Your value is an accrual of experiences! Embrace the good, the bad, the ugly and the downright complicated to awaken your joy!

EP77: Allow Your Weird with Shelley Brown

by Mary Tess Rooney | Mar 17, 2022 | Podcast

How can we balance our heart and mind rather than suppress our authentic selves? In this world, it is important to reconnect to your true essence. You may find this happens when you engage with something you liked as a kid, or when you have an Expansion Experience. By tapping into your authentic self, you fully express who you are and were meant to be. This episode talks about how honoring your weird will empower you to belong and feel appreciated.

Not long ago, I was self-reflecting about what’s my weird. After a conversation with my sister Heather, I realized my weird relates to my love of learning and teaching. For me, life is about nourishing growth and translating that to help others. I’m more inclined to seek those things out than others. That’s unique to me so it’s my “weird.” Today’s guest, Shelley Brown, challenges us to get comfortable and embrace our weird.

Shelley Brown is keynote speaker, artist, author, rock star mindfulness edutainer and creator of the W.E.I.R.D. process. A ball of positive energy, Shelley incorporates her own original pop artwork and speaks about allowing and amplifying your W.E.I.R.D. so audiences embrace individuality and land at a place of inclusion. She believes that the key to engagement is belonging, because when we get to be ourselves, we can bring our best to work, to school, and to the world.

On EP 77’s Wise Walk, Shelley and I exchange ideas on how to allow our weird so we can use it to serve ourselves and others. Shelley Brown is a self-proclaimed “weird girl.” In her eyes, we’re all weird, just different weirds. She speaks about cultivating our authentic selves to experience a sense of belonging internally and externally. Join this conversation to reflect on these Wise Walk questions and more:

- - What is your weird?
  - How did you decide it was weird?
  - How does it serve you?
  - How does it serve others?

Like most things, unraveling the tension around your weird can take time. There’s no need to immediately embrace all the things you think are weird about yourself. Shelley says there are steps between resistance and embrace. Getting comfortable with your weird requires grace and experiment.

If you are brave and bold about sharing your weird, you actually attract people that appreciate that. You can Activate Appreciation in a much deeper, more meaningful, connected way, so you can bring about a community that’s going to support you as you pursue your True Stride. Reconnect to your weird, authentic self with these Wise Walk questions:

- - Where are you suppressing your true essence?
  - How can you let your true essence shine?
  - What are you doing to cultivate authentic presence in your life?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[02:35] – Shelley Brown says a sense of belonging is her #1 value.

[05:00] – People just want to connect.

[06:32] – Getting comfortable with your weird doesn’t mean you immediately embrace your weird

[08:37] – Shelley talks about separating from a part of who she thought she was to really explore her identity.

[10:44] – Reconnect to your truest essence with experiences that expand your perception of yourself.

[13:07] – Mary Tess gives an example of how Expansion Experiences continue to allow her to reconnect with the Heart Value she shares.

[15:36] – Shelley wants to make mindfulness accessible to those who think the topics are too “Woo-Woo”.

[17:31] – Mindfulness with music.

[20:10] – Shelley says that the nervous system can be reset to some extent.

[22:21] – Mary Tess talks about how, “Thoughts are things.”

[23:58] – How does Shelley use art to express herself and bring people into the world she is expressing?

[25:49] – Being your true, authentic self attracts the fitting people towards you.

[28:09] – Do you know which parts of you that you view as “weird”?

[30:15] – Shelley remembers being made fun of for her artist side, and now it’s such a huge part of her life.

[33:05] – Shelley encourages people to take incremental steps towards getting comfortable with their weird.

[35:12] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Everyone wants to self-express and feel like they fit in with other people.” – Mary Tess
“I feel like my art is the embodiment of what I value, which is ‘welcoming’. When I do something with art, I’m welcoming others into this world that I expressed through that medium.” – Shelley

Links and Resources:

Shelley Brown

Weird Girl Adventures

EP76: Breathing into Your Choices and Outcomes with Anna Tansley

by Mary Tess Rooney | Mar 10, 2022 | Podcast

Every experience invites us to be present and aware of our energy and emotions so we can make informed choices and take intentional actions. Often we want to support someone else, and show up for them, but we also have to be aware that they are managing their emotions and energy at that moment. When we feel unaligned (with ourselves or others), we need to pause, breathe and pivot to create connection within and notice our new choices. With reflection and awareness, we can avoid being so stuck or rigid that we don’t have the ability to pivot. This episode talks about breathing into your choices and outcomes for our highest good.

