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Flip the Script with Vic is a sacred space for real conversations with real women 🩷 Hosted by Victoria Nielsen—intuitive healer, mama, and space-holder for the divine feminine—this podcast amplifies women’s voices through raw interviews, intimate solocasts, and unfiltered conversations on motherhood, mysticism, psychedelics, ancestral healing, spirituality, identity, and more.
What began as a personal exploration is now a communal prayer: a gathering place for cycle-breakers, mothers, mystics, creatives, witches, and wild ones redefining what it means to be a woman in today’s world.
Every episode is an invitation to remember that your voice matters. That your truth matters. Together, we walk in beauty, become the prayer, and flip the script.
Hello, hello.Welcome back to another episode of Flip the Script with Vic.It's your host, Victoria Nielson.Oh, I'm so happy!Every, I start every episode, like, excited and happy, and I hope you guys feel that because my guest today is a literal ray of sunshine, and also one of my mentors and friends for the last 5 years, Meg Sylvester.You are just my Gemini multi-passionate, multi-dimensional, creative mama, friend, and honestly, muse and inspiration.You've inspired me for a really long time because you always just go for what you want, and you always tap into that creative flow within you.So, thank you for being here to talk about whatever the hell us Geminis wanna talk about today.I know.I'm excited to see what comes up, and thank you.I can't believe it's been 5 years.Wow.Like, really.I mean, you've, you've seen me through so much.Like, weI think I was super pregnant when I kind of first reached out.We were friends before that, but when I first was like, "Meg, we have to work together."Mm-hmm.And then you helped to, like, doula my book into the world and- Mm-hmm.doula little Victoria into blossoming Victoria.Right?Ah, man.I know, and you've seen me go through so much or evolve, move through so much since our, you know, we first started working together.So it'sI always think it's really special when you find friendships, um, where you're so celebrated for your evolution.You know?I think sometimes some friends, or even clients sometimes, can feel a little bit betrayed when the person they became friends with or the person that they signed up to work with goes through their own evolution, you know?And, and so it's really, it's really lovely to have women in my life, and men in my life, that, um, love me and see me as a friend unconditionally.You know?Absolutely.And so it's very comforting to me, you know?I'm glad.But let's talk about that, because I do think, especially as women, we're not allowed to change.People wanna remember us as that high school version, or they wanna remember us as the picture that they have in their mind sometimes.And especially as someone who helps others, right?You've been a coach for a really long time.How was that?And, and how did you navigate that?Because that, you know, you're just a naturally changing, evolving person.I feel like you are a chameleon.Mm-hmm.Mm-hmm.So to have someone not like that part of you- Oh.I, I, I'm guessing can be very challenging.Yes, and um, so I, uh, at this point in my life, I'm 42.Um, I, I'd say I've gone through 2 really big spiritual awakenings.The first was when I, kind of what most people consider a spiritual awakening, when I woke up to the fact that I can and I have the power to create my own life.I, um, I discovered spirituality.I discovered a higher power and my connection to that higher power, and it, you know, dwelling within me as well.Um, I, I've heard someone use the line, and I, I cannot remember where, um, but, uh, you allow the divine to define within you.Mm.And so my first spiritual awakening was that, and I, I swung very much to one side of the pendulum, so much so that I left one box, the, the corporate box where I was climbing the ladder and, you know, doing all the things that my parents would be proud of, that society would be proud of.I left that box.I, I, I woke up, and then I kind of entered this other box of-of what a spiritual person- You swung over, like, "Okay."Yeah, of, like, what a spiritual person looks like, what a spiritual person says and wears and does and engages in, and what they do not do.Um, and, and- 'Cause there's a lot of rules.There's a lot of rules, yeah, and it, it is a box, you know?Um, and, but, but I had, I had to swing all the way to that other side of the pendulum to kind of wipe the slate clean, find the practices, find the belief systems, find my North Star.And then my second spiritual awakening wasAnd, and during that time that I was over here in the pendulum is when I started my coaching business.It's when I really started leading retreats.And what I was doing was so true and, and so authentic, and I was finding these tools and sharing the tools and, and being the mirror and reflecting that back to the women and the men and the people that I was working with.Um, but then something inside of me was like, "Oh, oh, okay.This has been really great, but you need to come back down to Earth, you know?"Mm-hmm."And you need to live off the mat, essentially, you know?"Yeah.Like, that's what we say in yoga class.Like, all this practice is for off the mat in real life, and you need to get back into real life and, and, and engage in the things that brought you joy that aren't considered spiritual, even though everything is spiritual when we come to it with intentionality, you know?Um, and it was in that second swing, in, in the swing kind of back to the middle, back to my humanness, where I brought all this kind of ascension journey stuff with me and came back to the middle.Um, and, and I, I just realized that so much of what was going on in the spirituality world, and even in the coaching world, um, was keeping people in a holding