Capturing Confidence: The Power of Photography and Self-Discovery

Episode Transcript
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(00:09):
Today in my studio, I have the opportunityto talk to a photographer who looks at
people through a lens and her perspectiveon women in particular because she mainly,
okay, she only photographs women andthe journey that they have gone through.

(00:30):
Because maybe they've gone throughcancer or had a massive weight loss
and they're reclaiming their bodyand she captures that so beautifully
and her conversation is so beautiful.
well crafted and authentic and powerfulhow we should strip away labels
and things that were taught to us.

(00:51):
Maybe we've been brainwashed a little bitand we need to get rid of some of that
garbage, as she calls it, some of thepoo is the poo poo we should get rid of?
Well, we're going to dive intoall of that on today's episode.
Why it is important to carve out time,to invest in yourself, make yourself
a priority because you are powerful.

(01:12):
Source.
And this fire that's readyto ignite within you.
Well, Shira is goingto bring it out today.
It is a well crafted conversationabout the beauty of being a
woman and how to let her be free.
Welcome my friend, Shira W.
Rose.

(01:33):
Photographer with an artistryfor design and creativity.
And this, the power of imagery.
I am So happy to be here.
Thank you so much for inviting me.
Michelle Lena [00:30.484]
my
you
Shira W Rose [00:24.246]
I am so happy to be here.
Thank you so much for inviting me.
my gosh, well, when we met, wasinstant chemistry and I knew that

(01:54):
we were going to be friends becauseone queen can see another queen.
So I was excited to have you in studio andjust to have just an organic conversation
about the beauty of being a woman.

(02:32):
W Rose [00:54.104]
without question, knew the second Isaw you, I liked you, I saw you in your
little clothess, I think you were talkingabout aging and all the things about
it, but in a way that is super cool.
And I'm like, that has to be my friend.
I love her already.
Well aging is something that you know,I'm working on level 55 I'm 54 years old
but I always say I'm working on level 55because I need to ease into it I believe
that when I got a heartbeat inside mymama life was breathe Breath was brought

(02:53):
into me even though I haven't breathedoutside the womb I was very much alive
and kicking so I'm like level 55 hard
So aging is such a gift.
So I don't know what TikTokI made, but whatever level
you're on, you are owning it.
You are a stunning,radiant, powerful woman.

(03:14):
Thank
Shira
Lena [01:13.03]
Well aging is something that you know,I'm working on level 55 I'm 54 years old
but I always say I'm working on level 55because I need to ease into it I believe
that when I got a heartbeat inside mymama life was breathe Breath was brought
into me even though I haven't breathedoutside the womb I was very much alive
and kicking so I'm like level 55 hard
So aging is such a gift.
So I don't know what TikTokI made, but whatever level
you're on, you are owning it.
You are a stunning,radiant, powerful woman.
Thank
Thank you.
Yeah, thank you so much.
I appreciate that.
feel it.
It's hard to, we're notour mama's 55 years of age.
[ 02:08.006]
No, when I think of that, thinkof the movie, The Golden Girls.
Remember The Golden Girls?
And I'm like, what didthey do to those women?

(03:35):
Because they're beautiful women, but theymade them look so old in their our age.
They were in their 50s when they filmedthat series, and we do not look like them.
you
think that's a gen X thing, but Ialso think it's a societal thing of
that time that we're all thinkingwe're not going to be a part of that.

(03:58):
Like it doesn't end when you turn 50.
I think in so many ways you glow up.
turn 50.
And, you know, so I think it was atradition or standard or societal
standard of that time that because youare of a certain age, you had to cut
your hair short and, you know, where
frumpier
time

(04:18):
things,
you are
I can't, most of our generationis not like that at all.
No, no, I like how you saidthat we are glowing it up.
Gen X is glowing it up.
We are not doing it.
look at my arm is way up there.
We are not doing it like ourmamas taught us to do it.
We get to do it differently and morepowerfully and more radiant and more just
taking back so many of the labels and theshame that maybe they felt they were stuck
in, but we're breaking all the patterns.
We're breaking all the rules.
And it's not just our age.
think women across the boardare just shattering, limiting
beliefs and breaking down barriers
your hair short and, you know, where
frumpier things, I can't, most of ourgeneration is not like that at all.
No, no, I like how you saidthat we are glowing it up.
Gen X is glowing it up.
We are not doing it.
look at my arm is way up there.
We are not doing it like ourmamas taught us to do it.

(04:41):
We get to do it differently and morepowerfully and more radiant and more just
taking back so many of the labels and theshame that maybe they felt they were stuck
in, but we're breaking all the patterns.
We're breaking all the rules.
And it's not just our age.
think women across the board arejust shattering, limiting beliefs and

(05:02):
breaking down barriers left and right.
And that is exciting time, Ithink, to be in a, to be a woman.
Do you see that in your industry?
You are a photographer and you arehelping to shatter some of those limiting
beliefs, working your magic with the lens.
So I'd like you to lean into that.
What do you think?
We are.

(05:25):
So.
think that most women fall intothe same trap, especially those who
have so many obligations and, youknow, the ones who have gone down
the parenthood path or maybe you'redivorced and you find yourself as
a single parent or whatever it is.
I think that we all fall into thesepatterns that we have to do the societal

(05:48):
norm things and then we forget weexist because our feminine nature is
to put everyone on the front burner.
And I think that because we're Gen X orwomen who are following us, I think we've
come to the realization that we do exist.

(06:10):
We don't have to follow the rules.
So I'm seeing more and more morewomen who, and I think that's why a
lot of people come to me is becausethey want to feel seen as themselves.
you know, they want tobe seen as themselves.
so I say everything's changing.
The rules are changing.
We're modernizing how, what femininity,what being a feminine being, whatever that

(06:37):
is, the range of femininity it is, I thinkwe're defining, redefining those rules.
What is femininity?
There are no rules about long hair at 50.
There are no long hair rules.
know, like normally people, likesome people still poo poo that, but
I've seen less and less of that.
I'm here to say we're building aconfidence revolution of people who are

(07:00):
feeling more seen, which is the most
W Rose [04:06.424]
So.
think that most women fall intothe same trap, especially those who
have so many obligations and, youknow, the ones who have gone down
the parenthood path or maybe you'redivorced and you find yourself as
a single parent or whatever it is.
I think that we all fall intothese patterns that we have to do
the societal norm things and thenwe forget we exist because our
feminine nature is to puteveryone on the front burner.
And I think that because we're Gen X orwomen who are following us, I think we've
come to the realization that we do exist.
We don't have to follow the rules.
So I'm seeing more and more morewomen who, and I think that's why a
lot of people come to me is becausethey want to feel seen as themselves.
you know, they want tobe seen as themselves.
so I say everything's changing.
The rules are changing.
We're modernizing how, what femininity,what being a feminine being, whatever that
is, the range of femininity it is, I thinkwe're defining, redefining those rules.
What is femininity?
There are no rules about long hair at 50.
There are no long hair rules.
know, like normally people, likesome people still poo poo that, but
I've seen less and less of that.
I'm here to say we're building aconfidence revolution of people
who are feeling more seen, whichis the most important thing, right?
I love that.
Yes, yes.
Let's just reiterate that a confidentrev revolution, rev resolution.
No, you said it.
Say it again, please.
Shira W
I love that.
Yes, yes.
Let's just reiterate that a confidentrev revolution, rev resolution.
No, you said it.
Say it again, please.
Shira W
[05:59.326]

(07:20):
Rose [05:59.326]
Revolution.
It's a revolution.
It's a revolution.
revolution.
We are building a confident revolution.
We are creating a movement of womento step into this beautiful power.
just, we were just in a meeting, Iwas just in a meeting for WOW Women
Optimizing Wellness, my women's group,and we were talking about just a hundred

(07:43):
years ago women could not or just gotthe right to vote and how powerful
Yeah.
It is to understand that time isso close, but yet so far away.
And we are continuing to riseup and have this resolution.
Why can't I say that word?
Resolute.

