So, I know I started reading one of your books.
 2
00:00:03.003 --> 00:00:04.838 How like, what was the journey about writing your first book?
 3
00:00:04.838 --> 00:00:09.709 So I'm really grateful that I had a nontraditional path to being an author.
 4
00:00:10.010 --> 00:00:12.345 So y'all know LeVar Burton from Reading Rainbow.
 5
00:00:12.345 --> 00:00:15.048 Yes, yes, yes, Mr. Butterfly in the Sky.
 6
00:00:15.048 --> 00:00:18.818 So I really valued the work that he did, teaching about literacy
 7
00:00:18.818 --> 00:00:19.919 and stuff like that.
 8
00:00:19.919 --> 00:00:23.923 And he actually encouraged me to love reading because part of my ADHD was,
 9
00:00:23.923 --> 00:00:25.492 you know, I also have dyslexia,
 10
00:00:25.492 --> 00:00:27.894 and it was really hard for me, one, to focus on reading.
 11
00:00:27.894 --> 00:00:29.629 And then I was so discouraged about reading
 12
00:00:29.629 --> 00:00:32.132 because it felt like the words would dance across the page.
 13
00:00:32.132 --> 00:00:34.601 And even as an adult today, if I'm reading a menu,
 14
00:00:34.601 --> 00:00:37.070 if I'm reading a book, I have a little piece of paper.
 15
00:00:37.070 --> 00:00:38.605 So that way I can go line by line.
 16
00:00:38.605 --> 00:00:40.874 And for a long time I felt very ashamed of that.
 17
00:00:40.874 --> 00:00:42.208 But however you can read?
 18
00:00:42.208 --> 00:00:44.411 You know, like it's all different types of reading.
 19
00:00:44.411 --> 00:00:47.547 So I was just sitting on my couch and I was like, one day I'm going to tell
 20
00:00:47.547 --> 00:00:50.550 LeVar Burton, thank you for teaching me to love reading.
 21
00:00:50.550 --> 00:00:52.519 And he commented back, you don't have to wait.
 22
00:00:52.519 --> 00:00:53.386 You just did.
 23
00:00:53.386 --> 00:00:55.822 But you don't have to take my word for it, which is his catch phrase.
 24
00:00:55.822 --> 00:00:58.291 And so I was like, oh my gosh.
 25
00:00:58.291 --> 00:01:00.760 And then we kind of stayed in touch through the internet.
 26
00:01:00.760 --> 00:01:03.663 And then with my first book, I had done a crowdfunding campaign,
 27
00:01:03.663 --> 00:01:06.199 and I think LeVar Burton also saw that fundraising thing.
 28
00:01:06.199 --> 00:01:09.235 And then he, you know, posted somebody published this woman's book,
 29
00:01:09.569 --> 00:01:12.572 and then all of a sudden all these people were reaching out to me,
 30
00:01:12.672 --> 00:01:15.775 asking me about my book agent and seeing my book proposal and,
 31
00:01:15.975 --> 00:01:17.444 you know, getting the book off the ground.
 32
00:01:17.444 --> 00:01:19.879 But I didn't know what a book proposal was or a book agent.
 33
00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:21.114 And so I was like,
 34
00:01:21.114 --> 00:01:23.850 this is fantastic, but you got to fake it till you make it sometimes.
 35
00:01:23.850 --> 00:01:26.519 And so I was like, okay, yes, absolutely.
 36
00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:28.421 I will get back to you by the end of the week
 37
00:01:28.421 --> 00:01:29.689 when I learn what those things are.
 38
00:01:29.689 --> 00:01:31.524 I didn't write that part, but in the head.
 39
00:01:31.524 --> 00:01:32.926 And then it just grew from there.
 40
00:01:32.926 --> 00:01:36.029 And so sometimes people think, if you're an author, you have to have
 41
00:01:36.029 --> 00:01:39.699 a master's in writing or, you know, an English degree or connections.
 42
00:01:39.899 --> 00:01:43.970 And I had the internet and a history degree from Louisiana State University.
 43
00:01:44.270 --> 00:01:47.340 And, you know, a lot of that early 20s delulu.
 44
00:01:47.607 --> 00:01:48.942 I was just like, I could do anything.
 45
00:01:48.942 --> 00:01:51.778 And sometimes that's the best thing because I feel like sometimes as you get
 46
00:01:51.778 --> 00:01:54.781 older, you get more and more convinced that you can't do something,
 47
00:01:54.881 --> 00:01:57.650 and you have to have that, like that energy of like, no, I can do anything.
 48
00:01:57.650 --> 00:01:59.652 Like, if you show a little kid an instrument,
 49
00:01:59.652 --> 00:02:01.187 they'll be like, oh, I can play that.
 50
00:02:01.187 --> 00:02:03.523 They've never played it before, but they believe that they can learn it.
 51
00:02:03.523 --> 00:02:06.493 But sometimes when we're adults, we see that we go, oh, I could never do that.
 52
00:02:06.493 --> 00:02:08.828 I could never, and it's like, maybe you should try.
 53
00:02:08.828 --> 00:02:10.263 So that's how it was with writing.
 

