Life Coach | Survivor | In-Demand Speaker | Workshop Producer
Liz Strom is a transformational life coach, survivor, in-demand speaker, workshop producer, and visionary. She empowers her clients and crowds via calm, motivational, creative, powerful, & inspirational intuitive care.
Published! 🌟
Thank you, @aurorazenlife Magazine, for sharing my "4 Steps to Goal-Reaching Success"! 💛
While thumbing through the beautiful pages, I found other holistic businesses near me (LOVE) and the most interesting, life-touching stories. I am so very grateful for this publication's dedication to self-development, wellness, and community care.
.
📸 My desk in DC
Blue Print Tie Neck Blouse by @dereklam
I lost most of my vision six years ago today.
I was in a lot of pain, I was proactive about my care, I was in and out of the ER and my doctors' offices, the doctors didn't know what was going on, and I ended up with complete blindness in my right eye and lost peripheral vision in the left.
One ER doctor even gave me his work cell number so, when I figured out what was happening, I could text him my diagnosis.
I lost the ability to drive, walk alone at night, go into a movie theatre on my own, read without magnification, view a menu without readers and/or techie gadgets, and more.
It should have gone differently. It should have been textbook to my doctors. I shouldn't have lost my vision.
I won't go into the details of how doctors would send me everywhere and I didn't get answers, or how this all could have been taken care of if one doctor did what they were supposed to do. This post is about something different.
I'm a very independent person. Imagine how I feel / felt when I could no longer drive, when I walk into walls, when I trip over small things because I can't see them, when I miss the cup entirely when trying to pour the creamer (depth perception), how I can't see highlighter yellow, etc. Imagine.
At some point, I realized that--- instead of feeling sorry for myself and being mad--- I have to reconstruct my life with a new perspective. Losing my vision SUCKS (every day of the week) but I can't improve my vision, so I changed my perspective.
I live my life out loud-- EVERY 👏 SINGLE 👏 DAY 👏.
I can't see, but I have a heart of gold with the ability to help others, I love to have fun, know what I want, know what doesn't matter as much, and I shape my life the way it feels best for me. #selfcare #joy
When you feel like life shifts and you don't have all the control, shift your perspective. Life will throw a hell of a lot of lemons at you, sometimes those lemons will knock you TF out, but you are stronger than those lemons.
Live your life! Feel like something's missing? Create it! Feel like people aren't there for you? Invest in people who matter to you and WILL be there for you! Feel like you can't do something? Try again or try something else!
P.S. It's true. When you lose one sense, another heightens. I lost vision, but now my intuition and sense of smell are spectacular. ❤️
Liz Strom | The Wing | Washington, D.C. | 2019
I am a double-organ transplant survivor and I've found a way to support organ donors, transplant recipients, AND their caregivers!!! Are you ready to #BeTheHero? 🌟
http://bit.ly/lizstrom
I received a kidney+pancreas on June 1st, 2013 from a dear soul who passed away. He was only 22 and was already signed up to be an organ donor. Most of us don't think about dying and giving at that age, but he had. 💛 He saved my life. Friends wondered why I hadn't approached them about needing a kidney. It's not like I would ever approach someone and say, "Oh, hey! Would you give a kidney to me? I need one to survive. MmKay, thanks." It doesn't work that way. But it does work this way...
A living donor can get the support they need at the same time as they give!!! The American Transplant Foundation exists to save lives by supporting donors, transplant recipients, AND their families! Since it's #GivingTuesday, this is one I hope you'll support. Help us reach our end-of-year goal! Please consider donating whatever amount you can give today. 💛 http://bit.ly/lizstrom
Some of you may be thinking, "Liz, why do you still ask about organ donation? You have your organs."- Yes, but I received my organs from a cadaver donor (someone who passed away), so my kidney is said to last between 8-12 years. I'll need another transplant surgery, but not even tomorrow is guaranteed. I'm more than half way through that mark, healthy, and so grateful. I think about this often.
We have to do what we can for one another: people in need, people who need an organ transplant to survive, people willing to donate, their families, etc. It all matters. 💛 Will you #BeTheHero? 💛
Please Consider Donating: http://bit.ly/lizstrom
Believe in Yourself 💛
Yesterday was Halloween, and a very hectic but beautiful day. I met with my amazing clients, ran back and forth from DC, and noticed my body really needing a pick-me-up. I crawled into one of my favorite places to grab a fresh Açaí berry bowl and came across this sign.
Not only did I nourish my body, this fueled my spirit.
On this Halloween, I made sure to treat myself (no tricks).
