Creative producer and wellness entrepreneur Giada Del Drago turns everything she touches into inspiration. For the past twenty years she has moved fluidly between the worlds of wellbeing and creativity from film, music, and style to yoga, mindfulness and meditation.
She began with a Fine Art and Film degree from St. Martins College of Art & Design, but her path was never linear. From founding Little Wonder Productions and Kitsch Palace Records to acting in a popular German TV series, she has always embraced creativity in its many forms.
Her journey expanded into the world of holistic healing. Trained internationally in yoga, meditation, life coaching, reiki, breathwork, and shamanic journeying, Giada founded Sage & Strong Experiences to guide others through personal growth, healing and transformation. She co-creates retreats and workshops in beautiful locations, helping people to reconnect with their heart, intuition and authenticity.
She is also a creative consultant, producer, and presenter, shaping stories and conscious content through Kind Spirit Media. Her work as YoGiada has been recognized on platforms like BBC Radio and with an Anthem Award in 2023 for purpose-driven work.
In this interview, Giada shares her wisdom and vision on wellbeing and creativity.
Giada, when did you first begin to see creativity not just as a craft, but as a wellbeing practice, and how did that realization reshape your path as both a producer and life coach?
YoGiada: Creativity has always been a big part of my life, from ballet and acting to photography and painting, eventually focusing on filmmaking and electronic music. Studying at St. Martins University of the Arts in London taught me to be a conceptual artist, guided by ideas.
I grew up with summers spent surrounded by artists, including my Mother. My siblings and I were often posing for portraits. At 17, I painted a life-sized picture of my sister on the wall and I thought I would get into trouble, but my Mum said, “You should go to art school!”.
After graduating from art school, a decade of working non stop 24/7 in film and television followed, until burnout forced me to rethink everything. My whole approach to creativity changed once wellbeing became my north star. I began living and creating from my heart instead of my ego. I am now very passionate about wellbeing in the creative process, and I encourage people to get creative with their wellbeing.
I left the film and tv industry to train as a yoga and meditation teacher which led me on an exciting adventure, seeking great teachers around the world and I turned my colourful and chaotic live/work space “The Kitsch Palace” into a minimalist wellness haven “The Zen Den” where I began offering yoga, breath work and sound healing, mostly to former media colleagues.
Though I had paused creating, people kept sending me their screenplays and demos to consider and I returned to co-producing/exec-producing some meaningful indie films. I found coaching and consulting the most effective way to support creatives, rather than being deeply involved in the process of producing.
I was also inspired by mentors like Terry McBride, the founder of Nettwerk Records and YYoga to embrace my passions for both wellbeing and creativity. I released a sound
healing album, “The Looking Glass,” joined creative writing groups, and attended a writing residency led by Cody Caetano.
My first book, “The Little Light Book”, is coming out later this year. This evolved out of interviews with experts from my podcast “TLC: The Light Conversations” and anecdotes from “The Conscious Hipster” blog. I hope people will gift this book to their loved ones and keep it on their coffee table or bedside as a companion “to help you find your way through the dark”.
In your work across film, coaching, and healing, how do you define the relationship between emotional wellbeing and creative flow, and how do you help others access that intersection?
YoGiada: Flow state is pure bliss and creation energy- beyond consciousness, time and space. Creative flow fuels my wellbeing, whether through stream-of-consciousness writing, dancing like nobody is watching or diving into deeply engaging interviews. Heartbreak and suffering have inspired me and so many artists through time. I don’t create as much when I feel well and am busy being happy.
From a place of suffering and wanting to learn, I create to heal and understand. From a place of wellbeing and empowerment, I support others as a Producer, Consultant and Coach.
Through Kind Spirit Media, content creation is heart-centered meaning it is not made from a place of suffering or ego. I see how that really connects to the hearts of others too, which is very motivating and fulfilling.
I guide people to follow their bliss and incorporate that into their own unique wellbeing practice. I also encourage doing a digital detox at least once a year, ideally in silence and in nature. That is a great `way to become fully present, re-connect to a sense of wonder and open to receiving “downloads” of ideas or crystal clear insights.
With multiple platforms like Sage & Strong Experiences and Kind Spirit Media, how do you intentionally design experiences that nourish the nervous system while activating creative self-expression?
YoGiada: Through my various platforms (Film, Podcasts and Experiences), the common threads are always wellbeing and creativity. A well-nourished nervous system radiates high-vibe energy and allows for optimal clarity and effectiveness.
I design experiences to connect people to their integrity, intuition and life force energy. This is the ideal foundation for living an authentic and fulfilling life. From a core of integrity, creation is meaningful and resonates inwards, outwards and beyond.
Photo by Anthony Lycett/ Styling and Design by Sophie Cochevelou
Today’s media landscape can be overstimulating and fragmented. How do you help people slow down and reconnect with their inner voice?
YoGiada: I guide people to slow down through yoga, meditation, and mindful walks that let intuition lead the way. During immersive retreats, I team up with experts to guide people through a process of slowing down and reconnecting to their inner-knowing, which usually activates a state of bliss and flow. When we create the space to stop and listen, we find all the answers we need within us.
You seem to live at the edge of innovation, blending ancient wisdom with modern media. What are some creative rituals or wellness frameworks you believe the next generation of storytellers need to sustain purpose and clarity?
YoGiada: My top 3 creative rituals and wellness frameworks to support sustainable purpose and clarity for the next generation of storytellers and creators:
1: Journal first thing in the morning to harness any wisdom from the dreamspace and unclutter the monkey mind.
- Notice recurring themes and toxic thought patterns as well as interesting ideas.
2: Plan a calm and cleansing day once a week or once a month.
- Combine fasting, silence, and journaling to observe thoughts and gain insight.
3: Self-awareness is true power.
- Be your own gentle life coach, or seek a therapist/coach to heal and spark creativity.
If you could guide someone who’s feeling creatively blocked and emotionally depleted through simple, integrated practices, what would that be, and why does it reflect your philosophy of healing through art?
YoGiada: I often support people who feel creatively blocked and emotionally depleted. I have also experienced both states many times in my life.
I first seek to understand if someone is predominantly visual, auditory or kinesthetically inclined to assess their learning style and I encourage people to figure this out for themselves, too.
I believe most creative blocks are on an energetic level. So, we start with awareness around how to move stuck energy, and I prescribe energy practices which people can deepen into alone.
Yoga restores balance and energy, while breathwork nurtures self-awareness and healing. I encourage playfulness and collaboration to activate creative potential and spark ideas. By trying new things without a fear of failure and considering other peoples’ perspectives, we can learn so much about ourselves, human nature and the world we live in.
Photo by Anthony Lycett/ Styling and Design by Sophie Cochevelou
Conclusion
This interview with Giada leads us through her experiences and wisdom, as do her meditations, coaching and consultancy. Her approach to life is guided by curiosity, openness and integrity – all qualities that have fuelled her success across so many fields.
Through Sage & Strong Experiences, she offers the opportunity to slow down, breathe, and rediscover inner strength. Through Kind Spirit Media, she develops and produces projects that aim to inspire by making a positive impact. And through YoGiada, she explores ideas, practices, and reflections that encourage people to live with greater awareness and joy.
Creativity fuels Giada’s healing work, and mindfulness shapes her creative projects. Whilst sharing stories from her journey and reflecting on the lessons learned, she reminds us that we are all capable of creating lives aligned with our passions and values. She also shows us that the real art is in how we choose to live and make the most of each precious day.
Photo by Anthony Lycett/ Styling and Design by Sophie Cochevelou
