Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Amy Collette of Louisville

Amy Collette shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Amy, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think other people who desire to keep growing and evolving in this new era are secretly struggling with the same things I am.

Things like:
How do we make a positive impact in the midst of so much chaotic energy swirling around us? How do we become our most aligned selves? How do we connect with the people we most want to serve?

I think the answers lie in sharing inspirational stories of transformation. They make a difference we can feel. They help us keep making the positive impact we know is possible.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I love to guide soul-full visionaries to deeper connections through their transformational stories. My mission is to nurture and advocate for the voices of leaders who leave a legacy of positive impact. The core of my business philosophy is simple: Your unique perspective can lead others to their own expansion.

I wrote my first book, The Gratitude Connection, after discovering how to let go of anxiety and embrace positivity. As a career writer and editor, I began to help others publish their personal development books, and realized that most new writers needed support at the idea stage of their book journey, not just at the end. So the Unleash Your Inner Author® course and coaching programs were born. My second book, Unleash Your Impact, shares the secrets of writing a transformational book for first-time authors.
I’m also a speaker, crafting storytelling workshops and facilitating spiritual retreats.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The defining moment of my life came early, at five years old. Playing in my room with my beloved lion stuffed animal, a bright light suddenly appeared, glowing out of the wall above me. I felt feelings I didn’t know how to name then. I fell to my knees with an overpowering sense of awe, overcome with gratitude for being alive. I felt a deep, all-encompassing love surrounding me. Somehow I understood that life was a miracle. I had been given a gift beyond words to be alive on this planet. I cried with joy, basking in the this profound experience that was burned into my soul that day.

I wonder if we all have experiences like this when we’re young, but we forget them as we grow up. I guess I’m lucky that I never “grew up” and out of this memory. It is my guiding force, keeping things simple when they seem complex and light when they seem dark. That light is what I call Infinite Love. It connects us all and is the foundation of everything.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
That’s been a lifelong journey for me. I was pretty good at hiding my pain (or so I thought), but the shame and guilt of secrets kept in from childhood have a way of showing up in adult relationships. I’m grateful to have mentors, coaches, and friends who have helped me work through traumatic experiences and the “stories” I made up about them. My fascination with storytelling helped me examine my stories and heal the shame of keeping other people’s secrets. I realized my biggest dreams and my biggest barriers were connected. Releasing the fear allowed my dreams to take shape. That process was so effective for me that it grew into a program that I teach now about how to reclaim your story and your power.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
A lot of healing modalities are out there, and they all work for different people. I know that in a group of people, especially at a large event where there’s tremendous energy, we can feel we’ve made a big shift. But the truth shows in how long that feeling lasts. A shift made in a “rah-rah” moment may feel like it’s really taken hold. But ask yourself the next day and the next week how you really feel.

A foundational shift feels different. I had an experience earlier this year where I was able to release resentments I had carried for decades. I didn’t realize until later, when I realized that the shift had really taken hold, that it had been a heavy burden. Letting it go felt so much lighter. I had reclaimed that energy and now could use it as a creative power.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Probably the majority of us start off like I did, going down the path of the American dream. I put myself through college and couldn’t wait to start my professional life. I tried several career paths, including HR, accounting, and then technology, trying to find fulfillment.

Finally, my soul begged me to leave corporate and create my own path. After writing my first book, people came to me with their stories, seeking guidance on finding their voices and sharing their truth. This is such a joy, to nurture dreams and help people leave their legacy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unleashyourinnerauthor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleashyourinnerauthor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycollette/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amycollettecasey/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UnleashYourInnerAuthor
• Other: Podcast: https://unleashyourinnerauthor.com/podcast/

Image Credits
Amy Collette