Childhood Trauma and Early Ambition

Cathy Heller is igniting a movement of helping people everywhere find a deeper sense of purpose and encouraging us to make a soulful contribution to the world. In addition to being a wife + mother, Cathy is a business + life coach, musician, author and host of the wildly popular Don't Keep Your Day Job podcast.

When I first asked Cathy to meet with me, I expected to spend the majority of our time sharing her expertise on how to shift into more meaningful, fulfilling work. And then life happened... the world is now in a radically different place and yet I find this a divine appointment.

Cathy often says "purpose is the opposite of depression" and she is truly lifting up others to be the happiest version of themselves. Today, Cathy shares her story of courageously taking control of her destiny and how you can, too.

SHOW NOTES:

• Growing up, Cathy was surrounded by trauma, violence and instability - leading her to question her worth.
• As an aspiring singer-songwriter, Cathy moved to Los Angeles + landed a record deal before being dropped a few months later. She viewed this as validation to just "grow up, get a job + be unhappy."
• Is there any other way I can do music? Unhappy selling commercial real-estate, Cathy learned that songwriters license music for film, TV + advertisements.
• For a decade, Cathy wrote songs for popular shows including The Office, SNL and Parks and Rec, plus brands including Coca-Cola, American Airlines. McDonald's and Old Navy.
• Using her personal expertise + experience, Cathy began offering online classes for aspiring songwriters that evolved into a significant revenue stream.
• Encouraged by the success of her online courses, Cathy launched the Don't Keep Your Day Job podcast that inspires listeners to find more purpose in their life and get paid to do what they love full-time by interviewing creative entrepreneurs on their success.
• "We are sitting on a gold. What we are missing is seeing the possibility. We're missing momentum which only comes from taking action."
• "There are so many special, holy people in the world. If you dig long enough you'll weed your way through the people with an agenda and you'll find the real ones."
• You're a masterpiece. You are a piece of the master. We need you. God doesn't make extras. Those powerful words from Rabbi David Aaron ignited Cathy's calling.
• "The opposite of depression is not happiness. The opposite of depression is purpose + belonging."
• "Everybody will say all the reasons why something won't work and the entrepreneur finds the one reason it will. That's true also about people of faith."
• Cathy sees hope that the coronavirus pandemic will be a gift and an opportunity to emerge more fulfilled + happier.
• Pivot into seeing the possibilities instead of succumbing to fear.
• Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you deal with it. Cathy's grandmother overcame the Holocaust + the Depression and chose to look for the possibilities.
• In today's turbulent + uncertain world, Cathy encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start with what's possible + take action.
• Stop to feel it, give yourself compassion, take action. Cathy stresses the importance of learning to self-regulate, being mindful of our feelings + mental wellbeing as the first step in seeing possibilities.
• Cathy has hope that the current state of the world is an opportunity to unify + support others.
• Listen to Cathy Heller's podcast Don't Keep Your Day Job.
• Get a copy of Cathy Heller's book Don't Keep Your Day Job.

If you enjoyed hearing how Cathy launched her business + built her career, you'll love our Entrepreneurship playlist! Hear the inspiring journeys of Bethenny Frankel, Scott Harrison, Dave Ramsey and more. Listen to the Entrepreneurship playlist.

CATHY HELLER'S LIVE INSPIRED 7

1. What is the best book you've ever read? Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn and The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.

2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Trust. I trust the world, my abilities + my business but I don't think I trust that I'm seen + loved by my husband because of what I've been through.

3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? My computer because I love being able to encourage others.

4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? My grandfather Ben, my mom's dad. He died right before I was born and I've always felt he's watching over me.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received? My grandma would say, "Before you do something, think what someone else woke up with today."

6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? You are going to be okay. You have a huge role to play in the world and please know you're more than enough exactly how you are.

7. It's been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Cathy made me believe that I had so much value and because of that I gave to others and lifted them.

To help combat fear, isolation and other uncertainty around coronavirus, I created a 21-day challenge to inspire our community to focus on what they can control and to remain ferociously optimistic that their best remains ahead. Sign up for the IN AWE 21-Day Challenge here.

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Pre-order your copy of IN AWE today to receive access to fun, interactive bonus features emailed to you in the lead-up to the book's release! Visit ReadInAwe.com.

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