Happy Birthday! The Free Advantage Turns One

What a year it has been. Fifty-two weeks. Fifty-two episodes. And here we are, one year later, still showing up, still growing, still recovering what it means to live free.

It’s here! It is FINALLY here! One year! 52 weeks! 52 episodes! Ahhh.. I cannot even begin to express how elated I feel and how much gratitude I am overcome with. 

It has been such a journey, and I am forever grateful for each and every person who helped make this happen! I want to take a moment to show my appreciation to those who have dedicated efforts to this adventure, from my husband Sean for his never-ending support through my smiles, laughs and tear and frustrations, to my son Andrew, who works tirelessly into the night sometimes, who is my producer and audio engineer and encourager to keep putting myself out there, to my Uncle Brian who has helped fund the Free Advantge almost sine its conception and my Aunt Paula for letting me confiscate her closet to record! And last but certainly not least, my brother Marcus, who wrote and played my intro and outro music!

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for believing in me and supporting me along this journey! Without you all, I would not have sustained!

And I want to also thank you! You who come back week after week to listen in on my little part of the world as I share my most authentic truth in hopes that you, too, will be able to do the same. Whether you’ve been with me since episode one or you’re just now joining in, this space was created for you.
Thank you!

ONE YEAR OF BECOMING

Every week when I sit down behind this microphone, I strive to show up as my most authentic self. In a world that praises polish and perfection, authenticity has been the heartbeat of this podcast, the thread that’s held it together through every twist and turn.

I’ve learned that authenticity isn’t about performing; it’s about presence.
It’s about sharing the truth as it unfolds, not waiting for everything to be just so..

Because somewhere in the sharing, in the laughter, the tears, and the surrender, something sacred happens.
We connect.
We remember.
We come home to ourselves.

Authenticity has always been the heartbeat of this space. And it’s the third pillar in our From Fragmented to Free reflection series. 

Happy Birthday! The Free Advantage Turns One

SPIRITUAL ALIGNMENT OF AUTHENTICITY

One year later, I’ve realized that authenticity isn’t a fixed identity. It’s a living, breathing alignment with your spirit. A divine blueprint that guides you back to who you were always meant to be.

And it is a daily practice.

Every day, we get to return to ourselves and choose honesty over hiding.
Presence over performance.
Truth over image.

It’s asking in every moment what aligns with my spirit?
Checking in with our body when you say yes.
Giving ourselves grace when we fall back into old patterns.
Choosing our truth even when we would rather run away.

Courage to show up as you are. 

Whether that’s messy, uncertain, still healing, NO MATTER WHAT. 

We work so hard to look perfect. To look like we have it all figured out. Like, we are the ones who have it all together. 

In place with zero problems. 

But we are NOT those people. 

Truth time?

NO ONE IS! Not you. Not me. Not the people on the road next to us on our commute. Not our coworkers, not our neighbors. Not the people we follow on social media!

NO ONE!

THE COST OF BEING REAL

Living authentically isn’t always easy. It costs us something.
It costs comfort, old identities, and the approval of people who liked us better when we were pretending.

But the trade-off?
Peace. Purpose. Alignment.

When you live authentically, you stop chasing validation and start walking in purpose.
You stop managing your image and start embodying your truth.
And that peace you find? That quiet contentment of knowing you’re being real? That becomes your reward.

Authenticity is freedom.
And when you walk in that, your life becomes a mirror that gives others permission to do the same.

Your freedom becomes someone else’s invitation.

CELEBRATION & GRATITUDE

This year has been filled with lessons I couldn’t have planned.
I’ve poured my heart into these episodes, and they’ve poured right back into me.

Thank you. Truly. For showing up, listening, growing, and believing.
For being part of this sacred space where authenticity and freedom exist.

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Thank you for joining me and allowing this space to thrive. To every person listening, you are proof that this work matters.
That living free matters.
That showing up as you are changes everything.

You’ve made this space what it is. A circle of hearts braving the wilderness, walking the risky path, and walking in their free advantage. 

Thank you for walking this road with me.

For listening to my stories, my struggles, my surrender, and my joy.
For growing with me as we continue to recover the truth of who we are.

Key Takeaways

✨ Authenticity is not a destination; it’s a daily alignment.
✨ Being real will cost you comfort, but it will return you to peace.
✨ Presence is more powerful than perfection.
✨ When you live authentically, you become a mirror for others.
✨ The risk is exposure, but the reward is freedom.

Final Thought

As we step into year two, may you give yourself permission to show up as you are. No filters, no edits, no apologies.

Because authenticity isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about remembering who you’ve always been.

Here’s to another year of practice, presence, and becoming.
And to every moment still ahead, may they all lead you home.

Next week, we’ll continue our From Fragmented to Free reflection series with Wholly Living — embracing every part of who you are, mind, body, spirit, and heart, because we can’t live free if we aren’t living whole.

LISTEN HERE TO THE FREE ADVANTAGE