Our Personal Transformation Requires Both Inner Work and External Support

Our inner work shapes how we heal & grow. The way we think, process, and act—this is where real personal transformation begins.

But at some point, we need aligned external support to bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be.

Four years ago, I made the difficult decision to permanently lose mobility in my right ankle to finally free myself from decades of chronic pain. Three failed ankle reconstructions had left me with no other option.

I wanted my life back—simple things, like taking my kids to the zoo, walking my dogs, and moving without constant suffering.

What I didn’t fully anticipate was just how much that choice would demand of me.

Overcoming Challenges

Five months on bedrest, watching my muscles deteriorate. Years of painstakingly rebuilding stamina and retraining my body to walk. The stress and pain got so intense, I developed Shingles (I do not recommend).

I had to do the deep inner work—the mindset shifts, the patience, the resilience. That was non-negotiable.

Throughout the process, I was reminded just how essential external support is, too.

Personal transformation isn’t just about mindset—it’s also about having the right tools to move forward.

Tools for Lasting Transformation

My orthopedic surgeon recommended a specific kind of running shoe—one designed for ultra-athletes—that might help compensate for some of the mobility I had permanently lost.

I walked into the store skeptical. But when I laced them up and took a step, I burst into tears. For the first time in years, I could take an almost normal step forward.

That single moment reinforced a truth I already knew: inner work is vital, but the right external support can be the catalyst that makes real change possible. When we align internal growth with external support, personal transformation happens in ways we never expected.

In these shoes, I go from an awkward limp to nearly rolling through a step. That may not sound like much, but to me, it’s everything.

It’s the difference between being held back by my limitations and stepping into a future with less pain.

(Btw – looking to buy yourself a new pair of sneakers? I can’t recommend Hoka enough – check out their website!)

We can do the inner work all day long, but if we don’t have the right external tools, strategies, and support, we can stay stuck.

Fast forward 4 ½ years from this surgery and I am still in an incredible amount of pain. Like with any kind of inner work, at some point we outgrow our resources and we need to scale again.

Personal transformation is a continuous journey, requiring us to reassess and adapt as we grow. I am back to figuring out what healing looks like for my ankle and even considering a below-the-knee amputation.

I am facing these next steps with all the resilience I’ve built over the past few years and an eagerness to find my footing again (pun intended). 😉

This is exactly why I use the Enneagram in my coaching—to help people uncover their deep-rooted patterns, understand their motivations, and break through limitations with the right support.

Using The Enneagram for Personal Transformation

Through my work at Living the Enneagram, I guide people to blend self-awareness with actionable strategies, so they can create real, lasting growth. True personal transformation happens when we combine deep self-awareness with practical, external solutions.

I help people navigate deep personal transformation through the Enneagram, guiding them to understand their patterns, break through limitations, and step into a more aligned, fulfilling life.

My coaching is designed to blend the power of inner work with the right external strategies, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

If you’re ready to break through, to stop struggling on your own, and to finally move forward in a meaningful way, I’m here.

Learn more about how we can work together by clicking the button below.

You can book one single session, if you want to give it a try, or book multiple sessions for a discounted price!

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Are you ready to receive the external support you need to support your personal transformation?