The Wild Journey 'Home'

Recently, I’ve been reflecting, per usual, on a concept I learned through To Be Magnetic called “Expanders.” An Expander is someone who helps your subconscious believe something is possible for you because they’re already living a piece of what you desire. According to TBM, expanders work through the brain’s mirror neuron system. The idea that when we see something embodied by another person, our minds begin to recognize it as available to us too. (To Be Magnetic)

As I looked at my current expanders, I noticed something surprising. I wasn’t drawn to people because of their wealth, status, or accomplishments. I was drawn to women who seemed deeply rooted in who they are. Women who live close to nature. Women who prioritize family. Women who create beauty through food, music, art, gatherings, and meaningful experiences. Women who appear free to be themselves. The more I reflected, the more I realized these women weren’t showing me who I wanted to become. They were showing me what parts of myself were asking to emerge. But before I could even recognize these expanders, I needed support finding myself again.

A few years ago, my body was waving red flags. Like many caregivers, coaches, and mothers, I had become incredibly good at pouring into everyone else’s cup while neglecting my own. I was exhausted, disconnected, and operating from a place of depletion. That’s when Shaklee found me. What initially drew me in were the products, but what kept me there was the philosophy.

Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee was a chiropractor, nutrition pioneer, and founder of the Shaklee Corporation. After overcoming serious illness as a child, he became fascinated by the relationship between nutrition, vitality, and human potential. In 1915, he developed what is often credited as the first multivitamin formulated in the United States. His life’s work centered around the belief that our health is influenced by what we think, what we do, and what we consume.

What resonated most with me wasn’t a product. It was the reminder that our daily choices matter. The food we eat. The thoughts we think. The environments we create. The habits we practice. The people we surround ourselves with. Over time, those small choices helped me rebuild trust with my body. Then, just as my physical foundation became stronger, another chapter began. My mind needed support.

I had worked with therapists and coaches throughout different seasons of my life, and those experiences were valuable. But when I discovered To Be Magnetic, I found a framework that helped me understand my patterns in a new way. The blend of psychology, neuroscience, spirituality, and subconscious reprogramming gave me language for things I had felt but couldn’t quite articulate. The work challenged me to examine where I was seeking approval, where I was abandoning myself, and where old stories were still influencing my decisions.

There were plenty of moments of skepticism. Plenty of moments of resistance. Plenty of moments where I questioned everything. But slowly, something shifted. I became less focused on fixing myself and more interested in understanding myself. Less concerned with becoming someone else and more committed to uncovering who I already was. And that’s where expanders entered the picture.

Today, when I look at the women who inspire me, I see a common thread: Nature. Creativity. Family. Faith. Adventure. Community. Authenticity. They’re not teaching me how to build a bigger business. They’re reminding me that a meaningful life is built through alignment. The greatest expansion isn’t becoming someone new. It’s becoming more fully yourself. Perhaps that’s why WOW continues to evolve. Because wellness is not a niche. It’s not a trend. It’s not an identity. It’s a human experience. It’s how we nourish our bodies. It’s how we care for our minds. It’s how we connect with nature, community, purpose, and ourselves.

For me, Shaklee helped me reconnect with my body. TBM helped me reconnect with my inner world. And my expanders continue to remind me what becomes possible when those two worlds begin working together. The more I heal, the more I realize that authentic visibility isn’t about reaching more people. It’s about allowing more of yourself to be seen.

And perhaps that’s what wellness has been teaching me all along.

The priviledge of a lifetime is to become who you truly are. -Carl Jung