Greetings Cage-Free (or soon-to-be) Friends!

My name is Tara Igoe.  My mission is to share my personal journey to happiness as well as expertise in communications, practical psychology, personal development, and stand-up comedy (yes, you read correctly), to help release you from whatever cage is preventing you from leading your best life.  I will share everything that has worked for me - the experts, books, courses, exercise, diet, and more - in a fun and creative way.  And, I encourage all visitors to this site to share your stories and the resources that have helped you because different things work for different people - or shall I say, Cage-Free People! 

I think we all know the feeling of being trapped.  It's kind of like seeing a bird locked in a cage when you know its whole purpose in life is to fly.  Sadly, the bird can't be free without help and sometimes, neither can we.  I know that feeling well because I lived that way for a number of years and dealt with issues like weight gain, working in a career that didn't inspire me, depression, anxiety, and fear.  But there was always a part of me that knew life could be better.  So, I kept listening to my inner voice and found the right teachers, information, and other self-help tools to enable me to cut through the wires of my cage and fly free. 

I'm now happier than I have ever been and want to share what I know so you can come out of the cage (or cages) that limit you because we all deserve so much more!  Whether it's a job you hate, a relationship that is sucking the lifeforce from you, depression, grief, weight gain, a desire to be more physically fit, a health issue, or maybe you don't even know what isn't working but just know life could be better - keep hope alive, because: a. you are not alone in your experience, and b. you can overcome anything by facing it and with the right resources (and the positive change can happen faster than you might think).  I know because I have done it and I have seen others do it, too.

I've launched this site unfinished and with way too much copy (and possibly a typo which prior to becoming cage-free would have killed me - ha) because there is no time to waste in getting you out of your cages!  And, my new mantra is to aim for passion not perfection in my life (I really like that) so I am just going for it.  This site will be fully launched soon and I look forward to sharing lots of free resources and tools as well as the success stories of others to help in your personal journey to become cage-free. 

In the meantime, here's what we can do right now to get started so we can help as many people as possible.  Could you please answer the three questions below and send your responses to me at tara@cagefreepeople.com.  If I use your response for the website, I will let you know in advance.  To order a cage-free t-shirt made of organic bamboo and cotton for $25 (they come in eggplant, green and black) e-mail me at tara@cagefreepeople.com.

Here are the questions:
 
1.  Being cage-free means different things to different people. What do the words 'cage-free' mean to you?
example from Tara: Being cage-free means being fully vulnerable and expressing myself honestly.  It also means not letting anyone hold me back. And it means having a respect for all beings - knowing that all of us - animals and humans - have the right to express ourselves freely and fully and to live life in peace without fear of being harmed or bound by something or someone.
 
2.  Tell me about a moment in your life where you were stuck/trapped/caged and you found your way out - what was the catalyst that helped make that happen?  
example from Tara:  Five years ago when my father died I was just going through the motions of life - I wasn't really alive - I was afraid of everything - afraid to express myself, etc.  The day my father died changed my life forever - it was the first time I have ever wanted to feel pain, to feel every range of emotion, and not hide from it.  I loved him so much that feeling everything was like a celebration of him and his life - it kept him alive in my heart and mind. The pain served as a positive catalyst to give me the courage I needed to look at my life in a very honest way for the first time and, as a result, make some much needed changes - my love for him was greater than my fear.  My relationship ended, I left my 'good' job - what began to matter most to me was that I was living my truth, I wanted to understand, feel, and express every emotion that had been caged inside me for so long.  Basically, the pain from my father's death gave me the strength I needed to face myself and step up to the plate fully in my life.  I learned how to live with joy and truth - grief can be a great teacher. 

3.  What tools - books, teachers, advice from people in your life, quotes, seminars - have helped you be cage-free? 
example from Tara:  Of all of the books I have read, classes I have attended, and experts I have met, by far the best teacher I have ever had is peak performance coach, Tony Robbins - the man gives 10,000% of himself all in an effort to help others so I am inspired to give my all and never stop trying.  Robbins' is the best communicator I have ever seen, makes learning about yourself and what holds you back simple, and teaches you how to take immediate action (that is the key) to make the needed changes to live your best life.  I am more proud of my certificates of completion from his seminars than my college degree - and I went to a good college :).  I also really like the work of the late psychiatrist, Dr. David Viscott - like Tony, Dr. Viscott was a really clear communicator who knew how to simply explain the 'why' of who you are and then instead of dwelling in the why, give you easy steps toward a solution.  And, I learn so many things every day from animals, nature, and people - in fact, the inspiration for Cage-Free People came to me from a bird (yes - it's true) I met while attending a personal development seminar - more on that later...
  
Thank you, be cage-free, and more to come - Tara, cfp