From the Vault: Friends Who Leap
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Casey Berglund: [00:00:00] Hi there, it's Casey here. Just popping in quick to let you know that this podcast episode is from the PurposeMap Podcast Vault. So it was recorded in the past and we're bringing it back around to you now because, I don't know, I just have a little sense that it might be relevant to you in this moment.
Right now, of course, these podcast episodes are, in essence, timeless. The only thing that might be timely in them when they were first recorded is an offer that was in alignment at that time. So please, if there's any mention of an offer in this episode, Let it go. What we'd love for you to do if you want to take things a step further is actually book a get to know you call with me or a member of our team.
It's really important to us that we know you and know your story and have an opportunity to engage with you. So there's a link in the show notes or a couple links in the show notes for you to book a call with [00:01:00] me or a member of our team. We just love that you're here, so enjoy this episode. I trust that whether it's the first time listening or the 10th time, you'll receive some bit of wisdom that can guide you to acting in alignment with who you really are and what you're really here for.
I so appreciate you being here and can't wait to check in with you at the end. I am tuning in today from Los Angeles, California. Here for some time. I'm not sure how long. More on that in this episode. Today's guest is Chelsea Benzel. She is an intuition and manifestation guide and the host of And The Net Appeared.
We are having a conversation today about leaping. And what it means to make bold moves, to make decisions, to step into the unknown and to trust the unfolding, to trust that the net will indeed appear. What it means to do that in community, to have other friends that are making bold moves and leaping and [00:02:00] asking for more of life, and inherently through doing that, saying no to settling.
I invite you to join us in this beautiful, authentic conversation with my dear friend, Chelsea Bensel, and I'll check in with you at the end. Where are you in your leaping process right now? What does that even mean to you? What
Chelsey Benzel: does that even mean? I feel like it's such a cliche, but I do love it. Leap and the net will appear.
Um, I am in the free fall. It depends. I feel like there's like simultaneously multiple leaps happening at any given time.
Casey Berglund: Oh, it's like a multidimensional
Chelsey Benzel: leap. I mean, I feel like in some sense it always is because there's, Pieces that have to come together to create the net to like, look back and be able to say, Oh, the net appeared.
There's like right now it's, I've just come back from Costa Rica [00:03:00] and I don't even know how long I want to stay in Calgary. So there's this whole like decision making process. There's this whole, how much longer can I live at my parents house? And I'm very grateful to have lined up. My next home, um, at the end of this month, so that feels really good to be like finding my footing and maybe venturing out of what feels like a bit of a free fall and yeah, just trusting as always that all of the pieces are going to come together in a way that is beyond what I can imagine.
Casey Berglund: That's
Chelsey Benzel: my favorite part of it when it's like we can have an idea of how Maybe we want things to feel, maybe how we want them to look, and then if we just lean back and get out of our own way, things can come together in a really cool way. [00:04:00]
Casey Berglund: I almost want you to slow down or talk more about the, I guess the best way that's coming to me to describe it is the multidimensional part of the freefall, like, which maybe is better described as there's like layers to the part that you're in in your freefall.
Yeah, say more about that, the layers.
Chelsey Benzel: Well, as soon as I said that, and then I started thinking about where I'm at, I'm like, is that even true? Are there layers? I mean, life is always multidimensional, but I guess just in that sense, because life is multidimensional, there's so much that can come together, that can shift, that can alter course.
When you make a decision to make a big life change, it's like there's a saying, I hear it often connected to like medicine ceremonies, but that the deci, the [00:05:00] moment you decide to partake in the ceremony, the medicine begins working.
Casey Berglund: Mm-Hmm, .
Chelsey Benzel: So in that sense, how multidimensional is that? It's like just in the decision to make a change.
You set something new in motion and I feel like when I do, it's like, I feel okay, we're on the other side of that decision now, this is what's happening and you move differently. And then I'm thinking about it through the lens of like the U. S. where I'm at in my current leap. And I think back to like the moment I booked my flight back from Costa Rica.
And, yeah, I like wasn't even sure that I was going to, or when I was going to, and then I booked it. And it's like, okay, now I have a date. I'm leaving. Now I get to close this chapter. [00:06:00] That's one dimension of it. I get to see all the little miracles that are going to happen as I tidy things up here in this chapter that I've been living and, and then getting on that flight.
And then you come in that Lindo phase arriving somewhere. Finding your footing, finding like what is the new routine, what is the day to day, what, how do I feel differently here, what do I want to create here, there's so much to that. And then all the pieces within that, all the different dimensions and layers that can come together.
Yeah, I don't know, it's hard to put words to it because it's so abstract.
Casey Berglund: What's super interesting about you and I being here now. That's coming to me is that we have experienced or chosen, I should say, leaps as it relates to environment and where to be places to live. [00:07:00] And as I listen to you reflect on the leaps.
To book a flight, to come home to Calgary from Costa Rica. It's like, that's its own leap. And then I just took a leap to book a one way to California and I'm here in California and I have no idea what I'm here for or why or for how long I have a bit of a sense and the pieces are starting to land. Like I shared with a friend last night when we were in deep connection and conversation in her home, where, where I've been staying.
Just like, if this is it, if this is it, just like me deeply connecting with you, Rina, the friend, uh, that's it, that, that's enough of a reason for me to have taken the leap to come here, because this means something to me, it's heartful, it's deep, it's, uh, uh, a dropping in to further connection with someone who I had a sense, an intuition, connection [00:08:00] Was there for a reason so that in and of itself is enough and my sense in my path is like there's more unfolding that I can't see and it's happening on all different dimensions all at the same time or on different timelines.
