She Stories Feature Friday - Brandi Stevens

About She Stories

She Stories is a community of women that promotes self wellness, empowerment and the value of supporting each other You have overcome tremendous obstacles Telling your story brings healing for you and others There is empowerment in every story We are Real Women with Real Stories What started out as a storytelling night has transformed into a sisterhood From gatherings to giving back, we inspire and affirm the every day woman that she is brave and beautiful

Our Founder

In 2017, I decided to carry on the tradition of testimony service and share this amazing gift of storytelling from my elders to my tribe I provided a sacred space for women to share their challenges and victories so they can not only be empowered but through each story women would find a circle of support and empowerment Her story matters and the world needs to hear itEhmandah Ramsey

She Stories has always been about women sharing their stories through storytelling. (Yeah, that’s me with a box of tissue) We believe there’s healing that happens when we share our stories. We all have one!

By sharing our stories, we prove that it’s possible to shift change through another woman’s journey, struggles, and triumphs.

Elevating women of all ages is powerful. Compassion and love speaks volumes. And when they’re combined among a community of bosses, we ALL thrive!

XO,

Inthisissue FEATUREFRIDAY

It’s December! This leg of the relay is coming to a close, but this Friday’s feature doesn’t miss a beat. Her name is Brandi, but she also goes by DJ bselecta.

For this boss, she shares some experiences where she’s had to make difficult life-changing decisions, not only for her profession, but as a woman Brandi shares how chasing a dream in the music industry allowed her to tap into her purpose in helping others And she knew that music was going to play a big part in that

See how her passion gave way to her purpose in a male-driven industry, and how she’s on the RIZE!

BRANDI STEVENS

So imagine a young girl from a mid-western Canadian town called St. Albert (which is just north of Montana, in case you were wondering) being raised in a home with her grandma, young mother, and 4 aunties Meet DJ bselecta who is a pure beast on turntables. She controls a crowd and makes it look so good! You can see the energy through the audience. She’s also known as a vibe curator. YES, she IS a vibe!

While both her parents were young and it was her father who played the drums and guitar But it was also the memories of her grandma and all the women in her house dancing to all the different beats and knowing all the words to the songs “I was watching my grandma dance to Elvis and watching my aunties dance to Guns n Roses and Prince.” She soon became a big fan of Michael Jackson and let the music around her ignite her dreams.

So much was going on around her and sometimes she battled with feelings of extreme loneliness and isolation, like feeling you’re the only person in a room full of people She allowed music to fill in the spaces her parents weren’t able to.

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At 16, she had gotten a job at a record store where she sold CDs and records, but that began her interest of the music industry By 21, she was the youngest sales rep for BMG Music Canada. She knew she needed bigger, so she dropped out of business school and moved with a friend to CA. Brandi landed work with an entertainment attorney where she experienced a ”messy, fake, and very political” side to music and she knew this was NOT for her This, once again, triggered a feeling of not belonging anywhere and loneliness. “I walked out those doors and I felt like everything was lost It was a sad day”

Brandi knew she wanted to someday be a mother and have a family of her own.

Fast forward to ! The loneliness was also met with critical ears. After all, she’s a European Canadian woman who spins hip-hop and dancehall She knew she had to dig deeper inside herself if she was going to help others through music It was during that time that she found a better balance between Brandi (the woman), Brandi (the mom) and DJ bselecta. She remembered the women in her home and how they empowered eachother This taught her about the sisterhood she didn’t experience through siblings Even as an only child, Brandi knew “Women together make magic happen.”

Brandi has successfully found a way to combine her love for music with her purpose to serve her community. She created The RIZE event where she marries hip hop music to yoga but also throws in guided meditation and breath work.

She’s a Vibe Curator and she speaks to the masses through her blends of beats and lyrics... And when I asked what music speaks to her, she stated “Music touches a space inside that’s so raw and so honest It cuts through all the bullshit and gets right to your soul.”

We’re here for DJ bselecta, SHE STORIES X BRANDI!

“Music became my best friend.”

DJ BSELECTA:

“EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF THIS JOURNEY REALLY WAS CONSTRUCTED FOR ME.”

It didn’t always make sense, but it was right on time.

