Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Burrel.
Hi Stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about people. As a little girl, I can recall looking for opportunities to help others. I enjoyed making new friends, seeing people smile, and spreading the love that was bubbling over within my heart. This intense passion led me to start a Nonprofit in 2018 called Beloved Be Free after graduating with my bachelor’s degree in Communication from Southern New Hampshire University. Beloved Be Free, was created to encourage and empower young women to boldly embrace their individuality.
Overtime, I realized that if I wanted to be more effective and have greater impact, I would need more training. This realization led me to enrolling at Liberty University in 2020 to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a young girl growing up in Muskegon Michigan, I had big dreams for my life. I always knew that I was created on purpose, for a purpose. Today, with my head held high, I can say that no event in my story, whether good or bad was insignificant, and if I continue to pursue my goals with intention and integrity I’ll accomplish everything I set out to achieve.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would love to say that my journey through life has been smooth sailing, but like most, it hasn’t. There were many situations that shook me, but nothing quite turned my world upside down like the divorce I walked through several years ago. I can still remember the day I was told after almost five years of marriage that, “I just don’t want to do this anymore, I feel like I’m missing out being married to you.” Those words would go on to change my life forever. My path to healing would turn out to be long and unbelievably lonely. Though, I had the support of my loved ones, this was something I knew I had to walk through on my own. During my time of solitude, I got to know God in a different way. It seemed as though the pain I was feeling had fused us so tightly together that I couldn’t take a breath without feeling the warmth of His presence. For the next 9 months, I hid from the world in a small apartment in Nashville, focused on my healing, and wrote my first book. A 30-day healing devotional titled, Chronicles of a Caring God: Healing for hurting hearts. This book gave me a perspective on life that I would not have had, without the experience of my divorce. Every feeling of embarrassment, worthiness, shame, guilt, hopelessness, and confusion was eradicated by a God who simply cared. Life is good at throwing us curveballs. What we do with those situations dictates the life we have or the life we surrender to.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m currently a full-time student finishing up my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. I’m expected to graduate this July! I work as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Greater Houston Counseling Services, I also counsel as a student intern at Greater Houston Counseling and New Dimensions Day Treatment Center in Katy, Texas. Lastly, I’m an author of two amazing books, and I run my own Corporate Housing business. I think people would assume that I’m most proud of my education, but that is not the case. I’ve used my education as a resource to thrust me into the things I’m truly passionate about, which are writing and serving others. I believe that my genuine nature, resourcefulness, and tenacious attitude set me apart from others. I contribute much of my success as an entrepreneur to these qualities.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people would never believe me if I told them that I was an ambivert. My bubbly personality gives people the impression that I’m an extreme extrovert, but the truth is, I’m a solid ambivert. The time I spend alone is just as important as the time I spend socializing with others.
Contact Info:
- Email: stephaniealexis77@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.stephaniealexis.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialstephaniealexis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.burrel/
