Episode 169: The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 4 of 8

This is the first time this very private family has taken their journey public in such detail. Now that, is courage!!! Hear Rosie describe her journey to acceptance. Her main message is for you to love others for who they are and respect the journey people are on. We discuss how she arrived at that thinking.

You will hear when they were at their most vulnerable time as a family and what came out of their experience with their business. What happened at a business conference? How did Alan and Rosie’s team respond to the news of Alix’s transition?

We discuss how they managed to grow through the imperfect experience of shifting their mindset from raising two girls and a boy to raising three girls. Where did Rosie get support?

Alix was brilliant and patient in helping her parents accept her transgender self. Hear the idea that helped her parents refer to her with the accurate feminine pronoun of ‘she.’

Things come up that they didn’t know. We discuss who knew what, when, and what circumstances created breakthrough moments as Alix changed how she dressed and began living as a female fulltime. You will find out what Rosie did to secure Alix’s safety at a school dance and Alan’s surprise response.

What was the significance of black and blue nail polish, and then hair color changes? And why would Alix need to catch-up?

You will learn what stays the same and what changes in how they connect and what activities they do with Rosie and with Alan. Is Alix still shoveling the driveway?  They describe what they miss, the activities they no longer do together, and how they reconfigured their bonds. How did they process some of the grief that surfaced (shock, denial, bargaining, limitations in thinking, shame, depression, detachment, big feelings, to acceptance and understanding). They each speak to that and address being mindful of one another and compassionate to themselves. Through this enlightening journey, where have they arrived?

Mentoring Tips

After listening, answer the following questions:

  • What was the most challenging part of Rosie’s journey?
  • What can you do this week to accept another person’s journey?
  • The Wallners didn’t choose their journey. They were called to this adventure. They did what was needed to accept the life changing call. What journey are you on? Maybe your career path and business is different than you had hoped? How can you accept the call to a more lifegiving adventure?
  • What would it take for you to love the path you are on and love your lifework? Try this exercise. Write an I CAN IMAGINE List.
    • I can imagine… easily generating enough income to hire two other exceptional people motivated to realizing goals with WeMentor’s Community of leaders.
    • I can imagine… working with an extraordinary website designer, marketer, and social media content person to build a stronger brand and reach 1M leaders motivating them to transform their lives and business(es) through meaningful conversations and embracing their intrinsic leadership and mentoring value.
    • I can imagine… our house remodeled the way in which Matthew, Olivia, and I envision it.

Mentoring Help

The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 4 of 8         Episode 169  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 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 169: The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 4 of 8

Nancy A. Meyer, M.A.
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...

About the Author
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 hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign your business. SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
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