Award Winning Speaker, Inspirational Author, USAF Veteran - Jamila Bryant

In this episode, we’re talking with Jamila Bryant, who has an amazing story that includes serving in the Air Force when the LGBT policy was “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”. It was the official United States policy on military service by gay men, bisexuals, and lesbians, instituted by the Clinton Administration. The policy was issued under Department of Defense Directive 1304.26 on December 21, 1993, and was in effect from February 28, 1994, until September 20, 2011.

Jamila shares about the culture of the United States Military Air Force, her college experience prior to her enlistment, and why she thinks the Air Force is the strongest branch of the military. She also discusses her experience joining the military as a gay woman during the “Don't ask, Don't tell” era where she was able to experience that change and be herself after 2011 when the policy was abolished, thus allowing gay, lesbian, and bisexual people to serve openly in the United States Armed Forces. She has had a full career with the USAF and is still an active reserve.

With over 17 years of honorable service in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves, Jamila has always been very passionate about leadership and personal development. She is now the Founder of Push FORWARD Development Ltd. A Certified Speaker, and Trainer with The John Maxwell Team. Jamila is also the author behind the inspirational quote brand, Quote Junkie Diaries. She self-published her first book, Quote Junkie Diaries Inspirational Quotes Volume I, on October 16, 2017 (quotejunkiediaries.com).

“Let your excitement of a new beginning bury your fear as unknown” by Jamila Bryant

Support Jamila and her mission:

https://www.instagram.com/jainbry/

https://www.instagram.com/pushfwddev/

https://www.pushforwarddevelopment.com/

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Transcript

Speaker 1:  0:04 
You are listening to her brotherhood, where we celebrate and support women who put their lives on the line. Now this podcast is brought to you by the new subscription box, her brotherhood and you can find that at her brotherhood.com. Today we are interviewing yet another amazing gal. Her name is Camilla Bryant. She's an Air Force veteran, financial wellness advocate, founder, inspirational quote, author and speaker. I mean, I am. I can't wait to hear more. So you guys, buckle up. Let's meet another amazing lady. And with that, here we go. So let's just dive right in and tell me how you say your first name because I'm not sure I'm pronouncing it right.

Speaker2:  0:52
I think you did. This, Jamila

Speaker 1:  0:54 
Okay, cool. I didn't know if it was joe miller, or hemella. So I wanted to make sure. I love that. Where did that come from?

Speaker 2:  1:02 
My parents got my name. So my African book back in the 80s. I was born today. And it means beautiful.

Speaker 1:  1:10
Wow. There's no doubt they that was they hit it right on. I was looking at your picture when I was texting you. And that photo you have on your eye messenger ID. Damn. I mean, it's like awesome. But then it's also like, dude, watch out for that chick. She. I don't know if it's the sunglasses or what but it's a great picture.

Speaker 2:  1:28 
Oh, thank you. I appreciate it. Yeah,

Speaker 1:  1:31
So we met actually, in which a lot of people a lot of my listeners don't even know about it in the clubhouse. Tell me what your clubhouse experience has been like?

Speaker 2:  1:39 
Yeah, so my clubhouse experience has been amazing. I've been at the clubhouse since January 27. So about a month, and I've been able to cover and I say I've been covering IV, I've been able to club in to go clubbing with different people in different conversations, great conversations, to help me build my business to just motivate me, I'll keep inspiring me to motivate me to keep going and walking the path that I'm walking down and building my legacy. I've also been able to network with people as well, such as yourself, and some other professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, like all of the above, you can find in a call Hall. Yeah,

Speaker 1:  2:20
I don't know if we would have met each other. That's what I've made probably more meaningful connections on clubhouse and I hate, like boosting these dang tech, social media things. But they've got something here because I have I've connected with more meaningful people in the last couple of weeks on clubhouse than the last several years, quite honestly, because I don't know what it is. But maybe it's because it's the veterans' groups and the first responder groups, dude, it's just, it's a different kind of people. It's our kind of people. And it's been really cool. And I'm looking at your clubhouse by right now. And so we've got Air Force veteran financial wellness advocate, founder, inspirational, quote, author and speaker, I love that. And I but I got to ask you tell me about inspirational quote, author.

