Living Strong: The Flip Side of Adversity

Creating Space for Self Care

Many of us remember this childhood saying, Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Thinking back on broken relationships, painful interactions, and hurt, some of us would have preferred the sticks and stones. Unfortunately, this childhood mantra was inaccurate; if we are honest - words hurt. The way we use words has a profound effect on our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Careless words rob us of our joy, peace, and creativity.
LaVonne Weaver’s passion for art and writing became an outlet in overcoming the invisible wounds not visible for bandaids but still needed dressing. Art became a safe space for her and helped her begin healing in hidden places. Journaling and quiet time became part of her daily self-care routine. Art became her therapy, every evening she made affirmation/scripture collages, word clouds, and inspirational infographics, and posted them in her environment. She surrounded herself with words that mattered.
Now, as a self-care specialist, La Vonne combines her love of teaching and creativity to work alongside compassionate professionals like educators, caregivers, and social service providers. By providing resources, compassionate strategies, workshops, and safe spaces, La Vonne supports women in establishing a sense of self-care from the inside and out. Her company, Liv Vibrantly, tells a story about how challenges can become works of art. Life is a classroom, and our experiences fit together to create beautiful masterpieces. “Self-care is an invitation to love who we are now and embrace who we becoming with compassion.”

The Mind and Body Connection To Your Healing

I started running in July 2013. I knew I needed some consistency in my exercise regimen to combat the weight I was gaining. Since that time, My WHY has continually evolved. I met a member of Black Girls Run (BGR) at a wedding on a Sunday and committed to a meet up on that Monday with no intentions of attending again. There were so many barriers in my mind. The voice in my head said, they meet too early, I don’t know anyone, running is going to kill my knees and what in the world am I going to do with my hair? Who knew how my YES to running would open up a world of adventure and opportunity. Nine years later, I am a marathoner, a swimmer and a cyclist. I arrived here not by talent. Each accomplishment has taken discipline, determination and accountability. This trifecta has helped me to develop some BE attitudes to conquer my fears and accomplish success on and off the asphalt.
With a professional career spanning over 25 years, I’ve taken a special interest in educating people about finances and wealth creation. In 2020, I launched Dimiprinciples LLC- Wisdom is the principal thing. Get wisdom but in all your getting, get understanding. With this platform, I’ve created intimate spaces for women to have candid conversations about finances. Based upon my experience in the finance industry, I’ve learned that too many women are struggling in silence concerning finances while giving the appearance of having it all together. I provide women with the tools needed to shift their money mindset and gain financial freedom. I show women that with discipline, determination and accountability they can go from doing ordinary things to accomplishing extraordinary things.

Watering A Thirsty Soul

The Women of Wellness (WOW) ministry and movement has met women from around the country in their places of dryness, thirst, and trauma. Dale Sharpe Lee is the founder of WOW and has a heart to serve God and women in order to impact and change lives. She is clear about fulfilling her purpose to provide opportunities for women to have access to sister- to-sister connections and wellness information and resources. The mission of WOW is to develop and facilitate educational and relationship forums that will foster an environment that results in the healing process for situations and circumstances that are hindering growth and development in women. As we close out the month of Flip Side Conversations on Harmony over Hustle, Lady Dale and I will examine strategies and the heart condition for equipping and empowering women to get up from dry places in their lives that have left them exhausted, depleted, and unfulfilled in order to grow and develop spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially, mentally, and relationally by leaving empty water pots and excuses behind. Are you thirsty? Come take a drink…

Overcoming People-Pleasing, Staying Silent and Feeling Guilty

For years I found myself on under a great deal of anxiety and stress which manifested in health issues such as fatigue, insomnia, weight gain and chronic asthma. The culprit? People pleasing!
From the time I was a young girl, I sought the approval of everyone around me and worked tirelessly to keep the peace. This long-engrained behavior finally came to a head as I was turning fifty and looked at my life: married to a man with bipolar disorder; overwhelm as a caregiver and “married” single parent; struggling to leave the church of my childhood and fully embrace my God-given purpose.
Through a decade-long study of the Word of God, I learned my true identity: one that is centered in pleasing God; not people. I learned how to trust myself, which resulted in an uncanny ability to trust others. I found the voice I had polished professionally and learned to speak out personally, where it mattered most: in parenting and in my personal relationships. The guilt that was engrained in me from childhood on lost its grip and I am able to live free!
There is always a tipping point. For me it came as I battled the questions that arise when a loved one attempts suicide; then there was a divorce and finally a re-building of my life. Ironically, the re-buildig came quickly once I had stopped people pleasing, found my voice and began walking in a Christ-centered confidence.
My story is no different than thousands of other women who remain in the grip of people pleasing. There is a way out and I can’t wait to talk about it!!

