We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lynn Meyer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lynn below.
Lynn, 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?
This is going to sound strange, but I found purpose out of pain that endured.
My story starts at the incredibly young age of 1 and 1/2 years old. I give that age because I know the abuse begin when I was a toddler. I was sexually abused by my biological father and my mother knew about it because she prepared my body for him.
Even though this was a tumultuous time, this experience was a catalyst for me to become who I am today.
I never knew I would be destined to help women heal from trauma.
If you told me that my life, past experiences, trauma would shape me to becoming the person I am today, I would have said No. Unbeknownst to me that’s exactly what it did. Things happened for me, not to me. Let me explain, most of my life I felt like a victim, allowing life just to happen with no objections. I was existing and going along with whatever. Before this epiphany I was a statistic.
How to become a statistic? Well…Here’s a list
Grow up in a dysfunctional household, where everyone keeps secrets
Have a father that is an alcoholic, an abuser and doesn’t know love
Experience a mother that has low self-esteem that allows abuse & disrespect
Deal with some siblings not liking you because you are “spoiled”
Be sexually abused by your father and your mother allowing it
Grow up and become reckless, impulsive, and rebellious, making poor choices
Destroy relationships because you don’t trust others or yourself
Self-sabotage all opportunities that present themselves
These things put me in a “dark” place, and my life was slipping away. I no longer wanted to think about what it be like if I wasn’t here, days filled with anxiety/depression, feelings of worthlessness, pretending to be “good” or “fine”, screaming at the top of my lungs and no one hearing me or existing and not living.
THE TURN-AROUND (2002)
This was how the conversation went. Want to hear it?
“Girl, get it together, what is wrong with you? How do you plan on being able to sustain life if you continue this path? Stop messing around and take back your life.” Even though this may be harsh for you to read, it blessed me, and I cried because I finally felt FREE. It wasn’t my fault that I endured the things that I did, but it was my responsibility to heal.
Knowing that I was in control to heal, use my voice, speak my truth, reclaim my body, and change the narrative gave me so much power! This wasn’t just a revelation but a life change. Let the exhale begin!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Licensed Professional Counselor, RAINN Speakers Bureau Member and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with successful experience in transforming the lives of families and individuals. She specializes in working with women of color who have experienced sexual and physical abuse. and a strong believer in the power of positive thinking, creating the life you desire and deserve. Lynn regularly develops internal wellness practices, simple transformative programs/services to help guide women with effective mental health techniques. Some of the resources used are: 1:1 VIP Coaching, group coaching program and power sessions.
Lynn’s mission is to help 1 million women of color heal trauma, embrace femininity, and feel safe and sexy in their bodies and emotions. She believes that every woman can be happy, whole, confident, and authentically dope. Healing, restoration, and transformation is the framework Lynn uses because it teaches women that these are all possible. This framework greatly influences the soul of every woman Lynn coaches.
For over 20 years Lynn has been empowering, inspiring and motivating women to become and Choose H.E.R. She believes that all women are wonderfully and beautifully made with purpose.
Lynn is also an author of three books No More: When Being a Victim of Sexual Abuse is No Longer an Option, an Interactive Journal to the book’s title, and a workbook titled No More Excuses: Let’s Heal for Real.
She is a mentor, an emotional healing coach and Founder/President of a non-profit organization I Choose H.E.R.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Having perseverance, being courageous, and believing in the work that I do has been the most impactful. None of these qualities were highlighted until I knew they were available and that I possessed them.
This is going to sound very cliche, but never give up on what you are destined to become. Remove quitting from the possibilities, you can rest but don’t quit. Do things in fear, do it afraid. You will eventually become comfortable and confident in your skin. You will then feel bold, courageous, and powerful. Believe in yourself no matter what. No one has to understand the dreams, goals, your vision but you do. Stop allowing yourself to be validated by others. When it comes to perseverance, I didn’t know that it felt like long suffering in the beginning until I realized that I was making strides that I didn’t imagine. Life was still hard but now I was realizing my abilities. This was the big flex. Life came to destroy me, but I was healing. Being courageous was always a trait I had I was just afraid to use it because I didn’t want to be judged as “too bold or too strong”. Now I proudly wear the badge of courage. I understand that it’s a beautiful characteristic that I exude, and no one will ever be able to take that away.
The work I do is not only for me, but for those that seek healing. I am here to be disruptive with my story, my words, my testimony. I am here to be impactful and show others that no matter the circumstance, event, violation, experience, healing, restoration, and transformation are all possible.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is:
-Woman of Color
-30 or older
-Married, in a relationship or desires one
-Has children
-Professional/Career Woman
-Ambitious/Ready to Change (doesn’t have to be convinced)
As a matter of fact, let me say it more specifically.
I am you.
I am my sister’s keeper.
I am you.
I am scared, courageous, insecure, confident, passive, assertive, shy, bold, wounded, healed.
I am you.
I am a mother, wife, boss, CEO, entrepreneur
I am you.
I am okay, I’m not okay. I’m overwhelmed. I got my ish together.
I am you.
I am a people pleaser. I am an advocate for self-care
I am you.
I am a victim of sexual abuse. I am a Warrior of Incest/DV
I am you.
I am sick of all this (ups and downs, feeling like I’m at my wit’s end and pretending I am fine.
I am you.
(Thoughts in your head) What I truly want is to experience freedom from the bondage of my past, peace in my home and mind. I want to feel safe and sexy in my body and my emotions. I no longer want to be affected by the abuse that was disgustingly placed upon me.
I am you.
So many women are battling with these thoughts and more. Hear me say. I am you.
I became ME after I decided to choose H.E.R. I became the person I needed when I was hurting.
I was no longer going to be those things.
Most of all I became HER so I can help you.
You want to experience life in your feminine energy and no longer feel like you must be rigid, have a guard up, or operate in the masculine.
You want to feel comfortable when your partner touches you. You want pleasurable sex. You want healthy relationships, intimacy. How do I know?
I am you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lynnmeyer.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/
thehrtcoach - Facebook: www.facebook.com/lynnmeyer
Image Credits
Presley Sheffield Danyle Giovondi Bre Brooks Ideal for You
