She Who Rises: Releasing the Warrior Chick Within
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Lia McIntosh grew up in North St. Louis county, attending Lutheran elementary and high schools. She earned a BA in marketing at the University of Missouri-Columbia, an MBA from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and worked in sales and marketing for Procter and Gamble for 12 years. She became a United Methodist when her husband introduced her to St. James UMC in Kansas City. She earned a Masters in Divinity at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City and was ordained elder in 2012. She has served local churches, planted a new church, is an ICF Certified Leadership Coach and is currently Associate Director for the Center of Congregational Excellence. What motivated you to write a book?
I realized that through my ministry of teaching, preaching and coaching there were reoccurring themes that I was sharing from my life that came up again and again. Also, my father kept encouraging me to share my experiences through a book. I wanted to share learning from my life to help others live a more fulfilling and empowered life.
How will the reader experience the book?
The book is basically one big coaching session. It is laid out so you can do a session every day for 40 days. It is a journey framed with four important destinations: Essence, Explore, Eliminate and Expand. It should help someone affirm the way God is at work daily in their life and to see a vision for their future life’s purpose. A lot of books out today are focused on the mind and positive thoughts. Beyond the mind, I believe we have a need to deeply connect on the soul level, and find some quiet space with God. It is a personal book, and it is best worked through with a trusted friend. It calls the reader to a deep, introspective space.
Is the book specifically for women?
I’m calling women to journey with me on the path that I’ve been on for a while, and I speak from my own experience as a woman. The book is a story of discipleship, or growing in God’s grace. The principals expressed are universal, though. It illustrates how to overcome difficult times and live an abundant life—if we will only redefine the rules.
Describe your writing process.
My first step was to commit to journaling every day for at least half an hour. I also started working with a writing coach, who helped me with flow and structure. The coach connected with me at least every two weeks. I then started working with a publisher and an editor. The whole process took about one year. I believe every person has a book within and experiences to share that could help others.
What books have been most influential to you?
Essentialism by Greg McCowen transformed the way I thought about the pace of my life and my priorities. It put me on a journey of clarified purpose and “less but better” that I’ve been on for two years. I’ve read the book four times. It isn’t just a practice or program, it’s a way of focusing on the most important things with my time and resources right now. It’s a way of honoring God and accomplishing the things that are truly vital, like writing this book. For years my life was filled with good work, but I was exhausted and empty at the end of the day. I realized I was being called to a different way of being that required saying no to some good things so I could say, “Yes” to the few things that mattered most. I was also being called to a deeper internal journey with God. Another very important book to me is Falling Upward: Spirituality for the Second Half of Life, by Richard Rohr. It’s about listening to the soul, so you can follow your journey to a path of grace and greatness.
She Who Rises: Unleashing the Warrior Chick Within can be purchased at www.liamcintosh.com. To inquire about inviting Lia as a speaker or leadership coach email her at lia@liamcintosh.com.