Testimonials about Vanessa Loder
“The session at the WIM breakfast was great and I loved your energy. I started using the appreciation exercise with my fiance the next day and it has worked so well for us. We found ourselves in this cycle of petty complaining and arguing and the past week has been so great. The exercise has helped us to focus on the good instead of the bad. He actually acknowledged how much he likes doing it this morning and reminded me that we forgot to do the exercise last night. I just wanted to share so that you know that the work you are doing is having an impact.”
Tanisha Drummer
“I had the pleasure of having Vanessa speak at two events that I organized – one for the large internet company I work for, the other for our Stanford Graduate School of Business 5th year reunion. Vanessa’s talks were incredibly well thought out, with valuable content. As a speaker in a business setting she is effective at addressing the sometimes ‘fuzzy’ area of personal growth while maintaining credibility through her professionalism and by referencing her past experiences. Vanessa is an engaging speaker with a keen ability to tailor her approach to her audience, wherever they may be on their personal and professional journey.”
Jen Clarke
“I have been a fan of Vanessa’s meditations for over a year before taking the leap and joining one of her Programs. The program has had a profound impact on every facet of my life and the positive changes are still coming! What I love most about the program is the tremendous amount of self growth and the sense of clarity and confidence I gained. If you’re on the fence as I once was, consider this one of the best gifts you can give to yourself- you won’t regret it!”
Annie Sun
“Over the last 10 years at Google, myself and my team have attended hundreds of hours of corporate trainings. When I saw what Vanessa did differently, and heard about her other Fortune 500 clients that have had tremendous success, I knew I had to hire her to bring something unique. Vanessa and I worked hand in hand to create a customized 6 week plan for my team, based on their specific needs and personalities. Each week had a theme, actionable follow up, and was full of energy and enthusiasm to start using the tools Vanessa taught immediately. I have never gotten such positive feedback from Googlers before. I will hire Vanessa again hands down.”
Katie Rottier
“Vanessa has truly cracked the code on how to lean in without burning out. She teaches how it is possible to “have it all” — a life of accomplishment and purpose, a rewarding career, a sense of calm — and all without sacrificing well-being. Vanessa is personable, authentic and wise, and her program is simply amazing! “Success with Ease” is my new motto in life.”
Elizabeth Conrady
“Like many women striving for success in my career, I read “Lean In.” I found it inspiring but also daunting. My first thought was: “How in the world am I supposed to lean in any harder than I already am?” I came across an article in Fast Company from Vanessa entitled “How to lean in without burning out,” and knew this was exactly the question I was trying to answer myself. Vanessa gave me the tools to gain clarity on what I really want in my life, and (just as importantly) to pursue them in a sustainable, easier, effective way. As someone who has always thought that self-sacrifice is the only real way to achieve big goals, this course was a wake-up call that helped me think differently. I admit that I was very skeptical at first, having dismissed ideas about the importance of mindfulness and meditation in the past. It was a leap for me to sign up for this program, but I’m very glad I did. You will be too.”
Sarah Larcker
“Because of the MBA Class, I started a daily meditation practice that has been really helpful. I’ve also put my goals on a chalkboard in my office so I see them every day which has helped a lot as well. The biggest news is in MBA class you said we should write ourselves a check and put it in our wallets. I wrote myself a hefty check for a monthly amount, certainly a stretch goal. Well with all the things I’ve been doing that you all taught me … I’m happy to report for my check dated August 1st will be worth slightly more, in one check, than what I wrote my goal check for. Your class works and the practice of mindfulness really work, it’s just up to us to practice it everyday!”
Gretchen Sweet
“My good news is that, in our MBA class, I wrote on a goal card that I wanted to change jobs this year and start working in a place with people who are passionate about their work. I have carried the card in my iPhone case since I wrote the goal, and would take it out to re-read it when I felt particularly frustrated by my work. In February, I applied for my dream job. I knew the odds of getting the job were slim (less than 1%), but I said “why not me?”. I applied in the midst of preparing for a trial and at a time when, just a year ago, I would have said I was too busy and would have given myself a pass for not putting together an application. Flash forward to June. I got the job! After 21 interviews, I am the 1%:). Thank you for inspiring me to write my goal cards. Now, on to visualizing and achieving what I wrote on the other cards!”
Sheila A.
“I signed up for the MBA program during a professional and personal transition. I needed clarity on what I wanted, and then simple tools to help me reach these goals. Vanessa’s program led me to accomplish both of my objectives, and so much more, in just 6 weeks! The classes and at-home exercises helped me to define my values, goals, and dreams, some of which had been buried for years. Their insights and tips truly made me feel “un-stuck” and allowed me to move forward and accomplish things. One week after I completed the program, I accomplished my first goal! I practice what I learned from Vanessa daily, and I am so excited to see how and when the rest of my dreams unfold. Take this class – you won’t regret it!”
