Rising Woman ~ Jaylene Welch

I'm super excited to introduce Jaylene Welch to The Rising Woman Project as her story has inspired me since first seeing her back in 2012. Although I think we've only met once or twice in person, I feel like we have traveled parallel paths in many ways. Thank you for sharing your story here, Jaylene!

Rising Womxn ~ Linda Schwartz

I am deeply honored to introduce our first Rising Woman interview of 2019, my very dear friend, Linda Schwartz! Linda & I quickly became friends in 2011 while we both were diving into the transformational work of Landmark's curriculum for living. Over the years our paths have weaved in and out and it has been such a joy to watch her evolve and see the beautiful life that she's creating today. 

In this interview, Linda takes us through her journey of personal growth and self discovery from a treacherous childhood to becoming a woman who is empowered and making a difference in the world today. 

Not a Single Mom...

Ok, I am a Single Mom.

But not by the terms that you probably just read that.

She Remembered Who She Was...

There is a storm raging inside of me. It has always been there. Only now I embrace it. All in.

I am a strong woman. Fierce. Loyal. Bold. Powerful. Unshakeable.

Even When We Don’t Want To...

I just got home from a long day, I’m tired and I don’t want to write tonight. 

I don’t have a plan and I don’t have it all figured out. Welcome to life. 

Here I am anyway. 

Letting Myself Be Drawn...

This is my first post on my new mission of daily blogging! Thank you for being here. I hope you will strap in and stick around for the roller coaster of it all. 

Today I'm just going to out-poor what's there...

Rising Woman ~ Anna Neimark

Happy Birthday, Rising Woman, Anna Neimark! 

It is an honor to share your beautifully brave and courageous story here, and a pleasure to call you my friend. Thank you, and may the year bring you continued success and happiness!

Who are you and what do you do for a living?

As a personal fashion stylist, I empower women to show up in full alignment with who they really, authentically are, so that they can be unleashed in making their mark on the world. I teach women how to dress the bodies they have (not the bodies they once had or wish they had), using style as an access to self-acceptance and self-love. I quit a stable, comfortable engineering career to follow my passion and purpose with the intention that through my work, body dysmorphia and eating disorders will one day cease to exist.

Tell me about your family, if applicable.
I was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. My parents split up when I was five, and my mom left me with my grandparents for close to two years while she went to America to set up her life. I would see my dad, who traveled a lot internationally for work as a geologist, on weekends. On January 2nd, 1995, my mom brought me to New York. I grew up in Brooklyn with her and my step dad, Stuart. When I was 13, my mom was diagnosed with brain cancer. When I was 15, she passed away and I moved to Lakewood, Colorado to live with my dad, who had set up his own life by then with my step mom, Irene, and stepbrother, Alex.

What is your story?
If you had asked me three years ago what I’d always wanted to do with my life but never saw as possible, I would’ve told you “something in fashion." I have an engineering background and was working at an engineering company. I’d consulted friends and family on their wardrobes and provided shopping guidance for as long as I could remember (I was that one friend who would take you shopping, bring you ten items, and you’d walk out with all ten, leaving behind whatever you had brought in), but it had never occurred to me that I could turn that into an actual—never mind lucrative—career. I also wasn’t raised in an environment that supported that kind of thinking; I came from a family of engineers and scientists and had followed in my stepbrother’s footsteps to receive an Engineering Physics degree from one of the top engineering schools in the country. (Problem was, it was never quite a fit for me; I was just pretending.)

Then, in December 2014, I read about a website called Keaton Row on one of my favorite blogs (Refinery29) and was intrigued by the idea of regular people signing up to virtually style women across the nation—and getting paid for it. I signed up, despite that voice in my head telling me, “What the hell are you doing? You’re an engineer!” I proceeded to style eight clients over the next six months, until the site began to work with only NYC-based stylists. Defeated, I thought, “OK, guess that was too good to last. Back to reality I go.”

Right after my tenure with Keaton Row ended, in May 2015, I had a tonsillectomy, which involved a much more difficult recovery process than expected, and left me depressed and resigned about my life. I was in a career I despised and a crap relationship, and I would cry myself out of bed in the morning and drink myself to sleep every night. I was a total victim of my circumstances, seeing no way out of the dark tunnel I had found myself in. And I could totally see my life continuing to go that way.

