https://www.listennotes.com/e/bc72ae62657e40888a29580085d1efd1

I do really believe 100% from every part of me that everyone has the capacity to be able to do the things that they want and not to be held back by the mental baggage that's in our head that we want to push through.

Welcome to the Do the Thing podcast. In each episode, we get down and personal with people who go after the things they want to make all their wildest dreams come true. Join us as we unveil and dissect a formula for what it takes to do the thing. Here is your host, Stacey L.

Hey.

Everyone, welcome to the Do the Thing podcast. This is your host, Stacey L. Well, you guys, I am excited because there are those times that I take these adventures in life and they lead me to meet the most amazing people on the planet. And this next guest is an example of that. We met when I went to this longevity retreat in Puerto Rico, and it ended up being a mastermind kind of experience too, which was incredible. And that's how I got to connect with my next guest. And I'm so excited to have you guys meet her because she is also really passionate about helping people really achieve their goals and has been built this massive women's investing Network to be able to help women not only achieve their goals, but be able to create generational wealth with their goals, which is just really incredible. So I'm so excited to introduce you to Deborah. Hey, Deborah. Thank you.

Hi. Thank you for having me on. And yes, it was really wonderful the way we met. Stacy didn't tell you a lot, but we were at a longevity retreat, and hopefully we'll have a long and healthy relationship. and we have a masterminding portion and we all got to share some of what we do in our life, right? And usually those health retreats don't open you up that way. And this one did, and I'm so thankful for that. So yes, it was a really good connect. And yeah, we just got to talking about similarities in our lives. And I think one of them being we've been long time entrepreneurs, right? Yeah. And that is kind of where it all begins for me. I've been an entrepreneur for 35 years. and I've had several different businesses. I've had some that have been sold and we've made money. I've had some that have gone under. It's been a journey, right? A long and curvy road. I currently own and operate two businesses, and that came about in kind of a funny way. I've always been kind of an independent spirit, and I think that's what I love about entrepreneurship, although it does have its drawbacks sometimes. You feel very isolated sometimes as an entrepreneur, but it's when you meet So, like me meeting Stacey, that you realize, oh, there's some of us out there and, and it's great to meet and converse. But when I was in my entrepreneurial journey, I was mostly doing everything. I was kind of a solopreneur, lone wolf. And I think a lot of entrepreneurs start that way. And unfortunately, I got into a car accident and I found out the drawbacks to that. And it makes you really think, it makes you really change your life. And at the time, this was 15 years ago, and it was just a fluke. I mean, a tire busted, right? And the driver lost control of the car, and we were actually swerving around, and it was one of those highways where there was traffic going one way and traffic going the other way, and then there was dirt in the middle, right? And when she lost control of the car, I thought, oh, we're definitely going to hit somebody, right? But then we went over into the dirt, and I thought, oh, good, we're out of danger. And here's my PSA: if you do blow a tire, don't go into the dirt. Just try to slow down as much as you can because the rim of the blown tire will land in the dirt and dig itself in and flip the car. There you go.

Okay. Yeah.

So the car flipped and it flipped driver's side first. So the passenger me got squished and it took a while for them to even be able to get me out of the car. I had a serious head injury and I was air vacted to the nearest hospital where I was told I had a broken neck. and that was the beginning of a really long healing journey. I wasn't, the doctors didn't sign off on me as being healed and done with physical therapy and everything for over a year. And if any of you have been a solopreneur, that affects your bottom line, right? Any cash that you put aside that you hadn't reinvested in the business, you start going through. Luckily I had my brother, he came out and helped take care of me, and he was also some financial support to me as well. and just allowing me to take that time to heal. But I really started thinking about life, right? You have all this time on your hands to heal and you start thinking, life is short. This could happen anytime, right? And I was like, I think I wanna live my life differently. I haven't had a chance to travel the world. Where's all that freedom that I wanted when I started a business, right? And I just realized I wanted to live my life differently and I wanted passive income. And I literally started Googling passive income. And there's all kinds of things that come up, Real estate comes up, royalties come up. There's all kinds of things that came up, but real estate kept coming up. And I was like, I need to get me some. That was all there is to that. And I had read the Robert Kiyosaki Rich Dad Poor Dad book, which has influenced so many people. And I told my brother what I wanted to do. And wisely, he had done a lot of different events with Tony Robbins. And he said to me, Deborah, if you're gonna wanna change things, you gotta change what's up here first. You gotta change your mindset. I mean, that's where it all starts, right? And he said, when you're ready and when you're well, maybe you should go to Winnabett. And I did, I did that, and I drank the Kool-Aid. It went all in. I've been to every event and I actually work for him now. I have a trainer at his events and I have been doing that on and off for, gosh, like 10 years now. And it's beautiful. It's a really wonderful thing. I love seeing people explore the possibilities in their lives, opening up that, oh, you mean I could do that? You mean I could have that? I don't have to live in suffering. I don't have to live like this.

