Course Returns Sept 2025. Enrollment opens August. will sell out. waitlist for priority.

The Villain Challenge: The Shadow Self as Creative Catalyst

What: Think 75 Hard but for your creativity.

Cost: $299

Description: In myth the villain antagonizes the hero’s most critical fear. The hero, thru the villains ruthless teaching, graduates from student to master, frrom enthusiastic to convicted ONLY because the villain eclipes them in all areas of diszcipline, conviction, and focus. We all have an inner villain. this is the you vs you battle you art needs.

Rooted in shadow work, mythology, and the wisdom elder creatives, The Villain Challenge helps you embody your inner antagonist. Unleash potent creative momentum from the depths of your psyche.

In every myth, Villains catalyze the hero's growth. They force confrontation with the most critical fears. It's time for you to play both roles, which is exactly what your art needs from you, and why you are stuck.

As within every myth, the Hero’s coming-of-age is complete when they confront their Villain.

Our best creative work emerges from our evolved, courageous selves. The Villain Challenge helps you tap into that courage, and offers the structure, accountability, and support to fuel creative evolution.

Rules:

Villain Workout: 45 min Workout no exceptions
Villain Plotting: 45 mins on the creative work your avoid
Villain Morning Pages: Journaling in the voice of your villain
Villain Lair: Maintain an impeccable Creative Space
Villain Purification: Pick a vice, abstain for the duration of the challenge.
Villain Meditation: 10 mins/day
Villain Embodiment: Find/Create a scenario in which you can show up as your villain, every ay

What’s Included:

4 Live Workshops w Vanessa (replays sent if you cannot attend live) (6 total hours of workshop time)
Accountability + Coworking Sessions
Daily structured, progressive journal prompts. Founded in shadow work, all geared toward creativity.
Curated Library of workouts
Curated Library of supplemental material, inspiration, and additional resources
PDF Guide: Lessons, Guided Exercises, Journal Prompts, Schedule, and Supplemental/Supportive Material.
Discounts to 1:1 services (space limited)

Challenge Schedule and Workshop Outline

Prep Week Getting Organized - Community Discord opens, prep materials, plan ahead, get organized
Week 1 Meeting Your Villain and Your Inner Coward - Intro to shadow work, discover your inner villain, build a lore that allows you to defeat your inner coward
Week 2 Harnessing Villainous Traits of Creativity - Explore how "villainous" traits can fuel creativity. Learn how your shadow can help you break outdated creative rules
Week 3 Facing Your Creative Fears - Diving into the fears that keep you stuck
Week 4 Integration and Transformation - Strategies for long-term integration of your inner villain into your creative practice

Reviews

“Ms. Aldrich's depth of knowledge and facility with the component parts of the creative process is nothing short of a tour-de-force. Her ability to navigate and illuminate the creative journey is remarkable.”

- Kevin Mills, industrial designer, artist, educator.

“Life-changing! For me, Vanessa's Villain Challenge was a powerful invitation to confront my shadow—the parts of myself hidden in shame—and discover the missing piece in my creative journey. With confidence, I can say that I am no longer the person I was when I began.

Though the experience is deeply personal, the community we formed tapped into a rare and powerful magic. I cried, shared my vulnerabilities, and healed alongside people I had only just met, and that’s because everyone who enters this challenge is ready to do the deep, meaningful work required for true transformation. The support within the Discord group was unmatched. We journaled, meditated, practiced yoga, co-worked, and held each other accountable as we navigated our personal growth.

Vanessa is the perfect muse and guide for this journey. Her wisdom, leadership, and grace create a safe space where real, soul-level change can truly unfold. The value of this experience goes far beyond the dollar—it’s an investment in yourself that reverberates long after it ends. Worth every penny! This challenge opened a door to my becoming, and I will forever be grateful for stepping through it.”

- Chanice Boyd, marketing, copywriter, author.

“To be clear, I didn't jump into the Villain Challenge because it sounded fun - I've been waiting for this crux moment in my journey. The final death knell for a grasping version of work and existing that no longer served me. It was Vanessa's call of maturing my creativity and the beautiful paths and depths she led us on in reading groups that aligned with my own rebirthing - I was ready to let go.

This was not easy. My villain was not easy on me. What made it easier was Vanessa's guidance and my cohort's support, openness, and, above all, their energy. We put our villains forth and rode the currents of the challenge. I broke through into multiple expanses that have only been in my dreams and meditations. When I tell you I have grown up into my Energy Being and now understand the art of my spirituality - it's too much for words. You'll have to join me in the ether. My cohort has held space for me to work and grow - they see my spirit and feel my essence, and I, theirs. We continue to hold this beautiful shared space together while we focus on our new individual journeys. The cost I paid for this challenge was worth it.”

- Aisha J, engineer, reiki master

all sales final, non-refundable, or transferrable.

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