Welcome to the Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals podcast!
Join host Natasha Moharter, a licensed counselor and OCD specialist, as she welcomes Mary Baca—a professional counselor from New Mexico with over 34 years of experience. Discover Mary's journey from a shy teenager to a dynamic professional trainer, her passion for providing impactful CEU trainings, and her new mentorship program for helping professionals. Explore topics such as working with first responders, the significance of intuition in therapy, and creating a safe, engaging learning environment. Learn valuable insights on overcoming fear, following intuition, and the art of mentorship. Dive into this inspiring conversation about personal and professional growth!
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:26 Meet Mary Baca: A Journey in Counseling
02:15 Not so Accidental Beginnings in Professional Training
04:19 Intuitive Guidance and Empathy in Practice
09:43 The Power of Mentorship
17:01 Balancing Professional and Personal Growth
22:21 Creating Engaging and Dynamic Trainings
23:59 Specialized Training for First Responders
27:55 The Importance of Mentorship in Training
30:51 Challenges in Supervision and Mentorship
31:39 The Concept of 'Become' and Its Symbolism
32:57 The Role of Vulnerability in Mentorship
33:54 Starting a Professional Training Business
34:43 Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks
36:56 Customizing Mentorship Programs
40:59 Dealing with Competition and Collaboration
47:56 Balancing Passion and Practicality in Training
51:54 The Impact of Mentorship and Training
52:45 Conclusion and Contact Information
Welcome to the Continuing Education for Mental
2
:Health Professionals podcast.
3
:Today we are hosting another CEU
Provider Spotlight Conversation.
4
:This is where we learn more
about CEU providers in our
5
:community and their journeys.
6
:My name is Natasha Moharter, and I'm a
licensed counselor and OCD specialist.
7
:I run the Facebook group CE for Mental
Health Professionals, and if you're a
8
:mental health professional, we'd love
to have you join us in that space.
9
:Today.
10
:I'm so excited to welcome Mary
Baca, a professional counselor
11
:licensed in New Mexico with over 34
years of experience in the field.
12
:Mary has worked across expansive
areas of focus and is passionate
13
:about mentoring individuals and
groups, creating opportunities for
14
:growth, learning, and providing CEUs.
15
:For the past eight years, Mary
has delivered continuing education
16
:trainings on impactful topics like
doing therapy with first responders
17
:and their families, the interplay
of shame, abandonment, and control.
18
:Intuitive goal setting.
19
:And self care for the helping
professional, among others.
20
:As a professional trainer for
over 25 years, Mary has mastered
21
:the art of creating dynamic and
engaging learning environments.
22
:Her trainings are not only
informative, but transformative,
23
:equipping attendees with practical
tools they can apply right away.
24
:Mary, thank you so much for being here.
25
:It's such a pleasure
to have you here today.
26
:Mary Baca: Thank you for having me.
27
:Natasha Moharter: Can you share a
little bit about your background and
28
:what got you interested in becoming a
professional trainer and CEU provider?
29
:Mary Baca: Well, I started, I have four
businesses, but the one that has the
30
:longest time, is Odyssey Counseling.
31
:I started Odyssey Counseling
when I was 26 years old.
32
:I can't even believe it, 34 years.
33
:I know every time I say that number,
like, it just doesn't fit, you know,
34
:because it's gone by like that.
35
:And so, going back to even, in high school
and elementary school, I was the shy kid.
36
:Like, I had my insecurities
and I was just so shy.
37
:I'd be the kid like you'd never
really hear anything from.
38
:I remember being in high school and we
had Speech class and they'd have impromptu
39
:speeches and I'd be shaking in my boots,
you know, before during and after.
40
:And then here I am today, I can deliver
a training to a hundred plus people and
41
:it's, I'm probably nervous about the first
5 or 10 minutes and then it all is fine.
42
:As long as technology works, right?
43
:Natasha Moharter: Absolutely.
44
:Mary Baca: But so it actually
happened accidentally that I
45
:became a professional trainer.
46
:I started my practice when I was
26, but while I was building up
47
:my clientele, I had to work for
supplemental income for other companies.
48
:And one of the companies, Vasquez
Management Company and United Healthcare
49
:actually, had the Postal Service Employee
Assistance Program contract at the time.
50
:This was many moons ago.
51
:But that job really forced
me to do group trainings.
52
:I had to go to all over because
the Postal Service is national.
53
:I had to do critical incident stress
debriefings and stress management
54
:trainings and so that kind of started
me putting me in that form of things.
55
:I started getting more used to
people in college because I went
56
:to UNM and so there's tons of
people from all over the world.
57
:And so I started kind of getting out
of my shell, but really the training
58
:piece of it was the post office.
59
:That was what ignited
the flames, so to speak.
60
:Natasha Moharter: It's so interesting
when we have kind of these happenstance
61
:circumstances that come up and
we didn't know that this would be
62
:something maybe that I liked or would
have pursued, but opportunity arises.
63
:Mary Baca: So happenstance, I
use that word too, but, I believe
64
:like as I've evolved, right?
65
:Like my foundation really is
that nothing happens by accident.
66
:I believe, and I've seen and experienced
over and over and over through the years,
67
:that if I just find what I'm guided to
do, that it falls into place, and that
68
:when I try to make something happen, try
too hard, because it sounds like a good
69
:idea, but I don't feel it in my heart.
70
:It's like I run into a brick wall, you
know, so I don't think it was accidental,
71
:even though it seemed like it was.
72
:And I use that word, I think in
hindsight, because it's something
73
:I'm so passionate about and love,
that it wasn't accidental really.
74
:Natasha Moharter: I'm so curious to hear
more about that insight that you have.
75
:Even in looking at, the work that
you do and some of the trainings that
76
:you provide, it really seems that you
kind of bring that belief or that,
77
:power even maybe into your trainings.
78
:Mary Baca: Yes, I have one of the
trainings or certifications I have, you
79
:mentioned the intuitive guidance coach.
80
:You don't have to be a life
coach to get the certification.
81
:In fact, it yields CEUs.
82
:It's usually done over seven weeks.
83
:I like the seven weeks because
it kind of stretches out and
84
:gives people the opportunity.
85
:Truly, I help people identify if
they're empaths, a lot of us helping
86
:professionals are empaths, right?
87
:Natasha Moharter: Absolutely.
88
:Mary Baca: You know, so many people
have never even heard that term, or
89
:they're like, they've heard that term,
and they don't know what to do with it.
90
:I'm thinking of a couple of
counselors that I've seen in the
91
:past who know they're empaths,
but they get burnt out, right?
92
:Because if you don't know, you're
an empath, and you don't know what
93
:to do with that as a mental health
professional, you can really burn out.
94
:So in the intuitive guidance
coach certification, I
95
:teach and other classes too.
96
:I have one, a really cool one.
97
:That's about, the power of words.
98
:And I talk a lot about energy, energy
psychology is one of my specialties.
99
:And so, I talk in various trainings
about how important that is, and what
100
:does that even mean, because all the
clients that come into our offices,
101
:they bring their energy with them.
102
:And if you can read a person's energy,
it tells you a lot about a person.
103
:Even with each other, it tells you a
lot, if you go to a conference, you can
104
:read people's energy a lot, you know, if
somebody's really nervous or they're very
105
:self confident and energy never lies.
106
:I don't know how many years ago I
started really consciously incorporating
107
:intuition into my sessions.
108
:What that kind of looks like
is just listening to my gut.
109
:Like not always going by, okay, what
theoretical approach am I using right
110
:now and what, you know, strategy, right?
111
:But really listening to my right
brain and following those nudges.
112
:And what I found is that they oftentimes
are right on point, whether I'm doing
113
:EMDR and I get kind of nudged by my gut
to kind of go in this direction and I
114
:follow that it just 99 percent of the
time is what the client is needing.