But I took an unreasonable action: on a friend’s recommendation, I took a personal and professional development course called the Landmark Forum in June, and over the span of its 3.5 days, my perspective shifted 180 degrees. I saw that I no longer had to be at the whim of my circumstances and could actually create the life that I wanted. I realized that I deserved to be happy and could do whatever I wanted with my life. So I signed up for Thumbtack (an app that connects service providers with customers) and took on personal shopping clients. I took the Stylist and Personal Stylist certification courses at the School of Style in LA. I shared my passion with anyone and everyone, which landed me front row at the Nolcha Shows during New York Fashion Week in September.

Through continuing to participate at Landmark and taking on its 7.5 month long leadership program, I discovered my “why”: that around me, people are empowered, confident, and loving themselves. Through style, my goal is to empower people (and especially women) to accept and love the bodies they have, not the bodies they wish they had, so that body dysmorphia and eating disorders one day cease to exist.

I tried my hand at another corporate job, transitioning to an engineering sales role in March 2016, thinking that the skills that I learned would support building my business on the side. Who am I kidding? My heart wasn’t in it and six months later, I was let go. I took that as a sign from the Universe that it’s time to stop f*cking around and take on my business full time. And so it was, no financial safety net, no prior business experience, and I was running my own personal fashion styling business. 

What have you overcome to get where you are today?
Oh man, can I just make a list..?
Parents split up when I’m 5.
Mom leaves me with grandparents while she goes to America and I only see dad on the weekends because he travels for work all the time.
Grandma is paranoid and overprotective, to the point of heating my ice cream on the stove and writing doctor’s notes, excusing me from gym class after every minor cold, for a grand total of 2 gym classes over the course of the entire first grade. (Funny ‘cuz it’s true.)
Mauled by a monkey at a zoo (that’s a story for another day; ask me if you’re curious about it).
Moved to America speaking no English. Got to be the “weird foreign kid” through all of third (and maybe part of fourth) grade.
Mom diagnosed with brain cancer when I’m 13.
Mom dies when I’m 15.
I’m moved halfway across the country, away from all my friends and the life I know, to suburbia, halfway through Junior year of high school.
I take on some really self-destructive coping mechanisms and land myself in some pretty unpleasant circumstances.
I get diagnosed with thyroid cancer right before my 17th birthday.
I fall into a deep depression while working on my Masters in Electrical Engineering because I hate it (and it’s so not what I’m meant to be doing).
I quit grad school, my depression lifts, but my relationship falls apart, and I move back into my parents’ basement.
I move to San Diego for an engineering job, not knowing anyone here. I loathe said engineering job after a few years and fall into a depression again.
Borderline-alcoholism, totaling of cars, binge eating, and other shenanigans along the way.
I start my personal development journey, which, even though it’s so worth it, can be such a bumpy ride sometimes.
Starting a business while in credit card debt and with no financial safety net.

What has been your greatest struggle in life?
I used to have this story that “I’ve been dealt a shitty hand in life.” Looking at the list of challenges above, all of those experiences have made me who I am today. The one that’s had the biggest impact on me, however, was my mother’s death and the two years leading up to it.

I had idolized my mom. She was everything to me. I used to watch her meticulously put herself together every day, from her makeup to her style to how she carried herself. She was an amazing cook (I still have a book of hand-written, off the cuff recipes of hers that I attempt to recreate to celebrate her life). She was gorgeous, poised, deep.

Over the last two years of her life, I watched her spirit deteriorate. The cancer affected the emotional center of her brain, so she would be my brilliant mother one moment and like an irrational child the next. It was hard to be with. I had to switch off between playing the role of daughter and mother to someone I had idolized. I was never told that the cancer was fatal. Even when she went into a coma, I fervently believed that she would wake up and live a full life. And she did wake up, but not for long.

After she was gone, I took on grief as a badge of honor and thought that I was honoring her memory by taking on her suffering. It took 16 years for me to fully get complete and realize that the best way I can honor my mother’s memory is by creating and living my best, happiest life possible. My happiness and success are her true legacy.

Did you ever feel like giving up? When you felt like giving up, what did you do?
Apart from the dark period following my mother’s death, these last 1.5 years of running my own business have not been easy. I’ve had several recurring thoughts of “what the hell am I doing?” or “how the hell am I going to pay my rent this month?” but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

What are some of the tools and resources you have used to work through and overcome those struggles? (books, counselors, workshops, programs, coaches, etc.)
When I have those moments of wanting to give up, I lean on my tribe, heavily. (Mine happens to be a tightly knit group of badass boss ladies who won’t listen to me as anything other than my greatest Self. I couldn’t show up small around them even if I tried. Y’all know who you are.) 

