I Found Power In Pivoting

Sometimes life doesn’t unfold the way we planned—and in those moments, we’re faced with a choice: remain where we are or find the courage to pivot.

In this episode, I open up about my personal journey of navigating change, trusting myself, and embracing a new direction. Through a guided conversation with a close friend who steps in as co-host, I’m asked thoughtful questions that allow for deeper reflection and honest conversation about what it truly means to let go, realign, and move forward with intention.

Pivoting isn’t always easy—it can feel uncomfortable, uncertain, and even isolating. But I’ve learned that there is power in choosing yourself, trusting the process, and allowing your path to evolve.

If you’re in a season of transition or feeling called to shift in your life, this episode is your reminder that your pivot has purpose—and your next chapter is still unfolding.

Transcript

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SPEAKER_01 0:02

Welcome to season two of the Thad Podcast. My name is Quantil, I am your host, and today we will be doing something a little different. Usually she's the one asking the questions, but today we're turning the mic around. Yes. Today episode is titled I Found Power in Pivoting. This is a conversation about carriage, obedience, fear, re-intervate, reintervention, and what happens when a woman decides she can't stay the same anymore. She's a podcast host, a creator, a visionary, a founder. But today she's just aging. Welcome to our show, Aging. Thank you, Plantia.

SPEAKER_02 0:51

I'm excited to be on the other end today. Yes. How do we feel? Uh, I kind of feel nervous most of the time before I record any episode. Um, but today a little extra nervous because I'm not the one asking the questions, I'm the one answering the questions. Um, but when I think about the title um and the theme of this particular episode, it really just resonated with me. And I felt like instead of looking for someone else to fit the theme, why not just be the person for this episode? Because I spend the last three months of 2025 pivoting. So I'm excited.

SPEAKER_01 1:40

Yes, and I'm excited for you because I mean, we're talking about season two. Okay. Don't be homie. Season one has been transitioning the whole the whole season has been you transitioning and pivoting. So now season two, we're here to talk about it, and I'm here for it. Don't be in my business too much though. No, I'm gonna be just like how you're wow. Okay, so we're just gonna dive into the first question. Um, let's so I found power in pivoting. Okay, so before the pivot, who were you before who were you before you pivoted? Like, and what what didn't people see about the version of you?

SPEAKER_02 2:26

Huh, who was I before I pivoted? I think I was like on a healing and growing journey. Um, and I was just in the midst of a lot of transitions, spiritually, physically, emotionally. And sometimes I feel like those transitions happen within you before they happen outside of you. So sometimes we we shift and we change within ourselves, and then once we settle in that, into that, it starts to show outwardly and people notice. Um, so I feel like that's kind of where I've been over the past three or four years. Um, I think it started for me with um being in the midst of dealing with my mom having dementia, um trying to balance so many things at that time of my life, having a baby in the middle of a pandemic, um, being at home with a newborn and my other kids doing school online. I was doing school online at the time. Um, it just was a lot happening. Um and so I find myself I found myself like very overwhelmed but also super depressed, but still like functioning. Um, and so I decided to go to therapy, and I think that was the best thing that I I could have done for myself and for my family. So I feel like that's kind of where really the internal pivoting started happening was me going to therapy and me unpacking trauma and dealing with the things that was happening in my life in real time. Um, and then I think maybe a year or so after that, that's when I felt like the pivoting um outwardly people started to see. Um, just with me um loving myself more, but just being intentional about prioritizing myself.

SPEAKER_01 4:23

So when you talk about the spiritual part of it, um, how does the spiritual part of pivoting um how does that how does they coexist?

SPEAKER_02 4:35

Like um, I think pivoting and spirituality kind of go hand in hand. I feel like you can't really pivot without having some type of spiritual foundation, some type of relationship with God. Um, it took a lot of prayer, it takes a lot of praying. I still pray, um, even though I'm in a very um good season of my life. Um, I don't feel like I feel like my my spirituality just really deepened and I was even more intentional about my time with God.

