Wellness entrepreneur Emma Tamplin has published a book titled "The Journey Home," in which she shares her personal story of overcoming grief and depression following the loss of her daughter to leukaemia during her university studies. Tamplin graduated from Swansea University with a BSc in Business Management in 2022 and later completed a master’s degree in psychology.
In her book, Tamplin addresses women who may feel they have lost their sense of self after years of prioritizing others. “This book is for the woman who has spent their life showing up for everyone else, only to reach their forties or fifties and realise she’s lost sight of who she is somewhere along the way,” she said.
Tamplin credits Swansea University with playing a crucial role in her recovery. “Swansea University literally saved my life after Megan died at 15. There were times when I genuinely didn't know if I could continue. But my degree became my lifeline - it gave me a reason to get up in the morning, structure when my world had fallen apart, and hope when I had none," she said.
She hopes that sharing her experiences will encourage other women facing similar challenges. “The book shares my message to women in midlife who are struggling with mental health, grief, or feeling lost: you can get through the darkest times and still find the light again. I'm living proof.”
As part of her postgraduate research, Tamplin explored the link between imposter syndrome and female entrepreneurship, which inspired much of the content for her book. She stated: “I feel older people, particularly women, have so much to give but often they end up feeling invisible and can lose their identity. Once they hit their forties they fear if they haven’t achieved what they wanted to, then they never will. But it is never too late.”
Originally from Neath, Tamplin began her first business in her early twenties and now focuses on coaching women through her wellness enterprise. “I provide a more holistic approach to life coaching, to inspire women to fulfil their potential rather than telling them what to do. I want to equip them the basic tools to help them succeed. Wellness is not about spending money, it is about simple changes - things like walking or practising mindfulness can make a huge difference to how you feel,” she explained.
Tamplin says these strategies helped her after losing her daughter: “Megan’s death changed everything and some of those changes have been very positive. It led to me becoming a better person. Her legacy has been to push me towards achieving more.”
She also discussed how leaving school with few qualifications initially affected her confidence but starting a business helped restore it. A leadership qualification eventually led Tamplin to enroll at Swansea University at age 37.
“Since I started at Swansea I haven’t looked back, it changed my life. I may have been the oldest person on my course, but I loved it straight away. And although lockdown was very challenging, continuing to study in difficult circumstances really helped to build strength and character,” she said.
“At university I learned how to argue, how to question and how to research. You learn a different way of thinking and are open to other people’s thought processes. These are all skills you need in the workplace.”
Tamplin encourages others considering higher education as mature students: “I want to encourage more people to consider going to university as mature students. It helped me to get to where I am in life.
“The education system we have here in Wales is a gift and age really is no barrier. So why not go for it, challenge yourself and reach for your dreams?”
More information about Swansea University's School of Management can be found online.