We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lady Kendra a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lady , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

For the last several years, I have been on a journey of self discovery and helping others go through the process. Through healing my wounds and doing the inner work, I have created a platform to help others ‘find themselves,’ heal from their past in the present moment to creatively look at their current reality, and transform it into the future of their wildest dreams. The work consists of daily meditations (guided morning and evening ones to reprogram my subconscious brain), chakra meditations, and silent meditations, along with walking meditations. Every month I spend at least one day in silence (no phone, no internet, no tv, no music, no talking, no people, no noise whatsoever) to ground, listen to my inner guidance, and immerse myself in nature. After my morning meditations, I take time to practice movement- yoga for at least an hour depending on what my body needs, and and afternoon stroll outside, regardless of the weather. During my caffe and cappuccino time, I journal for at least one page, if not several, depending on my schedule for the day. I take myself out on dates every week, at least once to enjoy a nice meal to be an observant witness and immerse myself in the culture (I just moved to Italy permanently in July of 2022). I practice being truly present in every meal i eat- no working, no phone, just simply paying attention and appreciating the food- the smell, the look, the taste, the texture- and potential guests and conversations that join me around those events. Each day I do something new- take a new route, try new things, read a new book, to learn and grow. These are just a few things that I do to not only help myself, but encourage others to live in the moment, appreciate life, and be consciously aware to make the world a better place. I inspire others to chase their dreams.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Lady Kendra. This name was given to me, but since my father no longer speaks to me, I’ve decided to drop my last name and embrace this as my new one. I used to own a clothing store for almost a decade, but it was destroyed in the riots in 2020. Afterwords, I went on a sabbatical to Croatia and Italy for three months, when I made the decision to let my previous life go, become an International Master Certified Life Coach, and make a permanent move to Florence, Italy after traveling back and forth every quarter for 2.5 years. I am also an Author, having written two books about my life that will inspire you to chase your dreams (I’ll eventually write eight). I am also a Motivational Speaker, though I prefer the term Storyteller, as I was pregnant and 20, a widow at 30, and lost my business after 40. I help people find themselves and chase their dreams, teaching people the power of their minds and positive attitudes and that their personality creates their personal reality, which is what manifestation is all about. You do deserve that which you desire. I help people uncover their darkest shadows and embrace them so they can also release what no longer serves them. I provide Individual and Group Transformative Experiences in Florence, Italy for three days to dig out the past and heal your wounds, look at your present life and see where you are and where you want to be, then help you create the future through the continuation of doing the work (it takes time to break habits, form boundaries, and truly transform), but I teach the methods to the madness in these days. Obviously change occurs over time and through discipline, but I teach people that they can do it, if they so choose…

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I had worked at Banana Republic for 11.5 years. After my husband died of cancer, I was passed over for a final promotion. I realized I loved what I did, but could not do that anymore, so I wrote a business plan in two months, ran for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s woman of the year, won the campaign, sold my house, bought my new one, and quit to weeks later. I opened my first clothing store in November of 2010, my second one on 11.11.11, published my first book on 12.12.12, and was named one of the Top 3 most Stylish people in my city. I opened my third store downtown and doubled my business, and just before I was about to open my kids store, body store, and another store in another city, covid came. I lost my laptop which had my second book on it in Bali on a spiritual journey, and it came back the day my business was shut down by the government. Two months later, my store was destroyed in the riots. They stole 90% of everything I owned and since I didn’t have any employees anymore, it ended up being the best exit strategy I never thought of. Of course, this was after my three month sabbatical cause I could no longer speak or stand up straight, but I realized after my third week in Italy that I manifested being there. I had been saying for over 20 years that I was going to sell everything I own and move to Italy when I was 40. This was my chance. So I did. Now I have been living here full time for almost a year, living my life to the fullest, and helping others do the same. I’ve also created THE SUBSTITUTE, which is a healthy alternative to use instead of smoking. I call it my cure to cancer, and have partnerships all over the world, helping people to JUST BREATHE as it has no tobacco, no toxins, simply air, which means you can use it anywhere- planes, trains, restaurants, bars, school, church, work…

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After my store was destroyed, I was devastated. This was my life and my livelihood, and I loved it, but since I had three months before I heard anything from insurance, I had time to think. And I left my city because I couldn’t walk down the street without someone coming over to me and talking to me about it. I needed to get away to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, not what everyone else wanted me to do with my life. During that time, I had a friend tell me what he heard me say: that I didn’t want to do it anymore. I was already getting out of the store before this all happened, so, I decided to let it all go. Because I knew that as much as I loved my life, if I released it, I was creating something that much greater to come in. I’ve always helped people find themselves, I just used to do it through clothing. Since I have the gift of gab, along with incredible intuition and listening skills, and have worked with people my whole life, I pay attention to non verbal cues as well. People are drawn to me like a magnet and tell me things they’ve never told anyone before. I am safe space, a container to hold for people, and help them heal from the inside out. Now, I have created the ultimate life of my dreams and am inspiring others to do the same. I had to keep out the naysayers, disappoint a lot of people in my community, choose me over my family and friends, put up healthy boundaries, and create a routine that best served me so that I can serve more. I’ve always been a servant leader, now it just looks a little different. I am here to help save the world, one human at a time…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ladykendra.com
• Instagram: kendraleonard
• Facebook: kendraleonard
• Linkedin: kendraleonard
• Twitter: kendraleonard
• Youtube: kendraleonard
• Other: www.usethesubstitute.com #thesubstitutesociety