Having ADHD is seen as a disability by many but I've harnessed it as a superpower for my career. With "Smarter in Seconds," I get to pick a different specialization to hyperfocus on every day to learn about and educate others.

Dropping out of law school and rebuilding my future really affected my mental health. I was pivoting from a version of myself and my future that I had been so convinced of. I learned to work with myself rather than trying to fit myself into a box.

Author, Educator & Content Creator

If I don't have a show on TV, then I'm not successful.

Confidence

Determination & Hard Work

Becoming An Author

What's one piece of advice
 2
00:00:01.134 --> 00:00:04.938 that you would leave with us as we, you know, given to the nursing field
 3
00:00:05.405 --> 00:00:08.475 and be new grad nurses on these units that we're on?
 4
00:00:08.475 --> 00:00:10.577 Anything you want to leave us with?
 5
00:00:10.577 --> 00:00:11.978 Take it all in, right.
 6
00:00:11.978 --> 00:00:13.947 So as a new nurse, that's your opportunity
 7
00:00:13.947 --> 00:00:17.484 you're going to go through orientation and enjoy that time.
 8
00:00:17.484 --> 00:00:21.287 I know it's hard to enjoy the time because you feel overwhelmed and different
 9
00:00:21.287 --> 00:00:24.057 things like that. Just know it gets better. It gets easier.
 10
00:00:24.057 --> 00:00:25.625 Your time management will come.
 11
00:00:25.625 --> 00:00:27.027 Don't be hard on yourself.
 12
00:00:27.027 --> 00:00:29.095 Like I see new grads very hard on themselves
 13
00:00:29.095 --> 00:00:32.399 or crying because they didn't get their charting done
 14
00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:36.336 or they didn't do this, like give yourself grace like you're new in a profession
 15
00:00:36.369 --> 00:00:39.272 It's a complex world. They have different expectations.
 16
00:00:39.272 --> 00:00:42.509 And so what we want to be more engaged and just different things like that,
 17
00:00:42.509 --> 00:00:45.278 but have confidence in your degree right? You're a nurse.
 18
00:00:45.278 --> 00:00:46.446 You went through training.
 19
00:00:46.446 --> 00:00:49.115 And don't let anyone, like, dim your light, right.
 20
00:00:49.115 --> 00:00:53.319 Like, don't go in cocky like, you know it all because sometimes that you
 21
00:00:53.319 --> 00:00:54.621 we may see some of that.
 22
00:00:54.621 --> 00:00:57.490 But soak it in like take the opportunity to learn.
 23
00:00:57.490 --> 00:00:59.592 Lean on those people who know.
 24
00:00:59.592 --> 00:01:02.595 Doesn't mean you're less of a less of a nurse, you're not a great nurse.
 25
00:01:02.595 --> 00:01:04.330 Great nurses ask question.
 26
00:01:04.330 --> 00:01:05.999 That's how you become great.
 27
00:01:05.999 --> 00:01:08.968 When you think you know it all, that's when you're going backwards.
 28
00:01:08.968 --> 00:01:11.571 Like, as a leader, particularly because you're a team.
 29
00:01:11.571 --> 00:01:15.241 Like physician, nurse team partners, partners in care forever.
 30
00:01:15.875 --> 00:01:17.310 So good relationships is key.
 

I recommend following my same educational path through nursing school. Additionally, most nursing organizations have mentorships and I highly encourage getting a mentor. Ask questions and use your resources.

As chief nurse executive, I lead system-wide nursing efforts, shaping care standards across six hospitals and 150+ locations. My days are filled with meetings, walking the halls to connect with nurses, and making sure we’re delivering the safest, most compassionate care. I work closely with teams to implement evidence-based practices, speak at national events, and mentor future leaders—all to ensure every patient is treated with dignity and excellence.