Yeah. And I'm here to experience it. But it's interesting to me how, especially since you and I have deepened in our connection, there's been this one person going home while the other is leaving and one person leaving while the other's going home. But our leaps have been connected to where we be. And there's some interesting contrast and also through lines in that process.
Interesting. Interesting.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah. Yeah. You said something there that I just want to come back to about the, it speaks to the different dimensions, but the timing and the almost this seeking a reason, like, why did we take the sleep? Or is [00:09:00] this the thing? It's like, there's, there's times where I can feel that there's medicine in this moment, in this chapter, in this place, whatever it might be.
That I'm not going to know about for a long time to come when it's just so rich and so potent with magic and. Little miracles and, and lessons that it's like, okay, I may be integrating this in for a long time to come, or maybe there's a connection that is made that won't really come to fruition for some time.
There's so much to it.
Casey Berglund: Well, even thinking about, you know, my leap to go to Costa Rica in January for a nine week stint of time, I had no idea that I was going to say yes to a medicine ceremony retreat. Where I met Rina, who I'm staying with in California now, right? Like it doesn't make sense till after [00:10:00] and with, you know, Rina is a good example right now, but with her, I also trust that there's something five years from now or 10 years from now, or maybe even 20 years from now, that is part of.
Like why she's here in my life right now and even you and I, Chelsea, like we met at a coworking space and we're introduced to one another by someone who was like, you two should know each other. And I think we had like one or two chats in that coworking space and then we synchronistically kept bumping into each other on the street.
And having these little like micro moments crossing a pedestrian crosswalk, right? It's like we went for one beer on a patio one time and then, and then realized, oh my gosh, wow, we actually dated the same guy. And then there was a whole through line around that. And then I didn't talk to you for a long time.
And then suddenly I was in BC and I was like, I'm in this place called Caslow. Is that near you? And you're like, I'm in Caslow. What? And then we don't talk, [00:11:00] and I send you a random text that I was thinking about you, that I was in your corner, not knowing the timing of that text, which was
Chelsey Benzel: The day I had just landed in Costa Rica.
And, I have to add, because you put that in there about we dated the same guy, though you felt, and I want you to speak more to the nudge that you felt the text made, but I had been thinking about you because I got mixed up with this guy again and I was like how do I how do I cut this loose like my heart is so entwined in it but I kept thinking what would Casey do?
What would Casey do? Casey was really good at cutting it off when she needed to. What would Casey do? I was like channeling your energy and like feeling you in my corner and then you get this nudge To message me, like, can you speak more to that?
Casey Berglund: Well, I do think that consciousness works that way. I think that was a reason you were feeling me.
I was feeling [00:12:00] you. Honestly, it was like this drop of insight where like my heart, I felt my heart and I felt, I felt like the time prior that we had connected when we were both in BC and it was just this like brief little back and forth via text. We never actually met up with each other. But I just remembered feeling in that moment, like, there's a connection here, like a heart portal open or something.
And so then, you know, months later, it was like, I don't even know what triggered my thinking of you. It was literally out of nowhere in a moment where, This little heart portal opened and I had this feeling like I want Chelsea to know that she's not alone. It was like this caring, sisterly energy that I felt for whatever reason, that was like, I feel like she needs to know she's not alone.
And you were literally alone.
Chelsey Benzel: We're literally alone in a new country. And I received that [00:13:00] message and was so taken aback or surprised in that way that it kind of like, of course, but it's still surprising that these synchronicities can happen. So I didn't even really give you much response except like, wow, perfect timing.
So good to hear from you. You've been in my heart, not my mind, something like that. And I didn't even share that I was in Costa Rica, had just landed on this solo adventure. And yeah, I went about my life, like there wasn't even much of a back and forth then. And that was kind of just like the nature of our friendship for a while.
And it was beautiful. And that was that. And then what would it have been like a month or so later to
Casey Berglund: you? So for timelines, let's straighten this out for, for anyone listening, like you left for Costa Rica, November, 2022, right? And so I sent [00:14:00] you the text the day that you were landing. I didn't know that you had any plans to go away.
I had no idea that you were in Costa Rica. I had, I had no idea. You sent me one message back that was really sweet and acknowledged it, but didn't give me too much information. And we didn't talk again. And then I Basically, if I back it up and tell the, the seed being planted story, I walked into my local gym in Calgary with my, like, sleeping bag winter jacket on, shivering my way into the door, and one of the owners of the gym looked at me and was like, Casey, don't you work online?
And I was like, yeah, and she was like, why are you here? Why are you in like Costa Rica or Bali or something? And she literally planted a seed inside of my psyche that I could not let go of. I was like, why am I here? It's so cold. And also, right. I used to travel like pre pandemic. I used to do these adventures.[00:15:00]
I used to solo adventure. Maybe I should try out this whole working from somewhere else, and it was kind of just there, but my intuition told me it wasn't anything to act on. It was like, nope, you don't need to look at flights, you don't need to plan anything, it's not the time. I went home for the Christmas holidays, spent time with my family.
Got back to Calgary thinking like, Ooh, maybe, maybe it's almost time to look at flights or to trust my intuition around days. And then I got super sick with like, I don't know, the influenza that was going around because none of our immunities are built up. And while I was like laying in my bed for a week straight, it was like, there's no way, there's no way I'm going anywhere.
I'm too sick, you know? And so, and because my original plan, even though it wasn't a plan, it was sort of like beginning of January was sort of burning in the back of my mind, but then I was sick the beginning of January. So I sort of wrote that off. And then when I [00:16:00] got healthier, something shifted and something in my intuition was like, you could still go, just like pick a different date.
And, and I was very much guided to like the exact day and time to look at flights and then very much guided to an exact date to leave and how to, you know, it was so interesting. So I arrived January, I think, 18th, 2023. You'd been there for two months already, and I didn't know it. And then, what was it? You saw one of my Instagram stories or something?
