262: Building a Community Around Your Mission with Sarah Pendrick

Namaste, it's Sahara Rose. And welcome back to the Highest Self podcast. A place where discuss what makes you your soul's highest evolvement. I have been flowing recently. I have been having so many incredible ideas of ways that I want to further serve, further inspire, further connect. And this episode is one of those ways which we'll be talking to you about throughout this episode. But as a spiritual teacher, as an entrepreneur, as a woman with big dreams in 2020, when there are so many options and so many possibilities that it could feel really overwhelming and at the same time really expansive. And if you are a woman out there that has really big dreams, maybe it's writing a best selling book or launching a podcast like this, or hosting a signature event, or maybe it's creating an online course or facilitator training program, teacher training program, certificate. All of the things this episode is for you. We really dive deep into the importance of following your dreams. Why your dreams are not an accident, but really they are chosen for you because you are the perfect vessel to bring them to life. And at the same time, it's gonna require seeking support, it's gonna require asking for help, it's gonna require taking off that Wonder Woman mask that a lot of us women wear that says we can do everything ourselves and not seeking for support when we need it because we feel like we're gonna be a burden to someone else. And really recognizing that we are worthy of support, we are worthy for help. We don't have to figure it out all out. There's so much we're capable of and we really can do so much and we can go so much farther together as a team. And something that I've personally noticed in my life is since I was a kid, I was definitely the problem solver. I was like the fixer in my parents relationship and everything. I was the person who would figure it out and come up with the solutions and that lended me to later on in my life, you know, really not getting the support that I needed had I gotten it earlier. And I'm not just talking about support, I'm talking about all levels of support. Whether it's spiritual support, whether it's business support, whether it's just support in your daily life, et cetera, that support, as soon as I got it, it opened up doors and possibilities for me that I wouldn't have even known existed before. So this podcast conversation with my dear friend Sarah Pendrick is exactly about that. It's more of a conversation than it is an interview. She's A dear friend of mine, and we're essentially co created an experience for you which we'll be sharing with in this episode. But both of us, and maybe you too have felt that we weren't ready, we weren't prepared. The imposter syndrome, whatever it is that is holding us back from our dreams. And really this episode is about getting out of your own way, about playing a game bigger than you ever have before, and realizing that you are 100% worthy of making your dreams happen. In fact, it is selfish for you to not go after your dreams because by you living and embodying your highest self, you inspire other people to do the same. You will show people that it is possible. Had I let my own fears of I can't launch a podcast. I don't even know how podcasting works, who's gonna listen to me? I don't have enough time, I don't know anything about technology. All of these fears that I had that were actually holding me back from starting a podcast when before I started one, three years ago, none of these episodes would be here. And I've seen the transformation that these episodes have done in so many of your lives. And even if it's just one person, that is enough for me to get out of my own way and be of service. So this is a call for you to be of service in your highest way, to step up, to get the support that you need so you can be the leader that you were meant to become. So I'm inspired by you. I'm ready to see your magic. And I'll share with you how we can work together in this conversation. So without further ado, let's welcome Sarah Pendrick to the Highest Self podcast. Okay, Real Talk, the products I'm about to tell you about is literally the best thing I've ever put into my mouth. And that is saying a lot. And this is Organifies Gold. So essentially it is the hot chocolate of your dreams with none of the sugar and all of the turmeric and reishi with a touch of ginger as well. It is delicious on its own, just with water. When I was on my pancha Carmel and I couldn't have any sugar or chocolate, anything like that, I brought my organifi gold with me. Poncho Karma approved. And all I needed was hot water and it was the perfect, just sweet, soothing, desserty taste that I so deeply crave after meals. And it makes me feel so calm, so restorative. It is my optimal nighttime tonic. And literally I've gotten all my friends on it. And I'm pinching myself that they are my podcast sponsors because even if they weren't, I would still be telling everyone about it. So head over to Organifi.com and use coupon code Sahara for 20 off. That is Organifi O R G A N I F I dot com. Use coupon code Sahara for 20% off. Your gold. Welcome, Sarah, to the Highest Self podcast. It's so good to have you here.

I'm so excited to be here. Your home's amazing.

So the first question I'd love to ask you is, what makes you your highest self?

What makes me my highest self? It is when I'm speaking my truth, when I'm following what I know to be true, and when I'm bringing other women together.

And you do that so beautifully through girl talk, through your events, your mastermind. Our mastermind. We'll talk about that. And you know, we actually met initially, which I thought we met at the mastermind, but no, we met at the mastermind and then I spoke at your event and you know, and it's been such a beautiful friendship of support, but something that I think a lot of people really want to do and they don't know how, is, how do you bring community together? Like, how do you get people to listen, to show up, to show up, whether it's to an actual physical event or a virtual event or et cetera. Like, how is that process for you?

So creating community has been something that I've always craved my whole life. It's something that I do think comes natural to me. And when I'm not living my highest self and creating community that I know how to create, it's because I'm putting too much pressure. Like there has to be a certain amount of people there. It has to look like this, all these, like it should. It has to. That is when I end up not creating community. So I feel like people put a lot of pressure on themselves. Everyone knows how to create community. We all thrive in communities, especially women. So I think it's. We inhibit our natural gift of being in community and creating community when we think that it has to look a certain way. So I have events sometimes where there's just 10 women there or the event that you spoke at, how many women were there? Maybe 50 or 100. And they're equally as beautiful with 10 people in the room, 500 people in the room, 100 people in the room. Because it's just all of us getting together and having that in person connection. So when people want to step into community. You create community when you have three people. It's just all the pressure.

I love that so much. And I think that it's really important to mention that there's so many different types of events out there. Sometimes an event with just 10 people, you bring people together, even people who don't know each other, and just like, hey, we all are on this similar mission, or this is how we could all support each other. I know some people, they do these, like, dinners where they'll bring in like 10 people from totally different careers and be like, let's talk about these important issues. And just the perspective and the community that you really build with people that are even so dissimilar from you is something that can be stronger than friendships that you've had your entire life.

100%. Like, when you just meet someone at one of those dinners and you're like, I feel so connected to you. How is this possible? It's just like we. I think social media is an amazing thing. We're so lucky in the world that we live in today. But also just, we thrive in our highest selves, being in groups and community.

