March 18, 2025 • 24 mins
🎧 Episode 158: Embracing Boldness with Leigh Burgess (Part 2)
In this conversation with Leigh Burgess, founder of the Bold Women's Community and national bestselling author of "Be BOLD Today," we explore how she's revolutionizing the way women show up in business and life. With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, Leigh shares insights on building authentic community, creating transformative spaces, and helping women design lives they love.
We explore:
- The pivotal moment that sparked Leigh's mission to help women embrace boldness
- The BOLD framework: Believe, Own, Learn, Design
- How intentionally small, intimate communities create deeper connections
- The importance of creating safe spaces where women can show up authentically
- Why taking the first step toward change can inspire others
- How facing the "worst case scenario" mindset holds women back
- The journey from corporate burnout to entrepreneurship and community building
🔑 Key takeaways:
- The BOLD framework provides a structured approach to transformation: Believe, Own, Learn, Design
- Community is essential for women making bold moves in their lives and careers
- Smaller, more intimate groups create deeper connections and more meaningful transformations
- The "Be BOLD Today" book guides readers to create their own bold blueprint for action
- Women often talk themselves out of action by focusing on worst-case scenarios
- You don't have to go "all in" to make meaningful change—small steps matter
- Your bold moves can inspire others who are watching your journey
💡 Quotes to remember:Â
"I wanted to create a space where women could be themselves in a 360 degree way." - Leigh Burgess
"Life is kind of a group project. There's different people that are going to support you and are going to be part of that journey." - Leigh Burgess
🌟 Featured Insights:
- How the Bold Women's Community creates a "come as you are" environment
- The power of taking the first step rather than waiting for perfection
- Why small, focused gatherings lead to deeper connections than large networks
- How Leigh's personal burnout journey informed her approach to helping others
- The importance of direct founder involvement in community building
- Why women feel responsible to "get it right" on the first try
📚 Connect with Leigh:
- https://leighburgess.com/
- Book: "Be BOLD Today: Unleash Your Potential, Master Your Mindset and Achieve Success":Â https://a.co/d/gPCC2wN
- Podcast: The Bold Lounge: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bold-lounge/id1634458725
A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to Evoke Greatness.
We are officially entering yearthree of this podcast and I am
filled with so much gratitudefor each and every one of you
who've joined me on thisincredible journey of growth and
self-discovery.
I'm Sunny, your host and fellowtraveler on this path of
personal evolution.
This podcast is a sanctuary forthe curious, the ambitious and
(00:28):
the introspective.
It's for those of you who, likeme, are captivated by the
champion mindset and driven byan insatiable hunger for growth
and knowledge.
Whether you're just beginningyour journey or you're well
along your path, you're going tofind stories here that resonate
with your experiences andaspirations.
Over the last two years, we'veshared countless stories of
triumph and challenge, ofresilience and transformation.
(00:51):
We've laughed, we've reflectedand we've grown together.
And as we've evolved, so toohas this podcast.
Remember, no matter whatchapter you're on in your own
story, you belong here.
This community we've builttogether is a place of support,
inspiration and shared growth.
Where intention goes, energyflows, and the energy you bring
(01:13):
to this space elevates us all.
So, whether you're listeningwhile commuting, working out or
enjoying your morning coffee,perhaps from one of those
motivational mugs I'm so fond of, know that you're a part of
something special.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for your curiosity,your openness and your
commitment to personal growth.
As we embark on year three, Iinvite you to lean in, to listen
(01:36):
deeply and to let these storiesresonate with your soul.
I believe that a rising tideraises all ships and I invite
you along in this journey toevoke greatness.
(01:57):
Welcome back to another episodeof Evoke Greatness, where we
deep dive into conversationsthat inspire, challenge and
transform.
Today, I'm thrilled to welcomeLeigh Burgess back for a second
time.
She is an absolute force ofnature who's revolutionizing how
women show up in both businessand life.
As the founder of the BoldWomen's Community, national
bestselling author of Be BoldToday Unleash your Potential,
(02:19):
master your Mindset and AchieveSuccess, and host of the podcast
, the Bold Lounge, leigh hasbuilt a movement that's helping
women embrace their authenticpower and create transformative
change in their lives.
With over 20 years experiencein leadership development a
background that spans fromcorporate boardrooms to
grassroots community buildingLeigh knows firsthand what it
takes to step into your fullpotential and create lasting
(02:41):
impact.
Her work has touched thousandsof lives, creating ripples of
transformation acrosscommunities and organizations
worldwide, whether you'reseeking to amplify your impact,
step into leadership ortransform your approach to life
and business.
Today's conversation is gonnagive you the inspiration and
tools you need to unleash yourbold, authentic self.
So get ready for some rawhonesty, practical wisdom and
(03:03):
the kind of conversation thatjust might change your life.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Leigh welcome back.
Thank you very much.
What an incredible intro.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
We were just talking before I hit record around the
fact that we had you on thefirst time and I'm going to go
back and reference the episodesso that people can go back and
listen but it was really just asyou were starting to launch
into your own business and itwas this kind of change of pace
for you as well, and so I lovedhaving the opportunity to be
able to flash forward today andtalk about, kind of where you're
(03:31):
at now.
You have a phenomenallysuccessful business where you're
really supporting women.