Right.

And I love being part of that process. And I was also a participant in that process. I started thinking that I would flip houses in Los Angeles. That's where I'm at. And reinvest that money into buying holds because that's what I wanted. I want that cash flow so I can travel the world and do whatever I want. Right. But the fact of the matter is there's a lot of men in that and I've learned a lot from men. I honor men. I love men. And you can't completely identify with them because they're not exactly like you and they're not moms, they're dads. They have different ideologies and different struggles. And I just realized I wanted to gravitate towards more women. I wanted to gravitate towards women that were doing what I wanted to do. And that's when I started the Women's Real Estate Network. So it's really a combination of, being in Tony Robbins, the coaching and understanding that somebody could open my eyes to being able to do something that I never thought I could do, and that I could actually pay that forward and open somebody else's eyes up. And then my love of real estate and the ability to make money in real estate and to be a financially stable, wealthy woman and how to brace that. So that's what I've done, and that's what I've been doing. And it's been an incredible journey, and I've had the opportunity to touch A lot of lives and other people have touched my life so equally. I don't know if you found that, Stacey, but when you're giving, like other people give back.

Yeah.

And it's an incredible synergy that happens. And I'm really blessed that that was happening all at the same time. And so here I am and we still have the Women's Real Estate Network and I'm still an investor. I love to flip. It is not passive income. Let me, I'm just gonna make that really clear. I got into this passive income and now how I do something that is not passive income. I do it because I love it. I'm addicted to it. It's ridiculous, but I love doing it. And I do have my passive portfolio and that allows me to go and do the things I want to do. But I do get to dig in and make that grungy house a cool house and that's fun too. So.

Wow. Yeah. It's so huge to kind of just see that process and hear it through because when you started Googling how to make passive income, you would have never imagined it would have led you to doing what you're doing now and then the Tony Robbins, and then also that it ended up not being passive because it just started a spark in you that got you to see what you actually really love to do.

Yeah, it is. And I feel so blessed because I think as an entrepreneur, I got to explore the things I love. I know a lot of friends that have had jobs where they're just doing the nine to five and they don't really love what they're doing at work. They're watching the clock. you know what I mean? I get to be on Redfin and Zillow all the time. And if anybody's ever been there and looked up at the clock and gone, oh my God, I've been here for a long time. That's my job.

Yeah, I talk about this a lot where, I don't want to say it's like a brainwashing, but it's like when you're stuck in that autopilot mode and then the car accident, it sounds like was this wake up call where you find out your neck is broken. Now it's like, oh my gosh, that they say it's like the feather, the brick, or the summit truck in order.

To make a change.

And so you almost got to see the world and life for what it really is and how fragile at any moment, right? And now you're like, okay, now I get to play.

Well, and it's funny because I wouldn't have said I was a person living in fear. I don't think that. But when I look at the after accident life, I was just like, oh, forget it. What am I hesitating for? Right? We all get tentative, I'll say, when we get out of, try to break out of our comfort zone. And I was just like, screw tentativeness. I don't have time for that.

Yeah.

I had had this near-death experience and it was like, oh no, I'm just gonna go for it. And it's been such a crazy process. And I think that when we get out of our comfort zone, when we get into the uncomfortable, that's when we're really learning. And it might feel a little nervous. You might feel a little nervous about it, but that feeling can also be excitement depending on how you're looking at it and to be able to help other people at the same time. And don't get me wrong, I've had stressors, but the ride's been really worth it. So, yeah.

What do you think helped you kind of even start? Cause you went from Googling, which I know a lot of us do, right? Where we have an idea, we don't know exactly what it is, and then so we're searching for an answer, right? For you as the passive income, and then you got into real estate, then you found out investing. How did you kind of make that move?

