BRAVE Program
BRAVE is a powerful and intimate, 12-week, online program designed for mothers who are ready to explore who they have become throughout their experience of motherhood. BRAVE is for the mothers who are willing to explore their deeper thoughts around the identity shifts that take place when we become a mother.
Even though it can be uncomfortable, I invite you to consider that YOU are the only one who can make the first move towards creating the life you say want, to make space for the peace you long for and the confidence you crave.
Maybe you’re here, reading this, because you have a feeling that it’s time for you to begin challenging the narratives around motherhood that we have been led to believe are true, even when they feel painful.
BRAVE was born out of my own search for understanding as to why I was feeling the way I felt in my motherhood. I created BRAVE for myself and every mother who feels called to take appropriate responsibility for her happiness.
BRAVE is an intimate, 12-week, online coaching program designed for mothers just like you. Mothers who have given so much of themselves they now feel empty; mothers who have realised that they don’t seek support as easily or as often as they thought they would; mothers who know motherhood has changed them and they’re no longer sure of they are; mothers who feel the call of their soul as it asks them to live a life of happiness again.
If you’re at a stage of your life where you no longer know who you are anymore, or perhaps you’re realising that you’d like to get to know yourself better, then this is for you.
BRAVE is for mothers who are tired of listening to their same old stories. There is a whisper inside of them that reminds them they are worthy of MORE – more support, more clarity, more confidence, more fun, more time, more love and communication in their relationship. MORE.
I’m weary of seeing so many mothers squeeze themselves into a life that no longer fits them. The woman you were before becoming a mother is gone. This version of you who exists today needs time and space to figure out who she is, what she likes, and what kind of future she wants to create for herself.
I created BRAVE because my life had changed in so many unexpected ways when my first child was born. When I became a mother, I felt as if my whole identity was fading away and I didn’t know what to do about it.
And if you’re reading this, then I know you know what I’m talking about.
Does this sound familiar?
“I was at a stage in my life where I wanted to pick apart my narrative in motherhood. The stories, my beliefs, my values, my wins, my challenges and connect with other mothers to hear their stories. I wanted to get to know myself properly now as a mother”.
“With a bit more time for myself, with kids at preschool, and having been a stay-at-home mum for 7 years I just felt a bit lost and low in confidence. Having gone back to previous hobbies and no longer found them a good fit I didn’t know where I wanted to go in life.”
No one really talks about this part of motherhood:
What happens to YOU as your child grows?
I remember looking around my life and although I was SO grateful, I still felt there was something missing. Yes, I was exhausted. Yes, I was overwhelmed but I knew that it went deeper than that.
My relationship had changed, my confidence in making decisions had seemed to disappear, I was being eaten alive by guilt and I felt like my whole life was now being consumed by motherhood.
Prior to my son arriving, I had spent 33 years getting to know and love the version of me that existed, I knew her inside out. When I look back, I can see clearly what I couldn’t see at the time – the heavy price I paid for entry into motherhood.
As time went by and my son turned from a baby into a toddler, the gnawing feeling that something was missing, that something wasn’t quite right, continued. The more confident I became about the challenges I faced in my motherhood, the more conversations I started to have with other mums about their experiences.
I couldn’t find anything locally or online that would hold space for me as a woman AND a mother to explore and honour this version of myself that was emerging. I remember feeling like no one seemed to be really talking about the impact motherhood had on their expectations of themselves, their relationships and their hopes and dreams for the future. These were the feelings and thoughts that were being hidden out of guilt and shame.
There was a huge gap between the expectation of motherhood and the reality of it and I found myself caught in this gap, feeling guilty because I could see this so clearly and yet didn’t have the words to describe how I was feeling.
I knew that I wasn’t alone in how I was feeling but in order to speak openly about what was going on in my life, I had to tackle my own feelings of guilt, shame, inadequacy, resentment, grief, and loneliness. I had to delve into the shadows of my life and explore them, get curious about what parts of myself I was holding back and why. I had to learn to speak with confidence about what I knew to be true for me without fear of judgment from others.
I experienced such life-changing results when I started to speak honestly that I knew I wanted to help other mothers experience the same. Being able to talk about your version of motherhood without feeling like a ‘bad mum’ is incredibly powerful. There is freedom in acknowledging to yourself (and the world) that you want more.
A key piece in my learning as a mother AND as someone who supports mothers has been deepening my understanding of matrescence. Matrescence is the name for what a woman experiences as she transitions into motherhood and after watching a Ted Talk by Dr. Alexandra Sacks on this matter in2018, I have been learning about it since.
I found such freedom in my motherhood when I learned that there was an *actual* name for all of what I had been going through, all of what I had felt so alone in (but was never actually alone in).
