From Grief to Growth: April Lewis's Inspirational Story

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In this episode I sit down with coach,  consultant, author and all around wonderful human, April Lewis. Amidst life's uncertainties, she found the strength to transform her pain into resilience and purpose; a story she shares with us in her signature warm and candid style.

April's journey is a testament to the power of faith and the human spirit. As you listen to her recount her highs and lows, you may find yourself inspired by her strength and her unyielding faith.

Her words will leave you uplifted and empowered, serving as a reminder that, in life, the journey is as important as the destination. So join us, and let April's story remind you that whatever you're seeking is also seeking you.

You can connect with April Lewis through the links below:
Website: AprilLewis.com
YouTube: @AprilLewsiSpeaks
LinkedIn: April Lewis
Instagram: @AprilLewisIG

As always, thank you for listening to We All Have Something.  If you wish to connect with Rick beyond the podcast:
Website: www.CoachRickSchwartz.com
YouTube: @RickSchwartz
Threads: @Coach_Rick_Schwartz
Instagram: @Coach_Rick_Schwartz
Facebook Page:  @CoachRickSchwartz
Threads: @Coach_Rick_Schwartz

***If you are having any thoughts of self harm and need someone to reach out to please call: 1-800-273- TALK (8255)
Or use the new 988 number for calling or texting for support.


Episode Music "Inspiration Corporate" by Sandra Inspiration Music
Music rights purchased through AudioJungle.

Nothing in this podcast should be taken as therapy, medical or mental health care. Topics discussed on this podcast reflect the personal experiences of the host and guests of We All Have Something and are not intended to, nor should they, replace the services of medical care, mental health care or therapy.

If you are having thoughts of self harm or ending your life, please call or text 988 - Help is available 24/7.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:24

I'm Rick Schwartz, life coach, public speaker and all around curious guy. My curiosity, my life and the lives of the many people I have worked with have taught me time and time again that there are challenges to overcome and successes to celebrate. You're listening to we All have Something, a podcast about the human experience, a podcast about celebrating our authentic self. So let's get started. Welcome to we All have Something, a listener-supported podcast. Being a listener-supported podcast allows us to keep these episodes and interviews ad-free, and if you're interested in becoming a supporter, you can click the link in the episode notes down below. As a supporter, you'll receive a personal email of thanks for me. You'll also receive a couple of we All have Something stickers suitable for sticking on your computer, your car, your water bottle or wherever you want to put a cool sticker, and I'll also mention your name on the podcast, with your permission, of course. So, without further delay, a big thank you to Derek and Allison, both from the lovely state of Montana. Thank you much for your support. I appreciate you and I appreciate all the other supporters that have joined us over this season making this podcast possible. Now, today, we have a very special guest To say.

Speaker 1: 1:35

April Lewis is a woman on a mission would be an understatement. She does a lot of work within the area of helping employees and CEOs and everybody in between. In the healthcare organization world. April uses her extensive training and leadership background to help organizations transform from the inside out. Her guiding principle is human first, employee second. April has an extensive resume and you can learn more about her on her website, but I will say this before we jump into the interview. April's passion for personal and professional development has led her to become a keynote speaker and consultant for Fortune 100 companies, healthcare organizations and education institutions across the nation. She's recently served as the interim chief operating officer of FQHC, based in Maryland. Despite all of her accomplishments, april remains grounded and passionate about stress-free living. She's also a best-selling author and, like me, a taco lover. Thanks so much for joining us on the podcast today, april. How are you doing?

Speaker 2: 2:30

I'm doing very well, my friend. How are you?

Speaker 1: 2:32

Oh, I'm excited to talk to you. I know we were talking before we hit record that. We know we met somewhere at the end of 2020, beginning of 21. But, thanks to the pandemic, time is not really something we can keep tabs on too much and we've stayed in contact on Instagram ever since and I love watching your journey. I love all that you are pouring into not only yourself, but then using that as a model to how you pour into others. The intro covered a lot, of course, but what is it that has brought you to where you are today? What's your story that got you here?

Speaker 2: 3:11

The infamous story. Yeah, you know, my story was life, honestly, my story. Those four letters sum up like the journey, the GPS that got me here. You know, essentially there is an extremely long version and then there's a very targeted version to really get to what I know. You're asking Because you, like myself, believe that there are many defining moments in life that allow us to sit in the seat of the present moment that we're in, that allow us to identify who we are, that allow us to own our truth and our authenticity, that allow us to start living while you're in the midst of doing life and those, although there are several defining moments, there is always like this one, that you know it's something that you can pinpoint to it, and so, if I know you and know the message that you want to bring forth to the world, you want me to get straight to that one, right?