So how does one get over that fear that, well, why would someone come to my event with all of the events out there? I've never done an event before. I don't know where to start. And why would anyone come? I think that's what stops people. How do we get over that fear?

Well, I think you get to ask yourself different questions. Because if you're just asking, like, why would anyone want to do this? Or how am I going to make it happen? You get to ask yourself more empowering questions and ask yourself, why do I want to have an event? Why do I want to have a dinner? What do I get to create? What do I want them to feel? When I did my first event, I did it with the end in mind and thought about, how do I want women to walk out when they leave at the end of the weekend? So it's just asking more empowering questions. We get so caught up in asking ourselves the fearful questions instead of the empowering ones.

I love that. How do I want people to feel when they walk out? Because that's what matters, right? I think we get so stuck into the bells and the whistles and it's going to be this, and I'm going to have that type of food or whatever it is. And we don't. People forget about all.

Yeah, they don't remember that. They just remember how they felt, the connections that they Made the empowerment that they felt. They do not remember what they ate or what it said on a napkin or what it said on the back of the stage. None of that.

So true. So you just finished hosting a huge event that I was a part of, Girl Talk Festival, which had, like, hundreds of women there who flew from all around the country. The world. Yeah, People from other countries, too, just to come to this event. Tell us about that process. Like, how. Like, how does one even create something like that?

Oh. So I talked about this at the event, but I had it in a journal that I was going to do Girl Talk Festival in 2020, and I wrote it in a journaling process that I do in 2017. And then when 2020 was arriving or it was 2019, I forget when I announced Girl Talk Festival, but I'm like, this is it. This is happening. It's January 24, 2020. Then I realized, am I ready to do a festival yet? You know those questions where you're like, oh, but don't I want, like, my book to be out? Or don't I want, like, my show to be out or something like that before I have this big festival? But it was already placed there, 2020. It said it in my journal. Like, I had that calling, and I'm like, I'm gonna do it. And I'm so happy that I didn't wait for the big, like, whatever needs to be happening in my life for me to have a massive women's festival. Like, nothing has to be happening. You just want to have that. You just have that calling, and you make it happen.

Mm. So true. And I found myself. And I know a lot of women do this. I have to have this in place until I do that. Right. Like, another one of our mutual friends. She was also like, do I need to have a book before I have an event? Because otherwise, like, you know, I'm not a real thought leader or whatever if I don't have a book. And thank God she didn't do that, because now her event is really what she is known for. And I feel like that's with you. Like, your events are what you're known for. And then you'll add a book. You'll already have a community who is willing to buy the book.

Exactly. It's just a part. Part of, like, the whole lie. Like, am I ready for this? Am I good enough for this? Like, do I have enough followers? Like, it's all a lie. I really, truly think that all the fears that we have are a lie. And the dreams are really? Our truth. You want to have an event. You want to write a book. That's what you get to focus on. And that's when you get to be in your highest self, is getting past the fear and being like, there's no shoulds and that judgment. I totally am. Like, I'm sitting here saying this, like, I have been through all the times that I gave up on my dream and gave into the judgments, gave into the shoulds, gave into that, like, you're not big enough yet. And then that's when I just realized, like, I'm not gonna sit here on the sidelines and live like that anymore, because then nothing's gonna happen.

I so resonate to that feeling of, like, you're not big enough yet, like, whatever the heck that means.

What does that even mean?

Not realizing that you become a bigger person when you do scarier things, when you take the risks that you feel like you're not ready for. It's not like you just, like, massively grown. You're just like Oprah, and, like, now you can host an event event. It's like, no, you become that by doing this one thing that you're not sure if you're able to handle, which makes you capable for the next and the next and the next.

Yeah. And I think it's also good to just try things out, because then you learn, like, that wasn't for me or, like, my highest self. I felt my most empowered at the end of the event at the festival, when I just saw all these women coming together and realizing, like, oh, if she did it, if Sahara did it, I can do it too. Like, I can have access to these women. I can have mentorships. I can have everything that I want. I get to have that. That's the most empowering feeling, is being a part of a ripple effect like that.

So beautiful. So you did not start out like this. You did not start out having a community, having support. In fact, it was really your loneliness that made you get here. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Yeah. So, like I said before, I mean, I have three brothers. I've always wanted sisterhood that was in me somewhere to begin with, and also something that I just craved. I felt for so long that I didn't belong anywhere. I had a family that half of my family was like, you can do anything. You have big dreams. And another half that was very, like, patriarchal and very, like, you get married.

You don't do this.

So I really had two sides of myself, and I had this big Beautiful, bright personality. But I let it get hidden because I would listen so much to what other people thought that I should do. So very much of my life. I definitely felt alone and that I didn't truly know myself.

What prompted you to change, to get support, to work on yourself?

You know, there wasn't just one thing. It was just a gradual being curious and knowing that there was something more. And I've always been really dedicated on learning the whys and the hows. I studied psychology. I just tried things out and for so, so long, sometimes it'll pop up. And the way that I feel myself and I feel like I belong is when I'm contributing and giving back and listening to myself. Like, when I'm like, hey, everyone said that you can't do this. Everyone says that, like, you're blonde if you're going to get on stage so long. I didn't speak on stage because people would say, like, people are judging you. I would have women come up to me after and say, hey, I saw you get on stage. And I'm like, what is this blonde girl looking like? You have to say. And they would come up and be like, I'm very. I'm really sorry. And for a while, I let that hold me back until I realize, like, I'm letting other people live my life for me. And I feel my most whole and, like, I belong when I'm listening to what I want to do.

It's so funny because just today I was actually reading that this woman put. She has, like, a deck, and she made, like, one of the very strong and smart goddesses, a blonde, to get rid of that, like, like, misconception. Like the dumb blonde jokes, for example, of like, oh, if someone is blonde, they must not have anything to say. And all of these, like, horrible societal and patriarchal beliefs that often women catch onto. And I think a lot of times when women see someone else who maybe, you know, looks really put together or whatever else, we create these stories around them, and we don't really get to know the substance that that woman has within. So how have you overcome just that fear and, like, not wanting to be judged?

