Today we’d like to introduce you to Bara Mann.
Hi Bara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I spent most of my life subtly feeling like I didn’t quite “belong” or “fit in”. It didn’t stop me from enjoying life: I was extroverted and social and usually had big groups of friends. I became an engineer, moved around to different cities and eventually states, and grew a huge network of friends. But even though I’d go out and have fun with those people, I didn’t think I really mattered to them. That didn’t feel good, but I didn’t know I could or should try to change it.
When Covid hit and my meditation practice deepened I realized I could do something about it. I launched into a self-healing journey that led to me training as an energy healer and leaving my engineering job. It was an exciting, difficult, and sometimes terrifying process. I had to reevaluate my whole identity, and that’s a pretty scary thing to do on your own. I also had no idea what I’d do for a living when my savings ran out. I was out of touch with my true desires and likes.
Through experimentation, trial and error, and eventual mentorship, I taught myself to reconnect with the intuition I had largely silenced. I was healing myself and feeling connected to everyone and everything. It was beautiful, even when difficult emotions would come up. Emotions I’d allow myself to feel when I was used to pushing them aside.
As my life transformed, I began unofficially coaching multiple people. I became aware that it was something I had been doing my entire life, but I was better at it now. Energy healing and actually allowing yourself to get close to people will have that effect! It was clear that life coaching was something I was meant to keep doing. Others shouldn’t have to go through a difficult and confusing healing process on their own.
Although I expected to emerge from all of this self-work as a beautiful butterfly, it turns out that I’m still the same kid I was when I was 8. The one who helps the other kids see themselves for the beautiful beings they are, embrace themselves and have fun. While I still am that kid, I experience life differently now. Joy is my baseline, and I no longer worry about whether or not I fit in or belong because I know that I do. I know that we all do, and I love helping others experience the same.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Building a new business isn’t easy. It takes some time to get your name out there and build a business as a coach.
The real struggle though came before the business; it was discovering my path and finding my way here. It was hard to go from “I know what I don’t want, but wtf do I want?” to feeling stable and clear. I didn’t have a guide at first, so it took a lot of experimentation. And when I started manifesting with ease and getting clear with my intuition I had some scary moments: “did that really just happen? Am I losing my mind?”
I’m grateful for the struggle though. The trial and error led to me learning a mishmash of techniques that serve my clients well. It also gave me the clarity that I am meant to guide others on their transformation journeys so they don’t have to navigate them alone.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a transformational life coach and speaker. I help people change their lives for the better through one-on-one coaching and public speaking.
As a coach, I support growth-minded folks who want loving guidance and partnership in improving their lives. Together we release the beliefs, thoughts, and fears that have been holding them back from living their best life. Next they’ll develop techniques to create more joy, confidence, fulfillment, and clarity. And then we practice and fine-tune until this way of being becomes their new normal.
Unlike most coaches, I incorporate energy healing into my coaching process. Doing so allows us to quickly identify and release blocks such as limiting beliefs and trapped emotions (without reliving the past). My healing modalities include Reiki, crystal healing, pendulum healing, and the Emotion Code.
I also speak and guide workshops for organizations and conferences. My topics include relationships/connecting with others, boundaries, and increasing joy and positivity.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Some would say that leaving my cushy corporate job was a big risk. Once I realized that I was living out of alignment, however, it felt like a bigger risk not to.
Risk implies danger. I get out of my comfort zone often but don’t do many things that feel dangerous or scary. (That said, I trust my intuition and body to guide me in what’s safe. Some may call the solo camping and paddleboarding I did recently risky… but with the precautions I took it didn’t feel that way to me.)
I’ve observed that when folks (including myself) enter an experience from a place of fear, they’re unlikely to enjoy it fully. Instead, I recommend starting with what’s just a little uncomfortable. Once you prove that you can do that thing, your boundary for what’s comfortable will grow. As you learn to trust yourself, you’ll be able to push it even further and enjoy yourself while you do.
Contact Info:
- Website: BaraCo.org
- Instagram: Instagram.com/baracobara
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bara-mann/
Image Credits
Danette Mitchell