Speaker 1: 4:10

Well, it's your story, April. You can share it however you want. But yeah, we want to get to the good stuff. Let's get to the good stuff.

Speaker 2: 4:18

That good stuff was February 27th 2006, when I was at home with my family home being Mobile Alabama fun fact home of the Mardi Gras.

Speaker 1: 4:27

And.

Speaker 2: 4:28

I was actually there getting ready to celebrate that Tuesday and I got a phone call that would forever change the trajectory of my life. I didn't know it then, but I know it now. And that phone call told me that my husband of the time had just gotten killed in Iraq. And that phone call took the oxygen out of me. And now, years later, is the absolute reason that I have breath in my body and I'm able to be here serving as a coach and a speaker and consultant who 100% focused on helping people be well, because that breath that was taken out was blown back in by way of my calling and purpose.

Speaker 1: 5:07

When you felt that, as you put it, that breath just removed, that moment happened. That is a clear and definitive mark in one's life when something of that caliber happens and I always reflect back on my own personal experiences and I can see the choices I could have made versus the choices I did make after one of those moments. Do you ever have that reflection too? Or was it such a defining change in your trajectory that it's like this is now my path?

Speaker 2: 5:35

Um, no, after that moment, my mind was a hot garbage mess. That moment was I wish I could say what I had. I had like hashtag survive, right. All I knew was and all I could feel and experience was like get through. And then there were times that I felt I didn't get through, and there was one very specific time where I didn't want to get through Right. And so after that moment, it was really like April, like survive, don't know it was. I define it as like that's when I started a downer spiral because it took me so low and it took me out somewhere that I didn't even know existed. So I really was just getting through like the moment, whatever that moment was and I can reflect and say in hindsight which is always, you know, 2020, I did make some maybe not best, the best decisions, I didn't make the healthiest decisions, but I also ain't make the worst decisions because I still landed here.

Speaker 2: 6:40

So, yeah, I come I say I completely lost my mind, because I did some memories and everything, because it just, I mean it took me out for a second.

Speaker 1: 6:48

Oh, I appreciate you sharing that part of it too. I think that's such an important message. You know, I think a lot of my audience, a lot of my audience of people in our coaching world as well but there's also people who are going through stuff. I mean, that's that's the title of the podcast we all have something because we do, whether it's something we've been through or something we're going through.

Speaker 1: 7:04

And and it's one of those things where I often feel, people who are in the midst of that moment, whatever it is for them, look at others and might think, well, they've got it all, they've been through this and now they've got it all together. Why aren't I there yet? And so for you to share that part of your story where I was like no, it was a downward spiral from there. I did not make good choices at times. I was making it through the moment, each moment, because that's all I could do. That's an important part of the story, because we have to, I think, to some degree acknowledge that's what we do go through when tragedy or events strike or something happens that drastically changes our life in a direction we did not see or want to have happen.

Speaker 2: 7:46

Right.

Speaker 1: 7:46

So I appreciate that you shared that part of it as well, because I think it's important, because now we can look at where you are and what you're doing and you know all these years later and the impact you're having, and I think someone who's going through their moment might lose sight of. Yeah, it's a. It is a path of ups and downs, and at first, more downs than ups.

Speaker 2: 8:03

Yes, like preach, it is a path. It is. It just can't be predicted. You don't know, like, 17 years later, so much has happened and so many things that I will never forget that moment. But I can also say, now, being liberated from it, I'm not chained to it, and the chain being the chain of pain right, there is still hurt attached to it, but I am like my.

Speaker 2: 8:35

There was a moment where my identity was in that tragedy, like how I thought everything came from this place of every. My thoughts are coming from this place of, you know, sadness, despair, anger, hurt, grief, darkness, depression, all of that. And it didn't feel like that. It didn't feel like I would stop it, or it didn't feel like that it wouldn't stop Even though I was still going, even though I was still progressing, like in school, working full time job, crushing it at work, crushing it in the community, like you know, I could pick up the phone and call the mayor of the city that I was living in because he was cool, I could call the deputy chief and I still was just like, very much living but very much dead, you know. And so when you're in the thick of it, you're in the thick of it. So if anyone's listening and they're in the thick of it, like, yeah, that's where you are.

