HEROINES WITH HEART: Emily Ehlers of Olive on Blonde
Multi-passionate doesn't even come close to describing the huge spectrum of love for the world and all its offerings that Emily Ehlers radiates and absorbs. I had read Em's blog Olive on Blonde before I moved to Perth (where she resides) and had imagined her to be the sweetest, funniest, most caring gal who I would just love to hang out with, eat food, chat sustainability and do craft. The Universe works in wonderful ways. After becoming social media buddies and continuously finding ourselves amused at our ability to be eating/drinking/doing the same things on a regular basis, we knew we just had to meet.
Months later, the rest is history and I've no doubt we either knew each other in a past life or were separated at birth. I am lucky enough to now count her as one of my closest friends and (although the term gets thrown around a lot these days) my soul sister. On a more personal level, I'm not sure how easy this transition to move to a new city would have been for me without her support. She's a gem. She's also an up-and-coming-health-coach with a killer (self-illustrated) eBook on its way.
Em has so much enthusiasm and passion for the world, for people, for her family, animal rights, nutrition, the environment, health and living a sustainable, satisfying life. Her blog is an authentic reflection of her evolving interests and ideas and the way she spins words gives me shivers! The girl can write. And draw. And so much more. Ladies and gentleman, I give you Emily Ehlers.
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So, first things first. What is your dream?
To be completely comfortable in my me-ness. To be unapologetically “Em” without wondering if I am too loud, too silly, too sensitive. To live authentically. To wake up every morning thirsty – for knowledge, connection, skills, love, compassion (that bit has already come true). Basically be the most fantabulous version of myself.
Then help others do the same.
What has been your biggest fear to date to overcome?
The fear of being without my loved ones. When I was in high-school my dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and it sent me into a tailspin. After watching him fight hard for a few years, things started looking up. I moved to the Gold Coast, started a course I loved, had a solid relationship, the best group of friends and felt damn healthy. After 2 weeks of living this new life I got the call that he had lung cancer. It hit me hard and I moved back immediately. (6 years later he is in remission and very healthy).
Since that whenever I started to feel happy I felt this throat-clenching, chest-tightening panic that something was about to go wrong. It made me to the most excellent self-saboteur in all the land. I think I felt that if I beat fate to the punch I wouldn’t get any nasty shocks.
It was/is my biggest challenge but bit-by-bit I am working through it and allowing myself to enjoy those moments of pure perfection without worrying about what is around the corner.
What makes up your lifeblood?
Love. Is there anything else?
Being healthy means that I?
Making the decision to nourish myself with what I eat, think, do and give.It means green juice, daily meditation, writing, cuddling my Lucy Goosey, celebrating with champagne, not reading the news, volunteering and being present.
To me, the word 'healing' means...
Listening. Our bodies are flipping amazing and they rarely malfunction for no reason. Take note of the pebbles that it throws you or you will get bit by a boulder.And crack out the patchouli because I’m about to get all hippie on ya’… listen to what the universe is saying. If you keep getting the same lesson over and over, you aren’t listening.
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Where is your ultimate travel destination?
Costa Rica. Some people are obsessed with chocolate… for me? It’s sloths. So I would love to volunteer at the sanctuary there. Plus it has THE most amazing rainforest and is officially the happiest country in the world. It’s so happy that they abolished their own army. #countrycrush.
What DRIVES you?
My daughter. I want to teach her to find joy, live bravely, be authentic and follow her heart.
Choosing love over fear means?
Seeing the champagne glass as half full, baby! Fear undermines everything. Love builds everything up.
I feel really creative when I...
Am on the beach especially by myself. A few years ago I went for a walk on the beach during a pretty rowdy storm. It was pelting down with rain and I came across an old man. He yelled at me “No one else is here! Are we crazy or is everyone else?!”. We both laughed like maniacs and did a random little jig and carried on our merry ways. It was one of the most invigorating, joyous moments of my life! My mind was going a million miles an hour in the craziest of directions. Perfection.
If you could tell your 14 year old self one thing, what would it be?
You are amazing. Embrace your goofiness. Stop comparing yourself to everyone else.
Love your uniqueness. You are by far the best you I know. [Click to tweet this!]
Can you share with us your secret pleasure?
Champagne. No competition.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I am a successful health coach with a healthy client base of inspired women. Every day I help someone live their best life. I have created a gorgeous global community of women that support each other and believe in themselves. I am writing my first book. I wake up every day excited. I am deliriously happy.
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Em interview
Emily is a Holistic Lifestyle Coach, blogger, wellness junkie and barefoot bandit. She is the fair-haired maiden behind
. She has a love of the planet and an unhealthy preoccupation with sloths.
Her passion lies in helping magnificent women around the world to unleash their amazing – to get rid of anxiety and replace it with a healthy serve of self-love and a chaser of green juice. She truly believes that most people do not understand how amazing their bodies are designed to feel!So if you love practical wellness tips, interviews with fiercely inspiring women, a bit of soul-baring and a silly sense of humour then come say hi on Instagramor Facebook. Let go of fear. Love your body. Live your dreams. Repeat.
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The girl's got soul, right? Tell me, what's one thing that really INSPIRED you in this interview?
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