Lift, Climb, Drink, Pour

"I can help you out if you need a hand."

These kind, gentle words came from the steady, warm voice beside me at my first visit to the Mom’s Club playgroup. We were going around the circle, sharing a little about ourselves. I was new to North Wilmington with young kids, working part-time, and feeling isolated—desperate to meet more moms and feel connected.

I was over-the-moon happy to be a mom and proud of my healthy lifestyle, strong career, and nice suburban home. But there was another truth, one I wasn’t as eager to share. I was in the midst of intense difficulties. A failing marriage. About to become a single Mom with a two-year-old and a six-month-old navigating a rough divorce in progress. Behind the curtain I was in full survival mode. My bank account had been emptied. For safety reasons, I had to leave the home I owned. I needed to transition from part-time to full-time work as soon as possible just to stay afloat. I did not share any of this.

During this same period, my sister was dying of breast cancer.

No wonder these kind, caring moms could so easily read the stress written over my face.

Over the years, these women became my support, my breath of fresh air, my shoulder to lean on, my sounding board, a spring of hope, and my voice of reason. Through weekly playgroups, we shared in the wonderful, chaotic circus of parenting babies and toddlers. Our support grew into a babysitting co-op, a book club, shared beach vacations, community volunteering, and even a kick-ass investment group. These women supported me. And I supported them.

While I often felt ashamed about my separation and divorce, these women congratulated me for standing in my integrity and upholding my principles. They helped me reset to my North Star every day—my kids. They reminded me that divorce is brave and that my values were worth more than money. They stepped in as sisters to me when I lost my one and only. These were the women who threw me a divorce party, lent me a car when mine broke down, and offered leads for the full-time work I so desperately needed.

I was depleted and embarrassed by my situation at first. But any shame I carried eventually melted away as they poured strength into me, supporting me without judgment. As time passed roles shifted. As others went through their tough times, I often found myself as the one saying, "I can help you out if you need a hand."

Women Lifting Women

I have seen, over and over again in my life—the lives of my coaching clients, friends, and family—how powerful it is when women support other women.

In my first job as a medical writer, it was a female manager who lifted me up. She took a chance on me, hiring me for my natural talent and enthusiasm despite my lack of experience. Over the next decade, with her mentorship I rose up the corporate ladder from Associate to Manager to Director, and I thanked her many times for believing in me.

Because women have mentored me, I have always been proud to mentor others. I’ve watched young women I started mentoring in their high school days—who once doubted their own potential—now take the world by storm. Their joy is my joy. Their success is my success. And I’m proud to say they are now doing the same, stepping from mentee into mentor and lifting others as they climb.

I see more and more women in leadership making mentorship a priority, offering career advice and guidance generously. I see women reaching out helping hands in all areas of life…. driving across states to bring meals to a struggling friend, offering a listening ear to someone with an ill spouse, accompanying another to a doctor’s appointment, sharing career resources, or simply sending an encouraging text.

The Wisdom I’ve Gathered

Hardship and struggle are part of every life. At some point, we are going to be the one reaching out for help. At other times, we are the one offering a hand. I have been on both ends, and I am honored to have experienced the strength of women lifting women. Lifting others is uplifting! How empowering it is to be part of this chain of women climbing and lifting each other!

As a coach and mentor, I share a simple piece of wisdom I’ve gathered from years of being a woman on this planet. It’s easy to remember, and once you hear it, I promise you’ll never forget it:

Lift as You Climb. Drink as You Pour.

Lift as You Climb – As you grow in your career and lived wisdom, reach back and mentor the women coming up behind you. We are responsible for laying the groundwork for the future by being role models, inspiring others, and guiding them to become role models themselves.

Lifting others doesn’t require grand gestures; sometimes, it’s as simple as offering words of encouragement, making an introduction, or sharing a lesson from your own experience. When we actively support one another, we create a ripple effect of empowerment that extends beyond individuals—it transforms workplaces, industries, families, and communities. True success is not just about reaching the top; it’s about bringing others with us.

Please look around. Someone needs a hand. Lift as you climb.

Drink as You Pour – One of the most requested topics I speak on is burnout. The disease of busyness is rampant, and too often, we wait for someone else to give us permission for self-care. Don’t wait, write your own permission slip! Give yourself permission to prioritize yourself now - before you hit depletion. Self-care and self-compassion are essential for life satisfaction, career growth, and overall well-being.

The truth is you cannot pour from an empty cup, and yet, so many of us try. Rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Taking time to recharge allows you to show up fully—not just for others, but for yourself. When we model self-care, we also give others the permission to do the same, creating a culture where well-being is valued as an essential part of life success.

The secret within the secret is this: We are here to love ourselves first, and then others—not the other way around. Please remember to drink as you pour.

Lift as You Climb. Drink as You Pour. Pass it on.

Nina loves to champion others! She is a seasoned coach, dynamic trainer, and inspiring public speaker on resilience, positive psychology, law of attraction, mindfulness, imposter syndrome, women's leadership skills, and burnout prevention. Nina is proud to lead multiple coaching groups, including the longstanding Great Dames Peer Mastermind groups. Her greatest passion in life is building supportive connections and community.

Website: www.Resilience-Mastery.com
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LinkedIn: Nina Sherak