Meet Leanne Jewell | Transformational Speaker & Coach / Writer / Comedian & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leanne Jewell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leanne, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am a transformational speaker / writer and coach and I started The Giggling Guinea Pig® in the Fall of 2017. I had just come through a difficult period that had lasted a few years, which included significant health and relationship issues. I started reflecting on my life and journey up to that point and realized that I had a lot to share with others about overcoming difficulties and challenges in life, and I had an appreciation for my path and the lessons I’ve learned. I’ve had my share of difficulties and hard times in life, but I realized that I have a way of coming through those challenging times with a lot of understanding, grace and humor. I decided that I wanted to share my experiences and gifts with others and I want to help people, more than anything else in this world, to be the best version of themselves and to help them find self-love and happiness. We, as humans, tend to take a lot of things very seriously and I want to help people find the lighter side of going through life challenges and learn to go with the flow of life. Happiness is an inside job. I help guide people to that realization and to their own internal power and joy.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
I think that risk taking is underrated and something everyone should look forward to! Risk taking is something that I have never shied away from. From a young age, I have always been willing to put myself out there, in spite of any fear that might come up for me. This “super-power” (as I like to call it), is something that I have learned to be very proud of. I have never been afraid to start over, experiment, begin again, be bold, or put myself out there. Back in December of 2018, I made a list of goals that I wanted to achieve and I decided that I wanted to work my way up to doing a TEDx talk. Doing a TEDx talk was at the top of my list of goals, and I had listed “sub-goals” underneath it, or goals that I felt I needed to accomplish on the way to doing the TEDx talk. The following day, during a meditation, it came to me that maybe I shouldn’t put all of the restrictions around what I viewed as the journey to my big goal. That very same evening, I received a notification of TEDx talk auditions and I decided to apply. And guess what? After going through the audition process, I landed the opportunity to do my TEDx talk. My TEDx talk happened in April of 2019 and it was truly an amazing experience. That was such a big lesson for me. I think sometimes we place too many “steps” on ourselves of things that we think should be the natural order or process of things, and in doing so, we hold ourselves back. Sometimes, we just need to go for it. Now, when I’m coaching clients, I ask them to list their goals in order of importance. Then I ask them what is holding them back from just starting at the top of the list? You’d be surprised at how often the answer is absolutely nothing. It’s just a new perspective and way of looking at things. Go for your biggest goals and desires and make them a top priority. You’ll find that you can skip a lot of steps that don’t serve your ultimate purpose or goal. And it’s a very freeing way to live.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Union Station in Denver and people watching. The Art District in Rino is beautiful and fun to explore. Colorado has so many amazing things to do and see! Happy Hour in Old Town Louisville, or on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder can’t be beat! I am an avid hiker and hike in every destination that I can. Some of the best hiking I’ve ever experienced was in Ouray and Frisco. Being in nature in Colorado is so restorative and scenically beautiful!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am blessed with the love and support of my friends and family. I also always seem to find the right book at the right time to support me on my journey!

Website: https://www.leannejewell.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegigglingguineapig/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jewelleventdesign/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegigglingguineapig

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LmiGxw6Zo&t=15s

Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LmiGxw6Zo&t=15s

Image Credits
Beth Photography