You're building incrediblecommunities, you have this
awesome book and you're runningall over the country being able
to go on tours and share kind ofthat story and the framework
with other women and helpingthem transform their lives.
I'd love to almost start thereas we talk about your book.
(03:53):
It's inspiring women to reallystep into their power, and so
I'd love for everybody to knowwhat was that pivotal moment in
your own life that reallysparked this mission to help
women embrace a sense ofboldness, and how has that
shaped your journey?
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Yeah, I think for the most part it probably all goes
back to me, you know, making themove out of corporate, which
the last time we talked it wasthe first time, you know,
probably I had taken the timefor myself to kind of renew and
refresh and was really gettingstarted.
But I think what motivated me inthat moment was I just don't
want anyone else to go throughthis or to wait too long to make
(04:30):
the choice, to make the move.
And I think, a lot of the timefor me, why I put it off or why
I ignored the signs and symptoms, was because I really didn't
know how to start.
So I wanted, I wanted women toknow they could start.
And first part, you know, thefirst part is like making the
decision yourself but thenrealizing you didn't have to do
(04:51):
it alone and creating communityand connection really does
support the next bold step.
And the next bold step and Ijust saw it time after time
after time, no matter what I wasdoing, whether it was the
podcast or starting the retreatsand the networking, you know,
through the bold table.
That is a whole different wayto network it just seemed that
it, you know, wasn't reallyabout me, it was about the space
(05:15):
I was creating, the intention Iwas setting and really the you
know, get down to it, takeaction type of momentum that I
wanted to create for women sothat they could claim their best
life.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Who is the ideal person to read this book?
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Yeah.
So it's definitely it's for menor women, but it's definitely
geared towards women, womenleaders particularly, who are
having basically two questionskind of come up inside.
So, for example, one of thethings that you could be feeling
right now is something's got togive, like it feels
overwhelming, or it feels likethings are really.
You know, life is running you,versus you running your life and
(05:50):
connected to your career.
It could mean that you justneed to do something different,
or it could be some tweaks andsome boundary setting that you
need to create within yourorganization.
So something's got to give, andit could be on a lot of levels
and including relationships.
So, let's say, the relationshipisn't going well or it's not
getting better.
You know something's got togive.
(06:11):
The other side of the coin isreally I'm really curious about.
I wish I could.
You know, I'd love to explorewhat.
If.
So, if you're feeling likethose moments, I think this
gives you the opportunity toreally start to, I think, filter
it out, Like, where do youstart and what's the first step?
And really the book truly isgoing to walk you through the
(06:33):
entire framework of Believe, Own, Learn, Design and at the end
of the book you actually have.
You have drafted your boldblueprint, which is really your
action plan to take the stepsforward.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
And you referenced that acronym and that was really
most of what you're doing iskind of built off this
foundation of the BOLD framework.
I would love for you to justkind of touch on that a bit and
share a little bit more insightabout how did you come to that
and how has that kind of beenthe foundation for the rest of
what you do 20, I hadn't plannedit and I'm a planner and I like
(07:09):
to make sure there's, you know,all the backup plans for if
something doesn't work.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
But I really didn't have that choice and I had to
choose my health and wellnessand my family, honestly, so I
needed some type of step orprocess or framework.
I am very visual and so I neededto understand, kind of what did
I need to do?
And I think, before I even gotmy coach, which I did in that
time period I needed to get well, to feel like I could sleep
(07:38):
through the night, like it wasjust in a bad place with regard
to, you know, just my habits, so, but a lot of it seemed to
really revolve around what Ibelieved, or the belief I had in
myself too, at that time, andso, for me, I started there and
then I realized how much mybeliefs really were the
foundation of everything I wasdoing and getting those in check
(08:00):
and, you know, being able tomonitor when things are off,
because it's not perfect evennow, like I need to work on
those and the same thing withownership, which is really about
what do you own and not own andhow are you truly applying your
learnings, like I knew a lot atthat time, like, oh you know,
almost 25 years of experience.
At that point, you know what didI know I actually didn't know
if I was going to go back oreven connect back into
(08:22):
healthcare because I just feltso burnt out from it, even
though I was still really goodat it.
And then the opportunity atthat time I was 48 and I could
design a life that I loved andwanted to live and that was
really really exciting andfreeing and really really scary,
all at the same timeSurrounding all the work you've
done.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
You have really been intentional about building a
community and that has startedto span.
I have personally been impactedby the opportunity to be a part
of your community and that hasstarted to span.
I have personally been impactedby the opportunity to be a part
of your community and I thinkand I look around the way that
you've developed this it's growninto something really
remarkable.
I would love for you to sharekind of what inspired you to
(09:03):
create that space for otherwomen, maybe even a story for
listeners about you know you'veseen other women, other people
flourish through, like steppinginto their most bold self
throughout your community.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Yeah, I wanted to create a space where women could
be themselves in a 360 degreeway.
We're all in different type ofmemberships or committees or
groups and usually they'reconnected to our title, or if
we're a mom, or if we're abusiness owner or if we're, you
know, helping a parent.
At this point, I mean, there'sso many different transitions
(09:39):
that one could be in and how wecould be labeled, so to speak.
But honestly, I just wanted aplace where I could just be me,
because part of my career, Idon't think I could actually be
fully me.
Like you know, 80 percent was agood day if I was 80 percent me
, but I just felt like I neededto.