115
:And I do all of this the same, you know,
with my trainings and my mentorships.
116
:Natasha Moharter: You
flow with the energy.
117
:When you feel like you're hitting up
against a wall or you're trying to work
118
:too hard, it's kind of an indicator
that maybe that's not the path.
119
:Mary Baca: You know, as
counselors we're over thinkers.
120
:By and large, and I really worked
on that a lot in therapy and just
121
:in my professional development that,
really, if you just kind of surrender,
122
:and yeah, I mean, I'm not saying I
don't do any thinking, right, but
123
:like, I try really not to overthink
because that's not really productive.
124
:And I think that, that
as helping professionals.
125
:We have a really hard time letting
go of that perceived control.
126
:Right?
127
:We don't really have control.
128
:And we think like if we have all
our T's, you know, crossed and our
129
:I's dotted, you know, this is going
to be the way the training goes.
130
:And as opposed to just saying,
okay, this is a structure.
131
:And you know what, the beauty
of this training is going to
132
:be the life that it takes on.
133
:And I love that.
134
:I love that spontaneity.
135
:I love being there to gently
guide, but also to provide a
136
:safe environment for people to
bring up what they want to share.
137
:And intuition is one, when I've done
that training, I can't believe it.
138
:I've heard from many counselors
that they're not even allowed to
139
:mention intuition in their workplace.
140
:And that is so sad to me because,
like, for one thing, that's just who
141
:we are as human beings, you know?
142
:So I've had many counselors thank
me for, taking these trainings to
143
:a professional level and being able
to help them integrate who they are,
144
:in their core essence, into therapy
or trainings or different things.
145
:Natasha Moharter: We don't just interpret
the world with our thinking brain,
146
:there's so much else, I think about
even our fear brain or amygdala, right?
147
:Even if logically within OCD, we know,
that doesn't logically make sense.
148
:Your amygdala is still like, I don't care.
149
:I still want us to do that.
150
:And if we don't like
something bad could happen.
151
:Mary Baca: Yeah.
152
:Natasha Moharter: So it's not
just our thinking brain or our
153
:logic that can play into our work.
154
:And I think it's really important
to be able to maybe even tap
155
:into that, in our trainings.
156
:Mary Baca: And then as a holistic
practitioner, I incorporate things
157
:like what the adrenals are doing.
158
:Because the adrenal glands,
are in the endocrine system.
159
:So if your adrenals are thrown off,
you run a risk to your thyroid,
160
:your pancreas, different elements
of your health, in your system.
161
:And so I talk a lot to people about that,
which I wouldn't even know about if it
162
:was just, due to my counselor side, right?
163
:That's one of the other businesses
I have is my holistic practice,
164
:and so I incorporate some of those
things in the trainings that I do.
165
:Natasha Moharter: You are passionate
about teaching others and view
166
:it as an opportunity for everyone
to learn from the experience.
167
:Mary Baca: Yeah.
168
:And I learn every time from my clients,
from my students, from my mentees.
169
:What other field can you
be in where you grow?
170
:But I know that not everybody looks at
it like that, but I do and I embrace it.
171
:I probably haven't always looked at it
like that, you know, but but I do now.
172
:Natasha Moharter: It's so neat to
hear you've been on this journey and
173
:developed through different experiences.
174
:Mary Baca: I think that's one thing
that makes me a good mentor or has
175
:made me a good mentor is the years
of experience, the trials and errors
176
:that I've made, you know, and just
things I've learned in the 34 years.
177
:And I really feel like there's a
need to make, make a mark on the
178
:counseling field, I see people's
supervision in itself is not enough.
179
:You know, to me, the difference in
mentorship and training is really taking
180
:somebody under my wings and really
like getting to know them and helping
181
:them incorporate, who they are into
what they do, because we're taught,
182
:in our clinical learnings that you're
not supposed to bring yourself really
183
:into therapy, you know, be really
careful with, over self disclosure.
184
:Mentorship is like, being able to
get to know somebody better than you
185
:would in supervision because it's
appropriate in mentorship and there's
186
:such a fine line in supervision.
187
:But being able to have people take that
part of themselves out and then helping
188
:them refine like, okay, what part
of this can you use in your therapy?
189
:What has to be, you know, a
voice in your head, but not
190
:something you would say out loud.
191
:How do you navigate through that?
192
:Really providing an
environment where it's okay.
193
:It's okay to be yourself, you know.
194
:What I like about mentorship that I don't
like about training is the follow up.
195
:You know, if you mentor somebody,
you're going to have that follow up.
196
:You're going to see that
person's development in every
197
:way, personal and professional.
198
:Personal limitedly, right,
because I'm not their therapist.
199
:Oftentimes I will recommend they
be in therapy if they never have.
200
:But really getting to know that person
and really helping them learn how they
201
:can really combine the professional
and personal side, of things.
202
:But getting to know them in training,
you don't get to know somebody.
203
:I mean, you know somebody for, you
know, two and a half days at the most,
204
:you know, that's the longest training
I do and you don't know somebody.
205
:Natasha Moharter: Do you ever do
you ever find that people from
206
:your trainings become mentees?
207
:Mary Baca: Yes.
208
:Some people from my trainings
have come and worked for me.
209
:But still then, right, because of time
constraints, we don't have the time.
210
:You know, I had a counselor
working at Odyssey.
211
:She frequently needed
supervision from several of us.
212
:And so something's missing there, and
that's when my wheels started turning.
213
:I've done mentoring for, many
years, but not on the scale that
214
:I'm getting ready to embark on.
215
:And I'm excited about it because if
somebody like that was in the mentorship
216
:program, then she could get her needs met.
217
:She'd have the opportunity
to spend time with me.
218
:And not just me, I'm going to be
hiring mentors but to be able to
219
:spend time with the mentor and really
have somebody listen to her and like,
220
:well, where are you getting stuck?
221
:You know, where are you getting snagged?
222
:She was overthinking, but
like, I'd have to be with her
223
:all the time to supervise her.
224
:Whereas mentorship, you have that kind
of contact built into the program.
225
:That's the nature of it.
226
:Natasha Moharter: What is one example
of everything is a teachable moment
227
:in this journey of being a training
professional that stands out to you?
228
:Mary Baca: I think my staff got
tired of that saying for a while.
229
:Because I was like, it's a
teachable moment, it's a teachable
230
:moment, but how do we learn by,
except from saturation, right?
231
:And I kept feeling like, a lot of
times things go over a person's head.
232
:Right.
233
:And so when I say, well, that's a
teachable moment, it really kind of
234
:freeze frames what's going on and it
calls attention to what's happening.
235
:And actual trainings or mentorships
that I've done for people will be like,
236
:well yeah, you know, that makes sense.
237
:And I'm like, yeah, but
everything's a teachable moment.
238
:So hold a minute, like, think
right now where you're at.
239
:And like, what has made it hard to not
get that before this moment, you know,
240
:and really kind of call attention so
that that's going to stick in their
241
:brain more and longer than if I just
bypassed it, you know, my trainings for
242
:one thing, no two of them are alike.
243
:The structure is to a point, but every
time I'm going to do a training, I
244
:sit with it, I intuitively look at
the training, and I always add to
245
:it, or take things away, like always.
246
:So, but that's like a teachable
moment, I mean just really anytime
247
:you want to highlight like something
that's an opportunity to learn from
248
:the moment and what's going on.
249
:Natasha Moharter: It sounds like you've
really been able to tap into success
250
:by listening to your intuition by
even in your preparation for training.
251
:Mary Baca: It's changed my life,
like, professionally and personally.
252
:I would never be without that.
253
:Like, it just makes my job so much easier.
254
:And it makes it not seem like work,
honestly, because it's through
255
:that that I truly feel connected.