(08:03):
Say the word.
My tongue is stuck.
This is what happened.
the word.
My tongue is stuck.
This is what happened.
Say it again for me.
Girls, say it with a paddle.
Yeah.
Shira
for me.
Girls, say it with a paddle.
Yeah.
Yeah, scream it like we arecreating a confidence revolution.
you
Revolution!

(08:24):
We are creating a confident revolution.
Absolutely, my friend.
Women are
to be
Yes.
I want every woman who ishearing this to stand up,
this
their body and just own thepower that is within them.

(08:46):
And I think what it is, isthat people are not settling
I would say confidence.
Yeah.
for someone else to define them anymore,not just women, but in general, people
are not settling to have someone elsehave the definition of who they are.
Religion, patterns, childhood, badhabits, people are breaking out of
that shell and going, no, no, no, no.

(09:09):
What it is is this knowing inside ofme and it's finally ready to roar.
And I am seeing it so often inour generation, like 45 and plus,
They're like, nope, it is time formy voice to be heard, my story to
be heard and for me to be seen.
And I'm not going to be quiet anymore.

(09:29):
And I am seeing thisconfidence come out in women.
And I feel like when you are behind a lensand you strip away their insecurity and
their labels and their shame and theirego or whatever, and all of a they embrace

(09:49):
just that breadth of who they are,that must be exquisite to see.
So what do you think is the mostbeautiful part about being a woman?
And what's the most beautifulpart when you photograph a woman,
when you photograph these women?
So people
So

(10:10):
different reasons.
people come to me for different reasons.
to me
you know, some people cometo me for boudoir, which I
like boudoir, it's beautiful.
But I like to think of myself asa feminine portrait photographer.
I'm a photographic artist.
I see beauty in every single soulthat walks through my studio doors.
But most people walk throughthose doors the same way.

(10:31):
Some even want to talk themselvesout of coming on that day.
But when they come, theycome and they're nervous.
Yes.
They're a little schlumped overbecause they're thinking that this
is a say cheese kind of shoot.
Do you know what I mean?
Like in their mind, eventhough they know it's not that.
And so what I find to be beautifuland I am so fortunate that I get

(10:54):
to witness it because this is notsomething I'm necessarily doing.
It's just that somehow we're creatingthis space for a woman to just be
leave all this stuff behind and, and
It is about them.
It's almost like friends hanging out,
and
It
having a dress up party, but theyhappen to be the center of attention.

(11:14):
And to witness someone feel beautiful,first and foremost, in whatever it is that
they're wearing, and then to show themthe back of the camera and show them just
how beautiful they are, the most commonthing they say is, is that really me?
Is that really me?
And sometimes tears happen and tearsbecause they've lost 100 pounds.

(11:37):
or tears because they justsurvived breast cancer or they
just are so in awe of themselves.
So for me, witnessing this transformationof coming in a little slumped over
and then them lifting themselves upand walking out with this confidence,
cause it's not just about the pictures,it's about this reconnection to
themselves so that they see themselves.

(11:58):
Cause it's not really justabout your outer shell.
It is about your, thatinner piece of you, that
makes you so beautiful and I don'teven want to make it about beauty.
this ray of light and you leave this
It's not just about beauty, it isabout realizing whatever's inside
of you, whoever you are as a being,you have a purpose and you reconnect

(12:20):
to whatever that purpose is and whenyou find that spot then you become
this ray of light and you leave this
Yes.
space as a ray of light and it shineson anyone in your life, your children,
your husband, your wife, whatever yoursituation is, you, you realize your power.
and it, you

(12:41):
It's just life changingeven, and it lasts.
It's not like I just had my picturestaken and it, you know, it's every time
you see yourself, you remember that youare that beautiful, confident being.
It's just a transformative experience.
It just in general.
So, yeah.
I, the statement that really stood out iswhen they look at themselves from behind
the lens and they say, is that really me?
Like I think just to bring to lightand have that little spark and
ignite that inner person that's
the statement that really stood out iswhen they look at themselves from behind

(13:05):
the lens and they say, is that really me?
Like I think just to bring to light andhave that little spark and ignite that
inner person that's been there all along,but they hadn't seen her in a while.
The power of seeing yourself

(13:25):
through someone else's lensbecause we look so harshly at
ourselves through our own lens.
And we need to realize that most of thevoices in our head are programmed from
somebody else, a conversation, childhood,coworker, family, friends, and we let that
conversation rule instead of deleting it.

(13:47):
And all of they sit in this momentand they're looking at an image
and they're, is that really me?
Yes, that's you sister.
That's you queen.
You are that beautiful.
You are that radiant.
And then to go on and gather morebecause I think once they see that spark,
more of
maybe the session changes and theystep into a little bit more of their

(14:11):
knowing and of their essence and oftheir soul and more layers come out.
Is that what you get to witness?
Cause golly, holy shit.
That's beautiful.
Shira W Rose
I, I, it's as good as it'sbeautiful for me to witness.
And I have a team that helps me sometimesit depends on like what we're doing, but,
to witness.

(14:32):
are equally as changed and moved
helps
through the whole process.
Cause once people come to me andthey decide they want to do this
and we meet, like we do a zoom, wemeet, we talk, I find out their why.
And sometimes people won't say theirwhy, but I'm perceptive, right?
Everybody has their like gifts.
And one of my gifts is I'm
I can read between the lines on what,what, what are they really trying to

(14:55):
say is, and I try and remove the thoughtthat we're doing this for a him or we're
doing this for a specific, you know,specific reason other than this is an
opportunity to feel, to see yourself, tofeel seen through maybe somebody else's
eyes and then reconnect to that, that.

(15:18):
thing maybe sometimes for the firsttime, but maybe sometimes it's something
you forgot that existed within you.
I think of it more likea retreat for the day.
Like it's almost like a littlemini retreat for yourself
because it's really about you.
You're working on your mentalhealth, you know what saying?
A little bit.
Cause you're reconnecting.
You're having a betterunderstanding of yourself.

(15:39):
And you know, we, we talk throughout thewhole process cause people still don't.
you
you know, people still struggle a littlebit like, I don't like my stomach.
And then when I take a picture ofthem in a way that they can see their
stomach, maybe they go, you know what?
I'm actually very beautiful.
I mean, this is our skin that we're in.
We need to own it.
can't, you know,
them in a way that they can see theirstomach, maybe they go, you know what?
I'm actually very beautiful.
I mean, this is our skin that we're in.
We need to own it.
can't,
right?

(15:59):
And like 10 pounds lighter isn'treally going to make a big difference.
Yeah.
lighter isn't really goingto make a big difference.
Yeah.
You know, my gosh.
I think what you said there, weneed to own our skin and being
one of those soft belly girls, Icall it my Marilyn Monroe belly.
She was the sex goddessof all time and people

(16:22):
It's incredible.
Loved her soft belly andher beautiful soft curves.
Like we just need to realizethe skin and the folds and the
layers of us are extraordinary.
yes, softer eyes we need to have.
I love when you mentionedwhen they reconnect because

(16:43):
it's always been inside of us.
That, that person, that soul, thatknowing it's in us, but we lose the link.
Thank
And I love how you call yoursessions, mini retreats, because
they're really important becausethe world disconnects us.

