Putting Yourself First: Mental Health, Motherhood & Law

Trigger warning - adolescent suicide. Imagine struggling to leave your firm but you’re "enmeshed" with your group, and don’t want to leave them. Imagine you go to an in-house role, and keep “leaning in” at work, giving and giving, while your recognition flat-lines. Imagine you work in “occupational health and safety” but your own mental health is at the bottom of your priority list. Imagine you’ve been making progress and aren’t able to fully put yourself first, until your 11 year old daughter makes a suicide attempt, and this wakes you up in a whole new way to how you have to resource yourself This is all part of Gwen Nightengale’s journey. Gwen - a longtime occupational health and safety attorney, user of therapy and WILL Member documents her journey from burned out associate and in-house lawyer, to a boundaried and attentive attorney and mental health advocate. Gwen’s WILL journey takes many iterations - from the very first pilot group in 2017 to The Creator’s Circle Mastermind - a year-long journey through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Hear her speak how she found accountability, community and healing in WILL. How it helps her break isolation, see she’s not alone, and continue to expand and grow. Out of the cocoon and into the world! About Gwen Gwen Nightengale is an in-house Environmental, Health, & Safety Lawyer with over 15 years of experience advising clients on workplace health and safety regulatory compliance. Before working in-house, Gwen practiced in the Workplace Health & Safety practice group for over 8 years at a Labor & Employment Law Firm in Washington, DC. Gwen earned both her bachelor’s degree in biology and her Juris Doctor degree from Howard University. Mental health and wellbeing is a passion that is near and dear to Gwen’s heart. Given that the long work hours, customer service focus, and ever evolving legal landscape can make the practice of law challenging and isolating, Gwen has been dedicating a lot of her time outside of work finding new activities that inspire joy, build community, and foster resilience. She is a member of the WILL Creator's Circle, which is a mastermind focused on Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. Her work in the Creator's Circle inspired her to create a Substack, A Deeper Well. Here, she speaks candidly about her mental health journey. If Gwen weren’t working as a lawyer, she would likely be an attorney wellness coach to support other minority women attorneys with practicing law resiliently and sustainably. Gwen’s Show Notes Gwen’s Substack: A Deeper Well Above the Law Article - Elena and WILL: https://abovethelaw.com/2017/05/on-escaping-biglaw-an-interview-with-career-coach-elena-deutsch/ Emma Garret Coaching and More Book: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski The Secret of Life The WILL Podcast is hosted by Elena Deutsch, a dedicated legal career coach and catalyst. This podcast is more than a good listen — it may inspire you. As WILL Alumni and Guests break the confines of traditional practice, you’ll see that change is not just possible for them, but for you too. Feel stuck, unhappy and ready to explore a WILL journey of your own? Book your consultation with Elena: https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com/book-a-call Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-deutsch/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womeninterestedinleavinglaw Web: https://womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com