Thank you very much for meeting with me today, Morgane. I really appreciate your time. You have a beautiful and passionate soul, and it will be amazing for us to hear your story. To start with, could you tell us about yourself? Anything and everything about you that matters and that you would like us to know?
Wow. There is a lot to say. So, first of all, my name is Morgane, which means “love” in French, in some ancient language—I think it's from Brittany or something. But yeah, love. And this is really who I am. I do everything with love. I love loving people. I love giving. It’s easier for me to give than to receive. And I’m passionate about people, about our nature, about how we connect.
What are your strengths?
I think my vulnerability. I thought that it was a weakness for so many years, but it’s actually a strength. Also, my courage, because you cannot live your dream life if you are not brave enough to do it. And I’m a perfectionist in everything that I do, so I think I can qualify that as a strength as well.
Could you expand on vulnerability being your strength?
Being vulnerable is being authentic. It means having the courage to show yourself and your deep emotions. I cry so much all the time—for the good things. I can cry in front of a sunset or an old couple, easily. But I can also cry because I feel hurt or triggered—this is who I am. So I guess vulnerability helps me to have the right people in my life and not to waste my energy.
What are your weaknesses?
I’m lazy. I’m not organised, and I can’t focus for too long. So, I start something and never finish. I get lazy, and then, because I’m not organised, it’s a mess. For example, my supplements—I ordered a pack for a month, and the box is still full. I did it for two days, and oh my gosh. Today I have one pack in my purse ready to use, but I don’t do it (laughs). This is me.
What is the biggest challenge that you have faced in your life?
I think when my dad passed away. I felt like someone destroyed my life because I didn’t really have the chance to get to know him properly. And I felt like I would never know this part of my story.
But when he died, I managed to reconnect with some members of my family. I got the answers to my questions. It turned into something very beautiful. It was a gift that he left me. Thanks to him, I know how to say no and how to set boundaries. So I don’t waste a single day of my life; life is too precious.
These are the traits that your dad had?
Yeah, and also because I learned a lot about him. I didn’t know anything about his childhood before. I wanted to understand why I have all those feelings inside me. Where am I coming from? What has he been through as a kid, and why do I carry these traumas that are not mine, you know?
I also felt like he was not loving me enough. Until my stepmom told me that he always carried a big box with my childhood photos and small things that I had when I was a kid…I didn’t know about it! Sometimes, when you face a challenge, it gives you an opportunity to find something beautiful in it.
When did your dad pass away?
Four years ago, on the 28th of May. It was quite a tough time. I was traveling in my van, had no home, and was in the middle of nowhere. My ex was with me…thank God he was there. And it was so weird because the day before, when I went to sleep, I had the thought that someone was going to die. I never turn my phone off, but that night I did… When I turned it back on in the morning, I saw lots of messages from my brother…
So yeah, at that time, I had no home, no safe space to be in. It was really challenging. It was in the middle of COVID; my mom was very sick too. I could not go home because I would lose my visa, and tickets were crazy expensive. I attended the funeral via WhatsApp. It was really intense. It was definitely the biggest challenge of my life.
I am so sorry…
That’s okay. Today I’m so grateful as I realise that every single day my dad is guiding me to get the life that I deserve.
That is so beautiful. Can we talk about your childhood more? How has your upbringing shaped you as a person?
When I was a kid, I was really like a boy. My mom would send me to school in beautiful dresses and girly shoes, and by the time she came to pick me up, everything was destroyed (laughs).
So I had this big masculine energy. I’ve always tried not to be too much—too sexy, too pretty—because I was afraid of what other people would think. So I could never be myself. I guess I shifted that energy not long ago. When I broke up with my ex, I was still a little bit like this, but then I reconnected with my feminine side.
Also, I was always very kind and had many people around. I’ve heard so many times: “You have to be stronger; you cannot be friends with everyone; one day they will turn their back on you.” But with time, I realised that it is not true. If you are kind to the wrong people, then, of course, bad things would happen. But today I know how to set my boundaries. I can be kind, loving, and helpful, but I know now that it is me first because I cannot run on empty to fill others' cups.
That's something I need to think about (laughs).
Yeah, definitely (laughs).
What is the most important lesson that you've learned on your life journey?
I've learned that you cannot be fake if you want to be happy. If you're not yourself 100%, you will attract the wrong kind of people who like your fake self. I had been using such a mask for so long. But now I listen to myself. If I don't want to go out, or if I don't want to see someone, I’m just going to tell them, “Sorry, I can't.” This is something that I learned the hard way: You need to put yourself first. In your relationships, with your family, and with friends, you come first, all the time. This is not optional.
Is there any advice you would like to give to your younger self?Believe in yourself and your dreams.
Do you have some advice for yourself today, perhaps?
Slow down when you need to and listen to your body. Listen to your intuition.
What do you value in people the most?