Executive Vice President & Chief Nursing Executive

There’s no way you could be in that position—you don’t know how to do what they do.

Advice For New Nurses

As a nurse, what would you say that leadership
 2
00:00:02.235 --> 00:00:05.638 responsibility looks like and like, how do you handle that?
 3
00:00:05.638 --> 00:00:09.309 What would you recommend for younger nurses that want to go into more
 4
00:00:09.342 --> 00:00:12.779 leadership manager type of roles as opposed to bedside?
 5
00:00:13.246 --> 00:00:16.316 I would say definitely first, know your profession.
 6
00:00:16.916 --> 00:00:19.586 Sometimes, you know, younger nurses just want to jump right
 7
00:00:19.586 --> 00:00:22.989 in to be in a nurse practitioner or just going straight to be an a leader.
 8
00:00:22.989 --> 00:00:24.224 It takes a lot to lead.
 9
00:00:24.224 --> 00:00:26.159 To be a leader, you have to influence.
 10
00:00:26.159 --> 00:00:27.660 It's not just a title, right?
 11
00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:30.764 You have to influence people going to have to want to follow you.
 12
00:00:30.764 --> 00:00:33.433 They have to trust and believe in you. And that takes time.
 13
00:00:33.433 --> 00:00:34.801 That takes relationship building.
 14
00:00:34.801 --> 00:00:35.535 And knowing
 15
00:00:35.535 --> 00:00:39.139 you might not get everything you want, but you'll understand the reason why.
 16
00:00:39.139 --> 00:00:42.509 And so we've had our hard times, but I'm there with them,
 17
00:00:43.009 --> 00:00:45.578 we're in it together, like we're on calls all together.
 18
00:00:45.578 --> 00:00:47.180 I do meetings with my team.
 19
00:00:47.180 --> 00:00:51.484 But, you know, with that, there is you'll have obviously difference of opinion.
 20
00:00:51.484 --> 00:00:54.854 You'll have some conflicts, and how do you how do you handle that with your peers?
 21
00:00:54.921 --> 00:00:56.823 It's uncomfortable but it gets better.
 22
00:00:56.823 --> 00:00:58.324 Like you build your confidence.
 23
00:00:58.324 --> 00:01:01.327 My thing was, it's like what I fear is what I'm going to face.
 24
00:01:01.394 --> 00:01:05.031 I try to face it Because then I gain my confidence.
 25
00:01:05.031 --> 00:01:07.434 And generally it's not as bad as I thought it was right?
 26
00:01:07.434 --> 00:01:09.302 The fear isn't the fear that I thought.
 27
00:01:09.302 --> 00:01:11.971 But you're kind of your own self enemy in that space.
 28
00:01:11.971 --> 00:01:14.507 When you fear something, you stay away you shy away.
 29
00:01:14.507 --> 00:01:16.643 When really that's your opportunity to build.
 30
00:01:16.643 --> 00:01:20.780 You know if nothing else, people be kind when you're stressed know your stress.
 31
00:01:21.047 --> 00:01:22.482 Know your weaknesses.
 32
00:01:22.482 --> 00:01:23.983 And if you have to take a moment, you know,
 33
00:01:23.983 --> 00:01:27.287 I tell my nurses, take a moment if you have to go in the bathroom,
 34
00:01:27.287 --> 00:01:31.324 get yourself together, come back or come back and talk to me, whatever it is.
 35
00:01:31.324 --> 00:01:35.161 Because we we have to be our best to be the best for our patients.
 

