MAJOR Life Inspiration

Hello everyone, I'm very excited for today's special guest. Baron Wright is the Executive Director of Baron Arts Incorporated, an experienced leadership facilitator. Baron is a creativity and life coach who absolutely leads with love. Baron, thank you for joining me in the V Spot today.

You are very, very welcome. Thank you for having me.

Yeah, I'm super excited. So for those of you who don't know Baron, you'll shortly see why he is one of my favorite people. And I want to first begin, Baron, by acknowledging the courage that it takes to accept an invitation to join me in the V Spot when you don't know what questions I'm going to be asking. I really want to spotlight that that is an example of vulnerability at its best. So upfront, I really want to say thank you.

You're very welcome. I'm completely excited about this and nervous.

Yeah, listen, right, that fine line, that's the fine line between excitement and nervousness. Well, it's been a while, right? We haven't seen each other for a bit. And so I figured a great place to begin was to really allow you the opportunity to share with us what are you up to these days? What work are you currently doing? Um, let us know what's happening in your world.

Awesome. Um, well, currently I am— like I said, I'm a life coach. So I do— so Baron Arts is a life coaching, um, and, uh, creative coaching sort of company. And so what I've been doing through one-on-ones, I've been doing group— I also do group coaching. I've got some, some programs as well as, um, facilitating workshops and stuff like that. So that's been my life for the past— I don't know, coaching's been my life for years, over, actually over a decade, over a decade of really supporting and really seeing people win. And so that's— so what I do now is what I've always been doing. It's just that now I have an actual platform, which is called Baron Arts. And the reason why it's called arts, because I'm an artist as well. And so I looked, I looked to creativity as a, as a landing point to support people in, um, declaring and achieving their life's goals.

I love that. I— well, so I'm first and foremost a huge fan, right, of the arts as it, as it connects to the present healing for me, you know, and also the future where, like, where we're looking to go. Uh, tell us a bit about major life coaching. What's, what's happening? That's something new that I caught a glimpse of, and I'd love to hear a bit about it.

Yes, um, Major Life Coaching is my signature coaching program. It has— there's two prongs. There's a group format and there's a one-on-one, more, uh, focused, more tailored to the client program. And when I think— when I said the word major, I looked at five things. One is like setting the mindset for coaching and for entering in the future in a new way, right? Then there's accountability, which is what most people come to coaching for. You have ideas, but then you want the accountability to make sure you get the ideas actually into fruition. Um, the third one is joy. I think we can move through life like a checklist, and I'll— and the joy is around the process of developing and creating your dreams. O is opportunity, looking at things as opportunity versus obstacles. A lot of us look at things beyond our control as obstacles. I try to focus on, hey, maybe that's opportunity to sort of check in and look. And then the last one is results. Let's get some shit done.

That part. The reason people come, right? The results. Right.

But I think they do. And then what they do not know that they accept is the new practices them the mindset shift, actually experience themselves joyful throughout the process. It's, it's, it's what's, um, sort of warms my heart with my clients. So that's what Major Life is. It's a coaching program, um, that has that, that either one-on-one or it's a group coaching format.

I love that. So, you know, one of the things that stands out about that, that I'm most excited to hear is the piece around joy, right? Because I, I know for myself, I am someone who, when I start to take action and work towards something, I forget that part. I forget that part, right? I jump into having a vision, doing whatever it is to move towards a particular goal, and oftentimes there's check-ins, you know, people who love me enough to be like, uh, are you enjoying yourself with this? Because you seem so— so I love that you built it into your model. Yeah, that's huge.

It's, it's important to me to live a joyful life, given however life is happening. And so that's why I was— that's why I made sure it was definitely part of, like, part of it, bringing in joy, making sure that, like I said, after every call, my, my clients leave with a smile. And I really I look for, look for that to be part of the work that I do with other people.

Yeah, that's, that's great. And it makes me think about, you know, um, with the work that I'm doing, I absolutely— results are important, and I do have conversations with all of my clients about the importance and where they look, where they're looking to go, what are they looking to create. But what I really love too is the fact that I shine the light on the journey And I hear in your share here too, how important it is to actually enjoy the process. And then there's a trust and a knowing and a certainty. The results come, right? So I love that. That's what's, you know, made your life is about too.