256
:To my clients, to my mentees, to the
people that I train, like truly connected,
257
:like they're not just, you know, even
if time, cause I, like anybody, you
258
:know, have a lot of time constraints,
but anytime I interact with somebody,
259
:it just feels real, you know, and that's
part of the energy piece too, right?
260
:Is really connecting to people's
energy, which means really seeing them.
261
:And I think a lot of times we
don't take the time to do that.
262
:Natasha Moharter: That can be vulnerable.
263
:Mary Baca: Perfect opportunity
for mentorship, right?
264
:Perfect opportunity to learn
that and to really freeze frame.
265
:Some of those teachable moments in
training and mentorship where people
266
:can really look at that in a safe
environment where that vulnerability
267
:Can be explored incrementally, right?
268
:Like when somebody first begins from
the very first time we do a discovery
269
:consultation on the mentorship,
because that's a first step and
270
:it's free, is to really tune in
intuitively to the person to identify
271
:like, okay, where do they want to go?
272
:Oftentimes people don't know
where they want to be in 1 year,
273
:2 years and 3 years, you know?
274
:So I get to know them even just
in that 1 hour and I'm able to
275
:clarify some things even for them,
which is just a starting point.
276
:And then they're going to evolve.
277
:It's like blossoming, right?
278
:Just watching that flower
blossom and being part of that.
279
:Especially people new in the field.
280
:We get out of school, we hit the
ground running, and we're kind of
281
:like, okay, I don't know what to do.
282
:You know, I don't know
which direction to go in.
283
:I need clinical supervision hours,
and that's as far as they think.
284
:This mentorship gives people an
additional option where they can, you
285
:know, they'll be able to earn CEs.
286
:It cuts that expense and just really grow
and come into their own as counselors.
287
:Natasha Moharter: I think it's
really incredible that you
288
:offer the CEs with it as well.
289
:Do you ever find that you
don't click with somebody?
290
:And what do you do with that?
291
:Mary Baca: You know what,
I look inward first.
292
:I use that as a mirror.
293
:It depends like how emotional
I get about it, right?
294
:Like if I'm like, ah, this
person aggravates me or I'm
295
:like, okay, what is it in you?
296
:You know, just really look inward.
297
:And that's usually where the answer lies.
298
:And that doesn't mean that they don't have
their own stuff that's filtering in, but
299
:it's my job, it's my role to make sure
that I bring the clearest sense of who I
300
:am into any relationship that I go into,
whether it's with a mentee or a supervisee
301
:or a client or a coworker or staff.
302
:Natasha Moharter: And from your
experience, what are the most important
303
:aspects to consider when creating
a great learning environment for
304
:mentees, for staff, for trainings?
305
:Mary Baca: I think one of the
biggest things is to be human.
306
:I tell people all the time,
I am a work in progress.
307
:One of the big things is I can admit
that and I can honestly say every day I
308
:spend time on trying to learn and grow
about myself and then that just gets
309
:taken forward into whatever, professional
element or relationship that I'm building.
310
:Yeah, I've been doing this 34 years.
311
:That does not mean I know everything.
312
:You know, human beings are ever expansive.
313
:And so I tell people like, it's okay.
314
:We're going to learn together.
315
:You're going to learn from me.
316
:And then we're going to
also learn from each other.
317
:It's all about building relationships
of various kinds and really,
318
:you know, leading people and
also being led at those times.
319
:Natasha Moharter: Creating a safe
space within boundaries but allowing
320
:it to develop how it needs to.
321
:I don't think that we're
opposed to hard work, right?
322
:But nobody necessarily wants to continue
to work harder than they need to.
323
:Mary Baca: Well, and
sometimes too hard, right?
324
:Like, I definitely am a
recovering workaholic, honestly.
325
:And it's really hard when you enjoy
and love what you do, but the intuitive
326
:piece and going with the flow, like
literally, with the energetic flow
327
:of my own, I'm not burnt out, ever.
328
:I take the time, like, at
five o'clock, I'm like, done.
329
:Weekend, I don't work.
330
:So I really am good about boundaries
that I didn't used to be, it's
331
:evolved, I've evolved over time.
332
:But, yeah, definitely I'm
a recovering workaholic.
333
:Natasha Moharter: And how neat
that you could admit that and
334
:like you said, continue to grow.
335
:Mary Baca: I used to take
myself so seriously, Natasha.
336
:Like, I'd be like, oh my gosh,
and I'd shame myself, you know,
337
:and all this stuff, right?
338
:And I just kind of laugh like, you're
so silly, you've been down this road
339
:before, like, what's up with that?
340
:You know, and I tell myself
those things, pat myself on the
341
:shoulder, and I'm like, it's okay.
342
:You learned.
343
:And that's how I approach people.
344
:As long as we're learning
and growing, it's not a race.
345
:So, you know, let's do this together.
346
:And learning to me is just like therapy.
347
:It's like five steps forward
and two steps backward.
348
:That's how learning is.
349
:Natasha Moharter: I think it also
models for other people that it's
350
:okay to show yourself self compassion
to move on from shame and guilt.
351
:We want to do a good job
or do the best that we can.
352
:I've even talked with other professionals
that, get into, starting the
353
:trainings and it's like, wait, this
is a little bit more than I thought.
354
:It's okay to make mistakes.
355
:It's okay to, like you said,
pat yourself on the back.
356
:Mary Baca: And you know what, it's okay
to say, I can't do this at this time.
357
:You know, I almost took on a personal
commitment this week and I'm so
358
:proud of myself because I was able
to say, No, you are at your limit.
359
:So I was able to just tell her that
and it was fine, she understood, and I
360
:felt good that I was able to do that,
because a workaholic would not do that.
361
:So it's constantly, every day is growth
and development, like just truly accepting
362
:people where they're at and providing a
safe environment, including most of all
363
:ourselves, because if I'm not like that
with myself, how am I going to sell that?
364
:How am I going to pass that forward?
365
:It's not going to be believable to people.
366
:If they see me being all hard on myself
and moody and pissed off they're gonna
367
:be like, I don't know She says this
but she certainly doesn't wear that.
368
:So, you know and again,
I'm a work in progress.
369
:Do I have bad days?
370
:Yes but, you know, I shake it off
as quickly as I can, identify what's
371
:going on, and then kind of nip it
in the bud like that, you know?
372
:Natasha Moharter: I saw an image recently,
and it was an image of a yes, and it was
373
:in a circle, and it was holding up a sign,
and it said, every yes needs to be guarded
374
:by at least 10 no's, and I was like, yep!
375
:We can't always say yes and no can
be challenging at times, especially
376
:when we like the things that we do
or, in my ADHD brain case, I tend
377
:to say, ooh, that's new and shiny.
378
:That could be fun.
379
:So when I have a lot of
energy, I load up my brain.
380
:And then when I don't always
have that amount of energy.
381
:You come down from that, you're like,
now I have all kinds of things to do.
382
:Mary Baca: I know.
383
:And you know, and I'm working on that.
384
:I'm a visionary for sure.
385
:And so usually I'd have five things
on my plate and now I have two things,
386
:the mentorship and the IOP restart.
387
:And in the IOP, even at some point,
like when it's not so new, I'll
388
:turn that baby loose too, and then I
can put something else on my plate.
389
:I did not used to do that.
390
:I did not because I was
like, oh, shiny new, right?
391
:Oh, oh my gosh, that
looks so amazing or gosh.
392
:And, and it all does, but you know what?
393
:I can do it in a few months.
394
:I was going to have an open
house and I'm like, yeah, no,
395
:you're not going to do that.
396
:You're going to do that in the
spring and look at the bright side.
397
:It'll be warm.
398
:You can do a fundraiser for first
responders because I founded a
399
:nonprofit called Beyond the Call and I
thought, that'll be a great opportunity
400
:to turn it into a fundraiser and
also bring people to the facility.
