Meet Petra Mattis (MA Product Design Lifestyle & Wellbeing Coach)

Petra Mattis is the founder of HOLO — a consultancy bridging home design, lifestyle and holistic wellbeing.

With a master’s in product design and a long career in London’s real estate market, she brings a thoughtful blend of design insight, behavioural understanding and genuine human care into her work.

Inspired by how the concept of “home” shifted for many during and after the pandemic, she recognised that our environments deeply affect how we feel, behave and grow. This sparked her vision for HOLO — encouraging mindfulness and a more intentional approach to everyday living.

She helps people appreciate simplicity, presence and the beauty in the ordinary, supporting them through holistic coaching to make meaningful lifestyle changes. Through HOLO, Petra hopes to build a community centred on conscious living and wellbeing — offering not just a service, but a path to reconnect with what matters, reclaim inner calm and feel whole again.

The Art of Holistic Living: Inside the World of HOLO by Petra Mattis

Welcome to The Reset Petra, What does “wellness” mean to you now — and how has your definition evolved over the past decade?

Over the past decade, my understanding of “wellness” has shifted in a beautiful and meaningful way. It used to feel tied to aesthetics — something polished, aspirational, and often associated with luxury or perfection. Today, wellness feels much more human to me. It’s a way of living, a state of awareness, and a gentle relationship with myself.

Wellness is no longer about strict routines or doing everything “right.” It’s about tuning in and noticing what my mind, body, and soul truly need. It lives in the small, ordinary moments we often overlook: the way we begin our day, one conscious breath, noticing birdsong, and the choices we make every day.

“Wellness is about connecting to who you truly are — because that’s where true wellbeing begins.”

When someone feels stuck, overwhelmed, or “off track,” what’s the first tiny reset you suggest?

In HOLO, I always begin by bringing someone back to their “why.” Not through pressure — but through gentle questioning that helps them reconnect with what truly matters.

I might ask:

• Why was this change important to you in the first place?
• What impact will it have on your life — and the lives of the people you love?

When someone reconnects with their deeper intention, even a tiny step forward feels meaningful again. Sometimes the reset is simply one breath, one pause, or one honest reflection that shifts their entire mindset. The reset is always small, soft, and human, never overwhelming.

Most people know what to do — but doing it is another story. How do you help clients turn intentions into consistent action?

In HOLO, we focus on small, sustainable steps — because meaningful change never arrives through force. It arrives through consistency. When actions are aligned with personal truth rather than pressure, consistency becomes natural. I remind clients that we’re not aiming for perfection — we’re building habits that reflect who they want to become.

I help clients:

• break intentions into simple, doable actions
• create routines that feel supportive, not stressful
• understand their patterns and where the resistance comes from

If someone can only change ONE thing in their routine, what should it be — and why?

I would invite them to choose one anchoring ritual, a moment in the day that grounds them.

For some, it’s a gentle morning ritual: setting an intention before stepping into the world. For others, it’s an evening wind-down: reducing screen time, softening the nervous system, and preparing the mind for deep rest.

It doesn’t matter which moment they choose — what matters is the consistency. One grounding ritual can shift the entire nervous system, increase self-awareness, and create a ripple effect across the whole day.

What’s the most common pattern or belief that holds clients back from making progress?

The belief that they need to change everything at once.

Many people feel they must be “ready,” “motivated,” or “perfect” before they can begin — and that mindset keeps them frozen. Another common belief is that caring for themselves is somehow selfish or secondary. I help clients dismantle these beliefs gently. Change doesn’t require a dramatic restart. It asks for honesty, intention, and the willingness to take one small step at a time.

How do you keep clients motivated when progress feels slow, subtle, or invisible?

Progress is often quiet — and I remind my clients of that constantly.

I bring them back to the small wins: the shifts in awareness, the new thoughts, the choice they made differently today. I stay positive, patient, and understanding, because motivation naturally rises and falls, and that’s part of being human.

When progress feels slow, we zoom out. We reflect on how far they’ve come, even if the changes are subtle. I help them see that consistency is already progress — and that tiny shifts accumulate into transformation when we stay committed.

What would you say to someone in mid-life who feels like it’s “too late” to make big changes?

I would say: it’s never too late to choose yourself.

Mid-life is not an ending — it’s a powerful beginning. You’re stepping into a chapter where you have more clarity, more self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. Change made at this stage is often the most meaningful and long-lasting. Your body and mind are always capable of adapting. What matters is intention — and the belief that you deserve a life that feels aligned and nourishing.

“Mid-life is not an ending — it’s a powerful beginning.”

How do you adapt your coaching for clients in their 40s, 50s, or 60s?

With clients in mid-life, I place even more emphasis on gentle sustainability. At this stage, people often have rich life experience, responsibilities, and routines that cannot simply be “reset.” I help them create habits that feel realistic, grounding, and deeply supportive — without pressure or overwhelm.

So we:

• work with their current lifestyle, not against it
• honour their energy levels
• focus on what supports lifelong wellbeing, not short bursts of motivation

How do you guide clients through the emotional side of change — not just the physical habits?

We don’t rush the emotional process. We approach it with compassion, curiosity, and patience — because emotional clarity is what makes physical change possible.

I guide clients through:

• understanding their patterns
• recognising old beliefs that no longer serve them
• building awareness around triggers and self-talk
• creating a home and daily rhythm that supports their emotional wellbeing

When someone says they “don’t have time,” how do you help them reframe that mindset?

I gently remind them that time reflects values, beliefs, and priorities, not availability. There is always time for what supports your wellbeing, but sometimes we need awareness to see it. Through HOLO, we make “time” feel possible by simplifying, grounding, and aligning actions with what they value most.

We explore:

• where their time is going
• what truly matters to them
• what small shifts could create space

Thank you, Petra, for sharing such thoughtful wisdom amd gentle guidance, Your work with HOLO reminds us that wellbeing is'nt something we chase, - it's something we create, moment by moment, through the spaces we live in and the intentions we bring to everyday life. Your insights will no doubt inspire many to slow down, reconnect and live more conciously.

 One final question , how does anyone interested in finding out more get in touch

Yes, of course. If you’re curious to learn more, or if something from our conversation resonates with you, please do reach out. You can find HOLO at www.holo-living.com, and I’m always on Instagram @holo_living_com - I reply to every DM personally.