Natural Strength Coaching

02/28/2025

I sense I have something that could be a game-changer for neurodivergents who are remote employees, entrepreneurs, side hustlers, creators and even mindful citizens looking for purposeful community.

If you are absolutely determined to get something done or amp up productivity and refine work habits to high performance levels, I invite you to try out our FREE 3-DAY TRIAL for our 30-day Made To Do This Together online coworking group! Our 9th cohort starts this MONDAY, MAR 3, 2025 at 9am.

See why there is a 63% return rate!! JOIN BY MAR 2 HERE - https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

01/09/2025

Be your most productive - without changing who you are
I've loved my unstructured unfocused time over the holidays but I'm also clear that this alone, won't get me to where I want to go. I remember not too long ago, I felt untethered after holidays or breaks. The transition back felt overwhelming. Random urgent things kept pulling me in every direction and I couldn't shake this feeling that I was treading to stay afloat rather than building and advancing. Not this year.
When I finally embraced my unique needs and a neurodivergent, I had to admit that the world often felt overstimulating and out of sync with how I needed to function. These spaces didn't bring out the best in me. I tried many different accountability groups, even one from a NASA systems engineer. He had great systems but energetically it was lacking heart. I needed an energetic container that gave my unique heart, brain, and spirit safety to work exactly the way that I wanted.
I stopped chasing productivity as an endless grind and started building systems of support, connection, and accountability that actually worked for me. And now I'm sharing this with you.
As I facilitate my 8th cohort of Made to Do This Together, I’m in awe of how far this journey has brought me as well as others. I’m more productive, grounded and fulfilled than I have been in a long time. People are writing their books, applying for their next job, clearing out spaces in their homes, putting together their coaching programs, locking in their self-care habits, and so much more.
This isn’t just a coworking program; it’s a 30-day transformative experience. Together, we’re creating a space where creative, caring, brilliant entrepreneurs like you can find the focus and flow you’ve been searching for—without changing who you are. Imagine what’s possible when you feel truly seen and supported. I'd love for you to join us.
Join us
What are you focused on now? Whether it is a project or a way of being, stop the grinding, tense, exhausting way of working, and try on a mindful, nourishing, highly effective (95% follow through level of evidence-based effective) way of working that builds your value as you contribute. Let's do it together. As a bonus, I'm sharing a simple 10min goal check-in system that I learned from a NASA systems engineer with ADHD that has been making it easier for me to stay laser-focused, courageously saying no to what doesn't fit, and most importantly, keep ME as a priority in my goals! We kick this off on Monday at 9am MST.
30 days, over 50 guided coworking hours, guided goal visualizations, daily check in tool, interesting individuals, and gentle non-judgemental space to nurture your most productive self, for only $111!

Join now here - https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

CLEAR FOR FLOW tonight at 6pm MST
Our only gathering that gives you space to express + receive optional laser coaching for an important challenge or problem. Drop in for $11 at 6pm MST tonight here -https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/group

01/02/2025

Sit in the "in progress" moments, it takes you through

My body tensed as our back end swung out after a right turn onto Highway 762. I looked over to see my daughter's eyes slightly wider. She countersteered well despite being visibly startled. Now that we were straightened out again, I took a moment to breathe deeply to stop myself from responding with tension. "Do you know why that happened? Take that as a data point. That usually means we are going too fast for how icy it is." "Okay she nodded, and proceeded to slow her speed."

Ooo wee, this parenting stuff takes skills that need more work. I am much more comfortable when tackling tough performance goals. MBA? Marathon running? Tough work project? Sure! I'm in! Trusting a hormonal teenager with my life? Self-regulating fearful nervous system responses and communicating calmly to encourage supportive learning? Well, I admit, I have a ways to go.

I've been working on a lot of things I'm not naturally good at, like:

❤️ALLOWING instead of EFFORTING everything with a tension-filled body

❤️SENSING what's aligned instead of OVERANALYZING what other experts tout as best

❤️Nurturing a baseline of PEACEFUL BEING with INTENTIONAL AND PRESENT DOING

❤️And treating my unique needs with REVERENCE and respect, even when others deem it unreasonable.

