Surrender to Rise: How to Show Your Crown in Tough Times
In this uplifting episode, we explore the transformative journey of Elena Rodriguez, who turned personal loss into a powerful narrative of resilience and empowerment. From being a widow on Christmas Eve to becoming a bestselling author and entrepreneur, Elena’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. She opens up about the heart-wrenching moments of discovering her husband’s unfaithfulness and the financial burdens left behind, illustrating the rollercoaster of emotions that come with such profound loss.
Elena emphasizes that healing is not a linear process; it’s about taking one step at a time and allowing oneself to grieve fully. Her passion for helping others shines through as she discusses her book, 'Broken Stronger', which encapsulates her philosophy of turning pain into power. Further, she shares her mission through her nonprofit work, aimed at supporting widows during the holiday season, a time that can amplify feelings of loss.
The episode also touches on her successful venture, Besitos Beauty, which not only serves as a business but as a platform for empowering women. Elena believes that every woman deserves to feel beautiful, and her commitment to this cause is inspiring.
With stories intertwined with humor and heartfelt moments, this episode is a celebration of resilience, love, and the warrior spirit that resides in us all. Elena’s journey reminds us that while we may face challenges, we have the power to rise above them and create a life that reflects our true selves.
Takeaways:
- Elena shares her journey of transforming pain into power through resilience and forgiveness.
- The importance of finding your unique passion and how it fuels discipline and motivation in life.
- Elena's lipstick brand, Besitos Beauty, emerged as a symbol of empowerment and confidence for women.
- The podcast emphasizes that everyone's journey is unique, and comparing oneself to others can hinder personal growth.
- Elena's story illustrates that even amidst chaos, one can find purpose and create meaningful connections with others.
- Her Prospera TV channel aims to provide a platform for diverse voices and inspirational stories, fostering community and support.
You can learn more about Elena on her website: www.ShowYourCrown.com
You can also connect with Elena on her social platforms:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@prosperatvnetwork
FB: https://www.facebook.com/comebackqueenelena
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/besitoslipstickclub
Instagram: @bestios.beauty
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/besitosbeauty
Transcript
Hey, welcome back to another episode of A Warrior Spirit, the show where the inner warrior shines in their light.
Speaker A:Presented by Apraxis33, the company that aligns your thoughts, goals and actions to create your best life.
Speaker A:I'm your host, Darrell Snow.
Speaker A:And have you ever felt so broken that you didn't ever think you'd be whole again?
Speaker A:Have you ever wondered just exactly what God has in store for you?
Speaker A:Well, my guest today certainly has leadership expert and small business consultant.
Speaker A:Elena Rodriguez is a multi award winning speaker, best selling author and serial entrepreneur.
Speaker A:She's the founder of Beastos Beauty and Show youw Crown.
Speaker A:And Elena has a strong history of turning pain into power through the art of forgiveness, resilience and tapping into divine inner strength.
Speaker A:She also loves lipstick and believes every woman needs the perfect shade of red.
Speaker A:So, Elena, I love you to death and I appreciate you joining me on the show today.
Speaker A:Thank you.
Speaker B:Thank you.
Speaker B:Thank you so much, Daryl.
Speaker B:And I love you too, man.
Speaker A:That's a, that's a, that's quite an intro for you.
Speaker B:It's, it's, it's amazing when you have to listen to it because it's like, wow, that.
Speaker B:Yeah, I've done kind of a few things.
Speaker A:I've done kind of a few things.
Speaker A:One of the things that I really truly admire from you and about you is the fact that you have learned how to turn, turn that pain into power.
Speaker A:Previously, you've been on our show and people can go back and find the other episodes, but I do kind of want to lay the foundation for those who haven't.
Speaker A:You were a widow, but you were widowed basically on Christmas Day, correct?
Speaker B:Christmas eve.
Speaker B:Christmas Eve.
Speaker B:2018.
Speaker A: Yes,: Speaker A:So seven years ago.
Speaker A:Oh, six years ago.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:This will be in, we're in May, so it'll be coming up on seven.
Speaker A:When you were widowed, not only was the devastation of you being widowed, but then you found out, you know, your husband hadn't been faithful for many years.
Speaker B:Which was in many ways money.
Speaker B:Like, like all of it.
Speaker B:I was one of those that was living a life that I knew nothing about.
Speaker B:And you only see that stuff in the movies.
Speaker A:So which was most devastating to you?
Speaker A:The fact that you were widowed, found out that he cheated, or also hid all this financial debt from you?
Speaker B:Well, because it was laid down.
Speaker B:I like to say God laid it down gently because I think if I'd have gotten everything at once, it would have just been too much.
Speaker B:So really going through the process of him being in ICU for 25 days, I had to make the decision to turn the machines off.
Speaker B:Then it was Christmas Eve, you know, so that whole month was horrible.
Speaker B:And then, then losing him.
Speaker B:Then almost immediately when you start going through paperwork, realize that there was so much debt, so much financial ruin, so many things I didn't know.
Speaker B:That's almost like a blow in itself because I'm trying to grieve and mourn and now I'm like, wtf?
Speaker B:Like, what's going on?
Speaker B:What is this?
Speaker B:And so then you start running in fear.
Speaker B:I didn't, I didn't know what I didn't know.
Speaker B:And I obviously was realizing there was a lot I didn't know.
Speaker B:So that was difficult.
Speaker B:The affair part I didn't discover until nine months had passed.
Speaker B:So by then it really didn't surprise me because I had realized there was so much I didn't know.
Speaker B:So I think God saved that for the last final piece in order for me to be able to move on.
Speaker B:So I can't even tell you what was the worst of it.
Speaker B:It just, it all carried a different type of pain.
Speaker A:It's almost like piecemealing your grief because first you're grieving the loss of your husband and you're starting to heal from that.