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah, I just felt to like, check out, check out your stories. And I clicked and you were like, hiking a volcano. And I was like, there's volcanoes here? Oh, and it was the name of the town is like the super common, like San Ysidro. There's like 12 San Ysidros in Costa Rica. And I was like, whoa, because there was one like [00:17:00] half an hour away from me.
And I was like, is Casey like hour away? And I messaged you. I like watched all your stories to get as much info as I could about which volcano you were hiking and what town you were living in. And what, what was the San Ysidro? And I, sure enough, it was Costa Rica, and I messaged you, I think something like, you're in Costa Rica?
I'm in Costa Rica. And then, yeah, we talked, we ended up on the phone, and then I think you came to visit me in a retail, like, the next week or two.
Casey Berglund: Yeah, like one or two weekends after we had, we had a really spontaneous FaceTime video, sorry, Facebook Messenger video call, which I've never used Facebook Messenger video in my life.
And for some reason, that's what we used. And we like had such a good conversation sort of, you know, via video. [00:18:00]
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah. And we were like, should we just have a visit? Like, I have an extra space. Do you want to come stay? Yeah. You came and we had such a beautiful weekend and it was like, Did we know then? I think we knew then that it was like, Oh, this is why we met.
Like, I, I was saying three years prior, but I did the math and I'm pretty sure we were introduced to each other in 2018, so that was five years ago. Wow. This is why we were introduced five years ago because of the conversations we're having now, the connection that we're building now, this time we're spending.
It was like us five years ago or our souls or however you want to look at it. It was like, Okay, you guys meet because five years from now, you're going to want to maybe, maybe you're going to need each other. Like, there was a lot that we dove deep on and have to this day that has been really profound and really beautiful.
Casey Berglund: Yeah, we're like integral parts [00:19:00] of each other's healing, transformation, evolution journey. Yeah. And, and that wasn't true. It was, it was, but in a different way, but it really deepened in Costa Rica. And now it's kind of like, yeah, like you said, who knew back then when we first met that we would be in the same place at the same time, almost equipped with the perfect tools for each other.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah. Yeah. And when you think about, you mentioned before about that kind of how consciousness works, it's like, even to the extent of the person who was like, you two need to meet, like she was tapped into something too, to feel that resonance and to be like, ah, there's something here. There's all these different energies at play, I believe, shaping moments and connections like these.
And you kind of know, like, how we kept bumping into each other, how we [00:20:00] like, you know, there were these synchronicities.
Casey Berglund: It
Chelsey Benzel: was all shaping up to it. Yeah.
Casey Berglund: And the synchronicities continue, there's, we're literally walking synchronicities right now in this moment as this podcast is being recorded, like with the, the sort of like shared connections that are intermingling into each other's lives, you know, and I just think that's amazing.
I'm thinking about the role that leaping has in co creating synchronicity in particular. And I guess where this is coming from is for me, it's like, and maybe this is tying back to what you said about the decision, the decision to take part in a medicine journey, the medicine starts working immediately, the decision to leap or make a change or take a step or a jump or, you know, something even more massive into the unknown.
It's sort of like, for me, it's a [00:21:00] action that signals to life, the universe, higher consciousness. Uh, Jesus take the wheel, I know, like, it's like the choice, for example, in my case right now to book a one way flight, which I've never done in my life ever, I've always had a round trip flight. Like I'm planning to be here.
I was planning to be here for two weeks. And then there was this nudge that was like, book a one way book, a one way book, a one way. Right? You don't have to figure out the back end yet. And I'm like, Oh, this is like there's something so safe about knowing exactly when you're going to come home and exactly what that container is, but the trust for me, the self trust to be like, okay, I'm going to do that.
There's like a signal. There's an energetic in that. Uh, where I feel like it's like, I'm showing up universe. You better show up meet me halfway and I'm going to trust you. I am going to [00:22:00] surrender to you. And to me, it's like, that's when the magic starts to really happen fast. The synchronicity start to happen fast.
Yeah. So I'm curious, your relationship was like leaping and synchronicity. Tell me another story about, about a choice to leap and. I
Chelsey Benzel: feel like there's so many little ones, but when I think about it, like where my mind is going to recall, like, okay, what story do I want to tell? I'm going back to like, when have I felt that calling or that little message?
Like you had to book a one way. And it's like, sometimes it starts as a little whisper and it becomes this unshakable knowing. And it's almost like you can't. ignore [00:23:00] it. So in that moment that you decide to listen and follow it, yeah, you do. You step into a new energetic where there can be what the quote that keeps coming to mind is fortune favors the brave.
I credit that. I like, I don't know what the credit is for that quote, but it's rolling around my brain right now. And it's It feels so true. When you take a brave action, you open yourself up to synchronicities, miracles, moments, and things that you wouldn't otherwise see or experience. And maybe it's because we're looking for them.
Maybe because we're like, holy shit, what did I just do? What, you know, how is this going to come together? But yeah, I'm still thinking like, what, what's a big leap? Or maybe which one do I want to share? I guess. [00:24:00] Okay, when I took the leap to move out to BC, which really goes back years prior to that when I first got the nudge, I was living in Bali and it was.
Move to Nelson. And I was like, uh, on the other side of the world. Okay. So I came back to Calgary and put off moving to Nelson like forever to the point that I was like, enough's enough. I remember looking at myself in the mirror and being like, enough's enough. You got to go. Like, just take yourself on a little getaway.
You don't have to move. Just like freaking go there already. And quit ignoring this, knowing that there's something there for you. So I went, I took myself on a little getaway and decided I didn't want to move there on my own. And then six months later, met my now ex. Um, we met, there was a synchronicity of, you want to move to Nelson too?