I feel like I'm coming back home to myself more and more, and thus able to honour the individual paths of everyone I encounter with more understanding, compassion and acceptance. Still needs work, but I'm sitting in the "in progress moments" exactly as they are and making my way through. I know so many of you are doing the work and I want you to know you're not alone. We are all walking each other home.

May you have a nourishing and fulfilling 2025.

Love, Crystal

PICS: (1&2) My family walking along Fish Creek Park in Calgary and (3) A natural space along Aspen Creek Drive (it's so beautiful this time of year!)

Free Your F'ing Truth What is your body telling you as you start 2025? Breathe, reflect, explore, and share as you feel called. Everyone welcome. Free to drop in at 6pm MST tonight. https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/f9251e13-6ab9-4390-b8e8-401db46bcd8a

Made To Do This Together VIII, starts soon! Enrollments are coming in! https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

12/26/2024

Maybe I've Always Been In It

"Have you seen my phone?" I ask Mark (this is a regular question for me).

It's Christmas morning, about 11am, and I'm coming out of another one of those "wake up and get back to sleep" mid-life episodes.

"There it is!" I find it blending into the black table by the front door. I see all the green dots beside the unanswered text messages and my body responds by taking a deep breath. I put the phone down, face down (ironically, on our black couch to set me up for the next round of 'have you seen my phone?' adventures).

Interesting, my body wants to avoid the messages. My default programming has defined these Christmas greetings as time-sensitive responsibilities. I tense up. "I'm going to start brunch," I say, overwhelmed and surrendering to the avoidance.

I loved our family time. We enjoyed a simple and meaningful card and gift opening, leisurely brunch, and quiet puzzle-making time together before heading into prep for dinner with extended family. I finally faced the avoidance and actually enjoyed responding to texts on the way to dinner. We ate, we drank, we played, we talked, it was all wonderful....I did forget my phone at their house and we had to drive back to get it :) but overall everything still feels fine.

Our experiences of the holiday season haven't changed much but I clearly remember they used to leave me exhausted, wound up, irritable, and emotional. Yet today, I'm feeling so fine. What's happening? Hormones balancing with the supplements? Years of boundary work holding my energy together better? Chiropractor alignment getting me out of fight-flight? Years of detoxing from regular corporate hustle giving me back my peaceful baseline? Complete acceptance from community healing my self-worth? Maybe I've always been "in it," but now making friends with it? I believe it all plays a part and I'm SO grateful.

Thank you to you. You are my safe space holder here in this email world.

My holiday wish is that you make friends with all your parts and accept others into your lives who truly wish to love you exactly as you are.

It's all a practice, and you get to decide what you master. They say 10,000 hours makes you a master. How much better would your life be if you were masterfully loved and accepted, EXACTLY AS YOU ARE? We're at over 282 hours of community gathering healing since 2021 and over 1400 hours of community coworking. It may not be you holding yourself back, it may be your community.

Love and Let Go With Ho'oponopono. Feel out our safe space. Come for a simple and sacred journaling practice centred on this Hawaiian prayer to close of yourmonth. Just show up in a quiet and private space and we'll take care of the rest. 6pm MST tonight. Sign up here for $11: https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/0c91ed08-e4a3-4f0a-91e5-8d02ecb40eee

Made To Do This Together, starts Jan 13, 2025

That thing you can't seem to take to the finish line has been waiting for us. Check out what makes this process different. Learn more here:
https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

12/12/2024

I'M COMING THROUGH THE MESSY IN-BETWEEN
I placed my beach bag on the sunlounger as I looked out to the ocean. Closing my eyes I took a deep breath. I felt a pang of sadness that showed up as heaviness in my heart space and a slight burning behind my eyes. I will miss my mornings walking with the ocean and sun. I will miss the pleasure of focusing only on what Spirit calls me to moment by moment. I will miss the safety and easy companionship of being with my friend of nearly 30 years.

Tears come to the surface. It also feels like joy. A smile makes its way out of me. Who am I to enjoy these blessings? I am overwhelmed. I feel like I've loved so fiercely for most of my life. I've worked so damn hard to achieve so many goals. I've felt so deeply. I've expressed so loudly. And now, as I sit and take this moment in, I feel the weariness and conclusion of a chapter of my journey. Am I here on this trip to process the enormity of this life phase? Feel the ambivalence of this state and come to peace with it?