401
:Natasha Moharter: It doesn't
have to all be done today.
402
:Mary Baca: It can't be.
403
:Natasha Moharter: Exactly.
404
:We only have so much resource,
including, time, energy, money,
405
:whatever, we need to invest in that.
406
:We can put things out into the future a
little bit not say that because we're not
407
:doing it today, it won't get accomplished.
408
:Mary Baca: I believe in divine timing.
409
:I think that things fall together
at the time that they're supposed
410
:to, and sometimes the idea is there,
but it doesn't mean that that idea
411
:has to come to fruition right now.
412
:Natasha Moharter: Like you said,
especially if you're a visionary,
413
:it can be very exciting to look to
the future and see what's to come.
414
:Mary Baca: It's exciting.
415
:Yeah.
416
:Natasha Moharter: What advice would
you give a training professional
417
:to create a training that is
beneficial, dynamic, and engaging?
418
:Mary Baca: Something I've
mentioned already is to bring
419
:yourself into the training so
that it's just not stiff and dry.
420
:I've gone to trainings recently,
even I went to a dbt training and
421
:I left the training because I was
like, I cannot even, it was, online.
422
:I was just like, Oh my gosh,
like I'm not taking anything in.
423
:Like, this is just not resonating with me.
424
:I don't want to be here.
425
:So I allowed myself to leave.
426
:I felt like the trainer was
very dry, very, monotone.
427
:In the trainings that I do, I tried
to have people interact with each
428
:other and engage with each other.
429
:One of the things is I do small trainings.
430
:I don't do a hundred person trainings
because that's not conducive to creating
431
:the kind of environment I'm talking about.
432
:I might do 12 people max, but it
really encourages people to interact
433
:with each other, to ask each other
for feedback, to give their feedback.
434
:And it's amazing.
435
:And then I think once, too, that I'm being
personal, like I'm laughing and joking
436
:and, you know, that kind of thing, it
kind of breaks down that wall that people
437
:sometimes have, and they're like, oh,
okay, this is this kind of environment.
438
:We can be ourselves in here,
you know, kind of thing.
439
:That's the biggest thing I would say.
440
:Be yourself.
441
:Natasha Moharter: And you get other
people interacting with each other and
442
:then it takes some of the pressure and
spotlight off of you as a trainer even.
443
:Mary Baca: Facilitate a group in
the right way, you really won't
444
:be running the group, right?
445
:I mean, you're kind of steering
it, so that's, really valuable.
446
:And then they benefit, like they
establish camaraderie with each other.
447
:They benefit in so many ways.
448
:Natasha Moharter: So your experience and
background demonstrates your expertise in
449
:working with first responders and trauma.
450
:Your trainings are often focused
on these important topics.
451
:How do you narrow down your training
topics and what trainings to create?
452
:Mary Baca: With first responders,
I was married to a police officer
453
:for 14 years myself, and I've had
friends and family in law enforcement.
454
:My dad was a military cop.
455
:That's not why I started training first
responders, it's kind of in hindsight
456
:where I'm like, that's a no brainer that
she would end up doing these trainings
457
:and working with this population.
458
:But it really wasn't like
an intentional thing.
459
:With that particular population, which
I've been working with for over 30
460
:years, they let you into the most,
intimate parts of their lives, right?
461
:I want qualified professionals
who can work with these people,
462
:because not everybody can,
and they always are in need.
463
:And they are a population, like veterans,
that if they go to you and they're like,
464
:yeah, she can't work, they will leave.
465
:And the statistics say that
they may not reach out for
466
:another counselor for 10 years.
467
:So it's that critical.
468
:Yeah.
469
:And so that's one of the programs
that I'm going to do mentorship
470
:on because I did the extensive
two and a half day first responder
471
:intervention specialist certification.
472
:It's not enough.
473
:It's a great training, don't get
me wrong, because I have my first
474
:responder training team come in and
talk rawly about their experiences.
475
:It's enough to make an impression.
476
:Everybody leaves there so moved,
not by what I say, but what
477
:these first responders say, which
complement each other so well, right?
478
:Anytime I go and do a talk on first
responder stuff, I always take a first
479
:responder with me because I can say
whatever and then what they share
480
:just kind of seals the deal, you know?
481
:How can I not be passionate about
wanting to create trainings?
482
:For first responders to create more
helping professionals who can work
483
:with them sufficiently and who can
really take them, lead them into a
484
:place of healing because they come
in kicking and screaming like they
485
:are, you know, treatment resistant.
486
:They are not your people that are
saying me, I'll go to counseling.
487
:It's not like that.
488
:I kind of tend to like to go
into areas that other people
489
:are not doing trainings in.
490
:That's probably part of being a visionary,
where I'm like, well, there's plenty of
491
:people doing trainings on that, whatever
that is, like depression maybe, right?
492
:And I'm like, if I'm going to do a
training on depression, it's going
493
:to be integrated with something else.
494
:Like shame is something I talk a lot
about and do trainings on because it is
495
:something that everybody struggles with.
496
:And so I spend a lot of time
training, mentoring, supervising
497
:people on that issue because I still
do not see it sufficiently covered.
498
:And so it's kind of like that, like
something just catches my attention
499
:and I'm like, oh, that's so needed.
500
:Boundaries is another area, right?
501
:Like, We think we're great at
boundaries, well we know the typical
502
:boundaries, right, the really black
and white boundaries, but you don't
503
:see a lot done on self disclosure,
you know, and counter transference.
504
:I think I've seen one workshop, and so
that's another area that I really want
505
:to mentor people and train them and teach
them, like, what does that even mean, you
506
:know, and when do you know that you're
doing self disclosure, and what might
507
:that'd be reflecting in the mirror, right?
508
:Yeah, choosing topics that
kind of other people aren't.
509
:It's just, I'm just kind of naturally
drawn to do things that nobody else is
510
:doing or not too many people are doing.
511
:Natasha Moharter: People walk away from
these trainings and they get a lot from
512
:the training, but then you can continue
that energy with ongoing mentorship
513
:and you have the info, now, how do you
implement it with support with guidance?
514
:And I think that that is so important even
like you talk about with self disclosure,
515
:if I'm learning, what does that look like?
516
:It's going to be helpful to be
able to refer back to my mentor.
517
:Mary Baca: I'm going to do
mentorship that's what's working.
518
:So say somebody says, well, I want to
come in and I want to do a training on
519
:your shame, abandonment and control.
520
:I'll be like, okay, great, but
we have to do a mentorship.
521
:So, let's sit down and look at why
are you attracted to that training?
522
:And, you know, they could
do a short mentorship.
523
:It doesn't have to be this big, long
thing, but mentorship, meaning, like,
524
:let's spend some time together and
let's really look at these issues
525
:that are catching your eye and let's
really establish some measurable goals.
526
:And let me help you achieve them.
527
:Training is it's just not, I think the
longer I am in the field, I'm realizing
528
:how inadequate that alone really is.
529
:Natasha Moharter: You're taking, your
experience and saying, I'm going to do
530
:this a little bit differently and really
allow somebody that opportunity to learn
531
:from you to learn this at not just the
surface level, but, you know, like you
532
:said, What is it that draws them to that?
533
:What is it that they're
looking for with that?
534
:And you can provide that support.
535
:Mary Baca: Really that's what works
when I've mentored people and I get to
536
:know who they really are and I'm able
to help them take that self of theirs
537
:out and put it on the table and be
like, okay, let's look through this,
538
:you know, and look at who you are as a
professional, and how do you want to be.
539
:A lot of people, overthink and they're
like, yeah, but you know, that's not
540
:okay for me to say to a client, right.
541
:And I'm like, who told you that?
542
:And they're like perfectly
appropriate things.
543
:You don't get all involved in client
successes or perceived failures, but it's
544
:fine to tell someone you're proud of them.
