Empowering Women Project
This podcast is for the women who know deep in their soul they are here for more. They are done with bs stories and limiting beliefs that are holding them back from their dreams becoming a reality. This is for the women who are ready to jump in the driver’s seat and start to pave the way back home, to her.
Empowering Women Project
From Faith to Freedom: Ingrid's Journey of Love, Growth, and Empowerment
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After meeting through a religious organization on Facebook, Ingrid and Gaven's love story defied geographical boundaries, culminating in a marriage celebrated across two continents. Ingrid takes us on her personal journey from Indonesia to Geelong, where she now thrives as a beautician. Her humor and vulnerability shine through as she shares her first-time podcast experience, offering listeners a heartwarming tale of love and resilience. Ingrid's narrative is a testament to the beauty of embracing new beginnings and celebrating the unique paths life presents.
The episode also sheds light on the restrictive practices within some religious organizations, particularly the Jehovah's Witnesses, where members face constraints from limited literature to pressures against pursuing higher education. Through personal anecdotes, we explore the guilt tied to breaking away from such ingrained beliefs, like celebrating birthdays, and highlight the courage it takes to question these norms. Hear stories of those who have navigated the tension between personal growth and organizational expectations, underscoring the importance of self-discovery and redefining one's identity.
We champion the transformative power of personal growth and empowerment, drawing inspiration from Amber Scorah's "Leaving the Witness." The conversation celebrates the liberation found in forming genuine connections beyond shared beliefs and the strength required to embrace alternative viewpoints. As we highlight the essence of community support, we encourage our listeners to connect with the EWP Poddy, fostering collaboration and empowerment on social media. Join us in this inspiring narrative that invites all to partake in creating a supportive network and embracing the journey of self-awareness and transformation.
Insta- @theonlyingrid
All our love,
Jules and Day
Thank you. Stories and limiting beliefs that are holding you back from your dreams becoming a reality.
Speaker 1:Come, jump in the driver's seat and pave the way back home to her. This is a space for you to feel seen, heard, supported and accepted for who you are, who you were and who you're becoming.
Speaker 2:Celebrating you wherever you are in your journey. Sit back, grab a tea or a wine and come empower yourself with us, Jewels and day, let's grow. Hello and welcome back to the EWP. Hello, beautiful humans. Today we are welcomed by an incredible guest and a very good friend of ours, Ingrid.
Speaker 3:Hello, Hello.
Speaker 2:Ingrid, welcome, welcome, thank you.
Speaker 3:Yes, very, very excited.
Speaker 1:Bit nervous. I'm sure Bit nervous. Yeah, this is her first podcast, isn't it Ingrid? Yes, the first ever Like woo, I can see emotions.
Speaker 2:I don't even know I'm gonna be laughing throughout all of this, because Ingrid is a bit of a comedian.
Speaker 1:so I should change career, literally amen. Stand-up comedy is your thing yeah, I agree, ingrid.
Speaker 2:Did you want to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about who you are?
Speaker 3:um, yes, so my name is Ingrid, came from Indonesia. I moved to Australia um in 2017 so that was almost eight years ago now um been living in Australia and just trying to create new life. Um, the reason I moved here because I got married when I was 20, 27 now. Yeah, I'm just doing lashes from home beautician. Most of the Geelong girls probably know me and yeah, that's a little bit about myself.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I definitely get my lashes done from Ingrid. And they're a vibe. So if you don't and you're in Geelong, definitely start.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. We'll put your handle in the um. In the show notes we have a lot of Geelong listeners. What made so? What made you move from Indonesia, babe? Was it Gav?
Speaker 3:yes, so it was because, um yeah, so I met Gav, we were dating and we decided to um, get married. It's easier if I just moved to Australia instead of him to move to Indonesia, just work-wise. So we did that.
Speaker 1:yeah Cute. Where did you meet In Indonesia? Was he on holiday or something?