I remember helping out a friend with some housework and needing to breathe through a moment together when our perspectives didn’t sync. My friend is very exact about her vision of getting things done, which is fine, but her vision does not overthrow my commitment to honor my feelings. Breathing through that moment reminded me of today’s guest, Anna Tansley.

Anna Tansley is a kundalini yoga teacher and entrepreneur on a mission to inspire and help people recognize their sovereignty and their power. She does this through bringing awareness to our daily choices, getting clear on the direction we want to go, and aligning those choices to the outcome we ultimately want to experience. Her brand Choices + Outcomes shares yogic tools and technology to create an elevated, more fulfilling experience of life by adding more energy to the mind-body system, reprogramming the subconscious, and training the nervous system. She also has a clothing line in the works that will deliver the Choices + Outcomes mission through a new medium.

On EP 76’s Wise Walk, Anna and I explore why we consistently outsource our intuition to external perspectives and how we can honor what we feel inside. Anna is a person who walked this journey of giving herself the freedom to choose again and make different choices to get different outcomes in her life. Join this conversation to reflect on these Wise Walk questions and more:

- - What is truthful to you?
  - What is expanding in you in this moment?
  - What do you notice about what is revealed to you?
  - Is there something useful about the truth you noticed?

Anna achieved her dream life, then started to reflect on what her world had become. She decided that her life, though she achieved all the things she “wanted”, could have more fulfillment. Something pulled at her heart strings to discover more.

Breathing practices activate your heart and help you be present. Moments where you slow down provide a chance to regulate your own pace and experience. Taking time to breathe amplifies awareness, and awareness is a gift. Come back to yourself and your breath with these Wise Walk questions:

- - Am I making choices in the direction of my desired outcome?
  - As you look at today, in this moment, what have you done to connect with your breath?
  - What have you done to slow down and really drop in to activate your heart?
  - What practices are you willing to incorporate daily to come back to yourself?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[03:22] – Anna Tansley’s childhood dream was to live in New York City.

[05:47] – What did Anna think after achieving her childhood dream?

[07:26] – Anna recalls a peer mentor’s career switch that shocked her. What did Anna think?

[10:17] – When you feel something calling you, it is a service to yourself to follow it.

[12:38] – Practice slowing down the breath.

[15:05] – Mary Tess talks about slowing down to notice what comes up as you regulate your pace and experience.

[17:06] – Listen to Anna explain kundalini yoga. It’s the yoga of awareness.

[20:00] – Can yoga help you disrupt the patterns woven in your subconscious?

[22:42] – Most humans unknowingly breathe incorrectly.

[25:08] – Focus on moving to a more beneficial thought stream.

[27:52] – A breathing practice can help ground you again.

[29:37] – When you connect with your internal world, the external world will change to respond to you.

[32:27] – Which tools can help someone ground themselves during decision-making?

[35:14] – You need to do what’s right for you.

[36:59] – People will often give you advice based on their own lens, and sometimes that is not a good fit.

[38:51] – Wisdom comes from the experience of information. How can you use this to direct your True Stride?

[41:16] – There is space for people to merge their intuition with practicality.

[43:22] – Use your awareness to move you forward.

[45:05] – Do you want to try a kundalini practice?

[47:51] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“The more you have control and sovereignty over that internal environment, the external environment does have to change in order to respond to you.” – Anna
“We are fully expressive individuals, and we don’t have to fit in some container. We don’t have to limit our expansion because of society’s constructs.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

Anna Tansley

Instagram

EP75: Heart Value Practice: Feel-Choose-Act Amplifier

by Mary Tess Rooney | Mar 3, 2022 | Podcast

Taking a Wise Walk allows you to look at your feelings. How do the feelings that come up make you feel? If they bring up undesirable feelings, how do you plan to replace the feelings with something closer to what you actually want to feel? As you let your feelings reveal themselves to you, you get to choose new actions. This episode talks about a Heart Value Practice called the Feel-Choose-Act Amplifier.

