From Corporate Safety to First 5-Figure Month in 5 Months w. Eleonora Valenti

What working together helped me realize is, yeah, the goal is not the image. The goal is the feeling. And I do have the feeling like I'm living in my freedom. I'm living in abundance. I'm living in a country that I dreamed of living in for 10 years.

Welcome back to another episode of the Yes And Podcast. I am Bunny Young, serial entrepreneur, retired therapist, retired stuntwoman, mother of 4, Army wife, and currently in my podcast studio. This sunlight is attacking me. So this is another reason why if you watch the episodes on video, you get to see some of the behind the scenes of me doing my best to avoid this harsh sunlight in my face, as it's only going to be here for like 4 to 5 minutes. We can always find reasons not to and put this off and procrastinate, but I am here to record this episode in spite of the sunlight harassing my eyeballs. And also, that has a lot to do with what we're going to discuss in today's episode. It actually has a lot to do with why I created the Yes And Podcast is because, like I said, we're always going to find a reason not to. We can find a million reasons not to. And we're constantly telling ourselves why we can't have what we want or why we should be happy with what we have. And so in today's episode, I want to go behind the scenes with one of our participants, one of our unicorns in Defy. Her name is Elle, and I want to be able to share with you a lot of the journey of how she's overcome this mindset and the exact steps that she did in order to have her first 5-figure month, as well as move from Italy to the Netherlands to Thailand to Japan and build a business that can support her no matter where she goes in this world while raising her incredibly amazing son and being there present, uh, with her family. So I am going to get into this episode with you and give you as much of the behind the scenes as I possibly can for Elle's journey. And I want you to have a pen and paper for this episode because this is one you're going to want to take notes on. No fluff, all results. All gold and value, but the information is only as good as the implementation. So yes, we are going to give you all of the gold nuggets, and it's up to you to put them into action in your own life. Let's get into this in this episode of the Yes And Podcast. Let's back up and just orient our audience to the fact that it is, what, 11 o'clock at night in Japan for you, and it's like 6:30 in the morning for me.

Yes, it is.

And I want to talk about the time difference a little bit later because that's a whole level of commitment that you've had that most people use as an excuse. And I want to celebrate you for that. However, One of the things that I found out while we were working together, I didn't know this going into it. I think you had shared your background with some pretty major companies, but I want, I want you to kind of share a little bit about your resume and what the thought process was when you decided, you know what, I'm going to go from these massive companies and this really important role that I'm holding in these companies and moving all around the world to being a coach?

Yeah, life before and life after. So my career started as most people do, the majority of people thinking, okay, yes, I'm going to finish my studies, get my master's check, and then I'm going to get a stable job. And as an Italian, I was very proud to get the first job in the Netherlands and I joined Nike and this was, you know, the company, the setup that everybody would dream of, the type of role that you will tell your family, your friends, and everybody's immediately so proud. And yes, of course it was a great experience and I was very lucky. I think already I picked the beginning of my career in a good way because I chose it not because I'd studied that. I actually studied international relations. At first I thought I was gonna save the world, work for some major organization, building development projects around the world. But also I realized that I thrive in environments of innovation, of change, and healthy competition. So I thought, you know what, like Nike seems a great organization to work in. And I joined the HR team in recruitment. The beautiful thing, I was so lucky that I was given the opportunity to grow. And so I almost got promoted every year in the 6 years that I've been there. And I've held a lot of different roles. All of them always a bit creative, so I really carved my space. So from the outside, everybody saw me as this person, like I knew everyone in the company. Every year, me and my team were responsible for hiring hundreds of people, so everywhere on campus, like we knew people, like we had great network in the industry. And yet, at some point I realized, hmm, there's something. That is missing, like something that I feel like there's something more, but what is it? Like life seems, you know, yeah, off script, perfect. Like I got married, I bought a house and I have this prestigious role and my salary grows every year, but hmm, why do I feel this nudge? And yeah, that was the first time in my life that I decided to listen to the crazy voice in my head telling me that there was another way. And I decided to move to Asia. And the opportunity that I got into was working for this organization that felt way smaller, not as well known back then, Mindvalley. But that was exactly the opportunity that completely opened up my mind because Mindvalley is an organization that is in the personal development space, one of the pioneering organizations that started creating these beautiful crafted courses, working with authors and making personal development cool. And when I joined now almost 8 years ago, it really completely shifted what I thought about careers and what I thought, believed was possible. So even if at the time there was a very teeny tiny voice in my head thinking maybe I wanna have my own business one day, definitely at that time it felt too scary to do anything about it. So I kind of pushed it, but at the same time I started growing and expanding my capacity. The first thing I started learning was investing, financial mindset. And, and yeah, that was really the first thing. And little by little, I moved from, it's something that you say as well, moving from the question mark, can I do it? And then that exclamation mark that makes you want to jump at it. Yes, it's my time to do it. So 2 years ago, I decided to start my own business, but yeah, you're right. It was very, unexpected back then because after Mindvalley, I also joined other two startups and I held leadership roles. I was VP HR at the last startup in Thailand and yet I did the unexpected move, scary, but definitely I can see now it's been one of the best decisions of my life.

