Mahara Wayman [00:00:05]:
Welcome to the art of badassery where I explore what it takes to live life on your own terms, break free from the status quo, and unleash your inner badass. Whether you're a rebel at heart or simply seeking inspiration to step outside your comfort zone, this podcast is for you. I'm your host, Mahara Wayman. And each week, I dive into the stories, insights, and strategies of those who've mastered the art of badassery and are living life to the fullest. They smile when no one is lucky. Welcome to the art of badassery. I'm your host, Mahara Wayman. And in today's episode, I'm thrilled to introduce Kells Morris Dale, affectionately known as Kells the kiwi.
Mahara Wayman [00:00:53]:
Kells brings her vibrant kiwi spirit from the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand to the heart of Reno, Nevada. She grew up dreaming of being a journalist or a writer. And at age 46, she made that dream a reality with the release of her first coauthored book, manifesting magical moments. In her chapter, My Epic Adventures in Unfuckery, The Hummingbird's Tale, Kells shares her incredible journey and the magic of following her passion. Is it any wonder she's on the show today? Join me. Grab your favorite beverage. Let's sit back and get this conversation started. Kellis, welcome to the show.
Mahara Wayman [00:01:32]:
I'm so excited to have you here.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:01:34]:
Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for having me here. What a wonderful opening.
Mahara Wayman [00:01:38]:
Well, I got the information from you. I didn't make it up.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:01:41]:
No. It's just it's it's a different label when somebody, like, say, cheers it about yourself. Like, when you know about yourself, it's cool. But when someone, like, says it, like, oh. It's it's so cool.
Mahara Wayman [00:01:52]:
So, so good. Well, listen. Let's go back to the start of your badass journey because as everybody knows, this is called the art of badassery, and I interview people that feel they're badass. So when did your badass journey start?
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:02:05]:
Oh my gosh. When I think about it, it started when I was a kid. Like, I really believe now that I had badassery, from a very young age, although it was hidden behind shyness and insecurities and all of those things, but, I I had a pretty good childhood in regards that, you know, there wasn't a lot of, really, really awful things happening and there was just wasn't a lot of emotional stuff. Like, there wasn't stuff that really taught you how to, regulate your own emotions and all that kind of thing. So I had to delve deep and, figure out ways to do that and I lived in a little bit of a a fairy tale land, I would say. I created my own little adventures. I would go outside and, write these stories, but, like, also, like, experience, like, just these wonderful adventures. I was into Trixie Ballard and then Nancy Drew was a kid.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:02:59]:
So I kinda did stuff that way, but it it kept me, on an even keel where I I would have dialed, I think, more into depression and stuff like that had I not had these little glimmers of hope, which I now think that those glimmers were just my badass rate just trying to, like, really come out but just not fully evolve, like, for like now as an adult when I can reflect. So, yeah, I just feel like it's always been there, but it's become an awareness, in certain parts of my life that I've I've become aware of how much, you know, dig deep confidence or how much I've had to overcome stuff that, that I I could easily have let really get to me, really, like, really dark dark moments in my life, but I've always been able to pick myself back up. And I think that's pretty badass.
Mahara Wayman [00:03:47]:
Totally badass. But I wanna go back to something you said earlier, which is this understanding or this appreciation that your imagination really supported you in navigating some tough times as a kid. Right? And, I mean, we talk about the importance of being creative and the importance of having an imagination, but it was the first thing that came out of your mouth was like, hey. My ability to come up with stories and play and create a a world that felt safe or fun or whatever, played into your into your ability to navigate a shy childhood.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:04:25]:
Yeah. I think, I was aware that my childhood, as I said, wasn't wasn't horrific, but they just wasn't there was something missing and now now I now know what it is coming back. There wasn't a lot of, like, like obvious love. There wasn't the hugs. It wasn't all there. Like, you're amazing. You're doing so great. There wasn't all that stuff that I take when I don't well, actually, I don't take for granted with my own kids.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:04:49]:
I'm very aware of, the the need for that. But I didn't have all of that on the level that I think that every child should have. Like, I know that there's there's way worse and there's way better. Like, I was probably kind of in the middle. So I recognize that and I noticed other families around me, and so I created those kind of like memories or imprints of myself, but these little adventures or it's not like I totally wanted to think that I was adopted or like someone was going to come save me, but there definitely was, that level of like, a prince charming or some kind of fairy tale thing that I was gonna get become saved at some point. And over the course of my life, I I realized that I was gonna save me, that literally there was nobody else that was had the ability or, like, that's just not how it is. Like, you really have to save yourself. So even as a young kid, I I put up I put up some barriers and boundaries, but also within that, I created a safe space to still be a kind, gentle soul.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:05:47]:
Like, I'm so proud of that. Like, I didn't go totally to the dark side. I definitely had moments where it's a little shit, I will say, but I always came back to having empathy and understanding. And just knowing that when there's a little bit of a loss or something that's not, you know, really obvious what's missing that, that there's a little little bit of sadness and to have that sadness, I think, creates a lot of empathy and understanding for other people. So I always, always had this ability to really focus on people and see where they're at. Like, are they happy? Are they sad? I I I know a lot of it is hyper focusing on not wanting to rock the boat, but on the other side of it, which I think is beautiful, I had an understanding of when people needed something from me that didn't take anything from me, but was just a beautiful kind gesture or something. So, I just found found that that that was an incredible gift and I wouldn't have had that if I had the, you know, the perfect, childhood.
Mahara Wayman [00:06:47]:
You know what? What else I'm hearing in all of that? And I'm I'm not sure if our listeners are hearing the same thing, but, really, what I heard you say was right from the get go, you recognized your worth.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:06:59]:
Yeah. Yeah. It's much as. Because it's because
Mahara Wayman [00:07:02]:
what what I heard was you felt worthy of the dream. I'm worthy of being of having a prince charming. I'm worthy of having adventures. I'm worthy of of living in a space that feels this good. And, you know, our worthiness supports us in our ability to recognize it in others. And so when I hear people say, I'm I was empathetic or I am empathetic, what I also hear is you recognize worth in others because you see it in yourself. Does that resonate?
