Meet Darcie Warden

We were lucky to catch up with Darcie Warden recently and have shared our conversation below.

Darcie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

All of these questions are so good! It was hard to choose but I chose purpose because many of them are inter-connected to how I found my purpose.

From an early age I felt the power within me. I don’t think I’m unique in this. As children, we arrive in our true essence, our true selves. But as I grew up, navigating family dynamic, and social norms, I reshaped myself for safety, love, and acceptance I lost who I was.

In my teenage years, I was depressed, and anxious, and got the feeling I was too much for my family. They may have even told me that. So I dimmed my light, retreated, and found friends and activities that helped me feel like I was part of something. Some of it was healthy and some of it wasn’t.

There were times I felt whole: riding my horse, dancing, being in the woods or in nature. But I struggled with everyday interactions trying to fit into a shape or keep a mask on that wasn’t me. Without going into too much detail, I experimented with drugs, was in the rave scene, and partied. All the while I was working at a Chevron station as a cashier, attending college part-time, and just trying to find my way.

I eventually enrolled in college full-time and found a new group of friends and interests. But my anxiety was still off the charts. I was introduced to a woman who gave voice lessons for healing. This intrigued me so I signed up for her program. Oh boy, that was my first experience with raw vulnerability. I sang from a place I didn’t know existed. I cried every time. I was letting out my fears, disappointments, doubts, and self-loathing. It was my first real step in connecting to myself and allowing compassion for myself.

Self-healing and growth began. In order for me to find my purpose I had to allow my true self to come forward. And this was a long journey. And to be fully transparent, I’m still a work in progress.

So the journey continued. I dove into college focusing on equity and inclusion, environmental studies, and environmental justice. After college I worked for an AIDS organization and burned out in an epic way. Shortly after that I moved to a small village in the Interior of Alaska on the Yukon River to work for the Louden Tribal Council. It was like moving to a foreign country for me. I learned many lessons but the big one was to listen. I had to slow down. Not to respond so quickly and wait. I had to listen for understanding. My time in Alaska had many adventures but the two that stand out are my unplanned pregnancy in the village and several years later bankruptcy with a terrible boyfriend/business partner. The unplanned pregnancy was a gift. I think my son saved my life. The bankruptcy and emotionally abusive relationship taught me that I can get through anything.

These two experiences taught me deeper compassion and empathy for myself and others. Crazy shit happens in our lives. It can happen to anyone. Now I carry unconditional positive regard for people. I have no idea what they’re going through and it’s not for me to judge.

I’ve always been health conscious and when times got tough I’d lean into running and exercise. Eventually my passion for exercise and helping others led me to becoming a group fitness instructor, yoga instructor, and yoga therapist. This is where I began to feel my purpose. I knew I was good at supporting people, inspiring, and creating hope.

My passion is finding peace within ourselves. Trusting ourselves. Believing in ourselves and shedding the negative thoughts and beliefs we hold about ourselves.

The yoga therapy training was my doorway to life and wellness coaching. Connecting to our bodies was my first big ah-ah. Quieting the mind was another. And helping my clients move from stuck to potential and action is what I do now.

This feels like a long story to say, I had to have a lot of different experiences, fell down hard, picked myself back up with support and love from my friends and family. I had to start to see myself as the person and spirit I know I am. Now I help others do the same.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My Business:
My business is Rising Phoenix MT, Life and Wellness Coaching. My coaching focuses on moving through life transitions of any kind. Some of my clients want to create healthy habits or find their purpose or are looking to make a career change. Others are managing loss or even moving into a new life chapter.

My logo is the rising Phoenix because transformation is what I do. I have burned my life to the ground and risen from the ashes (bankruptcy and emotionally abusive relationship). When the Phoenix rises, she’s not feeling sorry for herself. She’s stronger for it, powerful, and living into purpose. Without knowing it, I was living into my purpose from the very beginning. At age 19 I got the rising Phoenix tattoo and it’s been my symbol ever since.