I'm coming through the messy in-between.

Where are you at? Process with me tonight at our gathering, Clear for Flow. Get comfortable in a quiet private place and just show up exactly as you are. I'll meet you there 6pm MDT.

CLEAR FOR FLOW GATHERING Whatever you are going through, try on what it feels like to go through it together in a safe and supportive container. Speak, feel, understand, and clear the way. See you tonight at 6pm MDT. Sign up here - https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/99856811-e0ba-4f7d-be28-686565f4b260

MADE TO DO THIS TOGETHER VIII, starts Jan 13, 2025. It's as if I can enjoy my downtime even more because I have a deep confidence that I will be in super-focus mode when we start up again in coworking. Am I meant to start writing my book? What about you? What are you meant to step into? Sign up at https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

12/05/2024

You are deeply affected by your environment
I am sitting at the back of my office taking a nourishing pause with slow deep breaths. My body relaxes into my supportive chair. I notice the view of trees to my left, right and in front of me. How did I not see the value of this view the last time I moved my desk here?!
Anyone else experience this? You're don't appreciate something until you're ready to appreciate it.
Every few months, I get taken over by a force inside me. My body gets a bit frantic as my everyday routine gradually builds in irritation. I move around the house, noticing all the little things I don't like and I get little bursts of inspiration for where to move furniture or put up a photo, or get rid of something I'm tired of looking at.
This is the moment where I know: I've outgrown my current space again.
It's an instinct within that pays respect to the deep wisdom: I know my surroundings are co-creating with my soul at every moment and my surroundings must be aligned with where I am going and who I am and want to be. Science backs this up. Especially those that have the Highly Sensitive Person Trait, KNOW THIS! You are deeply affected by your environment, for better and for worse. This is called differential susceptibility.
Why is this so important for you to know? Your momentum could have slowed simply because there is a misalignment in your environment, your people, or your things... Your body could be asking you to give yourself the energetic support in the form of changes around you, so that you can easily move to your next phase.
When in transition to a new phase (which feels like every few months), I get irritated by the things around me that don't align. That creates tension in my body and I burst into "move the furniture, do deep cleaning, paint a painting, purge belongings mode." I've come to learn, it's my body guiding me. Your differential susceptibility is a gift when you listen to its signals!
What is your body saying, or screaming at you? Try this fun exercise, set a timer of 10 minutes and clear out that front closet that's been slowly draining your energy every time you grab your coat, or move that desk to the spot that gets more light, or do that thing that gets rid of what has been driving you crazy. Notice your energy after. When you get alignment, you will notice a big boost of energy, well worth the 10 minutes you've invested!
Free Your F'ing Truth, Each week at our Thursday gatherings, we tune in and see what our bodies are saying. We practice speaking our truth. We get better at listening. Join me here at 6pm MDT tonight. It's free! Sign up now: https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/29dd0500-419d-4ad1-8b51-e7d243b657b5
Made To Do This Together VIII, starts Jan 13, 2025. Each day of our Made to Do This Together coworking group, we bring back online our body wisdom. We get it. Disconnection is a coping mechanism for the overstimulation, overconsumption, and ridiculous pace society runs at. Together, we use create an environment that sets up space that makes it easy to get centered, tune into what's important, get aligned, and move forward in a concrete way. Find out more here: https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether
I'd love for you to join me tonight for Free Your F'ing Truth or Jan 13th when we start our next 30-day coworking journey. It just might give you the tools to have the success you've always wanted. And the best part is, it comes from deep within yourself.
Crystal

11/28/2024

It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better
"Remember, it gets worse before it gets better," the Chiropractor said as I got up to leave. I had some new tension on the left side of my head and along my right forearm after a super quick and gentle adjustment of my C1. "Such a good reminder, thanks."

