Be Radical

Ever notice how About Me sections of a website, pamphlet, or company suddenly take up the third person? Brittany did this, Brittany did that.

Hi, I’m Brittany. I am not going to do that. I am here writing this; when you call I am the person who will answer; when you need support I am the one who will give it; when you have a question- “hello it’s Brittany, how can I be in COMPLETE AND UTTER SERVICE TO YOU AND YOUR DREAMS?”

So, who am I?

I am an extremely powerful coach, a woman of words, a seeker of adventure, a wanderess, an independent outlier, a nerdy rebel, a bold book worm, a warrior for the female voice, and an unstoppable Stand for all humans creating lives of fulfillment, joy, and purpose. I am a on a full blown mission to change the planet one human interaction at a time; I am dedicated to creating inner peace and compassion so that my clients breath that out into the world.

I was raised in a small town in Oregon, fifty feet from the house my father was born in. I grew up in a financially stable, spiritually abundant, adventurous household. My parents were world travelers, they followed their dreams, built their company and home, and worked hard to give us lives of Love and Connection.

But I was on the outskirts. And in every sense of the word: Independent. My parents allowed me to dress myself for school––which meant that on any given day I was wearing multiple outfits at once, putting halloween costumes over jeans, and constantly sporting at least three ponytails. I was different. My first word was No, and I meant it. I learned from a young age that solitude was the safest place. Not only did I get to decide how I spent my recess, but I was safe in my decision––no one would make me cry or tell me to go away. They wouldn’t question me or my outfit. And I took this notion of safety with me out of pre-school, and into middle school, high school, college, and even grad school, oh yeah and my friendships, and romantic relationships.

Though I had strength, conviction, and power, little did I know I had built an external and internal wall, behind which stood, and sometimes crouched, a one girl army. Though I had great friends and a social life, I never let myself become vulnerable to anything. And while I am fortunate to have built a strong wall against pain and discomfort, it was a wall that also turned away connection, intimacy, love, growth, and understanding. I was incredibly comfortable in situations where I knew my place and how to manipulate how I was coming across. But put me in a room full of women who I didn’t know, I became jelly. What was the best thing to say? What could I do? Suddenly someone whose words and wit came easy, fell silent. I would fall to the margins, deeply caring how I came across and what others thought of me.

And for that reason, Academia loved me, and I it. School, class, papers,  books, and homework were my favorite pastimes. I knew who I was, I knew how to do a fantastic job, I knew how to get approval and validation. Intellect was safe. And while my brilliant mind continued to shine, my heart took a back seat. I was so versed in my thoughts, I had little access to feelings and emotions, in fact I had an intellectual relationship with my feelings. My encounters with love predictably kept coming to ends, and I was at a loss.

While applying to PhD programs and nursing a broken heart, I realized I was stuck. I didn’t want to be playing such a small game: hiding behind papers, and constantly convincing people I had merit. I wanted love that didn’t end, I wanted connection that wasn’t constantly being self analyzed, I wanted to change the world. The quicksand of being ordinary and unhappy was fast approaching, and I didn’t want to be just another human turning the page and scrolling over the contents. I wanted all my dreams to come true, I wanted to know what they were, I wanted everything I was promised as a child, and I wanted it on my terms. I was tired of playing societies game of school and work. And just when I needed it most, the Universe responded, and I was invited to register for a leadership and coach training program with Accomplishment Coaching, The World’s Finest Coach Training program.  I had no interest in coaching, I was in it for some major personal transformation. And yet, a month into the program I got my first client, and at graduation’s end I quit my day job and never looked back.

I am now the proud owner of this company, where I change people’s live by shifting how they speak to themselves. I have created thriving relationships, launched a blog, published short stories, and continued to use my masters in English literature within my Ontological Coaching practice, where my clients and I dive into the language they use on a daily basis. When I am not working with individual clients or companies, I train new coaches with Accomplishment Coaching, and facilitate their Leadership and Coach Training Program in San Diego. I also hold the Professional Coach Credential (PCC) from the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Everyday I take one action in step with my commitment to passion, adventure, and radical fulfillment. I am deeply immersed in a life I love, and I am dedicated to changing the world one human interaction at a time. We have a moral responsibility to leave the world as rich in possibility as we found it. And that is why I coach, mentor, live and breath. I am here to create the planet I want to live on. Howard Thurman, a civil rights leader, philosopher, and author beautifully once said: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”