Speaker 2: 9:18

And when you're in the thick of it, the key, what I've realized again thereafter is it's like a blanket. It's actually how I define depression, you know, and people could say, depending on, well, anyway, I won't even go there. But sometimes I feel like you say words. I feel like you say words and then you feel like you got to explain the word just because the world that we live in. So when I say depression, I mean a moment to where, like, ish is just so real in your head and heart that you kind of just lay out and whatever that layout looks like, it's not you crushing it, shining, doing that, you're just like going through. So that and being in the thick of it is like this heavy blanket that's on you, and sometimes it can be so heavy, like a weighted blanket, that you can't even feel that you're in it because it's taking over all your senses and all your world.

Speaker 1: 10:09

Right right.

Speaker 2: 10:10

And what you want to do is, just like we do every morning when, at alarm clock go off, like kick the blanket off of us, and that can literally be opening up a curtain, looking outside, opening your eyes and seeing something different, changing the scenery. What are you looking at? Getting out your house, going somewhere different, trying a new restaurant, looking at a different type of audio media or something like that. Like, really open your eyes to see something different and what that'll do by you looking through your natural eyes, physiologically will change what you're thinking about and at that moment, start to like, place a thought on what you want to experience Like at that moment. Choose to take in the moment and find something to be thankful for At that moment. Put a smile on your face so you can feel, you know, like through your skin, what happen. This is Because you once had it and you're absolutely going to get it again.

Speaker 1: 10:58

Right, I like that, and it's so true. It's so true that it's that change of perspective Sometimes we have to. We have to purposely take the action first, before the emotion shows up, instead of waiting for the emotion to show up to have the action happen.

Speaker 1: 11:10

Yeah that's wisdom, you know, instead of waiting to be happy to now, I'm going to go out and do something. Just go out and do something different, and eventually those emotions will follow along, and that ties in actually kind of. You almost already answered the question, but maybe we can go a little deeper, as far as, again, you address someone who's in it right now. Going through it right now and through your experience of that process, did you ever like say to yourself, hey, I have to be over this in X amount of time? Or did you let yourself go through the process the way you needed to go through it? Cause I know some people are like, oh, in six months, I've got to be over this, I've got, you know, I've got to shake it and I've even, honestly, we've read some literature out there where people are like, oh, you know, in about six months to a year is usually when we can get over large tragedies. What was that process for you and what would you recommend or suggest from your experience for others?

Speaker 2: 11:57

who might be?

Speaker 1: 11:57

in the middle of something.

Speaker 2: 11:59

I was pissed off that I wasn't over it. I was like, okay, all right, I'm sad it happened, he gone. Like literally that's how I was. I was finding myself, annoyed, mad at God. Like how long do I have to be sad? Like I get it, it's a tragedy. Like I'm literally.

Speaker 2: 12:18

Logically, I understand that. I understand sorrow, I understand pain, I understand life, I understand God. I understand to the best of my abilities, based on my belief system, what's going to happen when I leave here. Leave here in this physical form. Right? All of that understanding has nothing to do with getting through it and being healed and recovering and being resilient and staying the course and not giving up. So, understanding like no. So for whomever they say in six months, call me so I can go ahead and debunk and deconstruct that thinking because it's unrealistic, right? Because when you're in pain, that pain taps into sales of your body that you probably hadn't thought about, that you didn't even know existed, but it's there. That's what's valid and it's real, which is why I encourage people to be gentle with themselves if you are and you feel like you've been here for so long and you're ready to leave.

Speaker 2: 13:13

You did not get the blueprint for this. You did not get the script. There is no prescription, there is no formulary methodology. There are resources and tools and conversations and experiences that can help you get through it. So when I was shared, there is no timeline.

Speaker 2: 13:32

Everything happens in the divine time for what should happen, which is the only time that it happens. When it happens that happening that you want, start with what you want to feel. When you get there, like if you're saying I should be over this, finish the sentence. I should be over this so I can what? What is it that you want to be doing? Where is it that you want to be going? How do you want to be feeling?

