Nancy is a certified life coach and Equus Coach Master Facilitator and Coach whose impact can be felt throughout the SHE RECOVERS community. Whether she’s facilitating a Together Online Gathering, leading the long-standing, in-person Denver Sharing Circle, supporting fellow volunteers, or developing new recovery resources, Nancy brings wholehearted dedication to everything she does. Those who nominated her spoke not only about her kindness and generosity, but also about the powerful example she sets through her commitment to self-care. By recently stepping back from her business to focus on her own well-being, Nancy demonstrated that caring for ourselves is not separate from recovery work; it is recovery work. We are so grateful for the wisdom and leadership she brings to our community.
She has recently been recognized as a SHE RECOVERS Gem.
SHE RECOVERS Gems are volunteers who have been acknowledged by their peers for their profound and life-altering contributions and service to our community.
We had the honor of interviewing Nancy about her role as a SHE RECOVERS volunteer.
What does being a SHE RECOVERS Foundation volunteer mean to you?
Being of service has always been an important part of my recovery. When I found SHE RECOVERS, I knew I had found my home. We share the same values, and this is an organization I am proud to not only volunteer for but also support in any way I can.
What made you want to become a SHE RECOVERS Foundation Volunteer?
I love holding space for others. It’s different than coaching; it can be easy and challenging. It can be fun and heartbreaking, and sometimes it can be all of that wrapped up in one share. You never know what you’re going to get, so you have to have an open heart, be on your toes, and be able to laugh at yourself when you mess up. Which I tend to do often.
What three words would your friends or fellow volunteers use to describe you?
Funny, salty, authentic.
How do these aspects of who you are show up in your everyday life?
Well, I swear a lot! What you see is what you get — I’m too old (a.k.a wise) to be much of a people pleaser any longer.
What is something of which you are proud?
17+ years of continuous sobriety and starting a new career and business at 61.
What do you do outside of your SRF Volunteer role for work and/or play?
I love being a coach — especially when I get to work with horses. That’s where it’s easy to see the a-has happen. Horses respond to the energy that we’re putting out, so they can tell if we’re authentic or full of it. If we’re authentic, they’ll connect. Otherwise, they don’t trust us, and they’ll keep their distance. It’s fascinating.
I also love to paint with watercolors (though it’s been a while).
What does radical self-care look like for you?
Even now, self-care is still really hard for me. I love my work, so working on my business feels like self-care much of the time (even though I know it’s not). Radical self-care is going on retreat (hello, Ireland #3) or even taking some time to do watercolor painting.
Tell us a little bit about your recovery journey. What are you recovering from? What tools and resources do you weave into your patchwork of recovery?
I am in recovery primarily from alcohol use disorder. Childhood trauma led to depression, and that led to over-drinking. I stopped drinking as a result of a failed suicide attempt on Friday, March 13, 2009. On Sunday, March 15, my neighbor, who knew I was struggling, took me to my first AA meeting, where I sobbed and thought, “Well, it’s come to this.” I was devastated. And AA saved my life. Now SHE RECOVERS is my recovery home. I love listening to podcasts and reading quit lit. My latest favorite is Blurred Lines by Lauren Fay.
Also, I took a step back from my business for a couple of weeks this spring and did the exercises in my own book, The BRAVE Recovery Method™, and I’ll be damned if they didn’t work. So I know that my life experience has not gone to waste; it gave me something that will help other women in their own recovery journey.
What or who is inspiring you right now?
In the recovery community, Margy Schaller & Laura Nelson of Sober Life Rocks (you can find them on LinkedIn).
In SHE RECOVERS, I had a great conversation with Payton Kennedy recently, and she inspires me greatly with how she manages to balance everything in her personal and professional life, and how she knows when to take care of herself.
And in general, right now: Jane Fonda inspires the sh!t out of me.
What SHE RECOVERS Intention & Guiding Principle resonates with you the most?
We are all recovering from something
What is your favorite SHE RECOVERS resource?
I think it’s hard to beat the twice-daily SHE RECOVERS Together Online Gatherings.
What is one piece of advice you would give to another woman/non-binary individual who is seeking a community like SHE RECOVERS?
Try it, give us a chance, I found a home here, and I think you will too.
