for supporting mental health. 

You have mentioned your past with disordered eating. Who’s someone or something that really inspired you to recover and to keep going?

Kate Noel from the Take the Cake podcast really helped me believe in my ability to recover, also the support from my treatment team and my friends and family. What really keeps me going though is my connection to my purpose and my deep desire to help others. 

What makes you feel alive? 

Love this question! I feel most alive when I’m in nature, usually hiking with my dog Theo. Also when traveling and exploring new places, and when laughing and connecting deeply with others. And, most importantly, when I have the ability to listen to my intuition in each moment. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions! Is there anything else you would like to share? Where can everyone find and connect with you online?

I want everyone to remember that you are meant to live in alignment with your authentic self - you are so uniquely different than anyone else, and that is your magic. 

You can connect with me on my podcast Intuitively Wild, intuitivelywild.com and @intuitivelywild on instagram. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!