The real thing

Studio1 Design on October 9, 2024

You’ve had success. 

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You’ve won clients and earned referrals. 

But lately, it feels like things have slowed down. 

New leads aren’t coming in as easily, your inbox is nearly empty, and your phone stays silent.

You need more clients, and you need them now. 

But despite all the tools, technologies, and courses you’ve invested in, nothing seems to be bringing in leads or generating the profit you want. 

You feel stuck, out of options.

It’s getting closer and closer to the end of the year. 

You want it all.

Family. Finances. Thriving health and business. 

Yes. You can make a real impact, build a legacy, and create the life you’ve always dreamed of. 

You can have it all – whatever ‘it’ is to you.

Live your life not by default but by design. 

It just takes the right positioning, the right messaging, and the right support. 

But too often, we try to figure it all out on our own.

Not realising the cost of not seeking help sooner. 

And I’m here to help you step into your spotlight.

With decades of hands-on business experience and insights from working with entrepreneurs, business owners, and high-profile leaders worldwide, my job is to empower service business owners to maximise profit, fulfil their purpose, and unlock their full potential. 

To get clarity on their mission and take bold action towards it. 

But I don’t just tell people how to do it. 

I do it. I live the work I share. 

I know my lane, I know my niche, and I have my own IP that I share with clients. 

Over the years, I have secured multiple 6-figure contracts with clients. I have helped transform over 30,000 people’s lives.  

And you…. 

You have the potential to unleash your brilliance.

Certainty is your secret sauce. 

More certainty in your service, your offer, your IP, all of it. 

But all that happens when you are in alignment with your inner and outer world. 

With certainty brings alignment. Alignment brings certainty.  

Most people want to make money. But why we do what we do goes beyond just making money. 

It’s about growing your business, stepping out of the shadows, and chasing what you truly want. And in alignment with who you are.

It’s about inspiring influence and impact. And in a way, you get paid to be you. 

If you’re ready to receive the recognition you deserve, build the business you love and make an inspiring impact, let’s connect.

Tanya “Growth Coach” Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Have you stalled?

Tanya Cross on October 2, 2024

You’ve demonstrated your expertise and delivered exceptional results.

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You’ve taken the leap to building your own business, but now you find yourself feeling stuck and overwhelmed. 

Growth has stalled, or perhaps your competition is gaining ground.

Even though your clients value your work, your business isn’t expanding as you’d hoped. You’ve tried everything to create the impact you crave—yet nothing seems to work.

Was starting your business all those years ago worth it?

Without a doubt. 

The fact that you’ve come this far speaks volumes. 

Having worked with countless business owners and top leaders, I’ve built, sold, and rebuilt companies, and I recognise potential when I see it. 

My inspiration is helping service business owners amplify their influence in their industry.

You possess the knowledge, and I’m here to help you fully own it.

With a focused approach and a drive for bold action, I listen intently to craft a strategy that delivers the results you’re after.

This isn’t about creating a business that fits someone else’s mould; it’s about what works for you. This is personal.

To unlock sales, refine your intellectual property, establish your authority, and secure your market position, you must advocate for what truly serves you. 

But first, you need clarity on what that looks like—and that’s where I come in. 

Once we have that clarity, I’ll guide you with energy and enthusiasm through all the critical decisions and next steps that drive results.

With expertise in making the complex manageable, I’ll support – and sometimes give you tough love for you in achieving long-term scalability and financial success so you can create the future you envision on your terms—without the risk of burnout.

I believe in this reality because I see more potential in my clients than they often see in themselves. 

If someone tells me something can’t be done, I’ll find a way. 

That’s who I’ve been, going against the grain, wrapped in a love to serve. Inspired by my Dad’s influence on me to have my own business and Mum’s deep love of doing meaningful work, I bring all that and more to the table.

My dedication and deep commitment to you achieving your goals light me up.

Your story. Your journey. Your transformation. Is why I do what I do.

Ready to break through and step into the next chapter of your business and life?

Let’s make it happen together.

Tanya “Growth Coach” Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Whirlwind of the past 3.5 years

Tanya Cross on September 24, 2024

I’ve been reflecting on the whirlwind of the past 3.5 years and what a journey it’s been.

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During this time, I started a second business, bought two investment properties, navigated the end of a long-term relationship, and became a single mum. 

I also sold a portion of one company, entered into a business partnership, and handled a major direction change in that business—all while continuing to grow my consulting business. 

