Meet Trailblazer Leith McHugh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leith McHugh.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Leith. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2011 our 12-year-old daughter Hadley, died. She was born without part of her brain, she had seizures, was fed through a G-tube, required oxygen, and was legally deaf and blind. Her wordless life impacted thousands.

I was her full-time caregiver, CNA. When she died, I also lost my job. I also felt like I lost my identity. Our other two children (Holden & Averi) we’re getting older and did not need me as much. I needed something to bring me life.

Fast forward…my hot husband and I have been married for almost 26 years. Holden is almost five years sober from a drug and alcohol addiction. Averi is just leaving the nest and moving to California to be with Holden.

The past nine years, I’ve been trying to figure out who I am, what I love, what makes me come alive. I attended a Storyline conference put on by Donald Miller in 2013. He encouraged us to “point our toes” in the direction that we wanted to go. I came home from that and thought that I wanted to have my own conferences and be a speaker. So a couple of friends and I started a company called Brave Beauty, we did women’s retreats and other events for several years.

In 2014 our marriage went in the shitter, our son went to rehab, I was finding out more details about my childhood story that were painful, and our daughter was still dead. At that point, I opted to get some help. I attended a trauma center called Onsite. As well as did most of my family. We got well. We changed much of how we were living our lives.

As we stood there holding such massive pain in our lives, we decided the best way to move forward was to sell everything and start fresh. To create a life that we wanted. So we did. We rebooted our lives.

I spent a few years trying to figure out what was next for me and my company. I recently re-branded my company from Brave Beauty to LEITH.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has actually been a pretty smooth road, I would just say it had several sharp unexpected turns.

There have been struggles along the way of whether or not I had anything to offer or if there was anything I was actually good at. There were relationship struggles in business. We weren’t making any money either.

I wish someone had told me when I was just starting out to go “all in”, be me authentically with everything and don’t look back. I wish I would have understood years ago that I’m the only one that can offer what I have to offer the world. The world is full of people who are hungry and looking for what I had to offer.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about LEITH. – what should we know?
I am now an Identity and Story coach. Because Identity and Story are the starting place. The root of all things you. They impact you. They shape you. All that you do. My intention is to capture your story with you and to support you in living in alignment with yourself.

I also offer workshops of various kinds. Yoga: Mindfulness, Left of Center (the location of the human heart)-for grieving moms, Elevate- for leaders in the Home Care industry, Reboot Your Life Experiential Workshops led by my husband and I. I also do some speaking as well.

Who I Am.
I love humans.
I see you. I hear you. Your sun will come up again.
I am a connector. I connect you to you and you to others.
I like to invite everyone. They matter.
I am a truthteller.
You matter to me and your story does too.
I aim to stay self-aware and welcome feedback.
I know very little about politics.
I love Jesus and God. I am also comfortable with the terms “higher power” and a few others.
I love my offspring. I have 3 of them.
Holden is an outstanding human. He is also a recovering alcoholic & drug addict.
My Hadley Rae died at age 12 of pneumonia. She also had severe special needs.
My baby, Averi, lights up the room when she walks in. Her very presence is breathtaking.
I like to cuss.
I love me some yoga.
I am a straight shooter and I don’t own a gun.
I like to shake things up.
I love my boxed wine.
I predominantly wear yoga pants and a hoodie.
I like to get real.
I occasionally eat ramen noodles, (yes the 17 cent ones full of MSG).
I am faith inclusive.
I was sexually abused. I am not a victim.
I accidentally put too much heavy cream in my coffee…weekly.
Inappropriate music often fills my tank.
I don’t go to church but I experience God so beautifully in the company of my son’s sober gay community.
I am a risk-taker.
I’ve been married to one man for 26 years. He is hot.
I am intentional in what I do and say.
I own my shit. At least I aim for it.
 I value diversity.
 I love my dogs. They are basically human kindergartners.
 I love walking with women through personal transformation.
 I am always leading and learning, offering hope and holding space.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding people who you aspire to be like, who you look up to, who are influencers and who are impacting the world in a way that is attractive to you is extremely important. I have a mindset and courage coach. I attend events where influencers hang out at. I also rely on friends whose opinions I value, to collaborate with me to have eyes on my business so I can stay clear and consistent about what I’m offering. Community is crucial.

Two of my favorite networking organizations are Mindful Mornings and eWomenNetwork. Both are amazing and life-giving organizations to become involved with.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leithmchugh.com
• Email: leith@leithmchugh.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leithmchugh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leithrmchugh/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/91615652

Image Credit:
Trcia Turpenoff, Holden McHugh, Averi McHug. Maya Kobayashi.

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