Exclusive Interview with Ina Johnson Myers
Today we’d like to introduce you to Ina Johnson Myers.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Thank you for speaking with me.
I’m the CEO of When She Rise, LLC. a Resiliency Coach, an International Speaker, and a 3x Bestselling Author.
I came from generations of military service. Both of my grandfathers were WWI Veterans, and both of my parents were WWII Veterans. My mother served in the Women’s Army Corp. (WAC) and she was extremely proud of her military tour of duty. She was most definitely about breaking barriers. In the 1940s, not many women volunteered to serve our country due to society dictating that the military wasn’t a woman’s place. That box society put those women in wasn’t strong enough to hold my mother’s determination to serve. After my father got drafted into WWII, my mother went against her family’s objections and those of my father’s family, and she enlisted. So growing up in a family of service, there was no real surprise when I as the youngest of the seven girls joined the military and later became a Bosnian and Iraq war Combat Veteran.
When I encountered men in the military that believed women should not be allowed to serve our country, it was truly shocking to me. I was raised by a woman soldier from the 1940s, so a woman soldier in the 1980s should not still be an issue.
So as a 24-year retired Army Combat Veteran, I suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), I’m a survivor of MST (Military Sexual Trauma) as well as a survivor of Narcissistic Abuse.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
I had to come face to face with my broken parts that justified my being in toxic relationships that made me ignore my intuition and repent for every part I played that didn’t honor God. When starting your healing journey whether it’s an intimate partner, parental, or workplace relationship, the foundation of that healing journey has to be the truth.
It wasn’t long after I went to my first duty station that I encountered my first Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The misogynistic culture of the military required women to accept the bad behaviors and crude jokes in order to get along, earn rank, or be treated as equals. And any attempt to demand the respect due would be seen as not being a team player, which would cause you to be ostracized.
I was totally unaware that I normalized my MST so much so that I called abusive situations “incidences”. After retirement, I started seeing my therapist. I was explaining to her some issues that I was still dealing with. As I told her things that happened to me (calling them incidences), I noticed her facial expression change…..she let me finish my story, then calmly tells me… that wasn’t an incident…that was a sexual assault. That phrase didn’t register with me….so I continued with another story…and her expression was still blank…as she said again…..that wasn’t an incident…that was a sexual assault.
Women often accept the normalization of bad behaviors in careers, workplaces, and homes to get along or be accepted.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
My company specializes in Narcissistic abuse awareness, recovery, and victim prevention. I advocate for women to understand the difference between healthy and narcissistic love and relationships. I teach them the tools for spotting those red flags during the dating phase, and the not-so-obvious narcissistic personality traits, and mannerisms to recognize and avoid. I also help clients focus on the Christian approach to dealing with those personality traits and the journey to their healing from those toxic relationships purposely moving with intention from pain to divine purpose. My own experiences with toxic relationships throughout my military career and beyond is why I advocate for women to be cognizant of whom they allow to sit at their table and not ignore the red flags they see and hear. Red flags do not turn green over time.
Broken and abused women, raise broken and /or abused children, who in turn look for abusive relationships when they become adults or become the abuser. Because women birth generations, it’s imperative we do the heart work to heal and protect the generations to come.
I am a 24-year retired Army Combat Veteran who suffers from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), I’m a survivor of MST (Military Sexual Trauma) as well as a survivor of Narcissistic Abuse.
Being the granddaughter of two WWI Veterans who served our country in 1916 and the daughter of two WWII Veterans who served our country in the 1940s, the power of resiliency isn’t just what I teach clients……it’s all I know.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
This Heart Work is for readers who desire to find success….
1. Be cognizant of who you allow to sit at your table and the conversations you have with them.
2. Do not ignore the red flags you see and hear… they don’t turn green with time.
3. Do not be that person the gossipy people want to befriend.
4. Do a self-evaluation daily and immediately apply whatever corrective actions are needed.
5. Be very mindful of what you allow your eyes to see and your ears to hear (TV, radio and conversations).
6. Confront your fears……because your success is on the other side.
7. Love unconditionally but live with boundaries.
Resilient women do f.e.a.r. differently….we Face Everything And Rise
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
— Maya Angelou
Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
12 You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place from which I deported you.”
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success to me means, living the best life God has for me.
1. Loving unconditionally, living with a grateful heart, and laughing often.
2. Finding my peace in the beauty, words, and creations of God.
3. Protecting my eyes, ears, and heart from people who do not share my values or my inheritance.
4. Operating in the purpose God delivered me to do when He plucked me from the hands of the enemy, which is helping others on their journey from pain to purpose. Helping to transform lives through God’s word isn’t about the money, it’s about the restoration, repairing, and renewing God brings into the hearts and lives of the ones who seek Him. The money comes as a result of my being obedient and giving His daughters my excellence.
What’s next for you?
As an International Women’s Empowerment Speaker, I have conferences scheduled throughout 2023. This mission God has emboldened me with has taken me to five of the seven continents and over 30 countries throughout my life and I am truly grateful for His grace and mercies.
As a Bestselling Author, I currently have two book projects in the queue, with more to come along with a book tour and Empowerment Conference in 2023
As a Resiliency Coach, in addition to working with clients, I have my digital program called “The Thrivers Prayer For Purpose”. This 30-day resiliency training course helps Thrivers identify and heal from some of the reasonings behind their stagnation and inability to move past their anger. Giving them the practical tools to successfully navigate from their pain to their life of restoration through Godly purpose.
The Thrivers Prayer For Purpose @ whensherise-coaching.thinkific.com
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
Ina Johnson Myers
When She Rise, LLC
www.WhenSheRise.com
info@WhenSheRise.com
770.742.7121
International Speaker | 3x Bestselling Author | Certified Life Coach
Follow Me On Social Media
@WhenSheRise1
FB, ClubHouse, Twitter, IG, and YouTube