WELCOME TO STRIDING FORWARD

I'm so glad you're here!

I've wanted to start a blog for a while now—a space to share the real, messy, beautiful work of evolving. Not the polished highlight reel, but the actual journey of what it looks like stepping boldly into the arena of our lives, stripping away the masks we wear, and moving forward with clarity and purpose.

If you've landed here, chances are you're someone who's done with "maybe one day" thinking. You're tired of spinning plates, going through the motions, and showing up as who you think you should be rather than who you truly are. You're ready to evolve—even if you're not entirely sure what that looks like yet. And that's ok!

Me too. Still. Because life doesn't come with a map!

Why This Blog Exists

I've spent 20+ years in leadership development and coaching, working with wildly successful people who, behind closed doors, admitted they were struggling. Hiding behind masks. Juggling too much. Feeling stuck in patterns that no longer served them. I've also lived this myself—the exhaustion of pretending, the weight of old habits, the frustration of knowing there's more but not knowing how to get there.

And before all of that? I literally grew up in a barn.

From age 7 through college, I was learning lessons from horses that would shape everything about how I see leadership, growth, and authentic connection. You can't force a 1000-pound animal to do something. There must be trust, partnership, and clear communication built on calm, confident energy and transparency. No tricks. No shortcuts. Just dedication and a willingness to learn and evolve.

That's what this space is about.

What You'll Find Here

Striding Forward is where I'll share:

• Real talk about leadership and life – the kind of honest conversations we don't have enough of

• Lessons from the barn – what horses have taught me about trust, presence, authentic leadership, and much more

• Personal stories of evolution – my own journey of growth, stumbles, and breakthroughs

• Tools and insights for your path – practical wisdom to help you build self-awareness, break free from exhausting patterns, and move forward with confidence

• Reflections on change, courage, and clarity – because transformation isn't a destination, it's a practice

This won't be a place for quick fixes or surface-level advice. We're going deeper. We're asking the tough questions. We're doing the hard work of peeling back layers to discover who we really are and what we're truly capable of.

An Invitation

Whether you're a leader trying to show up more authentically, a professional feeling stuck in old patterns, or someone simply searching for more joy and purpose in life—this is your space too.

I'm here to hold space for the journey. To ask the questions that need asking. To remind you that evolution isn't about becoming someone new—it's about remembering and reclaiming who you've always been, so that you can show up for yourself, others, and life in a way that no other person can. 

So let's evolve together. Let's stride forward with honesty, courage, and a willingness to meet change with a smile and a wink.

Welcome to the arena.

– Ashley

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Want to connect more? I'd love to hear what brought you here and what you're working through right now. Drop me a note at achristian@evolveinstride.com or book a complimentary consultation to explore how we might work together.

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