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:07:36]:
Oh, absolutely. Goodness. Yeah. It was something that I realized, but, just through the course of, going from childhood, you know, I held childhood and where I am, it's similar similar areas. The the in between, the teenage angst, the, you know, the twenties, the thirties, and stuff like that. That was a time of really, discovering who I was and the highs and the lows were really, really vicious, I guess. But I always come back to like wanting to be like a child. Like, I feel like that was the place where you as you said, I felt that sense of worth.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:08:10]:
Like, there was something better I was disarming, nothing was like my fault, or whatever it was. I inherently knew that, but I obviously couldn't express that or couldn't really, like, delve deeper into that. So that that went away for a huge pocket of my life. And in the in the book that you mentioned, that I co authored, my chapter, I wrote about an awakening and it's called The Hummingbird's Tale for a reason. And I won't give too much away because I want you guys to read the book, but when my dad passed away, though, that layer of of, I call it like the zombie like state from being a kid to becoming an adult and going through the motions of life, like I really dimmed my light. And in New Zealand we, you know, we, we have this, small puppy or big, small puppy syndrome or poppy syndrome or whatever where we hide our lights. Like, we don't wanna shine too brightly. So even though I wanted to shine my light, I hid it for a very long period of time.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:09:06]:
So much happened in that period of of that space. But when my dad died, it was like all everything, like, fell away. Like, everything was revealed again. Like, it was such I needed that sharp shock. My dad was my my world. He was the the the hardest part of leaving New Zealand to come live in the states. Like, I I always say like, if I could, I would pick him up and put him in my pocket to bring with me. Like, he was just, like, such a sweet man that he just knew how to say stuff.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:09:34]:
Like, I feel like I couldn't speak well. Like, I just wanted to, like, have my dad's ability to to talk with people, go into any environment. Like, I always had social anxiety. I always knew what to say in my head, and I have such amazing conversations with myself, but I can't express it. But my dad just had this ability to to do that. He was a he was a journalist. He was, a subhead for a newspaper and I just knew he, he really used his skills there. So when he passed, it was just such a shock.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:10:07]:
He was supposed to come out to the states and, meet his first grandson and he was so excited and I just couldn't wait and thank goodness he'd been out the year before to visit us. So I had sort of memories I could, you know, go to when still being over here in the states. But when he passed, it was the middle of the night. I was be breastfeeding my son and I just knew something was, was off kilter. You know how you just have those moments where you're like, there's something happening here. And then I got all the missed calls and because I didn't have my phone on and yeah, my world fell apart, but he came to me, one night and I still don't know, like I really try and recollect, whether it was after I went to New Zealand for the funeral or when I came back, there was a period of time, I'm not really sure, but I was at home in, in Reno in my mountain house at the time and I had this moment in bed. I just I I know that I had just fed my son, Jack, and I was like ready to go back to sleep but kinda not quite there and and then in between, like, you know, you're you're kind of, like, in that void or that space that you're you're not dreaming, but you're not completely coherent. And I just felt this like, feeling over top of, like, it was like over my face, but over the top top half of my body, and it just felt like really fast beating of wings.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:11:30]:
So I know it was like that hummingbird, sensation. You know how they they're just they fluttering of their wings is just amazing when you see that in slow mo. I like I love that. But I felt like it was that and I was like, what is happening? Like, I wasn't scared, which you would think that you would be. And I I didn't panic. I just was like, This is interesting. And then and they and I still remember it. So I'm lying in bed and in the corner of my room, I just felt this presence.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:11:58]:
I it wasn't like I saw the ghost of my dad, which would have been so epic. I wish I had. But I felt this this this sensation or this being or something, and all I remember him giving, giving me the feeling of is everything's going to be okay. It was so strong. I can feel it now. Oh, that always gets me sharing that part of the story. So I just knew no matter what, everything was going to be okay. So that gave me the confidence for that that that part of me that had been hidden or was asleep or, like stupid white wife or zombie, like static, whatever state I was in to like to, to lift from me.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:12:43]:
And, wasn't to say that things were amazing afterwards straight away, but I became cows again. Like she was gone. Like, she she didn't exist for a huge period of my life. I deferred to people, my then husband and I in conversations, like, somebody would ask me a question, I would look to him and go like, how answer. Like, I literally had no voice. Like, I couldn't have told you how I felt in a day, and my dad gave me my power back. Like, holy moly.
Mahara Wayman [00:13:17]:
I'm so moved by your story, and this is the second time I've heard it, but I'm even more emotional this time than I was the first time you shared it with me. So I wanna say thank you for for bringing your full energy to the retelling of that story. And but I'm really, really curious. First of all, dad, you rock. He's here for you, and he knew what you needed. I'm sorry for your loss, but in it, you know, you are you become yourself again. But when you can you pinpoint? Let me phrase it that way. The beginning of the covering up of the real you.
Mahara Wayman [00:13:54]:
And I you're not alone. I mean, we talk about this quite a bit on the show. And just in general, We seem to be so happy and whole and and closely connected to our true selves when we're children. And many of us find it again in the middle and near the end of our life because we're looking for it. But there's that time in between where we're like, who am I? Can you recall when that started for you?