Speaker A:And then you're grieving the fact that, oh my God, he cheated on me and you're starting to heal from that.
Speaker A:And then, oh my God, he wasn't as financially faithful to me as either.
Speaker A:So, like, you almost had to piecemeal your grief.
Speaker A:And I'm going to switch to this thing here real quick because I want you to kind of talk about it.
Speaker A:That led you to writing this book, Broken Stronger, and also setting up a non profit for the widows.
Speaker A:Can you explain both of these for us a little bit?
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:While my husband was still alive, God started telling me I was going to write a book called Broken Stronger, and I didn't know what he meant.
Speaker B:I thought he got the wrong person.
Speaker B:I didn't even like to read yet alone write a book.
Speaker B:So he made it very clear to me.
Speaker B:I definitely listened to my God.
Speaker B:So I started writing that book probably nine weeks after my husband died because I knew I've got to do something, I've got to keep moving forward.
Speaker B:And if God gave me this book concept, this title, I knew that now was the time.
Speaker B:So I started, I started that project right away.
Speaker B:And it's really about breaking out of that cocoon.
Speaker B:It's called the Mariposa effect, so.
Speaker B:So butterfly effect in Spanish.
Speaker B:And it's really about breaking out of that cocoon and.
Speaker B:And leading your own life.
Speaker B:And I was literally living it while I was writing it.
Speaker B:So that came about, and then about two years went by and I had already lost my home.
Speaker B:I had had to move back in with my mom.
Speaker B:And that's when the idea of the Christmas widow concept came into my mind so that we could provide Christmas and support to newly widowed families and the children at Christmas time.
Speaker B:Because I knew what it felt like coming home from the hospital Christmas Eve morning, having two sons of my own, and they're not being any Christmas in sight because we had been at the hospital for basically a whole month.
Speaker B:And, you know, that's been one of those projects that's slow in the making.
Speaker B:God let me know, like, I don't have to do everything all at once.
Speaker B:I tried.
Speaker B:And he's like, you have to take care of your family first before you can take care of all these others.
Speaker B:But we're there.
Speaker B:We've been able to help some families, and it will grow.
Speaker B:It will.
Speaker A:And you also, throughout this period of time, had some health issues, some struggles with your health at what.
Speaker A:And I.
Speaker A:I wonder a.
Speaker A:I applaud you for just leaning into God and.
Speaker A:And, you know, whatever that entailed for you.
Speaker A:How did you not just question what the God.
Speaker A:How much am I supposed to take?
Speaker A:I know I'm a dynamo, I know I'm strong, but how much brokenness am I supposed to take?
Speaker A:How did you.
Speaker B:Oh, I love.
Speaker B:I love this story.
Speaker B:Because I didn't come up with realizing God actually showed me.
Speaker B:So needless to say, if I was living a lie, there was an affair.
Speaker B:All of this.
Speaker B:It's no secret.
Speaker B:The relationship probably wasn't that good.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:He was definitely narcissist disorder, which at the time, I didn't even know what that was.
Speaker B:I just thought he was a moody son of a.
Speaker B:Most of the time.
Speaker B:And so I really didn't know anything about it.
Speaker B:I just know that we.
Speaker B:I thought he was bipolar or I just never could figure out what would flip the switch.
Speaker B:You know, I never knew if I was going to have a good day because it always depended on where he was.
Speaker B:And so I still come from the place where I didn't believe I deserve anything.
Speaker B:I believe that I was rewarded for the work I did.
Speaker B:Now, where that thought concept came from, I don't know.
Speaker B:Maybe when I was little or something, but I.
Speaker B:I don't feel we deserve anything.
Speaker B:I feel we're rewarded for the work that we do.
Speaker B:But I remember pleading to God, like, but I don't deserve to be treated this way.
Speaker B:I know I don't deserve to be treated this way.
Speaker B:And my body had gotten so toxic.
Speaker B:I had.
Speaker B:I think I had, like five biopsies in one year just from the toxicity of the relationship and the fighting and the fight and flight mode and just all of it.
Speaker B:And one of my surgeries, I had had a neck surgery.
Speaker B:And God had to just silence me for a little bit.
Speaker B:That's when I started getting the whisper, you're gonna write a book.
Speaker B:You're gonna write a book.
Speaker B:And I couldn't even talk, but I'm like, yeah, God, I.
Speaker B:I think you got the wrong person.
Speaker B:Well, I was in my bathroom one of the evenings.
Speaker B: It was like: Speaker B:And I'm brushing my teeth and I'm still hearing that, you're gonna write a book.
Speaker B:You're gonna write a book.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And then it was loud and clear to me.
Speaker B:And he said, you will write a book.
Speaker B:It will be called Broken Stronger.
Speaker B:And I.
Speaker B:And I'm.
Speaker B:And I stopped.
Speaker B:I mean, I got lips or toothpaste flowing down my arm because it was so loud and clear.
Speaker B:And in that moment in my bathroom and my husband was still alive.
Speaker B:He was.
Speaker B:He was asleep.
Speaker B:I start bawling.
Speaker B:And I saw all these flashes of pain in my life, clear back from a little girl, clear back to when my dad left.
Speaker B:And it was like a movie trailer that it's like, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.
Speaker B:And just my dad's dying, my bonus dad dying during surgery, running away from home.
Speaker B:Like, all these things that I had been through, God let me see them.
Speaker B:And then it's like in a moment, he took all that pain.
Speaker B:Like, he swooped in, and it's almost like he just lifted it from me.
Speaker B:And I lit.
Speaker B:I, like, seriously just felt so light, so free.
Speaker B:So a light is the word.
Speaker B:And I'm.
Speaker B:And I bald because I was able to actually see.
Speaker B:See my strength.
Speaker B:And in that moment, he took the pain away.
Speaker B:Like, when I walked out of the bathroom, number one, I'm in shock because I texted my sister and I'm like, okay, God just told me, I'm going to write a book.
Speaker B:It's going to be called Broken Stronger.
Speaker B:I don't.
Speaker B:You know, I'm, like, texting with my sister.
Speaker B:But I walked out of that bathroom a different person.
Speaker B:And little did I know this was leading right up to my husband's heart attack.
Speaker B:That's how he died.
Speaker B:He had a heart attack.
Speaker B:But what I learned was, God can take it.
Speaker B:He already showed me all that pain.
Speaker B:All your life, everything you carried around, I took that.
Speaker B:But what I didn't realize is he needed.
Speaker B:He was showing me that because he was preparing me for what was ahead.
Speaker B:And, and I needed the space and the capacity to absorb all of that pain.
Speaker B:But I also came into it knowing God's got this.
Speaker B:So, so that strength and that perseverance and that resilience, it never left me because God already showed me he can take it all.
Speaker B:And, and he didn't really transform anything in my life.
Speaker B:The moment he swooped all that pain out, he did that to simply show me that was your, your preparation.
Speaker B:That's what you've been through.
Speaker B:And here's what I can do.
Speaker B:Because, girl, here we go.
Speaker B:Like, but it's all been part of his plan.
Speaker B:I remember, I remember praying God, like, I don't deserve to be treated this way.
Speaker B:Please change his heart.
Speaker B:That's what I would pray for.
Speaker B:Please change his heart.
Speaker B:Let him love me.
Speaker B:Let me, you know, do I need to do better?
Speaker B:Do I need to?
Speaker B:And God changed his heart, but he gave him a heart attack.
Speaker B:And so for me to move forward and do the work that I'm doing today, it's because I know that that's what he created this space for me to do.
Speaker B:And I feel if I don't do it, then I'm not, I'm not living makes that pain worth it.
Speaker B:I'm supposed to do something with it.
Speaker B:And that's, that's why we've got everything we've got today.
Speaker A:Did you find that you were a serial entrepreneur at that time, or did this kickstart you into being a serial entrepreneur?
Speaker A:And one of the things that is.
Speaker A:Is great about you, not only are you able to build businesses for yourself, but you're able to help others build businesses.
Speaker A:And I think God gave you clairvoyance to be able to see what others need to do in order to get to where they go.
Speaker A:So you not only are able to live it, you're able to help others along the way.
Speaker A:And were you in that capacity before this started, or was this spiritual two by four that hit you upside the head, kind of a kickstart into that direction as well?
Speaker B:Now actually, entrepreneurship, I grew up in.
Speaker B:So my parents, when they were married, they were extremely successful.
Speaker B:I think at one point my dad, and I say my dad, because my dad was the one that was out there doing all of this stuff.
Speaker B:But I think at one point they had seven businesses going all at the Same time.
Speaker B:And some of them seemed very off the wall, but they were all connected.
Speaker B:Like he had a restaurant and he had a bar, but then he had, he owned some like major softball team or something.
Speaker B:And then through the mascot, he created Huggy Bear suckers.
Speaker B:And so this like, so everything like connected but from the outside in, you wouldn't think so.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:And so I grew up seeing that.
Speaker B:And instead of like playing school and dolls and stuff, I was playing bar.
Speaker B:You're right in, in our home.
Speaker A:And I was drinking at the bar.
Speaker A:So it's okay.
Speaker B:I was probably like three when, when they built, built a big home.
Speaker B:And that was the home that I grew up in.
Speaker B:But in the basement it was designed for like a party house.
Speaker B:So we had a built in bar that had like 10 bar stools, coolers, racks.
Speaker B:Like it was, it was like a bar and I played bar.
Speaker B:So growing up that's all I saw.
Speaker B:And, and then when my parents divorced and my mom got remarried, that my bonus dad, I call him my stepdad, he had, he was in the industry, so, so I saw him run businesses.
Speaker B:So as I grew older, I ended up working for him through high school and then I, then I ended up becoming manager of the bar because I, I had known it my whole life.
Speaker B:So it was like a restaurant, bar, entertainment and all of that.
Speaker B:Well, I also knew the environment that that can lead to and I knew when it, when I had met my husband and we were going to have a family, I'm like, I'm going to exit out of this environment industry because I don't want to raise my kids in it because I, I know what that's like.
Speaker B:So I had my first child and then I joined my sister's fitness classes because I had put on a lot of weight.
Speaker B:I'm not very good at being a stay at home mom, let me just say that because I, I need to be going, going, doing things.
Speaker B:So I joined her fitness classes and the first thought to my mind was I love this and I can get paid for it if I'm teaching it.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:And I can bring my son with me so I don't have to have child care.
Speaker B:Well, next thing you know, I'm pretty much running the studio and just because I could see what my sister couldn't see, right.
Speaker B:And the next thing you know, I end up taking over the business and, and she started teaching for me.
Speaker B:She just became an instructor, but I now had the business and then she ended up moving and I owned that fitness studio for 14 years.
Speaker B:So when in that area I was physical, hands on, like, it wasn't a gym that you just like could let yourself in and run on a treadmill.
Speaker B:So when all of these other franchise gyms started opening around me, I really just couldn't compete.
Speaker B:Like, I, I tried to add so many different time slots and I just couldn't compete.
Speaker B:So now I was like 40 and I'm like, but I've never worked for anybody else.
Speaker B:And so at that time I, I went into the medical health industry and I took an entry level job.
Speaker B:I was, I worked in a call center.
Speaker B:It wasn't even full time, it didn't even have benefits.
Speaker B:But I'm like, I need to do something.
Speaker B:And as soon as I got in there and I sat in the training part of it, I'm like, this training sucks.
Speaker B:And so I saw myself, I'm like, I want that job someday.
Speaker B:I want to be the one teaching this class.
Speaker B:Well, don't, you know, like, two weeks in, the position opened up.
