Episode 167: The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 2 of 8
Today you will hear how Alix Wallner (Rosie and Alan’s middle child, now an adult) builds a foundation underneath courage as she prepares to tell her parents who she is. Grounded confidence is built through micro tests of vulnerability.
In Alix’s case, she explores big questions. Am I gay or transgender? Who can I trust with my secret? Who will be my ally to help navigate a path through this individual and family transformation? What are the pitfalls if this doesn’t go well with my parents and I am not accepted as who I am? How will I survive? How are my parents going to feel?
Alix’s journey is relatable. Becoming your true self and living your authentic life is what we all desire. It takes curiosity to find out who we are and what we are made of. Alix accepts the call of transformation and begins by leading herself, and then invites others to join her on an adventure into the unknown. A huge, scary leap of faith is required.
To lead a business, we are called to take many leaps of faith to grow into the leader we envision ourselves to be. Fear is always a companion until grounded confidence replaces it. Each leap encourages laying down our shields or releasing our masks and moving into vulnerability. Alix’s coming out and how Alan and Rosie walked with her, reluctantly at first, is an example of how grounded confidence through vulnerability creates the framework for a deeply connected family and can lead to a deeply connected and courageous work environment. It can’t happen if you never accept the call to adventure.
Mentoring Tips
Listen for the answers to the following questions:
- How do you relate to The Wallner Family and Alix’s journey of coming out to herself and to her parents?
- What hints did Alix leave to her parents and two sisters?
- What vocabulary did Rosie and Alan need to learn?
- Rosie and Alan handled the news differently and were told at different times, what did they do with the news of Alix expressing her true identity, a transgender woman?
- How did they keep W Creative Branding going?
- Underneath our conversation, what do you hear is in Alix’s, Rosie’s, and Alan’s heart?
Mentoring Help
- Check out our next WeMentor Mini LAB on May 14th!
- Join a WeMentor Entrepreneurial Leadership and Mentoring LAB! Take a leap forward in your business and in your life!
- Subscribe to this podcast.
The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 2 of 8 Episode 167 W Creative Branding
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Meet The Wallners
Both Alan and Rosie are self-employed and over the years the business has been a big part of their family culture, and it’s not uncommon for the entire family to be involved with helping out on a project.
Alan and Rosie met in high school and dated through college. After college they married and together, they have three children: Lizzie (27), Alix (22), and Erin (13) — plus two dogs, Rance and Leo.
Just as their middle child, Alix, was wrapping up her senior year in high school, she came out as transgender.
Rosie Wallner. Rosie grew up in the Chicago area but has made Minnesota her home. As a college student, she met many different types of people and began her journey to be accepting and open-minded to all she meets. As she got older, she embraced a more spiritual lifestyle and has grown in her understanding of life, the Universe, and everything. Rosie works at W Creative and heads up the Copy Management Services; she spends her days doing what she loves, proofreading and editing copy for her clients.
Alan Wallner. Alan grew up with his family running their own landscaping business and has spent his life associated with some form of family business and is an entrepreneur at heart. Alan explains his life journey as one filled with many lessons and learnings that he applies not only to himself but also to their business. Alan believes that how you are on the inside reveals itself exponentially on the outside. This philosophy is a big part of how they run their business W Creative, a brand design agency that helps companies discover their brand life-force and how to leverage it to have a greater impact on the world.
Alixandria Wallner. Alix is a young all-around true Minnesotan gal. She has been living full-time as herself since 2015. She was born male but has always been a bit girly and has been figuring out and experiencing her gender since she was little. As she graduated from high school in 2015, she kicked her transition medically and socially into overdrive. Since then, she has seen herself and her life change for the better! The love for pursuing her favorite interests and education came back in full swing. Right now, she is working on her video production degree and is starting her third year of school this spring. Overall, she has become more outgoing and an all-around happier person.
Episode 167: The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 2 of 8
Author: Nancy A. Meyer, M.A.
Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything). Nancy’s compassionate and collaborative approach reinforces resilience while maintaining accountable conversations supporting how you redefine your lead while redesigning your business. Nancy calls this “Dual Innovation Leadership.” Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring in Dual Innovation Leadership. She has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today! Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are while inspiring them to breakthrough into new dimensions: As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator), As a Competent Business Owner (Practitioner) As a Mentor (Role Model) As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master! Start by subscribing to WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and...
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