Fueling our mind, body, & spirit on a regular basis is SO important. In order to keep up with the pace we desire in life, we have to start on a cellular level: hydrate, consume nutrient-dense foods, keep moving, breathe deeply, stretch, etc.
Then, we must fuel our mind: read, be curious about the world, research, ask questions, etc.
Not forgetting our spirit: connect with others, volunteer, pray, sing, speak positively into the universe, love yourself, seek out positivity, and more.
Visiting SouthBlock raised my mind, body, soul vibe higher than I had originally intended, and I'm so glad I visited (again)! What are your favorite ways to fuel yourself?
P.S. South Block, thank you for the many PBJ Açaí Berry Bowls over these last 6 months!
#lifecoachadvice #goodadvice #beyou#beyoutiful #qotd #qotn #instaquote#beleiveinyourself #believeinyou #empowering#motivation #inspiration #fallinspiration#acaibowl #southblock #lifecoachadvice#dclifecoach #morningmotivation #bestever#instaquote #empoweringquotes#womenempowerment#womenempoweringwomen#womeninspiringwomen #womensinspiration#thursdaythoughts #thirstythursday
Liz Strom at South Block, October 31, 2018 | Photograph by Rolo
Featured by The Wing + Cathay Pacific: October 2018!
Find your oasis ☑️
You’ll find yourself in places you don’t want to be, with people who you may not favor, dealing with situations that are less than ideal. When you’re done doing what you need to do (or even while in the midst of things), find a place where you can collect your thoughts, breathe, and refocus.
Remember your purpose, your core values, and how you want to feel. Do those things that help you to feel the way you *want* to feel, in the places that bring you joy, even if that place is within you...
Pictured: Practicing what I preach! Taking a breather from the hustle of the city in Bryant Park.
Blue lace sheath dress by @keepsakethelabel
xx
When it sounds like someone is blaming you for something, it's a reflection of what's going on inside of them...
There are many instances for which blame is what it is: someone did something / people did something / a group did something. It can be very black and white.
When someone blames you for doing this-and-that, be aware of how you're feeling when you're blamed. The traits we tend to dislike in others are usually traits we do not like about ourselves / our past. The same for those who are placing the blame on you / others. These need to be healed.
We have to be held accountable for our own actions, our own feelings, our own outcomes. Hold yourself accountable.
Do not blame unless you're ready to face those consequences. When you're blamed, take a step back and examine what's really happening.
Heal. Live. Keep going. 💛
Photography by Juan Pablo Cadenas | IG @juanpsa
We had a fantastic time at XCCELERATE (Entrepreneurs Moving Forward), all thanks to a vibrant group of speakers offering immensely valuable information to workshop attendees! 🌟lizstrom.com | dcbizx.org | #bizvip 🌟
Featured speakers:
🌟Ramsey Mourad, Infinity Compass
🌟Randall Gafner, Zen and the Art of Making a Morris Chair
🌟Heike Yates. Pursue Your Spark Podcast / HEYlifetraining.com
🌟Aurelia Flores, Athena Digital Marketing Strategists
🌟Cory Brim, Sugar Rim Bar
🌟Eduardo Villavicencio, Gallup-certified Strengths Coach
🌟Wanita Niehaus, Powerhaus Consultants
🌟Liz Strom, Creative Calm Solutions LLC / espressofied .
The next Xccelerate will be an intensive, multi-day set of workshops at the very end of December. Learn how to develop your own business, write your business plan, finance it, market it well, and much more! dcbizx.org🌟 .
dcbizx.org | Instagram: @dcbizx
Have you been thinking about leaving your job for a new position? Have you contemplated switching fields? Ever wonder what it’d be like to change career paths? Do you feel overwhelmed when thinking about a change of scenery? Sit down for ten minutes and give yourself the time to weigh your options.
Grab a piece of paper and answer the following questions:
-What would be the pros of leaving your position?
-What would be the cons?
-How would you benefit from staying?
-What benefits would come if you left?
-What have you been interested in doing for a living?
-What would you never want to do again?
-What lights you up?
-What weighs you down?
-Who could you reach out to that could provide further information to you in regards to the positions you’re interested in?
-What are your salary requirements?
-What benefits are important to you?
Write down your answers and start looking for available positions, according to your work-life preferences.
It doesn’t hurt to look around! If your gut is telling you it’s time to leave, listen. If it’s only about more money, think harder... 💛
xx
Liz Strom
Getting lit(erary) with the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden!
