Kindred Sprits: My conversation with Women For One Founder, Kelly McNelis

What happens when kindred spirits meet for the first time? Sparks fly, all over the place, that’s what happens.

I’ve been a frequent Truthteller for several years and recently had the honor to spend an hour chatting and laughing—no howling—with Women For One founder, Kelly McNelis. I arranged a phone call without an agenda. I just knew it was time for the two of us to meet and funny enough, so did she.

When kindred spirits meet, there’s an immediate connection, as in bypass the bullshit and drive directly into one’s soul.

Kelly and I began our call like best friends who haven’t talked in months. Without a moment’s hesitation, our conversation took off on the subject of authentic leadership. There wasn’t an ounce of jockeying for position or proving one’s worth. Instead, there was shared respect and a palpable authenticity. There was no need to hear each other’s history—because it didn’t matter. There was no dancing around who knows who—because it didn’t matter.

When kindred spirits meets, there is this infectious energy of aliveness—it permeates the dialogue and fills the space with possibility. Responses are spontaneous and free flowing, as kindred spirits are fully engaged, in this moment, right now.

Kindred spirits meet each other beyond stories and jobs, beyond successes and failures. They meet each other in the space beyond the veils that separate humans from connecting in a deep and intimate way. Kindred spirits are curious about who you really are, what makes you feel alive, what fuels your engine, and what drives you to get out of bed every morning.

When kindred spirits meet, sparks fly, and to really go out on a limb here, I can imagine that angels somewhere are singing with joy. It feels that light and free. You see, meeting a kindred spirit is to experience yourself in your most natural and authentic state, the you who is open and genuine, curious and compassionate, fearless and feisty.

I can’t really tell you what Kelly and I talked about during our call but I do remember the powerfully positive energy we generated. We seemed to stoke each other’s fire while sharing our passion for experiencing life fully and helping others, especially women, experience brilliance and trust in their extraordinary human potential.

What happens when you meet a kindred spirit? You glimpse the space beyond the veils of stories and success, a place where nothing but this moment matters. In this place, you are raw and unfiltered. You are genuine and bold. In this place, hanging with your kindred spirit, you might even discover that you really like who you are.

Kelly, thank you for being my kindred spirit.