How To Align Your Career With Your Passions With Anna Grace Newell, Energy Reader And Podcast Host
25 Sept 2023 · 56 min
Anna Grace Newell went from Nashville stylist to energy reader and podcast host after a near-death experience at 25 sparked a spiritual awakening. She shares how she tested new ideas with low stakes, reconnected with childhood interests, and rebuilt her intuition while recovering from substance misuse. Her podcast is Ag University.
Questions this episode answers
November 2022 (Ag University launched and ranked #1 in spirituality on Apple Podcasts upon launch).
Age 25 (doctor said she had a mild heart attack).
Around 2019–2020 (she states she went full time on social media in 2019, 2020).
Costa Rica (retreat in February; speaker said ~3 spots left).
Chapters
I feel like if you can go into it really hoping to connect with like minded people or hoping to connect people in any type of way, it's going to be so much better than you could ever imagine. Because there are people that are into everything. Even if you think it's weird and you feel alone, I promise you, you're not. And most people all feel alone and they don't even talk about feeling alone. So, like, even if you just share how you're feeling, you'll find someone else that's feeling just like you.
Welcome back to the show. I'm so excited about my guest today. Have you ever found someone on social media and you're like, I love everything about you. I love your face, I love your curly hair, I love your wild outfits. I love how you show up. I freaking love your energy. That is this woman for me, Anna Grace Newell. She is a former celebrity stylist turned energy reader and spirituality podcaster. She has been a digital content creator since 2015 and her content pivoted tremendously after a near death experience. And on the show today, we share so much in common. And I had no idea. It was like we were in this conversation and I was just having like these moments of how on earth could our path have been so similar. We both share some really incredible moments in life that I don't typically share. Things from our past that maybe you would absolutely want to wish away or not wish on anyone, but they have pain paved the way for who we are today. So she is the host of Ag University podcast, which immediately ranked number one in spirituality on Apple Podcasts upon launch in 2022. And if you guys are craving a little bit more spirituality in your life, I love how she does it. She's so approachable and just so real and so raw that it feels like a conversation that you're invited into and it doesn't matter who you are, even if you're just curious or dabbling or whatever that looks like. So, you guys, let's get into the show. Anna, Grace, I am so excited to have you on the show. Thank you so much for coming on, Lori.
I am honored to be here. Thank you so much for having me. I'm just. I'm so excited.
Okay. And you're like that person. I have no idea, you guys. I could. This. I could be saying something right now where it's like the guy who's afraid to say something and I'm about to get rejected, so you can take it for me. But I literally am like, I have a Few people online that when I've talked to them, I'm like, I just feel the same energy, and it feels like I knew you forever. And I was like, do I actually know her, or are we just Instagram friends? So I got that energy from you, and I was like, this is so bizarre. I don't get it all the time, but I'm like, I call it girlfriend energy, where I actually think we were girlfriends in another life or something.
That's the best compliment I've ever gotten in my whole entire life. Thank you so much. And also, just to validate that feeling, right before we got on, I was recording on my story, and I was like, I'm about to record with Lori Harder. She's my friend. We actually haven't met, but she feels like a kindred spirit. And I just said that right before we got on. So.
Okay, I could go check now, but I take your word for it. I see that, you guys. I set myself up for possible rejection. It was worth it. It was worth it.
It was so worth it. It was so received. I like girlfriends in a past life.
I'm going with, that is so Girlfriends in a pet. That's a good name for a podcast.
That is a good name for.
That's really.
Someone should take that. Run with that.
Somebody. Somebody take that now. I'm really excited to have you on because I actually feel like we connected when you were in a different phase of your life, but you feel very much the same throughout this next phase. But also everything around you, I feel like has absolutely transformed as well, which has been so much fun to watch. Even from a distance, I'm like, what is she up to? This is so awesome.
Oh, my God.
I'm totally into this, too. So if you guys don't know, I want you to share a little bit of your story. And just talking about what you were doing to what you are doing now. And the reason I want her to tell the story, you guys, is because while she's talking, I know that you can find yourself in either something from the past where you have transitioned or evolved or gone into something that you felt nervous about or scared of or had, like, a big life incident that has really, completely changed you, and you don't know how to get it out to the world. So we're going to talk all about that part of you that either dies or can't come with you, or this new part of you that emerges. That's what we're going to chat about today. So tell us a little bit about Your story?
Yes. Okay, so I will try to give you guys the most concise version, because there is a lot going on here. But essentially, I graduated from college, did the whole what am I to do? But my whole life, loved fashion, was super creative, was just always a little different with not wanting to go a traditional path. And I ended up in Nashville wardrobe styling. And I was doing all kinds of crazy things, like reality TV and super eclectic, wild, fun, crazy photo shoots and working with celebrities. And it was so. It was just like. It was the fast life, but it was awesome. And that was how I really built this big following on social media. And really, it was styling was my passion that got me there. But now that I'm on the other side, I realized how much, like, intuition and energy and all that is intertwined with, like, fashion and art and creative. So if you're creative, like, this story really is for. For you. But I was not awakened to that side of myself yet. I was actually. I tell people kind of. I'm embarrassed to say it, but I was really like, an athe this point in my life. I had no belief system. I had no real. Like, I always knew I was here to do something big. And I always felt like I loved to be seen in a way of, like, showing my art, but I didn't really understand, like, oh, we all have a purpose. We're all here for a reason. I grew up in a very strict religious background, and it was so strict, it turned me off. And then I felt very lost and disconnected. This was up until I was, like, 25. So I was, like, a zero, Lori. I had no spirituality. I didn't even know the word spirituality. Never heard it. How did that feel?
Did you ever feel, like, lost, empty, scared, any of the following at all, or.
