In forty years of being a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Dr. Sara Gilman Gregory has learned that if you don’t have self-love and self-compassion, it is nearly impossible to create the life that you desire and deserve. As one of our newest board members, she speaks from both the heart and from personal experience.
When Sara committed to a doctoral program at the age of fifty-five, she asked herself, “Why didn’t I just go straight through college (years ago) and get it like many of my college classmates?” Admittedly, it had to do with the fact that she was pregnant (ready to burst!), and she simply didn’t have the confidence. It all worked out in the end because Sara had a lot of personal healing to do in order to develop the self-respect every woman needs to do bold and courageous things.
In 2017, Sara received her doctorate in clinical psychology and sports psychology. Today, she is nationally recognized for her work that focuses on resilience, mental toughness, and peak performance. Some of her clients include first responders, Olympic athletes, elite triathletes, gymnasts, ice skaters, equestrians, cyclists, opera singers, Navy SEALs, and SWAT officers.
“A woman’s agency starts with herself,” Sara said. “She can certainly accept help, guidance, and mentorship, but ultimately she has to take full responsibility for her own life, which gives her more choices. She must be willing to trust and lean into women who are more experienced, or who have been through a similar event or trauma, or who have the knowledge and experience that they’re seeking. It is okay to lean into the other women in your life, those who can be support beams and a reflection of who you are. We don’t have to do all of this alone, and that’s exciting!”
When Sara made the commitment to a doctoral program at the age of fifty-five, she reminded herself that she had a lot of experience in finishing and accomplishing things. That helped with her confidence in committing and sticking with the program. It also helped to celebrate the small wins along the way. It could be something as simple as sticking to a daily healthy-eating routine. “Whatever you do,” Sara continued. “Resist diminishing who you are. It’s okay to celebrate yourself.”