Speaker 2:  2:59 
Yes. So it's free. I am an inspirational co-author. I have the inspirational quote, brain quote, junkie diaries. I released my first book of inspirational quotes buying one on my birthday, October 16, 2017, I really step up into the universe. And yeah, I'm all about inspiring people. You know, I went through a couple moments in my life where I had to figure out where I wanted, what I wanted to do with my life. And you know, those times that I had to like, no question myself, and I needed guidance and inspiration, or turns to gospel music and other outlet was the inspirational quotes that gave me that inspiration, that motivation, you know, that hope to keep me pushing forward in life. And I started writing down my own quote, because I was like, people talking about magazines, close to our Facebook at the time, and I started writing my own quotes Now, put them on Facebook, got a couple likes, people comment on my quotes. And that's what I do. Everybody has something. So I was like, You know what, why not just, you know, just keeping a notebook like, Can I just release to the universe? Yeah. And one day I was in a, yeah. And then one day, I was in a Barnes and Noble. And I was looking at the little small racks that they have in the checkout. And it's like these tiny books, you know, and I was like, okay, some of the books had one word on one word on it, two words, couple of sentences. And that's where I got the idea to have like the inspirational quote book. It's about the size of the site, maybe four inches by three. And if you fit in your pocketbook, take it anywhere with you. And if you have any inspiration, pull it out, get a quote, have a reflection page, so people can also reflect on that quote, and what it does to them what it means to them, and how it relates.

Speaker 1:  4:51
That is great. We have to get that in her brother inbox, because that's right in alignment with the mission and you look at all these quotes, and I mean, there's some that somebody's famous It's like, yeah, okay, but because somebody's famous at it, you know, get stamped on a post or whatever. And then there's ones that you hear that are from people you don't know about. And those are usually the ones that are most inspiring. So gosh, you're really onto something there. That's really cool. And then I scroll down and just notice 2020 Toastmasters International speech contest winner for district 26. area you three, I didn't know you were going to Toastmasters. That's so cool. I had just got started, like not long before COVID. That earlier in that year, and my claim to fame is I won a humorous event. There. They kind of it was funny, I, I hadn't done it before. And they're like, oh, there's this one coming up. And we just we think you should and I told a story that I had experienced with my cell phone and a porta potti. And I won first place. It was really fun. So I've missed that because I was really enjoying meeting in person every Wednesday with these, you know, folks in a big business building we'd meet and do the Toastmasters thing. It was really cool. I missed that they they've continued on virtually, but I haven't kept up with them because my virtual life turned into to homeschooling. So I've missed out on that. And I really liked the in person part. So but tell me about your Toastmasters experience.

Speaker 2:  6:16 
Yeah, so my Toastmasters experience has been a great live, it has helped me develop the confidence. And it has helped me continue to develop as a speaker communicator over walls to like, it's not just about speaking about listening, because you didn't violate it. And also you can be an evaluator. So it trains you to, you know, be more attentive when you're listening to people speak. So I started in March 2014, after I graduated from the domex authentification program, because my goal was to build a business, you know, doing leadership, personal development. And so I wanted to get better at public speaking. So that's why I decided to let myself be Toastmasters. And since then, like I said, the last seven years, it's been a great ride. I'm getting better. I'm challenging myself more because I wasn't going to participate in the international speech contest. I said, No, No, I'm fine. But you know, we wanted to have some people represent our club. So I couldn't compete at the club level came in second. And something different happened this year. Typically, they just take the first winner, first place winner, but this year, they said, the first and second place winner from the club. So I event to the area contest. And I won that. And I'll be speaking again on March 20. For the representing area you three at the district level.

Speaker 1:  7:45
Oh, that is so great. Are they gonna do that live so people can watch?

Speaker 2:  7:50 
Yes, there will be virtual. So the one we did last Saturday was virtual. And this one will be virtual as well. I can send me that link. I would love that is awesome. I love that. That's
so cool. And what is the title of your speech?
It's called 15 years. And I'm not going to spoil it for you. Because you may not join. But I'll just say it's, it's something to make you think about, like, nice. And hopefully, you know, my takeaway for everybody is that you have dropped some nuggets at the end. But I want people to think about how they're living their lives. And to just imagine what that could be moving forward.