(17:04):
Everything disconnects us.
they're really important
TikTok,
the world disconnects us.
Everything disconnects
music videos, magazines, theydisconnect us from this beautiful
vessel that the universe has given us.
This one body.
you
that we're in charge of this onechild is us and we get to feed it,

(17:28):
nourish it, talk to it, travel withit, laugh with it, cry with it.
But the world pulls us away andseparates our soul from our body.
And I think what you do with thelens is you just reunite them.
I love that you said it's
it, talk
retreat and we're gonna talkabout retreats because I think

(17:52):
They're really important for womento pause and to do something not just
for themselves like you create, but toreally dive deeper into those elements
that you pull out with your sessions.
How do you feel about retreats?
Let's talk a little bit aboutthat since you called your

(18:13):
sessions middle little retreats.
What do you feel about retreats and whydo you think they're important for women?
mini
I always say when I'm in my ownlittle manifesting stage of what
I want for, you know, for my lifeand or my business, I always say
and or my business, I

(18:33):
retreat, retreat,
retreat, retreat, there's three retreats.
And so one is attending a retreatfor yourself, which I've had the
luxury and pleasure of doing.
And you go into it not knowingwhat to expect, but knowing you.
Okay, I always say when I'm in myown little manifesting things that
I want to for, you for my life andmy business, I retreat, retreat,
retreat, the three retreats.
so one.
you have a pain or a need that youneed to address within yourself.
And by going to a retreat,especially extended retreats, you...
I remember when I went to a retreatand the weight of the world was on my
shoulder, like, is my house gonna be okay?
Meaning, can I make my house family?
Can I do this?
Can I do that?
Every worry was on
retreat, there's three retreats.
And so one
But I decided that I needed this
is attending a retreat for yourself, whichI've had the luxury and pleasure of doing.
And you go into it
Lena
knowing what to expect, but knowing you.
Okay, I always say when I'm in myown little manifesting things that
I want to for, you for my life andmy business, I retreat, retreat,
retreat, the three retreats.
so one.
you have a pain or a need that youneed to address within yourself.

(18:54):
And by going to a retreat,especially extended retreats, you...
of
when I went to a retreat and theweight of the world was on my shoulder,
like, is my house gonna be okay?
Meaning, can I make my house family?
Can I do this?
Can I do that?
Every worry was on me.
But I decided that I needed thisinvestment in myself in order to...

(19:17):
Thank
to push through, I just knew insideof me that I needed to do that.
So I went and everything that Iworried about was gone because I was
amongst other women who were therefor their own personal reasons.
So you just kind of arrive as strangersand you become a sisterhood and
you've addressed things within you andrealize things about yourself that.

(19:40):
Thank
You leave with even more than youcould ever imagine and it stays
with you and it sticks with you.
And as you witness other womengrow, that watching their growth
stays with you and sticks with you.
There's just, cannotsay enough good things.
So we've kind of start off and,know, on my second retreat, when

(20:01):
I say retreat, retreat, retreat isthat I have had the pleasure and
luxury of photographing retreats.
And so I get to witness firsthand when Ido this, it's like from start from finish.
I see these women arrive,you know, a little walled up
could
know, some people I've heardsay, I'm not gonna cry.
I'm not gonna this, I'mnot gonna that, right?

(20:22):
And then next thing you know,they are fully immersed in this
experience of letting go or addressingthings that need to be addressed.
You just feel so comfortable whenyou're amongst the sisterhood
of people who are doing this.
Yes.
and the retreat leader, you you'regoing to these things because you're
connected to the retreat leader.
So there's just a bunch of like mindscoming from different walks of life

(20:46):
together and it's so powerful and Iget to witness that through my lens.
And so people come in like walled up andthen they leave not wanting to leave,
tears of joy, reconnected to themselves.
It is the most beautiful thing.
together and it's so powerful and I getto witness that through my own eyes.
you
And, you know, and then the thirdretreat is that, you know, I'm working
on the possibility or I should say,I should just be honest and say, I'm

(21:08):
working on doing just a retreat forsomething, a special series I'm going
to be coming up with it in time.
You know, that can be definitelytalked about later, but retreats are a
part, should be a part of every woman.
Even if you cannot figure outhow to afford it, figure it out.
is the most incredible witness.
mean, investment you'll make inyour life ever, ever, ever, ever.

(21:33):
That's my experience right
experience right there.
Absolutely well well said I took somenotes because you said some things that
I thought were really powerful Painyou come in with pain and I think pain
is one of the most Powerful tool tocause purpose and so you come with this

(21:57):
pain whatever it is grief divorce theweight of the world raising children and
Okay.
being a single mom, not beingable to be a mom, just trying to
keep up with life, bills, keepingyour house, keeping your phone on.
So you come in with all of this pain,but realizing that you are investing

(22:19):
in the most important thing that youcould ever invest in is yourself.
And to take the time to level upthis gift, this soul, this body,
And through that, shedding the layersand the labels and the pain and the
discomfort and the ego, you create thesebonds with these women who were strangers.

(22:42):
And I like how you said fromstrangers to sisterhood.
And it really is life changing.
And yes, leaving with more, Ithink of it as you start here.
And when you leave, we just expand.
We're already whole.
We're already complete and we'realready beautiful, but we think

(23:04):
of ourselves usually as small.
Like you said, we're slumped over.
I'm not going to cry.
I'm not going to do thisbecause we're living small.
And then you sit and have someone push youand watch other women become vulnerable
and more powerful and more authenticconversations and have experience.
You just expand.

(23:25):
And what a beautiful gift.
that you can give to yourself justbeing present and allowing yourself
to step away from your life.
I agree, it's an investment,
authentic conversations and have
but such an important investment.
And you've got to photograph women
being present
and watching them shed these layers.

(23:46):
Let's talk about that.
You witnessing it from the other side,because personally, I can see how
this has really leveled you up and...
have left you with more and thatis why you do have this quiet
confidence and this strong confidence.
Maybe those are some of the layersthat have come off so you can
really sit in this seat and go, yes.

(24:06):
So how is it behind the lens watchingpeople take these layers off, the ones who
didn't want to cry and you see them cry?

(24:41):
W Rose [23:00.312]
So it is profoundly moving to me, youknow, because you witness again people
coming in kind of not knowing each other.
Some people may be friends, but youknow, the wall is definitely up and
they all come for different reasons.
But your individual
of women that you're with.
So as much as you're investingin this self-love, it's like,
Enjoy.
almost like this first great investment in
by
and self awareness for yourself.
But you have other people to do it.
watching, you know, I mean, I have storiesof so many women that I've been able to

(25:02):
witness them come into finding their ownpower or, you know, come coming to say
goodbye to, you know, to someone, maybeone loss or husband, and they needed
to find a way to say goodbye and figureout that they're an individual person.
There's
everyone just goes forthese different reasons.
But when these women see theseimages, know, because I'm

(25:24):
photographing for a retreat provider.
So I have to make sure whoeverI'm providing, fully understand
what is the overall mission here.
And then I just sort of likeput myself as a quiet little
person in the middle of it all.
just express themselveswith everything that
And just watch these moments asthey transpire because it goes
from people not wanting to talk incircles to people wanting to just...