Fear

Advice For Nurses Who Want To Go Into Leadership

If you could go back and give yourself
 2
00:00:03.603 --> 00:00:06.706 younger self, one piece of advice from everything that you've experienced,
 3
00:00:06.706 --> 00:00:09.709 everything you know now, what would it be ?
 4
00:00:09.776 --> 00:00:11.644 You know what, believe in yourself.
 5
00:00:11.644 --> 00:00:14.180 Believe in yourself, I would- knowing
 6
00:00:14.180 --> 00:00:17.183 now what I know I did have confidence in myself.
 7
00:00:17.283 --> 00:00:20.286 But I think that in a lot of ways
 8
00:00:20.720 --> 00:00:23.390 there's always that self-doubt that goes along with it.
 9
00:00:23.390 --> 00:00:26.426 Maybe that helps to drive you sometimes the fear of failure.
 10
00:00:26.793 --> 00:00:28.061 And sometimes
 11
00:00:28.061 --> 00:00:32.365 overconfidence is the best thing, but just that good foundation of belief
 12
00:00:32.365 --> 00:00:36.036 that you can work through a problem and that you can get to a goal.
 13
00:00:36.169 --> 00:00:39.506 And having a sort of laissez faire childhood that I did,
 14
00:00:39.639 --> 00:00:42.842 my parents were musicians, my dad would come home at 4:00
 15
00:00:42.842 --> 00:00:45.512 in the morning, you know, and he would wake up at three.
 16
00:00:45.512 --> 00:00:48.581 And I thought that was normal until, like, you know, middle school.
 17
00:00:48.815 --> 00:00:53.815 So I never really had made goals or had to reach goals.
 18
00:00:53.887 --> 00:00:58.291 In that way, as a young adult, understanding that you can reach a goal,
 19
00:00:58.291 --> 00:01:02.162 you just got to work hard and that, you know, there's many people
 20
00:01:02.162 --> 00:01:04.230 that are smarter than me that aren't doing this job.
 21
00:01:04.230 --> 00:01:06.399 It's because they just didn't work as hard.
 22
00:01:06.399 --> 00:01:09.335 And I think in the end, that's probably my best advice, is
 23
00:01:09.335 --> 00:01:12.338 just believe in yourself and just realize if you keep working towards it,
 24
00:01:12.505 --> 00:01:14.407 you know, put your head down and keep grinding,
 25
00:01:14.407 --> 00:01:16.876 you'll find yourself in the right position at the right time.
 

To be a flight nurse, you'll need your nursing degree and then you'll need to have five years of level one trauma critical care experience.

After coming into work, briefing with on-duty crews, and checking out the aircraft, we are ready for the unknown, as we never know where we're going and who we're going to take care of during our duty day. I do both inter-facility flights, which are typically flights from a rural ER back to a major hospital, and scene flights, which could be things like car accidents, shootings, stabbings, and falls.

Chief Flight Nurse

Believe In Yourself

What's some final advice that you would have for, like someone like me
 2
00:00:03.236 --> 00:00:06.239 or even younger, who are like trying to take that next step?
 3
00:00:06.539 --> 00:00:09.676 I would first of all, say remain steadfast to who you are.
 4
00:00:09.776 --> 00:00:13.179 Don't be ashamed of where you come from, who you are, etc.
 5
00:00:13.213 --> 00:00:14.881 because confident in who you are.
 6
00:00:14.881 --> 00:00:17.984 I would say as a major introvert, that confidence thing
 7
00:00:17.984 --> 00:00:21.121 is something that I always struggled with, to shrink myself down.
 8
00:00:21.121 --> 00:00:23.189 But there's brilliance everywhere.
 9
00:00:23.189 --> 00:00:26.860 And so don't be afraid to show and let your brilliance shine.
 10
00:00:26.860 --> 00:00:30.864 And then make sure you surround yourself in your circle with people that you know
 11
00:00:30.864 --> 00:00:34.034 have your best interests at heart, that are not only going to support you
 12
00:00:34.034 --> 00:00:37.637 and push you when you need to be, but also will call you in
 13
00:00:37.637 --> 00:00:41.474 when you do misstep and make mistakes because they want the best for you.
 14
00:00:41.474 --> 00:00:44.411 So you want to make sure that you surround yourself with that real tight circle.
 15
00:00:44.411 --> 00:00:45.645 That you know through thick and thin,
 16
00:00:45.645 --> 00:00:48.748 no matter what they want, what's best for you as a human being.
 17
00:00:48.848 --> 00:00:52.285 Tell them that you care about them and love them on a regular basis,
 18
00:00:52.285 --> 00:00:54.020 and make sure that their cups are filled,
 19
00:00:54.020 --> 00:00:57.123 and then make sure that they are also pouring into your cup as well.
 20
00:00:57.123 --> 00:01:01.861 Because in this literally disaster area of a world that we're in right now,
 21
00:01:01.995 --> 00:01:05.765 you have to have a tight knit circle that keeps you just kind of centered.
 22
00:01:05.765 --> 00:01:08.735 And also, just like I said, just be confident in who you are.
 23
00:01:08.735 --> 00:01:11.438 We're all uniquely put on this earth to do something.
 24
00:01:11.438 --> 00:01:14.541 So be confident in who you are and know whatever that vision
 25
00:01:14.541 --> 00:01:17.877 that you have to do whatever in your life, do whatever it takes.
 26
00:01:17.877 --> 00:01:19.379 Be relentless in that pursuit.
 27
00:01:19.379 --> 00:01:21.948 Even if people bash you, put you down.
 28
00:01:21.948 --> 00:01:23.950 Like I said, for me, coming from PE,
 29
00:01:23.950 --> 00:01:26.286 people were like, oh, she's just a PE teacher. Nobody cares.
 30
00:01:26.286 --> 00:01:28.621 And now look where I am because I sat there
 31
00:01:28.621 --> 00:01:31.624 and I said, I have a vision for wanting to revolutionize education.
 32
00:01:31.624 --> 00:01:34.494 I want things better for my kids and other kids.
 33
00:01:34.494 --> 00:01:39.032 And so don't let people kind of hamper whatever that vision that you have to make
 34
00:01:39.032 --> 00:01:40.033 the world a better place.
 

