Meet Brandi Parker

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brandi Parker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brandi below.

Hi Brandi, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is forged in the fires of challenge and adversity. For me, resilience is not a trait acquired in a singular moment in time but rather a continuous journey. I was born into what seemed like typical adversity, molded by challenges from the very beginning.

My resilience story begins in the womb. My mother’s kyphosis worsened during her pregnancy, curving to 70%. After a three-day labor, inducing, and eventual surgery, I was born. This early experience, shared with my mother, epitomizes resilience. Her struggle reflected our entire Polish lineage, immigrants who left everything behind to start anew in a foreign land, driven by hope and their deep-rooted tenacity as farmers.

My childhood was marked by trauma. Early childhood divorce, sexual molestation, assaults, beatings, emotional and verbal abuse, rejected by the catholic church as a bastard child, I grew up in an environment of poverty, addiction, and loss. Despite these adversities, I never felt unloved. Under-cared for? Sure, but never unloved. I naturally look on the bright side. I had tons of kids to play with growing up in a complex, we had a community garden, built forts and swam in streams. I felt lucky as much as I felt hurt and angry.

By 23, I had lost many women in my family. At 33 I released 97% of my possessions, lived on a bus with my chosen family. By 35 I faced epic levels of burnout, and worked on finding ways to heal. As an entrepreneur for over two decades, I’ve faced numerous challenges and uncertainties that have been incredible teachers of resilience. Navigating the ups and downs of running a business has reinforced my ability to adapt and thrive under pressure (this is one to watch out for, in terms of a potential burnout red flag).

Living through the COVID-19 pandemic tested everyone’s resilience. The global crisis brought unprecedented challenges to us all and every business, yet it also highlighted the importance of adaptability and perseverance. Coupled with experience of recovering from significant burnout, I confronted my limits head-on, ultimately emerging stronger and more determined.

The near fatal car accident I was in during February of 2021 was on a whole other level test. This was my biggest physical body recovery journey ever. I had a traumatic brain injury as well as taking away my ability to run many aspects of my business with out assistance and any of the more extreme sports that I love and even drive in a car. I am excited to say I AM taking back in-line skating and rock climbing this year, and aim to get back on the slopes in the 2024-2025 season. Through these experiences of life, I realized that life is perpetually dynamic, like the tides.

Resilience is about riding the waves, or as I call it, “Life Surfing.” It’s about choosing life, purpose, and faith. Each challenge offers a solution, a new path. Poverty is battled with generosity, abuse with self-compassion and vulnerability, rejection with confidence and self-love. These are some the lessons resilience has taught me. I launched a new business in November of 2022, Transform Your Lifetime, and just launched a group program called Thrive with Purpose.

I draw strength from my personal and familial history, and from figures like Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks and Anne Frank, and survivors of all kinds globally. Humanity’s capacity for rapid, abundant adaptability is immense and I am thrilled that one of my purposes is to share this with the world. Bravery comes in many forms, and resilience is bravery in action, with freedom as the reward.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m thrilled to share a bit about my journey and the work that fuels my passion. My friends and clients call me B or Bee Love. I’ve dedicated most of my life to fostering transformation in myself and others through my art, generosity, growing and creating wholesome food, care for others, entrepreneurial endeavors and workshops. My coaching focus is on empowering groups, individuals and companies to reconnect with their true selves/identities, recognize and get free burnout cycles, and embrace a life filled with purpose, abundance, joy, ease… oh ya and laughter, adventure & dank food. My over all life focus is an artist creating her life master piece and helping others to do the same.

Currently, I run two transformative programs: Thrive with Purpose a life beyond burnout and the Goddess Play Workshop.

Thrive with Purpose is designed to help individuals reclaim their vitality and rediscover their passions and purpose, especially after experiencing the tingles or depths of burnout. It’s a program that combines practical tools with conscious emotional and spiritual work, in a supportive community full of humor, offering participants a holistic approach to thriving. Imagine rocking it in every aspect of your life!

The Goddess Play Workshop is another dear project of mine, where I guide participants in exploring their inner goddess through playful expression and creativity. This workshop encourages self-discovery and empowerment through activities like dressing up, creative play, and heartfelt reflection. It’s a space where women can reconnect with their inner strength and beauty in a fun and supportive environment.

In addition to my workshops, I’m currently selling my paintings and prints directly to collectors and enthusiasts. This direct connection allows me to share my creative expressions in a personal and meaningful way.

What excites me most about my work is witnessing the transformations that occur. Seeing someone emerge from burnout with renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose, the look on someone’s face when they connect to a painting that I poured my heart and soul into, seeing someone taste their own food after a master class with me, or watching a participant in the Goddess Play Workshop light up as they reconnect with their playful, creative self – these moments are incredibly rewarding.

On the horizon, I’m excited to expand both programs to reach more people. I’m working on launching online versions of these workshops, making them accessible to a global audience. Additionally, I’m planning a series of events and retreats that will offer immersive experiences in beautiful, nature-rich settings, providing even deeper opportunities for transformation and growth. My work is about living my best life and helping others feel the permission to do the same. My purpose is to continue being more and more myself as I grow and help others to do the same. I believe that the more we embrace our true selves, the more joy, ease, and abundant experiences we can cultivate as individuals.

Beyond my programs, I believe in the power of community and shared experiences. I strive to create environments where people feel seen, heard, and supported, knowing that they are not alone on their journey.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my work. I’m passionate about what I do and am always eager to connect with others who share a desire for growth, healing, and joyful living. If you’re interested in joining one of my programs, purchasing my art, or learning more, feel free to reach out. You can find always current opportunities on my linktr.ee, and connect with me on social. I’m always up to DM, more platforms coming soon.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Question: What three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge were most impactful in your journey?

Self-confidence in a “real” way: Not the ego-driven kind, but a journey of genuine self-acceptance. For me, this path has been about building faith in myself based on overcoming past obstacles and fears. My tip for those starting out on this journey is: it’s okay to “fake it until you make it”. Rely on any relevant track record you have to build with yourself as a reminder you are a powerful creator. Maybe it is keeping a plant alive or being there for a friend, these are examples of care and dependability for example.

Wonder/Problem Solving/Curiosity: I have a deep-seated sense of wonder and a curious nature that pairs with my genuine pleasure in problem-solving. This trio quality has served me well as an entrepreneur, when mothering, as a caregiver, and transformational coach. A diverse and simple tool to effective problem-solving is to clearly envision your most desirable outcome. My first step tip is, focus your energy first on joyfully imagining the best possible outcome for you, whether it’s in fitness, romance, parenting, or career.

Adaptability: This is one of my most tapped-into traits and something I continue to cultivate. It’s a game-changer for money, happiness, health, and overall sustainability. My tip here is to notice one moment each day where you could be more adaptable in a way that also increases your joy or pleasure.

These qualities have been instrumental in my journey, helping me navigate the complexities of life and business with resilience abundance, and grace.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

What a brilliant question. There is a common thread with my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents: A love and appreciation of nature.

Showing me my connection to earth and all her living beings including the magic, abundance and healing that brings. The power of self was part of that dance, sometimes with whimsy and sometimes with shadow. I am able to sit in the silence that is the orchestra of nature and feel the deep serenity of home. I am grateful for all of those adventures, trips to the mountains and the oceans, the rivers and lakes, the East coast to the West, and swimming spots of beauty tucked under bridges, in cooled lava, in old glacier holes, and the breathtaking views around unsuspecting corners. Looking with wonder at the tiniest of bugs and biggest of leaves. Learning how I can live with and from the land with the respect and care that it deserves.

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