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:14:17]:
I don't know exactly, but I know I had, like, some traumatic events happen, that I like, these days is, like, therapy and stuff like that. But, when I was, like I just started high school, well, I was just about to start high school and my little brother passed away at age 2 and he was 10 years younger than me and it was just before Christmas and, he was like my half brother, but like we we we we don't, I don't really think of him that way, but he was like the annoying little brother, like, would, you know, come in my room, be cheeky and, like, I'd slam the door, get out, like, preteen, you know, preteen, almost a teenager. And the night before he died, like I was, well, he, he died in a truck accident. My stepfather was driving the truck and it jackknifed and in those days you didn't have car seats, so you can imagine. So I was supposed to go on that trip, and I didn't because I was gonna stay at a at a friend's for the night, have a sleepover. But the night before, you know, we'd been like fighting, not real fighting because he was 2 and I was 12, but like he was just really annoying me. But that night, it was just really sweet and peaceful and he slept in my bed, which we had cuddles and I had a Santa beer and it had a little Santa hat, that, a family member had given us. And we were putting the hat on him and taking a photo, which is now on his headstone.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:15:41]:
Oh goodness. And his last photo we ever taken, but it was such a beautiful photo and captured just his cheeky spirit, like his just blue eyed, blonde haired little prince. But it just I just feel like in that moment, I just something happened, to me when when I I found out he passed and I didn't know what to do with it. Like, I had all this, like, these these pressure and like, I'm I hold on to memories like that so close to my heart. Like, I I can my she might sorry to cut cut through to something other part, but my dad, always did with me something really special. Like, we would be in a moment together and he'd stop and pause and go, come on, Kelly. Take a take a photo and we'd actually take like, between we're taking a photo and go click and imprint that imagery of whatever we're looking at together in our mind. And I still have, one of the last ones we did, when we were in Hawaii together, there was a 3, sailed, boat just in Waikiki Harbor.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:16:41]:
And I, it was just coming past the, past the hotels and that's what I remember. So dad doing that imagery with me was so important. So I I held onto this memory of my brother, but then when he passed, not what what do I do with it? Like, my my, my mom didn't know what to do. She was struggling. My stepdad, my dad, they just threw me and my I had another brother threw us, like, with the family over Christmas. Nobody talked about it. And then I suddenly started high school, like what? Nobody talked about it. So you're starting off high school with your brother just passed away.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:17:17]:
No one's talking about it. It's like one of the biggest phases of your life, and I didn't really know what do with it and I struggled and, it got really dark for me. And I knew that I was in trouble with my family, with my mom in particular. This is gonna be this is really gonna be, triggering for a lot of people, so I just want you to to be aware of this, Bahareh. It got to this is like suicidal stuff. I took some pills one night as a teenager and I luckily, I threw up, but I told my mom about it and she laughed at me. Said you silly thing. So I knew in that in that moment sorry.
Mahara Wayman [00:17:58]:
It's okay. I'm sending you total love and hugs. Big beautiful feelings from my house to yours.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:18:06]:
Thank you. But I had I had me and I had to be I had to be my biggest advocate. I had to, just love on myself even when I didn't feel like love was there. Like, I had to do all the things that I I tried to talk about it with some friends, which is really hard as a 13 year old, like, what are you gonna say? And I remember like I was in a youth group and like, it kind of went around some people, but nothing really came of it. So it was kind of like, it was just so weird, like these days I feel like there's a lot more support for that kind of stuff and we can recognize it. But I was really lucky, like that was a really bad moment in my life. And, to come out from that, I knew I didn't really have the support of, of, my mom, my, my dad, I, I, he never knew about it. He was really good at other things, but we we weren't quite at that level of like the deep dive and the most frustrating thing for me before he passed was I would because he had had like some heart issue, like he had some some issue.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:19:09]:
I was gonna have a really big talk to him when he came out, because my brother had said he found it hard when I left New Zealand. So I was gonna, like, talk to him about how he was feeling, like, have, like, the big, deep, and meaningful that I'd always wanted to have with my dad, but we didn't get to have it. So the poor bugger, now I have it with him, like, every day. So, dad, it's the topic of the day. Right. So yeah, we, we have, we have a great relationship now with him because I believe he's one of my angel, you know, supporters out there, But yeah, that was, those were big pivotal moments when I was, a teenager and, I was just so grateful. I didn't go down the really bad track of, like, addiction or like, Alyssa. I did well, I did have bulimia for a period of time because I really wanted to control, like, stuff with myself.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:19:59]:
Like there's definitely an element of control and thank goodness, like coming through full cycle, a lot of stuff happening, miscarriage, divorce, moving countries. Yeah. A lot of stuff happening. We might as I see with my dad passed, it's like it it I got back to, like, figure your shit out, Kelsey. Like, who are you? What are you wanting? Why are you here? Some get a voice, get your voice back. Start to, like, share your experiences because you're not alone and other people need to hear it, like, that they're not alone also. So yeah. And from from that period of time, and this was in 2013 dad passed, so so the last, what, 11 years, I've just been a work in progress.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:20:46]:
And you're right. Like, I I from my chapter, I call it my epic adventures and unfuckery because I'm unlearning all that crap that I learned as a kid that keep me down through such a huge period of my life and, I literally now have no ability to do that. I could not stay with someone who's toxic. I could I this is a sad thing. I don't have my mother in my life at the moment. Boundaries, boundaries are so important for me. Yeah. I, I leave toxic work environments.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:21:17]:
I, I literally can't be around stuff that's really, really bad for me. It's, it's like, almost like it's just impossible. Like it, it just can't happen. So I'm so grateful for that because for so long I was at sweet people pleasing, quiet as a church mouse, thing that nobody noticed in the corner of the room, but just knew that I was the one that could help you or do stuff or she'd always say yes to my own detriment. And then now it's like almost like, sorry, people. Not sorry. I can't do that shit anymore.
Mahara Wayman [00:21:51]:
Yeah. No. Okay. So first off, thank you for sharing your story and being so vulnerable. And, again, you know, the original question was, hey. Can you think back to when you first started when this first started to happen? And you nailed it when you said trauma. Yeah. Whether we call it drama, trauma, big trauma, little trauma, little people, well, most of us, are just not we don't know how to deal with that that level of with those types of emotions, for example.
