Tandy Bowyer

Transformation Coach/Author

I've always known I'm a little (or a lot) different. My parents were 16 when they became pregnant with me. As a child of children, I realized later in life, they did the best they could raising 4 children, basically stair-steps apart. Mother was the abuser, she was distant and sad. We walked on egg shells. She would tie the baby to the crib so she wouldn't climb out at night. She became physically abusive as I got older. When I got pregnant, yes, at 16, she made me have an abortion. Before I could heal from that trauma, I spent years self medicating. I left home at 17 and never went back. I was underage when I first walked into a bar. It wasn't long before I was on stage dancing. This lead me to 15 years of burlesque, travel, men, drugs, alcohol, great friends, horrible friends, adventures at every turn. After several years on the road I landed in Boston, where I settled in. This was the early 80's. I lived in and near Salem, Mass. for 22 years. This was the first time I was introduced to Wicca, met Witches, partook in ceremonies, and for the first time in my life, felt like I belonged to something bigger than me. There was, and it may still be there, a little witch shop owned by the "official Witch of Salem, Laurie Cabot" I'd met her on several occasions, have an autographed copy of her book "Power of the Witch" It was always a sight to see her walking the streets of Salem, with her long gray hair and black robes flowing. (I'm sure she would not remember me). But, I felt like I found my way home. I left Mass. in the early 2000's and moved cross country to marry. I did not only not talk about my connection to or love of Wicca and became a Solitary practitioner of the Craft for many years. People had said to me for years I should write a book of my life. So about 2 years ago, I started writing and couldn't stop! But instead of a book about my life on stage as a burlesque dancer, out came a book on healing trauma. Shortly after moving cross country is truly when my healing journey began. I immediately decided to go back to school and earn a degree. Which I loved being a student, even if it meant I was the oldest one in the classroom! In the severe depression I was living with at the time, I had gained weight and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. When I decided to change my life (again) I hired a personal trainer who helped me through a 100 pound weight loss and that reversed the diabetes. At 49 years of age, I got certified as a personal trainer, subsequently, I turned into one of those people who got certified in everything fitness! I found my 'niche' and nothing or no one could slow me down. I am petite, and at 5'1" carrying an extra 100 pounds was like carrying the weight of the world. The fitness industry changed my life, the my yoga practice changed me on a spiritual level. Then, ten years after getting married, my husband passed. I lost everything. I mean everything. My home, my jewelry, my car. The bank would not help me, foreclosure, bankruptcy, homeless. He left huge debt to the IRS, no insurance. Being the strong creature I've always fancied myself, I rebuilt my life. This time around, with many lessons under my belt, after all the losses, what I found was Me. It's a lovely momentous occasion when you recall the very day you finally, finally fall in love with yourself. The game changes. Everything changes. The things I held close to my heart for so very long, I no longer felt like I had to keep secret. Yes, my dear child, yes, there will always be secrets, but, I will never shy from speaking my fierce truths. I no longer hide. I have now been a practitioner of the Craft for 40+ years. I am writing my book, and if there are people out there who do not like what I have to say, they simply are not my people. Over the course of the past ten years since my husband left this realm, my purpose, what gets me up in the morning, is to support people who have walked that path through a burning hell, kissed the underbelly of the beast, then walked out the other side to find a new paradigm, a new path, a wonderful life and love. After nearly 18 years, I am still a personal trainer and yoga teacher. I am a Transformation Coach and as a side note, have been Vegan for 30 years. I am currently an apprentice to a Peruvian Shaman and continue my healing journey. I have many healing modalities to work with my clients for their healing. I have lived on a small island for the past 20 years and have my 2 familiars, Murray, a special needs Yorkie, and Samantha, a gorgeous black cat someone dumped in a garbage barrel. I have not remarried, but there will be a day someone incredible will step in and not step out of my life. I'm blessed in so many ways, I don't take anything for granted, I am grateful for each day. My (self) published book "The Aligned Alchemist's Inspirational Musings to Self Care and Healing Trauma" is available on Amazon. There's so much more but I'll stop here. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life, podcast and this amazing adventure! T.