Yeah. I say like the goal is, is, is the thing you're moving towards, but the gold is in the journey to the goal.

I love that. It's all about that gold. We got to rock it loud and proud. That's a good one. Yeah. I love that. Well, Baron, tell us a bit about, you know, why coaching and facilitation. Like, let us know what influenced your decision. You said it's been about 10 years. Um, what influenced your decision to do work that regularly seeks to uplift others and support them on the golden journey?

That's a, that's a great question. Um, I think what's I think for me, I grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and like lower middle class, working class family. And being creative, I think, saved my life. Just being a creative person actually saved my life. And I think I used to work with adults, so I think at a certain age, people forget to be creative. And what inspired me was sort of like my own journey of like still being creative, still wanting to do new things and living in a world where a lot of people forget that about themselves. And so I wanted to somehow make an impact in that way. So that's what, I can say that's been my, my focus. My energy is around just tap into your creative power, people, because it's still there. And then once you tap into it, look, look at all the things you, you can create. Look how, look how a different perspective has changed your life completely. And, um, and once I had, once I like had my first person I worked with like that, and I became addicted.

Yeah.

Just being a giver or being a vessel or support. Like I say, I would tell them, I'm on a journey with you and I don't know more than you about your life. I just don't. And I don't want to. So I'm on a journey with you. But if I can be in some small way supporting a new breakthrough, please.

Yeah. So many things that you said. And one of the things that really stands out is this idea of forgetting to be creative, right? Or stopping the creativity process at some point. And it makes me think of, as children, you know, we're encouraged to dream and dream big. And then somewhere along the line, the journey happened, right? We're on the journey life, and that's not encouraged anymore, and it actually stops, you know. And so, um, I often ask the question of like, what do I want to be when I grow up? You know, and like, and encourage, like, keep asking well after childhood, well into adulthood, because— and I hear it with the creativity piece, you know, what do I want to create? And the, and the importance of asking self all the time.

All the time.

All the time. Yeah.

Because you, you're not finite until, until you've transitioned into wherever the new journey— until you transition no longer on this planet, you're not finite. You're always growing. And I think because as children, we would think at a certain age you're finite. And I've always been in the question of what's next.

I love that. Yeah. And it makes me think about like in the conversation of finite, this idea that when we get fixed on, you know, I already learned the thing, I'm already doing the thing, I'm already arrived, you know, I arrived at a particular destination, whatever it may be. How much we rob ourselves of the magic of life because it's like there— it's as if there's no other place to go.

Exactly. Like, have you ever defined yourself as something and then a couple of— you, you thought you was— you thought that that was it, and then—

how can I put it— both hands up. I do it all the time, right?

And then you— and then you start seeing that there are edges to the definition.

Yeah.

You come up against the edges and you want to be something else, and you're like, but I can't because I've already defined myself as this. And I'm always like, well then what's the new you who can, what's the new you? Like for a minute, for a long time, I was like, consider myself a spoken word artist, right? I used to do spoken word all over New York City and other parts of the country. And then I got into music and recording and recording arts. And so, but up until that point, it was like, I'm, I'm only doing spoken word. Yeah. And, but I was coming up against all this music, right? Redefine myself. Hmm. And that's why I like sort of encouraging my clients, like, what's the new definition of who you are?

Hmm. Oh, so important. And like in this moment, I'm tapping into, you know, for some of us, and I identify with this, and I wonder if anybody listening identifies with this too. For some of us, we wait for permission to redefine self, right? Like, we, we just stay in this, in, you know, and I identify with this where for so long, because it's the thing I did or because it's how I viewed myself and let's say my work or whatever, um, that was the thing. And without knowing, there was this like unconscious yearning for permission when the person who gets to grant it to you is the person in the mirror. And I think I, I love that you, you highlight you know, that particular piece in terms of how music keeps come knocking on your door. And then there's the invitation to, to recreate, redefine, you know, reintroduce yourself with that being a new piece. I love that. It becomes so good. What were you saying?