Right. So I think there was two key things for me. I thought, I don't really know anything about investing, so education. So I was podcasting and reading and going out to investment clubs to meet people all the time. right? And just needing to fortify myself in an education and really meeting people that actually had portfolios that were living off of passive income. Cause I had to make it real in my mind, right? I'm the first generation American. My dad was born in Mexico. My mother was born in Ireland. So both of my parents were immigrants. So the ideology I was grew up with was very, keep your head down, work hard. to pay off your bills, right? It was very much of that nature. Don't really dream. So I had to kind of really meet people and have them explain to me how it worked so that they could open up my eyes to that even being a possibility. Because I didn't know anybody who had lived like that, right? I didn't know anybody who was living off of a bunch of rental income. And during that education, there was a lot of talk about an investment philosophy. and once again with my parents blue collar background, it was like, I don't even know what that is. So I really had to start digging deep on what is an investment philosophy and how do I find one and how do I do that? And finally I kind of landed on, oh, this is the way I'm gonna make money, that active income thing. And then I'm gonna reinvest it and buy and holds, and then I'm gonna get that passive income thing, right? At first that was my only thought. And so that's what I did. But there's a real turning point in it for me. I had been going to a particular club and I had made friends. You see people on a regular monthly basis. And one of the men walked up to me and he's like, Deborah, I've been seeing you here for about a year. And I want to know when you're going to have that first passive income check in your hand.

Wow.

And I was like, hand? You mean, it, like, totally caught me on guard, right? and was like, almost there. I know what area I want to invest in. I've started making contacts in that area. I was like, okay. And he goes, I want a date. I mean, he literally, like, put me to a date. And then I sat back and I was like, well, it's going to take me a month to close, a month to put a renter in it. I made a little thought, and I think I gave him a date that was four to six months out. I can't even remember. And he's like, fine, that's the date then. And you know what? that date could have come and gone. He didn't have any idea about the date. It didn't stick on him. It stuck on me, right? I was like, oh, I need to make that date happen. And I did. And I next time I saw him, I was like, I need it to happen. But it was him holding my feet to the fire because honestly, it was my first time doing anything like that. And I was scared. And so what happens when you're scared? You're tentative. You don't walk as quickly. You're not sure. You don't want to make a mistake, right? But I'll tell you, After that first purchase of my first rental, I purchased three more that next year. Why? Because I had learned how to do it. Because it demystified the process and the scary and the fear around it. And so it was like, it allowed me to walk through it faster. And to this day, that guy and I have a joke about it when I do see him every once in a while. And it's like, okay, I needed somebody to hold my feet to the fire. And I think that's where coaching and mentoring and all that kind of stuff comes in. I mentor women as well. It's helped me to get into action, and I think it helps others. I always have coaches because it helps me figure out what the best next move is. So, yeah, so that was a long-winded answer. I'm so sorry.

No, it was so good. Yeah, it really just, it shows how important it is to have someone in your corner that just says, when?

When? I'm like, you want a date? He's like, I want a date. I'm like, oh, okay.

The date is everything. I do that all the time. That's how everything happens. I mean, we talked yesterday. You're speaking at the event that I'm going to be having in April, and I'm so excited to have you as part of this whole process. And I set the date, and then I got busy, and then I couldn't. But now the date's coming, and it's in a month, and it's gonna happen because I set the date. But if I would have waited, set the date till I had everything ready, I would never be in momentum now. Yeah.

Yeah. It really makes you get up and go, right? It makes you get up and go. And sometimes when there's, I think this is your first event, isn't it? Yeah. So I've done other kinds of little.

Cause I just started, I'm an auctioneer now. I've been saying I'm learning to be an auctioneer, but technically I've done it twice now. So I have to say I'm an auctioneer changing that language. And so I've just been doing these little popups. kind of fun events to gather people. This is my first speaking. My last one, I brought in one of the coaches that helped with my TEDx talks. She flew in for the TEDx event that just happened in San Diego and then was like, oh, could you help me with my one woman show? Can you put an event on? So I put one on for her and then I added my live auction to it. And so that was kind of a taster of it, especially because we had a lot of the TEDx people had just come that had the producer came, the curator, some of the speakers. And so It was really fun. And so now this is like, really.

Your first event, but it's- well, you're.

