To say we were honored to highlight our latest inspiring woman on The Red Bra Project just begins to describe the enlightening and wonderful conversation with had with Red Bra Guest, Metra Rowe in episode 68 on The Red Bra Project.
Metra joins us from the UK (love the capability to reach our audience globally!) where she moved to in her early 20’s. Metra is a Middle Eastern woman born and raised in the small kingdom of Bahrain. Both of her parents are of Middle Eastern decent but her step mom is British, so Metra was raised bi-cultural.
Metra is a Consultant, Coach & Mentor and Co – Founder of #Spacetotalk and so much more than that. She is a natural born leader and her story that she shares with us is packed with many pivotal moments of Metra’s life that point in that exact direction. She always knew deep down that she was meant to lead, it just took her a little while to figure out how she was supposed to do that.
Metra has spent the majority of her life pushing boundaries, defining societal norms especially when it comes to gender equality. Whenever she was told, “you can’t do that” she would say “watch me!” Growing up as a Middle Eastern woman the societal norm and expectation was that one invests in a good education, ideally marry young, have children and stay at home while the woman’s partner had a successful career. Metra was often told by naysayers that she couldn’t possible achieve the same level of success as her male counterparts. She was told that she had to look and behave in a certain way to get ahead or be heard.
Metra knew down deep this was not the life that she wanted. She wouldn’t be fulfilled or happy meeting the expectations of others and societal norms. After University, Metra made some decisions around what she wanted to do with her life. Instead of having children, Metra was career focused.
Metra explained that there is a bit of a “sell by date” in the Middle East by the time you reach the age of 25, you are on the shelf if you are not married by then.
So, decision by decision she kept pushing not only her personal boundaries, but societal ones as well, to seek opportunity and to keep working towards becoming the best version of herself. In her early 20’s Metra moved to the UK where she settled, pursued her career and grew with and through the changes and met her husband who has been by her side now for 22 years.
Metra has always believed that anything is possible if you put your mind to it – a mindset instilled by her father and lifelong lesson she learned from him. It turns out he is also her hero and we can most definitely understand why. Metra’s father taught her that if she applied herself, nothing would be out of reach. She discovered that he was right – she just had to focus her efforts. (Metra shares several heart – warming snippets with us about the relationship and support from her father. He often was playing the role of both the father and mother in her life)
As a result of Metra’s hard work, dedication and desire to keep going even against all odds, she had a successful career in the corporate world in Human Resources roles. Just over nine years ago she set up her own business to focus purely on helping organizations transform through a clear, transparent and inclusive culture change that is people – focused rather than just begin about the bottom line.
Now, Metra chooses to focus her time helping others become the best version of themselves through a range of coaching offers and through a range of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. She is co-founder of #Spacetotalk which is an inclusive community where anyone can join the conversation and have a sense of belonging. At the core of #Spacetotalk’s mission they believe no one should have lesser life chances because of the way they were born, where they came from, what they believe or whether they have a disability. Metra’s co-founder of #Spacetotalk, James Jackson and herself are both champions of diversity, equity and inclusion for all Ethnic Populations, Intersectionality and Cultures (EPIC). Yes, absolutely everyone is invited to join in on the conversation, it is completely free. There are so many ways to get involved and there’s heaps of exciting things coming to the #Spacetotalk community this year in 2021. A great place to connect with #Spacetalk is on LinkedIn, here.
Rewinding a bit, Metra started her life in advertising sales and marketing going into commerce. She explained that at that time, she thought you had to behave like one of the boys to make it – so she thought. Walk the talk and behave like them. Then, Metra met a woman who introduced her to the concept that she could be exactly who she wanted to be and be just as powerful without putting any of the bravado on.
“It was insightful. She opened up a doorway for me where I was able to take a peak into what a role model looked like. I didn’t have a female role model growing up and I didn’t realized that is what I was missing. This lady is in the line of work that I am in now. She said if I open the door figurativley, you will be able to walk through it and the world is your oyster, all you have to do is step inside and walk through,” Metra said.