What made you make that decision? Like what was the mindset? What was the moment that you were like, you know what, betting on myself is actually the safest thing to do and the only option?

There were two moments. So first it started as I wanna do this thing, I want to create my own business, and my main thing was being clear about my values. So I got clear about my values, I got my purpose, and for me, impact and freedom are very two big things. So that already got me saying, you know what, I can still keep my job, but I need, I really feel the need to contribute on my own and try my skills on my own. So I started on the side and at first it was like, okay, that's my, you know, that's my playtime. And then I did it and it worked and I was good at it. And people like started reaching out on LinkedIn, can I work with you? And little by little I was like, oh, maybe one day. And I remember so vividly, like in 2023, like 2023, this moment when I was like, oh my God, I wish I could do it right now because I had a little baby and I, it was so intense working in that leadership role that I didn't like my lifestyle. And I wanted to, but it definitely felt financially crazy to do it. So I thought, oh, maybe in 4 or 5 years. But then a few months later, something happened in the organization that made me think like, why do I have to wait 4 or 5 years and keep living this like, yeah, it's like holding my breath and not doing the thing that I can do best. So at that time I was like, it's not gonna be 4 or 5 years. I'm enough clear that if I'd be my own client, I totally call bullshit and say like, okay, now this is your thing. So then that's what made me jump.

And for everybody listening, it's not that you are coaching individuals to leave massive organizations and start their own company. You're actually taking them through the process that you took yourself through that resulted in that, but it resulted in the clarity. So I imagine there's a question that you asked yourself that you end up asking your clients. Like you said, if I was my own client, I would have called bullshit. However, there's a question before that to really allow yourself the space, the expansion, the permission to, to own the dream and own the vision. So what is that question?

Hmm, is a version of who are you?

I'm smiling like, you know, it's— what's the first thing that we do when you join DEFY is create your vision, right? Because so often we get in reactive mode with our lives and with our careers and with our families where it's like we're just— we're getting through the day and it's like Groundhog Day every single day. And we don't realize where we're moving the needle. Like, if we're moving the needle closer to the big vision, it's like we win the day, but how do you ultimately win the life? And that's what I heard you say, is like this lifestyle. You— the money was great, the title was great, the LinkedIn status was great, and on the outside you said like, I checked all the boxes, but inside you wanted a different lifestyle. You wanted a different life. You wanted that autonomy. Do you have it now?

100%. Like, I'm so, I catch myself in so many moments that I'm like, I'm so happy and I'm so proud of myself. Not because everything's perfect. If you ask me, I haven't ticked all the things that I want to build in life, but what working together helped me realize is Yet the goal is not the image. The goal is the feeling. And I do have the feeling like I'm living in my freedom. I'm living in abundance. I'm living in a country that I dreamed of living in for 10 years. And every time that I wake up and I get to cuddle my son a little bit, because I don't have to rush to work or thinking of, I shared this story a lot. Like it was really heavy for me for like first couple of years of his life. I would breastfeed him before going to sleep. And then I had to go back to work, but then he would wake up. I would pick him up, nurse him again, put him back to sleep, go back to work. And I was like, what is it? Why am I doing it? And now every time that I'm putting him to bed and I'm relaxed and I don't have to run anywhere, I'm like, yeah, that's a sign that I'm living the life that I want to live.

I love that. You didn't just decide to leave corporate and go out on your own. You also made this really big decision to not do it alone. And I want you to take our listeners through kind of this decision and this awareness, because the energy with which you and I started our relationship and started our conversation with was not I don't know what I'm doing and I need your help. The energy was very different, and it was— I felt like, I felt chosen. I felt like you were really clear that you were investing in yourself and you were investing in a space. And that is— it was such a beautiful process to see you take yourself through because it wasn't just the first time, like it was also when you renewed. And I haven't experienced you really questioning yourself, and I know you've shared with me that you have, but I haven't experienced that. So how did you go from the decision to, I'm going to start my own business, to choosing this path within Defy and within having the support and the mindset through that to saying, you know what, I'm going to keep going and I'm going to continue for another year?

