Alpha Chick: Shann Vander Leek – Her Story of Transformation

Shann Vander Leek – Unconventional and delightfully curious; Shann Vander Leek is the founder of True Balance International, co-founder of Anxiety Slayer, author of Life on Your Terms, and creator of the Transformation Goddess Experience. Shann is a transformational coach providing the support you need to live your truth, rock your passion and revel in your true calling. Check out her luscious new offering for women who are ready to reclaim their feminine sovereignty.
Learn more at //www.transformationgoddess.com

 We all experience life challenges that looking back we can see were the catalyst for living a deeper, more authentic life. What has been your greatest personal challenge that you’ve overcome that served as your pivot point to transformation? 

Years ago I had very little body mind awareness. I imagine the disconnect may have had something to do with overindulging in my former high-stress career, allowing for mind numbing drama, a diet of rich restaurant fare, and partying with friends on the weekends. While lost in my ego’s aspirations and pleasure hound behaviors, I lost respect for my Divinely feminine physical being. Always a chameleon, I morphed into the predominately male culture in which I was immersed. It never occurred to me to flaunt being a bright, soulful, feminine woman. On top of my professional warrior energy, I gave away all of my personal energy, and never considered caring for myself. Does this sound familiar? Thankfully, becoming a new mother and getting involved with coaching, the martial arts and yoga helped me walk away from a career and lifestyle that no longer suited me. I learned how to put myself at the front of the line.

Describe the transformational moment or wake-up call when you realized that life change was necessary? For many, it’s a spiritual awakening, an emotional downfall, or a life-altering experience that shakes us awake.

I remember precisely when I realized I was ready to let go of everything and pursue my calling. I was in a meeting with my peers and our newly appointed general manager. The true purpose of the meeting was lost as a discussion about the future of our sales force suddenly took a nose dive, becoming a mosh pit of ruthless madness. The experience was awful. I couldn’t keep calm. My ego and my heart got caught up in the situation:
I lost my cool while being interrogated by someone with absolutely zero knowledge of sales management and even less compassion for a tenured sales staff. I was trapped in the no-win game of arrogance and corporate garbage, and on the verge of an emotional meltdown.
At the moment I completely shut down, I looked out the conference room window. Blazing across the sky was an intense, perfect rainbow. I was the only person in the room with this spectacular view, and in that instant, I knew I had to get out of the company to save my soul. Playing it safe was no longer an option.

After experiencing your personal wake-up call what were the most powerful steps you took to change your life? 

I began to honor my body with regular massage therapy. For me, massage is not a luxury—it is my feminine right to allow for body work. The benefits of massage therapy include lowering stress, deep relaxation, and improved circulation. If you aren’t making time for massage, get to it! You’ll thank me later.

A friend recommended yoga as a healthy activity to get in touch with my body again. I sampled a class and from the first relaxing breath to the final shavasana, I was hooked. Practicing yoga dramatically began to improve my life. Nurturing my body with yoga helps me get in touch with my body on a deeper level. Learning to be gentle with myself through restorative poses and tuning into my breath and how I feel while moving my body is nourishing to my whole self. Practicing yoga improved the way I relate to my body mind. In the years I have been interested in, studying and currently teaching luscious living playshops; I have become the Transformation Goddess I am today. It feels good to care for my whole self: body, mind and spirit.

 Please share a Positive Mental Shift tip that woman can implement today to support them on their journey of transformation and empowerment. 

Positive self talk is one of my favorite weapons to combat occasional masochistic mental commentary. My ego mind can be an unruly playground filled with bullies, tattletales and monsters under the bed. When I am feeling blue, I tell myself; I am enough, I am worthy, I am loved.. When I am feeling battered by the schoolyard bully, positive self-talk is my magic weapon. I acknowledge the little bugger and then ask the question, “Is this real?” I am no longer willing to live in a guilt-ridden shame pit created by the ‘shoulds’ of my ego. When I am emotionally drained I practice an internal dialogue like: “I approve of myself” or “All is well and I am safe”. Repeating this supportive mantra several times a day has retrained my thought patterns. Positive self-talk is a big part of my feminine confidence . I realize that I deserve extreme self-care and loads of self-love.

 

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