Mahara Wayman [00:22:22]:
And and I think that explains why many of us lose ourselves as we are trying to navigate the world because we have left the cocoon of childhoodness of of being so close to our higher selves, and life happens or shit happens depending on day you're having. What you've shared is some really very serious deep trauma, and I'm I'm sorry for it, but it's so interesting that daddy's that your dad's passing lifted the veil and allowed you to see very clearly, it sounds like, what you did not want to be have in your life anymore. And I often say to my clients because sometimes people will say, I don't know what I want. I don't know what what will make me happy. And I'll say to them, okay. Well, what does it what don't you what do you not want? What makes you unhappy? And they're like, oh, I can tell you a list of those. But it's almost as if that happened where you were able to go, okay. Wait a second.
Mahara Wayman [00:23:18]:
I don't know who that person is, and I don't that's not good enough for me anymore.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:23:23]:
Yeah. No. It it's so true. So with this this huge thing, it happened with my dad passing, like, and I'm I'm awakened now. And then what?
Mahara Wayman [00:23:35]:
Well, that was gonna be my
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:23:36]:
next question. What, what happened then? What happens? I had always been really, I guess, kind of spiritual as a kid. I always was really in touch with the angelic realm and even though I didn't really know it and bought, like, crystals and, was really into tarot readings and stuff like that. Like and I didn't really understand it, but it brought me peace. And I blocked that all out And, I just had an affinity with spirituality, and then, I've always you know, those repeating numbers like 111, 222, all that kind of stuff. I started really noticing, that again at that point and reiki, the Japanese technique for relaxation and stress stress release, and other huge wonderful things that it does for you, came into my life, in 3 different ways. Somebody spoke about it, and, my my mother-in-law at the time, she's not my ex mother-in-law, but she she spoke about it. I was like and then, some random person, told me about it, a client, because I was a professional organizer at the time, like, why is Reiki going to me? Like, isn't that a little woo woo? I didn't really understand it.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:24:46]:
I'm like, yes. Your hands are hovering over somebody and there's energy exchange. Okay. Sure. But I was taking notice and, so I went to a a a Reiki retreat, and, you know, I was still kind of coming out of my cocoon, and it was in a teepee. I love my Reiki master. She's such a beautiful person, but she's so not like me. Like I'm, I would never wear tie dye or I know that she does, but like I'm not the hippie version of myself.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:25:15]:
I'm still got my corporate side to me, and then I've got the PJs all day day long kind of like, I go from dressing really nicely to, like, you know, pjs, but this is like everything floaty as it it was a it was just this beautiful kind of, like I say hippie, you should probably kill me, Like, it's just really cool environment that I felt completely like a fish out of water, like, oh my goodness. And I was going with my mother-in-law, double oh my goodness. And then so we're sitting in this teepee having that, like, introduction thing and everybody's sharing, like, really deep and I'm like and I I didn't have a voice still at that time. I'm like, I have to say something and what am I like, I was really freaking out about what to say. Like, what am I gonna do here? How embarrassing. Because at school doing speeches, like, I would go read and you had to do these 3 minute speeches once a year, and I just fell apart. Like, they were the that you may as well be, you know, stringing me alive. Like, it was horrible.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:26:15]:
So it came to my turn and, I don't know if somebody held my hand or touched me or some, I don't know what it was. It was just a beautiful energy in the room, I'll now say, but I just released, you know, released the force of Cal's, life history in about 3 minutes 30 seconds and was like, woah. I was that a bit of an overshare? But I got a lot of stuff out and people were really receptive and I felt like I just felt like at peace and really like, ah, I just, it was such an unreal moment. And then I was able to take in the Reiki training. And the first time I did do the hands over somebody and releasing their Reiki energy, that would been the conduit for this beautiful life force energy. I was, I was hooked. I was like, what? And the cool thing about it that I now know is because it's not about me. It's about Reiki.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:27:08]:
I'm the conduit. I can do this beautiful thing. There's no, small Poppy Syndrome or whatever, thing that I have to worry about being the best. I'm just this conduit for this beautiful energy that I can share and it helps other people because you're everybody has the ability to self heal. So I'm like this conduit for you to be able to do something for yourself to self heal, like win win people. It was like ding ding ding ding ding. I found my modality. I found something I can share with people that makes me feel good while they're feeling good.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:27:42]:
And yet it was amazing. And so Reiki came into my life after dad passed away and it just flourished And, it just brought back all this, the side to me that was a lot softer, looked more open to the world at large. Okay. To start speaking with people, getting to know people. I was very shut off. Yeah, just what that's really side of myself that I'm really proud of. And it's, it's it's come on off on from, you know, for the last 11 years, he's been dips and dives and, you know, through COVID and stuff, through a divorce. A lot of ups and downs, but it's always been, something that's helped me maintain my emotional regulation or whatever it is.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:28:25]:
That's, it's been a huge part of it. And I really feel like dad gave me that gift to open my eyes to be aware of stuff. And, Maharaj, I really believe that, you know, we all know about intuition and trusting your guts and stuff like that, but it's synchronicities that really lead that along. So when you go, oh my gosh, it's so cool. Something's in synchronicity with you, that's you, try you know, if you notice that, that's you trusting your intuition that you're being guided along on these little steps along. So, I've, at times, really just really grabbed a hold of those synchronistic moments because I'm like, well, that's my, like, yellow brick road, like, Dorothy in Wizard of Oz. So I just love that, and it's allowed me to manifest stuff in my life that, seems kinda crazy. And I have a little saying, CBNC, crazy but not crazy because, things things aren't as crazy as it may seem because they just make total sense in that moment.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:29:24]:
You're like, uh-huh. And me manifesting, some pretty interesting stuff like, this house on him and now, when I was married, to my second husband, we lived just up the road and when I divorced, I moved out into apartment and I didn't have a job. I I had my Reiki but I went back into corporate just to get some really dial in some money and I manifested that I told the kids that we would get a house back on this road, that we would, I mommy would find a new new love, a great love, and we'd have a puppy. It seems so silly. But like within, 2 years, I well, I first moved back into this the street, I I rented a place and then through COVID, this house became available. It wasn't even on the market. It just it was just so supernatural how it happened, and I was able to buy this house by my self after 2 years of working, building my way up from, from real into real from real estate transactional coordinator to a executive assistant to the COO of a small real estate investment company, save, like, 6 pretty much 60% of my income to be able to afford a deposit and bought this house on the same exact road that I had lived so the kids could go back and forth, like, so specific. And if you guys remember through a COVID, like, prop well, maybe you don't know about Reno, but there were no properties for sale.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:30:53]:
Like, everything got snapped up. Everybody from, California, like, from San Francisco area came to this area because for various reasons, so there was just no properties available. So to even get that and get it on the same street was, like, a pretty pretty major miracle. K.