I meditate. (Transcendental Meditation seriously saved me from chronic panic attacks.) 

I journal. (Quieting the emotional noise in my head so I can listen to my intuition.) 

I call one of my coaches (shout-out to the amazing Chloe Harlow and Marisa Alejandra). 

Recently, I’ve started tapping (EFT- look it up!) and that’s been tremendously helpful for releasing the stuck energy around my effusive emotions. 

I lean into gratitude. 

After all, I get to do what I love for a living, and the difference I can see on a client’s face when she walks out of the fitting room in something she never would’ve tried but feeling more like herself than she has in years, that’s everything!

What do you want other women to know who are feeling lost, and/or experiencing their own tragedy and/or struggles?
They say “when you’re going through hell, keep going.” That’s honestly the best advice because the worst thing you can do when you’re suffering is stay there and wallow in it. I know because I’ve totally been there. There have been days when I just cried and the greatest accomplishment for the day was getting out of bed or putting on clothes. Allow yourself to be human, just don’t let yourself stay there incessantly. It’s when you allow yourself to feel the depth of your pain, and move through it, with the help of all the tools I mentioned above (or whatever else helps you process), that you know your true power and come out on the other side stronger than you ever imagined yourself to be.

What is some advice you would give to women who are healing?
Give yourself some grace, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Sometimes that looks like two steps forward, one step back. Sometimes it looks like no movement at all. But as long as you’re looking ahead, you’re on the right track.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I want to ask you something: what are those things for you? The things that bring you the most joy and have you show up as the greatest version of yourself? Who are the people you lean on when you’re feeling less than your best? What can you do to get yourself back into alignment with who you truly are? 

You can find Anna at: www.annaneimark.com

Anna is offering:
Complimentary 30-minute discovery calls for anyone whose style needs a little revival. If you stand in front of a full closet with nothing to wear every morning or hate how you look in clothes, isn’t it time to do something about that? Let’s take the way you show up in the world to the next level! After all, you have a mark to make on the world. Dress accordingly.

Thank you again, Anna, for sharing your story with us. I deeply appreciate what it took for you to open this way. Keep doing what you're doing, girl. You are a bright light helping women to rise. 

xoxoxo

Rising Woman~ Mimi Marie

Who are you and what do you do for a living?

If this is your first time here, welcome! My name is Mimi and this is my blog :) Thanks to the encouragement from my dear friend, Faith, who is also one of the Rising Women in this series, I decided to go ahead and participate as well. As a bonus, Faith has interviewed me on her podcast which I have included HERE. What an honor to share with each other and with you all!

...And now I know why some of these questions were so tough for some of my women! ;)

Who am I? This is a tough question and I feel like it's always changing. Currently, it has nothing to do with what I do for a living, which is an interesting and evolving discovery. More on that later. If you would have asked me this a year ago (or even a few months ago), my answer would have been so different. Today, I feel like I love who I am more than I ever have. This has been on of the gifts of being single for the first time and the longest period of my life. This has also made me a woman who knows what I want and is no longer willing to settle. I am a woman who is strong, resilient and always striving to be the best version of myself. While I certainly have my low tides in life, I am a woman you will never find down for very long. I am extremely passionate about my family, personal growth and women's empowerment. While I might put up some resistance at first, I'm always open to looking at my own shit, acknowledging my wrongs and growing from them.

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up! I have a lot of experience with office management in several different fields. I also have some experience in women's health and lifestyle coaching. However this has been an evolving topic for me for many years. Just recently I made the choice to leave the job I had been at for almost 3 years to pursue something new and the entire plan fell through. Queue quote: "If plan A doesn't work, remember there are 25 more letters in the alphabet!" My big risk quickly turned into what could be perceived as an epic fail, but I chose to see it as time to create something new and fast. Within days, I had probably close to 50 people reaching out to inquire about my services. I could hardly believe I was suddenly in a position to choose who I wanted to work for and how much I wanted to charge, all while working from home and being able to tend to my family more. I now have a handful of virtual assisting projects that I'm working on while at the same time trying to figure out what's next on my path. As a single mom, finding my career path has presented a totally different challenge. I'm super committed and motivated to figure out what it's going to take to create financial freedom for myself. I'm working with my coach to create a plan and while things are really uncertain right now, I'm completely surrendered and trusting the process of my actions. Sometimes it's really scary, but it's also super exciting to be in the world of the unknown.

