Although she is in disbelief that she is finally saying this, welcome to the 300th episode of the Be YOU podcast! This week, Jill shares some highlights from the recent four-hour BeYOULive event where more than 150 women from around the world came together to celebrate 300 episodes and being themselves! At its heart, the event was really all about helping women let go of the "masks" they wear in everyday life - roles, behaviors, and ways that they see themselves that are preventing them from showing up as their true selves.

Through a series of exercises, attendants, without shame or judgment, identified the masks that they tend to hide behind, wrote them down on actual masks, and then took them off as a symbolic act of release and self-reflection. Women were also encouraged to be vulnerable, share honestly, and lift each other up, with Jill highlighting choosing self-compassion over self-criticism (or the salve over the salt).

Beyond the mask activity, the event included dancing/movement, journaling, and small group conversations, all designed to help the women reconnect with who they really are. Jill really highlights how powerful of an experience that it was, with women bravely having opened up about their various hopes and fears. Several women, for example, share their experiences with holding back from pursuing wants and desires out of fear - such as wanting to cut or even shave their hair but fearing that they don't have the "right" face for it.

This was truly a memorable leg of the Be YOU journey for Jill, and she is sure that it was for most of the over 150 women who attended as well! That's why she wraps up with a VERY exciting announcement: she has changed her mind about not hosting a retreat to focus on her upcoming book! That's right – Jill WILL be hosting an upcoming retreat - the More of Me retreat - offering an even deeper dive into self-discovery, so be sure to tune in and head to jillherman.com for more details!

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Pacula Diamonds, Surack Enterprises, Franklin Electric, Barrett McNagny LLP, Coletech Quality Woodworking Inc., Tolon Restaurant, Waddell & Associates, & Wilcox & Associates

Show Notes:

[1:27 ] - Jill is celebrating the podcast's 300th episode, thanking loyal listeners worldwide for embracing the podcast.
[5:19 ] - Jill welcomes attendees to the BeYOULive event, introducing button distinctions.
[7:48 ] - Jill further recognizes more attendees with special buttons.
[9:14 ] - Lindsay is gifted a custom $2,400 jewelry piece from Pacula Diamonds as Jill praises those who traveled far to attend.
[11:51 ] - Sydney from Pacula Diamonds explains how her jewelry design symbolizes passion and reminds wearers to follow their true selves.
[12:45 ] - Jill spends a few minutes thanking sponsors and everyone who helped make this happen.
[16:32 ] - Jill explains the event's flow, inviting attendees to relax and simply be themselves.
[19:43 ] - Openness, physical movement, and emotional safety are all encouraged.
[22:12 ] - Jill leads women in acknowledging some shared vulnerabilities.
[25:09 ] - Alicia shares that women often feel pressure to hold everything together for everyone else's well-being.
[28:05 ] - Jill explains that personal growth means shedding old protective layers.
[31:13 ] - Self-development isn't about fixing flaws but rather evolving into your true potential.
[33:44 ] - Jill encourages reacting to self-protective behaviors with compassion instead of judgment.
[35:15 ] - "Masks" such as perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overconfidence are mentioned as examples.
[37:16 ] - Humor, keeping busy, and emotional suppression can also be self-protective masks.
[39:03 ] - Jill leads a symbolic mask-removal exercise.
[42:03 ] - Participants are instructed to label and release their personal "masks" for a silent reflective walk.
[46:38 ] - Jill lists some common emotional masks such as perfectionism, control, people-pleasing, success, and constant caretaking.
[49:29 ] - Jill invites women to view themselves with the same compassion that they show one another.
[51:46 ] - Jill contrasts self-criticism ("salt") with self-compassion ("salve") in healing old emotional wounds.
[53:56 ] - Jill demonstrates using "of course" statements to replace shame with compassion.
[56:42 ] - Self-compassion helps soften harmful patterns and promotes growth.
[59:25 ] - Cynthia reflects on finding calm and connection through a flute-themed mural that resonated with her.
​​[1:00:42 ] - Alicia reflects on how enabling others' behavior can harm herself even though she does it to seek peace.
[1:03:32 ] - Attendee (not host!) Jill compares the exercise to a form of religious confession, helping her process and release her emotions.
[1:04:15 ] - Erin shares that embracing self-compassion helps her heal from feeling like she always has to be strong.
[1:07:43 ] - Hear how Daniella felt a sense of unity and calmness seeing all the other women walk together after removing their masks.
[1:08:17 ] - Lydia reveals how she often gives others advice that she doesn't give herself.
[1:10:03 ] - Jill urges women to see flaws as protective gifts with value.
[1:14:00 ] - Jill recalls cutting her hair short across three decades and women admiring her bravery to do so.
[1:16:54 ] - Jill invites participants to admit if fear or others' opinions has ever stopped them from changing their hair.
[1:18:11 ] - Alicia expresses wanting to shave her hair off but feels uncertain about how it will look now.
[1:19:42 ] - Hear Misty share that cutting her hair gave her a sense of empowerment and ownership.
[1:22:02 ] - Drastic hair changes often reflect preparation for deeper personal change.
[1:25:09 ] - Cynthia volunteers for a haircut, expressing courage and self-acceptance.
[1:28:47 ] - Tracy realized that embracing bold, colorful clothing boosts her confidence and makes her feel empowered.
[1:30:41 ] - Jill thanks generous attendees who bought group tickets and describes the powerful "unmasking" heart display.
[1:33:09 ] - Nervous system health means staying present with emotions rather than suppressing them.
[1:34:58 ] - Jill notes how the women let loose and had a good time and emphasizes that the mask exercise doesn't mean no longer wearing masks but more so being aware of them.
[1:38:20 ] - Jill reflects on having ended the event imperfectly but finds comfort in attendees' healing words.
[1:41:03 ] - Listeners are invited to find a guiding word within themselves as Jill announces her plans for a new retreat!
[1:44:27 ] - Jill further explains her upcoming More of Me retreat, offering flexible payment options.
[1:46:18 ] - The More of Me retreat is a three-day transformative experience for women to rediscover their true selves.
[1:49:05 ] - Jill reiterates her gratitude for the event attendees' courage, believing that everyone present contributed to healing and growth.
[1:52:11 ] - Jill closes the episode with a deep breath exercise.

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