London, Ontario, Canada

Tell us about yourself:
I’m wife to Rob, mom to Madelaine, Personal Renewal Group (PRG) Facilitator, Life Purpose Coach and self-proclaimed Joyologist.  I make my home in London Ontario, two hours West of Toronto. I’ve spent the majority of my professional life as an outdoor experiential educator, working with groups and individuals to build community, enhance leadership skills and bolster team esteem.  Over the past few years I found my work interests leading more towards working with women, and women’s groups. My coaching practice, Aspenworks Unlimited, specializes in Life Purpose coaching for women, utilizing a coaching model that allows my clients to identify and crystallize their strengths, values and passions, and in doing so, create a more joyful life. It’s all about joy!  I’m a new PRG Facilitator and will be running my first PRG in London in September.

Why did you become a Personal Renewal Group (PRG)Facilitator?
When I became a mother I was fortunate enough to be referred to a ‘new moms’ group through my midwives. The support and laughter (and tears…and baked treats…!) we sleep-deprived, caring women shared got me through some tough, uncertain times.  The power of that circle was extraordinary, and our friendships (like our children) are now in their second decade. That circle was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received and I am forever grateful to have had it as a sanity resource.  After finding out about Renee’s work in 2010, and experiencing a wave of goose bumps reading “The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal”, there was no question about it – I simply had to become a Personal Renewal Group facilitator. It was like a calling– the next logical step in my work with women.  Becoming a PRG Facilitator is my way of ‘paying it forward’ – to create a safe, relaxing, supportive space for women and mothers to gather, and offer one another a deep sense of camaraderie, community and connection. There are so many communities in need of Personal Renewal Groups – I’m delighted to add London, Ontario to the global PRG map.

How has the PRG work changed or affected you?
The teachings have affirmed my most deeply held views – that we are each completely unique in how we parent and how we move through the world as mothers, yet we share a common collective experience through motherhood. Motherhood offers similar stressors, fears, hopes, disappointments and dreams, regardless of our age, our ethnicity, the number of kids we have, or our personal philosophies. These are the ties that bind.  Meeting in an intentional circle with mothers– no matter how old their children or what stage they are at– fosters in me a deep sense of peace and connection with a larger whole. The experience offers a renewed sense of well-being and a welcome zap of fresh energy in everything I do.

What are your favorite self-care activities?
My favourite self-care activities are reading and sleeping – an early bedtime with a juicy book is priceless to me!  I find a lot of peace in the kitchen, too. Cooking is like a moving meditation – the more pots and pans I have on the go, the calmer I am.  As a Reiki Master Teacher I send myself to a happy place through self-directed energy work and meditation. Finally, there is star-gazing. I can have a day that is completely upside-down, and all I have to do is spend a few minutes outside in my back yard gazing up at stars, to feel grounded and refreshed again.

How to contact you to sign up for a PRG?  
To find out about my upcoming PRGs, email: allison@aspenworksunlimited.com

You can meet other facilitators around the globe here. If you’d like to learn more about empowering women in your community, growing your small business and joining our international community of RTA-Certified PRG Facilitators, click here, call 512/459-6700 or email us.