2025 SXSW Conference
Interviewed in Austin, TX but works in Atlanta, GA USA.
advanced-degree
career-change

I work at the intersection of racial justice and tech, aiming to close gaps for marginalized students in technology and computer science. I support teachers with professional development, help students explore their dreams, and uplift parents’ voices in education. I help build community in classrooms, expand access to computer science, and empower young people to thrive with honesty, confidence, and joy.

Director of CS Equity Initiatives

Individuality

Support & Encouragement

Be Confident In Who You Are And Find People To Support You

Throughout your life, career or life,
 2
00:00:02.235 --> 00:00:05.839 what challenges have you faced and how do you overcome it?
 3
00:00:05.905 --> 00:00:10.905 The biggest challenge first that I face is covert racism.
 4
00:00:11.044 --> 00:00:13.346 And I ran into that a lot.
 5
00:00:13.346 --> 00:00:16.883 And that's kind of held me back where there's a times I'm like, man,
 6
00:00:16.916 --> 00:00:18.918 why I didn't get that job when I went to the interview?
 7
00:00:18.918 --> 00:00:20.320 I know I was qualified.
 8
00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:21.421 Those are some challenges.
 9
00:00:21.421 --> 00:00:25.625 Other challenges I faced was just myself, when I was working in
 10
00:00:25.625 --> 00:00:29.863 financial institutions, most of the people who were working there had degrees.
 11
00:00:29.929 --> 00:00:30.897 They were MBAs.
 12
00:00:30.897 --> 00:00:32.132 They were CPAs.
 13
00:00:32.132 --> 00:00:34.100 They were certified financial analysts.
 14
00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:35.568 And I had a sociology degree.
 15
00:00:35.568 --> 00:00:37.504 And they're like, what is he doing in finance?
 16
00:00:37.504 --> 00:00:40.507 So at first I felt a little bit inferior.
 17
00:00:40.507 --> 00:00:44.511 As I gained experience and actually learned how to produce a good product,
 18
00:00:44.577 --> 00:00:47.647 I realized I overcame that fear that
 19
00:00:47.647 --> 00:00:50.984 sometimes these people had a better opinion than me.
 20
00:00:50.984 --> 00:00:52.819 But confidence is so important.
 21
00:00:52.819 --> 00:00:56.122 And that's one thing I've learned when I got into the financial world
 22
00:00:56.523 --> 00:00:57.657 to be more confident.
 23
00:00:57.657 --> 00:01:01.461 But in order to be confident, what builds confidence is really getting
 24
00:01:01.461 --> 00:01:04.364 the foundation. I went back and took those classes.
 25
00:01:04.364 --> 00:01:06.332 I went did those special projects
 26
00:01:06.332 --> 00:01:10.170 that nobody else wanted to do, and it gave me the experience.
 27
00:01:10.170 --> 00:01:14.407 It gave me, the track and the knowledge to be able to feel more confident
 28
00:01:14.674 --> 00:01:16.843 and approach some of those barriers that were ahead of me.
 

One of the bigger struggles I've encountered in my career is racial discrimination. I've been left wondering why I wasn't selected for a position despite being qualified. It's held me back at times but I stayed motivated and found success regardless.

