We caught up with the brilliant and insightful KeKe Chanel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

KeKe , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

My legacy will be about helping others—mind, body, soul, and spirit. I use my words to empower. I use my voice to entertain. And I use my mindset to encourage others to shift their perspectives. That is what I want people to say after I’m gone.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m KeKe, a country girl from the small town of Greensburg, Louisiana with big dreams and work daily to see those dreams manifest in my life. I fell in love with words at the age of three when my aunt Janet taught me how to read. Since then, I’ve written and independently published 14 books, 1 course, and helped other aspiring writers become published authors as a writing coach. I am most proud of my ability to see life in a positive way no matter how much adversity thrown my way. I believe our mindset is one of our biggest assets. It can breathe life or break our ability to push forth. My life coaching business is called PUSH, which stands for Proclaiming, Unbreakable, Self, Healing. I help individuals unpack mental baggage to shift their mindset through positive personal growth. Our thoughts become our reality—good or bad. I also use my podcast to spotlight everyday people who are making a difference in the world every day. We have conversations to help change the narrative in our culture, community, and consciousness. I’m releasing a lifestyle magazine in 2024 which will focus on faith, food, fitness, finance, fashion, and freedom. While I’m here, I will do everything within my power to build others up and change the way they see themselves. My platforms will give them a voice.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The hardest lesson I’ve had to unlearn was entitlement. It was a hard pill to swallow, but because of this lesson I am a better person. It humbled me in ways I never would have admitted. People don’t owe you anything. That is my new philosophy. I didn’t always believe this to be true, but when I released my first book in 2012 I knew it would become a best seller. Why? Because ‘my family and friends’ would make it happen. When the numbers didn’t roll in like I thought, I got discouraged—angry even. I took a while to realize this was my baby and if I wanted to see it grow, I had to nurture it. How? By getting out of my pity-party and do the work. I got out of my comfort zone and put myself out there. I went to events, spoke at libraries, held workshops, and joined social media. My vibe started to attract my tribe. So now, I’ve adapted the realization that people don’t owe me anything but I do owe everything to myself. I am more grateful, tenacious, and successful. I am open and honest with myself. And I became my biggest and loudest cheerleader!

Have you ever had to pivot?

I started PUSH in March of 2020 right when the government shut everything down. Before then, I would meet in-person with individuals who needed coaching. On top of starting a new business, my family and I experienced an untimely and heartbreaking loss. Our 19 year old was killed in a fatal car accident. I was in a dark place, but through my unwavering faith, I decided to stop putting off what I could do today for tomorrow and just do it. That’s how my podcast was birthed. It, started my healing journey and I am thankful that I changed my mindset instead of possessing a damaged and negative one. I had to pivot. I also had to let go of everyone else’s pain, carry my own so I could release it and keep pushing forward. So now I don’t dwell on excuses . I embrace life one precious day at a time and give myself grace when I have an off day. Grace is my biggest pivot and I have walking in my purpose because of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thekekechanel.com
• Instagram: @thekekechanel @kickinitwithkekemedia
• Facebook: Author KeKe Chanel & Kickin’ It With KeKe Podcast
• Linkedin: KeKe Chanel
• Twitter: @thekekechanel
• Youtube: Kickini’ It With KeKe
• TikTok: @kickinitwithkekemedia

Image Credits
Photo credits by J. McNair Owner of 7thMadeProduction