You know checks and balancesand, understandably, you know
you're not going to go all out,but I wanted a safe space for
(10:01):
folks to come in to be able toshare, you know, their ambitions
openly and not be criticized orfeel like they were going to be
compared, and then also torealize, to see, you know
firsthand, for me life can bemessy.
You know everything isn't, youknow, perfect.
It doesn't go right the firsttime, always, a lot of the times
it doesn't.
And you know life is kind of agroup project.
(10:22):
That's what I look at.
You know, there's differentpeople that are going to support
you and are going to be part ofthat journey and I just wanted
to create something smaller too.
So it's intentionally small.
A lot of the things that I doare intentionally small, where
I'll see other people, like, dosomething in a group of 20.
I want to do it in a group offive.
My learnings of seeing how thesmaller groups really create
(10:51):
higher connection between thewomen and my ability to also be
more involved and present inwhat they're trying to do, so
the community really createdthat space.
I think that was also, I think,originally started in some of
the smaller things that I didearly on, like the bold retreat.
So two years in to the businesswe're now and we're beginning
year five.
And you know two years in iswhen I started trying some
(11:15):
things.
I started the podcast in themiddle of that year.
Then I did one bold retreat andone bold table at the end of
that year.
So, and these were things I hadnot had on the list, they
weren't things that I had setout to do, but it grew
organically through myinteractions with people,
through my consulting and mycoaching, and that's really what
(11:35):
I did for the first two yearswas really focused on those two
things.
So last time we talked, a lotof these things didn't even
exist and weren't even on thelist.
And so for me, sometimes Ithink life calls you to action,
and I felt like these weremoments after that first bold
retreat and I saw the space thatwe created to really talk about
(11:56):
our bold move or what we'regoing to to make those bold
moves off of.
I just saw women start to takeaction, to create a plan to set
boundaries, set boundaries.
You know there's examples,there's so many at this point.
Honestly, one of the examples,just from the original bold
retreat, was one of the womenknew that it wasn't aligned for
(12:17):
her in her role and she knew sheneeded to eventually make a
change, most likely over thenext year.
And I had shared once you havea plan, you might move faster,
but a year is great and you canalways make it two years, three
years, it's totally up to you.
So she created that plan at theBold Retreat and then, within a
month, she had made her moveand she not only moved business,
(12:39):
she started her business, shemoved her family to a different
state.
You know she was doing allthese things that she felt
unaligned and she started totake action, but it was all very
fast action.
I've seen other women again, Ithink, with their relationships,
with their friends or even withtheir loved ones or their
partner, really have some hardconversations and determine how
(13:02):
to move forward together or ifit just isn't the right space
for both of them to flourish.
And I think some of thoseconversations have led to
improved relationships and Ithink, people feeling better
than ever in their relationshipsand I think for others it's
given them a way to actuallytrack forward if they're going
to be able to have therelationship as it is or if it
(13:25):
needs to be different.
And then I'll finish with one.
I think you know, one of thethings I ask a lot of our group
in the collective is like thereare bold moves and taking action
, and so it's kind of this dailynudge, literally, of you know,
did you do what you said youwanted to do?
Are you committed to yourselfand accountable?
So I think it's like a dailyreminder of taking action.
(13:48):
I have seen women write booksand again, I'm just part of it.
I'm not saying I'm the reasonfor it but you know, checking in
, how's it going, what's it looklike?
I've seen them become speakersand take on stages and do those
types of things and ultimatelyI've seen them just gain clarity
and confidence.
That comes from really having adefined action and a defined
(14:10):
vision for your life and I thinkthat's where the space comes
into place of they can seepeople trying things, doing
different things, puttingthemselves out there.
And a quote from the boldmastermind that I just.
I started the mastermind and wejust had our first in-person
retreat and one of the womensaid you know those moments in
life where something happens andyou just can't go back to the
(14:33):
way it was and it's going to beso different moving forward.
I just had that moment in themastermind.
So I feel like I'm just avessel, like for stuff happening
, in the sense of like I'm, I'mhere to help, support and be
part of that journey and I'vejust seen incredible outcomes
occur.
But I always give credit to thewomen because they do the hard
(14:53):
work.
They do the work and I'm thereto help and support and give
feedback all that I can.
But if they didn't make themove or check themselves or
create the action, it wouldn'thappen.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Well, and I think it's the intentionality that
you've created this space forwomen, and it's oftentimes the
intimacy around those smallergroups.
So, having been able toparticipate in one of the bold
retreats and getting ready toattend the next one, I think,
personally, I feel like whatyou've created.
There is a space forauthenticity.
So it's not, you know,sometimes women they get
(15:45):
together and these groups arecreated and there's more of a
feeling in the air around.
People have to, they have tocome with their, you know, with
their best right and only theirbest, like here's, like the best
of the best and these thingsthat we've done and achieved.
It's also about the hard thatyou went through to get to the
really great.
That's the piece that I love somuch, because I feel like people
.
Then they show up in acompletely different sense.
Right, there's almost a senseof permission to show up as your
(16:05):
whole self, sharing, growingtogether.
And that wouldn't happenwithout the intentionality that
you have put into kind of thedetails, and it's probably, I'm
sure, been iterations from thefirst retreat or the first, you
know, first moments of creatingthe community or the first bold
table.
But that is something that Ithink is very different is.