Speaker 1:  8:31 
Oh, excellent. Well, it's got to be a darn good speech. If you made it this far. That's so great. And can't and Congratulations and good luck on the upcoming Toastmasters events. So that's super cool. But yeah, I saw that I was like, Oh my god, I didn't even know that. So I wanted to know, but tell me about. So for the reason we connected, I think we connected in a veterans room. So take me back to what took you to the Air Force. And just take me just kind of take me back like, what was that about? What it What made you decide to serve and just share with that? A little bit of that with us?

Speaker 2:  9:01 
Sure. So currently I am in the Air Force reserves on the first side. I've been doing this particular role for almost three years, almost three years. And I started my Air Force career active duty straight out of college, because of course generation college students. And my parents told me to college, so I went to college, but it was time to graduate college and I didn't know what to do. Of course, you could work go to graduate school,

Speaker 1:  9:28
 You kind of did it backwards. There's a lot of kids go to military to pay for college and so you don't love it flip flop.

Speaker 2:  9:35 
I did Rob did to that college route, and then it was time to graduate and like, what's next? What can I do? So at that time, I had an uncle who told me about Military Air Force in particular. So I started talking to some recruiters. My first option was to go commissions, but unfortunately the recruiter I worked with at the time wasn't really trying to help me get permission. So basically, what sort of enlisted recruiters and, of course, they worked with me and I came in here listed, and it's been a great 17 plus years, I'll be hitting 18 years with coming there. That active duty for the first six years, three months of my career, the last 11 years plus person in the Air Force.

Speaker 1:  10:25
That's amazing. Thank you for your service. And what did you when you in my state, what did you do? Yes, when

Speaker 2:  10:30
I looked at, I was in transportation sales. So basically, I job people in cargo from point A to point B. And also I was working in dispatch office, I was doing TV run or distinguished visitor runs for wing leadership, when we had like VIP guests come on base, basically, would be transporting those individuals. So I said, expose me. Yeah, it was a great, you know, career eye opening experience. Because, one, I had no idea about what I was getting myself into. Second, I don't have a real big military friends and my family like my great grandfather was my mom's brother were Air Force. And then my dad had a problem in the Marines in Vietnam. But outside of that, not a lot of people in my current generation fers. So it was kind of interesting to see me go to college, and then transferred over to the Air Force after that,

Speaker 1:  11:27
And you ain't doing transportation like you're saying drive from point A to point B most the time, but you were able to always be on the move and meeting a lot of new people. That's really great.

Speaker 2:  11:36 
Yeah, that was one pro about having a job I had because awesome other thing we deliver Park home base, so like a delivery job, I was bad for aircraft parts and stuff like that. So it was often times I would be, you know, many people from different walks of life, different career fields, you know, military, it's like a melting pot in the US and meet people from all over the country. And sometimes, you know, international people choose from different countries that serve as well. And I've had the chance to travel to some cool places. Yeah, it was great Overwatch challenge myself a little mark and things, develop the skill. And it's been a great experience. And one of the reasons why I continue to say,

Speaker 1:  12:17
Now going through your memories of that tell me like what are some of your either kind of the challenges or the lessons learned? Like, because we all talk about like, Oh, yeah, it was a great experience. Everything was awesome. But when you look back, like what were some of the challenges that you had to overcome? Like, if you're talking to gals that are thinking about getting into the military now? Like, what would you want to share? As far as that goes?

Speaker 2:  12:38
Great question. One of the challenges, I would say definitely, was just that self doubt piece because I had graduated college. And it was like, Okay, I knew I was going to do that. But still, I was like, do I really want to do that, you start to second guess yourself. Even after you made your mind up, you found yourself second guessing yourself. And then the day finally comes. And I did what they call the delayed entry program. So I signed up on Valentine's Day, February 2003. I'll say that was my commitment to love myself off campus and real quick, but I didn't actually leave for basic training until May. So I had a couple of months where I was like, Oh, my gosh, the countdown was real. Because I knew I was gonna be shipping out, you know, Mesa, so but just that sell, sell, because you always have that little voice in your head that tells me all negative things like you can't do it. What are you doing for your crazy? It's a war going on you? That was like two years after September 11. That was a crazy. Yeah, the war was real. Like, you know, it was like everyday, you will see stuff on TV. For me. Like I tell my parents, you know, my parents weren't real supportive at the beginning because I just graduated college first person, my family, so it was like a big deal. And then I'm watching. Now it's like, well, Mom and Dad, you know, if it doesn't hurt me, don't kill me just get stronger, and favor. They were actually supportive of me. Once I got in, and I started doing things, and you know, they were very supportive of my career and will tell them,

