We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anna Barr. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anna below.

Anna , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I love this question and don’t even know where to start. The first risk I took was becoming a mom when that was never my plan. Then homeschooling my kids when I said I would NEVER do that. Are you seeing a theme here? Then when we were about to lose our house due to financial hardship I went from not even remembering how to turn on a computer to working online in the online teaching space (before this was a thing really). From there the risks kept coming. I just kept going where I felt led and saying yes to where I was shown to say yes and NO to where I was clearly getting told NO. This led to sparking up a conversation on IG with a life coach that I felt 100% God-led to reach out to. I ended up working for her and another influencer in the online wellness space. I learned all about the business of busyness. That you can be so passionate about your life-giving work that it quickly consumes all of your life if you let it. This is where my most counter-cultural risk came in. In January 2021 I went off of social media for the month. I did a month-long fast of reflecting and praying instead of being on social media (keep in mind this was my job and my entire income at this point). Once that month was over I learned that I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to do. That I was hiding behind other people so I wouldn’t be seen. I decided to go all-in on my own business. My podcast (The Awkwardly Anna Podcast) and my coaching business (Anna Barr Life Coaching) have become the most life-giving way I am able to authentically help people know that they aren’t alone. That no matter what they feel, what lies they’ve believed and even been told, that God loves them and has a plan for them. I get to show people that they should be here and cheer them on for being here. I get to show people how to plan out their days in a way that is balanced and life-giving. To show them how to live at a pace that they’re proud of. To take their own risks and live how they are being led to live even when it might “make no sense”. Throughout this process I healed from multiple illnesses and learned how to think outside the box and live differently- caring, showing love, and experiencing peace. I’m forever grateful that I get to show others how to do this too. (I coach people whether or not they are Christians just FYI- It’s just a massive part of my life that I feel like I can’t help but share when sharing my story).

Anna , 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?

I’VE FELT PAINFULLY AWKWARD, CRUSHED BY ANXIETY, LEFT OUT AND STRESSED OUT. Could this really be God’s plan for me? No! That’s not his plan. Does that mean that if you have any of these feelings you have to just stay that way? No! Does it mean you must be “broken”? Double no!

I’ve been lost. Where medical issues (Lyme disease kicked my butt) and mental health issues (Post Partum Anxiety anyone?) kept me from living at even the most basic level. Then my thoughts followed and became filled with anxiety, overwhelm and stress- all wrapped in a haphazard bow of “I’m not enough I don’t fit in”.

HEALING TOOK TIME…
One day I decided that enough was enough and I had to get help. This is coming from someone who DID NOT ask for help. Ever. But guess what? I was healed from multiple illnesses and got my thyroid disease to where I could not just function again but thrive. Healed my mental health and got rid of 98% of my anxious thoughts.

I got therapy to start feeling my feelings and life coaching to figure out what to do with that information and HOW to do the daily steps to not just live – but THRIVE. All along the way my faith deepened and I saw God more and more regardless of outside circumstances. That journey was worth it. The investment in help was worth it.

The freedom my mind and body gained in having the right tools is why I am SO endlessly passionate about coaching others. I believe our creator knows exactly what is for us and gives us the discernment and tools to live a beautiful life. I know his plan was never for us to do this alone. That’s where I come in! I was created to encourage and to teach.

My personalized Christian life coaching is specifically designed to create the life God has for you. The you that isn’t influenced by social media, anxiety, opinions of others, comparison, what you think you “should” be like, or fear. You’ll shine as you step into God’s purpose for your life. (One of my favorite questions I get is if I will only coach Christians and my answer is NO- I’m delighted to coach anyone that feels like I’m the best fit for them!)

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

AUTHENTICITY. Not absorbing so much content that I was just mimicking everyone else. I learned to step back and give myself the space to think and create so that when I show up I’m sharing a message that is MY message. I wasn’t at my “goal weight” and didn’t have the money to get my hair done/have fancy clothes but I showed up anyway. I’ve found that my clients are really drawn to the relatable conversational nature in which I approach life coaching.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

SAY THANK YOU. This sounds so simple but that’s my #1 advice I give to business owners. Say THANK YOU to your team members. SEE them. Notice them. It’s amazing how much more people shine in their own gifts when they know that they are seen and appreciated. You have the privilege to provide that for zero extra cost.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.awkwardlyanna.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaelysebarr_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-barr-46497b1b6