So this is definitely something that's held me back my whole life. It wasn't until two years ago that I truly started coming out of that. And the way that I came out of that is by being more of myself. I had done something where I dyed my hair dark. I obviously love the color pink. If you go on girl talk or at the festival, and I used to think that you couldn't be. I knew that I'm this smart, extremely smart, passionate woman. And I realized, like, I can have all of it. I can. I was like, fuck it. I'm gonna wear the pink dress. Because I used to, like, be very careful of what I wore on stage and just putting so much energy on not being judged that I was putting so much judgment on myself. So I started to just do the things that I wanted to do. And that slowly got me to a point where I don't really give a fuck. Not in like a. Like a. That a way of, like, I don't care about people think, but I don't let it hold me back. And I'm gonna lead with how I want to lead.

And I think that that's what the new paradigm of leadership looks like. Like, if you went to a business conference, like, 10 years ago, even everyone is in, like, a pantsuit and like, all black and very, like, corporate office, like, office chic. I remember, like, when I was in high school, I was, like, applying to jobs and internships and, like, going to, like, the H and M office section.

Oh, my gosh.

And, like, I hated everything. I felt so confined. I was like, o. Like, being an adult means you have to wear these, like, pants and pencil.

Skirt where you can't even sit down.

But I was like, this is what you have to wear to get taken seriously. Like, this is what successful people wear. Like, when you're a kid, you can wear leggings, and then you become an adult and you wear pencil skirts.

Yeah.

And like, for some people, that is their truth. But, like, you know, I wanted to be a lawyer, and I thought that that was going to be my life. And I'm like, dude, I could not, simply because of the outfits, I would not be able to stay in that. And I think that now that paradigm is shifting too. That, like, you know, we go to events all the time and you see people talk on stage in, like, the pink dress or, like, the jumpsuit. Like, I was wearing, like, a pink jumpsuit because it felt like sweatpants at your event. And you don't have to look so, like, cookie cutter fit in the box to be taken seriously anymore.

Yeah. And I think that just like you said, it's the new paradigm that we're not just one thing. Women are not just one thing. We don't fit into a box. And the more that we lead with that, the more the world changes, the more that we change, and we really, really get past that judgment.

So for the people out there who are listening and they're like, okay, I really know. I want to bring community together. I don't know if it's an event. I don't know how it's going to look, but I feel like, why me? I feel like someone else is already doing it. I feel like there's not enough space. What do you have to say to them?

There's always enough space. There's no one else that is you. I know that we hear that on, like, cheesy, like, quote cards, but that is the truth. Like, you do get to lead with your message and your story. There's no one else that has had your experiences in your life. So there might be a bunch of events out there, there might be a bunch of dinners out there, but no one's going to do it the way that you do. So again, start asking yourself, like, why do I want to do this? Why is community important to me? And start. I would say start big if you want to start big, or start small and do a dinner. Just take the action and take the steps and just remind yourself that truly, there is no one else like you. I had someone the other day say to me the parts of me that I used to hide. I had someone say, you have inspired me because you show, like yourself, like eating pizza and having the green juice, like, listening to rap music and meditating. You really, really show, like, all parts of you. And that's given me that permission. So the more that we hide ourselves, the more that we aren't able to see, like, the actual impact that we have. I used to not show those parts of me. I'd be like, it has to look this way. Only have to be showing my green juice, not my pizza. You know what I'm saying?

I used to also think, like, for me to be taken seriously as a spiritual teacher, I must only wear, like, white, loose clothes and mala beads and, like, you know, like. Like look really spiritual. And I. They can't know that I listen to hip hop and love to twerk and, like, all of these sides. And now that I show that, I asked my audience, and this is a good question for anyone, like, put in your Instagram story. When have you seen me at my highest or at my most, me? And it was all of them were like, when you're dancing, when you're DJing. All of the things that I was hiding from myself because I thought it made me, quote, unquote, like, not spiritual enough are the things that have helped people relate to me and see me as a human.

And you are just Being you. So anyone that's listening now, like, literally just be you. I have the same judgments on myself that you're talking about. I would only talk about business and how I created this big event. And then I'm like, oh, I don't want to be silly on my stories. And. And the other day I did a story about how I forgot my makeup artist canceled. I forgot my makeup. That was like one of the highest, most engaged stories because we've all been there. And so many DMs of women cheering me on and also being like, that's amazing. What ended up happening. I before would have been like, I don't want to be. Not taken seriously. And like, I'm talking about makeup. I can't even believe I'm getting my makeup done. Like, so much judgment that we also put on ourselves. When the answer is, like, show you. That is when you get to make the biggest difference.

And this is a super important point of the one thing that sets you apart is your story. And we all must lead with our story. And so many of us, we think, oh, my story's not important. I didn't have like a near death experience or like, escape from war. So therefore I don't have an important story. And it's like, even a story of just like, I was lonely, I needed a community. And now I found community is like, like, enough. It's, it's. That's helps people make sense of, like, why you're going so out of the way and doing this. So what advice do you have for people who they want to lead with their story? They want to, you know, have a personal brand, they want to get paid to be them, but they just don't know, like, even how to explain it.

I would say again, stop putting so much pressure on yourself. Get a mentor and be a part of community that gets it. Like, there's so many people out there that are just joining things that like, that don't call to them, and that's not the way that they even want to live their life. So get in a community, get a mentor, be a part of something that they're living life the way that you feel called to live life. So with telling their story, this is what I did. For example, I used to leave out parts of my story because I thought, like, oh, this is too intense, or this part sounds superficial or xyz again, all the judgment. Just tell your story. There is no one way to tell your story. Get out there and start talking about it and let your people come to you, because the People that you are meant to lead, the people that you are meant to make a difference in the life, they're going to be attracted to you by you speaking your truth.

Yes.

So speak your truth, and your people will come to you.

And I think that also it's important to know. It's like, we don't just have one story, Right. Like, if I go to a business conference, the story that I might tell might be, like, me emerging as an entrepreneur. But if I go to a health podcast, I'm talking about my health problems. I'm going to. Whatever it is, I'm going to be telling that story. So I think a lot of us were just like, oh, I don't have a story. But it's like, no, you have so many different stories.

So many stories.

So it's like, how can it be helpful for the people that you're trying to engage with right now?

Exactly. And stop putting all the pressure. It's all we keep. I keep saying it. The pressure and the judgment. And if you want to lead with your story, you can start right now writing down pivotal things and experiences that have happened in your life and then decide. I'm going to tell a story on a podcast that's an hour. I'm going to tell this story on an Instagram story that's 15 seconds. Like, organize it and lead and just completely be yourself for so long. I know that I was wearing a mask and only sharing the stories that I thought were important, and I was attracting the wrong people into my life. The wrong friendships, the wrong clients, the wrong community. And you are ultimately, like, blocking your own success by not just sharing your truth.

