Tamara bought her first business, Encore Gymnastics, Dance and Climbing in 1989. A former National Team Coach, Junior Olympic Program Committee Member, and Member of the Board of Directors for USA Gymnastics, she has been involved in sports as a competitive athlete, coach, choreographer, and judge.
She began life and business coaching in 2001 and obtained her training through the Coaches Training Institute, as well as completing leadership training through Coactive Space. Here are "7 Questions With an Author: Tamara Gerlach"
1. Tell us about your book?
It is about turning up our inner light through caring for our WHOLE self, starting with how we think, feel, and act. It’s called Cultivating Radiance because it describes a constant process of nurturing and developing our light. I wrote it for people who don’t have a lot of time. They need quick-and-easy tools that they can put into practice right away. Each short chapter includes a concept that plants the seed of change, a Discovery Question to help deepen wisdom, activities to help get into action and challenge, and gratitude elements and mantras to help lock in the learning.
2. What led you to write it?
Years ago I hit a personal low point and realized that I only needed to change one thing about my life: everything. The way I looked at my life and my attitude. I needed to awaken my passion, start taking care of myself, and create a vision for my life.
I had always been the “woman who could do it all herself”, but at that point, I felt broken. I reached out for help and found that I had surrounded myself with some truly inspiring people who had amazing gifts to teach me. That started my journey to discovering what makes people truly radiant. After years of speaking and giving workshops on self-care, the book sort of birthed itself as a way to communicate the message of developing our inner light.
3. Who is a writer that inspires you and why?
Dan Millman- I love how he brings complex concepts into everyday understanding. I also love that he writes novels, guide books, and does a lot of speaking, so he shares his wisdom in ways that everyone can relate to and he is very “real”; he’s not trying to be some guru who floats, but doesn’t have their feet on the ground. I have the good fortune of knowing him personally and watch him walk his talk.
4. What was the biggest challenge you faced writing this book?
Finishing it. At some point I had to stop editing, changing, adding, and just say, “Okay, it’s done.” Since it was finished I have been on a journey to discover how to share the message of self-care and bringing out our inner light. I’ve done a lot of things that scare me, like radio shows, speaking in front of large groups, and asking influential people to support and promote my book. I scare myself pretty much everyday…but I am willing to do what it takes to serve my purpose.
5. What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Relax, breathe, and write. Write from your heart. There’s no need to force it; just let it flow from you. Write every day; even if you think it is crap, just practice. It won’t all be crap, and there may be something in you waiting to be expressed, so give it voice.
6. Where do you get your ideas?
I find inspiration everywhere. Sometimes inspiration comes from art, nature, a conversation, situation, or a feeling in my body. I am very fortunate to have so many inspirational people in my life who share their wisdom and light with me, open doors, and open my eyes to what is possible.
Much of what inspired stories in the book came from my background in sports, life and business coaching, being an entrepreneur, studying philosophy, and experiencing cultures from around the world.
7. Anything that you'd like readers to know that I haven't asked?
• You have everything you need to do whatever you are here to do.
• Say less, love more. Your energy is much stronger than your words.
• Don’t hold back who you are, you’re ripping us off.
• Trust yourself, trust the process, and trust that it will all be fine.
• Know that you are walking a good path, so keep moving toward your personal radiance.
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If you're interested in learning more about Tamara, visit her site at http://tamaragerlach.com/
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