Welcome to a new series: “In Harmony with…” in which we invite people who inspire us to share their stories.

For this first edition, we chatted with Brett Helsham, a mother, interior designer, and rare disease advocate living in New York City. After finding out her son, Luka, inherited a rare, X-linked, loss-of-function mutation in the ATP6AP2 gene (the fourth known case in the world at the time, and the only one in the US), she co-founded a foundation, the Luka Shai Foundation, to find a cure.

Describe the journey that brought you to where you are.

I always dreamed of motherhood, but nothing prepares you for the complexity of raising a child with complex medical needs while still being present for the others. The path isn’t linear - some days are harder than others—but I learn alongside them every day. I was Brett the interior designer, the boss mum running a decade-old business. Now I’m Brett, the mother of three, juggling these three little startups, and navigating a world that asks you to give everything. Pausing that chapter wasn’t easy, but I don’t see it as an ending. Everything that brought me here has shaped me, and I feel like I’m only just beginning.

Mornings or evenings?

Honestly, neither!! But if I had to choose, mornings. Bedtime comes with its own kind of PTSD, and mornings at least give you a fresh start, no matter what happened the day before. Plus, somehow getting the kids out the door is always quicker than getting them to sleep. 

Describe your ideal morning.

Ideal is very different from real. Ideally—and I try every day—I wake up before the kids, meditate, make coffee, and journal, feeling ready to start the day on my own terms. Reality? Shaken awake, painfully earlier before the alarm even goes off, sipping cold coffee while making breakfast that no one eats, wandering from room to room forgetting why I went there in the first place, yelling ‘We’re going to be late!’ a thousand times, and chasing kids with shoes and toothbrushes in hand. Motherhood, am I right? But I wouldn’t have it any other way

Have you always been comfortable with your skin?

Ooooh, this is a hard one. I think all women struggle with this. I’ve been tall, active, and confident most of my life. Even cystic acne as a 16 year old couldn’t bring me down! But after my third pregnancy in my 40s, bouncing back got… harder. That’s when the low self esteem started to creep in. My body went straight from postpartum into perimenopause—I couldn’t lose the last 20 pounds, wrinkles popped up, memory slipped, hair changed… and I freaked out. I could hardly recognize myself—inside AND out.  But spoiler alert: It turns out that’s life as a woman. But it doesn’t have to be, so I took back control. Over the last year, I’ve focused on balancing my hormones, supporting my microbiome, taking SSRIs, and have been doing a lot of self-reflection. And honestly? ACTUALLY, for the first time, I feel truly comfortable in my skin—and in my life.

Favorite skincare ritual?

I’m a total sauna junkie. I start with the My July Magnetic Copper Dry Brush and then sweat it out. For me, it’s not just about moving toxins or clearing mental blocks (though it totally does that). I meditate, read, or catch up on research—it’s my quiet time.

Saunas do more than help you relax, they give your body a mini tune-up. The heat stimulates your cells, especially your mitochondria, your body’s energy factories, helping them repair damage, create new mitochondria, and clear out old, worn-out proteins through a process called autophagy. The result? More energy, healthier, more resilient skin, and a body that feels like it’s running smoother. That’s why people walk out of a sauna not just sweaty, but glowing, energized, and rejuvenated from the inside out.

I know the science behind it because I’ve spent years studying mitochondria—not just for myself, but for my son. It’s made me deeply aware of how critical mitochondrial health is. Sauna is one way I can engage with that science in my own body—while feeling rejuvenated and centered. It’s my ritual for wellness, perspective, and a little self-care all in one.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten from your mom?

Always buckle your seatbelt, wear a helmet when biking, and leave the party while you’re still having fun. Practical advice, I still do to this day.

What are you working on right now?

Trying not to lose my sanity!!! Jokes aside, this is my ‘mum’ era. My main job is making sure these humans are thriving and making sure my own health is strong, so I don’t get left behind! But I’m also deeply engaged in the foundation I co-founded with my partner, the Luka Shai Foundation. We have several research agreements happening globally. Our son’s disease doesn’t have a cure, so we’re working on novel therapeutics. We’re currently testing on his cells and soon in animal models. I’m also focused on our community: finding other patients, and supporting patient advocacy. 

What does living in harmony mean to you?

Living in harmony, to me, means finding balance between the chaos and the calm. It’s being present with my kids, honoring my own needs, and making space for connection, creativity, and rest. It’s not about perfection—it’s about flow: listening to my body, trusting my instincts, and making choices that align with my values, so my life feels centered even when it’s messy.

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Interviewed & Photographed by Micaela Hoo, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, My July