We were lucky to catch up with Barby Ingle recently and have shared our conversation below.
Barby, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.
The best boss I ever had was a director of marketing at a collegiate athletic department where I was a head spirit program coach. She worked with me, was kind, showed patience, gave me room to make choices and mistakes. But the one think that still sticks with me over 20 years later was her reminder that I have choice to make something a problem, issue or challenge. A problem is hard to overcome and most people give up, and issue is an usually responded to emotionally instead of with facts and purpose. A challenge we all want to take on and win. How we face the situation in front of us is a choice. There is always a way to accomplish any challenge. It might be hard, it might take time, but it can be changed. As someone who loves to face life with positivity changing my words helps complete my goals, bucket list items, and create lasting meaningful purpose with my efforts. I thank Deb Flanagan for all she taught me so long ago and although we haven’t talked since she left her position for another job, her life lesson continues on in my actions personally and through business.
Barby, 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?
How did I get to where I am today. I was living my dream life. What I had trained for since the age of 4 through cheerleading, dance and gymnastics. Straight out of college in 1994, I started my own cheer/dance training company. A year later I was hired by Washington State University as the head spirit program coach. I have been battling chronic pain since 1997. First with Endometriosis which resulted in a full hysterectomy and left oophorectomy. Then in 2002, I developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a progressive neuro-autoimmune condition that affects multiple system in the body and needs to be treated early so that disability does not take over and TMJ. I lost my physical abilities was bed bound for years. Using a wheelchair to get to get out of bed. It took 3 years to get a proper diagnosis and another 4 years to get the proper treatment. I know firsthand how hard it is to continue looking for relief, perfect answers, and then coming up against healthcare professionals who blow you off or do not believe what you are saying could actually be what you’re experiencing. As I search for a cure, I have become my own best advocate and work sharing the information so that others do not have the same life struggles that I have. Even after seeing over 100 healthcare professionals, having major surgeries I didn’t need, complications such as internal bleeding, medication interactions, kidney stones, tumors, severe constipation and so much more – I did not give up or give in! I was tested to my limits and realized they are past the boundaries I placed on myself. I had to become the Chief of Staff of my Own Medical Team. If I can do it, anyone can. We all just need support and HOPE!
My support came from being apart of my new communities. I saw there were some tools needed and as a family project helped start the International Pain Foundation, published 9 books on my story and tools I have created and found along the way. The healthcare system is not always, what we are led to believe. They call doctors who treat patients, practicing physicians. People look up to their doctors and put total faith in them. I have learned though my professional and personal experiences that I am responsible for me, just as you are for you. It is important to remember that doctors study a particular practice of medicine. Just because they are a Neurologist doesn’t mean they can treat Diabetic Neuropathy, Multiple Sclerosis, Lyme, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Each doctor gets a small variety of a medical field and then finds a part of a specialty that they love and work on with great ease, research and education. Unfortunately, so many other patients experience my story. I now share my knowledge of overcoming the challenges that we face every day with our activities of daily living. I had to learn the hard way and now want to pass on my knowledge to give hope and answers to all patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. I hope by speaking out about my journey stops it from happening to anyone else.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had to pivot my life after a minor car accident triggered a rare disease to ravage my body. I could no longer function as a coach or choreographer on the level I was at, or any level. I lost my business and my head coaching position at a Division IA University that I worked so hard for. It was all based on my physical abilities. I had went from the top of the world to food stamps and loss of job, house, driving ability, and marriage. I had to start over. It took time, it took mindset change, it took living in the positive parts of life and realizing that I still had some mental abilities that I learned and practiced along the way beside the physical activities that I put so much value on. Rebuilding was not starting over, because I had all of the knowledge I learned to that point in life. I found that I am so much more than what I do. In rebuilding and repurposing, I have received more than 20 accolades for my work in the chronic pain community. I have become a chronic pain expert-educator, patient advocate, and President of the International Pain Foundation. I used my performing skills to become a motivational speaker and best selling author on pain topics. I have gained so much from life due to a rare disease. Now I expect miracles and know loss is not the end, keep going.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The book that has significantly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy is Atlas Shrugged by Ian Rand. This book showed me that we can work with almost anyone even when we completely disagree. As long it the relationship is mutually appreciated and there is communication that is effective and respectful, you can all be successful in the ways needed. It also helped show me that there are times to walk away from an opportunity. I have learned to be more intended in my actions and words, ignore haters, control my ego, take action, praise others doing good work, trust your gut, and use the tools you have to accomplish goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barbyingle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbyingleofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbyingleofficial
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbyingle/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/barbyingle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/barbyallyn
- Other: https://www.internationalpain.org