A Blythe Coach Blythe

As part of my birthday celebration this year I decided to indulge in sharing, in no particular order, these incomplete, unjustified, and unsolicited pieces of advice!

The bite-sized nuggets come from a wide variety of influences from family and mentors to thinkers and celebrities and my own observations and beliefs.

Usually careful to cite sources, provide context and justification, as well as practical applications, in this case I've cast all that aside. Instead, I've just compiled, willy-nilly, some of what I consider to be the most important lessons I've learned so far. Some might be thought trite, some are redundant, and there are certainly important lessons I've failed to include.


Concepts here are also included in my work so far here on the blog, in my classes and coaching, online on YouTube and social media. Some will bear elaboration in future offerings and I'd love to know what peaks your interest.



Which of these lessons resonate for you?
What important lessons have you learned so far in your life?
What words of wisdom have you learned from family, friends, mentors, study?
What do you want to learn more about?

More resources for further exploration linked in the companion blog article.

You're always more than welcome to reach out to me via email or on Instagram​ @ablythecoac​​h​ and I'm grateful we're connected.

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalystshe/her or they/themA Blythe Coach: ablythecoach.com @ablythecoach

helping multi-passionate creatives

dance through their difficulties

Perhaps you enjoy my offerings in-studio or online and would like to know in what ways we might further collaborate, or you are interested in supporting me in expanding what I can provide for your befit and that of others.


Whether your interests lie in mindful movement, dance, coaching, education, or personal growth, I've got something for you, and you've also got oodles of potential ways to support me in return :) Glad that you are here with me to savor any and all of these ways to create and connect!

This podcast shares ten ways for us to potentially work together or for you to help support my work. The associated Blog Article/Show Notes includes all the links and resources I mention, from completely free and low-commitment offerings, to higher-cost, -commitment, and -value contributions.


My approach is holistic, rigorous, and truly unique, but you don’t have to take my word for it, you can experience the difference firsthand in a complimentary discovery call and/or sample class.

Questions for Reflection


What ways to work together resonate most with you?
What is the next step?
How did you hear about my work or in what capacity have we worked together?
Have we danced or practiced mindful movement together, or would you like to try it out?
Have you been coached? 
What area of your life would you like to transform?
Who do you know who could benefit from my offerings?

Thank you for taking the time to consider creative ways we might support one another. Let's keep in touch, and never hesitate to let me know if I can be of service!

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalystthey/them or she/herCreator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficultiesand take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

Last October I tried out my first Inktober Drawing Challenge, and in January I've kept sketching going on a weekly basis. Drawing and visual arts is really a whole other way of being creative than my usual dancing and yet also very relevant to the enterprise of shape, shaping and space in my dance and movement practices as well.

I got a lot of value out of the challenge of producing 31 drawing studies in in as many days. It was also super inspiring to see the works of, and connect on social media with, “real” illustrators and other visual artists. Great to be influenced by new works and creators!

As November passed, I witnessed those who participated in the latest round of NaNoWriMo at work on their books, some ultimately "winning" the 50,000-words-in-30-days challenge. In 2019 I took on the challenge to write a novel in a month myself, not “winning” the challenge, but coming closer than ever before with a 18,600-word partial novella.

This podcast and the show notes blog article below include a sampling of challenges I have enjoyed, learned from, and hosted in the past which have led to valuable insights and in some cases lasting positive change.

​Access the Charming Chosen Challenges​ Show Notes Article here

Personally, I'm always on the lookout for fun and motivating challenges in different areas where I'd like to learn and grow.

Questions for Reflection


What sorts of challenges have you participated in previously and what was your experience? Did you experience lasting growth?
What challenge would be the most supportive for you going forward?
Which skills and habits are you working on currently?
What tends to prevent you from taking on or succeeding at challenges?

Let’s connect by email or on Instagram @ablythecoach, I would love to hear your perspective!

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

Doesn't it feel good to do a thorough clear-out at the beginning of a new chapter in your life? Our physical, mental, digital, and analog systems can all use a periodic audit to make sure we are on track to live the life we intend.

The following methods bring order to chaos, help me reflect, plan, memory-keep, and create. However, your process and system are bound to look differently and I share this only as a brainstorm of ideas that I hope will inspire your own journey of discovery.

Here's what I've been doing during the transition from 2022 into 2023 to look back in reflection, assess my current needs, and look forward to project the future. It is wintery indeed in Cologne this year, so it really feels like the right time to snuggle up in a cozy and organized space to reflect, journal, and dream.

For full show notes and links, check out the accompanying blog article here.

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

2022 was a tumultuous year for me personally and for all of us globally. I lost a beloved uncle and great-aunt, recovered from COVID, and watched as war broke out between Russia and the Ukraine, with unrest and natural disaster in other parts of the world as well. We all faced our own struggles.

I was privileged to also enjoy a mostly peaceful and creative life, and learned through new experiences and encounters a variety of media.

Personal highlights included outstanding live dance performances, in particular a new work from The Royal Ballet, “Like Water for Chocolate,” and a classic from Pina Bausch, “Orpheus und Eurydike.” My in-studio students had the opportunity to perform in an abbreviated “Swan Lake” and participate in an exam, I practiced yoga and ballet together with devoted students online and in-studio, and released a signature coaching program.

The ability to travel home to Hawai’i as well as to the UK and on regional getaways, time with family, friends, and my love were also memories that I am deeply grateful for.

Perhaps you’d also be interested in some of my favorite sources of inspiration, education, and entertainment from the year past. Some were newly-released over the course of 2022, others were simply new-to-me and recommendable. Even if no one else cares what I liked, this should be a fun reference for future me to see what I was into back in 2022 😉

I would love to hear what you especially got benefit or enjoyment from in the last 12 months, and if you’ve heard of or enjoyed anything from my list as well. Let me know on Instagram @ablythecoach or by email, I am always looking for positive and inspiring inputs.

For the full text/show notes for this audio, here is the accompanying blog article. 

Questions for Reflection

What is on your “to be read” list this season?
Which media sources do you find most enriching?
What do you want to learn?
What makes you curious?
What creations will you make and share?

I would be delighted to hear from you via email or on Instagram @ablythecoach

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of  A Blythe Coach : dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

Distinguishing our life’s Purpose can provide a compass “True North” that guides all actions and decision making to accomplish/Be what you are on earth for.

Another metaphor for your "Why" is that of taking a birds' eye view of life in order to ask if what we are creating and doing is aligned with who we are or want to Be in the world.

In “real time” here in the Northern Hemisphere we are experiencing fall and are near the time of Halloween and many other traditional days of the dead, opportunities to reflect on beloved ancestors and others, our own harvest blessings, and prepare for the darkest days of the year.

We are invited now, and at all times, to ask ourselves:

“What light will I bring?”

You are invited to consider your ultimate life purpose as well as your purpose for each project you undertake and action step you make. In this podcast and in the accompanying blog on ablythecoach.com, I share 5 tips for finding and using your Purpose or Why, questions for reflection, and in the blog I also have links to further resources for learning. 

Reflection Questions


What light do you bring to the world?
What is your Purpose?
In what ways are your actions aligned with your Purpose? Where are they out of alignment?
How will you be reminded to be present to your Purpose/Why?
What structures will you put in place to evaluate potential actions and decisions according to your larger Purpose?

Let’s connect by email or on Instagram @ablythecoach - I would love to hear your perspective and assist in choreographing your next leap of faith!

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives
dance through their difficulties