CHANTELLE Goulevitch was front page news when she was born and now the self-confessed gypsy has returned home to Moranbah from New York to help people gain self-positivity and share her acting knowledge.

Ms Goulevitch moved to New York after completing a bachelor's degree in Applied Theatre and Management.

Her Moranbah workshops are titled 'Taking your right place on stage', 'The whole self' and 'The illusion of stress and boredom' and are designed for teens and adults.

Why was your birth on the cover of the paper?

I want to tell you that I was very important but it was just a slow news week in this tiny town.

That and my parents were crazy for trying fourth time lucky for a girl.

Why are you holding these workshops in Moranbah?

I've been doing this kind of work with adults in New York over the last four years and since I facilitated high school workshops for four years before that, I spoke to mum about bringing it home for the teenagers.

Originally it was a flippant idea to manage the culture shock of coming home. However, mum was chatting with some women at a barbecue and in true small-town-Australia style, they jumped at it, expressing a need in town.

The same women have been supporting me ever since and these workshops wouldn't be happening without them.

Do you think people will relate to what you're saying because you're from the area?

Most people relate to this work because it is a shared human experience. It's been a long while since I've been engaged with this town, so I think I'll be the one relating to the participants.

It's been good to reconnect with my roots and the spirit of small towns.　

Do you think Moranbah made you curious about the outside world?

I loved growing up here as a child but as a typical teen all I wanted to do was leave - I fled, really.

I'd say the outside world made me curious about Moranbah. Travelling helped me appreciate the beauty of my home town.

What do people need to be happier?

I find it difficult to comprehend a universal understanding of happiness. I also worry about the implication of the constant search for 'happier'. I prefer to find satisfaction - unfortunately no one can tell us how to get that. It's a solo journey for us all. However, as mentioned above, we can look for guidance.

How do you stay positive?

Positive psychology has revealed a wealth of knowledge about how humans thrive. It's a relatively new field (the past two decades) and although we already know so many ways that better serve us, it's difficult to apply that knowledge. Many of us repeat old behaviours because we are completely oblivious of ourselves.

I think the first step is conscious awareness of our thoughts. One thing I've noticed is that the negativity you speak of others comes back tenfold when your inner critic turns on you - and it always does. First you have to hear the toxicity you're speaking, to others or yourself.

That goes both ways - glorifying others can hurt us just as much as vilifying them. It's an altered judgment of reality and unfair expectations for anyone.

Equally as important is conscious awareness of our physical self. There is a lot of research being done on the intelligence of our bodies, in particular the enteric nervous system and it's relationship to the community of microbes that our bodies host.

This research is suggesting that feelings such as our 'gut instinct' or 'butterflies' are responses of neurons in the gut communicating with those in the brain rather than the other way around. Even though we are still very naive about the enteric nervous system's impact on the body, since our　gastrointestinal tract is the largest producer of serotonin (one of the main neurotransmitters that contribute to well-being and happiness), I believe it has to have some impact on our mental health.　

Yet when our bodies are experiencing heightened sensations, we can often blame it for failing us or going rogue. I believe that through raising our physical awareness, we can open that communication channel and learn to trust our bodies.　

What kind of tools can people use?

In my experience, everyone has their own answers. If you find the right method, it'll offer you the tools that will allow you to connect with yourself for long enough to hear them.

The methods are endless, though I often find we need help revealing them. I personally think that our bodies are far more intelligent than our brains, so I look for methods that allow me to connect my mind with my body.

Should parents encourage teens to attend?

Yes, this work is perfect for the start of term four. It will help students engage more consciously with their work during what is usually a difficult period.

Additionally, while teens typically enjoy these activities, it isn't the kind of workshop that they sign themselves up for - especially in the school holidays. Neither would I have when I was a teen, so it might take some 'encouragement' from parents.

What are you tips to teens living in Moranbah and other remote areas?

This work has to be experienced to be learned so I'm less inclined to give tips. Instead I encourage participants to find what works for them. Having said that, we don't know what we don't know, so I do introduce clear questions and then establish an environment and tools that enable exploration.

What will be the focus of the acting workshop?

To some degree it will be shaped by what work is brought into the room by the participants. However, it will focuses on the preparation needed before you even take the stage. It is a chance to understand the necessary work of an artist and find ways to maintain your youthful sense of play.

Is it open to anyone?

Yes, it's open to anyone over 13, including adults and no, you don't have to have done anything drama-related to attend.　

Where's your favourite place in the world?

I'm a bit of a gypsy. I don't have a favourite place so much as I love new places. However, after four years of a New York winter I'll take anywhere that's warm.　

What have you learned from your travels?

I'll write that book another day. But I did learn that travelling alone is an incredible opportunity to get to know some of the more foreign parts of yourself. I'd recommend it to anyone. I'm always less lonely when I travel alone than when I travel with friends.　

Are you going anywhere else?

I'll never stop travelling. I don't think you could name a country I wouldn't want to go to. It's all just a question of priority based on time and money. For now I'm just focusing on living six months in Australia and six months in New York. I'm sure I'll squeeze some cheeky visits to other countries in among those commutes.　

• For more information about the Moranbah workshops for teens and adults, visit Chantelle's website at www.chantellegoulevitch.com.