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WE DISCUSS:
- (1:26) Why I pulled the plug on my recent bootcamp
- (5:37) The unexpected busyness of grief
- (10:49) Advice for choosing yourself and saying “no” without guilt or fear
- (15:00) The beauty and opportunity of taking major leaps
- (16:51) A bold move challenge
Key Quotes From the Show
“Every major leap that I have ever made in my life, oh my gosh, on the other side of those leaps are creative bursts, fire hoses of wisdom, growth, opportunity, and better stuff.”
“The bravest thing that we can do is wave the white flag with pride and say, ‘I can’t do it all, and guess what? That’s frickin okay.’”
“When you start honoring your needs, the universe sits up and takes notice. Suddenly the opportunities that come your way are way better. They’re juicier. They’re more aligned. They’re more exciting and way less likely to make you want to hide under the covers.”
In this deeply personal and powerful episode, I share a recent experience that pushed me to make a bold move — canceling our annual 5-day Energy Bootcamp. My team had spent months meticulously planning every detail, hundreds of wonderful souls had cleared their schedules to participate, and our company was counting on the revenue. But sometimes, life demands we listen to our inner voice, even when it goes against everything we’ve planned. This decision taught me valuable lessons about self-care, authenticity, and the importance of honoring our needs.
The Perfect Storm of Personal Challenges
I found myself in a perfect storm of personal challenges, and the thought of leading a 5-day live intensive felt about as doable as climbing Everest in flip-flops. My husband Brian’s mom, Marge — a tiny firecracker with a mischievous twinkle that could light up Pittsburgh — passed away at 92 years old, leaving us to navigate grief and family responsibilities. Simultaneously, I was dealing with an unexpected health scare that required an endometrial biopsy (about as fun as a root canal performed by Edward Scissorhands), all while my ovaries were throwing in the towel during perimenopause.
The Magic of Saying No
When I made the decision to cancel the bootcamp, I braced myself for disappointment and anger. Instead, something magical happened. Rather than facing a mob with pitchforks, we were met with an outpouring of love and understanding that would make even the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes.
The community rallied around the decision, proving that sometimes, honesty is the best policy — even when it means admitting you’re not a superhero. It turns out, people appreciate authenticity more than they do a polished facade.
This experience reinforced a powerful truth: sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is wave the white flag and admit we can’t do it all. And you know what? The world doesn’t end; it might just open up in ways you never expected.
Self-Care Isn’t Always Pretty
We often think of self-care as bubble baths and scented candles, but let’s get real — sometimes it’s messy, uncomfortable, and downright challenging. It can leave you feeling like you’ve been through the wringer, pushing you far outside your comfort zone.
Self-care can mean disappointing others, choosing yourself even when it feels wrong, and facing fears that make you want to hide under the covers. It’s in these moments of discomfort that we often find our greatest strength.
The Revolutionary Act of Choosing Yourself
Saying “no” when you need to is like ripping off a Band-Aid — it stings at first, but then comes sweet relief. When you start honoring your needs, the universe takes notice. Opportunities become more aligned with your true self, and you inspire others to do the same.
Every major leap I’ve ever made comes with a creative burst and wisdom. When you make bold moves, you unleash a chain reaction of energy that has a domino effect of positivity on all areas of your life, even when it takes time to see the benefits or recover from the disruption.
Your Bold Moves Challenge
I challenge you to take a good, hard, sober look at your life. Where are you saying “yes” when your gut is screaming “HELL NO”? Where are you neglecting your own needs in the name of being “good” or “successful”? What part of your life or body needs tending and care right now? Instead of dwelling on fears about your bold move, try to identify one positive thing that could come from it.
So here’s to bold moves, my brave friends. Because trust me, the view from the other side of your comfort zone? It’s pretty damn spectacular.
Resources
- Download your FREE Hot Mess Recovery Kit
- Join my wellness community
- Download your FREE Wake Up Rested Toolkit
- Download your FREE Wellness Tracker
- Read the self-care affirmations in my Thriver’s Manifesto
Great episode. So much goes on during life transitions. I’m glad that your community supported your choice!
Thanks Carol!! xo