Speaker 3:Well so we originally met on Facebook. We were in this organisation it's like a religious organisation, um, we were in this organization it's like a religious organization, um, and he went to bali for a um like a annual convention, yeah, so when he was, when he was in bali, he made friends with people that I knew and that's how he found me through facebook. He was just like a teenage boy just add a bunch of girls on Facebook and I was one of them Go Gavin, go Gavin. And so, yeah, we just sort of been friends. That was back in 2011, not till 2016. We started talking and we just like we both were just like out of a relationship so we could really um, you know, get each other and we just like get closer. And he's like I really like you, I want to see you, um, and he went to Indonesia, we met and we started dating yeah, a couple years later we got married and moved to Australia.
Speaker 3:It's crazy Beautiful.
Speaker 2:Did you guys date from like the different countries, or did he come to Indonesia a lot during that time?
Speaker 3:So we started dating in 2015. I think it was in June. Hang on, I need to think about this now, Please if he is listening. He's probably going to be mad at me. I think it was in June, June, 2015.
Speaker 1:Gabby's a listener of the podcast.
Speaker 3:I know he's one of the listeners anyway um, yeah, I think it was June 2015. We started like sort of talk every day. So I would say that's when we started dating, but not till February 2016 that he actually came over to Indonesia and met and we actually met each other and, um, yeah, he visited me, for me and my family, for two weeks and then he went back home and we were like we're doing like long distance relationship for like a few months and in 2016, july was it July or August I came the very first time to Australia, 2016, and the next time he came over to Indonesia was in December 2016. So there's a few months gaps between meeting each other, between seeing each other, and in 2016, december, that's when he came over the second time to Indonesia with a ring and he's just proposed to me and, yeah, I said yes. In 2017, in July, we got married. Wow, where did you get married? We got married here in Australia in July oh nice yeah, whereabouts.
Speaker 3:Um, so it was just a small ceremony. We we held it at one of the Kingdom Hall in Grovedale because we were both used to be a Jehovah's Witness. So yeah, yes, yeah, so that's where we got married. And then we had the ceremony there at the Kingdom Hall and we just took some pictures at the waterfront and just a small gathering dinner at one of the hotel pub. I think it was a pub in yeah, somewhere in Geelong I can't even remember the name of it, it was just very, very casual.
Speaker 1:Yeah, aw, you don't need a huge wedding to show your love.
Speaker 3:Yeah, but then three months later because my dad wasn't happy.
Speaker 1:He's like let's have a big in indonesia. We have like 500 people.
Speaker 3:Jesus, oh god so did you yes, we did in indonesia, but yeah, that was like three months after the wedding in australia. Wow, yeah, cool, got a huge one. I like this big wedding dress two weddings, two weddings. Oh no, it was fun, but it was exhausting, yeah.
Speaker 1:I have to send it to photos of your wedding. Oh yeah, I will.
Speaker 2:So what a beautiful story about you and Gavin. I love that. Tell us a little bit more about your growing up, and you mentioned this organization. Are you happy to talk into that with us?
Speaker 3:yeah, that's fine. Yes, sure, so I was born um into this family. I was born as a Jehovah's Witness, so my parents they are Jehovah's Witness, they are Jehovah's Witnesses and that's how I was raised. There's lots of rules I had to abide by, just um like in high school. I wasn't allowed to do lots of teenager stuff, or even when I was little in my childhood wasn't able to do lots of things that most normal kids would just like do. Just like going to birthdays or just like um easter celebration not that I care about the actual celebrations. It's just like being secluded or being told you can't do that because it's wrong. That's just like.
Speaker 3:Yeah, as a kid I don't know, yeah, I just felt like. I just feel like um resentment, like my childhood was robbed for me because I didn't get to do all these things that kids were doing. Even in high school I was not allowed to like get out of um, just go to school for education wasn't allowed to associate with the people there. Um, my friends would always like invite me to like a christmas party, birthday parties or anything like that, but I always have to say no because my parents like that's wrong, you can't go there. You can? You can go to those, um, yeah, pretty much just being in your own bubble, like there's no other life existed outside of that organization. You know, you know what I mean, yeah isolated and isolated, very isolated.
Speaker 2:Yeah, oh honey did it impact your friendships and your relationships growing up?