There is a sense ofauthenticity for each person to
(16:27):
show up in.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Yeah, and come, as you are right, you know, in that
sense.
And then also, I think just theaccess to me in the community
is not like any other communityI've ever been in.
So the founder usually isn'trunning a meeting, the founder
isn't usually, you know, doingthe group coaching or part of
the member meetup and thosetypes of things and although
(16:50):
those sound like, oh, that'sjust a moment or two, I mean
that's, that's time, that's, youknow, space for you know access
, it's on purpose and so, likeyou said, it's intention, it's
intentional, so it isn't.
You know, I could certainlyhave a community manager and
someone kind of doing that, butI don't think it would be the
same.
Sunny, I don't know.
(17:10):
You've been in it and you'vebeen in some of the other
memberships I've been in, wherethere's incredible resources but
it's so confusing and so bigand it doesn't feel personal
ever.
So you can be in our communityand you put out a DM and I'm
like right there DMing you back.
So it's Lee on the other side.
It isn't a community manager.
(17:36):
So I think that is a part of theintention and it's definitely
an iteration because you know,as an entrepreneur, I say this a
lot, but it's true you reallydon't really know what you're
doing, like you're just maybethis will work.
You're thoughtful and pragmatic.
It isn't just like you knowyou're throwing at the wall and
see it a full stick, but youknow you don't get it perfect
the right time.
There are criticisms there.
You know not everybody's happyand you know that's harder for
(17:56):
me as a people.
Please, honestly, like some ofthe times I was like man, like
why did that happen?
Or why didn't they renew or why?
You know those times, justknowing that I could just be
there for a moment in time andthat's enough to help someone,
kind of move's like intentional.
And then also I realized thatit's not sometimes going to be a
(18:32):
lifelong moment.
It's going to be potentiallyjust what they needed for that
time to kind of get them overyou know whether it's the, you
know the bump that they in theroad or get them over like you
have a plan and you can takeaction.
So I just want to be thatperson that kind of is a
catalyst for what's next andgetting them closer to that life
they want to live.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
In your experience working with women leaders, what
have you found is the mostcommon self-imposed barrier that
you see people struggling withand how do you try to guide
people out of sometimes theirown way?
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Yeah, there's a lot of worst case scenario, I think,
in our lives, like we are veryresponsible, very intelligent,
very schooled on kind of what wedo and in environments we're in
across our industries, but wealso have a way of talking
ourselves out of action becausewe think of the very worst thing
that could happen.
So, like an example of this andthis was if someone wants to be
(19:30):
an entrepreneur, take that step, they think they have to go a
hundred percent in, quit theirjob and, you know, make as much
as they made instantaneously.
Well, that's extremely hard andI, there's there.
Maybe there are some people, ahandful that have done that, but
it is not the norm.
So one way to look at it is youknow, if you don't really
(19:50):
follow your passion or if youdon't take action, what happens
then?
So, thinking about the cost ofinaction versus taking action, I
just really ask people to thinkthat through.
So like, if I don't follow upor if I don't get curious about
this is going to keep coming up,because I feel like that that
is planted in us, meaning likeit's something we're supposed to
(20:26):
figure out, but you don't haveto go 100%, even though, like,
we give 100%.
I think that's just ingrainedin us.
Not just full time coaching.
What do they say?
What would they do, like ifsomeone asked me, like you've
reached out to me, like I'lltell you, like what I wouldn't
do, what I'd do again?
You know, we learn things alongthe way, have a worst case
scenario and feel a lot ofresponsibility to like get it
(20:51):
right on the very first pass andhonestly, that's just not what
life is about.
I think taking the step isinspiring, not only for you,
your family, but I think forothers, to see you try something
new.
You don't really value orrealize how many people may be
looking at you as an example ofwhat they could be or what they
(21:11):
could do, and I actually thinkthat becomes a responsibility.
So the first time that someonesaid I inspired them, it hit in
a way that I had never thoughtit would hit, meaning like how
could I inspire somebody?
I'm just doing my thing, livingmy life, trying to recover from
burnout.
And when they said that to me,I just felt like at that point
(21:31):
in time and I've told this tosome other women as well that
you know are kind of making thismove I think you have a gift
now and you know you have it andit's.
I feel like it's aresponsibility to share it and
through the different things andofferings that I can offer, I
really want women to be able tolearn or see or get motivated to
(21:52):
take that first step, and thebook is a great way to do that.
Or coming to just a dinnerwhere you meet a lot of the
women in the community andconnect with an expert, and the
retreats kind of are that deepdive.
And then the mastermind is sixmonths of really five of us
working together through thosesix months together and I've
already seen the women cometogether differently in this
(22:13):
space than I have in some of theother spaces.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
Okay, you know how it goes.
This is where I hit the pausebutton.
I hope you have enjoyed partone of Bold by Design with my
guest, leigh Burgess.
Make sure to check back nextweek for part two, where we
explore how to redefine boldnessin a way that feels authentic
rather than aggressive, breakingthe cycle of perfectionism and
(22:37):
its impact on productivity,practical boundary-setting
techniques for both work andpersonal life, and the role of
community in supporting boldmoves and authentic leadership.
Bold moves and authenticleadership.
And, as I mentioned, this isthe second time Leigh's been on
a podcast, so if you haven'tlistened to the very first
episode I did with her, go back.