Speaker B:That trainer did suck, and I think he got fired.
Speaker B:And so that position opened up and I'm like, I'm going to go for it.
Speaker B:And, and people thought I was nuts.
Speaker B:Like crazy nuts.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:But to me, leadership, entrepreneurial skills, critical thinking, you know, being able to act and solve problems, like on your feet, those are the things that matter the most.
Speaker B:And so I thought, all I need is the interview.
Speaker B:All I need is the chance to get in this room.
Speaker B:And I did.
Speaker B:Of the directors, by the way, that I filled out my application, one of the directors called me in.
Speaker B:Next thing you know, I'm meeting with two directors and I just wanted to be on the training team.
Speaker B:And they call me in after, like meeting all these different people and they said we weren't quite sure what we wanted to do with this team and the position.
Speaker B:And I'm getting my speech ready.
Speaker B:Thank you for your time.
Speaker B:Thank you for your consideration.
Speaker B:And they said, we don't want to offer you the trainer position.
Speaker B:We actually want to offer you manager over the training team.
Speaker B:So in an industry where I had no college education, I had no degrees, I had zero experience, I wasn't even hired full time.
Speaker B:Now I'm promoted to leader of the department that hired me and, you know, more than tripled my income within weeks.
Speaker B:So to me, I feel like, focus on the skills that can be pulled out of your back pocket at any time because you take your skills with you wherever you go.
Speaker B:So even though I was working for a corporation, that entrepreneurial spirit is what served me well.
Speaker B:But then I.
Speaker B:I stayed there for four years, and then I'm like, I still.
Speaker B:I have to go do my thing.
Speaker B:I.
Speaker B:I need to, like, think bigger and grander.
Speaker A:But this is also where doing your part comes into play, because God put you in a position so that you could have triple the income, but you didn't take the position going, oh, my God, this is going to lead to triple the income.
Speaker A:You took the position of, I'm going to do my part, and then God opens the doors because you were obedient.
Speaker A:And the same thing happened, in my belief, to this for you.
Speaker A:Right?
Speaker A:You started a lipstick company, and this wasn't your main endeavor when you started this.
Speaker A:So how did.
Speaker A:I mean, we said in your intro that you love lipstick and every woman needs a perfect shade of red.
Speaker A:So how did this come about?
Speaker A:Because I know it's a similar type of thing where you started a journey and the doors open and the tapestry of God is weaving your life.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:And, you know, it's funny when you hear it from.
Speaker B:From someone else, because it's like, yeah, it is all pretty crazy.
Speaker B:Besitos lipstick was actually, like, formed from a whisper in my ear when I was sitting on my mom's recliner.
Speaker B:This was two years after my husband had passed.
Speaker B:I lost.
Speaker B:Like I said, I lost everything, including my home.
Speaker B:So I picked my sons up, and we moved back into my mom's house.
Speaker B:By then, I was 46 years old, had nothing, and I was having my pity party.
Speaker B:And I was scrolling through Facebook and I came across a photo of myself when I had that neck surgery.
Speaker B:Neck surgery that I told you God silenced me, but I still had my lipstick on.
Speaker B:So even though my neck had this nasty fresh scar, I still had my red lipstick on.
Speaker B:And, like, something just hit me, like, a jolt, where I realized through all of the loss and all of the betrayal and all of the lies that I discovered, I didn't know how I was going to get out of that.
Speaker B:Like, I really didn't.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And I didn't know, how do I lead my sons and be this strong mom when I don't even know where I'm going.
Speaker B:But every day, I would still get up, whether I got out of my pajamas or not, and I would put my lipstick on because it was like, get up.
Speaker B:Put yourself together.
Speaker B:Figure it out.
Speaker B:So to me, lipstick became my superpower.
Speaker B:It became my shield.
Speaker B:It became my.
Speaker B:My solid force that even if I had to paint my freaking smile on, I did.
Speaker B:So as I'm sitting there in the recliner, at my mom's.
Speaker B:And I really at that time was focused on confidence and self esteem in women.
Speaker B:I'm a licensed John Maxwell coach, speaker, trainer.
Speaker B:And so as I was working on my coaching business trying to get out from, you know, major debt, I thought what a great way to bring women into my space to talk about my coaching business.
Speaker B:So I looked at lipstick as a lead magnet.
Speaker B:So I created 50 colors and I just was like, to me, business is all about testing.
Speaker B:You got to test things to collect data, see what works, see what doesn't, so that you know what decisions to make forward.
Speaker B:So I thought, let me just try something.
Speaker B:Let me start with 50 colors.
Speaker B:See, see if they sell.
Speaker B:See, see you know what happens here.
Speaker B:And they all sold out.
Speaker B:And so my metric for success wasn't would they sell?
Speaker B:What my metric for the success was, would they come back for more?
Speaker B:Because anybody can go out and sell something one time, but if it's good, they'll come back for more.
Speaker B:And so it became this thing where, where I just kind of would have lipsticks on hand.
Speaker B:I would have little parties at people's houses, we'd get women together and have wine and girls night.
Speaker B:Or then I started doing small little events in hotels where it just brought women together.
Speaker B:But then I was really able to share my story and the work that I do to rebuild confidence and self esteem.
Speaker B:So even as a lead magnet, even if anybody didn't sign up with me to work with me as a coach, they would still buy lipstick.
Speaker B:So it was still an income stream.
Speaker B:And so here we are this many years later and now I actually we've expanded, we've got all kinds of products.
Speaker B:But now I'm actually helping other women use Besitos beauty for their business in the same way.
Speaker B:Even though their business might be different.
Speaker B:I'm bringing that innovation to help them tie the connection and use Besitos as that magnet to bring the women into their space and then convert them over to paid clients.
Speaker A:What I love about this, it brings back a memory of my grandmother and she lived to be 101 and no matter what her age, she always put on her red lipstick, even at 101.
