Kim Anderson - MABC Member Profile

Introduction

How did I get here? I’m glad you asked.

It all started when I was accepted to attend a writing and running retreat in Bend, Oregon hosted by Olympian Lauren Fleshman in May of 2020 … and you know the rest. At the time I was working as a middle school language arts teacher and was in the midst of burnout. Honestly, the pandemic was a welcome break from the breakneck speed of a normal school year and the ever increasing pressure of academic rigor. 

As school became virtual and hours reduced, I found myself with enough time to participate in “27 Wilder Days,” a virtual writing event hosted by Laurie Wagner of 27 Powers. The practice blew me away. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of processing emotions, events, feelings, thoughts, relationships, and perspectives. I spent just 15 minutes a day writing and I could not believe the words that came out of me.

I was hooked.

In the fall of 2020 I applied for one of ten seats in Laurie’s Wild Writing Teacher Training program in hopes of becoming certified to teach this incredible practice. To my delight, I was accepted and became part of a cohort of women from around the world that successfully completed a rigorous six month training program.

As I was completing the training during the spring of 2021, my burnout reached a level that was not sustainable. I was chronically stressed, starting to become disengaged, and felt myself purposely disconnecting from my career, my colleagues, and even my family. This was not me. I had lost myself, and as a result my family was losing me. So, I made the brave decision to leap into the unknown. I resigned from my 16 year teaching career in June of 2021 and launched The Unapologetic Pen that July.  

It was a fast and furious start and I have never looked back. This writing practice has grounded me, brought me relief during stressful times, helped me recall events from my past that shaped who I am, and created a record of small moments with my family that I don’t want to forget. I am honored to now lead other women through this life-changing practice.

Beyond writing, I love to spend time biking, reading, hiking, drinking coffee, helping my kids with their show calves and traveling with my husband.

And because I put in a lot of freaking work, I want you tell you that I have completed four Half Ironmans, five half marathons, two adventure races, and climbed one 14'er....and  lots of physical therapy (-:

I’m passionate about helping women find freedom through writing. I sincerely believe the act of putting pen to paper can change your life – because I’ve experienced it.

Writing calms my anxiety and helps me reflect on and reconcile my past. It gives me room to be curious and present about my life today. It creates space for a deep breath, to embrace who I am, to show up unapologetically.

Today, I use this practice often to help me navigate the rollercoaster of midlife: raising teenagers, rediscovering my purpose, reflecting on my relationships and processing all that comes with perimenopause and beyond. It helps me slow down and reflect on my life...the hard, the beautiful and everything in between.

http://www.theunapologeticpen.com/

Services

My goal is to help as many people as possible experience the healing power of Unapologetic Writing.

I offer 8 week sessions for small virtual groups, corporate workshops, and am launching five digital courses this spring. I have also been a workshop host at retreats and for several veterans groups.

Background Info

I graduated from UW- Madison with a BA in International Relations in 2002 and Aurora University with an MA in Education in 2005. I was a classroom teacher until 2021 when I decided start The Unapologetic Pen. I was trained in Wild Writing by Laurie Wagner in a 6 month intensive in the spring of 2021.

Consulting Specialties

• ·       Coaching & Personal Development
• ·       Employee Relations
• ·       Learning and Development
• ·       Writing & Editing