Buckle Up, Buttercup, We’re Diving Right In!

Since we aren’t face-to-face, can we at least pretend we’re enjoying a meal together as I spill the beans on how I got here and why I would love to be a voice of truth in your life?  I’m a born and raised Indiana girl who used to think cornfields were boring, but that’s before I learned the power of being present.  Somewhere along the path of life, I equated other people’s approval for love.  Maybe you can relate?  And…I went looking for love in all the wrong places, still do at times (I see you, cupcake).  For me, this looked like years of work, achievement, perfectionism, and, ultimately, heartbreak as a result.  After decades of living life how I “should,” I discovered all the accolades and popularity in the world only left me feeling more empty.  When would I ever arrive?  When would enough be enough?  It wasn’t until my marriage hit rock bottom that I began to surrender; to look for a different way.    

I began listening to the inner voice I’d been ignoring for so long.  REAL conversation and relationship began taking place. My former chameleon, “say what you think they want to hear,” started learning about boundaries and a way of living where my worth wasn’t attached to anyone else’s opinion of me.  With this shift came healing. Past hurts and wounds that I had hidden so deep, masked with perfectionism and workaholic tendencies, lost their hold on me.  When I waved my proverbial white flag and found my faith, that’s when life really started to change.  Soon, a stronger-than-ever-before marriage surfaced through these murky waters, along with my resolve to listen to that voice inside that whispered, 

“Who I made you is good.  Be who I made you.” 

Gah!  I still tear up writing those words all these years later.  

Here we are now – the me who continues to be stretched and grown to a place of wholeness, but who has also learned that we weren’t meant to walk this road alone.  I don’t for a single second want another woman to be held in bondage to the lies that tell her she’s disqualified, will never measure up, to sit still & look pretty.  My soul craves heart-level transformation, fear given the eviction notice, and freedom be lived out – BOLDLY.  This mandates lies would be replaced with truths such as: 

YOU ARE ENOUGH.

REST IS OKAY.  

YOU WEREN’T MADE TO LOOK/ACT/BE LIKE HER.

SHAME DOES NOT GET THE FINAL SAY.

THE WORLD NEEDS YOU. 

Now I show up.  I’m willing to make myself vulnerable.  I put my truest self out there, even when doubt would rather rob me of opportunity.  I choose peace when fear tries to talk me out of it.  It’s a daily adventure and some days look like three steps forward, two steps back, but I own my humanness, extend grace, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.   My greatest joy?  Helping other women do the same.  I want this world to be filled with women who know their inherent value and worth.  I want to empower women.  I want life-giving truth and lasting freedom to reign in all; mind, body, and soul.

My goal is to live each day more fully present and I invite you to join me on the journey.    

new!40 DAY DEVO

I AM LISTENING

Ready for adventure?  Lean in and journey with me as you develop an ability and willingness to listen.  The stories in this devotional will make you laugh, cry, gasp, and laugh some more.  I hope you quickly see that you are not alone in your sometimes confusing and anxious thoughts.  Get ready fellow travelers.  The Holy Spirit is going to meet you in these pages.  

Speaking

If you’re looking for someone who will speak truth, no matter how sensitive the issue, look no further.
If honest and vulnerable conversation spark your interest, I am so the girl for the job.
If sharing real-life stories and creating common ground are important to you and your group, don’t waste another moment, reach out to me!

My nickname in high school? Any guesses? STORIES. I legit didn’t even know this was a “skill” until the past decade. I think it’s the fact that I speak from the heart and am willing to share the crud I’ve gone through. Hey, if doing so means another woman can feel seen, know she’s not alone, and connect to HOPE, I am there for that any day of the week.

After speaking at many mom’s group gatherings, women’s conferences, marriage conferences, teaching Bible studies, and leading workshops that infuse both fitness and faith, I know the power of connection through words and our stories. My audiences can attest to both laughing and crying in my talks. It’s empathy that leaves my community knowing they are not alone. It’s authenticity that keeps them engaged and remembering what was shared long after the event. It’s not uncommon for me to have a line of women afterwards saying, “I could totally relate when you said…” through tear-stained cheeks.

 If there is another topic of interest you would like to discuss for a speaking engagement, don’t hesitate to reach out. Note: I love speaking to groups large and small, near or far, online or in-person.

Embracing You
Becoming You
Advocating for Others
Overcoming Trauma
Life Beyond the Affair

Tammy’s Bio