One woman’s journey of reinvention and lessons learned is an inspiring story of a prominent businesswomen Ms. Tammy Petersen, founder of Wellness Marketing/Evolve Retreats, her new, reinvented, thriving business.
Her previous company Retreats Unlimited had taken years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to create. She had the marks of success—financial stability, professional recognition, and a team she was proud of. Then COVID-19 hit, everything came to a halt. As the world slowed down, so did Tammy, as did her once-bustling life. She found herself with time she hadn’t had in decades. Time to pause, reflect, and reassess her future. This unexpected forced break led to a turning point in her life. Like many of us, she used the pandemic as an opportunity to re-evaluate her purpose path. She loved the business she had created and yet, even in the midst of huge monetary success and a high-flying lifestyle, she still had doubts.
New Perspectives Launch A Life Reassessment
Tammy, where was the doubt coming from?
“I was always in the tension of ‘what’s next”. I never felt I had truly arrived. Things felt undone. And I myself felt incomplete.”
As you began questioning and exploring your “true” feelings beyond money making, what arose?
“My career in the wellness industry started some 20 years ago, at a time I was hungry for more, more, more. It seems so many of us start on this path but overtime we evolve and begin to see it’s not about serving an industry, it’s about serving individuals.”
How did this new perspective shift your 7-figure business of yesterday into what it is today?
“To be honest, this new mindshift was mirroring where I was in my life. I was evolving and my business needed to reflect a more heart-centered approach; serving and meeting women where they are and supporting them with wellness coaches that can help them heal their broken lives. It’s much more rewarding and has brought me a sense of peace in knowing I’m having an impact in someone’s life. And funny, enough my business is still on track for 7-figures.
I’d like to add, you can have a servitude mindset, be heart-centered and still make money. Money is a tool, nothing more, nothing less.”
Thank you Tammy.
Lessons From One Woman’s Journey
Tammy’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about finding a path that brings joy, meaning living, and servitude. Here are some key lessons she learned along the way that can inspire anyone, regardless of age or stage, to reassess their life and embrace the journey of reinvention:
1. Success Is Not Always Synonymous with Fulfillment
When COVID forced Tammy to slow down, she realized something vital: business success doesn’t always equate to happiness. She had spent years chasing goals, growing her company, and achieving accolades, but in the process, she had neglected her personal life, health, and well-being. Success, she learned, is only meaningful if it’s aligned with what you truly value. It’s easy to get caught up in what others define as success—money, recognition, and career milestones—but true fulfillment comes when you feel balanced and at peace with yourself.
Key takeaway: Reassess what success means to you. Is it the external markers you’ve been chasing, or is it something deeper, like peace, joy, or connection?
2. Time to Pause Can Lead to Clarity
For years, Tammy had been in “go mode,” constantly moving from one milestone to the next, never taking time to reflect on whether the path she was on was the right one. The pandemic forced a slow down, giving her the time and clarity she needed to look at life from a fresh perspective. Without the daily grind, she was able to ask herself critical questions: What do I really want from my life now? What makes me feel truly fulfilled?
Key takeaway: Don’t be afraid to step back, even if everything seems to be going well. Taking a break, and I’m a big advocate of using travel to step away from the daily grind, realign with your passions and priorities, to allow yourself to move forward with greater intention (inward focus).
3. It’s Never Too Late to Start Over
Tammy believed, like many of us do, that starting something new—whether it was a career, a hobby, or a lifestyle change—was something reserved for younger people. But COVID taught her that it’s never too late to begin again. She realized that her 50s were not the end of her journey, but a new chapter to explore. Whether it’s launching a new business, learning a new skill, or diving into personal development, there’s always an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
Key takeaway: Age is just a number when it comes to reinvention. The idea that you must “have it all figured out” by a certain age is a myth. Embrace the possibility of starting anew at any point in life.
4. Saying No Can Be Liberating
Tammy found herself reevaluating the commitments she had made. Over the years, she had said “yes” to everything—extra projects, social obligations, and business opportunities—because she thought she had to keep up appearances and prove her worth. But now, she saw that many of those “yeses” had been draining her energy and not contributing to her overall happiness. Saying “no” became an act of self-care, giving her the freedom to focus on what truly mattered.