Mahara Wayman [00:31:12]:
You gotta jump in here because first of all, I do wanna talk more about manifesting. But I I wanna go back to something you said earlier that I think is not only key to being a badass, but I think key to being a happy human is you said I began to see the signs. I began to pay attention because right Reiki came into your world 3 different ways in a fairly short period of time. So I just wanted to call that out because part of being a badass is paying attention. Mhmm. And whether it is with a spirituality bent, as in I'm here for a reason, tell me universe why I'm here, or simply how you are navigating your world. Paying attention is key to feeling badass because couple things I think happen when we pay attention. When we pay attention, we are telling the world we matter because you're you're paying I am important enough to pay attention.
Mahara Wayman [00:32:10]:
I pay attention to you. You pay attention to me because I matter. So I think it's very powerful to pay attention. And then, oh my god, the stories that we hear and the the lessons that are open to us are life changing, or they can be if we're open to them. So I just wanted to call that out. And now let's talk about this manifesting business because Mhmm.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:32:31]:
I had
Mahara Wayman [00:32:31]:
a few clients or I've had a few people guests on the show that have talked about manifesting. I understand and believe, and I'm working on manifesting my dream life, but I certainly know the sort of surface level, woo woo conversations that happened about it. And I know that there's a much deeper level that not everybody talks about. So I'd love to get your take on what manifesting means to you and how you developed your skill in that?
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:33:03]:
Yeah. Well, I I really think, I've always I've always believed even back as a kid that things are always gonna work out for me. I do know that I'm gonna go through some trials and tribulations and stuff like that, but I've always always believed in the back of my mind that everything like even I think dad's saying it again to me, like everything's going to be okay. It was just some just reminding me of what I always thought as a kid. So I just knew everything was always gonna work out. So I've always, I've kind of used that as a bit of a cushion, like stuff's gonna happen. It's okay. Everything's gonna work out.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:33:36]:
But when I figured out that when I really, like, if I really want something, that I I just I just have this unwavering belief that it's gonna happen. I know people do these, like, these images, like, they they, you know, can see themselves, like if it's like driving a red Porsche or whatever. They see themselves driving the red Porsche. I'm not so visual that way, it's more of a feeling, like, I feel like this is what's gonna happen and I knew that I was gonna get a house on the same street. I was so specific with my intentions and with me, intention setting is huge. I wrote a little children's book when when I was, just before I got divorced, but, it's called She Mentions Intentions and it was because every night the kids and I would see intentions, and it was a rhyming thing. And it was really beautiful, but it just got me in this practice of, like, setting these intentions and making it kind of fun so I make them rhyme, and holding those so, so strongly and kind of like repeating them in my brain till it became like, well, that's just how it is. It wasn't even a question of, oh my gosh, am I gonna be able to do this? Can I possibly, like, afford a house? Like, oh my gosh, like, you're right on the same street.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:34:48]:
There was just there all of that, like, doubt didn't even exist, so it's only for really specific things that I have an absolute passion for. So if it's like, oh, yeah, I wanna have a red Porsche, do I really believe that or do I actually really want that? No. So then it's not gonna happen. So for me, it has to be something that I absolutely, with an unwavering, belief, absolutely want, and it's not even like a question of, okay, give me something and I'll do it. No. It has to be passion. It has to be something that connects with my heart and soul. So for me at the moment, I'm really focusing on, building legacy, wealth for my kids so that I can pass it it down.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:35:32]:
I just I know that they'll be so proud of me. I'll be so proud of me. I'll be gone. I don't believe that's the end. I just know that this is something that I really wanna be able to do, and I wanna do it while they're alive and I'm alive with them so that we can reap the benefits of it and have a great experiences together. So that's my like, my focus is on that right now and it's slowly starting to to unfold. It's not like this big thing happens and poof, you know, it's magically there. Although sometimes it that actually does happen, but it's just Well Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:36:04]:
I wanna jump in here because I think it's a really important distinction between the setting and manifesting. Yeah. Because what I heard you say and what I believe myself is manifestation isn't about the how. It's just the acceptance. This is what I want, and I accept that it's possible. Mhmm. And I will give it over, surrender almost, to the universe for to figure it out.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:36:32]:
Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:36:32]:
And versus I set a goal, and then I work backwards and create the steps to get the goal. I think sometimes we get confused or people can think, well, I wanna manifest my dream job. So how do I go about doing it? Well, that's not manifesting. That's setting a goal and and creating and, you know, that's that's, you know, setting out to get to do what you need to do. But there's also this misunderstanding that it's poof. It's right here. So it's a very delicate balance, and I think everyone's relationship with with the understanding of the word manifestation is different. And some of us, maybe we have, we haven't even talked about energy, but, really, there's this understanding that we exist on different levels of energy.
Mahara Wayman [00:37:20]:
And if if what we want exists on energy 8 and we are living at energy 4, it's never gonna happen. Right? So there's a lot more to manifestation than just wanting it or planning for it or expecting it, but it's a really good point that in your experience, it's been it's it's required the energy of passion. Yeah. It's it's not just it would be nice if. It's no. No. It's not even up for discussion. This is in my future.
