We recently connected with Eva Whitmer and have shared our conversation below.

Eva, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was choosing to end my marriage after twenty years. It was the hardest decision of my life—one that took me a long time to make. For years, I lived according to what I thought I should do: be the good wife, keep the peace, hold everything together. I built a life that looked solid from the outside, but inside I felt disconnected from myself and out of integrity with my values.

It took me two decades to finally listen to that quiet voice inside telling me I wasn’t living authentically. Leaving meant risking everything that gave me a sense of security—my home, financial stability, and relationships I thought would always be there. And honestly, the fallout was painful. I lost people I never expected to lose. But that experience also taught me something profound about surrender—about letting go of what’s no longer meant for you so you can grow into who you really are.

That decision cracked me open in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It forced me to rebuild from the inside out and ultimately led me to my life’s work—supporting others through their own transformations and helping them find the same courage to live in alignment with their truth.

Looking back, it was the most terrifying and liberating thing I’ve ever done. It taught me that true security doesn’t come from certainty or approval—it comes from integrity, from living a life that’s honest and aligned with your soul.

Eva, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a licensed professional counselor and the founder of The Rising Sol, a therapy practice that focuses on trauma healing, authenticity, and personal transformation. My path into this work came from a mix of professional training and very personal experience. I’ve lived through my own cycle of abuse and know firsthand what it takes to heal, to break free from old patterns, and to rebuild a life that actually feels like yours.

That journey gave me a deep respect for the bravery it takes to face your pain and grow through it. I wanted to create a space where people could feel safe to do that—where they can unburden, be seen, and start to reconnect with who they really are.

I offer individual therapy, intensives, and soon I’ll be adding ketamine-assisted therapy to support even deeper healing. My approach is holistic and intuitive—I integrate evidence-based trauma modalities with mindfulness, relational work, and self-led practices. I believe true healing happens when we honor both the mind and the body, and when we allow the soul to lead.

The name, The Rising Sol, has special meaning to me. “Sol” means both “soul” and “sun.” It represents the resilience it takes to rise again after dark times—to remember that no matter what you’ve been through, your light is still there. That belief is really at the heart of my work.

What sets my practice apart is the level of authenticity and presence I bring into the room. I don’t hide behind a professional mask—I meet my clients human to human. I know how hard it is to walk through transformation, and I consider it an honor to walk alongside people as they learn to live in alignment with their truth.

I’m most proud of the space I’ve created for that kind of deep work to happen. The Rising Sol isn’t just about healing—it’s about helping people rise into the fullness of who they are.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I decided to go into private practice, it was both exciting and terrifying. I didn’t have a safety net—no savings, no business capital—just a really strong sense that it was time. I had spent so much of my life waiting for the “right moment” to make big changes, and this time I knew I couldn’t wait anymore. I felt called to create something that was fully aligned with who I am and how I want to serve.

But almost immediately after I made that leap, everything seemed to fall apart. I went through a sudden financial fallout that left me in pure survival mode. I remember nights of panic, staring at my budget, wondering how I was going to make it through the month. It felt like everything was testing my resolve—asking, “Are you really going to trust yourself this time?”

There were definitely moments of doubt, but underneath all of it, there was this quiet knowing that I was where I was meant to be. I kept showing up. I stayed focused on being of service, even when I didn’t know how it would all work out.

And somehow, it did. Within six months, I had met my business goals and built a full practice. That experience changed me—it taught me how strong I really am, and that resilience isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about showing up for yourself, over and over again, even when everything feels uncertain.

That season reminded me that faith and alignment will always carry you further than fear ever will.

Have you ever had to pivot?

This past year has been a season of deep reflection and realignment for me. After a concentrated time of pouring myself into building my private practice—and finally reaching the version of success I thought I was supposed to want—I found myself completely burned out. I was exhausted, running on empty, and realizing that the pace I was keeping wasn’t sustainable.

It caught me off guard because I truly love the work I do. But somewhere along the way, I stopped honoring my own limits. I was showing up for everyone else and leaving very little space for myself. That realization was uncomfortable, especially because I spend so much time helping others learn to set boundaries and listen to their needs. It was a humbling moment to recognize that I needed to do the same.

So I started to slow down. I reevaluated what alignment looks like for me, both personally and professionally. That process meant making some hard choices—scaling back my caseload, adjusting my financial goals, saying no when it would have been easier to say yes. It meant risking disappointment and facing the fear of judgment, but it also felt like an act of integrity.

This pivot has taught me a lot about capacity, balance, and self-trust. It’s pushed me to explore how much of my worth has been tied to caretaking and productivity, and to redefine what success really means to me.

In the end, it’s been liberating. I’m learning that showing up for myself isn’t separate from the work—it’s part of it. I can’t hold space for others in an authentic way if I’m not doing the same for myself. This season has been a return to that truth, and it’s reshaping not just my practice, but how I live.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therisingsol.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therisingsol_eva/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evawhitmertherisingsol/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-whitmer-lpc-npt-c-b6990b191/

Image Credits

Z Jeree Photography