​A Big Heart.

love.

Olivia was the first Soul of the Week submission who was someone that I did not personally know - THAT deserves a big giant beautiful cake shipped right to her in the mail. It's on it's way, miss Olivia!

This girl is wonderful. I can tell where she is, I know where she is. I've been there - in a different way but in an oh so similar way. Olivia shares her own past and current struggles with relationship to food and body. I absolutely admire Olivia for sharing what she has for so many reasons, but here are a few...

1. Sharing and writing out all of these thoughts and feelings is a beautiful way of becoming more self-aware and coming closer to forgiveness towards self.
2. Sharing these struggles is a good reminder to both her and others that they are not alone - no one is alone. Everyone is dealing with something, we are all just human.

Miss Olivia currently lives in Brampton, Ontario (which is just outside of Toronto). She is a full time student, and clearly an old soul with much beautiful-ness to come in her life. Can't wait to see it. 

Now from Olivia

What Absolutely Lights Me UP& What I Absolutely Love the Most About Myself:

Helping others create healthy and sustainable lifestyles for themselves. Showing them that you don’t need to restrict eating drastically, kill yourself in the gym or miss out on LIFE to to live healthily and happily.

Veganism is something I am also very passionate about and partaking in activism makes me feel like I belong to something bigger than myself. Honestly all in all, just helping other living things and showing compassion to all


My Biggest Judgement Towards Myself

That I have to work super hard for things or circumstances that just come naturally to others.

Kelsey's Story:

Developing binge eating disorder at age 9 and anorexia nervousa at age 12 makes you grow up really quick. My life so far has not been an easy one. For as long as I can remember I’ve lacked self love, self confidence and self respect. I had so many emotions flowing through me constantly and, not knowing how to deal with them, I turned to self destructive coping mechanisms.

First it was food. Food was the only friend I had in my life and numbed everything. It worked for a while until I started looking in the mirror and feeling absolutely disgusted with what was staring back at me. So than I turned to restriction. It, just like food, numbed me and distracted me from what I was feeling and what was going on around me. It challenged me, and I never back down from a challenge. How little I could eat, how long I could go without food, how many ribs I could see protruding from me.

When I finally was found and sent to the hospital, I was told if I were to continue with my habits, I’d be dead in a week. Doctors were surprised I had made it as long as I had. That was a wake up call for me. That night is when's I was officially diagnosed with anorexia nervousa, ortherexia, clinic depression, body dysmorphia, anxiety disorder and later bipolar disorder 1. At first all these names overwhelmed me. I was being controlled by so many things, it practically felt like I wasn’t in charge of my own life.

Only later did I come to realize that those illnesses do not define me. Sure they may be a part of me, but I am in control of THEM. To this day I still struggle with them. Some days are easier than others. But it’s because of what I’ve been through, my experiences and what I’ve learned that I have such a passion for helping others.

I fought so hard to be where I am and if i can show others that they do not need to go down that path be happy, I will. And I am and will continue to do until I take my last breath.

Can we get an amen. Thank you Miss Olivia x 10 for sharing all of that.
Love you love you love you love you. 

Do you have a story, message, overcoming, fire burning within, etc. etc. etc. (!) that you want to share with the world?

YOUR story helps others. Your story inspires others.

Share your soul with the world by requesting to receive Soul Of The Week™ Instructions Here ​​

​​​Real, Raw, & Human
​
This is CT - that's right silly, souls do not only come in the form of "female". #Duh

The mission of The Soul of the Week is to feature ANYONE who is shining themselves through their most authentic light, anyone who has something to share with the world. So, congrats to CT on being the first featured soul male of many, many more. 

CT's story is all about knowing that things in life are for you, and nothing is happening to you. See below for CT's message, where he shares very vulnerably about health obstacles and a significant loss in his life.

CT is currently living in Milwaukee, WI. He is the owner of CT Kaupp, LLC - a web design firm specializing in working with health & fitness businesses with all aspects of their website. 

Here is a bit more detail from CT on his firm: 
 I work in 2 distinct phases. Phase 1 is where I'll create/design the site & Phase 2 is where I'll manage it for the client 24/7.

I handle everything from hosting, to security, to support. Whenever the client needs something I'm there. I believe in that super personal touch. My goal is to be completely location-independent - wherever there is Wi-Fi the business is god to go :) I've heard of it be described as the "un-agency" model where you have a specific skill-set & then hire contractors to handle all the different areas.

So whether that's graphic design, social media, SEO, creating a referral network for all those areas. I plan to always stay solo. I love doing the work & it never feels like a "real" job.

Love it.
As per-usual in this column, here is CT speaking from his most authentic self (aka, him).

My Biggest Judgement Towards Myself:
By nature, I'm very non-judgmental so I wouldn't say there's anything in particular (that I'm hard on myself for) but what I would say is that once you get to the point where you fully love yourself, you tend to get away from that judgment/comparison game.

It takes your mind away from thinking of all the so called "imperfections" society has made you think you have, to focusing your attention each day on being the best YOU that you can be.

What Absolutely Lights Me UP& What I Absolutely Love the Most About Myself:
The flexibility & freedom I have by running my own business is priceless. I love being able to call all the shots (who I work with, the type of projects I want to take on, the amount I want to be paid for said projects etc).

The times I enjoy the most are when I'm so-called on "family vacations". I'm able to enjoy that time with my family & friends, while at the same time being able to get a little work done here or there. I don't need to be glued to my CPU 24/7 but when something comes up, I'm there for my clients. On-top of the web business that I'm building, my other passion right now is getting into the podcasting & speaking space.

A long term goal of mine is to become a motivational/inspirational speaker. More on that in the next question below :) But to put it simply, I'm passionate about owning my life (& encouraging others to do the same). A hashtag I use a lot is #OwnYourLife.