100%. Yeah. I, like, I remember leaving out. I would talk a lot about my story of, like, my health journey, but I never really talked about my journey with, like, my parents because I was like, oh, that's too personal. And, like, my parents might listen or. And I would just completely leave that out. And once I started to share that story of, like, my dad calling me a loser and a failure and, like, scum of the earth and, like, all of these things because I wanted to, like, like, live my life and do my own thing, so many people, first of all, were just like, whoa, I didn't even know that that happened to you. And then second of all, being like, I've been there, too.

Yeah.

And it just, like, helps you connect to people on a deeper level and they're able to see, like, wow, if my parents or whoever it is are telling me that I'm going to Fail. And she was able to overcome it. I can, too.

I remember hearing you share more of that part of you, and I remember feeling, like, so much closer to you and being like, that's. That's super inspiring. And those are the parts of us and the people that look up to you. And wherever everyone has a platform. Right. It could be in your family, it could be online, it could be at school, wherever it is, like, that's what truly supports people on their change and also in your own and getting the confidence to be who you are. Because if you're not sharing your story, you're not going to be confident in who you are.

So true. So we have come together because we realize that there are so many women out there who have such a important stories, who have important messages, who are here to create something that is so much larger than them, their conscious empires. And this is together we impress Mastermind. So can you tell them a little bit about it? Oh, my gosh.

This gives me chills when we talk about this, because it's what we're talking about right now. Like, there's nothing out there like this. Like, three women, me, you, and Jenna, that have come together to support other women and being themselves, making millions and magic by being themselves and sharing their story. Like, this gives me chills because we need more feminine leaders than ever before, and we need to be paving the way for the people that are coming after us, the women that are coming after us, to reach out our hand, lift them up the ladder, know that we can do it together. Of course, like we said, we're talking about, like, the Facebook things and all the strategic X, Y and Z, but really, really what make women so powerful and coming together to also work through our limiting beliefs and celebrate. I think that is one thing that is so huge, is that we get to celebrate. We get to celebrate each other and have fun.

Yes. I think one of my biggest. And it's not a regret because I don't regret anything, but, like, if I were to live the past couple years over, I would have hired for help. I would have invested in myself sooner than I had. I feel like I didn't do it until I laid out, like, literally had to because I was so burnt out with so many things on my plate. Had I learned the things that I know now, had I reached out for support and help, I would actually be way far past where I am. And I think a lot of us, we. We wait too late or we don't even do it at all.

Yeah. You know, or we're following the thing that we're not meant to follow. Yeah, like, I love the masterminds that I've been in and that's what we've done. We've learned from that. We've taken the parts of the masterminds that we love, but also what was miss for us. But I think that I definitely invested in myself a lot, but I didn't consciously, I didn't pay attention to what I was investing in. And I could have been a lot further along as well. But again, I don't have any regrets. I think that this ultimately brought us here. I think that we were meant to create this space for women. I think it's part of our journey. It's a part of the amazing women that are going to join and have these conscious empires and literally know that they can live the life of their dreams and have an empire by simply being themselves and sharing their story and not having to cover it up. And don't say this, and say this like you get to completely take off any mask and speak your truth because then that's when your empire gets built.

So true. So for those of you listening, like, what is a mastermind? So we met at a mastermind. That's why we're so passionate about it. But this is so much more than a mastermind. It's a master heart because we're connecting to the heart. But essentially it is, you know, a group of people coming together with a shared mission. And for us, we're literally curating this group of women who are soul centered entrepreneurs who again want to lead with their message, whether it's through books, podcasts, events, certificates, programs, courses, all of the things. And you essentially, and all women will be speaking what it is they need support with what it is they are struggling with what it is that they're good at and can help other people with. And essentially within the community, you get. Get everything that you need. You get essentially 50 women looking at your business as if it is their own, which is like way like, yes, there's gonna be so much more and there's gonna be coaching mice, etc, but like that in itself is like such an incredible privilege. I remember someone said something to me in a mastermind that we were a part of. That one sentence literally was something I was struggling with for a year. And it was an issue in my business. I couldn't figure out. I couldn't figure out. They just said one sentence and I was like, oh my God, like there it is. Had I not been part of that mastermind I wouldn't know that.

And just that community feeling of knowing that you're not alone in this. I think that female entrepreneurship and building anything can feel really lonely and it doesn't have to be like that. And then on top of that, knowing that you can have 50 women, you can have me, you and Jenna that you can ask anything to and learn from, but also 50 women, like you said, that actually really, really care and are there to support you, like that is how we lift each other up. That's also how we thrive. That for me has been the biggest thing for masterminds is knowing that I'm not alone and having people that having women, women especially like an all group, an all room filled of women that truly, truly support you and treat your life and business as their own. Like with that, we are already so powerful together. We are already so powerful individually, but together it's like we can do anything.

So I am all about activating my brain. I need it for a lot of things and I also love to play and have fun. So I recently came across a game called Best Fiends which you can just download on your phone and it is so much fun. So basically you are the bugs and you're here to defeat the slugs, but you're doing it through puzzles. So though it looks like this like beautiful, colorful kids game, it's actually made for adult and it's helping you use your brain in new ways every month. They change the levels, they change the event, so it never gets old and it doesn't require any Internet to play. So when I was stuck on my flight, I was playing it the whole time. I love the cute characters and it's just such a good game to get you out of your, you know, busy, hectic headspace. And sometimes playing a game is the ultimate act of self care that you really need. So you can download it on the app store. And it's called Best Fiends, like friends, but without the R. So that's Best Fiends and let me know what level you're on. I'm on level seven. And I think what's super, just amazing about Masterminds is the different perspectives that you get. You know, like we look at our problems from one lens, but then when someone else hears it, like someone might be coming from like a legal perspective of like, oh, well, did you trademark that? And did you think about this? And someone else might be coming with a financial perspective or community perspective or whatever it is, and it allows you to look at your business in so many different ways. And the thing about entrepreneurship is it's. It's inherently lonely. Most people, we start as solopreneurs, right? We're the only people in our business. There's no school for it. There's no one that explained anything to us, especially when it's online. We have no idea where. I remember spending so much time instead of, like, working on my business, like, writing my books and doing the things I was trying to figure out, all of the, like digital marketing and SEO and like, reading so much about that, and a lot of that stuff, even today is not. Not even applicable. Had I just, like, reached for support of people who already knew that stuff, that is their zone of genius, it would have given me so much more time to work on my own. So entrepreneurship does not have to be lonely. If you look at any other career, whether it's like becoming a doctor or lawyer or accountant or whatever it is, there's mentorship in place. You know, there's steps that you take. But with entrepreneurship, it's like the wild, wild west. And then when you go into something like a female personal brand that's trying to uplift the vibration of the planet, like, it really gets small. The pool gets really small. And it's really easy to quit because you don't know the map.

