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balancedlivingwithleah

I support people who are navigating a Mormon faith transition and guide parents in conscious parenting practices.

“Within every woman there is a wild and natural

“Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing.” - Clarissa Estes

I’ve been up to… pausing to figure out how I

I’ve been up to…

pausing to figure out how I really feel instead of letting old patterns decide for me by asking myself “is this how I actually feel, or is this my emotional history trying to recreate the past?”

learning to love and embrace the parts of me that I thought were unlovable.

sitting with the uncomfortable feelings that arise as I slow my life way down. Those difficult feelings have become some of my most powerful teachers.

spending more time going inward and observing all that I find with acceptance, which has resulted in developing greater clarity and intuition.

developing safe relationships of authenticity and deep connection.

Leaving Mormonism was a step towards healing, towards finding my true north and an invitation into unimaginable expansion, but it was just one step. The journey is joyful, difficult, powerful and ongoing.

I’ve received many messages from people who are

I’ve received many messages from people who are curious about my Ayahuasca retreat.

What I experienced in around 28 hours of ceremony was ineffable and far too personal to share. That being said, I’m sensing that more information may be supportive for those considering connecting with “the grandmother,” so I’d like to share a high level overview.

Ayahuasca has historically been reserved only for indigenous tribes that have connected with Mother Earth in ways us westerners are perhaps only beginning to glimpse. The kind of shamanic plant medicine healing I did works on the emotional, physical, and energetic body, sometimes through somatic experiencing.

I worked with skilled shamans of the Peruvian Shipibo lineage who developed their healing Icaros (healing songs that work on an energetic level) during years spent in sacred communion with plants in the jungle.

In each ceremony I received personalized Icaros from both the male and female shaman. Icaros are a critical part of healing and many people have profound experiences as the songs are being sung to them.

I was able to experience emotions stemming from both pain and joy in a deeper way than I have ever been able to. I connected with an ancestor in a profound way, and experienced powerful generational trauma healing work with her.

I could observe many experiences from a place of profound awareness and I was able to connect with myself, the universe, ancestors, and those around me deeply.

The medicine increased my self-awareness, substantially! I could look at aspects of myself through multiple perspectives. I was able to relive experiences I’ve gone through that have been tucked deep in my subconscious mind.

I feel connected with my body in new ways, on deeper levels - it’s indescribable. I understood the importance of my physical and emotional well-being in a new light.

Integration is the most critical process. This is the real work that comes after the ceremonies. I’m still very much processing and integrating my experiences.

I’m grateful beyond description for this incredibly expansive and profoundly healing experience. Hopefully this is helpful information for those who are curious♥️

“Let food be thy medicine,” @soltarahealingcen

“Let food be thy medicine,” @soltarahealingcenter takes this to a whole new level! In between ceremonies we were nourished with a diversity of dishes made with local, organic ingredients without any oils, salt, seasonings or flour. Everything was thoughtfully prepared to align with our plant medicine dietary restrictions, and made with love by the amazing head chef and his kitchen staff. Oh how I’m missing these beautiful, high vibe meals🥗

My time at Soltara in Costa Rica was beyond descri

My time at Soltara in Costa Rica was beyond description and tomorrow I head back home. Four of my nights at Soltara were spent in ceremony with Ayahuasca…it was ineffable. My experiences were extremely powerful, sometimes overwhelming, and feel too personal and sacred to share.

The “grandmother” provides an opportunity to heal generations from the past, present and future. She’s the wisdom of Mother Earth, calling us to step into a greater capacity for love, forgiveness, healing and transformation.

The shamans leading our ceremonies spent decades in the jungle learning from the wisdom of the plants, in addition to learning from their Shipibo lineage. Together they’ve spent a total of 42 years humbly serving humanity in this work. I’m deeply grateful for their devotion to healing our planet and our species.

The other facilitators who supported us in ceremonies and throughout the week embody a level of love and wisdom that surpasses description. I’m in awe of their love for our earth, for humanity and for all living things.

I made 18 new friends from around the world and they are amazing people! Together we stepped into the unknown with massive bravery and courage to see, to feel it and to heal. We vulnerably shared our intentions and parts of our journey experiences, which resulted in quickly developing close friendships.

If you’ve been feeling called to connect with Ayahuasca, I’m sending you all the encouragement! While it may be the scariest thing you’ve ever done, chances are that it will also be the most healing and expansive as well.

Over the past few years, MDMA assisted psychothera

Over the past few years, MDMA assisted psychotherapy and plant medicine has transformed my life in indescribable ways. These experiences have been sacred, profound, expansive and healing beyond measure.

After years of learning and preparing, I’m ready to go deeper and this Sunday I’ll be making my way by plane, car and boat, deep into the jungle of Costa Rica to do just that.

With the support of skilled Peruvian Shipibo shamans and other professional facilitators, and medical oversight, I’m embarking on a journey to connect with “the grandmother,” Ayahuasca.

Hi there! Perhaps you’ve noticed that I’ve ste

Hi there! Perhaps you’ve noticed that I’ve stepped back from posting here with any consistency; I’ve felt at peace with this decision.

I continue to prioritize my own healing and expansion work, which is inextricably linked to experiencing more joy in my life, and also being able to more effectively support my family and coaching clients. It’s all connected isn’t it?!

I trust the universe/source/divine love to continue to connect me with people who can be positively impacted by what I offer, and I feel deeply thankful for this.

I’m sending love to those who are navigating the ups and downs of life (all of us), and especially to those who are leaving Mormonism. My faith awakening was the most painful experience ever, and also the greatest gift of my life!

