Through Unimaginable Pain, We Rise
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
// Four years ago //
On this day, I reached out to a trusted friend and former teammate and told her I was ready to leap into the world of wellness coaching.
On the outside, it didn’t make sense.
How could I help others when I felt so broken?
And, I knew. I needed a tribe. I needed support. I needed to start pouring into myself so I could get back on my feet again.
The compounded heart meds were crushing us financially. Meds my baby girl needed to survive.
Less than two months after returning home from M’s extended hospital stay at Children’s, I was living so much of my life triggered.
My body, depleted, after so many days of surviving.
I knew. Being part of something bigger than me - connecting with others who were working through struggles of their own. Leading - and being led by LOVE. Giving myself permission to dream. All while helping our family. I knew it would help me heal.
What I didn’t know? Just how far this leap would take me... ✨🙏✨
// Three years ago //
On this day, fresh off a team retreat, I was starting to see glimmers of light and hope from underneath all the rubble. I was finding my feet - something I wasn't sure would ever happen.
My business was growing - enough to pay cash for all the meds and a dream vacation.
More importantly, I was growing.
And starting to shed my perfectionist armor.
// Two years ago //
On this day, I was pregnant with littlest.
Feeling free and open - and so grateful. Living life with less triggers.
Learning how to lean in to the space of surrender - and wading into the waters of self-compassion.
Once again, the growth of my business aligned with my personal growth.
And, something inside was telling me, there’s more.
// One year ago //
On this day, I was at a photoshoot. Taking pictures for what would become my sacred space on the Internet. My website. And a business of my own.
Investing in coaches and trainings. Dreaming of platforms like TEDx and 1:1 work with clients.
Taking next big leap. Expanding wider. Way outside of my comfort zone.
// And, today. //
On this day, 1,461 days later, I'm here.
One month out from TEDx. Keynotes and talks in the books - and on the books.
Blessed with the most amazing 1:1 clients.
Doing work that doesn’t feel like work.
Still working with coaches and mentors who continually push me out of my comfort zone.
Like this. Editing video for an upcoming project.
A project I underestimated in scope. A project I almost talked myself out of - because, fear.
And, I didn’t. Because, TRUST.
If there’s one thing I know for sure - it’s that fear and self doubt will always be there. At every single turn.
We don’t have to let them drive.
//
When I set out on this journey four years ago, I had NO idea I’d land here.
I remember writing down my dream day, in as much detail as possible.
Minus the ocean, I’m living it.
I tell you this because you can too.
And because, it’s SO easy to get wrapped up in what comes next that we forget how far we’ve come.
I see you. And I challenge you.
Take a step back and look at your journey - and give yourself permission to see how far you’ve come. ✨🙏✨
And ask yourself, where do you want to go? 💫
//
If you need help getting there, I’ve got you. ❤️
Samantha Arsenault Livingstone is an Olympic Gold Medalist, transformational speaker, high performance coach, mama of four girls.
Samantha empowers women to cultivate the courage, resilience and perseverance needed to live their dreams. She helps her clients expand their high performance skill set and let go of beliefs that are keeping them stuck - opening up the door for freedom, balance and joy that transcends.
Samantha candidly shares her battles with her inner critic, depression, perfection, PTSD and parenting as a working mother because she believes in the transformative power of story – and the strength that comes from knowing we are not alone. She is on a mission to pay forward all that she’s learned to help others find joy and live free.
A mama of heart warrior and mama of twins, Samantha and her husband, Rob, live in the Berkshires with their four girls. You can learn more about Samantha at www.samanthalivingstone.com.
You can find her here, linking arms with the powerful community that is the I AM CHALLENGE.