Speaker A:And she was quilting two weeks before she died and she still had on her red lipstick.
Speaker A:So it's, it's a fond, it's a fond memory for me.
Speaker A:I'm going to switch it to the next little thing that you have going on.
Speaker A:You are also a best selling author.
Speaker A:Surrender to rise and show your crown Prayer journal.
Speaker A:Can you explain what these Are.
Speaker A:And how these came about for you?
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:So before I had lost my home, I was still living at the house that my husband and I had.
Speaker B:But I had found out about the affair.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:So this affair, like I said, I discovered nine months after he passed away, but the affair had been going on for five years.
Speaker B:So I was completely devastated.
Speaker B:One night I.
Speaker B:I always used to keep.
Speaker B:I don't so much anymore, but I used to keep a notebook beside my bed because I just didn't sleep very well during that time.
Speaker B:And it seemed like God would speak to me so much during that time, and there were some really important messages that I just didn't want to for.
Speaker B:And I would.
Speaker B:If I didn't write it down by the morning time, I would forget.
Speaker B:So one of these nights I wrote, scribbled something out, and the next morning I.
Speaker B:I was deciphering, like, what are.
Speaker B:What did I scribble out last night in my sleep?
Speaker B:And it was, remember who you are, remember whose you are.
Speaker B:Boldly step forward, forward, show your crown.
Speaker B:And even today, that still chokes me up because I use that as, like, a total mantra now, because God was talking to me when I.
Speaker B:When I felt ugly and stupid and just everything negative is what I associated myself with at that time.
Speaker B:And he had to remind me, like, remember who you are, and remember whose you are.
Speaker B:And so when he said, boldly step forward, show your crown, it took me a while to actually realize that our crown, we all have them.
Speaker B:They're all unique.
Speaker B:Our crown is our pain.
Speaker B:Our crown is our experiences.
Speaker B:Our crown is our failures.
Speaker B:You know, our crown is the things that could keep us hidden in shame.
Speaker B:And those are the things that he wants us to boldly step forward and use that.
Speaker B:And in that transition, it can only happen when you surrender all of it to him because.
Speaker B:Because a lot of us are still embarrassed or we're.
Speaker B:We still feel like, you know, God, do I tell everybody, like, everything?
Speaker B:And not everybody needs to, but I think when you get to that point of surrender and.
Speaker B:And God has brought you through it, you're not ashamed of any of it, because it's all.
Speaker B:It's all.
Speaker B:It all is part of a bigger plan that really you're just a piece of.
Speaker B:So show your crown.
Speaker B:That prayer journal I put together, number one, because I like pretty things, and I'm just creative.
Speaker B:So a lot of these projects are just my own creative outlet.
Speaker B:But if it can serve someone else, why not do that?
Speaker B:So the.
Speaker B:The prayer journal writing for me was such a healing, amazing at how I didn't want to write in the beginning and now I love to write.
Speaker B:So it's, it's like when you just do what God tells you, it's amazing at what you are actually gifted with.
Speaker B:And so writing to me became such a healing part of the journey.
Speaker B:But I also know sometimes people don't know where to get started.
Speaker B:And so the prayer journal actually has prompts and questions and thought provoking, you know, insights to just build a relationship with God, like, like a friendship.
Speaker B:And so that was just a passion project.
Speaker B:But through Surrender, when he started like giving me the message that there was going to be another book, but this time I knew it's not about me, it's, it's everybody.
Speaker B:Everybody has a story, everyone has a crown.
Speaker B:And so Surrender to Rise is simply a series.
Speaker B:And I didn't start it as a series.
Speaker B:I started it as just a single book.
Speaker B:I featured my comeback queens.
Speaker B:There's, there's other women in it and it's their story and, and it's their story of surrender and how they're doing great things today because of God.
Speaker B:And one of, one of the gentlemen messaged me and said, there's comeback kings too.
Speaker B:And I said, you know what?
Speaker B:There absolutely is.
Speaker B:I just, I never worked like with men in a professional capacity.
Speaker B:So now we have a King's edition that's in editing phase right now.
Speaker B:And that's why I say it's a series, because we already have queens on board for the next one and it's just going to keep going.
Speaker B:And we're now doing virtual events and live events off of Surrender to Rise.
Speaker B:And it's all just because I gave it to God.
Speaker A:That's amazing.
Speaker A:And again, when you find in your brokenness, the willingness to do your part to get out of it, God opens up doors.
Speaker A:And if you lean in to whatever you believe God to be for you, lean into that for your own surrender and salvation, eventually it will come about.
Speaker A:And I do have to remind people, Moses took 40 years to get to the promised land.
Speaker A:And if you actually look at the path that he crossed, it's not a 40 year journey, it's probably a two year journey.
Speaker A:But they didn't follow God's directive and it took that long to get there.
Speaker A:And if you just follow what your calling is and what your purpose and passion is that was placed in your heart by him, the journey will go a lot smoother.
Speaker A:I'm going to also lead to this next one for you.
Speaker A:Explain radiance.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:So for me, radiance is an annual event and you know, even though I have Besitos Beauty, which is cosmetics, you know, we have everything from lipstick, lip gloss, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, like we have cosmetics.
Speaker B:But for me it's never been about the outside.
Speaker B:It's healing that inside that inner beauty.
Speaker B:So, so makeup can be fun and it can be colorful and that's what I needed in my life.
Speaker B:But it wouldn't have done its magic had I not actually focused on what was going on inside of me.
Speaker B:So Radiance Shine Bright from within is a, it's a one day event for women and, and I call it a mini conference turned dance party girls night because we start with, we bring in speakers that are experts in more health and wellness and beauty, but that can, that encompasses all kinds of things.
Speaker B:You know, if this last, the last February we had a fitness expert come, she flew in from Washington.