I always was seeking depth. Like, I always was looking for something deeper, whether it was in connections or, like, relationships. And growing up coming from a stricter religious background, you know, hearing about God and Jesus and all these things, I always wanted, like, I was like, that sounds like I want to believe in something. I really did. But it was like, I'm such a I've got to see to believe type person. I think there are a lot of people like that, and unfortunately, I did see to believe. So that's kind of where the story gets a little crazy is so. So I'm a zero, you guys. I so much even tell people that I used to kind of, like, make fun of people who are like me now that were into energy or spirituality or, like, went and saw Mediums. I thought all that stuff was a bunch of hoopla, wackadoodle, dandy time. Like I was like, I don't even know, can't relate. So I was kind of a hater. And so I joked that I walked around just asking to get like struck by lightning. So I'm like, oh, that stuff's not real. So I was someone, like I said, highly creative. And you know what, doctors maybe said ADHD or add. All those labels on me where at this point in my life, I don't think that there's anything wrong with me. I think that the way I create is how I was designed to create. But I got really mixed up in that. Taking a lots of Adderall and Vyvanse and then it created a lot of super unhealthy habits in my life. Like, you know, drinking to come down at the evening and being in this wild entertainment scene. It really just got me into a lot of really negative situations, behaviors. 10 years of taking Adderall, Vyvanse, being sleep deprived. That comes with like not eating, drinking a coffee and taking a Vyvanse and calling it a day, you know. So I really got myself into a super dangerous position. And I just want to say disclaimer. If anyone's taking any medication and it works for you, amazing. I was abusing it and I totally knew it. So there is a difference there. And I was boarding a flight, I was flying to la, I was going to an event and I was super excited about. It was a big deal. All I could think about that week of course was like, like drinking coffee, like working out, not eating. Better than that, you know, doing all of the, the toxic kind of fashion diet everything into one little present if you will. And I get on a plane, I fall asleep, I take a little nap, I wake up and I am head to toe sweats, my shins are sweating, my arms are sweating, Everything like everything's sweating. And I'm like, oh my gosh. And I had this feeling and it was a super like a 6am flight, so everyone on the flight was asleep and I had an acquaintance that was like a few over, but that was it. So I wake up this man beside me and I'm like, something is so wrong. I need you to get help right now. Like I am like, something's wrong. And I remember if this sweet old man who I just like, help me. Like, you know when you're just so panicked, you're like, yes, and you don't know anyone around you and you're on a plan. I was on plane. Oh God.
Oh my gosh.
Even when I tell the story, my armpits start sweating just talking about it. But so I. He calls the flight attendant. And I just remembered thinking I was about to like, leap out of my body. Like the feeling of like, you're about to like, projectile vomit. You know those like, urgent moments where you're like, something is about to happen. And I remember the flight attendant comes, like trying to hand me like a cup of orange juice. I'm like, we are so past orange juice.
Beyond sugar, my friend.
We are like so beyond orange juice. So when I just remembered, like my hearing was gone, my vision was gone. Oh my God. Yeah. And I went unconscious from there. And what probably in this reality was about 10 seconds, felt like, I don't know how long, but I was just. It was like I was just sucked out of my body. And I always tell people I've heard of other people sharing like near death experiences. I wasn't like taken to the gates of heaven. It wasn't anything like that. It was just I was literally over my body. And it was the first time that I had gotten all this information and like looked at my. The person that I am right now, this human body, and was like, oh my gosh, like, I have done this to myself. Like, no one did this to me. Like, I put myself in this situation to where I am, like, I am out of my body. And I remember going from terrified to so calm and euphoric and feeling this omnipresent feeling of love. And I realized in that moment that was what people were always trying to describe. Whether it was religion, whether it was anything, call it God, whatever word, feels good to you, universe. I felt it. And I remember being like, I don't want to go back there. I don't go back to her. Oh my gosh, it's so, like, hard to be her. And I don't want to go back. And so in this process was the first time that I saw these two like angels. They were these super, super beautiful. It's almost like this motion I'm doing with my hand. This is like jellyfish or white light. And I was just receiving so much information. And I know for you guys listening who maybe aren't as spiritual, this sounds crazy. And it sounded crazy to me too. Okay. But it was what I need order to. I was going to die at that point. When I came back into my human body, doctor said I'd had a mild heart attack at the age of 25.
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But in this experience, I received a ton of information as to really what I was here to do. I knew that I was going to be fine. I knew that I had to get off all of the pills, medication, drugs, drinking, all of the fast life that had to go. And I learned about the Akashic records. And also I saw. This is probably the coolest part. The two things that I always love to tell people is that one, no one ever dies alone. No one ever dies alone. There are so many people that lost a loved one in Covid. They were alone or they were in a room and their family members couldn't get to them. And that was one thing that I saw. There was always an angel or a loved one or someone that greets us. No matter what, no matter who you are, no matter where you are, we never go alone. And it's the most beautiful experience. And also I saw this grid that connected our planet and it was like how. It was like if all of us were a tree or there was a tree and all of us were leaves on a tree. Like we were all super connected. And so I. It was this realization of, you know, if you wish ill on someone else, you're really wishing ill on yourself. It was like how we were so energetically tied. So it was. There was just a lot of just kind of images that I saw like that, that were just so. I was so, you know, coming back into. So like I said, come back into my body. I awakened back up. What is this like 10, 20 seconds where I was unconscious? I have this hugely profound life altering experience where it was just shown there was such a bigger picture and I was living in this small, small, self centered, you know, world that I think a lot of us at some point have lived in. And coming back in was like, oh my gosh, like what happened? You know, what was that? That was just so wild. But also I was kind of obsessed with wanting to connect and open my spiritual gifts and almost sort of like get back to that euphoric feeling of this, like this all loving God presence that I experienced.
So your reality doesn't fit anymore and you have to go back and face it at that moment.
