In life most people struggle with self acceptance. We often hide, neglect and reject the parts of ourselves we consider unacceptable. Today I am speaking to a woman that is a true testament of self-love, confidence, self-aware, humble and beautiful. She is a boss and most importantly a mother. Here is the history making Heather Thomson.
David:
Hello Heather, Thank you for taking the time out to speak with me. You wear many hats as an Entrepreneur, Executive Producer, Podcaster, CEO, Consultant, Speaker, TV Personality, Inventor, Licensed Health and Wellness Coach, Avid Adventurer, Nature Lover, Wife and Mother. What is your biggest struggle in doing all these titles?
Heather: Wearing a lot of hats can be a real struggle, if you don’t focus on the task at hand. Multitasking is a myth. Being an entrepreneur, is a lot about wearing many hats, without the traditional restraints of one skill or one industry. There is real reward in seeing the opportunity within the struggle and despite the challenges. When we see barriers to overcome, there are also uncharted pathways to discover.
David:
I would imagine the most important title is that you are a mother. What have you learned about yourself as a mother?
Heather: Mom is the most important thing anyone will ever call me. One of the many important lessons I’ve learned as a parent is to take the opportunity to see yourself, and learn about who you are, and what ingredients are in your batter. Considering them consistently, while being the most impactful influence on the formative years of your off-spring, is one of life’s most precious gifts. Learning and love, and evolving into your best self is a powerful thing, especially to see your behaviors and choices in reflection, and as influence over the life and development of another human. We all stand on the shoulders of others, and we’re all connected, but we are also increasingly self-centered. Through the years, although I often fail, I have learned not to stand on the ceremonial role playing of parenting, by instead I try a new approach…one of leaning into what my kid’s experience is being a teenager today vs. projecting what my own youth was on them.
David:
What inspired you to start a podcast?
Heather: The inspiration came from people! Those I know, or have met along the way, and their stories…Stories from the road, from the struggle, about the triumphs, and the traumas, the things that make up our dynamic life experiences, that we can share to enrich the life or the thinking of another —in MY heart, is about the take-aways from others journeys and insights into our shared experiences and connecting through informative, entertaining, and important lessons about life, and living it, and I’ve loved doing it!
David:
As a past cast member of Real Housewife of NY how has the show impacted your life?
Heather: RHONY has impacted me in positive ways. That does not mean it was easy, but it reinforced my knowledge of who I am, and who I am not. What I want and what I don’t. What is important to me, and what isn’t. It proved to me that I could hold true to my values, while at the same time freeing up the judgement of others. It taught me a better understanding of my privilege, and how to use it. And it reminded me of the basic principles of choosing how, where, and in the company of whom I spend my time. It gave me a stiff upper lip, a softer understanding of different perspectives, and the unique opportunity to see myself through the lens of another and the opportunity to grow from all of it!
David:
Do you have any regrets in your career?
Heather: Regret is a foolish emotion unless it comes along with something actionable. I have said it for a long time, “A mistake is only a mistake if you make it twice. The first time, it’s a lesson.” I don’t have any regrets, but I have a lot of lessons!
David:
What has been your biggest disappointment in your career?
Heather: Perhaps people, but I say that not without grace. The biggest highlight or disappointment to any experience is the people, and those who help to make it, or help to break it. I can look back at my career and realize what I achieved ‘due-to’ and what I achieved ‘in-spite-of’. And, people, they know who they are! The good, the bad and the ugly — despite ‘em, I’ll keep it all.
David:
What has been the biggest highlight in your career?
Heather: Creating and exploring are very exciting and important to me and without pause, it is the impact I’ve had on others. Working for celebrities taught me the importance of loving what you do, it’s where I started saying, ‘it’s only work, if there’s some place else you ‘d rather be!’ The drive, determination, dedication, passion, hard work, and commitment to reach the next level of excellence, are just a few of the things Sean Combs, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyonce’, taught me. And so, the biggest highlight must include, making fashion history, not once but twice, by changing the game and being completely committed to doing it!
David:
Tell me about your Freedom retreats?! I see you have two forthcoming. When did you start retreating?
Heather: It started in 2016, with a tour to the roof of Africa to summit Kilimanjaro. I called it Dirty Freedom. It was a tour with 19 women, and from there I haven’t looked back. Next, it was the Himalayas of Nepal, and South America. With my studies in nutrition, I kicked off Fresh Freedom in partnership with World renowned Hilton Head Health for a focus on healthier living, and after the pandemic focused on expanding my Pure Freedom retreats with 360 programming, mind, body, soul. And I have two coming up! This Fall, we are finding Pure Freedom in the hills at Ross Bridge in Birmingham, Alabama October 26-29, and it’s Fresh Freedom to ReNew coming up this November 5-12, at Hilton Head Health, on beautiful, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. You should join me! Anyone interested can go to heatherthomson.com to register and for all the details.
David:
If you could go back in time what would you tell your teenage self?
Heather: I would tell the esoteric me, it’s all a dream!! With two feet on the ground, I would tell myself that change always comes. Life is impermanent!
Buy the ticket, take the ride forward and most importantly, embrace the present moment in each experience, each day. The ebb, the flow, the ups, the downs. Be kind. Have grace. Don’t look back and don’t look too far ahead — it’s is how life goes, because it can change, in a New York minute.
David:
Thank you for your time. Any words of wisdom to all the readers?
Heather:
Leaning in to your own personal growth, is one of the best ways we can lend to society. If we pursue what ignites our passion, and take care of ourselves, by prioritizing our own well-being; maintaining a healthy relationship with our work by doing what we love, practicing self-care, and surround ourselves with a strong support system, we lend to a greater good. But, life is a journey of circumstance and fate, uniquely defined to each of us, yet commonly filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, challenge and change. So, the wisdom is; stay persistent in the search to find yourself through the circumstances, and look for how we can reflect positively into the world, and to others, in-spite of them. Be hungry for knowledge, and be open to learning different perspectives. Listen well, and lean into YOUR OWN personal GROWTH and goals. Evolving into our best, our happiness, our most fulfilled, most purposeful self, is a life long path worthy of pursuing, and it’s never too late to get started.