(25:44):
let just express themselves witheverything that they are because they
finally feel like they can, they finallycan talk about maybe they had a rape.
That happens.
just tremendous
Maybe they had a terrible divorce.
That happens, but they cantalk amongst these women, but
they go from being sharing.
little tiny bits to just sharing itall and they don't realize that they're

(26:07):
healing every single woman in that roombecause every single woman has experienced
something like that at some level.
It's just, to me, it's justtremendous to watch it all unfold.
Even the retreat provider watchingthem because they're witnessing
the same thing I'm witnessing.
And I think it just, it's just.
moment of two people

(26:28):
It is
know each other two
a vibrational high
each
for everyone
[ 25:15.214]
Ooh.
to be together and watch that.
So I think it's important tohave photography at a retreat
so that the people who gocan see their transformation.
It is so powerful.
And I'm not talking about,well, there is crying.

(26:50):
There's crying, but it's noteverything's about crying.
is sometimes the beautiful moment oftwo people who didn't know each other
two days earlier hugging each other.
Ooh.
because that one personresonated with them.
But it's just,
they're doing and
could just feel the glow up energy.
And
a space of
just see it.
It's hard to really describe, but it is,

(27:14):
targeting those
there is a reason for retreats.
is.
I
And for people who provide reallygreat retreats and understand, who
really understand what they're doingand how their intention of helping
provide a space of transformation.
for people who have certain pains,you know, and then targeting
those pains through what it is.

(27:35):
I feel
you then see, I've seen
almost like having two years worthof therapy and one four day weekend
or one two day weekend, right?
And then you've met these lifelongfriends who you connected with
and that you then see, I've seenpeople go in two retreats and then

(27:57):
Yes.
then they become business partnerships,know, or friendships that go on
vacation, or it's just, there's justso much more to it than just a retreat.
It's just not showingup and sleeping in late.
It is putting the work in and, and, andit is a full on investment in yourself.
But, and I, I could photographretreats every weekend for

(28:19):
the rest of my life and gain.
so much from each time I go becausethere's just so much to be learned
about yourself and other people.
You know, I love it.
I love it.
I love that you kind of brushedon the same thing we talked at the
beginning when you were doing yourprivate sessions and they look in the
lens and they're like, is that me?
That happens at the retreat.
You said that they seethemselves, is that me?
And this layer coming out of them.
And I think what makes all ofthat so powerful is because
they share their story.
from the beginning of time,that's what humans have done.
They've craved sharing their experienceto know that they're not alone, that
somebody else has walked a similar path.
And that's what you find out that weall have the same label called pain.
And it might be under differentsubtitles, divorce or death or
financial loss or cancer or whateverthat pain is, but it's still a
But once you say your story out loudin a space that's safe where you can be
vulnerable where there's trust and thisexpression and this Experience comes
out and you say it out loud first of allyou own your damn story which is really
important you voice your story and thenSomebody's going to validate it and
that is such the gift of the retreat to
have that and stories build relationships.
Like you said, business partnerships comeout of it or friendships get stronger.
But more importantly, you investin, I always say me, myself and I,
maybe I forgot myself and at thisretreat, I gathered all of the
parts of me and put me back intothat wholeness that we disconnect
with and you get to witness that.
I agree with you.
It needs to be photographed.
They need to see
that side of them, the crying side, thehappy side, the hugging side, the joyful
side, the side where hope fills their eyesbecause they haven't had hope in so long.
It's extraordinary.
Really well said, really well put.
And what a gift that you can do that.
Yeah.
I want to go to a retreat everysingle weekend and I would love,
we are collaborating to just leteveryone know we are collaborating.
We are going to be doingsome things together.
and we will announce them later on.
But yes, our energies and yourtalents and my talents are
definitely going to be on stage.
But more importantly, the stageis these beautiful women who will
become business partnerships, know,or friendships that go on vacation,
or it's just, there's just so muchmore to it than just a retreat.
It's just not showingup and sleeping in late.
It is putting the work in and, and, andit is a full on investment in yourself.
But, and I, I could photographretreats every weekend for
the rest of my life and gain.
so much from each time I go becausethere's just so much to be learned
about yourself and other people.
You know, I love it.
I love it.
I love that you kind of brushedon the same thing we talked at the
beginning when you were doing yourprivate sessions and they look in the

(28:40):
lens and they're like, is that me?
That happens at the retreat.
You said that they seethemselves, is that me?
And this layer coming out of them.
And I think what makes all ofthat so powerful is because
they share their story.
from the beginning of time,that's what humans have done.

(29:02):
They've craved sharing their experienceto know that they're not alone, that
somebody else has walked a similar path.
And that's what you find out that weall have the same label called pain.
And it might be under differentsubtitles, divorce or death or
financial loss or cancer or whateverthat pain is, but it's still a

(29:28):
But once you say your story out loudin a space that's safe where you can be
vulnerable where there's trust and thisexpression and this Experience comes
out and you say it out loud first of allyou own your damn story which is really
important you voice your story and thenSomebody's going to validate it and

(29:52):
that is such the gift of the retreat to
have that and stories build relationships.
Like you said, business partnerships comeout of it or friendships get stronger.
But more importantly, you investin, I always say me, myself and I,
maybe I forgot myself and at thisretreat, I gathered all of the

(30:15):
parts of me and put me back intothat wholeness that we disconnect
with and you get to witness that.
I agree with you.
It needs to be photographed.
They need to see
that side of them, the crying side, thehappy side, the hugging side, the joyful
side, the side where hope fills their eyesbecause they haven't had hope in so long.

(30:39):
It's extraordinary.
Really well said, really well put.
And what a gift that you can do that.
Yeah.
I want to go to a retreat everysingle weekend and I would love,
we are collaborating to just leteveryone know we are collaborating.
We are going to be doingsome things together.
and we will announce them later on.
But yes, our energies and yourtalents and my talents are

(31:03):
definitely going to be on stage.
But more importantly, the stage isthese beautiful women who will attend
because they're the important element.
So awesome, awesome, awesome.
Let's do you have anything to wrap up withthat before I ask you another question?
Well, on the topic of retreats, you know,just for my own experience, when I was
going to attend one, literally, you know,how life does things where you decide you
want to go, you're going to invest thatyou want to go, but then life struggles
happen when you're supposed to go.
And then you're like going,maybe I just don't go.
Maybe I'm not going to go.
Maybe, you know.

(31:23):
So, you I think
on the topic of retreats, you know,just for my own experience, when I
was going to attend one, literally,
you might
you know, how life does thingswhere you decide you want to go,
you're going to invest that youwant to go, but then life struggles
happen when you're supposed to go.

(31:46):
And then you're like going,maybe I just don't go.
Maybe I'm not going to go.
Maybe, you know.
So, you I think that happens to a lot ofpeople and I would just say if you sign
up for a retreat, you might because you'renot used to doing things for yourself
or investing in yourself or you know,you forgot that you exist because you
know, maybe something happened and youneed you feel like you need to take that

(32:08):
money and put it towards something else.
I say because I have pushed throughthis myself is stay the course.
do it for yourself because everyoneelse around you in your life
will benefit greatly, but mostimportantly, you will benefit greatly.
That's not the time to putyourself on the back burner.
So that's just a little friendly advicebecause I went through that myself.

