I’ve grown, and though you may think you know what I’m going to say, allow me to (re)introduce myself.
First, the basics:
I’m a life coach, digital nomad, bestselling author, professional speaker, made-up word lover, amateur salsa dancer, and blanket hog who often wonders out loud if I should call myself a Self-Actualization Coach because my true north and the driving force behind all my work is the belief that dream acceleration is REALLY about self-actualization.
Here’s a bit of my story and why I’ve been musing on such things:
On a good day, I felt restless. On a bad day, I felt like a caged animal.
Exasperated, I came home from work to my dark, musty, basement apartment – a glaring reminder that I was not just figuratively, but literally, underground. Drowning in student loan debt, I rarely answered my phone because collection agencies were calling me daily. Trying to find my way in the world wasn’t easy. All the emotional and practical baggage of difficult family dynamics and estrangement seemed to all be hitting me at once. Much of it not my fault, I felt like a victim of circumstances who was dealt an unfortunate hand. I felt profoundly alone in my struggles.
The job I begrudgingly got at an Ivy League university to establish some stability, looked good on paper, but my soul was dying, a little more every day. If I had to sit through one more hour-long meeting that could have been communicated by an email, I was going to lose it! Things were done in inefficient ways for no reason other than it’s the way they’d always done it. This felt archaic to me, but rethinking conventions wasn’t welcomed or encouraged. Waiting for that clock on the wall to say 5:00 felt like an insult to my personal integrity and pride, not to mention that I had finished my work hours earlier. The starched button down shirt I wore, because I thought I should, felt like a straight-jacket, a costume that belonged to someone else – but not me.
I knew I couldn’t stay.
While going through the motions on all the things I thought I was supposed to do, I was losing myself. On autopilot, I’d drive to work, or the grocery store, or the gym (when I could get myself to go) feeling more and more disconnected from who I was. I wasn’t challenged. I wasn’t inspired. I felt contained, micro-managed, and caught in status quo games that I didn’t want to play. I felt like I was drowning, and I knew no one was coming to save me.
Underneath my restlessness and frustration, was a growing sense that I was meant for MORE, that this couldn’t possibly be all I was meant to do, be, or have.
I knew I needed to take the reins and reshape my life, to reshape my reality, to figure out how to not live in a basement forever, to create a life that was my own, that reflected the truth of who I was.
It was from that dark musty basement apartment, that I gazed out that teeny-tiny window with a view of the sidewalk and the tires of cars passing by … and I’d dream.
I dreamed of having the freedom to travel when and where I please. I dreamed of having my own location-independent company so that I could work from anywhere. I dreamed of a home with lots of natural light. I dreamed of becoming a bestselling author. I dreamed of wealth on my own terms. I dreamed of finding love. I dreamed of having time and energy for creativity and play. I dreamed of making a positive impact, serving others in meaningful ways that made their life better. I dreamed of being myself without boundaries.
The voice of my soul and seeds of my own self-actualization were surfacing.
Naming my dreams felt so powerful. I acknowledged the dreams in my heart and imagined what my life could be – despite having absolutely no idea how to make ANY of it happen at the time.
People said my dreams were impossible, that I should “settle down,” stay at my job, just be more grateful. They were wrong.
Not only have I achieved my “impossible” dreams and the freedom I so craved, I’ve built a business around helping YOU chart your own course, live your dreams, and create the life you think you cannot have. I have coached thousands to go beyond striving, wishing, and “someday-ing,” to experience the true freedom life has to offer. Rethinking conventions and challenging status quo “have tos,” while helping people rediscover themselves and realize what’s possible, has made for a profoundly fulfilling, decades-long career. Looking to the horizon, I am expanding my impact daily, determined to reach millions of people with my writing, coaching, and speaking.
Your dreams, like mine, are fuel on your path to self-actualization.
Regardless of the specifics of what your dreams are, I stand for them as by-products and bonus results of your becoming. Who you become in the process is the real win, and how you grow and stretch into being the person who would have them is the real work. (It’s also where the biggest rewards are found.)
I help you create the life you think you cannot have while becoming the person you are meant to be.
What is the life YOU think you cannot have ? Who do you need to become in order to create it?
Love,
PS – If you are ready for self-actualization with a side of dream realization, I am opening up 5 spots for my FREE Top Shelf Session with Tara Assessment, a 1:1 conversation where you will gain clarity on your dreams and how they reflect and empower the person you are becoming, insight into what’s been holding you back, and a renewed sense of hope about how to courageously break free of obstacles to achieve what you want with a customized strategic plan for your desired future.
Well … this 43-year-old “girl”, professional speaker, digital nomad pioneer, and business owner of 14+ years who presented 5x in 5 days to audiences of 200+ per day … was amused that he would use his stage in this way.
Unprofessional at best.
While I’m not sure who said them, two quotes came to mind for me in that moment:
1.) “You never look good trying to make someone else look bad.”
and,
2.) “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
Unlike most other RV trainers and speakers who focus only on the mechanics of things and don’t address the real, practical issues related to RV life, I speak and coach and teach on all the thing … from finances, meals, health, relationships, safety, and so much more.