545
:I tell my clients, I'm really proud
of you, I know how hard that was for
546
:you to do that and accomplish that.
547
:Even when clients or mentees give
me a compliment and oh my gosh, you
548
:know, it's been life changing to
work with them like look at what
549
:you've done to get to this point.
550
:I'm all about empowerment
in everything that I do.
551
:I want people to know that they really
can do anything and learn anything
552
:and become anything that they want to.
553
:Natasha Moharter: And when you
model that language, that can
554
:become their new narrative of how
they speak to themselves as well.
555
:I'm proud of you.
556
:Great job.
557
:Look at all the hard work
that you put into this.
558
:Look at your accomplishments.
559
:Mary Baca: Yeah.
560
:And it takes the heat off of me, right?
561
:Because I don't want all that power.
562
:I want the person to walk away feeling
powerful, even if it's for the day, right?
563
:Because tomorrow their issues may
revisit them and they may not feel so
564
:powerful tomorrow, but for today in this
moment, I want them to feel powerful.
565
:They can take charge of their
life and of their career and
566
:be whatever they want to be.
567
:Who do they want to be.
568
:And I'll help you become that.
569
:Natasha Moharter: And you have a passion
for supporting providers to further their
570
:professional development in many ways.
571
:Your most recent project is this
mentorship program for counselors
572
:and social workers, which covers
the lifespan for any professional.
573
:Can you tell us more
about how that came to be?
574
:Mary Baca: Well, I think that's
been a slow burn in my mind.
575
:I've mentored people for many
years, so it's definitely
576
:rewarding, and so beneficial.
577
:But I think by seeing aspects
of our profession that I'm
578
:not really pleased about.
579
:And what I mean by that is I have
had interviews set up and people
580
:cancelling, literally not showing up,
people cancelling 10 minutes before
581
:they're going to sign a contract.
582
:And I'm like, what is going on?
583
:I think a lot of people are burnt out,
and going in 20 million directions.
584
:They're not even taking note of
what's happening in this moment.
585
:And then just supervising
people, it's not enough time.
586
:One hour a week, it's not enough.
587
:But I can't give more
as a supervisor either.
588
:So I think that awareness, conscious
awareness has been happening,
589
:I would say this past year.
590
:I was asking again, going to that
intuitive guidance, I was just
591
:kind of asking the question like,
okay, what do I do about this?
592
:Because I'm a doer.
593
:If there's a problem, if I am
not comfortable with something,
594
:I'm going to do something about
it, whatever I can, right?
595
:That's when the idea came up I was like,
well, what does mentorship accomplish?
596
:And I thought, well, you know,
I meet people where they're at
597
:and then we figure out where they
want to go and we do that, right?
598
:So I looked at different wording,
but I came up with the word "be"
599
:which means what exists and then
"come" is what you're moving toward.
600
:And then I was like, okay, what
about a symbol for the logo?
601
:And I think butterfly.
602
:What is better than transformation, right?
603
:So I looked and looked and
looked at different images of
604
:butterflies and thought, I want
to capture the concept that you go
605
:through different stages, right?
606
:In your professional and personal growth.
607
:I just couldn't do that with a
butterfly and then I ran across the
608
:one image I decided to use, which
is a hand releasing a butterfly.
609
:And I thought that really is
what mentorship does, is you
610
:release the most beautiful version
of who that person becomes.
611
:Natasha Moharter: It's so beautiful.
612
:The process that you go through,
that you can make it very personal.
613
:You can reflect what you're
trying to accomplish and what
614
:the goal is with symbols, words.
615
:Mary Baca: Another thing I have
mentored people on is, really
616
:tuning into who are they?
617
:What do they want?
618
:What's going to be representative?
619
:Because a lot of times people choose
a logo and a name but it can be even
620
:better and more enriched by really
tapping into that inner part of yourself.
621
:And that's something I
have and can teach people.
622
:Natasha Moharter: I first learned
about vulnerability and was working
623
:with clients to teach them about
vulnerability, the hand and the butterfly
624
:is actually the analogy that I would use.
625
:And I would say vulnerability is kind
of like the butterfly that's on your
626
:hand and you can't hold it too tight.
627
:You kind of have to just let it be.
628
:You can share that with other people,
you can guard it, you can kind of cup
629
:your hand, but you can't crush it.
630
:You have to be careful because they might
try to come in and crush it as well.
631
:Mary Baca: Can I use that analogy?
632
:Natasha Moharter: Absolutely.
633
:Absolutely.
634
:I would be honored.
635
:Mary Baca: I love that.
636
:I love that because that is
what mentorship is, right?
637
:It's like not hovering or trying to
control somebody, allowing them to
638
:develop and become who they are, but
being there, and, being protective,
639
:like in terms of guiding them.
640
:For the duration that they're
doing the mentorship and beyond.
641
:I have people who keep in touch with me.
642
:Natasha Moharter: You really do,
build the relationships with people
643
:and it sounds like that's why they
come back to you even years later.
644
:You are a true entrepreneur.
645
:You've run many successful
businesses over the years.
646
:Some of our community members hesitate
to start providing trainings because
647
:they're not sure where to start.
648
:How did you get started and what helped
you decide to officially open your
649
:professional training business Shifting
ectives Training Institute in:
650
:Mary Baca: I got started in training
with the Postal Service, right?
651
:And then it's just kind
of evolved from there.
652
:I remember doing, a training on group
therapy in front of like a hundred people.
653
:There were psychiatrists in
the audience and I was like,
654
:oh my god, I was so fearful.
655
:But just taking that leap.
656
:I am a leap taker, a risk taker, as
long as it's not too far out there.
657
:And if it doesn't turn out the way I
wanted to, it's not that big of a loss.
658
:Then I'm definitely a risk taker.
659
:I am an entrepreneur,
but I am a visionary.
660
:And the difference is I allow
my vision to open and spread
661
:and not let fear restrict me.
662
:That's such an important thing, when
people are hesitant to do trainings or to
663
:be a therapist because some people will
say, well, that looks really intimidating.
664
:It's like, it's fine if you're deciding
that because that's what you really
665
:think and want, but if fear is at the
root of anything, you know, it's, what's
666
:holding you back, then that's something,
you know, that I do as a mentor is
667
:really help people look at that, like,
what's holding you back, you know.
668
:Natasha Moharter: And you mentioned
you have to be able to take some
669
:risks at times, you have to be
able to put yourself out there.
670
:It might still be scary
the first 5 to 10 minutes
671
:of every training.
672
:And yet then you kind of get into your
groove and it's so different from where
673
:you started, being that shy person.
674
:Mary Baca: I was excruciatingly shy.
675
:It's crazy.
676
:I look back and I'm
like, wow, who was that?
677
:And there's all kinds of
reasons for that, right?
678
:But like, following this track
has just changed my life.
679
:You know, it's changed how I see my
clients, how I work with my clients.
680
:I look at therapy as teaching.
681
:It's a different kind of teaching.
682
:I think teaching is like in everything,
and 99 percent of the things we do
683
:that we don't know how to do, that we
want to do better, or, take on, there's
684
:learning involved, and people, I think
a lot of times don't have the self
685
:confidence to learn, so a mentorship
is a great opportunity to have somebody
686
:walk with you through that process.
687
:You know, I have your back.
688
:I can see things up ahead because
I've been doing this so long.
689
:I can be like, yeah, be careful with that.
690
:Cause that could happen.
691
:My dad taught me there's
always an answer to everything.
692
:There's always a way around things.
693
:So if there's a challenge, I'm great about
helping a person figure out a way around.
694
:Whereas a lot of people will stop at
the challenge and they'll be like,
695
:everything's telling me not to do it.
696
:I can't do it.
697
:It's just not happening.
698
:I'm like, okay, well, maybe, but
maybe, you know, there's just another
699
:way that it's got to be done for you.