I said become something new, possibly.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. And this, the consistent evolution, right, of the journey. And, and the willingness to, um, shut the navigation off and go for the ride, and where you feel guided to sort of get off and spend some time, take the scenic route, but nonetheless, the, you know, being open to what it could all look like. I love that. So if there is anyone listening who has been waiting for permission to reinvent, recreate, redefine, reestablish, try on new things Consider this the sign. Yeah, exactly. Well, Baron, I, I think it's safe for me to speak for countless people when I say that you have this incredible way of making people feel very safe and very accepted, and there's a freedom that's experienced when we're in your company. Um, so share with us, what sort of work do you do on yourself that allows for you to consistently show up as a safe space for other people?

That's a— no one's ever asked me that. That's a great, that's a great question. Let me see if I have an answer. Um, there's certain— so there's certain rituals that I do, but they, they may not see on, on surface like it's actual things, but like, uh, I walk my dog. And the reason I mentioned that, because it's something that's consistent every morning. And it's— and in walking my dog, I feel like she walks me. Because it's a grounding sort of ritual where I'm in my thoughts, I'm listening to my— to a podcast or some music or an audiobook. So I'm always looking, always consuming information, and always— and I'm curious, the soul of me is just very, very curious about people, life, and things, which is why I love to travel. But like, so it's always looking at new perspectives because I'm always challenging for myself what's my limit Yeah. And so when I see other— and I have an empathy for people, so when I see other people, I'm always curious about what's your journey. I think everyone's life is worth like a movie script. So it's always what's your life about? And because I know life can— there's a billion ways in which you can approach life, I'm always more curious than judgmental. Around other people. I think, I think that's what people may have made sense for me, that the curiosity, that I'm actually genuinely curious about what's going on with you. How, how did, how did you arrive at that decision? Like, what, what's, what's like, that's the part of who I am. And I think, yeah, I think that's what people sort of get from me. Cause I heard that before. And I think I appreciate you for saying it about how it's like, Baron, like I, people feel comfortable being themselves around me, right? And I think that's 'cause I'm genuinely curious about people and their lives and it comes from a sincere place.

[Speaker:KELLI RICHARDSON LAWSON] Yeah, yeah, no, it's absolutely experienced. And I love the pointing out like the curiosity and willingness to get to know, right? Get to know people in a way where it's like, who are you? What are you about? What's playing in your movie, right? Let's like check it out with some popcorn. That, you know, like wander. And I, and I want to shine the light on, you know, you mentioned like going for the walk as one of your practices. And I love that you say that. Well, first of all, I love how you highlight that the dog walks you because I think it's so significant to point that point out in this moment. What I'm tapping into is how cathartic the walk is for you, right? And it's— and I think that this is so significant to highlight because Many of us have things in our life, daily rituals such as, that we put— we potentially don't hold as work, right, or personal development opportunities. But really, it's just that it's not only healing and cathartic because it allows for being out in nature, being with your thoughts, being with your dog, but being able to listen to podcasts, being able to reflect, you know, and these are practices often overlooked But key, right? Key.

There was—

I love that.

There was a moment where, like, like she was saying, as like my daughter was saying, at someone else's house, and I was like, do I still go for the walk? And I was like, yes, you still go.

Yeah.

So I would like, even when she's not— yeah, I would still go for the walk because it was, it was for both of us.

So good. So good. I, I hope that for everybody listening, there's an opportunity to really like and take inventory over what you have in place already that serves you. Because it sounds like the walking of the dog and the dog walking with you is really like service, you know, that allows for you to then show up and be who you are with other people in the way that you do on a consistent basis, right? Which, which is not easy work to do. I love that. Anything else that stands out, that stands out in this moment about, you know, something that you do that supports your, like, show up, how you show up as a person?

You know what? Um, this, I'm not sure consistently, consistency, this is part of consistency, but I do, um, do things to celebrate myself. Mm-hmm. Right. I, one thing I say about my, my, um, I say it's one of my, what you call it? You say self-care is travel. Self-care for me is travel. And so in doing what I do, I do make, I try to make moments of where I can actually physically go somewhere, go to a place, either place I've been before. I've been to Mexico a couple of times or a new place. Um, just so I can experience a new experience for myself. So like, if, if it's ways in which, cuz giving out and being other people's lives, it can be at times like for coaches and trainers, you can sort of lose yourself.

Yeah.

