First, find your EDGE.

The three-day retreat by Shiggs B International.

This was the fourth year in a row participating in a women's retreat, so by now I had a pretty clear understanding of what's going to happen. Or so I thought.

To begin, I set this intention, because I teeter back and forth from shooing away compliments to craving external accolades:

"Really. Really. Really live in my greatness. Appreciate & embody the comments, positivity, insights, feedback, compliments, and any joy coming my way. Not only do I deserve it - I made it happen. I'm here to lift myself up. I'm here to lift others up. I want to keep my presence and spread my centeredness. Go, me."

I knew half the women very well and had the chance to go even deeper with them, so much had changed! The newcomers had so much to offer in broadening my worldview and giving me things to think about.

Without giving the new Edgework model away from Shelia Higgs Burkhalter, I'll share that on Day 1 we journaled about where we're from.

Looking back at my notes, I made it all the way down the page and wrote a sidebar message to myself: To be honest, I'm not really feeling this - To be Continued." Picking my pen back up, I continued on the next page and instead answered Things that I am.

Things that I am

• I am a coach who takes wellness into the everyday choices we make to navigate the world, hold down a job, and seek purpose in our lives.

  
  

• I am the gentle reminder to pause during a busy, stressful moment: to consider what is happening, what is not, and what is actually needed.

  
  

• I am a logical voice of reason who brings you back to earth, grounding down into the core in remembrance of who we are at the end of the day and who we were from the very beginning.

  
  

• I am both wise and foolish in all the ways the very best of us can be.

  
  

• I am forgiving and courageous and can now experience joy every single day.

  
  

• I'm magnanimous and all-encompassing.

  
  

• My light brings understanding to dark places, makes connections that have been forgotten, and promotes healing, growth, and compassion.

💕Well, you can see that I was writing from a pretty content place, having arrived in Charlotte from a bachelorette party week in Playa del Carmen, Mexico!!

What more "work" could I do on myself?

One huge discovery.

I was in the middle of saying goodbye to a fellow author and world-class epidemiologist (and yes, I have friends in big places - watch out!). She was congratulating me on the excitement at my W2 job since splashy news had gone out to the public earlier in the year.

My immediate response was embarrassment.

There was no place to talk about the corporation I worked for in this sacred retreat space full of entrepreneurs, published authors, and all-around BAD ASS women. I wanted to steer the direction back to wellness, solopreneurship, my next speaking engagement, and all the other ways that 2026 was going to be packed with my own excitement.

I was being dismissive of the important accomplishments I made at my day job.

I diminished the truth that I played a major role and held an important (and deeply respected) position simply because I was terrified I would tie my identity to it (again).

I was constantly encountering the struggle of the two worlds: employee and self-employed.

And this all took a mental load.

I needed to cross this discomfort, my defined Edge, and change the way I viewed my portfolio career.

"If I cross this Edge, I become masterful, building a career that has global meaning and personally fulfilling impact. Then, I don't look down on the portfolio career, I invite it in."

So, we'll see what the 90-day plan unfolds and thanks to Shiggs, I have a full-length workbook and an accountability program full of sisters to listen and cheer!

And for you:

If you stopped viewing your various roles as competing for your time and started seeing them as a portfolio of impact, how would that change the way you introduce yourself tomorrow?