pattern.Yeah.And people, people were on, and I too, was just, like, on thisspiritual healing hamster wheel of like- Mm-hmm.It's never done.here's, it's never done.Buy the next course.Do the next thing.Yes, here's the next course, here's the next meditation, here's the nextI don't know, thing, technique.And, and, and I was like, "Oh my God, enough is enough."Like, um- I remember that's when you got really big on Instagram because you were- Yeah.finally like, "I am here."And like- Yeah." fuck this healing hamster wheel, like let's get unhinged.""Like, let's have fun."Yeah.And it went crazy because I, a lot of people were feeling that, you know, myself included.And, and obviously I'm still in the coaching and, and spiritual space but- Right, yeah.I'm seeing a lot of these same patterns and a lot of the same- Yeah.people holding up like, only light, and don't go into the shadow.Yeah.You know?Yeah.Or you have to wear only white or- Mm-hmm.you know, Beg and I come from the Kundalini tradition in yoga, which is very structured and has a lot of rules.And- Yeah.you know, I, I think people want that freshness, they want- Yeah.that breath of fresh air.They're tired.They're so tired.Yeah.And it, you know, it's not even, yeah, there's a lot of people like, "Yes, only light."And there's also people, "Yes, light and shadow."But even beyond that it's like, just stop.Yeah.Just like, what about h- here?What about, yeah, there's light and there's shadow but there's also here.Yeah.You know?And like, you're, you can be a spiritual person and still play with ego and still, you know, like, y- be a human and, and not constantly in search of the next version of you, or the, the highest self.And, and I just got myself, I got so tired of it, and so tired of the echo chamber that was spirituality on Instagram.Um, and while also honoring, deeply honoring the people that were still very much holding space and integrity for people that were, needed the deep work.They needed people to usher them through and do the deep work.So it was never about, um, shunning the deep work.Oh, yes.You know?And I think some people took it as that, that weren't reallythat were projecting their frustrations on me.And I'm okay with that, you know?But I think some people saw me kind of standing up and saying like, "Enough is enough.Live here, live now, be present."You know, you can, you can either support or improve yourself and I'm choosing supporting myself by living here and being happy and having fun.And some people, I know, when I stepped out and started talking about that, 'cause there weren't many people saying that, when I started- Mm-hmm.saying that, some people were like, "Wait, so is everything that you were doing for the past five, ten years not real?"And I was like, "Oh my God, no, that was, it was all real, it was all in service."But like, I'm going through my own personal evolution and I'm ready to integrate all of this and to have fun and to just cut the spiritual strings for a little bit, you know?Mm.And, um, I forgot the original question but- But no, but that was it, right?It was- Yeah.the fact that like I, I kind of, I love that you guided people through that because I think everyone, if, if you've ever had a spiritual journey, you pendulum swing all the way over- Mm-hmm.You wanna fol- you wanna know the rules so that you can follow them, right?I did the exact same thing.Mm-hmm.And then you do kind of swing back to a middle ground but it can be hard following your own joy.Especially because you are so good at helping others and, you know, others have seen you do that for so long.It was a really brave choice for you to pivot in the spotlight- 100.and to pivot so openly and say, "Hey, I'm choosing me."And I- Mm-hmm.And that does not disregard anything, that you're- Right.choosing or our relationship before now but, hey, this is who I want to explore moving forward.And I feel like- Mm-hmm.you've always been really good about that exploration and that permission slip to people to be like, "Hey guys, there are no rules actually."Yeah.Yeah.Like, it's made up.It's all made up.Yeah.Like- And, and I, you know, when I hear you say like, "That was a really brave choice," and I've had other people share with me, like, "Wow, you know, the way that you're so vulnerable is really brave."Um, and I'm like, "Oh, it is?"Like because-I'm, I'm just- I'm so dedic- I don't know if dedicated is the right word, devoted, um, I just speak my truth and, and it's like I don't even realize until after that it was, like, bold to do that 'cause I was- Yeah, it was revolutionary.Right, like I'm just saying what's on my mind and, uh, oh, oh, that was gonna make some people angry?Like I, you know, I, I just- and I always- I know this about myself, that I'm, that I'm always- I think it's the Aquarian moon in me, that I'm always 5 steps ah- maybe one step ahead, and by ahead, I mean, "Oh, this is becoming a trend and that doesn't feel good, and what's the rea- what's the truth here?"You know?And, and kind of becoming disillusioned a little more quickly by the glamour and the- What's happening?yeah.And then the community aspect too, right?Because I feel like, you know, Aquarius, when it's in its healed wants to, to elevate community and wants to bring- Yeah.stuff forward, you know?And so, I feel like you are always in that community energy no matter what you're doing- Yes.now that you're acting and you're, you know, doing other things.You just went to Kenya with like an amazing- Yeah.group that I wanna talk about.Mm-hmm.But what I think is important here is like the shift that you made between always 0 not always over-giving, I shouldn't say that, I don't wanna assume.Mm-hmm.But like, now you're- you're doing for you.You're like, okay- Yeah.to be the, to be the favorite version of me, I love that you say that by the way, you're always- Yeah.now you're like, "I don't wanna be my highest self, I wanna