My Story:
I believe we’re here to share our special and unique gifts with the world. We all have a light to shine and it’s our job in the brief time we’re here to do that. I know what it’s like to dim that light and live in the shadows. It’s painful even if we tell ourselves that’s just how life is. It doesn’t have to be. I’m proof of that.

What gets me excited about my work is the transformation my clients experience. I learn and grow from every person I work with. My clients and I enter into a partnership of exploring what’s going on, what they want, and what it looks/feels like. We create goals together, challenge thoughts and beliefs (mindset), and connect to the body. One of my favorite aspects of my work is to quiet the mind, slow down the breath, and pay attention to the sensations in the body. We do parts work to explore what different aspects of the body and emotions have to reveal. We visualize what’s possible and create small actions to move in that direction. We evaluate what brings in energy, where energy is drained, and how to manage the balance over time. And one of my favorite elements of my work is creating a new narrative.

Every client is different so each session and what I offer is tailored to them. Some folks are thinkers, others are feelers, and some are more kinetic. I meet people where they’re at so they can move forward in a way that supports and works for them.

My intention as a coach is to help people find their purpose in different phases of their life. My life has had different phases and chapters with different purposes. Early in my life was exploration and experimentation. Then I became a mom and raised my son. Then I pursued my passion for health and self-development. But the true essence of who I am never changed. I always cared about people. I wanted the best for them. My journey has taught me that in order to serve in the way I wanted to, I had to want that for myself just as much. Only then could I help others do the same.

New Opportunity Coming Up:
I’m opening up a group coaching program in September. I’ll run two groups of 4 people. I’m so excited for this because I see the connection and inspiration people receive in the group setting. I run a once-a-month free mastermind every last Saturday of the month called Your Meaningful Life: You 2.0! and it’s amazing! I find the smaller groups are so impactful because attendees can interact more. They can share their questions and insights which inevitably resonate for others in the group.

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

1. All of my training in health, fitness, yoga therapy, meditation, and coaching.
I’m a certification nerd. I love to learn and am always curious about the mind-body connection. My certification journey included elements of neuroscience, eastern philosophy, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Justice, anatomy, mindfulness, and coaching skills. All of this led to an increased awareness and confidence that I continue to work on.

2. Being able to take risks and trust everything will turn out
This is an interesting one because sometimes things didn’t turn out like I thought they would. I had some hard lessons along the way but they have served me to be compassionate, empathetic, and courageous. Even if it seems impossible like raising a child in the village by myself, I trusted it would work out.

Quick story: When I got pregnant in 2002 I was convinced I’d get an abortion. Even though I had made that decision I was still torn. I went to a woman in the village who did energy work to help guide me through this. She instructed me to ask a question. I asked if it was wrong for me to abort this child. I laid down on the table and she worked her magic. With my eyes closed on her table I journeyed to some place. I can’t say where I was. But an all-knowing and loving presence came to me and said, “You are loved no matter what.” I shared this with her and we both cried. I knew I’d be ok if I went through with it. The night before the appointment I had a dream that my father came to me, got on his knees and begged me to keep my baby. I woke up the next day and knew I was going to be a mom. The woman who helped me during this time told me that someday I would be helping others who felt lost and unsure of what to do.

3. Following my interests and passions
Movement, personal growth, exploration, learning, supporting others, and leaning into my gifts helped me get where I am today. I followed what lit me up and brought me joy; what helped me grow and build confidence. It was not a straight line by a long shot. But it was my journey and still is. As I’ve identified my gifts I’ve leaned into learning more, sharpening, and expanding. The gifts are here for us to fine-tune and figure out how to use them in our lives and the world.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

My current challenge is showing in my unique way and providing value in my social media and marketing. I can feel myself holding back and can’t seem to break through.

Living into my true self, and being honest about my story and growth journey is a vulnerable space for me. I’ve made decisions I’m not proud of. But I know deep down it’s a story with lessons that people will resonate with.

I’ve recently hired a marketing coach who helps break through these blocks and fears. She will help me develop my story so that I can share it without feeling like I’m barfing all over the place.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All images credit to Emmy Reed

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