Erika Edelson
“Before I started working with Vanessa, I was in the middle of a career crisis that was consuming me with anger, bitterness and resentment. In our first phone call, Vanessa was so warm and kind, she responded to my story with deep empathy and compassion. The truth was that what I was calling a “career crisis” was really my way of trying to limit and define this whole-life emptiness I felt. Vanessa saw that right away and it became clear that she would be providing so much more than tips on how to get my resume in shape and suggestions to attend networking events. It is not an exaggeration to say working with Vanessa has been life changing. I don’t feel like there is something wrong with me anymore. I don’t feel like I am irreparably damaged. I don’t feel like I need to beat my emotions, my life and my soul into submission anymore. It is an incredible feeling and I will be forever grateful to have had her help me on my path to becoming myself. Big news – I am leaving the bakery for a new freelance gig! I am just overwhelmed with gratitude for my life. It feels amazing. Thank you for having a profound impact on my life.”
Karen Ma
“I came to Vanessa’s retreat to find passion in my work and what I found was so much more than that. I found who I was, why I am the person I am and how that manifests in my personality. It was an amazing experience that everyone should try. I really found I was able to let go of issues I had been holding on to, some that I was aware of and some I was not aware of, I could not have done it on my own.”
Aubrey
“Vanessa’s retreat changed me. I feel like I was walking around with a blind-fold on and on each day of the retreat it was slowly being removed. After leaving the retreat, I have a greater sense of purpose and of who I am. I wake up everyday filled with an immense feeling of joy and gratitude. I am eternally grateful to Vanessa and all the teachers who, through their unique practices , all participated in sending me back out into the world with a renewed love of life!”
Regina
“I cannot stop talking to all my friends about this class and only wish it had lasted longer. Vanessa brings an amazing combination of research, data and personal experience to teach this material in a way that makes it both simple to understand and a joy to attempt. I always knew I should meditate, but it felt hard and intimidating. Vanessa has a gift for making it fun and easy and also for giving us assignments that felt manageable – not just one more overwhelming thing on the “to-do” list. I would highly recommend this class and would happily take a level two class should they offer one.”
Katherine Harbin
“Thank you for creating such a well-designed, thoughtful experience! I can’t put into words how much I appreciate your program and all that I got from it. I highly recommend investing in yourself through this program, you won’t regret it.”
Anne Mamaghani
“Vanessa excelled as a Thought Leader at the Watermark Lead On Conference for Women in Silicon Valley. Based on participant feedback, the session she led was the highest rated of the conference. With her leadership and insights, I look forward to leveraging her skills for future conferences.”
Vicky Howell
“This program and group has been an amazing support to make a transition in my professional life with more ease and success. Moreover, this has encouraged me to cultivate great values extremely helpful in my personal life too such as patience or acceptance enhancing my confidence.”
“The content is very clear, practical and personalized. The tools provided are perfect to be put into practice, thus generating some mindful actions. Vanessa’s passion, experience, humanity and humor are beautifully contagious.”
Vanessa Jolet
“This program worked wonders for me and my life. The company my husband and I purchased turned a huge profit this year. Our accountant who has worked with the company for 30 years said, “I don’t know how you did it but this year the profit has tripled compared to the past.” He also said to do something to reward ourselves for our hard work. We are closing on our Lake House at the end of January. Thanks, I owe a lot to you and this program!!!!”
Stephanie Dye Nericcio
“I just recently graduated from college and was only working for a few months before I attended your program. I always thought that pushing yourself until burn out was a must to achieve my professional goals and self criticism was my biggest motivation on getting things done. Vanessa taught me the opposite and made me realize that self compassion and meditation will not only help me achieve those very same goals, but excel at them. Vanessa shared such a beautiful and powerful life lesson, backed with scientific research and personal stories, and I am ready to embark on a happier, more blissful journey because of it. I am so grateful and honored to have experienced this program because you are never too young to learn about the power of meditation and learning how to be compassionate to yourself.”
Zara Chiara Fernandez
“It’s rare that you go into a workshop and get out of it precisely what you had wanted ideally, but that’s how I felt even by my second day of Vanessa’s program. I needed to find new rituals that work for my life phase and the place I am in my life. I also wanted to tap back into my natural flow that has fueled a very successful career, while leaving behind the stuff that kept me up all night. I loved the personal format and friendly structure, the activities and the presentation of the many years of science and social research Vanessa uncovered for us. I found all the women in our group came from admirable and inspiring backgrounds, and it made me comfortable knowing we were all there to answer the same questions. It was great how all the women supported each other. By the end of the second day, I already experienced direct transformative by-products of my learnings: 1) I could fluently speak to the entire feature set and marketing strategy of my new venture 2) unblocked myself on a proposal due two days later, so that I didn’t spin my wheels and waste time working late into the night 3) overcame a barrier to moving forward on a great collaboration, plus found a surprisingly uncomfortable but fun way of getting past similar future blocks. There’s more I can say, but in all, I’m glad I invested in myself and this program, flew in across the country and opened myself to Vanessa. Thank you and thanks again to my new female tribe. Our experience has made me more of myself and will continue to shape me.”
