Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

I grew up in a small town in Northeast Missouri. Most of my childhood revolved around sports because I was athletic and I liked to compete. I’ve transferred most of my athletic competitiveness into my businesses now, and that has served me well.

What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?

At 36, I’m pretty happy with the pace I’ve got going. But as humans, we have a tendency to forget the basics: we don’t have to earn our worth; it’s inherent. And, it’s fun to dream big: to grow, expand, and become the next, best version of ourselves.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

No specific “bad” advice comes to mind… but a lot of people will project their experiences onto you and base their advice off of that.

So my advice is to be very selective about who you take advice from.

Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?

Hmmm. Which one do I pick? 😉

One of my first ‘dark nights of the soul’ experiences happened shortly after the birth of my second child. I didn’t feel like myself. I was home alone with two kids all day. I was low on energy and patience, and dealing with a lot of irritation and a disconnection from myself.

While tirelessly searching for ‘ways to feel better, naturally,’ I was led down the rabbit hole of the gut-brain connection.

From there, I started to learn about specific types of probiotic bacteria and how they can help the body’s stress response and also balance feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin.

From that experience, my company Lifted Naturals was created. We are the MOOD probiotic people and our tagline is: feel better, naturally.

What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?

I bounce back. I think that’s the thing. My enthusiasm is non-extinguishable.

Bonus answer: I am good at storytelling. What do I mean by storytelling? Well, I know how much power my thoughts hold. I know that in ANY moment, I can shift the energy of my day by ‘telling a better story.’ That has served me incredibly well.

What is your morning routine?

I like variety.
I don’t stick to a set routine and being an entrepreneur allows me that flexibility.

That said, I am up around 7:30am to help my kids get ready for school.

I typically get 8 to 9 hours of sleep every night and that’s a very important part of my wellness routine.

What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?

Easily, hands down: a daily stillness practice.

Here’s what that looks like for me:

I find a quiet spot.
I close my eyes.
I get still.
I focus on my breath; slow, deep, steady, often with an extended exhale.
Then, I balance my energy centers. (Check out the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza)
Then, I focus on my heart. I intentionally bring up positive emotions while focusing on my heart space.
Then, I clear my mind and allow for ideas or downloads to come to me.
They nearly ALWAYS do.

Some people call this meditation.
😉

What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?

I focus less on time management and more on energy management.
I do my best to fill my day (and life!) with activities which energize me.
I’m picky about the thoughts I think, and who I spend my time with. Energy management leads to time management.

What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?

Spiritually speaking, I love the teachings of Abraham and nearly everything they produce. From a financial perspective, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” was a game-changer for me. That book taught me the REAL difference between being self-employed and being a business owner. That distinction changed everything for me.

Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?

In the words of my friend Bruno Mars, I love to say: “Don’t believe me, just watch.”