Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Sam.
Hi Janelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My life was turned upside down when I got divorced after 13 years of marriage six years ago. I always assumed that if I “did the right things” and lived “a certain way” that things will work out. My divorce, as horrible as the experience was, turned out to be the best thing that happened to me.
I was not aware of the thought patterns I held on to until that period of my life and it launched my journey to self-discovery (after a period of anger, grief, self-pity then acceptance). I wanted answers but was not sure how to ask the questions. So, I decided to act and test out the other limiting beliefs I had. At 40 years old, I took my first ever solo trip to a country where I did not know anyone and the language and culture was completely different. My belief was that it could not possibly be fun doing that, am I going to eat dinner alone? How lonely it would be!
Taking that trip was the beginning of systematically dismantling many ideas I never questioned before. Not only did I have the most amazing time of my life, but I made new international friends and was never ever lonely. There are so many people who travel alone for pleasure that it was something I’m surprised I was unaware of. After that trip, I decided to go back to school. It was almost 20 years since I earned my bachelor’s degree, and here I was thinking that I would apply to one of the top schools in the US. By this time, I had adopted the “what’s the worst that could happen”. Prior to my divorce, I would not have done so. I would have believed that only “certain people” i.e. not like me, could go to schools like that. I did not have a perfect GPA. I struggled with math both in high school and college. I was much older. It did not look as though there was anything in my favor.
However, because I was now living a life of challenging every thought that was self limiting, I applied to Cornell University for their Executive MBA program. I asked by some why do I not consider applying for something less rigorous, like a certificate program. Or to be prepared to be disappointed, because it is Cornell and I’m not the typical student that Cornell has in its student body. I am so happy that I was firm in my new belief patterns as I was accepted into the program. The tears ran down my face as I looked at the leather portfolio with the Cornell logo embossed in it with the acceptance leather. This single mother of two was going back to school at one of the most prestigious universities.
The journey was not without challenges. Expressing my excitement about this was taken by some who were close to me as being obnoxious. Then, there were others who could not have been happier and more supportive for what I was doing. That experience was an eye-opener as to the influences that we have in our inner circle that can keep us from living to our highest potential. Sometimes, those who we looked up to, become those we surpass. The act or decision to become more than you are WILL make some of the people close to you feel uncomfortable because they internalize your success as though it is a failure on their part for not doing the same. It takes a higher level of consciousness to recognize that their lack of support is not about you at all, but a projection of what they are feeling inside.
I now use my own experience both in the classroom and life and use it as an executive CEO advisor to help high performing individuals grow as they grow their businesses. I have a podcast and radio show where I have dynamic conversations with people who have had extraordinary success. They talk with me about how they managed to overcome the challenges faced as they grew. Everything or anything that has been accomplished by anyone started off with what happened in the mind. It starts with a decision. A decision to start or to stop. A decision to accept or reject. I am where I am today because, after my divorce, I made the decision to start challenging any thought that did not push me beyond where I was yesterday.
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?
My journey was not easy. During my divorce I lost the support from some who I thought would be there for me in my time of need. Financially it was also a struggle. Trying to regain a sense of normalcy when you are figuring out what normal is now supposed to be was disorienting. How I was I supposed to get the kids from school in an emergency when my job was not close by? I doubted my ability to be a good mother when I was barely keeping it together. No one handed me a manual and said “This is what you do when your life feels like a continuous loop on the roller coaster ride.” I had to figure it out.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a CEO Management Advisor, and the host of GoalPost a radio show and podcast dedicated to helping individuals reach their goals by bringing awareness to the limiting thoughts that they hold on to. The most important part of the work that I do as a fractional CEO Management Advisor is resetting limiting mindsets. The technical aspect about running a business becomes much easier once the individual has the correct approach. It is my goal to help those who have a desire to grow personally, professionally, and financially. Subscribe to my channel on YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You will hear from high performing individuals about their journeys and what they had to overcome to get to where they are.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I host my own podcast GoalPost and you can access the links to all the platforms the show is on at www.janellesam.com. Two of my favorite books are The Voice Of Knowledge and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. These books narrate a power message about the internal stories we tell ourselves which we believe to be true when they aren’t. The book, The Power Of Now by Ekhart Tolle is also another favorite of mine.
Contact Info:
- Email: janellesam2020@gmail.com
- Website: www.janellesam.com
- Instagram: @Ms_Janelle_Sam
- Facebook: @msjanellesam
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUTJo_CmZtxXe2TkWb6kJkA