Yeah. To tell you what happens in my mind in the backstage, I have to make one more step that was, I traded the moment when I was confronted with the situation in the startup I was working for. And it was that moment when I was like, oh my God, what do I do? And at first it felt like, what, for one minute was like, oh, this is so difficult. That's an overwhelming situation. I don't know what to do. But because I had done that clarity, that vision that we talked about before, then I could say within a day, okay, this is my time. I'm gonna jump. So I think it was about a week into it that I was clear that I was going to move full-time and do my business full-time, trust my own, do coaching. And at that time I had a coaching certification. I'd done it already. However, because I'd never fully done, like worked on my business and the stakes were very high because I was the main breadwinner for my family. So it was a big financial decision as well. The money, I could only see the salary that I was living and thinking it needs to work. I have 6 months to make it work. So my thought was, how can I give the best shot? What can I do to have the best chance to make it work within 6 months or so. So at that time, I joined a program that you also know, and that was a 1-year certification going deeper on coaching tools, not only. So I decided I'm going to be on the first year in my business, not by myself, but with a community. I'm sure that not just the knowledge, but being in that energy is what is going to keep me in action, keep me momentum. And this is what I need. I trust myself that I am in the right space with the accountability to take action. I am going to make the best progress. And in that program, I met you. And there was something different, I think, in the interaction, in what I saw in you that I thought, well, this girl got something. I think I was attracted by two things in particular. One was because you funded multiple companies and that's part of my vision. I don't just see myself as a coach, just like I didn't see myself just a recruiter. I see myself as someone that is curious, wants to expand, and who knows what's gonna be next. So I like that openness to create multiple things. And then you had a little baby, your third child back then. And I thought, wow, she's a mom. And every weekend she's traveling to a different group and a different program. That's exactly what my lifestyle to be. And I remember you sharing one day, uh, this post about I had a 6-figure month or something. And these are the things that I didn't do. I didn't create an offer or didn't obsess about an offer. And I thought, this is so opposite compared to what most people talk about. And this is what I resonated with. Build a business that fit yourself, your lifestyle, and do it in your own way. So that got me curious. And the funny thing, I don't know if I told you, but now I can say that was actually when I talked to you was the very first month when finally my business, I had the third month where revenues were a little bit more consistent. So it's not like I had a huge track record or so much money saved. I barely made enough for two months that I knew that my expenses were covered, but that made me feel like I have a little bit more. Room to invest myself to the next level. And I don't want to be just in the program. I want to work closely with someone that knows exactly where I'm at and what I want to develop. And I liked about Defy that this is space where you're very involved, you know everyone, you directly care about us. So yeah, it was financially didn't make sense, but I thought, Again, will this room, this support help me, enable me to make the jump that I see that it's possible? And then it was about 5 months in that I had my first 5-figure month. Yeah, that was a great moment.

And what led to the 5-figure month? Because this is something that You and I have talked about repeatedly in the aspect that I'm not gonna give you a prescription. A lot of business programs, and, and I think you've shared with me that this is one of the reasons that we're working together and that you chose Defy versus another program, is I'm not gonna tell you how to build your business. I'm not gonna tell you how you should be doing it. I'm gonna tell you my experience and my wisdom for 21 years doing this and give you the foundations of it, but you get to pick the activities that feel aligned like you said, with your lifestyle, because when you and I started working together, if I had told you, yeah, you're going to DM 70 people a day or you're going to, you know, shift— you're— you've built this ecosystem on LinkedIn. And I really wanted to honor that. I didn't want to take you and put you on Instagram and say like, this is what you have to be doing. And so in those 5 months, the wins that you were having was setting up this foundation for consistency and also being able to go back through the previous 3 months and see what led to these results and that they weren't accidental, that there was a system there that was repeatable. And so I want you to take us kind of through like what led to that 5-figure month. And then I also want to go into the, the times that you've messaged me and been like, you know, it doesn't matter, I'm just going to go do this. And what happened then?

It actually happens to 2 times, very similar. One was the 5-figure month, and then also beginning of this year when I had another, uh, big jump. So what led to the growth, that milestone, and actually this is what this year has been, is because you, yes, of course you let us do our own thing, but at the same time, you make us practice, like What I found really helpful was a couple of the sales labs where we really role-played, and that was the first time that I paired what I already know, what was already working with just getting the energy, talk from the vision, talk from, or like communicate to people from what is possible for them. And And then very quickly, because yes, I had that consistency on LinkedIn already combined with this one. I think it helped me be more, more magnetic, more, more attractive. So it led to more conversation, but what I noticed is that I was more daring, more inviting. Before, I would probably be more scared. And instead, what was the difference is just lead with your superpower, lead with your magic. And then, uh, yeah, that helped me with more, create more consistency, but also, um, having more clients saying yes as a result. And instead of one, also one other thing, instead of doing a lot of things, really focus on what's working already. It can be easy. You don't have to reinvent the wheel all the time. So those things combined then led to the results. But the funniest thing was that when it happened, that month was February, was the shortest month of the year. So it's not even that you had more days to make revenue, but I had a lot of conversation. The first part of the month was great. And then a bit of silence. And instead of just pushing and working harder like I used to do, I told my husband, you know what, let's go for a weekend away. Let's just enjoy. We were living in Thailand, so let's just go to another beach for a couple of days and let's have fun. Literally the day after, we took a bag, our son, we went for a couple of days at the beach. And during that weekend, I had 2 people, 2 clients saying yes and confirming. And then I came back to work the week after. I was like, wow, this month is going great. That's fine. It's like feeling like I am so close to 5 figures, but there's no need to push it. It's fine. I'm already happy. This was a great month. And then I went, I go to my spam because another person didn't respond. So I checked the spam, not expecting anything. I go on the spam and there was another person confirming. Yes, I want to work one-on-one with you. And she had wrote to me 10 days before and I felt like, what? I reached 5-figure months like 10 days ago and I didn't even know. So it was such a, yeah, such a funny feeling. And this year happened, I think what you referred to, it kind of happened again. My group program, the Career Accelerator, was about to start in 10 days and I was worried there were not enough people. And I was questioning, should I move it or not? But then again, I thought, even if it's not as big as I thought, the right people are there. That's fine. You know, they will have great value. And then again, I went on holiday and totally enjoyed for the whole week. And during those last days, I had 3 people reaching out to me. So it took me 24 hours coming back home and yeah, 3 people joined the program at the last moment. And, and now it's the most engaged group ever. So yes, it's the revenue growth, but at the same time is the quality of the people, the quality of the transformation. And what is priceless is how I feel.