SPEAKER_01 5:12

I have a question. Do it almost, and this is for this is a personal question, do it almost feel scary to be on the side on that side of experiencing goodness? I know a lot of times like we are so used to we're so used to going through things all the time that when it's time for us to experience the goodness of God, it's kind of hard for us to receive that. Did you have that moment?

SPEAKER_02 5:38

I think sometimes we're so focused on how things look on paper, but we're not really focused on how it feels to us. Um, and so you do question, you know, if it's if you're truly one using your gifts and your creativity fully, but like, are you really capable of the things that you're asking for? Um, and I felt like I kind of struggled with that, but I think once I was clear on like this is what I want, um, and praying to God and asking God, like, is this what you want for my life? And once I got the okay, then I felt like I kind of took off. But I'm not gonna lie, I still have moments where I'm just like a bit uncertain about this path, but I think the way that me and God are locked in, I get those confirmations. Um, and so it it just helps me kind of settle that uneasiness, knowing like God is with me, you know, on this journey.

unknown 6:34

That's good.

SPEAKER_01 6:35

That's good. Yeah, okay. So, question two, the turning point. What was the moment you realized staying the same would cost you more than changing?

SPEAKER_02 6:45

Um, I realize that staying comfortable um would eventually cost me my growth. I feel like you don't find I don't feel like you can grow when you're comfortable. Comfortable is just something familiar, it's easy, you know the outcome of it. But when you have to get uncomfortable, it's like you are dangling in the air with no safety net. And that no safety net is you trusting God. And that is scary. That is scary, very scary. Um, but it's also very rewarding. So um there are definitely moments where I felt like if I didn't move, I would regret it. And I'm a person who doesn't like to live live my life with any regrets.

SPEAKER_01 7:34

That's good.

SPEAKER_02 7:36

Um, so yeah, I think you have to find purpose in being uncomfortable.

SPEAKER_01 7:43

Um, I was about to say that a lot of people feel more um, they're more afraid to not become successful than to change as a person.

SPEAKER_02 7:57

Very true. And I feel like with that, that's where the consistency and the discipline comes into play because you can say you won something, but if you're not consistently seeking it, if you're not being disciplined about it, whatever that looks like to you, because I feel like it's different for everyone. Um, but those are the two things that really play a part in how successful you want to be. Um, and over time I've learned like I have to be consistent, but consistent in the way that it's conducive for me. Um, and I'm just learning that just through my wellness journey with um losing 30 pounds, over 30 pounds. Congratulations. Um, thank you, with just being consistent in the gym and seeing the changes in my body and liking what I see. That doesn't just happen overnight. That happens with me being consistent and me being disciplined.

SPEAKER_01 8:49

I have a question. Um so a lot of women, they wanna, you know, a lot of women do wanna like they do focus on like they want to focus on like their health and just losing weight and stuff like that. But just hearing what you're saying, I mean hearing what you're you know, you know, you're saying, um Do you believe that this is like a a season thing? Like you it has to start with a your mental first, like decluttering your trauma and all of the things that you've been through so that when that season comes, you would already dis you know, you would have you'll be prepared for it.

SPEAKER_02 9:27

That's a good question, and I also feel like the ever recording this episode because this is episode four, episode three, which is wellness and wealth, we really dive into how your mental health really unlocks the key to everything else in regards to wellness. Um, so yes, I think for me going to therapy was my mental unlock. And once I unlocked my mental and cleared out all the things in there that were no longer serving me, I really feel like that just opened up the floodgates to everything else.

SPEAKER_01 10:04

Who did you have to become to even consider pivoting?

SPEAKER_02 10:11

Wow. Um, I had to become my biggest fan, I feel like. I had to believe in me. Even if other people didn't believe in my dream or my vision or my create my creative ability, I had to believe in it. And I had to stop seeking validation in other people who God didn't give the vision to. And I think a lot of times when God gives us something, it's for us.

unknown 10:35

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 10:35

And it's not for anyone else to understand. And we don't need anyone else to understand. And I've just been learning that throughout this season of my life with my podcast, with rebranding my host, my my own self, um, and also my business with my daughter. But when I think about my life overall, I think about like the times where I was seeking validation, the times that I was performing to be noticed, um, and to feel seen and to feel valued. But I'm in a season where it's like the only validation I need is God validation.