I think the most important thing is trust. I need to be able to trust someone, which is quite hard for me because I've been disappointed so many times. But I guess when you have expectations, you always get disappointed… So if you just go with the flow and live in the present, this is not going to happen.
And also, connection. I can’t spend time with someone that I don't feel connected with; otherwise, it drains my energy so easily. I believe I need to be surrounded by my tribe: people like me, with the same values as I have.
So what are your values?
Number one, love. Then freedom, authenticity, respect… Yeah.
Can you tell us more about your business? You mentioned before that now you have the courage to live the life of your dreams. So please tell us more about it. I used to be a beauty therapist for more than 10 years. I worked in luxury salons and always wanted to do more and more. I had my own business in France, but I was still not feeling happy and fulfilled with what I was doing. I always thought it would be cool to live somewhere else, so I decided to move to New Zealand. When I arrived here, I started working in a spa. But I couldn’t deal with the back-to-back appointments: I felt exhausted, and I didn’t have enough time to connect with my clients. I got eczema on my hands because of the products. It happened when my dad passed away, so I think my body was reflecting the fact that I wouldn’t let him go. So I had to stop working in the beauty industry.At some point, I met a friend who offered me the opportunity to work with her at a dental practice as a receptionist. I started working there, and one year later, I went to see my boss and told her I wanted to open my clinic here. She was super happy and supported me.
At this stage, I didn’t have a clear vision of the clinic, but I knew that I didn’t want just a classy beauty centre; it was not exciting for me. So I went on a journey of studying and learning about crystal therapy and positive psychology until I could see what I wanted to do. And this is happening now.
I'm opening a clinic with one main treatment to start, which is facial crystal healing empowerment for women. I’m creating all my products from scratch, and I’m using crystal healing to balance the energy. I’m going to give love to my clients so that they glow from the inside, and it’s going to show on the outside. Because your face is your identity. So, if you take care of it, you will have the courage to be yourself. That’s what I want for my clients.
This is amazing, well done! All the studying and preparations must be taking a lot of your energy. How do you recharge?
I light some candles, put my incense or essential oils on my burner, and play some high-frequency music. I read my books, take notes, meditate, and go to yin yoga classes.
I have my morning routine: every day I need 20 minutes to breathe, connect with my body, and connect with my feminine energy. I take some time to get ready, drink a cup of hot water to wake up my body, and then shake my body to release all the bad energy.
Sometimes I like to sit with myself and see how I feel. I connect with that and take some time for healing or journaling. That helps me a lot. Spending time by myself—that’s what recharges me.
How do you define happiness?
When your mind, body, and spirit are connected, when you are aligned with yourself, your values, and the people around you.
When you wake up in the morning and think, “Gosh, my life is amazing”—that feeling of gratitude…
Sometimes I think about my life five years ago, and I’m exactly where I wanted to be. I like to remind myself about that because it’s huge for me. This is the feeling of happiness and accomplishment.
How amazing. I know that you are in a beautiful relationship and that when you and your partner met each other, it changed your life completely for both of you. So could you tell us how it all started?
Yes, definitely. It is an interesting story, actually. My entire life, I’d always been in long relationships, like 6–7 years each. Then I broke up with my ex, and when I went to the New Zealand Spirit Festival last year in March, I manifested the partner that I have today.
Wow, I’ve got goosebumps!
Yeah. So a few days after getting home from the festival, I went to a Latin party. He hates these parties, but that night his friend literally dragged him there. He stayed for maybe 20 minutes, but we met!
We started talking to each other and then seeing each other, but not exclusively. Then, after three weeks, I was like, “F*ck, there is something different about this guy.” So I stopped seeing other people; it was just him.
But we were really clear about not being in a relationship—we both didn’t want it… Until two months later, we decided to be together. It’s been almost a year now. We are moving in together soon, even though we promised each other we weren’t going to do it (laughs). So yeah, that’s it.
What are the values that you treasure in each other the most?
I think trust, freedom, love, connection, respect…
Wow, your whole list! (laughs)
Yeah, all of those! It’s crazy; I’ve just realised it. (laughs)
This is so beautiful! Do you have a role model in life, a source of your inspiration?
Yes. I would say it’s my best friend Juliette. She inspires me every day, more and more. She is strong and gentle at the same time. She’s a mom and has so much fun. She does so many things, has so many projects, and has a beautiful heart. Yes, she inspires me every day.
Do you have a motto or a quote that you use as guidance in your everyday life?
We do have one with my partner, actually: “If you need a hero, look in the mirror.”
Wow, so cool, I’m going to use it too! What is the most exciting thing that you’re looking forward to this year?
Oh my god, there are so many! Okay, I’m looking forward to moving in with my partner, opening my clinic, and going to France—I’m going this winter for one month—to enjoy summer there, and finally to have some quiet time and relax in my new place.
Amazing. Thank you so much!
Since the interview, Morgane has moved in with her partner, went to France and has opened her beauty clinic, Alpers Glow, at Alpers Dentists. Check out their Instagram @AlpersGlow