Welcome to Courageous DAhlia
I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE HERE.
about
THE MISSION
THE MISSION
THE MISSION
The dahlia flower symbolizes inner strength, positivity, kindness, creativity, resilience, growth, beauty, and love.
Courageous Dahlia helps people develop the self-awareness to know who they are and what matters to them, the courage to move toward it, and the skills to build and maintain a life that aligns with who they are — not who they feel pressured to be.
FOUNDER
THE MISSION
THE MISSION
Hi! I'm Mandie Wilder the founder and visionary behind Courageous Dahlia. I hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education, but my greatest insights have come from nearly two decades of teaching and inspiring in public schools. I hold a deep passion for helping people discover and embrace their authentic selves in a world full
Hi! I'm Mandie Wilder the founder and visionary behind Courageous Dahlia. I hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education, but my greatest insights have come from nearly two decades of teaching and inspiring in public schools. I hold a deep passion for helping people discover and embrace their authentic selves in a world full of challenges. This platform provides resources designed to build courage, boost self-esteem, and empower people to lead fulfilling, inspired lives. I live in Minnesota with my husband, our three school-aged children, and our beloved dog, Chase.
COURAGEOUS KIDS
COURAGEOUS TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS - AlignUp™ Self-Awareness & Leadership Program
COURAGEOUS TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS - AlignUp™ Self-Awareness & Leadership Program
What does it mean to be a courageous kid? Courage can show up in many ways—like doing the right thing even when it’s hard, being kind and inclusive, telling the truth, trying something new, learning a new skill, admitting mistakes, and standing up for your values. At Courageous Dahlia, I help kids practice using their courage to build a b
What does it mean to be a courageous kid? Courage can show up in many ways—like doing the right thing even when it’s hard, being kind and inclusive, telling the truth, trying something new, learning a new skill, admitting mistakes, and standing up for your values. At Courageous Dahlia, I help kids practice using their courage to build a brighter world while gaining self-confidence and resilience along the way.
Below, you’ll find my first published children’s book, Do you Know I Love Your Bow? that teaches kids about the power of their words and encourages kindness and inclusion. Also enjoy the free kids activity pages that go along with the book. Simply download, print or upload to a tablet, and enjoy!
COURAGEOUS TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS - AlignUp™ Self-Awareness & Leadership Program
COURAGEOUS TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS - AlignUp™ Self-Awareness & Leadership Program
COURAGEOUS TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS - AlignUp™ Self-Awareness & Leadership Program
AlignUp™ is a structured program built to guide clients through sessions where they leave with a deeper understand of themselves, more confidence, leadership skills and new found clarity to courageously lead and design the life they want.
Clients also leave with a comprehensive Self-Awareness Profile outlining their core values, strengths,
AlignUp™ is a structured program built to guide clients through sessions where they leave with a deeper understand of themselves, more confidence, leadership skills and new found clarity to courageously lead and design the life they want.
Clients also leave with a comprehensive Self-Awareness Profile outlining their core values, strengths, decision-making style, growth areas and personalized strategies for continued development as they begin their journey in creating the life that aligns with who they want to become. Additionally, they'll receive a certificate of completion and can add this training to their resume.
start Leading with AlignUp
Discover Our AlignUp™ Programs
Discover Our AlignUp™ Programs
Discover Our AlignUp™ Programs
AlignUp™ is a guided self-awareness and life design program created to help participants understand themselves and courageously create a life that feels aligned and intentional.
Through structured reflection, interactive exercises, and practical tools, I guide participants as they explore their values, strengths, motivators, emotional patterns, and decision-making styles.
AlignUp™ is built from practices, strategies, and research-based tools that have deeply impacted my own life. I’ve thoughtfully brought together some of the most effective and life-impacting concepts into one powerful experience, creating a structured opportunity for participants to better understand themselves so they can lead themselves and lead others.
This program is designed to meet participants where they are and help them make meaningful progress toward living with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.
If you live in Minnesota, check your local community education to find AlignUp™ programs near you!
Or, see below for 1:1 AlignUp™ Programs.