Speaker 1:  14:14
that's great. There's an interview that I did not too long ago of another veteran who is also in financial advice and mentorship, and she kind of had the same thing like, but it was to where her mom was like, No, she did not want her to go. And she just had to beg and plead. And, you know, it's so amazing to see women, young women actually having to talk their parents into serving and fighting so hard to want to do something greater than themselves. It's just, it's really great to see and it's I think it's a new generation. I mean, there are a lot of these women in the past but it's a new generation of strong women that want to go out and do something great. And we still have kind of an older schools that have parents you know, that are still coming up that are still a little afraid like my grandfather. He was an Air Force. pilot. And when I was in high school talking about maybe going to the military, he was just not having any of it. He, you know, he lived through World War Two. And that's all he knew. And the thought of having a grandbaby go into the military. He's just he didn't like that idea at all. But I think we have a new set of a new mindset now with our parents. So that's good to hear.

Speaker 2:  15:19
Yeah, it actually, I've been in almost 18 years, and the Air Force has changed last 18 years, it's not the same air force that I entered in 2003, then you can enter in 2021, things have changed. It's evolved. You know, like, the military has Facebook accounts, you know, like, like, it's kind of funny. It's kind of interested in stuff because you're like, Okay, thank, you know, military, but the culture has shifted in this country, and the people that you're trying to reach just the majors and millennials again, again, again,

Speaker 1:  15:55
The one I know I love seeing all the different billboards they have out on the side of the freeway. Yeah, super cool book, billboard, then you realize, Oh, my God, that's a recruitment Billboard. And they're, they're really Yeah. What do you say? What other ways do you feel like the Air Force has changed in these last 18 years?

Speaker 2:  16:10
The things that have changed, like other things, just this one thing that I a big change that has affected me personally, is the das hotels. And because I came into all three under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And I knew that going in benify as a queer woman, almost Bs, and I knew that that was a risk I was going to have to take to just shut up and they'll say nothing, I'll do nothing. That's where I was taking. Yeah, so living living under that. And when I was in that my whole investment was 2008 to 2009. So when Obama came into office, he would tell the don't have to tell. But I've seen people. And I've read stories of people who lost their careers because simply who they choose to love. And I knew with me, I was on a plane long, because I knew I had to watch what I do what I say, because you did never know who's listening, or what people want to do to you can lead to some malicious acts. Yeah, malicious intent. So just being more mindful of that, and I'm more of a masculine Senate, female or tomboy, and all that. So, um, it was very, you know, it was very, it was just a challenge, like I said, just like walking on eggshells sometimes. But fast forward now. And you know, you have people openly serving and showing up to, you know, military events with their same sex spouse, and you know, transgender or no, previous president, or car banned transgenders, know where things are changing constantly. Because our population, our culture is changing, shifting. So in order to keep up with that, you're going to have to change that with anything, yourself. Education, everything is going to have to shift with the time. If not, you're gonna be left behind, you can miss out on opportunities you can miss out on providing opportunities to people. So basically, that living my life openly. And I'm not saying I'm throwing my sexuality into people's faces, but just let it felt like a rock was like lifted off my balls. Yeah.

Speaker 1:  18:23
Well, I couldn't imagine that time. I mean, going in knowing that the don't ask, don't tell thing like, I'm trying to equivocate it in my brain is the same emotional experience. And the best that my I can come up with is like those times when you're in a relationship, and you didn't want anybody know about it yet, just because the drama that might be surrounding you, but then take what you were having that is just a whole other level, I couldn't, I couldn't imagine the feelings that you must have had at that time, and what it felt like to always kind of live, you know, always being worried about that knife getting thrown into your back, or somebody finding out not being able to be who you were. That's just, that's a bummer. And I'm so glad that you actually were in the service to see that through to see the other side. What was that, like when it changed?