After I delivered my speech at the Supershow each day, my partner Carl joined me on stage for the Q & A portion and together we answered all kinds of questions:
>> How do you get your mail? >> How long do you generally stay in one place, and why? >> What advice do you have about downsizing? >> Why did you choose the RV you did? … etc…
Another notable difference is that most RV trainers in the industry are gray-haired white men, as was the man who chose to speak about me from his stage.
Thankfully, he of course does not represent all seasoned RV professionals.
Imagine my delight after receiving this today from Dave, the Florida RV Supershow Director who took the risk to have Carl and I as new presenters:
“Tara and Carl bring so much experience and knowledge to living on the road and that really comes across in their seminar. This was the first year we included Nomadic Living as a topic at the Florida RV Supershow in Tampa, and based on the size of the crowds alone, it was a hit!
Raving evaluation forms show the audience really liked the topic, the information, and the way it was presented. Tara and Carl bring their first-hand knowledge to a lifestyle that many people are interested in as possessions are being scaled back in exchange for life experiences. I recommend including this seminar in your lineup and I look forward to having Tara and Carl return as Supershow presenters in the future.”
~ Dave Kelly, FRVTA Marketing Director
We are excited and determined to be actively changing the narrative and helping woman and couples of all ages to experience the freedom of Nomadic Living.
And, oh, we are just getting started….
TALK TO ME:
==> Are YOU a woman in a male-dominated industry?
==> How do you respond when someone uses their “stage” or their “office” or their platform to try to belittle you or make you look bad or incompetent?
==> Are you amused? Are you angry? Perhaps a bit of both?
After much thought, preparation, practice and planning, I stood on stage as the only female speaker at the 2019 Florida RV Supershow a few weeks ago, presenting on the topic of Nomadic Living.
Making my way into a male dominated industry has definitely been interesting and, for the most part, it’s honestly been delightful. As a whole, my experience of RV culture has been that it’s full of kind, generous, friendly people.
That said … I had one rather unsavory experience that, I think, is important to share.
On this particular morning, after having presented my Nomadic Living seminar (I had the 10am spot, for 5 consecutive days) I walked into the seminar room, both to hear one of the other seminar speakers present, and to collect any of my remaining flyers while I was there.
As I walked in, the man at the front of the room was talking about ME.
During his introduction, he remarked, “The girl who leads the morning seminar didn’t clean up after herself. There are flyers on your seat that are of no use to you.” <<< word for word.
I was stunned, and a bit irked. But, more than anything, I was amused.
While there were flyers for all kinds of things in the room (mechanical resources, RV tour companies, and the like) he made a point to mention mine – and me.
Well … this 43-year-old “girl”, professional speaker, digital nomad pioneer, and business owner of 14+ years who presented 5x in 5 days to audiences of 200+ per day … was amused that he would use his stage in this way.
Unprofessional at best.
While I’m not sure who said them, two quotes came to mind for me in that moment:
1.) “You never look good trying to make someone else look bad.”
and,
2.) “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
Unlike most other RV trainers and speakers who focus only on the mechanics of things and don’t address the real, practical issues related to RV life, I speak and coach and teach on all the thing … from finances, meals, health, relationships, safety, and so much more.
After I delivered my speech at the Supershow each day, my partner Carl joined me on stage for the Q & A portion and together we answered all kinds of questions:
>> How do you get your mail? >> How long do you generally stay in one place, and why? >> What advice do you have about downsizing? >> Why did you choose the RV you did? … etc…
Another notable difference is that most RV trainers in the industry are gray-haired white men, as was the man who chose to speak about me from his stage.
Thankfully, he of course does not represent all seasoned RV professionals.
Imagine my delight after receiving this today from Dave, the Florida RV Supershow Director who took the risk to have Carl and I as new presenters:
“Tara and Carl bring so much experience and knowledge to living on the road and that really comes across in their seminar. This was the first year we included Nomadic Living as a topic at the Florida RV Supershow in Tampa, and based on the size of the crowds alone, it was a hit!
Raving evaluation forms show the audience really liked the topic, the information, and the way it was presented. Tara and Carl bring their first-hand knowledge to a lifestyle that many people are interested in as possessions are being scaled back in exchange for life experiences. I recommend including this seminar in your lineup and I look forward to having Tara and Carl return as Supershow presenters in the future.”
~ Dave Kelly, FRVTA Marketing Director
We are excited and determined to be actively changing the narrative and helping woman and couples of all ages to experience the freedom of Nomadic Living.
And, oh, we are just getting started….
TALK TO ME:
==> Are YOU a woman in a male-dominated industry?
==> How do you respond when someone uses their “stage” or their “office” or their platform to try to belittle you or make you look bad or incompetent?
==> Are you amused? Are you angry? Perhaps a bit of both?
After much thought, preparation, practice and planning, I stood on stage as the only female speaker at the 2019 Florida RV Supershow a few weeks ago, presenting on the topic of Nomadic Living.