Oh, and did I mention I was raising a toddler who’s now in the first year of school?

Looking back, these weren’t just personal changes, and they happened during one of the most globally stressful periods in recent memory. 

The financial challenges we face as individuals can be difficult enough, but when you compound them with global crises or a recession, the stress can be overwhelming.

This kind of stress isn’t simply additive—it’s amplified. 

Personal stressors blend with larger global issues, and suddenly, the weight feels much heavier. 

Financial difficulties, for example, activate the brain’s “fight, flight, or freeze” response, flooding us with cortisol and adrenaline. 

This is a natural reaction to immediate threats, but when paired with global uncertainties like a pandemic or economic downturn, the stress response can go into overdrive. Oh, you feel that in your body.

We saw this clearly in 2020 when people across the world became more anxious, isolated, and unsure of their futures. The global nature of those challenges created an unprecedented sense of uncertainty and helplessness, making existing financial stress feel insurmountable.

It’s not just a matter of facing double the stress. Research in psychology and behavioural economics shows that financial stress impairs our decision-making and problem-solving abilities, creating a vicious cycle. 

A study published in Psychological Science found that financial insecurity can cause a cognitive load that leads to poor financial choices, which only increases the stress. 

Those who were already under financial strain experienced heightened anxiety and depression when a global crisis hit, especially if they felt powerless over their personal or global circumstances.

Beyond the psychological toll, amplified stress can take a serious hit on a person’s identity and sense of self-worth, especially if you wrap your self-worth up in money.

Financial struggles often challenge how we see ourselves, questioning our competence and worth. When this stress is compounded by global events, it can lead to feelings of helplessness, loss of motivation, and declining mental health.

Erikson’s stages of development tell us that maintaining a sense of control and purpose is vital, particularly for younger people still forming their identities. 

Global crises, when combined with personal stress, can disrupt this process, leading to confusion, frustration, and an overwhelming loss of direction.

This amplification of stress—where personal financial struggles and global challenges combine—is not just a psychological theory. 

It’s a very real experience many of us have felt. And it will likely happen again in some other way in our lifetime.

Acknowledging the root causes of stress, or the problem under the problem, can help to have a deeper understanding of stress and how to manage it. 

Because anything that goes through stress has the potential to grow.

If we can navigate the complexities of life, business, and self with resilience, we unlock the possibility for deeper growth and success.

This is especially true for service business owners, who often face unique stresses and pressures. 

By empowering yourself to manage stress, you can no longer play with your stress but unlock your full potential.

Tanya “Growth Coach” Cross

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

What’s your two things?

Tanya Cross on September 16, 2024

Last weekend, in a training session with over 400 participants, we were split into small groups and tasked with creating a business in just eight minutes—name, concept, and strategy for commercialisation.

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I suggested an idea, and the group loved it. When it was time for the room to vote (and we couldn’t vote for our own), they cheered and whistled for it.

It wasn’t just a validation of the idea but a reminder of why I love coaching: the ability to spark insights that lead to real change.

Business isn’t just about tactics or numbers; it isn’t about chasing success for its own sake. 

It’s about creating value that resonates with the heart and needs of those you serve. 

When you see the potential in others and help them shift their perspectives, it becomes clear that they can raise their prices with confidence, package their unique expertise, and take their clients on a journey toward meaningful outcomes.

The moment in the room sharing the idea reminded me of my roots—how I learned the values that shape the way I work today.

Growing up, I’d come home from school and see my dad at the dining table, meticulously balancing his books and writing checks. 

At the time, I didn’t fully understand the depth of what he was teaching me, but he was silently showing me the discipline, focus, and perseverance required to build a meaningful business. 

On the other hand, my mum instilled in me the power of service and spirituality. I still remember her waking up at 4 a.m. every morning to pray, her dedication unwavering. 

Now in her mid-80s, she remains devoted, continuing to inspire me with the values she’s lived by her entire life.

These two pillars—business and service—are central to who I am. For me, business is more than just a profession; it’s my spiritual path. It’s where I’m energized, where I’m inspired, and where I create my biggest impact on the world.

Circling back to that room of 400 people. 

When we focus on serving others and meeting their true needs, the market naturally opens up. 

The ability to help people is always there—you just have to find the right need to connect with them. 

By aligning with what people are genuinely hungry for, we create solutions that light them up and make a lasting difference. 

