194: Live Out Loud with Brooke Thomas

Hi, I'm Natalie Jill, fat loss expert turned high performance coach. When odds are stacked against us, how do we shift and create everything from nothing? How do we level up when we aren't feeling it yet or we've had a big setback? On this podcast, I'll be talking to some of the most inspiring and courageous men and women on this planet who at their worst, learned how to achieve success greater than they ever dreamed possible. Leveling up and creating everything from nothing. Today I've got my friend Brooke Thomas here, and I've been really excited to talk to her for a while and share her story on my podcast. We met a couple years ago at a Mastermind. We got to talking, but what really drew me into wanting to interview her is when I was going through my basal cell carcinoma on my face this last year and I was super scared, I learned from her that she had an even powerful, more powerful story of when she was pregnant and diagnosed with stage three melanoma years ago and how that helped her pivot her entire life, her whole career, everything, her whole purpose. So I've been dying to talk with her today about all those things. Thanks so much for being here today, Brooke.

Thank you so much for being here. Yes, you said it all. I can't wait to dive in. Yes.

So let's back up because I'm assuming, well, when this happened to you said this stage for. Who were you at the time that this was happening to you when you.

Yes, I was a complete people pleaser. That was doing what everybody told me I should do with my life. You know, I was a business major, working the corporate job, had my real estate license on the side and not really feeling fulfilled. But on paper it looked good. And I thought that people were proud of me because that's what I thought I was supposed to do. And I always. I was a serial people pleaser. So I kind of really didn't know who I was because I think when you're people pleaser and you grow into that, you forget who you are because you're just trying to make everybody else happy. And then I got married and got pregnant. I was 26 years old. So this was 16 years ago and first trimester of pregnancy and I find out that I have stage three melanoma.

How did you find out? Like, take us back to that, because especially at age 26, you don't think. Skin cancer.

I know. Well, I grew up in South Florida, and I was the girl that always had a spray tan, always went into, you know, the Tanning beds. I had the fair, freckly skin and tried to always, you know, have the skin. Like, my friends that were Peruvian, all of my girlfriends that were, you know, that had the baby oil, I would do it all. Okay, Just totally relate closer to that. And again, South Florida, I mean, I did have blisters and burnt and I mean, I did all of the things that, you know, that would. Would come to this outcome, right? Like, that, you hear not to do.

Did you know you were high risk doing it? Like, did you know as you were doing it, like, this could be dangerous for me? Or did. Was it like, that's something that happens to older people? Did you just put that out of your head?

I think it was more. I did not know I was high risk. I just believed that, like, you know, what, I'm young, you know, it is what it is. Like, I just want to look good in the moment. I always just, you know, and that's part of my journey, that I'll get my story that I'll get into where, you know, I used to be the girl that just wanted to lose weight, to fit into the skinny jeans, or I would do whatever it took to, you know, burn my skin because I thought that I would look better. You know, all of that surface stuff that I grew up with, being in South Florida and just trying to keep up with what I thought beauty was what I thought, you know, what I thought that was, which was, you know, definitely not the person I am today. But, you know, this is years and years of growing up, know, feeling like that. And, you know, again, I got married and I moved to North Carolina because I went to college in North Carolina. So I was living in North Carolina, met my husband, got married. We actually ended up living on Lake Norman, and we had a boat and we went out in the sun, still doing the same thing, you know, but mostly, you know, spray tan by then. But I would still not be afraid of a burn. Just kind of like that light, crisp pink, hot pink with a spray tan. Always, like, was my jam. Okay. And I got pregnant. And what happened was there was a. There was a mole kind of in the. It was on the side of my back, like, towards the back where I couldn't see it, but it was just slightly to the back, but, like on my side to the back. Okay. And it was always itching, and I kept, like, itching it. And I just thought it was. I didn't know what it was. I didn't really pay attention to it. I didn't look at it. My husband started seeing it in being concerned because we were on the lake, and he could see it from the back, and he's like, that just looks weird because it turned half black and, like, half hot pink. And I just kept thinking it was a scab. Like, I was just itching it. And I didn't go to the doctor regularly, you know, the dermatologist. It was just kind of like, you know, I just wasn't that concerned. And when I went in for my OB check, they saw it immediately, and immediately they were concerned, and I was just like, oh, it's no big deal. And they're like, no, I'm pretty concerned about this. So I literally. In the hospital, and I. They literally. They would not let me leave. I had to go to the oncologist.

