We recently connected with Amy Gerhartz and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I think the biggest risk I’ve taken in life, has been trusting my gut and betting on myself – even when I had no evidence that things would work out. Life can be scary, and our minds can be our own worst enemies, consumed with self-sabotaging behaviors and lies like “I’m not good enough, I’ll never make it, I’ll fail…” You name it! Depending on how old we are, we have that many years of a belief system that is either working FOR us, or working AGAINST us.

I’ve felt fear in my life more times than I can count, but I’ve also felt passion, and that passion and the determination to push through the fear that has made all of the difference. In 2007, I quit my corporate job to pursue a career in music, and created success within that career for the next 14 years independently. Then in 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic, to decided to start a coaching business to support women to feel empowered and confident in their own skin. I’ve since gained certifications in NLP, Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, and I’ve worked with multiple clients across the country. I’ve also been featured in numerous podcasts and publications, and even Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank gave me a glowing review by saying “You know with absolute certainty you’re getting the real deal with Amy”.

I don’t tell you this to brag, but for you to understand what’s possible when you decide to go ALL-IN on yourself. I could never have predicted my life going as wonderfully as it has, and that doesn’t mean that I haven’t had side-steps or heartbreaks along the way. What I can say is this: I’ve been open to the journey, I’ve allowed myself to let go of the control, and I’ve shown up every day excited for “what’s next”.

In my opinion, this is the magic formula for happiness. And what about failure? I believe the only way we fail is if we don’t learn anything. So be open, take risks and enjoy the ride!

Amy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Amy Gerhartz is The #1 Coach For Empowering Women To Be Mesmerizing And Influential Founder of A Higher Way Of Living and the “RISE UP Buttercup” podcast, Amy is using her background in Mindset Coaching, NLP, Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, Leadership and Performance to impact and transform the lives of women across the globe.

As seen on the cover of Las Vegas Entrepreneurs Magazine, Best Holistic Life Magazine, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and numerous other podcasts and publications, Amy was recently recognized as a “Leading Expert” by Powerful Professionals, and the winner of the 2022 Scale Fast Global Business Pitch Contest, receiving rave reviews from marketing mogul Kim Walsh Phillips, and Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first began my career in music (long before I became a coach), what a lot of people didn’t know about me was that I shamed myself in private. I would beat myself up daily, calling myself “fat” or “ugly”. I would then proceed to buy all of the hair/makeup/clothing possible just to feel like I fit in, and nothing worked. I had a terribly unhealthy relationship with myself, and even though I was talented and achieving some success in my career, I couldn’t celebrate it because my mind was constantly consumed with everything that I thought wasn’t working about me.

I remember exactly where I was when I hit rock bottom: crying on my bedroom floor in my apartment in Nashville, because I didn’t like a single thing about myself when I looked in the mirror. I knew in that moment that something needed to change, because I didn’t want to waste the rest of my life obsessing over the way I looked or the size of my clothes.

I started seeking professional help, and began dismantling an unhealthy belief system about myself that had been programmed into my subconscious mind from a very young age. Day by day, step by step, I learned that my WORTH and VALUE were not attached to my looks or my results. They existed all on their own, and no one could take that away from me.

I suppose that’s why I’m so passionate about coaching now. Because understanding our worth, and feeling truly in-love with ourselves on a deep core level, has made such and incredible difference in my life and the lives of my clients.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Never underestimate the power of the personal touch! Yes, there are plenty of ways you can grow your audience through advertising, social media managers, etc (and I fully support these ways). However, there is something to be said about showing up openly and authentically as yourself on the online space. I’ve been known to send personal voice messages to people thanking them for a like or a follow, and inviting them to an event. I’ve also used storytelling as a way to connect, instead of just pushing a “buy my” product or service. When it comes to the online space, be YOU. People will 100% connect to a person over a brand any day of the week. Definitely invest in services that allow you to grow, but don’t lose your personal touch along the way. Be authentic in your messages and communication, and treat others the way you’d like to be treated.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.ahigherwayofliving.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amygerhartz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theamygerhartz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygerhartz/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AmyGerhartz

Image Credits
Jess Williams Photography