Tell me about your family, if applicable.

I have 5 kids! 3 of them I gave birth to who are 12, 14 & 15. The other 2 are my biological brother and sister that I raised from the time that they were 2 & 4 until they were grown. Even though I didn't give birth to them, they are my kids and I love them the same. They are now 22 & 24 and one of them now has my beautiful grand baby girl. Their spouses are also my kids who I love dearly. Another special part of my family is my ex husband and his fiancee. We have created such a special family dynamic and unique friendship. I'm so proud of how far we've all come and love that we work together as a family unit. It is for this reason that I believe anything is possible for families when you take full responsibility for your relationships and for your role as a parent. Sometimes love ends up looking different than we think it should, but our commitment to our children and our stand for families is always at the forefront.      

What is your story?

For most of the memory of my childhood, I grew up in a drug and alcohol induced, and very tumultuous environment. I was mostly raised by mother, and my father was in and out of the picture a lot, I believe because his relationship with my mom was so difficult. I witnessed a lot of abuse around me, and was sexually abused by a family "friend" for a number of years. Nearly the moment I turned 18, I moved out to be on my own. The hardest part about that was leaving my siblings who were 16-17 years younger than me. Things were only getting worse at home and I feared for what they would have to endure.

Shortly after moving out to be on my own, my now ex husband and I began raising my brother and sister. In our early 20's we got married, and in our late 30's we had our 3 children. We created the family that we wanted by the time we were 30 and while there was plenty of turbulence, I think we did an amazing job with what we had and what we knew at the time.

Into our 30's we got serious about our paths of personal growth. This ultimately led to the realization that it was time for our marriage to come to an end. This was a turn I hadn't expected much long before and meant my future was now unwritten.

Going through a divorce is never easy for anyone and I certainly had my moments of darkness and uncertainty about life. I allowed the process of grieving to play out in my life and when I was ready, I saddled up and began my own journey of self discovery and healing.

What have you overcome to get where you are today?

My first reaction to this question is, well, I'm not there yet! It's so easy for me to see all the work there is still to do. But I can also acknowledge how far I've come. My childhood is the biggest thing that I've had to overcome. I carried the weight and the shame of being sexually abused with me for a long time. I also carried a lot of sadness about the relationship that I never got to have with my parents. I always wished they had made different choices and made me and my siblings more of a priority. Now I can see that if it wasn't for all of those things then I wouldn't be who I am today. All of those things drove me to be a better, stronger woman.

The other more recent thing that I've overcome was the end of my 17 year marriage. I experienced so much shame, regret and failure around that. I could hardly look at myself in the mirror and face the woman I had been. The months following my separation were some of the darkest of my life. There were days I didn't know how I would get through and nights that I drowned it all in alcohol. The feelings of emptiness were sometimes unbearable and I looked for things to fill the void. I thought I was trying to be tough, strong and brave on the outside, but on the inside I was deeply depressed. I let myself wallow for a while until I got sick of it, and then I decided it was time to start pulling myself together again.

Before my divorce was even final, I found myself in a new relationship, smitten in new love and I dove all in with both feet. I closed my eyes to the red flags and held strong to the fantasy that love could endure all. In some ways, this new relationship showed me love in a whole new light. It taught me some beautiful things about what's possible in romance and a relationship. In a lot of ways we were a mirror and a catalyst for each other's growth. It was fun to live on cloud 9 for a time, but it wasn't realistic. We tried to fit into each other's molds and it didn't work. I dare say that this relationship was one of my greatest ventures in learning about myself. I value honesty, loyalty and integrity more than ever now. What I've had to overcome is the guilt around the choices that I made, the shame around the things that I let break me that weren't mine to own, and the ways that I let all of those things impact my relationship with my family. Even now, almost a year later, I can say that I'm still learning and discovering from that relationship and I'm thankful for the clarity it has given me since stepping away.

Currently I am embracing the single life. My relationship with myself is now at the top of my list. I am finally in a place of discovering and creating my life for me. Learning to be alone and loving myself deeper is a beautiful path that I've never truly been able to appreciate until now. Sure, sometimes I get sad and lonely. Sometimes I miss having a companion and all of the things that come with that, but I've got plenty of work to do in the meantime. For now, I'm dating myself - and my kids!