So this was not normal. Like, when you go to the dermatologist, they biopsy and wait. This was like, this is. We're worried you're going.

No. Yes. And I didn't know this at the time, but when you're pregnant, melanoma, especially skin cancer, it can actually spread hard and fast because of the hormones. And so this is a typical thing. I think, because I was pregnant, it came out, you know, brighter, faster. Like, that's why, you know, it kind of sped up, like, the. You know, what would have normally happened. And so, yeah, it was a scary moment because I was there, and it was like, hey, we're extremely concerned about this, and we're going to actually walk you to the oncologist. Like, we're taking you straight to the oncologist. And they had a dermatologist in the, like, all kind of in the same hospital group. Yeah, that they. They would not let me leave. They're like, we've seen this before, and we think we know what it is type of thing. I was like, wait, what? Like, this is crazy. And it just. One thing after another, it turned into me being there for several hours, blood work, it being biopsied, having an emergency, like, return. You know, usually it takes, what, weeks or days? And they wanted to get results back very quickly. And they literally brought us to a room and they sat us down and they said, okay, according to your blood work, this is your situation, and you're not in a good situation. We've seen this before because of your pregnancy and because of your blood work, based on, you know, your age and what we're seeing. You know, they gave us, like, the scope of the margins and that it was in stage three. And they all sat down and gave me all of these different scenarios of all of the women that have been in this situation, like this case, you know, these studies or not studies, like, real women. And these are my options. And it was. We would recommend that you have chemotherapy and have an abortion. Like, oh, my gosh. Whoa. Yes. And they literally spelled that out. And they said, you know, this cancer spreads hard and fast and, you know, you're pregnant, and so this is going to be your best case scenario if you want to live. Like, that's really what they told me. Whoa.

So what does your brain do at that point? Like, did you consider that? Like, what was your. Where did you go?

No, I was in complete shock. I'm the type of person. I'm not anymore. But, you know, it's been 16 years. Like, I was the type of person that just. If anything ever traumatic or bad happened to me, I'm very good at, like, saying, okay, this is not really happening, so let's just, like, pretend it's not happening. Let's talk about it later, you know, under the rug.

Let's push it under the rug.

So I was like, no, like, we'll just figure this out after the baby comes. I'm just going to go ahead and go home. And, like, we're not going to do that. Like, I'm going to be. Whoa. The other. And they were like, no, I don't think you understand. I literally had. Now, I have a lot of doctors in my family down in South Florida. We were having things rushed there so their people could look at the same thing. And, you know, I wanted to make sure that this was really what they were saying. And every doctor was talking to each other. And literally they were like, I don't think you understand the urgency of what needs to take place because you have not been. Like, basically, I had not been, you know, taking care of myself the way I thought I was compared to what I should have been doing as far as skin checks and just, you know, keeping on track, like, for what was going on. You know, it had been a while. I mean, probably had gone to the doctor when I got pregnant, you know what I mean? Because I thought that I was super healthy, you know, but my version of health was completely different to what I found out health really was. Right? Like, I had to totally. What health really was. So. So how.

So how do they. At that point? Like, do they know if it's metastasized? Or did they know. Do they know how. Where it spread to? Or what are they. What are they. What information are they giving you?

They gave me Information about the margins and how deep and wide that it was that they believed it was already. And they said the only other. Because I said, there has to be another option. I'm not. I'm not getting rid of this baby, and I'm not having chemotherapy right now. Like, that's not happening. So what is my other option? And they said, the other option is you can go into immediate surgery and you. We can cut around. We can go as deep. We can go as deep and wide as we can to get around where we think it is.

Okay?

And. But they said you cannot have anesthetic because you're in your first trimester of pregnancy.

