Be Authentic, Let Your Freak Flag Fly!
Last Saturday, I was honored to present at the Health Coach Summit and Conference. It wasn’t my first time speaking at a conference via Zoom or in-person, yet I still felt the nervous butterflies. There they were fluttering around in my belly making it difficult for me to focus on anything other than what I would say, how I would say, and what impact I wanted to make.
And, something was different this time. I didn’t want to start off as my pulled-together, professional self. Yes, it’s a part of me AND this time I wanted to show the other side of me–vulnerably, the “goofy, even playful” side that doesn’t have it all together and is so excited about what I do. Is it sacrilegious to be excited when talking about Cancer?
Summoning up my courage and letting the “vulnerable” side of me out, I shared about believing that I was going to die and falling into the arms of my mommy because I felt like a child again. I shared stories about my Cancer Journeys that I hadn’t shared in public before. I saw that someone wrote in the chat “Your energy is off the chart” and instead of allowing embarrassment to take over, I stood solid in the “all of me”–raw, real, and revealing. Here’s what happened…I felt incredibly FREE!!
There is something magical that happens when we feel free. It’s like the shackles that held me back (my negative/wounded ego) didn’t have space to show up and instead what was showing up was connection, understanding, and impact. Heads were nodding and words of affirmation, recognition, and gratitude in the chat reflected back to me on my screen. They were getting it and enjoying this moment that we were having together.
This is the beauty of being true to ourselves. If we can stand solidly in who we are (without apology or shrinking), we get to do what we love. We get to contribute to the whole and the progress of the world. We get to share our unique gifts and talents.
Authenticity is such an important value for CJI and myself. So much so, we are devoting the month of June to it. We started off with an “opening of the kimono” Certified Cancer Journey Coach Panel event on June 2nd. If you miss this event, you’ll be able to watch the replay on our YouTube Channel. We also kick-off a new Fundamentals Program Group on June 15th where we show our trainees how to be vulnerable, real, and their most powerful selves in service of their clients. And, we finish off the month with a free workshop honoring our 10-year Anniversary called “What Really Matters to You?” on June 23rd.
Join us for our June Workshop: “What Really Matters to You?” with Maggie Constantino and Diana Wayne on Thursday, June 23 at 2:30pm PT.
Come and bring your Authentic selves to any and all of these June events. We promise to see you, hear you, and welcome you.
With Love,
Shariann
