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Dr. Madisen Harper’s unfiltered reflections, and insights; embracing both the messiness and magic of a life in motion.
Sharing experiences, passions, idiosyncrasies, reflections, and insights that guide me—not to impress you, but to impress upon you that self-awareness, values, and intentional living are my foundation.
I’m committed to evolving until the day I die, embracing the journey as a true work in progress.
My top three prioritized values are:
I use them every day to make choices and keep my thoughts, emotions, and actions authentically aligned. It’s been life changing; access my resource to discover your core values.
I have a very small immediate family. It’s just my mom and me as my dad passed away in October 2017.
Friends are my extended family. I enjoy intimate, authentic, deep connections, and I’ve never been one to have a million acquaintances.
I have a very small immediate family. It’s just my mom and me as my dad passed away in October 2017.
Friends are my extended family. I enjoy intimate, authentic, deep connections, and I’ve never been one to have a million acquaintances.
There’s a perception that I’m a ‘party girl,’ but I’m very introverted*. When I come home, I just want to hang out with my fur babies, and when I occasionally put the TV on, it rarely gets past a few minutes of what I’ve recorded before I get distracted.
I don’t drink alcohol (I’d rather eat my calories than drink them), plus I had a stint in advertising in my 20s and think I got it out of my system.
I don’t drink coffee and rarely eat red meat.
People say, “Oh, you’re sooooo healthy!” Not at all; I just don’t have a palette for any of it.
As I said, my idea of an awesome time is catching up with friends—especially one-on-one.
* There’s a common misconception about the definition of ‘introvert’ and ‘extravert’. Most think introverts are shy and quiet, and extroverts are outgoing and loud. Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D, expresses it accurately, “The introvert gets their energy from within, while the extrovert is charged up by people, places and stimuli outside of them.”
I’m often asked if I’d get married again and people are surprised when I answer with an enthusiastic, “Of course I would!!!”
I love, love—being someone’s partner and letting my man be the man. That often shocks people because they see me as some sort of strong* superwoman but that’s in my purpose-driven work.
I love holding hands, cuddling, and connecting mind, body, and soul.
* I dislike that word, I’ve only been ‘strong’ because I had to be…
I’m often asked if I’d get married again and people are surprised when I answer with an enthusiastic, “Of course I would!!!”
I love, love—being someone’s partner and letting my man be the man. That often shocks people because they see me as some sort of strong* superwoman but that’s in my purpose-driven work.
I love holding hands, cuddling, and connecting mind, body, and soul.
* I dislike that word, I’ve only been ‘strong’ because I had to be…
I’m not a perfectionist, but I believe in putting out a vibe that feels like a true reflection of my standards and values.
Perfectionism can be a trap, a never-ending cycle of tweaks and overthinking that can sabotage and keep me stuck. Over the years, I’ve learned to balance my drive for quality with the wisdom to know when to let go.
For me, it’s not about every detail being flawless—it’s about feeling genuinely proud of what I put out into the world.
When I release something, whether it’s a project, guidance, or an idea, I want it to resonate, to have meaning, and to stand as something I can look back on with pride. That’s my version of ‘perfect.’
My (I reluctantly use this word as I feel like they’ve been a gift, and I don’t ‘own’ them) cats and dogs are my children. The biggest gift they’ve given and taught me is unconditional love. Some have passed, but all remain forever imprinted in my heart.
My (I reluctantly use this word as I feel like they’ve been a gift, and I don’t ‘own’ them) cats and dogs are my children. The biggest gift they’ve given and taught me is unconditional love. Some have passed, but all remain forever imprinted in my heart.
I used to be one of those people who would do two aerobics classes one after the other, walk 10 km, and have a personal trainer. My approach was all…or nothing. I loved the way it made me feel, but my motivation struggled. Plus, it didn’t help that I was ALWAYS doing it for weight loss.
Now that I’m in my ‘right-sized’ body, I’ve fallen in love with Reformer Pilates, Barre, and Yin yoga. So much so that I crave it – who would have thought?!!!
I used to be one of those people who would do two aerobics classes one after the other, walk 10 km, and have a personal trainer. My approach was all…or nothing. I loved the way it made me feel, but my motivation struggled. Plus, it didn’t help that I was ALWAYS doing it for weight loss.
Now that I’m in my ‘right-sized’ body, I’ve fallen in love with Reformer Pilates, Barre, and Yin yoga. So much so that I crave it – who would have thought?!!!