Recently, I spoke at the As Good As It Gets Summit hosted by Dawn Calvinisti. I’m in awe of the 29 other women who came to voice their value as speakers for the event. We all were standing firm in our Heart Value hoping to make a change in other lives. It’s a brave and worthwhile choice to truly show the world your Heart Value.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP75’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. When I think of Dawn, I remember that she followed her heart to put together the amazing summit before she even knew what the full idea looked like. I admire her passion to bring her idea to life, and you can hear Dawn tell her story on the previous episode she joined us for, EP73. Dawn and I also talked about slowing down to check our reality with Wise Walks, which connects to the awareness of our feelings.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about how there’s so much power in our ability to feel. Building awareness around what you feel and how you want to move forward is a way you can grow into better alignment. That’s why today is all about a Heart Value Practice called the Feel-Choose-Act Amplifier. Open up a safe space for yourself and come with me to reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- - In this moment, what activities feel aligned, and what’s calling you?
  - What feels good?
  - What choices are you making that please others, but make you feel drained or unfulfilled inside?

The Feel-Choose-Act Amplifier is a repeatable practice. Once you grasp the concept, you can use it over and over again whenever you need to slow down and check-in with your feelings. Make sure you are living your best life according to YOUR Heart Value goals.

Your Heart Value is meant to be shared with this world. Get brave so that everyone can see more of you, and see your impact, and feel your impact in this world. Follow your heart with these Wise Walk questions:

- - What’s tugging at your heart strings?
  - What brings you joy?
  - What choices and actions can you take to feel more joy in life?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[02:27] – Your Wise Walk is your moment to create a safe space, reflect and gain awareness on what matters most.

[05:26] – Are you opening up space for your feelings? How are you deciding actions to take on those feelings?

[08:35] – Make sure you are living your best life according to your Heart Value goals.

[10:38] – Create space to feel and experience joy.

[12:43] – Get brave and take small steps towards what is calling you.

[14:35] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“I really want to empower you to use your feelings to influence your choices and inform your actions, so that you can move forward in your True Stride.” – Mary Tess
“We have the ability, and we have the freedom, to choose again at any given point.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP74: Feel Good Finances with Tara E. Nolan

by Mary Tess Rooney | Feb 24, 2022 | Podcast

Everyone can follow their own idea of success to build a better relationship with money. It’s not uncommon to do what you’re “supposed” to do by society’s “standards”, and have things not go the way you expect. Creating your own path gives you the options that lead to a thriving life. This episode talks about feeling good in our relationship with finances.

Growing up, I constantly saw a theme of “Money is only as good as what it can do for you.” In this idea, the value of money is shaped by how you spend money, like spending money on experiences. Investing in experiences is a mindset I cherish. Now, a new phase in my relationship with money is developing. I’m exploring what money can do for me at this point in life, and today’s guest holds insight on making money work for you.

Tara E. Nolan is a money strategist who supports entrepreneurs and professionals, who have limited time due to business and family demands, achieve and retain the lifestyles they want. Since starting her company, she has been obsessed with helping people feel good about their finances. It’s hard when they are stressed about money, and she loves helping people find that good feeling in their belly when they are in control of their money situation. Tara combines finance, her background in strategic military planning and a focus on personal development to create transformational financial plans. She shares her philosophy and approach to money in her book, Money Moves: Change Where Your Money Lives and Change How Your Financial World Grows.

On EP 74’s Wise Walk, Tara and I discuss ways to gain clarity in your money relationship so you can start planning for how to make your money work for you and your life. Your money should have a job. We explore how you can be more intentional with your finances, and we connect it to a bigger picture. Join this conversation to reflect on these Wise Walk questions and more:

- - What do you really want, and how do you get clear on small steps to get there?
  - How does the vision from that clarity make you feel?
  - What are things you really want to invest in?

Tara believes in giving your money more than one job. There are strategies to help your money gain momentum. This can mean letting go of things that no longer serve you or building a team to amplify how your money works. Listen as Tara talks through examining your Financial Junk Drawer to get an overview of your current money and the possibilities of your future money.

Find what success is for you without getting caught up in what everyone “thinks” is success. Think of it as keeping yourself open so that as you evolve and change you can pivot your plans or visions to work for you instead of getting stuck. Begin a more fun and fulfilling money relationship with these Wise Walk questions:

- - What are things in your life you once deemed important, but no longer serve you?
  - What are things you can take off your list, so you can share your Heart Value in ways that matter most?
  - How can you start nurturing relationships so you can have fun in the process?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[02:51] – Tara E. Nolan says that teaching is the common thread in the experiences that light her up.

[05:46] – Tara shares how she recognized the need to unlearn the scarcity mindset from her upbringing.

[07:54] – Get clear on what retirement looks like for you.

[10:31] – A vision helps you shift your preparation in an effective direction.

[12:14] – Tara talks through examining your Financial Junk Drawer to get an overview of your current money and the possibilities of your future money.

[14:40] – Money is not math; it’s all emotion.

[17:07] – What people really want is options.

[19:45] – Gaining clarity is an on-going relationship.

[22:07] – Abundance is much more than money.

[24:59] – Tara explains how to connect your money to a larger plan.

[27:44] – Good, bad, or ugly, it’s useful to be aware of your current money status.

[29:40] – Give your money more than one job. Tara talks about how to give your money momentum.

[32:34] – How does a team influence what you can do with your money?

[35:00] – Mary Tess talks about her mindset shift that she worked through with her financial planner.

[36:52] – Make sure the team you build energetically and emotionally understands you. That’s how everybody wins.

[38:57] – Tara calls for everyone to get honest in their relationship with their money.

[41:55] – Mary Tess says we become more authentic to ourselves if we’re paying attention to what we feel.

[43:48] – The amazing story of the aunt with a comical and timely money story.

[45:58] – You have permission to spend.

[47:37] – What prevents people from moving forward in their money relationship? How can people address that?

[50:06] – What is one of the first steps you can take in changing your relationship with money planning?

[51:46] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“It’s amazing how we get so wrapped up into measuring our success based on someone else doing what we ‘think’ it means.” – Tara
“When you feel like you don’t have enough money, you just need to make a better plan.” – Tara
“Your money can make money for you if you have the right investments, structure, and team to support you.” – Mary Tess
“When someone says something, we have an immediate emotional or heart-centered reaction to it.” – Mary Tess
“The more we work with people, the more we’re able to identify what it is in our heart that really speaks to us or that we have resistance in.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

Tara E. Nolan

Facebook

EP73: What EPIC Adventure is Calling You with Dawn Calvinisti

by Mary Tess Rooney | Feb 17, 2022 | Podcast

There’s a void we know that exists within ourselves. Yet, we push it off. We know that there is something there that is worth exploring, but because it’s a new muscle we haven’t exercised, we give into our excuses. What if we decide to move forward in our True Stride? This episode talks about what EPIC adventure is calling you.

For decades, I was in a corporate role that limited my ability to personally engage with social media. Once I started working for myself, I had the ability to reimagine my relationship with social media, but (like anything new) I had resistance because I have a lot to learn. Connecting with people who share similar interests or passions has been a wonderful case of why social media is an important tool for me to learn. For example, our special guest, Dawn Calvinisti, came across my book, Heart Value, and reached out to me via social media.

Dawn Calvinisti was gathering speakers for her upcoming summit and thought I would be a perfect fit. When I got a glimpse of her work, I realized we have a lot of alignment in the themes we discuss and explore. This is how I became part of Dawn’s As Good As It Gets Summit. Dawn is hosting this summit of 30 wonderful women speakers to help you break free from people-pleasing and the day-to-day grind to discover more meaning, connection and fulfillment in life.

On EP 73’s Wise Walk, Dawn and I discuss how we all have the ability to design our own EPIC adventure. The word E.P.I.C stands for envision, plan, implement, and cherish. We walk through each intentional step to understand what it means to go towards the purpose calling you. Join this conversation to reflect on these Wise Walk questions and more:

- - What have you been pushing off?
  - What is something that’s calling you… that you’re a little bit scared to start, or don’t know how to start?
  - What are the things that light you up or used to light you up, and do they need to be investigated in a different way?

Dawn says that what lights her up is witnessing women realize that they are bigger than their imagined limits. She feels heavy when women disempower themselves. As a coach, she enjoys helping women step into their power through reflection, action steps, and community, which is why she is hosting this summit.

As we design our EPIC adventure (and adventures within adventures), it’s important to focus on the step you’re in to create little wins for yourself over and over again. Trust yourself and your courage in the process. Give yourself grace to take manageable steps with these Wise Walk questions:

- - If you are ready to honor what you envision, what can you call in to support you?
  - What are you cherishing about this experience?
  - Is there someone to help hold yourself accountable in a realistic way?
  - What are the things you don’t know that you need to learn?
  - Where can you be receptive to taking your journey one step at a time?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[03:19] – Dawn Calvinisti shares her multiple interests around natural health and wellness.

