Show Up and Follow Your Heart

Show Up to Go Up

Ep. 13 Show Up and Follow Your Heart (with Leighanna Kennett)

In this episode, Leighanna and I talk about the importance of showing up for yourself and taking action when you hear inspiration calling. People are looking toward you and by you moving forward it encourages them to as well. It's not always going to be easy but you learn by doing so keep moving forward even when you don't want to. Find a breakdown of our conversation below.

 

Hey there! My goal is to reach and help as many people as possible. If you like this podcast please subscribe, review, and share it with your friends so they can be inspired and motivated as well. For more information and content check out my website at www.showuptogoup.com.

Find me on Instagram at @showuptogoup OR @stephygthatsme 

 

Contact Leighanna:

Instagram: @leighannakennett @industrydanceworkshop @lkfilms_

Website: Www.industrydanceworkshop.com

Email: LeighannaKennett@gmail.com

 

:40 Leighanna Intro

 

1:20 Leighannas story - She’s a professional dancer, choreographer, videographer, and photographer. She creates a lot that all comes from her head and her heart.

 

2:00 - Did you always have these huge visions for your life or is it something that’s kind of grown over time?

It’s definitely grown over time. Dance has always been a huge part of her life since 3 but she later realized she could make a career out of dance and build into choreographer and business owner as well as other forms of art.

 

2:57 What does it mean to you to show up for yourself?

If we don’t try to put out our visions into the world then what's the point of just going through the motions of life. If it doesn’t excite you it’s a sign you need to show up for yourself and put something out into the world that helps people and inspires you as well because you'll feel a sense of accomplishment. If you feel a flutter in your heart that’s your passion and purpose and you need to listen to that. You can do anything you want and by taking action it inspires others to do the same.

 

4:20 Did you ever have times where you felt lost?

She knew she loved dance but she never thought dance was something she could pursue until high school. 

 

5:11 What a great world it would be if we could all merge what makes us happy with our career.

 

5:20 How did you come to the realization that dance could be a career?

When she was on the stage she knew it was what she loved to do so she started going to intensives and seeing other people who were doing it professionally so she’d encourage others to find people who are doing what they want or love. During her freshman year in college she auditioned for a show in LA even though she didn’t know if she was ready and she realized she loved it and it was what she wanted to do.

 

6:44 Two takeaways from her response - Surround yourself with people who have what you want so you can learn from them AND show up for yourself despite the fear because the fear will always be there but you just have to make the decision and go for it.

 

7:11 Can you speak on the importance of mentorship and the importance in helping people who are behind you in their journey?

She’s always had a teacher to help give her suggestions but no one gives a one on one game plan and she wishes she had that growing up. She had to learn by doing and although she doesn’t regret what she went through it wasn’t easy so she is finding purpose in helping other people out and teaching others from the mistakes she’s made.

 

8:45 Everybody's story and struggle has power but there are two perspectives on how you can look at it - you can be a victim or you can be empowered and strengthened by those things.

 

9:15 Can you share some of the fears or challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your career?

There will always be roadblocks when you’re going for something but what matters is if you can push through it and find a way no matter what. Just show up, be consistent, and go for it. If it’s what you love to do, don’t give up on it.

 

10:22 In the power of now a lot of times we go into a new situation with past baggage because we’re holding onto old memories. I always say what you focus on grows so you can either focus on the problem or what happened last time or you can focus on the solution and how you can get around that obstacle….. 

 

10:45 Do you have any suggestions or tips that have helped you push past those tough times?

She uses the passion inside her and sometimes it’s tough and tiring. Life is a rollercoaster and you’re not going to have successful days everyday. We’re all human so remember it’s temporary and it won't last but your perseverance and strength will. At the moment you think you can’t get past it but keep going and you will. Just having that awareness helps. Keep growing and expanding because there are no overnight successes. Don’t let anything take away your power. You don’t know who is looking up to you so don’t give up for yourself or for them.

 

13:10 Have you always been so confident? No. She doesn’t think anyone who steps into something new is confident. You won't be amazing at it in the beginning. Keep learning and trying to improve yourself. When you stop wanting to better yourself then you need to stop and reassess what you’re doing. A lot of people think when you hit a goal you’re done but that’s when you create another goal and keep going. No one knows what they’re doing, they just go and try. You develop confidence because you are doing the things you love and you’re inspiring so many people. Growth happens on the outside of the comfort zone

 

15:10 People who are above you and more successful than you they’re not going to judge you for taking a risk, it's only the people beneath you that are going to try to pull you back. 

 

15:15 You are a woman for women. Where did that come from? She is a huge fan of women going for what they want and developing self confidence. She grew up with strong, confident, inspiring humans so since she has such great women in her life she wants to do the same for others and her boyfriend is very supportive of her. 

 

17:22 They always say behind every strong man is a strong woman but it goes both ways. It takes a strong man to support and build up a strong woman.

 

17:40  I love quotes so another question that I like to ask every is what is your favorite quote you love or you love to live by?

“If it were impossible you would have never received the vision.” If it's in your head or heart you wouldn’t have gotten that feeling so you just have to make it happen and show up for yourself.

 

18:18 What are you excited about next and where can people find you?

She’s working on her new businesses and dancing. She’s planning a big choreographer showcase if anyone is interested in being a part of it you can contact her at LeighannaKennett@gmail.com. She’s also doing more filming and dance workshops so be on the lookout!