Newcastle woman brings Asian Inspired Therapies to the North
After 15 years in Asia, Jo McFarlane returns home to launch a new health and wellness company, Jo Mac Holistic.
Last updated 13th Oct 2023
Born and raised in the North East, Jo did what a lot of Geordies do and dreamt big. She travelled to London, passed a BA Hons Degree in English, and worked in media for years until she was burnt-out. Swapping heels for fins, she left a stressful career as an Ad Director, packed a rucksack, and travelled to Asia to teach Scuba Diving. Her colleagues told her that she was having a nervous breakdown; she saw it as a breakthrough.
After several years barefoot in Thailand and the Philippines she settled in Bali, Indonesia and spent the next 12 years immersing herself in Asian holistic health, experiencing everything from Balinese Traditional Healing to Silent Meditation. She was introduced to Chinese Medicine in Beijing and experienced Acupuncture for the first time in Bali.
“It was during a pregnancy scare, when I thought I might birth too early, that a friend suggested Acupuncture. After driving myself to a jungle clinic, I was astounded to see that my baby had moved up my tummy immediately post treatment. So relieved, I had acupuncture again to encourage the birth. It worked!”
During her time in Asia, she launched Soul Sanctuaries, a luxury wellness travel company, and spent the next decade sending weary souls on wellness holidays. Later returning to Newcastle, she continued to run the company until the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Her life then changed entirely when the father of her son ended his own life, alone and in a foreign country. Soon afterwards she became extremely unwell, all whilst in lockdown and with her son to care for.
COVID tests were only available via a GP at that point but because her symptoms weren’t classic, she wasn’t offered one. She later discovered that other COVID patients had experienced similar symptoms. Western medication was failing her so, once lockdown eased, she visited an Acupuncturist. Within only a few sessions, symptoms cleared for the first time in six months.
This had such a profound effect on her that, at age 50, she began to study a BSc Degree in Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. In her practice, Jo now merges years of Eastern healing with the biomedical approach of the West to help her clients to thrive.