It's episode 23.
(22:57):
And it's really when I firststarted this podcast and Leigh
was just starting out in herentrepreneurial journey.
Hope you enjoyed it and I lookforward to seeing you back next
week.
Thank you so much for listeningand for being here on this
journey with me.
I hope you'll stick around Ifyou liked this episode.
It would mean the world for meif you would rate and review the
(23:19):
podcast or share it withsomeone you know.
Many need to hear this message.
I love to hear from you all andwant you to know that you can
leave me a voicemail directly.
If you go to my website,evokegreatnesscom, and go to the
contact me tab, you'll just hitthe big old orange button and
record your message.
I love the feedback andcomments that I've been getting,
so please keep them coming.
(23:39):
I'll leave you with the wisewords of author Robin Sharma
Greatness comes by doing a fewsmall and smart things each and
every day.
It comes from taking littlesteps consistently.
It comes from making a fewsmall chips against everything
in your professional andpersonal life that is ordinary,
so that a day eventually arriveswhen all that's left is the
(24:02):
extraordinary you.
Welcome to Evoke Greatness.
We are officially entering yearthree of this podcast and I am
filled with so much gratitudefor each and every one of you
who've joined me on thisincredible journey of growth and
self-discovery.
I'm Sunny, your host and fellowtraveler on this path of
personal evolution.
This podcast is a sanctuary forthe curious, the ambitious and
(00:28):
the introspective.
It's for those of you who, likeme, are captivated by the
champion mindset and driven byan insatiable hunger for growth
and knowledge.
Whether you're just beginningyour journey or you're well
along your path, you're going tofind stories here that resonate
with your experiences andaspirations.
Over the last two years, we'veshared countless stories of
triumph and challenge, ofresilience and transformation.
(00:51):
We've laughed, we've reflectedand we've grown together.
And as we've evolved, so toohas this podcast.
Remember, no matter whatchapter you're on in your own
story, you belong here.
This community we've builttogether is a place of support,
inspiration and shared growth.
Where intention goes, energyflows, and the energy you bring
(01:13):
to this space elevates us all.
So, whether you're listeningwhile commuting, working out or
enjoying your morning coffee,perhaps from one of those
motivational mugs I'm so fond of, know that you're a part of
something special.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for your curiosity,your openness and your
commitment to personal growth.
As we embark on year three, Iinvite you to lean in, to listen
(01:36):
deeply and to let these storiesresonate with your soul.
I believe that a rising tideraises all ships and I invite
you along in this journey toevoke greatness.
(01:57):
Welcome back to another episodeof Evoke Greatness, where we
deep dive into conversationsthat inspire, challenge and
transform.
Today, I'm thrilled to welcomeLeigh Burgess back for a second
time.
She is an absolute force ofnature who's revolutionizing how
women show up in both businessand life.
As the founder of the BoldWomen's Community, national
bestselling author of Be BoldToday Unleash your Potential,
(02:19):
master your Mindset and AchieveSuccess, and host of the podcast
, the Bold Lounge, leigh hasbuilt a movement that's helping
women embrace their authenticpower and create transformative
change in their lives.
With over 20 years experiencein leadership development a
background that spans fromcorporate boardrooms to
grassroots community buildingLeigh knows firsthand what it
takes to step into your fullpotential and create lasting
(02:41):
impact.
Her work has touched thousandsof lives, creating ripples of
transformation acrosscommunities and organizations
worldwide, whether you'reseeking to amplify your impact,
step into leadership ortransform your approach to life
and business.
Today's conversation is gonnagive you the inspiration and
tools you need to unleash yourbold, authentic self.
So get ready for some rawhonesty, practical wisdom and
(03:03):
the kind of conversation thatjust might change your life.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Leigh welcome back.
Thank you very much.
What an incredible intro.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
We were just talking before I hit record around the
fact that we had you on thefirst time and I'm going to go
back and reference the episodesso that people can go back and
listen but it was really just asyou were starting to launch
into your own business and itwas this kind of change of pace
for you as well, and so I lovedhaving the opportunity to be
able to flash forward today andtalk about, kind of where you're
(03:31):
at now.
You have a phenomenallysuccessful business where you're
really supporting women.
You're building incrediblecommunities, you have this
awesome book and you're runningall over the country being able
to go on tours and share kind ofthat story and the framework
with other women and helpingthem transform their lives.
I'd love to almost start thereas we talk about your book.
(03:53):
It's inspiring women to reallystep into their power, and so
I'd love for everybody to knowwhat was that pivotal moment in
your own life that reallysparked this mission to help
women embrace a sense ofboldness, and how has that
shaped your journey?
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Yeah, I think for the most part it probably all goes
back to me, you know, making themove out of corporate, which
the last time we talked it wasthe first time, you know,
probably I had taken the timefor myself to kind of renew and
refresh and was really gettingstarted.
But I think what motivated me inthat moment was I just don't
want anyone else to go throughthis or to wait too long to make
(04:30):
the choice, to make the move.
And I think, a lot of the timefor me, why I put it off or why
I ignored the signs and symptoms, was because I really didn't
know how to start.
So I wanted, I wanted women toknow they could start.
And first part, you know, thefirst part is like making the
decision yourself but thenrealizing you didn't have to do
(04:51):
it alone and creating communityand connection really does
support the next bold step.