So not even, like, local anesthetic.

So they did give me topical lidocaine, but that's the only thing they could give me, topical lidocaine. But I ended up having 50 stitches cauterized me, five people had to hold me down. I had to put something in my mouth. It was like, old school. Like, something in my mouth for the pain. I was the type. I was like, okay, fine, let's do this. Like, let's go. And, I mean, it wasn't like, that fast, but, you know, after hours, and it was a couple days, actually, I came back, and then they really wouldn't let me leave because I was at danger for them telling me. And every day that went by, because skin cancer can spread hard and fast, they told me that, you know, every day that goes by, they're liable because it could spread harder and faster. And they again, would lay out all of the different scenarios. So I literally, you know, went through surgery. I mean, I was. You know, I thought it must have.

Been the horrible pain.

I would imagine it was the most excruciating, horrible thing ever. But there was something that just happened to me in that moment. Like, I mean, I'm squeezing this ball in my mouth, like, for pain. People are holding me down. I'm just taking my place, my mind to another place, going, okay, I'm just gonna get rid of this, and I'll be okay, and the baby will be okay. And I'm just. It just is what it is. Like, I just kind of put my mind somewhere else. It was. It was crazy, and it was painful. The 50 stitches on the side, the pain was not even half the amount of pain that happened in the aftermath. Like, to have 50 stitches on your side in your first trimester of pregnancy. What happened was when I started to grow, like, it was just. It was a mess. Like, you know, it was keloiding. Like, all the stitches Would start to stretch. Every time I did anything. Like, it just. It turned into this huge scar that looked literally like a shark attack. Because, like this, you know, the 50 stitches just would spread or open or, you know, again, it keloid.

It.

It was hot pink. Like, it just was horrible. Like, wow.

Wow.

And again, back then, now, after that traumatic moment, of course, I was more concerned about my health, my baby's health, my future, but I was still a little bit more concerned also about the vanity of what that scar was going to do for the rest of my life. Like, I'm never going to wear a bikini. I'm never going to. You know, I kind of felt sorry for myself for, you know, little while. But, you know, that moment in time definitely took me down a path to rediscover what health was, rediscover who I really was and really taught me how to pivot, Taught me, you know, how I could either choose to stay in darkness, depression, sadness, feel sorry for myself, or pick myself up, learn and grow. And didn't know that was going to happen, but.

So I have a lot of questions about that. But before I even get into that, because I have so many questions about all the things, I'm curious. Did you ever have to go back and do the chemo after your baby was born? Did you ever. Did they have to?

Well, yes. Okay. So I had to go back every three months, they said, for the rest of my life, which turned into six months, which turned into every year. I was informed that all of my skin. All of. All of my skin issues from the sun and from the damage I had done would start to come out as I. Over the years. You know, remember, I was 26. I'm 42 now. So since then, several things have, you know, come out. Nothing close to melanoma, but a lot of basal cells, a lot of different things that I've been prepared for. But the doctors did tell me back then that I probably would not live past 40. They were very. Yes. And I mean, again, they were really harsh with me.

I understand when doctors do that. Like, they put belief in your mind, and then, yeah, you're lucky. You're powerful.

Totally. No, and you know what? That's what shifted everything for me because I do have a lot of holistic doctors in my family, naturopaths, chiropractors and doctors. And I started to really lean in and learn about how we can rebuild our body. Like our cells regenerate by what we put in our body. And I was so determined, mentally and physically to shift and change the outcome that they told me I would have. That it really did transform my entire life, my outlook on everything. And it's why I show up the way I do. It's why I live my life the way I do, you know.

So it's amazing listening to this because I think a lot of people in your situation would not have chosen your route. They would have had the abortion. A lot of people. A lot of people would have done the chemotherapy and. And not that that would have fixed the problem. Like, you know, you chose a very different method. And it's wild that you haven't had another melanoma since. And you are clearly beating the doctor's odds with that.