Speaker 2:  19:08
It was, it was it was different, like, Oh my god, like, like, I knew I wasn't gonna stay in active duty for 20 years. I knew that at the time. But still, it's it was just like a relief, like all the 1000s of people that do serve under the LGBT community, a part of that community. There was like a huge relief, you know, and I remember people and they were marriage became legal, like, get married. And you see all these articles about people getting married and repairing and, you know, the same sex couples marriages are awesome. And I remember I'm going to be very so if people aren't familiar with them. Third life. Typically we go we work for one weekend, a month, two weeks a year we go work activity, and we also deploy as well. So I remember thinking of maybe peace 12 or 15, I was at a base for two weeks. And it was during the month of June. So this base had a LGBTQ committee. And I was like, what are what? I was kind of like, charter because I was like, Okay, this wasn't a thing when I was saying, you know, you could get kicked out a military for, you know, loving the same sex, and now they have a family history. Yeah, and there are in it, you know, like that. The National Weather, we seek you history, more things in October. So it's like, it's just great to see that it makes you feel like, you matter. And you're welcome. And it's okay. You know, and I know, the mindset of some people still might not be, you know where it should be. But I do know that overall, you know, the culture has shifted, and changed, changing.

Speaker 1:  20:56
That's great. And I can tell that you, I'm sure you're an amazing mentor to others in your life. And, you know, you're sharing that experience, and just how you feel about all that. And that's because that's great. I don't, I've never really talked to anyone about being in the military at that time. And then still being in when it was when it actually adapted, which is, it's just amazing. And I'm glad you were there. And I'm glad that you're still here. And, and Gosh, I'm just so glad to have met you. You're such an amazing woman. And now I look at your resume, your bio and everything. And there's just so many questions that I have. But instead of me picking her brain and asking you questions about you know, financial stuff, and all this, you share with me like what what are you doing in the world right now? What is your impact? What What do you want to share the most with people?

Speaker 2:  21:40
Yes, so my current impact in the world is basically based on our personal values, passion, purpose, and then everything that I do, I'm passionate about, otherwise, I will not be doing it. Because life's too short. And, you know, I'm living in my purpose. You know, I had to discover some things about myself. And once I develop and discover some things invest in myself, I discovered what my purpose was to, you know, serve be of service to other people. And I think I don't know if that started here, okay, or what but, you know, I think sometimes we realize that, you know, or some people realize why they're here. And people will see things in me at a younger age, but aren't we I didn't know what they do. When now as I grew up, on the chalkboard, I invest in myself, I start to see what people see me. And I start to believe I believe in myself now. And now everything I'm doing is all about the impact I'm having on other people as well, whether it's serving the military, building up my company push for development was the company that focuses on leadership and personal development service is for the LGBTQ plus community. Because I can relate to some of the struggles that we go to want to go through in this community, you know, finding value in yourself. We live in a world sometimes of growing up in a world where people do value because of your, you know, your sexuality. And if people can relate, if you're not, if it's not about sexuality, maybe your gender, being a woman to like, I know what it's like growing up being a woman in this country, how certain things just weren't supposed to be meant for women. And we're still breaking barriers. So to say, like, 2021, we're still having first, first women's first black or, oh, you know, every

Speaker 2:  23:29
Time I go, I'm like, seriously, like, you know, you'll see some city or department or something. And, oh, it's the first this and it makes you realize, like, no kidding, they really haven't had one yet. It's just, it's a shocker. And then when you look around, it's it actually is happening everywhere. And I am so like, I am such a believer in Yes, having that diversity and getting all that. And then on the flip side, I'm also not a believer in giving people unfair advantages, just so we can fill those quotas. So when there's departments or you know, agencies that don't have those, you know, those checkmarks by them, I guess, if they have made an effort to recruit good people, and they still haven't gotten applicants for that. That's one thing. If people are they're able bodied, great people and they're not giving them the opportunities, then Shame on them. And that is still happening.

Speaker 2:  24:22
Yes, it is. So that's that's one thing that's like I said one thing that I'm doing as well for sport development, students and LGBT people, too community and then like I should also do them first we'll call brand looking to build on that brand as well. Currently, I have a book and let's just expand on that brand to get more of my my words my inspiration into the universe to help. Are you talking about the book besides your quote book? I don't have a car. The only book I currently have is the inspirational quote book. Okay, sister, hold on. I haven't even heard about that yet. That's good. Timing eventually. But you know, right now, I'm just focused on social posts. And but I do think autobiography as

Speaker 1:  25:10
A way to find the time to write that way you tell me the trick. Because that's, that's not so hard. So you're guiding people. And that's exactly it. Like people may have your same knowledge and your abilities to mentor and coach others. But there's something to be said about having that, that personal, you know, experience that matches those people. And, you know, you think about niching, down, niching down and like you're serving the LGBTQ community and your coaching services and leadership in business. And you would think that like, gosh, I don't know, is that niche even big enough? Well, heck, yeah, it's big enough. It's just, you don't know it. And I'm sure people are happy to, to, you know, work with you, especially you understanding them more. Did you? Have you ever had a coach or a mentor that you that helped you?