And it was [00:25:00] this leap which was really jumping at the deep end. But feeling this knowing that like, this is right, I don't know if he's the guy for me, but this still feels right. I had friends try and talk me out of it, and I was like, I can't not. There's something in me like, yeah, the logical part of my brain would be like, don't move into a 20 foot trailer, a guy you've been dating for two months to Like, end your lease on your apartment and pack up all your things, sell half your things to leave Calgary with literally no plan except for, hey, we can park the trailer anywhere.
And in that leap, I mean like, spoiler alert, there's no spoiler alert, I've already given away he's my now ex, so the relationship didn't work out. And I guess it would be easy to say, oh, what a failure. But it's all [00:26:00] the. connections that opened up as a result of having that experience. It's the deepening in my connection, my relationship with myself through being in that relationship, another, and recognizing maybe where I still have some work to do, what needs to be healed, what did get healed along the way in relationship.
There were so many. So many experiences that I had that would have been impossible to have had I not taken that leap. And because I had, like, for example, I was in Caslow when you were in Caslow, that was all part of the divinely orchestrated, whether you want to call it the net that was leaving to appear for us or like synchronicities in our connection.
And it was such a [00:27:00] beautiful journey. And just like I tied it back to like, okay, I was living in Bali. I felt this nudge to come back. It was when I was still living out there towards the. I guess the end of that chapter, I was going to say the end of that relationship, but we'll define it as just that chapter, that adventure.
These little nudges about Costa Rica started dropping in, so if you follow the breadcrumbs of all the little nudges, it's not often like, boom, out of nowhere, you get this insight and you get this knowing and it's all of a sudden like, oh, gee, I know what I need to do sometimes. But for me, it was like, why are all these people talking about Costa Rica randomly everywhere I go?
Like it keeps being brought up in conversation and it was like the seed was being planted. And then when, yeah, I was on the other side of that, like we broke up and I was going into Canadian winter and it was like, just seemed kind of like a good idea. I'm like, why not go to Costa [00:28:00] Rica? I've been thinking about it for like three months now.
I can't stop thinking about it. And then following that now, didn't it, like, what unfolded there and what's continuing to unfold because of that, it's like, it's hard to separate what's just one leap, because they all feed into each other.
Casey Berglund: This is such a good example of where we started, right? The layers.
It's like there's a relationship leap storyline that's happening. There's an environment leap storyline that's happening. There's a friendship leap storyline that's happening. There's a work leap, because think about this. We both work online. We both worked while we were away. I'm working while I'm away right now.
We created that for ourselves. Like let us give ourselves some credit too for like being brave and bold and trusting and trusting the universe, but trusting ourselves, trusting our gifts, trusting our capacity to make a living for ourselves in a digital space so that this travel is like doable. But I think what you just shared is an example of where we started when I was [00:29:00] kind of like, let's talk about that multi dimensional free fall.
Like I didn't know exactly what I was asking at the time. But this is it. It's like, I'm a whole integrated being with a heart and soul and a body and desires, desires and relationship desires for my purpose driven work, desires for friendships, desires for the sunshine and the palm trees, desires and in all these different ways.
And I think that there's like, almost, I don't know, for me, it's almost like a true leap. Those aren't the right words either. Like you could take a little leap in the direction of relationship, for example, romantic relationship, for example. For me, the like biggest leaps of my life have been like massive, holistic, integrative leaps.
Like I take the leap and I learn about myself. I learn about my ideal environment. I learn about who I want to spend my life with. I learn about whether I want kids or not. I learn about, you [00:30:00] know, who are my people, my soul tribe of humans that I want to surround myself with. It's like so multifaceted. And I think that's part of where the magic is.
Like with the leap, it's sort of like, you think you're going from Island A to Island B, but then there's an unexpected Island C, D, E, F, G. That the universe just like puts in the path, you know, one of my mentors who I've learned so, so much for says often like the universe likes when you're in motion, because there's space to intervene their space when you're not so rigid in your autopilot ways to bring magic, to put you in a state of wonder and awe to be in the present moment and be able to observe.
Asynchronicity. Like, they're happening all the time. This is reality. I find when I leap, I'm like, Oh, right. This is reality. Right. We're spiritual beings having a human experience. [00:31:00] I forgot that when I was just like grinding away in my like day to day. Yeah.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah. I don't even know how to tell him how to follow that.
It's like my job.
Casey Berglund: Sometimes I get on these rants and They just keep going.
Chelsey Benzel: I love it. Yeah. I like that about the universe. The universe likes when you're in motion, is that what it
Casey Berglund: is?
Chelsey Benzel: I like that. It, it brings me back to that, like, yeah, you move, you leap and the net appears because you took the leap because you're, you're in that space.
Like I mentioned earlier, maybe it's because we're looking for it, but yeah, you're looking for it because you woken yourself up out of your slumber and you're like, I want to live. I want to feel good. I want more. And then in that, you move, and you start to see them more, and you start to look for the synchronicities, and they are always there.
Sometimes it takes looking for them to [00:32:00] see them. You have to open your eyes, and then to see it from that different perspective, and you You start to see all the ways that the universe is intervening and maybe is always trying to intervene, or maybe always available to intervene, but we don't create the space for it.
Casey Berglund: Yeah. Hmm. There's something that's coming up for me when you said, uh, like almost taking a stance for more. It made me think about how, I don't know, I guess spiritual teachings, like on one hand, Be in the moment with gratitude and reverence for what you have. And that energy out of balance can lead to complacency and stuckness and honestly, in my experience, depression, anxiety, really poor mental health, apathy, not moving.