That's right, yes. And I think it's because, you know, my. One of my younger brothers, he is a functional medicine doctor and a chiropractor. And he started just feeding me so much information from some of the top natural cancer doctors back then. You know, this is 16 years ago. Like, we are more informed now. But I was so intrigued and engaged in the information I was learning about sugar and, you know, fake foods and like, what some of the things I was doing could be affecting me and my health and my future health. So I got so into it and I was just. I was so determined to make sure that I at least fought for my healthier body. Like, I was so determined to do that not only for my daughter that ended up being born, but just my future health. Because in my mind I thought, OK, if they say 40, then I've got a good, you know, 15, 20 years. It's so crazy to think I thought like that. But I did back then. Now I tell people now. That is not my story anymore. That is not even on my radar anymore. Like, I know that, you know, my job is to live my life to the fullest, make the impact I need to make while I am here. And we never know when our life is over.

Right?

It just, it really caused me to reevaluate even my thoughts, the way I lived, the way I spoke about myself to myself. I had to go down this whole journey to really understand that the people pleaser in me and all of the things I was doing were, you know, could be adding to, you know, the sickness or adding to anything coming back in my body. Because our thoughts are so powerful, our mind is so powerful. And of course, I went down a road for a little while where I felt sorry for myself and I said the negative things and I wanted everyone to feel sorry for myself, for me. I should Say. But I also got to a point where I'm like, nobody else is going to come in and save me, so I have to take responsibility. And I just learned at a young age, and I say young because I think that mid to late 20s is young to really learn to take responsibility for sure. And so that's why, you know, I am the way I am in my 40s, you know.

So you took on your health, you started changing that. You started changing your mindset around things. When did you decide, like, this is. I'm not going to stick in corporate. I'm going to create my own thing. Did you have that vision for what you do now then?

Okay, so what happened was, like, immediately when this all went down and I was in pain, sitting on the couch with these bandages on the side, crying every day, feeling sorry for myself, I was like, I'm done. Like, I'm not going back to work. Like, I'm not. I mean, thankfully I had a husband where I, you know, I didn't need to. I just always loved to work. Like, I love it, but I just. I knew in that moment, I'm like, I am so unfulfilled. Like, I am not going to walk into an office, a corporate setting every day with these banded band bandages on my side. And I wasn't fulfilled. And it was just. It was like a very awakening moment for me. I started to get really excited about health and nutrition, and I became certified in nutrition. And in my mind, I was like, I am going to change the world. I am going to be the woman, the mom that stands for health and wellness in my little town that I lived in, in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is little compared to where I live now in California. You know, I just. I kind of turned it into this crazy time of my life where I learned so much. But then I realized there was not enough available to make it simple. So I started getting all of these creative ideas to simplify health, like, healthy living back then. Because again, back then, there wasn't all of the easy. You know, there wasn't a way to find simple, easy, healthy. And so. And I was not good in the kitchen. Like, I was the one paralyzed in the kitchen. My husband likes to cook. And I was just like, I don't know, I would buy these beautiful cookbooks, and I would have all of these huge plans to, like, make these beautiful meals. And it was. It was so difficult. Like, I was like, I don't even know. I would try to make it, and it was bad. But then I kind of got into my groove because I was so determined. And I started to simplify it, and I made like five ingredients or less, and it was super healthy and delicious. And then I started to get these visions of doing this with my daughter and helping other moms and helping at school, and I kind of turned it into. Well, I did turn it into a business. For about 10 years, I was on a local NBC show as, like, their healthy lifestyle expert. And I started making all of these recipes. I turned them into little cute cookbooks for moms that needed help to simplify the. Then it turned into more of a. I'm helping moms that are busy, like busy working moms or busy moms that don't know how to kind of throw healthy, quick, simple meals together that can also be delicious. So for about 10 years, I really focused a lot of my energy on that, just trying to help the simple or just the busy mom be simple with their health and nutrition. It really drove me to get a lot of traction creating products and different programs that I ended up selling to corporations and schools. And it was crazy. I never expected to step into that. But through that, I ended up really meeting so many women that I ended up counseling or mentoring or coaching in nutrition and wellness and health. And then I really found out what the deeper underlying issue was. And that's where I really started to be intrigued with helping women kind of uncomfortable uncover what's really going on so that we can make better choices. So that was like, a really long answer.