Going through my own challenges and facing my own fears is what led me to create this very programme you’re reading about. I have walked every step of this programme, I know exactly when the resistance to accepting your reality kicks in, I know when it all feels like it’s too much and I know the beautiful point at which awareness dawns that taking responsibility for your life is nothing to be feared, it is to be celebrated. I’ve spent the last few years refining and adding to this program so that I can continue to support as many mums as possible as they rediscover what it is they want AND how to make plans to go and get it.
I would love to help you experience the same breakthroughs as the BRAVE mothers who have walked before you.
GO FROM…
GO FROM…
GO FROM…
“I felt like I was having an identity crisis! I had such low self-esteem and felt very vulnerable. I felt like I didn’t know myself at all anymore”.
“I was sad as there was so much I didn’t know about myself, I didn’t even know where to start. I felt like I had no goals, no ambition, and was *just* an ok mother. I realised I didn’t really know who I was at all and I was tired of feeling like something was missing”.
“I felt lost, I felt unhappy, I felt there were lots of things I could or should be doing that would make me happier but I couldn’t seem to motivate myself or find the time to do it or to focus on me, I was eaten alive with “mammy guilt” for not being a good enough mother”
“I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I have become so much more aware of myself, my feelings, my reactions, my responses, and my role as a mother”.
“I feel very grateful for the life I have and the choices I have made to this point. BRAVE opened my eyes to a different perspective. Small tweaks to my thinking have allowed me to realise that I am in control of my life and responsible for my happiness. I am more comfortable in my own skin”.
“I feel content, I feel realistic, I know I am happy, I am learning my triggers and what i can do to nip some of them in bud before it gets to breaking point. I am learning to forgive myself for not being my fantasy of a perfect mother”
All of what you read here is possible for you too. Let's arrange a time to talk and see if BRAVE is for you.
INTRODUCING…
BRAVE
Rediscover, Redefine and Reclaim YOU in your motherhood.
BRAVE is designed to cut through your stories and get straight to the heart of who you are. It was built BY a mother FOR mothers who are on the cusp of change. BRAVE shines a light into the areas of your life you’ve been avoiding so that you can begin to explore and examine your thoughts and your fears with confidence that you have only ever done your best.
'BRAVE'
12-WEEK, ONLINE, GROUP COACHING PROGRAMME FOR MUMS
Let’s talk about some of what we explore in order for you to rediscover who you are now. There are quite a few things that we work through in order for that to happen and you’ll find some information below on some of the themes that we cover over the course of the 12 weeks. Some topics are so big and fascinating that they will be discussed over two weeks.
VALUES
We’ll be exploring what values actually are, what YOUR unique values are and why it’s crucial to understand the role they play in how we see and show up in the world. We’ll discuss liminal thinking and all that is required of us in order to recognise where we each have unchallenged beliefs.
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We spend a lot of time judging other people based on what we think they SHOULD do without even realising it.
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We also spend a a lot of our own time living according to what other people think we SHOULD do and this leads to resentment.
- In BRAVE, we'll identify your own unique values and i'll show you how they influence every decision, opinion and relationship you have.
MATRESCENCE
There is a name given to the ‘process of becoming a mother’ and this name is ‘matrescence’. Together we’ll discuss the most up to date thinking and research on this concept and how knowing about matrescence is life-changing for us all.
- Imagine if you had been reassured that what you were experiencing in your motherhood was real and had a name?
- We'll be delving into concepts such as 'self-silencing' and the 'mask of motherhood' and how they keep us quiet about how we're really feeling.
- We'll gently inquire into your matrescence and what this word can mean for you
SELF-SERVICE
We’ll explore who is actually responsible for your happiness and what happens to the dynamics in your relationships when you expect other people to sort your shit out for you.
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It's easy to fall into the habit of thinking that it's up to your partner/friends/family to make you happy, to make things easier for you, to see things the same way you do.
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You will learn how to take responsibility for your life in such a way that will leave you feeling empowered and excited for the future.
- Exploring sentence stems is going to blow your mind
STORY TELLING
We’ll go on a bit of an adventure so you can identify and reflect on the stories and narratives that are running your life. Stories around motherhood and what it means to be a ‘good woman’.
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You'll decide if your stories are actually serving you or not. This is a big one. Who would you be without the stories you tell?
- We'll explore where your stories come from.
- You'll discover your stories can act as an anchor that keeps you chained to an identity that no longer serves you.
RECHARGING RELATIONSHIPS
With the knowledge you’ll have gained about values and the role that judgement plays in all of our lives, we’ll rummage around in the things you don’t talk about but feel upset over in your relationships.
- Everyone wants to be loved for who they are, not for who someone else thinks they should be.
- You'll learn how to see the ways in which others demonstrate their love and support through their own set of unique values
- We'll examine what the invisible load is and how it affects our relationships.
