Our Heritage

In 1956, local council workers descended on a quiet street in Auckland, New Zealand. They were tasked with tearing down a 200 year old, native pohutakawa tree, renowned for its healing properties. What the municipal employees didn’t expect was the scene of protest that greeted them and that history was about to be made.

Rana, a small but statuesque mother of five, was standing firmly in front of them, shielding the tree from the tragic felling that was about to begin. She warned the workers not to approach her and refused to move, selflessly protecting the centuries-old indigenous species by tying herself to the tree. Rana succeeded in her mission and the tree was saved so that it, as well as many others, could remain standing today.

Rana was my grandmother. Named after Madagascan royalty, where her grandparents lived, Ranavalona lived up to her regal name.  A progressive woman, she fought to preserve the world around her while ensuring others were conscious of the mark they made. Although we moved away from Auckland and our beloved tree, first to Asia and eventually settling in London, Rana’s principles and spirit live on.

After a successful career owning and running One On One, a personal training studio in Notting Hill, I embarked on a mission to support others on their wellbeing journeys while being an advocate for sustainable craftsmanship. I founded M Life, which is dedicated to my wonderful grandmother and everything she stood for. Rana has since passed away, but what she believed in did not. Her values and dedication are at the heart of the M Life brand today.