Health Is Wealth: Move It or Lose It

Watching people rush here and there.... In the grocery store, to the meeting, from the car, thru traffic... with this list, that request... They want what for dinner?!?! LOL.
The “hustle culture” of today can wear us down and out and many of us would like to press the pause button for just a moment for us to reconnect with the moment. This flip side conversation will challenge us to be intentional and not miss these moments. There are times when the “ hustle culture of life” gets in the way of the daily opportunity to live bold, free, intentional, and abundantly.
Everyone has a lifetime of habits, which impact who we are as people. When we face times of pace, stress, loneliness, boredom, anger or even joy and celebration - we revert to our old habits. But, the task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you. Which old habit do you need to replace with a new habit to live fully and free from the inside out and with a high quality of life. It's not just about the quantity of years... but the quality we place in those years.
Dr. Deborah Witt and I will share the impact of stress on our mind, body, and emotions and then examine how to invest in tangible ways for setting priorities and habits for a healthy lifestyle, strong mindset, stable relationships, and a powerful purpose.

Reclaiming Your JOY: A Blueprint for Success

Dr. Bonita Senior’s childhood was covered with trauma, poverty and neglect. With access to resources, she has developed a blueprint from lived experiences that, as an adult, has allowed her to be able to turn her life around. In her book, From Doomed to Doctor, she acknowledges that she was “born in the crack but didn’t fall through”! She overcame her past, her habits, and her risk-seeking behaviors. Today, she is happy, whole and free--- she uses her journey to free and uplift others. She serves to Change lives.

Serve your Gift to the World: Profit on Purpose!

“What really matters is living life on purpose. Our guest cohost, Jeneen Barlow was there when both her parents drew their last breath, and she is so clear about this. She is happy to be able to do what she loves every day, and even happier there is tangible evidence her work enriches the lives of others.
Jeneen had planned to go into law, possibly doing some pro bono work. But she discovered economic development closely related to her passion for helping others gain independence through business. And now, as the author of Don’t Be Scared, Bespeak, and co-author of triple bestseller, Don’t Be Scared, Live on Purpose, Jeneen lives her passion and purpose through delivering results-producing presentations and clarity coaching and training through the co-creation of The Destiny Statement Process and the Custom Cash-Generating Curriculum.
As a leader in both the worlds of education and business, Jéneen has proven her ability to bring diverse teams of people together in ways that surpass their differences and pool their resources to fulfill the mission at hand. Join our Flip Side of Adversity conversation with Jeneen as she explains what she calls The 4 Pillars of Purpose and why, in a post-pandemic culture, the 4 Pillars are essential to achieving success?

Disruption Is Necessary For Destiny

Some people are uncomfortable with the disruption that change causes, but the disruption is necessary if anything is going to change. After our first year of hosting Flip Side Stories with amazing guests, the power of leveraging disruptions to navigate discomfort and access destiny moments has never been more relevant for me. Join me for our one year anniversary show and highlights from the top ten shows. Change is the only constant in life and I have learned so much form guests this year about resilience in change and moving forward. If you have felt like quitting? Have you thought the last interruption derailed your opportunities? Are you exhausted from uncertainty and change? I am picking the most powerful lessons from past quests that have kept me moving forward in this new adventure… creating my Flip Side moments on the other side of uncertainty, discomfort, and vulnerability. Tune in for bright spots, clear strategies, and the chance to change perspective and push forward in your passion.

I BELIEVED I COULD SO I DID

As the author of, S.M.I.L.E. How-to Guide to Get Through Any Storm, Shelly Shelton has a few things to say about smiling through a storm. On the Flipside of blindness, MS, and divorce, she lives, teaches, and speaks about how to live an UNSTOPPABLE life. She has founded 5 businesses and has the mission to teach others to do the same through her Unstoppable University coursework.
If you are asking how to bounce back from financial trauma, emotional drama, moments of wanting to call your mama & learn how to love life again. Shelly Shelton- the Bounce Back Coach- divorce recovery/resiliency specialist will share with us the principles to get through the get-through and live the life we’ve dreamed of having!

Authenticity Always Wins

We live in a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-class world. We want our voice to impact as many people as possible, but this can seem challenging. In this session, Lucy Kyllonen will share how to create an authentic message that can reach diverse audiences in churches, businesses and on-line platforms.
Lucy Kyllonen is the Director of Chosen Women’s Ministry at Crossover Church in Tampa and a Certified Life & Spiritual Development Coach. She is an author and holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Mental Health Counseling. Lucy influences change, infuses truth and ignites hope in the lives of women.