Speaker B:But it, it wasn't fitness and the capacity that you think of like working out, build the muscle, you know, lose the inches.
Speaker B:It's like look at your body through a new lens first.
Speaker B:You've got to love yourself first because then you will, you will work harder for it, you will treat it better.
Speaker B:So, so Radiance is about bringing experts and giving people real insight and to be able to ask questions.
Speaker B:We've got like medical grade, you know, skin care.
Speaker B:We just had all kinds of wellness industry people there.
Speaker B:But then we serve a really nice dinner and then we have a dance party because you know, we've got to let loose and just have some, some good fun too.
Speaker B:So that's in February in Indiana.
Speaker B:And that's, it was basically to, to be something that my cosmetics company could put on for women all around.
Speaker B:But we focus on inner beauty meets outer beauty.
Speaker B:And it, this last time it was just a, it was so fun.
Speaker B:It was a fun time.
Speaker A:And so my company, Praxis 33, I say where the woo meets the work because I deal with a lot of energy and spiritual people, a lot of healers, a lot of people who do light work and things like that.
Speaker A:So where the woo meets the work because I believe that the things that society calls woo, you can actually pick a Bible passage where it directly correlates to the Bible.
Speaker A:And part of anything that you've proven and that I've proven is that you have to do the work.
Speaker A:So you have acquired all these things in your life not because you were fortunate or lucky, but because you did the work.
Speaker A:And not only did you do the work, you did the work that God put in your heart.
Speaker A:Because it's one thing to go out and just spin your wheels and do whatever you want.
Speaker A:It's another thing to do your calling.
Speaker A:And I can directly relate that to this podcast.
Speaker A:For six months, I fought my calling.
Speaker A:I was told by God, my God, that I was supposed to do this.
Speaker A:I was told that I was supposed to give a voice to the voiceless, make their mess their message and make it a survival guide for others.
Speaker A:And that's exactly how I heard it.
Speaker A:And because I didn't own a microphone and I didn't own a camera, I said, yeah, I'm your guy.
Speaker A:No, I said, what the hell are you talking about?
Speaker A:And so I fought it for six months until that spiritual 2x4 got loud.
Speaker A:Then I went out and bought a camera, and I bought a microphone.
Speaker A:I turned on the switch.
Speaker A:And I've been doing this for two and a half years.
Speaker A:I've got 128amazing stories that are out there, and it'll go as long as God continues to.
Speaker A:To tell me to do it.
Speaker A:But by doing that work and by doing what I was told and watching God's magic, I have been blessed to have people like you on my show.
Speaker A:I've been blessed to be honored by people like you.
Speaker A:But it also has allowed me to be a part of what you have launching tomorrow, May 1st Prospera TV, step into your era of success.
Speaker A:Now, you're one who just kind of rests on our laurels.
Speaker A:So I say that tongue in cheek, right?
Speaker A:But so tell me why you launched this.
Speaker A:And you have an amazing lineup of people, and I'm so honored that you asked me to be a part of it, but I know it's part of God's tapestry, weaving his way through, doing my purpose.
Speaker A:So explain this to me.
Speaker B:You know, it's.
Speaker B:It's pretty wild because, you know, I like to think that sometimes things are so close to you that you really can't see the gift in it.
Speaker B:Okay?
Speaker B:So when I think of the lipstick people that knew me back in, like, high school, they're like, lipstick has always been your thing.
Speaker B:But if I had to come out and thought, let me start a lipstick company, I would have told myself I was nuts, right?
Speaker B:So when I'm looking at this, this TV streaming channel, Prospera, I had forgotten, like, it's.
Speaker B:It's amazing.
Speaker B:I had forgotten that in high school, I was selected to go to.
Speaker B:I forget.
Speaker B:I think it was Indiana State or Ball State here in Indiana, but for journalism, they had picked me, and I Went and I had to, like, you know, pretend I was like, broadcasting and this and that.
Speaker B:So I had forgotten all about that.
Speaker B:So somebody else saw a gift in me on camera back, and I didn't really pay attention to it.
Speaker B:I thought, I get to get out of school for a bit and go down to college campus.
Speaker B:Yeah, let's do this.
Speaker B:And so it's funny that this has circled back around because a couple years ago I was invited to be on a show because I was an author and I was invited to be on a show.
Speaker B:They thought I was such a.
Speaker B:A great guest that I brought so much energy.
Speaker B:They invited me to be a co host on a show.
Speaker B:So I like, oh, my gosh, this is amazing.
Speaker B:Yes, I would love the opportunity.
Speaker B:So I start this, this new journey.
Speaker B:But this channel, this, they gave us scripts, and I didn't know that.
Speaker B:So I'm getting this email with the script that I'm supposed to read for the show, and I.
Speaker B:I just.
Speaker B:I didn't understand it because it's like, these aren't even my words.
Speaker B:This isn't even anything of me.
Speaker B:And you want me to bring my energy, but I'm supposed to read this.
Speaker B:And it just.
Speaker B:It didn't feel in alignment with who I am.
Speaker B:And so we kind of had to part ways, but I was like, but I can do this.
Speaker B:I can do this.
Speaker B:So I started a show of my own and went on a channel.
Speaker B:And it was amazing.
Speaker B:The.
Speaker B:The owner of the channel, she branched off and is now creating her own big thing.
Speaker B:And so I'm like.
Speaker B:Or she's creating the whole network.
Speaker B:And I'm like, I don't want just a show.
Speaker B:I want.
Speaker B:I want my own channel.
Speaker B:But the reason that I want this channel is because I want to give other people the opportunity to do something.
Speaker B:Maybe they don't even think that they can.
Speaker B:Again, that's just.
Speaker B:That's.
Speaker B:That's my belief in our ability to.
Speaker B:To do the unthinkable.
Speaker B:Just try it.
Speaker B:You never know what's going to happen.
Speaker B:And I thought if I have my own channel.
