Today we’d like to introduce you to Sterling Rose Rung.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always wanted to be an artist, with a deep desire to make an impact on the world. Even with the best intentions, I spent much of my adolescence and early 20s focused on myself, and how I fit within the societal definition of success. After steering clear of the fine art degree my heart desired, I claimed a degree in landscape architecture and business management to enter the corporate design world. Years into my career I began to pay attention, to notice my body because I had to. I was constantly getting sick, developing panic attacks and exhausted all the time. My spark for creation, play and human impact had been greatly tampered. In a fit of desperation to simply feel good in my body and see something meaningful within me, I reached for meditation and my spiritual awakening began.
Throughout the end of my corporate career, I spent all my free time learning and practicing meditation, breathwork, yoga, qi gong, energy work and any other alternative modality I could get my hands on. For the first time in a while, I felt whole again, remembered the truth of who I am and why I was here. From this place, everything changed. I began to make art again for myself, working with land art and photography; studying the human form and the relationship to the earth. This period of art creation is where my purpose in teaching/mentorship came to life. After photography sessions, many models would share how unique and healing the experience was in my presence; as I was naturally employing breathwork and embodiment techniques throughout the entire process. From there my business was born unifying the arts and wellness space. Over the past several years my business has grown and morphed into a variety of offerings, as a reflection of my own personal evolution and to better serve my community. I now offer several national retreats per year, monthly in-person/virtual workshops, embodiment photoshoots, 1:1 mentorship & healing sessions as well as fine art prints and gallery shows.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The transition from the corporate world to creating a business in a new niche space was not simple. It took immense planning and flexibility. Focusing on my desires and listening to my client’s needs has been paramount to the success of my business flow. This, of course, can be challenging to plan ahead and to explain. I faced many challenges around shifting my community and the perspectives of the people in my life who could not quite understand these changes. This taught me to focus on my inner knowing/passion and release the worry around what other people thought. Turning away from a “successful” career was the best life adjustment I’ve ever made – even if some people could not understand it.
Another obstacle I faced early on dealt with misaligned business collaborations and clients. In the beginning, it is important to say yes to a lot of opportunities, as the business path is unfolding; yet it is important to not say yes to everything! One of the biggest lessons I learned is to move out of lack mentality around opportunities and make business decisions from an empowered, heart-centered place. This is where the answer is simple/clear and by shutting one door, it simply moves me closer to a more aligned option.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a multidimensional artist, mentor and medicine woman with a passion for somatic healing, nature immersion and embodiment photography. My work explores the dance of revealing and integrating the physical, mental and spiritual aspects within while reclaiming the power of expression. I find joy in my creative and highly intuitive process offering guidance and empowerment through embodiment, breathwork, energy healing, retreats, and art creation. Through my radical acts of self-exploration, acceptance and heart coherence, I embody a life in flow, inspiring alignment and soul activation in others.
My specialty lies in the power of inner authority, authentic truth and embodied safety. We all suffer from some level of anxiety or stress, which is a simple manifestation of fear or lack of perceived safety in the body. This is the center-point of the discomfort, dis(ease) and disillusion we face and the inspiration of my signature program. The COME HOME Mentorship Program offers a safe, guided space for self-exploration to uncover one’s core truth; evoking a deep sense of embodied safety; replacing fear and anxiety with love. Together we work on all levels, unraveling the stories, societal programming and pressures holding us back and blocking us from the undeniable truth that we are already whole, healed and complete.
This program is about finding ourselves through somatic, mental and spiritual healing/expansion to step into the joyful, abundant and easeful experiences we desire and deserve. It is an opportunity to build a deep, coherent relationship with our body, mind and spirit to live the life of our dreams. I am here to demonstrate that dreams do come true and we are worthy of it all. It is a calling to step into our wholeness, walk into every room with confidence and tap into the knowing of who we are on a soul level and observe how everything shifts in accordance. The highlight of this program comes at the end of the 4-6 months container. A sacred time of celebration through an embodiment photoshoot, to capture the magnificent transformation and authentic radiant light!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was a very sensitive child, spending time observing, playing in nature and creating magic in my own world through art and imagination. I lived with my tight-knit German family on a small hobby farm in upstate New York. In this period I was free to explore and adventure, as long as my grades were perfect (of course). Early on I discovered my gift to see systems, big picture and connect with people deeply. However, my childhood shy demeanor kept this feature mostly a secret. It wasn’t until my college years that I came into my own confidence and found my voice. Art and nature have been the two main threads throughout my life, weaving in and out of my experience and always reminding me of who I really am.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sterlingroseart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sterlingroseart/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sterlingroseartpnw
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/EmbodiedElements
Image Credits:
Sterling Rose Rung for all photos except 2 portraits of me: 1. Image with rose flower (blonde//me) Credit: Haylee Noelle 2. Image of me in forest with camera, Credit: Haylee Noelle