Rosally
“Vanessa’s class helped me so much in my journey to leave the corporate world and start my own company. She helped me build a framework for figuring out what I wanted and actionable steps to make progress. I took her class over two years ago and still look back at the notes from the class which continue to motivate me and keep me focused. I am so grateful for her work and feel so lucky to have found her!”
Christine Pereira
“Before completing the online program, I truly believed anxiety, perfectionism and fear of failure were giving me my edge and driving my success. I was a firm believer that hard work and personal sacrifice were prerequisites for achieving my goals. So you can imagine how relieved I was to discover there is an easier way! Vanessa has given me the tools and strategies I’ve been searching for to replace negative drivers with positive motivators, without losing my edge. The techniques in her program are backed by science. And Vanessa and the program graduates are living proof that it is possible to lean in without burning out.”
Sarah Hawkins
“I have been using the Deeper Sleep audio as well as some of your other guided meditations regularly. They work like a DREAM, literally! Love, love, love them! They make me feel better about life! Thank you so much for sharing these powerful audios!”
Jesse Draper
“Vanessa inspires me to be the best version of myself—to reach deeper inside and find truth. She makes this process fun—she reminds me that reaching deeply inside myself doesn’t have to be a struggle. Her passion and energy are totally infectious—she was made to do this work. She is a true healer and a warrior, in the best sense of the word.”
Jenny Heller
“Mindfulness Based Achievement is a wonderful experience both for beginners to the concept of mindfulness as well as seasoned mindful practitioners. Part of the magic of the MBA program is the sacred space created by Vanessa. There is something incredibly powerful about women coming together, sharing, experiencing, and manifesting in a circle. I personally felt extremely supported during these classes and I also really enjoyed supporting my fellow participants. Vanessa provides you with a toolbox of techniques, affirmations, and exercises to really illuminate her teachings.”
Jennifer
“Anyone who struggles with: perfectionism, time management, anxiety and/or just feels a little lost should explore mindfulness based achievement. I was so “busy” before taking the MBA program, I “didn’t have time” to take care of myself, much less understand what it is that I truly want, explore new opportunities and start taking steps toward achieving those goals (with ease!). With each class, I found more clarity around my values and goals and: As my fears began to surface, I learned how to acknowledge and release/replace beliefs that are no longer serving me. As my relationship with time transformed, I found myself feeling more productive and less stressed. As my awareness of my emotions grew, I began to acknowledge and breathe through the difficult and be fully present in the joyful parts of life. The program has been a wonderful reawakening for me. I feel reconnected to my power and creativity and I am committed to the daily practices that bring compassion, gratitude and joy into my life, career and marriage.”
Kristin Pech
“The MBA Program offered an exercise that fostered unimaginable personal growth; it was truly a life-changing experience. The group dynamic provided a safe haven to explore what was missing in your life but more importantly it provided a network of women to show you how wonderful you are! By sharing my fears and self-imposed limitations to a group of like-minded supporters, I learned how to accept them, combat them and ultimately benefit from them. During the Program, I accepted a dream job (and negotiated well :)), I found a meaningful romance and I realized my goal of traveling alone to learn how to surf. It’s hard to believe that this is only the beginning but I now know that happiness, satisfaction and ease are boundless.”
Kate Botler
“Vanessa has created a powerful program. Through her work, she holds space for her clients to expand, grow, shift and get a small glimpse of Source. But this small glimpse is enough to create life-changing, mind-bending, earth-shattering transformation in your life. My heart is open to the glorious possibilities of this life. I am not held by fear or doubt. I am free, perhaps for the first time in my life.”
Regina
“Your course has rocked my little world! Any blocks that I had about creating my own business or playing music again have dissolved! I am actually really excited about making money now and can clearly visualize it happening rather than avoiding it at all costs. Without the space you both created, none of these shifts would have occurred. With my past life fears I have often second guessed people. But somehow I now have a trust in me that I didn’t know was there and I thank you so much for that. Vanessa you are just amazing the way you always speak with so much love and sincerity. I have learned so much and you have given so much that I will keep receiving from this course for a long long time.”
Anonymous
“I was a skeptic entering this process. I knew I wanted change but thought I was already doing the right things… And deep down didn’t believe I had the power to call true change into my life – especially in just hours with an audiotape. Vanessa’s audio sessions were incredibly powerful… Powerful enough to evoke strong emotions, and concrete and clear enough to change my daily routine and make me identify and break down my own barriers to happiness. Three months later… And I have called into my life an amazing man. Whether or not he is ‘the one’, I feel for the first time in a long time that I WILL find someone incredible.” (update: She married this man and is about to have her second baby!)
