2021 was the year of the great awakening (and resignation). A radical realization of what matters most in our lives. Clarity on how we want to live, lead, and love in this next chapter.

2022 is the year of the REBELution. The year we rewrite the script of success – on our terms. Terms that celebrate our humanity, wellbeing, and soul. Conditions grounded in authenticity, courage, and purpose. A way of being deeply connected to the rebel truth of our souls and wildly committed to living a success-FULL life (not a success-EMPTY one).

Imagine courageously living and leading on your terms. In a way that fills you up from the inside out.

Is your heart pounding with that knowing energy of possibility, but you’re squinching your forehead at the screen wondering, “Did I miss the modern elder memo on a REBELution?”

Nope. Consider this your official – and urgent – invitation to embark on a profound soul journey like the one I experienced five years before the global pandemic rocked us all.

Back in 2016, I would’ve been described by most as “a beacon of success” and someone who “has it all.” I was the Global Chief Marketing Officer of Harley-Davidson – a brand so sexy and iconic that riders ‘round the world tattoo it on their bodies. I was a woman winning in a man’s world, riding motorcycles in exotic locales and rocking leather, stilettos, and a pierced nose in the boardroom.

Ticking all the boxes of traditional success – on the outside. All while feeling increasingly empty on the inside.

Fighting desperately to hide my dirty little secret behind my spit-polished armor.

Until the universe woke me the fuck up.

My personal pandemic was a heartbreaking nightmare that ripped me out of my sleep five nights a week (for a year!) and forced me to confront the voice that I’d been trying to mute for so long. The voice of my languishing soul. Longing to be heard, loved, and nourished. Begging me to rebel FOR who I am, what I want, and the impact I want to have in the world. In short, my truth.

I was living my dad’s dream, not mine.

I was surrendering to the “shackles of should” – those tired, fear-based narratives that emotionally bind us to what the world tells us we “should” be doing. One of my oldie-but-goodies was “I should stay on the corporate track” – because sunk cost, good fortune, guilt, my dad.

And I was putting myself – and my health and my desires – dead last on the to-do list.

Suddenly I understood that if I continued to live this way – for the next 5, 10, or 15 years – I’d be (at best) surviving instead of thriving. Slipping further away from who I’m meant to become.

So, I did the “crazy thing” (by society’s standards). I resigned as Chief Marketing Officer to become Chief Soul Officer of my own life. I listened deeply and followed the breadcrumbs of my soul. Long story short, they guided me to start my own business, author a bestselling book, and become a fresh rebel voice in a growing movement to redefine success.

If you’re still here, then I’m guessing you’re also a badass who’s ready to take responsibility for the direction of your life and courageously create it in alignment with your truth, values, and purpose. You’re ready to emerge from this pandemic feeling more alive and success-FULL than ever, shouting from the rooftops, “Authenticity is the truest form of rebellion!”

Well, good news. That’s exactly what we’re going to explore during the “Awaken Your Rebel Soul to Reimagine Success” MEA Workshop March 6-13. MEA co-founder Christine Sperber and I will be your guides on what promises to be a soul-sparking, life-changing journey to rewrite your script of success. I mean, if not now, when?

(Cue Lin Manual Miranda as Alexander Hamilton shouting, “I’m not throwing away my shot!”)

Hope to see you in March, my fellow Rebel Souls. It’s time to get this REBELution started!

Shelley is an author, speaker, and Chief Soul Officer at Soulbbatical. At 46, she boldly left an executive role at Harley-Davidson to reclaim her soul and rewrite her own script of success. That journey launched her business and bestselling book, Soulbbatical: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life. She’s on a mission to liberate a billion souls.