Speaker 3:yeah. So I would say so yes, because, like, growing up you only were allowed to be friends or associating with people that are in the organization. Otherwise, you're not allowed to associate with other people outside of it. So growing up I was just making friends in the organization and a few years later, when I realized this is not what I want anymore, I want to be out of it, pretty much all of my friends growing up that I thought were my real friends will just like cut me off completely. Um, they're like sorry, can't hang out with you anymore, can't be around you. You know how it is. So like yeah, so definitely, even some of my family members they are quite strict about it, so trying to limit their um, trying to limit their yes with me. So it's a little bit sad, like just yeah oh, absolutely so sad.
Speaker 2:And have you considered, like what made you consider leaving, what led you to that decision?
Speaker 3:I think it's just about. Well, as I grow older, I just have lots of questions in my head about human existence and life and God, if you're actually real or not, or even just like religion in general. Like I feel like why do people have to be in a certain religion and why are there so many different kinds of gods, like you know, like, and then everyone's just like, my religion's better than yours, blah, blah, blah, blah, um. So I thought maybe you don't even need to be in the religion to actually believe in something. And also, um, there's lots of the teaching here in in the organization. That's like telling you you got to live your life just as it is because we are living in this world temporarily.
Speaker 3:Armageddon is coming. It could be tomorrow, it could be like three months from today, but it's always. They always say it's the end of the days and I was always living in fear. In fear, I just like, okay, armageddon is coming. I can't live my life to the fullest, and every time I start asking questions about it to the elders and the congregation, they just keep saying to me I just have to always have faith in Jehovah. But at the same time, I just can't keep living my life in fear.
Speaker 3:I was in my mid-20s. I'm just like I need. I had big. I want to. I want to get out, I want to see lots of people. I love the culture and, um, being in the organization. There's some culture that you can't really experience or enjoy because they are what they would call it like satanic or demonic, you know stuff like that. So, um, I just felt like I was very limited to what I can do. And if I just have faith, what if this religion is actually not true and I just waste my whole life, just keep waiting for this armageddon to come, keep living my life in fear. But it's not real, you know.
Speaker 1:So I'm just yeah it's crazy that you were um, was there anybody else that you had these conversations with in the organization? Because it seems like you were like planted with this, like more self-awareness and questions and stuff like that. So was there anybody else that was questioning around you as well, like in your age group, or no?
Speaker 3:no, yeah, no, it was just pretty much yeah, just like I think I was just had well being married here in Australia, just work, and then at night I don't really do lots of stuff. So I pretty much just did lots of reading, lots of like thoughts in my head. I like staying up late at night and just like having all these thoughts in my head.
Speaker 3:And yeah, and then I just like to start questioning things and and then, like always in the organization, they said I that you, you're not allowed to read, to read stuff outside of of their literature, yeah, well, because, um, you can only read stuff what they've printed, what they made.
Speaker 1:So what they've made. So it's kind of like they're programming yes. I don't know if that's for anybody that's listening right now. But it's a program and you're the student and this is all you get to learn. Yes, and you don't think outside that box.
Speaker 3:Yes, you're not allowed to read, because if you start reading stuff outside of it, then you're like because that's what I did and I was like, yeah, no, this makes sense. This makes sense. No, actually Like why, if they call it the truth, but if this was the truth, no matter how much you mix it up or like you just like compare it to other literature, it should be like still the truth. Why can't you compare it with other things but just thinking, wow, okay, this is actually not what I thought it is. It's hard, I feel like, for people that's going to be listening to this, and probably there's going to be some, um, people that knew me and they would probably be like, oh, okay, like people that from yeah, from the organization, hopefully, if they dare to listen.
Speaker 1:I was gonna say so they wouldn't be able to listen to podcasts. They wouldn't be like. Is there restrictions on like the internet? Like because well, depends on the?
Speaker 3:depends what you would label this podcast. If you would say something about, um, that's what they would call like an apostate material, okay, they would not allow to listen to it at all, because it's just.
Speaker 1:It's just, it's seen as wrong and some people just stick by those rules for the rest of their life.
Speaker 3:Yes, to keep a clean conscience. Yes, wow yeah.
Speaker 2:What a big decision to make, and ultimately, it sounds like you've chosen yourself in all of this, and you've chosen to tap into that intuitive feeling that you had.
