We were lucky to catch up with Monica Brooks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Monica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I vividly remember sitting in a meeting with VPs, listening to information that I had no interest in. That moment was a turning point for me; I knew that I didn’t belong there. Fast forward to 2021, I finally decided to leave my corporate job, but the journey started in 2018.

In October 2018, at 37 years old, I received a stage three breast cancer diagnosis. Although I thought of myself as healthy and rarely went to the doctor, I suddenly found myself undergoing 16 rounds of chemo, over seven surgeries, 37 rounds of radiation, and 10 years of ongoing maintenance medication. After everything I went through, I realized that I wasn’t living in my Dharma, or living my passion.

I made the decision to quit my job and start pursuing my passion. I wanted to help others and make a difference. It wasn’t easy stepping out of my comfort zone and leaving my steady income, but I knew that I needed to take that first step to be happy doing what I love.

One of my biggest challenges was the financial aspect, but I learned to find happiness in the simple things and minimize my possessions. I also had to figure out how to get my name out there and share my message. This process taught me to trust the journey and have patience. Since quitting my job, I’ve become an inspirational speaker and traveled to various places to share my story.

Although I’m not making as much money as before (yet!), the joy of reaching and helping more people makes it all worth it. I’ve learned that believing in yourself is the first step towards making a change.

Monica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Becoming an inspirational speaker required me to reflect on my “why.” Why did I want to pursue a career in speaking? It wasn’t for fame or fortune, but rather to make a positive impact on people’s lives. My passion for speaking began at a young age, as my father was a skilled speaker who could motivate and captivate crowds. However, to succeed in the industry, I had to believe in myself and then put myself in front of the right people. During a conference, I took the initiative and asked the organizers if they needed speakers for future events, which launched my career as a speaker.

One of my strengths is using my life experiences, particularly managing change, to help businesses navigate the constant changes in their environment. I strive to make my content relatable and to present it in a way that doesn’t overwhelm my audience. I offer my audiences perspective and to look at things in a new way. I strongly emphasize the importance of understanding people in every aspect of life. This is why I make it a point to assist others in developing their people skills, regardless of their chosen profession. We’re all in the business of people.

Ever since I began following my passion, one of my greatest achievements was receiving my first passive income in 2023. I realized that I could expand my audience even further by creating online courses that could be accessed from anywhere in the world. When I received an email regarding a deposit, I was thrilled! I attribute much of my personal success to the following practices: consistently showing up every day, having faith in myself, being adaptable and able to pivot when necessary, and always pushing forward no matter what.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Regardless of the industry, it’s essential to remember that your business revolves around people. Treating your team members as individuals can lead to increased engagement and a positive work environment. Rather than focusing on societal labels like Gen-X or Millennial, take the time to learn about your team’s likes and dislikes, goals, and what motivates them. Active listening is key to uncovering valuable insights, so take notes and use what you learn to foster more meaningful conversations. When they feel seen and heard, this can boost the overall department morale.

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 did not get my college degree until I was 37 and that same year, I received my cancer diagnosis. My diagnosis made me realize that I really didn’t even like the field I received my degree in and I no longer wanted to pursue that career. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was to let go of the assumption that our degree should dictate our career paths. While a university or college degree is crucial in certain fields, there are also plenty of financial opportunities online. Your worth is not determined by your degree, and there is an abundance of possibilities out there waiting for you discover.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.monicabrooks.com
• Instagram: @motivational_monica
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/monica-e_brooks
• Youtube: @MonicaBrooks00