We recently connected with Crystal Ash and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In 2022, I was burned out from working extremely long hours as a Program Director at a startup organization. I was constantly stressed out and my nervous system was in shambles. After an organizational restructure, I was told there was no longer a fit for me with the company. In that moment, I was not devastated…I was actually relieved. I felt a sense of peace. I could not have imagined that moment was coming but I embraced it. I had no clue what the future held but I felt like I would be okay, I also thought about how I have spent much of my life buying into the idea that having a “good job” would bring me fulfillment. I decided to take a year off for a career sabbatical to refresh, regroup, and reset my life. I spent a whole year doing exactly what I wanted to do. I traveled to the Cote d’Azur, went camping for the first time, volunteered, and spent some much needed time with my parents. The most important thing I did was learning I had to take a jump out of the security blanket and bet on my wings. I took time to cultivate my life purpose. What were my natural proclivities in life? What was I created to do? What was I passionate about in life? Who did I care to dedicate my voice to in advocacy? Embracing what appeared to be a setback by losing my employment in perspective became the best thing that ever happened to me. I feel alive. I feel joy. I feel peace. I feel authentic. I feel freedom for the first time in my life. I am choosing to bet on myself everyday and so far it has been the most rewarding choice ever.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Immediately, I would describe myself as a keynote speaker and author but coming from a purposeful place, I would describe what I do as transformative. Each time I share motivational insights from the stage with audiences from students to business executives, I want to spark a new thought in the minds of attendees. Each time I put the metaphorical pen to paper, I want to shift your mindset to another degree that not only changes your mind but your heart and life trajectory. I have been speaking for over 15 years inspiring and motivating young people and adults alike to live out the most purposeful version of themselves. I have provided training and consulting to young people for personal development as well as guidance on college and career aspirations. The knowledge gained, from my previous career endeavors in the non-profit sector and government, has provided me with an expertise for leadership development specifically in building confidence. When it comes to personal and professional development, others will focus on looking into the landscape of industries and encouraging individuals to pattern themselves after the top individuals in their fields. While there is a lot of knowledge to be gleamed from doing that, I believe success must be authentic to that individual person. When an individual can harness their own authentic model of leadership they will lead with more confidence and decision-making becomes second nature not a matter of second guessing. The fulfillment of their purpose becomes their barometer for success. Authenticity is the connecting force to building true relationships with people and with relationship comes the ability to influence and impact. I have been able to impact hundreds of young people and adults while speaking at conferences, retreats, summits, school events, panel discussions and more. My speaking style is relational, practical, motivating, and I like to add a pinch of humor in because who doesn’t love a little laughter. I am a storyteller by nature, so I want people to feel connected to my words whether hearing or reading them. I published my first book Lessons from My Grandma’s Table: Insights on Self-Discovery, Inspiration, and Transformation. The focus for the book is taking life-defining moments to unearth purpose and self-discovery. The experiences shared in the book are meant to evoke inspiration, enhance personal development and transformation. At the end of the day, I simply love engaging people through true connection because it elevates humanity with purpose.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is powered by the spirit of hope. The past few years have been filled with darkness and uncertainty for so many people around the world. The mission is simple. I want to provide insights on hope, healing, and restoration through motivational strategies to get back to the most authentic purposeful individual one can be. Circumstances in life have limited some people from living a fully abundant life. When I speak about abundance here, I am not solely talking about monetary resources. I believe each person has access to live a life full of love, joy, peace, and purpose yet limits from pain, frustration, and disappointment keep many in a box without full self-actualization. When different areas of life are optimized, one can fully see themselves as whole. That’s my mission in life…I want to see humanity full and whole.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I would say the leaps of faith into seemingly nothing. Many people live a very risk averse life to play it “safe” and to control the outcomes of life because they feel those are outcomes they can manage. In the life of a creative, the leaps of faith without knowing all the variables at times can seem daunting for many. There is this still knowing deep down inside of many creatives where belief overshadows the tangibles in life. You just know, trust, and have faith things will work out for your good in the end. Actions of creatives may not make sense to the non-creatives because faith requires you to sometimes suspend your thinking and trust God and the unknown. You take one step in the direction and the flow comes to guide you in what has literally been calling you your whole life. Non-creatives may cringe at that concept, but faith can’t be calculated or averse to risk taking. Ask yourself the question, what do you know for sure without any attachment to external factors? Would you follow that knowing inside of you without all the steps laid out for you? Can you trust what you can’t see? You have the answers, but do you have the faith to listen and carry them out.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.crystaltash.com
• Instagram: @CtaSpeaks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystal.t.ash
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystaltash/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrystalTAsh
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@crystaltash

Image Credits
Image Credits: Rashad McCain and Avery Carter