THE ‘GOOD’MOTHER
We’ll explore the fantasy Versus reality sides of motherhood and challenge the illusions you have about the type of mother you ‘should’ be. We’ll delve into concepts such as ‘intensive mothering’ in order to see how they influence us in our thinking about motherhood.
- Without even realising it, we've all been conditioned in our own unique ways as to what motherhood should be like, what we should be like as mothers, what our wants and needs 'should' be when we become mums
- Identifying and challenging these fantasies will free up your mind so you can see the beauty and perfection that exists in your life NOW.
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MOBILE & TABLET FRIENDLY WEEKLY WORKBOOKS
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WEEKLY ZOOM CALLS WITH OTHER INCREDIBLE MOTHERS
- 12 WEEKS OF COMMUNITY, CONNECTION, SUPPORT & CHALLENGE.
how we show up and work together:
The core course workbooks are delivered to your inbox weekly. Each workbook has been created specifically build on the one before and is full of reading material, thought-provoking questions, and journal prompts to get you thinking and exploring each of the themes we explore together
Taking part in BRAVE looks like:
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Weekly calls on Wednesday evenings at 8:30pm. You will come to see that the space we co-create online becomes a beautiful sanctuary, one that you will look forward to entering every week
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A secure space to explore and discuss any and all questions, reflections, or 'A-HA' moments that came up for you whilst doing the work.
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Access to a private Facebook group where you can connect with and support the other mums taking part. This group becomes your 'go-to' place where you can be yourself without fear of judgment
- We all show up and commit to our own transformations whilst having the privilege of seeing others do the same. The magic of a group of women coming together with a shared purpose cannot be underestimated, it truly is a beautiful and powerful thing. And you can be part of that
“I didn’t anticipate the level of support, understanding and friendship from our group. Having a circle of women all rooting for each other, holding space for each other every week is immensely powerful”
I would like to be clear, BRAVE isn’t for everyone.
Even the women who have taken part tell me this in their feedback and this brings me joy to know they feel it too. BRAVE requires you to challenge yourself. It requires you to open up to the power of your beautiful vulnerability and sit with your discomfort rather than rush past it. Some people believe they want change but in actual fact they are looking for someone to give them an answer, to tell them what they should do or even just to listen to them talking about why things are the way they are.
That’s not what I offer.
- BRAVE is an experience.
- BRAVE requires stepping into the unknown and being open to vulnerability even when you might not want to be; showing up wholeheartedly, and trusting yourself enough to know that your truth matters. You matter.
- BRAVE is designed to support you as you uncover and begin clearing out what’s not serving you.
- BRAVE serves as an invitation for you to experience the freedom that comes with taking appropriate responsibility for your life, your decisions and your happiness. It has been built to help you rediscover, redefine and reclaim who you are now.
In order for me to help you get the results I KNOW are possible, I need you to go all-in with me because this is when the magic happens.
INVESTMENT
Love to join? Let’s talk numbers:
The investment for BRAVE is €900. There are several payment plans available at no extra cost, these might look like 2 payments of €450 or 4 payments of €225. We can discuss what works for you.
A deposit of €150 will secure your seat.
Here’s a little bit about why it’s such great value:
- 12 x 2hr group coaching calls (24hrs in total)
- Access to a private Facebook group where I offer support between calls and we all get the opportunity to continue the conversations once our Zoom call finishes.
- Extensive resource recommendations such as books, journal articles, and podcasts (I’ve done the groundwork sourcing all of these so you don’t have to).
But more than all of the “stuff”, you will be part of something that cannot easily be described or measured. The decision to take part in BRAVE is more often about a feeling you have rather than reading about the workbooks and resource recommendations you get.
SCHOLARSHIP SEAT
I recognise that not every one who would love to take part in BRAVE has the financial means to be able to do so. For this reason, I offer a seat on the basis of a sliding scholarship. This means that there is an option to pay what you can without any questions or judgement. I am inviting those who feel drawn to this work but do not have the financial means to take part to email me to find out more about how the application for this works. BRAVE is built upon the energy of the women who take part and I hold the container we create as sacred.
Send an email to hello@ourbravehearts.ie and let me know if you’d like to know more about the scholarship seat.
Want to see more of what other mums
have said about BRAVE?
“I feel amazing! Rejuvenated and refreshed. I feel so true to myself again. I have grown so much and got so much clarity on things. I’m so much more confident in my choices, my decisions and my motherhood journey”
“BRAVE definitely has had a ripple effect on all aspects of my life. My own image, my confidence in myself, my self-esteem, my responses and reactions, and interactions with my children.
I feel amazing! Rejuvenated and refreshed. I feel so true to myself again. I have grown so much and got so much clarity on things. I’m so much more confident in my choices, my decisions and my motherhood journey.