This is the real power of business: it’s not just about who, we are, what we do, but how we connect with those we serve.

So, I ask you—what are your two things (or three) that drive you? What are the needs you can meet? What solutions can you offer that will create meaningful change for those around you? 

When you find those answers, you unlock not just the potential of your business but the path to truly lasting impact.

With fire and grace,

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Embrace This Edge And You’ll Go Far

Tanya Cross on September 10, 2024

With 15 years of working with leaders and business owners, the one common statement I hear from all of them is this…

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I have known since I was young that I am different.

The feeling of being different, of not quite fitting in with those around them. 

Whether it was a feeling inside, a knowing they had a different or unique perspective on the world, there was an early experience of feeling out of place.

This was the seed of their future impact and influence. 

These future leaders often found themselves standing apart from their peers. 

I used to wear a jumper in the middle of summer in Melbourne. I stopped drinking at 18 when everyone else started drinking. 

I wanted to go against the crowd. 

One client who’s a mover and shaker in their industry was the kid who asked too many questions in class, challenging the teacher with ideas that went beyond what was being taught. 

For many, and maybe this is for you too, there is this sense of difference that wasn’t always comfortable. 

Being different can be isolating, especially during childhood and teen years when the pressure to conform is strong. 

We want to fit in, to be like everyone else, to avoid standing out in a way that might attract unwanted attention or even judgment. 

But for those who felt this feeling of being different would later go on to achieve something great, this feeling of not quite fitting in was a sign of something deeper—a unique perspective or a different way of thinking that, if nurtured, would become a powerful superpower. 

Let’s face it, feeling different can be both a burden and a blessing. 

On one hand, it can lead to feelings of loneliness, self-doubt, and a desire to hide one’s true self in order to fit in. 

On the other hand, this very difference is often the source of one’s greatest strengths. 

The discomfort of not fitting in forces individuals to develop a strong sense of identity.

And during your teen years, that is what you are doing, forming your identity, your individuality. 

Embrace your uniqueness rather than trying to suppress it because you are to tap into your potential.

For instance, let’s go into the minds of someone else (and see if some of their thinking will stick – or at the very least, we can model and scaffold the greatest for ourselves). 

Consider the story of Steve Jobs. As a child, Jobs was known for being a bit of a misfit. He was interested about technology and design, but he wasn’t always the easiest person to get along with. He had a different way of thinking and conflicting with others. 

But instead of trying to fit in, Jobs leaned into his difference. He embraced his unconventional ideas and used them to create products that were not just functional but beautiful and user-friendly. His ability to think differently—his refusal to accept the status quo—was a key factor in his success as the co-founder of Apple.

Similarly, Oprah Winfrey’s early life was marked by challenges and a sense of being different. Growing up in poverty, experiencing abuse, and struggling with self-esteem issues, Winfrey could have easily been overwhelmed by her circumstances. But instead of letting these experiences define her in a negative way, she used them as fuel for her future success. She has the ability to connect with people on a deep level and that was what she shared with the world. 

Being different is not a weakness to be hidden but a strength to be cultivated.

The very traits that set these leaders apart from others in their youth became the source of their greatness in adulthood. 

The leaders who have made the greatest impact on the world are those who were not afraid to be different.

They were the ones who, as children, felt like they didn’t quite fit in but who later realised that this very difference is your secret edge.

Let your differences help you reach your potential.

With love,

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Do you have this one thing in you?

Tanya Cross on September 4, 2024

What I notice with many of the coaches I work with, and even business owners in my one-on-one sessions, is a deep, intrinsic love to serve. But it goes beyond mere affection; it’s a profound obligation to serve.
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Not an obligation that binds, restricts, or ties you down. Instead, it’s an obligation that frees you, expands your vision, and connects you to something much larger than yourself. 

There comes a moment in life when you realise that your journey is not just about your own growth, achievements, or success. It’s about a purpose that transcends personal ambition. It’s about what you can contribute to others. 

This is not just about ‘what’s in it for me,’ but rather, ‘what’s in me that I can offer the world?’

You have a lot to offer the world—don’t die with the music still inside you.

This deep obligation to serve isn’t just a fleeting thought; it’s a calling that resonates deep within your soul.

You feel pulled towards serving because you understand that your life, with all its experiences, pains, struggles, and insights, holds the potential to make a significant impact on the world around you.