Speaker 3:It's like you knew something was just not quite right, and so you followed your heart, and that's led you to who you are today yeah, I mean it hasn't been easy because, like, um, some things just feel still feels wrong for me, just because that's how I've been programmed and raised. So when I got to like a, let's say, I go to a birthday party, or even when I just like wish someone a happy birthday, just felt like I've done something really wrong here. I'm just like, oh, wow, okay, I'm just like trying to normalize it the last few years, just like this, what's wrong with wishing someone a happy birthday? Or you know, I mean I don't really care about the celebration, I don't care about having a big birthday or like spending money and cakes and candles, but you know, just just, it's just another year of your life. You, you're being grateful for it and just like, oh, happy birthday. Same thing when you say to people happy anniversary for their like you know.
Speaker 1:I was gonna say that because you had such a big wedding in Indonesia and obviously your parents are Jehovah's Witnesses, so you're able to celebrate your wedding. But are you allowed to celebrate your anniversaries? Yes, so you're allowed to celebrate your anniversaries.
Speaker 3:It's just weird. I think like why can't your birthday? But not your birthday because, like shouldn't be, shouldn't your birthday be more um important, like it's your life, like you, you would put in on this earth and yeah, that's that's. That's one of the things I'm just like just doesn't make sense.
Speaker 1:Are jehovah's witnesses allowed to work in like corporate jobs and like? Is there restrictions?
Speaker 3:um yes, they they're allowed to, but it's frowned upon because it's like it's not well, pretty much, um, you, your task on earth is just to spread the news that armageddon is coming, trying to save as many people as you can. Um, so that's pretty much have to be your full-time job. Most of witnesses that I know they take like part-time jobs cleaning windows, just living life very, very modest. Okay, um, because why would you be chasing your dreams if, if, armageddon could come tomorrow? You know? So, um, yeah, um, you're not really supposed to go to uni. You can't. It's not encouraged. But if you do, sometimes you are frowned upon. And if you're a parent and you send your kids to uni, um, you can't have any privilege in the congregation, like, yes, so it's quite yeah it's almost like they're limiting you of abundance and to reach your full potential.
Speaker 1:In a sense although that's my perspective of it- yeah, no it is yeah yeah, to be your true self.
Speaker 2:It's like, no, you can't have fun. No, don't be happy. It's like you just need to do what they say. Yeah, which, yeah?
Speaker 3:yes, pretty much man-made rules. Um well, my parents sent me to the university. When back in indo and I remember lots of trouble for my parents because of that the elders was like saying you shouldn't send me. Uh, you should not send her to university because she's going to fall into satan's um temptation. All this temptation in uni and blah, blah, blah, which I didn't.
Speaker 3:Yes, I was a good girl, but um, but um, yeah, it was very frowned upon because, um, most of the people in the congregation, when they found out the land and I went to uni, they're just like, oh, okay, okay, because you think like if you go to uni, that means you're gonna go get a job and then you're gonna live your life, like live large or whatever, which you're not supposed to, because you're just supposed to like yeah god, I'm just like how are these people paying bills?
Speaker 1:and there's like inflation at the moment, like cleaning windows you wouldn't get like you know, living modern I know, that's some.
Speaker 3:That's also one thing that I actually really hate about it, because my some people that I know they've just been living their life day to day okay, won't worry about tomorrow because Jehovah will provide and then they reach their old age and they've got nothing and then gonna yeah they've got nothing and just that. They're I don't know like kids or what looking after them and it's just like. It's just feel like your life's wasted, like it wastes your whole life waiting for this thing that never arrived.
Speaker 3:and now you're like oh okay, okay, I'm old and I can't do anything, and that's something I don't want to happen to me.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, because you're more vulnerable, like as it is in Australia, I think women are 40 or 50. One in four women end up homeless because of the lack of finances and stuff like that. So imagine going through life living modestly, which is great in the grand scheme of things, but you'd get to a point where, yeah, you're not able to work anymore and you're not able to create income, and then you're allowing your children and you've got nothing, yeah, and you've got nothing, so you're just in a vulnerable situation. It's wild, yeah, and what about?
Speaker 1:feelings Like are you allowed to have?
Speaker 2:feelings. Are you allowed to be sad and angry? And you know what about emotion? Do they discourage feeling any type of emotion as well?
