Reclaiming Her Fire: Burning the Old to Embrace the New – Rising Phoenix Spotlight – Me Ra Koh
Shirley’s journey inspires anyone yearning to reclaim their fire, shed the past, and realize their fullest potential. She is a “soul coach” dedicated to guiding others to healing and breakthrough. This experience was for HER!
As Shirley reflects so powerfully, “Before, trauma was almost writing my story. Then healing was writing it, but now it’s time for ME to write it.” (Look at her JOY seeing her wall art installed!!! It’s TIME!!)
“My wall art is right next to my desk and I can’t articulate how much it affects the way I feel and show up during my coaching calls. I draw a strength from just glancing over at my pictures.”
“The shift just organically begins to happen. It’s not something that I’ve had to force. I’m just flowing in it. There have been some bumps along the way as I’m assimilating to a new way of BEING. I noticed self criticism has decreased significantly. There was also tremendous clearing of old stories that no longer serve this version of me that’s been activated. I’ve experienced so many synchronicities – seeing the Phoenix, crowns, repeated words that my girls spoke over me. I’ve experienced grace like no other during this shift. And I am welcoming a quiet confidence rising within me.”
“My coaching sessions with clients since have been so POWERFUL seeing this beside my desk!”
Reclaiming Her Fire
For Shirley, the timing was undeniable. Her screensaver had been a Rising Phoenix for months—a subconscious reminder of what was stirring within her. Then she saw one of our Rising Phoenix Experience posts on Facebook. She was in the midst of letting go of a major piece of her past, truly reclaiming her fire.
Burning Old Stories
Before Shirley came for her Rising Phoenix, she sent me a photo of her burning all her old journals.
In her own words: “She (the past version of Shirley) can’t come with me in this next season of loving myself and being my best self. It feels like I’m in unknown territory, truly writing my own story. Newness is coming. Refreshing is coming.”
Qualities Rising Within Shirley
When I talked with Shirley, she shared the following qualities that are rising within her this new season. So powerful!
- Peace: “Walking in peace at all times.”
- Rest: “I come from hustle and grind culture. Now, I want to move from a place of rest.”
- Empowerment: Fully embracing her ability to lead others.
- Ease & Flow: “I’m learning to go from doing to being.”
Breaking Free: A Prayer That Transformed Everything
Shirley’s journey has been filled with challenges that would test anyone’s spirit. From caring for her mother in hospice for three years to confronting a family member about childhood abuse, she has faced her pain with courage. She recalls one pivotal moment: “I prayed, ‘Truth at any cost,’ and that prayer activated EVERYTHING.” The morning after she confronted the family member, Shirley woke up with tremendous peace. For the first time, she felt free to think and feel without obligation.
This breakthrough led to profound physical and emotional changes. “Weight started dropping off my body. I no longer needed to carry that protectiveness.” Her transformation has allowed her to embrace a new identity: a “soul coach” who helps others connect their mind and body in profound ways.
When Shirley booked her Rising Phoenix Experience, she shared that while she often holds healing spaces for her coaching clients, this was a rare opportunity for someone to hold a healing space for her. This role reversal allowed her to experience the transformative power of being on the receiving end of healing, fostering empathy and powerful breakthrough.
The Phoenix within Rises
Shirley describes this next chapter as stepping into her “Queen Era,” a season defined by peace, rest, and ease. “I may have bought myself a crown and granted myself permission to be too much! I’m all done playing small. It’s time to rise to my fullest potential!”
Her friends see it too! Annie, Ruby, and Shanty—women who have known Shirley through different chapters of her life—describe her as:
- Empowering: “She knows how to pinpoint your strengths and remind you of how far you’ve come.”
- Bold: “She steps out of her comfort zone with courage and joy.”
- Authentic: “Her heart is pure. She has a true love for people and their healing.”
What Her Girlfriends Hope She Sees in these Portraits
When asked what they hope Shirley’s Rising Phoenix portraits will remind her of, her friends shared these beautiful heartfelt words:
- Annie: “She’s an empowered goddess. I hope it reminds her of her strength and how far she’s come.”
- Ruby: “She’s whole, loved, and free—that would mean so much to her.”
- Shanty: “Everything she needs is already within her. She just needs to live it out.”
As a creative team, we took all these words and incorporated them into Shirley’s experience.
“If I Can Do This, I Can Do Anything!”
Shirley’s transformation is best summarized by her own triumphant words: “If I can do this, I can do ANYTHING! The fire is lit!” Her journey reminds us all that we are capable of rising from the ashes, of reclaiming our fire, and of stepping into the most authentic, powerful versions of ourselves.
The Unexpected Gift that Day
In every Rising Phoenix Experience, an unforeseen gift emerges, tailored uniquely to the individual. For Shirley, this gift was the liberation of her long-suppressed passion for dance. Years prior, critical voices had dimmed this joy, causing her to abandon an activity that once brought her immense happiness.
During her experience, as her favorite Bollywood songs filled the room, Shirley began to move. With each step, invisible chains broke away. We could see the burdens and lies dissipating, replaced by the pure, unrestrained expression of both a woman with the freedom of a child dancing.
This profound moment reignited a dormant flame within her. “What came alive is dancing this past month!” Shirley shared only weeks after her artwork was installed. “I’ve danced more than I have in YEARS!!!!! This was the magic that was divinely ignited during our shoot!” What a testament to her reclaimed fire and the transformative power of embracing one’s true self.
Shirley’s Rising Phoenix Experience speaks to the profound impact of reconnecting with lost passions. Engaging in activities that once brought joy can serve as a powerful tool for healing and personal growth. Dance, in particular, has been recognized for its therapeutic benefits, aiding individuals in processing emotions and overcoming trauma. Does anyone else want to take a Bollywood dance class from Shirley after reading her story?! YES!!!
By embracing the unexpected gifts that arise during Rising Phoenix Experiences, clients like Shirley rediscover and reclaim their fire, leading to a life of FREEDOM they never imagined possible!
Are You Ready to Write Your Story?
Shirley’s Rising Phoenix Experience is proof of what’s possible when you choose to let go of the old and embrace the new. Are you ready to see yourself in a new light? To step into your own Queen (or King) Era? Let’s begin your Rising Phoenix Experience today.
Ready to rise? Take the first step. DM me on Instagram or message me on Facebook “rise” or fill out our contact here: Rising Phoenix page. Let me know in your contact form that you read Shirley’s story.
