Daily Inspiration: Meet Tommee May

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tommee May.

Hi Tommee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Los Angeles, and from an early age, I was captivated by the magnetism of the entertainment industry. In many ways, I feel like I was partially raised by television and film. I was fascinated by the power of storytelling and its ability to move people, transcend cultures, and have a profound global impact. That passion eventually led me into producing and, for a time, acting.

But alongside my work in film, I was on my own journey inward. I was deeply curious about the human experience, the mind-body connection, and how we heal. I traveled to India to study yoga and meditation, spent time in Bali learning from different energy healers, and explored alternative healing modalities. At the time, practices like acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda weren’t nearly as mainstream in the west as they are today, but I was drawn to their wisdom and their more holistic approach to well-being.

My curiosity was also deeply personal. I had family members who struggled with mental health, and I experienced my own challenges with anxiety and depression. I wanted to understand how we could care for ourselves in more natural, integrated ways—not just address symptoms, but create a deeper sense of balance in the body, calm in the mind, and connection within ourselves.

Over time, all of these experiences began to converge into a vision. I imagined a holistic, regenerative ranch that could serve as a healing community space—a place where people could gather, reconnect with nature, and remember who they truly are beneath all the noise and expectations of modern life. I wanted to create a space that reminded people that we aren’t separate from nature; we are nature.

Today, that vision is a reality. We have this beautiful, sacred space nestled in the hills of Malibu, where people can come together, slow down, reconnect, and experience a different way of being. Instead of creating stories for people to watch, I’m now doing what I can to help create experiences that people can feel, live, and carry with them long after they leave.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would love to see a smooth road! But I do believe that how we meet challenges shapes the path. Sometimes what’s in the way becomes the way.
I certainly didn’t think growing up with depression and anxiety would lead to anything good. I just wanted to feel better. But looking back, those struggles shaped so much of my purpose and gave me deeper compassion for others in the thick of their own challenges.

There have also been hard lessons in trust. I once worked closely with a teacher in whom I’d placed great faith, and that relationship ended in a painful betrayal. It taught me discernment and not to give my power away. It’s made me much more careful about who I invite into the ranch community, because when you’re creating a space centered on healing and vulnerability, the integrity of the people holding it matters enormously.

Living here means living with the land’s realities. The fires in Malibu and the Palisades were harrowing, and their effects are still with us. They’re a constant reminder of how much is beyond our control, how precious the places we love are, and how important it is to stay adaptable when everything changes.
We don’t need to romanticize hardship or pretend everything happens for a reason. Some things are simply painful. But I believe we can learn from them, let them deepen us, and use what we’ve learned to create something meaningful.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the founder of ‘Awa’y Malibu Ranch, a holistic, regenerative space in the hills of Malibu where people can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and deepen their connection to nature and one another. Families, couples, and groups of friends can stay at the ranch house and enjoy a private sanctuary with experiences and programming thoughtfully curated just for them. We also offer day retreats, and rentals for private events.

We offer a variety of experiences, from equine-guided empowerment sessions with our partner, The Reflective Horse, to walking meditations, yoga, sound baths, and farm-to-table experiences featuring food and herbs from our regenerative gardens. We also have three horses on the property whose presence brings another layer of grounding, connection, and personal reflection to the space.

What sets ‘Awa’y apart is that it’s not centered on any one healing modality. It’s about the experience as a whole: being immersed in nature, surrounded by intentional beauty, and having the space to step away from the noise of everyday life. We’re thoughtful about the facilitators we bring in and the experiences we offer because the integrity and intention behind each one matter deeply to us. People have shared that being here feels like an exhale. We are minutes from the city but miles away.

What I’m most proud of is bringing this vision to life. It was a calling that was out of the box to put it nicely and I followed my gut to create a place where people can gather, feel supported, and reconnect with themselves and the natural world. My own journey has deeply informed this work, and I know firsthand how important it is to find practices and environments that help us feel supported, nourished, grounded, and connected. Ultimately, I hope ‘Awa’y serves as a reminder that we are part of nature, not separate from it, and that sometimes we simply need the right space to remember who we are.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family brings me deep happiness. Being a mother has given me a depth of love, fulfillment and perspective that can only be experienced. I also find so much joy in the simple things: sitting with my back against a tree, observing the horses, getting my hands in the soil, walking barefoot on wet sand, sharing a meal with people I love, and laughing.

I’m happiest when I’m creating something meaningful and bringing people together. Seeing guests arrive at ‘Awa’y carrying the weight of their busy lives and watching them slowly soften, reconnect, and find a sense of peace is incredibly fulfilling.

Happiness for me is found in the small, present moments when you can slow down enough to appreciate what’s right in front of you. It’s about connection, purpose, and being able to experience the beauty of this life alongside the people I love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.awaymalibu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaymalibu

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