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⏱️ 3-minute read | Inside The Wild Council

The Confession: Thank you

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THE CONFESSION

Today’s the day!

It’s my birthday. On a couple of levels.

Today, I turn 40. And today, I give birth to something else I’ve been carrying, nurturing, questioning, and pouring my heart into for the last 18 months.

The Wild Woman Within is officially here.

And my heart is overflowing as I write this.

I’ve put so much time, energy, and love into this podcast that it’s almost like having and raising a second child.

Okay, maybe a puppy. 😂

But seriously.

This journey has stretched me in ways I didn’t know I was capable of, wanted, or even needed.

And somewhere along the way, the reason I started became completely different from the reason I keep going.

Let me explain.

When I first started podcasting, people would ask me, “Why are you doing this? What are you trying to gain?”

Hell, my own husband has asked me countless times as I’ve stayed up late on Monday nights chasing some ridiculous version of perfection before releasing another episode.

And for a long time, my answer was financial independence.

I wanted something of my own. A backup plan.

Because I had convinced myself that one day my company would be acquired, we’d be the ones getting sold, and I’d lose my job.

And living in the middle of Kentucky? Finding another opportunity in my field, at my level, might mean packing up my entire life.

So I needed a Plan B.

Except here’s the funny thing. None of that had actually happened.

I was building an entire business around a fear I had made up in my own head.

And while I was busy preparing for the worst, life was handing me some of the best.

I got promoted. I received incredible recognition in my career. I was even gifted an extraordinary trip that still brings tears of gratitude to my eyes when I think about it.

Perhaps I have trust issues. HA!

But something else was happening behind the scenes.

This podcast was healing me.

I was reading books I never would have picked up. Having fascinating conversations with people all over the world. Challenging beliefs I didn’t even realize I was carrying.

I was opening doors inside myself that I didn’t know existed.

And the coolest part?

I got to bring you along.

Before I knew it, this stopped feeling like a backup plan and started feeling like a community I couldn’t imagine my life without.

And then last week, something magical happened.

Not once.

Not twice.

Three times.

Three different friends, all in the same week, started acting on talents they had quietly trusted me enough to share before they were ready to show the world.

One friend finally created an Instagram account to share her photography. And I’m telling you, her pictures are GORGEOUS. Go show her some love at @jjthroughthelens.

Another friend started writing song lyrics and creating music. I fell so in love with what she was making that her music is now featured in ALL of my Wild Woman Within episodes. You can find her on Suno at @bombdiggitty.

And another dear friend finally raised her prices to reflect the value of her gifts. And let me tell you, she’s worth every damn penny. If you’re ever looking for a reading to connect with crossed-over loved ones, you can find @Trishthemedium on Facebook and Instagram.

Three women.

Three different gifts.

Three people giving themselves permission to be seen, valued, and heard.

All in the same week I was preparing to turn 40 and launch this new chapter.

And it hit me.

Maybe the greatest thing we can do for another woman isn’t tell her what she’s capable of.

Maybe it’s having the audacity to live out our own potential so she feels permission to explore hers.

I don’t know whether my podcast had anything to do with their decisions. But watching these women step into their gifts reminded me why sharing this journey matters so much.

And suddenly, I had my answer.

Why do I do this?

It’s not because I’m afraid of losing my corporate job anymore or need a second income to feel safe.

It’s because I LOVE this.

I love writing these emails. I love sending you weekly voice notes filled with the things I’m learning. I love the conversations, the uncomfortable questions, the breakthroughs, and the moments when something finally clicks.

I love creating a space where we can pause, question the rules we’ve been living by, and remember who the hell we are underneath everyone’s expectations.

And if something I share gives even one woman (or man) the courage to recognize her worth, trust her talents, or live a little more freely?

That’s priceless.

Sometimes God is just too damn good to me.

Giving me these incredible presents simply by being present enough to notice them.

And perhaps that’s the greatest birthday gift I could have received.

Not another achievement or another paycheck.

Just the realization that I don’t have to keep building my life around what I’m afraid might happen. I get to build it around what I love.

And THAT is what The Wild Woman Within is all about.

Breaking out of the cages we’ve built around ourselves.

Tearing down the walls that keep us exhausted, disconnected, and constantly trying to prove our worth.

And finding the audacity to live in our own rhythm.

So today, as I turn 40 and officially welcome this new chapter, I want to say something to you.

Thank you.

Thank you for opening these emails.

For listening to my voice every week.

For sharing your stories with me.

For voting on podcast cover art that I didn’t even end up choosing. LMAO.

For playing along with my wild ideas and allowing me to grow, change, and figure things out right in front of you.

You’ve given me something I never could have planned for when I started this project.

A community that feels like home.

And because of you, I keep showing up.

I keep healing.

I keep discovering new pieces of myself.

And I keep expanding my heart enough to become a little more of the woman I want to be.

So here’s to 40.

Here’s to The Wild Woman Within.

And here’s to every woman who’s ready to stop waiting for permission to live the life she actually wants.

Welcome to The Wild Council.

We’re just getting started.

I love you.

Stay wild and dare to be great. ❤️

Rachel

Wild enough to be free. Wise enough to receive.

THE WILD WOMAN WITHIN

88| You Weren't Meant to Do...

Oct 10 · The Wild Woman Within: R...

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