Speaker B:And I love working in the space of small business.
Speaker B:I love working with small business owners.
Speaker B:So to me, having a channel was an avenue for me to have a commercial played for Besito's Beauty.
Speaker B:Because again, I'm always thinking about business.
Speaker B:I just don't lead with that.
Speaker B:Like, you know, I'll step all over whoever it takes to build my business.
Speaker B:I don't lead that way, but I'm very strategic on what is going to help Business.
Speaker B:And so I thought, well, if I have my own channel, I can play commercials.
Speaker B:Okay, that's a win.
Speaker B:But I work so much with small businesses that I also know I have the ability to see in them sometimes what they can't see in themselves.
Speaker B:And how beautiful would it be to collaborate and for me to be able to bring that level to, to them and their message and allow them to have a reach far greater and grander that than they could do alone.
Speaker B:And to me, I know business is not easy and you need people.
Speaker B:But what you need more is exposure in any capacity.
Speaker B:You need people to come across your logo, you need people to come across your message.
Speaker B:You need people to come across, you know, different things you're doing.
Speaker B:And this to me is just a prime way to do it.
Speaker B:And it's utilizing my creativity, my level of excellence.
Speaker B:But also I'm able to witness firsthand the transformation that's already happening in some of these small business owners that have chosen to be.
Speaker B:To start a show on my channel.
Speaker B:And it's just, it's just a beautiful thing.
Speaker B:And I didn't anticipate growing this fast.
Speaker B:I thought, well, if I can start with three shows on my channel, that would be great.
Speaker B:And as of right now, we're at near 10.
Speaker B:And I have a feeling it's going to go up very, like, it's, it's just going to grow because I've proven over the years that if.
Speaker B:If what didn't break me that many years ago, I mean, if that didn't break me, there's not a whole lot that can.
Speaker B:And I just, I just want to create the platform that gets our message out.
Speaker B:But God's in.
Speaker B:God's in the lead of everything I do.
Speaker B:That's it.
Speaker A:And that's why it's so successful.
Speaker A:But what's nice about your channel, it's not just a streaming channel.
Speaker A:It's going to be on Roku, it's going to be on Apple tv, it's going to be on a lot of the major players.
Speaker A:So this isn't just some tiny little thing that's launching tomorrow.
Speaker A:This is a major endeavor that's gonna, you know, help get the message out there for all the, the people that are on your show and are hosting their own show on your network.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:And again, to me, I look at, you know, the warrior spirit crafted three years ago.
Speaker A:And now, you know, the first two years I wasn't out on anything other than YouTube and Facebook.
Speaker A:And now this year I'm out on Apple, Amazon Spotify you know, the YouTube.
Speaker A:And now I get to be a part of the ground floor of this endeavor, which again, gives the exposure, you know, to even greater and what I love about this and all the other people that are, that are going to be on the show.
Speaker A:High caliber, high quality people, high quality content.
Speaker A:But it's not just a fad.
Speaker A:It's people who have stepped into the passion that God has given them, done their work and now are also being rewarded because our shows aren't about us.
Speaker A:Our shows about who we can impact and who we can help.
Speaker A:And the bigger the reach, the more people we can, you know, impact and help along the way.
Speaker A:And that's the beauty of.
Speaker A:That's what I'm so excited about.
Speaker A:It's not, oh, it's just a little tiny thing and it's another great cool thing that I get to be a part of.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:I get to spread God's message with my guests as their voice to all these people that God wants it to be heard from.
Speaker A:That's what I'm excited about.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:And, and it, you know, I think, I think the beauty of it too is as this powerhouse lineup, the starting lineup is, is really amazing.
Speaker B:I have been connected with every single show host that is on in a different capacity, but for years.
Speaker B:And so this is something that there's a lot of us that have locked arms.
Speaker B:They.
Speaker B:All they needed was to hear my vision and, and my hope for the show.
Speaker B:And again, that is to reach many, to, to pour into people.
Speaker B:I'm always about giving people a bit of hope and inspiration.
Speaker B:I just want people to always know that no matter how hard it is right now, it won't always be.
Speaker B:But don't give up.
Speaker B:And that looks different.
Speaker B:We're all given different gifts.
Speaker B:So just a prime example of the, the show host.
Speaker B:You know, we have you on as a warrior spirit.
Speaker B:We're going to have Jackie on her show is on menopause.
Speaker B:The power of the pause and you know it.
Speaker B:Women need this information.
Speaker B:We've got Tish Ross coming on.
Speaker B:No judgment here.
Speaker B:And that's to hear some of the hardest of the hardest stories.
Speaker B:But how God has showed up and done their thing.
Speaker B:And you know, there's so many I could go into to all of them.
Speaker B:Charles, you know, Charles Princeton, his.
Speaker B:He grew up in, in childhood abuse and domestic violence.
Speaker B:But sports kept him, you know, straight and in the game and, and he became a coach for.
Speaker B:For most of his life and the, the impact he's had on kids through sports.
Speaker B:So we're going to talk about that.
Speaker B:Like, there's so much different, different specialties coming to prosperityv Network.
Speaker B:But it's all about taking our experiences and showing someone that you can do something with that space that you're in right now that might not feel good.
Speaker B:You.
Speaker B:You might think, why me?
Speaker B:This makes no sense.
Speaker B:Why am I going through this?
Speaker B:How will I ever, you know, get out of this space?
Speaker B:And it might not be right now, and it might take a little bit of time, but you're going to hear from any show that you tune in that perseverance and that resilience and just keep going.
Speaker B:And I'm just honored.
Speaker B:Like, yeah, it is my project.
Speaker B:It's my channel, but I don't even use the word mine.
Speaker B:You know, to me, it's us, it's we, because it's me and my God always first.
Speaker B:But I'm really excited for what this is going to bring for all my show hosts.
