lright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Yoa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Amanda , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Mid year 2023 I took action on bringing Next Level Women to life. At NLW, we empower and unite ambitious women, providing a transformative platform for both life and business growth. Through dynamic networking events and enriching self-development avenues, we nurture a community of trailblazing women destined to show up show out & shine! Our mantra: ‘Together, we create that next level self!”’
Bringing NLW to life has been my wildest dream that at one point in my life, I never knew existed but always yearned for everything that it is. I was at a pivotal moment in my life where I was, 300lbs, anxiety/depression, no sense of self and what was FOR me, and had no clear view of my passion and purpose, Despite being in that state, I often had a quiet whisper of hope, telling me that I was meant for more, that I was meant to stand out in this world in some way, and that there was room for me at the table to find and make that impact.
I connected myself with community that supported my vision, where I was able to learn deeper truths about myself in order to grow, and step into that NEXT LEVEL version of myself that with intention, was becoming more clear. I now use my personal experiences and their stories, to build community, share my truths, and give other women like my past self, that HYPE of encouragement and reassurance that they too belong, that there is room for them at the table to make NEXT LEVEL moves, to show up and show out, to bring who they are in all that they do and make their impact in their own unique way.
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?
Little about me: I’m Amanda Yoa your HYPE WOMAN out of Philly, PA, Speaker, Founder of Next Level Women, and Host of my podcast, Stayin’ Inspired, which is THRIVING in the top 10% in her 2nd season!
I’m an ambitious funny, and keepin’ it real Mom(preneur) of two gorgeous kiddos, and a wife of 11+ years to my husband, Joey. Together we are the dream team!
My ambition to stand OUT, make NEXT LEVEL moves for myself and live in my passion and purpose led me to where I am today. I remember moments as a little girl in my row home in Philly, lining up my stuffed animals and putting on a performance of music and speaking, I always knew I was destined to impact a collective. I lost my vision along my journey of life, and came to a pivotal moment back in 2013, where I realized life is not promised, and I owed myself the chance to make NEXT LEVEL moves, create impact and live in my passion and purpose. I started coaching in 2019, and quickly fell in love with speaking to community of women, sharing my truths with humor and relatability, and realized that speaking to a collective was my wheelhouse. From that, my podcast Stayin’ Inspired was born, and soon after, my business venture, Next Level Women.
Stayin’ Inspired brings the hottest topics packed with entertainment, humor and wisdom relative to what ambitious women/femmepreneurs/mompreneurs in their 30s-50s are lookin’ to hear. We craft weekly episodes to inspire, encourage, and even at times some tough love to unstoppable women to get outta their own way break their glass ceilings and make those bigger and better than they could have ever imagined visions and dreams become their reality! We are in our 2nd season and quickly growing in the top 10% of listenership.
Next Level Women isn’t just a community; it’s a movement. We’re a dynamic collective of driven women passionate about making waves in both life and business. Whether you’re a seasoned Mompreneur, a budding Femmepreneur, or a Powerhouse Woman lookin’ to tap into her true potential, our space is crafted just for YOU!
We believe that every woman has a unique spark. Through dynamic networking events and immersive self-development workshops, we aim to add fuel to that fire! (coming soon in 2024) We’re dedicated to providing opportunities and resources that not only boost professional growth but also personal evolution.
Being a part of Next Level Women means more than just attending events. It means belonging to a squad that champions your aspirations, celebrates your successes, and uplifts you during that season of stuckness! Here, you’re destined not just to fit in but to STAND THE HELL OUT!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
As I mentioned earlier, my path towards living in my passion and purpose led me to realize that I was meant to impact a collective, but in the beginning of my journey that was not always clear. I started out with coaching with the understanding that I wanted to use my experiences to make an impact to help others. The coaching world can be intimidating and I quickly found myself on this hell-bent mission to “fit in.” I call it my “hat phase,” there’s still videos on my insta for reference if you scroll down long enough I’m wearing a fedora hat, it was a whole thing.
I felt I had to look a certain way in order to be successful, sound a certain way in order to be successful, which included trying to mask my Philly accent. Showing up in the coaching world quickly became exhausting, I watered myself down so much, I lost my message, and I quickly realized, I was out of alignment with my passion and purpose.
There were other things happening around me, other opportunities showing themselves, but I was so focused on showing up in the coaching world in my “hat phase,” that I ignored everything happening around me FOR ME. I labled the pivot as a failure, and I refused to embrace another “failure.”
After months of frustration, exhaustion, no community building, and completely out of my joy in what I was doing, I said to myself: “Amanda, why don’t we just try showing up as ourself and see what happens?” LIGHT BULB moment!
That simple choice that felt so hard, led me to my podcast, and then my Next Level Women community. Showing up and speaking on my truths, resonated for the women in my community that were FOR me, and I realized that when I show up 100% in my authenticity, the right people will be right there by my side and the “failures,” were only pivots towards the bigger and better than I could have ever imagined visions and dreams that were to be.
I cherish my community that I’ve now built, because I know it was built out of every ounce of what is 100% me. Never try to fit in, you were born to stand out, bring all that you are in what you do, and what you do will present itself with 100% clarity, and always embrace the pivots, knowing we’re either winning or we’re learning baby.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Bringing all of me to the table, unapologetically, and illuminating the things about me that at one point I was afraid or embarrassed to show. I’m from Philly: We’re abrasive at times but we keep it real and tell it how it is, our accent is – unique, and sometimes hard to understand if we talk fast enough, I grew up in a blue collar neighborhood in the River Wards section of Philadelphia, your girl didn’t come from money. I received Catholic education for 12 years and grew up in the Catholic Church of St. Anne, compassion, grace, and a love for God are important to me. I embrace not just religion but spirituality knowing that we are all unique and are spiritual beings having a human experience. I use all of that as my prized possessions, knowing that I have something that not everyone has and showing up as all of me, enables me to fully stand out in my niche. As I always say, be you and do you, boo.
Contact Info:
- Website: Coming soon: www.nxtlvlwmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandayoa.official/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/hypewoman
- Other: https://stayininspired.buzzsprout.com
Image Credits
Lauren Karacz Photography