[05:43] – We all have the ability to design our own E.P.I.C adventure in life.

[07:32] – Where did Dawn get an idea to gather women speakers for the As Good As It Gets Summit?

[10:31] – Do you ever get a feeling that something is missing? What do you do with that feeling?

[11:51] – Dawn shares the perseverance and numbers behind getting a summit together.

[14:32] – Trust your process. You don’t have to force things to happen.

[16:33] – Striding is forward momentum. Use realistic steps to get tasks completed.

[18:24] – Create little wins over and over again.

[20:20] – Dawn talks about the format of the As Good As It Gets Summit. Is the schedule flexible for attendees?

[22:59] – Community is part of the summit experience. Dawn shares her hopes for the community of women connecting for the summit.

[25:43] – Dawn feels fulfilled seeing the summit come together and knowing she is cultivating support for women.

[28:15] – Here’s a sneak peak of the conversation themes for the As Good As It Gets Summit. Which ideas stand out to Dawn the most?

[30:57] – Don’t push aside what’s calling you into the light.

[33:13] – Mary Tess and Dawn discuss questions for this Wise Walk.

[35:13] – Mary Tess reminds everyone to give themselves grace with manageable expectations.

[36:49] – Dawn reassures people that you can shift as you feel through your journey.

[39:35] – Keep moving towards what is aligned to your True Stride.

[42:37] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Often, we either think we ‘can’t do it’ or ‘maybe that calling’s for someone else.” – Dawn
“For every ‘No’ I get, I’m one step closer to a ‘Yes’.” – Mary Tess
“If you know you’re called somewhere, put the feet in front because something will appear.” – Dawn
“We build this muscle memory, and even if this is the first time we’re doing something, and it’s scary, we have the ability to design something completely E.P.IC. and unique based on our own heart-centered alignment.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

As Good As It Gets Summit

Dawn Calvinisti

Instagram

EP72: Remembering to Focus on What Lights You Up

by Mary Tess Rooney | Feb 10, 2022 | Podcast

When you view life with a lens of self-awareness, you discover a fully expressed version of yourself. With each aha, it becomes easier to embrace discomfort and look at situations from a growth perspective. How can you use moments of resistance to pivot and adjust to what lights you up? This episode talks about looking at life through a self-reflection lens and being able to laugh when transition falls upon us.

I recently went through a time of having one of my routines disrupted. I personally like having a ceiling fan in my room to keep the space slightly chilly and cool enough to fall asleep under some blankets. A few months ago my ceiling fan wasn’t quite working, and the reason why is hilarious. Get ready to listen to what happened with my ceiling fan and a light switch as I share what the experience taught me about life views.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP72’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Moving so fast in life, we may skip or ignore details. It’s that we aren’t fully paying attention to the moment. From my experience, that’s how we sometimes add unnecessary resistance in our lives. It’s an important chance to give our attention to life. We can take those instances where we can’t seem to break through resistance to ground ourselves in what lights us up.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about the times we don’t fully pay attention to life and viewing resistance as a moment to adjust ourselves. Rather than being consumed by disruptions in life, I suggest you stay connected to your heart center. Notice the gift that exists inside of the disruption. To embrace the gift adjusting to what lights you up, come with me to reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- - Are you grounded in what lights you up?
  - Is there a metaphorical light switch in your life that you enjoyed throughout your life?
  - Where in your life have you tried to flip a switch and you didn’t get the outcome that you wanted, but maybe a different life lesson came your way?
  - What was that life lesson, and what did you learn about yourself through every detour?
  - Are you staying fully present in this growth mindset and not getting frazzled, but adjusting to the present moment?
  - Are you staying present in the troubleshooting as you pivot?

Looking back, I think there are many times in our life where we think we’re flipping ON a metaphorical switch, only to realize we didn’t show up fully to complete the task. An absent mind means we need to find what to focus on for us to realize what will really light us up, and light the path of moving forward.