What would you tell that version of you from 2 years ago, from 2 and a half years ago, that said, this doesn't make sense. You've got this, this career, you've got this. And I know that you tell your clients this, you know, and that's something so beautiful is that, like you said, your magic and your energy. And I feel that like I am constantly in awe of the way that you have this confidence that a lot of people would look at you and be like, oh, well, she's just a confident person. And I know that some of that's true also, though. You continue to bet on yourself, even like you said, when— before it makes sense to do so. So what would the version of you sitting here with us today tell that version of you from 2 and a half years ago?

I would say first, trust. Give it space to work. The most important thing is to stay consistent. Regardless of where, what the, what the results are. What I often tell my clients and what I saw working in Mindvalley already, working with many founders and in several startups that I've seen it over and over again, the people who have success, they look delusional from the outside. So that is my fun way to say like, I've seen so many people saying things that nobody believed they were possible, and actually they did it because they weren't discouraged by others saying, this doesn't make sense, this is crazy, this is not going to work. And I've learned to practice that conviction. So you're right, confidence for me doesn't look like I have the proof before I take the action. Confidence is, it's free. It's so unsure, so not proven yet, but I feel that this is the right direction. I trust myself. I think I'm capable and I'm not here for the short run, like to win in 5 minutes. I'm here for the long run. So can I promise myself that I'm going to try everything I can until it works? And prove myself right.

Yes. And you and I smile at the aspect that the biggest reason that I'm successful is that I don't quit. They can't stop me if I don't quit.

Exactly. That's exactly right.

I can, because I can slice your journey up and look and be like, oh, if you stopped here, it would have been a failure. Right? But you've looked at every single failure, and I'm holding up air quotes, and said, what can I learn from this? You've looked at every reason why you can't and turned it into fuel. And I remember one day having this conversation with you because we were doing a one-to-one session, and it's like some of my favorite work to do, and especially with you. And I had committed to taking my daughter and my daughters and her friends to this sea lion beach down in La Jolla in California. And I said, that's fine, I'll just sit at the beach and do our coaching call. And I'm having a conversation with you, I'm sitting at the beach. I didn't know that you manifested me being at the beach and coaching from the beach because you had said that energy was something that you were actually craving. So tell me a little bit more behind the scenes, remind me a little bit more about that conversation, as well as share share with the audience some of the behind the scenes on that?

Well, the funny, you asked me, is that okay if we have a conversation while I'm driving with my family and I'm with, you know, and I'm with them. And for a moment it stopped me and I felt not only it's okay, I think this is the example that I need because I decided this career Plus, when I talk about career, for me, it's paired with what is the lifestyle that comes with it, right? So I chose this freedom and this room to play, and this is also to remind myself that I don't need to be at desk all the time. And it was so timely because it was during the summer holiday, but I was staying with my mother-in-law, with our family at the seaside in Italy, and I was a bit stressed because Yeah, it was summer. I didn't have my own workspace and I felt like, and also there was a lot of change happening in my life that I was nervous. How can I plan my business if I'm so nomad all the time? And that's why I thought it was such a great example that you don't need to have a set desk. You don't need to have a laptop. You don't need to, uh, have everything perfect and steady to make things moving. And one of the things that I started embracing more is having sent messages when I'm walking, what after I bring my son to school or yeah, walking session, any, it doesn't matter where, but yeah, you can make magic anytime, anywhere.