At She Stories, we believe in empowering and supporting our community to grow and increase. Check out more from Brandi at the links below: www.djbselecta.com

Check out RIZE and become a part of the community: www.therizeevent.com

IG: @djbselecta & @therizeevent

If you or someone you know would like to be Feature, let us know!

10 WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

By: Gina Farrar

As we head into the holiday season, it is easy to become As we head into the holiday season, it is easy to become overwhelmed thinking of all of the things that come overwhelmed thinking of all of the things that come along with it- family gatherings, work parties, along with it- family gatherings, work parties, friendsmas, Christmas shopping, baking, travel, and a friendsmas, Christmas shopping, baking, travel, and a host of other things. host of other things.

For many people, as soon as they see the decorations For many people, as soon as they see the decorations and hear the music, they start to stress about doing and hear the music, they start to stress about doing everything! It can be a difficult time of year for a lot of us everything! It can be a difficult time of year for a lot of us. But what if there were tiny things we could do to change But what if there were tiny things we could do to change that narrative. that narrative.

Here are a few ideas to help generate joy and Here are a few ideas to help generate joy and anticipation for the holidays. anticipation for the holidays.

1) Slow Down and Breathe – Start here. Stop, go outside, 1) Slow Down and Breathe – Start here. Stop, go outside, put one hand on your heart, one hand on your belly, put one hand on your heart, one hand on your belly, stand with your feet hip width apart, and take 10 slow stand with your feet hip width apart, and take 10 slow

deep breaths in and out. Listen to your breath, feel your belly rise and fall, feel your heartbeat, deep breaths in and out. Listen to your breath, feel your belly rise and fall, feel your heartbeat, feel your body relax. Do this as often as necessary. feel your body relax. Do this as often as necessary.

2) 2) Practice Flexibility Practice Flexibility –– We all know that interruptions will happen and things may not go as We all know that interruptions will happen and things may not go as planned So maybe planning in advance for thatpossibility will help to alleviate the extra planned So maybe planning in advance for thatpossibility will help to alleviate the extra frustration Go ahead and roll with it, who knows, the outcome might even be better than the frustration Go ahead and roll with it, who knows, the outcome might even be better than the one you planned! one you planned!

3) 3) Make Time for Laughter Make Time for Laughter –– You know what they say, laughter is good medicine. Laughter You know what they say, laughter is good medicine Laughter releases endorphins (the feel-good hormone), reduces stress, increases our energy. So go ahead releases endorphins (the feel-good hormone), reduces stress, increases our energy. So go ahead and lighten up, let yourself laugh until you can’t breathe Watch a funny movie, play a silly game, and lighten up, let yourself laugh until you can’t breathe. Watch a funny movie, play a silly game, have a pillow fight, watch your favorite comedian, hang out with a hilarious friend and be silly have a pillow fight, watch your favorite comedian, hang out with a hilarious friend and be silly.

4) Create Memorable Moments- As our lives get busier, as our families change, not everyone can 4) Create Memorable Moments- As our lives get busier, as our families change, not everyone can gather together, it’s helpful to not feel obligated to do every single tradition Instead, just double gather together, it’s helpful to not feel obligated to do every single tradition Instead, just double down on a couple of them, reconnect with the joy that those bring. Take the time to focus on one down on a couple of them, reconnect with the joy that those bring Take the time to focus on one special tradition and fully immerse yourself in it. Or maybe this is the year to create a new special tradition and fully immerse yourself in it Or maybe this is the year to create a new tradition and make new memories. Is there a fun thing you’ve always meant to try – building tradition and make new memories Is there a fun thing you’ve always meant to try – building homemade gingerbread houses, buying and wearing ugly Christmas sweaters to wear while homemade gingerbread houses, buying and wearing ugly Christmas sweaters to wear while looking at Christmas lights, getting family pajamas and having a Christmas movie night looking at Christmas lights, getting family pajamas and having a Christmas movie night.

