ARETE INITIATIVE PARTICIPANT Q & A

 

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARETE INITIATIVE FOR WOMEN AT THIS POINT IN YOUR LIFE?

 

Kimberly: At 44, I am ready to dive into deeper personal work.  Sara and Arete came into my world at a time that I felt ready to honor myself, committing to the Arete process, making it one that is uniquely mine.

 

Elisa: I've been living out my passion for about 4 years now but not to its fullest potential.  I also wanted to see optimal results from both my quality of life and See Jane Do.  I had been yearning to live a more holistic, balanced life that included fitness, organization and spiritual path coupled with my purpose and passion.  Basically, I knew it was time to step up and this was the right group of women and program to do it with.  

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU'VE EXPERIENCED SINCE STARTING THE PROGRAM, AND HOW ARE YOU WORKING TO OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES?

 

Kimberly: At first I seemed to "get t all done." I then injured my back, which really upset me.  I now realize important lessons came from that injury. The biggest challenge is the excuse of "time," not having enough.  Getting knocked off your "set plan" is the challenge.  Arete teachs that the solutions lie in your creativity and your letting go.  Breakdown to Breakthrough.  There are no failures in Arete.

 

Elisa: My biggest challenge has been managing my time and where I allocate it.   I jumped into the health and fitness component and realized I needed to reevaluate and adjust my time in personal and work too...all of the sudden I was focusing the majority of my time on self-care.  It's not necessarily a bad thing but not my only priority.  I'm still working on my spiritual/mediation practice (doing this every day).

 

DESCRIBE SOME OF THE EXCITING CHANGES YOU'VE EXPERIENCED SINCE STARTING THE PROGRAM?

 

Kimberly: Oh, where to start?! Dialing back my exercise because of injury spurred me to get self-care that I have put off all my life:  chiropractic, acupuncture, colonics.  I used to have terrible joint, knee and back pain.  I now feel nearly healed, and I find that amazing. I believe I have cleared old trauma by lovingly taking care of myself and getting quiet.  When I injured my back, I got angry, and then quiet...it gave me the gift of surrendering to what I was capable of doing...committing to a deeper spiritual practice. My spiritual practice is now deeply sacred to me.  I seek time for it and make it meaningful, even if for only a few minutes.  I look for the spaces, the moments, the beauty in reflection.  The change it has brought is inner peace, a deeper wisdom, the opening to hear my thoughts.  It gives me grace where my impulsivity does not serve me.

Elisa: Oh my gosh!  Well I'm now part of the Fit Culture Community...which I love.  It has created the discipline and structure I needed to start my day AND is really enhancing my overall well being and fitness.   It's been transformational.  I've started to document my experience and journey and have loved sharing it with others.  I've started to eliminate those petty annoyances (part of the AI program) and it's opened up space for more abundance and other possibilities in my life.  I feel more calm, organized and am living on purpose.  My husband has commented how great I am doing and look...participating in Arete has even enhanced our relationship and how I connect with him and my girls.  I now prioritize my self care.  I've also completed week 1 of my cleanse!

 

WHY WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE OTHER WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARETIE INITIATIVE FOR WOMEN?

 

Kimberly: I would encourage you wonderful women to participate because this is a necessary and deeply meaningful gift to give yourself. It's so easy to get caught up in taking care of everyone else -- and there's nothing wrong with that -- but to give back to yourself by learning how to nurture YOU, and to honor commitments YOU make to YOURSELF...that is the building of personal trust of yourself and a deep gratitude for being alive, truly alive.

 

Elisa: Participating in Arete is a transformational experience.  Often programs will focus on one area; health or just life plan or spiritual practice; Arete throws it all on the table and goes holistic. The program focuses on the whole person so that we can show up as our whole selves and our best selves in the world.  I also love the community aspect of the program, having the check-ins and encouragement from other likeminded women is priceless, and Sara has been a tremendous coach and support through it all.  Arete is perfect for someone who is dialed in and in touch with their passion or purpose but might be struggling with burnout, clarity, financial recognition, or unhealthy habits.  It's our time as women so why not show up as your best self and experience your fullest potential?!