And to me, it simply means to follow your passion, follow your heart, do whatever it is you want to do that will leave you feeling fulfilled & joyful each day

CT's Story:
My dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor in Sept of 2016 & passed away 2 months later. I was only 28 years old. I worked for his advertising agency (that's where I built up my web design skills) for over 5 years.

That experience has shown me a profound, and powerful, view of the world & my place in it. I want to share that with others to make an impact. My dad left an amazing legacy on this earth & plan to do the same.

I believe everything happens for a reason & I feel very strongly that I was put on this earth to help others live a more meaningful & purpose-driven life. When you realize ("Mortality Motivation") that you only get one freaking shot at this life, that it could be taken away in an instant, you starting living differently. You live it with gratitude, with intention, with peace, with reverence, with joy.

Each & every day. I have no idea where things will go 3 months, 9 months, 2 years from now but the goal is to 1) build relationships 2) be real, genuine & authentic & 3) serve others by sharing what I have learned through my experiences. If I do that, this life will take me places I could never have imagined.

Thank you Mr. CT for sharing your heart!

Do you have a story, message, overcoming, fire burning within, etc. etc. etc. (!) that you want to share with the world?

YOUR story helps others. Your story inspires others.

Share your soul with the world by requesting to receive Soul Of The Week™ Instructions Here ​

​​​Real, Raw, & Beautiful
​
Meet Agnes, AKA, ISH (Goose in Polish). Agnes is a light of her own - she lives in a way that allows her to explore who she is, and what she wants to create the world around her to be. She is creative and expresses her personality through her creative outlets - photography & art.

Agnes is currently living in Chicago, IL and is the owner of IshD Photography, which is her own precious baby. She is working to grow her photography platform, but she is trying to do so in a way that is the most authentic and real to her.

You can check it out here. Her photography is not the norm, you can see Agnes's own personality shining through her pictures. The colors, lighting, expressions, they are all done ever so beautifully.

Read about beautiful Agnes below:

My Biggest Judgement Towards Myself:
My biggest judgement about myself is that I judge myself all the time! #plottwist

What Absolutely Lights Me UP& What I Absolutely Love the Most About Myself:
Photography, Yoga, Branding, People.

Agnes's Message:
Where did my journey begin? Well well well.... it all started when my mom and dad met on a hot summer day. lol. I have a love for humanity, the constant need to always know more, and a passion to create something beautiful in this world. Life is full of mysteries that are meant to be unraveled; I want to utilize my time on this Earth wisely.

Thank you miss Agnes for sharing your heart! 
#Relateable

Do you have a story, message, overcoming, fire burning within, etc. etc. etc. (!) that you want to share with the world?

YOUR story helps others. Your story inspires others.

Share your soul with the world by requesting to receive Soul Of The Week™ Instructions Here 

​​​Real, Raw, & Beautiful
​
Miss Shaina is a go-getter with a pure and giving soul. She found what she loves, what truly lights her up (you can see it in her face, duh!), and she has followed this light in a way that allows her to fulfill herSELF and OTHERS <3

Shaina is currently the founder of her brand new shiny and beautiful coaching company Made to Move LLC. , plus Foundations Director at CrossFit Commence in AR, and one more extra plus - a Beertender at Fossil Cove Brewing Company. Look at this woman go. 
Read about beautiful Shaina below:


​My Biggest Judgement Towards Myself:
Striving to be like other fitness professionals I admire. I judge myself on athletic abilities and knowledge of the fitness and wellness world. 


What Absolutely Lights Me UP& What I Absolutely Love the Most About Myself:
Helping people through fitness and wellness. 

Shaina's Message:
I want to help human beings discover their athletic potential in order to help them feel more empowered inside and outside of the gym. I did not grow up viewing myself as an athlete. In fact, I recently just came to terms with confidently calling myself that. I want to help show people that movement is powerful.

Thank you miss Shaina for sharing your heart! 
#Relateable

Do you have a story, message, overcoming, fire burning within, etc. etc. etc. (!) that you want to share with the world?

YOUR story helps others. Your story inspires others.

Share your soul with the world by requesting to receive Soul Of The Week™ Instructions Here 

And a question. Or okay fine, a few:

Do you feel like you have something you want to share with the world - a story, overcoming, passion, message, etc.?

Do you feel like you don't know where, or how, to get these messages out?

Do you feel like you are not worthy of sharing what you are oh so passionate about because it's not "as impactful" as what else you read from other people?

(That kind of sounded like an infomercial hehe)

All of these above points are valid human thoughts. But what is not valid - is the fact that you may have forgotten for a micro second that: all humans are equal. 

All humans have something inside of them that is super special and has a super special purpose. It doesn't matter what "it" is, you know what I am talking about when I bring "it" up. 

Maybe it's what inspires you everyday, maybe it's your secret tip to "getting what you want", maybe it's your big lesson you learned from a past relationship - whatever it is, it is a beautiful piece of your gift you have for this world. 

We light up the world by sharing a part of ourselves with others. 

Why? Because like I said: 

HUMANS LEARN FROM HUMANS
HUMANS WANT TO HEAR AUTHENTICITY
HUMANS WANT TO BE ABLE TO RELATE TO OTHER HUMANS
HUMANS WANT TO BE HEARD

and ain't that the truth. So, what now?

Now my friends, you are The Soul of the Week.

Each week, I am going to be featuring a bright and shiny soul with a bright and shiny message. These bright and shiny people will be featured in a blog + TheSoulSpeakCo. Instagram post.

And that is freaking cool because then you can publicize the heck out of these posts. You know what I'm sayinnn!

Click here to request a Soul of the Week form!