What has been your greatest struggle in life?

My greatest struggle has been learning to love myself and making choices that align with that. Don't get me wrong, there are things that I've loved about myself throughout the years, like my resiliency and my ability to love. But really loving myself outside of the love of anyone else or any external circumstances has been a different game. When you really love and value yourself, making healthy choices and creating a healthy lifestyle becomes easier. It's getting easier for me now... :)

Did you ever feel like giving up? When you felt like giving up, what did you do?

Yes! I feel like giving up quite often, actually. I think there are certain times and situations when we should give up. The thing is, I never give up for good. It's usually just a pause, or an end to something, and it means it's time for a change. Giving up can look a lot of ways. It can mean taking some time to wallow in my sadness for a little while, ending a job or a relationship. But I don't think that giving up for me is ever a permanent thing. Giving up is a time to assess a situation and see what's not working so that I can find another way.

What are some of the tools and resources you have used to work through and overcome those struggles? (books, counselors, workshops, programs, coaches, etc.)

~The most awesome and profound tool that I've ever had has been the work that I've done with Landmark. For the past 6 years I have consistently participated in their programs and I have continually made progress on my path of personal growth. It has been THE thing that has helped me to let the past go and to always have a say in who I get to be in my life.

~For the past year I have been working in depth with a coach/mentor, Char Spirtos, who I treasure beyond measure. This has given me the greatest leaps in my life in the shortest amount of time.  

~Books!

Untame Yourself by Liz Dialto

Open Your Heart by Tanya Paluso

The Universe Has Your Back by Gabby Bernstein

The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida

The Queen's Code by Alison Armstrong

The Single Woman by Mandy Hale

Motherhood's Not For Punks by Patrina Wisdom

Money, A Love Story by Kate Northrup

You Have 4 Minutes by Rebekah Borucki

This list is always growing...

What are your gifts and how did you discover them?

I think I have a lot of gifts that I haven't really delved into yet. I know that my intuition is an incredibly strong gift that I'm learning to listen and tune into more. I believe my ability to love and my compassion are also gifts. It is often all of these things that lead me in life.  

Tell us about your tribe and the importance of having one.

I think we all feel alone sometimes and the importance of identifying who your tribe is so important. It doesn't have to look a certain way and it doesn't have to be one group of people that all know each other. Your tribe can include all sorts of people that you're connected to. I have so many special people that I am so thankful to call my tribe. They include many of my family members, as well as many women that I have grown friendships with over the years. The women in my life who are on their own paths of self growth and discovery, and the ones who are committed to making a difference in the world, are the ones who always lift me up and keep me on my own path of greatness.

What do you want other women to know who are feeling lost, and/or experiencing their own tragedy and/or struggles?

It's okay to be where ever you're at. It's okay to have bad days. Don't beat yourself up for the struggle and the darkness. Know that the time will pass and it will get better. It's okay to be and feel alone sometimes, but remember that you're not alone. Be sure to reach out to the ones who remind you of your greatness. Reach out, get the help, the love and the support that you need. Take yourself to places and people that lift you up. Eventually the strength will become greater than the struggle.  

 

This project has been such a joy for me to facilitate and I'm so thankful to all of the ladies who join and share their stories. I hope that everyone who follows along finds some strength and inspiration to move forward and to rise above their own struggles and shine as the amazing women they were born to be.

To listen to my Rising Woman interview with Faith Shevlin, go HERE.

If you are interested in working with me to receive the support you need to become your own Rising Woman, please email me here: mimi@mimimarie.com

Much love and light to you all.

Always love,

Mimi

xoxo

Rising Woman~ Danny-J

I think this next Rising Woman will always be one of my favorite people on the planet. She is just so REAL. If you follow her online, you get the same woman in person. There is no pretending, no facade. She shares so much of herself online and she isn't afraid to tell it like it is. On the same token she can make you laugh with her wit and sass. She helps women in so many different ways and I'm so happy to have her share some of her story here...

Who are you and what do you do for a living?

My name is Danny-J (the J stands for Johnson) I am a professional speaker and lifestyle expert and I create programs and solutions for women that help them upgrade their finances, relationships and fitness.

What is your story?