be my favorite self."Yeah, mm-hmm.And I think that's really important because the favorite self is gonna act a bit differently than your highest self, but she is- Mm-hmm.going to make choices that are for you.Mm-hmm.And we need to see more women doing that, more women especially- Mm-hmm.as you're entering into your, your crone era that you're like- Mm-hmm."No, I'm gonna choose me and I'm gonna choose this- Mm-hmm.and it's actually gonna have a beautiful ripple effect on everyone around me."Mm-hmm."That can be my purpose, that like- Yeah.me just being 100% myself can be the thing versus me having to serve and be 100% myself."I got really, uh, emphasis there.Yeah, no, that, that is, uh, 100% the sh- one of the shifts that, that woke up within me was I don't have to be of service in the traditional route, like always here, helping, uplifting other people- Holding.Yeah, like reflecting.I don't always have to be doing that.I don't have to be coaching.Uh, nothing wrong with coaching.I don't have to be of service in that way.The way now that I am in service is by living my most inspired life, by living in my yes and in my no, and sharing that, and, and saying like, "Me being me is enough to be of service."And I don't have to over-give 'cause I was.You know?Like, the minute someone came to me with an idea, like, "Oh my gosh, we should do this retreat," or, "You should do this retreat," or, "We should work together," or da-da-da, I was like, "Yes.Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes."You know?And now I, I even, I mean, I stepped away from coaching, um, because it, it was my truth of like I don't, I don't wanna do this anymore.Like, I wanna live- Yeah, and that can be enough.Yeah.That can be fucking enough.I don't wanna do this anymore.Yeah, you don't have to, you don't have to justify, you know?And you know what else is crazy?Like, for a while, I remember there was this big TED Talk and, um, uh, probably it was before 2020, and it was all about like finding your why, and finding your why is what will drive you, and it will, um, put intention behind all of your work.And I remember I had a really hard time, like, finding my why, like, "Why do I wanna do this?"And beyond the, "Because I want to," you know?And trying to put words to that.And then, again, part of my second awakening was like, "Oh, I don't need to, like, justify the why."My only why is because I'm driven to.There's something in me that wants to, and I don't need, I don't need to explain that, I don't need to justify it.I don't needAnd, and that kind of like find your why, although it may have been good for some people of having that real specificity, for me, it kinda F'd me up for a little bit 'cause I was-like really trying to like find the why behind the why, and then when I was finally like, "Oh, it's just 'cause I- it's just 'cause I want to," like, "That's it."And then your brain explodes and is like- Yeah."Wait a minute."Oh my God, like, "That's it.That's it."Like, so, that's given me a lot of freedom as well, um.I love that for people because- Yeah.it really- it's enough, and we over-explain, we people please.I feel like I've said this to so many women lately, like we, as mothers, often think of, "How is this gonna affect everyone else around me?"Yeah.Versus like, "Is this actually gonna make me happy?And should I make that choice first and then worry about, like, everyone else?"Right.And, you know, I've always said that I think being selfish isn't a bad thing at all.That actually everyone in this world needs to be selfish because if you're not, then you're not taking care of you and then you can't take care of anyone else, you know?Mm-hmm.How has your creativity shifted at all since you've kind of made this transition?Of course you have 3 kids at home too, and y- now that you're- you're still traveling but you're traveling in different ways, like what- Mm-hmm.what is the day in the life of Meg like these days?or is there not a, a, a single-all day.Yeah.Um, uh, yeah.I don't know.Okay.Like, a normal, boringWell, not boring.A normal, a normal day where I'm not traveling, where I'm not, you know, engaged with, like, a gig or something, um, wake upI, I used to wake up really, really early to have lots of quiet time.Oh, like, sauna and, like, time to yourself?Yeah.And now, I'm like, "You know, 20 minutes is good," because I like sleep.Um, I like to sleep as much as I can at night.I'm not a napper, so I, I, I like, I l- I like a good, like, 9 hours sleep.So anyway-I get up.Yes.I, um, have coffee, and I just sit kinda quietly snuggled up, looking outside for a while- With the kitties?um, with my kitties, um, and my dog that can't hear or see, so he doesn't really even know I'm there.Um, anywayAnd then, you know, sometimes I have, uh, The 5Minute Journal.I was served an Instagram ad for it, one of the ones that actually I really liked.Um, and so I'll write down, you know, 3 things I'm grateful for, kind of, like, what my affirmation for the day is.And that's it, you know?That's it.Yeah.And, uh, get the kids ready.Um, I'm, I'm, I'm so grateful for my space and the time that I have, like, the free time to do whatever I want with it, that I try not to put too much routine and structure into my day because- Which is good.Yeah.I, I- You can flow with the creative, flow with what wants to go with, you know?Exactly, yeah.So, like, my, my priority, one of my values in life is freedom.And, and, you know, when I look at my calendar, I wanna see that, that priority and that value reflected back to me.Um, and so I do have a lot of free time in my day to do whatever the fuck I want, you know?Um, and I feel very, um, privileged being able to say that becauseAnd I recognize the privilege in that statement, um, because I know a lot of people aren't able to do that.Um, and so I don't wanna make that seem like the, the only- You know-way to live.Yeah.But I think it's