Uncover what's really going on. Is that like, your underlying thing with the people pleasing, or was it with the underlying thing with the health? Like, what is it that you mean when you say yes?

So I. So I believe that, like, every person has a story or multiple stories of some sort of pain or shame or traumatic event or, you know, something that has caused them to shut down or to not live out their dreams, their purpose, their desire in this life and something happened. There's usually something that happens to us and, you know, it doesn't have to be so traumatic. But a lot. Most people have traumatic stories or painful stories that stopped them in their tracks from the time they were little or all the way up to teenage years or, you know, and, you know, I find that when we get stuck there and we're, you know, a lot of women that are very out of alignment with what they want to be doing, or they're very lethargic or tired or sad, it usually ends up that they're just not living the life that they want. And it's caused a lot of pain, sadness, you know, being tired. And when we uncover who we used to be before that thing happened, Right. And we really start to identify what. Who we really are, not who people wanted us to be or who we had to become to cover up that thing or, you know, who we really desire to be in this life. I believe that's when we really start to live and we really start to create, and we really start to find our people that we can impact.

That is amazing.

Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, I started again with the health and wellness because I found that so many women that were not making the right choices for their body or the right food choices, there was always this excuse, but it really was underneath that. It was really because of something they were covering up from something that happened. And when they really got real and they really identified it, there was so much relief. It was like chains that were, you know, strangling them. And, like, they could just, like, release it once and for all and talk about it and let go of the pain or shame or be. Be identified, you know, for it and just not be judged for it. It's like. I don't know, it's just like the. All the heaviness just starts to lift. Right. You know what I'm talking about? Right? Like, we all have stories.

Yeah, absolutely. So right now, when you. Because a lot of women, they hear you say this, but they're like, well, but my story is not that interesting, or is that something you help women dig out that story? Or is it more the belief in them that you're doing?

Yeah, so. So usually most women will say that at the beginning. Like, I don't really have a story. And for me, with my current, you know, my current business right now is live out loud. And I help women do this, but focus more towards business. Or it could be health, lifestyle, family, because I think it's all related. But really I'm focused on business. But then again, we've got to get it right everywhere else, too. Not right, but, you know, pure and, like, honest. And so I believe everyone has a story, and if we go back, we usually have some sort of story. And again, okay, if we're not talking traumatic, they might think it's not traumatic. But when I go all the way back to something that affected them, I've uncovered stories in women that could feel small to them. If we're talking, like, if we're comparing to, like, a very traumatic story of, like, maybe rape or, you know, you know, like a cancer story, you Know, a traumatic cancer story or something that happened to them that's super traumatic. We're comparing that to somebody that maybe just got made fun of in school, that could feel to a woman, like, oh, well, that's not really a big deal. But then when they start to uncover getting made fun of in school and what that did to them at that time, you know, being called a name or having a teacher call them out, then they didn't think they were smart enough. Then they started covering up because they didn't think they were smart. And then they didn't think they could create because they were never smart enough when they were actually super brilliant. But they were carrying that one moment that happened to them, and they were carrying it into all of these other seasons of their life. I've even uncovered this woman that came to one of my retreats. She. I mean, beautiful on the outside, well spoken, looks like she has everything going for her. And there was one moment in time that she was actually really groomed to be, like. She was even working on Dateline. She was groomed to be a newscaster and like. And actually be, like, pretty big deal at Dateline. And there was one man behind the count, behind the camera that said something to her that shifted her the next 10 years of her life, and it caused her to get a nose job. It caused her to have some certain things, you know, that she did to her body, that caused her to start hiding, feeling ashamed, feeling not enough. And then she went down a totally different path in her life. And then she didn't realize, though, she didn't think that that was very traumatic. But then when she really went back and started, you know, really walking, okay, when did that shift for me? When did that change for me? So she was one of the ones in the room saying, well, I don't really have a story when everybody else was talking about a traumatic story, you know, so that's kind of where. Where I'm going with that.

