We’re looking forward to introducing you to Laura Holmes. Check out our conversation below.
Laura, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that has brought me joy is my daughters truly bonding with each other. It makes me so happy that they are using their imagination to play together and keep each other entertained. You can see their love growing and the older one looks out for the younger one in the sweetest way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Laura Holmes and I am the founder and owner of Recreate Yourself, a home and community-based recreational therapy practice in North Carolina. Our mission is to transform lives through recreation. We work with individuals who have experienced brain injuries, neurological conditions, PTSD, intellectual & developmental disorders, and other life challenges, helping them rediscover joy, independence, and purpose through meaningful leisure and wellness activities.
What makes Recreate Yourself unique is our personalized, hands-on approach. We meet people where they are, literally and figuratively. Whether it’s exploring community spaces, engaging in adapted yoga or creative expression, or building confidence through adapted sports, every session is designed around the individual’s goals and abilities.
My journey began with a passion for the healing power of recreation, and over the years I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with health agencies, veteran programs, and community organizations. Right now, I’m excited about expanding our partnerships and developing innovative programs that bring recreational therapy to more people who can benefit from it.
At its core, my work is about empowerment by helping people reimagine what’s possible for themselves and create a life they love living.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was a child, I believed I was timid and shy because that’s what I was often told. I thought my voice didn’t matter, and at times, I missed opportunities because I was too nervous to speak up. Over time, I’ve realized that being quiet at first isn’t shyness, it’s how I process my environment, learn from others, and really listen before I respond.
Now, I understand the importance of using my voice, both to advocate for my own boundaries and to stand up for others. In fact, I find it much easier to speak up for my clients, and I’m continually working on doing the same for myself. Starting my own business has been a powerful way of stepping into that confidence. As a recreational therapist, I’ve always had to demonstrate the value and impact of what I do and creating my own practice is my way of standing tall, proving that my voice, my work, and my profession matter.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was sad or scared as a child, writing was my outlet. I would journal or write poems, and it always helped me process what I was feeling. I haven’t done that as consistently in recent years, but whenever I do return to it, I’m reminded of how powerful it is to simply get the thoughts out of my head and onto paper. Looking back on those old writings now, I’m often amazed at all that I’ve gone through and how much strength it took to navigate those moments. Writing gave me a safe space to be honest with myself, and it’s something I’m learning to value again as part of my own self-care.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what really matters to me is people, especially those living with disabilities or those who need support to find their voice. Their well-being, their happiness, and knowing they feel cared for are at the heart of what I value most. I feel called to stand beside them, advocate for them, and help them discover their own strength and sense of accomplishment.
They’d also say that I put my heart into everything I do. Whether it’s in my work, parenting, or even something as simple as cooking a meal, I want to feel proud of the effort I’ve given. And at the very center of it all are my children and my family. Their safety, joy, and love mean the world to me, and they guide so many of the choices I make.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Yes, I’ve definitely had moments in my career where I felt that level of excitement. When I first started my company, and especially throughout the first year, I truly felt like I was “tap dancing to work.” I had connected with an amazing group of therapists, each with different backgrounds and talents, who worked seamlessly together with one shared goal: to better our clients’ lives.
Together, we built something special. We used our creativity and strengths to design an innovative program for individuals with brain injuries, and we forged meaningful partnerships in the community to give our clients unique opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. It was incredible to see the progress they made—physically, cognitively, socially, and in reintegrating into the community. Every day felt exciting because we were constantly discovering new ways to make therapy both fun and meaningful.
Although that particular chapter ended when the definition of service delivery changed and no longer allowed us to collaborate in the same way, it gave me a clear vision of what’s possible. I carry that same spark with me now as I look for new ways to expand my business, build partnerships, and create opportunities that make recreational therapy accessible and impactful. That season showed me what’s possible when passion and collaboration meet and it keeps me inspired for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.recreateyourselfllc.com
- Instagram: @recreateyourselfllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recreateyourselfllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recreateyourselfllc