When you’ve walked through the fire and emerged on the other side, you gain a unique perspective—one that is invaluable and worth sharing with the world. The lessons you’ve learned were not just for you; they were for you to pass on, to help others grow, thrive, and fulfill their potential. This is what it means to empower others.

As a service business owner, you are in a unique position. The obligation to serve is not just about fulfilling a need or solving a problem; it’s about empowering others to maximize their profit, fulfill their purpose, and unlock their full potential. 

When you serve from this place of deep obligation, you’re not just running a business—you’re leading a movement. You’re creating ripples of change that extend far beyond your immediate circle.

I feel this way as a Demartini Method Facilitator—that I was born to share this work, born to make a difference with it, because life’s experiences have led me here. To the work. And to you.

Do you feel that way about serving?

When you choose to serve, you acknowledge that your life is part of a greater whole, and that your actions have the power to create change far beyond what you might imagine. 

By lifting others, you also lift yourself. 

The true reward of service lies not in external accolades or recognition, but in the quiet, deep sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing you’ve made a difference.

Embrace this deep obligation to serve. Make it a core part of not only your business’s mission but your life’s mission. 

As you move forward on your path, remember this: the obligation to serve is not a burden; it’s a privilege.

It’s the key to unlocking the full potential of your life and business, and in doing so, you empower others to do the same.

With love,

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

I didn’t see it

Tanya Cross on August 28, 2024

Picture this: I’m driving with my daughter in the back seat, and Justin is sitting next to her. We’re on our way to the airport, and everything seems to be going smoothly—until I make a wrong turn. 

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Suddenly, instead of heading straight to our destination, we’re winding through the city streets, adding time to our journey.


As we’re stopped at a red light, I glance out the window and see a school sign that reads, “Our Lady of Mount Camel.” 


Puzzled, I turned to Justin and said, “Mount Camel? That’s a new one. I’ve never heard of it in Australia.” 


Justin, equally perplexed, agrees. “Yeah, that’s odd,” he replies, and Bonnie joins in. We all start chuckling, imagining a school dedicated to camels.


As the light turns green, and we start moving again, Justin does a double-take and says, “Wait, it’s not Camel—it’s Carmel.”


By this time, the school is behind us, and I can’t go back to double-check. 


But I was certain that the sign said “Camel.” I read it. Justin read it. How could we both have been mistaken?


So what did we do? We turned to Google for answers. Within seconds, Justin found that the school was indeed called “Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” not Camel.

 

Somehow, I’d misread it, and my conviction was so strong that I influenced Justin to see it the same way.


Now, here’s why this matters to your business. This small, seemingly insignificant moment is a powerful illustration of how our perceptions can be deeply influenced by bias—and how those biases can ripple out to impact others.


Maybe I had animals or camels on my mind?! Who knows? 


As business owners, especially in service industries, we often find ourselves in situations where we need to make quick decisions. 


Our brains, wired for efficiency, often fill in gaps based on what we think we know. 


But here’s the catch: these snap judgments, while sometimes useful, can be dangerously misleading if they’re not based on solid evidence.


Think about it: How often do you make decisions based on assumptions rather than facts? 


Maybe you assume you know what your clients want because it’s what they’ve asked for in the past. 


Or you’re convinced that a certain marketing strategy will work because it did once before. 


Perhaps you’re so certain about a particular business direction that you don’t even consider alternative options. But what if it wasn’t this way now? 


In business, just like in that car with Justin, misperceptions can lead you off your path. 


You might overlook critical information, dismiss a valuable opportunity, or steer your entire business in a direction that ultimately doesn’t serve your goals.


The lesson here is not just to avoid snap judgments but to actively question your perceptions. 


When you’re sure you’ve got something figured out—whether it’s a client’s needs, a business strategy, or a market trend—take a moment to step back and verify it. 


Are you seeing things as they really are, or are you letting assumptions cloud your judgment?


This is where the power of data, feedback, and external perspectives comes into play. 


Don’t just rely on what you think you know. Or if someone else is certain.


Gather evidence, seek out diverse opinions, and be open to the possibility that you might need to adjust your course. 


Just like with the school sign, you might discover that what you initially thought was “Camel” is actually “Carmel”—a subtle but crucial difference that can change the direction of your business.


In the end, this isn’t just about avoiding mistakes; it’s about maximising your potential.


By fostering a habit of questioning your assumptions and seeking clarity, you set yourself up to make more informed, strategic decisions that propel your business forward.


