Susan’s story begins in a chaotic household, where her parents struggled with addiction, alcoholism, and mental illness. Despite the harsh environment, Susan made the brave decision to leave home the day after high school graduation and moved to New York City. She found work in a unique and innovative field at the time – matching celebrities to brands.
The Struggles of Childhood
As we delved deeper into Susan’s childhood, she expressed her love and respect for her parents, who also came from abusive backgrounds. She explained that there was blame, shame, and various types of abuse in her household. Love was scarce, and it was a competitive environment where everyone fought for whatever little was available.
Susan always knew something was not right and that she needed to escape. She had a strong desire to go to New York City and be like Barbara Walters. After graduating high school, she left home and took a job at the Jersey Shore for the summer before heading to college in Ohio.
The Journey to Success
During college, Susan learned about arts management in New York City and decided to intern there. She had to negotiate with her college to make it happen, but she eventually made her way to the city that never sleeps.
Susan shared a pivotal moment in her career when she walked into a dark studio and saw a famous person with platinum blonde hair scribbling away. Despite feeling scared, Susan mustered up the courage to approach him. When he asked her why he should work with her, Susan quickly responded by offering to have his beloved pugs in the shot with him. This simple gesture convinced him to collaborate with her, which ultimately propelled her career forward.
The Importance of Persistence
Reflecting on this story, I emphasized the importance of persistence and showing up. I shared my own experiences of reaching out to influential people and how it took years of effort to get noticed. I believe that when you show up and make an effort, people are more likely to give you a chance.
Susan agreed and acknowledged that while luck has played a role in her success, it also took bravery and courage to repeatedly put herself out there and face rejection. She shared that she never fit into corporate settings and often took unconventional approaches without worrying about how others would view her.
The Power of Intuition
Our conversation then shifted to the topic of intuition. Susan believes that women have a unique capability to intuit, which has played a significant role in her life and career.
The False Sense of Self-Worth
Susan shared her experience of using endurance sports and exercise as a way to create a false sense of self-worth. She talked about her intense training regimen, which included swimming, kettlebell workouts, and hot yoga. However, she eventually suffered a serious hip impingement, which led her to search for alternative modalities to heal her body.
The Realization and Healing
Susan reflected on the realization that she was using exercise as a means of numbing herself and proving her worth. She acknowledges that the physicality of the activities was not the issue, but rather the meaning she attached to them.
The Divorce and Detachment
The divorce process was challenging for Susan, as she had to confront her fear of abandonment and stand up for herself. She maintained no contact with her ex-husband for a year, which allowed her to regain her power and find compassion for both herself and him. Through this experience, Susan’s perspective on divorce and detachment shifted, and she emphasizes the importance of having compassion for both parties involved.