SPEAKER_01 11:08

That's good. That's good. Because a lot of times, um, like you said, preparing for these different seasons, God reveals to us the things that we have to let go. Um, and I know a lot of times it's our family, it's people's approval, it's holding on to the thoughts of what people think about you and all of the things, but God gives us gifts and talents that everybody isn't going to be able to understand. And especially when it comes to your assignment, everybody's assignment is different. Everybody's assignment is not the same.

SPEAKER_02 11:37

And that's why it's called your assignment and not our assignment. This is not a group project.

SPEAKER_01 11:42

That's good. That's good. So the release, okay. What did pivoting require you to release and what did it reveal about you?

SPEAKER_02 11:50

Um, pivoting required me to release expectations of myself and of other people. Um, I think feeling like you had to be at a certain place in your life, um, or feeling like you're behind will keep you from pivoting. When I when I look back over my life and I reflect, I'm like everything that I was supposed to experience and do was leading me to where I'm supposed to be, and that's now. Um, and that's why I say I'll live my life without any regrets, because maybe I had not experienced that, and maybe I did maybe get to whatever my outcome is as far as my career is concerned, my dreams are concerned, maybe I wouldn't have been ready, maybe I would have messed it up.

unknown 12:48

Right.

SPEAKER_02 12:48

Um, and I think a lot of times we're so focused on the getting to the finish, but we're not focused on the process and the things that we're learning in the midst of that journey. Um, so yeah, that's one of the things. Um I think I had to release the identity I built around stability. I think the things that the human in us think is stability is really not. I think sometimes we think control is stability. But I feel like for me, releasing control and going with the flow of life instead of against the flow of life um just has brought me so much joy because it's like it doesn't mean that things are not going to arise, but I know like this is this thing is not for forever. So it it makes it easy to coast through the challenges of life instead of bracing for the impact of like, okay, what's gonna happen next? Um, and it's just allowed me to be more present in my life, which has made me even more grateful for just any and everything.

SPEAKER_01 14:07

So my qu I have a question. You when you talk about pivoting, right? Um, a lot of times people think like you have to pivot your career or all I mean, all of the things we know that when God calls us to pivot something, what was your exact pivot? Like, I knew we started working together, like what was your moment where you just was like I can't do this no more, I had to go this way, like that's a good question.

SPEAKER_02 14:38

So for me, how I feel now about my life with this of like this boss energy of like I'm supposed to be doing what I'm doing, I think I always knew that all along, but I was just f afraid to step into that, and so what I did was I kept saying yes to the things that I know I didn't want out of fear, and so it was like you know, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

SPEAKER_01 15:11

Oh, uh say that again.

SPEAKER_02 15:14

I kept saying yes to the things that I know I didn't want because of fear.

SPEAKER_01 15:22

Listen, the whole that just said chills through my body because we do that. We do that all the time.

SPEAKER_02 15:31

We keep saying or keep praying and asking God for things that is outside of what we are currently in, but then when we get the opportunity to do that very thing, we're like, oh no, I I can't do it. But it's like you've been asking for this, you've been praying for this. What's the problem?

SPEAKER_01 15:49

And you don't wore yourself out because you done gave all these yeses places where they didn't belong, and it's almost like the definition of insanity.

