For our readers, who don’t know you, please introduce yourself.
Tess: I currently work as a writer, speaker, and courage coach. I have a master’s degree in counseling psychology and had a private practice in Michigan for 10 years. I love to guide and inspire people to overcome their fears and live-out-loud. I write at The Bold Life, for an amazing and growing community, that I love dearly. My work has allowed me to reach people all over the world. My passion is to help others grow through their fears and take the action needed to create and live a meaningful and inspired life. I’ve written three books and created a brand new course, 30 Days to Bold.
Why did you create 30 Days of Bold? Tell us more about it.
Tess: 30 Days to Bold is an interactive and live course that begins on Monday February 18th. It allows us to support and personally get to know each other. We overcome our fears and grow through our courage. The course is designed to take one beyond excuses, procrastination, worries and doubts…from fear to freedom. You’ll gain the confidence to take bold action. • Every Monday you will receive in your inbox a password that will give you access to the course on a private page at The Bold Life where you’ll find all the material, videos, ebooks and more. • Access to a private live long Facebook page with myself and other bold people in the 30 Days of Bold community. • A series of personal and heartfelt videos from my awesome and courageous friends. They share their own stories and expertise on how they have overcome fear and how you can too. • A Series of Video Interviews with myself and other courageous experts. • 4 LIVE group-coaching calls with me. • My stories/guidance/wisdom gleaned from helping thousands of people through my work as a psychologist, life coach, and professional speaker. • Weekly, worksheets, lessons, activities, encouragement and support. • Over $100 in bonuses and other goodies from my fearless friends.
Why did you create it?
Tess: I understand what it is like to be paralyzed by fear. In the past, I made mistakes, I spent my time freaked out, playing small, denying and hiding from fear. I sunk into depression and I hated my life. One day, when I couldn’t stand the pain, craziness or drama any longer… I reached out for help. I hired a therapist, attended a support group, found a mentor, hired a coach and put into practice what I learned. Little by little, I turned my life around. I created a new story. The payoff of my post-fear life…I raised my family, I saved my marriage, became a successful therapist, a coach, an author, a professional speaker, a blogger, a writer…I achieved things I never would have thought possible. I’ve had a successful career, over 20 years of experience, as a therapist, courage coach, speaker and writer. The course provides the proven tools and techniques that I have used myself and with clients. It’s the culmination of everything I’ve learned. I’m still asked, “How do you do it?” 30 Days of Bold is my answer. You only need to apply it to your own situation. Not only does 30 Days of Bold offer the tools to move beyond fear, it offers a map to self-love, faith in oneself, risk-taking, to positively anticipate your future and achieve a deeper appreciation of life and everything in it. We often look up to brave, bold and successful people. It’s time to become one of them! In the end, I’ve been blessed with very loving and brilliant mentors and teachers throughout my lifetime. It’s my turn to give.
From your experience, what are the major barriers to living boldly? What keeps people stuck in fear?
How can we develop courage?
Tess: Be willing take action. Make a difference and use your talent and gifts to make the world a better place. Things will go wrong. So what? You’ll make mistakes. So what? You will be rejected. So what? Keep going, ask for help, find support and be willing to do what it takes. A favorite quote on fear: I have accepted fear as a part of life – specifically the fear of change…. I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back. ~Erica Jong 30 Days of Bold offers you the safety and support of a loving community. You don’t have to go it alone.
What do you hope that people will take away after completing the course?
Tess: I want them to see that they are not alone and that there is nothing wrong with them. We all fail, we all make mistakes and we all have flaws. I want them to own their power and innate goodness. I want them to use their innate courage and have faith in themselves. I want to see them use their gifts, talents and to offer them to others along the path. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed in making the world a better place to live! Dennis Waitley said, “There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.”
What one thing would you recommend to help people start living more boldly today?
Tess: I would suggest they get support. 30 Days of Bold offers community, a private facebook page, 4 group coaching calls and an opportunity to be with others who are going through the same process. It offers others a chance to feel safe in their vulnerability and from that place they can face the unknown.
