Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.
~Oscar Wilde
I’ve long been interested in the idea of embodied work. (It probably started 24+ years ago, when I gave birth on my living room floor because my midwives couldn’t get to my small town location in time, as I was in the midst of writing my PhD thesis on rural midwifery!)
As we unpack the ELASTIC acronym, I want to introduce you to people I know who embody these skills in different ways. I’ll give you a taste of their work here — you can savour it further in my book that’s coming out on February 7, 2023.

Dave Whiteside works with Jim Moss at YMCA WorkWell, an initiative of the YMCA of Three Rivers in Ontario, Canada near where I live. Their research focuses on wellbeing at work, and throughout the pandemic they’ve measured and reported on people’s energy levels and shone a spotlight on how practical decisions made by leaders in workplaces can revitalize or deplete us. I appreciate their clarity and compassion, and their provision of current, Canadian, compellingly-presented evidence has strengthened my work on countless occasions. Find out more here.
Emma Rogers and her team at the Children’s Foundation of Guelph Wellington exemplify energy in how they offer young people “brighter futures.” Whether it’s their bright yellow and blue merch and office colours, their friendly staff, or their innovative fundraisers and programs, they have built a trusted, fun brand that oozes positive energy. Catch a glimpse of their work here.

I also want to give a shoutout of admiration and gratitude to Hilary Gauld Camilleri for the fabulous portraits and Susan Fish for the gifted interviewing and writing that have made these case studies come to life.

I will be facilitating an ELASTIC workshop series starting in January 2023 to coach 24 participants in applying these ideas more deeply into their lives. If you’d like more information to see if it’s for you, join me either December 14 or January 10 for a free, no obligation session to hear more.