It's so easy to quit. And like you said, you don't have, like, if you don't have a mentor or support to be like, hey, I've been there. Hey, let's do this together. That is the thing that sets people apart, that make it and that go for their dreams and then that those that don't. Because you get that really scary feeling every time you're about to do something so big, like when you're about to release your book. Like, it's that feeling of, oh, my gosh, like, I haven't been. I haven't been here before. It's a new ceiling. And so some people quit because they get scared of that feeling, and then other people break the ceiling. And so anyone listening right now? Like, you get to break the ceiling and also have the support in doing so. And knowing that those fears, they're there to pretend to keep you safe. And that's the only thing that's standing in your way. So you get to break through that.

That those ceilings will become your new floor.

Yes, exactly. Yes.

You get to keep growing and keep expanding. And, you know, I had so many limiting beliefs of you could either do what you love or you could make money, but it couldn't Be the same. Because I had never seen anyone who loved what they did. You know, it was either like you went to work and you like hated it and you're like paying your bills and you're like angry or you are broke and you're like playing guitar on the side of the street. You know, I thought it was one or the other. And because I seeked out mentorship and support and I was able to see people like fully in both, I was like, wait, if I would, I remember, I would like ask them. I'm like, do your parents know you're here? Like, I didn't even understand that it was possible. It's so funny just to think of how much that I've grown and expanded. Even the first time that I learned about like business coaching and masterminds, I was like, who has money to invest in themselves like that? Like I had such a scarcity block and limiting belief that, that now those amounts of money are like nothing to me. It's my new normal. And it's not that my privilege changed or anything changed. My mindset changed.

Yes, your mindset changed. And also the belief in yourself too, like, that's been huge for me. It's like there's nothing that I can't have. Of course I get to have that. It's just a mindset shift to remind yourself that we get to have that and that is needed and you need to step in. You get to step into your message because that is what the world needs, needs. And like you said, I used to, I saw the same thing. Like you either are making a ton of money and you're super stressed and you have no time or you're struggling on the street and yes, things get to be challenging, but if you're doing the things that you love and not wearing the mask and leading with your highest self, it's challenging. But like, what else would you be doing? Of course that's all you would be doing. And it's amazing.

Yes. I just recorded a podcast on like how a lot of times in the spiritual community they're like, oh well, if it's meant to be, it will just happen, right? Like, oh, you know, I don't have to do anything. Just going to put on my vision board and it will happen. And that's not true. In fact, that's what keeps a lot of heart centered, beautiful people with inspiring messages. Never getting it out into the world because of this disillusion that like, oh, your energy is so fragile and you only have like X amount of energy. So like, don't go after that dream. It's going to be too hard. And I've blocked myself. And I still catch myself sometimes having a dream, having a vision. Be like, oh, it's going to be too hard. It's going to be too much hard work. And like, yes, it's gonna be work, but it's like, the highest work that you can do. It's the work that you came to this planet to do.

Exactly.

Gives you. It's like, working out. The more you do it, the more energy you get.

Oh, my gosh. I want that vision board thing to be, like, debunked. Like, that is stopping so many women and people from stepping into their purpose and, like, stepping into the highest selves. Because it's like, yeah, I love vision boards. I have one. But I also know that I get to do the work and get to bet on myself and take the action, not just put it on the vision board and pretend that it's gonna happen. Like, we absolutely get to step in and do the work and be brave.

Yes. I just put a meme on my Instagram and it's like, I'm the type of girl who prays for something, then goes and gets it. And I'm like, that's what we need. Like, yes, manifest it. Do a honey pot jar. Like, pray for it on the full moon, and then take the action. And I think it's just, like, not a super sexy topic to be like, you have to take action, and it's going to be scary and hard. No one wants to hear that.

But.

But it's the truth. And we're telling you this because we love you, because we want you to succeed. And we're not going to pretend that it came completely easily. It's become easy now. Like, I like to compare, like, living your purpose to, like, you're on the beach and your purpose is, like, out in free waters, but to get there, you have to. You have to swim through the waves, right? And the waves might keep pushing you back and keep pushing you back, and you might just be like, you know what? It's not meant to be. Because if there were such thing as open waters out there, I would be there. And it's like, no, if you get past. Past the waves, which are your limiting beliefs, your scarcity story, whatever it is that you came with, then you're out in the free waters, and then you're like, oh, wow, I'm a creatrix. I can create whatever it is I want.

And then that feeling at the end of that, like when you get past the waves is so empowering. And that's what I think. Like, that's what I think your highest self is. Like, you're like, wow, like I just did this and I want everyone to feel this. And like, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

And you're like, hey, all you on.

The beach, come out here through the waves.

Dolphins, they're like, I don't believe you. There's just a wave. Waves forever. You know, that's how most people live our lives.

I think so many people live their life like that. And that's what I'm committed to, is getting people on the other side of those waves just like you are.

So what do you tell yourself when you're about to, you know, do something that's scary for you? It feels like throwing a huge event, investing in yourself, whatever it is.

So I just went through this with the event because this was the biggest one, the like crazy production. Like the ceiling, like I could see the ceiling right there and I'm like, oh, I don't know what's. Like, like I'm gonna break the ceiling. And I don't know what's there. You just have to remind yourself, like really, really self talk. I just talk to myself and remind myself like how important this is and how much it means to me and like the difference that I wanna make. And then I also say, like, I could stop right now and I would be miserable. Remind yourself, like, if you stopped right now, if you gave in to that fear, then what? I would be miserable. And I was so sick of listening to everyone else's opinions and not my own and not following my purpose.

This.

That is more miserable to me than actually going through the fear and the feeling that what I know on the other side is that dolphins and the magic and the world change and all the things that I crave and know that I'm here for.