Which part? LOL. I have many stories and probably each one could be a separate book, but I was a very depressed and suicidal teen who got pregnant at the age of 15. I ended up placing my daughter for adoption because I didn't want her to have to live the way I was living. Her birth made me get my act together and I ended up graduating high school early, going to college and earning my bachelors and masters degrees. In between my two degrees, I ended up paralyzed from a bacterial infection and this is what led me to fitness. I spent a lot of time in the gym rehabbing myself. Ultimately, I found that my best gifts were in helping others see the potential in themselves and after my passion for fitness waned a bit, I realized it wasn't about fitness, it was about the results that people would see in their life. Now I love to help people see results in all areas of their lives.

What have you overcome to get where you are today?

I I had to overcome self-doubt, body image issues, the feelings that I didn't belong here (on this planet or in this life) depression and anxiety, and ultimately I had to forgive myself and start to trust in a bigger plan.

What has been your greatest struggle in life?

My greatest struggle was and still is my negative beliefs, self-talk, and judgement. I am so much better than I used to be, but I have realized that my own thoughts and my negative talk have been the single barrier to any lack of results or success that I have been looking for.

Did you ever feel like giving up? When you felt like giving up, what did you do?

Ha!! uhmmmm yes, multiple times a day, everyday for the last 25 years and now at least once a day! LOL it's hard! Life is hard! Showing up is hard! But the one time that I DISTINCTLY remember REALLY getting ready to quit... I sat in a parking lot crying and thinking about just getting a job at Starbucks... it was around 9pm... and my phone notification went off, and I saw an email. The email was about two pages long from a woman whose name I didn't recognize. She said she had been following me for a long time and that my posts and emails and programs helped save her life. She said that I wouldn't recognize her because she would never comment, but that she had been watching. It was that moment that I realized I couldn't quit. I bawled again, but this time in gratitude and also just realizing that THIS was the reason I was compelled to share my struggles, my story, and my truth every day.

What are some of the tools and resources you have used to work through and overcome those struggles? (books, counselors, workshops, programs, coaches, etc.)

Everything you can probably think of! I was in counseling from age 15 to 21. I started listening to personal development "tapes" when I was 9 years old. My mom would make my brother and I do affirmations when we were 3 until about 12. I have gone to amazing workshops, done a lot of forgiveness work, I've done some really good and deep stuff in hypnotherapy sessions. Right now I am working with a coach and I think that probably for the rest of my life, I'll be working with coaches or therapists, because there is always something that can be dug up or improved.

What are your gifts and how did you discover them?

I think my gifts are connecting with people. I discovered that mostly when I started personal training. I realized that a client would come into the office and be so nervous, and I was able to quickly make them laugh and open up. People trust me with some of their deepest secrets and pains and I don't take that lightly.

Who in life do you rely on when you're struggling? Who keeps you uplifted and on your path?

When I'm struggling it depends. I have such a solid group of women friends that I can call on. Or I will reach out to someone who I know who has maybe been through something similar and seek counsel.

Tell us about your tribe and the importance of having one.

My squad I like to call them ;) LOL I actually feel like I have a few tribes and some people cross over into the others. I used to have a hard time relying on others, reaching out, sharing my vulnerabilities. I was always the one that people came to. I've learned in the past few years that connection is everything and you don't get out of this life without having some shit happen to you. The problem is that most of us feel like we are the only one. Having a tribe that gets you, gets what you're about, and what you've been through just gives you comfort in knowing you're not alone. They also push you, help you grow and challenge you to look at your own BS.

What do you want other women to know who are feeling lost, and/or experiencing their own tragedy and/or struggles?

This too shall pass. I recently have gone through a year of three different tragedies and losses and none of them were expected and all of them hurt deeply. My friends allowed me and reminded me that it was ok to grieve, to be sad, to mourn and scream and to feel all the feelings, to allow the feelings and not to judge them. I think we have to be ok with life being messy for a bit and also knowing that you won't "get over it" in one fell swoop. You might just realize you only cried once today! Progress! Then maybe a few months go by and out of the blue, for no apparent reason, you break down again... that is ok too! It is part of the process. Definitely seek counsel and friends who can hold space for you.

What is some advice you would give to women who are healing?

Be gentle with yourself. Don't judge it. Don't judge things for not happening faster. They will in their time. Also find ways to laugh! When I was going through one of my biggest challenges, I spent so many hours crying I decided I was exhausted, so I turned on Youtube and started watching stand-up comedy every night. It gave me at least a small mental break and I truly believe laughter is the best medicine.

