WTL 5 – Meet Jodene Shaer

Five provocative questions answered by an inspiring and fabulous woman – a woman with something to say.

Meet Jodene Shaer

Jodene Shaer is a teacher at heart and through her blog, Project Me, she openly demonstrates what a life of courage, consciousness and a sense of humour looks like. She is a dedicated entrepreneur, writer and speaker, with a notably bold online presence that has generated a significant social media following and established her as one of South Africa’s recognised influencers. She began her entrepreneurial path in 2000 and after leaving two established businesses, in 2008 she co-founded a people development business, Lifeology. Through sharing her philosophies as a Life Achievement Facilitator, she was recognised for her natural talent in the social media world and began her online agency, Chat Factory, with her business partner in 2014.

People would be surprised to know that: I’ve done brave things and through my #ProjectMe story, many people look up to me as an inspiration for courage and pursuing dreams. Honestly, I’m petrified of elevators and could have ruined my dreams to avoid them. I’ve said no to events or meetings on top floors. I hang around, waiting to not go in it alone, if I can’t use the fire escape. My one client even has special parking for me. Totally chicken!!

The WTL 5:

What’s the conversation that changed your life?

In 2004, my family home with my business in it burned down. I owned a spa and once I’d relocated with much distress, a client and I had a chat while she had a pedicure. She is a successful business women and I admire her to this day. I was unhappy with my business, weighted 125kg (276lbs), was in debt and basically homeless. She said we’d support each other, but it was time to put ourselves first and get our lives together and we should make ourselves our own project. That was the day Project Me was born.

What are you most conscious of today?

I have tried every formula across different parts of my life and after decades I started to see how I was reading self-help books to find other people’s formulas. After constant failing, I became aware of how important self-trust and being conscious is, so that I could listen to me and not the world. It’s how I operate my business, lost weight and created my unique story in Project Me. This is fundamental as I turn my blog into a book and find the ways to help people trust themselves and their formulas and not mine.

What part of you have you yet to give voice to?

You know that once I say this, I’m going to have to do something about it, right?
I have some very strong opinions and beliefs that have been fundamental in uncovering my true self. So much is on the tip of my tongue and my book is forcing me to say things that people may not like. I’ve never felt ready to take public criticism, but I think the damage we are doing to ourselves as a collective, by striving for perfection and not purpose, is far worse than a public lambasting. I’m ready to say it!

What’s the conversation women need to be having collectively?

I was asked to be an ambassador for a women’s event once. I gave my message to the organisers and they never contacted me again. So here it is. I believe we should be discussing why, if we are so loving and nurturing AS WELL as strong and powerful, we haven’t empathised with and nurtured the men around us. Instead, we have claimed national days, had our seminars, left them outside the door and isolated them. I believe we fuel the anger in men and we are powerful and fierce enough to find equality through empathy.

What needs to be said bigger, louder, stronger?

We can affirm our dreams and yell out our positive affirmations as much as we like, but until we find the courage to first tell ourselves the truth, things either don’t change or they only resemble something that looks like a better option. That’s not what we deserve in life, but it’s become taboo to show weakness or speak anything but positivity. It went from boys don’t cry to humans don’t cry and it’s time to say what we need to … our truth!!

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Thank you, Jodene, for sharing your powerful voice
with WomanTalk Live