Every day, I work to break down the barriers that keep people from financial freedom. As the president of LIFE, a nonprofit for financial literacy, I teach workshops in schools, churches, and community centers. I give people real, practical tools to manage money wisely. It’s not just about numbers. It’s about changing mindsets, challenging a system that holds people back, and making financial knowledge accessible.

President

I need to get an advanced degree in order to compete with my peers.

Adversity

Negativity

Challenges I’ve Faced In My Career

When you walk through life and you're kind of aware of your ability,
 2
00:00:03.670 --> 00:00:07.007 but that hasn't really been validated much, you kind of
 3
00:00:07.007 --> 00:00:07.640 question it.
 4
00:00:07.640 --> 00:00:11.011 And I think without that writing getting published,
 5
00:00:11.011 --> 00:00:15.048 I don't think I would have even tried to attempt developing an app.
 6
00:00:15.515 --> 00:00:18.651 I don't think I would have tried to attempt a lot of the things that
 7
00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:20.653 I did shortly after that.
 8
00:00:20.653 --> 00:00:23.123 I never had that vocabulary for myself
 9
00:00:23.123 --> 00:00:23.790 growing up where I did.
 10
00:00:23.790 --> 00:00:27.227 But that was all because, I took the opportunity
 11
00:00:27.227 --> 00:00:30.497 to apply purpose to a personal narrative.
 12
00:00:30.597 --> 00:00:35.268 For people who grow up in those types of environments, they have a drive
 13
00:00:35.268 --> 00:00:39.072 that I don't really see anywhere else outside of that.
 14
00:00:39.072 --> 00:00:42.308 That's why I got involved in the communities the way that I did
 15
00:00:42.308 --> 00:00:46.179 and was a part of opening platforms of expression,
 16
00:00:46.179 --> 00:00:48.448 in these communities, because there is a drive
 17
00:00:48.448 --> 00:00:51.251 to want to get out and to want to see more.
 18
00:00:51.251 --> 00:00:55.188 But if there aren't, opportunities provided or even platforms
 19
00:00:55.188 --> 00:00:59.626 to even express that, then a lot of that energy gets directed into the wrong thing.
 20
00:00:59.626 --> 00:01:02.028 My biggest message in those
 21
00:01:02.028 --> 00:01:06.900 communities and what I even bring back to my own community back home is if you
 22
00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:08.568 don't have the money to go to school,
 23
00:01:08.568 --> 00:01:13.306 expose yourself to more travel, go meet new people, go learn new cultures,
 24
00:01:13.306 --> 00:01:16.810 go see something different in order to broaden your perspective.
 25
00:01:17.043 --> 00:01:19.546 And that will push your education further.
 26
00:01:19.546 --> 00:01:22.549 And it may even push you to go to school eventually.
 27
00:01:22.549 --> 00:01:23.616 I don't think you can really see
 28
00:01:23.616 --> 00:01:27.487 much value in anything outside of you until you see value in yourself.
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00:01:27.654 --> 00:01:31.257 And I think that's ultimately what the difference maker was for me.
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00:01:31.257 --> 00:01:33.293 It's that concept of purpose, right.
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00:01:33.293 --> 00:01:35.161 And that gives you the conviction.
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00:01:35.161 --> 00:01:37.397 What do I want to do with this moment?
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00:01:37.397 --> 00:01:39.032 What do I want to do with this time?
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00:01:39.032 --> 00:01:40.733 How do I want to leave an impact?
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00:01:40.733 --> 00:01:43.603 How do I even want to be remembered in this space?
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00:01:43.603 --> 00:01:46.106 I think if anybody applies a sense of purpose
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00:01:46.106 --> 00:01:49.709 to anything, really, it can become something special.
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00:01:49.709 --> 00:01:52.645 So just hold on to the things that you believe in and make sure
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00:01:52.645 --> 00:01:56.416 the things that you're doing, every choice kind of aligns with that.
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00:01:56.416 --> 00:02:00.053 Use that fuel, use that fire, use that passion, use that pain,
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00:02:00.053 --> 00:02:03.690 and channel it into something that is going to bring value back to you.
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00:02:03.690 --> 00:02:05.525 And ultimately, your community.
 

I had to drop out of university to prioritize work. I eventually re-enrolled in community college had a 1.2 GPA and was placed on academic probation. I started realizing the value that a good education has and decided to focus to succeed in school.

I fell on hard times, struggled to make money through negative avenues, and eventually ended up homeless. Through mentorship and community service organizations, I was able to find a renewed sense of purpose and pull myself back up.