Yeah. I believe that everybody has a story, and I also believe that stories are what make us connect to others, and stories are what make us authentic and real. And stories, if we really lean into them, do reveal a lot about our purpose. I believe that.

Yeah. And I also believe that nobody can manipulate their story. Your story is your story, and nobody can manipulate that. And I even think that great stories, too, like, we all have a timeline, you know, from our past, where we also have really great stories. Maybe when we've been recognized for something for the first time or seen for the first time or Promoted for the first time into something that we worked really hard for. And that shifts us, too, into another phase. Usually my stories have been like, you know, just. It's more of, like, the traumatic, like, let me get your attention, and maybe now you'll shift. That's really what, you know, what happened to me. But I also think there's stories of, you know, triumph and, like, being. Again, a lot of women just want to be seen or heard, and that's when they start to shift into a new place. But, yeah, our stories are the reason why we do what we. Why we do what we do or why we should do. You know, what we do. Right. Like, it makes it more, like you said, relatable. And especially in the marketplace, if you have a product service, you've got to tie that to, like, why you're doing that. Otherwise, it's, like, flat, you know, like, nobody. Yeah.

So today, does melanoma scare you anymore? Can cancer scare you?

No. I paused because I do still have moments where I get just more frustrated because especially with something on my face and what they tell me they want to do, I get more frustrated with how much I want to do and I want to accomplish. And I talk so much, and, like, talking and speaking is like. Like what I do and for my business and my life. And I'm very. I have a lot of expression, and I love to love people well. And when they start talking about cutting areas on my face and I might deformed or I might have this scar around my mouth, I get more frustrated, like, and upset because I really look back at all the years I didn't stand for what I stand for now. And I didn't open up my mouth, and I didn't serve the way I wanted to serve. And I just get frustrated around the timeline of, like, okay, how much longer do I really have? But I really don't go there that often. It's usually just when I have, like, a dermatology appointment and they tell me something, and I'm like, are you kidding me? Because you know how bad it also hurts. Like, when you get cut open or something removed anywhere, it's just, like, burning. It's like bleeding. It's like, you have to have these bandages. It's just, like, uncomfortable. And when you're in. You know, when you're in the zone and you're in the. In a groove and you're serving people and your businesses going on, it's just. It's just frustrating and that. But. But other than that, I don't live in fear anymore. I really have come to terms with, like, I really believe that when my time is up, my time is up. So I am going to do everything I possibly can to live my best life and live the healthiest, happiest life that I can. And I just believe my faith is so strong. I just believe that God knows my timeline, so I am not going to worry about my timeline being shortened anymore. So I made it past 40. So I was like, hey, you know what? And I did used to envision, like, I would lay in bed and just literally put my hands on certain parts of my body that they would tell me, you know, the cancer would return or they thought the cancer was returning. And I would just lay and envision a healthier body, and I would just pray for a healthier body. I would pray that my cells would be regenerated by what I put in my body. And I just envisioned that, and I just believed that. And there were many times where I would go back and they were like, oh, there really is nothing here. And so I do believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the power of your mindset and your belief and just, you know, your vision. Because it's worked for me, you know?

Yeah, it's. And it's. What I notice about you is just this complete, like, you have this motivation that never ends. And I'm assuming that comes a lot from this experience of, like, we don't know how much, how long we'll be here, or being told that you are going to have choices.

Yes. So I know you have a daughter. And having two daughters now that are 12 and 15, I just got really clear about my footprint here. When I do leave this earth, what will they say about me? And what kind of strength can I give them to take responsibility for their life no matter what happens around them? And I will be honest with you, with everything going on in the world right now, I have been more motivated, more excited, more just energetic through this time because I already know the opposite. Like, if I'm not like that and I choose to sit on the couch and watch the news, or I choose to just watch Netflix and eat bad food every day, Like, I actually already know what the outcome will be for me, mentally, emotionally, I already know that outcome. So I always choose the opposite. Because I would prefer that, you know, my commitment to my life, my commitment to my kids, my commitment to my happiness, I would rather that, you know, keep going every day instead of just being motivated by, like, an outcome that is around emotions, you know, what I mean, yeah. So. Yeah. And it's just. It's just what? It excites me. It drives me to, like, help other people feel like they have a purpose. I feel like everybody has a purpose. And so many people just let their dreams die too soon because they feel like they're not important and they're not valuable. And I'm always like, everyone is like, everyone's one of a kind. There's nobody else that can match you, but you just have to show up as you. And that takes a lot of work for a lot of women. You know, it took me a lot of work, so I'm sure you too, right? Like, you know, just our stories are our stories of coming into who we really are and being accepting, Accepting of who we are. And that's everything to me. So that's what I fight for, like, every day, I think.

