– Advertisement –
Transcend Tribe is an independent community space built on one simple belief: everyone deserves to find their people.
At the heart of their mission is the idea that wellbeing should be a right, not a luxury, and they’ve created an inclusive, welcoming home where everybody is invited to belong.
Far more than a studio, Transcend Tribe has grown into a holistic community hub. Inside, you’ll find everything from the Soul Tribe Kitchen and a community shop to talking therapies, sound journeys, yoga, Pilates, reiki, crystal healing and more.
Every offering is designed to nurture mind, body and community, creating a space where healing feels accessible, human and connected.
Transcend Tribe
Transcend tribe ariel soundbath
In 2017, founder Paulo Byron Still created Transcend Tribe after the intense pressure of his corporate career left him unwell with severe vertigo, ultimately forcing him to leave his job. The debilitating condition brought challenges he had never experienced before and marked a turning point in his life.
Paolo Tribe founder
With anxiety and low mood dominating his life, Paulo tried several different approaches to support his well-being. He tried counselling, reiki, and psychotherapy. Through his exploration of these therapies, a whole new world of wellbeing opened up to him.
“the name is about rising up to meet your own potential and going beyond what you believe your limits are”
He told I Love Manchester that he chose to confront his challenges head-on, learning to “transcend”, to rise above and go beyond what he believed were his limits, through the power of his mind. He spoke passionately about the danger of boxing yourself in with your own thoughts and the labels that often come with illness.
“For me, the name is about rising up to meet your own potential and going beyond what you believe your limits are. When I was struggling, I thought, ‘This is it. This is who I am now.’ We often get stuck with the label of an illness or condition.
“I was diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, an incredibly debilitating condition, and I was told I would have it for life. I don’t have vertigo anymore. I genuinely believe that the work I do, and the practices I’ve committed to, played a huge part in that. It’s been transformative.”
How to make well-being accessible
Motivated by his own challenges, Paulo wanted to create a space that was inclusive for all and allowed people to experience their own healing.
“My goal was to bring wellbeing into a more mainstream space, and make it accessible physically and financially”
He told us, “My motivation came directly from my own contrast, my own challenges. At the time, I had a good job, so I could afford to explore these therapies. But so many people who are struggling simply can’t.
For many, well-being isn’t accessible. Sometimes financially, sometimes because they’re not even aware these practices exist. My goal was to bring wellbeing into a more mainstream space, and make it accessible physically and financially.”
Transcend Tribe hold the slogan ‘wellbeing isn’t a luxury, it’s a right’ with pride and embody it through their accessible prices, and works with teachers and practitioners who share that commitment to the community.
Paulo told us: “If someone still can’t afford to access a class or treatment, they can come and speak to us. We have multiple pathways to support people, with referrals, local discounts, and sponsorship through our café, Soul Tribe Kitchen, which donates all its proceeds to the CIC.
“Some people volunteer in the café in exchange for classes or treatments. Our volunteering programme also helps people gain skills, rebuild confidence, and move towards employment, so it combats isolation too.”
Wellbeing Matters programme
In Salford, the Wellbeing Matters programme regularly refers people into Transcend’s activities. Last year alone, around 280 individuals were connected with the centre through various referral routes. They hope to double that number in the coming year, though this will depend on future funding opportunities.
Paulo told us, “The CIC is absolutely essential to what we do. Personally, I wouldn’t want to run a business that didn’t have that community element at its core.”
The importance of community lies at the heart of tackling isolation and loneliness. The World Health Organisation links loneliness to around 100 deaths every hour, more than 870,000 lives lost each year. Around one in six people worldwide are affected, with loneliness increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline and early death. It doesn’t just harm the body, but the mind too.
“Connection alone is healing”
This is why Paolo and his community are so passionate about creating a safe space that people can feel like they can go to, to be seen and heard without judgement.
Transcend tribe community
He told I Love MCR: “When I was struggling, I had friends, but I was fairly new to Manchester and didn’t have a big support network. I wanted somewhere where I felt safe, seen and heard. At the time, there wasn’t anywhere quite like Transcend.
“Building a community was the first step. Once people started coming together, feeling safe enough to open up, to try new things, to meet others. We saw how much healing can happen simply through connection. When people share stories and positive experiences, their nervous system begins to settle. Connection alone is healing.”
Paolo spoke of how the body shifts into a state of ‘rest and digest’ when practising any mindfulness like reiki, sound healing or meditation, and how, over time, the little consistent practices turn into big changes.
He explained how, when people are referred to them, they offer an initial block of three to six courses, allowing for wellbeing to become a part of their regular routine.
Transcend community kitchen
“Most of us at Transcend haven’t arrived in wellbeing from a place of ease. We’ve come through contraction, challenge and lived experience. That’s why we can connect so deeply with the people who walk through our doors.”
One of the biggest things that they’re proud of creating is the diversity of their community. He continued: “Our demographic is incredibly broad: financially, culturally, and in terms of age. We have people who can afford to come to every class they want, and people who can’t afford to come at all unless we support them.
“Our age range runs from four years old, in our mum-and-baby and family sessions, right through to older adults.”
Humans of Transcend Tribe
So many people have been healed by becoming a part of the tribe. Paolo fondly told us of a standout, heartfelt human story from someone who has benefited from becoming a part of the community they’ve built.
Telling us of someone who had been referred to them, with acrophobia, whilst simultaneously battling loneliness.
“It doesn’t matter that we’ve lost a volunteer; we’ve supported someone back into life”
After three months of phone calls, starting with walking to the door, then to the gate and eventually going out alone with the dog.
Paolo proudly stated, “It took around six months, but they made it. They began taking classes, and now, about a year later, they volunteer with us. They leave the house every day. Nothing holds them back anymore. Even more incredible, they now support other people who are experiencing similar challenges.
“Their journey is personal to me because when I struggled with vertigo, I also didn’t want to leave the house. Stories like this aren’t unusual in our community. Many of our volunteers originally came through the referral process themselves.
“Some eventually move back into work. One of our volunteers recently left because he felt ready to return to employment. For us, that’s a success story. It doesn’t matter that we’ve lost a volunteer; we’ve supported someone back into life.”
To join the Transcend Tribe community, click here and follow them on Instagram to stay updated on events and classes.
– Advertisement –