SPEAKER_02 15:58

You keep doing the same thing but looking for a different outcome. So for me, it was like I've always had this inkling in me, like I'm bigger, like I'm supposed to be doing something so much more. And I think I kept taking the jobs that I didn't want because of fear. It's like I need to, you know, be able to provide for my kids, I need to provide for my household. And God is like, yeah, I will provide because I've been providing, but this is not what you want, and this is not what I want for you either. And you know, it takes some of us longer than others, and I'm not disappointed that it took me a little longer to get to where I am because when I tell you, I wholeheartedly am loving this season of my life, this like I have a huge appreciation, a deep, deep sense of gratitude for where I am, because it's like I envision like this very moment. I I literally pray for a time like this, you know what I'm saying? So for me, it's like a light bulb went off. It was like, stop saying yes to the things that are not in alignment with what you want. If you keep saying yes to the things that you want, you'll never be in alignment for the things that you know you deserve. And so I'm saying it like that, but it's not an easy process, you know. It I didn't wake up one day and was just like, oh, I'm here. Like it it was a lot of living and and failing and being disappointed and upset with myself, not angry at God, but just like, why do I keep choosing the things that are not in alignment with what I want? But the moment I chose what God wanted for me, and I felt worthy of that, it's like everything just opened up. And I'm not saying that my life is perfect, but like I just had a my perspective about life and how to go about my dreams and my goals shifted 100%.

SPEAKER_01 18:00

And when you talk about the process, I I believe that this is a lot, this is a part of the process. The problem is that we think that the process is not it's gonna happen overnight. Like, you know, we uh well I'm gonna say my part of like a being a millennial that we sometimes think that things are gonna happen overnight, like a microwave world. But often God doesn't work in that way, like He's a God that you walk with slowly, and He reveals who you are during the pro who He is during the process. So this I think this is so good because the process takes years.

SPEAKER_02 18:39

It's not a and it takes a lot of sacrifice, it takes a lot of um mistakes, um, but they're mistakes that you can learn from. Um, and also like to kind of piggyback off what you said, I think it is a process and it is a journey, and sometimes it can seem long, but in actuality, when you think about it, it's really not that long. I think on the outside looking in, it looks long to other people. And I think that's kind of where the comparison comes in because it's like if you're looking at somebody who started 10-15 years ago before you, that shouldn't really be your blueprint. You know what I mean? And so for me, it's like it can be easy to get caught up in like what God is doing to everybody else's life, but again, I don't want what other people have, I want what God wants for me, and I'm willing to travel that journey however long it is, because I know what the end result is gonna be. And so sometimes you really just have to like lock in and and shut out the noise. Um and so for me, I just look at other people's journey and I'm inspired and I'm encouraged in my own journey, and I'm learning through them like how to keep going, even if you do make a mistake, even if you do mess up. Slow and steady still runs the race.

SPEAKER_01 20:05

That's so good. That's so good. So, faith and obedience. How did your faith influence your pivot, especially when things didn't make sense?

SPEAKER_02 20:16

Um, that's a good question. I feel like faith allowed me to move without having the answer to every question. Um, and I think that's where the surrendering comes in, because you have to have faith in your own journey, but you're not gonna always have the answer for everything. Sometimes the answer is revealed as you continue on the journey. Um and that's still like a very uncomfortable thing. Um, and if I had to describe this season in my life, it's very like unfamiliar, it's very uncomfortable, but it's still like a sense of comfort, but on a different level. It's like I'm not it's not the comfort of like what's happening around me, it's more so of the comfort of what what God is doing in me that's like keeping me grounded. Um, but yes, obedience to God guides my steps for sure.

SPEAKER_01 21:16

How did you know it was obedience and not impulse? Because people say all the time, the world says that don't make impulsive decisions. How do people get faith and impulse decisions mixed up?

SPEAKER_02 21:33

Like I heard somebody say, and I don't know if it was on a podcast I was listening to or not, but they said nothing God does for you would ever be in chaos. Anything that God has for you is always gonna be rooted in peace, clarity, calmness, stillness, gratitude. So I believe that I feel like nothing I have experienced in this season of my life has been chaotic. It has come with stillness, it has come with clarity, it has come with peace, it has come with confirmation, and none of that, all of those things are rooted in God. So I feel like that's really how I feel.

SPEAKER_01 22:31

You know, we've pretty much answered a lot of um a lot of the questions. My last question is um the power. When did you realize you had actually found power in pivoting? That's a great question.