So, the next time you find yourself convinced you’ve got something figured out, whether it’s a new business idea, a client’s request, or even your long-term strategy, pause and take a closer look. 


You might just uncover Mount Carmel, where you were expecting Mount Camel—a more accurate, profitable path that leads you exactly where you want to go.

 

With love,

 

Tanya x

 

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Inner World Voice

Tanya Cross on August 21, 2024

When the outer voice dominates, the inner voice diminishes.

Tanya x

When I write, I write from my knowing now. I have a high value on learning and I am constantly growing. I share with you my level of understanding now, but over time my perspectives may change, grow and evolve. Thank you for going on a journey of constant discovery with me. 

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A voice in the mind

At a soul level, we have oneness, there is no difference between anything inside of the universes, it is all the same. Our soul emanates a physical human body, the mind separates through judgment and sees duality, pairs of opposites. Inside our minds, we have intuition and instinct. Our intuition is a positive feedback mechanism to get us back into equilibrium. Our instinct is a negative feedback mechanism to get us back into equilibrium. In a state of unconditional love, you are in a state of equanimity where you have no judgment of self or another person, and you have access to the soul.

 

The mind can either exaggerate or minimise yourself, either puffing yourself up or deflating yourself down. If you look down on someone, you are puffing yourself up and exaggerating yourself relative to them, thinking you have more differences than similarities. If you look up to someone, you are deflating yourself down and minimising yourself relative to them, thinking you have more similarities than differences. 

 

When you infatuate, you are aware of the upside, but blind to the downside. You are conscious of the upside and unconscious of the downside at the moment. When you are resentful, you are aware of the downside but blind to the upside. So, you are conscious of the downside and unconscious of the upside at the moment. 

 

Your mind will create a negative feedback mechanism to bring the unconscious conscious until both sides of the equalising are balanced. 

 

If you are highly infatuated with someone, a guy, for example, your intuition will try to get you to wake up to the downside, saying, “This is too good to be true.” “What is wrong with this guy?” “There has to be a downside to him.” Right? The intuition is telling you to be cautious. 

 

Your mind attempts to shift your perceptions of love and bring them back into equanimity. It is trying to reveal the unconscious to you; these thoughts are the unconscious content trying to surface. 

 

Inequity of the mind results from judgment, and you are in a state of imbalance. If your mind is in balance, you have full consciousness. There is no intuition. If it is imbalanced, you have conscious and unconscious. The unconscious you are blind to, you can’t see, and your intuition will help you. 

 

Intuition

Intuition is known as an inner voice, a hunch, a sense of what is happening. It is of the psyche, it is the inner knowing and the voice of the soul. It is one part of a spectrum of intelligent information that can astound you. It doesn’t base its information on the here and now.  With intuition, there is no here and now, it is not restricted by time and space.

 

For me, intuition feels like a pull, a knowing, and certainty in my heart. Intuition is a subjective experience, and everyone experiences it differently. This experience of intuition is neither positive nor negative; it is a communication method.

 

With the psyche, there are no boundaries between what is coming to you and being influenced around you.  

 

Everyone in their life has had a moment of intuition, a moment of deep certainty and knowing, a feeling that this is the right path or decision to make, maybe even that there is something wrong.

 

Gut Instinct Versus Intuition

We have the soul, the higher mind and the lower mind. The lower mind is the gut instinct which is trying to avoid or move away from pain and seek pleasure. This is where the mammalian brain takes over, alternatively known as the limbic brain. The limbic brain screens sensory data for emotional relevance and records memories of behaviours that produce positive and negative experiences. By processing emotions and gut feelings, it helps you to repeat behaviours that made you happy and avoid those that caused pain. 

 

Your intuition is here to guide and gift you with information you don’t logically have in your awareness. Your gut is here to protect and prolong life. Both work together as forms of an inner knowing, a hunch, a sense about what is going on within you and around you.

 

Some people are confusing the gut instinct for survival with intuition. You feel a gut instinct below your diaphragm. 


The Heat And Intuition

Your heart is the gateway to true wisdom and your spiritual message. Your heart is the centre of the universe. Any memory and imagination, any resentment or infatuation you experience is keeping you in your mind, not in your heart. Your inspiration and intuition will be your barometer to where you’re relative to your heart.  

 

Inner Voice

Too often, we are influenced by the many voices on the outside about how to live life. We seek advice from the many and get confused as to which direction to take. The greater the number of people we seek, the greater the degree to which we create more pain in the decision. 