I am more tolerant and patient and understanding. I am less frustrated and angry. I have had big discussions and life-changing talks with my husband and dug deep with him and fixed/are fixing problems in our marriage. I have finally said enough is enough and started to live rather than just exist. I have wanted things to change for so long and I have finally found the voice to do it.
Go for it! You will not regret the time and energy you put into BRAVE. It is life-changing! You shed so much skin and really will blossom into a butterfly. You need to want something enough in order to make a change”.
– Jenn
“BRAVE has been, without question, the best investment I have made. It transformed my life for the better”
“I happened upon the BRAVE programme a few weeks before my youngest child was about to start school. I was feeling apprehensive about the shift that was about to happen in my life and what impact it would have on my identity. In truth, I had actually been lost for quite a while under the guise of an apologetic “stay at home Mum”. BRAVE popped onto my radar and reading through the outline of the program I was almost saddened as there was so much I didn’t know about myself. I didn’t even know where to start. I felt like I had no goals, no ambition, was *just* an ok mother. I realised I didn’t really know who I was at all. I was tired of feeling like something was missing in my life and I knew something needed to change.
Since taking part, I feel very grateful for the life I have and the choices I have made to this point. BRAVE opened my eyes to a different perspective. Small tweaks to my thinking have allowed me to realise that I am in control of my life and responsible for my happiness. I am more comfortable in my own skin and have a yearning to invest in myself more.
Some of my biggest a-ha moments came unexpectedly when listening to someone else speak on a topic that might not even have been relevant to me. Their experience or thoughts resonated with me and triggered some realisation about my own circumstances. The weeks where I was challenged most by the homework were particularly valuable, learning to sit with discomfort and journal my inner thoughts was both cleansing and confronting. These were the weeks where I felt I grew the most.
Jacqueline has a clear delivery of the course content and concepts, her ability to lean in and encourage women to go a little deeper and really figure things out is remarkable. It was often uncomfortable but it created a whole-hearted atmosphere where there was no room to hide from inner truths. When I initially read through the BRAVE material and Jacqueline referenced how she would meet me every step of the way I was confused as to what this actually meant. I understand this fully now and appreciate the personal time and effort and space that was held for me during the process.
BRAVE has been, without question, the best investment I have made. It transformed my life for the better. Jaq is amazing, she offers an incredible amount of support every step of the way. The small group coaching model was surprisingly beneficial, it was a supportive, safe space where I found myself showing up as the real me”.
-Dee
YOU’VE MADE IT THIS FAR…
Here’s why you need to join the BRAVE community
You will not find another programme like BRAVE.
BRAVE started off as a programme for mums who felt lost but it has grown into so much more. It is a process, a system, a place, a sanctuary. It is where mothers go when they are called to go deeper in order to rediscover who they are now. It is a place of challenge and support, of powerful breakthroughs and gentle transformations.
My role in BRAVE is that of a coach, a facilitator and a guardian of the group’s integrity. I am a guide and mentor, a sister and mother.
We dive deep in BRAVE because that is where we find the gold, that is where we go to face ourselves.
This community of BRAVE-hearted mothers is only getting started, come and join us
Please don’t worry, you’re not alone. The majority of mums who take part in BRAVE have never experienced group coaching before either. By the end of it, they have all loved it and it didn’t want it to end. I have no doubt you will feel this way too.
Every Wednesday evening at 8:30pm. Calls can last between 1.5 – 2 hours and we start on the 20th of September.
Yes, certainly to begin with anyway. Being able to see each other and everyone who is on the call, encourages and promotes a feeling of trust and safety. There are times when of course the video can be switched off during the call but generally speaking, they are required to be on. Sometimes a mum turns her camera and mic off if she has to settle little ones but doesn’t want to miss any of the discussion and this is always welcomed.
No, they’re not. There are many reasons for this but the main one is to respect the conversations that take place and the topics that come up for those who are present on the call. The majority of mums who have taken part in BRAVE over the years have said they felt more comfortable knowing it wasn’t recorded.
Not to worry, there is plenty of opportunity for you to share your thoughts about the content of the call you missed in the Facebook group and I can support you there.
Apart from the weekly calls, it’s entirely up to you the amount of time you dedicate to BRAVE. Some women like to do a little reading each day and then discuss it in the group to tease it out and get clearer on their ideas, others have worked through the new content as soon as it arrives and then don’t look at it again until just before our call. It’s completely manageable and it’s also really enjoyable so you won’t mind doing the work (I promise!).
It absolutely will.
Great question. The reason I like to speak with everyone before they commit to BRAVE is because it’s not for everyone, I’m not for everyone. When we speak on the phone, it gives you and I an opportunity to see what it would be like to work with each other. BRAVE is also not suitable for new mums, it’s for mums who have been in their motherhood for at least one year.