Speaker 2: 13:55

So if you say I should be over this, it's been eight months. I am ready to move on. Okay, move on in what and how. I'm ready to move on and find love again. Great, like. So what should you be doing to do that? Should you be making yourself available, reading about love? So it's not about the time. Time I'm Jesus. Time can't be manipulated, but it can be woven with your activities. So if you're sitting in it, you don't like it, you don't want to be there. Where do you want to be that? How do you get there. Just take some chances, do the stuff that remotely seems like it'll get you there, and that is progression and that's what we want.

Speaker 1: 14:37

I love that. Oh my gosh, april, that whole last couple minutes. Holy cow, I'm gonna, I'm gonna make a sound bite out of that. Just play it over and over again.

Speaker 2: 14:51

The breath is taking out of me because that is, um, that's what we want and that's what I wanted. What I wanted was to get out of it, and I I did not know how, and it's because I was trying to figure it out. But you can't figure it out. Just figure it out, like, just see something Different of what you're seeing and then, like, think of something that could get you there, and you know, so it's really just weaving it together and I that's what saved me I just didn't, I Didn't stop weaving, like I would weave and stitch and make something beautiful, and then it made like unravel, because I took my hands off of it. Like I started to teach myself how to crochet.

Speaker 2: 15:34

In this journey I did all type of stuff, like I'd be anything that somebody said like it, like live, well, do it. So I started crocheting and my mom's like a master crochet or so if there's a tournament somewhere which I know it is for a crochet, my mom should be in it. And so I picked up crocheting and I taught myself how to do it. I went to, like this soul, like what do you call the places where they sell, like, pat materials, like are you a part of?

Speaker 1: 16:02

Yes?

Speaker 2: 16:03

yes, you know, millennium ism is kicking in. I'm like, what's that store that my auntie used to go? So I would crochet and I taught myself how to crochet and it's such a cruel, relaxing thing to do, like you're just going from this ball of yarn to constructing something and emphasis on something, because I didn't ever turn it into anything. You know, I made what I need to be a scar for my poodle. Like shy, I'll take this is a scar for you.

Speaker 2: 16:29

Nevertheless, as you're like crocheting, you're weaving. The minute you stop, it just stops right there and if you weren't careful, if you go back too far, it'll really unravel. That's like lies. And so if you keep going, keep going by seeking knowledge, keep going by dreaming, I really, until my ex-boyfriend brought to my attention, I didn't realize that I wasn't dreaming, not even like dream big, like no, it's just the one dreaming at all, because I was so like in it that I forgot. Like, you know, you are still alive and you can like have this really dope life that you want to live. You deserve it. Like yeah, you made a mistake and things didn't go as planned and blah, blah, blah, blah, but you still here, so like what you want to do with it?

Speaker 1: 17:14

I love that analogy of the crochet, where if you keep your hands on it, it becomes something. Yeah, you put it down or go back too far, it just comes undone. I think that's that's a really great analogy for life.

Speaker 1: 17:25

Yeah whether you're going through something or just or just living honestly. You know that's that's a really good one. I like that one. So for you and your journey, yeah, you get the bad news you hit your lows. Several years later, you start looking at Life and you, logically, you said you want to get out of it, but emotionally, you weren't there yet. What was that process for you? Once you felt like you were back on your feet and you were in a good space, what was that process moving forward than for you, that brought you now to where we are today, with You're coaching, you're speaking, you're you're having impact on the world.

Speaker 2: 18:02

Bless God. Um, I Experienced that several times. Several times I felt like I had my footing under me. Several times I'm like, okay, good, I got this. And then I realized I was saying it again. So it's not a straight path up the mountain top. There are valleys. You're going to go up and then, before you know it, it sucks and, god forbid, you're gonna be down. So I could say I just had that moment on my calendar just Well, I think the 14th, two Saturdays ago, not this past Saturday, with the Saturday before. I felt like, oh my god, you just heal my mind in a way that you never have, because I discovered something about myself and he revealed something to me that I know it's gonna make me a better person, that I know it's gonna help me go into this next level that I, my soul, is yearning, that's gonna make me be able to push through, like the conversation we were having before the show started, and just record the freaking podcast, like you know what I'm saying right.

Speaker 2: 19:02

So I experienced it again and it's there. So in the word of God it says if you seek me there, you will find me. If you seek me with your whole heart, I that is the life of April Lewis, because there was nothing like. I'm a pretty smart kid. I do some dumb ish sometimes, you know, but I'm a pretty smart kid, by God's grace.