Yes. And with, with the hard pill to swallow that like Anna, Grace, you did this sister, like you got yourself into you know, a terrible health situation, lots of bad habits. Like, I just had such. My eyes were open to so many things of really just how I got myself into this position and how I had always felt. This call from when I was super little, like when I was 8, I told my dad, like, dad, I'm gonna, I'm gonna do big things, I'm gonna help people. And like, I'm gonna, I'm always go of you. My dad's like, you're in second grade. What are you talking about? You know. But I was always like very prophetic like that at a young age. So when I came back into my body, nothing in my life made sense. It was like I was totally like, I feel like for a month I was like, how do I even, how do I even tell people? And that was the thing. I was so not spiritual before. I was almost embarrassed to tell people because I'm like, no one's going to believe me. I sound like a crazy person because at one point I would have thought, thought someone telling me the story was crazy person. So that was kind of a part of, I think my lesson with being able to connect to people that have all different belief systems. Because I've totally been there where I believed in nothing and now I have a lot of things that I believe in. But it's almost like I stayed kind of in like one foot in, one foot out, where now the work that I do is a lot of mediumship. It's a lot of Akashic records. It's a lot of, you know, that clairvoyant energy work. I do a lot of helping people basically free them from limiting beliefs and kind of looking in and reading their energy and seeing like what's holding them back and helping them move forward and also just helping people connect to their intuition. That's like truly what I'm here to do, like learning from that experience. So yeah, going from being a crazy wild party girl to energy, energy extraordinaire. It was, it was jarring for my family, for my friends. For one, it was a complete 180.
This is why we feel this way about each other. I don't know if you know my story, but literally I'm from a very religious background.
Okay.
I got kidnapped in Mexico. I had a near death experience. God spoke to me, or at least that's what I felt like. And it was like, you're gonna be okay. My life totally changed after that and I was like such a hardcore party girl before that. So I'm like, oh, hi Hi, me.
Hi.
So this is making a lot of sense now.
Yes. I didn't know that you also had a near death experience. Wow.
It was crazy. It was literally while I was being physically beaten, a voice was like, you're fine. And I felt so calm. And it was like, you're gonna be just fine now. How did I know that I was in the jungle in someone's taxi cab for eight hours? I did not know that, but I knew it. It was crazy. And it was so calm. It was the calmest I've ever felt in my entire life. And it was just like God speaking through me to say things to make him take me back. It was like, those were not words that I was remot. So I fully understand. Like, I'm so in awe of those moments. And for people listening, like, you don't have to have these moments in order to evolve or get to the person that, that you want to be. I think that they can even come in these smaller, smaller moments of life where. This is a good question for you so we can. We can talk about this one. I love hearing that and I love that moment of just like, oh, my gosh, there's this awakening of there's so much more. Because imagine if we were still on those two paths. Like, I actually can't imagine. Where would you even be right now?
I don't know, like, probably dead.
Yeah, seriously, that's exactly how I feel. I was like, that was not a good path. In fact, two of the people at the time who I knew who were in that friend group are unfortunately passed away from drugs. So it was. It's very. My. Your reality is right in front of you. And it's like, I feel like for anybody listening who's on a path that is feeling really empty, I think there's other choices that we can make. So how about for someone who's like, well, I haven't had a near death experience. I know what I want to do. Do. How do you feel? Like they can go kind of seek something that can help them turn the ship.
So you're saying for someone that does know what they want to do, or they do not know what they want.
To do for someone who's just in a situation that they don't love, but they know that there's more for them, but maybe they don't even know what that is yet. Because I love your stories about, like, I wasn't even sure what this next thing was going to look like, but here's how it kind of started.
I think A good place to start. For me personally, I could give a couple of, like, specific resources, but I really did some. If you have a primary caregiver or a family member or someone in your life. After I went down this crazy experience, I remember calling my parents. I did. I had someone do my human design chart. Like a human design profile, or like take an enneagram test, or like take some type of like, profile test, have someone ask some questions about you. Like, that was another good place because after I did the human design test, if that resonates with you, amazing. But I looked and there was so many similarities with things that I loved to do as a kid, things that I had forgotten I had gotten so far away with. And that was somewhere that I started when I just felt so lost. Like I was like, what am I even doing? How did I even get here? Like, I want to be that 8 year old that remembers I'm here to help people and do big things. And so that was the place I would invite you to start is ask yourself, when did I feel a call to something else in my life? Because it could have been something. Some. Sometime when you were so much younger, maybe you've forgotten, maybe you told a parent, maybe it was that you wanted to sing and be on stage. Okay, so maybe you're not singing on stage, maybe you're speaking on stage. Maybe it's just you holding a mic, maybe it's you with a podcast. There is so much information. If we could just connect with this authentic version of self. And for me, it was just kind of going back and asking my family, like, what did I like to do as a kid? What did I talk about? What were my daydreams? Like, what did I like to eat? What did I like to do? So that's one cool place that I think everybody can connect with at some point. They had some vision. And like I said, even if your vision is something so far out there, like you wanted to be an astronaut or something, okay, that's okay. Maybe you don't have to be an astronaut right now. But ask yourself, what qualities did an astronaut have that I was drawn to? You know, what was it that I was connecting to? Because our little inner child, Wisdom. I feel like our whole purpose here is to get back to that wisdom. So if you can just start with like a couple of questions, maybe asking a sibling, a friend, a journal, anything that could kind of connect you when you were in this, like, authentic space and really say, what were these characteristics? Who did I want to be and why were Those things that I was drawn to, that's just a really good place for anyone to start, that you don't have to, you know, meditate and connect with your higher self and do all the things. Because I do feel at some point it gets a little overwhelming. But that was a place that I started was like. I was like, I really want to get to know who I am. And I liked doing tests that asked me questions. It's also why people, you know, maybe are drawn to talk therapy. Like, it's. It's like really having people ask you questions because you're like, huh, I've never thought about that. That's why journaling so great, it's really just getting in this practice of asking myself questions because we really do have all the answers inside of us. But even. Even now, today, I mean, I feel so aligned to my purpose and I feel so in touch with myself. But every once in a while, someone asked me a question, and I'm like, damn, I never thought about that before, you know, so getting in this practice of asking questions about yourself, whether whatever modality it takes, a personality test, talk therapy, asking your parents for what it was that you were initially drawn, lit up as a kid, just really good places to get back to the foundation of who you are. Because then once you have that foundation and kind of that base built, then you can go, okay, this is something. This is a career. This is something. A small micro step. You know, I see myself on stage with the microphone. Could I, you know, record a podcast or could I do something that's in that same vein? At least puts you in this category of like, oh, that's. That's right. That's who I wanted to be. I remember having those visions and. And, like, what's one little tiny micro step I could take? Even if it's just reading a book about someone who's done something similar, that's an amazing place to start.
