Kensey on Building the Life You Actually Want. What happens when you build your career around the lifestyle you want, instead of the other way around? In this episode of Return to You I sit down with Kensey Monopoli, wellness entrepreneur, event curator, and founder of AERA, to talk about the 16 years she's spent as a travelling massage therapist, including a long stint on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island, and how that path led her to build a patent-pending, ultra-portable massage table and therapist membership designed to transform the massage industry. We talk about walking into rooms where you know no one, why "the cost of success is embarrassment," the practice of manifestation (including the wildest cake story you'll ever hear), and why you can never put a price on your network. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt boxed in by a school system, a job, living with ADHD or a story that was never really theirs and who's ready to build a life, not just a career. Topics covered: • Building your career around the lifestyle you want, not the other way around • Finding safety and community before you take the leap • Business partnerships, alignment, and knowing when something no longer fits • Manifestation, intention, and "the rock in the river" • Networking as service — give first, lead with love • Launching AERA Circle: Kensey's year-long membership for massage therapists ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro: building a career around your lifestyle, not the other way around 04:00 – Necker Island: the leap that changed everything 09:00 – The power of environment & community 13:00 – Money, safety & taking the leap 14:00 – Finding your people: the key players in your journey 20:00 – Brainstorming your passion: how to find what lights you up 27:00 – Business partnerships, alignment & knowing yourself 33:00 – Manifestation, intention & the rock in the river 43:00 – Networking: give first, lead with love 55:00 – AERA: Kensey's legacy brand for therapists 1:00:00 – Where to find Kensey + closing reflections on "returning to you" ABOUT KENSEY: Kensey Monopoli is a wellness entrepreneur, event curator, and founder of AERA, a patent-pending ultra-portable massage table and therapist membership designed to transform the massage industry. Drawing on 16 years as a travelling massage therapist everywhere from cruise ships to a long stint on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island, Kensey built AERA to solve the problems she lived firsthand: outdated, impractical equipment and an industry that had long overlooked its practitioners' wellbeing. The AERA Circle, her year-long membership programme, opens its first cohort in September 2026, building an ecosystem of community, education, and business tools for therapists who want sustainable, fulfilling practices. Alongside AERA, she runs her consultancy, "With Kensey," partnering with luxury island destinations and visionary leaders to craft events and experiences that leave a lasting impact. Connect with Kensey: Instagram @WithKensey | @WeAreAERA 🎙️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify so you never miss an episode. TAGS/KEYWORDS: manifestation, entrepreneurship, networking, lifestyle design, Necker Island, Richard Branson, massage therapy business, wellness entrepreneur, event curator, personal development, self-development, overcoming adversity, business partnerships, return to you, rising beyond limits, podcast Support the show Enjoyed this? Leave a 5* review and share a screenshot on Instagram and tag me in it and I'll be picking a winner each episode to win a 30 min personalised tapping video, just for you! Here's how to stay connected: 🎙️ Follow Return to You on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode ⭐ Leave a 5* review on Apple Podcasts — it takes 30 seconds and helps more people find the show 💜 If you're enjoying the show and want to show some love, you can support the show here 📲 Come and find me on Instagram @withSid_ & @returntoyoupodcast I'd love to hear what this brought up for you 👥 Join the Return to You Facebook group — your space to connect, share and be heard 📩 Want to get in touch, share your story, or enquire about being a guest? Email: hello@withsid.com Return to You is a podcast for anyone who has ever lost themselves and is ready to find their way back. New episodes dropping regularly. Until next time, keep coming back to yourself. Love Sx