Metra continued on to explain that she as a bit afraid to move away from the persona she created. To break away from her “scapper girl” always on the defense rather than taking the other side. She never really thought she could dance to her own tune and be successful. However; this woman, along with several other powerful females entered Metra’s life and continued to show her through example that she could actually conduct herself in business in her own, beautiful feminine and powerful way and reach success. This is how Metra first became involved with organizational development, supporting people and change. Quick shout out to Metra’s first mentor, role model and friend for life, Sally Tanski. “She is a total rockstar,” said Metra.
Metra feels like she didn’t consciously choose her career but realized as she fell into it, she knew it was her calling in life – what she was meant to do, help others.
A common theme of the women in Metra’s life is that they all have faced adversity but they didn’t enter the arena of being a victim. They face it head on and work through it. These women all showed Metra that life is tough and there’s a lot to deal with. It just doesn’t go away. You don’t have to conform or alienate yourself as you learn to work through the challenges and obstacles of life.
“If you want it, if you want to do it, if you want to make it happen, you can if you surround yourself with the right individuals, the right people and equip yourself with the knowledge and lots of other things,” shared Metra.
Metra vulnerably shares that it is important to have a strong network. If you don’t have one at the moment, that is OK. Look around, find it. If you are struggling, it is not a weakness. It is growth, self – realization and actualization. Then have the conversations that make you look into yourself to seek out what you are afraid of. Often it is the fact that we discover that we are afraid of just how powerful we can be.
“Failure is not something to be ashamed of – it allows you to grow and achieve more success,” said Metra.
A huge part that has helped Metra to grow beyond measure in her life is that she now has a step – daughter who is 28. Metra has two grandchildren who call her Gigi as Metra is a total gorgeous Glamour Gram. (Love the name, Glamour Gram!)
Metra’s Red Bra Moment:
A significant Red Bra Moment for me was about five years ago, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. I was running a successful Consultant Business and working heavily. I decided that I wasn’t going to let this cancer get me down or beat me. I was working with my role model, friend and Colleague, Sally and I remember telling her that I told my doctor the surgery can happen between this date and this date because I have work to do! My red bra moment I suppose from that was that there is nothing that is going to hold me back from living life. I have always lived life to the fullest is how I see things. Just to be able to be in a position in where I felt fortunate enough because it wasn’t life threatening, it was treatable. As a female, I didn’t let it stop me. As a wife, I didn’t let my husband down I was still there for him and he was just incredible throughout the whole process. But also, I could be powerful and strong and vulnerable at the same time. That was the moment for me when I realized that having 5 weeks off and through treatment wasn’t the end game. I could be strong, vulnerable and successful at the same time.
Metra’s Red Bra Moment is strong, vulnerable, so supportive and full of hope for others. Please do take a listen yourself.
Loving what you have read so far?
Please share Metra’s story with someone who needs it in their life. Thank you so much Metra for sharing your inspiring story with us, parts of your life story that helped to build your foundation and communicate with us the importance of not settling or giving up and instead choosing to practice resiliency. You are a true feminine powerhouse and there are so many people out there who NEED your mentor-ship in their life. Starting with listening to your story is the perfect way to get started.
Thank you to the amazing Margie Crowe a former Red Bra guest (Episode 64) who introduced us to Metra! The power of connection is so beautiful.
Here’s where to connect with the inspiring Metra Rowe:
Connect with Metra Rowe on LinkedIn
#Spacetotalk on LinkedIn, IG, Twitter
Email: spacetotalk@outlook.com
Episode 68 – Metra’s Episode on The Red Bra Project YT Channel
Thank you for stopping by, you are so appreciated! We hope this story inspired you or someone you know on some level. We know it did us, please share away. Always wear that red bra underneath it all and make sure to join the party over @theredbraproject!
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The Red Bra Project
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