Right. And, and then, you know, the like taking a stance for [00:33:00] more can be the start of an elevated self worth. A higher standard, a new adventure while in its shadow, like constantly seeking for more have constantly having expectations can lead to like a dissatisfaction. So there's something that I'm processing out loud with you about sort of the nuance of being where you are and having gratitude and awe and that the connection between that and taking a stance for more like in my experience, when I take a stance for more, a.
k. a. I take a leap. I actually in the leap have this awe and wonder and gratitude that's returned for me to me. It's almost like, it's almost like I'm thinking about when I decided to go to Costa Rica and I booked an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere in a town I never even knew of prior in the middle of the jungle, like totally intuition led.
And that was a leap. And I would walk [00:34:00] down my hill from my little loft into the little town. And like, say hello to the flowers along the way and talk to the trees and feel the sunshine. And like, when I think about that moment in my life, it's like there's never been more awe and wonder and gratitude.
And it's like presence came from saying yes to something different than what I was experiencing prior. And, and that having that experience when I like came back to Calgary and it was still winter and brown and cold, I was like, Oh my God, like feeling the disharmony of that. Like what did I just do? I came from this beautiful place.
But then I remembered that energetic of awe and wonder and gratitude and presence, and I thanked the trees in Calgary that didn't have leaves, that were just branches. I thanked the trees there like I did in Costa Rica, and there was this beautiful integration that was [00:35:00] sort of about seasons in nature, which reminded me about seasons of life, kind of like, you know, you just took another leap to come home.
And there's some challenges in that, though. You're saying yes to them because there's something to learn, you know, and it looks different, but it's still
Chelsey Benzel: a leap. Yeah, yeah, that is very true. It's not always sunshine and rainbows. There's often sure a lot of synchronicities, but it's that taking a stance for more.
So more what, you know?
Casey Berglund: It
Chelsey Benzel: was, well, I didn't really know what I just knew that it was, it felt right. It felt like, okay, let's take that next step forward on the path because it was beginning to feel a bit like. I don't know, stagnant, but stuck in paradise feeling like [00:36:00] beautiful and lovely, but it was like, okay, let's see what else there might be next.
Yeah, I don't know where I was going with that because where my mind is just circled back to is that the comment you made about bringing that reverence for the beauty in easy to be or to be appreciative of the beauty. And to bring that back in when things get a little bit difficult, to bring what you embodied and learned and felt when it was easy, to bring that into when there inevitably will be challenges, because in your stance for more, often there's some growth required in that.
And in the growth, you're faced with challenges and tests, and are you going to take a stand for yourself? Or are you going to say yes or no to what you know you need to? And that's not always easy.
Casey Berglund: Yeah. Are you going to say [00:37:00] no to the thing that is almost perfect, but not it? Yeah. Are you going to choose the whole package or settle for what's almost there while also appreciating the lessons of the almost, you know, like there's nuance there too.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah, so much, so much nuance in these multidimensional leaps. I mean, what a segue into the test that we can be presented with when we're like, okay, I know I want more. I know what I want it to look and feel like. And then it's like, okay, how about this? You could have this. It's here right now. Do you want it?
Mm hmm. And then it's like feeling into the deeper layers of your own truth when it's like, this is really good. [00:38:00] But something maybe isn't quite it, and then do I take a stand for what I know I truly want? And I mean, I used to have a Interesting perspective on tests, like I think I wanted to not, um, admit or like agree with that whole concept that like say,
Casey Berglund: but man, in those moments
Chelsey Benzel: where it's like, where you do say no to what's not a hundred percent, you send the message to the universe, like, Hey, but no to that.
But I'm, I'm open to this, this and that and more like here's, here's what I'm saying no to because I, I know I get to have more.
Casey Berglund: Yeah, when I, when I'm in those moments and I firmly hold that standard, I get to a point where it's like, okay, it's time, you know, and when I say no to the thing, that's not quite it.[00:39:00]
Whether that's a job that's everything that you've ever wanted, but you're not getting paid the salary that you wanted. Whether that's a partner that literally embodies who you've imagined your life partner to be, but they're not quite available to you. Whatever it might be, in those moments when I've said, this is, like, this is heartbreaking and I have to say no to this.
It's heartbreaking. There's grief letting go of that beautiful experience. That's almost it. And there's almost for me an instant reclamation of power and an instant realignment. Like literally I stand taller again and I'm like, Oh, there I am. Yeah. There's my center. There's my heart. There's my soul, right?
I am a worthy ass woman and I get to have. What I'm calling in and I can be patient and persistent and in [00:40:00] my practices and present and enjoy my life while trusting that it's coming for me. And that's hard to do sometimes the trust, especially when you've been tested with something that's such feels like such an epic test.
That's like, how could I possibly? Experience that and then that one piece that was missing to trust in that in between space that it's coming.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah, that's hard. And to love yourself enough to hold true to your vision. And it's that sense of like, it can be really nuanced, but it's that I really, really love this.
But I know I'm settling if I see this through. And then it's that reclamation, like you talked about how you stand taller, you hold yourself differently because you're in a different energetic, because again, it's that decision. [00:41:00] It's that taking a stand for more. It's knowing you're worthy, what you truly desire, and that you don't need to settle for that thing that's almost it, but not.
And then in that, you open yourself up for it to come in.
Casey Berglund: Yeah, exactly. And I find I'm actually, I get instantly rewarded when I do that. Like maybe not in the way that that thing that I was holding off for comes in right away, not necessarily, but something else, like almost like a smaller scale. Like, here's a good example just to really ground this in.
I had one of these moments, uh, when I first kind of landed here in California, like, A week ago, only been here a week and it was like, No, here is what I want. And I cried a lot and like grieved letting go of the thing that was not quite it. And then basically the next day I went walking down the street and I was like, [00:42:00] okay, I am just calling in the best chocolate croissant and coffee and a patio.
