THE LIE IN CONTROL

What You Will Learn In This Episode

In this Episode, Hilary Jastram shares her incredible story of dealing with chronic illness as an entrepreneur. She reveals how to learn from the most challenging situations we face in life, and how to make choices that empower our best selves. In this candid, vulnerable, and incredible interview, Hilary exposes the risk of negative self-talk and how to create a concrete plan to truly care for ourselves.

What I loved About This Interview

Hilary Jastram is an incredible person. She is one of my editors of my upcoming book Women with Fire…6 Secrets to Purpose, Profit & Passion. She is a fantastic example of who a Women with Fire is. While working with Hilary, I loved that she is someone who genuinely cares about her work, she has a huge heart and is willing to go the extra mile to make something great. I knew I needed to have her on my show.

Then I read Hilary’s book Sick Success. All I have to say about this book is that you need to read it. If you have ever felt not enough, like what you are going through is dragging you down, like you are meant for more, or that you are meant to do something great, you need to read this book. Hilary’s story is one of courage, inspiration, and heart. She has been through some of the most challenging things imaginable. She continues to face a painful, chronic illness to this day and she does so with courage, inspiration, and hope. 

Our conversation on this interview is raw, real, and bold. It had me nearly in tears with empathy and tears of laughter because on top of all the incredible things Hilary is, she’s funny too! I love this interview deeply. I think that when you listen to it, you will know that you are not alone, that you can become bigger than whatever challenge you are facing right now, and that you have the ability to create greatness in your life. The only thing I ask is that if this story moves you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Who is Hilary?

Hilary L. Jastram is owner of J. Hill Marketing, specializing in copywriting and book editing for entrepreneurs and brands. She is an author and contributor to multiple media. Jastram founded Sick Biz, a non-profit supporting sick and disabled entrepreneurs.

Bonus Wisdom

These are questions that I asked Hilary outside our interview. You are going to love her answers!

What is 1 thing you believe every woman entrepreneur should know?

We are not like male entrepreneurs; and structuring our lives and businesses this way is detrimental to our very essence as women. We need to embrace who we are and not try to make it over to appease anyone else.

When is a time in your life when you went through a challenge or felt like giving up?

When I became ill with transverse myelitis and lost my job, health insurance, and nearly my relationship.

How did you overcome this?

I channeled my fear and frustration into productivity. I reached out to people and asked for work to the degree that I could. And I found that I could actually be successful even ill.

What did you learn from it?

How incredibly strong I am and that no matter what I am not doomed to repeat my past. I could remake myself as I lived a new life. And I could use this new life to find the blessings that had evaded me because I needed to implement entirely new rules.

What is the one area of life or business you are an expert in?

Writing

What is one thing you want to share about this that will make all the difference for women?

Our stories have value and we need to own them. We can talk about our lives and be honest about them without hurting the people who might be in them. We can recite the events of our lives and have them be just that. Events that we can see through a lens and we can use that objectivity to heal.

What is one thing that you wish someone told you that you had to learn the hard way?

I don’t know that I would have believed anyone if they had told me my life could’ve been different. That it would not have pain, or other hardships. I wish I would’ve believed that I could influence all the good things in my life, that I could trust.

Please tell me about your family. What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced with balancing work, family, and taking care of yourself?

I have three kids. One is at home still and I am married to a big lug. Since I am sick and trying to still be everyone to everything, I had to adjust expectations. I had to put my health first. And then I had to take care of my family and then my business. I have the majority of the day to myself now, so I am able to take care of my needs and my business.

What did you learn from this challenge?

It’s okay to take care of yourself.

What helps you balance these roles now?

I have had to learn to fully trust and I have had to be okay with just being me. I always felt like I needed to bring more to the table than myself. But I am okay and valuable just the way I am.

What is one resource that you love (a book, app, service)?

Grammarly. LOL.

If you have written books or have a blog, what are the titles and where can I find them? If you have written several books, which one is most relevant to women intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs?

I actually wrote two books, one fiction and one non-fiction, an Amazon bestseller: “Sick Success: The Entrepreneur’s Prescriptions for Turning Pain into Purpose and Profit” – They are available at barnesandnoble.com and on Amazon.

How to Connect with Hilary

www.jhillmark.com

www.sickbiz.com

Facebook:

• Sickbiz
• jhillmarkwriter

Twitter

Instagram

Make Sure You Don’t Miss Out!

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It would mean so much to me!

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My Free Gift For You

Thank you for listening to My Fire Within Radio!

If you want a free sample of the weight management products I love to help boost your metabolism & block carbs & sugars go to www.myfirewithin.com& click on free samples.

They are incredible and they have helped me lose 8 pounds, my husband Andy lose 40 pounds, and I can finally eat chocolate once in a while without the guilt! The samples are on me, you just cover the shipping.

Until next time, let your fire light the world!