We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharon Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharon, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk is something I have become very comfortable with in my life. Even before I was conscious of the risks I was taking, they were there. I don’t believe there is ever a time in which we we are not taking a risk. I define risk as the potential “thing” we may lose, feel, or experience which may be less than, painful, or not what we want or expect. What is most interesting about this is, that we experience this risk whether we take action in our life or not. Remaining the same, never changing, never going after ones goals or expressing oneself is a risk to never experience that which life has to offer, to miss ones chance at living out their potential, meeting the love of their life, and so much more. My sight and heart are always in the perspective of “as if.” Meaning, I think and live “as if” it is going to turn out the way I want. I visualize myself as already having taken the risk and achieving that which I desire. This way when the time of risk arrives, I am already mentally prepared to take it. The rewards have always been greater than the risk, even when it doesn’t turn out the way I wanted or expect it. I always seek to find the lesson and the blessing. I have taken some major risks to get me where I am today, and each one has built upon the other. For me to be where I am today, I moved across the country for a guy. I risked humiliation, heartbreak, financial loss, and so much more. I did end up heartbroken for a time, but it was worth it. That move took me to Arizona where my entire life path set out on a different course than expected. I next chose to leave my corporate career in hospitality and risked losing respect from my family, financial loss, uncertainty, fear, and a total loss of identity. Again, worth it. I headed for yoga teacher training, life coaching, and nutrition, none of which I had ever planned for. I followed my heart and took the risk which completely transformed my life and showed me a glimpse of my potential. I have been following that potential ever since, which has brought with it own set of risks. Each action I take accompanied with a risk, brings me more opportunity, fulfillment, and joy. I am a published writer, masters student in a program that broadens my perspective and bringing me deeper into my career and spiritual/human self, and completely self-employed. These things could not happen if I wasn’t willing to risk my comfortability, my ego, and my idea of who I thought I was. Risk is never separate from living your most vibrant life. You must be courageous enough to face your fears and brave enough to take the action.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My view of art and creativity has changed so much through my life. I never considered myself creative or artistic. I had built a story and belief within myself that said I was left-brained, cut out for the corporate life, and able to achieve great success through that model of life. I stuck to this story and struggled through it for years, thinking this was the only way. I let myself get lost in depression, float through my negative thoughts, attaching to each one, and held them inside creating pain and suffering. I had no outlet and no belief that I was capable of creating one. It was yoga that broke the cycle. Yoga brought me the opportunity to move the emotions trapped in my body and gave them a vessel to escape through the breath. The more I practiced, the more space was created within me for feeling good, for clarity, for being authentically myself. I realized quickly the affect the practice had on me and decided I didn’t want to create just enough space to feel good in the moment, I wanted to create enough space to feel good in my entire life, in every area. I practiced two times or more per day, in studio and at home. I found myself to be more fluid and happy overall. Yoga broke the boundaries of my pain and shattered them into the limitless void of creativity. I began to see my practice as a dance, a formless of self that was capable of so much more than I had ever been taught to believe. I would put on music and let myself be taken with the rhythms and beats of the music while also disciplining myself in the postures. It created a balance within myself. I began to take pictures, editing them, and posting them with fear but also with courage. As I continued my practice and growth as an individual, and enrolled in yoga teacher training, which unlocked even more space within. Over the years, my perspective of what it meant to be creative and artistic shifted profoundly. I thought art meant that something had to be drawn, painted, photographed, or played on an instrument for it to be creative and valued. What came through for me was something very different. I began to recognize that life itself was art, and my interaction with that life/art, was a creation in and of itself. Every flower I took a moment to be in awe of, every meal I cooked, every plant in my house, was a creative expression and art. Now, my life and career are designed to support women in becoming their most vibrant expressed self through feminine leadership and spirituality. This takes a heavy dose of self-work with commitment to setting boundaries, self-discipline, and courage. For anyone to unlock their creative potential, they must be willing to understand, love, and meet their own needs first. My art comes in many different forms from listening with an open heart to digital collaging to photography to owning an operating an online coaching and mentorship business to the way I love and care for my family and friends. Everyones creative expression is unique to them and when accessed can bring a life of fulfillment and joy, even through the hard times. Creativity expressed is the fountain of youth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh I love this! We would for sure head up to Papago Park and the Hole in the Rock and depending on the friend, maybe camelback. Followed by eats at the Arcadia O.H.S.O. Brewery and Distillery. Big fan of the Green Chili Burger! I love heading to Old Town Scottsdale for day shopping and then a nice dinner at Olive & Ivy or Bourbon and Bones. Grand Ave in downtown Phoenix is a must as is the Roosevelt District for bar hopping. The Phoenix Art Museum and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art make the list as does the Musical Instrument Museum. From here we are heading out of town. Bisbee, Payson, Jerome, Flagstaff, and Sedona are all on the list. Any reason to get out an explore the natural state is taken. There may even be a stop at the Grand Canyon with some Camping.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to the entire SWIHA and Abundant Space Community. Both of these communities have seen me from the very beginning and offered so much support in going after my dreams. They cultivate resilience, strength, courage, and infinite love through their members and leaders. I am beyond blessed and grateful for these groups of healers, teachers, mentors, and friends. Also, my mom of course. She has been a guiding light throughout my journey. I wouldn’t be any where without her.

Website: goddessleadershipacademy.com
Instagram: the_soulstylist
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonrosecoach

Image Credits
Sabina Patrick, Marissa Neel