You are always going to be able to find the reasons not to. That's something that we have learned. And that's one of the reasons that we call this program DEFY is because in order to have everything that you want in life, that mindset isn't going to support you of finding all the reasons why you can't be successful. And you've found, like, that's a great example of finding the reasons why you can. And also, as we shared when we opened in this podcast episode, like, you're on our calls. When you renewed and decided to do a year or two, you were moving from Thailand to Japan. And you had said on that call when I was at the beach, you had said the calls are going to be at like 1 in the morning. That's, that is my hesitation. And you told me, you said, I'm not telling you that to say it's a no. I'm telling, I'm saying it out loud so that you can help me figure out a solution. And I, I loved that aspect of it. It was like, this is a yes for me. I just have to figure this out. And then I also told you because we were doing the alumni calls because this is your year 2 and that was something that we added, I said, my commitment to you is to figure out a time that's gonna work for you. What did that feel like to have your coach and a group program say, we're actually going to craft a time around a time zone that works for you?

Mm-hmm. Yeah, that was very, that was very special, but it wouldn't have happened if I wouldn't have asked or if I wouldn't have voiced it out. It is, I think, part of what you were saying, lead with a solution instead of using any situation as an obstacle. And I think this is what I love about coaching, not because I have this identity that I'm a coach, that's all I do, but it is part of my skill set or toolbox, if you, if you will. And it's truly one of my favorite things in the world to be able to use anything that happens in life for my own growth. And the more I can put myself through that, I can guide other people in that journey. Not because I'm perfect, but because I know that by questioning and getting new learnings, it's just going to help me get better and serve people better. And if I can add one thing, because yes, we talked about, yeah, the hard, like, it seems like there's no bump in the road. Yeah, the growth, I trust it. And then I work with you and then the money. For the coaching materialized. It's not just it, because what I didn't say is after a couple of months in the journey, like of being a full-time coach, I also had a month of like zero, like not even €1, like zero. And, and I was also so shocked because how, how is it possible that I had conversation? I was working hard. I was doing the thing. And zero. And I think it's one of those moments of like the dark night of the soul when you're faced with the thing you're most afraid of. But looking back, that moment was so precious because it taught me even in that situation, I could prove to myself I'm safe and I can keep going. Next month is going to be better. So So that emotional experience and going through that taught me another level of finding your own safety when your current reality doesn't look like it. And this has been one of the most precious learning that I've had.

Yeah. And it's just been such an incredible journey and an incredible ride. And I want to give you a chance to kind of share one of your highlights. Highlights over the last year and a half of working together from the personal side, but also some of your favorite highlights of what's made Defy and the community different and our work together different. And is it okay if I share one of my highlights over the last year? Yes. Okay, so Defy, we have a global community. We have individuals that are in Europe, we have individuals that are in Asia. Elle's in Japan right now. Yes. And I had this crazy— it wasn't crazy. It's very much aligned with what we do in Defy, like idea of doing this world tour and coming to see everybody in person. And that one of the things that that came from was that we had this in-person retreat last year in September, and for everybody that did the pay in full bonus, we went to Disneyland and I was having a conversation with Elle a couple weeks. It was just a couple weeks before the retreat, right? Like, it wasn't that, that long before the retreat because you hadn't confirmed that you were coming, right? Am I, am I speaking this accurately?

Yeah, a few weeks.

Yeah, it was literally a few weeks, and you were moving from Thailand to Japan around that time, and I asked you the question of like, what would it look like for you to come. And your response was something around the— what you just shared of, well, I have to decide that I'm gonna come first. Like, once I decide that I'm coming, then I'm coming, right? Like, yeah, once I decide I'm going to be successful, once I decide I'm doing my own com— my own business, once I decide to be consistent with getting clients. And so you got your booty on a plane and flew from— did you fly from Japan to Southern California?

Yeah, yeah, I did. But the— yeah, there's another funny thing in between, but yes, I flew from Japan in the end.