Speaking one where I'm doing it in this way. And to me, this is the first one that I have really clarity on what I'm doing now. And it's almost like I'm gathering my people group that are pioneers in the spaces of what you're doing in the world and how you're helping people really activate their legacy in such a cool way. Because when you're able to help someone tap into their generational wealth, Connecting to relationships. I mean, we're talking about, imagine the impact you're having on women and then what they're doing in their families now, right? Because of what you're teaching them in the scriptures. So this event is the spark of, okay, guys, I know what I'm doing now, and I'm ready to gather my people around the thing that we're doing.

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that that's so important. And setting the date for that is definitely the instigator, the spark. the deadline to get it together, right? Which you're like, oh gosh, okay, now I've got to do it. Now all these people have their schedules, the momentum is starting, it's definitely-- and I think that's just such a good practice for anybody who is trying something new or wanting to expand, right, into something. You've got to set a date, you've got to have some accountability, and you've set a date and all of us speakers that are showing up, that's your accountability.

That is it. that is 100 it.

Yeah.

And now I'm in momentum, so it's been exciting to see. It's like, oh, that's all I needed to get in the energy. And I, we talked and connected, and then that was literally yesterday was all I needed to be like, okay, I've got this. Now everything's getting done.

But, yeah, it's, it's amazing how that works, right?

It is amazing.

Yeah.

We're fascinating creatures.

Yeah.

So I'd love to hear, because then by adding the Tony Robbins coaching to your Portfolio, right? Now it's like you've got this investment portfolio, but like you said, mindset was one of the biggest things that you noticed. So now you're adding that into your internal belief portfolio where now you're able to help people with that. How did that decision really come about in terms of you saying, okay, this is the right next move for me.

To add another skill set to what I'm doing now? First of all, I think at my brother's advice of saying, you want to change, you're going to need help changing. and I think that was just the starting of it. But I think when it really landed with me within the Women's Real Estate Network, where's that? There. Ren. When it really landed with me and Ren, this was pre-COVID. We're all online now, but pre-COVID we were in different cities and different chapters. And I went up to the Seattle chapter because it was time for me to visit them, and they had a speaker. So I went up to one of the meetings. Meetings were monthly, and the speaker they had was a developer. I was flipping in Los Angeles and she was remarkable and it was great for her to talk. Usually we inspire our women's to talk about their business model, but also talk about their life, right? Like, how are you doing all of this or whatever? And anyway, after her presentation, I went up to her and I said, congratulations, you're a developer. How did you start? I don't know any women developers. And she said, well, you're a flipper, right? And I said, yeah. And she goes, well, I was a flipper too, developing so much easier. And we started having this conversation that completely opened my mind, right? She started telling me the ins and outs of development and how it compared to flipping, because she used to be a flipper. And the fact of the matter is there was never any man I've ever met that's been a developer that said, you, could do it too, right? And I think when you see somebody who you identify with, she's another woman, she's in this industry, she's doing this, when you see somebody like that, it really makes it accessible for you to do it, right? And so it just was that nugget that was like, oh, I could do this too. And then I realized I came back home and it's like when you're car shopping, you're always seeing that car that pops up that you're really looking at, right? It was like, there's that car again. There's that car again. It was like that. All of a sudden I was like, oh, that's a developer and that's a developer. And I met a woman developer and we partnered. So I started developing here in Los Angeles. and I got it for the women that come to Ren who might be interested in a particular aspect, buying holds or notes or storage units, to see another woman who is actually executing that business model. There's this identity that goes, oh, she's doing it. I could do it. And that identity, that thing. And that's something that is all up here because there was never anybody that told her or me that I couldn't do something. I just didn't access it 'cause I couldn't imagine it, right? So now I'm really accessing those things that I can imagine. It's the matrix.

Isn't it amazing? And I talk about this too, where it's like, sometimes I'm scared to speak out things 'cause I know I'm gonna do them. So I'm like, when I hear myself saying, oh, I wanna do that, I'm like, no, you don't wanna do that yet. But it is like the matrix that opens up this world of, I could do anything I want to do. Once you understand it, once you understand the power of the community, The power of setting the date, the power of having someone in your corner, the power of all those things. Now, really, what can't you do, right? So it's so cool to live in that imagination state that then becomes a real life state too. Yeah.

Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. And I feel really blessed every day. I was on my Peloton this morning. Yes, I led my Peloton. One of the instructors said, Do you remember dreaming about the life that you have now? And I thought, oh yeah, I do, right?

Yeah.

