Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Rice.
Tamara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a little girl, I knew exactly what I wanted. I had this idealistic sense of what my life should look like, complete with specific timeframes. Married at this age, first child after that, dream job achieved at that age. At the age of 30, I learned that life doesn’t work that way at all. And you can either let that consume you or you can release it all to find your own way.
When I had my daughter I was in a great relationship. Things seemed picture perfect, except we weren’t married. I thought to myself that this was fine because we were going to be eventually. Being an unwed mother wasn’t in my plan, but since we were talking about marriage, we had to be on the right path. Except that we weren’t. Unhappiness began to rule our household and instead of marriage being the culmination of our story, a break up was the end. I was devastated, and that’s putting it mildly. I faced depression and finally after several talks with friends, decided to see a therapist.
In my hopelessness, my therapist encouraged me to find something that I could do that would give me control over something. Something that if I worked hard enough at, I’d be able to achieve a goal. Since my daughter was now three years old, and I was still carrying baby weight, I decided to focus on my health and wellness and decided to help others with theirs as well. After shedding the last 15 lbs of a 50lb weight gain from being pregnant, I found myself again. I gave myself the time and space to relearn who I was through this journey towards becoming healthy again. Working with others to help them with their health challenges helped me to see that my value in this world still existed. That yes, I was my daughters’ mother, but that I was also a woman who had goals and dreams that could still be achieved.
In finding who I was, I learned that what I love most is connecting with other women and helping them through life transitions with my coaching business and creating memories with my daughter by hosting mommy and my events. Without the break up from my daughter’s father, I wouldn’t have had the space to get to know these things about myself. I wouldn’t have been able to see that my purpose is tied to others. I’m thankful for the way that life was shaken up for me because I can’t imagine who or what I’d be if it hadn’t.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Finding purpose is challenging. At some times, you feel really clear about what you are supposed to do. Others, you feel like you are aimlessly wandering, trying to figure it out.
I think the biggest challenge for me has been fear. The fear of putting myself out there. The fear of failure. The fear of ridicule from others. Most times fear easily wins. It makes us minimize who we are and if we aren’t careful, it can consume us.
I was afraid to begin coaching women because I didn’t know if I could truly help them, despite my six years of coaching adults professionally. I was afraid to start hosting events because I didn’t know if people would show up.
The thing I’ve centered myself on along this path is a quote from Brene Brown. “If you’re not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.” My purpose isn’t tied to the ones who aren’t willing to be vulnerable or try something new. It’s tied to those who are ready for a change, whether it be to shift a significant part of their life or to step out and make new mommy friends. Both require courage and that’s who I work for and with.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an empowerment coach. I help women release the past, renew themselves in the present, and rediscover their future. I focus on the whole woman, helping them to recognize their patterns and triggers, pushing beyond those things to figure out who she really is.
The mommy and me events that I host are out of a joy of bringing mothers and children together to engage in fun activities that foster creativity and social interaction for the littles while giving mothers a space for self-care, to make new connections, and to realize that we are all in this together.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Courage is the most important quality for success. Most times, we think courage is the huge leap of faith, but often times, courage is doing the small things in preparation for the big leaps. Courage is the behind the scenes tasks that feel so overwhelming, but when they are completed, you say to yourself, “Oh, that was it?” Courage is doing things while scared. Courage is feeling the fear beating away at you and constantly talking yourself back into pushing towards what you know is possible.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blissfullyincomplete.com
- Email: blissfullyincomplete@gmail.com
- Instagram: blissfullyincomplete
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamara.rice.5209
Image Credit:
Aaren Camille, Jonathan B. Samuel
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