A Heroine's Journey: A Supportive Approach to Growth
"The Heroine’s Journey isn't a destination; it's a reflective adventure". – D. Snow
Whenever I’ve been asked over the past year, “What are you up to, Susanna?” I’ve responded that I’m building a school, a school for women. Not with a brick or with boards and nails, but online, and I’ve enlisted the support of women to do it. Fabulous women. Frankly, I couldn’t have done it – be doing it – without them: Karen, Kim, Ashley, Sara…and Danielle. I’m going to introduce all of them to you.
Actually, I’m going to ask them, “Why? Why did you join The School for Real-Life Heroines?”
Why Join?
We’ll begin with Danielle. Danielle Snow and I both went to the same coaching school, The Hudson Institute of Coaching, in Santa Barbara. I went in 2007. Danielle graduated about a few years ago. Toni McLean thought we’d like to meet since we both lived in Maine. She did us a favor. We hit it off, to put it mildly…but here – let me let Danielle tell you.
You’ll learn more about Danielle when I interview her as a guest for my Podcast for Real-Life Heroines.
But here’s a start – in her own words:
…..
Hey there, extraordinary women on the cusp of or contemplating the Heroine’s Journey for transformation! Allow me to weave a tale of my serendipitous encounter with Susanna in the vibrant summer of 2022 – a narrative laced with curiosity, self-discovery, and unexpected surprises.
Imagine a “blind friend date” rendezvous at the now-shuttered Flip in Brunswick, Maine. Susanna and I, orchestrated by a mutual friend who knew our shared passion for whole-person coaching, found ourselves face to face. As I entered, she sat in a sunny window nook, the warmth of familiarity enveloping me – vibes I hadn't anticipated!
Over breakfast, our conversation danced around our shared roots in coach training and our mutual love affair with all things Maine. "Curly hair club!" echoed in my mind as I admired her vibrant red curls (in contrast to my blonde waves). We both expressed our personalities with colorful glasses – hers a striking red, mine a bold blue. And oh, the tranquility she radiated! (Mental note: Uncover the secrets of that serenity.)
As our dialogue meandered, Susanna unveiled her work on the Heroine’s Journey, extending an invitation for me to join her beta program for accountability groups. Now, I'm all for pushing boundaries, but the term "heroine" stirred an initial discomfort. Why? Frankly, I had no clue. Could I embrace this? Uncertain.
For those not yet acquainted with Susanna's lexicon, in her world, dragons symbolize deep-seated beliefs or baggage. The moniker of my dragon? "Hero." Sounds impressive, right? Courageous, achieving, the savior – but Hero comes with its own set of challenges. Forever fixated on productivity, achievements, and rescues, it left me drained and yearning for fulfillment.
Enter the Heroine’s Journey – a refreshing reframing of the narrative. It's not about nurturing your Hero; it's an embrace of a communal, nurturing, and supportive approach to growth, not just achievement. Energizing, not exhaustive!
The initial discomfort stemmed from perceiving hero and heroine as merely masculine and feminine counterparts. However, the realization dawned that they are distinct approaches, each with its own unique essence! This reframing took me from uncomfortable to not just comfortable, but ready to share with others.
The Heroine's Journey Work
The Heroine’s Journey isn't a destination; it's a reflective adventure. And, it’s an adventure you can take over and over again. Susanna's overarching goal? To propel each woman into realizing her authentic self and nurturing her to reach her full potential. Accept the challenge, and oh, the growth that will ensue!
In the realm of thrilling announcements, Susanna graciously invited me to be part of The School for Real Life Heroines! Together, we're making the Heroine’s Journey accessible to all you remarkable women out there. Whether you fancy a solo self-paced course, a small group escapade, or an immersive 8-week seminar, we've tailored options to suit your preferences. And for those passionate about spreading the vibrancy of the heroine’s journey (like me!), we're imparting the skills to facilitate this empowering odyssey through a certification course.