Speaker 2: 19:24

And One thing I know for sure is I have been begging and pleading to God To live the life that I was created to live. And I don't even know what that is, but I know it's awesome and I know it's healthy and I know it's happy and I know it's prosperous and I know it's abundant and I know it's joyful and purposeful and has meaning. All I want is that. And because I know that, I don't know how to do it or get it, so I have to keep tapping into the person, the intensity, the belief system that says like, oh yeah, you get all that. So I crawl and clown, claw my way to God. So I constantly have these moments like I got this because I'm constantly Ascending to the highest and best and most capable version of myself. So it's a constant go up, fall back, keep going, go higher, fall back, whatever. Keep going, stay the course. Doesn't matter how big or small, just don't stop.

Speaker 1: 20:24

I love that because you really point out in that the value of your faith.

Speaker 1: 20:29

Oh yeah that, knowing there's ups and downs, knowing there's pits and valleys, and that's okay, because I believe that there is that higher power and I believe there's that higher purpose, and I may not see it, but I know it's there and it will be revealed in divine time. So I love that. I love that With all you've been through, because I know I just for my own experiences and talking with people and clients sometimes People are tested so hard they question their faith. Did you ever experience that where you were just tested so hard, you're like you know what? I Don't know about this anymore. Or have you always had that solid rooting in your faith?

Speaker 2: 21:07

Well, I guess I should be honest, cuz God already knows I have made your beef with God like a straight attitude. You aren't real, you don't exist. Why would you do that? Thanks for playing me. I see why people don't believe in you. That's why folks go over here and do all these things like we I can't say we, cuz obviously it was just me had a whole attitude with God, a whole like Thank you for ruining my life Several times, like what's out that bad it's of all the things that you could have had to happen to me, this, like it was a Situation with me, and it wasn't just one, two or three times, it was several times. And that's when I believe Now I'm almost certain Dr Kubler Ross is the founder or the the, the teacher behind the five stages of grief. Think it's dr Kubler.

Speaker 1: 22:01

Ross.

Speaker 2: 22:01

Yeah, yeah, if I'm wrong, Some what what you say, email us and tell us the right.

Speaker 2: 22:09

One of those stages is anger. So when you're mad and this is grief and I just feel in my spirit I need to say this to grief doesn't always mean grief of a person you grieve anything that you lose a person, yeah right, you can grieve a dog. Know that, feeling the words, you can grieve a job, a relationship. You can breathe the state that your health used to be in. When it's not that anymore, I'm like an ex athlete, like I played ball in Germany, got paid for it, and now I can't run a mile because of the state of my knees, because, you know, the military going to war, all that good jazz. I've had three surgeries. Thank God I'm good, I can still strut in some stilettos, but it's best I don't run unless I'm being chased right. So it coming back is yes, you're going to be angry, you're going to be mad when you lose something that you loved, that made you feel good, that brought you joy. So I did lose my faith. I will find myself still coming back to where I started, and that is knowing that God has me and knowing that God loves me and knowing that there was a person that came and died before me and saved my soul. You know what? That's a dang good story. It makes sense. Any time I test it, it passes the test. So it literally does and says everything that it says that it does and says I can like 100 percent and I've been all over the place with faith, religion.

Speaker 2: 23:36

I done, did some stuff. I know was like God, please get whatever I put on me off of me, my man. I don't want to go too deep, I can't come back. So yeah, it's part of it. But again, tiny steps forward. Just go, don't believe and be honest, because it's God Like. God is omnipresent, omnipotent. There's no thought that you can't have. If you don't believe that I'm obviously not talking to you, but for my people, okay.

Speaker 2: 24:02

There is no thought that you can't have where God doesn't know. So have it and keep going, because God also wants the absolute best for you.

Speaker 1: 24:11

I appreciate you so much. I appreciate you sharing that and choosing to go the honest route, because and not I think it'd be easy for somebody to go oh yeah, well, her husband died in Iraq. So yeah, of course she's going to question God and faith. But the fact that you mentioned it it's happened several times over your life and the anger part and everything else the value in sharing that not only, I think, allows us who've been through it to see it in others, but also recognize the fact that just because you've questioned or just because you've lost faith doesn't mean you can't go back to it.

Speaker 2: 24:47

Yes.