Discover Our AlignUp™ Programs
Discover Our AlignUp™ Programs
Our Community Education Partners
AlignUp 1:1 Programs
AlignUp™ Self-Awareness & Leadership for Teens & Young Adults
- 4-6-Session Program
- For Ages 16+
- 1 - 1.5 hour virtual sessions
- Flexible Scheduling
- Lifetime access to AlignUp™ Curriculum
Students will leave with:
- Stronger self-awareness and a clearer sense of identity
- Increased confidence and ability to make aligned decisions
- Practical leadership skills for school, college, career, relationships, and life
- Tools to manage emotions, handle challenges, and build resilience
- A clearer sense of direction for their next steps
- A personalized self-awareness profile to continue building on
- A Certificate of Completion
- The ability to add this experience to their resume as a reflection of personal growth and leadership development
Meet your instructor and creator of Alignup
Hi There!
For over 18 years, I’ve worked with teens during some of the most important and formative years of their lives. I’ve seen firsthand how smart, capable, and full of potential they are—but I’ve also noticed how many are trying to figure out what they want to do before really understanding who they are.
I believe getting to know yourself is a foundational part of learning and growing—yet it’s something we’re not often intentionally taught.
Using my background in education, curriculum design, teen development, and leadership, I created AlignUp™ to help change that.
AlignUp™ helps young people first know themselves—their values, strengths, motivators, emotions, and what matters to them. From there, they learn to lead themselves with greater confidence, intention, and courage. And ultimately, they learn how those same skills can help them lead, connect with, and positively impact others.
Because leadership starts long before you’re given a title. It starts with knowing who you are, having the courage to live in alignment with it, and understanding how the way you show up impacts the people around you.
Know yourself. Lead yourself. Lead with others. Lead what's next.
I’m so excited to bring this work to young people and give them tools they can carry with them wherever life takes them.
I hope to meet you soon,
– Mandie
The Courageous Dahlia Guided Journal for Teens & Adults
Journal Your Way to a More Authentic, Meaningful and Intentional Way of Living
This journal was created to help you slow down, reflect, and connect with what truly matters to you. Through 90 days of thoughtful prompts and honest reflection, you will explore your values, strengthen your confidence, and gain clarity about the life you want to create.
There are no right or wrong answers, only your truth.
You'll move through these pages at your own pace. Be curious. Be open. Most importantly, be courageous enough to listen to your own voice.
Your most aligned life begins with self-awareness.
Welcome to the journey!
courageous kids Products
About the Book
This inspiring book shows children how a little courage—and one simple compliment—can make a big difference. Through encouraging words and relatable lessons, kids learn to recognize and celebrate the unique qualities in others, sparking meaningful friendships and fostering inclusion. With each compliment, children build bridges of understanding, enhance social skills, and create an environment where everyone feels seen and valued.Perfect for home or classroom use, this book is a powerful resource for parents and teachers to encourage conversations about kindness, inclusion, and the joy of connecting with others.
FREE KID ACTIVITY PAGES TO 'DO YOU KNOW I LOVE YOUR BOW?' Download below
Upcoming Events
November 2nd: AlignUp™ Junior Leadership Program @ Minnetonka Middle School East
Register through Minnetonka Community Education
A fun, hands-on leadership course designed to help you better understand who you are and build skills you can use every day. Through interactive challenges and projects, explore your values and strengths, practice healthy communication and conflict resolution, build courage and confidence, and set goals for your future.
Activities include a Values Auction, team challenges, an escape-room-style communication challenge, real-life scenarios, Courage Cards, and a personal vision board.
'AlignUp™ Junior was created and is taught by former high school teacher, Mandie Wilder M.Ed.
For grades: 6-8
Location: Minnetonka Middle School East
Dates: Nov 2nd, Nov 4th, Nov 9th, Nov 11th (Must attend all dates)
Time: 4:30-6:00
November 3rd: AlignUp™ Leadership Program @ Minnetonka High School
Register through Minnetonka Community Education
Learn how to understand and leverage your strengths, values, motivators, and areas for growth while developing essential leadership, communication, and decision-making skills that will set you up for success in your personal and professional life!
You'll leave with a personalized AlignUp™ Self-Awareness & Leadership Profile that provides clarity about who you are, what matters most to you, and how to courageously move forward with confidence and purpose in your day-to-day life! Also, you can add this training to your college applications and resumes.
'AlignUp™ was created and is taught by former high school teacher, Mandie Wilder M.Ed.
For grades: 10-12
Location: Minnetonka High School
Dates: Nov 3rd, Nov 5th, Nov 10th, Nov 12th (Must attend all dates)
Time: 3:00-4:30