Thyroid Basics

🎉 It's here! 🎉 My very own podcast and an invitation to join me if you are curious about communication, relationships, being less reactive, getting more motivated... all that juicy stuff. 😄 Looking forward to "getting into it" with you! *link to podcast in bio* *** EPISODE ONE: START HERE. Why do we keep getting stuck in the same patterns and keep making the same choices—even when we know better? In this premiere episode of Beyond the Type, certified coach Sandy Swanson unpacks that question and more, introducing the heart behind the podcast: deep self-understanding, better communication, and more compassionate relationships (with others and yourself). *** Hi, I’m Sandy Swanson! A certified coach helping people like you understand themselves and others so they can build stronger relationships and find more meaning in their work and life. In this kickoff episode of Beyond the Type, we’re diving into the Enneagram—what it really is (hint: not just another personality test), how it reveals your core motivations, and why it’s one of the most powerful tools for personal growth and communication. You’ll also hear why I think the “Golden Rule” needs a makeover—and how discovering your own “shade of blue” can open the door to more choice, compassion, and confidence in how you show up in the world. Whether you're new to the Enneagram, feeling stuck, or simply craving more clarity and connection, this podcast is your go-to for real talk, practical insight, and transformational tools you can actually use. FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on personality, communication, healing habits, and Enneagram insights for everyday life. And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s curious about why they do what THEY do! WANT TO GO DEEPER? If you're navigating conflict, facing big life decisions, or just feeling stuck and want to break free, I'd love to work with you! Learn more at swansoncoaching (link in bio) and discover what opens up when you stop running from yourself—and start understanding yourself instead. #enneagram #podcast #personalitytypes #communication #relationships

Birthday celebs with mumsie and popsicle! At home and out on the town (2nd pic). Can I just say how much I dig the blue penguin cupcake baking cup matching my parent's blue shirts? 😆 💙 And yes, I usually try and avoid dairy, but hey, special occasion people! HD chocolate peanut butter ice cream is a real weakness. 😋 What's your fave flavor? #summertime #icecream #häagendazs #chocolate #chocolatepeanutbutter #birthdaygirl

Each one of us takes in the world first through one of three filters: the head (thinking, reasoning), the heart (emotions, relationships), and the body or gut (sensing, doing). Our preferred center of intelligence is our "filter" through which we see everything. And we are usually unconscious of this preference! And since not everyone leads with the same filter as you, not everyone will perceive the world as you. And, that's a beautiful thing! And, it can cause a lot of conflict. See: current political state here in the U.S.... It can be difficult to discern which center we lead with because we live in a very heady information age, and yet, we are not all "head types". I've had clients who assume they are head-centered, when in reality they are heart-centered or body-centered. Learning this is very validating to them and allows these clients to be more confident in who they are authentically. When it comes to the Enneagram, the body types are 8, 9 and 1 as shown in the yellow part of the symbol above. The heart types are in pink - Types 2, 3, and 4. And the head types are in blue - Types 5, 6, and 7. When I ask clients the question "What center do you lead with?", the heart types speak first, and speak with certainty. They say: "Oh yeah, I for sure lead with my heart". The head types always have to think about this question. And if they say "heart" after all that thinking, I invite them to be curious about what caused them to think so hard about this! The gut types are less sure as well. I think this is because we've lost track of that inner sensing, our "gut knowing". Getting in touch with all three centers is part of the work I do as a coach, and the Enneagram is super helpful in helping clients understand these different filters and how they take in the world. It also allows for a lot of compassion for others who may be different than us. What center would you say YOU lead with? Why? Moro on the Centers of Intelligence in the "Articles and Resources" link in bio.

It’s my birthday! 🥳 It’s been quite a year, with most of my non-computer time spent out birding, and the rest diving deeper into the Enneagram. For those curious: The Enneagram is a psychological and spiritual self-growth system of nine basic personality types. It has helped me learn a lot about myself, how I communicate, and how I move through this world. Why I do what I do. What motivates me. What triggers me. It’s also been profoundly helpful and life-changing for many of my coaching clients. And now, I’m heading into an Enneagram certification process to make all of this work of the past 5 years official. Woo-hoo! This system (or "map" as I like to call it) is pretty brilliant. Once you discover your type, there is a clear path for growth. Many clients have said, "Gosh, I thought I was the only one who was like this!". It can be very validating in learning you are not alone. Shameless self-promotion (but hey, it's my birthday, so.): If you're interested in a Typing Interview (which is a great start to diving deeper into working with the Enneagram and learning about yourself), let's talk. The interview is about 60-75 minutes of me asking you a lot of questions about yourself. If you like the third degree, this is for you! 😆 I’ve done about 15 of these interviews so far, and each one helps me refine my process. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝟕𝟓% 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫. Just use coupon code 2025TYPE . (don't worry, you can schedule past summer if you're out, say, motorcycling or birding for the next few months) 😉 Check out the link to this session in bio or DM me if you have any questions. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I've got some trails to hike and some birds to ID! 🐦 😄 #enneagram #enneagramtypes #enneagramcoach #personalitytypes #boundaries #perfectionism #peoplepleasing #motivation #enneagraminterview #typinginterview

Can you think of anyone in the news who might exhibit *unhealthy* 8 qualities...? *** The Enneagram is a psychological and spiritual self-growth system of nine basic types. It can help you understand yourself (and others) better. It can help answer questions like: ⦁ why am I so self-critical? ⦁ how can I learn to say “no”? ⦁ what's wrong with being a workaholic? ⦁ why do I always focus on the past and almost enjoy being sad? ⦁ why do I always look for what could go wrong in a situation? ⦁ why can't I focus on one thing to completion? ⦁ why do I avoid conflict? ⦁ what is holding me back from moving forward in my life? ⦁how can I be happier and more at peace? In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing a brief overview of each of the 9 types. Let me know if you see yourself in one of these types! #Enneagram #Enneagram8 #personalitytype #type8 #challenger #justiceforall #Enneagram8problems #enneagramcoaching

More bird pics, because why not? A robin made its nest in my neighbor's planter right outside her front door. And no, my neighbor hasn't used her front door in a couple weeks! Swipe to see the littles (I wonder if all 4 hatched...) #birdnest #robineggs #americanrobin #spring #pansies #blue #yellow #purple #birdnerd