Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Sage Breslin of South Coastal NJ

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sage Breslin. Check out our conversation below.

Sage, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
After more than two decades as a single mother, without even a minute to myself on most mornings, I have made a commitment to treat myself like a queen!

I don’t sleep all that well so I am NOT an early riser (anymore), so giving myself the time to rest my body as much as I can and giving myself a later start has been life-changing. I also realized over time that I really enjoy the slow start-up… coffee (and maybe even breakfast) in bed followed by meditation and gratitude prayers has been so nurturing for me. I then allow myself a few games to wake up my brain, a quick scan of my email to prioritize my day, then it’s up to walk the dog before getting ready for work.

Once I’m dressed and ready for action, I tidy up my space, get the animals squared away, check my calendar, and get set to see my clients!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Dr. Sage Breslin, the CEO of Sage Wisdom Institute and a Transformation Psychologist and Breakthrough Coach.

I spent the last three decades specializing in Trauma Recovery and Leadership Development, working primarily with men. I worked 40-50 hours every week, building and growing my practice and raising five children as a single mother, until I developed Bone Marrow Cancer. During my cancer journey, it became all-too-clear to me that I was providing support to everyone, but receiving very little.

Cancer engaged me to think about a lot of things differently- the most important of which was that I had to prioritize myself and I had to learn to ask for and accept support. As I learned those very important lessons, I realized how many of my relationships had been toxic- and why I seemed to have drawn so many of these folks to me. As I healed, I came to understand not only how to finally heal from the Narcissistic abuse, but also how to ditch that “magnet” forever in order to enjoy healthy, nurturing relationships.

As I recovered, I developed a protocol to work with high-achieving female leaders who have been derailed by toxic relationships and are eager to reclaim their presence, confidence, passion, and power. And, while there may be other psychologists who assist women recover from Narcissistic Abuse, I specialize in enabling women to not only understand why they’ve engaged in these relationships but how to free themselves and put their souls back in the driver’s seat- once and for all!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
It’s an eerie memory: at age 4, I attended a parochial kindergarten. I had a strong faith in God and loved all the rituals associated with my religion. We went to chapel every day except for Saturday and when the Christmas pagent came around, I was blessed to play Mary. I so loved the role that I took my costume to school and often wore it at recess.

Here’s where the eerie part comes in: for our safety, the older children used the playground and we used a yard next door to the school for our recess. The house had long been abandoned after the owner murdered his family, then killed himself. The yard was large, and filled with massive stones- which the teacher later realized were headstones.

Instead of picking daisies, I climbed on to one of the mounds, raised my arms in the sky and beamed at the Heavens. The other children ran around me in circles, faster and faster until falling to the ground at my feet. When the teacher spied what was happening, she led us all back to the classroom. We were never allowed on the property again.

The nuns no doubt believed that something was a little off about me. Thirty five years later, as a shaman, I often took that same pose, honoring God and all his creatures and feeling the power of the Universe move through me.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
As a girl, I was sexually abused. As a teen, I was repeatedly assaulted and later trafficked. Eventually, after a brutal rape, I concluded that I couldn’t take another moment.

When I was “delivered” to my parents home, I entered the dark house and went to the bathroom. I stared in the mirror at a young woman who looked as if she was already dead. I swallowed a bottle of pills, went to my bedroom, lay down on the floor and waited for it all to end.

While my “memory” of what happened and what actually happened are somewhat different, when my heart stopped, I found myself climbing into my Ford Mustang and driving to the church where my mother worshipped. I rapped repeatedly on the doors until a minister let me in and ushered me to a pew where we sat together for the rest of the night. I shared my shame, my grief, and my sense of deep detachment from God as a result of all that had happened to me.

The minister reminded me that God could not and would not ever leave me. He assured me that whatever had happened to me was horrible but changed nothing between me and God. As soon as I truly understood this message, I felt a deep sense of comfort, and was hurtled back into my body.

I came to understand that while clinically dead, I met my version of God. He was able to reaffirm His love for me, and my value in His Kingdom. That night altered the entire course of my life and has enabled me to endure so many additional traumas throughout time and embrace a resilience that is steadfast and unwavering. It has also allowed me to be present and hold space for others who experience deep grief and hopelessness and simply need support to find their way back.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely! I am who I am no matter where I am. Living authentically is something I really believe in so I walk my talk. What I can add is that when I’m in my professional role, I generally wear more formal clothing and make-up. When I’m at the grocery store, my clothes are more casual and I might not be wearing make-up but my approach and demeanor is the same!

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Well, honestly, I’ve already approached this one: in 2017 I was diagnosed with Bone Marrow Cancer, and while they’ve made incredible strides towards the development of medicines that promote long-term remission, this particular cancer is well-known for morphing and attacking at whim. So, after my Bone Marrow Transplant, I knew that I would need to continue working in order to care for my children, but realized that I was no longer interested in doing work that I wasn’t absolutely passionate about. During my cancer journey, I birthed my ROSE System for Restoring Old Soul Empowerment and embarked on a journey to uplift spiritually-driven professional women who had been derailed by toxic relationships. It has filled me with so much joy to watch women reclaiming their lives- especially those who are also impacting many people around them at home and work.

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Image Credits
Erinn McMurtrie

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