important that you give yourself, uh, the space, I think, is the message here- Yeah.because I could say the same thing, right?I know I'm privileged.I left my corporate job.I'm, I'm working- Mm-hmm.from home now.I make my own schedule.But to that same point, freedom is a big value of mine.And so I think no matter what it is, discovering maybe what your values are if you don't know yet.Mm-hmm.If you have a handful of core values and then how can you iterate your life around them- Yeah.you know, uh, is important.And your life doesn't have to look like anyone else's.Um- Right.But I- Right.I think that creativity for you or that space- Mm-hmm.for creativity is, like, uber important.It is, yeah.And, you know, kind of going back to that, you know, what do you value, I think the 2 biggest barometers of are you living in alignment with your values is your calendar and your bank account, you know?Like, look at your expenditure of time and money, and is that reflecting back to you the, you know, the, the sensations, the feelings, the values that you really prioritize in your life?And it's a really quick wake-up call.Um- Mm-hmm.I know, for one, you know, one of the values that, that I'm really working on prioritizing is global impact, and am I living a life in alignment with, with creating a better future for our children?And quite honestly, to you, I can say, no, I'm not.Like, I look at how often I use Amazon, how often I'm making impulse purchases, how often I'm purchasing things with single-use plastics.And it's, it's a realIt's been a real wake-up call to me of, like, I say these things, but am I living in truth?I'm trying.I'm trying to deconstruct a lot of structures in my life right now that were based off of consumerism and quick fixes that are not good for the, for the world.And I'm more than happy to call myself out about it because I, I need to be called out about it.So, uh, you know, that's just an example of being- For sure.really truthful.And the radical responsibility and honesty I think you have- Mm-hmm.to have with yourself becauseI mean, I could say the same thing.I remember in my, my TED Talk that happened a couple of months ago, I ordered a bunch of dresses because I- Mm-hmm.Well, I got a, a Rent the Runway dress-which ended up being the dress that I wore.But then I ordered a bunch of other random ones 'cause I was like, "Oh, it's easy.I'll send it back."Mm-hmm.Mm-hmm.You know, a b- a couple of them came from China.Like that- Yeah.was not easier actually.And- Yeah.it was a waste of money.Of course.And I already had the perfect solution in a rented dress.Mm-hmm.In a rented dress, that is recycling things- Uh-huh.that cost way less than what I spent to order random shit from China.Like- Yeah.it's stuff like that that w- it's a behavior that we just do it and we don't notice it, or, umIt's so deeply ingrained.It is.It really is.And if you power deci- into Western society to just get the things, to get it quickly, to have options, and I love options, okay?But like, it- it's- it's- it's gettingIt's too much.It's too much.Um, and so, anyway, back to the day.Back to the dayof Meg's life.No, but I, but I kinda want this- No.'cause I mean, we were, it was leading to your, your, you know, your recent philanthropic efforts- Yeah.because- Mm-hmm.I think that is important because if you didn't have the space in your day, you wouldn't be able- Mm-hmm.to then go off and go off on these, like, philanthropic efforts.And I love- Yeah.that this is something that's in transition for you, right?That it's not- It is, yeah.100% there.Um, but I would love to hear more kind of, how did you findIt's, uh, Boise International, right, is who you went- Because International.Because International- Yeah.that you went to Kenya with recently.I would love to hear more about that.Yeah.And, um, so I've, I've, you knowThe thread of philanthropy has, has always been kind of woven through me.I, I worked at a wildlife refuge sanctuary in Thailand for a long time, and, um, you know, there's always been this kind of aspect within me.Um, but it really was activated in this last trip, I think because where I'm at in my life right now.Um, but there, there's this incredible, um, NGO, uh, philanthropic organization, nonprofit based out of Idaho, where I live currently.Um, I was connected to the president of the organization through a mutual friend.Um, and she was like, "I don't know how Meg fits into your organization, but you guys need to talk.I just have a feeling."And so, um, this organization is called Because International, and they have created a shoe that can expand up to 5 sizes, and it's built very durably.And so they, um, give them to children, um, who need shoes.Right now, they're working in Kenya.Um, they're trying to get every child in Kenya a pair of shoes.These shoes will last for years.Um, there's many, many children in Kenya that do not have shoes, that do not have shoes that fit, that do not have shoes that have soles on them anymore.Um, and this leads to all sorts of illness, injury, um, i- issues around self-esteem and dignity, school dropout rates.Um, it's a, it's a big deal.And so I ended up going to Kenya with them on a distribution trip.Um, we distributed over 3,000 pair of shoes to children.Um, and the distribution included not only giving them the shoes, but fitting them to the shoes.So I had my hands on 3,000 feet.Um, and I got to meet and talk with kids from age 2 years old to 16 years old.And this resource is th- the shoe is very much needed and very much appreciated.And we got to hear from kids who were recipients of shoes on past distributions from years past, and how it's changed their life.Um, and it was just really, umI, I don't even wanna say eye-opening because it was eye-opening even before I went.You know, that shoelessness was an issue.I didn't even realize shoelessness was an issue, um, that, that could help alleviate poverty.Um, and