Dr. Hayden's energy is amazing. She is strong, kind, compassionate, idealistic as well as realistic, dedicated to service, witty, a great storyteller, and much more. Sitting with her and listening to her speak of the fascinations within our national treasure chest felt similar to that of a kindergartener's experience during story time. I was completely enthralled by her presence and clinging on to her informative talk about what valuables lay within the walls of the Library of Congress. Dr. Hayden makes you feel as if you are an entrusted friend, just hanging out with her on a beautiful day, telling you about her favorite books (at different times in her life).
Did you know 26 strands of Beethoven's hair is stored in the LC? Oh, there's more...
Not only will you find 838 miles of bookshelves there, you'll also find amazements like Rosa Parks' hand-written papers, the handwritten Giant Bible of Mainz, a preserved piece of Tom Thumb's wedding cake, Amelia Earhart's hand imprint, Thomas Jefferson's hair, James Madison's hair, and more is coming! Approximately 15K items are acquired daily.
It was an absolute honor to be in her presence, and to hear her stories about all the treasures within the USLC! What a momentous evening!
I'm featured in a premier holisitc-living publication in Northern VA: Aurora Zen Lifestyle Magazine!
This magazine's team is passionate about bringing their readers life hacks for an organic, holistic, healthy lifestyle. The Editor-in-Chief is a heart-centered small business owner with community in mind.
The article is about why people don't follow through with what they say they'll do, and how to actually follow-through! Pick up a copy to check out this high-quality publication in Northern VA! Don't live in Northern VA / Washington DC, contact the magazine to have one sent to you (click here).
Aurora Zen Lifestyle Magazine - July 2018 Issue
I had the opportunity to attend #CapitalPride yesterday here in Washington DC, and ohhhh how FUN it was to just BE!
People from all around the nation danced in the streets as they rocked their rainbow gear. Vendors provided crowd-go’ers with lots of great freebies and taught attendees about how to live their happiest, most healthiest lives. Free hugs were offered, dance music rocked our Sunday, and people celebrated what matters the most: LOVE and living the most authentic expression of themselves possible.
The bigger your heart, the more it will hold. One thing remains: LOVE IS LOVE.
Celebrate who you are as a person. Live your life as authentically as possible. Leave a lot of room for learning and joyous opportunities. Notice what’s not right in the world, learn from it, and create ways to counter that in effective, positive forms. BeYOUtiful. 🌟
Xx
Liz Strom
#captialpride #capitalpride2018 #dcpride #beyoutiful#motivationalmonday #authenticity #lifejourney #lifestylecoach#lifecoach #lizstrom #loveislove
Playing in the rainbow that was brought to Capital Pride by Hilton!
Talk about it! 🌟
Engage in meaningful conversations to create change. Bring light to subjects that are bothersome and not right in the world. Voice your concerns, listen to others, brainstorm the many ways by which we can make positive waves.
If you don’t speak up, who will? Who else has to endure what you have? Why does it have to go on much longer? What step can you take towards the solution? Who can you reach out to? Where can these productive conversations take place? You are a part of the answer...
---
So very grateful for Thursday night’s discourse at The Wing in Washington DC with Chief of Staff Rhonda Foxx (D) & Chief of Staff Jennifer DeCasper (R), moderated by the wise DeDe Lea (Viacom, Executive VP, Global Government Relations). These women are nothing short of amazing in their efforts to “be” the difference!
I had the absolute pleasure of being interviewed by THE Heike Yates of The Pursue Your Spark Podcast, and I'd love to share our time together here with all of you!
Podcast #14: Women on the Move: How Getting a Second Chance in Life Changed Everything for Liz Strom
Thoughts? Leave a comment below!
Enjoy!
Today, I wrote a post on Facebook and wanted to wish all my friends a "Fabulous Friday", but then it followed with "on a real note". I'm sure we all can say we've felt like doing the same from time to time! Here was what followed...
____
On a real note:
Why aren't you taking care of yourselves? Why are you putting the things off that matter in the long run? Why are we stuck on quick fixes (like putting a bandaid over a cavity)? Why is it difficult to commit yourself to something, whole-heartedly, that would better serve you?
Is it fear? Neglect? FOMO?
Feeling that you're lacking... on sleep, time, funds? And if so, why do you feel like you're lacking? Is it because you've *not* done the work you need to do--- by either checking in on your health more often? Sleeping the hours you know your body needs? Prepping healthier foods to avoid mindless snacking? Seeking out the pay rate you're worth?
Or are you doing too much?
Giving other things attention that deserve less attention? Mindlessly "doing" and not planning/achieving? Hanging with people who don't have your best interest in mind? Too much work and not enough play? Putting that doctor's visit last (or not at all)? It's like sprinting without stretching; it will be painful later.