And anyway, I found that perfect spot. I sat down, I took out my journal. I started writing, and then my writing kind of shifted, and I've been in my spiritual practice and my introspective journey for long enough to know, like, what's happening when my writing shifts. It's almost like I'm writing from the I, I, Casey, I want, I see, I feel, to, like, you.
And when the, when it, when I get guidance in the form of, like, you need to do this, here's what you're here for, it's like my higher self coming online. Sometimes it's, I'm learning that I. I have to be mindful and discerning, but I'm also a channel. I can also receive wisdom from outside of myself, but I'm really learning how to tap into my higher self and receive guidance from that place.
So this happened over my chocolate croissant and coffee, where the instructions were like, You are here for epic self love. You are here to find a great spot to [00:43:00] work out of. You're here to find a bougie, bougie gym. You are here for steam rooms and cold plunges and massages, and you're here to not worry about how that's gonna come together.
You're here to like, delight yourself and treat yourself and fall even more deeply in love with yourself and have a sensual experience while you're in California. It was like, so clear, almost like automatic writing coming from my higher self. And I was like, okay, so I continue to walk down the street sort of towards the I'm in Santa Monica.
So towards the Santa Monica pier. I don't really know Santa Monica. I don't know what's around, but I do find a like we work co working space and I do a tour and I walk into the first space and it's like really nice, really nice, uh, a bit higher price than I want to pay and a bit too corporate for my vibe.
It felt very tech startup, and I'm like, [00:44:00] I want to come here in like a denim onesie and my florals and be a kind of a hippie child and entrepreneur from that space. And then I checked out one of the other WeWorks because she's like, yeah, there's, there's two more in such a close distance. And I come to this other one that feels more casual.
Not only that. It's got a limit, a little bit of a limited hours, which actually works perfectly with my schedule, but it means it's also half as much. And also there's a summer 15 percent off discount, which is cool because I have financial goals too, right? Like there's all these things happening at once.
And so immediately I felt a stronger sense of alignment and like, ah, I'm glad I didn't say yes to the thing that wasn't quite it. I'm glad I waited. And then I literally went into one of these little phone booths, like I'm in right now recording this podcast episode. And I did a little check in with my body.
I did some muscle testing with my fingers. And my [00:45:00] intuition was like, register now. Get the membership. So I made the decision and I go up to take action on that. I'm getting the discount. And then I learned that they also pro rate. So I'm actually paying half as much, like basically it ends up being 80 for the next three weeks.
Whereas in Calgary, I was paying 400 for a monthly membership. You know, so it's like I'm getting this great deal on a membership. So I go and sit out on the patio after I set myself up and I'm just like taking a moment to pause. Okay. What's my next step? Thinking about what I'd like been guided to in my journal.
And I remembered, uh, the Jim Equinox because my friend Jen in New York. Took me as a guest to her gym and I was like, Oh God, these gyms are so nice and like such a nice feel. And anyway, I just got this download Equinox when I was sitting on the patio and I was like, I wonder if there's an Equinox [00:46:00] close to here.
Cause that could be kind of a fun little routine to have a, you know, a membership at the coworking space and then to work out in my like middle of the day break before my next set of clients. And there's one three minutes away, a three minute walk. So I'm like, well, of course. I walk in, I go up to the table, and I'm like, I'm new here, I'm from Canada, I might be here for two weeks, I might be here for two months, I don't know, I would really like a place to work out for the next two weeks, at least, and this place looks awesome, and they're like, sorry, we only do 12 month memberships, and something in me was like, go get a tour anyway, no big deal, okay, 12 month membership, I'm not gonna be here for 12 months, there's no way, go get a tour anyway, I meet the sales guy, and I go into his office, we're talking a little bit, and he says to me, he's like, yeah, it's a 12 month membership.
The only time that we cancel people's memberships is if they relocate. [00:47:00] So if they have evidence, like a phone bill or something that has an address outside of the local gym area, then you can cancel your membership, no problem, as long as it's before the next billing date. And I'm like, so you mean if I'm here and I don't know how long I'm going to be here, and I have a Condo that I own in Calgary, where I pay my bills and I give you evidence of that, that will help me cancel my membership.
And he was like, yeah. And I'm like, so this is how we find a loophole and he, and it was so honest. He knew exactly. It was so transparent. And he's like, it's not a loophole. It's just written in the contract. There's no problem with that. And I said to him, and how great that it's only a three minute walk from WeWork.
I just got a membership there. And he's like, Oh, we have a partnership with WeWork. Not only do you get a discount on your membership, but the 300 initiation fee is waived. And you get a free personal training session, you get [00:48:00] 25 percent off your first massage, you get a body composition test and a full like physical assessment for being a new member.
Wow. And we'll pro rate your membership. So instead of paying almost 300 a month for a membership, it's like pro rated, I don't know, I'm paying 120 for the next three weeks and I'm getting. a personal training session and a fitness assessment. So I'm paying 200 and I now have a co working space and a bougie ass gym with a steam room and a cold shower and a spa place.
Everything that I'd written about in my journal was made manifest within two hours. Yeah. Wow. So yeah, maybe it's not my divine partner coming in quite yet, but it is the universe saying like, I've got your back. Here's another like woven part of the net. [00:49:00]
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah.
Casey Berglund: Because you made a decision for yourself.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah.
And took a stance for, like, you could have said yes to that first co working space. That was not it.
Casey Berglund: Mm hmm.
Chelsey Benzel: And then it'd be like, okay, well, I'm here now. And maybe the inspiration wouldn't have even dropped in to go check out the gym. But you said no to that. You found the actual in alignment co working space.