Speaker 2:  25:57
Yes, I do have I have a mentor, who I met through the post office, and I have a coach, I call him I call he kind of like a mentor, coach for me, to him as well, when it comes to questions about business and speaking. Definitely. My life mentor, I will call it life mentor, where my other mentor, you know, I definitely reach out to her. We tune into each other, she actually she's a Toastmasters? What would you tell Samantha herself, and she actually helped me prep for mitosis, which I gave on Saturdays. So yeah, this kind of people who are in places further along in the journey, you know, the longer I'm in life, we can drop somebody to me, or aka information to me, helped me along this process to work and bounce things off. as well.

Speaker 1:  26:54
I think a lot of people have coaches and mentors that they don't realize actually are playing that role. You know, and then some have them that are official or that they pay for their services. And I've had a business coach before that I paid for this service. And it it paid off a ton is just having somebody hold you accountable. Having someone you know, push you in the right direction. It was it was critical. And so I think you and me need to talk more like about figuring out a way to have on clubhouse, a Toastmaster style room and to start giving speeches like just three minute speeches, two minute speeches, something like that. I think it would be a lot of fun because I've been toying with the idea of like, how can we do a Toastmaster style thing in clubhouse and but I want to I want it to be our kind of people, you know, and I think it would be a lot of fun. I think we just talked about it. Because now that I know I know somebody else in there that values Toastmasters like I do. I think it'll be cool.

Speaker 2:  27:46
Yeah, I think it'll be fun to like three minutes around, like posting. I don't think Toastmasters speed but that doesn't sound right. So see Toastmasters? They Yeah,

Speaker 1:  27:58 
I've been jumping in the weight room, and it's been a blast.

Speaker 2:  28:02 
Oh, wow. Sounds like Yeah, sounds like it's a blast. And I wanted to say also my Toastmasters club, you know, with the COVID pandemic, you know, a lot of clubs, transitions to virtual meetings. But we actually meet every Thursday, seven o'clock mountain time. So either you at a mountain Tom's Yeah. We're, like hybrid right now, where most of the people need to go in person, or we can still go to the Zoom Room. And yeah,

Speaker 1:  28:32
Yeah, I want to tell my club maybe they're adapting. I just didn't know it. But I think there's just something so there's so something's valuable about the in person, there always will be. And I think you need to put yourself in that pressure to you know, feel that nervousness and that pressure of the in person to just get that experience. I think it's great. So that's cool. Yeah. Tell me about your financial advisor work.

Speaker 2:  28:55 
Yeah. So I'm not really a financial advisor, more like a advocate. Right now. We're professionals. We don't charge our services, typical advisors, they do charge. Basically, we just, we just educate people on you know, telling them how to create income replacement strategy, which is people how many words on how many products and stuff like that. And like I said, the main thing is like this income placement strategy. You know, life happens to work oftentimes in the last year, unfortunately, pandemic a lot of people serious rail, company's codes and it is always wise to just be financial to know to have a plan fold out in place for those hard times, you know, savings account, different vehicles to help you plan for retirement, plan for illness when you're sick, or to get laid off from work and the biggest thing is retirement, you know, definitely working towards retirement. So it's always good to just have some information so you can make an informed decision for You and your family.


Speaker 1:  30:01 
Yeah, that's, that's so critical. I think right now, or, you know, I think for a while we got into, we got smarter, and we realized we were going to survive until retirement. And then the world has been so crazy lately, everybody's like, I'm not sure if I'm gonna be here for retirement, and then they just kind of quit planning once every, you know, they lost their jobs. So they don't have that automatic retirement happening. And, you know, being able to get some advisement on that is super crucial right now, because you really got to get creative. And remember, you are going to be here later, and you're not going to want to work forever. And that's great. So where I will share that stuff in the show notes, but where's the best place for people to see what you're doing and to get a hold of you?