(32:30):
I almost didn't go to theretreat that I needed to go to.
I thought of every reason I shouldn'tgo and at the final hour I'm
literally getting on the plane andgoing and I was so glad I did it.
So that's just a little sidenote that I think some people
who self sabotage themselves a little bitand forget that they exist and don't do
things for themselves, that's a big step.
Just push through or call meand I'll push you through.

(32:54):
Lena [31:35.846]
my gosh, I think that is such animportant message because I think
as women we do this too often.
We self-sabotage, we put ourselveslast, then we absolutely just
with being a woman and being anurturer, we put everyone else first.

(33:16):
So yes, I think that isa really good reminder.
Push through those feelings, breakthrough those barriers, call me, call you.
But another thing I think is reallyimportant that came into my head is
oftentimes we're like, well, we can'tleave XYZ in charge, our partner in
charge, our spouse in charge, or our kids.

(33:36):
What's going to happen tothe house when we get home?
Is it even worth it?
Because sometimes we come home andwe picture walking in, the house is
clean, and the kids are clean, andeverything's put away, and groceries are
filled, and that's not going to happen.
woman
to happen is that they aregoing to learn to appreciate you

(33:58):
nurturer, we
you.
And one really importantelement in life is to be missed.
People need to go, my gosh, I missed you.
And to say that out loud.
So to give them an opportunityto appreciate you and to miss you
and for you on the other side.

(34:19):
to realize that you've missed thatconnection with yourself and that you get
to go invest in yourself and reconnectwith yourself the parts that you push down
because you're playing those other rolesso brilliantly either business, career,
family, mom, partner, let all of that

(34:40):
call
shelf while you go do this.
Let them miss you.
Let them appreciate youwhile you reconnect.
I think that was areally, really good point.
So yeah, we need to do that.
We're worth the investment.
I think that's what we said.
What else should youinvest in if not yourself?
Because that levels everythingup everywhere else in your life.

(35:01):
So after you've gone to these retreatsand you're discovering this new
layer of you and leaving with more,
like,
how has this helped you inother areas of your life
we picture walking in, the house isclean, and the kids are clean, and
everything's put away, and groceriesare filled, and that's not going to
become who you are?
No.
So I'm just as guilty as anyoneelse about not putting myself

(35:22):
life.
So after you've gone to these retreatsand you're discovering this new layer
of you and leaving with more, howhas this helped you in other areas
of your life become who you are?
No.
So I'm just as guilty as anyoneelse about not putting myself first.
And I think there's a difference between,I do think we should get our hair done,
and I think we should buy the lipstick,and I do think we should do that stuff.
But I really think that I'm realizing.
you're kiddingly saying,I'm such a goofball,
that self chatter and how youtalk to yourself, even if you

(35:43):
think you're kiddingly saying,I'm such a goofball, I'm so goofy.
I think that we realize, I think I beganto realize that it's almost like you're
this instead of
speaking that into existence, youknow, or, you know, like I'm learning
the power of self-development, right?
I'm learning the power of

(36:04):
know, I'm saying
things like this instead of saying,
get to.
So
you know,
absolutely.
Instead of saying like, have to do this.
Well, do I have to doit or do I get to do it?
I have to, you know, I'm sayingso there's a difference between
saying I have to or I get to.
So I'm really learning how I'mlearning the spiritual side of me

(36:24):
and how important it is to have
and paper
to put your spiritual side first,whatever that spiritual side means
to you, whether it's connected to Godsource, whatever that really means to you.
I feel like
Yeah.
learning the power of
myself smaller so
self-reflection, taking ownership,that we have the pen and

(36:49):
paper to write our own story.
You know, how we talk to ourselves ispart of that pen and paper of that story.
That it's okay that my gift iswhat my gift is and I should own it
and not poo poo it and make everymake myself smaller so everyone is
larger.

(37:09):
I am a portrait photographer for women.
I'm a feminine portrait photographer.
I provide this beautiful space forwomen to reconnect to themselves.
It's not necessarily what I do.
It is that I have the ability toplace women in a space where they
feel reconnected to themselves.
But that's my power.
And so now I own it.
I don't poopoo that.

(37:29):
I don't try to make myself seemsmaller because each and every
one of us have a power that helpshumanity in some way, shape or form.
helps elevate our lives insome way, shape or form.
So these are all the things I'm learningthat all this time I had the power
and a lot of the suffering that Iwent through was myself putting myself
through that power because if I can

(37:51):
feel like retreats
powerfully manifest shit to happento me, I can powerfully manifest for
my life to be exactly as I want it.
And so I would say retreats,witnessing women evolve, witnessing
women evolve before my camera.
Hmm.
witnessing myself evolve, things happeningthat I never saw coming that were in the

(38:13):
best possible way was like the universe isa way of saying, this is where you belong.
This is what we've had inmind for you all along.
And it was far greaterthan I could ever imagine.
I feel like retreats provide thisopen gateway to you, for you to
start reconnecting to yourselfand rethinking how we've been
taught, how we've been brainwashed.

(38:35):
how we've been taught toforget about ourselves
this retreats are
and making normalizing self care.
That's probably the hugestthing, normalizing self care in
a very mental and spiritual way.
So I would say that those are mytakeaways of being a better person.

(38:56):
And I have a lot to go.
I have a long way to go,but I look forward to it.
I want to attend retreatsmyself for myself.
Mmm...
you know, and I am fortunate that if Ido attend retreats and a photograph, you
know, for the, as a, as a photographer,I still feel everything that's happening
and I almost get to relive it as I editthe images later, you know, so it's, you

(39:20):
know, so I win no matter what in thisretreats are something I never saw coming.
That is something I willalways advocate for.
Mmm.
I love so many things that
I love so many things thatyou illustrated there.
I love that you're like youcome into your own power because
we forget about that power.
It's like we live in this cage thatwe've been brainwashed or programmed

(39:44):
or just unhealthy habits and it putsus in this cage this box but to realize
what you just said we have this powerto unlock and get ourselves out of it
and one tool or one key that you can use
is to attend a weekend retreator a full retreat or even
just have a session with you.

(40:05):
That is enough to start owning that poweragain and changing that conversation.
love that you said that
you can't do this.
we think all these thoughts and
So either you're gonna
they have been programmed and putin and we need to realize that
we have the power to stop them.

(40:27):
and not to listen to them andredefine them and relabel them.
Because
am determined.
You
I always say we can't controlthe first thought because it's
just gonna slide in there.
But either we can validate it.
if it slides in going like,you're a piece of crap or you're
an idiot or you can't do this.
What are you thinking?

(40:48):
And that conversation starts.
We can control the second thought.
So either you're gonnavalidate the first one
and say, yeah, I am a piece of crap.
You're right.
I can't do it.
Or you're going to go,hey, hey, no, no, no.
I'm taking my power back.
us.
So what part
And I'm going to expresssomething different.
I am powerful.

(41:08):
I am wise.
I am talented.
I am determined.
You know, I desire to dothis or I will do this.
I am worthy.
So the first one.
what comes up
You get to analyze and Ialways say, I love Mel Robbins.
She always goes five, four, three,two, one, breathe and reset.

(41:31):
And do I want to own thatthought or should I dismiss it?
And I think when you come to eithera session with you or coaching with
me or to a big full on retreat, it isgiving you that key to step out of that
box and to step more into your power.
Well said, so beautifully articulated.

(41:53):
Thank you for sharing that.
I think that's somethingthat we all need to do.
We forget that part of us.
So what part did what, cause there'sso many beautiful parts about being
a woman, but when you think aboutbeing a woman yourself, and if you
sit in that space, what is yourfavorite part about being a woman?

