Episode Notes

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk: true-life, practical, funny, heart-breaking, insightful human experience stories from women who are walking their lives while their lives walk them and the lasting difference these journeys have made. You’ll recognize yourself in stories of adversity, challenge, fear, discovery, adventure, expression, and more. Why? Because, the sorcery of stories is this: they help each of us to be seen and heard, to understand and be understood. I’m your host, Diane Wyzga.

Today my guest is Ann Konkoly. This former nurse-midife became a Koach and speaker to support women; specifically, to create the time, space and tools for women and nurses to get UNstuck, reconnect to their true self, and cultivate what they desire. She says: “If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain about what you need and how to make it happen, you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to help.” I invited Ann to talk about the life she walked while her life walked her and how she went from nurse-midwife to respected Koach and speaker for women and nurses. Welcome to the podcast, Ann!

Minutes 23:24

00 to 2:30 Intro

Start From Where You Are

2:30 to 7:25 Walking Together

1. If I met up with you on a hiking trail what’s the first thing I’d notice?

You’d notice that I’d be moving quickly. You’d want to ask me to slow down! And that I’d be bundled up because of a condition called Raynaud’s Syndrome. You’d think I was on my way, in a hurry, bundled up, well prepared.

2. And when I was able to catch up to you and we had some time to walk along together what might I get to know?

All sorts of things. But being an introvert I’m more often interested in asking questions of other people. We might explore a lot about you. About me you’d learn the basics: what I do and how I do that, at one point in my life I caught babies. But I’d be asking you about your experiences. I don’t like small talk so we would get into meaningful conversation. Maybe if I saw you later on and then after other episodes of crossing paths I’d reach out to you. Which is taking charge of how to be with people.

3. And when we parted ways on this walk what would I remember?

How I show up in the world: an encourage-er, a nice conversation, a good smile, highly positive, Atta Girl! attitude, will look for the silver lining, fight for the underdog, rally people to “Do It!”

Transition to the Back Story

7:25 to 14:35 What came first?

So we have some context for the life story in progress so far: your plan to be a nurse-midwife came about early in your life, and at a time when we might not be fully aware of what that role entails. Would you tell us more about that experience?

• Ann’s journey into midwifery began very early watching a water birth on TV after school. Fascinated!
• Didn’t comprehend what was going on but knew she had to be there at some point
• Assumed she’d go to medical school but the alignment wasn’t there
• Reversed course to join the many nurses in her family, especially the ones who were labor and delivery nurses telling the stories that were a mix of shock and awe
• Wanted in on that
• Moved toward midwifery in accelerated nursing
• Was between age 7 and 10 when watched the TV show about the water birth
• Felt her professional nursing life as a calling
• Running life themes: good at sitting in transition, bringing calm into chaos, and observing what’s going on
• Once a nurse always a nurse: I’m here! How can I help? That’s how I show up
• What led to nursing: interest, family, some feeling of Imposter Syndrome around good enough to be a doctor
• At the end of the day Ann is good in a tough moment – really supportive and useful to others
• Which translates completely and absolutely to her Koaching work today

14:35 to 17:55 Advice For Career Seekers

If a listener is considering the idea of nursing or medical school or midwifery, what might you say to them?

• Not necessarily “If you like it do it”; rather, consider what you like to do.
• Better that you find alignment between what you want and who you are and what fills you with gratitude, joy, delight – that’s the jackpot!
• Passion is important – Ann had it as well as burn out
• Family and other relationships were paying the price
• Ask: What am I *really* good at?
• Unless you are aligned with your values, it won’t work
• We need healthcare workers across the board – sign up if it calls to you; or do other things

17:55 to 23:50 Life is Experimenting

• Ann speaks to experimenting
  Take time to try out possibilities
  Many years of life experience are showing our listeners what’s next

So, you practice as a certified nurse-midwife for 11 years. Let’s blend in marriage and birthing 2 sons. What comes to mind from that time of your life?

• Thank God we had wonderful nannies!
• We were privileged to have help, families local, a network of support, neighbors
• Ann’s 10 year old plays clarinet at home – using voice and breath to make music
• Is grateful for having the moment to be grateful
• Train of thought derails and comes back again to say: barely controlled chaos versus hanging on by thumbs
• Sometimes the systems break down – how to balance? What do we do now?
• Pagers and requirements and anxiety and human angst and frustration
• Simmer to boil to simmer to pot spills over
• How can I hold it all together???

23:50 to 26:24 “How Can I Manage?” Will Become Koaching With a K.

The “how can I manage all that???” story Ann just shared with such deep feeling must be resonating with our listeners who are wondering how to tie a knot in the end of the rope and hang on….

Question: “How does that deeply personal experience help inform your mission of helping women on their journey?” Stay tuned for Ann’s answer on Part 2 coming Thursday 17th December 2020.

Here we are, at the end of the road but not the journey. Thank you for listening to Part 1 of this episode of Stories From Women Who Walk with your host Diane Wyzga and my guest certified nurse-midwife turned respected coach and teacher, Ann Konkoly. We’ll pick up with Part 2 next Thursday to hear more about Ann, her mission helping women live their lives, reconnect to their true self, and cultivate what they desire. Remember to visit Ann on her website and social media platforms; all links are in the Episode Notes. Meanwhile, please subscribe to hear 60 Seconds Monday through Friday, Time Out Tuesday, Story Prompt Friday, and every 2nd and 3rd Thursday for don’t miss guest interviews. You’ll find us on Simplecast or your favorite podcast platform. Come for the stories – stay for the magic! And speaking of magic, I hope you’ll leave us a nice shout out on social media, and join us next time. You will have wonderful company as we walk our lives together.

Production Team: Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Entering Erdenheim from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

Sound Editing: Dawin Carlisle & First Class Reels

All content and image © 2019 – Present: for credit and attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Ann Konkoly BIO

Ann Konkoly, MBA, APRN-CNM, is a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Coach, and Speaker whose mission is to support women. Ann is the founder and owner of both Authentic Koaching LLC and The APRN Academy where she creates time, space and tools for women and nurses to get unstuck, #rekonnect to who they are and #kultivate what they want. Ann hosts retreats to give women and nurses an opportunity to pause, explore, discover and grow while obtaining continuing education credit. Ann’s work to date honors her purpose and passion: supporting women on their journey.

How to Stay in Touch With Ann:

Website: https://www.annkonkolycnm.com/

Ann’s social media handle is @annkonkolycnm; you can find links here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annkonkolycnm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annkonkolycnm/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annkonkolycnm/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnKonkolyCNM

About the Guest

Ann Konkoly, MBA, APRN-CNM, is a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Coach, and Speaker whose mission is to support women. Ann is the founder and owner of both Authentic Koaching LLC and The APRN Academy where she creates time, space and tools for women and nurses to get unstuck, #rekonnect to who they are and #kultivate what they want. Ann hosts retreats to give women and nurses an opportunity to pause, explore, discover and grow while obtaining continuing education credit. Ann’s work to date honors her purpose and passion: supporting women on their journey.

Contributors

Ann Konkoly CNM & Koach
Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music
Darwin Carlisle & First Class Reels
Diane Wyzga Podcaster & Ideas-to-Action Facilitator