So true. I think a lot of us, we are so afraid of the fear of changing and of up leveling and we don't realize that staying the same is actually way harder.

Way harder.

Because then you have to keep living with yourself, knowing that you aren't giving it your all. Yeah, you have to be like, oh, well, I know I have the potential to be an incredible teacher or speaker or author, but I'm just not doing it because right now is not the time. That is a much more challenging thought to have living in your brain than the going through the process and knowing even though it's challenging, you're still expanding.

Yeah. That is literally what is standing in your way, your own self.

And I see so many people out there, they're so afraid of, like, well, what if I do it and I fail? You know, And I used to have this belief, too, of, like, well, what if I try and I fail? Like, I thought, like, the way that the media makes it seem is like you either, like, win or you fail. And what I realize now is there's no such thing as failure.

No such thing.

It's impossible to fail because failure is just feedback.

Yeah.

And you might fail in one thing, and it just gives you feedback on how to improve it. Like, do you think that they invented, like, this sneaker on their first try? Like, they made, like, a sandal, and then they improved it and had, like, a strap on it, and then this and that, and now there's, like, a bazillion cool sneakers out there. But it was just from, you know, learning and learning and learning. And we're so. When we're afraid of failing, we're afraid.

Of learning and we're afraid of feedback.

Yeah, we're afraid of feedback.

We're afraid of feedback.

We're afraid of criticism.

Yeah. And that is literally the thing that you get to embrace if you could do anything, like, embrace the feedback. Want to know, how can I do this better? What is that? Information. It's information. So just like, soak that up and be open to learning and be like, I want to hear feedback. Because if you're not going to hear feedback, then you're not going to grow. And again, you're choosing ultimately to not bet on yourself and not have your dreams come true.

So true. I mean, I even catch myself, like, when I read my podcast reviews, getting a little anxious right before. Because, you know, sometimes someone could give you something that's not really constructive, positive feedback. Like, they're just. They might just doing. Be doing it out of hate or whatever. But I want to share this with you because a lot of you guys listening out there, you do want to be in a public space, and you are putting yourself, you know, at mercy of someone writing you a bad Amazon review or Yelp review or whatever it is. Like, we're in a review Internet culture, and people do that, and it's not always coming out of love. But what I tell myself before I read it, I'm like, no matter what you read, you're doing incredible work. And if I just tell myself that before I read even look and then I'll see. Like, even if the first Comment is positive. I'm like, it doesn't matter what the next one says because I've helped one person.

Yes.

And then it's like all of the rest are positive too. But your mind, mind crazy tricks on you. Yeah. It's like 1% negative. And then you focus on that and you're like going through the rebuttals of what you want to say back. And like, I feel so grateful that I've shifted out of that energy. Like, you know that energy. When like someone writes you a comment, you just like keep thinking about what you want to respond to.

You're like mad for a week. I totally used to do that.

Yeah, but it's like as you up level and as you're just no longer a vibrational match for it, that you're just like, it can't affect you because you're just not on that wavelength.

Yeah. And just like you said, it's also when I said feedback is information, it's like you might see a podcast review that is so mean. But think about where it's coming from. Like, you don't know the day that they're having, having. It's just information. Is that, is that the truth? Ask yourself, is that the truth? Am I going to allow this person to with my like, energy, with my like vibes? Like, no. Like I am going to change the, the frequency of the planet. I'm have this podcast for a reason. I have this book for a reason. I have this 10 person event for a reason. It's like accept the feedback, welcome it and know that it's information and take from the parts that can help you.

Grow and who you're getting the feedback back from.

Yes.

Because I used to just ask anyone for advice. Whoever was around me and the people around me were like my mom and like people who are not like living their, their dharmas at all. And then so when I would be like, oh, I want to like, you know, go to Bali and like teach ecstatic dance, they're like, what? No, you're never gonna make it. Like, because not only was that not their truth, but they weren't even living in, in their truth at all. So a lot of times we just ask people for advice who are near us, but they are not the people who are doing what they want to do. You ask anyone who's living their dharma, even if it's not your own, should I go for it? They're always gonna say, yes, you got, you have to.

That's such a good point. My whole life I would Ask my dad. And he's not living his dharma. He's very like, he did his best, he loves me, but he is not a risk taker. Like, he would always shoot down my dreams. And for so long I thought it's because he didn't believe in me. And then I realized it's because he didn't believe in him. So it's so true. Like, don't ask for feedback or don't go to anyone who is not living the way that you would want to live 100%. They're going to put their own limiting beliefs on you. And then you could take that in thinking like, oh, they don't believe in me, or that's not possible. When it really has nothing to do with you.

Yeah, you go ask like, you know your uncle who tried to be in a band that failed. Like, I go for my dreams. He's like, no, it'll never work out. They kicked me out of the band. Now they're Aerosmith, you know. But you ask like, even that person who like had a good run, they're going to be like, you know what? Like, maybe my band didn't make it to the Grammys, but they were the best years of my life and I'm always going to look back on them. I'm so glad that I, I had that experience.

Yeah.

And then on top of that, there's like. So that could just be for encouragement, but it's like getting the advice from people who've done what you want to do. I feel like just being part of our mastermind. I've learned so much. Just about like running a business and all of the behind the scenes things that I would to people don't post this stuff online. You know, like I'm not like making podcast episodes about like literally my step by step process of like how I do everything and you're not doing. It's like that's not really like the type of information people just put out there. But when you're in these mastermind scenarios and you're like, oh, wow, I didn't even realize that that is how they hire, that is how they show up, that is how they do this. And having these like behind the scenes looks of someone else's business, even if it's different from yours, has been the biggest game changer for me.

And you learn so much. Especially when you see someone in your mastermind, like they have a breakthrough or they have something that they just realized for their own business, you're like, oh, wow. Like you have a breakthrough with them, it's so, so huge. It's so important. Community is so, so important. And being around the people that want to do the same thing as you, with the mentors that have done it, it's huge. It's literally life changing.

And I've been in masterminds and I've done coaching, but here's why I really like masterminds. I sometimes when I've done coaching, I just didn't. You don't know what you don't know. Right. So I would only ask the question based off of what I knew. And I was only getting to like that next thing that I knew about. Right. But with a mastermind, I'm hearing about someone else in a totally different business doing a totally different thing, that maybe that thing wasn't relevant to me at the moment. But maybe a year later I was like, oh, wow. Like now that thing is happening to me, the customer service or the legal, whatever it is. So. So it expanded my mind to even go into things that I wouldn't have had I not heard that person's business and perspective.