Making my way into a male dominated industry has definitely been interesting and, for the most part, it’s honestly been delightful. As a whole, my experience of RV culture has been that it’s full of kind, generous, friendly people.
That said … I had one rather unsavory experience that, I think, is important to share.
On this particular morning, after having presented my Nomadic Living seminar (I had the 10am spot, for 5 consecutive days) I walked into the seminar room, both to hear one of the other seminar speakers present, and to collect any of my remaining flyers while I was there.
As I walked in, the man at the front of the room was talking about ME.
During his introduction, he remarked, “The girl who leads the morning seminar didn’t clean up after herself. There are flyers on your seat that are of no use to you.” <<< word for word.
I was stunned, and a bit irked. But, more than anything, I was amused.
While there were flyers for all kinds of things in the room (mechanical resources, RV tour companies, and the like) he made a point to mention mine – and me.
Well … this 43-year-old “girl”, professional speaker, digital nomad pioneer, and business owner of 14+ years who presented 5x in 5 days to audiences of 200+ per day … was amused that he would use his stage in this way.
Unprofessional at best.
While I’m not sure who said them, two quotes came to mind for me in that moment:
1.) “You never look good trying to make someone else look bad.”
and,
2.) “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
Unlike most other RV trainers and speakers who focus only on the mechanics of things and don’t address the real, practical issues related to RV life, I speak and coach and teach on all the thing … from finances, meals, health, relationships, safety, and so much more.
After I delivered my speech at the Supershow each day, my partner Carl joined me on stage for the Q & A portion and together we answered all kinds of questions:
>> How do you get your mail? >> How long do you generally stay in one place, and why? >> What advice do you have about downsizing? >> Why did you choose the RV you did? … etc…
Another notable difference is that most RV trainers in the industry are gray-haired white men, as was the man who chose to speak about me from his stage.
Thankfully, he of course does not represent all seasoned RV professionals.
Imagine my delight after receiving this today from Dave, the Florida RV Supershow Director who took the risk to have Carl and I as new presenters:
“Tara and Carl bring so much experience and knowledge to living on the road and that really comes across in their seminar. This was the first year we included Nomadic Living as a topic at the Florida RV Supershow in Tampa, and based on the size of the crowds alone, it was a hit!
Raving evaluation forms show the audience really liked the topic, the information, and the way it was presented. Tara and Carl bring their first-hand knowledge to a lifestyle that many people are interested in as possessions are being scaled back in exchange for life experiences. I recommend including this seminar in your lineup and I look forward to having Tara and Carl return as Supershow presenters in the future.”
~ Dave Kelly, FRVTA Marketing Director
We are excited and determined to be actively changing the narrative and helping woman and couples of all ages to experience the freedom of Nomadic Living.
And, oh, we are just getting started….
TALK TO ME:
==> Are YOU a woman in a male-dominated industry?
==> How do you respond when someone uses their “stage” or their “office” or their platform to try to belittle you or make you look bad or incompetent?
==> Are you amused? Are you angry? Perhaps a bit of both?
If you’ve been following my recent journey, you know that I’ve embarked on an exciting new adventure in nomadic living and remote working. Together with my boyfriend and dog, we are on an open-ended road trip in our 20-foot RV/mobile tiny house.
Last week we were lakeside in northern North Carolina [enjoying sunsets, campfires, simplicity and peaceful serenity while we did our work and followed the rhythms of nature]. The week before, we were in Richmond, VA [went salsa dancing, went on a walking tour of the Liberty Trail, ate yummy falafel, and on Sunday tooled around an artsy little area called Carytown …with no cares about time or to-do’s – the way Sunday is supposed to feel but honestly hadn’t in years…]
And now we’re in the Raleigh/Wake Forest area staying with my step-sister Kellie and her delightful family. Well technically, we’re their driveway neighbors since we brought our house with us and hooked it up to their water and electric. And today, my friend, soul sister, and mastermind colleague, Marcy, had me over for a delicious homemade lunch. So good to see her!
If home is where the heart is, than my home spans continents. I chose this nomadic lifestyle, in part, because it means I can visit friends and family that I don’t get to see very often. It’s a real treat to be getting some in-person time with people I missed, and feeling right at home.
It’s part of what I’m calling ‘The Tara-tour-y’. Get it?
I’m on tour, and I’m my own agent. Our loose plan is to head south and then west.
Want to join the tour?
Want to meet for a bite, and maybe an interview? Want to host us in your driveway? Want to help me line up a book signing in your town? Or a workshop in your living room? Let me know! Let’s see what we can do to coordinate our paths crossing…
Here’s to the unfolding journey!
xo
Master Coach, Possibility Queen, Author, Speaker, Nomad, Salsera, Life Hack Pro, Location-independent business owner.
If home is where the heart is, than my home spans continents. I chose this nomadic lifestyle, in part, because it means I can visit friends and family that I don’t get to see very often. It’s a real treat to be getting some in-person time with people I missed, and feeling right at home.
Recent Comments