Speaker 3:um, no, you can have feelings. It's fine. But I remember one time, um, I was already in australia, probably about, I think it was in 2018. Um, it was at the beginning of my marriage. We just moved to our rental property our rental um, not rental rental house and, um, I was a little bit depressed. So I talked to one of the sister in the congregation and, uh, I was telling her about how I feel, I was feeling a little bit sad, and she pretty much just said to me I need to pray more and be busy in the ministry. It would be just like I need to be busy preaching and go to the meetings, attend all the meetings and, yeah, pretty much all the answers is just like, if you're feeling sad, feeling depressed, just pray to Jehovah, go witnessing, which is like going door to door, like letter writing. Yeah, that's always the answer to that.
Speaker 2:I'm just like, like, really like, I just yeah, how many meetings that we have so many questions like my head.
Speaker 1:I know my head's going wild.
Speaker 2:I'm like and she's talked to me about it- yeah, she's talked to me about it before previously, um, but yeah, I have still have so many questions. It's just asked away. Yeah, it's just crazy. So how many meetings a week would they would you have to have?
Speaker 3:um, so two used to be three when I was little, but they um, now it's two. In Geelong, one of the congregation I was in, it was on Wednesday night and Sunday morning. They go for an hour and a half to two hours each meeting, which is not too bad. But it's like in the middle of winter on a Wednesday night when you just like finish work and you like got to rush eating dinner and go to the meeting. And prior to the meetings, because at the meetings you discuss like the publications, like the meetings, because at the meetings you discuss like the publications, like the literature. So you've got to like prepare for answers. There's going to be like they're like they ask questions and the audience put their hand up and, yeah, you give answers and your thoughts about some certain scripture or certain paragraph on the publication, yeah, I see.
Speaker 1:Your husband also has come out of Jehovah's Witness with you, hasn't he? Yes, are you able to speak into that as well? Sorry, are you able to speak into that as well? Like what made him decide to do it with you? Well, was he thinking like similar thoughts to you, or did you open up his mind?
Speaker 3:to it. So I feel like it was. It probably all started with me because I start questioning things. I remember he said to me be careful what you read out there, because, um, because pretty much his mind was still programmed into this, absolutely what they call truth. Um, he said, be careful what you read out there, because you can fall into satan's trap, blah, blah, blah blah. But I just, I just like he doesn't really care, he just like, let me explore my mind. He didn't care. But then, um, I think about three years ago, when he actually there are some articles that I found and I showed him and he was reading stuff and he's like, yeah, no, actually this makes sense.
Speaker 3:And he reconnected to a couple of his um, childhood, childhood friends that's no longer joe's business as well, and they started talking and he's like makes sense. And that's when he actually decided to be like yeah, no, you're right, like wow, you know, um, I wish he was here. I wish I wish he was here, I wish he, I wish he was here right now. He would like actually explain to you like better, I guess, yeah maybe a part two with EWP and Gavin.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I got full body goosebumps right then, like that was just crazy, it's crazy yeah so what you're not born into, this right you like.
Speaker 2:You're not born, and then the day you're born, you automatically become a Jehovah's Witness because your parent is. Is that right?
Speaker 3:no, yeah, no, so you not not automatically. So I was born into that. I was the first born, so my parents had a lot of expectation of me. Um and um, you have to dedicate yourself to be one of the Jehovah's Witnesses. So, with me, at the age of eight, nine got to put my meeting attendance, I got to go witnessing and study the Bible with the publication that they give you. That's how you study the Bible and pretty much build your knowledge about the beliefs and the teachings. And, um, when I was 15, I decided to get baptized. That's when you become a one of joe's witness, when you decide to get baptized.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so all of my siblings, they were all born into this religion, but none of them are witnesses because they never got baptised. It was just me, um, so, yeah, it's funny because, um, my family would limit their interaction with me because I was baptized. I used to be Joe's witness. Now I'm not anymore, so they like have to limit their interaction with me. But with my other siblings they never actually believed in it, but they're fine. Just because they never got baptized. They're're like, wow, yeah.
Speaker 3:So I feel very like. Well, I feel like maybe I shouldn't have gotten baptized so I wouldn't have lost my family or my friends, you know, like they would still be friends with me, just because.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it sounds like you lost people both when you got baptized and then again when you've left the religion. It's like a huge rebirth for you. Now, though, what are some of the positive things that have come from stepping away and stepping into who you are? What your next era looks like as Ingrid?