Because, cuz the work you're doing, it's, it's so energy-based outward. Mm-hmm. Right.

Yeah.

That, moments to replenish are far and few in between. So I always offer, like, let me set in some time to replenish. And for me, replenishing is travel. So if I'm on a plane and my passport is— using my passport— my passport is stamped, look.

Yeah, listen, there's a whole, there's a whole restoration that comes from that in itself, right? There's— I love that. I think that, yeah, see, that's key. And what's special about this is pointing out some people may think that we have to hold it as the traditional things, right? Reading a book, which there's nothing wrong with, and I love, but I also love like stamping the passport, right? Because these are different out-of-the-box ways that you pour into you. I think, and I love that. And also, two things that I wanna highlight based on what you just said, said. One is this fact that it's the give out, right, the focus out when you're in service and coaching, consulting work, any sort of, you know, mental health-related fields, all of that. Um, there's tons of them. When you are in service and you're constantly giving out, sometimes that's desirable because it allows for the focus out versus the, you know, to turning it around and looking within. And so I love that you highlight travel as a way of restoring because I think But what I hear is that's your time to shift in, perhaps with different surroundings, but it's like, now it's about going inward.

It's really about going inward. I remember my first trip outside the US and I always tell this story. I had walked in, I think I was going to Dominican Republic. I think one of my first trips and I walked into the store., and the guy behind the counter says, Americano. And it was the first time for me experiencing myself as an American. Not a Black man, but an American, which created a whole new dynamic for me as a person on the planet.

Wow.

Because if I had not had that experience, if I had not traveled, Within the US, I can only view myself within the boundaries of the US. But once I started traveling, I started— my sense of self has expanded. Having a conversation with someone in like Thailand and understanding the similarity between what it is to be human, you are forever changed. And so that's why it sort of become my my focus in.

Yeah, I love that, I love that. And with that, you're going somewhere special in the fall.

In the fall, with that being said, that being said, perfect. We are, um, I'm taking a group of, I think it's, I think it's 10 people currently, or 9 or 10 people, to Iceland.

Wow.

I know, my big black behind going to Iceland.

Oh good, so good.

My third time going and I love it there.

Wow, what's your favorite thing about Iceland?

Um, so my, my favorite thing, because there's a lot of— there's, there's a place that we go to called the Secret Lagoon, and it's just my own sort of— my own— when I travel, I like to feel like I'm part of the the citizens there. So because this lagoon is for us, it's a smaller lagoon. We do go to the Blue Lagoon, which is a bigger, more touristy, more extravagant sort of lagoon, but the secret lagoon is like local, a local hot spring. You come in, there's no pretension, but it feels like you're one of the people who live there. And I really love that. And also the eco village where we sort of stay, where we sort of get to know about what it is to live in a self-sustaining village. It's quite powerful in the, in the, in the whole industry. So that's my two favorite experiences.

I love that. I love that. Well, maybe, maybe, right? Maybe I'll be in Iceland in the fall. It sounds— I've never been, and it's definitely on the bucket list. And, you know, just really quickly, since we're on the topic, share the, like, how there's work involved in the trip. Yes, who are listening also.

So yes, so in the trip, it's a— one, the trip is sort of help design— I have designed the trip. It's, it's giving out and also giving in because you— hello, welcome to Barren, right? So it's— yeah, proceeds to the trip also supports the eco-villages that we visit, but you also work with me and, and doing some workshops, some inner work along, along with the trip. And so we stay in, I think, 4 different locations in 5 days. So, so you're being whisked around Iceland to get to get the experience of different way different people live in Iceland. And there's adventure, there's like, like I said, they give out this wonderful food, wonderful experience. You may or may not get to see the Northern Lights. I did in my last time I was there, which was amazing. We did sort of accidentally. And and you get to walk the glacier, which is— wow, top-notch experience in my life. One of my favorite experiences in my entire life. Wow.

So I love that. I love that. So, uh, there's an opportunity to see Iceland and do personal development work alongside Baron, right? Um, you know, add it to the list. I love that, Baron. Thank you. Thanks for— I'm glad that that part comes up. No mistakes. Well, and it kind of connects to where I was going to go next because, you know, one of the things that I often speak about with my work is courage over comfort, right? The idea of courage over comfort. And so talk to us about what that looks like in your life right now. How are you challenging yourself with courage over comfort?

