Grounded Wildness
Society tells us to prove our worth through achievement, likability, and being “good”.
It’s time to break the rules that are breaking you. It’s time to reclaim your wildness.
As a child, Heather was confident, bold, and relaxed in who she was. She belted out Barbra Streisand tunes, dared to hold live snakes with no fear, and marched to the beat of a drummer all her own.
Until an all-too-common avalanche of rules told her to hold her breath and tuck herself in. Rules that said there's a “right” kind of body. That worth is tied to achievement. That we should prove, please, and perfect our way through life.
Then one day, deep realizations finally pushed her to break the rules she’d been handed and rediscover her beautiful and uniquely grounded wildness.
Equal parts self-help inspiration and feminist memoir, Grounded Wildness explores the freedom that comes from rediscovering your true self and living out loud.
It's time to stop quieting the boldness of your voice and dampening the fire in your belly. It's time to stop swimming upstream against your true nature and follow your own path. It's time to rewrite your story and start living your truth, free from “should” and “supposed to.”
You are enough, worthy, and whole. And you get to make up your own rules for life.
Grounded Wildness is Available Now!
All copies are hardcover and signed by Heather!
Want a preview? Click below to read The Introduction!
Is Grounded Wildness Your Book Club Pick? Download the Discussion Guide!
What People Are Saying About Grounded Wildness:
“This book book is a must-read for every woman swimming in perfectionism, pleasing, and performing, and who is looking for the permission to be her wildest, most beautiful self.”
— Sharon Podobnik, founder of The Center for Conscious Leadership and author of It’s Not (All) Your Fault
“Grounded Wildness is a powerful reminder that we all have parts of ourselves that we hide away, sometimes without even realizing it. This book is about unhiding, rediscovering the parts of ourselves that we’ve buried deep, and allowing them to flourish. It’s about breaking free from the rules that have held us back and rediscovering our true selves without needing external validation. Bravo!”
— Ruth Rathblott, MSW, TEDx Speaker, and Author of Singlehandedly: Learning to Unhide and Embrace Connection
“This book is required reading for anyone who struggles under the weight of shoulds in their life. As I read, I could feel the weight ease a little more with each chapter. It helps transform the shoulds into coulds, or cans, or even simple no’s.”
— Rachel Suman, Chief Experience Officer, International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
“Grounded Wildness provides valuable insight on forgiving yourself for the ways we as women have been conditioned to prove, please, perfect, and perform as well as how we can forge our own unique path forward. Heather’s vulnerability in sharing her experiences provide the perfect backdrop for taking a critical look at the way we treat ourselves, and the treatment we accept from those around us. Don’t shy away from doing the work Heather lays out in this book – feel your feelings and find your community! You’re sure to come out better for it on the other side.”
— Jessica Sares, ITW Women’s Network Global Events Co-Chair
“Grounded Wildness is utterly honest and vulnerable. The question, ‘does Heather know she is beautiful?’ strikes at the core of so many of our insecurities. Heather compels the reader to urgently find their true self while providing a playbook for how to start. A must read for anyone looking for greater fulfillment out of life.”
— Sarah Strehl, Chief Human Resources Officer, ECMC Group
“Heather Whelpley’s vulnerability in Grounded Wildness is inspiring. As a fan of Heather’s work (and a self-proclaimed recovering people pleaser), I continued to see myself on page after page. Her openness will captivate you, and her story-telling capabilities will draw you in. A must-read for those who are looking to remember exactly who they are, and who they are meant to be.”
— Erin Diehl, Founder & Podcast Host, The improve it! Podcast
“Grounded Wildness is transformative and inspirational! Anyone seeking advice on how to live a more authentic life should read this book. Grounded Wildness will guide you to seek out joy, trust yourself, and unapologetically take up space. It will show you how to become the whole version of yourself again. It has been a motivating and enlightening experience to read this book!”
— Toneshia Addison, Tennessee Banker’s Women in Banking 2023 Conference Chair
“Grounded Wildness is a roadmap for women who are ready to ditch the suffocating rules that have kept them small – and can’t wait to reclaim their freedom.”
— Gaby Natale, Triple Daytime EMMY winning journalist, speaker, and bestselling author
“After years of performing, Grounded Wildness made me stop and think about how I got there. I do so many things mentioned in this book so frequently it has become who I am. I realized I need to break some of those rules to find myself - and please myself. I particularly connected with the question, “Do I prefer truly living my life - or performing to keep others happy and comfortable?” Heather’s vulnerability in this book is inspiring. So many women will benefit from the stories and lessons she shared.”
— Lisa Propati, Vice President and General Manager, Promach
“Heather writes so honestly and speaks to audiences in the same way – from the very place of grounded wildness she talks about. This book gives shape to things we don’t normally notice and shines light onto that which we don’t question, but holds us back. Through speaking her own story, Heather provides the opportunity for us each to find the path to our own grounded wildness.”
— Monica Smith, Managing Director, Talent and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, The Toro Company