Senior Manager
“The MBA Program gives you the tools and support to dream bigger and realize your limitless potential. Through thoughtful programming it helps unlock what has been holding you back and what you need to confidently move forward. While the program can be challenging at times as you dive into your beliefs and fears, there is also a lot of laughter and fun around realizing how powerful these tools are and how quickly you can manifest situations in your life. More than anything, Vanessa has created an environment that fosters a loving and encouraging group dynamic that helps celebrate all that is wonderful and special in each individual. I’d highly recommend this program.”
Elizabeth Hart
“Vanessa’s program helped me hone in on the specific goals I want to achieve and made me realize that those goals are completely possible and within my control. I can have everything I want and get it in an easier way. I recommend this program to anyone who feels stuck or limited in any way.”
Nathalie Corredor
“I participated in Vanessa’s program during the first round of fundraising for my short film ‘Never Too Late’. It was a potentially stressful time for me, but the tools I took from this course were so helpful in creating a space for me to make progress. I raised $15k, shared a piece on SF’s local NPR station, and took great action steps toward completing the production of the film. It became very clear to me that things did not have to be complicated, difficult or filled with anxiety. I took lots of deep breaths, got much work done and even hosted my mother in town for 10 days with ease and joy. Vanessa is a master in her field and the group of women she brought together were brilliant, supportive and inspiring. The only regret I have in taking this course is that it did not last longer. Thank you Vanessa for your immense kindness and dedication to bringing this important work to the world.”
Maya Katherine
“The MBA program helped me realized that no dream is unattainable as long as I take responsibility for my actions and make a commitment to myself. I might not be 100% sure of what my true dreams are but I have a better picture of where I want to get to and how I want to get there and this program was a big part (and still is) of the discovery process.”
Maura Jeffery
“Bearing witness to each heart opening and each soul awakening takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes.”
Denise Mullins
“Wow….I’m stilling floating around from the love, safety and inspiration I received from each of you this past weekend. I’m so happy this group of kindred souls found each other.”
Anonymous Retreat Participant
“Ainslie and Vanessa…there really are no words. I thank you both from the bottom of my heart for not only putting this together but, for being the beautiful souls that you are. Thank you.”
“This weekend was one of those forks in the road that has changed my life forever. Wow. How do you put into words this kind of transformation and shift?!”
Melissa Hooton
“The Ideal Life 5 Year Vision has been SO helpful to me, I love it! I was surprised by some of the things I saw and it really helped me gain clarity on what I want to be doing with my life.”
“I’m navigating a major transition in my life, and even though I teach mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, I learned so much in the MBA program and had so much fun along the way! Having Vanessa’s guidance, plus the support of the other women in this program, made all the difference for me. I tend to take on too much by myself, and struggle to ask for help when I need it. This program was just what I needed to help me move forward.”
Kim Nicol
“I have been using the Deeper Sleep audio as well as some of your other guided meditations regularly. They work like a DREAM, literally! Love, love, love them! They make me feel better about life! Thank you so much for sharing these powerful audios! I’m so excited about what Vanessa and Lisa are doing with Mindfulness Based Achievement!”
Jesse Draper
“The Mindfulness Based Achievement course provides an invaluable roadmap for realizing your full potential and shedding preexisting and self-imposed obstacles to achieving your goals. In a nurturing and empowering environment, Vanessa provides the tools to recognizing patterns of behavior that prevent us from being the fully-realized individuals that we long to be. This program was truly transformative. By working through the rituals and steps that the process entails, I am now more confident, assured and excited about what the future holds than I have ever felt before. I realized through my journey as a student of this program that the tools I need to achieve my goals already exist within me, and that the best thing you can do to cultivate those goals is to take accountability and recognize changes that YOU can make in your thinking and behavior to confidently move in the direction of the life you dream of.”
Lizabeth Pollack
“After learning about taking responsibility for setting boundaries and making a commitment to setting more realistic deadlines, things have gotten easier to balance at work and I’ve held my ground more. It’s happening in baby steps, but I have started to set more realistic timing and push back when I need to — and you’re right, no one really notices or cares as much as I thought they would. Amazing how much I’ve let my own perceptions dictate what I think others are expecting of me as well.”
Marketing Manager at One Kings Lane
“Before taking this course I never really thought about, or believed in meditation and affirmations. I didn’t understand how to truly look within, or challenge the subconscious limitations I was placing on myself. This course has opened my eyes and mind to a whole new view of my life. It’s given me tools to better understand my feelings and fears, while helping me address self-limiting behaviors and beliefs. To anyone who feels like there is something missing, this course is for you.”
Colleen Dupuis