So you show up at my house and we go to Disneyland. This is like the first time getting to experience you in real life, squeeze you in real life. We spend the entire day at Disneyland and it felt like like I had been with you guys for years. It felt like we had the deepest relationship. It was so— such an amazing day. I remember sitting there at like 8:30 at night watching this parade with you guys and just smiling, and my face hurt from how much smiling and how much fun we had. And then also masterminding literally right in front of the castle and just talking about business and having this moment of yes and, like, yes, we're at Disneyland and we're masterminding. And then spending the next 2 or 3 days at my house together doing business and doing personal development. And it just really felt like full circle, probably, for a lot of the things that you've done with Mindvalley and Nike in your career. And then the day after the retreat, I pack up and I decided, like, we're, we're going I had this idea that I was going to do this Defy World Tour, and I'm also a Disney nut. And so of course Japan had to be on my radar for going to Disney Tokyo or Tokyo Disney. And, and then I decide I'm going to go see Elle. So Elle has come flown from Japan to my house in Southern California and then like I'm like, less than a week later, I'm flying to Japan to come and visit you. But the best part, one of the best parts of this entire trip is that I get a message from Elle. Actually, I got a message from Kathy because you were asleep, and Kathy said, uh, Elle's at the airport and she realized that she had forgotten this guitar that she bought for her son at Disneyland, and she forgot it at the Airbnb. And I was driving back from, like, the day after the retreat. I was driving back from visiting a friend and drove. You went to another Airbnb after you left my house. You guys were like in at an Airbnb that was closer to the airport. So I drove out there. It was like an hour from my house. Got this guitar at 10:30 at night, brought the guitar back to my house, shoved it in my suitcase. And Kathy said, just ship it to me and I will ship it to Elle. And I was like, or, or, or, I can put it in my suitcase and go deliver it to Elle. So I put it in my suitcase, get on the plane to Japan. It totally feels like a giant dream at this point. Get to Japan, we had like 3 days of that. We were just running around, taking the bullet train, doing all this different stuff. And then this is a highlight for me, is that the morning that we're in Kyoto, I'm messaging you because we're gonna go figure out where we're gonna have lunch. And I pull this white guitar out and I'm carrying it around. It's like a Día de los Muertos guitar from Coco. And I'm walking around Kyoto with it to come and bring it to you and bring it to your son. And I just— I like— I get emotional right now sharing that with you, to think that you made this decision to do your own thing, to start your own company, to leave Nike and Mindvalley and this safety, to bet on yourself, which brought you into this version of yourself. And then you said, I'm not going to do it alone, and you choose Defy. You choose to trust this community, you choose to trust me, then you choose to get on a plane and come to Disneyland, right? Pay in full, like you, you are all in, and get this guitar for your son. And the, the whole reason that you had made a decision to, to do entrepreneurship was to build this business around your family and around travel and around that freedom. And so we have this white guitar that represents you, like, being here, manifesting the impossible. Exactly. And then you forget the guitar, and it's like, it's okay because I love you so much, I'm gonna fly to Japan and return the guitar.

The universe loves me so much.

I was just sitting there at lunch with you guys is like with my family and your family, thinking about how many programs and how many coaches that I've participated in, it feels like a hierarchy. It feels like they're this like personality or this, this person on a pedestal that, you know, I don't have this connection with. And I was just so grateful in that moment that you trusted me and you trusted yourself. And I was so grateful that you're sitting there sharing the very reasons that you're motivated to make this work and that you are making this work. And I can't tell you anything that we really talked about at lunch because I just, I kept looking at your son. I kept looking at you and your husband and I kept, I like, I told your husband at least twice how proud I am of you. And that was hands down just not just a highlight for my last year in Defy, but that was a highlight for my life in being able to— for me to choose this work and then have that experience, and for you to choose this path, like, that was just amazing. And I don't think I properly got a chance to share with you how amazing that was, being able to just even just hug you in the streets of Kyoto.

Yeah, I love those pictures. We went to the park and play with the kids. Yeah, it was amazing. That whole month was so surreal. And I'm so grateful that you shared that because I feel the same way that it's so special. So you've asked me what made you join, what made you renew early. And that's because I can summarize it in one concept is that I saw you leading and serving people exactly how I like to support others. And that was the first time that I could tell myself, I can be supported like this too. Not by being a genetic number, someone in the call that you was, did you give genetic advice to, even if great, but But as I said, like, you know each one of us, you know what our core offer is, like, what is our, the thing to love, because you observe, you're not on the pedestal, but you're really walking the journey with us. And that's so special. And if you remember when we were at the retreat, and this was one thing that I was so excited to do, like, I had no doubts that I wanted to do it. My only hesitation, by the way, was that I was literally waiting for a visa and this freaking visa didn't arrive. So I literally didn't know in which country I was gonna be that month with a, with a kid that needed to start school. So I was like, how the hell I'm gonna plan my life? But everything shifted when in mid-August I said, you know what? That's it. I'm not gonna wait for any visa or anyone. I'm gonna plan my life. This is it. So I decided no matter what, funny thing, the visa came through literally the morning after. So that's like, there's so many synchronicities in my life that I, it's so, yeah, it's impossible not to say that it's magical. So whenever I trust, then things happen. And the last thing I want to say that when we were at your house, it was so healing or like so powerful because I never felt so So supported. And I know this was your conscious intention. And this is the first thing you told us at the beginning of the event. You guys, I'm not special. I'm just incredibly clear and incredibly supported. And I could never forget that. So the whole retreat, if you remember, I started saying, our new brand is not just, it's not just Aligned AF, it's Spoiled AF. That's how I felt. And that was like above and beyond Disney, everything we did and being at your house with your family. Um, yeah, it was really, really great. And that's how the community is. Doesn't matter if we are in US, Canada, Japan. I know that especially now we, after being in the room together, it's even better, but yeah, it's so special that community, now I know it's non-negotiable. There is like, I'm not even gonna debate it. Do I need a community? Do I have support? No, that's my baseline.