I love that answer because it has truly been for me, in those moments of joy or moving my body that I have gotten, like, you hear your intuition, whatever you want to call it. Some people hear a voice. Some people just get a feeling. Some people get the thought that flashes. And that's kind of been the, like, guiding light for me, is going, if I'm not hearing that voice anymore, how can I get back into the joy of what makes me happy? Because when I'm happy, I start to get those messages of like. And some of them aren't like, oh, this is prophetic. Here's what you should do next or here's this voice. Some are just like that seems interesting. There are so many challenges to business that I don't want starting to be one of them for you. And when you want more, when you're starting a business, you need Northern Northwest Registered Agent because you get access to thousands of free guides, tools and legal forms to help you launch and protect your business. And it's all in one place. You can build your complete business identity with Northwest today. Northwest Registered Agent has been helping small business owners and entrepreneurs launch and grow business for nearly 30 years. They're the largest registered agent and LLC service in the US with over 1500 corporate guys, real people who know your local laws and can help you and your business every step of the way. You can sign up for free account to begin managing your business hub with lawyer, drafted operating agreements, bylaws, resolutions, membership certificates, bills of sale and more at no cost. Northwest makes life easy for business owners. They don't just help you form your business, they give you the free tools you need after you form it, like operating agreements, agreements, meeting minutes, and thousands of how to guides that explain the complicated ins and outs of running a business. And let me tell you, this is life changing because I had no idea how much went into this. So don't wait. Protect your privacy, build your brand and get your complete business Identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Visit www.northwestregisteredagent.com Earn free and start building something amazing. Get more with Northwest Registered agent@@www.northwestregisteredagent.com EarnFree oh, I like that. That seems fun. They're these little tiny like curiosities of. Oh, wouldn't that be cool if that's how it comes across for me a lot. It's not this loud roar like we get those once in a great while, but I think those are few and far between and we get like a lot of those little hey, what about this? So for you, when you had that experience and then you go back to this reality, for me, I didn't like like that took so long for me to figure out how to make my life like something that I felt like matched how I was feeling internally. So I went back to the most ginormous shit show that lasted for quite a few years and I mean even I would even say five to seven years of trying to like make it all kind of work in a place where I'm like, oh this is me. But it was these micro things that you had mentioned along the way. So for you, what did that transition look like, how did you start to, like, introduce this version that you were still even discovering to people? Because you were out there, you were online. So it's kind of like you. You kind of had to still show up.
Yes, so I did. And also, just to echo what you were saying about those moments, I always tell people, like, look for those moments where you lose track of time, you know, even if it's just whatever you're doing, if you, if you're like, wow, I can't believe, like, time's flown by, even if you're like swimming in the pool, whatever those moments. And also just like following curiosity, like anything that you're curious. That to me is kind of an unspoken nudge, like, oh, I'm curious about that. Follow it. Because you never know who you're going to meet, where you're going to go, what you're going to learn. It could be something so insignificant that could change your life. So never dismiss a curiosity just to like, go off of what you were saying and then. Okay, so integrating back into my life was quite confusing because I was just living the good old, like, ow. Wild, crazy. I always love to dress super fun and, like, bold. And I do believe at its core, that's always who I've been. I've always just been someone who's loved to really express myself and really creative, fun ways. Like, I've just never cared if I look like the craziest person in the room wearing, like a feather boa. I just think it's fun and funny. Like, I've never. If people are like, what is that girl wearing? I'm like, you know, whatever. Like, it's just, it's just always rolled right off of me. So that's, that's definitely been a big part of who I was. And it just, it was unfortunate that it got so wrapped up with like, actually partying because I think I've also just had like a big personality. So it didn't just all change overnight like you said. It took. It's. That was the 25 to 26 year range. And I'm 29. I'm going to be 30 in a month. Be 30 and. Yep, it just gets better. I know. Oh, and I'm so excited. Like, actually just this past May celebrated my first one year total sober of everything. Everything, Everything.
Awesome.
