Podcast

Episode 275: Life Update & Exciting News: The Year of Letting Go to Let God Lead

May 19, 2025

I’ve often thought about sharing the true essence of my life over the past year, but it always felt too surreal, almost like fiction. If I were to describe it in detail, some might think it’s a fabricated story filled with dramatic plot twists. Yet, this is my reality.

Life has been anything but linear. It’s been an intense year filled with heartache and resilience. From losing our sweet baby boy, Michael Gabriel, to making the hardest decisions about where our family should plant its roots, our journey has been filled with trials and lessons that I can’t help but share.

Listen on Apple Podcasts |  Listen on Spotify

 

The Rollercoaster Ride of Reality

The loss of our son was a significant pivot point for our family. It shook us to our core and forced us into a space of deep faith and trust. It was during this turbulent time that I realized, once committed to God’s calling, life doesn’t necessarily become easier, but it transforms profoundly. It becomes about preparing for new battles with grace and integrity.

Selling our dream home and relocating across the country forced us to reevaluate our core values as a family. We realized we wanted more than a picturesque life; we wanted a life enriched with meaningful connections and deeply rooted in our true values. Our new home in New Hampshire, found with blind trust and leaps of faith, symbolizes this pivotal shift.

Our homeschooling journey has been another significant shift. We moved beyond the traditional mindset, embracing a lifestyle tailored specifically to our children’s gifts and passions. Watching them flourish in ways we never imagined has been one of the deepest joys during this time.

Professionally, I’ve experienced a massive transformation, realizing that my true calling isn’t just helping businesses grow – it’s about helping leaders transform. By breaking away from traditional measures of success and focusing on holistic growth, we’re creating more enduring impacts in entrepreneurs’ lives.

A Season of Growth and New Beginnings

Despite the chaos, our business has ventured into new heights, pursuing a massive opportunity only made possible through divine timing and reflection. We stepped away from offers that no longer aligned with our vision and invested heavily in personal growth and mentorship, all while handling unprecedented challenges. This culminated in one of the biggest business deals of my career.

The Unexpected Joy

Amidst negotiations and rebranding efforts, we received the blessing of expecting another child. It was an unexpected gift, especially poignant following our previous loss, and a reminder of God’s endless goodness and the beauty of surrendering to His greater plan.

This past year has taught me that in the midst of chaos, clarity, alignment, and faith emerge more robustly than before. Each twist and turn, every challenge and joy has brought us closer to living the life we’re called to live. As you embark on your journey, remember that the messy chapters often lead to the most significant transformations. Embrace them, grow through them, and live boldly into your calling.

If my journey resonates with you, consider joining ours. I invite you to explore our upcoming programs designed to cultivate the leader you’re called to be. DM me on Instagram with the word “incubator” for details, or check out luminaryleadershipco.com/incubator. Let’s navigate this unpredictable, beautiful journey together.

Add a comment
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free DOWNLOAD!

READY FOR MASSIVE CLARITY AND PRODUCTIVITY?

The 30-minute, step-by-step guide to gain clarity, get out of the weeds of your business, and get more needle moving things done in way less time.

get me focused!

On the Air

The Your Big Next Podcast

We take the guesswork out of unlocking your full potential as an entrepreneur. We'll give you the secrets to make more money, create more freedom, and have more margin, all while still making your family a priority...

tune in
WORK WITH US

Our Services

We love serving ambitious entrepreneurs like you who are ready to break through to their next level of potential in business, leadership, and live. This is how we do it!

WORK WITH US

Browse By Category

Business Strategy

Leadership

Family

Podcast

Emails people are clamoring over and talking about... 

You're no ordinary leader. You're building your dream differently — with your values and family in tact, and your potential uncorked! This is the spot where I share the super personal stuff to the behind-the-scenes of what works (and what doesn't) in our business. It's also where we can chat!

See ya in the inbox!

Join the No Ordinary
Leader Community

Instagram

Creating Influential Leaders in Entrepreneurship: BTS + big news only shared to my insiders!

@elizhartke