Speaker 1: 24:47

Doesn't mean you can't return. I think some people get to that point where it's a hard edge for them and like, nope, this happened in my life and so I'm forgetting spirituality and forgetting faith. There's no reason for it. Then maybe something later in life comes up where they feel like maybe I should go back to it or I feel called back to it, but I can't because I turned my back on it and I won't be accepted. The fact that you shared that this has been a part of your journey is so valuable. I appreciate you so much for sharing that. I really do.

Speaker 2: 25:14

Well, thank you.

Speaker 1: 25:15

Yeah, because I think for people who might be in the thick of it, this is a good message. It really is.

Speaker 2: 25:20

Yeah, and it's okay. We as humans, we're precious, and I'm the W of that. We are so precious because we really think we know what we're doing.

Speaker 1: 25:30

Right and we think we're in control.

Speaker 2: 25:32

Right, and it's like we've been here before. We've never been human before. Like in one minute you feel like the best person in the world. The next minute you feel like scum of the earth. The next minute you feel so capable, like I got this. The next minute you crying and slaying and snot, like we go through all the things right.

Speaker 2: 25:48

And it's just like when you start to give yourself grace and just breathe and exhale and surrender, like that's what I love about God, like I'm cool, not knowing what I'm doing down here, because I want to know how he know you created it. Like you're way smarter, like you created me. So then that means you got the code, the blueprint of me. So I want to tap into that so I could function the way you want me to function. And why wouldn't? I want your expertise and your knowledge and your wisdom to do the thing that you created? Like help me be great. So that's like how I'm living. It's in complete humility, like it's by God's grace that I'm here and my desire to be who God called me to be, because I've experienced God and I know God wants the best for me and it's really fun. It's painful.

Speaker 2: 26:38

You know my niece. God bless her soul. She eight years younger than me, but this little girl teaches me so much about life. Like she is the reason I have dedicated devotion time. I was home, visiting my family, visiting my mom and she stays with my mom, her grandma and I was coming after the restroom and my niece. Her nickname is Piggy and her real name is Delicia. She's a beautiful soul. We've been calling her Piggy since she was a chucky little baby.

Speaker 1: 26:59

Oh, no yeah.

Speaker 2: 27:01

So she looked at me and said Piggy I'm sorry for saying your nickname, but you know I love you, judy. So Piggy was coming out her room and I was like what you in there doing? And she was like, oh, I'm having my devotion time, I have time with God every night at nine o'clock. I said, oh, lord Jesus, and I immediately got a visual of my calendar and I was in my head standing right there with her. It took like a nanosecond to have this whole thought. April, you got everything on your calendar. You make time for everything and everybody else on your calendar. No time Do you dedicate and devote time with God, but yes, you stay calling on them, asking for something.

Speaker 2: 27:31

Woo, from that moment forward I became intentional about my devotion time in the morning, which I've always wanted in my morning routine. I just didn't level up. It's like the part right. So she checked me on that, helped me to have devotion time, which is a game changer in life. And then just recently she lost her ability to walk for three months and could not walk, just going down, falling. She was in a wheelchair for three months and, as we're going through a doctor, specialist, neurologist, spying, mris a week in the hospital. Zero answers, zero explanation and now, to God be the glory, she's on her feet.

Speaker 2: 28:12

But before she stood back up, I asked Piggy. I said, piggy, just God, not just doing this, to be doing this, god is not toward like there is a reason, there is something that God wants you to get out this situation. You're a 34 year old, healthy woman who was working as a CNA taking care of people living in a nursing home, a late night shift, and now you can't walk. Ask God, what is it that you need to know about this situation? And she came to me and she said April, when you asked me that question, I went to God and God reminded me of long suffering and part of being a believer and part of this life is that you're going to suffer and that's okay because he is still God and will get you through.

Speaker 2: 28:55

But if we want all the good, we got to take the not so good, because everything is fair and just in this world as it's created until we throw something off. So if they're going to be up, there has to be doubt. If there's going to be darkness, there has to be life, and we want the marshmallow loving rainbow Skittles and juicy jolly rancher version of life to where there is no sorrow and there is no long suffering.

Speaker 2: 29:19

So when you accept that there is long suffering and know that that's part of it, that's where you can leverage that to be resilient, because it's like keep telling yourself this is part of the game, but this ain't the whole game, and you're still in the game. So then play the game. And I don't know where we started or if I answered your question. I don't just I don't even know where I went with that, but there we are.