Yeah. And so that's felt really good. But it took me three years to get here, so that's where I tell everyone, like, it's taken years, but I did. I actually. One of my Favorite resources. The first book that I read that really sort of gave me some vocabulary because remember, I didn't have any vocabulary for the experience that I had. I couldn't even really. I saw it, I experienced it, I felt it, but I couldn't even articulate to anyone what the hell had happened to me, right? Even my family, because they were not particularly spiritual. Now they're super open and receptive, but sometimes they're like, you're kind of losing me. You know, I don't know all the time exactly what you're talking about, but okay. They're like Akashic records. What? So I read the book the universe has your back by Gabby Bernstein. Have you read that book? Yes, yes. It's like a classic. You're just getting maybe interested in spirituality if someone listening hasn't read it. It's a great book. But I read that book and it really got me into this, like, oh, we create our reality. Because I realized almost all of my life I had walked around with such victim mentality, energy. I would say on the outside I was a positive person, but on the inside I had this horrific negative inner self talk. Inner dialogue was horrible. And I did not realize how much that truly is creating this experience around us. So that was one of the biggest things for me was I read that book, I got some vocabulary on spirituality. I cleaned up my inner self talk because my inner self talk was just out of whack. It was out of control. Then I decided obviously I needed to stop taking all the medication that I was on. I was just super over prescribed and it was, honestly, obviously it was unnecessary. I am thriving. I am. Well. If someone listening feels like they are so dependent on taking medication, but you want to get off, I promise you there is another way. So do you feel like our generation was just so heavily prescribed Adderall and Vyvanse and I'm like, maybe I was just really creative. Maybe I didn't really need all of that. So I did. I got. I started working with a trainer just to get like. I didn't even have eating habits. I was 26 years old and I didn't even know. I didn't even eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was just, just, you know, so a couple places was just. I focused on my health and nutrition, cleaning up my inner self talk and really just checking myself there. And then from there it was. It was just kind of this like following one person would introduce me to a new concept. I got really into podcasts. I listened to your podcast a lot I just. I listened to To Be Magnetic. It's another great one. But the thing that really cracked me open was I started having these dreams and this was. I had been taking so much medication that I really felt like for me personally, it dulled me, my senses. Like, I was just super, like, turned off and dull and didn't. I'm so social and friendly in my true self, but in that stage, I was just very focused and it just wasn't really who I was. So anyways, it was like, once I got off of that, it was like I was being fire hosed with information and creativity and messages. And also it had this crazy near death experience. And so I started having dreams that were coming true. And I'm like, this is so weird. These dreams are so wild and so crazy. So I'm working on set and I remember at the time it was a super famous country music artist in Nashville. They were like, oh, you should go see this guy that this artist goes and sees. He does some type of energy work. It sounds like you should go see him. And I was like, oh, well, all these celebrities are doing it and here, like, I want to go meet this guy. But, you know, my whole life I've been very turned, like told that stuff was bad and. No, no, no, whatever. So anyways, I go see this man. He's like a psychic medium, some famous dude in Nashville. Like, his wait list is like 12 months long. You know, something crazy like that.
Yeah.
But I sit down and he's like, I just kept telling him, like, I'm so interested. And he's like, right, so you don't actually need a reading. You're actually here to do readings for people. And I was like, what?
That's a twist.
Yeah, I was like, I mean, he did do a reading for me, but he was like, the reason you're, like, so interested and so drawn to this, he's like, you don't actually really need, like, to go. Because then I like, once I saw one psychic, I went and saw like three, because I was like, could this be real? What if they all say this? I'm like trying to do like a side science experiment.
You're like, let me see if this really is true. Because then all three should know. And they should know I'm coming too.
Literally. And honestly, for the most part, they were all pretty spot on. So anyways, he was like, you don't need to go see. You don't need to be doing readings. You need, like a business mentor. You need to, like, get established and Doing this type of, this type of work. And so really from there it was just an evolution of opening up and just really reconnect with my intuition was where it started. Because I feel like, like that's a place where you get so far gone of ignoring yourself, ignoring your gut feelings when you're in these bad situations, like you said, where it's like friends are doing drugs and they're out and all these things. And it's like your intuition is telling you like, no, I, this, we're not supposed to be here. I don't want to do this. But after I ignored her for so long, it's. It's like a muscle, you know, our intuition is truly a muscle. That's always how I, how I read it and see it. The more that we allow space to listen or follow those nudges or pings, the stronger it gets gets. And so from there it was really just like a kind of a journey of reconnecting with my intuition and then slowly getting into a place where now I do readings for people, which is like my full time job. Which is crazy, which is amazing.
Which is why I wanted to have you on here is because of that transition where it's like, okay to some people, like who you were before online, which I loved that version too. But now you're doing something so opposite that some people could be like, I'm not gonna take her serious. This is such a departure. Like now she's the spiritual person who can tell me about my. What I'm doing in my. So for anybody listening, like, you literally are probably your next evolution probably will not match the current one at all. To the point where it's going to shake you and it's going to make you nervous to be out there in the world. I remember going from fitness to personal development. I was like, no, these two aren't aligned. It's like, look at my body, look how fit I am. Do my workouts to like, let's do a three day. Let me put you through a three day retreat and let's talk about all the things that are holding you back. So I remember that transition was like, how am I going? What is this gonna look like? Some people were totally not about it. So let's talk about that for you. Were you nervous at all or was it so clear for you that you actually couldn't even live the way that you were anymore? Or how did that transition.
I was so terrified, I hid for two years. I didn't anyone. But you know what? So I'm Like, I don't recommend that, but I had to get my health together, you know, I had to really like get it right with myself because I had gone to this place of so scary that I was like, oh my gosh, like, I am here. I'm in this body. I gotta like, I gotta take care of her. Yes. I realized I'm like, oh my gosh, this body is my greatest asset. What am I doing to her? Why? Wow. That needed to be, I, I believe a private journey because it was just totally starting at the ground, ground up. And keep in mind, at this point I probably had like 50,000 followers. So like I had a social presence. I was full time content creating and styling. And so I needed to do a little bit of inner work myself. Now I was in Nashville this, let's see, last May is when I moved to Florida. And a few months before that, that was really when I started, actually when I was in Nashville when Covid happened, I stopped styling because obviously like shoots and everything stopped happening. And like then I pivoted my brand a little bit. So it's like, here's how it really does go. And even for you, like when you say going from fitness to personal development, personal growth, for us, we think it's so crazy because it's not what everyone in our genre is doing. But I really feel like when you look back, you look and see how perfectly each step is like the perfect stepping stone and makes total sense. So for anyone listening that's like, this is going to feel so crazy and so wild. I was so terrified. I was all the things. But I think people that followed me even before they knew anything, I was always this fun, expressive, free spirited person. By the time when I was transitioning, moving to Florida, I really was like, I just had hit this place where I was like, I had been sharing a lot of manifestation that was kind of my sharing a lot of positive content, a lot of positive self talk. I was sharing meditations. I was like dipping my toe in the water.