Speaker 3:um, the positive things, I guess I just have the freedom to make friends, as many friends as I want, which with whomever I want you know, because I know this might sound crazy but when I was in the religion wasn't allowed to have friends because that's not the bible, you know?
Speaker 1:yeah yeah, it's just their beliefs. What they believe to be true has to be your truth as well, and you can't think outside of that. So you couldn't be friends with people that are gay or trans or you know your soul is like, I love this person. You couldn't do it just like you have to be friends with someone for what they believe. Yeah, or like your soul is like I love this person.
Speaker 3:You couldn't do it. That's crazy, just like you have to be friends with someone for what they believe not because they're a good person, and I want to just be friends with people knowing that they have good soul, good heart, good people, not because we have the same belief. Okay, let's be friends.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and necessarily, just because they're in one religion doesn't actually mean that they have a good soul or a good heart or good intentions either. Exactly that's, yeah, yeah, that's right.
Speaker 2:So yeah, what are the other positives now? Like what? Do you feel more free? Um, are you going through a bit of a self-discovery? What's happening for you now that you've decided to go to leave?
Speaker 3:Yes, I guess I do feel more free in that aspect, about just making friends and just about social stuff I can just do. I can go to all these things that I wasn't allowed to go to. I know it sounds very silly, but it's such a big deal because growing up you're not allowed to go to the rest of the country.
Speaker 1:You know, even just like You're grounded your whole life, yeah, or?
Speaker 3:even just like go to like a bar for like a music. They said it's too worldly, you're not supposed to be around, that. You have to be holy, just like you know. Or just like have a few drinks with your friends and even just like having a good time not like I'm not talking about getting blackout drunk or anything just having a few, a good time drinking. It's just, yeah, not allowed. You're not supposed to be doing that because it's it's just worldly, it's it's things that people in the world do not supposed to be. Jesus followers shouldn't be doing that, and I guess so yeah, that's one of the positive things.
Speaker 3:I feel like it's such an identity shift very much so yes, I'm actually at one point earlier this year I had some sort of identity crisis. I was just like, oh, who am I? Because I had this core belief being ripped. I just like took it off me and just like just feel a bit confused. But yeah, getting there, trying to create new life outside of it, it's possible and it's actually better. It's a bit more scary because, being in that organisation, I feel like you're very protected with your view of life. It's all very simple, but now you're out of it it's just like, yeah, you're being exposed to all the real stuff, the world, whatever, but no, it's definitely good that I realize it now. I'm not spending my 20s being not absolutely.
Speaker 1:I feel like there's a lot of people that not even coming out of religion go through like an identity crisis in their 20s 30s. So I feel like there'd be a lot of people navigating similar to what you have um just in a different way, like the way that we're programmed from a young age, the way the things that we've been brought up in, like our belief systems, and programming from our parents and stuff undoing.
Speaker 3:That is really hard work, um so yes, but what really um, what really helped me recently actually, um, read this book by I don't know if you guys heard the author, amber Skora. She's Canadian Yay, I love a Canadian. So she used to be a drugs witness so she wrote this book called Leaving the Witness. Read that book a few months ago and just could really relate to her. Just could really relate to her because she was in her 30s. She moved countries, sold everything, she was married, sold everything, they had the house, everything in Canada and moved to China to pretty much preach the news because there's no other.
Speaker 3:I don't think there's there's jobs with us in China. It's um, it's banned. I think it's banned over there. Yeah, so when yeah so went to China, um, she had some distance from the community, so that sort of opened up her way of thinking her way of thinking of this like culture, because I remember when I was reading the book she was like why am I trying to preach this religion to these people that had their beliefs for thousands of years, while this religion is only over 100 years old?
Speaker 2:And so what advice would you give to others who are sort of well, I assume they wouldn't be listening if they were very much in the religion but say, for example, somebody's come across this podcast that's listening, who is making that decision and is starting to listen to more alternative viewpoints? What advice, what is the the major things that have helped you move through that decision?
Speaker 3:I think just trust yourself. Yeah, just listen to you. I'm a very intuitive person so I just if that's what my gut says.