Through all this, I find myself coming back to the power of humor. Laughing at the little disruptions and detours can get us past discomfort. Not the nervous kind of laughter, but the laughter where we appreciate life lessons as they come our way. Explore a growth mindset to take a look at your life’s metaphorical light switch with these Wise Walk questions:

- - What in your life are you able to flip the switch and turn ON in yourself to fully express and appreciate yourself?
  - What in your life is currently in the OFF position, and not because you don’t want it, but because you’re not fully present with that thing?
  - Where in your life can you really laugh at yourself, or at the situation, when you find yourself not fully expressing what lights you up?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[02:23] – How often are we not fully present?

[04:08] – Times of discomfort are moments to ground yourself in what lights you up.

[06:37] – Mary Tess considers questions for reflecting on the metaphorical light switch in life.

[08:28] – The power of humor.

[09:54] – What are Mary Tess’ two big takeaways from dealing with discomfort?

[11:36] – Mary Tess reminds you to stay present with what lights you up.

[13:24] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“I think the more we stay present, and really can honor what lights us up, and what doesn’t and release it, and what turns us ON or turns us OFF, then the more we are going to energetically vibrate at this really high frequency.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP71: Ways to Be Ebb and Flow with Ron Rothberg

by Mary Tess Rooney | Feb 3, 2022 | Podcast

Society feeds us a dream of “streamlined everything.” We are so used to this idea of having a vision, filling a task list, and executing it seamlessly that we can miss our present moments being too caught up in what’s “next.” This episode talks about ways to be more present in the ebb and flow of life with today’s special guest Ron Rothberg.

Personally, one of the times I feel most present is when I’m visiting National Parks. Out in nature is where I can stop the mind chatter, and be in awe of the beauty around me. It’s those moments that I really reflect on the “being” state versus the “doing” state. Ron is a longtime friend, and we watched each other evolve. He went on a 9 month road trip to be more present, while he started a new business and enlisted community support.

Ron Rothberg is the founder of the electric bike rental service Art Bikes Jax, which is a fleet of electric bikes available to rent so people can explore public art, historic neighborhoods and beautiful parks in and around Jacksonville’s urban core. Ron is also the co-host of Swan Dive podcast alongside his friend Stu Sheldon. At the end of 2019, Ron decided to look more into his passion outside of the corporate world. His search took him on a 9 month RV road trip with his wife, Christine. Ron launched Art Bikes Jax while on the road trip connecting with people nationwide. His passion attracted a community wherever he went, even being awarded the Cultural Council of Jacksonville 2021 Art Innovator Award.

On EP 71’s Wise Walk, Ron and I discuss why it’s such a challenge to stay focused on the present without getting distracted by what’s “next.” No one can escape the realities of life; that’s why staying present is a gift. The “doing” state is based on muscle memory we built by the patterns in the past, but with focus and practice, we can create more “being” muscle memory. Constant fast-paced living can make it difficult to slow down. Join this conversation to reflect on these Wise Walk questions and more:

- - What do you stand for?
  - What do you need to release to be more present?
  - What “long game” is calling you?

After traveling across the country Ron says people often asked him: “What’s it like to live the dream?” The dream was freedom and travel, but that dream also came with ebbs and flows. Would everyone be willing to accept the dream fully as it unfolds and pivot along with it?

Listen as Ron and I try to pinpoint the moments we give ourselves permission to just “be” in the present. We discuss growth-mates versus soulmates, finding community, and unlocking the gift of life with these Wise Walk questions:

- - What is something you can take off your plate that you only hold onto worrying about external expectations?
  - What are the communities that you can connect with that will bring you closer to that space?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[02:41] – Ron Rothberg thinks you don’t need a blueprint to follow passion, just the courage to take the first step.

[05:10] – Ron and his wife spent 9 months on the US Roads in an RV. What was it like?

[06:46] – The challenge is to be present without too much focus on what’s “next”.

[08:44] – Ron describes the inevitable spontaneity of finding places to stay for his RV trip and the beauty of the country.

[11:25] – Ron talks about his way of slowing down to quiet the mind chatter.

[12:59] – What about the days where you can’t quiet the mind chatter?

[14:28] – Muscle memory helps us develop that sense of peace and quiet, but it can also do the opposite. Can you change your muscle memory?

[17:19] – Ron says that his business started and evolved while on the RV trip.

[19:37] – What’s the lesson of building a business with your own vision?

[21:51] – Mary Tess talks about not forcing anything in the ebb and flow of navigating life.

