⸻ Do We Throw Out the Baby with the Bath Water? With nearly 80% of our clientele coming from Anabaptist backgrounds, we’ve been on a journey of deep learning. The nuances… the layers… the unspoken codes. The culture runs deep. And so does the programming. We’ve walked through the heartbreak and the breakthrough. We’ve sat at kitchen tables, inside barns, at weddings, and in the quiet of late-night conversations—listening for the heartbeat beneath the lifestyle. This past weekend, while at a wedding in Ohio, one of our clients couldn’t wait to dress us up. Amish threads, head to toe. Her face? Pure delight—laughing hysterically as she saw us fully suited in her world. It was one of those moments you never forget. And it stirred something in me. After all the years of walking people out of high-control environments, I’ve noticed something consistent: It’s rarely the clothes or the chores people are running from. It’s the control. The emotional repression. The weaponized guilt. The abuse of Scripture in the name of order. But once the heart begins to heal… A tenderness often returns. A deep appreciation for what was beautiful—community, family, work ethic, simplicity, rhythm. So much richness is there… if you know how to look for it. And while we never shy away from naming the abuse—because the trauma is real—we also don’t believe healing has to equal hatred. So I’ll ask you this: When you leave a culture, religion, or community that hurt you… Do you carry offense forever? Or can you do the work to reconcile your heart? Can you sift through the rubble and find something worth keeping? That’s what maturity looks like. That’s what healing invites. And that’s what allows us to walk in wholeness, not just freedom. What have you learned to appreciate again—after leaving it behind? ⸻ #highcontrolreligion #amish #mennonite #anababtist #freedom #healing #reconciliation #epicyourlife

I often intentionally do a self-evaluation on how I’m showing up—as a Mom, Coach, Mentor, Family Member, or Friend. • Am I critical, overlooking the small wins, the effort, the consistency, the micro breakthroughs? • Am I too focused on perfection and big wins, the things that make me look good, instead of truly seeing and celebrating the growth happening right in front of me? • Do I make people feel seen, heard, and valued, or do they feel like they’ll never measure up? I have to check myself. Often. Because I never want to be the kind of leader, mentor, or mom who demands excellence but forgets to celebrate progress. I don’t want to be so focused on the outcome that I miss the hearts of those I love and lead. And here’s why it matters: The way I show up shapes their belief in themselves. When I lead with encouragement, when I acknowledge the effort—not just the outcome—it reinforces their identity. ✔ It tells my kids and clients that who they are is enough. ✔ It builds confidence in their own growth process. ✔ It gives them permission to take the next step—even when it’s scary. Because if I’m only focused on results, they’ll learn that their worth is tied to performance. But if I celebrate their progress, they’ll learn that their value is in who they are, not just what they accomplish. And that? That’s how courage is built. That’s how people learn to trust themselves, to take risks, to keep going even when the path is uncertain. So I keep coming back to this: Am I showing up in a way that creates strength, confidence, and belief? Because that’s the kind of leader I choose to be.