In this inspiring episode of the 'Kindness Is' podcast, host Kaitlin welcomes special guest Heather Vickery, a global leader and transformational success coach. Join them as they engage in a heartfelt conversation about the power of self-care, personal growth, and the beauty of embracing authenticity.

Heather shares her personal journey of self-discovery, including her experience of coming out later in life. Kaitlin and Heather delve into the importance of living authentically and the impact it can have on our overall well-being.They discuss the challenges Heather faced in recognizing her true self while juggling various roles as a mom, and businesswoman. Heather emphasizes the significance of making time for self-care, self-expression, and pursuing one's passions.

Throughout the episode, Heather highlights her coaching method called the "Brave Method," which empowers individuals to overcome fears, design a life they love, and cultivate resilience. They explore the power of reassessment and reframing, allowing listeners to gain valuable insights into their own personal growth journey.

Both Kaitlin and Heather stress the importance of celebrating progress, no matter how small, and acknowledging the positive impact it has on our lives. They touch upon the transformative nature of self-acceptance, both for ourselves and the ripple effect it can have on those around us.

If you're seeking inspiration, practical advice, and a reminder to embrace your authentic self, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how you can break free from societal expectations, find your voice, and lead a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.

Full transcript

QUOTES
"It's exciting to look back and reflect and go man, look how far I've come"

"Over a decade ago, I realized that I was married to the wrong gender."

"On paper I had the American dream folks. I had it all and I did not like myself. Every decision I made was fear-based, what would be the least scary thing to do? What will cause the least conflict? What will cause the least harm to everyone else? I certainly in no way belonged to myself. I belonged to society, I belong to my spouse. I belong to my kids. I still feel like I belonged to my mom at that time, like anyone and everyone. Except for me"

"The world is waiting for you to show up. The world has always been waiting for you to show up. And you cannot do that if you're hiding yourself and if you don't belong to yourself, first. And in that moment it's like a light switch went off. And I went from fear-based to limitless possibility."

"There are still moments that are so heartbreaking and so difficult and yet those moments are still better than the way I felt a decade ago"

"This growth trajectory, this progress, it's not linear. It's ups and downs and you really have to cling to those small moments that really feel connected and that really feel important"

"I was finally able to take a full deep breath and I didn't know that I wasn't breathing."

"Doing that does not mean we need to turn ourselves inside out for other people's consumption. You can be authentic and vulnerable and you can walk the walk and the talk and you can do all of that and still hold some things close."

"The work that I do is really self-centered, now that word freaks people out, but I want you to be self-centered."

"What happens if you decide to belong to yourself first and put yourself first?"

"When we change ourselves, the people around us change. When we model self-compassion and self trust. And rest. And taking care of ourselves. The people around us see that and they will start to do that for themselves."

"My work is really centered around coming home to yourself, belonging to yourself. And that feels like breaking the rules, because we have always been told not to do that."

"Most of the time when people come to me they're no longer who they used to be and they're not quite who they're going to be and they don't know what to do with themselves in the middle"

"We can't grow if we're constantly, “When I get there I will”, “when I get there it will be enough”, It has to be enough right now."

"You can't do the thing you're here to do. You can't serve your purpose if you are not caring for yourself and coming home to yourself."

"If you want to embrace abundance, you have to be willing to shift and change"

"It's really hard to self-reflect and go, I royally screwed that up. I made a mistake and then to own it and to apologize and then to not beat yourself up about it to practice active self-compassion"

"I love serving, I love supporting people and watching them come home to themselves and belong to themselves."

"Kindness is being direct. Because you can be direct kind and you can say what you need to say, to set boundaries, for yourself to speak, truth to power. You can do that in a kind way and not everyone is going to like it. Kindness does not always mean you're likeable It just means you're honest."

"Practice gratitude. Focus on what is working instead of what isn't working because there is always something that's working and what you focus on multiplies"

"If you will list three things you're grateful for and why every day,it will absolutely stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, decrease stress, anxiety, and depression, while increasing overall happiness, joy and well-being. Science tells us that I am not making it up."

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