Speaker 1:I'll just follow it. Absolutely. I think you were given that like I think everyone has that gift but the fact that you tapped into it and then you were curious and you started doing your own research and started become becoming more self-aware, I just think that's like hats off to you, beautiful, like honestly like and the fact that nobody else around you was like questioning anything and it was all just you leading yourself. I think that you should be so proud of yourself.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Oh, thank you.
Speaker 2:Absolutely Like, and the fact that you can come on here and be like incredibly real, very raw, vulnerable and just share your story that could help even one person, but is probably going to help many is remarkable, so you should be extremely proud.
Speaker 1:thank you, oh give me a big cuddle.
Speaker 2:No, she's smiling um, what about your support system? Do you have a good support system to talk to people about what you're going through now?
Speaker 3:um, no, I mean, actually I have. I have few friends around Geelong um to talk about this sort of stuff. Pretty much we're all just ex-businesses. Every now and then we just get together and talk about it and yeah, just vent out.
Speaker 1:I actually went to school with one of your close friends. Um, I won't say her name on the podcast, but I remember um finding out her and a friend were Jehovah's Witnesses and I we like I was stunned, like that. They didn't get to. You know, go to birthday parties and stuff and just just like never wrap my head around it and it's always just stuck with me yes, yes.
Speaker 3:So if you went to school with one of them, you would have like sort of know how it was.
Speaker 1:I was in her classes all through high school so they were very tight-knit with themselves and very like no one else can kind of, but they were still friendly and beautiful and lovely all the rest of it, but they could just never really involve themselves with other people.
Speaker 2:Um yeah, beautiful humans yeah, so hard, and it would be hard to confide in people to have those conversations and those discussions about what you're actually thinking and feeling, because it's it's not just a little small thing like this is a huge transformation, a huge life decision. You're coming from something very structured, where you're in this box, to now oh my God, the world is my oyster type of vibe. So, yeah, sending you a big cuddle, all the versions of you, little Ingrid, everything, every part of you, thank you. I always call you.
Speaker 2:Ingi, so Julia, that's your nickname for me well, maybe we'll touch into our last two questions then.
Speaker 3:And that we always end every podcast with and so the first one is if you could say anything to say no no, is a foundry, is I know because? I feel like growing up. I always say yes to people just because I don't want to disappoint them, I just want to please them, I just want to, like I can't let them down. I have to say yes, I have to say yes, so yeah, just like if I could go back in time.
Speaker 2:She's like just say no, like you can't say no, boundaries are sexy and putting yourself first is so important.
Speaker 1:Fill, fill your cup first you can say no yeah, and the second question is if there was someone listening right now that is putting off chasing their dreams, what advice would you give them?
Speaker 3:I would say um, I guess, if they're putting off their dreams, maybe I would say start now, start small, start now, because if you keep putting it off you'll be like in in two years. You're like oh, I should have, I should have just started two years ago, but you would always be saying that, so I just just start now absolutely don't stop, beautiful thank you very beautiful yeah that was so beautiful.
Speaker 1:I've learned so much, I feel like when we go down a rabbit hole of understanding it a little bit more, um, yeah, crazy different lives that people live and that we're all in here on earth together, yeah, thank you, ingrid, from the bottom of our hearts for coming and sharing with all of our listeners.
Speaker 2:Um, we are just so grateful that you were able to share, literally from the depths of your soul, what you experienced and not hold back, so we really appreciate you coming on today thank you ingy, thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 3:I appreciate, appreciate it a lot and thanks for listening. Um, yeah, I hope to talk to you guys again soon, absolutely take care, guys.
Speaker 2:Bye, beautiful humans. We hope you feel inspired to take back your power. Thank you for listening into the EWP Party. With Jules and Day, we want to challenge you to share this party with someone you love. Let's get all women involved. Follow us on Insta at empoweringwomen underscore project, facebook and TikTok at empoweringwomen empowering women project we invite you to interact with us on our socials, our threads and in our dms.
Speaker 1:We are open to collaborating and invite you to reach out if you feel inspired to be a guest on our ewp podcast. Remember you are the creator of your reality. We encourage you to start believing in yourself and the magic of the universe.