It's My Birthday...

1.???This Week's Encouragement:

Today’s a big one—I’m turning 45! I’m officially in my mid-forties, and I’m embracing it with open arms. The past few birthdays have turned me into quite the introspective soul, seeing each year as a fresh chapter in my life’s story. This time, during my usual birthday reflection, I was reminded of a tradition from my first twenty or so years that I haven’t thought about in just as long.

Every year, my Grandma Hiley would tell the same story, always with the same delivery. “The day you were born,” she’d begin, “Aunt Jean called us from the waiting room to tell us you were the prettiest baby at the hospital.” Then, with her dry little smirk, she’d add, “And look at you now.” Cue my teenage self, rolling my eyes and thinking, What exactly is she trying to say here?

As a girl, I saw it as a dig (especially in those gloriously awkward teen years). But now, thinking back on those moments with my Grandma, it feels more like a nod to my growth. I’m so much more than that day on August 20, 1979 (yep, proudly born in the 1900s). I’m genuinely proud of the woman I am today—perimenopause and all—and the woman I’m still becoming.

So, here’s my birthday wish for you: take a moment to celebrate yourself. You’ve come so far, and you’ve grown in ways that are worth acknowledging!

2. Celebrating & Sharing: Surfear Negra’s 5th Annual Surf-a-thon

Since we're celebrating…

I’m beyond excited to spotlight and celebrate my longtime friend, co-conspirator, and one of the few people I can laugh, cry, and strategize with all in one conversation— Gwenna "GiGi" L. . She’s making waves once again!

In 2018, Gwenna transformed her love for surfing into a powerful mission. As the Founder and Executive Director of SurfearNEGRA , she’s been working tirelessly to diversify the sport, making it more inclusive and accessible.

Now, as SurfearNEGRA marks its 5th Annual Surf-A-Thon, we have the chance to join in the celebration by supporting their incredible work. Proceeds from this event will introduce Young Women of Color to surfing through a network of 86 partner surf camps across 24 states, ensuring that surfing is not just accessible but also sustainable for as many young ladies as possible.

So let’s celebrate growth, impact, and community—purchase a Hi-Five today and help make a difference!

https://go.rallyup.com/hifive/Campaign/Details

3. Thought Exercise: 3-Minute Celebration Challenge

Time to celebrate your journey! Let’s do a quick exercise to reflect on how far you’ve come:

• Grab a piece of paper and a pen.
• Set an alarm for three minutes.
• Draw two vertical lines down the page, creating three columns.
• Label the first column "10 years ago," the second "5 years ago," and the third "Today."
• Now, with whatever time you have left, jot down what you’re most proud of from each period in your life.

Take a moment to soak it all in and give yourself a well-deserved smile. Look at you now!

4. Quote:

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." — Oprah Winfrey

5. What's New at Success Bully?

After seven years of relentless hustle, I finally took a step back to reflect on my journey and the future of Success Bully. Like many high achievers, I’ve been on a hamster wheel—constantly moving but never truly pausing to recharge, reflect, or realign with my deeper purpose.

With the encouragement of my friend and mentor, Mitch Shepard , I embarked on a journey of recalibration, focusing only on what truly excites and fulfills me on a daily, case-by-case basis. This intentional act of recentering has been nothing short of liberating.

I’m thrilled to share that this period of reflection has reignited my passion and creativity. We’re rolling out new frameworks and offerings that seamlessly blend my love for communication—both internal and external—with cutting-edge, science-backed strategies.

Want a sneak peek? Be the first to experience the all-new Success Bully approach. Book a call to get exclusive early access.

As always, thank you for spending a few minutes with me today. And thank you for the birthday wishes. I can't wait to see what's next.

Let's get after it.

Keita -- Your Favorite Success Bully