I love that. I love that. Oh my goodness. Okay. I could just keep going with you and all of this forever. However, I wanna give you the microphone for a second to just really talk through where you were when you started our work together. I know you said in 5 months, in about 5 months, you had your first 5-figure month, and that is literally from coming from starting your business, you know, like, which is just incredible. We have, we have people in Defy that have been doing this for a couple years. They've already built a, a 6-figure company and And you and I got really clear that that was one of your non-negotiables, was not just the 6-figure company but how you were building the 6-figure company. So when you started, that's, you know, what you kind of brought into the, the starting line per se. And where are you now and where are you going?

Yeah, I was— when I joined, I was very few months in. So it was like my year one moving from, I know I want to do this thing and I know that I don't want to stop until it works, but I have no proof of concept. So that was my thing. And as soon as I had this for a couple of months, when I had enough to know, okay, my expenses are covered, I can already invest in me. And then things started growing and expanding. To me, like there's two things that I'm really grateful for and now I use to measure success. Sure, one is the financial aspect because I still want to provide for my family and I still want to continue to grow and expand and serve others and have an impact. So yes, that matters. And the 3 things actually, one, the revenues, like 2, like, yes, I had the peak month, but then the great things last year, I had pretty good revenues, even though I thought at the beginning of the year I could do more, but what I realized because I was moving countries, I chose to spend 3 months with my son. While we were moving countries. At the end of the year, I looked at the balance sheet thinking, oh yeah, sure, I'm happy about the revenues, but I was hoping they could be more. But Ele, do you realize that you worked half the time compared to the year before? So is the space, the freedom, the presence, the ability, and I, it was the first summer in my whole career that I could enjoy being present, having time off, doing all the things that I wanted. Because when I was working for someone, for student business, I was always so focused, so stressed. So the space, this was something that I almost didn't know I wanted. I didn't know it was possible. And the best moment was in Christmas. And I shared this, and this was, I think, what led to the Hype and Shine, like, moment we had is that I had this feeling right after Christmas, like there was nothing that I needed more, that things were already so good. That is like the feeling of being present, being safe, being with a family that you love and doing something that you love. I was like, I'm so grateful. And yes, the rest is, uh, the rest is a bonus. But yeah, I do wanna cultivate this feeling, not just chasing the external milestones.

I love it. I love it. Okay. Last little piece is what would you tell someone who is where you were and is wanting to have more success in their own career and in their own, not, not career working at a J-O-B, not that, you know, that's not amazing. Amazing. If, if you want more success in working with your job, then go to the show notes and follow Elle and connect with Elle. And, you know, somebody who is feeling like they want more revenue, feeling like they want to build that lifestyle business, a business that works for them, uh, and they're, they're scared, or they're looking at Defy and going, yeah, is this really gonna work?

I would say everything that you want can work if you make a commitment with yourself to keep showing up, but doing in your way. And whether it's sharing your story, sharing what's unique about you, and especially what's different about you, not worrying about what others are doing, getting lost and frustrated in the next shiny thing, or that person is doing this, that person is doing that. I learned, and I keep reminding myself of it, our best ideas, our best traits, our best elements, our gold is inside of us. So go and find it and take it out so other people can see it.

Okay, so I have a confession. That was a trick question because I want you to go back to exactly what you said, and I want you to write it down, and I want you to put it on repeat for yourself because that's the same message, Elle, that has gotten you through so many times on this journey in the past year and a half. Yes?

I didn't see that trick coming, but it's pretty cool. Yeah.

It's like I asked you the question, you're like, oh, this is, this is the marketing soundbite. This is like what we're gonna tell, I'm like, share with people who are on the fence about joining Defy. No, I, one, one of the things that I've shared with you and I've shared with the community is that when you sign up for any program or when you decide like you did that I'm gonna go all in on my business and having my own business, that's the first of many times you have to go all in. Like that's the first of many decisions. That's not the only time that you're gonna have to talk yourself into it. It's just we have so much experience in life with talking ourselves out of things that when you think about what you would say to somebody who is contemplating making this massive life choice, and for you it's so clear, you're like, look, you know what it's like doing, continuing to do what you're doing, and that's not what want. You want this other thing, and so you're speaking to this other imaginary person so clearly, like, of course, of course you're gonna keep going, of course you're going to be consistent, of course you're going to ask for help, of course you're going to show up on the calls, of course it's gonna work. But remember that for you as well.

Yeah, yeah, I wrote it believe in the energy of going in.

All in. All in, you know, and look at this beautiful life that you have built in a very quick amount of time as well.

Keeps getting better. What was the song that we had in one of our calls? It keeps getting better.

Yeah, it only gets better.

It only gets better.

