Becoming Fearless Style Collective Podcast

This week on the Becoming Fearless podcast, meet Jessica Baladad, founder of Feel for Your Life. After finding a lump in her breast at the age of 18, Jessica got into the habit of doing self breast exams. In 2018, just after turning 33, Jessica found another lump and started noticing some worrying symptoms. After a double mastectomy, 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 24 rounds of radiation, and more, Jessica went into remission in May of 2019. She founded Feel for Your Life to encourage women everywhere to be their own breast health advocates. Join Annie and Jessica as they talk advocating for yourself and others, finishing battles, learning self care, and using your story to make a difference.

On this episode of Becoming Fearless, meet Rebekah Buege, founder and creator of Confidently She, a podcast and platform designed to help women understand the internalized misogyny that might be preventing them from enjoying their lives. When Rebekah first started her podcast, she was inspired to share her insight and life experience as if she was leaving behind a diary for a future daughter — but as time went on, she realized she wanted to share her insight with women everywhere. Join Annie and Rebekah as they talk rethinking body image, feeling empowered, challenging expectations, changing your mind, and the many aspects of fearlessness.

This week on Becoming Fearless, meet Mary Ralph Lawson and Kennedy Crichlow, co-founders of Daily Drills, a fashion company specializing in everything we wore during the pandemic — and everything we wear every day! Mary and Kennedy were inspired to launch their brand during the pandemic, starting with four staple activewear pieces and eventually expanding to loungewear. Between Mary's strong social media presence and creativity and Kennedy's preference for behind-the-scenes business work, they were a perfect pair. Join Annie, Mary, and Kennedy as they talk leveraging your platform, connecting with your audience, leaning on your partner, and redefining success.

On this episode of the Becoming Fearless podcast, meet Alyn Mitlyng, author, dog mom, and corporate professional. The realization that she had no personal goals prompted Alyn to figure out how to determine what goals were relevant to her — and she decided she was going to write a book in the process. That was the start of Dirty Goals: Breaking Conventional Rules to Achieve Your Dreams. Join Annie and Alyn as they talk learning what's relevant to you, embracing your creativity, doing things your own way, enjoying the journey, and working on yourself every single day.

Today on Becoming Fearless, meet Jenn Trepeck, health coach and host of the Salad With a Side of Fries podcast. After trying every diet under the sun, Jenn finally found a program that worked, and was inspired to build her wellness business alongside her full-time job — for 12 years. Finally, in July of 2019, Jenn left her full-time job to focus on her passion and launch her podcast. Join Annie and Jenn as they talk doing more than one thing, filling your bucket, learning and unlearning, choosing your focus, and waiting for the right moment.

On this episode of Becoming Fearless, meet Michelle Shemilt, the founder of Numi, a clothing brand of "consciously created products that make life a little easier," focused on women's basics. Michelle saw a problem that needed to be solved, and did what so many entrepreneurs do — she decided to solve it herself. She was working in finance, but when she was let go from her position, she had the space and time to develop her concept and realize she was ready to change her career path. Join Annie and Michelle as they talk being open to help, finding mentors, adapting to change, staying connected to your vision, and learning to be present.

Today on the Becoming Fearless podcast, meet Jamie Stone, host of the "A Little Too Much" podcast. She's an OG beauty blogger and digital marketer who does a little bit of everything. In 2006, Jamie was working in beauty PR in New York and her clients wanted to be on blogs — a new and up-and-coming media, at the time. Jamie did a ton of research on blogs so she could pitch them to her clients — and in the process, realized blogging was something she might love to do herself. Join Annie and Jamie as they talk learning one thing at a time, evolving with the times, trying new things, and taking care of your mental health.

On this episode of Becoming Fearless, meet Nicole Swartz, founder of Sprout Law, a law firm helping women business owners protect their brands. After graduating from law school, Nicole didn't feel like the corporate 9-to-5 life was for her. She left law and started her own skincare line — and got a cease and desist two years into her business from a company that already owned the brand name she was using. After having to rebrand her entire business in 30 days, Nicole decided she wanted to help other women navigate the legal side of entrepreneurship. Join Annie and Nicole as they talk finding your mission, setting intentions, streamlining and simplifying, realizing what you actually want, and making space for growth.

Welcome back to Becoming Fearless! We all have our own stories about what we experienced, what we learned about ourselves, and how we grew during the pandemic — and what we're doing now to pick up the pieces and start moving forward with life again. On this episode, Annie tells her story and catches us up on the last year and a half of moving, starting a new career, and leaning into her personality. Join Annie as she talks slowing down, reflecting, making time for balance, standing in your light, and learning to trust yourself.

On this episode of Becoming Fearless, meet Anna Churchill, the founder of Synergy Face and Body, a med spa focused on clinical and corrective skincare. As a professional dancer, Anna always loved the aesthetic element of performance. After working with plastic surgeons and dermatologists for years, Anna decided to open her own business. Since opening her first location 15 years ago, Anna has grown her business to meet demand and expand services. Join Anna and Annie as they talk finding your identity, being good at something, becoming an expert, learning to do the hard things, being transparent, and focusing on the why. Our Favorite Quotes: “People want to feel good about themselves.” “If anyone else is doing it, then it can be done.” “It’s part of the journey – learning about yourself.” - Annie “Focus on the why, not the how.” “Once you make the decision and you jump off the cliff, guess what, you’re gonna have to figure out how to fly.” “Being fearless is knowing you have fears and still moving forward.”