I won't go into all of that.But, um, when I was there, you know, for so long, I've been dedicated to helping the majorityNo, I won't say the majority.All of my, all of my clients, all of the women and men that I have served and worked with over the past several years have been in a space of privilege.The majority of them come from Western culture.The majorityThey all have the resources to be able to afford to come on retreats, to afford to work with a private mentor.Um, they all have agency.They all have the ability to make empowered choices in their lives.And when I was there, I, I was like, "How can I really begin to build a bridge between these people that I've worked with and served and these communities-" Mm-hmm." in a really impactful way?"That, and, "What can I do in my own life to support communities that need support," you know?Mm-hmm.instead of just working with people who already have privilege, you know?Mm-hmm.Yeah.Um, and, and so that really woke something up within me.Of course I came home and was like, "What can I get my master's degree in?"You know, to like-you know?Like, how can I become the president of the UN, you know?I was like, "Well, I, you know, I don't know if we need to go there."Um, but yeah.And, and that's where the community aspect comes in for me, is like, okay, now I'm shifting into, into the global community, you know, howAnd I know it's so hard when you're just one person of like, "How can I possibly make a difference when there's corrupt policy and politics going on?"Like, I'm not a politician.Maybe I should be, but you know, like- Yes.uh, how can I make a difference?And so, that's what I'm grappling with right now.I'm trying to do the things in my own life, like I was referenced earlier, to like deconstruct some pretty ingrained behaviors that, that will help, you know, people and cultures in, in other places that aren't so privileged.How's your family liking that, by the way?They're not.Yeah, I was gonna sayI could see Justin now.Yeah.Like, "What?"Yeah.They're not, um, and that makes it hard.That makes it even harder, you know?So I'm like, "Okay, well, let me start with myself first-" Yeah." and get on solid footing before I then try and-" The crusade of the whole family.Yeah, yeah.You know, because I got 3 kids, 3 animals, um, like, there's, there's a lot, uh, to work with here.So yeah, you know?And, and like you said, um, this, this kind of stance and this, um, place I'm at right now, it is not fully baked.Like I'm, I'm in infancy with this, and I'm, you know, kind of looking at my own life and looking at how I show up in the world and, and how, how can I create impact not just in the space of people that are already living a privileged life, but yeah, how can I build that bridge?And, and that, that sounds kind of arrogant, like there's already people building bridges, you know?'Cause I think if anyone could build a bridge, it would be you, and I actually think- Yeah.this is fantastic in what, you know'Cause I hate to say it, like you, you're working with women like me, like we have the money to spend.We could, you know, like we could- Of course.give the money to the little kids in- Yeah, yeah.um, Kenya and still benefit ourselves.Like it's, it's kind of a no-brainer.And you know, even too, just thinking about the kids here, um, and the- Yeah.global impact that, that you can have just by being yourself.Yeah.Just by, you know, like being yourself, using your voice, sharing what's on your heart, and you know, I think you've also done such a beautiful job of showcasing all sides of yourself.And you always have never shied away from that, that you're multi-dimensional, that you can want to work for an NGO and also still like clothes.Yeah.And you can, you know, like- Uh-huh.be a spiritual person, and you're still gonna drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning or whatever.Yeah.You know?That, like that, that duality, I would say- Mm-hmm.of the world, um, is something that you walk beside very gracefully.Thank you.Um, is there anything, you know, that's, that'sNow, you're back from Kenya, you're kind of in this mid-transition.Anything new that's bubbling up within you now that's starting to pique your curiosity, or this is kind of the, the new frontier for you for now?Um, I wouldn't say it's new, but acting, um, is- Oh yeah, please, I wanna hear more about this, because I- Yeah.mean you just gave us little sneak peeks on stories, but I'm like, "Oh my God, Meg- Yeah.tell me all about the acting."Yeah.Because I was a theater kid, and- Mm-hmm.I justI'm living my dreams vicariously through you, soYeah, yeah.Well, I, I think, um, uh, just at the core of who I am, I'm a storyteller, um, and I have wanted to be an actor forever, um, since I was little, little.But I remember going to a one theater summer camp when I was a kid, and I hated it.I hated it so much, and I was like, "This isn't, this isn't r- This is fake.This isn't real."And now looking back on it, I just realize at, even at a very young age, I didn't align with the way acting was being taught.Mm-hmm.Um, and which was acting, actingThis sounds so weird, but, like, the acting was being taught as acting.Mm-hmm.And now- As if it's becoming the character.E- exactly.Or, like, becoming the character.Yeah.And I was like, "I don't like this."So for a long time, umAnd I'm very, I'm very stubborn.Um, so, like- It's all good.I know.So, like, at a young age I was like, "Well, I wanna do this thing, but I don't"I didn't like it.So I kind of cut it off, and then the dream was so big that I, like, convinced myself that it, it, it was impossible for me.Like- Wait, how many people do this?Yeah.How many people do you just end up saying to yourself, "Oh, never mind," or, "Oh, I didn't really want that dream anyway."And you try and, like- Yeah.downplay it when really, you really did, but it was- Yeah.just big and fucking scary.Yeah.It's