Cynthia Bischoff PhD shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Cynthia, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
My own experience and the experience of so many of my clients is the struggle we hold with showing up fully as ourselves. We live in a world that often glorifies looking or acting a certain way to “fit in” and often that doesn’t feel authentic. Many of us live this struggle without ever identifying it.
When I have been the best version of me, that is, doing what is in synch with my heart, I am learning and growing without feeling the need for another’s approval. These moments are rich with inner rewards.
We can be excellent caregivers, lovers, friends, employees…but do we like the company we keep with ourselves in these roles? Are we coming from our core, aligning with our personal goodness, or simply going along with an approved societal agenda?
I believe that most of us struggle with authenticity. I know many of my coaching clients express that in words such as “I feel stuck,” “I don’t know if I’m on track,” “I’m out of balance,” and so on.
The struggle is real and is a struggle often of alignment with one’s core values and sense of self. I think at some early point in life we establish a dream of what we desire, and if we attach that dream to another person or thing or societal values, the Universe may eventually offer us back to ourselves at some point as if to say, “Show me the real you.”
To be the real you requires courage, self-confidence, and often an archeological dig into ourselves to discover who we really are.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the founder of Heartliving®, a motivational business that I created in 1998 and trademarked in 2013. I am an international life coach, holistic practitioner, motivational speaker, and author, and I’ve worked in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, helping thousands transform their lives.
In the words of Michelangelo, I say this: “I am always learning.” My mission is to raise my consciousness as I assist you in raising yours for a better life. We are always learning.
Why is this so important? I believe that another person, whether practitioner, author, or friend, cannot take you past where they have gone.
In my own life, I have experienced many opportunities in which I struggled and had to reframe life, transform through loss, show up for myself, change my point of view, find greater meaning and balance, and eventually, live fully without regret. I am deeply empathic, down-to-earth, resilient, creative, and hopeful. I think of my life as an internship that has been integral in my work of guiding others.
At a pivotal life stage, I left the safety of a conventional university job in search of my life purpose, of what I called “creating the best version of myself.” I embraced soul-searching opportunities, and this led me to a life-changing experience in 1997 on a pilgrimage to Bosnia to pray for world peace. It was there that I had a vision of a multi-layered heart, and upon meditating on the image, I discovered that my destiny was to encourage others to lead from their hearts, that is, to find greater meaning and balance in their lives, to live fully authentically, and without regret. This is, after all, what I was looking for. This was the birth of Heartliving®.
As my client base has grown from work in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, I now perform all my sessions, both individual and group, on Zoom to reach a larger base.
I eventually moved to Arizona to be closer to my family and also, as I like to say, to elevate myself. I love the mountains and am living in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I am on Facebook as Heartliving and Instagram as “cynthiaheartliving” with one-minute videos, word-of-the-day, and inspirational quotes. I feature the signature program “Heartliving Hour” which meets weekly with one-month topics and offers the viewer life solutions through an integrated view of body, mind, spirit healing.
I am passionate in listening to people’s stories and helping them become the best version of themselves. I’d welcome the opportunity to assist you in creating your meaningful life!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My father was a quiet and gentle man who was a successful entrepreneur and a musician who was highly talented and creative. I realized early on that I was very much like my father in my sensitivity, empathic nature, and in my need to be focused, meditative, and to spend hours alone.
Dad gave me my first guitar and encouraged me to play and sing whatever spoke to my heart, and at age 13, I found the music I grew up in, that of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Beatles, Elton John–all of it to be a personal expression of humanity. Those songs rose from my heart like prayers. Perhaps that was the beginning of Heartliving.
My father also gave me a small desk, and I spent hours there writing, reading, and teaching pretend students.
My father passed away at age 92, playing his guitar up until the end, and I still thank him often. He truly helped me become myself through his gentle encouragement and love.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
While success and suffering are both teachers, I believe suffering has taught me far more than success ever could.
Suffering has taught me to be humble, to let go of illusions of control, and to see the interconnectedness in life and in all of us. In this way, suffering has deepened my empathy and taught me to find meaning in pain, whether that pain is in me or in another.
Most of all, suffering can teach us to find meaning in what we endure. It has surely helped me strengthen my character and at times to rebuild my life.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Diversity is to me the most important cultural value because it is a value that strengthens people and life, encourages creativity and fairness.
When a culture values diversity, it reduces misunderstanding and prejudice, it creates freedom of expression, and it allows for respect and inclusion. In turn, it reduces ignorance and inequality, and also needless suffering.
Traveling, experiencing other cultures, understanding the larger world and how we can work together, honoring diversity–all of this for me creates a more dynamic, collective experience. Isn’t that beneficial to us all?
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will say that I was truly myself, that I lived life fully, took risks, loved freely, and most of all, encouraged them to do that too. I like to think that I always showed up ready to learn and be an inspiration for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartliving.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiaheartliving/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiabischoff
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartliving/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeartlivingVideo
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