I experienced this when I started Low Light Laser Therapy as well. I was alarmed after my first session. "It feels like my anxiety is coming back!" I pleaded with my functional medicine doctor, debating on stopping after just 1 of 16 sessions. "It's like I can feel the blood moving faster and harder inside me. I don't want 3 years of meditation to unravel!" " Stick with it Crystal," he comforted, "your body is getting used to a different level of energy and this is just the adjustment."

PIC: View from partway up Two Pine

Do you relate?

It's like the storm before the calm.

❤️An argument uncovers new truths and makes way for a deeper love...

❤️A thunderstorm clears out old debris and allows for new growth...

❤️A letting go of old friendships to make way for a more aligned community...

I can't believe our Natural Strength Community has come together in sacred circle roughly 188 times since March of 2021! I'm in awe of how we've all gone through our cycles of feeling worse before feeling better. Having others witness and hold unconditionally loving space is truly the glue that keeps me together when I'm just about ready to give up. Join us on this continuously evolving journey.

Love and Let Go With Ho'oponopono
Tonight 6pm MDT

What will come through for you tonight as we meditate on this sacred prayer:

I'm Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Thank You, I Love You.

Drop in tonight for $11 at https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/d4ceca94-4fb6-471c-9bf7-d37398a31e84

Made To Do This Together VIII, starts Jan 13, 2025. Sign up at https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

Thankful for all of you, on this American Thanksgiving Day!

Crystal

11/14/2024

Busy But Not Moving Forward

We settled into the car for the 3-hour drive back and the dry air hit the back of my throat. Shoot, I forgot to get cough drops! I realized this just as I went into another spell of hack attacks. We had just spent the last eight hours in West Edmonton Mall and another outlet mall and I didn't take care of the one tiny thing that would feel hugely supportive of me. Instead, I was...

- tuning into our Spain exchange student to gauge her comfort level with the rides at the amusement park

- making sure Brooke was ok after getting stuck on a slide at the waterpark

- looking for the outlet shopping that our exchange student had been asking for

- feeling into Mark's state knowing this experience was a big stretch for him

- processing a ridiculous amount of commercialized stimulation

Ever feel this way? Like you're doing so much, taking care of so many people, using up so much of your energy for others to come to the end of your day tired, not fulfilling even your basic needs, let alone moving your big dreams forward?

Pic: Me right now, getting ready to go to a networking meeting. I'm doing the hard things for my dreams!

I get it. Supporting others is highly valuable and deeply rewarding. And then, there comes a time when that quiet voice within gets loud, then screams at you. You must honour your call. Spirit is relentless.

It's tough to do when you're so "others-focused." I had to create an accountability container that gets me to show up consistently for myself and my big dreams - not in a grinding way, but in a Spirit-connected, grounded way. This builds my habit of following through day after day. Whether you're just starting this journey, or you've been at it for a while, I'm confident that you'll amp up your effectiveness while we, together, make ourselves and our dreams a priority.

Made To Do This Together VIII

Are you a good fit for our next cohort starting Jan 13, 2025? Take a look at what others are getting from Made to Do This Together and stop feeling like you're busy but not moving forward. Let's do this! We are open for early bird registration now! https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

Clear for Flow
Tonight 6pm MDT

What's blocking your flow? Come and speak your blocks out of your way. Tune into your truth. Be held in safe space. https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/fa06886c-cbb2-4b07-9abf-e6bcb5358343

11/07/2024

Accept the things I cannot change

"If ever there was a day we needed this group regulation..." one of the coworking participants said as we opened the Zoom room the morning after the US election. We didn't talk much about it, but we certainly could feel it. And we also got to work on what we needed for the next three hours.

I'm thankful.

Regardless of what is happening in the world, this space anchors me to my commitment to move my own life forward intentionally, with the things I can change.

As I tune into my body, I can feel aching in my left lower back. There is a residual fear there. A part of me feels like I can't fully thrive as an interdependent being while meeting my current definition of being a mother, a wife and a thriving healthy person. It is asking for change. I have had waves of grief expressing itself through tears over the last few weeks. I've also had incredible conversations around potential partnerships I'm working on for growing our reach come January 2025. This life I've been given has complex needs (see last newsletter about Ambition and Sensitivity). I accept it. My security is found in my daily practice of opening to Spirit to guide me every step of the way.

