Meet Deja Wallace

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Deja Wallace a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Deja, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Confidence, to me, is something we all have to nurture, teach, and grow over time. It’s not just a trait you’re born with but rather a trait that has to be actively cultivated, especially as life’s challenges shape you. As a kid, I was naturally confident and had a strong disposition. I remember teachers constantly writing on my report cards and complaining to my mom that I talked too much and distracted the class. I was never shy growing up—I was bold, sure of myself, and loved expressing that.

Things began to shift when I entered the 4th grade and transferred to a predominantly white middle school. I instantly recognized the differences between me and my classmates because it was always pointed out to me. I was under a spotlight I didn’t ask for, especially regarding my hair. The constant questions—innocent as they seemed—made me second-guess something as mundane as my natural hair. At 11 years old, I begged my mom to let me get my hair permed to fit in with my friends. Looking back, that decision wasn’t just about a hairstyle—it was the moment I started to believe that my coarse, kinky curls weren’t good enough.

Fast forward to today, and I catch myself twirling my locs in awe of the journey I’ve been on. I’m reclaiming the confidence that little 5-year-old Deja once had, the self-assuredness that was always there before the world told me to question it. By putting my insecurities on blast and learning to embrace them instead of hiding them, I’ve become more comfortable with myself. It’s a process, but every day I lean into who I truly am, flaws and all, and that’s where my real power lies.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

This November 2024 marks the 4th anniversary of my podcast, Mind Over Matter: Mindset Development. Like many others in 2020, I struggled to cope with the sudden pause of the world brought on by the pandemic. My mental health deteriorated, and I found myself unsure of how to navigate the uncertainty. In response, I began talking to myself—not in a “losing my mind” way, but as a form of self-therapy.

I would sit in front of my laptop, open Photo Booth, and record videos, venting about everything I was going through. I had always been an avid radio listener, secretly aspiring to be a radio personality. Around this time, two former classmates launched a podcast called “Dear America,” which made me think, “If they can do it, why can’t I?”

I had long been a dedicated podcast listener, and to me, podcasting was close enough to radio. Tired of recording videos on my laptop, I grabbed my iPhone and began recording audio for what would become Mind, Over Matter. At first, the podcast was audio-only, but as my confidence grew, I started filming and uploading video episodes to YouTube. That’s when I truly began taking the podcast seriously.

I created Mind Over Matter as a way of speaking life into my day during a dark period of my life. It became a reminder that my mindset controls my reality. The podcast evolved into a space where I could explore the power of mindset awareness, encouraging both myself and my listeners to view life through a “glass half full” rather than “half empty” perspective. It’s a challenge to shift our outlooks toward optimism.

Now, 4-years and 100 episodes later, Mind Over Matter stands as a record of my personal growth. Each episode captures my journey, as well as the journeys of my guests, as we delve into topics of self-discovery and mindset development. It’s a space for insight, inspiration, and evolution, where I continue to grow alongside my listeners with every conversation.

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?

Three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are authenticity, discipline, and unconditional love. In today’s digital world, it’s so easy to lose yourself while chasing trends and trying to please algorithms, but staying authentic has been a personal cornerstone for me. One of my favorite quotes from Nipsey Hussle always comes to mind: “Would you rather be at peace with the world and war with yourself? Or be at war with the world and at peace with yourself?” That quote has guided me through moments of doubt, reminding me that staying true to myself is what matters most. In a world where comparison can steal your joy, I’ve learned that being authentic is a constant practice.

Discipline has also been a major part of my growth. I remember asking my brother to be on one of my earlier podcast episodes, and he said, “Not until you reach episode 33,” It was his way of pushing me to think beyond the short term. That mindset shift taught me to stay committed to my goals even when it got tough. Now, reaching 100 episodes feels like a huge accomplishment—one that speaks to the discipline and dedication I’ve poured into this project.

Unconditional love, however, has been the most transformative lesson. It’s easy to be passionate when things are going well, but what happens when they’re not? There were times I missed releasing an episode, and I’d be hard on myself. But unconditional love for my work taught me to embrace every part of the process—the highs and the lows. Whether I get 16,000 views or 10, I’ve learned to love what I create just as much. Whether I’m brimming with ideas or stuck in a creative block, that same love keeps me grounded, reminding me that it’s not just about the results but the journey itself. It’s that balance between ambition and grace that keeps me going. My advice to anyone who’s early in their journey is to be yourself because everyone else is taken and be patient yet persistent because hard work pays off.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

My dream podcast guests would be Angela Yee, Issa Rae, and 19 Keys—individuals who truly embody the essence of Mind Over Matter. As I continue this chapter of my journey, I’m eager to collaborate and expand my network, knowing that doing so will help me reach a broader audience who resonate with the message of my podcast. I’m seeking guests who walk in their purpose with intention, understand the power of mindset awareness, and are dedicated to shaping their internal reality to attract the life they desire.

Being a “one-girl army,” I’ve single-handedly written, edited, produced, and managed social media for all my episodes, often while balancing school and a job. It can be draining at times, but I’m passionate about the work I do. I’m excited to leverage my innovative storytelling abilities to create empowering narratives and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Deon Chambers IG @deonraps
Greg Clemens IG @creativegregny

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