Speaker 1: 29:41

No, I think it all fits right in. We were talking about life experiences and the ups and downs and going through it all and having faith even in the hardest of times. I think it's an important.

Speaker 1: 29:48

Everything you just shared is such an important part of the story because I think it may not be 100% directly relatable but in a sense of you know, like your knees losing the ability to walk, but having those challenges, having those ups and downs, having that moment and I love how you wrap that up it is just a part of the game. It is not the game. And that's where I see also sometimes as a coach, and I'm sure you do as well, where we have to A always be mentally and emotionally preparing ourselves for those hard times, coming up with our plans and our strategies, but also recognizing that when those hard times are happening, it is just part of the game. Where it's a, it's a, it's a page in the chapter, it's not the whole chapter, it's not the whole game, you know. So I love that.

Speaker 1: 30:29

I really really do, and I want to segue into, if it's all right with you, I'd love to hear more about your coaching now. Let's bring us up to date. We know the stuff you've been through the, the hills, the valleys, the faith kicking in you, kicking the faith out and then bringing it back in. Yes, talk to me now about where you are today, because I want to be able to make sure that anybody listening if they want to get in touch with you or connect with you, they understand what you're doing now as a coach, speaker and world changer.

Speaker 2: 30:56

Oh, bless you, Bless you, and I just want to acknowledge with the words that you just said, for people to be mentally and emotionally prepared for life. I think that's a sound bite because we, we practice how we play, and if you're preparing yourself and fortifying yourself and building yourself up, when you feel things are cool, when life does pop off because it inevitably will pop off you are more strengthened to get through it. So, feel your toolbox. So when the time comes, you do have something there that you could pull on. So don't you know, as I just wanted to like acknowledge that because I think that's huge, and also, when you said it, I was like dang, that's, that was like a missing piece. I wasn't prepared, like I didn't know grief, like I wasn't prepared. So it was the first, it was, you know. So I just honor you for saying that and I really hope your listeners pick up on that. Like, what are? What can I do to make me stronger, my body and spirit, for when life lights? So?

Speaker 1: 31:54

yeah, when life lights, when life lights.

Speaker 2: 31:58

So now I get the privilege and honor of coaching predominantly healthcare professionals, the professionals of all walks of life. I work with people that serve others. I work with people who typically have such great hearts and beautiful spirits and they have a big calling of it over their life and they need someone to help them see it clearly and strategize so they can move forward without completely stressing themselves out and ultimately burning themselves out. So I work with people who are executives in a leadership space, who are working to hit their next level so they can lift up their team collectively and be healthy in their communication, fair and just and equitable in their treatment and staying excited about work and life. So that's what I do.

Speaker 1: 32:42

Nice, nice, yes, and so I. Obviously I will put all the links down below in the show notes. But if someone is looking for you, is there a website? Or you prefer they find you on social media, or how would you like someone to find you? What's the best way?

Speaker 2: 32:56

Easyasapralewiscom is my website and you can learn a little bit more about me. And you know, in the corporate space I have a signature organizational coaching program work well and it focuses on the individual, the team and the organization at large. And all that detail and some of the topics that I speak in the teaching that program are at apriluiscom and all my social media handles are there, so it's easy to just go there. Of course I'm on LinkedIn. I'd love to connect with you there. But yeah, instagram April Lewis, ig Facebook April Lewis. I'm on threads. I love it there.

Speaker 1: 33:28

Oh, I know We've connected there. I didn't really think of it. Yes, yes, yes, it's such a good vibe, it's really cool.

Speaker 2: 33:34

Yeah, it's very chill. But yes, you can get with me at April. Lewiscom, love to talk to you.

Speaker 1: 33:38

Do you still have videos on YouTube? So remember when we first connected, I saw some of your talks that you had posted, I think, on YouTube and they're so good, so is that still a place? For people to find you as well.

Speaker 2: 33:47

Absolutely, thank you. Thank you for doing me better than me. April Lewis speaks on YouTube. I'll put a link.

Speaker 1: 33:55

I'll make sure there's a link in the show notes. Yeah, because I just remember looking at that when I first connected and I was like, dang, you know this is such powerful stuff, you're such a good speaker and I know we've talked more about personal stuff here. So I want to make sure if anyone feels a connection to you here listening to this, they have the chance to see some of your bigger presentations, because they're so good, they're so good.

Speaker 2: 34:13

Oh, bless you. Thank you for that, I appreciate it oh yeah, no, I appreciate you.