SPEAKER_02 22:44

That is a very great question. Um I be when I began owning my story and stepping into my voice, I feel like me being a podcast host really gave my voice more power than I ever thought that my voice really had. Um I do like to communicate and I I think I'm a pretty good communicator. Um, but I I didn't always feel confident in the things that I would say or how I was communicating. And so I think starting a podcast just really helped me to step into my voice and own the power in that. Um but just also I think launching creative projects and building things aligned with my purpose. Um, I realize power isn't control um is growth and it's having self-trust you know, in your own journey. So um pivoting wasn't the end of something, but it was the beginning of the new version of me that I'm still becoming.

SPEAKER_01 23:53

That is good, that is good. Um I have seen you in your transitioning and in your season of pivoting, and I must say that it has been inspiring. It has been very inspiring, especially for just the young adults that are trying to figure out which way, or just you know, that when you're trying to align yourself with God and what he's calling you to do and your assignment and stuff like that, it's so hard because you're trying to figure out which way to go, and that can become dangerous because you're trying to, you know, you're asking so many people, but just being on this podcast today, being able to host this podcast today has kind of changed my perspective. So I just want to say thank you um for allowing me to host today. Um, I truly appreciate um just you trusting me, trusting in me to host today and to even share and be a part of your journey. So this next um this next part of the podcast is called the Rapid Reflection Round. And I'm gonna just say a word and then you're gonna just tell me what comes to mind. Alright, so the first word I'm gonna say is comfort.

SPEAKER_00 25:14

Umfort.

SPEAKER_02 25:18

I would say prayer. I find comfort in praying. I can be a worry ward and I can always be like over-analyzing and over-thinking things. A lot of times when I in that energy, the the thing that's the most comforting for me sometimes is just praying about it.

SPEAKER_01 25:39

Okay, um fear fear, unlearning okay. And the last word I'm gonna use is faith.

unknown 26:00

Power.

SPEAKER_01 26:01

Power. That's good. Okay, grounded in gratitude. Before we close, I want to end this. Um I want to end this the way you usually do. So Adrian, what are you grounded in gratitude for in this pivot season? You have three things something you lost, something you gained, and who you're becoming.

SPEAKER_00 26:31

So read the three things again.

SPEAKER_01 26:36

Something you lost, something you gained, and something and who you're becoming.

SPEAKER_02 26:42

Um, so I'm grateful for the courage it took for me to pivot. Um, I'm grateful for the lessons that stretch my faith, and I'm grateful for the woman I'm becoming through my journey. Not a growing girl. I I would hope.

SPEAKER_01 27:06

I'll be 40 in September.

unknown 27:08

Sure.

SPEAKER_01 27:09

Alright, so for the closing question, if a woman is listening right now and she knows she needs to hit it, but she's afraid, what would you say to her?

SPEAKER_02 27:21

I would say trust the process. Release your your control and release your fear, and lean not on your own understanding. Lean on God as much as you can. And believe that the desires of your heart are possible and that you're worthy of the things that you're axing and praying to God for, and stand in that. If you're axing God for greater things, then you need to become greater.

SPEAKER_01 27:54

Thank you, Adrian. Thank you, thank you for um allowing me to be your host today. I mean, allow me to host the bat podcast for today.

SPEAKER_02 28:03

Um thank you for agreeing to be the host today. Uh I know that was probably something that you didn't have in your bingo card.

SPEAKER_01 28:19

The fact that I did the fact that I was on the first season. As the first episode, right? Yeah, yes. Okay. Yeah. So yeah, so now we're look where we are now. Look at us now. Okay, so um, alright, so we're gonna close. Thank you all for listening. Um, tune in.

SPEAKER_02 28:41

Um season two is it's that thing. It's the feeling of season two is is like bad, but so elevated.

SPEAKER_01 28:54

Yes. Yeah, yes. Um, remember, pivoting isn't a weakness, it's not failure, it's not growth. Sometimes the pivot is the proof that you're evolving.

unknown 29:05

Period.

SPEAKER_01 29:06

This has been I found power in pivoting.

unknown 29:10

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 29:12

All right.

SPEAKER_02 29:13

And to my fab family, stay fab. Faithful, authentic, and bold. And don't forget, Audacity changes everything. We out, y'all. Peace.