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

Kirstin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

A defining moment was when I made a promise to God. I promised I would do anything He said if He would just save me and use me. By save me, I meant “save me from myself.” Give me vision, a purpose for my life.

See, I had settled in my setbacks for so long that I had become the victim of my story. I thought I was too far gone, that it was too late, that I had messed everything up.

I did mess up a lot of things! But when we surrender our “things” to God (substances, lifestyles, unhealthy relationships, destructive habits, etc.), when we give Him our dreams… that’s when we become available for His.

That promise changed my life. It saved my life.

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.

I’m the CEO of Change Your Story Enterprises, an empowerment speaker, author, life coach, and the Founder of The Change Your Story Workshop.

The Change Your Story Workshop is a faith based, scientifically sound, and holistic recovery/personal development program. It’s what I needed when my life needed a major re-write!

I’m originally from a tiny town in KY. I never fit in, was constantly bullied, had a very turbulent relationship with my dad, and as a teenager, developed an eating disorder that I managed to keep a secret. But despite this, I had big dreams! I was going to be a singer and an actress. I practiced all the time, got a job when I was 12 (you can do that in KY), saved my money, and moved to New York City when I was 18. I was ready to conquer the world.

If you had told me that right when my singing career was taking off, that I would run away from everything I ever dreamed of… that one day I’d be drinking a 42 oz beer before I went to work, that I’d cry myself to sleep with regrets, or that one day I’d be lying on the floor of my Madison Ave. apartment, dying of alcohol poisoning, I would have said, “You’re crazy!”

And I would have been wrong. Alcohol had never been a problem for me, but it became a habit. And when “life happened” that habit became an addiction that stole years of my life. As in, I drank 20 beers a day for years.

God gave me a dream in the midst of my mess. He was sharing how the plan He had for my life was beyond my wildest imagination, but I had to stop doing what I was doing so that He could use me.

The dream was a catalyst to my breakthrough. I was determined to get to the root of my issues. A part of me knew I could stop drinking. But what I didn’t know was if I could deal with ALL the reasons I was drinking so much in the first place.

For the next two years I studied the work of world renowned psychologists, psychiatrists, trailblazing neuroscientists, the world’s best pastors and thought leaders. I went to church twice a week and listened to five sermons a week. I wrote like crazy asking myself question after question. I’d sleep with headphones on blaring praise music in my ears. My acting background also proved to be a tremendous asset. I broke down my life like an actor breaks down a scene.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but everything I was doing was rewiring my brain. During this time, God delivered me. After a lifetime of drinking (my dad gave me beer when I was one), I was finally free.

A few weeks later, God gave me another dream. I was writing down revelations, insights, and divine wisdom for hours. When I woke, I said, “God, are you wanting me to create a new type of recovery program?” I felt Him say, “not today.”

I went on to write books, a television series for teens, I started sharing my story, speaking in schools, rehab centers, churches, and television programs.

Five years ago, God reminded me of the dream–the recovery program. It was time. Science has proven that we can rewire our brain. Which goes right along with what God has said since the beginning of time. “We are transformed by the renewing of our mind.” (Romans 12:2)

The Change Your Story Workshop is a 9 week strategic program that empowers you to “Break Free from what is breaking you and Discover how Purpose is the Key to Breakthrough.”

It’s for people who are battling bad habits, addictions, faulty mindsets, depression, anxiety, people pleasing issues, perfectionism, childhood trauma, or just feel stuck. It’s for people who want to live life at their highest potential.

We have to Deal to Heal. And that is what The Change Your Story Workshop is all about. One of the unique aspects is that the program doesn’t promote living life in recovery mode. It equips you with the tools it takes to live in the freedom God provides.

Another unique aspect is that by using elements of story structure and basic acting techniques, I teach participants how to leave the role of victim and/or villain behind and become the Hero of their story.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I wouldn’t be here without resilience, tenacity, and determination. I’m living proof that it doesn’t matter where you are or how many times you’ve fallen, with God–and a lot of work, you can Change Your Story. God will give you new dreams, revive your faith, and heal your heart. But we have to let Him.

Being an entrepreneur is not easy. (Life is not easy.) I’ve worked for years on projects that are sitting on the shelves. Of my closet–not Barnes & Nobles. People I’ve trusted have let me down. I’ve had promises broken, health issues, etc.

The difference is, I don’t let them lead me. I ask God questions like, “What could I have done differently? What should I do next time? What do you want me to do now?” I remember the promise I made. And I move forward.

I want to encourage all the entrepreneurs reading this. All the dreamers. The world shakers. There is a fine line between putting a project on the back-burner for a while, letting go because God said to, and just giving up. It’s easy to justify whichever fits our emotions.

Really pray about this. Seek advice from people who are where you want to be. As well as those who have made a lot of mistakes trying to get there. Read as much as you can, network, use social media for business–not for distractions. Know yourself, your behaviors, and tendencies.

Know your WHY. Why do you do what you do? What is it about this product or project, this business you are creating, that is going to keep you going when nothing is going right? Ask yourself the tough questions.

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

One of the first things we cover in The Change Your Story Workshop is how “the truth will set us free.” But equally important (for this exercise) is what we believe to be true. There are things I believed my entire life about myself, men, life in general, that were 100% not true. I call these “thoughts lies.” Lies we’ve believed for so long that they’ve become our truth. Our actions stem for our beliefs. Understanding the cognitive dissonance going on in our brain is a game changer.

Believe it or not, saying good-bye to alcohol was not the hardest thing I’ve ever done. (Though it’s definitely on the list!) Rewiring my brain and not letting feelings be the boss of my life was. I had to unlearn life as I knew it.

We have to Deal to Heal. And that is what The Change Your Story Workshop is all about.

Throughout the 9 week program participants learn to: *Unravel cognitive dissonance *Identify their “why” *Understand the psychology behind their desires and unwanted cravings *Find freedom from emotional eating, alcohol and related substances *Break free from dysfunctional patterns and self-sabotaging behavior *Become the Hero of their story *Process feelings and emotions *Understand spiritual warfare *the power of our words *fully forgive *Embrace truth & regain control over their life *Discover—or Re-Discover their dreams, and Pursue Purpose–the Key to Breakthrough.

We bring ourselves into our projects. The Change Your Story Workshop frees you to live life at  your highest potential. It equips you with the tools and strategies you need to attain–and sustain success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Kirstinleigh.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Kirstinleigh3
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kirstinleighofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Kirstinleighofficial/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kirstinleigh
• Other: https://www.thechangeyourstoryworkshop.comTiktok @kirstinleighofficial

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