Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Kenney.
Karen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always say – if you want to know where you’re going… you gotta’ understand where you’re coming from. So a brief background for you guys…
I grew up in Lawrence, MA (a tough little city about 30 miles north of Boston). My biological parents split-up when I was two years old (so I didn’t really know my father) and my step-dad came onto the scene about a year later.
Ma was my favorite human being and the center of my Universe. The bright sun to which the rest of my tiny planet revolved around and depended on. And let me tell you something, her gravitational pull was fierce and strong. I couldn’t resist the way I loved her if I tried.
My “Dad” didn’t allow for any kind of weakness. He was of the “suck it up & stuff it down” kind of variety. I often joke that I worshipped the ground he walked on… but that kind of adoration and loyalty was born more from fear and survival instincts than affection.
Our house was kind of a war zone growing up – my mother & stepfather were constantly fighting. We even learned to duck full plates of food when they were thrown across the dinner table. Drop and roll, kid – drop and roll. HA!
Because of the intensity of their relationship – those two were always splitting up. There would always be yelling, some choice f-bombs dropped and then the sound of a slamming door. I guess Dad’s leaving again.
During their final separation, when I was 12, my mom was brutally murdered. She was violently beaten to death.
I tell you all this because that one, unexpected, searing loss changed the entire trajectory of my life.
It affected how I saw myself, my family, men, violence, God and the world.
It was not only my deepest wound – it also become my greatest gift.
It was through my struggle and my suffering that I, gradually but inevitably, also found my true strength.
I found my ministry, my mission, my message and my movement.
It was the spark that lit the flame to me becoming a writer, a storyteller, a speaker and a Spiritual Mentor.
There are probably a thousand good and bad moments that I could look back on in my life and say, “Oh, that one right there – that sucker definitely left a mark.”
But nothing called me forward to the work I do today more than my mother being killed.
It still influences, informs and inspires me to want to help others.
When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them:
I work with people who’ve had more than their fair shit of wicked hard shit happen to them. I help them to lead a life like nothing bad has ever happened.
I help people to drop the old limiting crap and move from what I call “Your Story to Your Glory”.
But if you really want to get to the simple heartbeat and soul of what I do – you could sum it up this way – I just love people, man. I love them and I help remind them of who they really are.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not a smooth road – but man, what an incredible adventure. Ha!
After my mom died and my father didn’t want to take care of us – my sister and I went to go live with an Aunt & Uncle that I didn’t know. It was like moving in with strangers and having my whole world turned upside down.
I was with them for about 5 years, until I was 17 and I left Lawrence to go to Boston University. I was literally on my own from that day on.
But that kind of experience forced me to become independent and to figure out how to navigate the world from my point of view. To figure out my personal sense of right and wrong.
Losing my mom and any kind of parents forced me to look inside myself for direction. What I lost in how to navigate the world with external instructions, I gained tenfold in Internal Guidance. I had to rely on my own inner compass.
This ultimately deepened my relationship with myself and what I call my Spiritual Team.
I now get that I’m 100% responsible for my own happiness. That while pain is inevitable – suffering is optional. I’m not a victim of the world I see… in fact, I’m often the creator of it. Ha!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Karen Kenney – Fearless Flow Mentoring – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m a writer, speaker, and the founder of Fearless Flow Mentoring. I’ve been a student & guide of A Course in Miracles for 25+ years and a certified yoga teacher since 2001. I’m known for my storytelling, my sense of humor and my “down-to-earth” approach to spirituality.
I mentor people 1:1 and also coach in groups. I help people let go of their old stories of suffering and victimization so they can write a new kick-ass story from that inner place of power, forgiveness and Spirit.
I lead transformational retreats here in New England and also at the renowned Omega Institute in NY.
I’m currently working on a memoir and my show is also in development.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m dying to get this book finished and out into the world!
I’m also wicked excited for some fantastic Live Events and Fearless Flow Retreats that I have coming up in 2018 & 2019.
Plus, I’m hoping to launch my “Your Story to Your Glory” program in the next month or so that helps people and other entrepreneurs – transform their story so that it becomes a powerful way to not only personally heal but to also connect and communicate with their professional clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://karenkenney.com
- Phone: 603.608.7590
- Email: karen@karenkenney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenkenneylive/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenkenney.writer
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenkenneylive
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenkenneylive/
Image Credit:
Stage Shots (KK in black clothing) – Lauren Bodwell
Stage Pic (KK in white shirt) & Yoga Assisting Pic – Raya Al-Hashmi
Head Shots (KK smiling & laughing) – Amber Lilyestrom
Love is my religion shot – Jodie Tsekrekas
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
