Meet Anne Rulo

We recently connected with Anne Rulo and have shared our conversation below.

Anne, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

That’s a tough question because “purpose” has been a long, winding journey. The first time I remember feeling uneasy with academic choices was in high school. I would choose a class schedule. Then I would change my class schedule. In fact, I would end up changing it so many times that the counselor would see me coming and say, “Anne, you cannot switch again.” Fast-forward to college it appeared again. I changed majors seven times in four and a half years. As I finally approached graduation I attempted one last change when my academic advisor said, “You have to finish something.”

What’s interesting about this pattern is that I wasn’t a flake. I got good grades and truly committed to the internal and external exploration of that particular class, major, or career as my final choice—until it wasn’t—again, and again. I squirmed against the idea of being “trapped” in something.

However, in all this wandering, a few themes ended up emerging. I liked learning. I was good at school. And, I wanted to help people. Two masters degrees and two professional licenses later (again, partially due to indecision) I was officially a professional counselor and marriage and family therapist. I used this training in the direct care of others for nearly 15 years. But, that ol’ itch to switch eventually came around again. Now, I use that training to inform what I currently do: writing, speaking, and consulting. I’ve been writing (and recently editing) for almost seven years. And (currently) I love it.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

The majority of what I do is produce written content that blends my training as a mental health therapist with faith. Science and religion sometimes have a hard time getting along. And, more tragically, those struggling with mental health issues in the church have a long history of reaching for help from their leaders who, while well-meaning, were often ill-equipped to know how to support mental and/or emotional health struggles with spiritual teachings that were accurate, helpful, and effective.

Thankfully, in the time I have been doing this work, I have witnessed a beautiful trend of churches, pastors, sermons, and lay servants leaning into ways that faith and mental/emotional health work can (and do!) complement each other. And I, in my little corner of the world, am supporting these conversations through regular social media, blog posts, monthly newsletters, published Bible studies, and speaking engagements.

Speaking of speaking, there are a couple of avenues where I operate most often. Individually, I speak at schools on both suicide prevention and burnout prevention and occasionally at women’s events. But, as a couple, my husband and I have a niche message that is my favorite thing to share from the stage. As a football coach married to a marriage and family therapist, we have spent the past 12 years providing marriage events for coaching couples (and occasionally churches) that are funny, vulnerable, and relevant to the crazy world of coaching high school sports. If I had to identify something it seems like we were “made” to do, those events would be it.

Currently, I am writing my next devotional, preparing for a marriage event early next year, and just starting to dive into the world of editing other people’s work so they can fulfill their dream of sharing their stories.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

As with most people, my family of origin and touchstone experiences have deeply shaped who I am. First, and potentially most influential, I was raised by a very present Mother. Mom was the one who encouraged me to slow down, stay present in the moment, and trust that eventually everything would get done and work out. Given my driven, perfectionistic tendencies, her presence helped keep me steady and sane.

Second on the list would be losing my Dad to cancer when I was 16 years old. Already a bit of an old soul, this experience solidified my very short list of what is important, what is and is not worth spending time on, and solidified relationships and supporting others as worthwhile focuses for life. Not to be overlooked, this loss was also the catalyst by which I came to faith in Jesus which has informed everything since.

The final, and for a time unrecognized, influence is the number of medical/scientific people in my family with a side of artistry. There was a nurse, a doctor, a paramedic, and engineers, along with a painter, woodworkers, architects, and cartographers. While I had no idea the influence of these seemingly opposite worlds, they now seem to give me the freedom and language to pair and articulate faith and science, beauty and data, doctrine and daily living.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The most valuable book (aside from the Bible) I have read in the last two decades is Brene Brown’s “Daring Greatly.” I believe, hands down, she is one of the most valuable and ground-breaking social scientists of our day along with Dr. Martin Seligman and Dr. Carol Dweck. Courage, vulnerability, and empathy are the breakthrough ingredients for nearly all that ails us, personally and interpersonally. Her research and writing articulate this beautifully.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annerulo.com
• Instagram: @annemrulo
• Facebook: @annemrulo