We recently connected with Bethany Clemenson and have shared our conversation below.

Bethany, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Something had to give. I had taken a leap and started working with a life coach because I felt stuck in my life. From the outside, it looked like I was killing it – but on the inside, it was killing me. I would lay in bed at night asking myself, “Is this all there is?” I felt so guilty for not being happy when so many people had less than I did. I felt disconnected from my kids and husband and no matter how much I achieved I didn’t feel fulfilled. Looking back, I can see clearly that I was hustling for my worth.  I was working in a leadership position in senior living and as a registered nurse, I was frequently called upon to help out medically. I had the opportunity to sit with many people as they faced death and as I listened to them, I noticed that they never told me about their accomplishments, titles, cars, or bank account balance. It made me pause and think about what I was living my life for and that perhaps what I was striving for wasn’t what would matter in the end.. As time went on, I found that most people died with unfulfilled dreams and a whole lot of regret. I began to think that this may be the path for everyone and became even more discouraged. Then one day, Maxine walked into my life and she was different. She shared stories of doing things that fed her soul and not letting other people’s opinions stop her. She had worked a job she loved as a secretary in a school office and when her husband suddenly passed away, she traveled the US solo in a motorhome. She had good relationships with her kids and showed up as herself. She wasn’t interested in impressing anyone or finding others’ approval. Maxine’s approach to life was something I longed for. As I continued to work with a coach, I began to see how some of the things I believed about myself, others, and the world, were stopping me from feeling fulfilled. I learned how to rewrite my beliefs and set myself free. I began to show up unapologetically as myself, even if no one else understood. Over time my family and I began to think differently and dream together. We longed for a deeper connection. I became a certified life coach and speaker. After a few years, my family and I decided to take a big leap and sell almost everything we owned to buy a motorhome and travel the US. I left my job and decided to make coaching and speaking my full-time business. We traveled for about a year and then bought a multi-cabin property in NW Wisconsin on a beautiful lake. We are currently renovating the cabins for short-term rentals. Today we live tiny between our 800 sq ft cabin in WI and our RV in Florida. We are more connected than ever. Our kids opted to do school online and my oldest graduates from high school in 2023. We are all happier and more fulfilled than we have ever been. Life is not perfect by any means. We have challenges just like everyone else but we have made and continue to make decisions that are right and good for us – regardless of what anyone else thinks. We have created life on our terms and I help others do the same.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I got into coaching because it had such a huge impact on my life. I was faking happiness and going through the motions of life and everyone around me seemed to be doing the same thing. I had read the books and been to the conferences but nothing changed. I “knew” all the things but couldn’t figure out how to get my life to be different. Once I learned about belief systems, blind spots, emotional regulation and intelligence, mindset, and energetics, I shared it with anyone who would listen. As I changed, everything in my life changed. My relationships improved. New people came into my life. I had new opportunities and began to understand what I really wanted for the first time ever. I stopped seeking approval and running my life based on what I felt others expected of me. I was free. I started my coaching and speaking business because I wanted to help others have that too. I don’t teach anything I don’t practice. I also wrote a book called Ditching the Dream: How to live life on your terms to help others set themselves free. The number one regret of the dying is that they wished they had the courage to live life on their terms. I am on a mission to eliminate that. A recent Gallup study showed that 70% of people are unhappy in their jobs and in their lives. We get this one life and it’s time to get to the business of living it instead of just going through the motions and dying with unfulfilled dreams and regrets. It is possible to create a life that you can’t wait to wake up for.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy is showing up as myself and following the things that light me up. Sharing from a place of helping and not from a place of following some guru’s strategy. I spent the first year or so in business trying on other people’s formulas, sales strategies, and processes for success and I learned a lot but the biggest lesson I have learned is to be myself and follow what feels good and right for me. It’s not about the number of followers on social. It’s about the impact you make. I know people who have 400 followers on IG and make over a million dollars annually. What feels good and right for you? No guru needs to approve and no one else needs to understand. I follow people who are authentic and show up that way. Know who you are and what lights you up and then keep doing that!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of clients for me has been and continues to be referrals from people I’ve worked with one-on-one, in group programs/courses, who have read my book, or who have heard me speak.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bethanyclem.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethanyclemenson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakerbethany
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanyclem/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5KcI4HfDtyAaoiSODp3Wsw
• Other: Podcast: https://pod.link/1469132887

Image Credits
Julie Shetler at JB Studios Photography