And then, whoops, all these other. All these other goodies drop in that it's like, almost. I don't want to say too good to be true, but it's like, of course, like, that's the,
Casey Berglund: that's the stuff. That's how it works. This is how consciousness where this is how energy works, you know? And because I've reclaimed my power and I'm back in alignment, I'm also having this beautiful experience of like, like I've had three days in the gym.
I've gone three days in a row because I just like love [00:50:00] it so much and it feels so good. Had my personal training session right before this. Podcast. And it was like such a beautiful connection. And also I like, feel like a lighthouse. There's just like strangers that are coming up to me in the gym that it's almost like, there's this, are you new here?
What's, what's your vibe? You know, like I kind of, I can tell that I have a bit of a different energy than a lot of people that go to that space and it feels nice to be seen and recognized for my light, for my positivity, you know?
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah.
Casey Berglund: You are such a lighthouse
Chelsey Benzel: and I see that in you. Yeah, being in the flow and Thank you.
It makes me think about, like, you and I had a conversation recently about, I came home and I was like, well, I'll just stay with my parents for the foreseeable future because I've got no expenses and, and it'll be fine. And it's this, this realization [00:51:00] or remembrance, because I've had this train of thought before where, or this experience where it's like, oh wait, yeah, okay.
Taking kind of the. The easy route, there's no expenses here, but I also feel like my creativity is a bit stifled and I'm like back at all the family drama and trauma and bullshit. And it's like, it's so interesting. Like we had a conversation and you nailed it, that it's like. Yeah, you're saving money, but like what?
At what cost? . Mm-Hmm. . And it's these decisions that we can make where maybe it feels a bit risky or it feels a bit edgy and out of our comfort zone to go and do the thing that is like, what feels expansive. And in that, what is the payoff? Like your energy, you get people seeing you for your energy, for your [00:52:00] light.
Because you're in that environment, and I know for you, because I know you personally, that your environment, like it, it ties into your human design, your environment is so important, but I, like, I think that goes for everyone. And when, You're really honest with yourself. Like perhaps if I had been really honest with myself and not coming from a place of scarcity, but like, well, I'll save money and that'll be fine.
Yeah. We can allow ourselves to be in that expansion and, and in that, what feels maybe like truth, what feels more aligned, what feels maybe a little bit risky, like, yeah, spending money on rent or whatever. But it's like, that's where all the good stuff is. So why do we hold ourselves back from it?
Casey Berglund: Exactly.
Well, because it's scary. You know, like I made that joke joke, but maybe it was for real that this episode should be [00:53:00] called friends that leap together, reap together, like where that came from was this idea that this is why we need each other and community. And it's a lot easier to take leaps when it's normalized in your friend group to trust yourself.
Because society and culture has like a different message for us about what we should be doing and how we should be living. But like the thing about leaps is it's personalized, right? It's like what's a leap for one person might not be for another. And I don't know, I find when I hang out with Brave, bold, self attuned, self loving, self trusting humans.
It's like we all become more courageous or in many ways, maybe it's that having community is part of the net. appearing. It's part of creating the level of safety that might be required to even think about taking a leap.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah, a hundred percent. The community is a big part [00:54:00] of the net. Having people who are examples of trusting themselves and taking leaps and having people who know and love you enough to call out with love when Maybe you could be holding yourself to a higher standard.
Maybe you could look at something a little bit differently. And I feel like that for me, like my truest friendships, deepest connections are the ones who like, do call me on my shit and do hold me to, I was going to say like, hold me to a higher standard, but just like remind me to hold myself to my own standards.
I like how you
Casey Berglund: reframed that, if it pulled yourself to your own standards or help you raise your own standards, help you maybe mirror back to your self worth. I [00:55:00] think that's so important. You know, I think the relationships that we have with each other. Any relationship is either going to be like re traumatizing or healing.
It's either going to be constrictive or expansive. And yeah, there's nuance within that. It could feel constrictive in one context and expansive in another context. But like, who the hell are y'all hanging out with? You know? I don't know why I had to say that in that way. But it came out that way. What's that like?
You know, we're either hanging out with people that create more expansion in us, or that drain and deplete our energy,
Chelsey Benzel: you know? Yeah. And I think it is, it's eye opening to look and kind of take inventory of who are the people we're spending the most time with and how do we feel in their presence? And if we don't feel so great, why do we, what are we getting from that?
What is the lesson? And I read something today on [00:56:00] Instagram that was like, yeah, sometimes the lesson is The, the gift that someone has for you is to create better boundaries, to set boundaries, to yeah, take some distance, to raise your, your self worth, or yeah, to know when to walk away, that sort of thing.
Just kind of, yeah, with curiosity, taking inventory of who do I surround myself with and who do I surround myself with that I love, that I want more time with, and to deepen in connection with. Exactly.
Casey Berglund: Exactly. Words.
Chelsey Benzel: Time.
Casey Berglund: Yeah. Like one thing I've learned from you, Chelsea, in being with you in this like interesting context of both being in Costa Rica, but it's continued since you were home.
We connected back in Calgary is like, I've just learned that you're someone who it's easy to be authentic with and it's easy for me to claim what I need as an individual. Well, [00:57:00] basically you have helped me to heal. Uh, people pleasing part of myself, like we have this relationship where I feel like I can be authentic.
And I can say no to you in favor of my own truth. I can be someone who does not betray herself in friendship. And like, wow, to me, that's like real deal friends. When your friends can hold space for you, they want you to trust yourself and make a stance for yourself, even if it's not in favor of that friend in that moment or whatever.