Speaker 1: 34:17

You know that. Yes, as we start to wind down here and wrap this up, I always like to ask my guess what is like a particular quote or meme? And, honestly, you have dropped some awesome ones already, but is there a particular quote or meme, or the statement or something that you would love to leave with the audience that you feel is just a real good piece of knowledge?

Speaker 2: 34:39

Oh, thank you. I love that question. Let me think so. It really comes from our soul. So what's rising to the top? There is a quote by Rumi R-U-M-I. I don't know where he was in life or when he got the revelation to say these words, but it's what's coming up for me, and if you sit with it, it's such a happy quote. And that quote that he says that which you're seeking is seeking you, and so when I read that or hear it, I immediately feel like one. I'm not alone, because what I want in my heart wants me to, which means that it's coming from somewhere that I even wanted. So let me get there, because it's something there for me, because it's mine, it's my thought, it's my dream, it's my whatever that is, and it's really cool to know that you can live a life and go after something that wants you to have it, and that's exciting.

Speaker 1: 35:35

Beautiful, beautiful. And to piggyback on that a little more, whenever I do hear that quote, so I'm familiar with it too and, just as you said it, there's like this, it's almost like there's a sense of permission from a higher power, because I think sometimes when we want something, when we're seeking something, there's also that question of is it just? Is it even a thing for me? Am I allowed to have that? Do I have permission to pursue?

Speaker 2: 35:58

that yes.

Speaker 1: 36:00

So whenever I hear that whatever you're seeking is seeking you, it's like okay, so now it's not a matter of can I or should I, it's more of a okay, let's find each other, you know.

Speaker 2: 36:10

Yeah, see, oh, I love how you said that. Yes, let's find each other. Yeah, oh, I love that.

Speaker 1: 36:17

Very good April. It has been an absolute pleasure. But before we wrap this up completely, I want to ask you and kind of give you the floor Is there anything else that you want to mention to our audience before we go? Or do we cover everything you'd like to touch on today?

Speaker 2: 36:31

You know, I just pray that they stay the course, the life you know and we're. We're so lucky that we get to write that course and if you need to go off that course and go another way, it's fine. But get very clear on your end, Like for me. The end is purpose to feel like playful out, maximized potential by God's grace, at God's pace. So I don't stress myself out because I don't. I'm not divinity, God is. And so, yeah, just stay the course, Keep going, Even if it's a tiny step forward, just keep going. And you got this.

Speaker 1: 37:04

Love it. Love it, April. Thank you so much for spending time with me today on my podcast. I appreciate you tremendously and I look forward to staying in touch.

Speaker 2: 37:13

Yes, thank you for having me.

Speaker 1: 37:14

And, as always, thank you, dear listeners, for being here. I appreciate you tremendously and really love the community we have created around. We all have something. You continue to share episodes, the community and listenership continues to grow. It's been amazing and again, you know I talk about almost every time it's that ripple effect, right, it's how we show up for others, it's the information we share, it's how it all makes a difference in the world. I have seen people's lives change through being intentional, through stepping up and saying I want to live better. Hearing April's story and knowing with the clients I've coached how this all works and how we can make a difference in the world, one person at a time. It just motivates me that much more to keep doing this. So thank you, thank you all, for being here. Of course, if you haven't already, be sure to subscribe, wherever you listen to the podcast, feel free to leave stars or review or whatever you can do, because that helps tell other people that you got something out of this and will show that maybe this is something they should listen to as well. Of course, you can always find me on my website, coachrichschwarzcom, with April's information. It's all down below. In the show notes as well. You can find her links there, my links are there, my social media as well.

Speaker 1: 38:21

And if you've been considering or thinking about coaching or just talking through with somebody what's going on in your life, you can always hit me up for a discovery call or free 30 minutes of the Zoom time. You and me just chat about what's going on in your life. I will share with you what my coaching techniques are. I'll answer your questions about that. If you and I both agree that we'll be a good fit as coaching client, be happy to start working towards that and we can talk more about that If at the end of the 30 minutes we're just, like you know, good conversation. Thanks for the info. Appreciate you have a good life. That's cool too. No pressure at all, because that's not what it's about. It's about making a difference. It's about showing up for each other, right? Well, like I said before, I really appreciate you being here. I appreciate you so much. Thanks again for listening. Have a good one everybody.