To learn more about Danny, to have some fun and be inspired, be sure to find her on her social media places. If you would like some mantras that can help you get through blocks or struggles, please go to Danny's website and download her little workbook and print it out! http://dannyj.com

Thank you again, Danny, for being part of the Rising Woman Project! Love you, girl! xoxo

Rising Woman~ Faith Shevlin

Our next rising woman is very near and dear to my heart. Faith and I met briefly a couple of years ago at the Grand Opening of Nourish Medical Center. Shortly after, we became coworkers at Nourish and worked side by side for about a year and a half. Faith has been one of those people for me who are just so easy to love. We've connected on so many levels and have grown so close. She is just a true soul sister to me and I'm so thankful to have her participate in the Rising Woman Project. I'm also super excited to share that Faith interviewed me on her podcast last weekend and that will be coming out soon. What an honor to share our stories with each other and our communities.

Who are you and what do you do for a living?

My name is Faith Shevlin. I am a mind-body coach, holistic nutritionist and spiritual/intuitive mentor. By combining my expertise in nutrition and health, with personal growth and life coaching, I guide my clients through their own transformational journeys. I find incredible joy in inspiring others to take ownership of their own health and well-being so that they can live in full expression of who they really are.

My mission is to help women embrace who they are, access and trust the wisdom within themselves and connect with their own divinity.

I am the creator and host of a podcast, IMperfectly Healthy: where the psychology, science and spirituality of health and wholeness meet. I also love using, sharing and teaching others how to use essential oils as a tool in supporting well-being on all levels!          

What is your story?

The doorway to my own transformation came via the trifecta of struggling with my body image, relationship with food and chronic health issues. I started emotional eating, and having health problems, when I was very young. As a sensitive middle child, with an active and wild older brother and a rambunctious, self-expressed little sister, I felt invisible. I was really shy. I didn’t know how to ask for what I needed or how to express my emotions. Hiding was my to-go strategy. I was pretty much afraid of everything and terrified of rejection. (note: I came into this life with most of these fears, beliefs and insecurities) I became obsessed with food to cope with my emotions and anxiety as a young girl.  

My body and weight become an issue for me when I was in sixth grade. I was the first girl in my class to develop curves. This was so embarrassing for me. Being as shy as I was, the attention I started getting made me so uncomfortable.

This battle within myself, over food and my body, really took over my life (secretly). It was something that consumed me every day, every meal really. I was constantly obsessing over what I was eating and not eating, how many calories I was burning a day, the size of my clothes, comparing myself to other girls bodies, over-exercising, and mentally bashing what I would see in the mirror.

This went on throughout high school. I chose to pursue studying nutrition in college. I thought, if I could figure this food and weight thing out, then I would finally be happy and feel good about myself. I continued to struggle with food and my body while I got my bachelors and masters in food and nutrition. I then went on to become a Registered Dietitian.

My education did not help my emotional eating or body shame. I continued on the on-and-off-again pattern of dieting. I would put myself on really rigid eating plans and force myself to work out hard. Then I'd fall off and indulge in all the foods I “wasn’t allowed” to eat. I was in a constant search outside of myself for the answers to my “problems.”  

My body was my excuse to not fully engage in life. I can’t have fun until I lose weight. I can’t be confident until I lose weight. I can’t be myself until I lose weight. I can’t speak up until I lose weight. I can’t be sensual until I lose weight. I can’t have a healthy, loving relationship until I lose weight. I can’t pursue my dream job until I lose weight….

This internal shitshow (for lack of a better word), manifested in a number of physical problems. Throughout my 20’s I suffered with digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, acne, chronic infections and fatigue. While at the time, I thought these health issues were to blame for my weight and body issues, when in fact it was the other way around. My relationship with food and my body had created these physical challenges.

In my search to find solutions to my health and body issues, I was introduced to holistic healing. I started learning how our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual selves are one. These components must all be addressed and honored to truly be in optimal health and well-being.

I spent the next several years delving into personal growth, spirituality, the mind-body connection and metaphysics. I had to unravel the misunderstandings I had about my childhood, myself, others and life. I became a certified holistic health coach and worked with a number of teachers in these areas. It was in these studies, that everything shifted for me. I am so grateful for the journey I had to go on, because it has taught me soooo much about myself, life and the human experience. I use all I have learned along the way to help women break through all of this MUCH faster than I did.  

What have you overcome to get where you are today?

