Welcome to a world where pain & disorder become
diamonds & pearls
You are a
Master Healer.
With the ability to regrow limbs, change its shape and color, utilize tools and creatively solve problems the octopus is widely known as a master healer and one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet.
Just like us humans.
When we’re ill our bodies make fever to fight virus and infection, when cut our skin regrows and repairs in a matter of days, when something breaks, it grows back stronger.
Just like the octopus, your very nature is that of a master healer with intelligence, skill and capacity beyond your wildest imagination, though you may not realise it yet.
And believe it or not, your eating disorder is actually evidence of this intelligence and healing capacity…
Demons into Diamonds.
With the ability to turn
Though they may give us trouble, cause us pain and threaten to literally destroy us, our inner demons are actually sources of diamond strength and pearls of wisdom in disguise.
The key is to feed them, not fight them.
By opening to, moving towards and getting curious about the most “forbidden” aspects of ourselves — our deepest fears, our greatest insecurities, our taboo desires, our greatest pains — we gain access to the energy and insight they contain.
When it comes to eating disorders, this means that our enemy is actually our ally, showing us where and how to heal which then provide the essential fuel for moving in the direction of our hopes and dreams.
You were
Born to Thrive.
Our basic nature is freedom and thriving.
And at Ursula & Pearl this idea underlies our core philosophy and how we approach working with our clients.
Rather than pathologize we acknowledge that our eating disorders serve a purpose and we seek to understand how and why our thriving nature is expressing in this way.
Moreover we seek to discover and empower the fulfilment of our deepest needs, dreams and desires while working to build skills that give us the strength, flexibility and focus to meet anything life offers.
Potential is a path and at Ursula & Pearl we seek to give you the tools to empower yourself for the rest of your life.
Why the name?
Ursula & Pearl
How’d you get that name ‘Ursula & Pearl’?
We named ourselves after a notorious villain. Why the blazes would we do that?! Well… at the end of the story the hero ends up getting and becoming what she always wanted. And the villain plays a key role in that becoming process. Just like our eating disorders! They are seeming villainous in nature, but in the end can actually help us access our inner treasure and support us in becoming who we were born to be.
Ursula & Pearl is inspired by that transformation: of demons into diamonds of insight and pearls of wisdom— and the compassionate impulse and attitude of loving-kindness that make such transformation possible.
Plus, the villain in the aforementioned story also happens to be half octopus, which ironically, is considered by some more animistic traditions to be one of the greatest healers on the planet and one of most intelligent and creative creatures of the deep. There is a deeper intelligence to even the most apparently challenging things, and it's this wisdom which undergirds and our name.
Hi, I’m Arin.
Founder of Ursula & Pearl.
I was told I would have my eating disorder for life. But I called bullish*t.
I rarely walk a straight path, especially if someone tells me to.
According to the stories, I was a rambunctious, hellacious child with a wilful spirit and stubbornness to match. I went where I wanted with no apparent regard for consequences.
In my teens and twenties however, I was consumed by eating disorders, alcohol abuse and substance addiction. At which point the professionals assigned to help me, sentenced me to life: with my eating disorder.
But I didn’t believe them, and after a pivotal moment in early adulthood, I started following my intuition around the world, and spent the next decade studying, working and training with teachers and mentors (who I owe lifetimes of gratitude to) in some of the most powerful and effective healing and awakening modalities both ancient and modern.
These days, those who know me best will say I’m still wilful and stubborn, but they’ll also tell you I’m totally and unequivocally eating disorder free. That’s right: free. The only thing I’m addicted to now is discovering just how deep this freedom goes.
To me, being ‘free’ means my life isn’t defined by my illness, my experiences or my recovery. It’s defined by choosing how to spend my precious time, and for me that’s in pursuit of what makes me feel alive and what gives me the greatest sense of meaning and purpose: my values, interests and aspirations to learn, grow and give back.
So far in that pursuit I’ve been certified as a Coach, Reiki Master and C-IAYT Yoga Therapist and have trained as a psychedelic facilitator.
But my journey isn’t over. I’m on a mission to discover what’s true and to develop ever more effective means of channeling that truth in service to the benefit and care of others and the planet.
When I left my eating disorder behind, I thought I’d never go back, but it turns out, eating disorders are fascinating to me and I’m naturally drawn to the people who have them, who also tend to be particularly extraordinary and wonderful people.
I believe that freedom is not just something we can attain, it’s what we fundamentally are, and that we all deserve to have the liberating and paradigm shifting experience of realizing that freedom, if we want to.
And that’s what Ursula & Pearl is dedicated to, helping folks who want freedom find their way home. Thanks for being here, and being interested in this work. My deepest hope is that it will serve you and all those who encounter it.
Wishing you peace, joy and the realization of your freedom!
Love, Arin
What’s your story? Do you see yourself in this one? Send me a message, I would love to know you!
Success Stories & Praise
Ready to claim your freedom?
Love the skin you’re in
Feel amazing in your body. Learn its uniqueness. Speak its special language. Channel its vast wisdom, intelligence and power towards your dreams and desires.
Be un-f*ck-with-able
Get permanently free from painful rumination and self-criticism. Overcome debilitating emotions. Experience greater clarity, take action and make decisions with more ease.
Live a thriving life
Experience purpose, meaning and direction. Prioritise and communicate your needs. Set boundaries. Give your gifts and feel genuinely proud to be you.