An Inspired Chat with Sheryl Green

Sheryl Green shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Sheryl, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’ve finally found a morning routine I enjoy!
I usually wake up around 5:30 am… it would be 4:30, but my wonderful husband ushers our rambunctious dogs into the living room so I can sleep later.
Once I’m awake, I do Wim Hof breathing exercises to get myself ready for the day. Then, I make myself warm lemon water and settle down outside (in the sun) with a journal and whatever book (usually personal or professional development) I’m reading at the moment.
I write down 3 wins from the day before to stay focused on the positive, and then read for about 20 minutes while I drink my lemon water and convince the dogs that I’m not a mountain to climb.
When I’m ready to start moving, I either head to the gym or take a pup to the park.
the best part of the first 90 minutes… I either don’t have my phone on me, or it’s in a pocket in case of emergency.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
A few years ago, I suffered from burnout so severe that I considered taking my own life.
The experience made me realize that boundaries aren’t just a “nice-to-have” or an emergency fix; they are the invisible architecture that holds our lives together.
I knew that I wasn’t alone in struggling with boundaries, so I figured I might as well bring other people along on my journey.
It led me to write my book, “You Had Me At No: How Setting Healthy Boundaries Helps Banish Burnout, Repair Relationships, and Save Your Sanity.”
Now I have the honor of guiding people to improve their relationships, mental health, careers, you name it!
I’m currently working on two things: 1. A new project called “The Boundaried Life™, a self-leadership and personal development program that teaches real-world boundary skills – rooted in identity, values, and lived reality. Not scripts. Not rules. Actual inner and outer work that sticks. 2. A new book about how boundaries impact our workplace culture.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that my self-worth came from what I did for others. I was raised to believe that in order to have value, I had to be taking care of others, people-pleasing, and ignoring my own needs so I could meet the needs of others.

Don’t get me wrong, I still believe our purpose on this planet is to serve. However, my desire to help others is now rooted in love, rather than obligation, self-sacrifice, and an attempt to make myself “worthy.”

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
OMG I love this question.

Probably after my divorce. In 2008, my (now) ex-husband did something horrific that caused me to walk away from my marriage, my home, my job, and my life.

I moved to Las Vegas to live with my dad and stepmom, but had to deal with the ensuing depression, the financial fallout, and starting over in a new city.

It took a little while for me to lick my wounds, but once I did, I began writing and speaking about my experience, teaching others how to be resilient and recover from the giant kicks in the butt we experience as humans. I got vulnerable and shared my story, and people were able to learn and grow from my experiences.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I’ve noticed that “boundaries” have become the “topic du jour” but people are getting them all wrong!

I see so many people talking about boundaries as a way to throw up walls, say “screw everyone – I’m focusing on me now!,” slack off at work, and otherwise not take responsibility for their actions or how they impact others.

Boundaries aren’t a weapon. They are a tool that, when utilized properly, strengthens your relationships, helps you serve better, and creates the best version of you.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I think for the first time in my life, I’m doing what I was born to do.

My entire career has been built on people giving me well-meaning guidance. They didn’t intend to throw me off course, they just thought they knew what was best for me.

Even my content writing business was built on other people’s suggestions. Was I good at it? Sure. Was I able to create a sustainable income from it? Yes. But was it what I was put on this earth to do? I don’t think so.

This boundary journey has been a deeply personal one. When a friend pointed out that maybe I needed to work on my boundaries, I took her advice. But the decision to teach others and to create my message and my legacy around it… that was all me.

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Image Credits
MelRose Photography

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