(42:18):
You go to these retreats, you've donesome self discovery, you have this lens.
But when you sit in your own skin and youthink about what a beautiful woman you
are, what comes up about being a woman?
So I am enamored with
I am enamored with femininity.

(42:42):
And that sounds crazy, but femininityis different to different people.
So some people lean towards a moremasculine, but still have femininity.
Like we're all differentbeings in a feminine form.
And I feel like that'swhat makes us beautiful.

(43:03):
And I feel like
So each uniquely beautiful,uniquely powerful.
So I love that I'm cominginto my own, like I'm over 50.
dressing
anything I wanna be.
These are the thingsI'm starting to realize.
And

(43:24):
pretty.
you because
And I don't own it with any shame.
I don't feel any guilt.
I don't feel silly saying it.
I once did.
I once did.
was like, it's not possible.
You know, I don't really do anything.
But I do provide a space for people tofeel themselves, connected to themselves.

(43:48):
And so that's my thing.
And it's evolving.
But as I think about being awoman, I think about not just
dressing up and looking pretty.
you because we have totake our makeup off, right?
At some point, I think of I'm Shira.
And I think I'm a powerful manifesto.

(44:08):
Anything that I desire is mine.
And it's okay for me to desire things.
And it's okay for me be delusional aboutwhat I desire because, you know, if it's
something in my head that I think that Iwant and desire, then it probably already
I think that I want and desire,
So, you know,
Right?
you know, letting go of some of my...
Right?
I think that I'm here and I think thatthe power of man and that's better.
Anything that I desire is mine.
And it's okay to read this upbecause there are other things.
And it's okay to think this is visionabout what I desire because, you
know, if it's something in my headthat I think that I want to desire,
then it's probably already exist.
Right?
It does.
I'm, you know, letting go of my mind.
Self-tribal tendencies.
Right, self-sabotaging

(44:28):
Right,
no matter if you're a mother or not,have this ability to be mother and to
mother to me means wise, comforting.
Sometimes you get to give the hard talks.
Sometimes you, know,
get to give
hard love, you know, but we areall mothers and we're creating this

(44:52):
beautiful world and we have thepower to choose love over hate, over
jealousy, over, you know, like we
to build a community that helps eachwoman find what it is they're good at.
Each and every woman that they're goodat, because every woman has a gift.
And when you find that gift,man, that glow is huge.

(45:15):
femininity
find that gift, man,
is just this, mean, being awoman is so much, but we have
to give ourselves permission
to give ourselves
to own
the beautiful and
all the beautiful and incredible
attributes or characteristics that comewith being a feminine being, a woman.

(45:36):
can be
we can be powerful, we can bestrong, we can be all the things.
We can build houses if we want to.
So to me, being a woman is unlimited,
I know.
Shira W Rose
[ 44:31.98]
Just being an unlimited being.
being.
my goodness.
Well, yeah, living withoutlimited limits being unlimited.

(45:59):
That is the whole thread of my podcastbeing, you know, we are limitless.
And I think one of the tools that you gaveour listeners and to remind myself is to
accept and own our own individual gifts.
We have this.

(46:21):
said, know, sometimes we're
and power inside of us andthese gifts are alive and well.
And like you said, know, sometimes we'relike, that's silly or that's poo poo.
I love how you said that that's poo poo.
But, and we don't even want tosay what our gifts are out loud.
We put them down
them and
and instead of accepting them andexpanding them and sharing them

(46:44):
and using them for the bettermentof our community, our family.
because when we sit in that space, itdoes level up every area of our life.
And we just need to use our gifts.
We're all given suchunique individual ones.
And if we all used what makesus unique and individual, it

(47:06):
makes the community better.
Because thank goodness, thank goodnesswe don't all look the same, act the
same, dress the same, feel the same.
And so all of our gifts aregoing to be completely unique.
And if we all stepped into that space, mygosh, the power we would unleash as humans
and as women would be extraordinary.

(47:28):
So if you have gifts and people thinkabout your own gifts, write down what
they are and how you can use them more.
use them
I love that.
So what is your favorite gift?
I know it's.
Besides the lens and taking photography,what's another gift that maybe, you know,

(47:48):
you don't use and you want to use more?
What other areas do youhave talents and uniqueness?
Okay, so before I
so before I get there, did think ofsomething that I think is important
to point out, is that not everyoneis going to support your journey.
And
And not everyone
not everyone is going to support you.

(48:11):
And you're going to have some people whomay make you feel some form of shame,
because I think we've all grown up withfeeling some form of shame, especially
our generation where, because I told youso, don't do that because I told you so,
like, you know, not fully understandingwhy are we not supposed to do something.
But I think the most important thingto say is that when you find yourself

(48:32):
on a journey of self healing and youstart going to retreats and you start
doing things more for yourself, you aregoing to find that it's going to come
at some form of a cost and that somepeople won't come with you, but you're
going to gain so much more out of it.
But it just felt like you neededto point that point out because
if you are not amongst people who.

(48:52):
are your people or understandyou or who coming along with that
journey, then it does become somewhatof a struggle and you have to...
that point out because if
understand and feel okayor come to terms with
you or who
sometimes loyalty you have to questionthat your form of loyalty are you doing

(49:12):
it because I should do it or I have todo it or are you realizing that some
people are seasonal in your life and nowit's time to move into a new season those
are just things that you have to kind ofaddress yourself but I made me think about
that as you were talking so I felt likethat was important but other gifts that
it's time to move into a new seasonthose are just things that you have
to kind of address yourself butI made me think about that as you
were talking so I felt like that wasimportant but other gifts that I have

(49:34):
it's so important.
I love that.
I just have the touchbase on what you said.
Yes, there I'm
so
a
I
Religious kind of person.
I'm more spiritual.
But what came to my mind is there'sa time in a season for everything
under the heavens and We as humansneed to understand we're part of
nature nature goes through seasons.

(49:56):
So we have you know springsummer fall and winter and the
reason why the earth does that
is there's a reason for every season.
we're sitting in autumn andautumn is the time that we let
go of things that don't serve us.
It is kind of some parts of us are dying,but they die so beautifully so we can let

(50:18):
go of those parts and really kind of sitin a more quiet space where we can grow.
I just, I think what we need to notdo, like you said, is take things so
personally and if when someone speakssomething that doesn't Sit with our
truth and our values in our essenceLet them let them be who they are

(50:42):
and then you just go on and shine theway you want to shine Because if you
sit in that space, there's there'seight billion people on this planet.
So they're actually giving you a giftthey're showing you who they are and what
part they're gonna play in your life and
That's the role that you get to go,hey, if I'm casting my own life and

(51:04):
I'm my own architect, my own director,
and
you can step aside and go live yourlife, your vision, your way, but
we let
going to allow that into my life.
things that
have a choice and you get to choosewho participates and who leaves.
And so there is a time and a seasonand the beautiful lessons that people

(51:26):
teach us, even on the toxic side.
are still beautiful lessons.
then luckily there are more goodpeople who stay and cheer us on
and the ones who don't, it's okay.
And we have to be okay with that orelse it's going to suck you down to some
sad sauce that I don't want to live in.
I don't want to live in that.
And I think the older we get, welearn that a smaller tribe that

(51:51):
aligns with who we are is farmore powerful than the naysayers.
So.
really, really beautifullyput and well said.
we
point to bring up.
not
I can tell that you had another thought.