I think you literally just nailed it by saying, like, it expanded your mind or in the moment you're realizing it and you're like, oh, wow. Like you're having your own epiphanies by learning how, watching other people learn, it's so true. Like, you don't know what you don't know. And coaching is so different than a mastermind. And I wish that we did. We're calling it Master Heart. But I really do wish that we had a different name for this because. Because I truly, truly believe and know, just with our missions and what our expertises are, is that like, this is what every woman needs. And I'm like, so honored to be doing it.

Oh, same. I'm so excited about it. I've been really craving to dive deeper with women, just like in their businesses, in their lives and their messages and just, I mean, just already the women who are in it, I've been like messaging with them all day because they're amazing, I love them.

But.

But for me, the most important thing of a mastermind are those connections that you make with other people, especially in person. So other masterminds I've seen, they're like completely online, right? So you don't actually get to meet the people that you are interacting with. But we have actually planned 2 live in person weekends, which just one of those weekends is worth the entire cost of the mastermind alone. And these weekends, like, that first weekend is gonna like Shake you up.

Oh, yeah.

It's gonna change. It's gonna blast. All of those limiting beliefs. We are going. I mean, Jenna is, like, the queen of all of that.

She is.

Yeah.

She is literally, like, she actually supported me in completely getting out of, like, the judgment that would hold me back for so long. She is a transformational coach. Like, I. Again, another word besides coach. Like, she is the most transformational woman, that leader, and the way that she navigates breakthroughs for people and busting through what holds you back, like, I've never seen before.

Yes. And she'll be on the podcast next. Absolutely. Be able to experience her magic. So Jenna will be doing all of the mindset stuff with us, like, helping us really look at, like, what is the story that you're telling yourself that is holding you back and how can you rewrite that? Because a lot of masterminds really focus on, like, the business and the numbers, and, like, yes, we geek out over you making millions. That's going to happen.

Oh, yeah.

But it's not going to happen if you don't change your mindset.

Exactly.

You know, like, you could buy the thing, but if you don't actually shift your consciousness around it, it's not going to change.

You're still gonna be miserable. You're gonna be in the same place. And I truly believe that the power of this mastermind is having it all in one and just, like, getting through the inner work and also the celebrations and the connections and the network and the people supporting you. You have your podcast, you have 50 other women plus us that are promoting your podcast or promoting your launches, promoting everything and supporting you in it. Like, there is just so much power in this. This, and I'm just so excited. Like, I literally can't stop thinking about it.

And it's like, historically, women have always had, like, tribes. Like, the women would always, like, gather together because, like, the men would be out, like, hunting, and, like, the woman would be, like, alone in the cuts, and they would be like, oh, like, let's talk about this and that. And they would essentially mastermind with each other. That's exactly always what women have been doing. But now, because of just our culture, everyone's so separate, everyone's alone, everyone's on social media where there's a lot of duality and divisiveness that women aren't telling each other. Like, oh, I got through this, I got through that. And because of that, they're ending up feeling really stuck. So this mastermind is essentially, like, our, like, tribe, our community, Coming together. Like, we're going to be talking about, like, all things in your life, but also really your business. I think a lot of women have a lot of shame around wanting money.

Yeah.

Especially spiritual women of, like, it's wrong for me to want money. Like, I shouldn't do things for money. And it's like, no, like, money is what pays for the car that maybe you're driving when you're listening to this and, and the phone that you're listening to this on, and your health and your well being and your families. And there's nothing wrong with wanting money.

Nothing wrong with that. And that's what brings freedom. I. It's such a good. Like, you remind me that I started Girl Talk as a nonprofit because I did. I wanted to make such a big difference in the world. And I had that same mindset of, well, I would work so hard and literally go to different schools every single weekend. And I got so burnt out and I couldn't even, like, pay to get to the school. And then I realized, like, I need to be making a ton of money so that I can actually go do the thing that lights me up and changes the world.

So true. I used to also want to be, like, an international human rights lawyer and, like, work in NGOs and. And I did a lot of volunteer work and I. And I loved doing it. And then I realized I was like, I'm gonna live my whole life burnt out, you know, trying to ask someone else for money. Because that's what you do. You. You have a fundraiser and you try to contact all of the people that you can to donate money for the fundraiser. I was like, I want to be able to be like, like, oh, that girl needs to go to school. I'll pay for it.

Yes.

Like, and now I. There's literally dozens of people who are in school because of me. Because I'm able to support, and I support, like, grandmothers and little kids and so many things because I stepped up and I realized that I'm not actually really able to help people if I'm not helping myself.

Exactly. And just like you said, like, instead of, like, fundraising and doing all this work and getting burnt out, it's like, let me, let me get out my bank account. Let me get out my checkbook, and, like, I will make it happen.

And women honestly need to think. Think way bigger than we have.

Yes.

Like, we are thinking super small. You know, like, look at Bill Gates, for example. He's like, okay, I'm going to become a billionaire and eradicate Malaria, you know, and it's like what cause is important to you? You get to be so abundant that you can fix that. Does that make you a bad person? No, that actually makes you a beautiful person because you've up leveled in such a way that you're able to serve in the largest way.

Yeah. And I think this is another thing. The reason that I love our mastermind is like we have let society, let us play small and each other and competing and all the things. And that is not happening on my watch anymore. Like we get to rise up, be so abundant, know that there's enough for all of us. Literally be the next Bill Gates plus 10 that no one the world hasn't even seen yet.

Yeah.

Like that is our responsibility. We are powerful, powerful creatures. And this gets to happen. We get to be that change.

And most people don't realize it's actually so easy for us because of the Internet. Like before there were, you know, you had to get hired for a job and get promoted and it was like all this bureaucracy and now I love the Internet. And the Internet is actually divinely feminine. Right. Because it puts everyone on equal playing ground. That all you have to do is believe in yourself.

Yeah.

And that's it. And you just start posting and you start sharing and then like there's no block at all. Like if you could post a picture of your smoothie, you could post a picture of your business.

Yes, yes. Oh my gosh.

