Podcast Summary: "I Escaped My Amish Family"
Episode Title: I Escaped My Amish Family
Host: Devorah Roloff
Release Date: November 18, 2024
Introduction
In this compelling episode of We're All Insane, host Devorah Roloff welcomes Lizzie Enns, who courageously shares her harrowing yet inspiring journey of growing up in one of the strictest Amish communities and her eventual escape to forge a new life. This long-form summary delves into Lizzie's experiences, the intricacies of Amish life, the challenges of leaving such a community, and her path to personal empowerment and success.
Understanding Amish Diversity
[01:00] Lizzie begins by clarifying common misconceptions about the Amish, emphasizing that there are various orders within the Amish community, each with distinct levels of strictness and modernization. She explains that she hails from the Schwartz and Trooper Amish, known for their stringent adherence to traditional practices.
Notable Quote:
“We didn't have any indoor plumbing. We didn't have any running water. We had to use kerosene lamps.” — Lizzie Enns [01:52]
Historical Roots of the Amish
Lizzie provides a historical context, tracing the Amish origins back to the Anabaptists' split from Roman Catholics. She highlights the significance of adult baptism and the resulting persecution that led to the formation of distinct groups like the Mennonites and, subsequently, the Amish under Jacob Almond in the 1800s.
Notable Quote:
“The Anabaptists broke off from the Roman Catholics because they didn't believe the government should have control over religious beliefs.” — Lizzie Enns [04:50]
Daily Life and Education
Living in a strict Amish community entails a labor-intensive lifestyle. Lizzie describes a typical day filled with farming chores such as hand-milking cows, feeding animals, and extensive manual labor, all without modern conveniences.
[08:01] She details the educational system—one-room schoolhouses catering to children from first through eighth grade, focusing solely on basic literacy and German, deliberately excluding subjects like science and history to prevent exposure to the wider world.
Notable Quote:
“When I graduated from eighth grade, the graduation card said ‘graduated to housework.’” — Lizzie Enns [09:10]
Religion and Social Structure
Religion plays a pivotal role, with community rules being a blend of divine commandments and man-made regulations aimed at maintaining a simple, hardworking lifestyle. Lizzie contrasts her community’s metaphorical view of Jesus with the more contemporary Christian beliefs some Amish hold.
Notable Quote:
“To me, God was more like the person up in the sky waiting to beat you over the head if wrong.” — Lizzie Enns [06:03]
Dating and Marriage Practices
Lizzie provides an intimate look into Amish dating customs, notably the practice of "bundling," where couples spend time together in bed without engaging in sexual activity. Relationships are tightly controlled, with strict rules governing interactions and eventual marriage, which only occurs within the community.
[13:17] She explains the process of dating, engagements, and the significance of shunning for those who break community rules, emphasizing the severe social consequences of premarital sex.
Notable Quote:
“If you're caught having sex before marriage, there's a lot of shame and punishment.” — Lizzie Enns [15:30]
The Decision to Leave
At 19, Lizzie faced an existential dilemma between adhering to her community's rigid structure and following her inner calling for a different life. After enduring familial pressures and witnessing the manipulative practices of church authorities, she made the life-altering decision to escape.
[43:20] She recounts the emotional turmoil and logistical challenges of leaving, including the physical act of escaping through her bedroom window and the profound moment of independence as she transformed her appearance to blend into the modern world.
Notable Quote:
“I realized that if I don't leave, I would never leave. I had to let go of the things holding me back to move forward.” — Lizzie Enns [54:57]
Life After Escape: Overcoming Culture Shock
Transitioning from Amish life to the modern world was fraught with challenges. Lizzie narrates her initial steps—securing employment, obtaining a social security number, learning to drive, and adapting to contemporary societal norms. She highlights the immense culture shock she experienced, from wearing pants for the first time to navigating public spaces like malls.
Notable Quote:
“Putting on jeans was like embracing a new identity; it was surreal and overwhelming.” — Lizzie Enns [66:14]
Building a New Identity and Career
Lizzie's journey of self-discovery led her to overcome body image issues and develop a passion for holistic health. She pursued education in integrative nutrition and functional health, ultimately establishing her own online coaching business, Undiet You, and authoring the book Amish Renegade. Additionally, she co-founded a non-toxic beauty brand, Miss Commando, promoting simple and effective beauty products.
[96:15] Her business philosophy centers on education and empowerment, helping clients understand their health needs through comprehensive lab work and personalized plans.
Notable Quote:
“My mission is to teach and empower my clients to take control of their health by understanding what their bodies truly need.” — Lizzie Enns [100:12]
Reconnecting with Family and Community
Lizzie discusses the complex dynamics of reconnecting with her Amish family post-escape. While most of her siblings have left the community, only a few maintain ties with her. She reflects on the emotional challenges of these reunions and the gradual acceptance from her mother over time.
[85:06] She emphasizes the importance of letting go to move forward, highlighting that holding onto past relationships can impede personal growth.
Notable Quote:
“If you know there's something you are called to do, do not allow the things holding you back to hold you back.” — Lizzie Enns [122:23]
Lessons and Insights
Throughout her narrative, Lizzie imparts valuable lessons on resilience, self-advocacy, and the importance of following one's intuition. She underscores the significance of education, both formal and self-taught, in breaking free from restrictive environments and building a fulfilling life.
[118:15] Lizzie encourages listeners to embrace their journey's challenges as catalysts for growth rather than setbacks, fostering a mindset of positivity and empowerment.
Notable Quote:
“You change people's lives and the world by focusing on the positive and the bigger picture, not just the hardships.” — Lizzie Enns [121:48]
Conclusion
Lizzie Enns' story is a testament to human strength and the pursuit of personal freedom. Her experiences shed light on the often misunderstood Amish community and highlight the universal struggles of identity and belonging. Through her entrepreneurial ventures and advocacy, Lizzie continues to inspire others to overcome adversity and create meaningful change in their lives.
For those interested in learning more about Lizzie's journey, her book Amish Renegade offers an in-depth exploration, and her online platforms provide resources for holistic health and non-toxic beauty solutions.
Notable Quotes Recap:
- “We didn't have any indoor plumbing. We didn't have any running water. We had to use kerosene lamps.” — Lizzie Enns [01:52]
- “The Anabaptists broke off from the Roman Catholics because they didn't believe the government should have control over religious beliefs.” — Lizzie Enns [04:50]
- “When I graduated from eighth grade, the graduation card said ‘graduated to housework.’” — Lizzie Enns [09:10]
- “To me, God was more like the person up in the sky waiting to beat you over the head if wrong.” — Lizzie Enns [06:03]
- “If you're caught having sex before marriage, there's a lot of shame and punishment.” — Lizzie Enns [15:30]
- “I realized that if I don't leave, I would never leave. I had to let go of the things holding me back to move forward.” — Lizzie Enns [54:57]
- “Putting on jeans was like embracing a new identity; it was surreal and overwhelming.” — Lizzie Enns [66:14]
- “My mission is to teach and empower my clients to take control of their health by understanding what their bodies truly need.” — Lizzie Enns [100:12]
- “If you know there's something you are called to do, do not allow the things holding you back to hold you back.” — Lizzie Enns [122:23]
- “You change people's lives and the world by focusing on the positive and the bigger picture, not just the hardships.” — Lizzie Enns [121:48]
Resources Mentioned:
- Amish Renegade by Lizzie Enns
- Undiet You Online Coaching
- Miss Commando Non-Toxic Beauty Brand
For more information, visit Lizzie's social media profiles on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and check out her book and businesses linked below.