Climbing to My Empowered Self

by Gina

I took a deep breath and turned my car onto I-70 for the 100 mile drive from Denver to Vail. Though 52 years old, I had never driven alone for so long or so far. In my nervousness, the words of my mother and aunt came to me. “Gina, you will be the one to break the pattern of generations of disempowered women in this family. You can do this!” I just hoped that I was making the right decision to attend this Awaken in Nature retreat held by Women’s Empowerment Workshop…and that my Multiple Sclerosis would not betray my body during this active, adventurous week!

I grew up making no decisions for myself. My father picked out my clothes, my friends, my activities, everything I did growing up. He even chose my prom dress. I got married right out of high school to a man who was just as domineering, and I continued to give my power away. I never learned how to make choices for myself.

When I had my two sons, something primal awakened within me. I became a real mother bear and began finding my voice on behalf of my sons. It was a side of me I never knew I had, but sadly, I still wasn’t able to stand up for myself.

Finally, after 28 years of marriage, I did something that surprised me and my entire family…I divorced my husband and struck out on my own. The biggest challenge was that I had little experience and no training in how to take care of myself, run my life, and make important decisions. It was frightening! I made a lot of dumb mistakes but at least I was learning all the time. Then I decided to really invest in myself and come to a Women’s Empowerment Workshop retreat. My mom and aunt helped me because they really wanted me to succeed where they hadn’t. So in a way, my coming to Awaken in Nature was a team effort.

I loved the way the retreat started with the Envision Your Life seminar. For me that was a new concept, that I could actually have control over my own life. It really opened doors for me. And in the small group discussions, I saw that it was opening different doors for everyone there. That was really inspiring, knowing that I am not alone on this journey of self-discovery.

I have never felt so empowered as I did during the rock climbing! The guides were so great and pushed me just enough. When I got to the top of that rock wall I felt like I was queen of the world! It was such a great accomplishment for me. That’s why I did it again – this time blindfolded! I had wonderful women on my team and we all encouraged each other. Doing that climb made me feel like I could conquer anything.

The coaching that I’ve received from Women’s Empowerment Workshop since the retreat has really kept me going on the path I discovered for myself at the Awaken in Nature retreat. Just knowing I am not alone, that I have support, and being reminded that I can certainly handle whatever life tosses out to me makes me excited to create my future. I’ve discovered that I have gifts to give others in this world and I’m learning how to create my own business and step up to my potential.

I am so grateful to Women’s Empowerment Workshop and I can now tell my mom and my aunt that “Yes, I have discovered my empowered self!”

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Women’s Empowerment Workshop holds its Awaken in Nature retreat Sept 11-15, in Vail, CO. 

Category: Health