It's like, oh my gosh, yeah, I do. This is pretty cool. That's not to say that my life is void of problems. Let me tell you, it is not.

Yeah.

There's always stuff going on. I jokingly say that as an entrepreneur, nobody calls me unless there's a problem. If everybody is paying their rent on time and everything is working at the house, My property managers don't call me and go, Everything's going great, Deborah. My property managers only call me when somebody's not paying or something broke or something. And it's the same thing for my rehab teams. Nobody talks to me when everything's going great. So yes, there are plenty of problems, but the truth is, I remember wanting the life I have right now and oh my gosh, okay, this is cool.

So one of the things you've done with Ren too, is you had at one point a lot of different events meetups and all of that stuff all over. Can we talk a little bit more about that and how that grew in the way that it did?

This was our pre-COVID events. So we started out just as a meetup in Los Angeles, and then a friend of mine had come to our meetup in Los Angeles and wanted to start one in Seattle. So I ended up putting a chapter leader in place in Los Angeles so I could help start the one in Seattle. And then it just, it kind of just spiraled. Women started talking to women and bringing women to the events. And next thing I knew, I had 12 chapters all over the US. we were putting on events. My last annual event was 250 women with sponsors and all that kind of stuff. It was great energy in the room, so it was really wonderful. And then COVID hit. And we've had smaller events since in person, but we haven't gone back to the bigger events yet. It's been kind of a journey through COVID, right? I think for everybody, not just me that's holding events, but even for people coming to events, right? Now we're doing everything online. Wren is basically online. I still do have some regular events here in Los Angeles, but I no longer have 12 chapter leaders because everybody during COVID we all broke off. And I think we all thought it was only going to last six months. Oh, it's going to last six months. And then when it didn't end there, because I had an event scheduled that April, and so I just changed it to October, right? And like, oh, okay. And then I realized that's not going to happen either. So it's like everything kind of disbanded a little bit, although there's still a core of women real estate investors that are still part of the organization and we support each other and share deals and all that kind of stuff.

How did you go from, I have this idea to all this stuff? I'm actually asking because right now I finally see what I'm doing, which is I'm certifying people in my methodology of the do the thing challenges and the community building. Because I have a lot of companies asking me now to help them activate their people or communities that want activation. And so I'm like, okay, great. Now it's getting overwhelming. I need to train people on what I can do. And I've learned that through that one community that I'm helping, Laura Carney, who I'm co-running this challenge with in the Modern Prairie community. She almost doesn't need me anymore. It's my methodology that she's accessing. And so it's been really cool to see that. But anyway, so in my mind, I'm like, oh, I want to do that. I want to help these people. But I see how it's hard. That's the exhausting part that I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm exhausted.

I don't even know. How did you do that? That's what I'm wondering. Finding like minded individuals that, I mean, you're surrounding yourself with them because you're surrounding yourself with people who are participating in your community and asking, even literally asking, I'm looking for somebody I can elevate to help me lead. Right? And there are those people that'll pop up and say, oh, I want to help you lead. And knowing that you're going to put energy into leading them to become a better leader. you know what I'm saying? Because they're stepping up and maybe they have their own tentativeness about getting in front of a room or whatever it is, right? But understanding that we're in this together, we're going to venture it together. And as obstacles come up, we'll brainstorm over them. And then next thing, there's a couple of people doing it and you're having weekly calls and everybody is sharing how they're getting things done and mixing. Somebody's taking notes on that so that when new people come in, everybody has kind of an idea of how to get things done. It was just a really, it was that kind of growth, right? It was just like, oh, okay. And then there's another leader. And everybody still got to maintain their own personality, I'll say. But there was definitely a sharing of values when it came to wanting to see and execute people doing better, women doing better in this business, right? So there are shared values, which I totally reinforced. And then there's definitely guidelines as to how to conduct something, but then everybody's individual to personalities could come into things, and there's the support around it. If somebody else wants to go and speak or do whatever, and they go and do it on their own, isn't it better that they have a coach like you who's already had this experience that can help them and guide them and give them tools for making them a better leader themselves? And that's how we did it. And I think there was a lot of it that felt like I was building it. The first chapter leader and I, who was with me, the whole time. So we were together for, I don't know, seven years, six years, I don't know. And I would say we're building the plane as we're flying it. Like, it's just that kind of feeling. And it's like, okay, well then let's go with it. Yeah.

