Hello, fellow fungi enthusiasts! I’m Tracy, the not-so-average woman behind Minster Mushrooms, Forage Yourself Happy, and the UK trainer for Alma Oasis in Sylvotherapy. If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be knee-deep in mushroom spores instead of hair clips, I’d have laughed you out of the salon. But here I am, thriving in the male-dominated world of mycology, armed with a pair of shears and a whole lot of determination.
From Scissors to Spores
My journey from the glamorous world of hairdressing—where I headed up the styling teams for London Fashion Week—to running a gourmet mushroom farm, has been nothing short of a plot twist. After the loss of my husband, a stint in financial recruitment (which, by the way, is about as fun as it sounds), and battling ADHD, PTSD, and peri-menopause, I realized I needed a drastic change. And that change came in the form of foraging and, eventually, mushrooms.
Now, I’m not your typical forager or farmer. While some might rattle off the Latin names of every mushroom under the sun, I’m more inclined to tell you its common name, but give you its medicinal properties, how to use it and what it can help with My brain doesn’t do Latin names—With ADHD you home in on what you feel is the important information to store and for me, that is what it can do to help others
ADHD: The Uninvited Guest at the Mushroom Party
Living with ADHD means my brain is a bit like a web browser with 50 tabs open—all at once. But instead of letting it derail me, I’ve learned to manage it with a daily routine that’s as structured as it is flexible (if that even makes sense). And let me tell you, Lion’s Mane and Reishi capsules are my non-negotiables. They’re like my brain’s personal bouncers, keeping things in order and ensuring I can focus on what matters—without doing 10 things at once
Holding My Own in a Male-Dominated Field
Mycology is a field where women are about as common as hen’s teeth. But that didn’t stop me from rolling up my sleeves and diving in. Sure, I’ve had to prove myself, and yes, there’s been a learning curve But I’ve never backed down from a challenge. And let’s be honest, dealing with a temperamental mushroom farm is nothing compared to managing a dressing room full of models before a big fashion show
The Daily Grind: Mushrooms, Foraging, and a Whole Lot of Passion
Every day is a new adventure in this world of mushrooms and sylvotherapy. From making capsules to leading foraging workshops, and teaching sylvotherapy sessions through Alma Oasis, my life is busy but absolutely fulfilling. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it—especially when I see the positive impact these mushrooms and nature-based therapies have on people’s lives.
So here’s to the weird, wonderful world of mycology, to finding peace in nature, and to the power of persistence. If you’re looking to start your journey with mushrooms, or just need a little inspiration to keep going when things get tough, stick around. I’ve got plenty of stories, tips, and maybe a few mishaps to share along the way.
Stay curious, stay resilient, and don’t forget to take your Lion’s Mane! Get in contact with me for more info!