a bi- a big, big dream, and so I just kind of convinced myself, like, that's, that's just a big dream, but it, like, won'tIt, it, like, there's no way it will happen.No way.And then, um, you know, so I was a dancer.I wrote, got book deals, like, wrote books, like, every, like, all these other creative outlets that I'm pretty good at.Um, and then finally, right around my, right before I turned 40, I was like, "Why, why am I not giving myself the thing that I, that I really, really want?"Like- Mm-hmm.And I don't want it for any other reason than that I want it, you know?Mm-hmm.Um, like, I remember when I first started coaching, and, um, you know, looking t- at authors like Gabby Bernstein and, um, Jen Sincero, you know, and, and I got it in my mind, like, "Oh, the next thing is you write a book."And so, like- Yeah.This, these are the steps you follow.This is how- Yeah.Yeah, yeah, yeah.Yeah, so writing a book became very important to me.Um, and I don't wanna say that it was inauthentic.Maybe seeing those people, like, woke something up within me that wasn't there before.And I love writing, you know?Um, but acting had just always been there for, for no reason other than it was planted in, in my heart, you know?And so finally around my 40th birthday, I was like, "Let's go."Um, and so- What am I doing?let's, let's go.And so I found a studio in Austin, Texas where I was living, did a full immersion over the summer, relearned what acting really is, um, which is living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.It's not acting and stepping into this role of a character, you know, and, and pretending.Um, it's living truthfully.And so, um- I love that, by the way.I don't think I've ever heard it explained that way.Yeah, yeah.So, um, uh, and then I moved to Boise, found a studio here, um, and it's just been not only helping me to, like, really, really, really step into and absorb the, the craft of acting, but I've learned a lot about myself.I'd say my acting classes have helped me even more live truthfully in my own life and, and kind of realizing how I was using certain, um, traits, like overgiving, like, like, niceness, to get what I wanted, you know?Which I, like, hate saying that, but, like, people pleasing and overgiving is a form of manipulation to get what you want.No, it, it, it- To get the result that you want.You know?'Cause ultimately, you're giving because you want something out of that, most likely.Yeah.You know?And itYeah.I mean, why else would you overgive?You know?Like, you either want approval- Mm-hmm.or you want y- love, or you want a transaction.You want something.Yeah.And so, acting classes have, they'veIt, it's helped me to live with no transaction in mind, you know?Just, like, live so truthfully.That is fucking amazing.Yeah.Like, we could all live with no transaction in mind.Like- Yeah.wow.No, I'm gonna take, like, that I'm gonna have to think on for a while, because trulyI mean, everything is an energetic exchange, and so- Yeah.in some form or other, whether you're conscious of it or not- Mm-hmm.you're literally always exchanging things.Yeah.And so, like, how canYeah.You just- How, how do you- You just blew my mind, Meg.Right.Like, like, really, how can you live from your truth versus the, the truth of the manipulation that you're dancing in, you know?Because I'm sorry, you're most likely- Yeah.dancing in manipulation, especially if you areLike, if you have a business, or if you're a, a coach of some kind.Again, you may not be doing it consciously, but, like, you either want some kind of outcome.You want some kind of transaction.You may be thinking the long game where you're like- Right."Oh, actually, I want them to do this in 10 days, so I gotta do this now."Again- Mm-hmm.maybe you're not conscious of it, but- Mm-hmm.it's happening.Yeah.And I'm guilty of it too, for sure.And, andAnd I don't, I don't know if that's necessarily wrong, you know?Like- Yeah.it, it doesn'tWe, we don't have to label it as wrong, but to be aware.Yes.You know?And to be aware of, "Is this manipulation end goal that I'm leading someone to through the path of kindness?Is it actually what I want?"You know?Yeah."Is it actually what ID- Does that end goal, like, really, really light me up anymore?Or am I just so used to being in service that I feel like I have to do this?"So, so if youSome of you that are listening may be totally new to me, and some may not, but, like, you probably have noticed if you've been following me for a while on Instagram, I'm way less active on there.Like, I just- And you posted about squirrels now, which I love.Yeah.I go on squirrel walks.That's part of, that's part of my daily routine is I go on squirrel walks-to, like, say hi to the squirrels in my neighborhood, and that's it.You know?I walk around with a big bag of peanuts, um, which I have-lovingly named as my nut sack.I love that.Yeah.But, but anyway, like, I care about so much more and also so much less, you know?Like, I, I have so much faith, and that is what is meant for me will find me that I am, I am just not playing the game on Instagram anymore.I'm just not, you know?And again, there's nothing wrong with the people that are showing up on Instagram.I am in no way, shape, or form shaming that at all.Mm-hmm.Um, but itI don't know.It's just my priorities have shifted so much, and I'm very much committed to, like, living truthfully.And I just know, I know when I put my mind and my intention on something, it happens.It happens.Oh, absolutely.You know?You're a magic manifestor- Yeah.Like- Yeah.you, you can create miracles out of nothing.And- Yeah.I love that you're giving your attention elsewhere, though, because I feel likeI am guilty of this where sometimes I feel like I pour all my creativity into Instagram.Yeah.And then I don't have any creativity for me.I felt that big time and was like- And I had a, a- No.download the other day that literally