5) 5) Invest in Your Relationships Invest in Your Relationships– spend some quality time with the people you love and who love – spend some quality time with the people you love and who love you back Just take the time to have a cuppa something wonderful together, no technology, just you back Just take the time to have a cuppa something wonderful together, no technology, just real face to face time. Make time for physical touch, link arms, hold hands, give and receive hugs, real face to face time Make time for physical touch, link arms, hold hands, give and receive hugs, send a simple note of appreciation to someone, be intentional. send a simple note of appreciation to someone, be intentional

6) 6) Set Those Boundaries Set Those Boundaries – only say yes to the things that you really want to do during the – only say yes to the things that you really want to do during the holidays, it’s ok to say no Gentle reminder – “no” is a complete sentence �� There is no rule that holidays, it’s ok to say no. Gentle reminder – “no” is a complete sentence �� There is no rule that you have to say yes to everything Know your own limits and honor them, it’s important to give you have to say yes to everything Know your own limits and honor them, it’s important to give yourself permission to choose how you spend your time. yourself permission to choose how you spend your time

7) 7) Focus on Gratitude Focus on Gratitude – start a gratitude practice and every day write down 5 things you are – start a gratitude practice and every day write down 5 things you are grateful for Keep that list handy and refer to it often to remind yourself of the wonderful things grateful for. Keep that list handy and refer to it often to remind yourself of the wonderful things and people in your life Studies show that gratitude helps regulate stress and reduces anxiety It and people in your life. Studies show that gratitude helps regulate stress and reduces anxiety. It has powerful effects on the brain, it releases happy hormones and reframes our outlook has powerful effects on the brain, it releases happy hormones and reframes our outlook

8) 8) Fit in Self-care Fit in Self-care - Leave some time in your calendar for yourself. Make a date with yourself every - Leave some time in your calendar for yourself Make a date with yourself every week by blocking out a couple of hours for yourself to read, walk, dance, sleep, stare at the walls, week by blocking out a couple of hours for yourself to read, walk, dance, sleep, stare at the walls, draw or paint, treat yourself to something you love This is YOU time not you + someone else This draw or paint, treat yourself to something you love. This is YOU time not you + someone else. This is your rest, recharge, restore time, creating that space for yourself allows you to unplug is your rest, recharge, restore time, creating that space for yourself allows you to unplug.

9) 9) Volunteer or Give Back Volunteer or Give Back – There are so many benefits to – There are so many benefits to giving to others whether it’s time, money, food, talents giving to others whether it’s time, money, food, talents. When we turn our focus away from ourselves and think When we turn our focus away from ourselves and think about others, it brings us joy, it lifts our mood and it brings about others, it brings us joy, it lifts our mood and it brings perspective to our world. The holiday season is full of perspective to our world The holiday season is full of opportunities to give- Toys for Tots, Angel Tree, food drives, opportunities to give- Toys for Tots, Angel Tree, food drives, to name a few When we serve others, our hearts are to name a few. When we serve others, our hearts are blessed It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, just find a blessed. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, just find a way to lighten some one else’s spirits and you will find way to lighten some one else’s spirits and you will find yours lifted as well. yours lifted as well

110) 0) Put Your Cape Away Put Your Cape Away – There is a time and a place to – There is a time and a place to ask for help There’s no shame in needing help, as a matter ask for help. There’s no shame in needing help, as a of fact, when we allow others to step up and take a journey of fact, when we allow others to step up and take a journey with us, everyone is lifted Have you heard the saying, “The with us, everyone is lifted Have you heard the saying, “The rising tides raises all ships”? That is what happens when rising tides raises all ships”? That is what when we help each other, we are all helped. No need to be a we help each other, we are all helped No need to be a superhero and do it all, be it all, have it all. superhero and do it all, be it all, have it all.

If you find yourself feeling a little overwhelmed this If you find yourself feeling a little overwhelmed this season, give one thing a try from this list to rejuvenate season, give one thing a try from this list to rejuvenate your holiday mood. your holiday mood.

Follow Gina on IG: @gina r farrar

lness a.m. – 8 p.m., ET al, free crisis counseling. d one, or would like emotional the United States.

We absolutely love sharing the stories of everyday women just like you! Every woman has a story to tell! In our community, we share our stories to uplift, inspire and empower women. Stories can be shared one on one, through social media and even through creativity.

Girl, we want you to know there’s healing power in sharing your story. Sometimes you may feel that there’s things only you could’ve experienced, until you hear someone else with a similar experience. You are not alone. Together we overcome.

Would you like to be a feature? Or do you know a woman who’d like to share her story at a live event? Let us know! Let's change the world together one story at a time. It’s pretty empowering!