Today on the Becoming Fearless podcast, meet Kelsey Murphy, a business and life coach who works with people to help them redefine what they want to do for work and create businesses that fit their holistic visions of their lives. Kelsey has a background in advertising, but she always knew advertising wasn’t meant to be her long-term dream. What Kelsey really loved was personal development, so she started her journey toward life coaching. Join Kelsey and Annie as they talk finding your calling, building something you’re proud of, dabbling in your interests, finding a community, doing something meaningful, and taking responsibility for your own motivation. Quotes: “It does not happen in a day; it does not happen in a year. You have to find that wherewithal and that stamina to say ‘this is something I want for my life’.” “What makes this journey way more enjoyable is when you have friends to do it with.” “You have to inject inspiration into your life.” “The emotional side of you is truly a superpower.”

This week on Becoming Fearless, meet Erica Ligenza, the blogger behind Coming Up Roses, the voice of the Thrive podcast, and the creator of BossPitch. Erica started her blog in 2013 as a creative outlet while she was in college, posting just once a week. Soon, the blog gained momentum and when she graduated, Erica was able to turn blogging into her full-time job. Join Erica and Annie as they talk sharing your creativity, taking things into your own hands, exploring different mediums, using your talents, maintaining momentum, understanding priorities, and being willing to adapt. Our Favorite Quotes: “It won’t be for everybody, but maybe it will be for somebody. If the right person sees it, then it’s worth it.” “The reason that you’re doing what you’re doing has to be more than applause.” “Know what aspect of everything you do is the one that brings you back to center and reminds you why you started.”

On this episode of the Becoming Fearless podcast, Cara Alwill Leyba is back (catch her on episode 61!). Cara is an author based in NYC and creator of The Champagne Diet, inspiring women to live their most effervescent lives. Having just released her ninth book, Cara knows plenty about being a #bossbabe. Join Cara and Annie as they talk putting the beauty in every day, being honest with your story, making connections, trusting your message, leading by example, and visualizing the life you want to live.

Today on Becoming Fearless – Annie is back! After taking a break from the podcast for a few months and doing plenty of thinking about what the podcast means to her and her listeners, Annie is back behind the mic for the return of Becoming Fearless. Wondering what she’s been up to these past four months? Join Annie as she talks taking breaks, learning about yourself, discovering new purpose, saying yes to yourself, and finding your Fearless Day.

This week on the Becoming Fearless podcast, Annie talks aligning your values with who you are and avoiding “tolerable mediocrity.” People tolerate mediocrity for many reasons, from getting a decent paycheck to maintaining a friendship, but not taking your own values into consideration can lead to feeling stuck, or even depressed. Join Annie as she talks getting out of your comfort zone, pursuing your passions, knowing you can succeed, and doing it for yourself.

On this episode of Becoming Fearless, Annie does a Q&A, answering questions from the SC Facebook group, Instagram, and more – and debunking some assumptions she’s heard about her, her life, and her business. Join Annie as she talks nature vs nurture, effort vs outcome, balancing multiple careers, hustling hard, choosing how to spend your time, keeping it simple, and trusting your path.

Today on the Becoming Fearless podcast, meet Loey Lane, a lifestyle content creator and body positivity advocate, helping people find their voice within their own skin. Loey has been overweight her whole life and struggled with disordered eating at a young age. When she was nineteen, she was doing makeup videos online, and started to discover the world of plus-size fashion influencers. Inspired and empowered, Loey started to create her own body-positive content. Join Loey and Annie as they talk building confidence, feeling like enough, embracing vulnerability, leading by example, being true to your message, and knowing you can truly do anything.

This week on Becoming Fearless, Annie shares her thoughts on the importance of gratitude. In life, and especially as entrepreneurs, there are always things that are going to be out of our control. When Annie feels overwhelmed by things that are out of her control, she always tries to ground herself with gratitude. Join Annie as she talks dealing with “what-ifs,” knowing you are enough, becoming a joyful person, and learning to actively practice gratitude.

On this episode of the Becoming Fearless podcast, Annie kicks-off the podcast’s new format with the story of how and why she got into interior design. Annie remembers loving interior design ever since she was a little kid, switching up the décor in her and her sister’s bedrooms. Then, while renovating a townhouse with her husband, she gained experience – repainting the walls, trim, and ceiling, ripping out floors and stairs, replacing vanities and kitchen countertops, and more – and sparked her love for flipping houses. Join Annie as she talks putting in the hard work, making it happen, being strategic, and taking pride in your work.

This week on the Becoming Fearless podcast, meet Anna, the blogger behind My Cancer Chic. Anna had always loved reading blogs and had a passion for writing, creativity, fashion, and beauty. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27, and it changed the path of her life, empowering her to start her own blog to help other cancer survivors who wanted to be fashionable and feel beautiful. Join Anna and Annie as they talk needing people who can relate, being proud of your impact, dealing with insecurity, remembering your mission, valuing individuals, and being yourself.