Speaker B:And as we expand, yeah, I do see events around this.
Speaker B:I.
Speaker B:I mean, there's.
Speaker B:There's more coming, but we got to get started, you know, first.
Speaker B:But that's where I always am.
Speaker B:I'm always like, how can we.
Speaker B:How can we make this grander?
Speaker B:That's that part of my brain that it just never goes away.
Speaker B:But I know God trusts me with these ideas because he knows I will act on them even if it's a flop, which there's hardly anything that's ever been a flop.
Speaker B:It maybe didn't turn out the way that I wanted, but God ended up doing something amazing with it.
Speaker B:So, yeah, I'm just excited to see what we do here.
Speaker A:Well, when we do a lot with a little.
Speaker A:He trusts us with more.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:And you've proven you have a strong reputation, that anyone with a dream can achieve it if they have the right guidance, the tools, or enough motivation.
Speaker A:And I have over the years, I've been coaching for over 40 years.
Speaker A:And over the years of my own growth and coaching, I've shied further away from motivation because we all can be motivated to do something, but we have to be disciplined to continuously act upon it, whether it be in our own lives or helping others.
Speaker A:So you've proven over and over again that with the right guidance, the right tools and the right discipline to follow through, anyone can achieve their dreams and their goals and their hopes.
Speaker A:So if someone's out there listening right now, going, you know, it's great for her, you know, she's proven she can bounce back.
Speaker A:But my, my, my shit's different.
Speaker A:Than her I can't get out of my own way.
Speaker A:What would you say to that person?
Speaker B:Well, first I would say that they're, they're looking at the wrong thing.
Speaker B:And, and that's the beauty of it is we each have something unique to us.
Speaker B:So whatever you see in me.
Speaker B:Yeah, you don't have it.
Speaker B:You have something different.
Speaker B:And, and the piece is tapping into that one thing within you that sets your soul on fire, that, that triggers that passion.
Speaker B:Because when you're passionate, like truly, truly passionate and believe in what you're doing, you will stay disciplined.
Speaker B:In fact, nobody will be able to tell you different.
Speaker B:Nobody will be able to stand, stop you.
Speaker B:But the hard thing for people is identifying that piece within them.
Speaker B:Because many times people are more worried about either comparing themselves or watching someone else's timeline or other people moving at different paces or, you know, my parents told me this would work.
Speaker B:It didn't work for me, so there must be something wrong with me.
Speaker B:And the thing is, is it's your unique that, that something within you.
Speaker B:And that's the piece that I mentioned.
Speaker B:Sometimes it's so close and it's so simple.
Speaker B:It doesn't seem like anything major, doesn't seem like a big deal.
Speaker B:And it's in those moments that I usually like to say, what do people come to you for a lot?
Speaker B:Like, what are.
Speaker B:When people call you up for advice, what are they asking you for?
Speaker B:You know, it could be something as simple as, help, help me pick out my outfit.
Speaker B:Because you wear the cutest clothes and you might not even see that your act of service to someone else could be styling them.
Speaker B:And, and you might think, but that's like clothing.
Speaker B:But what it's going to do when that person finally wears something that they feel radiant and beautiful in, that's the transformation.
Speaker B:So I just, you know, if you're feeling low, try to think about what do people come to you for?
Speaker B:What do you love doing?
Speaker B:What could you talk about for hours that might seem so silly to other people?
Speaker B:Because that's your gold, that's your magic.
Speaker B:And when you tap into that and you get some outside in ideas, maybe the discipline, it's there.
Speaker B:You're going to want to get up to work on it, and you're going to want to stay up to, you know, keep working on it.
Speaker B:You won't have to be motivated to build your dream.
Speaker A:And sometimes it's those throwaway moments, like you said with your journal, you know, you went on a high school trip and got this opportunity for you.
Speaker A:It was A throwaway moment.
Speaker A:And in reality, it was a preparation for a future you never even knew about yet.
Speaker A:And one thing you do know about, because you've been on my show a couple times, is I always love to ask this final question, and I'm curious to hear how it's changed from when I asked it the time before.
Speaker A:What does a warrior spirit or having a warrior spirit mean to Elena Rodriguez?
Speaker B:Warrior spirit is simply just not giving up.
Speaker B:You know, I don't even remember how I answered this question before, but to me today, a warrior spirit is forgiving yourself.
Speaker B:The warrior spirit is looking in the mirror after the failure and be like, well, that kind of sucked, but let's go again.
Speaker B:You know, it's.
Speaker B:It's simply the refusal to give up on any.
Speaker B:Any part of your life, not just business, but, you know, to not give up on.
Speaker B:On, you know, love again.
Speaker B:Maybe your heart was broken.
Speaker B:Like, you can't let love in if you're not willing to take the risk.
Speaker B:Like, that warrior spirit is just walking in the face of fear and saying, let's go, man, because I'm not gonna go down.
Speaker B:So it's to me, it's that simple.
Speaker A:Well, I love that you do have a warrior spirit.
Speaker A:You embody it in everything you do, and I just love and adore that you are in my tribe and that I'm a part of yours.
Speaker A:So thank you for joining me today.
Speaker A:Tomorrow is going to be a big launch day, and we're going to set some inspiration and hope out to the world, and especially in this world.
Speaker A:It's dying and needing it.
Speaker A:So thank you for doing this with me today and many continued blessings to you and your loved ones.
Speaker B:Thank you.
Speaker B:Thank you for having me.
Speaker A:All righty.
Speaker A:And if you'd like to connect with Alaina, you can do so on her website, showyourcrown.com and.
Speaker A:And all of her social media platforms.
Speaker A:YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Speaker A:So I do appreciate you joining me today for this other edition of A Warrior Spirit.
Speaker A:Be sure to like or subscribe so you catch all the episodes and make your day a beautiful day and wear your red lipstick in whatever fashion that means to.