I think I wrote down.Like, it was literally like, "Save some for you."Yeah.Like, it was like, "You don't have to create for everyone else.Like, create for you and literally show fucking no one."Right."And that's perfect."Mm-hmm.Mm-hmm.And, and that, that's, that's the space I'm living in right now.I, I felt Instagram and social media siphoning all of my time and my creativity.And, and I was like, "This is so dumb," you know?And it's easy forIt's easy for me to say that because I'm not marketing any offerings or, you know, like, I really don't have a business on there.So again, I realize the space that I'm saying this from is not the experience that everyone else is living in.So I'm not, like, shaming anything at all.But, like, yeah, I justI was like, "I don't wanna give all my creativity and all my time to a post," you know?To a little square box.And, like, riRight.And, like, that post isn't even leading anywhere, to anything right now.So, like, it doesn't, it doesn't matter.And, like, I'd rather be- It's another form of consumerism.Yeah.Yeah.And I'd rather be dancing.I'd rather be doing nothing.I'd rather be, you know, like, scribbling and doodling and, and, I don't know, like, daydreaming and, and working on acting, you know?So the other day on Instagram, I, um, shared in my stories, likeYou know, lately, I've been really contemplating this idea of being stuck.And it's very much- Oh, I saw this.Share it here- Yeah.because I think it's important for people to hear.Yeah.It's, it's very much, like, kind of a, a Western culture thing, especially American because we have the American dream and, you know, produce and make money- Keep climbing.and all that.Keep going.Uh, keep climbing.Yeah.So we have, we have this kind of subconscious belief of stuckness, you know?I, I am stuck right now.And r- really, the only way that you're gonna be stuck is if you convince yourself that you're stuck.But itYou're really not stuck, it's just you're in, you're in process and, and a way to kind of reprogram that belief of stuckness is to just say, like, "What's the most important thing in my life right now?"Or- Mm-hmm."What are the couple most important things in my life right now?Where do I feel stuck because I want to be moving somewhere?"Um, and then just immerse yourself in that world.Um, so using myself as an example, like, obviously my family and my health, those are very important things to me.Outside of that, the most important thing to me right now is acting.Um, it, it's the most exciting, it's what lights me up, and so I'm immersing myself in that world byreading books, listening to audiobooks, um, going to training.Like, I'mI go to classes, I go to trainings, um, in acting, andI don't feel stuck.So even though I'm not, like, having all these gigs coming in every day all the time, I'm, I'm, I'm living in service to the dream, you know?And I'm, I'm ju- You're making little movements.You're, you're being the energy.You're being- Yes.it.Yeah.Instead of saying- I'm being that."Oh, I have to wait to arrive at this place."You're like, "No.I'm-" Right."here right now."And then , and then we take courses on, like, how to get unstuck or how to, you know, open up the blocks, but really it's, like, just do, just do the things.Likeyou know?Just- Like, I-take a little tiny action.Right.You know?And solike, yeah.That, that's, that's where I am in, in acting.It's justIt feels so true, umand, and so inspiring for me, and I'm just, like, devouring everything I can.And it, it, it reallyIt makes me happy.It's hard work.I mean, showing up in the actor's studio and baring your soul day after dayMy classes are 4 to 5 hours.I get home after midnight- Like, a dream.you know?Yeah.But, but I, but I'm so fed by it, you know?And that's how I know it's for me, because all of this, uh, energy that I'm pouring into it, it doesn't feel like it's siphoning me.It, it, it, it is- Siphoning.coming right back to me.Yeah.That's important because I think, too, especially in this, like, spiritual feminine space, you know, we're always talking about how, like, oh, how easy things need to be.Like, yes, andYou know?It's like- Mm-hmm.you do need to work for it a little bit, and that ease comes, I feel like, later, when, to your point- Yeah.you're like, "I'm working hard but it doesn't feel like work."That's ease.It's not literally doing the work.It's force versus effort.Yeah, yeah.Exactly.Mm-hmm.It's, it's different.Um, but I- Mm-hmm.I love this, like, all so much for you because I feel likeagain, you're just such a big permission slip to women to go after what they want, to shift and to change and to not be afraid to make a pivot because we need to.How many of us in life have second acts, third acts, 4th acts, depending on how long your life is?And- Oh, I'm on, like, my 10th act.Right?Like, and we need these things-I remember being younger- Mm-hmm.when I, umI was in college.My magazine internship was at More Magazine.And I remember being like, "Oh, this is the old lady magazine."Mm-hmm.'Cause my mom read it.And I, like, didn't read it- Mm-hmm.I didn't understand, but there was a whole section called second Acts that I used to help- Mm-hmm.edit.And I never got it because I was, likeAt the time, I had always been a journalism major, I was like, "Oh, this is what I'm gonna be, I'm never gonna change."I just was too young to understand how much you shift as a woman.Mm-hmm.And now I look back and I'm like, "Oh, no wonder, like, all these-" Yeah." ladies, you know, like, at 35 and 40 and, and beyond-" Uh-huh." are like, 'I'm gonna do something totally different.' Like"Uh-huh.'Cause we're meant to.We're meant to.Mm-hmm.Mm-hmm.Yeah.SoIReal, real quick, I wanna go back earlier.Um, I meant to touch on this.Um, I love reframes and, and I believe that language, for me, language really shapes my world.And when you said crone, like, you're going into your crone phase, like, that word does