Educate and Advocate: Finding Solutions and Speaking Up

“The day you stop learning is the day you die.”
I believe this to my core.

Think back to being a kid—endlessly curious, full of energy, free of limitations. You believed anything was possible. Somewhere along the line, many of us lose that spark. Life gets loud, expectations get heavy, and we shrink ourselves to fit inside a mold that never really fit in the first place.

I was that energetic, joyful kid—until puberty hit. Suddenly, I was "sick" all the time. I struggled to function, to learn, to focus. Deep down, I knew I was intelligent, but my mind felt like it was constantly swimming upstream. It wasn’t until about 16 years ago that I realized what was happening. Looking back, I see how I survived high school, but didn’t really thrive. College was a turning point—I began self-educating because I couldn’t retain information from traditional lectures. If something didn’t interest me, it didn’t stick. But if it was relevant or exciting? I could learn it inside and out. Knowledge literally shifted my energy. The right kind of learning lit me up.

In my mid to late 20s, life got even more complicated—fertility issues, health setbacks, and chronic fatigue. Professionally, I was making moves, learning and progressing. But no matter how hard I worked, my body kept dragging me down. I saw doctors, specialists, holistic practitioners—you name it. I did what I was "supposed" to do, but the results didn’t come. Life was spiraling.

Then, I drew a line in the sand. I refused to live in dysfunction. I committed to doing things differently. I went back to the root of it all: learning. I began educating myself, listening to my body, and making decisions based on what I knew was right. I became my own advocate—and everything started to shift.

Here’s the truth most people overlook: as adults, we have to re-learn how to learn. Self-education is the gateway to growth, but it only works if you believe you're capable of more—even if it's just 1% better each day. Perfection is a trap. Tiny, intentional improvements stack over time, building momentum, clarity, and confidence. When you focus on growth instead of perfection, you stop judging yourself and start trusting yourself.

Let’s talk about role models. We live in a world of highlight reels—lavish lifestyles, picture-perfect routines, and promises of instant success. But the real role models? They’re in the trenches, doing the work you don’t see. They’re not chasing likes—they’re chasing growth. And often, they’re not the loudest in the room.

Authentic passion is magnetic. We can feel when someone’s living their truth. That’s why I’ll always push back on the “fake it ‘til you make it” mentality. Faking it doesn’t build anything sustainable. But humility, honesty, and a hunger to grow? That’s the real level up.

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Advocate: The Next Level of Progress

Education opens the door. Advocacy pushes it open.

To advocate is to find your voice and use it—confidently and clearly—to promote your well-being and the causes or people you believe in. Nobody knows you better than YOU. You know when something feels off. You know when you're being dismissed or when something isn’t adding up. But too often, we silence ourselves to avoid discomfort. And that silence keeps us stuck.

Advocacy begins with communication—speaking up, even when your voice shakes (and boy will it!). It’s saying, “This isn’t working,” or “There’s got to be a better way.” And when you do that, you push the door open for new ideas, better collaboration, and real solutions.

But here’s the key: advocate with intention. This isn’t about yelling the loudest. It’s about operating from a place of positive evolution. You get what you give. If you show up with ego, defensiveness, or blame, you’ll likely receive resistance and disappointing outcomes. But if you advocate with clarity, humility, and a genuine desire to grow, people will listen. Progress will happen.

The best leaders—whether doctors, coaches, mentors, or partners—aren’t just knowledgeable. They’re listeners. They observe, they reflect, and then they advocate for you with empathy and precision. Be that person for yourself and for others. The world needs more people who care enough to speak up and smart enough to know how.

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Your Voice is a Tool—Use It

Learning and advocating aren’t just about solving problems. They’re about becoming aligned with who you are and what you’re meant to do. They’re about stepping back into that curious, limitless mindset you had as a child—but this time, with wisdom, experience, and intention behind it.

So, here’s your challenge: Learn something today that helps you grow—even 1%. And then speak up about it. Share it. Use it. Advocate for your needs, your vision, your purpose. Because when you choose to learn and advocate, you don’t just change your life—you give others permission to do the same.

Keep growing. Keep showing up. And never forget—you already have everything you need to evolve.

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