So kind of sharing what you're doing and not coming from the authoritative place. So for anyone listening, like, show the journey. Show the journey. Yeah, Love that.
Okay, totally. I tell people the best place to start is just documenting. You don't have to create content. You don't have to say, you know, all of the things, have all the answers. I'll never say I have all the answers. I every day I love to learn things new. Like, just start documenting where you're at. Because that's how I did. I'm like, you guys, I just read this book and it totally, you know, blew my mind. I'm really interested in manifestation. And then people will be like, oh, tell us more. And they're like, oh, well. And, you know, it just. I just documented enough to where I was giving myself these little breadcrumbs to follow. So for anyone that's like, I don't. I feel stuck right now. Just share something you're curious about, and I promise the feedback that you will get from other people, they're gonna be curious too. And there's gonna be people that aren't curious, but I promise you there's me more people that are. And that my fear was coming from this strict religious background. Oh, are people going to think, you know, just because I do these mediumship and these Akashic records. Akashic records is essentially angel readings for people that haven't heard it. I know it's not a super common.
Word term, but just so they know, like, angel readings that kind of do what for you.
So essentially I. My, like, genre of what I do, you can do a lot of things. You can, like past life regressions and all kinds of things, but I. I specifically work with connecting people with their intuition, their soul's purpose, and helping them to see any blind spots or limiting beliefs that are holding them back. Because a lot of times people come to me being like, why am I here? Why am I stuck? What is this lesson that I meant to learn? You know what, like, basically, what the heck is this? And I can sit and, you know, give them an unbiased, clear Akashic record. Is this angel reading. Essentially the day on the plane where I left my body and I saw those angel beings in. It's the same energy that I work with to this day, doing my readings with people. So it's kind of like a full circle moment of like, that's the energy that I work with. And it, to me, it feels really productive versus the mediumship, which is where you just, you know, communicate with people who have passed, which is awesome and sometimes can be really purposeful. But I, like, I want to connect people with their soul's purpose. I want to help them find what lights them up. And a lot of the time times I'll tell them things that they're like, oh, my gosh, I've always wanted to do that, but I've never told anyone. I've been too afraid to ever say that out loud, you know, so it's in there. And if you just share a little breadcrumb, I Promise the breadcrumbs will keep coming and they'll come, they'll come faster and people will be curious. And like you said, I was scared. But I also needed to get my health together and some things correct before I just blasted it out on all platforms. When I moved to Florida, I did just that. I ripped the band aid. I recorded a podcast where I told people the whole near death experience. I said, this is who I am. I do energy work full time. I had been secretly seeing clients and I'm done hiding, you know, like, I don't, I don't need. I was basically saying, like, I have, you know, a nice little clientele. I don't. I was always saying, like, oh, I don't need to tell people because I don't need any clients right now. But I was still hiding, you know, and I told people the whole story. And you know what, Lori? I did not get one negative word. I'm sure there are people that unfollowed me, but there were so many people that were like, I'm not even spiritual. I don't even know half the stuff that you were talking about. But that was, that story was what I needed to hear. And so I was, you know, for years kicking myself that I've been hiding, didn't want to tell anyone all the things. And then when I finally came out, everyone was basically, tell us more, you know, and I had created this worst case scenario that I was going to be shunned and people were going to think I was, you know, weird or, you know, not. Maybe they weren't interested in what I was doing. And I'm sure I've lost people, but I've gained more people that are like me and people that are, are interested in what I'm interested in, which is what I'm craving personally too.
I think that's so beautiful because it's never fun when it's happening, when you're losing people or sometimes when you get those comments, rarely, whatever it looks like, it's always less than you think it's going to be, no matter what. I feel the same way. Like, I was so worried about talking in certain ways from stage when I first was like up there talking about this manifestation, God, all the things. I was really scared to use certain words. And I'm like, I can't keep hiding how I really feel to the point where it started to feel worse not being in your truth, way worse, where you all of a sudden get to a place where you're like, I'm willing to handle Whatever comes, because I'm already in my worst case scenario right now. I feel like I'm handcuffed and I can't be myself. So you're almost ready for that. And I do think that that's why that part that you shared about, like, going inward is really important for people. Because I think that's the place where you're kind of building that armor for yourself. And it typically does look like a health journey and a journey to, like, listen to your intuition, are making yourself stronger to be able to handle what comes with being yourself, whether it's, you know, people saying things or whether it's just responsibility. Because I know that you can attest to your blessings, take a lot of responsibility. Like these gifts are. You have to be really responsible with them. Like, you have to show up for them. And, you know, people can somewhat rely on you as well. So just talking about moving forward and getting out there even more, once you decided that this was going to be like a business, did you start to say, okay, I really want to take this more seriously? Serious as like, a business, as an entrepreneur, what did that journey look like?
