About a week after launching our Fierce Body Love community page on facebook, Simone Goudreau (my partner in this project) and I were contacted by an individual in the body positive community asking us to change the name of that page. This person feared our name was confusingly similar to the name of her company. Simone and I didn’t see the problem, and sent back a cordial reply saying as much. Turns out, this person is seeking to have the phrase “body love” trademarked and threatened legal action. Yikes! We were stunned. Could a phrase like “body love” actually be owned by someone? Could we really get in trouble for something like this? And did we really have to give up this name that we absolutely loved?

It’s been an interesting couple of weeks, dealing with all of these questions. Simone and I decided we didn’t want to change the name without really understanding our rights. So I read up on trademark law, sought advice from friends in the coaching community, and even met with a lawyer. And, (wouldn’t you know?) there weren’t any easy answers out there. Will this other individual be successful in trademarking the term “body love”? I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not. Stranger things have certainly happened. Can we fight the issue? Sure. And that would mean hiring a lawyer. And lawyers are pricey. And it would likely be a long process. With no guarantees. Could we really get sued over this? Maybe. Probably not. Of course. It depends.

So, as the saying goes, it was all about as clear as mud. After weighing the pros and cons, Simone and I decided to change our name. Yesterday we notified our facebook crew (and if that doesn’t include you, you better get your tail on over to our new page!) and it feels really good to have this all resolved. In reflecting on the past two weeks, I can definitely say I learned some valuable lessons:

1. Making decisions based on love doesn’t mean you just cave in to other people’s wishes. Love feels open and free. So if acquiescing feels like prison, then it’s not a love-based decision.
2. Conflict brings up all your personal crap. It’s fine to wallow in it for a little while, but then it’s time to clean yourself up and use it as fertilizer for growing new ideas and understandings.
3. Problems really are opportunities. No. Really. They are.
4. Having friends who understand you is vital. Find these people if you don’t have them. If you have them, thank them profusely.
5. No one’s gonna make it easy for you. That’s not their job. Quit expecting it.
6. If you let your thoughts run wild and go totally unchecked, you will suffer.
7. Peace is readily available, regardless of the circumstance. Peace comes as soon as you’re willing to breathe into the present moment and question those stressful thoughts.
8. Breakdowns lead straight to breakthroughs. Every. Damn. Time.

I'm happy to report that I'm in a really good place with all of this now. Yes, there were some ugly days. I felt angry and bitter and vulnerable. I fought against my feelings. I said things I'm not proud of. I stressed and obsessed. I shamed myself for getting so worked up over something so minor. (Please tell me you can relate!)

And then, I reconnected to my authentic self. I found the lightness, the gentleness, the curiosity, the compassion. I'm breathing deeply and sleeping soundly, and I am so thankful for the richness that this experience has added to my life.

P.S. Our new name is Fierce Love for Every Body! Pretty great, huh? Join us on facebook for inspiration and conversation about owning your beautiful body just as it is.

P.P.S. Simone and I are putting the finishing touches on a revolutionary 9-month e-course experience that will help you step into a place of Fierce Love. Registration opens May 15th! Wanna receive a discount code and have the opportunity to pre-register? Just fill out the form below!

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