And I think as especially somebody who's approaching 50, as we're middle age, this really starts getting evident. But the gift that you had was getting shown this so young, which almost give you a jump start on things, because I think a lot of women in their 20s, you included, had this not happen. We don't.

We just.

We don't look at our demise. We don't look at that.

Right.

So in a way, I mean, it didn't feel like a gift at the time, but you were almost gifted that then you had a jumpstart on seeing this and living to its fullest.

Oh, absolutely. I mean, I didn't even know. I. I wouldn't have been able to articulate. It's not like I walked around and I was like, I'm a people pleaser and I don't know who I am. Like, if you knew me back then, nobody would have ever said that, and I would have never said that. I didn't really uncover that until I was faced with death. Like, I didn't really uncover that until I really was faced with, like, oh, like, I could actually die. Like, am I really living? Like, do I really know who I am? And I. And I wouldn't have even been able to say, I don't know who I am. But I went to therapy because I was just in a bad place. And they were able to uncover, like, do you know who Brooke is? Like, what is Brooke really want? What does Brooke really want to do? And I was like, I don't know. Like, I want to do whatever anybody wants me to do to make them happy.

Right, Right.

That's kind of what I did. And I thought that was happiness. And it really taught me so much, like, about myself and helped me to really understand that, you know, my voice was important and I did have, you know, a purpose to live out. And at the time, again, my purpose has always become, like, what I'm involved in at the time. Like, sure. I think those 10 years, it was all health, wellness, nutrition. I brought my kids into it. I. You know, but now it's more adult women in business. And so I just kind of go with the next season of my life. And, you know, I just think that that's really me stepping into me is just really owning who I am in the season of life I'm in and taking full advantage of that. Not feeling like I have to do this other thing, because that's where I started. I'm, like, all about shifting and pivoting. Like, I'm all about pivoting. That's why, again. Yeah, it's time. It's not comfortable. Like, I wouldn't choose what we're going through, but I'm like, okay, pivot again. What do we need to do?

I get that.

I know you're the queen of pivot, too, right? Yeah.

But I don't look at it as pivot anymore. I just look at it as just being really in tune with what people need right now, always. That's. If I just look at is what I'm offering or where I'm focused, serving others, that answers that question. So it doesn't really become a pivot. It becomes just. I'm just fully focused on how I can serve in this time.

Yes. I love that. That's good.

And with what I'm. With what I'm going through and know, well, this has been awesome, Brooke. This is so helpful. And now it's making a lot of sense. When you saw me going through my Mohs surgery, my basal cell, you said, oh, I don't know that I want to deal with that again. I have another one I need to deal with, but I don't want to.

I know. And I literally. I still do need to deal with that, and I'm still needing to have another conversation with you about it. I actually was going to figure that out, like, right before this whole thing happened. Yeah. I'm just kind of sitting on it, which is not smart. I know. But they told me I could still sit on it a little bit longer.

Because, as you know, basal cell is very different than melanoma basal cells. We're growing. You do have time with that. Molanoma is pretty urgent.

Exactly. So, yeah. Thank you for having me. Yeah.

This has been awesome. Where can people find you Brooke? Where do you want them to follow you? Find you all the things?

Yes. Okay. My website's just brooke thomas.com and on Instagram I'm Live out loud Brooke and I have a podcast, the Live Out Loud show.

Amazing. Thank you so much Brooke.

Thank you.

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