Meet Kelly Benning | Lead Creatrix at Heart Space Consulting

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Benning and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

For so long, I de-prioritized my own passion projects by categorizing them as hobbies. My day job in public health took center stage, but I found myself with an insatiable desire to pursue my hopes and dreams. Starting my own business was really a reflection of my desire to create a container that legitimized this pursuit, that called it worthy of attention, that called it central to my life’s purpose. My business was a brazen declaration of my belief that big-hearted living is our birthright.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am a queer femme writer, energy worker, and creatrix who is passionate about individual and collective transformation, including the cycles of death and rebirth that assist us in that process.

Once upon a time, I decided to ask the questions I knew I “shouldn’t” ask. The questions that would change everything. It was like falling down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. I wasn’t quite sure where the bottom would be (and honestly, I’ve not found it yet). What I have found is freedom, authenticity, and space to stretch into all of the delicious corners of my expansive heart. It is messy and gorgeous. It is non-linear. It is full of big love and deep connection.

So many of us have tried to fit ourselves into boxes to please others. So many of us have hidden vital parts of ourselves to feel a sense of safety or belonging. So many of us feel trapped by external messages about who we should be and what we should do. Beneath all of the layers imposed by outside influences, our most authentic selves are waiting excitedly to be uncovered. It is my passion and joy to be a companion to others as they delve into their own beautiful unfolding.

In service of this work, I have completed certification as a Tantric Practitioner through the Urban Tantra® Professional Training Program and as a Reiki Master through the Usui Reiki System of Natural Healing. I have also completed certification in Mental Health First Aid. Following my completion of Circle Leader Training through the Wild Woman Project®, I implemented the first queer- and trans-affirming New Moon Circles affiliated with the project in the southeast. I bring more than a decade of experience with somatic movement practices including yoga, and more than five years of experience working with individual clients and groups to facilitate intention setting using modalities such as tarot, storytelling, breath work, visualization, energy work, tantra, ritual, and engagement with the elements.

This training and background enables me to offer a wide array of customized services to my clients – – from tarot readings, to reiki energy work sessions, to tantra and sacred sexuality workshops, to one-on-one coaching, to local and international retreats. The heart and focus of it all is in supporting my clients to find an embody their own authentic expressions of selfhood.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I love envisioning a week where I could take one of my dear ones to all of my favorite spots. We could eat and drink our way around the city starting at Banjo Coffee in Avondale Estates for some wickedly amazing bourbon barrel aged Cold Brew; hit up Sun in my Belly for brunch; enjoy cocktails at Leon’s Full Service (I swear they have the best Naked and Famous in town); and devour late-night tapas at Barcelona in Inman Park. There’s also the super yummy weekend wine tasting events at Vinoteca, all the incredible street art around the city, the stunning Civil Rights photography collection at the High Museum, and Scott Houston’s evening dj sets at Mid-City Cafe right around the corner from the High. As for outdoors, who doesn’t love a sunset hike at Arabia Mountain? I absolutely love living in a city where there is so much to explore!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not be where I am today without the incredible support of my dear friend and yoga retreat planning partner Jenn Cook. In 2018, I had this wild idea that I wanted to begin leading international retreats, but I didn’t quite know where to begin. At the same time, I had this remarkably calm sense that the desire was enough . . . that as I followed my passion, the next steps would appear. Within less than a month, Jenn approached me about co-leading retreats. In less than a year, we had planned and sold out our first international retreat to the south of France. Most recently, we took a fantastic group to the south of Spain, and we have Tuscany Italy on the horizon as a new destination in 2023! Jenn consistently reminds me that we can dream big dreams and take big risks that align with the longings of our hearts. She provides so much affirmation to me and to so many others that the process of being human can feel brutal and gorgeous, and that it is all welcome. Her love and encouragement means the world to me.

Website: https://kelly-benning.square.site/

Instagram: @heartspaceconsulting

Image Credits
Chris Gleason, Danielle Ross, Jenn Cook