Tera Warner

Inspirational Spotlight: Meet our Authentic Beauties

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Inspirational Spotlight: Meet our Authentic Beauties

~ interview with Jodie Lea Cleave

Authentic — we use that word a lot around here. We are passionate about its meaning — “genuine, real.” We’re shining a light on some of the hard-working, amazing Beauties that form our Body Enlightenment Team. Through a series of interviews, we’ll take a sneak peak into their world and find out what authentic beauty means to them, how they find inspiration and gain insight into their role with us. So grab your smoothie, pop your feet up and get up close and personal with some of our team members!

Our first feature is Diana Cohen, Blog and Social Media Director for Body Enlightenment.

What do you know about the circumstances of your life when you came into the world?

I was born into a very poor family. I can remember for a small part of my childhood, living in what I would now call, a ghetto area of Montreal. I remember lots of love though. My Grandmother took care of me while my Mother was working. She showered me with love and my aunt and uncle were like siblings to me. My aunt is only three years older than me and my uncle maybe 6.

My biological father left when I was three. I don’t remember much of him. My Mom met a wonderful, comfortably wealthy man shortly after that. Once they married he adopted me. He was an amazing father and I had a beautiful childhood wanting for nothing. I feel very fortunate to have had that.

Do you remember your earliest answers to the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” If so, what was it?

I used to love watching detective shows and I was sure I wanted to be a detective. ; )

What do you do when you’re in a funk to lift yourself up?

After a good cry, I try to reach out to friends and talk. I have a great support system which includes certain very special friends, my sister, my partner, my Mom, my coach, and my beautiful boss, Tera Warner. : ) Sometimes I’ll put on some great tunes, dance like a fool and sing my heart out, or I’ll go and commune with nature.

Recall a time when you accomplished something you felt proud of. What was it?

Oh boy, so many things! Don’t say I didn’t warn you. ; )be.Team

I landed the part of Mary Magdaliene in The Northumberland Players production of “Jesus Christ Super Star” and was nominated best actress by the Eastern Ontario Drama League.

I became a professional singer in my 40s and played in a fun vintage rock band as well as a jazz trio and folk duo.

I initiated and managed a fund raising calendar for the Northumberland Humane Society. It was along the lines of the movie and true story “Calendar Girls” If you haven’t seen this movie yet, you should. It’s delightful!

I ran an exotic bird sanctuary where we rescued and adopted out these beautiful intelligent creatures.

My ex husband and I fostered teenage girls for five years. We always had at least four at a time. Those were interesting and rewarding years. ; ) One of my girls just got married in our back yard. : )

I used to work at the Humane Society and I’ve rescued many animals.

I was part of an art exhibition called “Femme” where I sold my “Lady of the Woods” (pictured above) who now sits proudly front and centre in a local yoga studio lobby.

I think the common thread here is, when I decided to do something, I was usually fairly successful at it. I didn’t let my fears stop me from trying. That’s what makes me proud.

Now I work with Body Enlightenment which is a dream come true, honestly! I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing company and working with such phenomenal women including our courageous leader Tera. She pushes me to new levels. It’s not always comfortable but it’s full of life; learning, stretching, growing, and challenges!

I think I am most proud of my compassionate heart though. It’s tender and vulnerable and yet so strong and full of love. : ) It’s a kitten and a lion all at once.

What are the characteristics you most look for in a friend?

Compassion, kindness, willingness to be vulnerable, and a desire to help make this a better world.

What would you say are the characteristics your friends admire most about you?

My enthusiasm and willingness to help. My open and accepting heart. My constant growth and striving to be a better person.

If you have a partner in your life, how did you meet that person?  If you don’t, how would you most like to meet your soulmate?

I met my lovely partner on Plenty of Fish of all places. Trust me, I have many interesting stories to tell about my experiences before we finally met. ; ) But he is a wonderful man who is the same type of crazy as me and we are finding our way together. It’s a beautiful Wabi Sabi love.

What are three of the things the bring you that most pleasure in your life right now?

Having meaningful work, communing with nature and spending quality time with those I love.

What do you think is one of the biggest things holding you back in life right now?

My sensitivity to criticism.

What are you going to do to overcome it?

Keep striving to do better while remembering it’s all learning and I don’t have to be perfect yesterday.

What have been the actions and realizations that have most helped you improve your life in the last year?

Definitely joining the Lifestyle Design Virtual Retreat started it all rolling. I continued to do what I love and press forward. Learning to take exquisite care of myself, which is often a hit and miss proposition. Not letting my fears keep me from jumping in with both feet. Listening to my heart, always, no matter what others tell me. Knowing I create my own reality.

Please share with us one of your dreams–something you hope to be able to achieve in the years to come.

Tera Warner and DianaI want to be a part of helping improve our world situation. I’m very connected to Earth and I want to see humanity continue and evolve in the most beautiful ways. I feel women stepping up and into their power is one of the way this can happen. I feel I’m in the right place to influence that.

What would reaching this goal mean to you?

I could know that my heart was right all along, there is hope, there is magic in this life and good will ultimately triumph over greed .

Do you have a any self-pampering or personal care practices that really boost you up which you wouldn’t mind sharing with us?

When I am able to keep my diet clean, do daily meditation and yoga and take time in nature on a regular basis, I am at my absolute best.

Have you ever come really close to giving up on something or someone that was really important to you, but decided to stick it out and make it work? Would you tell us a bit about it?

That’s a constant scenario in my life. I think it comes with striving to live a large life. Things come and knock me down, I feel crushed, I fall apart and contemplate throwing in the towel. Then I stand up again, brush myself off, and get back in the ring. Sometimes I come back stronger and more determined, sometimes I’m battered and unsteady on my feet but I always get back in.

If you could meet up for an afternoon tea and one-on-one conversation with one of your personal heroes (alive or dead) who would it be?

Oh boy, that’s a good one. Hmmmmm. I guess it would be a toss up between Jane Goodall, Julia “butterfly” Hill and Vandan Shiva. Maybe I can just meet them all at some “save the world” conference. ; )

How do you handle overwhelm? The feeling that there’s more to do than you can handle and that you have time to complete?

Not that well. LOL And I am easily overwhelmed. I just keep plugging away, doing what I can, one step at a time, but I’m usually a nervous wreck while I’m doing it. Just ask my partner. ; )

If a mysterious benefactor wrote you a check for $500,000.00 and said, “Use this to make the world better,” what would you do with it?

That would take way more time to think about than I have to answer this. ; )

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. Any last words you’d like to share to inspire our readers who may be struggling?

I’ve been told my whole life that I’m “too sensitive”. It’s a double edged sword for sure but I wouldn’t change it for the world. If you are also a highly sensitive person — get support!!! I have an amazing support system that gets me through this crazy roller coaster life. [tweet_dis]We are built for connection. We need it to thrive and enjoy life to the fullest.[/tweet_dis] This is coming from an “introvert” who loves her solitude. We need connection. Reach out!!!

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