 

We can either have many voices on the outside or one voice on the inside that guides us. The more we listen to the many voices on the outside, the more the inner voice becomes shut down and quiet. These voices don’t know your true path and calling; they don’t know the wisest decision for you based on everything you have been through. Only your inner knowing will reveal what is wisest for you.

 

When you quiet the mind, when you experience certainty and presence of the mind, the heart opens, you experience gratitude and love, your inner voice becomes loud and crystal clear, and you receive an inspired message. If your heart is filled with gratitude, it is almost impossible to stop your inner voice from speaking clearly and profoundly.

 

Hugs and heart,

 

Tanya x

 

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Follow Your Knowing

Tanya Cross on August 7, 2024

This week I have been on the hunt to find a theme song for my life. 

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One that really encompasses where I am and where I am going. It’s to add to my Divine Design PowerPoint slideshow of what I’d love to create in my business and life. 

 

(It’s kind of like a moving image that plays for my future every morning before I start work for the day.)

 

I came across this Sam Smith song.

 

“how I see myself with you

I don’t say a word

……

And look in my eye

You are perfection

My only direction

It’s fire on fire

It’s fire on fire.

……

But then we love and feel the truth.”

 

I had rolling goosebumps throughout the song. No, not all of it moves me, but some lines like “You are perfection” do it for me every time—waves of goosies rolling through my body. 

 

Now, I get that for you, it might not be the case with this song, and these words. 

 

For you, it’s more likely to be a different song or scene of a movie as we have different things that will move us. 

 

These connected emotional states involve goosebumps.

 

So why do you get goosebumps?

 

OK, let’s get our geek on. 

 

The technical term is cutis anserine (‘cutis’ means skin, and ‘anser’ means goose) or piloerection (probably not going to use that word again). 

 

Now, let’s get clear, there are three types of goosebumps. This is how I’ve named them, and they’re not scientific-technical names by any means.

 

  • The ‘cold’ goosebumps, the ones you get when you’re physiologically cold.
  • The ‘chilli’ goosebumps—the ones that cause a cold shiver down your spine—usually occur with a perception of social disgust and fear. 
  • The ‘soul’ gives goosebumps with an experience of awe. This usually occurs with an integration, alignment, or truth being told.

 

The common experience of goosebumps is the ‘chilli’ ones you get when you feel cold and your hairs stand on end. This reaction is great for animals because all of their hair stands on end, they look bigger and scarier to their predator. For us humans, it helps to create a buffer between your skin and the cool air keeping you a little warmer. 

 

Evolutionarily speaking, that came in handing pre-clothing days to keep our bodies warmer and is still serving that purpose now. (except for those people who lasered their arm hair – they’re now realising the downside. #deepsigh).

 

Let’s go a little deeper. 

 

There are involuntary muscles just under the skin that activate the sympathetic nervous system, also known as the fight, flight, or fright response when experiencing a highly emotional state. When the muscle is contracted, it makes your hair stand upright and gives you goosebumps. 

 

The goosebumps I’m referring to are the ones you get when watching a movie, hearing a speech, or reading a passage from a book. It moves you in a deep way and gives you goosebumps.

 

This feeling of being moved or touched can be accompanied by tears, goosebumps, and sensations of warmth in the centre of the chest or heart plexus. 

 

This experience is described in Sanskrit as kama muta, a feeling of oneness, of love or union. 

 

One particular framework for emotional experiences labelled as moving is the concept of kama muta. Kama muta theory involves sudden increases in closeness and community that evoke a distinctive positive social-relational emotion.

 

This emotion is often accompanied by tears, goosebumps, and feelings of warmth in the chest, and people often use terms such as “moving,” “touching,” or “heartwarming.”

 

The goosebumps you’ll experience in Maximum Growth classes, living life and doing “the work” are the soul goosebumps. 

 

There are more nuances to why these goosies happen and scientific research is still debating about why we experience these types of goosebumps.

 

What they do know about goosebumps after studying brain images is that they activate certain brain structures, such as the amygdala (the centre for emotions, emotional behaviour, and motivation) and prefrontal cortex (cognitive control functions). 

 

I can tell you from my experience that I’ve been writing down my goosebumps moments since 2009. Not every one of them, but a large sample to see what is common to what my soul is saying.

 

There are some messages in there that are profound statements, like things to do with universal truths, setting a big, crazy goal and achieving it, and receiving a payment from a client with the transaction name being “lifesaver.” 

