As a child, I avoided running. I was active, athletic and competitive, but I generally chose sports and their respective positions by the least amount of running required. In soccer, I was the goalie. In softball, the catcher. When I had to choose between field hockey and volleyball, well… I chose volleyball. By the time I got around to really trying running, it was because I had to, not because I wanted to. My focus was on fitness, not fun.
What kept me going was my mom’s voice in my, “show-up, and let God do the rest.” I kept showing up and before I knew it, I was a runner. Not fast or ready to win any medals, but I witnessed a transformation which included benefits to my body, mind, energy and confidence. Living in Manhattan’s Lower Eastside, running helped me quiet the noise. No headphones, no music, no distractions. Just me. My thoughts. Me inhale. My exhale. My sensations. My forward movement. I loathed the first ten minutes of any run, but by minute eleven, my endorphins had kicked in, my breath steadied, my pace grooved and my mind calmed. Amidst a bustling world of chaos, running made me feel better. Dare I say, it even brought me joy. In running I had found the feeling of a true stride–a rhythmic connection of alignment, power, peace and strength. I wanted that feeling in other parts of my life, most notably in my career. Rather than live by the made-up rules of others that define my value, I wanted to feel the connection with work that ignites the heart. I wanted to go beyond validation for effort and hours to be truly appreciated for my unique strengths. I’ve come to call this my True Stride. And I want to share the journey to finding it with you. True Stride became my metaphor for trusting your inner compass, overcoming resistance, cherishing the contrast, directing your life, setting your pace, honoring your rare essence and fueling your joy frequency to rhythmically move forward, in all that you do. This metaphor is applicable whether you are an artist, manager, painter, business owner, writer, student, baker, parent, juggler, photographer, teacher, or athlete. Whatever pursuit energizes your Heart Value can become your True Stride. Each runner has their own unique True Stride and you deserve to be aligned with yours. My journey to discover my True Stride set me on a path to match the value I offer with those who genuinely appreciate my entire being—in my truest authentic form—which ultimately raised my joy frequency. And now I want to share that process and journey with you. Through the True Stride podcast, retreats, empowerment coaching and my new book – Heart Value – coming out in 2021, you can follow the steps to discover you True Stride, including:
- Trust your inner compass – Your inner compass is your inner voice that wisely observes situations and offers emotional, energetic or physical signs to enrich your awareness.
- Overcome resistance – Mind chatter, external pressures, self-doubt, and limiting beliefs are all factors that can leave you paralyzed. Don’t let them. Push past the pain to find the pleasure.
- Cherish the contrast to direct your path – Without contrast, expansion rarely occurs. If you looked at your life like this big adventure map filled with twists, turns, breath-taking views and steep climbs, you’d also see that your present and your future, or the path ahead, is not yet designed.
- What you offer–your value, talents, abilities, strengths and skills–are distinctly unique and extremely powerful, especially when they are shared from your heart, and received by the right audience. Take time to appreciate life’s highs and lows, and honor your rare essence to direct your path.
- Fuel your joy frequency – Celebrate renewed energy as you rhythmically move forward.
- Once you hit your True Stride there is an emotional satisfaction that surfaces. That energetic vibration carries over into other areas of your life.
What began as a process to quantify and promote my value, evolved into a more meaningful awareness of understanding the sacred relationship between your value, how it makes you feel, and how you energetically and emotionally connect with others. I invite you to take the journey with me to realize your True Stride.