700
:Let's look at your options.
701
:Natasha Moharter: Even the trainings
that you do and the topics that you
702
:decide to pursue are not necessarily
being done by other people.
703
:It's kind of new territory
in a lot of ways.
704
:So even if there aren't trainings on a
topic that somebody is interested in,
705
:you can go out and make them right.
706
:Mary Baca: Oh yeah.
707
:So I'm glad you said that because the
mentorship really is customizable.
708
:An initial discovery consultation is to
really then customize and put together
709
:what that person is looking for.
710
:What are the goals they
want to accomplish?
711
:Who are they?
712
:So no mentorship will be
the same for any two people.
713
:Just like my trainings are
not the same every training.
714
:But yeah, really making that switch
from instead of doing trainings.
715
:They're all going to be mentorships.
716
:And again, that can be different degrees.
717
:That does mean somebody has
to sign on for three months.
718
:But let us get to know each other.
719
:Let me get to know you.
720
:Let me see how I can really help
you become what you want to be.
721
:Natasha Moharter: Tell us what the
name of your mentorship program is.
722
:When it starts and what is included,
how would somebody go about contacting
723
:you starting that process with you?
724
:What would that entail?
725
:Mary Baca: Probably the most effective
way to contact me is through text
726
:at 505 315 7397, or email, but
text is probably the best way.
727
:I am starting to do
discovery consultations now.
728
:anticipating starting in January.
729
:And I'm only going to take a
certain amount of people because
730
:I'm offering free mentorship to
the people that work at Odyssey.
731
:I want my team to be the most
fulfilled and the best, I have amazing
732
:people and I want to see them grow.
733
:So I will just be taking probably
10 mentees on top of my staff.
734
:I can mentor people nationally.
735
:I am accredited with the NBCC, I can
award CEs anywhere in the country.
736
:That's something I'm excited about.
737
:Just because that means me spreading
my wings, farther and wider.
738
:And so that's amazing.
739
:Natasha Moharter: So you can work with,
anybody throughout the United States.
740
:Mary Baca: And you know, some of
those 10 spots, one person might
741
:want, a one month mentorship.
742
:So as soon as that person fulfills their
goals, then, it'll be kind of changing
743
:over, I will be also hiring other mentors.
744
:Like I love collaborating
with other people.
745
:I love putting things together
with other people and being like,
746
:okay, this is your expertise.
747
:This is mine.
748
:Let's create something amazing for
counselors, social workers, life
749
:coaches, psychiatric technicians.
750
:These mentorships will be open to anybody,
not just counselors and social workers.
751
:I mean, there's plenty of people that
provide service to people that need this.
752
:Natasha Moharter: You are taking
those visions and the ideas that you
753
:have and putting them into play, and
then getting other people involved.
754
:And when we get other people
involved, that can just make
755
:such a bigger impact, right?
756
:Mary Baca: I mean, that's a win
win, like, honestly, you know,
757
:our clients are going to benefit.
758
:Our mentees are going to benefit.
759
:Each of us is going to benefit.
760
:I mean, my gosh.
761
:Natasha Moharter: We don't have
to be the experts in everything.
762
:We can choose the things
that we're interested in.
763
:Mary Baca: Cause we're not.
764
:Like, I'm not drawn to go and take,
extensive training and learning on
765
:OCD, not for any particular reason,
just like you may not be drawn to do
766
:that with first responders, but the
beauty is there's still that learning
767
:opportunity to put things together,
collaboratively, and produce something
768
:that enriches the benefit for people.
769
:Natasha Moharter: And that relationship
piece is so natural in our humanity.
770
:Connecting with good people, connecting
with people that, can build us up
771
:and that we can build up as well.
772
:It really can be a beneficial
relationship to have.
773
:Mary Baca: I have said
no through the years.
774
:It's got to feel right.
775
:You know, when I offer that
it's because I really feel that.
776
:Not because it's like the thing to do.
777
:You spend a lot of time when you
collaborate with somebody, you
778
:have to resonate with each other.
779
:Through the years I've just been like,
yeah, no, that's probably not a good idea.
780
:Gracefully I say, I don't
think we're a good match.
781
:And that's okay.
782
:That doesn't mean it's bad or anything.
783
:Like that's just how it is.
784
:Natasha Moharter: You need to be able to
trust your intuition for that as well.
785
:You very much come across very genuine.
786
:I really like that.
787
:The different contributions
that you've made in the group.
788
:I was so grateful that you've been part
of different conversations and supporting
789
:other people or answering questions or
welcoming people and things like that.
790
:Like you said, the community
part is really what that
791
:Facebook group is even all about.
792
:Mary Baca: It is so important because I've
seen and I have experienced competition
793
:and it's something I stay away from
because I feel like you guys, none of
794
:us are going to run out of clients.
795
:And if I ran out of clients,
that would be a good thing.
796
:Like if nobody needed counseling
anymore, hallelujah, I'd give up
797
:my job, you know, in a second.
798
:It's not going to happen, you know?
799
:And so, but I've had people target
me even nothing's become of it, you
800
:know, and I don't ever worry about it.
801
:It's just very time
consuming when that happens.
802
:But, I feel like we have
to support each other.
803
:Like, come on, support each other.
804
:Be each other's cheerleader.
805
:Be happy when somebody
accomplishes something, you know?
806
:Even if it's something you
would like to accomplish, great,
807
:then use that as motivation.
808
:Natasha Moharter: And it's
proof that it's working!
809
:Mary Baca: I know, yes!
810
:Yes.
811
:And so I really, when I welcome
people on your page, if my heart
812
:isn't feeling it, I don't do it.
813
:So when I welcome those people,
it's truly like welcome.
814
:How awesome that you're here.
815
:Natasha Moharter: How do you deal with
that competition or when you are targeted?
816
:I've definitely heard from other people
in our community as well is, you know,
817
:there's competition out there and how
do I stand out from the crowd and I
818
:think it really is about collaboration
and finding how can we support one
819
:another because we can all win here.
820
:But how do you kind of deal
with that when it becomes hard?
821
:Mary Baca: There is, jealousy and envy.
822
:Those are real human emotions.
823
:And I'm talking specifically like in the
first responder world because I'm one of
824
:a few in New Mexico that do the work and
first responders or have companies, right.
825
:And to me.
826
:I'm like, well, man, let's
all support each other.
827
:But that has not happened across
the board, and that's fine.
828
:I used to be a really huge people
pleaser many, many, many years ago.
829
:And now I'm just not that right.
830
:Like, I don't have to earn anybody's.
831
:Anything.
832
:And so I just don't breathe fire into it.
833
:I'm not gonna lie.
834
:Like at first, I was so upset.
835
:But I don't let that last long
either because that's not going
836
:to make me a happy person.
837
:That's kind of how I deal with it is deal
with it in the way that I have to but
838
:don't give any more energy or time to it
than that because that's what people feed
839
:off on, you know, unfortunately, and,
there is that ugliness in human beings
840
:and it exists, but what do you do, you
know, I can't be fearful, like, and going
841
:back to that whole thing about fear.
842
:You know, they'll come to me to talk
about intuition because they know I
843
:have that reputation for kind of being
outside of the box, and so those are the
844
:people I want to keep rooting for and
supporting and teaching and mentoring.
845
:And if somebody doesn't want to learn
about intuition, then look at all my other
846
:trainings that you can get mentored on.
847
:Natasha Moharter: The people that, do
want your information can find you.
848
:And if one person prevents you from
continuing to put things out there, then
849
:all those other people get impacted.
850
:And fear is a thing, it's natural,
we want to protect ourselves.
851
:We want to survive.
852
:Slowing down, pausing, kind of dealing
with it, doing what you need to,
853
:and then not spending extra time or
resource on it than is necessary.
