Heroes and Helpers #4 - Embracing the journey from 'doing' to 'being' with Amy Dong

The Courageous Life

In the hero's journey, the hero or heroine is called to adventure.
Often in the form of a quest, a challenge, or an adversity,
And often in unexpected ways.

One of the things that’s interesting about the hero's journey is that shortly after the call a helper enters the picture.
A mentor, sage, guide, or a coach of some sort.
They help the hero:

• Navigate the adventure
• Strengthen themselves
• And ultimately transform in ways that allow them to meet their life from a wiser, more skillful, and more responsive place.

As we looked at starting a new series featuring everyday heroes, the role of the helper was striking.
And we couldn’t help but think this new series would be incomplete if we didn’t include episodes featuring helpers.
So here we are.
Launching our fourth episode in this new adventure on the larger Courageous Life podcast.
Conversations featuring inspiring stories from everyday heroes and the helpers who walk beside them.
Last week we released a helper interview with Executive and Leadership Coach Alfreda McCray where we explored the practice of becoming your own inner ally.

Today, I am honored and excited to share another beautiful helpers conversation, with Amy Dong.
Amy is a therapist who specializes in working with individuals and couples, navigating anxiety, supporting relational health, healing from burnout, reprocessing trauma, and finding steady footing through life’s inevitable twists & turns.

Amy is also a gifted writer.
You can find her beautiful and inspiring work on her substack:

The Softening

Which she describes as a walk through our internal landscape, a journey with mental health and well-being in long form.

Personally I subscribe to Amy’s blog and look forward to receiving each new piece as I find her writing a breath of fresh air.

It offers an invitation to slow down in the midst of the hustle of everyday life, to reflect on what’s truly important, and often leaves me feeling hopeful and energized. I would encourage you to check it out.

Today, we’ll explore:

• The story of a helper who during a particularly challenging point left a deep positive impression on Amy - not in what she did, but rather through her way of being.
• How she approaches her work, and the ways in which she walks beside her clients.
• Some of her favorite tools for regulating the nervous system, and finding greater ease as we navigate the 'messy middle' parts of our lives.
• Reflections about the practice of becoming a better friend to yourself.

This conversation was deep, heartfelt, and also offered a number of practical takeaways.
I hope you enjoy the time with Amy as much as I did.
Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:

• Becoming your own inner ally with Alfreda McCray
• Curiosity, trust, and inner wisdom with Shandra Lamotte

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