So I definitely have always been entrepreneurial esque. It's taken different shapes and, you know, it was styling, it was fashion, it was one way or the other. And before we, before we got on, I was telling. Telling Lori that before we started recording that, I was like, you know what? I just. It was one of those whispers, like a little like, I should start a podcast because I just moved to a new state. I don't know anyone. Maybe I'll connect. Totally Just following that, like, this could be something good for me. I'm just gonna try it out and maybe record a couple episodes and just see how it feels. And that's the thing I always tell people when you're in this phase of kind of dipping your toes in the water, try things. You don't have to commit your whole life. You can pivot, like, you can try things. You can change your mind. It's okay. Because I feel a lot of us are like, I have to commit. I have to know exactly what to do. I have to see this through. And it's like, no. And so I told myself, I'm record four episodes. I'm just going to see if I like it and see how it feels. And then the first episode was my near death experience, and it went number one on Apple. And I was like, okay, okie dokie, right? Yes, I was like. And I think, you know, we've stayed charting in spirituality Ever since. And so that's how obviously I knew I was like so detached from the outcome and I was like, this is so meant to be. And it brought me so much information and joy. And from there I was able to just really like connect with people and like understand what they needed and just get a lot of feedback from like, okay, this is what people are needing from me. This is the type of information, maybe they're not necessarily super spiritual, but this is some things that I can offer, some tools that I wish I had had at the start of my journey. Because ultimately, like, whatever you're doing right now, whoever's listening, you're serving a past version of yourself that, that's, that's who we are here to help. So even if you don't really know, maybe you don't know what the people need or you don't know the next steps. Ask yourself, what did I need two years ago? Because that's where I, that's where I started with my business. And I created, started just doing some meditations or like some hypnotherapy and I was doing readings and I just really followed one what I knew this old version of me needed. And also, you know, what people were asking. And I just really let it be this super fun, fun community space. I was going into it saying, hey, I want to make friends with people that are interested in what I'm interested in. And I feel like if you can go into it really hoping to connect with like minded people or hoping to connect people in any type of way, it's going to be so much better than you could ever imagine. Because there are people that are into everything. Even if you think it's weird and you feel alone, I promise you, you're not. And most people all feel alone and they don't even talk about feeling alone. So like, even if you just share how you're feeling, you'll find someone else that's feeling just like you. You.
Okay, I love this because this kind of turned into something without you really trying. And I, you know, from so many people that I talked to, that's really how they, they have these like accidental businesses. And for anyone listening who's trying really hard and they're like, I hate you guys.
I know.
I want to share though that the magic kind of happens in these moments in the DMs of just like, okay, you know what, I'm just gonna try and take on one person and like let it be, okay? And like get the feeling feedback and the data and you don't have to launch it with a website. You don't have to launch it with this big thing where you know exactly what you are. You can kind of create these terms with your people. So can you tell me just a little bit about, like, even what those first messages in the DMS look like or when you were talking to people, taking that first person on, what did that look like? How did you collect the money? How'd you ask?
Okay. Okay. I like this. Okay. And also, I do want to say I started in social media in 2015. I went full time on social media in 2019, 2020, and then I launched my podcast November of 2022. So, yes, it does feel like the podcast was an overnight success. However many years building up these moving parts. But there are still those magic moments where things just hit and they just click. And I actually, the first encounter, this was during quarantine with readings and really connecting with people and saying, like, like, oh, oh, crap, this is like, really what I'm here to do. And I was kind of like, oh, man, how am I going to explain this to people? You know, being like, oh, this is like, this is what I'm here to do. So one of my friends, she's the CEO and founder of Blender Bombs. Have you heard of Blender Bombs? Yes. She was someone that was like, I want you to do a reading for me. And I was like, okay. I've only really done them kind of like, for, like, super close friends and, like, myself, whatever. And I did a reading for her, and I just remember we both ended up crying, but, like, happy tears. Like, it just like, I think it just spoke to her soul, what she needed to hear. And from then, she was like, let me pay. I don't even know how much to charge. I was like, I mean, okay. And so I did a reading for her and then keep mine. I had some of my styling clients who went from me, like, being in their closet, putting together some stuff, and then them coming to me and being like, I just feel like, I want to tell you this. And then I was like, well, you know, I do this energy work. I could do a reading for you. And I'm not kidding, lori. I did four. I did four. And I had a wait list of 60 people, people within a few weeks. And so it was really people just coming to me being like, I just want to tell you, or, you know, I want to have this conversation, or, I trust your advice. And that was this kind of start of like, oh, I can actually do readings for people. Because I didn't even know if I was capable. I really didn't. I was like, could I even do this? I don't even know. Yeah. And so from there, I had multiple people just being like, oh, my friend said you did a reading for her. I want to do. I want you to do a reading. So by the time I launched the podcast, I did have a pretty good. But, like, it was a very basic structure. People would, we would schedule a calendar link and they just Venmo me some money. It was nothing fancy.
That's how mine looked.
Like there was nothing happening. No, like, no assistant working, no nobody. I just kind of showed up and had a conversation in a zoom. I recorded it and I emailed it to him at the end of the session. Now. Yeah. Boom. So every single thing that I have done has definitely been very bootstrappy. Boot scooting.
We're just, that is so my story, and that's what people need to hear, is they think they have to go and do all of these things. And it's like, set up a Venmo and get some sort of pricing that you feel good with in the beginning until you go, okay, I don't want to show up unless it's for this much or if this is going to be a business and replace this income, then I have to work backwards and set this pricing. And, you know, maybe when you first ask for that price, it's going to be like, really scary. Or maybe some people are going to say, that's way too much. And then you're also going to find someone who doesn't argue it at all. And so you have to, like, find what that is real quick. How did you set your prices, though? Like, how did you. Because now do you have a set, set pricing for everything? Okay, now, how did you come across that?
So, Well, I did, I'm like, me, I kind of had a little bit of help with, like, my intuition and, you know, the Akashic record and some of the energy work that I do. So I, I, I did have a little bit of, like a intuitive ping, but some of it too was I started doing, like, tears. So I would do, okay, this feels comfortable at this price and this time. And then if someone wants, maybe they want a priority reading so they don't want to wait on my wait list. Okay, well, if you want to skip the wait list, you this much. And so I felt comfortable saying, I'll chart the, you know, we'll double the price if you want to skip my wait list because obviously you really want it badly. And then I don't feel like it. It felt energetically aligned to, okay, this is a higher. For a priority reading. So I started just doing. Of course, all of my numbers, too, were angel numbers because I had to. All my pricings were like, 5, 5, 5, 7, 7 7, you know, so I really just started. I think the first one I did, I gave someone a price that was like $500 for a session. And. And they were just like, done, Sold. Okay. And so then that kind of became my base. I was like, okay, well, I do readings now, and they're, you know, 555 was the number y. And then I kind of. Then I had so many people that I was like, okay, well, I guess I need to up it a little because I don't know. Like, obviously at some point, I can't accommodate everyone, so.