(52:29):
and more comfortable with fully embracingand understanding the importance of of
putting yourself on the front burner.
you know, and that's puttingyourself as on the front burner
is not a selfish act at all.
It will feel like a selfish act.
You're going to have your highs andlows, but it's not a selfish act at all.
It is going to make you better forthose you love and all the, you know,

(52:54):
and for yourself, like for yourself.
Like we're on this journey and we forgetthat we're on a journey for ourselves.
We're not, you know, and of coursewe do for others, but we have to
remember to do that for ourselves.
But you had asked, what else am I good at?
Gosh, I'm one of those peoplethat throw myself into what I do.

(53:17):
So that's a hard question.
I will say that I'm probably likemost people out there and had my
fair share of hardships or journey.
I'm divorced.
It was not an easy choice kind of divorce.
And it was not necessarilythe kindest of marriage.

(53:37):
Yes.
Yes.
So, you know, and being in thatsemi-survival mode, I forgot how
to exist out of survival mode.
You know what I'm saying?
Like, and so, and I don't mean likewe were necessarily beaten or anything
like that, but there's a lot to be saidabout someone who's always disappointed
in you or that you're, it's just theconstant feeling of disappointment.

(53:59):
And so I just knew I had to get, youknow, the boys and I, you know, out of
that scenario, you know, and I did it.
Yeah.
And so I'm reaching like that10 year point where I left.
mean, this month is actually10 years ago this month I left.
So I'm in this period ofrediscovering who I am.
And so that's why the self acceptancejourney is just so powerful for me.

(54:21):
And it's taken me a long time.
I'm literally 10 years out.
So maybe two years ago, I wouldn't behaving this conversation at all about who
I am and that I'm proud to be who I am.
And then I'm proud tosay that I'm in my 50s.
and I'm gonna own this shit andI'm gonna own this color hair.
I am, you know, like, so I don't know ifI can tell you other things I'm good at.

(54:43):
I'm just figuring out how to live withmy two feet on the ground and getting
rid of things that don't serve mefrom the standpoint of feeling shame
or guilt or, you know, or knowingthat again, I have the pen and paper
of the story of what my life is.
Thanks.
So that might be a great questionfor like a year from now, like one

(55:04):
year from now, what would I say?
You know, I just know I love what I do.
I'm constantly evolving in that arena.
I love my family.
I love my children.
I've lost friends along the way that
it
just, you just separate at somepoint in time, but I've gained
some tremendous friends whoelevate me like nobody's business.

(55:28):
I'm in a good place.
fabulous, amazing place.
And I look forward to,not in a perfect place,
embracing
where my story,
the
Act Three, I call this Act Three,Act Three is going to be the

(55:48):
best act performance of my life.
And I can't wait to what that looks likebecause there's things I want to learn
how to do, I'd to learn how to sculpt.
I would love to...
Mm-hmm.
I've been thinking about goingto doing not pole dancing but
more exotic dancing classes.
Like these are things I just want to doand own this shit that I have not owned.

(56:08):
So a year from now I'll tell youmaybe I'm a good pole dancer.
I don't know.
Woohoo!
going to celebrate that I've alwayswanted to learn how to do the thing with
the ribbons where you hold you know whenyou tie yourself up with the the the
you know what I'm talking about is thatthe ribbons or the streamers that come
from the ground I I love that you'restill on this self-discovery journey
I think when you go through a divorceminus three years out it it's I always
call divorce a living death because
Yeah.
It's like a.
You still have to see them and there'sno grave that you get to go visit.
There's, there's, there's no marker.
It's just an ending.
so to have some kind of closure withthat, a ceremony or something to end
it until you do that, you're reallyon this self discovery journey.
And I love that you said a year fromnow, a year ago, I couldn't have had
this conversation a year in the future.
If we have this conversation, it'sgoing to be completely different.
on the front burner isnot a selfish act at all.
It will feel like a selfish act.
You're going to have your highs andlows, but it's not a selfish act at all.
It is going to make you better forthose you love and all the, you know,
and for yourself, like for yourself.
Like we're on this journey and we forgetthat we're on a journey for ourselves.
We're not, you know, and of coursewe do for others, but we have to
remember to do that for ourselves.
But you had asked, what else am I good at?
Gosh, I'm one of those peoplethat throw myself into what I do.
So that's a hard question.
I will say that I'm probably likemost people out there and had my
fair share of hardships or journey.
I'm divorced.
It was not an easy choice kind of divorce.
And it was not necessarilythe kindest of marriage.
Yes.
Yes.
So, you know, and being in thatsemi-survival mode, I forgot how
to exist out of survival mode.
You know what I'm saying?
Like, and so, and I don't mean likewe were necessarily beaten or anything
like that, but there's a lot to be saidabout someone who's always disappointed
in you or that you're, it's just theconstant feeling of disappointment.
And so I just knew I had to get, youknow, the boys and I, you know, out of
that scenario, you know, and I did it.
Yeah.
And so I'm reaching like that10 year point where I left.
mean, this month is actually10 years ago this month I left.
So I'm in this period ofrediscovering who I am.
And so that's why the self acceptancejourney is just so powerful for me.
And it's taken me a long time.
I'm literally 10 years out.
So maybe two years ago, I wouldn't behaving this conversation at all about who
I am and that I'm proud to be who I am.
And then I'm proud tosay that I'm in my 50s.
and I'm gonna own this shit andI'm gonna own this color hair.
I am, you know, like, so I don't know ifI can tell you other things I'm good at.
I'm just figuring out how to live withmy two feet on the ground and getting
rid of things that don't serve mefrom the standpoint of feeling shame
or guilt or, you know, or knowingthat again, I have the pen and paper
of the story of what my life is.
Thanks.
So that might be a great questionfor like a year from now, like one
year from now, what would I say?
You know, I just know I love what I do.
I'm constantly evolving in that arena.
I love my family.
I love my children.
I've lost friends along the way that just,you just separate at some point in time,
but I've gained some tremendous friendswho elevate me like nobody's business.
fabulous, amazing place.
And I look forward to, not in a perfectplace, but I'm in a good place where
my story, Act Three, I call thisAct Three, Act Three is going to be
the best act performance of my life.
And I can't wait to what that looks likebecause there's things I want to learn
how to do, I'd to learn how to sculpt.
I would love to...
Mm-hmm.
I've been thinking about goingto doing not pole dancing but
more exotic dancing classes.
Like these are things I just want to doand own this shit that I have not owned.
So a year from now I'll tell youmaybe I'm a good pole dancer.
I don't know.
Woohoo!
going to celebrate that I've alwayswanted to learn how to do the thing with
the ribbons where you hold you know whenyou tie yourself up with the the the
you know what I'm talking about is thatthe ribbons or the streamers that come

(56:29):
from the ground I I love that you'restill on this self-discovery journey
I think when you go through a divorceminus three years out it it's I always
call divorce a living death because
Yeah.
It's like a.
You still have to see them and there'sno grave that you get to go visit.
There's, there's, there's no marker.

(56:50):
It's just an ending.
so to have some kind of closure withthat, a ceremony or something to end
it until you do that, you're reallyon this self discovery journey.
And I love that you said a year fromnow, a year ago, I couldn't have had
this conversation a year in the future.

(57:11):
If we have this conversation, it'sgoing to be completely different.
because what you're illustratingand what you're saying is what
I talk about all the time.
We are designed to do onething really, really well.
And when we fight against it,that's when the problem is.
So what are we designed to do?
We are designed to change.

