From boudoir photos to building something big together…
From boudoir photos to building something big together…
It started with a scary "yes" that changed everything—for me, and maybe for you too.
I first met Elise back in 2017, when I booked a glamour + boudoir photography session with her at Mod Bettie.
At the time, I was in the middle of burning my life down (in the best way) and saying “yes” to all the things I secretly wanted to do but had always found reasons to avoid—because, frankly, they scared the hell out of me.
Elise didn’t just restore a confidence I had lost—she inspired me to make a massive career change. I wanted to help people in a real way, like she was. So I did what any rational person would do: I convinced her to be my bestie.
Since then, she’s taken my branding photos (like 1000 times), built my website, and said “yes” (without hesitation) to co-hosting my first retreat in August 2018. I know what you’re thinking: She sounds incredible. And she is. She’s not only one of the most talented humans on the planet—she’s also the kindest. Her endless support and belief in me is one of the few things that keeps me going. (Not to mention her massive collection of enthusiastic facial expressions 👀)
After a decade of Mod Bettie and freshly 40, she’s taking one from my own personal playbook, and navigating a career transition of her own.
That’s why I’m so excited to share what she’s been quietly working on during sabbatical: Training as a facilitator of SHE.
SHE is a powerful, collaborative program designed by Anna Baeten of The Human Solution Group—a community of women trainers, facilitators, creatives, and executives who know that women need more than just opportunities for advancement. We need actual tools. We need support. We need spaces to be vulnerable, challenged, seen, and held accountable—while also being inspired.
“How do you thrive inside a system that you are simultaneously working to dismantle?”
That’s exactly what SHE explores, smack dab at the intersection of personal and professional growth.
Elise and I both went through the SHE program in 2023 and learned so much about our ever evolving relationship to failure, stress and discomfort. (Talk about vulnerability- woof) But the true star of the experience was the opportunity to connect with women across industries, navigating personal and career challenges, many in seasons of transition, while being open and vulnerable in discussions of failure. It was both wildly illuminating and comforting, like an uncomfortable warm hug.
Together over 6 weeks we worked to get comfortable being uncomfortable:
Explored our personal failure archetype and got painfully honest about our default reaction to failure, stress and discomfort. (I’m The Survivalist and Elise, The Happy Denier- no one is shocked. 😆)
Studied how the 6 failure archetypes interact with each other in times of harmony and conflict. (One day I’ll tell you a little story about the time we got the car stuck on a river boulder in the middle of nowhere Costa Rica. I handed the keys off to Abbey while my brain and body just froze and Elise went into flight mode, jumping out of the car to stack rocks so she could pretend it wasn't happening. ☠️)
Collected a plethora of tactical emotional intelligence tools for stress management, burnout prevention, and boundaries.
Practiced dialing our archetype tendencies up or down in order to have more meaningful and impactful interactions with others. (Who doesn’t love role playing! 😈)
Examined power dynamics in a variety of situations and relationships to both better understand the self and others.
And soooooo much more!
Anna and the Human Solution team have poured their hearts into this curriculum, (and Elise is literally living the work in sabbatical) and I can say with full honesty: it’s absolutely transformational.
If you’ve ever wanted to step into a space that is equal parts intellectual, creative, and deeply human, this is your sign. (Not to mention our very own Wandering Roots Sicily alumni Courtney Currie is facilitating this one!)
As The Human Solution team is busy gearing up to host the Fall cohort of SHE, they’re offering $150 off just for us!
Curious about your own default reaction to failure, stress and discomfort?
Find Your Archetype. Take The Quiz.
[Learn more about SHE →] https://humansolutiongroup.com/she/
Use coupon code WANDER to save $$$.
Because sometimes, the right “yes” really does change everything.
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am retreat host, travel designer, and a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Retreat Host | Travel Designer