We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Avis Foley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Avis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

One of the best things that my biological mother did that has had the greatest impact on me is to place me in a foster home at the age of three days old. She is schizophrenic and addicted to drugs. And while this was probably a tough decision for her to make, it was the best decision for my destiny. There were many hardships that I faced while growing up in a foster home but these difficulties pushed me towards my greater. When I finally realized that it was I that controlled my life, I went from a fixed to a growth mindset regarding my future. This didn’t eliminate the challenges but it did inspire a different type of change in me. My adversity moved me to action. Had I remained in that situation I’m not sure where I would be. Sometimes absence is one of the greatest impacts one could have. Despite it all I have continued to move forward with a spirit of excellence.

Dr. Avis, 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?

Upon entering college, I attended Purdue University and majored in family law. My family situation was unique and I wanted to help bring families together in a different way. However, when I began taking those classes I realized that it wasn’t for me (lmao) and decided to do what came naturally, which was teaching. When I was younger one of the games that we would play was school and I was always the teacher. I suppose that was a glimpse of my life to come. I went on to further my education and majored in English Education on the secondary and collegiate level. I have also authored two novels and actively speaking in colleges and secondary schools. When someone speaks life into you, you feel as if you can do anything! I didn’t have that growing up until I started speaking over myself! Pouring into SELF! I want to inspire others through my life story to embrace excellence at all times. I speak to a variety of audiences (with a focus on high school and college students) about purpose, gravitating towards your gift, and understanding and leveraging your power. I am most proud of my ability to move forward…period.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One thing that I had to unlearn is my imposter syndrome. When I finally decided that I wanted to be a motivational speaker I began to study the greats and developed the thought that I didn’t have what it takes to excel in this arena. I think that this had a lot to do with how I grew up and why my self-esteem was always questionable. I knew I had potential but didn’t believe that I had the skills to tap into it. I believed that I could speak but was not good enough to stand on stage with the heavy-hitters. As I’ve gotten older I now know that my story is my story and it will touch the right people, at the right place, and at the right time. I don’t believe that I had people to pour into me in a positive way and that has affected me tremendously. I want to inspire people to be the very best version of themselves at all times. This is why I want to speak. The most crucial lesson gained is knowing that where you come from does not determine where you are going. I am the scribe over my life, not my imposter. Doubting yourself is normal, allowing it to stop you is a choice!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

One resource that I should have really tapped into early on in my creative journey is MYSELF!!! I am the resource! Often times we sit back waiting on individuals or the right time to help jumpstart the journey but the reality is that you have to know that you have a unique gift and you were put here to help others…but YOU have to believe that. For so long I waited on other people to give me direction about what I should do with my life . Now I am using my gifts to inspire my direction! The knowledge that you possess makes you an asset that you should ALWAYS bet on! Believe in you gifts and use them wisely.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dravisfoley.com. www.inevitablethebook.com
• Instagram: @iamdrfoley @iambellablack
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/avisfoley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-avis-foley-50242735

Image Credits
Blair Devereaux