I used to be one of those people who would do two aerobics classes one after the other, walk 10 km, and have a personal trainer. My approach was all…or nothing. I loved the way it made me feel, but my motivation struggled. Plus, it didn’t help that I was ALWAYS doing it for weight loss.
Now that I’m in my ‘right-sized’ body, I’ve fallen in love with Reformer Pilates, Barre, and Yin yoga. So much so that I crave it – who would have thought?!!!
And when it’s not, I have to question the lessons in what’s blocking me.
Every morning, I program my brain by setting that intention – it’s like being a manifestation magician.
For someone who isn’t keen on wearing a swimsuit, I LOVE beach vacations. There is something magical about the water that I really connect with. I’ve been fortunate to visit beautiful locations in Australia, Bahamas, Bali, Cook Islands, Fiji, Greece, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Tahiti, Thailand, the United States, and Vanuatu.
For someone who isn’t keen on wearing a swimsuit, I LOVE beach vacations. There is something magical about the water that I really connect with. I’ve been fortunate to visit beautiful locations in Australia, Bahamas, Bali, Cook Islands, Fiji, Greece, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Tahiti, Thailand, the United States, and Vanuatu.
But not in the way you may think. When it comes to romantic love, friendships, and social commitments, I’m incredibly loyal and focused on the long term.
When it comes to my diary, I’m usually so overbooked that I’m reluctant to take on a 10-week course or commit to something too far in advance, as I’m never quite sure where I’ll be in life.
But not in the way you may think. When it comes to romantic love, friendships, and social commitments, I’m incredibly loyal and focused on the long term.
When it comes to my diary, I’m usually so overbooked that I’m reluctant to take on a 10-week course or commit to something too far in advance, as I’m never quite sure where I’ll be in life.
This library aspect follows from being a commitment-phobe. I love going to the library and borrowing diverse topics. If I don’t love it, I can move on to the next.
Although I have hundreds of eBooks, I’m still a fan of paperbacks.
The data side of me, I love numbers that tell a story, and it stems from my marketing background. Even if I have an awesome idea, I do surveys to know how I can best be of service.
This library aspect follows from being a commitment-phobe. I love going to the library and borrowing diverse topics. If I don’t love it, I can move on to the next.
Although I have hundreds of eBooks, I’m still a fan of paperbacks.
The data side of me, I love numbers that tell a story, and it stems from my marketing background. Even if I have an awesome idea, I do surveys to know how I can best be of service.
Well, not in the traditional sense. I used to, so I trained my mind and energy to ‘ease.’ Now, I can receive inspiration from a blank slate and not a monkey mind. My best insights come from walking outdoors, taking showers (I call it “shower-spiration”), and spending time at the beach.
I have a free 15-minute meditation and mindfulness practices help you relax and reconnect.
Well, not in the traditional sense. I used to, so I trained my mind and energy to ‘ease.’ Now, I can receive inspiration from a blank slate and not a monkey mind. My best insights come from walking outdoors, taking showers (I call it “shower-spiration”), and spending time at the beach.
I have a free 15-minute meditation and mindfulness practices help you relax and reconnect.
If I know I’m going to a discount outlet, I’ll be like a kid on Christmas Eve!!! My favorite is Woodbury Common Premium Outlet in Central Valley, New York, closely followed by Camarillo in California. When I’m at home, I go to DFO in Sydney. It’s not as exciting, but it gives me my hit!
I also have a ‘technique’ which Ivana, my friend of 25 years, discovered at Camarillo. I like to scan every store and then go back to buy efficiently. Just when she thought we were done after six hours, I spent another few hours on round two. Shopping sprees with me take committed training!
Oh, and I also love ‘de-tagging’ – taking off all the tags and packaging.
Of course, I’m an avid online bargain shopper, too; it probably has something to do with my Capricorn trait of ‘affordable, quality luxury.’
If I know I’m going to a discount outlet, I’ll be like a kid on Christmas Eve!!! My favorite is Woodbury Common Premium Outlet in Central Valley, New York, closely followed by Camarillo in California. When I’m at home, I go to DFO in Sydney. It’s not as exciting, but it gives me my hit!
I also have a ‘technique’ which Ivana, my friend of 25 years, discovered at Camarillo. I like to scan every store and then go back to buy efficiently. Just when she thought we were done after six hours, I spent another few hours on round two. Shopping sprees with me take committed training!
Oh, and I also love ‘de-tagging’ – taking off all the tags and packaging.
Of course, I’m an avid online bargain shopper, too; it probably has something to do with my Capricorn trait of ‘affordable, quality luxury.’