Beneath the physical struggles (mentioned above), were self-doubt, insecurity, self-judgment, comparison, and many fears (men, my power, being seen, rejection, success, etc). I know for sure, my physical challenges were/are manifestations of my inner world. My life has been, and continues to be, a journey of transcendence from victim to leader.

Creating and producing my podcast, IMperfectly Healthy, is one of my greatest joys right now. I had to overcome some serious fears and self-limiting stories to start it. “I hate my voice. I am an awful speaker. No one cares what about what I have to say. No one will want to be on my show. I will look like an idiot,” are a few of the thoughts I had to move beyond. I remember being sooo nervous just sitting in my room alone and having to record myself speaking. Breaking through all of that feels SO good. The voices are still there at times. They just don’t have power over me, or stop me. Being able to have amazing guests on, chat about my favorite things in life, and to help others by doing so is sooo rewarding!

Did you ever feel like giving up? When you felt like giving up, what did you do?

There are times I wish I would want to give up, lol.  Yet, there is this deep calling and driving force that keeps me going. Turning back is not an option. That is the only way I can describe it. Sometimes it feels like I have so far to go, so much I want to do. During those times, I slow down and get present. I reconnect with myself, my heart and Spirit to remember to embrace the journey. Stepping back and putting life into perspective helps me step out of the mental drama and stories when they get going.

What are your gifts and how did you discover them?

My gifts?  I have no idea, lol.  I tried to skip this question and Mimi wouldn’t let me. I can say what I love most is guiding and supporting others in connecting with themselves, discovering their own answers and truth, and becoming who they really are. I have been told I hold a loving, compassionate space for others healing very well.  Through all my years of study and my own experiences, I have gathered quite a bit of knowledge, wisdom and tools. In working with clients, I pull from it all to help them individually. My podcast guests tell me I am a natural interviewer =) With the support of my own mentors, I am currently on the path of further developing my medical intuitive abilities.  

What are some of the tools and resources you have used to work through and overcome those struggles? (books, counselors, workshops, programs, coaches, etc.)

I have used, and continue to use, sooo many tools and resources in my life. A few of my  favorite authors/teachers include Eckhart Tolle, Caroline Myss, Brene Brown, Alison Armstrong, Medical Medium, Abraham Hicks, and so many more. I have been blessed to work with a number of personal spiritual/intuitive mentors over the last 8 years in areas such as EFT tapping, intuition, Theta Healing, Reiki, meditation, breath work and more.. Working one-on-one with someone is crucial! I am also a huge fan of group programs and workshops.  Some of my favorites have been Landmark, Sister Circle with Tanya Lynn, The Holy Shift with Heather Lindenmenn, Man Breakthrough with Kute Blackson, and Theta Healing with Beatrice Calise. Tools I regularly use are meditation, self-expressive movement, breath work, yoga, inspiration talks and podcasts, oracle cards, crystals, essential oils, EFT tapping and “divine chats.”

Who in life do you rely on to keep you uplifted and on your path?

Relationships are soooo key.  I surround myself with like-minded people that are also committed to their own growth path. The more I step into my authentic expression and take heart-inspired action, the more amazing people come into my life. I tend to be fed most by one-on-one quality time, or super small groups. Large social gatherings and/or events aren’t really my thing.  My AH-mazing family and close friends are everything. There is nothing like having heart-to-hearts, pep talks and holding space for those I love. I am so grateful for my parents, sister, brother and soul friends. Spend time with others that speak your language, lift you up and inspire you to be who you really are. Remember, you get to chose who you spend your time with. Choose wisely.

What do you want other women to know who are feeling lost, and/or experiencing their own tragedy and/or struggles?

I see struggles, tragedy and/or feeling lost as an invitation to go within. The hard times are calling you to slow down, connect with yourself, nurture your relationship with the divine and hold yourself in the arms of love, compassion and faith. We are all humans enrolled in Earth School. We are here to learn, grow, heal and evolve. Trust life. Trust your life and know that, “life gives you what is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness” (Eckhart Tolle). From that stance, you have choice. Choice is your power. Call on the courage to take responsibility for how you show up in life, no matter what life hands you. You got this!

To learn more about Faith or to inquire about working with her, please visit her website:

www.faithshevlin.com

Definitely check out Faith's podcast, IMperfectly Healthy:

Podcast app link: www.bit.ly/faithshevlin

Weblink: www.imperfectlyhealthypodcast.com

Thank you Faith for being part of the Rising Woman Project. You are a gift and I'm so thankful to have you in my life.

xoxo