We recently connected with Josie Lechtenberg and have shared our conversation below.

Josie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is in the works right now. I am starting a podcast called, “The Witness Podcast.” It is a conversationalist style podcast chatting with people all around the world about their story and how God has shown up throughout their life. I never would have imagined I’d be one to start a podcast, but I know it’s what God has put on my heart to do. I have always been driven to overcome obstacles life has thrown my way. It started financially. I went to university and obtained my bachelors in Mechanical Engineering as a first generation college graduate. It wasn’t easy but I was determined to carve a path for my life to elevate my lifestyle from how I grew up. While attending university a group of my friends initiated a trip through our student organization, “Women in STEM” to Japan. It was my first time out of the country and second time on a plane. What a culture shock! I was amazed! I had already bought my luggage set because travelling was something I knew I’d do I just didn’t know how it would happen. That first trip set the fire under me to keep going. Immediately after graduation I moved from small town Arkansas to Denver, Colorado. It was the biggest city I have ever lived in. I got a job with a one of the top 10 biggest construction companies in the US, as a cost engineer. I felt like I could accomplish anything. I love excitement and change. I worked with them for 2 years and knew that wasn’t where I was supposed to be long term. To be honest I got very discouraged during that time thinking I spent all this time and money to get this degree and now I feel stuck. I decided to go into a different company to see if changing it up would help me get out of that rut. It didn’t. I kept praying and asking for something to come along to get me out of this. I didn’t want to mess my life up but I also did not want to be miserable. Shortly after praying and seeking for something else I was introduced to the world of trading and investing. It was something I was always drawn to. I almost majored in Finance to become a financial advisor. The community, Revolution to Free Generations, I am plugged into opened my eyes to so much opportunity and entrepreneurship. I saw people travelling all the time and creating their own schedule. I was determined to get this trading thing down. I’m so happy I did because I have been a full time day trader for about a year and a half now. I am stepping into trading futures and plan to help educate others in the financial markets. I have ideas for non-profits in my 5-7 year plan. I’ve had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, Canada, and Mexico and I’m not stopping there. Throughout all of this I have seen God continually work in my life. Leading me to where I am now. It has not been easy, but I notice when I surrender things and put them in God’s hands I don’t have to stress and worry because I know all things will work out. Life has been super exciting and it has had times of the lowest lows. In the middle of trials it can feel easy to want to give up, but that’s not what overcomers do. I’m excited to learn more from others’ in “The Witness Podcast” to hear all the things God has helped them overcome and allow it to strengthen my faith along with all the listeners tuning in.

Josie, 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 got plugged into a trading and investing community because I was unhappy with where I was at career-wise. I had worked hard to get my bachelors degree, was able to pay off all student debt within 2 years of graduating and moved to a brand new city on my own where I knew no one. All of the excitement hit and truthfully I felt I had it a wall shortly after the move to Denver. What kept me going was my faith in God, He is my provider, working out, my friends, and exploring the city and nature. I had refused to settle. I did not want to spend 40+ years of my life and be unhappy 40ish+ hours each week. I have helped hundreds build up belief in themselves to know they can keep going and to pursue their dreams. It’s a passion of mine to help others’ grow confidence in themselves to know they can do hard things. They can overcome their limiting beliefs, doubts, and generational chains. I help people learn how to trade and invest in the financial markets, I am not licensed to trade for others’, I provide education on the markets. The thing I’m most proud of throughout my life isn’t exactly tangible. It’s that I am an overcomer. Statistically I should not be here. My mom was told she would never have kids, but God knew how bad she wanted to be a mom and provided a way. I shouldn’t have graduated university with the lack of knowledge I had to even get into school, but God provided programs that helped guide me every step of the way. From family history I could have gone a very different and dark path, but God gave me a bigger vision for my life. I am excited to keep impacting peoples’ lives and help them know that they can overcome any obstacle that is thrown their way.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn giving up. Growing up when things got difficult the answer was to give up whatever it was and try something new. While I believe there are times to stop and pivot giving up can never be the answer. Throughout my career before I started trading there were times I wanted to give up because of how lost and depressed I felt also during my trading career I have learned perseverance and mental toughness. Trading is 80% psychological and 20% technical. You can know how to read a chart but because of self doubt, bad views on money, greed, etc you could not be able to make anything. Pushing through the lows has helped me in all other areas in my life. 90% of traders do not succeed simply because they gave up. You could say that in a lot of areas in life. Working out is tough, there are days you may not feel like it, but if you have results you want to see you push through and go anyway, you always feel better after you do. Never giving up is a huge component in life.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Helping others is one of my biggest driving factors. I want to help strengthen peoples’ faith in God through “The Witness Podcast” and give back to the community. One of my goals down within the next 8 years is to start a non-profit to give cars to families in need. At one point growing up my family did not have a car and we couldn’t afford to get one. I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma where public transportation wasn’t an option. One day one of our friends from church called my mom and told her God had put it on her heart to give us a vehicle they had. God provided a way like He always does and I am excited to do the same for other families in need.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @josielechtenberg
• Other: The Witness Podcast: @thewitness.pod
  Trading : @itstraderjos

Image Credits

IG: @paytography_ for studio photos