THE COURAGE UP PODCAST: Live a Strong and Courageous Life

Brandy Edwards is an attorney turned Empowerment Speaker and Coach in Dallas, Texas. She is the founder of The Self-Love Challenge and emphasizes the life transformation that is possible when change is embraced with confidence and courage. Her self-discovery journey led her to take action despite fear and follow her happiness to create a life she loves. She is a structured free spirit, a health and fitness enthusiast and embraces self-love and sobriety as a lifestyle.

Transitioning from an attorney to Empower Speaker and Coach

It evolved because she felt unfilled in her job. She wanted to practice law. When she got out of law school, it was in the middle of the recession so she wasn’t practicing in an area of law that she was really passionate about. Through that unfulfillment, she started doing a lot of self-reflection and thinking about what she really wanted to do with her life. She started going to different conferences and women’s retreats. The more she was doing the internal work, she realized she had a voice and had a story to share where people connected to her.

How to truly discover your passions

It will take time and willingness so be patient with yourself as you dig deep and reflect on what makes you happy.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What did you love doing when you were a child?

• What are the things that you really get lost in time doing when you’re not working?

• What are some things that really bring you joy that you’re not experiencing right now?

Finally, think about these two important ones:

• What makes you happy?

• Redefining your definition of success

Realize it will take time. Be patient with yourself.

Her first event: The Self Love Challenge

Brandy took inspired action because she didn’t want to wonder what if. She held her first event, The Self Love Challenge. It was an amazing experience and the women loved it. She hosted her first event and then waited a whole year because she took the next step.

The moment Brandy realized she wanted to be a Speaker

The first time she went to the women’s retreat she realized she wanted to host her own event. She made a commitment to herself to do that. She went back and the second time going to the women’s retreat, she realized she wanted to start speaking. She made a commitment to use her voice, share her story and chase her happiness. She went to an entrepreneur conference and was incredibly inspired. This is the power of believing in yourself. She posted on Instagram that she was going to inspire from a stage. Then someone messaged her and invited her to be the keynote speaker at their gala event.

“If you're wanting to do something, do not wait for people to choose you. You can choose yourself and create whatever else it is that you want someone else to provide for you.”

She chose herself when she had her initial idea. Rather than waiting for someone else, she created what she wanted for herself. Embrace being a beginner and you have to start somewhere to get anywhere.

Tell People Your Goals and Dreams

Let others know what your goals and dreams are. You stay small when you worry about what others are thinking and therefore are not living up to your potential. You never know who might be in a position to help you and be a guide in some way to turn that dream into a reality.

Choosing to Be Courageous

She is not immune from self-doubt. She chooses to be courageous. She chooses action despite fear. If she chooses fear, then she’ll hold back and always wonder what if.

The pain of regret is really hard to live with. She doesn’t ever want to let years pass by and wonder what would happen. She chooses now to think of the best case scenario and view failure as feedback. She sees everything as a learning opportunity.

Brandy says yes to all opportunities she receives even when she does not feel ready. Some day can easily turn into never. If someone comes to you and asks you to do something, it is your responsibility to show up and do it.

Takeaway:

Adopt the mindset of taking action. It is never too late to start or to start over in anything in your life. Today is a new day. Today is a new opportunity and just go for it!

Advice:

The time is going to pass anyway so always tell yourself it is never too late to start or start over.

Courage Song:

I was Here by Beyonce

Book:

Light is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell