Episode 168: The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 3 of 8
Alan describes how Alix was the gift that led him to accept himself and, as an extension, accept Alix, his transgender daughter. The thick wall built up around his heart finally collapsed. Rosie, Alix, and Alan laugh about their approach and how each one of them tried to control the identity crisis that ensued Alix’s disclosures a few months before graduation. Who knew the making of Alix’s graduation video would lead to such an astonishing life transformation.
Chaos and rigidity in our thinking can stunt our ability to integrate new learnings. You will get a clear picture of how the Wallners worked their way through chaos to gain control and take charge of the direction of their family. The messy process. How frightening to have your daughter tell you she is contemplating suicide as body dysmorphia set into Alix’s psyche. Hear what Alan and Rosie did to get to Alix, who was four hours away at college. What kind of resources were a best fit for their family? How did they all participate in the process to integrate what they learned and reach acceptance?
They can all laugh about it now, but Alan’s journey to acceptance was fraught with lures to build a thicker wall around his heart and induce his mind into rigid compartmentalizing. Instead, he discovered a path to integration that freed his encapsulated mind and opened his heart to discover his authentic self and unconditional love for his daughter, Alix. His whole life changed and became richer. His love for Rosie and their other two children, Lizzie and Erin, also deepened. They became more connected with each other. They learned over a three-year period how to communicate in their safe place at home.
As a result of this transformation Alan and Rosie reinvented W Creative Branding based on everything they have been learning. They now focus on building business brands from the heart. People are rallying around them. Alan’s biggest take away is be yourself and be authentic! Their new tagline is… Be REMARKABLE! Listen in for how Alan describes his journey to acceptance.
Mentoring Tips
Listen for the answers to the following questions:
- What was the most challenging part of Alan’s journey?
- What were the decisions Alan made to choose to grow closer as a family?
- How can you apply some of what you learned from The Wallners to your own life?
- What can you do this week to Be REMARKABLE?
Mentoring Help
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The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 3 of 8 Episode 168 W Creative Branding
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Resources
- John Patching
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- The Wallners Journey to Acceptance Podcast Episodes 1 & 2
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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 for short 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 168: The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 3 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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