And the next bold step and Ijust saw it time after time
after time, no matter what I wasdoing, whether it was the
podcast or starting the retreatsand the networking, you know,
through the bold table.
That is a whole different wayto network it just seemed that
it, you know, wasn't reallyabout me, it was about the space
(05:15):
I was creating, the intention Iwas setting and really the you
know, get down to it, takeaction type of momentum that I
wanted to create for women sothat they could claim their best
life.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Who is the ideal person to read this book?
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Yeah.
So it's definitely it's for menor women, but it's definitely
geared towards women, womenleaders particularly, who are
having basically two questionskind of come up inside.
So, for example, one of thethings that you could be feeling
right now is something's got togive, like it feels
overwhelming, or it feels likethings are really.
You know, life is running you,versus you running your life and
(05:50):
connected to your career.
It could mean that you justneed to do something different,
or it could be some tweaks andsome boundary setting that you
need to create within yourorganization.
So something's got to give, andit could be on a lot of levels
and including relationships.
So, let's say, the relationshipisn't going well or it's not
getting better.
You know something's got togive.
(06:11):
The other side of the coin isreally I'm really curious about.
I wish I could.
You know, I'd love to explorewhat.
If.
So, if you're feeling likethose moments, I think this
gives you the opportunity toreally start to, I think, filter
it out, Like, where do youstart and what's the first step?
And really the book truly isgoing to walk you through the
(06:33):
entire framework of Believe, Own, Learn, Design and at the end
of the book you actually have.
You have drafted your boldblueprint, which is really your
action plan to take the stepsforward.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
And you referenced that acronym and that was really
most of what you're doing iskind of built off this
foundation of the BOLD framework.
I would love for you to justkind of touch on that a bit and
share a little bit more insightabout how did you come to that
and how has that kind of beenthe foundation for the rest of
what you do 20, I hadn't plannedit and I'm a planner and I like
(07:09):
to make sure there's, you know,all the backup plans for if
something doesn't work.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
But I really didn't have that choice and I had to
choose my health and wellnessand my family, honestly, so I
needed some type of step orprocess or framework.
I am very visual and so I neededto understand, kind of what did
I need to do?
And I think, before I even gotmy coach, which I did in that
time period I needed to get well, to feel like I could sleep
(07:38):
through the night, like it wasjust in a bad place with regard
to, you know, just my habits, so, but a lot of it seemed to
really revolve around what Ibelieved, or the belief I had in
myself too, at that time, andso, for me, I started there and
then I realized how much mybeliefs really were the
foundation of everything I wasdoing and getting those in check
(08:00):
and, you know, being able tomonitor when things are off,
because it's not perfect evennow, like I need to work on
those and the same thing withownership, which is really about
what do you own and not own andhow are you truly applying your
learnings, like I knew a lot atthat time, like, oh you know,
almost 25 years of experience.
At that point, you know what didI know I actually didn't know
if I was going to go back oreven connect back into
(08:22):
healthcare because I just feltso burnt out from it, even
though I was still really goodat it.
And then the opportunity atthat time I was 48 and I could
design a life that I loved andwanted to live and that was
really really exciting andfreeing and really really scary,
all at the same timeSurrounding all the work you've
done.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
You have really been intentional about building a
community and that has startedto span.
I have personally been impactedby the opportunity to be a part
of your community and that hasstarted to span.
I have personally been impactedby the opportunity to be a part
of your community and I thinkand I look around the way that
you've developed this it's growninto something really
remarkable.
I would love for you to sharekind of what inspired you to
(09:03):
create that space for otherwomen, maybe even a story for
listeners about you know you'veseen other women, other people
flourish through, like steppinginto their most bold self
throughout your community.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Yeah, I wanted to create a space where women could
be themselves in a 360 degreeway.
We're all in different type ofmemberships or committees or
groups and usually they'reconnected to our title, or if
we're a mom, or if we're abusiness owner or if we're, you
know, helping a parent.
At this point, I mean, there'sso many different transitions
(09:39):
that one could be in and how wecould be labeled, so to speak.
But honestly, I just wanted aplace where I could just be me,
because part of my career, Idon't think I could actually be
fully me.
Like you know, 80 percent was agood day if I was 80 percent me
, but I just felt like I neededto.
You know checks and balancesand, understandably, you know
you're not going to go all out,but I wanted a safe space for
(10:01):
folks to come in to be able toshare, you know, their ambitions
openly and not be criticized orfeel like they were going to be
compared, and then also torealize, to see, you know
firsthand, for me life can bemessy.
You know everything isn't, youknow, perfect.
It doesn't go right the firsttime, always, a lot of the times
it doesn't.
And you know life is kind of agroup project.
(10:22):
That's what I look at.
You know, there's differentpeople that are going to support
you and are going to be part ofthat journey and I just wanted
to create something smaller too.
So it's intentionally small.
A lot of the things that I doare intentionally small, where
I'll see other people, like, dosomething in a group of 20.
I want to do it in a group offive.
My learnings of seeing how thesmaller groups really create
(10:51):
higher connection between thewomen and my ability to also be
more involved and present inwhat they're trying to do, so
the community really createdthat space.
I think that was also, I think,originally started in some of
the smaller things that I didearly on, like the bold retreat.
So two years in to the businesswe're now and we're beginning
year five.
