Terms & Agreement

Please read these terms and conditions of use ("Terms") carefully before accessing or using www.belayguidance.com or Belay Guidance's Substack publication, "The Messy Middle," located at https://belayguidance.substack.com/ (collectively, the "Website"). By accessing or using the Website, you (the user of this Website) agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you are not authorized to use the Website.

These Terms apply to all Website Materials regardless of where they are accessed – including free and paid newsletter content, embedded expert videos, and any quizzes or assessments linked from the Website – whether hosted on Belay Guidance's own domain or on third-party platforms such as Substack, Vimeo, or Typeform.

1. Website Materials. The information contained on our Website, including written materials, video and audio recordings (including embedded expert video content), interactive features, quizzes, surveys and analytical results, are for educational and entertainment purposes only (the "Website Materials"). The Website Materials are not meant for, and you shall not use them for, diagnosing or treating any mental, physical or behavioral condition. Neither Belay Guidance Company, nor the Website, provide medical services of a therapist, psychologist, coach, counselor, medical doctor or other mental health professional of any kind.
2. Crisis Hotline. If you have now or later develop a mental health condition, please contact a licensed professional. If you are in crisis or have an emergency, please call 911, or the Suicide Crisis Hotline at 988.
3. Intellectual Property. All content on this Website, including text, graphics, logos, images, audio clips, videos, digital downloads, quizzes and surveys, and software, is the property of Belay Guidance Company and is protected by international copyright, trademark or other intellectual property laws. You agree not to disclose, distribute or disseminate any content on this website to a third party. Except as expressly permitted under these Terms or with Belay Guidance Company's prior written consent, you may not copy, download, or save any Website Materials. This includes expert video content made available through paid subscriptions; you agree not to download, screen-record, copy, or redistribute such videos, and any access granted to you is for your personal, non-commercial use only and is non-transferable.
4. Use of the Website. You may use the Website for lawful purposes and in accordance with these terms. You agree not to:
   1. Use the Website in any way that violates any applicable law or regulation.
   2. Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Website.
   3. Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code through the Website.
   4. Engage in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the functioning of the Website.
   5. Use any data mining, robots or similar data gathering and extraction methods on the Website.
   6. Share your paid subscription credentials with others, or otherwise allow others to access paid Website Materials through your account.
5. Subscriptions and Third-Party Platforms. The Messy Middle is published on Substack. Free and paid subscription tiers are available; paid subscriptions provide access to additional Website Materials, including the Belay Library video collection. Payment processing for paid subscriptions is handled directly by Substack and its payment processor (currently Stripe), not by Belay Guidance Company. Billing, renewal, cancellation, and refund terms for paid subscriptions are governed by Substack's own terms of service and billing policies, available at substack.com/policies, and not by these Terms. By subscribing, you also agree to Substack's applicable terms. Certain Website Materials, including expert videos, may also be hosted via third-party services such as Vimeo, and quizzes or assessments may be hosted via third-party services such as Typeform; your use of those embedded features is also subject to the applicable third party's terms.
6. User Accounts. To subscribe to The Messy Middle or access paid Website Materials, you must create an account through Substack. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when creating your account, and you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Belay Guidance Company reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to paid Website Materials if you violate these Terms; upon termination for a violation, your access to paid content will cease immediately, subject to any rights you may separately have through Substack regarding your subscription.
7. Disclaimer of Warranties. The Website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Belay Guidance Company makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the content on the Website. Your use of the Website is at your own risk.
8. Limitation of Liability. You agree that to the fullest extent permitted by law, Belay Guidance Company shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damage arising out of or in connection with your use of the Website or the content provided herein. You hereby waive or release any claim you have or may have regarding the use of the Website Materials.
9. Your use of the Website is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which can be found below.
10. Changes to Terms. Belay Guidance Company reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time, effective as of the date the revised Terms are first posted to the Website. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically for changes. Your continued use of the Website after any modifications indicates your acceptance of updated Terms.
11. Governing Law. These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. Any legal action arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Website shall be brought in the state or federal courts located within the State of Georgia and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
12. Contact Information. If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at info@belayguidance.com.