Speaker 2:  30:38
Shorter, best place for people to find me, you can find me. You can look me up on LinkedIn, I use my government name, Jamila J. Mr. La, in is my middle initial. And as a nice, and my last name is Brian, we are a team, we can definitely send me a link there. And you can find me at push forward development comm as well. And also I'm on Instagram, as JAI in cry, or you can look me up on my government to Jamila and client. And you can find connected to other pages, there are definitely a LinkedIn and website, you can connect me connect with me inside and shoot me an email,

Speaker 1:  31:22
I think my phone numbers listed somewhere one of those poses, we can do that as well. Nice, Sam, have you email at all to me, and we'll make sure we get all that in there for folks to reference to in the show notes. And I'm going to shift brain gears on you just a little bit. Because my goal is to make sure that one day cuz I don't know if this still happens to you, but to where no little girl walks up to me or you or anybody else in uniform and says I didn't know girl's got to do that. And so I like to share more and more stories and inspiration and just, you know, so that either parents realize they need to let their kids know more often that they can too or if girls hear this, you may be young women. But maybe let's take this to like the idea of talking to a teenager, a teenage girl coming up, because it's been amazing how many young women school age, you know, go out and talk to you when I was doing a lot of fire prevention talks and a lot of firefighters stuff. And I would say Raise your hand if you want to, you know, after I got done talking with them, you know, raise your hand if you want to be a firefighter someday. And there will be some schools where all the little girls would look at me like are you crazy lady, like there's no one there. So it ended would all depend on which community I was in. And then there would be a different community where man, all those girls hands were going up, like I can't wait to do those great things. And it just I could tell that it was a cultural thing, depending on what part of the country you were in or whatever. So in the more we can share that. But two things is one, is there any experience or memory and your career? kind of one of those like, like no kidding, this happened like this, you know, story or memory that you can think of? And the other is, what would you want to tell young women right now coming up about whether or not to join the military? And just you know, if you're a recruiter, what would you be telling him? Probably.

Speaker 2:  33:05 
So if I was a recruiter, of course, it will be for the Air Force. And why

Speaker 1:  33:11
the Air Force though, even though you serve there, why would you if you were to do it all over again, why would you choose the Air Force over the others,

Speaker 2:  33:19 
Because in my opinion is one of the best, our culture, the things we get to do our lifestyle, there is a difference in lifestyle, most of our branches. So definitely, it will have to be careful. Definitely low bias. I will tell that young lady or female who would tell her to just just do it, just try you know, like, never know what you're capable of doing until you try and you will learn some things about yourself you will grow and develop and you can become anything you want to do. You know very similar to anything you want to be. So I would definitely tell them like yes, females are in the military. And a lot of times people feel to the state of like, Well, I'm not good. I can never do that. I'm not girl I'm a girly girl. I can't even tell people like trust me they are there tons of girly girls and women.

Speaker 1:  34:13
Millie hashtag military women on Instagram. And then you'll see like all those gals that are like one picture. They're like a model on the stage and the next picture there and fatigue. So yeah,

Speaker 2:  34:24
yeah. Like the whole mindset is like so. So like 30 4050 years ago, like women today in the military, we come in all shapes and sizes and colors and Billy levels. So it's just like, you know, there is no stereotypical woman in the military right now. You know, we're powered with engineers where doctors and nurses will paralegal, we're aircraft mechanic. We are. We worked out in the field doing all the jobs, basically that that meant that we do we are out there, doing those same jobs. So, every time I see, like women doing jobs and like a male dominated career field with the 70, almost every career civil military sector, maybe like, personnel, maybe medical, but physically, like, when I was used to see a female pilot, I was just like, my jaw dropped. Because you don't see too many female pilots, you see more nowadays, but, you know, almost 20 years ago, you didn't see as many pilots as you do. Now, or policies of color, you know. So just seeing that it's like, it's really amazing. And, and I tell people don't let other people create stories, you know, create your own. Molly's,

Speaker 1:  35:41
I love it. I love it. Now, looking back at the path that you went, What would if you were to do it again, like if you had the money to go to college, and you had the choice? Do you think it's better to join the military before college or after college?