And you know two years in iswhen I started trying some
(11:15):
things.
I started the podcast in themiddle of that year.
Then I did one bold retreat andone bold table at the end of
that year.
So, and these were things I hadnot had on the list, they
weren't things that I had setout to do, but it grew
organically through myinteractions with people,
through my consulting and mycoaching, and that's really what
(11:35):
I did for the first two yearswas really focused on those two
things.
So last time we talked, a lotof these things didn't even
exist and weren't even on thelist.
And so for me, sometimes Ithink life calls you to action,
and I felt like these weremoments after that first bold
retreat and I saw the space thatwe created to really talk about
(11:56):
our bold move or what we'regoing to to make those bold
moves off of.
I just saw women start to takeaction, to create a plan to set
boundaries, set boundaries.
You know there's examples,there's so many at this point.
Honestly, one of the examples,just from the original bold
retreat, was one of the womenknew that it wasn't aligned for
(12:17):
her in her role and she knew sheneeded to eventually make a
change, most likely over thenext year.
And I had shared once you havea plan, you might move faster,
but a year is great and you canalways make it two years, three
years, it's totally up to you.
So she created that plan at theBold Retreat and then, within a
month, she had made her moveand she not only moved business,
(12:39):
she started her business, shemoved her family to a different
state.
You know she was doing allthese things that she felt
unaligned and she started totake action, but it was all very
fast action.
I've seen other women again, Ithink, with their relationships,
with their friends or even withtheir loved ones or their
partner, really have some hardconversations and determine how
(13:02):
to move forward together or ifit just isn't the right space
for both of them to flourish.
And I think some of thoseconversations have led to
improved relationships and Ithink, people feeling better
than ever in their relationshipsand I think for others it's
given them a way to actuallytrack forward if they're going
to be able to have therelationship as it is or if it
(13:25):
needs to be different.
And then I'll finish with one.
I think you know, one of thethings I ask a lot of our group
in the collective is like thereare bold moves and taking action
, and so it's kind of this dailynudge, literally, of you know,
did you do what you said youwanted to do?
Are you committed to yourselfand accountable?
So I think it's like a dailyreminder of taking action.
(13:48):
I have seen women write booksand again, I'm just part of it.
I'm not saying I'm the reasonfor it but you know, checking in
, how's it going, what's it looklike?
I've seen them become speakersand take on stages and do those
types of things and ultimatelyI've seen them just gain clarity
and confidence.
That comes from really having adefined action and a defined
(14:10):
vision for your life and I thinkthat's where the space comes
into place of they can seepeople trying things, doing
different things, puttingthemselves out there.
And a quote from the boldmastermind that I just.
I started the mastermind and wejust had our first in-person
retreat and one of the womensaid you know those moments in
life where something happens andyou just can't go back to the
(14:33):
way it was and it's going to beso different moving forward.
I just had that moment in themastermind.
So I feel like I'm just avessel, like for stuff happening
, in the sense of like I'm, I'mhere to help, support and be
part of that journey and I'vejust seen incredible outcomes
occur.
But I always give credit to thewomen because they do the hard
(14:53):
work.
They do the work and I'm thereto help and support and give
feedback all that I can.
But if they didn't make themove or check themselves or
create the action, it wouldn'thappen.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Well, and I think it's the intentionality that
you've created this space forwomen, and it's oftentimes the
intimacy around those smallergroups.
So, having been able toparticipate in one of the bold
retreats and getting ready toattend the next one, I think,
personally, I feel like whatyou've created.
There is a space forauthenticity.
So it's not, you know,sometimes women they get
(15:45):
together and these groups arecreated and there's more of a
feeling in the air around.
People have to, they have tocome with their, you know, with
their best right and only theirbest, like here's, like the best
of the best and these thingsthat we've done and achieved.
It's also about the hard thatyou went through to get to the
really great.
That's the piece that I love somuch, because I feel like people
.
Then they show up in acompletely different sense.
Right, there's almost a senseof permission to show up as your
(16:05):
whole self, sharing, growingtogether.
And that wouldn't happenwithout the intentionality that
you have put into kind of thedetails, and it's probably, I'm
sure, been iterations from thefirst retreat or the first, you
know, first moments of creatingthe community or the first bold
table.
But that is something that Ithink is very different is.
There is a sense ofauthenticity for each person to
(16:27):
show up in.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Yeah, and come, as you are right, you know, in that
sense.
And then also, I think just theaccess to me in the community
is not like any other communityI've ever been in.
So the founder usually isn'trunning a meeting, the founder
isn't usually, you know, doingthe group coaching or part of
the member meetup and thosetypes of things and although
(16:50):
those sound like, oh, that'sjust a moment or two, I mean
that's, that's time, that's, youknow, space for you know access
, it's on purpose and so, likeyou said, it's intention, it's
intentional, so it isn't.
You know, I could certainlyhave a community manager and
someone kind of doing that, butI don't think it would be the
same.
Sunny, I don't know.
(17:10):
You've been in it and you'vebeen in some of the other
memberships I've been in, wherethere's incredible resources but
it's so confusing and so bigand it doesn't feel personal
ever.
So you can be in our communityand you put out a DM and I'm
like right there DMing you back.
So it's Lee on the other side.
It isn't a community manager.