And I'm— because I am who I am, will be very transparent here. Um, courage over comfort for me is being an entrepreneur. Um, because comfort— comfort could have been— the way I see comfort— comfort could have been working the 9 to 5, not and I'm not knocking a 9 to 5 because for people that's like, it is what it is. It works. But for me, it was comfort for me could have been, could have been that. However, I felt just to me that there was something more outside of, outside of working for others in that particular way, but sort of designing how do I want to work with people, which has always been, at least in my lady, these most recent years, it's been important to me, like, how do I wanna work with you? And who do I wanna work with in the world? 'Cause there's some people and they may have the check, but then the person doesn't follow the same values that I follow. And it just, it becomes more important to me, but it's not comfortable. Yeah, being an entrepreneur is not a comfortable position to be in because you're consistently, you're consistently up against you.

I just got that memo, Baron.

Up against you. And like, look, some days I'm, I'm all gung-ho, and then some days I'm like, why did I choose this path? Right, right. But it's, it's a consistent choosing of what your values are, because when you're working for yourself, you've created your own values of what that work looks like. So you're consistently up against your own values rather than working for someone else. You have, because you're enrolled into their values and living and being and working inside those values. So it's, that's where the tension comes from for me.

Yeah, and, and I hear you, you know, speak of courage over comfort as a lifestyle in this particular context, right? It's like, it's, it's not a one and done. It's, you know, day in, day out. And what I was thinking about when you talked about being up against yourself— oh, like, that's, you know, the space that I'm in, right? It's so, it's so new. It's so unfamiliar in ways. Because of what's attached to it, right? I think I've always been up against myself in ways. But in this moment, what, what I thought of as you were speaking was, well, if you're going to be up against anyone, why not be up against you, you know? And be— and like, and have that be the, the commitment. Because of what becomes possible when you are pushing back against your own narratives, your own beliefs, your own experiences, capacity, vision, creativity. Um, and I think that there is so much to come from that particular— oh my God, I hate to say it— battle, but in a sense battle versus like the external.

There's so much learning, so much to be, to be had in declaring yourself and choosing your— like, don't give me the culture. There's so much learning and declaring and being and doing yourself. And I'm like, I'm 100% grateful for it. But yes, it's challenging.

Yeah.

Don't let no one tell you anything, anything different. It's challenging because you're up— you're also up against what the world say and also what you may have believed about yourself in the past. Yeah.

Right.

So it's, look, but, but when you say like courage, it takes that sort of courage to choose every moment, every day. This is, this is what I believe in. This is what I believe I can make an impact for. This is what I believe people want.

Yeah.

Yeah. So I'm providing, I'm providing the void between want and have.

I love that.

I'm enough to do it, right? Because I'm enough to do it. So totally.

Yeah, yeah. Listen, I mean, I have the goosebumps, um, because I think that it's, it's rolling up the sleeves and, and doing that internal work that really allows for shifts and changes that are much needed and wanted in the world right now, right? Because I think that when we go inward, to really, you know, and transparently this podcast, like this is me up against my own vulnerability, right? Me up against my own fears. And when I do it and push through and show up uncomfortable and have the discomfort, you know, feeling all throughout, right? Who gets to listen to and then access something that they hear from you, Baron, where it's like, oh, what, you know? And I think that there's just so much value in continuing to be with the self in that way. Um, but yeah, absolutely, I hear it as a courage over comfort for you as a lifestyle based on choosing the entrepreneurial path and, um, all that comes with it is both beautiful and challenging and everything in between. And, uh, yeah, it's, it's, it's very interesting, a new territory for me, but very interesting. Yeah, I love that. Um, well, we're, we're arriving here at the last question and then we'll go into the final round. You know, I often speak about— I use my platform to speak about mental health and, um, I share openly about my own history with, you know, anxiety, depression, panic disorder. And, um, I'm wondering, how have you been supporting your mental health during these very challenging days?