It's like, I don't know. I feel like we have this level of trust with each other because when you say, Yes to me or like I'm a 10 Let's do this. I know it's a yes. I know you're not bullshitting me or people pleasing me or trying to like be codependent with me. And I know that because you've [00:58:00] also said no to me in Costa Rica.
You've been like, actually, I don't want to do that with you. I'm going to go back. And like, have some me time and it's like, cool, amazing, you know, and I guess right in this moment, like we're two, uh, single people, so maybe some people are exploring that in their romantic partnerships, but I, I don't know for me.
It's actually my, my learning has been with women. Can I stand for myself without fear of disappointing them or losing them in friendships? That's been harder for me than, uh, in like dating circumstances. So I'm grateful for the role that you've played in those leaps that I've taken, even in those micro moments of choosing myself in relationship.
You're here.
Chelsey Benzel: The way you said that just made me think about, like, it's those many moments of, like, having the courage to say no, that is, it's like, we're going to define [00:59:00] leaps, like, add that to the definition. But yeah, no, I truly agree. Yeah. It's like there's a sense of safety that comes in knowing that you're going to say no, if you want to say no, because if I can't trust your yes, then it's like, I don't know, does she really want to hang out with me?
Does she really want to record this podcast? Does she really want to whatever? But it's in honoring your know that your yes becomes that much stronger.
Casey Berglund: Hello.
Chelsey Benzel: It's in holding true to your boundaries that I know you'll tell me if something's not quite right. And just the, like, relaxation in my nervous system around that is, ah, okay, I feel safer now, Casey.
And that's such medicine.
Casey Berglund: Yeah, and I guess it takes me knowing myself. Like, I think sometimes people have a hard time saying no to others because they actually literally don't know what's [01:00:00] true for them, you know, and I guess that's where the self work enhances relationships, right? Like, I need to know what my truth is in order to be able to even consider communicating it.
And, um, I feel like we've just done that. Well, yeah.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah, and that's true. Maybe it does speak to the work that we've done on ourselves and in tapping into that knowing, um, you've been a big part of my journey. I feel into that knowing that you introduced me. I've known about muscle testing for a while, but you really got me into it, like into really trusting my body's wisdom.
And I mean, I know you just wrote a book on the topic, which I have right here in front of me. Let's give you a little plug. Oh my gosh.
Casey Berglund: I love you right now. I'm screenshot this.
Chelsey Benzel: Yeah, exactly. The Mind Body [01:01:00] Way, The Embodied Leader's Path to Resilience, Connection, and Purpose. And it is, it's like finding that connection to your body.
Is so important. And I've been doing a lot of, um, introspection around like, intuition. How would I talk about intuition to someone and really what it feels like, I mean, there might be different realms that it exists in, but there's the body's wisdom. There's like, your body knows. Yep. And you've been such a beacon in, in, um, helping me remember that.
Thank you for that. And you live it. Like, I see you muscle testing, I see you checking in with your body, I am around you when you share the sensations in your body,
Casey Berglund: and
Chelsey Benzel: just allowing them to exist, naming them as they be, and moving through the world in that [01:02:00] way is like, you know, if you want to get to know your truth, get to know your body.
Casey Berglund: Yep, that's a quotable, putting it out there. Yeah, write that down. Thank you for seeing me in that. Um, I think as we wrap this up, okay, you just said your body knows, and I think there's a theme in this whole conversation. Like your body knows K N O W S, but your body
There's something in this conversation that feels like it's a theme through every little story we've talked about. And it's actually about what you're saying no to and how your body knows. Your no, your body knows your no, like Chelsea, when you say like, okay, I was fooling [01:03:00] myself. No, I'm not going to live with my parents for the whole summer when I'm like, no, I'm trusting that there's a divine partnership for me who is ready for me and where the timing is perfectly aligned, right?
I'm just witnessing how that to me is like one of the biggest themes of this whole conversation is like the sacred. No. If you're saying yes to more, you're saying no to less. You're saying no to settling. Yeah. No, to, to like, this is a double negative, but like not listening to the body's wisdom. If the body is saying no, then say no and ask for more.
And I think that's like the leap that we're talking about here is, is saying no to less and yes to more. What did I write down before we even hit record? I know it was [01:04:00] very close. I got it. I am not available for anything less than what's more. I am not available for anything less than what's more.
Chelsey Benzel: Even writing that quote, it's like you're, you have to recognize what you're not available for in order to know what you are available for, what you'll take a stand for.
And it reminds me of like, I don't know, it's probably a pretty universal spiritual teaching, but I've heard it from Abraham Hicks a lot, that every subject is two subjects. There's what's wanted and there's what's not wanted in the same subject. So if you know what you don't want, you know in contrast what you do want, and vice versa.
So it's like being true to that and by recognizing, oh, this is a no, so then that means here's my yes. This is what I'm not available for, therefore this is what I am. And you have to have that. [01:05:00] Awareness. You have to, yeah, feel into your body's know in order to get to the yes.
Casey Berglund: Thank you so much for tuning into this episode.
It's time for you to integrate. Hey, where are you feeling called to take a leap? What does that mean to you? What do you need to have in place to feel safe enough to make a decision? And how much risk are you willing to navigate? What can you say no to in order to create more space for your yes? A few questions for you to ponder.
Thank you so very much for listening. If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to take things a step further, your next step is actually to be in connection with us. I'd love to chat with you, and if you'd like to book a call with me or a member of our team, you can do that through checking out the links in the show notes below.
In that [01:06:00] call, honestly, We'd love to listen, hear your story, maybe ask a few questions and get to know what's going on for you and what your big vision is and maybe there'll be an, a sense of how we as a community might support you. So thank you so much for listening again and I hope that you choose to take that next step.
Can't wait to talk with you soon. Bye for now.