(57:31):
We are designed to adapt.
We are designed to continuallyevolve and to learn.
And so I love that you pointedout a year ago, I was not
he
I'm going to be a year from now because Iknow that I'm going to level up next year.

(57:53):
might be a pole dancer or lovesculpturing, or maybe I took up painting
or hiking or the violin or writinga book, whatever your aspiration is.
You should do it.
And our listeners, if you'rethinking like, Hey, I haven't tried.
It's not too late.

(58:13):
It is not too late, whether you'rein act one, two or three, or even
your final chapter, you can stillcreate something beautiful out
of the page that you're writing.
Do something today that's going tobreathe breath into something new.
I love that.

(58:33):
I love that imagery, that play that wecan change and we're supposed to change.
And when we fight against that.
That's when we get uncomfortable and causestress and pain in our life unnecessarily
instead of just breathing into the flowbecause where is it going to take you?

(58:55):
It's exciting.
It's an adventure.
I love that.
So yeah, we're going to talk in a year.
I'm going to mark it on my calendar.
And one year from today, I'm goingto have you back on the podcast
and we're going to revisit theconversation and see where both of us.
love it.
are and where we've leveled up to.
who

(59:16):
It kind of leads into whatyou've already talked about.
But I posed this question in mywomen optimizing wellness community.
And I started the class or the event
Rose
who are you?

(01:01:21):
[ or who do you want to be?
Shira W Rose [01:00:08.814]
So I do this little chant tomyself every day, you know, and
it's just more of a manifestationchant, but I love the fact that
So I do this little chantto myself every day,
manifestor.
And anything I desire probably
you know, and it's just moreof a manifestation chant, but I
love the fact that I am Shira.
I am Shira.
I am Shira W.

(01:01:42):
Rose, and I am a powerful manifestor.
a retreat.
I went to a retreat
And anything I desire
you do this kind
probably desires me more.
So I say these things tomyself, but I am love.
And what
[ 01:00:22.406]
and
Shira W Rose [01:00:37.998]
I think being love
may not make sense to people, but Iam the person that somebody will turn
is the most important thing.

(01:02:03):
And sometimes it's noteasy, but I am love.
And sometimes I own that I ammother, because growing up I was the,
a normal childhood growing up.
this is actually somethingthat hit me at a retreat.
I went to a retreat and we dida lot of breathing exercises.
And when you do this kind of thing,things come to you about yourself.
And so I...

(01:02:24):
participated in it, not knowingexactly what to expect, but
it hit me that I am mother.
And what that means is, is that Ijust felt like I am mother and that
may not make sense to people, but Iam the person that somebody will turn
around in a line and start talking tome and telling me about their life.

(01:02:46):
I am that person that friends seekme out to talk about whatever it
is that's going on in their lives.
And so I feel like I am motherand I didn't really have a
normal childhood growing up.
I was a prom baby and everyoneloved me, but no one necessarily
was always my mother.

(01:03:07):
And so I feel like that was my wayof always being mother to everyone.
So I feel like I'm owning thefact that that is who I am.
I am mother.
And sometimes then that makesit hard for me to go to others
for them to be my mother.
So I do struggle with that a little bit.
Michelle Lena [01:02:03.344]
you
Shira W Rose [01:02:03.832]
but that's what your friendgroup is for, To recognize that.
But who am I?
I'm Shira.

(01:03:27):
I'm a portrait photographer for womenand I do own that that's who I am.
It is a part of who I am.
And I am love and I am mother and
shine upon
as I go, whatever else I am, youknow, and trying to own that.
I'm just casting all shame awayfrom anything, any doubts I've had.

(01:03:49):
And so I'm Shira.
And I love who I am and I love who I'mbecoming and I love how I'm evolving and
I want other people to be able to saythat just exactly what I said without
feeling shame or weirdness or any ofthat stuff because again, when you start
owning who you are, you beam like a light

(01:04:13):
light
room, people are gonna see that lightand then you're going to shine upon
those people your light and then
than they take on that light.
So it's just this incredible thing.
So I recognize that I have a light andthat I'm shining my light on others
so that they too can do the same.
Does that make sense?
my

(01:04:34):
my gosh, it was sobeautifully illustrated.
Yes.
I love your first response that I am love.
you
And with that love, you have thisknowledge and this wisdom to I love
the word mother because it goesback to what you echo throughout

(01:04:56):
this conversation about nurturing.
and being this beautifulfeminine vessel that just loves.
And when you do that unconditionally,then people will seek your light,
seek a conversation, tell you a storybecause they feel comfortable because
the seed in which you live is love.

(01:05:18):
And I believe love createseverything in this world.
People paint beautiful murals.
Sonnets, songs, poems.
loves architecture.
The
The reason why buildings are constructedis because somebody loves architecture.
The reason why kids finger paint or youbecome a doctor or teach piano lessons.

(01:05:42):
The reason why you climb Mount Everestis because there's this love inside
of you, this passion inside of you.
And so to sit in the seat of loveand let that love shine out through
being a mother in your ownessence and then radiating

(01:06:03):
that light out to the world.
You are radiant.
You are resilient.
You are not only beautiful on the inside,but your exterior is just shining bright.
You are a beacon for women.
And I am grateful to call you my friend.

(01:06:23):
And I'm honored that youshared the studio with me.
Do you have any closing remarks
would like
what you would like to share withour audience before we wrap up today?
Shira W Rose [01:05:19.522]
Yes.
So
[ 01:05:19.522]
Yes.
So just like you have friend groups oryou're attracted to certain things, know,

(01:06:46):
in a retreat or a
whenever you decide to invest inyourself in a retreat or a photographer
or whatever it is that you're tryingto do to start yourself love journey,
resonate with you
make sure that those people you're seeking
your healing

(01:07:06):
to, to
on that journey really resonate with youthat you feel this connection because it's
almost like your friend tribe your yourhealing tribe also has to really connect
with you otherwise it won't work you haveto go with people whom and you know of

(01:07:26):
course i want to photograph everyone buti might not be for everyone so you know
what i mean i i think that you have to
people that
whoever you are most attracted to
Those are probably the peopleyou know on the inside.
Those are the people thatyou need to seek as a coach.
You need to seek
or photographer or
as on a retreat, whether it's aday trip, any kind of retreat or

(01:07:49):
photographer or whatever it ison your self self care journey.
Don't do it based on money alone becausethere's people out there that will offer
you things for a lot less or a lot more.
But if they, if they don't impactyou, it's it's just not worth
it's not worth it.
So give yourself permission and understandthat you have to gravitate towards

(01:08:12):
the people who speak to you most,who you feel you will benefit from.
In the long run, it will bethe most incredible investment
you ever made for yourself.
Very well said.
Yes.
Align yourself with people whoare going to help you rise.
Align yourself with the tribe thatis going to help get rid of those
labels and the weight of the pain.
So you can really invest in yourself,find your sisterhood and level up
your life so you can live limitless.
I appreciate you being my guest today.
This is how I end every podcast.
You can't go over it.
You can't go under it.
Like Shira says, we needto go through it together.
Carry on.
for yourself.
Very well said.
Yes.
Align yourself with people whoare going to help you rise.
Align yourself with the tribe thatis going to help get rid of those

(01:08:35):
labels and the weight of the pain.
So you can really invest in yourself,find your sisterhood and level up
your life so you can live limitless.
I appreciate you being my guest today.
This is how I end every podcast.
You can't go over it.
You can't go under it.

(01:08:55):
Like Shira says, we needto go through it together.
Carry on.

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