You need to BEGIN with committing to self-care!
I'm not asking you to meditate and do yoga (although these are GREAT ideas). I'm asking you to get REAL with yourself.
What is it you need to do? What is it you've been neglecting? What are you afraid of? What's missing? Why stay stagnant and miserable?
If you're good--- yay! You've prepped for this!
(If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! 👏👏)
Please. Pay attention to yourselves. Give yourself 5 minutes! Check in for a moment:
-Self, what do I need today?
-What do I know I need to get done to move forward?
-What have I been neglecting that needs attention?
-What do I need to stop doing, for my own damn good?
-Why do I say "yes" to the wild and crazy, which leave me depleted, but don't say "HAIL yes" to the things that would build me up and make me feel better?
Seriously.
If you want to get to the next steps, you have to take it there!
I WANT TO SEE ALL OF YOU GROW & SUCCEED!
Help me, help you!!! ❤️
xx
Liz
liz@lizstrom.com
Kristy Yang Photography
During your last moments in life, you won't be wondering what people thought about you. You'll be thinking about how your life FELT to you.
Trust me. I've been at "end of life" stages twice.
"But Liz, I'm young and not going to die anytime soon."
I hope not, but one never knows, and this is something to think about NOW so you can live your life fully.
You've been thinking about "work-life balance", and if it even exists. Some of you know it does, but can't quite get to it. You've got work, but... do you have a life?
Life happens. We get sick, we get tired, we get overworked, we miss out on things we wished we didn't (I'm not talking about FOMO- that's another topic for another day)...
What you should do is concentrate on developing yourself SO HARD, that you won't have the time to ponder others' opinions of you, or if your last moments will be spent pondering your "what-ifs".
But HOW?!?!?
Some of you see that I take development courses, dance classes, get lost and explore cities, am reading 52 books this year, have a business that I love with clients that I adore, hang out with awesome friends, arrange events for people to enjoy and raise funds for charities around the world, and more. Did I mention that I'm a mom, wife, and puppy mom? Oh yeah. There's a LOT more where that came from!
Get busy!
Do YOU! Don't know what "you" is?!? Explore!
What are you intensely interested in? Take classes! Watch YouTube instructional videos. Join a meetup group. Read interest books and blogs. Ask friends to join you on a journey. Dabble! What are you moderately curious about? Same thing.
You get the idea.
You'll be so busy LIVING and ish that you won't have time to think about the stuff that won't matter at the "end".
Yes, I said "ish". Cursing doesn't come naturally to me. Or I curse in other languages. I'll let you decide which one it really is. 😂
Ok, so... LIVE! DO YOU! GET BUSY!
MAKE WAVES! SPLASH AROUND!
GIVE! LOVE! SERVE! DO! BE!!!
...and ish. :)
Kristy Yang Photography | John F. Kennedy Center | Washington, D.C.
Career Fact of the Day:
You don't necessarily need to earn another degree to get into another career. There are so many transferable skills you can use that can carry on into other job fields / positions.
If you need something more, try:
1) Hiring a career coach (Hello! Liz Strom at your service!)
2) Enrolling in individual classes / certifications first
3) Strengthening & expanding your network
For career coaching, contact liz@lizstrom.com
Photography by Virak Chhang
Let hard experiences shape you, even after they’ve broken you down.
From organ transplants to low vision, from heartache to heartbreak, from fading to loss— I decided to find even more strength, motivation, light, love, peace, prosperity, & magic. I was supposed to be in ruins, but instead used what I had left to build something stronger. I am here to create positive impact in this world.
Believe you can (& you will)!
“Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.” ~Rumi
Photography by Tigran Margaryan | Milano, Italy - Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
Enhance your life experience.
Add a twist to whatever it is you're doing.
Change things up, however slightly, to create the excitement you need. ✨
“Every atom in your body spins and dances
like a bee around the queen,
like a whirling dervish,
like the stars spiraling in a galaxy.”
-Khang Kijarro Nguyen
(Spinning for good luck, in the center of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, Italy)
Photography by the talented Tigran Margaryan of Milan
"If you don’t like it, change it..."
Your hair color, your weight, your career, relationship, direction in which you're moving...
Simple, right?
I get it. It’s easier said than done, but you’ve got to start somewhere--- and what better way than to start with the intention to change something you don’t like?
Deep inside of you, you know what’s for your highest good (& what isn’t). Give yourself the time and space to get to the answers within (they’re there, but just buried under all that “stuff” on top of it)!
Take the steps needed to create the shift you need to feel like things are “right”.
Anywhere but “don’t like” is better...
xx
Liz Strom
