Hello , my fellow brave human

I wanted to share with you the our recent Brave Advance Day on 26th April. Hosted by the lovely Bridie Ashrowan, we were lucky enough to bask in the sun in the Ettrick Valley as we gathered for a day of deep connection, reflection and possibility.

Bridie led us on an incredible walk through hidden parts of the valley—places you wouldn't discover without her local knowledge, including a secret lochan where salmon return every year to breed. There's something powerful about discussing life's big questions while wandering through ancient landscapes that have witnessed countless cycles of renewal.

Walking and Talking

We pondered questions on peace and fire in the belly, the difference we want to make to spark conversations and to get to the root of discovering purpose and clarity.

The conversations that emerged were honest, and deeply supportive.

From Challenge to Gift

We then explored the concept of gifts emerging from challenges, and once we’d eked them out of each other it was amazing to see the power of those in the room: embodied wisdom, self-belief, deep knowing, self-respect, self-trust, and the ability to express genuine value to those we love.

These aren't qualities you can simply decide to have—they're earned through living fully and learning from experience.

And I couldn’t write this up without mentioning our unexpected visitor, the peacock, who had a certain sense of humour, and kept us laughing throughout.

The Triangle of Brave Action

One outcome of the day was a simple yet powerful framework with actions for moving forward:

This framework isn't about pushing through barriers. Instead, it focuses on possibilities, recognising your gifts and strengths, and taking aligned action toward becoming the brave you were born to be.

What Might Be Possible for You?

Holding possibility is a magical tool, particularly if you are feeling at a crossroads or trying to clarify what you really want to do with all the amazing experiences you have under your belt.

So three questions for you.

• What gift do you carry that perhaps you've been undervaluing?
• Which of your core strengths or values do you most want to protect as the world shifts around us?
• A year from now, if you were being the brave you were born to be, what would you be celebrating?

The journey to brave doesn't have to be a solo expedition. As one wise participant reminded us, even if you reach a crossroads and take what feels like a wrong turn, the path can always loop back to where you're meant to be.

Join Us on the Journey

If you want to explore your own brave path with others who understand or you know someone who does, come and join us. We have a new online cohort starting at the end of May with a couple of spaces left, one-to-one support, and future Walks & Talks and Brave Advance Days coming up. Get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.

Come and be the brave you were born to be.

Here’s to your brilliance.

P.S. If you find value in these reflections, please consider sharing them with others who might like them. For more information about The Brave Collective click here.

Kirsty x