854
:Mary Baca: It's very important to stand
in your power as a person, you know, and
855
:don't be swayed by fear and intimidation.
856
:That's like being bullied
and I'm not doing it.
857
:Natasha Moharter: We don't
have to breathe fire into it.
858
:It can hurt.
859
:It can sting.
860
:It does not have to be our favorite thing.
861
:Statistically not
everybody's going to like us.
862
:Mary Baca: Nobody's forcing
you to look at my flyer.
863
:Nobody's forcing you
to come to a training.
864
:Natasha Moharter: I don't like everybody.
865
:And that's okay too.
866
:You don't have to like me, you
don't have to like the trainings,
867
:you don't have to care about OCD.
868
:Like it's cool.
869
:What is important to you?
870
:Go find that.
871
:Mary Baca: Well, because if
somebody bothers you that
872
:much, that's your problem.
873
:And really knowing where to draw
those boundaries for yourself as a
874
:professional because especially as you
put yourself out on a national forum.
875
:People are mean and so, just
really standing in your power and
876
:being like, that's a you problem.
877
:If somebody comes to me and they're
like, Hey, I'm just really curious
878
:about these things you're training on.
879
:Are they evidence based?
880
:I don't have a problem having a
conversation with somebody, you
881
:know, but just not being bullied
and I had somebody years ago when I
882
:was going to go out on the national
forum for first responder stuff.
883
:She said, Be careful, she said,
because people are really awful but
884
:I'll never forget that warning, right?
885
:Because she knew she'd experienced
something that I hadn't, like I
886
:hadn't done trainings in another
state or anything like that.
887
:And so, yeah, I remembered even
when this situation came up with
888
:me, I could hear her words saying.
889
:Be careful, just be mindful, you know,
and so, the more you put yourself out
890
:there, the great news is 98 percent of
people will be so happy you're there.
891
:And those 2 percent will be jealous,
will think envy, right, like, oh,
892
:who does she think she is doing that?
893
:Well, you're somebody who's worked who
knows how hard, to get to where you're at.
894
:We all work hard to get to where we're
at, geez, nobody hands us anything.
895
:And so I think that's almost like
another class I could do, definitely
896
:will make part of my mentorship
is like, how do you step into your
897
:power and really hold that spot.
898
:Natasha Moharter: And not be bullied.
899
:It takes so much courage to
put your stuff out there.
900
:People are going to have feelings and
that doesn't have to be an us thing.
901
:And it doesn't have to mean that
we don't put our stuff out there.
902
:It doesn't have to hold us back.
903
:If it's a place of fear, like you're
talking about, then that's kind
904
:of where I'm like, if it's fear,
that's dictating this decision.
905
:Nope.
906
:I know we have to run towards that then.
907
:Mary Baca: Right.
908
:Things are scary.
909
:I mean, if I just succumb to
all the fearful moments I've
910
:had in the 61 years I've been on
this earth I would be nowhere.
911
:When I was 26 starting my practice, nobody
in my family had even gone to college.
912
:I didn't know how to do a practice,
913
:I just, found an office that
was cheap and good size.
914
:I'm like, I don't know what I'm
doing, but I'm going to do this.
915
:My parents didn't have a lot of money.
916
:They could not have helped me start.
917
:They didn't help me start the business.
918
:They helped move me.
919
:That is all they could contribute.
920
:They didn't have money.
921
:So I'm proud to say that like 34 years
later, I'm still going strong and
922
:just getting stronger and stronger.
923
:And I did it myself with help along
the way by, you know, I call them earth
924
:angels, you know, people that have
just really wanted to see me succeed.
925
:That's kind of what offsets
the other kind of people.
926
:Natasha Moharter: Absolutely.
927
:Absolutely.
928
:And like you said, when you follow your
intuition, when you go with the flow
929
:it can actually be very energizing.
930
:And as with anything
we need balance, right?
931
:I do the trainings, but I also.
932
:Turn off my phone or my
email on the weekends, right?
933
:Or whatever that looks like.
934
:Mary Baca: We have to.
935
:Natasha Moharter: I heard
a saying and I love it.
936
:Do not confuse my free
time with my availability.
937
:If you see me post something that
is in my own time and I will get
938
:back to you when I can, right?
939
:Yes.
940
:Mary Baca: So important
to know those boundaries.
941
:Natasha Moharter: Absolutely.
942
:Before we get ready to wrap up, I'm
gonna ask if there's any other wisdom
943
:that you'd like to share with the group
members, who are wanting to embark
944
:on this journey of becoming a trainer
or adding training to their income
945
:streams, pursuing facing their fears
and getting their stuff out there.
946
:Mary Baca: One of the things I would say
is don't let money be your incentive.
947
:Not because you can't make money doing
trainings, but because if that is
948
:going to be your measuring stick, then
that's just not likely to work, right?
949
:Really set your sights on
what you want to train about.
950
:What are you passionate about?
951
:Don't just pick like, you know, random.
952
:This guy approached me a couple of years
ago and he was adamant about wanting me to
953
:train on the spiritual aspect of ethics.
954
:And I just was not called to do it.
955
:So I'm like, no, I don't
want to do it, you know?
956
:But I thought about it cause I thought,
well, I don't know, am I missing an
957
:opportunity that maybe I should take?
958
:And so I sat with it for a bit, but
it just really did not hit my heart.
959
:Right.
960
:So I would say really listen to your body.
961
:We don't talk enough about the body and
body sensations and the physical aspect
962
:I always tell counselors if you're not
including the body in your treatment
963
:plan, you're not doing a sufficient job.
964
:If you're doing breath work if you're
teaching meditation, whatever you're
965
:doing but if you're not including that
in what you do, then you're missing out.
966
:Especially trauma.
967
:Right.
968
:But anything.
969
:And so, yeah, just don't let money
be your main motivator, you know, it
970
:can be on your list, but what you're
passionate about and why you want to
971
:train on that particular thing should
be what motivates you, honestly.
972
:And then it's a win win because, you're
just going to blossom from there.
973
:Natasha Moharter: And like you said, it
sounds like success has often followed you
974
:when you've pursued the things that you're
interested in and kind of let it flow.
975
:Mary Baca: Yeah, for sure.
976
:Don't be afraid to step outside the box.
977
:Like you don't have to do things
that everybody else is doing.
978
:There's somebody out there that is
looking for what you have to offer.
979
:That's the truth.
980
:What I love about training and mentorship,
it's very much like a choreography and
981
:just really honoring that it's a process
and looking forward to the process.
982
:You have to value people.
983
:If you're just training because
you just want to deliver a freaking
984
:training, go do something else.
985
:Like you have to value people and
helping people learn and grow.
986
:If you don't value that, you
probably shouldn't be a trainer
987
:until you can get there.
988
:Natasha Moharter: Yeah.
989
:And even like you said letting it
develop because you create that
990
:structure, but then, letting it flow
in those ways that are important and
991
:meaningful to that specific group, those
specific individuals who showed up.
992
:The other thing that you said there too
is diversity and representation matters.
993
:So there are people out there that
are looking to hear from somebody
994
:that looks like you, that sounds like
you, that has a similar experience
995
:to you, and it's going to resonate.
996
:And again, not letting fear
hold us back from that.
997
:I think there is something to be said
about, doing certain types of market
998
:research and figuring out what the needs
are in terms of trainings that are needed.
999
:And it sounds like, you do that by looking
around yourself and seeing and picking
:
00:50:44,246 --> 00:50:48,186
up on what are some deficiencies and what
are the problems that can be solved here?
:
00:50:48,186 --> 00:50:52,276
And how can I provide information,
content, mentorship to be able to meet
:
00:50:52,286 --> 00:50:56,196
that need in a very meaningful way,
not just to provide a training, not
:
00:50:56,216 --> 00:50:57,896
just to make some money off of it.
:
00:50:57,986 --> 00:50:58,726
That's all great.
