Shift Happens: From Pain to Purpose

As women, how often are we told to be aware of our surroundings? To look over our shoulder walking to our car, have our keys ready, share our location, or carry something to protect ourselves?But what happens when you do everything you’re supposed to do—and it still isn’t enough?Today’s guest, Sarah Haspel, has nearly three decades of martial arts training and is a United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee. But in 2022, while walking to dinner, she was attacked—and that experience exposed a gap in self-defense she couldn’t ignore.It ultimately led her to create Bestie Defense and completely rethink what it means for women to protect themselves.Today, we’re talking about that night, what happened when she fought back, the journey of building Bestie, and how faith, boundaries, independence, and self-worth all play a role in self-defense.This is Sarah’s story.@haspelofficial@bestiedefense20% off selected products: BESTIE ROSE GOLD, BESTIE MATTE BLACK, Bestie Sockshttps://bestie-defense.com/THESHIFTCODE:THESHIFT     RESOURCES FREE STORY METHOD GUIDE- to help you process, own and share your story FOLLOW@alexisnandra @shifthappensthepod

What would I tell you if we sat down together for an hour and you could ask me anything?In this episode of Shift Happens: From Pain to Purpose, we’re switching things up with a candid Q&A about motherhood, therapy, healing, sharing your story, and navigating the messy middle of becoming who you’re meant to be.We’re talking about the things that don’t always have easy answers. How do you know when you’re ready to share your story? What does doing the inner work actually look like? How do we navigate motherhood while still growing into the women we’re called to be?This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about asking better questions, challenging the beliefs that keep us stuck, and learning to show up more confidently and authentically in our own lives.Because transformation doesn’t happen when everything is perfect. It happens when we’re willing to get honest about where we are and courageous about where we’re going.Grab your coffee, go for a walk, or turn this on during your drive. Consider this our little coaching session together. 🤍 RESOURCES FREE STORY METHOD GUIDE- to help you process, own and share your story FOLLOW@alexisnandra @shifthappensthepod

How do you know if you’re pursuing a calling—or still trying to prove something? Can you build extraordinary wealth and still stay deeply rooted in your faith? And what does it really look like to balance motherhood, ambition, and trusting God when His plan looks nothing like yours?Today I’m sitting down with Gia Smart, a business consultant, entrepreneur, mother, and woman of faith who helps female founders step into their genius, position themselves at a premium, and build businesses that reflect who they’re becoming.Gia has built a seven-figure consulting brand in just seven months, and today we’re going beyond the business. We’re talking about feeling underestimated, losing what you thought was meant for you, mom guilt, money, manifestation versus faith, and having the courage to openly follow God—even when it could cost you something.This is Gia’s story.@itsgiasmart RESOURCES FREE STORY METHOD GUIDE- to help you process, own and share your story FOLLOW@alexisnandra @shifthappensthepod

What are we really trying to numb when we turn to addiction? Why can something that’s hurting us feel so much like love? And how do you rebuild your life when you’ve survived the very things that once made you believe you might never make it out?Today’s guest is Azadeh—a woman whose story is truly one of survival, healing, and redemption.Azadeh has been sober from meth and alcohol for 24 years and is a survivor of domestic violence and narcissistic abuse. Today, she’s been married for 17 years, is a couples counselor, a four-time bestselling author, and the founder of Power Within Publishing.For the past 20 years, she’s dedicated her life to helping women heal from abuse and trauma, and she recently earned her doctorate from Bethel University. At the center of it all is her faith and a deep love for Jesus.Today, we’re going behind the accomplishments and into the story that created the woman she is today—the addiction, the abuse, the healing, learning what healthy love actually looks like, and how God can take some of the most painful chapters of our lives and use them to create purpose.This is Azadehs story@Breakfree_riseandrebuild   RESOURCES FREE STORY METHOD GUIDE- to help you process, own and share your story FOLLOW@alexisnandra @shifthappensthepod

What if the thing that broke you at an early age became the very reason you spend your life protecting others? what if your pain wasn't the end of your story, but the assignment?My guest is a Registered Nurse licensed in New York, California, and Florida, with years in emergency medicine and the neonatal intensive care unit. She's a Jiu-Jitsu black belt and academy co-founder, a wife, and a mom of two. Today she's the President of the Inspirit Foundation, leading programs in mental health, injury prevention, and nutrition to protect young athletes on and off the mat.But long before any of that there was a four-year-old girl who learned what it meant to lose someone she loved. And it's shaped every choice she's made since.This is Michele's story.@michelefreitas_us   RESOURCES FREE STORY METHOD GUIDE- to help you process, own and share your story FOLLOW@alexisnandra @shifthappensthepod