(17:36):
So I think that is a part of theintention and it's definitely
an iteration because you know,as an entrepreneur, I say this a
lot, but it's true you reallydon't really know what you're
doing, like you're just maybethis will work.
You're thoughtful and pragmatic.
It isn't just like you knowyou're throwing at the wall and
see it a full stick, but youknow you don't get it perfect
the right time.
There are criticisms there.
You know not everybody's happyand you know that's harder for
(17:56):
me as a people.
Please, honestly, like some ofthe times I was like man, like
why did that happen?
Or why didn't they renew or why?
You know those times, justknowing that I could just be
there for a moment in time andthat's enough to help someone,
kind of move's like intentional.
And then also I realized thatit's not sometimes going to be a
(18:32):
lifelong moment.
It's going to be potentiallyjust what they needed for that
time to kind of get them overyou know whether it's the, you
know the bump that they in theroad or get them over like you
have a plan and you can takeaction.
So I just want to be thatperson that kind of is a
catalyst for what's next andgetting them closer to that life
they want to live.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
In your experience working with women leaders, what
have you found is the mostcommon self-imposed barrier that
you see people struggling withand how do you try to guide
people out of sometimes theirown way?
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Yeah, there's a lot of worst case scenario, I think,
in our lives, like we are veryresponsible, very intelligent,
very schooled on kind of what wedo and in environments we're in
across our industries, but wealso have a way of talking
ourselves out of action becausewe think of the very worst thing
that could happen.
So, like an example of this andthis was if someone wants to be
(19:30):
an entrepreneur, take that step, they think they have to go a
hundred percent in, quit theirjob and, you know, make as much
as they made instantaneously.
Well, that's extremely hard andI, there's there.
Maybe there are some people, ahandful that have done that, but
it is not the norm.
So one way to look at it is youknow, if you don't really
(19:50):
follow your passion or if youdon't take action, what happens
then?
So, thinking about the cost ofinaction versus taking action, I
just really ask people to thinkthat through.
So like, if I don't follow upor if I don't get curious about
this is going to keep coming up,because I feel like that that
is planted in us, meaning likeit's something we're supposed to
(20:26):
figure out, but you don't haveto go 100%, even though, like,
we give 100%.
I think that's just ingrainedin us.
Not just full time coaching.
What do they say?
What would they do, like ifsomeone asked me, like you've
reached out to me, like I'lltell you, like what I wouldn't
do, what I'd do again?
You know, we learn things alongthe way, have a worst case
scenario and feel a lot ofresponsibility to like get it
(20:51):
right on the very first pass andhonestly, that's just not what
life is about.
I think taking the step isinspiring, not only for you,
your family, but I think forothers, to see you try something
new.
You don't really value orrealize how many people may be
looking at you as an example ofwhat they could be or what they
(21:11):
could do, and I actually thinkthat becomes a responsibility.
So the first time that someonesaid I inspired them, it hit in
a way that I had never thoughtit would hit, meaning like how
could I inspire somebody?
I'm just doing my thing, livingmy life, trying to recover from
burnout.
And when they said that to me,I just felt like at that point
(21:31):
in time and I've told this tosome other women as well that
you know are kind of making thismove I think you have a gift
now and you know you have it andit's.
I feel like it's aresponsibility to share it and
through the different things andofferings that I can offer, I
really want women to be able tolearn or see or get motivated to
(21:52):
take that first step, and thebook is a great way to do that.
Or coming to just a dinnerwhere you meet a lot of the
women in the community andconnect with an expert, and the
retreats kind of are that deepdive.
And then the mastermind is sixmonths of really five of us
working together through thosesix months together and I've
already seen the women cometogether differently in this
(22:13):
space than I have in some of theother spaces.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
Okay, you know how it goes.
This is where I hit the pausebutton.
I hope you have enjoyed partone of Bold by Design with my
guest, leigh Burgess.
Make sure to check back nextweek for part two, where we
explore how to redefine boldnessin a way that feels authentic
rather than aggressive, breakingthe cycle of perfectionism and
(22:37):
its impact on productivity,practical boundary-setting
techniques for both work andpersonal life, and the role of
community in supporting boldmoves and authentic leadership.
Bold moves and authenticleadership.
And, as I mentioned, this isthe second time Leigh's been on
a podcast, so if you haven'tlistened to the very first
episode I did with her, go back.
It's episode 23.
(22:57):
And it's really when I firststarted this podcast and Leigh
was just starting out in herentrepreneurial journey.
Hope you enjoyed it and I lookforward to seeing you back next
week.
Thank you so much for listeningand for being here on this
journey with me.
I hope you'll stick around Ifyou liked this episode.
It would mean the world for meif you would rate and review the
(23:19):
podcast or share it withsomeone you know.
Many need to hear this message.
I love to hear from you all andwant you to know that you can
leave me a voicemail directly.
If you go to my website,evokegreatnesscom, and go to the
contact me tab, you'll just hitthe big old orange button and
record your message.
I love the feedback andcomments that I've been getting,
so please keep them coming.
(23:39):
I'll leave you with the wisewords of author Robin Sharma
Greatness comes by doing a fewsmall and smart things each and
every day.
It comes from taking littlesteps consistently.
It comes from making a fewsmall chips against everything
in your professional andpersonal life that is ordinary,
so that a day eventually arriveswhen all that's left is the
(24:02):
extraordinary you.
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