We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamara Herl and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Tamara, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
My business helps the community and world in that my mission is to help people connect with their passion so they can achieve their full potential and make the kind of impact they want to in the world. Imagine what the world will be like when more people are doing what they love–what they are meant to do! Most people, at some point in their life, had a really big dream in their heart. They knew they were meant to do something special or important. But somewhere along the way, they started to doubt themselves. They told themselves, “I’m not smart enough.” Or maybe, “I’d really like to do _____ but I can’t because ______.” They started to buy into these limiting beliefs, and they decided to settle for less. In my work with people through 1:1 coaching sessions, groups, and workshops, and by using experiential practices such as art therapy and forest therapy, I help people recognize and transform these limiting beliefs, which I call the Shadow. Right now, more than ever, we need people to transform their Shadow, because we take our Shadows into the workplace, which is why we have so many systems and structures in place that are no longer working. The people who are part of those dysfunctional systems and are bothered by their own and others’ Shadows are the ones that can help those systems transform, but they have to break through their own limiting beliefs first! I love helping people do that.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
One thing that sets me apart from others is that I am a professionally trained and certified life coach. A lot of people call themselves coaches, but true coaching is a very unique process that sees the person as whole and resourceful. It helps the person draw out their own inner wisdom and become empowered, and my unique process involves helping people get out of their heads and into a deep connection with their creativity and with nature. What I’m most proud of is my retreat center. Fifteen years ago, during a “dark night of the soul” I asked myself what I’d do it there were no limits, and I knew I wanted to have a retreat center. It wasn’t easy to make this happen. I kept thinking that I couldn’t have what I really wanted, which was to operate a retreat center on property with a stream in the mountains. So, I kept working for others and settling for less. But the dream wouldn’t die, so I kept searching and finally found it. I had to break through my OWN limiting beliefs. That is the biggest lesson that I’ve learned—don’t give up on the biggest dream that’s in your heart. It’s there for a reason, and when you step into it, you will thrive, and you’ll be able to make the kind of impact that you want to in the world. Since I’ve been able to do this for myself, I know it’s possible for others, too. I love helping people remember why they are here and what they’re capable of. I help them become their own guru. Because of the pandemic, I had to get creative and develop ways to offer more of my services online, so now people all around the world can experience the benefits of my work.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In order to show my best friend the amazing gems of the city, I’d take them on a hike in North Cheyenne Canyon park. It is so beautiful there with the towering Ponderosa pines and the sparkling stream. I would take them to visit Old Colorado City for lunch at La Baguette and then we would shop in the fun boutiques. For dinner, I would take them to Adam’s Mountain Café in Manitou Springs. I would make sure to take them to Cottonwood Center for the Arts so they could meet the artists and see all of the wonderful different kinds of art there. We would take another hike at Garden of the Gods. And we would definitely visit Miramont Castle and walk the labyrinth at the Franciscan Retreat Center. Of course, we would spend plenty of time walking the trails, sitting by the creek/waterfalls, experiencing the sacred geometry and labyrinth at our property in Cascade: Wild Divine Retreat Center. And I would facilitate a private Forest Therapy walk with my friend, including chamomile tea that I wildcrafted earlier in the year.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been many teachers, mentors, and coaches over the years that have supported me, mostly other women. The “who” that probably deserves the most credit for my success in life is the profession of art therapy. It was really through the process of my art therapy education and certification that I was able to evolve spiritually. In the course of preparing art therapy directives to use with my clients, I tried each of the directives for myself. As I created countless images over the years, I healed emotional wounds and was able to understand how each of the painful experiences helped me grow and shaped me to become who I am today. Each experience was like a piece of the puzzle that clicked into place.
Website: https://www.becomeyourownguru.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaraherl/?hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-herl-3164b68/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TamaraHerl
Facebook: facebook.com/coachtamaraherl/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnfbD0LznBKd5iTPFY1MNUw
Other: Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/tamara_herl/_saved/
Image Credits
Professional headshot by Turpenoff Photography