We were lucky to catch up with Glenda Benevides recently and have shared our conversation below.
Glenda, 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?
I think it all starts with truly understanding who you are, what brings you joy and inspires passion? Questioning what your core purpose is. I feel this is the best place to start. I Feel being in an inquisitive mindset in the way you walk through this world is key. We are all connected and touching each other in some way whether we think so or not. I step into designing how I want life to go by asking key questions; What impression do I want to leave after I’ve exited a room? What impact do I want to share with others? Am I (and are they) uplifted, inspired, was my message the clearest I can make it and how does that serve me (and my audience)? That’s where I start with everything, especially with my music and live performance.
Setting an intention or having an underlying intention really shares with others who I am and what I am conveying. By using my key questions and setting an intention, I allow my inner answers to guide me. It sets me on a solid foundation for allowing confidence and self-esteem to manifest. I want to approach things with deep inner reflection, using knowledge and practice and that results in my life working in a more synchronistic aligned way. Having effective movement is aided by consistent digging and practicing on all levels.
Through allowing myself to fail and reworking the things I felt weren’t working in my craft, business, or in ways of being (with myself and others), those insights call me to a new level of courage. Working and living like this helps me to see the shifts, which helps to more easily build my confidence level. I allow evolution, transformation and empowerment to create clear guides for moving me through my journey. These tools and practices are steps that build my self-esteem and help me to chip away at unwanted hidden beliefs and things that may be holding me back. It’s an on-going process. Self-esteem holds hands with courage and confidence, and is an outgrowth of being the best me, today.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I was born in Oakland, CA, and I’ve been singing professionally since the age of sixteen. I was deeply influenced by classic vocalists like Sarah Vaughan, Rachelle Ferrell and Staple Singers, and my soul expression and intention is to touch the heart they way those iconic singers have touched mine. I’ve toured throughout the world including far away destinations like Japan, the EU, the UK, Canada and all over the US leaving the no stone unturned in my pursuit to to light a fire in hearts and on the dance floor. My career has included singing and performing with Toto, Jeffrey Osborne, Pink Martini, Steve Smith of Dirty Vegas, the South African Film Festival in Cannes, The Brava theater women’s fundraiser gala in San Francisco, the Popkomm Music conference in Berlin, Edinburgh Rock and Blues Festival, Beverly Wilshire, Los Angeles for best selling author Harv Ecker (Millionaire Mind seminars), the Crown Plaza in Santiago, Chile, a Presidential fundraiser for Dennis Kucinich at the Kuumbwas Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA and in 2017 a rally for Alabama Senator Doug Jones.
I have produced many of my own live performances, music videos, a web series, and I’ve been the creative director and producer for many private events such as an exclusive fundraising gala for The Shakespeare Society of America, Foundation for Climate Restoration and I donate a percentage from my music sales to One Tree Planted effort to reforest many places across the globe. Currently, I’m contributing to projects on core issues around the houseless issue that has become so pervasive in recent years.
I started the record company, Good Witch Records, in 2004, and in 2014 I co-founded Mirror Speaks the
Truth productions for music in film and tv. I wrote and developed a tv script called Never Give Up, and a LA musical called Divine Lust with Broadway artist of Aida fame, Damian Perkins, and in 2018 I founded Global Badass Goddess Online Magazine and podcast featuring women from around the world sharing stories of inspiration and empowerment. I recently started the Glenda Benevides Music podcast to share stories from extraordinary artists talking about their trials and triumphs.
I am is the author of Courage, Find Your Fire and Ignite Action in Your Life, Own The Goddess Within and Soul On Fire e-book and workshop.
Awards include: AOF Action on Film International LA Film Festival X 2014 award winner for Best
Score, Original composition Change – Orphans in the Storm.
YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/c/glendabenevides
W: https://glendabenevides.com
IG: glendabenevidesmusic
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glendabenevides/
MUSIC: https://glendabenevides.bandcamp.com
STREAM: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7iEMzMaMTNsw7uw1Ivq59S
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. If you love something, have a passion for it and you see yourself doing it (even a little), jump in without hesitation. If it’s a natural ability that you can build with, so much the better and it really helps by identifying your strengths and leveraging them. Don’t ever feel obligated to make yourself do something that is not natural, as often if it’s not really you, or building on your gifts, whatever they may or may not be, you’ll be working against yourself and struggling more than you need to. You’ll usually know what that is and when you do, don’t let others influence you to be or do something you are NOT. Don’t give up, keep going and growing no matter what roadblocks you may perceive are in the way. The roadblocks or hurdles are usually in your way of thinking about an issue or approach. You can adjust. And don’t be afraid to get support!
2. Self understanding is always the foundation to any empowered life. Make your own roadmap and glean insights from someone who is more experienced than you. You can always learn, be inspired, then do it your own unique way!
3. Attitude is everything. Set your sights on your goal and love others along the way. Find out what that means for you. Bring a smile to all that you do and doors will open. People will remember you and want to be in your energy.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Everyone I meet on some level plays a part in my development. If it’s not someone sharing their personal stories or physically supporting me in some way, it’s their willingness to share their treasured unique wisdom. Of course there’s always key people who come along and make a huge impact that is unforgettable, which helps me to evolve. I’ve been blessed and there really are far too many of those special people to name here. Suffice to say they range from celebrities and leaders to dear friends that have been willing to share their kindness with me.
I feel someone’s generosity of time and knowledge is deeply valuable and I honor that with every breath. It reminds and moves me to do the same for others who might need the support in some way. This approach to life allows me to be present with the feeling of I am not alone in the world. We all can play a valuable part in each other lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glendabenevides.com
- Instagram: https://glendabenevidesmusic.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glendabenevides
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glendabenevides
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@GlendaBenevides
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/glenda-benevides/39369204
- Courage Book: https://bit.ly/GBGCourage https://glendabenevides.bandcamp.com/track/i-burn
Image Credits
Photography by Micheal Van Auken
