When we are kids, life is possible. My heroes were Disney princesses who followed the whispers in their hearts beyond the life they knew to experience something greater. Along the way they are told to stop, that they’re going too far, that they’ll fail, but they keep going because they must. Unlike my heroes, I listened to life’s limits and put my heart and its dreams on a shelf.
Decades went by. I grew up, I learned to value my rational mind. I invested in it, got advanced degrees strengthening it, and built a career as an attorney out of it. The culture of work taught me how to “be the job,” and I mastered pushing through 20-hour days with a perma-smile on my face. I was operating on autopilot, scrambling up the corporate ladder as fast as I could because I thought I should. Eventually, the gravity of depression pulled me down off the ladder.
I built a new life as an entrepreneur. I poured myself into what I was told to do to succeed: accelerators, advisors, and learning new skills. But I was still burned out and overwhelmed.
When we are kids, life is possible. My heroes were princesses who followed the whispers in their hearts beyond the life they knew to experience something greater. Along the way they are told to stop, that they’re going too far, that they’ll fail, but they keep going because they must. Unlike my heroes, I listened to life’s limits and put my heart and its dreams on a shelf.
Decades went by. I grew up, I learned to value my rational mind. I invested in it, got advanced degrees strengthening it, and built a career as an attorney out of it. The culture of work taught me how to “be the job,” and I mastered pushing through 20-hour days with a perma-smile on my face. I was operating on autopilot, scrambling up the corporate ladder as fast as I could because I thought I should. Eventually, the gravity of depression pulled me down off the ladder.
I built a new life as an entrepreneur. I poured myself into what I was told to do to succeed: accelerators, advisors, and learning new skills. But I was still burned out and overwhelmed.
Not knowing where to look, I turned my gaze inward.
My heart whispered to me, and I listened. Traveling six continents, I grew and stretched past what I thought were my limits. Beyond any far-flung corner of the planet, the most powerful place I explored was what I had left on the shelf all those years ago: myself.
Tuning into myself has led to the biggest results in my entire life. I discovered a dream that was patiently waiting for me to dust it off and notice it. This dream was to create a life, a career, a marriage, a family, and a legacy that is 100% authentic.
I’ve experienced heartache, the fragility of life, the strength of love, and the impermanence of the things we build and hope to protect in this world. My bank account has dropped to zero, I’ve grieved a child who was never born, and I’ve faced depression and disease. I’ve also had my wellness company acquired, married the man of my dreams, and stepped into the invaluable role of a mother to my children. I’ve written an award-winning book, Atlas of Being, been invited on the TEDx stage, and spoken to global audiences of massively successful people about taking a closer look at the legacy they are creating.
Not knowing what to do, I turned my gaze inward.
My heart whispered to me, and I listened. Traveling six continents, I grew and stretched past what I thought were my limits. Beyond any far-flung corner of the planet, the most powerful place I explored was what I had left on the shelf all those years ago: myself.
Tuning into myself has led to the biggest results in my entire life. I discovered a dream that was patiently waiting for me to dust it off and notice it. This dream was to create a life, a career, a marriage, a family, and a legacy that is 100% authentic.
I’ve experienced heartache, the fragility of life, the strength of love, and the impermanence of the things we build and hope to protect in this world. My bank account has dropped to zero, I’ve grieved a child who was never born, and I’ve faced depression and disease. I’ve also had my wellness company acquired, married the man of my dreams, and stepped into the invaluable role of a mother to my children. I’ve published an award-winning book, Atlas of Being, been invited on the TEDx stage, and spoken to global audiences of massively successful people about taking a closer look at the legacy they are creating.
I had been taught to believe that fairytales aren’t real, but I’ve learned that when we connect to the deepest parts of who we are, life becomes limitless. I cheer my daughter on as she twirls around singing along to her generation’s Disney princesses about “How far I’ll go.”
It turned out my old and overwhelming feeling that life was limited became my gift in working with high performers. I am gifted at seeing what is possible for others–even when they can’t see it for themselves. My clients have done amazing things. They are successful, passionate, and thoughtful, yet what lies ahead is still a really big stretch beyond what they know.
Read my insights to discover your own, plus get 3 chapters of my book Atlas of Being.
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