What happens when you have all the external markers of success but feel profoundly unhappy? Heather Stewart faced this reality as a senior director of finance with the degree, the job, and the lifestyle that society deemed successful—yet something was missing. In a courageous act of self-reclamation, she quit her corporate position, ended her marriage, sold her house, and embarked on a three-month journey to India that would forever alter her perspective on life.
Her time in India revealed a stark contrast between Western materialism and community-centered values, leading to a profound realization: "I am a complete person." This awareness freed her from the constant seeking that characterizes much of modern existence. Upon returning to Canada, Heather transformed her career path, opening a yoga studio and becoming a massage therapist to help others reconnect with their physical wellness after experiencing the cerebral nature of corporate life.
The universe wasn't finished with Heather's transformation, however. A stroke in 2021 became what she calls "the gift of a three-day silent retreat" in the ER, forcing her to confront a powerful truth—while she was moving in the right direction, she was "playing too small." This health crisis birthed her Thriving Life Method, a holistic approach that harmonizes physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, and financial wellbeing.
Throughout our conversation, Heather challenges popular notions about manifestation, emphasizing that visualization alone isn't enough—we must take ownership and action. "If you want to decide that you need a different life," she explains, "I had to stand up for myself, use my voice, and make something different happen." This perspective offers a refreshing alternative to passive manifestation practices that often leave people frustrated when results don't materialize.
Whether you're feeling stuck in a career that no longer serves you, struggling to process emotions authentically, or seeking to create meaningful change in your life, Heather's journey demonstrates the transformative power of taking ownership. By reclaiming responsibility for our choices and circumstances, we unlock our capacity to manifest the reality we truly desire.
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