91 - Kelly McNelis Says Embrace Your Messy life

Kelly McNelis is a community builder, an innovator, mom, wife, and more. Kelly has a very difficult past - she is an incest survivor who finally started processing her abuse and subsequently healing later in life. As she went through this process, she identified the stages that helped her heal most powerfully and realized that her path could help others; that sharing our stories both helps us heal and helps others feel less alone in the world. This realization resulted in Women For One, a massive virtual community of women supporting women. Kelly recently wrote Your Messy Brilliance: 7 Tools for the Perfectly Imperfect Woman and then launched the inaugural Truthteller Tour in Boulder, Colorado. The Tour is truly the culmination of all her efforts - a live audience watching and feeling the emotions of the women on stage who are brave enough to share their truths. That’s why she was in Boulder and why we finally connected in person. I spoke at the Truthteller Tour about something I have often mentioned but haven’t gone into detail about – my history with alcohol. When I went up on stage, I had a bunch of points I wanted to make but when it was over I had no idea what I said. It took me a while to actually watch my talk. When I did, I don’t know why, but I watched it backwards in sections. And I realized that while it was difficult and embarrassing and painful, it was important that I did it. For myself and maybe for some other people out there. This is what Kelly’s life’s work is all about. Helping people move forward, gain acceptance and find support and love. In case you're curious (which is the first tool Kelly mentions in her book), here is my speech from the Truthteller Tour. Today we talk about: Messiness Shame Coping mechanisms Relationships Tools to help embrace your messy life And more! This episode is sponsored by Health IQ - they help healthy people get awesome rates on life insurance and by the best fitting, most comfy, cutest athletic apparel in the world - Skirt Sports! Go to skirtsports.com and use the code RTWpodcast15 at checkout for 15% off (excluding cycling, tri and outfit deals).