Key takeaway: Setting boundaries and saying “no” is an essential tool for reclaiming your time and energy. Remember time and energy are your power tools, use them wisely. Don’t hesitate to turn down things that don’t serve you any longer.
5. Personal Growth is a Lifelong Journey
In her pursuit of professional success, Tammy had put her personal growth journey on the back burner.. The pandemic helped her reconsider how she spent her time and energy. Instead of solely focusing on her business, she began dedicating time to meditation, self-reflection, and nurturing her relationships. She realized that growth doesn’t stop in your 30s or 40s—there’s always room to evolve. You get to choose; whether it’s reading, learning new skills, traveling, or exploring new interests, you are always learning.
Key takeaway: Personal growth doesn’t have an expiration date. Invest in yourself. Get creative. Learn something new, make new friends, join a community of like-minded women.
6. Cliche but True: Enjoy the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Looking back on her life, Tammy realized how much she had focused on the “end goal” and how little she had appreciated the journey. The business, the successes, the accomplishments—they were all important, but they didn’t define her happiness. As she reimagined her future, she made a conscious decision to enjoy the process of life itself—not just the milestones. Now, she embraces the small moments, savoring time with her family, taking walks, and engaging in activities that bring her joy.
Key takeaway: The journey is just as important as the destination. Life isn’t just about achieving goals—it’s about being present in each moment and embracing the unknown, instead of doubting it!
7. A Journey of Reinvention Should Emerge From Your True Self
Success should always be defined by you, your true self. It’s your story to create. Remember when you live by another’s expectations you’re just a chapter in their book. Reassessing your life, gett’n real with how you feel —even when it seems like everything is going well—can open new doors that lead to a more meaningful, balanced, and joyful future. It’s never too late to hit reset, try something new, and redefine what happiness looks like for you.
Key takeaway: We all get caught up in the pressures of having it all. And yet, who is defining what “having it all truly means.” It’s vital that we come to know our true selves, so we can define and envision what we want our lives to look like.
A Woman’s Journey of Reinvention: Embrace Your New Chapter
If you find yourself in a similar place—whether you’re facing a life shift or simply feeling like there’s more to life than what you’ve been living—take a step back. Reflect, reimagine, and embrace the possibility of a life that feels truly aligned with who you are today. Your next chapter could be the best one yet.
Do you have a story of reinvention or a lesson you’ve learned through reassessing your life? Share it in the comments or connect with us to discuss how you’re navigating your own journey of growth!
Clarity Session
You know what they say: “Necessity is the mother of invention.” After years on the psychiatrist’s couch, countless masterclasses, and working with various coaches, I still felt like something was off. I was struggling—lost without my voice, my vision, and any clear solution in sight.
Then came my life tsunami. It was through embracing spirit-driven teachings and the psychological tools of Dr. Nix, Ph.D., that I uncovered my true calling: Spiritual Personality Typing (SPT). This emerging typology is a roadmap to your authentic self, bridging your soul (higher consciousness) with your personality (the soul in action). It’s perfect for business who desire to successfully weather these transformative times.
I offer bespoke 1:1 clarity sessions that just may be what you need to stop merely living your life and start creating the life of your dreams!”
“Working with Nina helped me remove the blind spots that were holding me back”, Judith Wilms, TedX, Author. A bespoke clarity session maybe just what you need to stop living your life and instead create the life of your dreams!
Book: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide
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For me, travel has become a powerful way to embody my true self, whether I’m exploring distant lands or my own backyard. Ready to embark on this journey?
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Step Into The Pages of the Book with Moi! Schedule a personalized 1:1 power hour where we explore your travel personality in detail.
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About
Nina Zapala combines personality typing with spirituality in a vibrant, creative way that sets her apart. More importantly it helps you find your true self. She is renowned for making brands distinctive, unforgettable and successful. What she learned engaging with hundreds of women—whip-smart entrepreneurs, digital innovators and creatives, and corporate leaders is that we all long for meaning and purpose. Learning this and going through her own tsunami has fueled her passion to help women everywhere be true to themselves. Empowering women to discover their own magic and potential be it in business or learning to master artful aging; a time to build new dreams! .
