Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Birch
Hi Jackie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I did not believe in myself in the earlier years of my life. I could not picture myself achieving half of all I dreamt of despite feeling that I was meant for more, posing as a huge contradiction. I did not know who I was, and honestly- I did not like myself.
Coming from a battle with anxiety and depression, I found physical movement and exercise to be my escape. It even turned into something that has saved my life.
About five years ago, I decided I wanted more for myself and out of life. With this decision, I realized I was the one who was going to have to take action to change – no one else was going to do the work for me. Combining physical movement with working on my mental health – I asked myself, “What if my mind was a muscle?” From that point on, I treated it as if it was and knew it would be something I would have to “work out” often to maintain its strength.
Working on my mental health came with what felt like one obstacle after the other, and my shadow side became brighter. I knew I would have to face myself and everything I ultimately wanted to avoid. I decided to tell myself I was “Running TO, not FROM.” This became the blueprint of my new life.
Five years later, I have had the privilege of working with people from all different backgrounds of life and found my purpose being helping others reach their full potential, with the understanding that YOU are the creator of your reality through your thoughts and mindset. I coach others to understand that your mind is a muscle and should be treated as such. If you grow to maintain a strong mindset, believe in yourself, work hard, and persevere, you WILL achieve anything you desire.
My intention within my Mind Training and Soul Purpose coaching practice, “Run To Not From,” is to help my clients understand how their mind, body, and spirit are connected. Understanding this and taking action will lead you to step into alignment with who you are meant to be. I aim to help you develop a strong foundation and healthy coping mechanisms to conquer challenges.
I remind people that the most valuable investment you can make is within yourself, and your mind should be treated as a MUSCLE you want to grow.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I moved out of my childhood home at 18 years old, moved down to Florida to attend college, signed a lease to my first apartment at 19 years old, and quickly realized why it was not a “typical” thing for a teenager to be on their own. I was going to college and working 3 jobs, all the while trying to keep going in life despite my wanting just to give up.
This came with having my bank account overdrawn and working myself to the bone to make just enough for food. I felt lost, angry, and, above all, scared that this was all life would be.
As a young adult, I experienced abusive relationships, toxic partnerships, and an extreme sense of low self-worth to even feel like I would be deserving of anything other than abuse and toxicity.
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced extreme heartbreak, self-doubt, loss, regret, and a battle with restless anxiety and depression. I used to feel that life was out to get me, that there was something wrong with me, and no one would ever hear me or really understand me.
Turned out, I was the only person in the world who needed to see myself, and believe in myself. I realized I would have to stop pointing the finger outward and blaming others for the way my life had been, and start pointing my finger inward to look at the decisions I was making and reevaluate if they were in my best interest. Switching from the role of “victim” to “CEO of my life” brought on the change that ultimately saved my life.
I learned to take my challenges and turn the hardship into fuel. I became intrinsically motivated to do better for myself, and with a ton of self-work (that I still do every single day), I turned my life around. On the other side of a breakdown is a breakthrough, and you just have to keep going despite the challenges to get there – because the other side is SO worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Run To Not From is a wellness coaching brand constructed around the idea that we should all train our minds as if they are a muscle. This means continuing to do the work, face yourself without judgement, and to love yourself enough to give yourself more. Specializations including: Mental and Physical Wellness, Time Management, and Inner-Child Work.
Run To Not From has a variety of coaching options for anyone and everyone. The most popular plan is the Run To Not From workbook. This workbook is 70 pages and designed to help you enhance your self-awareness and develop and maintain a strong foundation. A three part workbook allowing you to pick a physical activity to work on (walking, running, yoga etc.) to cohesively with your mental work. It is designed to help you connect your mind and your body, and learn to use one another to enhance one another. The physical activity can be optional – but is strongly recommended.
Part one explains the mind and body connection, backed with scientific evidence of how your gut is connected to your brain and the truth behind defense mechanisms vs healthy coping mechanisms and building your support system.
Part 2 helps you to face your shadow parts (the parts you want to avoid) and learn to use them as helpful tools rather than trying to get rid of them. In other words, Part 2 is about facing yourself and exploring your whole self – yes, even the parts you want to avoid.
Part 3 dives into the depths of giving your current self-recognition and your inner child acknowledgment and healing. Learn how to eliminate the need for external validation and come to see that you are all you need to be to reach fulfillment.
When coaching either one-on-one or group sessions, I construct a space for each person to feel and recognize the depth of their purpose. I work with others helping them to listen to their intuition (or gut feelings / inner voice), allowing them to connect with their higher self and true desires while eliminating self-judgment. Through personalized attention and connection, I value creating strong partnerships by acting as a mirror for the best version of yourself to reflect on you. I encourage each person to lead with their hearts, step into gratitude, listen, and rely solely on themselves to live a life of peace and acceptance – the life everyone deserves and is destined to live. I know the answers each person seeks will be found through self-discovery, and together, we can bring the answers you seek to light.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
The best investment you can make is with YOU! You are worthy, capable, and deserving of being happy and living a fulfilling life and it is up to you and only you to make the conscious decision to give yourself exactly what you desire.
Pricing:
- Workbook (as is): $75.00
- Customized Workbook (designed specifically for you) $125
- 3-Month Coaching Program: Originally $999.00 End of Year sale to $699.00
- One-on-One Coaching Session: $75/hour
- Group Coaching Sessions: $50/ hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tonotfrom.net/
- Instagram: @lifesabirch__
Image Credits
Alexus Hoechst