I’m excited to be offering this upcoming free cl

I’m excited to be offering this upcoming free class series! Come to learn and practice the same powerful communication skills that have been transformative for the individuals, couples and families that I’ve worked with in my coaching practice.

The principles taught in these monthly classes will empower participants with the tools to develop deeper connections and greater safety and satisfaction in their relationships.

If you live within reasonable driving distance from Dublin, OH and would like to attend, or have additional questions, please email me at the address listed at the bottom of this flyer.

Parents are busy, and carving out consistent time

Parents are busy, and carving out consistent time in the evening to attend my live courses can be challenging.

While my live communication course for parents has been transformative for many families, the consistent request I’ve received is to transition it into an online video course. I’m excited to announce that this on demand option is now available!

My video course teaches the same communication principles and tools that have been the most meaningful for my private coaching clients and past course participants! Learn more by clicking the link in my bio or visiting my website.

I’ve been up to: - Daily walks in the golden su

I’ve been up to:

- Daily walks in the golden sunshine
- Creating a meditation space
- Slowing down, accomplishing less
- Turning my live communication course for parents into a digital offering
- Taking time to grieve
- Learning more about breathwork
- Co-facilitating deeper healing journeys
- Reading with my children

It’s taking a great deal of time, patience and practice to unravel all of the “shoulds,” as I seek to create a life filled with more joy. I’m embracing the journey.

It’s been such a joy to observe my ever-so-creat

It’s been such a joy to observe my ever-so-creative and thoughtful friends Laura and Murphy, as they’ve boldly and thoughtfully navigated their faith awakening and transition away from Mormonism.

@laura.j.randle sketched this drawing and her husband @mrmurphy.dev wrote the thoughts below while listening to episode #33 of the Bewildered podcast with Elizabeth Gilbert. With their permission, I’m sharing these powerfully illustrative masterpieces.

Thoughts on selfishness from Murphy:

“My immediate thought in response to this podcast is that it might me time to rethink selfishness.

Our selves are the primary tool we have for interacting with this world while we exist.

Systems want as much control as possible over the selves of their members, because that’s where their power to do things lies. Of course selfishness would be vilified.

But if we are to wake up to autonomy, we need to become self-aware. We must become intimate with our own selves. Because that is where our power lies.

The power to help others.
The power to change the world around us.
The power to engage with systems on our own terms.
The power to release others from the bondage of systemic roles.

Can it be that the first step to great magnanimity looks like selfishness? …is selfishness?

My hunch is that there is much less harm in selfishness than we are taught to think. That the damaging kind of selfishness sprouts from a system that bans all selfishness. That significant healing can come from mindfully seeking the intersection of selfishness and harmlessness.”

I’ve undergone several medicine journeys in rece

I’ve undergone several medicine journeys in recent years. Each one has been profound and meaningful. These growing and healing experiences have changed my life in profound ways.

If you haven’t yet watched “How to Change Your Mind” or “Fantastic Fungi” on Netflix, I’d HIGHLY, highly recommend it!

Getting curious about the variety of “cages” I

Getting curious about the variety of “cages” I both consciously and subconsciously trap myself in has been a vital part of my post-religious healing journey. As I continue to create a joy-filled life, I’m finding ways to free myself from a variety of different expectation “cages.”

Do you also notice yourself questioning and shifting away from other cultural and self-imposed expectations more since transitioning away from high demand religion? If so, are you finding greater joy and peace as you reevaluate what you may have once considered to be an absolute truth or necessity?

“Sadness gives depth. Happiness gives height. Sa

“Sadness gives depth. Happiness gives height. Sadness gives roots. Happiness gives branches. Happiness is like a tree going into the sky, and sadness is like the roots going down into the womb of the earth. Both are needed, and the higher a tree goes, the deeper it goes, simultaneously. The bigger the tree, the bigger will be its roots. In fact, it is always in proportion. That’s its balance.”
- Osho

The greatest determining factor of joy in human li

The greatest determining factor of joy in human life is the quality of our relationships, and the quality of our relationships is determined by the quality of our communication. Learning to be an effective and thoughtful communicator can be transformative for ALL our relationships.

Baby steps. No need to rush. Priority on safe conn

Baby steps. No need to rush. Priority on safe connection over details, especially at first.

Leaning into the pain with curiosity turned my fai

Leaning into the pain with curiosity turned my faith transition into a portal for transformative growth.
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#lifetransition #aftermormonism #mormontransformation #mormontransition #mormons #faithtransition #lifechange #mormontransitionsupport #mormontransitioncoach #lds #exmormon #thoughtfultransition #transitiontools #relationshiptools #navigatingfaithtransitions #newjourney #thebestisyettocome #balancedlivignwithleah #mormonstories #lifetransitions

Sending love out to all the parents who are naviga

Sending love out to all the parents who are navigating through this situation with their children. Hang in there!
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#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparrenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah

Model vulnerability. Ask what support would look l

Model vulnerability. Ask what support would look like/feel like and keep the conversation going. I’ll be addressing talking about the WHY, the questions, in my next video.
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#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparrenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah

Curiosity so often an excellent starting point, fo

Curiosity so often an excellent starting point, followed by non-judgmental and sincere acknowledgments. Pt. 2 coming tomorrow.
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#parentingjourney #parentingtips #parenting #parentingskills #parentingsupport #parentlife #positiveparenting #positiveparentingstrategies #positiveparentingskills #positiveparentingcoach #navigatingparenting #consciousparenting #consciousparentingtools #consciousparentingcoach #consciousparents #intrinsicmotivation #postmormonparrenting #parentingaftermormonism #lifestyleaftermormonism #formermormon #balancedlivingwithleah #partnershipparenting

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