05 Feb I wrote these exact words in my journal today-no edits

BE BOLD SPEAK UP F. 5.25

​
​

I want to write a blog. Launch the lioness project get the survey out. 1000 women to take the survey. That’s a good thing to get moving on.

​
​

I think of when I’ve spoken up. I grew up afraid to use my voice, even to the point of being afraid to tell my parents I loved them. When my dad sought me out for comfort when my mom was gravely ill, him crying on me and saying his wife was going to die, I felt rage that he was telling me such horrific news, but I stayed silent and comforted him instead.

​
​

I stayed silent for his sake, and for many years, I stayed quiet.

​
​

If you observed me, you would have seen a fun, cheerful child. But the truth was, my essence stayed in the background.

 

I followed where I was led by some cultural norms and some societal ones as well.

​
​

I wanted to study psychology in university, but was deeply involved in religion at the time, and was told that wasn’t good to study the spirit was all that mattered, not the mind. So I pursued a degree in sociology, the closest I could get, at least study people.

​
​

I married young and packed my voice deeper away. I was supposed to be a good wife. A couple of months into our marriage, I suggested we have a coffee and talk on the couch. I was scoffed at. ‘We’re married, we don’t sit and talk’. I said nothing. I went to the bedroom. Crushed.

​
​

Sometimes I spoke up about what I needed, and because it had been packed down so tightly wrapped in the chains of please, perfect, perform, it would come flying out of nowhere and resembled a crazed rage hurled at my partner, for him overlooking me and our vows.

​
​

There were no words about what I wanted, what I needed, and after a while, I wasn’t even aware of those things. I was numb frozen.

​
​

Eventually, I started to find my voice, and I used it to leave my marriage and liberate myself.

​
​

I work now with a handful of coaches from around the world and Brene Brown. I’m in shock as I sit at this virtual table with her and how I have gained this honor.

​
​

Years ago I had to advocate for myself because I was told I didn’t have enough corporate experience to even be considered to be a facilitator for her leadership work.

​
​

I said that wasn’t true and proved my experience and here I am working directly alongside her.

In my executive coaching work, I see high powered women who are incredibly talented and bold in their own right, and still ask me, ‘Is it okay to say that?’

​
​

They’ve been taught to please, perfect, and perform just like me and to stay small in their own ways.

​
​

Again like me, you would not think them meek or mild but there’s still something that holds them back from speaking up.

​
​

Maybe deep down, you feel the same way. There are places, relationships you want to be more bold in.

​
​

As you read these words, you know you’re holding yourself back.

​
​

You don’t have to do that, and I’m here to help.

​
​

Now is your chance to show up, speak up and be heard.

​
​

I can help you, and I’d be grateful if you’d help me.

​
​

I’m writing a book for women, helping them realize why they hold themselves back, where they want to speak up and how to be more bold and say what it is they want to say.

​
​

No one should be silent.

​
​

If this is connecting for you, please reach out, set up a time to connect, and we can talk about how I can help you.

​
​

I want to have 1000 women complete this short survey so I can understand what’s holding women back from speaking up.

​
​

Please take a few minutes to fill it out. If you’re willing to share your story, hit reply. I’d be honoured to listen.

​
​

If you know a woman who could use some support, check out my latest project,

Helping women find their voice, the lioness project.

​
​

This may not be your journal entry-but it was mine: exact words, a journaling session that ended up being a blog post-unexpected, messy, unplanned, unedited and all me.

​
​

I’m posting my heart here. Thank you for holding it.

​
​

Show up, Speak up, Be Heard-that’s what I want to help more women do.

​
​

That’s what The Lioness Project is all about. Check out my new website here: www.thelionessproject.ca (big thanks to the magic of Fetching Finn and my fourth website with them)
​

You could help me by using your voice by completing this survey and sharing it with other women who are willing to help. I want 1000 women to take this survey to understand what holds women back and how I can help. In return, you will get a gift that provides you with five ways to speak more boldly.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCyCs6vRubGPSCDqlZLNQmjbjEUbtvNyjZoj-dOgQULQEPOg/viewform

​

Thank you for being part of my tribe~

​

Lots of Love,

​

Leona

​

P.S. I’m also hosting a monthly Women’s Circle on the 4th Sunday of the month if you’re looking for a place to reflect and restore called The Womb, a place to Restore and Reset- this is a session where women can just be; using reflective and restorative practices. We get to sit and be bathed and lavished in the waters of love so that we might be restored and reset. Next session Feb 28, 2025, 01:00 PM MT

​
​

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ff-yKXl5SpyyraqcCf1BlQ. Even if you can’t attend, you can get the recording—

​

Here’s last month’s session: https://youtu.be/AJucypjtlgQ. Relax, listen, get comfy, and snuggle up with pen and paper.

​