I love what you're saying. Such good timing because I normally roll like that. I love kind of like pulling the China shop where I'm just like, go, go, go, and then clean up behind me. Right. And it's been really great to do it that way. But for whatever reason, as this certification came up, which maybe it'll end up being a facilitator. I'm like, oh, I've got to do the portal, the thing I fight against. I got to put it in a program and create curriculum and do all these quizzes. And before I launch the certification, I'm hearing you talk. It's like, no, Stacey, you get to do it exactly the way you're doing it, where you get to just be with the people, train them, and then.

Have something behind you that actually then automates the process. This is so good. And it started it out with a document and then two documents, and then we Got a Dropbox and then we were like, oh, we need a process, you know, like.

I'd love for you to speak about this at some point. Maybe this will be in the panel part of it. We'll see what comes up during the 10 minute talk, but there's a really important need that people need to understand that you don't need to have everything done when you start. And I think so many people are sold this lie that they have to spend a year building the program, knowing exactly what something's going to have before they actually get people around it. you don't, you just have to have the idea and the vision, and then that's what brings the people and gathers them around the thing. And then they're okay co-creating it with you because they see it's like you're doing something.

Right. And I would love to speak to that because there's so many people that I know, and I think what it is is I think there's a thought mentality, and I know because I have it too. I want to know what I'm doing before I actually do it, right? Because what is that doing? That's taking some uncertainty out of it. making me feel a little more comfortable in doing it. But the problem is you can get stuck in that before you ever actually move forward.

Yeah. Right.

So you're just gonna have to move forward. I can't be at all. You'll just have to do it, you know? And understanding that that's the process and it's going to be messy and it's not going to be right the first time, and you're going to have room for improvement, and that's the process. And then you get one behind you, and then you get two behind you, and then you get three behind you, and. confidence is building. I always say confidence is a muscle.

Yes.

If you don't start exercising it, it doesn't build, right? So, yeah.

Are you open to sharing the recent stuff that happened or do you rather not?

Yeah, we're sure. I go open to it. I'm still processing it. So I met Stacey at a longevity retreat because I want to live longer. And then because I just speak cancer. So last year was a pretty crazy year for me. I was diagnosed in early spring of last year with cervical cancer, and I was declared cancer free December 21st of last year.

Yay.

I'm still getting over some of the side effects of the chemotherapy and radiation that I went through. And it's just another turn in my road. We all have these journeys, and I think a lot of us I mean, and for different reasons, like car accidents, an illness, a divorce, the death of a loved one, we have these things that happen in our lives that change us, that take us on a different course, right? And I'm kind of-- I'm going through that a bit right now, to be really honest. It's changed me, and I'm still figuring out how it's changed me. I don't know, Stacey, I know we've talked a little bit about you selling your company and now you have time on your hands, whereas running a company you didn't. And now you're like, what am I like? Yeah. Yellow and wide-eyed.

You're alone with yourself for the first time in a way, right? And then you get to actually tap into what you're actually here for.

Right, right. And I think that I'm gonna say, I'm trying to look at it like I've been blessed a second time to get this opportunity to reevaluate. Yeah, the white there is a blessing yet. Yeah.

Well, they say that with comedy, it's time plus tragedy. It's like the more time we have, but it's also talking about it, right? When you're ready, that's part of that whole, oh man, I gotta do it. I'm gonna show it to you. You've seen it, but just to get us in the energy of it, this is what my newest thing is, is really kind of speaking to this framework. Let's see where you okay. Yeah. So it's like, for each thing that we happen in our life, we want to be. And for those of you that are listening, feel free to watch this on YouTube, but I'm showing my Comfort Circle framework. But, yeah, you're in that. You're dealing with the tragedy of it, right? Like, oh, my gosh, what just happened? And that's the horse mode where it's like, okay, I'm not ready to even talk about this yet. I'm just sort of still dealing it. I'm still processing it. Leave me alone. I'll just be here meditating or exercising or whatever we use to. help that. But then there's a point where we do want to start talking about it. We're ready now. And so I think that's what the connection is from there's support groups out there that they're just support and they could lend to, I don't love the word trauma bonding. I want a better word, but they can lend to that trauma bonding where we're stuck in that the thing that caused us. But then when we get to have a goal for what we want and now we get to go towards something when we're ready, now you get to almost find your voice. through that thing and start to express and feel and talk about it, which is then when you start to get comfortable sharing your voice. But it takes each step to get to the next step.

