Courage to look within.

Louise Macnab’s Definition of Courage for creating a purposeful life.

Every week, I ask my Brave New Girls podcast guest how they define courage. My guest this week is Louise Macnab, founder of the daily gut health supplement company Jerms. This is how she defines courage:

"I think courage comes from really within. Of course, you know you're not going to change if somebody else tells you to change. You've really got to want to, and I think change is something we should all be looking to better ourselves throughout our lives, but it's something we really have to embrace and want to do and feel empowered to do. And I think that really comes back to that relationship with yourself, as cheesy as it sounds. And I feel strongly about it because I think when I was younger, I didn't really have that.

I didn't really have that purpose, or I just thought I was doing the right thing and progressing on a career because that’s maybe what other people thought I should be doing, or that's what society thought was great. So it’s actually about really being able to look within and just being able to be comfortable with yourself. And then I think you receive a lot of courage from that. When you're happy with who you are and what you're doing in your life, that's when I feel I'm at my strongest mentally and, therefore, when I have the most courage."

Louise’s definition of courage offers us a powerful reflection on the importance of authenticity and self-alignment. At its core, her idea of courage isn't about bold, fearless action but rather about embracing self-awareness and finding your inner purpose. She highlights the fact that true courage stems from self-reflection and comfort with who you are and where you are heading in life. Her experience resonates with many of us who, at different points in our lives, may feel lost, caught up in societal expectations, or pursuing goals that don’t align with our personal passions.

Louise's journey began with her decision to leave a successful career in corporate law. Despite the external validation that came with her job, she felt disconnected from her true self and purpose. Her courage was in recognizing that something had to change, that she wasn’t thriving in the role she thought she "should" have. The real bravery came in following through on that realization, venturing into the unknown to found Jerms, a gut health company that aligned with her values and interests in holistic wellbeing.

Courage, as Louise emphasizes, doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a continuous process of self-discovery, willingness to adapt, and striving to be in tune with one’s needs. This might mean challenging what society deems as “successful” and redefining success on your own terms. The ability to face your fears, confront internal discomfort, and step into a path more aligned with your passion and purpose is what ultimately strengthens courage.

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Dare to do things differently, for a happier, healthier, impactful life.

here are ten actionable steps based on Louise's philosophy:

1.        Practice Self-Reflection – Set aside time daily or weekly to assess how you feel about your life direction and whether it aligns with your personal values.

2.        Identify Your Core Values – Understanding what is important to you at a fundamental level helps guide your decision-making in life.

3.        Challenge Societal Expectations – Reflect on whether you’re pursuing certain goals for yourself or because of societal or familial pressures.

4.        Take Small Steps Toward Change – Courage doesn’t require dramatic shifts; small, incremental changes toward alignment with your authentic self can have a big impact.

5.        Embrace Vulnerability – Allow yourself to be vulnerable in the pursuit of your true desires. Courage involves feeling uncertain at times.

6.        Set Personal Goals – Define goals that are meaningful to you personally rather than based on external definitions of success.

7.        Be Kind to Yourself – Developing courage can be difficult. Treat yourself with compassion as you take steps toward living in alignment with your values.

8.        Face Discomfort Head-On – True growth often comes from moments of discomfort. Don’t shy away from challenges or difficult emotions; lean into them.

9.        Surround Yourself with Support – Engage with a community or network of people who encourage personal growth and authentic living.

10.  Celebrate Progress – Acknowledge the courage it takes to make even small shifts in your life. Celebrate your journey toward authenticity and courage.

Louise Macnab defines courage as the strength to look within, recognise who you truly are, and take steps to live authentically. This inner work is the foundation of personal courage, and it is from this place that we find the strength and purpose to pursue change.

PS. As your Wellbeing Coach, I give you the tools to heal, grow & create the life you want. 

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