Compassion in Action featuring Tanya Middleton

Tanya’s journey with Klemmer Leadership began in 2021 when she attended her first Personal Mastery course. She remembers the lesson that has resonated with her ever since: “Choice is what has resonated with me since day one, that no matter what happens, what circumstances I get to choose how I react.” That principle has guided her through the last five years, shaping not just her personal growth, but her entire family’s journey.

After years of applying these tools, Tanya attended the Advanced course in March 2024. She reflects on one exercise that transformed her marriage, “What I got out of that was just that no matter what, I will be happy. I can choose what I do, whether my marriage works, whether or not I get to grow and be who I am, and I’ll be happy regardless.” This choice has rippled through her family. 

Tanya’s husband eventually attended both Personal Mastery and Advanced, and her children have followed in her footsteps. “My son did Personal Mastery in February, Advanced at the end of April, and came to Heart with us in June. My daughter just turned 18, and she attended her first Personal Mastery in October. Even their partners have gone through Personal Mastery. Out of our close-knit family, all of us have now experienced at least one Personal Mastery course. That’s huge,” she shares.

Amid these personal growth milestones, Tanya faced a life-altering opportunity. While working at a preschool, she was asked to share information about living kidney donation. Despite having no prior plans to donate, she made a decision that changed a life, “It was one of the easiest decisions of my life. I would attribute that in some way to the tools and teachings I’ve learned from Klemmer, like giving is what we should do. All of us just being kind, helping somebody out, helping our fellow man. Regardless of who it is, what it is…If we can do it, why wouldn’t we?”

In June, Tanya donated her kidney to the man in need. The impact was immediate, “He’s doing amazing. I feel good. It was the best decision I ever made. I’m even planning to donate my liver someday, even to a random stranger. My family has joked, ‘Okay, can you slow down?’ but I want to continue contributing if I can.”

Life, however, is never without challenges. Tanya’s husband suffered a major heart attack, arriving at the ER in a dire state. “He got two stents in one artery and one in another, and then he got released on Sunday. It was really severe, but he never went unconscious. He walked into the ER. The story is kind of crazy.” Through this ordeal, Tanya leaned on her personal growth tools. “The tools really helped him, and me, in this journey. He’s even said he couldn’t have made it through without it, knowing how to center, ground, and bring yourself back into the moment. It was huge.”

Tanya’s journey has also fueled her passion for championing Klemmer courses. She explains, “Championing keeps me in the work, keeps me involved, and around people. It spreads this knowledge, helps people deal with circumstances so much better, and I want everybody I know to get it. My focus is on the youth. Getting these kids the tools early so they can learn choice, contribution, and growth.”

What a Compassionate Samurai means to her is simple yet powerful, “Personally, a Compassionate Samurai to me is being responsible and committed. Living in contribution resonates with me. Courage and commitment are two (qualities) that I step into without even thinking about it. I’ve always wanted to give, and now I have a way and knowledge on how to do that and stay grounded.”

Tanya’s story is a testament to the power of choice, courage, and contribution. From navigating personal and family growth, overcoming life-threatening challenges, to donating life-saving organs, she embodies the essence of living fully and giving selflessly. As Tanya says, “If you can, why not? That’s the mentality I live by. And it keeps me coming back, keeps me in the work, and keeps me striving to make a difference every day.”