Beyond the Rear View Mirror

Shelley Streit was a sponsor at the
2011 FIERCE Women of  Year awards
Image via YouAreFIERCE.com

I've had a lot of friends and acquaintances publish books lately and when I read their very personal stories, it seems weird in some ways because that person is actually real to me.

Does that make sense?

It's not like when you read a celebrity bio and go, "Ah, yeh, I know who she is," and feel somewhat connected to that person, it's more like you have coffee with someone and they hand you their life story to read.

I literally just finished reading Shelley Streit's book Beyond the Rear View Mirror and am impressed with how raw and vulnerable she is in telling her story. Shelley came into my life last year as a Facebook friend. I didn't know her other than maybe we exchanged tweets but one night, after venting my frustration with the lack of sponsors for the FIERCE awards and not knowing how I was going to make that event happen, she popped up in a Facebook chat saying, "How can I help you?"

My response was one of suspicion. 

I have (had, actually, I'm working to overcome that) a tough time trusting that people will offer help without expecting something in return or having serious ulterior motives so when I told Shelley that I was fine, hoping to brush her off, I was taken aback by her persistence to want to help me.

She immediately took a sponsorship and I sat in shock when I got a Paypal notice from her. I think I actually cried because I was so confused/moved by this generous offer from her. What I have learned since meeting her and having a few conversations with her is that she has a huge heart and will not say something she doesn't mean.

I've also seen her speak and let me tell you, she can captivate an audience.

I went to Shelley's book launch in April (yes, I have only just had a chance to read it), and have watched her soar, making opportunities and taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to her.

via ShelleyStreitInc.com

Shelley had a pretty shitty childhood and is not close with her mother. 

She made choices in her life that got her to where she is today and they weren't always easy.
She got through certain situations by going into survival mode.
She's suffered through depression and been in the darkest place possible.
She has dug pretty fuckin' deep into herself to shift her mindset and become the FIERCE woman she is today. 


I can relate to Shelley on every single level; our stories are very similar yet vastly different.

Go. Get the book. You will thank me later.

Oh, and among the many things Shelley has accomplished (besides launching the book, being a mom, and being an entrepreneur) was launching the Real Growth Retreat last spring. From what I've been hearing, it was quite the success! I'm going this year to learn from other women and I hope to see you there. Check THAT out, too.

  



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12 Days of FIERCE Moms #4: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms!

When I published MOM Magazine, our tagline was "Life as a MOM doesn't mean life as a WOMAN has to end!" There are some days I miss the Mom industry (not many) because I knew MOM made a difference but I know that there are other moms out there fighting the good fight and one of those moms is none other than Kristine Carlson.

Kristine Carlson

I met Kristine on Twitter and quickly figured out who she was. She co-wrote the "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" book series with her late husband Richard Carlson. This book has been in my life for the past 12 years so imagine my JOY when I found Kristine in real life (kind of). To connect and engage with someone who has truly made a difference in the lives of others is so beyond words of gratitude I can't even begin to gush enough about how much I adore her.

THEN! To find out she had just finalized her "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms" book... well! Colour me Merlot!

This book is the guide we've all been waiting for. I couldn't BE more in love with this book had I written it myself (of course mine would have been far more raunchy and inappropriate but had similar messages). Anyway the point is that Kristine has given you a GIFT. Buy this book for yourself, for your friends, for any woman in your life at any stage of motherhood.

And because I'm feeling generous (maybe it's the wine talking here) I think I'll give a copy of the book away to one lucky winner in our "Celebrate Your FIERCE Mom" Contest. Simply enter below. It's a lone prize and not connected with our prize baskets but this is where you enter.

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