Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bryan Leigh Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bryan Leigh , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
My voyage to unshakable self-assuredness has been an exhilarating dance through life’s rhythm and rhyme. From a young age, my heart found its place in the studio and on the dance floor. There, in the world of dance, I discovered the secret recipe for building a robust self-esteem – a heady cocktail of challenge and the chance to shine. It’s like a dope mixtape for your self-worth! 💿 The magic of personal growth through dance or any physically demanding pursuit is that it’s an addictive container that fuels your self-love. But, like a dance party without the right tunes, if you stop challenging yourself, you’re bound to feel like you’re sitting out of life’s most electrifying jam. It reminds me of the time Tony Robbins dropped some wisdom: “If you’re not growing in any aspect of your life, you’ll find yourself in a low place.” Omg, did I feel that in my adult life when I took a break from dancing! I became the shyest wallflower at life’s grand ball, unable to even speak up for myself. That’s when I realized I was missing out on growth.
So, I decided to crank up the volume and challenge myself on the dance floor as much as possible. Right now, I’m learning some daring new tricks on the pole, and let me tell you, it’s a wild adventure that sometimes leaves my skin feeling like it went to battle. But in this journey, I’m not just breaking a sweat; I’m breaking barriers. I’m also strutting my stuff in areas I’ve already conquered. It’s like a dance-off where I’m both the rookie and the reigning champ, and the confidence boost is contagious.
The best part is, this confidence from dancing or playing sports doesn’t stay cooped up on the dance floor. It spills over into every aspect of life and injects a big dose of pizzazz into my relationships, day job and other daily activities. It’s extremely fulfilling to experience.
The confidence and self-esteem rollercoaster is a never-ending thrill ride. It has its ups, it has its downs, but the true magic lies in the recognition of a dip in your self-esteem and then doing the inner work to get back on that high, where you know you belong. 🥇
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Presently, my creative energies are channeled into my burgeoning music career and a truly distinctive facet of it – my merchandise line. Unlike the usual assortment of artist merchandise comprising water bottles, bumper stickers, t-shirts and logo-stamped backpacks, my merchandise takes on a more sartorial and stylish dimension. In fact, it’s not merely merchandise; it’s an entire fashion entity unto itself, bearing the name ‘Rhinestone Cowgirl Studios’ – a moniker with a wink and a smile. 😄
Rhinestone Cowgirl Studios is all about the art of adorning, where rhinestones and fringe reign supreme. Picture embellished bikinis and cozy sweats that marry comfort with a touch of glam. The genesis of this collection stems from my life as a dancer, where nothing beats the ease and grace of these garments in the studio or on the dance floor. It’s not just about fashion; it’s about feeling fabulous and free to dance how you want to.
My inspiration takes shape in collaboration with a dynamic community of pole dancers who lead lives as bikini-clad performers and need a chic yet comfortable cover-up for those quick trips into the crowd to speak with fans & friends or smoke breaks between acts. It’s the fusion of style and practicality, catering to the unique lifestyle of performers.
The color palette of this collection is a spectacle to behold. The vibrant hues of pink and yellow are the stars of the show, delivering a monochromatic elegance or a lively, color-blocked bikini sweat suit look that is nothing short of AWESOME! 🎉
What makes this collection even more special is that most of the pieces are hand-dyed right in the heart of Hollywood, California, embodying the essence of a place where creativity knows no bounds. It was an honor and a privilege to unveil these creations at the Carnival Choreographers Ball this past August, sharing a slice of my music & fashion journey with the world. 🌟
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
One of the top personal qualities to invest in is boosting your self-worth. It’s all about recognizing your true value, and trust me, digging into this can uncover past issues that’ve been holding you back in different areas of your life. Personally, I’ve dived into the world of self-help books, tapped into wisdom from some enlightened yogis, soaked up inspiring podcasts, and even dabbled in a little magic and affirmations. Just like self-esteem, it’s a constant journey, like ascending a staircase while vibing with the present moment. The present moment is VERY Important!
And let’s not forget self-trust – it’s the artist’s secret sauce. The rule of thumb here is to trust your gut and not take every piece of advice to heart. There’s an art to balancing the wisdom of others with your own intuition. You know when that little voice claps back at a well meaning friend’s suggestions? That’s your inner artist saying, YOU know this answer within your self. Trust it! Trust yourself!
Discipline is the name of the game. Creating a daily ritual, even when motivation is MIA, is a game-changer. It’s like a superpower that propels you forward even on those challenging days.
Now, about leveling up these skills: think affirmations, guided meditations, and a total mindset makeover. Imagine yourself as the person you want to be in the future. Don’t sweat it if your mind wanders during meditation – that’s part of the process. Just gently bring it back to your focus (a raise, a romance, a promotion, a new job, a new business, etc). Visualization meditations are a ritual I have found to work in the most magical ways, and you can find some pretty rad ones on platforms like YouTube. Start by searching for a “guided visualization of your higher self meditation”. 🚀✨ These visualization practices prompt your subconscious to bring up messages from your higher self regarding what you deeply desire. This simple daily practice can seriously transform your beliefs about yourself, your abilities, your job title and more. I highly recommend this practice.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Oh, the dreaded “Overwhelm” – we’ve all done that dance, right? It’s like an uninvited party crasher, and let’s be real, it’s no fun!
But you wanna know the secret to kicking “Overwhelm” to the curb? 🚀 By channeling your inner zoom control!
Whenever a tidal wave of stress hits, it’s time to ZOOM OUT! 🧐 I do this by grabbing a pen & paper to jot down EVERYTHING that’s swirling around in my mind – all the to-dos, the mental clutter, everything. 📝 Then, I dive back in and circle the heavy-hitters, these are the priorities. 🎯 I take one more step to go back through the mess of circles and clutter to create a fresh & neat list with those top priorities at the tippy-top and then I can start tackling them one by one. 🎢 Weee!
ADHD, anyone? Don’t sweat it; we’ve all been there. Lists can be our labyrinth, but when we bring ourselves back to the order of priority, it’s like a deep breath of fresh air. 🌬️ Suddenly, life becomes a whole lot easier to navigate, and you can breathe easy again. 💨😌
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bryanleighsmith.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanleighsmith/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladybryanleigh
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bryanleighsmith
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bryanleighsmith
- Other: https://rhinestonecowgirlstudios.com/
Image Credits
Tony Alvarez Carnival Choreographer’s Ball Videographer Bryan Leigh Smith