[23:49] – What happens if we don’t honor the signals our body sends us?

[26:16] – Sometimes we all get caught up in our mind chatter, labels, and the world around us.

[28:10] – Make sure you have the flexibility to pivot, even when the situation is not ideal.

[30:45] – How did Ron find balance individually while taking such a long trip with his spouse?

[33:00] – Mary Tess and Ron share thoughts on the ebbs and flows in relationships.

[35:54] – Identify your triggers to shift your perspective.

[38:05] – The Universe is placing events together and giving you a gift.

[40:13] – What do you stand for?

[42:48] – Give yourself grace in the marathon of life.

[44:10] – Find ways to get closer to the true essence of alignment by connecting with communities.

[47:05] – Your journey may take you to places better than you ever expected.

[49:15] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“I don’t think you need a full blueprint, but you need to take that first step.” – Ron
“Sometimes our mind chatter gets so caught up in what we think they expect of us or what we think is the ‘right’ thing to do. When it comes down to it, I always go back to: If I don’t have my health, if I can’t be fully present in this body that the Universe has gifted me, and if I don’t take care of that, then what’s the point?” – Mary Tess
“You are going to ebb and flow into ideal situations, but sometimes you won’t, and that’s okay.” – Ron
“As you look at your calendar, your week, or even your day, is there something you’re doing… not because it lights you up, but because there is this external pressure that you feel, and you think it’s just ‘easier’ to go along with versus honor whatever resistance you feel within yourself?” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP70: Keys to Your Own Wise Walk Reflection

by Mary Tess Rooney | Jan 27, 2022 | Podcast

Your senses are constantly absorbing information. Externally, you try to make sense of the energy around you, pulling you, and requesting your attention. Internally, you try to balance and navigate thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that you experience. You don’t need to absorb all the information presented to you. This episode talks about having the keys to your own Wise Walk reflection.

Every time you hear the phrase “Wise Walk”, what do you think of? It dawned on me that we could talk about the meaning of our Wise Walks with more context. Actually, one of our fellow Striders even asked about how Wise Walks started, so I will share the origin story of our weekly time of slowing down and checking our reality.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP70’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Let’s go back to my childhood for a moment. I was that kid that wore their heart on their sleeve. I had no poker face. If something was bothering me I carried it not only internally, but externally. The good thing about my heart on my sleeve is that I didn’t go around harboring suppressed feelings. I could express all that I felt, and on some level that’s a gift. It’s a superpower.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about the core components that are the keys to your own Wise Walk. I am a sensitive individual, so I pick up on the energy of people’s actions, words, and emotions. Do you know that feeling? I try not to base how I move forward in my reality on external factors, but rather, I drop into my body to feel things on a cellular level. To drop into your heart and body, come with me to reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- - Where in your life can you give yourself that alone time to check-in with yourself?
  - How does it feel in your heart and your body on a cellular level when you stop and slow down?
  - What comes up and can you courageously accept your feelings without judgment?

Knowing how to drop into your heart and body allows you the chance to be aware of where you are in your current reality. Whatever is not aligning can be addressed in that moment as you consciously open up, and you can reconstruct how you are processing your internal and external world.

A Wise Walk creates a safe, open environment for you to process your feelings. What are the things that are going on as you process whatever questions, or situations, or circumstances are in the present moment?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[03:11] – Mary Tess talks about her mom’s attentive nurturing of how Mary Tess processes her feelings and thoughts.

[04:38] – Give yourself alone time in a nurturing environment away from external noise.

[06:14] – Gather the courage to seek answers to the heartfelt, cellular level questions.

[07:22] – Don’t forget the allowance and acceptance of non-judgement.

[08:14] – Make time for a Wise Walk, and trust your inner compass.

[10:12] – Allow yourself to notice what your heart is feeling.

[10:45] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“When I am feeling unaligned, that is when I need to go inward and figure out what the crux of the issue is.” – Mary Tess
“Engage your inner compass to feel, choose, and act with intention.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

#The100DayProject Official Page

EP69: How Intention Creates Our Reality with Leigh Farrow

by Mary Tess Rooney | Jan 20, 2022 | Podcast

What is possible with 10 minutes a day for 100 days or a word intention? What might you experience, create or receive? Imagine if you had a chance to create each day, and transformed the way you connect with the world. This episode talks about how committed intention can change your worldview with today’s special guest Leigh Farrow.