:
00:50:58,766 --> 00:50:59,636
Those are great things.
:
00:51:00,301 --> 00:51:02,721
But what is kind of the,
what's the deeper meaning?
:
00:51:02,721 --> 00:51:04,031
What's the reason behind this?
:
00:51:04,071 --> 00:51:04,981
Why would you be doing this?
:
00:51:05,101 --> 00:51:08,091
Mary Baca: Well, I think even,
you know, people don't come from a
:
00:51:08,091 --> 00:51:10,191
place of living your life purpose.
:
00:51:10,395 --> 00:51:13,435
It's like people do this work
because they got a master's
:
00:51:13,435 --> 00:51:15,045
degree and they have a license.
:
00:51:15,045 --> 00:51:16,085
That's the wrong reason.
:
00:51:16,460 --> 00:51:18,490
And it's like, that's a big
sign of burnout, you got
:
00:51:18,490 --> 00:51:19,840
to feel the passion of it.
:
00:51:19,840 --> 00:51:23,360
Like why, what got you started
to want to help people anyways?
:
00:51:23,830 --> 00:51:29,409
To me, training and mentorship is just
an extension in a lot of ways of helping
:
00:51:29,410 --> 00:51:32,720
people, because you're getting to know
who they are and what's holding them back.
:
00:51:33,220 --> 00:51:35,060
Natasha Moharter: And training is
kind of neat because it's a different
:
00:51:35,060 --> 00:51:37,150
way of teaching and helping people.
:
00:51:37,180 --> 00:51:41,430
And so sometimes, I know in my work with
clients, it's nice to have the client
:
00:51:41,430 --> 00:51:45,530
work, but then it's also nice to have
consultations or other trainings and being
:
00:51:45,530 --> 00:51:48,590
able to kind of share that information
or have different types of interaction
:
00:51:48,590 --> 00:51:49,830
with different types of people.
:
00:51:49,830 --> 00:51:52,650
Mix things up a little bit,
and maybe even prevent some of
:
00:51:52,670 --> 00:51:54,160
that burnout in the process.
:
00:51:54,820 --> 00:51:57,620
Mary Baca: I love doing
trainings and mentoring people.
:
00:51:57,920 --> 00:51:59,950
Natasha Moharter: And I think
about the impact that you can have.
:
00:52:00,000 --> 00:52:02,960
If you mentor and you train
somebody, how many clients do
:
00:52:02,960 --> 00:52:04,700
they see per week or per year.
:
00:52:04,700 --> 00:52:05,720
Mary Baca: Like that ripple effect.
:
00:52:05,720 --> 00:52:11,240
Whenever I decide to retire I want
to leave behind like people that grew
:
00:52:11,240 --> 00:52:16,160
from some interaction or some training
and mentorship that they did with me.
:
00:52:16,320 --> 00:52:17,900
Like, what's more rewarding than that?
:
00:52:18,090 --> 00:52:18,580
Truly.
:
00:52:18,883 --> 00:52:23,923
Just leaving my footprint on things
I think is really fulfilling.
:
00:52:24,003 --> 00:52:25,093
It's soul filling.
:
00:52:25,763 --> 00:52:28,113
That's a frequent word of
mine is it's soul filling.
:
00:52:28,193 --> 00:52:29,333
It's not soul filling.
:
00:52:30,003 --> 00:52:30,873
I don't really do it.
:
00:52:30,873 --> 00:52:35,633
It's just so amazing to see people grow
and be like, wow, I am so proud of you.
:
00:52:35,633 --> 00:52:37,593
Like, oh my God, you are just on fire.
:
00:52:38,208 --> 00:52:39,928
Like you go girl, you know.
:
00:52:40,678 --> 00:52:43,208
Natasha Moharter: That encouragement,
we rally for one another.
:
00:52:43,778 --> 00:52:44,588
Definitely.
:
00:52:44,648 --> 00:52:45,478
That's so cool.
:
00:52:45,931 --> 00:52:49,871
Mary, it's been such an honor to be able
to have this conversation with you today.
:
00:52:49,871 --> 00:52:51,341
I so appreciate your time.
:
00:52:51,341 --> 00:52:52,491
Where can people find you?
:
00:52:52,491 --> 00:52:57,791
Mary Baca: So the websites are,
odyssey, O D Y S S E Y hyphen.
:
00:52:58,371 --> 00:52:58,641
C.
:
00:52:58,671 --> 00:52:58,811
O.
:
00:52:58,811 --> 00:52:59,091
U.
:
00:52:59,091 --> 00:52:59,481
N.
:
00:52:59,771 --> 00:53:00,021
S.
:
00:53:00,021 --> 00:53:00,161
E.
:
00:53:00,181 --> 00:53:00,531
L.
:
00:53:00,561 --> 00:53:00,741
I.
:
00:53:00,741 --> 00:53:00,991
N.
:
00:53:00,991 --> 00:53:01,481
G.
:
00:53:01,791 --> 00:53:02,311
dot com.
:
00:53:03,111 --> 00:53:07,591
And shifting perspectives, which is where
the mentorship program is running through
:
00:53:08,011 --> 00:53:10,941
is shifting-perspectives.com, plural.
:
00:53:10,941 --> 00:53:14,771
If you look at my website, either
Odyssey Counseling or Shifting,
:
00:53:15,291 --> 00:53:18,761
you'll see a little bit more written
on the Become Mentorship Program.
:
00:53:19,461 --> 00:53:22,341
But yeah, what a way to kick
off::
00:53:22,341 --> 00:53:24,951
Natasha Moharter: And you are
doing the initial calls currently,
:
00:53:24,991 --> 00:53:28,991
with the intention to start
the mentorship in January::
00:53:28,991 --> 00:53:32,071
So in just a little bit, and like
you said, even though there's maybe
:
00:53:32,071 --> 00:53:34,171
10 spots now, there are going to
be people that are going to be
:
00:53:34,171 --> 00:53:35,331
graduating through that program.
:
00:53:35,331 --> 00:53:38,321
And so you're going to have kind of
ongoing, potential to work with you
:
00:53:38,321 --> 00:53:39,601
as well, which is really, really neat.
:
00:53:39,901 --> 00:53:41,851
Mary Baca: Yeah, so there
will be more than just me and
:
00:53:41,851 --> 00:53:42,871
I look forward to that too.
:
00:53:42,871 --> 00:53:44,431
That's going to be so amazing.
:
00:53:44,431 --> 00:53:45,061
Natasha Moharter: So cool.
:
00:53:45,151 --> 00:53:47,211
Again, that importance of the community.
:
00:53:47,211 --> 00:53:50,171
Mary Baca: When you get people together
who are willing to take risks, right.
:
00:53:50,171 --> 00:53:51,591
And who just are passionate.
:
00:53:51,631 --> 00:53:56,726
It's like you could just feel
like the energy elevate, you know.
:
00:53:56,726 --> 00:53:57,136
Natasha Moharter: Absolutely.
:
00:53:57,136 --> 00:53:58,156
Mary Baca: I'm looking forward to that.
:
00:53:58,356 --> 00:54:00,036
Natasha Moharter: You're
doing some incredible stuff.
:
00:54:00,076 --> 00:54:02,586
We're going to link your websites
below in the descriptions.
:
00:54:02,586 --> 00:54:05,596
If anybody is interested it's
a really great opportunity.
:
00:54:05,596 --> 00:54:08,346
Thank you again so much for your
willingness to be here today.
:
00:54:08,346 --> 00:54:10,766
Mary Baca: It was so good to talk
to you and I look forward to talking
:
00:54:10,766 --> 00:54:12,176
to you again sometime in the future.
:
00:54:12,586 --> 00:54:13,436
Natasha Moharter: Such an honor, Mary.
:
00:54:13,436 --> 00:54:13,826
Take care.