Healing is a continuous journey, and I want you to know, you are an anchoring presence for me. Thank you for being here. I don't know how or if you will ever really know how much you all mean to me. You provide the space for me to be, well me. It's a lot, I know.

Free Your F'ing Truth
Tonight 6pm MDT

What's on your heart this week? Speak freely with full presence. Hold loving space for whatever comes through others as well. This simple symbiotic reciprocity is profoundly healing when you allow it to be. https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/weeklygathering-freeyourfingtruth

Made To Do This Together
Instead of always feeling busy but not moving forward, anchor yourself in your intentional path. You will see yourself progress towards your dreams. You will feel the relief of finally getting that important thing done. Be held in loving space that accepts you exactly as you are, while helping you follow through by up to 95% with this evidence-based model. Accepting Individuals and organizations now. https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

10/31/2024

How Do I Balance My Sensitivity and Ambition?

I'm learning to ride out my seasons of creation, and the countering seasons of rest and recovery, with more compassion and love.

There it goes. The base of my left index finger starts to throb.

This happens to me precisely at the moment I am feeling deep emotional pain. I was watching a show where childhood friends had to shed the facade of a perfect life as they discovered they share a common ground - they are both being abused in their household. It's all too real for me. I started noticing this interesting emotional and physical connection a few years ago as I worked on dissociating less and feeling into my body more. I get heartache, tears, physical pain and then an overwhelming soothing body release afterwards. So cathartic. Whew, I needed that release.

I'm a sensitive person, I need the time to process it all

The last few weeks were very contrasting. I transitioned from a family of 4 to a family of 5 with our Spain exchange student joining us. I hosted 16 people for Thanksgiving. I launched my 6th cohort of our coworking group. I closed down my garden for the season. I moved my website and learned an entirely new platform. I amp'd up my baking and cooking repertoire considerably. I dug up a whole lot more wounds to be healed while I was at it.

I'm an ambitious person, and I need to honour the vision that drives me.

It took me a long time to let myself explore all these complex and contrasting parts of me. Most people will not understand and I'm coming to peace with that. I want to love people the way I want to be loved. I don't need to understand fully, I just want to accept and celebrate you the way you are. Slowly but surely. It is coming.

Bonus Automatic Writing With Spirit
Tonight at 6pm MDT
Our 5th gathering of the month. Get comfortable with your pen and paper. Spirit will guide us in automatic writing as we show up in our impeccable truth through writing. No experience is necessary. Drop in for $11. https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/66582e02-5210-4543-b62c-e46be71af85d

Made To Do This Together
Honours your sensory sensitivity AND your ambition
Check out this incredible moment of flow experienced in yesterday's session: "I was sitting with the discomfort and in doing so, it involved mindfulness and being in the body. As I was doing this, it turned my special interest autistic senses way up to an 11, a total wash of heat and the entire world fell away and I was all of a sudden hyperfocused and I was never really in my body when that happened, and all of a sudden, there were 5 more slides updated on my presentation!" - Sean https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

You are loved
No matter what, there is something greater that loves you unconditionally, she is accessible to each one of us. Where the human parts of us falter, Spirit makes up for, infinitely. Practice tapping in, and never be without again.

Sending love to you,

Crystal

Our 5th gathering in a month stays true to the foundational service to give you space to be seen, heard, felt and understood, exactly as you are. Show up comfortable and cozy and participate only as you feel safe. Spirit will guide us in automatic writing as we show up in our impeccable truth throug...

10/24/2024

Accepting What Is, Is The Way Through

Whew. When I close my eyes I see googly eyes all over the place staring back at me. It feels creepy.

I just jumped off an "AI for business" call after being there for about 3 minutes. The last thing I heard was "This makes your eyes look like they are looking deep into yours, even if you are reading off of a teleprompter or looking around" "Wow!" "Amazing!" "I need this" was how the responses went in the chat. My body's response? Nope. Just nope. "I'm in the wrong place," I could hear myself thinking, and promptly jumped off.

