We were lucky to catch up with Leila Lawson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Leila , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Every morning, the sound of Velcro as I removed my ballistic vest reminded me of my unique journey that led to the creation of my brand. As a law enforcement officer, my world was an open book; my name displayed prominently for all to see as I served my community. But life has a way of teaching us valuable lessons about boundaries.

It started innocently enough. After long shifts of protecting and serving, I’d return home to find my social media notifications filled with friend requests. These weren’t from old classmates or family members but from individuals I’d encountered during my shift at work. While I’ve always taken pride in my work, I realized I faced a modern dilemma: maintaining my personal sanctuary while staying faithful to my professional calling.

I realized I needed an identity that represented my authentic self while providing the privacy I craved. Thus, GottaBeMe79 was born not just as a username but as a philosophy.

In law enforcement, we often wear many hats: officer, protector, mediator, and sometimes even counselor. But at the end of each shift, one role remains constant: being myself. That’s when inspiration struck. Like a chef perfecting a signature dish, I needed an identity representing my authentic self while providing the privacy I craved. I chose the number 79, a direct nod to my birth year. It wasn’t just a random number, but a personal timestamp—a marker of my journey from birth to this moment.

This name wasn’t chosen randomly; it emerged from a deep understanding that authenticity is our greatest asset in life, especially in my line of work. Whether in uniform or civilian clothes, I can only be one person; me. Each morning, when I rise, I’m blessed with another opportunity to be the best version of myself, grow, learn, and help others do the same.

GottaBeMe79 became more than just a solution to a privacy concern. It evolved into a brand that embodies a powerful truth: we can never walk in another’s shoes or live another’s life. Our only option, our only authentic path, is to embrace who we are and strive to be our best selves daily.

So here I am, still serving my community, growing, transforming, and helping others do the same. Because at the end of the day, I’ve gotta be me. After all, that’s the only person I know how to be.

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?

My journey wasn’t plotted on a map, but written in the unpredictable moments between emergency calls and human interactions. As a law enforcement officer, I found myself doing far more than enforcing laws. I was becoming a silent architect of human potential.

Picture this: a mobile office with flashing lights, where every call was a window into human complexity. My uniform wasn’t just a symbol of authority but a canvas on which communication and problem-solving became my most potent tools. With a degree in communications and years of street-level experience, I discovered something profound; most challenges people face aren’t about breaking laws but breaking through personal barriers.

I witnessed countless scenarios in which individuals struggled to communicate, understand themselves, and navigate life’s intricate challenges. Each call was more than a service request; it was a human story waiting to be rewritten. Some days, I felt less like a police officer and more like a life navigator, mediating not just conflicts but internal struggles.

These experiences weren’t just professional encounters; they were revelation after revelation. I realized that the skills I’d honed in high-pressure situations could transform lives beyond the constraints of law enforcement. Life coaching became my calling, my way of continuing to serve, but this time, with a broader, more personal impact.

My mission is simple yet powerful: to help individuals become the best versions of themselves in a world where we spend thousands on external appearances. I guide people to invest in their internal landscape, mindset, potential, and unexplored capabilities.

For me, life coaching isn’t about telling people what to do. It’s about helping them discover what they’re capable of doing. It’s about unveiling strengths they didn’t know existed and transforming weaknesses into opportunities for growth. Where many see limitations, I see potential waiting to be unlocked.

What sets me apart? I bring the precision of law enforcement, a communicator’s empathy, and a problem solver’s strategic thinking. My approach isn’t theoretical; it’s been forged in real-life scenarios and tested in moments of genuine human challenge.

I’m most proud of the transformations I’ve witnessed – individuals who’ve shifted from feeling stuck to feeling empowered, from seeing obstacles to recognizing opportunities. Every client’s breakthrough reminds me of why I do what I do.

To potential clients and followers, know this: Your potential is not defined by your past but by your willingness to grow. And sometimes, all you need is someone who believes in you enough to help you see what you can achieve.

This is more than a profession. It is a calling, and I’m here to help you answer that call.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Exceptional team leadership starts with one fundamental principle: understanding your team’s deeper motivations. It’s not just about managing tasks but connecting with the individual “why” behind each team member’s professional journey.

Begin by diving deep. Ask meaningful questions that reveal what truly drives your employees. What sparked their passion for this work? What brings them genuine joy? What personal values align with the organization’s mission? These insights are your roadmap to creating a supportive, energized workplace.

Once you understand their motivations, take action. Small, genuine gestures speak volumes. Recognize achievements, and I mean all, no matter how seemingly minor. A heartfelt acknowledgment can transform workplace culture more effectively than any formal reward program.

The goal is to create more than a team and build a family. Foster an environment where people feel valued, heard, and genuinely connected to something larger than themselves. When employees know you care about them as individuals, not just as resources, morale naturally elevates.

Remember, high morale isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about consistent, authentic connection. Listen, celebrate, support, and watch your team transform.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Two books fundamentally reshaped my understanding of leadership and self-discovery:

John Maxwell’s “The 21 Laws of Leadership” became my leadership blueprint. It wasn’t just a book but a comprehensive guide that helped me define the kind of leader I aspired to be: principled, intentional, and growth-focused.

“ADHD 2.0” by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell and Dr. John J. Ratey was equally transformative, but on a deeply personal level. This book was more than a medical text; it was a lens for understanding my cognitive wiring. It taught me to leverage my unique brain’s strengths, turning potential challenges into leadership advantages.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gottabeme79.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-fristoe-lawson-488501150
• Youtube: Gottabeme @gottabeme6049