One thing I’ve learned? You can’t hold space for others without holding space for yourself first. As facilitators, our most powerful tool isn’t a method or technique—it’s us. In this episode, I talk about why self-growth is so important and share a story about a facilitator who faced her own trauma while leading a circle. That raw moment showed just how vital it is to confront our own challenges. When we do the inner work, we show up stronger, create deeper connections, and inspire real transformation. Let’s explore what it means to lead by embracing our own journeys.
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“If you want to create real transformation, you have to start with yourself. Because here’s the reality—you can only take your clients as deep as you’ve gone yourself.” ~ Tanya Lynn
Takeaways
- The most effective tool is your presence.
- Facilitators must do their own inner work.
- You can only take your clients as deep as you’ve gone.
- Facilitation is about holding space for yourself first.
- Challenges in facilitation are opportunities for growth.
- Being trauma-informed requires self-exploration.
- Authenticity includes embracing imperfections.
- Brave leadership involves confronting personal patterns.
- Your challenges are invitations to heal.
Chapters
00:00 The Power of Presence in Facilitation
02:54 The Journey of Self-Exploration
05:50 Embodying Leadership and Transformation
Links from Today’s Show
Subscribe to the Brave Women Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-brave-woman-podcast/id1548724581
Featured Transformation
If you feel called to lead and want to create a ripple effect of healing and empowerment, our Become a Licensed & Certified Women’s Circle Facilitator offers the proven tools, support, and mentorship you need to step into this sacred leadership role: https://sistershipcircle.com/become-a-womens-circle-facilitator/
About Tanya Lynn
Tanya Lynn is the visionary founder of Sistership Circle, a global organization that has trained tens of thousands of women how to fill, lead, and grow their women’s circles. With her truth-telling style of leadership, she has a gift of seeing the brilliance in women and activating them to step into their power.
She has successfully integrated the masculine and feminine within herself, making her both fierce and soft, strategic and able to surrender, mission-driven yet highly relatable with her vulnerability. She has been gathering community since growing up as a little girl in San Diego CA, and lived in various places around the world including China, Japan, Spain, and currently Costa Rica where she’s building a goddess temple and retreat center with her husband and business partner Brent.
Tanya is the best-selling author of multiple books including Open Your Heart: How to Be a New Generation Feminine Leader, The Art of Leading Circle, and The Women’s Circle Ritual Handbook. You can count on Tanya to show up no matter what, take 100% responsibility for herself, and receive feedback to make her work even better. She values integrity, authenticity, and co-creative leadership. When she’s not in a circle or training leaders, you can find her with her two daughters Kali and Summer.