It does. And there's a lot of stuff to process there, right? There's grief, there's elation, there's such a mixture of emotions. And I think that everybody does that differently.

So, yeah. So what do you think you're most excited about where kind of you're at right now?

I'm realizing that I've achieved some of the freedoms that I wanted. In the last five years, I've remarried. I've got this great partner, and he and I have been traveling a bit and exploring the world together. We both have grown children, which is, we're at this point right now where it's like, okay, our grown children are self-sufficient and we don't have any grandchildren yet, so we don't really have to be around to help with that. And at the same time, we are anticipating, okay, that'll fun for that next portion, but right now we're a little bit of free birds. And it's funny, I don't know, I can look back at different decades of my life and think there was, especially when my kids were young, there was a decade where I felt like the alarm was a shotgun going off and I was racing out of bed and I didn't collapse in bed until I was absolutely tired that night and that it would happen over again. And now I'm not having all of that. And I'm like, oh, okay, am I, matured. I have a lot after I turned 50 and, and older. I started Googling women that started businesses after 50 and things like that. Cause I want to remain vibrant and, and finding out about, I don't know if the Hay House publishing company, Louise Hay started that when she was 60, by the way. Right? I'm like, this is so cool. And I was listening to an interview done by Jade Fonda recently that said, I really don't think I found myself as a woman until I was 70. And I thought, damn, there's more to be found, right? And it's so cool because I see this evolution of me and I think, oh gosh, I'm now maturing at another level, right? I have another level of knowledge of what I like and don't like. I have another level of knowledge of how to have empathy and compassion and directness with people, right? And at the same time, here's Jane saying she doesn't even know herself until she's 70. So obviously I have a long way to go. But I'm looking forward to this next portion of my journey. I'm not quite sure where it's going yet, but I don't know. It's a good time to explore it.

Yeah, it's so funny. I'm in it and I also can't wait to listen back to this recording because I'm like, oh my gosh, I want to be taking notes. Okay. Please share with us, what is your number one piece of advice for people on doing the thing?

Oh gosh, okay. And this is just, this is what doing the thing is about. Just do it, right? Step through whatever it is that's preventing you from doing it and know that there's something wonderful on the other side. That's my piece of advice.

Well, please also let everyone know where they can learn about you and everything that you're doing.

Oh, sure. So with me, I have my own website. So if you wanna go to deborahrizzo.com, you can check me out there. If you're interested in real estate, or maybe you're a man and you're interested in your wife being interested in real estate or a sister or anything, send them to Wren, W-R-E-N, N inspires.com, reninspires.com, and that's our handle Instagram and Facebook and all that kind of stuff. So that's where we're at.

And for those of you listening, we have the event coming up. It's Women Who Have Created Movements and it's going to be, I don't even know, I'm so excited for it. I think it's going to be so good. It's April 26th and it's actually, I just added a virtual option. So if you're not in San Diego and you can't come to San Diego, we're going to also be streaming it live. It's funny, I tested it. at that other event and just on a cell phone with a stand. And I didn't know if it was working until after, and 50 people were there commenting while the thing was going on. I just didn't look at it at the time. So now I'm like, oh, that's easy. We could stream it too.

So, yeah. Oh, good. We're gonna be streaming. I say yes to streaming, and I.

Say, if you can be there, though. Yes.

Yeah. Oh, yeah. It's in San Diego on April 26th. I'll be there live and in person. Stacey will be there live and in person. so join us.

Yeah, it's going to be so fun. And then I'm even getting to test a pre-networking challenge. So I'm really excited about that, where we're going to get to meet people that want to do that before the event with dares. I'm going to dare you that. So thank you so much for coming. I love doing this with you.

Thank you. Thank you so much for having me, Stacey.

I really enjoyed it. All right, you guys, do the thing. Don't wait for opportunity. Create it. And hey, guys, have you checked out my Facebook group yet?

Go to dothethingcollaboration.com. thanks for listening to the Do the Thing podcast. We hope you enjoyed the show. But even more, we hope you'll be inspired to do the thing. Do you have a burning question on doing the thing that you'd like answered? How about an inspiring do the thing story of your own that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear all about it. Just leave us a voice message at dothething.callcast.co or email us at hello@dothething.co. Hello at Dothethingpodcast.com.