I think that's by Wild. Now, now I might have to pay them like some kind of a commission on this podcast episode. So I think as long as we don't sing it or play it, we'll be fine. I don't remember what it is. Elle, thank you so much for being here and making the time to share your story, share your wins, and just travel this journey again during this podcast episode. I hope you're in the energy now and remember how incredibly amazing you are and also all of the things that you have done to truly defy over the last little bit over a year.

Thank you. It's so, so special to hear it. I receive it all. And thank you for the incredible support and yeah, make us feel spoiled AF.

Oh yeah, it's— we've got more coffee cups coming and more sweatshirts and all of that. So it's funny because I'll share this really quickly is We have this inside joke. Yeah, Elle has a coffee cup. I have a coffee cup. We have this inside joke within the Defy community because the in-person retreat that we did, we had the individuals who paid in full came in on Tuesday and we went to Disneyland. Then we had Wednesday and Thursday. That was for the individuals who are in Defy. So that was for everybody. And then Friday there was a VIP bonus masterminding day that I flew my best friend in. To be able to support you guys. And we had, you know, another little bit of like swag. So I prepared bags for the Disneyland day. I prepared bags for everybody, and I prepared bags for the alumni day, the VIP masterminding day for everybody who had renewed. So I prepare— I'm preparing for October's retreat now. Like, we have our virtual retreat in 2 weeks, and I've got that agenda that I'm finalizing. And I also, like, I'm already preparing for October's retreat. And so everybody comes and they're like opening their bags and I realize I got a mug for everybody who's going to Disneyland. I ordered mugs for everybody who was there in DEFY, and then I ordered mugs for the VIP day as well.

And I have the collection just right here.

I know. And it's like, because I plan it so far in advance, I hadn't realized that I had ordered like 3 separate mugs for everybody. And so that was what Elle was saying with the spoiled AF is like I also, I built a business and got us built a swag bag that very much resembled me. Like every single call that we have, I have my little coffee and I have my hoodie. And so I ordered you guys hoodies and mugs. So we'll see this year what we're collecting and see what comes through. But I already got crystals for you guys, so we're there. All right, Elle, thank you so much. I am sending you so much love and I can't wait to see you on Defy Call. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for being being here, and I just appreciate you.

Thank you. It was so special.

Okay, that was an incredibly emotional, moving, and value-packed episode. I hope that you got as much out of that as I did. I took my own notes here that I want to share. I, I I wanted to talk about the importance of practicing. You know, we didn't talk about anything with AI and we definitely could have. The importance of being in your own community, having fun along the journey. We talk about being able to, you know, work in your business and work on your business and revenue goals and all of this, but it's really important that you enjoy this precious life and this incredible opportunity that you have to do entrepreneurship and build a business on your terms. And so those are just some of the notes that I took, along with a couple other pages of notes. I am so blessed every single day. I just feel so honored to be able to do what I do and put that work out in the world. And that's my commitment to you. And if you listen to this episode and you're like, you know, "Let's figure out what it would look like to be able to have this level of support. I'm ready to go all in," then 100% check out the show notes, click on the link in the show notes, and you're gonna have your own exclusive link to be able to connect. And this is not a sales call because I'll give you a little confession is I don't do sales calls. I'm not here to convince anyone that working with me or that Defy is the right decision for them. What I'm here to do is I'm here to you. I am here to open my calendar. I am here to open my processes up and say, let me coach you, and it's going to move the needle. And worst case scenario is that you have coaching from a multi-seven-figure business and life experienced professional and coach and serial entrepreneur, and you take that and you go and choose to implement it on your own. That's the worst case scenario.

Scenario.

Best case scenario is that you finally feel like you have a community and a place and a coach that gets you, and you can feel safe and held and supported to break the limits and make as much money in as much time with a much— as much abundance and lifestyle choices as you desire. And so that's my invitation for check out the link in the show notes, go on to Instagram, shoot me a voice note, shoot me a message to let me know that you want to chat. Shoot me the message "Defy" so that I know that you were listening to this episode and that you want to chat about Defy, because hands down, for what you get—a year's worth of support and transformation—it goes by so quickly, and yet you get 100 different modules, courses, processes for implementing in your business, along with weekly coaching. Like, this is the thing I know a whole lot of people say, like, I wish that I had when I started my business. I'm so grateful that I'm a third-generation entrepreneur and I had the amount of support when I was growing up to know what I wanted my business to look like and how to do it was key with the support. Like, I could have all the information in the world, but until I had the community and the support to implement it again, like, that's really the key. And that's something that Elle shared about in this episode, is it wasn't as much about all of the knowledge, it was about being in the energy of a community where she feels like she can't fail. And she, she can't, because she's not going to quit. And that's how we So until the next episode of the Yes And Podcast, I am your host Bunny Young, and I cannot wait to celebrate you and hear about all of the successes that you have in your own yes and journey, building a yes and life and a yes and business. Keep me posted and I'll see you in the very next episode.