As the creator of J.R. Stark, a signature info content app, I focus on simplifying life skills for users. My day involves curating concise, practical courses on topics like nutrition, self-reliance, and skill development. I’m also refining the app’s features, ensuring it builds a supportive community for users to exchange ideas and grow together.

Creator

Opportunities & Possibilities

Finding Confidence And Purpose

I wanted to know, what kind of personalities or like traits
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00:00:04.337 --> 00:00:08.575 that they need to have in order to be successful in this industry?
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00:00:09.009 --> 00:00:11.244 I've seen all personalities.
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00:00:11.244 --> 00:00:13.013 I've seen it all, right.
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00:00:13.013 --> 00:00:16.883 As for trades, I want to say, like, if you want to be successful in it,
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00:00:17.050 --> 00:00:19.986 you can't be the person to take everything too serious
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00:00:19.986 --> 00:00:22.555 because there are people that are pretty harsh.
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00:00:22.555 --> 00:00:25.825 There are people that will tell you things that you don't want to hear.
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00:00:25.825 --> 00:00:29.062 And it's not bad things, it's just they're not going to sugarcoat anything.
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00:00:29.129 --> 00:00:31.765 So if you're the type of person that's going to take it very seriously,
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00:00:31.765 --> 00:00:32.766 or you're the type of person
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00:00:32.766 --> 00:00:36.002 that's going to get their feelings hurt, it's not going to be fun.
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00:00:36.169 --> 00:00:37.804 Because there are those people,
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00:00:37.804 --> 00:00:41.674 you know, the old school journeymen and foremans, they will scream at you
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00:00:41.674 --> 00:00:44.244 and they will tell you that you're doing it wrong. They're not scared.
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00:00:44.244 --> 00:00:48.615 And so now if you let that get to you and you let it ride with you
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00:00:48.615 --> 00:00:51.251 throughout the day, you're going to have a bad day,
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00:00:51.251 --> 00:00:53.520 which means you're probably going to have a bad career,
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00:00:53.520 --> 00:00:57.057 because there's always going to be that one person that will pick on you, right.
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00:00:57.190 --> 00:00:59.626 You have to be a very confident person.
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00:00:59.626 --> 00:01:01.261 You have to be confident in yourself.
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00:01:01.261 --> 00:01:02.796 You just got to know that you got it
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00:01:02.796 --> 00:01:05.131 and that you can do it regardless of what people say.
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00:01:05.131 --> 00:01:06.766 You can't be too serious.
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00:01:06.766 --> 00:01:08.902 You have to know how to have fun sometimes.
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00:01:08.902 --> 00:01:12.305 It can get pretty serious, especially when things don't go your way.
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00:01:12.372 --> 00:01:15.175 And there's a lot of those days when things don't go our way.
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00:01:15.175 --> 00:01:17.077 You just can't be mad every day.
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00:01:17.077 --> 00:01:20.013 You can't do that. Don't ever be scared to speak up for yourself.
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00:01:20.013 --> 00:01:21.714 And don't ever be scared to talk back.
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00:01:21.714 --> 00:01:23.083 You know they're not scared to talk to you.
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00:01:23.083 --> 00:01:25.885 So why are you scared to talk to them? You've got to defend yourself.
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00:01:25.885 --> 00:01:30.423 Growing up with my dad, who was like, you know, very military minded.
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00:01:30.757 --> 00:01:32.392 Yeah, I definitely came in with that.
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00:01:32.392 --> 00:01:35.228 And then I grew up around a lot of guys also.
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00:01:35.228 --> 00:01:37.697 So it was like, I'm kind of used to that environment, too.
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00:01:37.697 --> 00:01:40.333 And it's like, nope, I'm proving you wrong.
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00:01:40.333 --> 00:01:43.336 And then it just makes those traits become even stronger.
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00:01:43.736 --> 00:01:44.704 It's crazy.
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00:01:44.704 --> 00:01:47.107 You get to the point where you're kind of like untouchable.
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00:01:47.107 --> 00:01:48.441 You know, like you just can't mess with me.
 

2024 NOVA Roadtrip
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did-not-attend-college

Work starts as early as 6 a.m. and can go as late as 6 p.m. Every day is different depending on the job site, project, or task that my foreman might want me to do. My work can include anything from rigging, welding, machine operating, or fire watching.

Confidence

Becoming An Author

Becoming An Author

Blair Imani

304 videos on Confidence: