BUT WHAT DOES THE ACADEMY GIVE YOU?
Hear From Our Members
Nicki
"I was on my knees devastated after a very painful divorce... I did a lot of learning here... and met some of the people who are now the closest people in my life."
Sherry
"This is a unique experience, and you absolutely will not regret it. The archived materials, the live classes, the breakout groups where we learn from each other, the friendships I've nurtured here -- it's priceless."
Nicola
"I was so lonely after transitioning from living life as a man... this wonderful community has been hugely important and has given me survival tools."
Jill
"Ruth just makes everything so digestible and simple... Communicating had been something I struggled with. Now I don't feel so alone or hard on myself... I feel alive and hopeful."
Shirley
"I found my home in Conscious Girlfriend. I was in a deep dark depression, and through the Elders group, I accepted myself and came alive again."
Ariane
"I had trouble accepting being a lesbian... It's just marvelous to suddenly feel, Oh, there are lots of us! This just feeds me... I feel peaceful and very happy."
ACADEMY LOVE STORIES
Fay
Fay was in her 50s, and frustrated. She was single, but still spending too much time with her ex. She knew she wanted something different than she'd had before, but didn't know how to get there.
The 12-Week Roadmap class filled in some essential missing pieces for her, and before the class had even ended, she met someone with whom she could create an entirely different love story.
Four years later, she wrote us this:
Bonnie
Bonnie was vibrant, resilient and determined. And, she was 80 years old. She knew she wanted a deep, fulfilling love in her time left on earth, but her friends were all telling her, "Give up. You're too old."
Bonnie wasn't dissuaded. She spent a full year in the Academy, long enough to understand where her past relationships had gone wrong and to learn how to successfully date online.
Two years later, she wrote us this:
Michel
Michel was in their 30s, and had already done the hard work necessary to claim their non-binary self. But they knew they had more work to do to open to the life and love they truly wanted.
After three years of deep involvement in the Academy, eventually including Coach Training and a leadership role, they posted this:
Pierce & Laura
Pierce was in her 60s, and more isolated than she wanted to be. So, she came to the Academy and soon had a vibrant community of lesbian and queer friends from all over the world.
She had never thought she would date online, but the Academy gave her both the courage, and the know-how. When she met Laura on Silver Singles, they dated slowly and consciously, Academy-style.
Laura, also in her 60s, had been on her own personal growth journey for a long time. After Pierce introduced her to the Academy, she took some classes, too. They had online dates to discuss what they were each learning.
Over several years, Pierce and Laura have formed a relationship as unique as they are. They now spend part of their time in Pierce's home in a spiritual community in Mexico, part of their time in Laura's home with artist studio in California, and part of their time apart.
They say, "Thank you, CGA, for making our relationship beautiful and rich, meaningful and possible."
Pierce and Laura say, "Living apart keeps our relationship fresh and alive. It makes us very intentional about our time together, and gives us the freedom to do other things we want to do, too."
Laura says, "I had originally pictured a more conventional relationship, but this way I have so much more time for my art, which I had always wanted."
Pierce says, "I had never imagined a relationship could be so easeful. But the Academy taught me it was possible, and now that's what we have. We both have the ability and willingness to work through our triggers, and that makes all the difference."
Jody writes: "I have continued excitedly sharing your awesome work with friends, and am just so grateful for your teaching and guidance in getting through all the complexities of our triggers, trauma, longings for connection and the things that get in the way. Just today I forwarded some of your brilliant comments on drama and baggage -- so clear and helpful! I so look forward to ongoing learning with you."
KN writes: "Although I wasn’t able to join live, I listened to all the classes, and realized that Anxious Attachment had my name all over it plus some Avoidant Attachment, too. And my girlfriend, too. We broke up, but now we realize we actually both kept sabotaging, and it’s brought us so close! We are both so happy and excited, and taking our time getting to know each other, talking and communicating like never before. My heart is full! I can’t thank you enough!!"
More Member Stories
Lisa joined the Academy and Coach Training at the same time, and met her girlfriend in the Academy.
Linda was desperately seeking next steps in her life, and found the Academy life-changing. She especially appreciates all the recorded resources.
Susie says, "I got so many needs met, and felt like I was really seen, and encouraged to be myself -- everyone here was encouraged to be ourselves, and to be even more ourselves. And in-person is the best!"
Jen says, "I was a wreck when I came in... I had ended a relationship a year earlier, and when I saw the Academy, I knew, 'That's a place where I can go and heal, and stop repeating these patterns of U-Hauls and train wrecks. When I found everything that was here, I was in awe."
Diana and her daughter explain why they're both glad Diana now has the tools to avoid relationship drama.
Sue says, "The whole Academy has been wonderful. I feel like I'm part of a community again... I've become a whole, loving woman with a lot to offer."
Shayna says, "The Academy gives me the classes I always needed and wanted, and never got. How do you talk to people, how do you know yourself, how do you love... what's blocking you from your own happiness."
Diana & Jen say, "We found each other in Conscious Girlfriend, and we're also able to maintain the relationship in a healthy way with the tools you gave us. Being conscious in a relationship permeates everything in our lives now... and we have a whole conscious tribe."