The Unsettling Calm: What Being a Recreational Therapist Taught Me About Chaos and Leadership

People often tell me, “You’re so calm — it’s almost unsettling.”

And they’re not wrong. Chaos can be erupting right in front of me — a project falling apart, a crisis emerging, a fire (sometimes literally) breaking out — and my response will still be calm, composed, and deliberate.

But this calm didn’t come out of nowhere — it’s been tested, time and time again, in the most unexpected ways. Unknown to most, two weeks before our Studio Soft Opening, we walked into a puddle of water in our freshly painted bathroom. The roof was leaking. I remember being on the phone with one of my dearest friends as she checked in on how everything was going. I told her things were fine, and almost offhandedly added, “Oh, and our roof is leaking, and we don’t know when it’ll be fixed.” There was a pause before she said, “Madonna… how are you saying that so calmly?”

And I laughed, because to me, it was simple: this was one thing I couldn’t fix on my own. So why stress about it? All I could do was wait — and trust that we’d find a way through.

It’s not because I don’t feel the urgency. It’s because I’m trained as a Recreational Therapist. I learned early on that when the room starts to spiral, you become the anchor — the model of how to react when everything else feels unstable. Whether facilitating a program, leading a group, or supporting vulnerable individuals, our calm translates into their calm.

That kind of composure doesn’t come from detachment; it comes from deep awareness.

I once had a colleague — also a recreational therapist — who worked with individuals with developmental challenges. During one session, she was physically handled by a participant in distress. Most people’s instincts would lean toward self-preservation or retreat, but she didn’t flinch. She stayed grounded, calm, and present. Her stillness didn’t come from fear; it came from understanding. Within moments, her steady presence helped de-escalate the situation entirely. No escalation. Just trust restored in a tense moment.

That story has stayed with me for years — because it represents what we stand for at The Wellness Studio. We’re not here to “fix” anyone. We’re here to hold space — to facilitate, to guide, and to remind people that wellness isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence.

When we built this studio, we brought the same philosophy that guided us as therapists into our workshops and corporate experiences. Our goal has always been to create environments where calm can be practiced, and leaders can breathe before they react. Where creativity, connection, and communication flow because the space feels safe enough for them to.

That’s what our clients — whether individuals or teams — often notice first: the energy. The calm. The quiet confidence that says, “You’re in good hands.”

I’ve learned that peace is rarely the absence of problems — it’s the presence of perspective.

And at The Wellness Studio, we don’t just create with calm — we practice it, breathe it, and share it.

Wishing you Wellness,

Madonna