Speaker 2:  35:56 
Let's see, I went after college. I think if I had to do it all over again, I think it's full of cons to both journeys. And it's the accuracy. The pros, definitely just graduating high school because I know sometimes a lot of young people don't know what they want to do yet. So as I talk to young people that I meet, you know, my life now I'm like, it's okay, if you don't know what you want to do, you know, a lot of adults don't know if they want to do they think they did. And then they do it. And they figure out they don't want to do that. So this, I still don't think any of us know, we want to be when we grow up. I know I just figured by now that age 30. That's, you know, so it's kind of like, you don't have to feel prejudice to go to college, because you say that's what you should do. Like, the military is a great option. It's a great vehicle, we can learn some things about yourself, you can make some money to travel and meet really cool people. And you know, if you don't like him, you can get out? Well, I always tell people to give them that as an option. Because I think it's a great stepping stone and a lot of people that have used that as a vehicle to get from point A to point B. And yeah, it's a great investment in yourself and your time. And I just think it's a great law if people were to do that, after high school. If you have concerns over like what you want to do when you graduate. Love it. If you Yeah, and if you choose to go after you graduate college. Definitely I always tell young people about getting commissioned, but you know, a commission isn't for everybody. So definitely, as long as you serve, that's what you want to do. I say do it. You know, like I tell people, we need the leaders on the CSR and support. So yeah, you can be a leader wherever you want me to try not to be a leader. I love it.

Speaker 1:  37:47
I love it. There. You've been given that. Yeah, this is great. I love it. I love meeting you and getting all this info from you. And so one last thing, though, I need to hear one of your quotes.

Speaker 2:  37:57
Yeah. So I noticed, quote, will resonate with some of the questions that you've asked me. And I literally love this quote. And when I have something that comes up, such as in the line of fear, or should I do this? Or should I always think about this quote that I wrote there your excitement of a new beginning, bury your fear of the unknown. And I'll repeat that your excitement of a new beginning. Very rare fear of the unknown. Yes,

Speaker 1:  38:28
I love that. And that, gosh, you sure as heck live that when you're waiting to go to military the first time when you signed up a little bit early. So now I love that, because that's something that cripples me all the time. You know, when something new is coming or right? I just doubted or you know, and I get lost in those fears. I don't really enjoy and take on that the excitement of a new and that's that's great. I love that. So thank you for that quote.
It's beautiful. You're welcome. Thank you. And it's in your book, right? Yes, it's definitely in my book.
How many quotes are in your book, by the way?

Speaker 2:  39:03
There are 3311 will typically calendar 30 days, and then maybe three bonus.

Speaker 1:  39:11
That's great. Well, lady, I appreciate you so much. And I'm so glad that we've got to connect, and thanks for doing this interview. And is there anything else that you want to share with the audience before I let you go?

Speaker 2:  39:23
Yeah, so I will leave her another quote. And this is another one of my favorite quotes is you know, when situations and lifestyle boards plan, don't change your goals. change the course of action? Oh, that's good.

Speaker  1:  39:36
Yeah. So I would assume you're forming talks around pretty much every single quote you have. I can do that. I would think you are because there's I could imagine you could have quite a speech written around every single one of them. So that's beautiful. Yeah,

Speaker 2:  39:51 
I'll let you know the first time I do that. I'll be there by myself.

Speaker 1:  39:55
Totally, totally. Even if they're just three minute talks or something. That's it. Oh yeah, I can see that. That's cool. Awesome. Thank you. Yeah. All right, well, I'm gonna let you go and have the rest of your evening and thanks so much for connecting with me I really appreciate you and I can't wait because it's cool because I it's not like I'm going to not hear from you again because I'm going to see you in club.

Speaker 2: 40:16 
Yeah, your profile and I love to travel for now I am due for its I'm overdue for a trip. 

Speaker 1:  40:23
So right on Well, if you come this way, please hit me up because I would love to run into you. Alright, well, I will talk to you later. Okay, thank you all. Bye. Bye bye. And that will conclude today's interview of Jamila Bryant. She is a really cool lady. I value her so much. And I'm so glad that I've got to connect with her. I hope that you all found some value in that conversation. And don't forget to check out her brotherhood comm so that you can subscribe to the new subscription box because it's awesome. And there's so much cool stuff in there. And I am able to find so many great business owners and vendors that are first responders and military and it's just been great just supporting small business in general to get them in that box and then get some really cool stuff out to you so and that box is powering this podcast and also powering warrior lift gift which I'll talk about more in the future. So with that you guys have a great day and lead with fire.