not resonate with me at all.In fact, I feel like- It's so funny, when I said it, my whole body was like, "Meg's not gonna like this word."Yeah.Yeah.I, I feel like the word crone, though, is almost prescribed by the patriarchy, um, because of the- The connotation of it.cono- the connotation of it.And so, the word that really resonates with me that I use is matriarch.Yes.Um, and that, that feels much more empowering.Um, and again, the word crone doesn't ness- isn't necessarily wrong, um, it just does not resonate for me because of the energy that it holds.Yeah.And, and, you know, maybe that's something I have to look at, um, internally of why does it bother me, or also maybe my preference is just matriarch and that's fine, you know?Yeah, right?Well, and itThat's what we'reWith Monarch Mystery School, that's essentially what we're teaching, that, like, you're the matriarch- Mm-hmm.and to rise into that matriarch, you have to embody all 3.You're maiden, you're mother, and you're crone.But I like thinking of that as'Cause that, for me, has been the biggest shift this last year is thinking of myself as the queen, as the matriarch- Mm-hmm.Because- Mm-hmm.I act very different as the matriarch of my family than I do as just, like, the mom running the house, or the wife running the house.Like, it's a very different energy.Uh, and I think- Mm-hmm.it allows you to, like, foom, like- Mm-hmm.you know?Um, I think really-step into your power as a, as a woman in your own home, as well- Mm-hmm.as in, like, your ecosystem, you know?Mm-hmm.Mm-hmm.Yeah.And, and real quick, IYou know, I think power, you know, stepping into your power, power is different for all of us.It doesn't necessarily have to be, like, authoritarian.Oh, absolutely.But it's more of this, like, grounded, you know, grounded knowingness, um, without the need to justify.You can explain because you have your reasons, you know.But, um, yeah, I think as women really sitting with and feeling into what does, what does power mean and what does it feel like to you and how can you activate that essence within you?And one of my big things, kind of talking about queen energy, is how can I, how can IThis sounds so silly, but, like, how can I help the world, you know, and not me?Mm-hmm.So- You're thinking bigger- UmI mean, I will say it's also- Yeah.probably your Aquarius moon, butYeah, it is.Yeah.You know?Uh, and that, I think, is queen energy too, that you're, like- Yeah.you know, "I'm thinking beyond just my generation.You know, I'm thinking for the future."Yeah."I'm trying to set up-" Yeah." a better world for everyone."Yeah.Yeah.And my, myFor those of you who are into astrolo- astrology, my north node is in the 11th house, and, and Gemini, which is all about community.So yeah.That makes so much sense.Like, it feels good to be like, "Oh, I get it now.Like, I'm not building myself up.I'm creating a platform for myself so that I ca- that I can, like, live as myself and also help others and create inspiration through that."Yep.At the same time.And what a big shift too- Yeah.'causeAnd I think that, right, our astrology, human design, all of those are just tools to help us better understand ourselves- Mm-hmm.but I love that when we get a deeper understanding of ourselves, some of those perspectives can shift.Mm-hmm.Because, you know, whenLooking at your human design before, it was like, "Oh, I'm building a community."Like, "Yes."It's like, "Yes, and"You know?Like- Right.Yeah.Like-"Oh, I'm a Leo rising so I should be in the spotlight."It's like, yeah, you should be in the spotlight, but not necessarily for you.It's- Yeah.to create impact, you know.Like, find the spotlight to share a message that helps others.Exactly.But also feed yourself, you know?So I don't know, you know?Right.We're just learning as we go.We're figuring it out.Right.But I'm so glad- We get it.that we were here for this conversation.Thank you, Meg.I've missed you.Thank you.It's so nice to just catch up.And if there was one last thing you wanted to share with anyone, uh, listening, what would it be?And then, of course, please share how folks can find you.I know you're not coaching anymore, but just so they can follow your work and give you some love.Yeah.Um, hmm.I, I think, you know, take some time to feel what your yes feels like, what your no feels like, and, and really start practicing honoring your, your yes, even if it feels scary, um, and honoring your no, even if it feels scary.So just take some time and intention to, like, cultivate that.Um, you can find me on Instagram.I'm, I'm a lot more active in my stories right now, um, than I am on the actual feed, so you can find me there.My website is meg sylvester.I, um, I, I'm doing retreats.I think one of my next big things is, like, impact retreats.Ooh.Um, I'm not doing themYeah, I'm not doing them, like, often.But follow for that.And then my book, uh, my next book will be published in March of 2026.It's called The Mindful Mom.Um, so be on a lookout for that.And, you know, every once in a while, um, if someone reaches out to me and is like, "I heard what you said, and I'm interested in mentorship with you," every once in a while, I'llIf it feels aligned, I'll say like, "Okay, let's talk."Um, so it's available, and itIt's not, and it is.You know?So if you're listening to this and you're like, "Okay, like, I need, I need to get in touch with Meg," message me, um, and, you know, we'll see, soI love it.If it's meant to be aligned- Yeah.it's meant to be aligned.Exactly.Yeah.Yeah.Thank you so much, love.Please- Thank you.like, rate, subscribe, review the podcast.Mm-hmm.Share these conversations with other women that need to hear them because women all over the world need to be just hearing these honest conversations between women that are, that are heart to heart.So thank you, Meg, for joining us.Thank you guys for listening.Be good to one another.I'll see you next week.Mwah.Bye.