If you had met Derryn Scott a few years ago, you might not have recognised her as the vibrant, empowered woman she is today. A feminine leadership coach and yoga instructor, Derryn has battled depression, anxiety and insecurity and now dedicates her life to helping others find a path to healing.
Born and raised in Durban, Derryn always had a rebellious streak. After graduating with a degree in business and marketing, the call for adventure was too strong to ignore. She booked a one-way ticket to France, CV in hand, and set off to find work on the yachts.
What followed was an exciting but challenging chapter – one filled with rejection, long hours and the constant pressure of living in close quarters with a crew. “You can’t escape,” Derryn laughs. “You have to make peace with people you don’t always enjoy!” But beneath the adventure, the isolation and stress began to take their toll.
THE BREAKING POINT
“I fell into a really dark space, almost a full-blown depression for six months,” she shares. “I kept praying for signs, and somehow, they always came – a stranger’s kind words, a perfectly timed quote. It was like God was nudging me forward.”
Determined to heal, she followed an inner calling to Bali, where she trained as a yoga instructor. “It was life-changing,” she says. “I realised the problem wasn’t me – I had outgrown my environment.” Armed with a new sense of self, she returned to the yachts, this time bringing her yoga, meditation and breathwork practice with her.
LOCKDOWN AND A NEW CHAPTER
Then covid hit. Stranded in Spain, Derryn found herself in yet another unexpected chapter – living with a local family, teaching their children English, and, for the first time, finding comfort in the presence of pets. But it was during these months of lockdown that her real transformation began. “I stumbled upon a life coach who completely changed my perspective,” she says.
This experience became the foundation of her work today. Now back home in South Africa, Derryn helps others navigate their own journeys of healing and self-discovery. Working with Jumeirah Thanda Safari as a yoga instructor and wellness events coordinator, at a rehab in Ballito, and with private clients and corporate retreats, keeps her busy. Whether through yoga, breathwork, meditation, or one-on-one empowerment mentoring, her approach is rooted in personal experience.
“I tell my clients, ‘You don’t need me – this is a luxury. You already have everything within you to heal.’ My job is just to give them the tools.”
SHARING THE LOVE
Her philosophy is simple: trauma can be transformed into purpose. “I love working with people who have been through something challenging and who want more from life,” she says. “Watching them shift their perspective, seeing them rediscover their power – it’s the most rewarding thing in the world.”
For Derryn, life isn’t about staying in one place for too long. With retreats, workshops, and new collaborations on the horizon, she’s always on the move. But one thing remains constant – her passion for helping others find the light she once struggled to see in herself.
“Everything I teach, I’ve lived,” she says. “And if I can come out stronger, so can you.”
Details: www.derrynscott.com; scottderryn@gmail.com;
IG: @thederrynscott
Text: Jennifer Campbell
Photographs: Olivia Robinson Photography
Makeup: Michelle Haywood
Outfit: Verbe Activewear
Shoes: New Earth