Some of it is what I've said before around replenishing, which is, which is the traveling and, and, and, um, having and getting space. Mm-hmm. Right. Um, so also it's part, part of like, like the morning walk is, is a mental health thing for me. Mm-hmm. Even my dog's not here. I'm thinking I need to take this walk. Because it sets up my entire day. What I have is a really great support system. I like to really, like, really, really honor those people who at the drop of a dime I can call upon and say, hey, my mind is not— I'm on it around this situation. Because look, we all went through 2020.

Right.

I think during that year, like my mother passed away and like life was just, life was shifting. And so there was moments where I was like, I just need to, I need to be taken care of. Yeah. And, um, so I think I had like a strong support system and my family, um, who also is part of my support system, but sometimes, um, for reasons beyond my control, there's sometimes they've been distant, but like when I need to call upon them, they're there. And so those are, and working through my own self-talk, right? Practicing ways in which to, when the self-talks When the self-talk is not in a way that's working for me, check it. Where is it coming from? Right. And what new language can I add to counter the self-talk? And what language can I remove? I'm really good at that part. There's, cause I'm very big on, I think it's the poet in me, but I'm really big on language. So like, What language do I include and what, and what language I've removed so, so, so I can start voicing my life in a new way. Those are the, the steps of some of stuff that, that's been very supportive for me and my mental and my, my mental health.

Yeah. Yeah. I, I, I mean, what I was gonna say is first and foremost, you know, to express condolences on the loss of your mom. Thank you. Um, and, and highlight that, you know, yes, like 2020 and 2021, and the grieving process, right, and the tenderness of being on that journey at the same time that the world is worlding in chaos, right, and there's so much uncertainty and upset, you know, and upheaval, and managing mental health through all of that, you know. I just hear like the gift of having the network that you value and can turn to, and the practices, the walking with the dog, and, you know, the inner dialogue and being in tune, like, just so essential, you know. Um, and for, for everyone out there who is navigating similar circumstances and trying to manage it all at one time, the grace and space, right, and compassion to one day at a time Right. And if there's not a network available to you, you know, to lean into safe spaces, potentially like this one where you can start to have conversations that carry you through. Yes.

I just want to say one piece. Um, cause I talk about language and how I removed it. And I don't want to say like, it's an easy process. It's a process I've done over years, But it's a process that anyone can do. Just start understanding when you, like the word stress, I don't use the word stress. I'm saying it to you today because I'm having this conversation, but it's not a word that I use daily or anything. Cause I have a belief that stress can cause things within my, within the body, within my livelihood. So I don't use that word to describe whatever I'm going through. I try to figure out a new way in which I can— a new word or a new circumstance, not describing stress, but what's possible for me.

I love that. That's a huge takeaway. Thanks for putting that into the space. I think that's key. And I absolutely would like to try that on as a, as a strategy, you know, because it really eliminates giving any sort of energy to, and then what becomes possible as a result of. I love that. That's so, that's so good. I have a few words that are worth taking out. Thanks, Baron. That's a, that's a nice golden nugget. Yeah. All right. So for our final piece, we're going to do a speed round. I call it the Forwarding Four. I will ask you 4 questions, and you will answer with the first thing that comes to your mind, knowing that there's no right or wrong answer. It's just where you feel intuitively driven to, to go. Um, so tell me when you're ready and I'll give you number 1. Ready. All right, number 1: name one area of your life where you are intentionally healing. Relationship. Number 2: share a song that's been inspiring you lately.

Um, Vessels. I forget the guy's name actually, but song's called Vessels.

Vessels. Okay. Number 3, what's your call to action to the collective in this moment?

Um, peace.

Yeah. Number 4, what forwarding message do you want and need to give to yourself in this moment?

Um, Continue to honor your, your tribe and continue to speak highly of yourself.

I love that. I love that. All right, Baron, so where can folks find you? So if they're interested in learning more about the work that you're doing?

Yes. So you can find me if you have Instagram, you can find me on thebaronwright. That's one R, thebaronwright. Website is thebaronarts.com. Facebook, Baron Wright. LinkedIn, Baron Wright.

And yeah. All right, great. I'll, I'll drop it into the show notes too, so folks could just click on it to, to find you. Baron, thank you for joining us in the V Spot. It's always a pleasure to share space with you. And, um, spend time together. You know, I want to say thank you for gracing the space, um, and everybody else, thanks for joining in, you know, with Baron and I. To be continued.