Mahara Wayman [00:37:53]:
I don't know when. I don't know where. I don't even know how. I just know yes. It is. I'm getting I'm getting the shivers just thinking about this. So when did you consciously begin to manifest?
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:38:09]:
I think, after my, second divorce because I didn't I no longer had my this is in the states after my dad passed away. He that was one of the those things that had to shift. Like my, my marriage, wasn't wasn't right for me. We had 3 beautiful children together, which are my that's literally my everything, but I was lost, like, as as we talked about. So I think after that, I had to real I didn't have my, you know, my dad to fall back on. I didn't have a husband over here to support me. I didn't my family's in New Zealand. It was almost like manifesting became wasn't goal setting as we talked about it became like, well, honey, you, what the hell do you want now? Like you've got rid of all this stuff.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:38:56]:
Like you're starting from scratch. Hate, hate your picture. Like, what are you wanting? And of course, like, we can manifest, and actually somebody put, read something that I've read today because we can manifest good, we can manifest bad, and they call it manifestoring. So you can manifest er, bad shit, or you can manifest good stuff. So I I've like towed the line a few times of, like, manifested some really crappy situations that have like, moments of learning and that's fine. That's part of the process, But I really wanted to to do stuff for myself and the kids after the divorce. So it was like that in that moment, I I kind of knew it was manifesting. I label it now.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:39:37]:
When we look back, we can label every part of our life. At the time, I just knew it was something that I I was I was gonna be empowered. That was one big thing. I was gonna come out of this strong. I was gonna be freaking proud of myself. I was gonna have the kids really proud of me. I was gonna not just be one of these, women that, you know, divorce, like, sorry, over here in the states, we have this ideal that there's all these, like, everybody gets alimony and the wife doesn't the ex wife doesn't work anymore and she uses a husband, so I didn't take alimony or child support. I think it was a dumb move on my part, but I didn't because I was, like, self empowered.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:40:14]:
I'm gonna do alright. I wasn't even working at the time, like, more than part time, but I I made all that happen. I started off 3 days a week to a full time job as I see it through the the rankings to quite a high position within 2 years. Like, that's manifest station. That's not goal setting. I didn't go to, I'm gonna be a COO. I just knew I was gonna get to the point where I was gonna be like, damn, girl. Like, this is your house you bought by yourself? Damn, girl.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:40:41]:
Like, this is the whatever whatever it was. This is the ability to take your kids on holidays by yourself, and not have to, like, be, you know, like, Hey, ex husband, I need your help support, which did happen one time, when my rent went, went up before I manifested my next paying role, but it didn't feel right. So I'm like, I'm never doing that again. Shove that aside. That doesn't that's not who I am inherently. So I just manifested that everything is gonna work out monetary wise, house like, where I live, all the basics, that we some of us take for granted and some parts of the world they don't take for granted. But with for me, I didn't wanna ever have to go on, you know, welfare. I didn't even know how that worked here.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:41:27]:
I wanted to be able to do everything myself and I didn't wanna ask for help. I do now know that asking for help isn't a bad thing, but in the right circumstances and the right things. And now I've got a community of of beautiful women that I can go to for for advice and help with stuff. So for me, that was, yeah. It was like, what was that? 6, 7 years ago that the manifest, manifesting part of myself really ignited really.
Mahara Wayman [00:41:56]:
So cool. Thank you for sharing that. And one thing that I've learned about and one of my mentors shared with me around manifestation was really for 2 things come to mind. Number 1 and I I don't know if it's Dale Carnegie said it or Henry Ford. I think it's Henry Ford. Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right. And I think a similar thing applies to manifestation. Whether you are the difference is that now we talk about it as a conscious thing.
Mahara Wayman [00:42:23]:
But, really, I remember when my mentor looked at me one day and said, Maher, look around your room, your life. This is a manifest your life today is a manifestation of your thoughts from yesterday or 20 years ago or 30 years ago. And that just kinda blew me away because I'm like, what? And she's like, you may not have been conscious, but you are living a lie you have manifested the life that you're in. The trick is now that you're conscious of it, what do you wanna do with it? Right? What do you wanna do with it? So it's more than just crossing your fingers behind your back and going, god, I wanna meet George Clooney. That ain't happening. Right? I did that for years. I didn't really believe it. It really it was just something to say.
Mahara Wayman [00:43:07]:
But when it comes to actually consciously calling on your higher power or calling on your intuition or just being honest with yourself, what do I really want out of life? What do I really want for my children? I think that's, like, the first step to manifesting is being clear and honest about what it is that you want and what you're willing to put up with to get where you want to pro you know, you mentioned setting boundaries was part of that. What's the biggest, most surprising thing that you've ever manifested outside of the house, the beautiful house on the same street? Is there something
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:43:41]:
else? I think it's always wanted to live in the states as a kid, and I'm here now. And I'm like, why did I why did I do that? Not that I don't love the states, but, like, new and I don't think I realized how amazing New Zealand is until I didn't live there anymore. So I think that's probably, you know, big, like, okay. I manifest I know I manifested that. Why? So that that that's a big question. But I think just in general, like, this this life that I'm in right now, it's good. It's where I wanna be, but I'm holding, I know I'm holding some stuff in until I have an ability, with my kids to do other stuff. Would I live in Reno? No.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:44:27]:
I I I will manifest myself into a beach house straight away, but my kids are my everything. So it's almost like I know, people say, well, you can choose where you live. You can choose where you, what car you drive. You can choose all these facets, but I'm like, well, no, I can't because my ex husband's here and I wanna be around my kids. So within these parameters. So it's it's interesting that, yes, we can manifest a lot of stuff, but for me, I know that I've got within these boundaries that, I created partly because of myself from getting divorced, but I'm okay with that. So it's almost like, but wait for it. Like, I'm always like preempting what's gonna happen, but in the meantime, I'm focusing on actually bigger things, which is like the relationship with my kids, relationship with my, my husband of 2 years.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:45:15]:
Years. We I I met another wonderful man here in the States, and I've got mirrors up everywhere around me to, like, what I still need to work on, what triggers me, like, like, so I'm working on being the best version of myself so that once the kids go off and if they don't go to college, that's fine. If they go travel the whatever they do once they're ready to, to leave the nest and do their own thing. Although I said to them, I'll probably be in a, a camper van traveling around, visiting them all all through the year, then I can really start to shine again. And I've been told at all times, through different, psychic readings like, human design, all that kind of stuff, my fifties are my years. So I'm in my for like forties, mid to late forties now. So I just I'm I'm waiting for it to happen, but I'm not taking this time now for granted. I'm focusing on the really big parts of my life that have that are here right now for me.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:46:09]:
So I feel, I feel like that's a really cool, cool, cool thing, even though I feel like sometimes I just wanna, oh, I really want that beach house now. Okay. I wanna I
Mahara Wayman [00:46:17]:
wanna make a sign that says badass.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:46:20]:
Yeah. Well,
Mahara Wayman [00:46:22]:
focus, first of all, taking time, slowing down, being very aware of what's best in the moment. As a parent, that comes up a lot, But I think that's really badass. And recognizing that you can it's okay to prioritize Yeah. Based on your needs and what the reality is of your situation. You know, I think when sometimes this idea of personal development, people that aren't into it, I feel that there's a bit of a miss a misunderstanding around it. And it's like, you guys are so selfish. Like, you know, all of that stuff. And people, it's okay to put yourself first.
Mahara Wayman [00:47:00]:
It's okay to prioritize. It's part of being a badass. It's also okay to slow down. Like, it it really is, and you can create whatever life you want. We always have choice. It's powerful to recognize the level of choice and an agency that we have in our lives. And by the way, for those of you that were watching, when she was talking about just now, her energy was through the roof. Right? She's just she's so excited about the life that she's created for herself.
Mahara Wayman [00:47:29]:
And looking what's gonna happen in the next 10 years, in her fifties, it's watch out world. Kel's is Kel's is in her fifties now, so it's gonna be a different story. But okay. So I wanna jump forward a little bit. Thank you for sharing your your thoughts about manifestation.
Mahara Wayman [00:47:44]:
Let's talk about what you're doing today. You've written this this amazing book. And by the way, guys, check the show notes so you can get your own copy. What was that experience like for you to become finally an author?
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:47:52]:
Freaking amazing. I talked about the synchronicities and, I had on my Facebook page at the time, I've I've had so many changes to my Facebook page, but it's like I have a new identity every day, but I've always believed life is magic. Like, I literally believe life is magical. Like, you are you are the magic, but life is magic, no matter what. So So I had life is magic on my page and but somehow I got to be friends with, a publisher, called Melissa and we got talking and then she had this book opportunity called focus on the magic and I'm like, oh my god. Like, how amazing. And then she she had her awakening and left that publishing house, wanted to do her own, and I'm like, but I'm tied to the focus on the magic. So I had this, like, this toy like, the crossroads.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:48:45]:
Right? Like, stick with focus on the magic, which was just, like, so perfect for me, or go with your new one, which unnamed, don't know what it's about yet, go with that avenue. And so I I just released everything, talked to my husband, followed my guts, followed my followed the synchronicity trail, and went with her and to new publishing house triggered me no end, cause it was called hope, heart open publishing enterprise. And along with, not having a relationship with my mother at the moment, I don't have relationship with my sister, which is just it's all sad and I'm hoping someday things will change, but she's called Hope and always believed she was born for hope for the future because she was born after my brother passed away. So it was just like trigger, trigger, trigger, trigger, trigger. And then, so anyway, so I chose Hera, but I was able to be part of the team that chose the name and I came up with part of the manifesting magical moments part and chose chose helped choose the the second part of the title, which is embrace the extraordinary and ordinary lives. Like, it was all a bit more okay. Like the word word term. I was like, that doesn't resonate.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:50:00]:
Can we kinda like bring it back to like us ordinary folk? And that's how that part got in there. And so I I got to help choose the cover art. It's not AI. It's beautifully delay if you know how to, you know, book covers and stuff. There's layers of like it's like a whole thing that I was like, wow. This is amazing. So I got to be part of that where if if I was on focus on the magic, would turn out to be a brilliant book, like some wonderful authors here. But that wasn't my path because I was way more in tune with like the cut, the cover that the, you know, all the details.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:50:33]:
And, she just let me write without making, there was no changes. Like there was edits where like, okay, here over your 4,000 words, love, like just use this chunk for another, another story, which is beautiful, but there was no, and there was a changing of a little bit of arrangement, but nothing was edited out. This This is this is my story. And every time I read it myself, like, I read it out the only way I submitted it was I read it out loud to myself, recorded it, and played it back, and I was like, sobbing mess by the ear. It's like, holy moly. So I knew I I wanted to be really authentic. I didn't go deep dive onto all the really negative parts of my life. I alluded to stuff, but I wanted to really talk about the transformation part.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:51:21]:
And I really got to talk about my dad and his, like it was just some beautiful nuances with that experience, but just to be able to keep it, like, this is my story and you've I've I had heard horror stories about, you know, writers, pretty much having everything changed and it just wasn't that experience. So it was just such a magical thing that I manifested because I always wanted to write as a kid. I write a lot of poetry, but I had never really written written, you know, my part of my life and, it just, yeah, transpired and the other people that are in the book, like we all were here for a reason. Like we just, it's just, some amazing people. So I feel like now I'm an author and I'm surrounded by these exceptional people and the book is gonna come out in hard copy and paperback shortly, and then I get to hold it and it that'll feel real. That'll feel really, really real.
Mahara Wayman [00:52:14]:
I just love your story, and it's so, it's a lot of fun to listen to my guests talk about their badassery and their experiences. But would you say is it fair to say that writing the book was was it turnkey in allowing you to have your voice or giving your voice back, or did that happen before the book?
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:52:38]:
I think it's 2 fold. Like, the process for the book started, last year. It was released this year in June. But it I got the voice from the book, but I had the voice before the book came out because I started to do things like these podcasts and talk about it on my stories on Facebook. And I just was studying to share them, like, I would go on, the stories, like, no makeup on like I did some yesterday. The price is all up. Just really excited about stuff because I'm I'm hosting a master class, for my business, and I'm like, I never do this. And I know it's from the book, confidence, from doing all these podcasts and doing these stories that has given me the confidence to to have a voice.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:53:21]:
Like, people haven't, like, written really horrible things about me yet. I haven't been trolled. I actually feel like you're you've made it when you've been trolled, but I feel like, I've gotten really good feedback other people because I do share a lot about, real stuff that's going on my life, that it the voice I have been I have now is a culmination of the experiences since I said yes to this book. And, yeah, like, here I am with you, my heart. Like, how freaking epic is this? Like, I don't didn't know you before this, but I already adore you. And we're having this interaction and sharing with literally the world can listen to us. Like, how cool is that?
Mahara Wayman [00:53:58]:
It's so so cool. It's so, so cool. I absolutely love it. Okay. So can you share with with the audience what you actually do for a living now? Because we've heard you talk corporate, real estate, COO, but a matter of fact, like, what do you do?
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:54:15]:
I do I'm multifaceted, I say. So I still have my Reiki business. It's just distance Reiki, which is online Reiki. So I still have a Facebook group called Soul Hug Reiki where I still offer my Reiki services. It's just all online. I don't have an office, but I'm part of, high ticket affiliate marketing, which I call myself a soulful marketing mentor. Like, I just I teach and show other women, predominantly women, how to express themselves, how to, like I say, I'm a mental health advocate. Obviously, what I've shared about my own self, I'd show other people how to use, you know, social media as a platform to just share and bring, you know, bring some love and some goodness to the world.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:54:56]:
So I don't have this, like, pay me $7 and I'll show you I'll give you an ebook. Not that there's anything wrong with that and I shouldn't shade people. That's really bad. But, like, I am just authentic. You get me. I offer mentorships, but it's all part of I could go into this for another 10 minutes. It'll be really short. You know how I talked about synchronicities? Yep.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:55:18]:
Yeah. The name of the company I, affiliate with is called Enagic. What is Enagic rhyme with? Magic. And it's it's a Japanese based company. It's been around for 50 years. They just, had their 50th anniversary. It's the most beautiful company you've ever met or ever met. The people that you've ever met, like, it's just so like, it's the water is Kangen Water.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:55:42]:
There's lots of layers to this company. The products are epic, but the people behind it are epic and Reiki is from Japanese culture. So it's just like, all of this stuff was like, how could I not? And so I get to like work at my own schedule, teaching beautiful women how to do this business whilst also bringing in my Reiki whilst also bringing in my speaking, the speaking arena room and now, and just sharing about all the things that I'm really passionate about. Could I have done that if I was a COO in zoom meetings all day? No. I've
Mahara Wayman [00:56:15]:
lived in Japan. Japan, it has a beautiful culture. I've lived twice, and Yeah. It's pretty special. When I was a teenager, just to get off topic for a second, I collected everything Japanese. So my room was filled with Japanese fans and silk pads and kimonos and little sculptures and you name it. And that was easily 10 years before. It never occurred to me that I would ever go to Japan.
Mahara Wayman [00:56:39]:
And then as a in my late teens, young adult, I had the opportunity to go there, and I'm like, oh, yeah. I love Japan. Like, really? And then, of course, I came when I went and lived there twice. I came home with all of this authentic Japanese stuff. So beautiful culture for sure.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:56:57]:
Yeah. Just see its ceremonies and everything. And the company, it was, established in Okinawa, which is one of the blue zones. So you just know that it yeah. Anyway, these I could have a whole show just on that company and just what I do, but, yeah, I'm just here to help other women just be the authentic, true, beautiful, badass selves, I guess. Yeah.
Mahara Wayman [00:57:15]:
Totally love it. Well, oh my gosh, Kels. I have loved chatting with you, and I'm officially inviting you back to chat some more about something else, whatever that looks like. And I just wanna thank you for your for sharing your authenticity because that is what we need. That's why I have the show. Right? I really believe that we are all badass. Not all of us recognize it. And these conversations are meant to bring bring it out in each other, but also to serve as a invitation to our listeners.
Mahara Wayman [00:57:43]:
You know, what how can you raise your badassery by 1%? You know, how can you show up just a little bit more for yourself? How can you set a boundary that's just a tiny bit stronger? How can you really make the world recognize who you are? Like, what does that look like? So I wanna thank you for participating in this conversation today. It's been absolutely delightful. And, folks, again, always check the show notes. Whatever I have, whatever she shares with me, I'm gonna share with you. And, hopefully, she shared lots because I want you to know more about what she does and what she brings to the world. My name is Mahara. This has been the art of badassery, Kels. Thank you so much.
Kelz Morris-Dale [00:58:21]:
Thank you.
Mahara Wayman [00:58:21]:
Folks, we'll see you next week on another episode of the art of badassery. Take care. Thanks for tuning in to another badass episode. Your support means the world to me. So if you enjoyed what you heard today, don't forget to like, share, and rate the episode on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback keeps the badassery flowing. And, hey, if you're ready to unleash your inner badass and conquer whatever life throws your way, Why not book a complimentary badass breakthrough session? Just click the link in the show notes to schedule your session, and let's kick some serious butt together. Until next time, stay fearless, stay fabulous, and of course, stay badass.
Mahara Wayman [00:59:02]:
This is Mahara signing off.
