We were lucky to catch up with Dwight Morris Jr. recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dwight, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I started my journey during tough times when I felt down and undervalued. I decided to make a change for the better. As I began reading, I discovered the power within myself. I was surprised to realize how external influences like the world, music, news, friends, and family had conditioned me. Despite being born into a God-fearing family, I felt going to church was more of an obligation. I was baptized as a child, but I lacked a clear understanding of the teachings.

Born in 1982, I realized I was praying to a distant God instead of looking within. The lack of understanding led to confusion, and I often found myself saying, “I don’t know” to important questions about my desires and goals. This mindset caused negative effects like bad decisions, indecisiveness, isolation, fear, guilt, and complacency.

Eventually, I discovered the power of gratitude. Writing down and sharing three things I’m grateful for every morning shifted my focus to positive energy. Over time, I felt good and then great. That’s when I had an idea – to teach people how to love themselves with an attitude of gratitude.

Dwight, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I learned about emotional intelligence by going through my own depression. I didn’t know I could control my feelings and decide how to feel. I was tired of feeling guilty and comparing myself to others who seemed successful. I felt empty inside and filled with confusing negativity. So, I decided to live a better life and asked, ‘Why not me? Why not be happy every day? Why not achieve childhood dreams?’

I chose to love myself and wanted others to know they can do the same. My company, Build Your Own Brain, LLC, encourages people who want a better life. We do this through seminars, interviews, podcasts, and public speaking about emotional intelligence. We’re even talking to 8th graders about entrepreneurship and self-love through their school career days. We’d love to bring motivation to your city, company, school, family reunion, or any event. Contact us at buildyourownbrain.com

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to make a change when I realized my job wasn’t helping me grow as a person, employee, or family leader. I felt stuck, bored, and too comfortable with just being okay. I used to think I couldn’t be successful like others because I believed it was too late. I had no leadership experience, worked a regular job, and never took vacations. I felt trapped in a cycle of working to pay bills, only to go back to work to pay more bills.

I reached a point where I had enough. I wanted to break free from limited thinking and the voice of doubt in my head. I desired more for myself, so I decided to make a change. Now, I practice gratitude every day, and I’m proud to say I am the owner of Build Your Own Brain, LLC.

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

I had to unlearn comparing myself and I had to learn that my depression wasn’t because of circumstances or situations. Blaming others wasn’t the solution. I also had to unlearn negative opinions from people I thought were friends. It was tough to let go of some lessons my family taught me, but I realized those lessons limited my thinking and fueled my fear of success.

Starting from scratch, I taught myself that I control my destiny with my decisions. I learned to take responsibility for my failures and work towards improvement. No one owes me anything; I owe myself everything that’s good, positive, and motivating. Build Your Own Brain, LLC represents these positive desires that we can all achieve as individuals.

Contact Info:

• Website: buildyourownbrain.com
• Instagram: @__byob
• Youtube: Build Your Own Brain
• TikTok: @__byob__

Image Credits
Social Media Director – Rachelle Houston Content Creator and Youtuber – Melvin Maya