(Pic: This is me, no filter, no AI, just me actually looking into your eyes. Thank you for being here)

The most important lesson from my awakening journey = truth. It all starts there. Truth sets you free. Accepting what is, is the way through, and gets you to what you desire. How do I make friends with AI and receive its incredible benefits while staying true to my core values? I am reminded... moment by moment, I must continue to lean i, tune into my body, and trust it to lead me to my true path.
Is this why my body broke down with fatigue for years? Did I keep making decisions that fast-tracked my way to outcomes without listening to my body messages? Is this why 4 years ago, in 2020, I had to face a dark hidden truth: I desired an end to my life. "You have everything!" I remember my dad saying to me. It's true. I did "have it all" on paper, but then why do I feel this way? I started listening with loving curiosity. I was deeply misaligned. And fulfilment comes from alignment to values...but how do you even know your values when you have CPTSD from a controlling upbringing that told you who you were, what to do, what was right, what was wrong? I didn't know my truth. (which may have been a necessary survival mechanism for desperate immigrants learning how to live in a new world). Shaming, which was a fast solution to stop behaviour short term, also destroyed my worth as a highly sensitive person.

I see now, that it was inevitable: This life I live right now. And I'm grateful to see more truth, to embrace more truth, and finally, to live more true to myself. I love growing nutrient-dense food for me and my family. I love letting go of the "absolutes" of right and wrong and playing in the freedom of embracing everything as having a place. Gardening, baking pies, chasing northern lights, supporting my girls' extracurriculars (so fun, Brooke's first time at Model UN that happened to be held at Winston Churchill, where her dad graduated from), this is where I belong, and what will make me want to stay.

Making my eyes do something they're not actually doing? It may be a small thing, but for now, it's a "nuh uh," that's not my path, not my values, and not how I stay fulfilled and alive in the long run.

Love and Let Go With Ho'oponopono
Tonight at 6pm MDT

We're showing up exactly as we are as always. Tonight is Love and Let Go With Ho'oponopono. Join us and feel the power of being with what is.
https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/weeklygathering-loveandletgowithhooponopono

Made To Do This Together VIII
Jan 13 - Feb 13, 2025
I love working alongside people I love. Can you believe 86% of participants in this round are returning after the last round? Nurturing community, science-backed productivity norms, and an insight-provoking container is a potent space that can help you get important s**t done, no matter what it is.

Have a clear goal or habit you want to anchor in? I'm confident your follow-through will improve noticeably and your confidence will build securely over time. Join us now for early bird rates and be part of this growing movement. We really are made to do this together!
https://www.naturalstrengthhc.com/madetodothistogether

10/03/2024

It Let Me Go
"You seem different than when I saw you a few months ago," my friend said today as we put the hoses away. She was walking me through how to make hard cider with apples from our tree and we were wrapping up.

"What do you mean?" I knew I was different, what was she noticing? "You were saying you weren't sure if you were strong enough to do things, you seem much stronger now." She said in her decisive Italian tone that exuded authority.

Yes, she was right. I have come a long way. Why don't I spin out and snap back the way that I used to? Crossed boundaries don't register as a threat anymore. They have simply become a data point that does not need an energy-draining response. How can I put in 4 hours of work, go grocery shopping and make dinner without shutting down the way I used to? I have more reserve energy to give - yay to gardening work that fuels me so well! I can go through hours of "people-ing" and recover after a good night's rest instead of weeks. I can host 60 people while enjoying many present moments instead of running around in a frantic blur. What used to control me, has now let me go. Freedom feels good.

That said, I am recovering from a cold. Perhaps I've overdone it a bit :). Still, as the season changes, I am grateful for the slowdown. This time to let go, and open to another rhythm that the fall brings. May I always remember how different it was - when racing thoughts, anxiety, and triggers were the suffocating baseline norm. May I be grateful for this freedom, peace and flow.

Free Your F'ing Truth
Tonight 6pm MDT
What is coming up for you as we transition into the fall? Free Your F'ing Truth. Be exactly as you are. Join me tonight at 6pm MDT for some real sharing. Feel the healing power of being seen, felt, and understood as we hold space for each other. Free to drop in. Sign up here - https://connectwithcrystal.as.me/?appointmentType=27171504. You'll be guided the whole way through.

Sending you warm hugs,
Crystal