Right.
I offered. I think offering, like, a priority option is cool too, because you're like, hey, if someone really wants to work with you or someone really wants to do something, you know, know, and they are happy paying more for a faster. It's just like if we FedEx something faster, you know, you pay for priority shipping. So that was something that I did, too, that just made me feel comfortable raising my price. That.
I love that hack. Oh, my God. For anyone listening, if you even. I was just thinking, I booked with this girl, and her calendar was like a month out, and if I would have had priority booking, because I didn't get to speak with her, I just had to book on a calendar. If I would have had priority booking, I would have double. I'm gonna tell her that.
Yeah, yeah. No, I think it's. I think it's so great. Like, here's the thing. You don't have to pick one specific price and stick to it or ride or die. Like, I kind of played with it, and I gave a lot of options, and I was just like, okay, what's booking? And then there were some people that were like, I want to see you tomorrow. I'm like, okay, well, that'll be $2,000, you know, or whatever number. And they're like, not a problem, because they had something going on in their life that needed urgent attention. And so I think that you could just. I was just kind of creative and playful. I made them all angel numbers, and I gave people lots of options. And I just saw what worked and just kind of went from.
I love this because if you're. If that was your set time off, then, yes, you're going to have to pay more for the time off. And now you also have more bookings, so that's more on you. But you just made me think about like every single, like more of a high end workout class soul cycle. You could pay a lot more for their priority like membership and booking. There's another one that I belong to in Arizona where if you, you want first dibs on booking and bike, it was way more for that membership. So I love this thought process of like really looking at your tiers of how you charge and like, where is a place that for those people who want that special treatment are willing to pay for it and how can you add that in? That is genius takeaway from this. There's so many things. Thank you. Thank you so much. It's like overnight shipping, right? You're like, oh, I don't know. But there's people paying it every day.
So Yeah, I know sometimes it really does. It really is pricey, but sometimes you need it.
Oh, yeah. I'm like, no, I am wearing that dress for double the price. It's fine. Okay.
Yeah. You're like, it's fine, I got it. Oh.
Oh, my gosh. Well, I've had so much fun talking to you and I actually super love this topic because for anybody who is afraid to get out there, I actually think this topic is a bit more. And I don't even, I don't even actually think this now, but for people listening, it might feel a little taboo. Like, oh my goodness, that could be an extra scary thing to roll out with, especially when, when you come from a totally different world. I think anything dealing with God's spirituality is, is a little more nerve wracking because there's a lot of different beliefs out in the world right now that you want to be somewhat sensitive. So I love that we talked about this topic too, with it being kind of from in some people's perspective, maybe one extreme to another. And I think the transition was so beautiful and you're so out there in such a great way, but still so you. That is what I think is so cool, is you're still the same person that I, I got to connect with and follow years ago. Like, absolutely feels like the exact same energy, which is also refreshing because no matter what you're going into, you guys, I think that your personality can hold a place within that. It doesn't have to be what it looked like. Like we were talking before this, I was like, I thought I had to wear mala beads. I thought I had to do all the things not that you can't, but you can actually take them off as well, so. And still be all of the things that you want to be. So is there anything. We want to point some people to your podcast? Because now I'm sure they're super curious, which I think I'm going to go on your show and do an Akashic reading.
Yes. Yes. Okay.
Amazing. So let's point them to your show and then any last words on your heart for anyone?
So I'm at Anna Grace Newell on all platforms, and my podcast is Ag University, which is a school from the cosmos. And it's really all about connecting you with your intuition. I'm teaching everyone how to connect with. With themselves. So whether you are spiritual, religious, whatever you are, come as you are. We are speaking the universal language of love. I always say we're speaking energy and we're speaking love. So however that feels for you and however that makes you feel comfortable, there is a space for you. And I would say that something on my heart that I want people to know is that whatever it is that you feel excited about or you feel called to, it was put there for a reason. And you do not have to share that with people until you feel that you can just scream it from the rooftops. Like, you can protect your dreams a little bit and then you can just come out marching. That's kind of what I did. I went inwards, I protected a little bit, and then I came out big and bold and strong. And I promise you, if you come out with that confident energy, people are just gonna be like, yeah, like she's having fun. I'll have what she's having. So just be confident, but also be playful and have fun. It's. It really is supposed to be fun. And sometimes we make it a lot scarier. I made it so much scarier. Lori made it so much scarier than it actually was, was. And then you're truly going to find your people, which is really what we're all here to do. And then my last note is if you are here to finding your people, I am doing my first in person retreat in Costa Rica. It's in February and I think there's like three spots left, so. So maybe if someone listening is interested in connecting, doing some intuition work, we would love to have you.
I love this. And if it's full for any reason, you guys just message her. I'm sure she'll send you some dates for another one. Or you can get on a wait list or priority list, I bet.
Yes, everything's in my bio.
All right, well, I'm so grateful for you. I'm excited for all the things in the future and to connect again. And you guys, go give her a follow on Instagram.
Anna Grace, what is your handle at Anna Grace Newell?
At Anna Grace Newell. You guys, let her know what your biggest takeaway was. It's always so fun to hear what the takeaways were and who was listening. It's fun to put a face to the name. And until next time, earn your happy. Bye, everyone.
Sam.
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