Hello September and Hello Elizabeth Spevack, featured DivaGirl and founder of Heart and Soul Living (www.heartandsoulliving.com). Elizabeth is a Champion for Mental Wellness, building on her personal experiences with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and discussions with women who feel weighed down by the pressures of nearly impossible expectations and the pursuit of perfection. She is passionate about helping women break through the barriers of fear and self-doubt that are keeping them stuck, inspiring them to pursue that maybe unlikely dream and live a truly heartfelt and soulful life.
Time to stop hiding and start living!
What is your definition of a leader?
For me, a leader is someone who sees or feels deep within something that needs to be done – and does it, in his/her unique style. She may be afraid, but the fear doesn’t stop her. She may not even be entirely sure what she’s doing at time, so she’ll take one step at a time and seek guidance when needed. At the same time, she tunes in to her heart and soul and listens intently within.She knows that she can’t do everything or solve all the world’s problems, but she does what she can to add light to the world.
If you can travel anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?
Israel – To connect with the history of my Jewish religious faith, but, even more deeply, to connect to it on a deeper, spiritual level, to walk the streets that my ancestors walked on and feel it permeate me within. To see the places that I’ve so far only heard about, both in religious texts and from people I know who have visited there or live there.
What do you do to get fit, have fun and feel sexy?
I pay attention to what I eat and enjoy my chocolate, chocolate danish and potato chips too at times. I focus on eating in a relatively healthy way overall so that I don’t feel so guilty about my so-called indulgences…I used to be a more regular exerciser and hope to get back into more of a routine, but for now it’s mostly about going for walks.
What are (3) staple outfits in your closet?
Black skirt that will match pretty much anything.White/Ivory tops to wear under many of my cooler, summer tops to help complete the outfit in a modest way. Flowery designs – to add color and spring to my outfits.
What is your definition of a Divagirl? How does being a DivaGirl make you feel empowered and inspired?
A woman who is committed to being her best self in many areas of life – personal development, self-confidence, career/business, physical & emotional health and well-being and more.
What are your three major accomplishments and why?
Writing my first book, Time to Stop Hiding & Start Living, where I share so much of my personal story and some of the challenges I’ve faced and lessons I’ve learned along the way
Persisting with my business, Heart and Soul Living, even though the road has definitely been full of twists and turns
Learning more and more to tune into my heart and soul, to focus more on what truly matters to me. I’m far from perfect at this, but I do strive and strive.
Aside from your family and close friends, who are your other outside influencers and how have they changed you?
Brené Brown – the first time I saw her TEDx talk on vulnerability was so eye-opening for me. At that point, I was still keeping my Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and anxiety to myself, and I felt like it was such a deep, dark secret. That video – about other factors – helped me learn to be more vulnerable in sharing more information about myself, allowing me to connect more deeply with people around me.
Fabienne Fredrickson – She teaches many things, but I feel like the one I have most needed to hear is the mindset message to dream big and pursue that dream, even when all I can see is the first step and even when I may otherwise be tempted to let fear run the show.
Some people in my personal life – who are there to listen and advise in a loving and supportive way when I’m feeling amazing and when I’m either almost or literally bursting into tears as I speak with them. Just to name a few…
Favorite Quote/Motto that you live by?
One of my new ones if the title of my book – Faith over Fear: Time to stop hiding and start living. Once this became my book title, someone told me that it could be a kind of motto for me, and I agree!
What is the last book you read?
Currently reading a novel, The Beekeeper’s Ball by Susan Wiggs, a novel that mixes a modern love story with a fictional description of some of the resistance movements during World War Two. Very powerful.
What has been challenging for you as an entrepreneur? How did you overcome it?
Oh, this is a big question! Believing I can do it. Believing I am talented at what I do. Persisting even when I don’t see the financial results that would seem to validate my efforts. Embracing the journey, even when it doesn’t look like I thought it would. I thankfully continue to overcome it by reminding myself again and again what I entered this line of work in the first place and by getting clearer and clearer on what it is I do and for whom. I think of all those women who believe the stories they’ve been told over the years that they’re not worthy, not valuable, not deserving of love, not good enough the way they are – and I see the impact this has on them, and I feel deep within that part of my purpose and part of the reason I was created is to do something about that – to help women see the light and worth in themselves, to have faith in them even when they’re doubting themselves. It’s turning into my heart and soul over and over again, even and perhaps especially when I would otherwise be tempted to give up. It’s praying, learning and growing and reminding myself again and again what I do and why it is so important to me and to others.
What is the ONE word that best describes you?
Soul
WOW!! Congratulations Elizabeth. Keep inspiring and empowering!!
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Website: www.heartandsoulliving.com
