12 | ADVERSITY

Burnt Out

Valencia Griffin-Wallace is an international speaker, bestselling author, radio show host, and entrepreneur. She is passionate and committed to the lives of women overcoming adversity to become successful. She helps women overcome adversity to gain unapologetic confidence by teaching them how to focus on their strengths and be resourceful. Confidence, vision, and goals can help a person overcome anything.

She has overcome many adversities such as growing up with two parents in addiction. She uses her experience to inspire and educate her Define U community through Define U Radio, Define U movement and her annual conference, Define U Live. Currently, she is writing her story, Motherless Child, to be released in February 2018 and producing an anthology Through The Valley.

The Burnt Out Experience

To get the full effect of Valencia's childhood and her story of growing up, you'll have to listen to the episode. I don't think I would do it justice in writing. She overcame an INCREDIBLE amount of adversity to become the person she is today.

When Valencia hit 30 years old, her uncle committed suicide. He was everything she thought a man should be and it broke her heart. She was in an extremely unhealthy relationship that she called "ridiculous." She weighed more than she every had in her life. She dealt with insomnia and almost overdosed on sleep medication.

At this point in her life, Valencia defines feeling Burnt Out as "feeling extra heavy." It's that feeling that makes you think "I just can't go."

How did she deal?

Starting Simple Valencia started walking and talking. She was talking to herself because, in her own words, she "had a lot of damage to undo." So, she just started taking steps outside and telling herself "I love you," "You're going to do great things." She didn't believe these sentiments at first, but she said them anyway and, slowly, things started to chance.

Valencia left her unhealthy marriage and has kept off over 80 pounds.

All she did was start small and slowly added simple, helpful, things.

Writing & Drawing Valencia has been writing and drawing since she was 6 years old. She stopped during the time of her life that was unhealthy and when she was enduring a massive amount of adversity; however, life comes full circle.

Valencia began writing again as a fantastic outlet for her pain, experience, and internal battles.

Pay Attention Valencia explains a metaphor of burning out being similar to a car crash. If you pay attention, you can take care of yourself BEFORE you crash. You KNOW when you're feeling tired, exhausted, or extra heavy.

Take the time to rest. Everything will be there when you've taken the time to pay attention you your body and mind.

What is Leadership

The ability to serve others and still serve yourself Giving to others Knowing how to direct, so you don't have to correct Leading by example

Notable Quotes

“I got tired of hitting that brick wall. I hit that brick wall so many times, I left a face print."

"YOUR self-care is really knowing what YOU want to do, not what society says you have to do to take care of yourself."