That's the only thing holding you back. You feeling like it makes you a bad person is you literally solving any world problem while taking care of your family, taking care of your parents, taking care of anyone. It is that you want. Like I feel so much joy knowing that God forbid if my parents ever needed something, I would be able to support them. Whereas before I used to have a fear of like what if my parents always have to support me?

You know, it's such an empowering feeling to know that I have the same that just like any, I have three little brothers. I've always taken care of them my whole life. And like that I know that they can come to me and get support from me. Like that is the ultimate freedom. Like my kids, when we have kids, Josh and I, we get to live the life that we want in complete freedom and never and teach our kids to have this abundant mindset and get and stop this just this gets to be where we stop having these generations after generation living in scarcity, not believing in ourselves and thinking that there's not enough.

So true. And these scarcity blocks essentially are not even ours. They are passed on to us from our ancestors. You know, like, and it's so interesting now with like all of the epigenetics and all of the research that literally, like your grandparents, trauma gets passed on to you until you do the work around it. So a lot of us, you know, if you think about your ancestors, maybe they suffered from poverty, war, they were refugees, et cetera. Mine were, you know, refugees. Child, marriage, all of the things. And if I don't step up and do that work, then I will be carrying that essential fear of, like, being married off to some older man for money, you know. And now I'm able to, like, be the most empowered woman in my entire lineage. Not because I'm genetically any different, but because I chose to be.

That gives me, me so much chills. Like, why? I worked the last year with Jenna doing the transformation work, and I felt, hey, my mindset, like, I believe in myself. I'm doing this for a bigger purpose. Like, women get to feel like this. But then I did. I was feeling like some things in my body that I knew weren't mine. And I'm like, I know that my mom had a lot of self doubt when she was pregnant with me and I talked to her, and that was passed on from generation to generation. And also the patriarch that my mom was in the kitchen working or not working, marrying a man that supported her, all those things. Like, I felt that doubt in my body and I'm like, this isn't mine. So I started to do the work around that. And like, we do get to be the generation that changes that.

It's so amazing because when we step up, we literally end that ancestral cycle for everyone to come. Like, your kids won't have to go through that because you did the work and then their kids and their kids and then, you know, and that's how today we're seeing so many young kids. Like, you know, like, Greta Thunberg is just like, I'm gonna save the environment. You know, like, because their parents have done, you know, an amount of work for her to even believe that's possible. But it had her parents been like, you little kid, you know nothing about the environment. Shut up. Focus on your schoolwork. Like, think about how the world would actually be such a different place. And again, Greta Thunberg is not special. You know, like, she's an autistic child and chose herself, and she is changing the world and that it makes her inherently special, just as everyone else is special.

Yeah. So we as Women get to start choosing ourselves and choosing ourselves time after time, every time.

Yes. So the best way to choose yourself is to take action. It's to seek support. It's to say yes, and we would love to support you in the together we Impress Mastermind. So we are taking applications right now. It's limited spots only. It is a small group. It's a small container. Because you're going to be working with us on a weekly, weekly basis. Sarah, myself and Jenna are going to be teaching our specific niches to you. So, like, I'll be talking about, like, my process of writing a book. Like, should you go traditional publishing or self publishing? How do you pitch it? How do you do these podcasts, like, interviewing skills, like networking with like, people like Deepak Chopra and Don Miguel Ruiz and like, like how, you know, I'm just like a normal person and how did I create this for myself? And I've never taught this to anyone before. And I'm going to be pouring this all exclusively into our Mastermind Girls. Yes.

That's so amazing.

What are you excited to teach?

I'm so excited because my, my genius is creating community and getting your message out there and marketing and events. So I'm really, really excited to support women in that and support them into being themselves, making money, being themselves. I'll also be leading a lot of like, the experiential and how the weekends are going to look because I, I just love creating those containers. I know that's what I'm made for. So I'm so, so excited. Like, I was just doing it this morning, like, going over everything that's going to be happening daily, and I'm like, oh, this is so, so good. And Jenna that we've mentioned, and she'll be talking about what she's going to be doing, but again, like, I've actually, like, experienced her. Like, she is next level transformation. Like I used to be like, okay, like, you know, your life's work. I'll always be working on people judging me. I'll just like, keep reminding myself and literally as just lifted in the last year or two, like, where I'm like, oh, no. Like, I have overcome this. I have rose above it. And the other thing that I love about it is that we're not going to pretend and teach on things that we haven't mastered ourselves. So we'll bringing our expert celebrity friends and own mentors to the Mastermind to also, like, make it full circle and let them also learn from people that are the masters in their zones of Genius.

Yeah. So we'll be bringing in people who know how to do a funnel really well. So, so you can do that. How to do Instagram and Facebook ads, how to, you know, grow on social media. Even though we do know a lot about that too. But just like real like top ranked experts in their zones of genius, people who we've learned a lot from. So essentially like our network will be made available to you in this mastermind. I've already like connected some of our mastermind members with like people they would have never been connected to because it's fun for me because also be these are our founding members. So we like extra are excited for your. Your transformation.

So excited. Both of us have been dming and like already making the connections for them and I'm like, oh my gosh, who can I bring in for them to get access to and end up learning and ultimately creating their own connections and relationship with those people.

So if you are listening to this, it is resonating. You are ready to take your message, take your mission majorly out into the world. You're ready to make 2020 the year that you don't just say is going to be different but guaranteed you will be a transformed human being. Then we invite you to apply to together we impress.com that's Empress with an e. You could find that link in the show notes and we are so excited to have you there. All of your questions, everything is going to be answered right there on the website. But you could also DM us if you have any more questions.

Oh my gosh, I'm so excited.

Thank you Sarah for being on the podcast.

Thank you so much for having me. I just love you so much.

I love you too, Queen Mean, are you inspired to go out there? Are you feeling the call or you feel like the universe had you listened to this podcast so you could go out there and live your soul message? Well, if that is the case, I invite you to head over to Together we empress.com Again, that's Empress with an e. The link is in my show notes. You can apply, you can learn more and I'm so excited to have have you there. If you loved this interview, I would love if you could leave me a review in the itunes store and as a free gift, I will share with you the first half of my unreleased book Eat right. For your mind body type, simply email a screenshot of your review over to SaharaetFeelFresh.com again, Sahara S A H A R AatFeelFresh.com and I will send you over the first half of my unreleased book, Eat Right for your mind body type. Thank you and namaste.