This year feels like a clean slate and full of possibilities. People are still pivoting in life, but finally becoming stronger, more resilient, and more comfortable with processing and navigating their reality. When we take time to set our intentions and commit to showing up, we can shift our reality of what’s possible. Small, consistent acts add up and shape our present and future. Our guest today will help us discover how we can do just that without burning ourselves out.

Leigh Farrow, author of Leadership Nuts and Animated Wisdom speaker, is a creative powerhouse. Leigh is a friend and fellow Strider who is back again to talk about setting consistent intentions.

On our Wise Walk, Leigh and I share thoughts on committing to an intention, and we explore how to experiment with that commitment. Most of this episode talks about the Word of the Year and the 100 Day Project as tools we can use to playfully align with our True Stride. Likewise, we discuss giving ourselves grace between letting go of negative feelings and addressing negative feelings. Join this conversation to reflect on these Wise Walk questions and more:

- - How committed are you to intentionally living out your word?
  - Did you thoughtfully choose how your word will add to your life?
  - When will you use your word throughout the day?
  - Is there a feeling you are hoping to create by being aware of this word?

Our body is meant to be in alignment, so it’s only right that we cultivate a world around us that supports us. Honoring creativity and intentional effort can open a path for you to step into your True Stride. How do you envision your new self growing and evolving as a result of your word and your commitment to yourself?

Everything that we do is a creative expression. As we discuss allowing creativity to unfold organically, and deciding to commit to an intention, ask yourself these Wise Walk questions:

- - What creative talent do you want to exercise and make stronger or bring to light in a new way?
  - What and how are you being playful with your discovery process?
  - Is there anything interesting to you that you want to learn?
  - How are you carving out time to make space for your creative gifts and abilities?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

You can listen to previous conversations with Leigh Farrow in Episode 18 and Episode 56.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[01:22] – Leigh Farrow says that we get stronger and more resilient as we get more comfortable with how we process and navigate our reality.

[03:37] – Mary Tess and Leigh reflect on doing another round of the 100 Day Project during this year.

[05:17] – What is Leigh’s Word of the Year?

[07:28] – Mary Tess and Leigh discuss giving yourself grace between letting go and addressing negative feelings.

[09:46] – People, by nature, lean towards the negative. How can we be more aware of this?

[12:22] – Mary Tess shares with Leigh why she chose the word “Gift” for this year and the results so far.

[15:14] – Since no one is a mind reader, opt to give people grace and space.

[17:45] – How did Mary Tess let go and give grace in a situation that was one bad thing after the other?

[20:44] – What is the 100 Day Project?

[22:51] – Leigh shares her previous 100 Day Project that became a wall art installation and how she pivoted during that time.

[25:16] – Everything that we’re doing is potentially a creative expression.

[27:36] – What is Leigh thinking of doing for this year’s 100 Day Project?

[29:41] – Mary Tess explains why it can be helpful to have a broader aim that you can sustain for the 100 Day Project.

[32:20] – What is Mary Tess thinking of doing for this year’s 100 Day Project?

[34:07] – Leigh explores how people from all over the world can connect through sharing and witnessing the 100 Day Project.

[36:59] – Mary Tess talks about using daily intention in showing up for the Word of the Year.

[38:30] – Leigh gives her thoughts on how to incorporate the Word of the Year into your life regularly.

[40:26] – Continue to be you and show up.

[42:50] – How are you evolving with your Word of the Year?

[45:23] – Mary Tess and Leigh discuss choosing to commit to an intention and what it means to try on intentions like clothing.

[47:39] – Explore yourself and your creativity.

[50:20] – What different ways can you honor your creativity?

[52:55] – Don’t judge yourself or your creativity too strictly.

[54:54] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Some of the things that worked for us in the past, are not working for us in the present. It is upon us to recognize that trigger or recognize that feeling.” – Mary Tess
“I think we’re in this constant evolution where we have to acknowledge and we have to be willing to release anything that’s not serving us. That’s the only way we can make space for the things that really do light us up.” – Mary Tess
“None of us see or experience other people’s work the way they do. It’s all a unique journey.” – Leigh
“Take time to invest in yourself and to figure out what your value in this world is that you see and how you can reflect it back into the world either through your own personal work or through some creative aspect.” -Leigh

Links and Resources: