a re-introduction

15 years. That’s when I started this email list that you are on, and this blog that you may be reading this on (at a time when blogging was way more of a thing, when we didn’t have YouTube, substack, or even Instagram). The dark ages, basically.

I started Uncaged as a way to rally people together who wanted to live lives of freedom, which to me at the time meant being able to work from anywhere, not be tied to a desk, and have the flexibility to take a day off and go on an adventure, if I wanted, because I kept getting fired from other jobs for taking too much time off.

Uncaged began as a coaching business, helping people dream up what their ideal life would be if there were no rules. At the time I was working for an online health business doing all their social media and marketing and learning SO much, taking what I could and implementing it in my own business on the side.

Turns out, I was pretty good at it, and loved talking to other businesses about how they could implement some of it in their own businesses too! I loved seeing them figure out what really lights them up and then helping them turn that into something sell-able.

Slowly, Uncaged morphed into teaching marketing (which turns out, I am MUCH better at than I was at life coaching).

But I still love coaches (I trained as a Life Coach through CTI and a Registered Holistic Nutritionist through IHN in Toronto), so I made it my mission to help either incredible coaches be successful.

My business started in 2011, when I was living in my ‘81 Chevy campervan, rock climbing my way around the US and Canada.

It felt like the ultimate freedom, and even before I was earning much money from the business, it felt like I had “made it”.

Oh, how times have changed.

Not necessarily in a bad way. But in a way I never would have imagined.

Covid, for one.

All of a sudden the dream of working from anywhere was a reality for many people.

People’s ability to have that freedom even within a regular job, to wear sweatpants to work, only get dressed on the bottom half, and to take their laptops to the bathroom to pee while in meetings (that poor girl who made internet fame with this omg)

For me personally, my version of freedom has shifted a lot since I started this business in 2016.

Then, all I wanted was the freedom to keep climbing anytime the weather was good, and be able to do good work that I liked and get paid enough that I didn’t need to worry about how to pay for my campervan repairs.

Later, as time passed and priorities shifted, that freedom would shift to being able to have the flexibility to take time away from the business when life was throwing me lemons – after breakups, grieving the death of my soulmate dog, going through IVF, and surviving on takeout and 12 hours a day of Below Deck episodes after a devastating second trimester pregnancy loss.

Having a business that I could take time away from during those times made me realize how grateful I was to have built Uncaged when I did.

Now, life looks a lot different. I had my rainbow baby (another IVF baby, born when I was 44!). My days are spent chasing my now 15 month old son Charlie around so he doesn’t kill himself or one of my dogs.

If freedom is measured in “free time”, my life is probably the most caged its ever been.

I’m not mad about it – quite the opposite. I never thought I’d be so proud to be a mom. And, hugs to anyone going through the fertility journey and having a challenging time. It’s a LOT, and I hope that you get your baby.

And also, hugs to anyone who chooses to remain childless – I get it. I just barely changed my mind at 40, and absolutely understand why someone might choose not to follow this path.

Living your uncaged life looks so different for everyone, and we honor that here.

But wow – if I was ever happy to have a business up and running already, it’s now.

These days, work happens sporadically, in the moments of quiet during nap times and late at night, if I have any energy left.

I have never been more happy to have built myself a business that gives me the freedom to be able to take the time to raise my little boy. Present me is thanking past me for getting my shit together and just doing it, way back in 2011.

Whether you’re here before you want to eventually have a baby and know you want to have a business that gives you the freedom to take time away, or whether your version of being uncaged is more similar to my old one, travelling and playing around the world whether the wind takes you, or maybe it’s something else entirely – know that it is absolutely possible to create that for yourself,

It doesn’t happen overnight, or even over 100 nights. I will never bullshit you and tell you this path is easy.

But it does happen with consistent, persistent effort and if you stick with it, before you know it you’ll be working from a beach in Mexico or while your 6 month old naps on your chest or from your living room with your dog curled up on your lap after a lunchtime yoga class.

And the effort will have been absolutely worth it.

I’m honoured to be here as part of your journey… and I would LOVE to know what your version of Uncaged looks like these days.

Drop me an email to hello at theuncagedlife dot com and tell me, I reply to all my emails personally.

 

xx becca