There is a person in this world who would walk through snakes to hear me speak, and she is terrified of snakes. In fact, more than anything in the world.
I learned this stunning piece of information because this person told me herself, right after I finished teaching a day-long Becoming You Values Workshop in New York City this week. It was a fabulous event, attended by fifty of the most influential wellbeing experts in New York, and I felt honored to have seven hours with them to talk about life, relationships, careers, authenticity, and all the stuff that makes this messy, joyful thing called life so worth figuring out. |
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"I love what you are doing with The Values Bridge!" she cried, embracing me as I came off the stage. "It is so important! It is helping so many people! I would have fought snakes to be here, and my mother would tell you, nothing scares me more than snakes. Nothing!"
I have heard compliments in my life, of course I have. (I have heard plenty of criticisms too.) But never any like this.
Confession: It was very, very, very hard for me to take in. Perhaps because I too fear snakes, and here's proof. Once I was walking my beloved dog Happy off-leash in Florida, and an ominous bright-red snake darted out of the bushes and slithered directly toward her – AND I DITCHED HER AND RAN AWAY.
That is how much I fear snakes.
Now, don't get me wrong. I melted hearing the snakes proclamation. The impact we make at Becoming You Labs is the fuel that keeps us all going. God, that sounds cringe, but it is so freaking true. Just today, we received an email from an attendee at one of our recent Three-Day Intensives. "This was the most invigorating, illuminating, and grounding experience I have had personally and professionally in quite some time," it read. "There is simply magic in the space and conversation that Becoming You creates. Seriously, thank you."
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But tell me this: Why is my first impulse always to deflect praise? Is it just me? I don't think so. Also this week, Leslie John, a professor at Harvard Business School, came onto my podcast to discuss her brilliant new book, "Revealing." As part of my introduction, I congratulated her on her remarkable career as a scholar, to which she replied, "Well, part of it was luck."
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"Stop that!" I admonished her. "Let people love on you."
I guess I need to take my own advice. That's not new! But let me turn it around and likewise direct it at you. I'd love for you to let yourself be loved-on when the impulse strikes you not to.
Somewhere out there, someone would fight a bright-red snake for you. How lucky is that? |
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I thought the snowstorm this week was beautiful. No complaints. I went for a walk at the height of it all and marveled at how enchanting the city looked and how suddenly friendly New Yorkers were acting toward each other. "Don't slip!" "Be careful!" "Stay warm!"
Thank you!
But another storm next week? Now I am annoyed.
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Women's History Month is coming and, in preparation for a special podcast, we have been taking a close look at our data at Becoming You Labs through the lens of gender. After all, The Values Bridge rank-orders values and measures how much people are living each one they hold. Now that 150,000 have taken the test, what might we learn about the differences between men and women?
Well, a lot.
But let me share just one fascinating fact for you to mull. The top value for both men and women overall is Eudemonia, the desire for wellbeing, self-care, and personal flourishing. (Obviously, this ranking is not true for everyone, but it is for about 60% of the population.)
When it comes to how much people are fully living their Eudemonia, however, a notable disconnect presents itself.
Men have an Authenticity Gap of 32%, meaning they are 32% away from fully expressing their Eudemonia.
For women, the gap is 38% – six percentage points wider.
I have a theory about why, and it has everything to do with how women are socialized around the word "selfish." But I want to hear yours first! Let me know at hello@suzywelch.com. We may not agree, but I promise not to ditch you and run away.
Until next week, let the snow go away and the love stay,
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What's coming?
→ May 2026 Three-Day Becoming You Intensive here
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Forget Your “Why.” There Are Three Better Questions To Unlock Your Life.
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You’ve heard it a thousand times: What’s your why? Your purpose, your North Star, where your best life is hiding. But what if the “why” question isn’t the one that actually gets you unstuck? In this special episode, we hear from the global community of certified Becoming You coaches about the questions they use to jumpstart purpose-seeking clients. Their answers are nothing short of revelatory.
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