 

When we align our soul’s messages with a business and lead, magic happens. You’ll feel purposeful and that you’re walking the path that you are destined to walk. Every day, you feel like you get paid to be you and do the things you love most. 

 

So, open a new Word document, and start generating your list of goosies. 

 

Love to hear what is revealed to you. Do you require changing direction in business? Or are you on the perfect path for your soul’s calling?

 

Here’s to hearing the whispering in your ear from your soul,

 

Tanya “following my knowing” x

 

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

3 Lessons From My Hike

Tanya Cross on August 1, 2024

Last Wednesday night, at 12 am, I crawled up the last three flights of stairs, dragging myself into my apartment. 

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My Lululemon pants are collecting a white, powdery substance as my knees scrape against the concrete floor. 

 

How did it come to this point, you wonder?

 

I didn’t have to wonder—I had been pondering, finding meaning in the mystery for days. 

 

It was my first time off. No business, clients, family, or obligations. Just all the things that would fill my own cup in a long time. 

 

I had planned a trip, booked flights, arranged accommodation, and even convinced a friend to come with me. The Great Ocean Walk, stretching 104 kilometres from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles in Victoria, was our destination.

 

Imagine Antarctic winter winds thrashing the coastline and rain that doesn’t fall softly from the sky but needles down at a 45-degree angle. It’s not for the faint-hearted. 

 

I embarked on this journey with the intention of doing my own Power Walkshop—to uncover my power and purpose, just for me. 

 

But as I started walking, it became evident that, despite my efforts to stop and savour the moments, this wouldn’t follow the Power Walkshop lessons. 

 

The walk had its own lessons instead. 

 

Day one was filled with rainbows. One rainbow that arched from one side of the land to another, a double rainbow, a waterfall rainbow. So many that I lost count. 

 

It was like walking in a magical land, with no reception (except enough to get one Whatsapp message come through on my friend’s phone from her mum: “Trump was shot – and he’s ok”).

 

LESSON ONE: The beauty of the rainbows reminded me that sometimes, the most magical experiences happen when we least expect them. But you need a little challenge – with the rain, and support with the sun to see them. 

 

Things shifted to another level on the second day. The day was meant for 25mls of rain and 42km winds, and the anticipation kept me up at night.  

 

The wind and rain seemed to echo my inner turmoil, and I found myself questioning everything in my life: Who am I, what am I doing, where am I going, and what is really truly important? 

 

As we walked in the inclement weather, it was interesting that we often found ourselves on the path between bushes, with the wind howling around us and the rain coming in sideways but missing landing on us.

 

LESSON TWO: I realised that it was the perfection of knowing ‘the work’, which I feel is a beautiful symbol of being in the eye of the storm in the outside world, but internally, I am centred and calm. I can endure so much on the outside, but keep on walking. 

 

By the third day, my body had said, ‘enough.’ You must rest. I had a recapped blister the size of Tasmania and as red as a ripe cherry, throbbing with each step.

 

I could have had to push on through the pain like I had seen when walking the Camino in Spain. Many walked through their suffering and soldiered on. 

 

But I didn’t feel that was my lesson.

 

LESSON THREE: The lesson was that sometimes stopping is a form of success, and sometimes not finishing is the wisest decision. Sometimes, you have to say no to get what you truly need.

 

On the third and fourth days, while my friend hiked on her own, I sat in solitude to find myself. 

 

BONUS LESSON ONE: I reflected on my word for the year, which was ‘Emerge”. I felt like I was doing ok to emerge from my cocoon but I worried about being exposed.

 

My red, raw, and exposed wound was a sign that it was time for me to own it and be okay with whatever was said about me. Just as my foot would heal, any wounds I might perceive from emerging into the big wide would, in time, heal, too.

 

As I crawled up the stairs to my apartment, covered in the residue of the journey, I realized something profound.

 

BONUS LESSON TWO: If I were to run a Power Walkshop and either myself or someone else was injured, if they couldn’t complete the hike, staying in the apartment would bring its own profound learnings, perfect for them.  Because it was in the struggle and the solitude that brought moments of clarity. 

 

It was in the appreciation of my life and the understanding that every step, no matter how painful, was part of my path.

 

If you are interested in attending the Power Walkshop in 2025, register for the waitlist here. 

 

With love,

Tanya

Leadership Coach & Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

 

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