189. The Power of Bold Purpose with Elizabeth McNeil

The Power of Bold Purpose with Elizabeth McNeil Ep.189

In this episode of the 90 Day Wins Every.Black Entrepreneur of Excellence series, Coach SandyB speaks with Elizabeth McNeil, a research scientist, certified coach, and passionate youth mentor dedicated to helping young people discover who they are and walk confidently in their purpose.

Elizabeth shares her journey from Brooklyn, New York to Raleigh, North Carolina, where her life experiences as a single mother, scientist, and breast cancer survivor shaped her mission to serve the next generation. 

Through her seven-week Bold Code program, she equips youth ages 12 to 18 with the mindset, confidence, and tools they need to become the unapologetic best version of themselves.

The conversation explores resilience, faith, entrepreneurship, and the importance of building strong foundations for young people before they step into adulthood.

 Elizabeth also reflects on the impact of community through Every.Black and how surrounding yourself with like-minded entrepreneurs helps sustain vision and purpose.

This episode is a powerful reminder that when you walk boldly in your purpose, your story becomes a blueprint that can guide the next generation.

Learn more about Elizabeth's work with BOLD:

https://www.boldcoachelizabeth.org/

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

Episode 189. Welcome, new and old listeners. This is your host, Sandy B, and I invite you to enjoy this episode. Hello, and welcome to the 90-day wins every dot black entrepreneur of excellence series. I'm your host, Coach Sandy B, and I am joined by another dynamic entrepreneur, Miss Elizabeth. How are you doing today?

SPEAKER_00 0:26

I am doing so great. I'm just honored to be here. Thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_03 0:31

Well, I am so happy to have you on the show. Each guest is just encouraging and inspiring. So I'm excited to talk with you today. Before we get started with my questions, I like for each guest to tell us a little bit about them, and then we'll go into the specific questions that I have.

SPEAKER_00 0:50

I'm Elizabeth McNeil and born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Uh, left there and uh ended up in North Carolina, which I absolutely love. And I've actually been here longer than I've ever been in New York, but I do travel back because I have a son that lives up in that area. Two sons actually. Started, um, I used my education to get out of the city and uh went right into Lincoln University and started studying biology. Um, my mom wanted me to be a doctor, and it was like, I don't think that's gonna happen, but you know what? I love biology. So I started um in biology, got my degree in biology, and my first job right out of college was in a hospital in the histology area, and I worked there from 19 uh 77 to uh 1991. And then when my sons left for college, I then was on my own, so I then went into research, which was a little more um laid-back work and uh a little more challenging. Uh so I was I'm as this at this point I am still a research scientist. Um my love, though, was for my sons. Um I became a single mom early on and um decided that Raleigh, North Carolina was the place to raise these two individuals. And I have to say it has been a wonderful ride. I've learned so many things, thus um causing it to transition and pivot me into what my passion in love is, and that is to help young people ages 12 to 18 to become the best version of themselves. And I had to do that with my two, and firsthand wanted other parents to have a an outlet to be able to resource their children because it's the children who I speak to in a seven-week program to get them to be who they are on a unapologetically, the best version of themselves.

SPEAKER_03 3:11

I love that. So, what inspired you to start your business and how did you turn that vision into reality for yourself?

SPEAKER_00 3:21

I I have my one son who has done incredibly well and has created um a program called Gathered. And because of my training and actually with me being a teacher of sorts, being a Sunday school teacher and being a Bible teacher and so forth, and just getting, I've always had women and young girls who I poured into. And it was an awareness to me that I recognized early on that as I spoke, people sat and listened and took took took it to heart and changed their lives. And I thought, this is amazing. And so during COVID, I actually went on and got certified as a certified coach to be able to start a program. And my son, because of his program, had me working for several years in his youth program just doing my bowl program. And so as a result, um he went on, his children's program closed in 2016, and I uh decided, you know what, there's still children out there, there's a generation of children out there that need these tools.

SPEAKER_01 4:46

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 4:47

And I'm going to put it out there. And so that's kind of how I pivoted to doing what I do for young people. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 4:57

I love it. So what makes, and I think I already know, but I'm gonna ask this of you anyway. What makes your services unique in in your community?

SPEAKER_00 5:11

That's a good question. What makes my services unique in my community? The reason why I feel like my services are unique because they are geared specifically in a seven-week session. And each week there is a component that each person has to travel through. And so they're very unique and they're very like there's a mindset, and then there's joy, and then there's style, and it just one leads into the other. And so it is imperative that the young people, and I keep saying I'm geared towards young people because that's where the change is going to come. I believe if we start with the young people, those 12 to 18, then they become the next generation. And what they learn in these seven weeks becomes who it is that they are. And then that means when they become a mom or a dad, they will mimic that and their children. So it will be a generation after generation, and so it's so unique because it's a tool that they can take away and implement lifelong.

SPEAKER_03 6:39

I love it. Based on what I've learned and what you've shared, I think it's unique because of what you said. You are targeting specifically this age group where you know that change can happen and it can have lifelong effects. So I think that's unique because I don't really hear about too many organizations that spend that time. Seven weeks is a good amount of time to make sure they are sure it up, they have the tools that they need. So that's what I think is unique, Miss Elizabeth, because that is such an amazing thing to be able to offer. With doing this, what challenges, right? What challenges have you faced along the way in taking on this responsibility? I mean, you literally just explained to us that with your son closing his program, you felt a, in my opinion, a burning desire to still be able to provide these valuable services. So let's talk about that.

SPEAKER_00 7:41

It's my desire to continue to have these services available because first of all, I in a 20-year span, we had situations where someone, a young person, went in and just destroyed some lives in these schools.

SPEAKER_01 8:05

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 8:05

And then 10 years later it happened again. And so my thought is if we, if I implement the mindset and get people, young people, to understand who it is that they are and are unapologetically okay with who it is that they are, that they will then not cause harm to other young people.

SPEAKER_01 8:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:32

And so that that that was my burning desire that we have got to stop this mental health issue that is causing peop young people to prey on young people. Yeah. It's not okay. No, it's never gonna be okay, and I'm gonna work hard for it to be a change.

SPEAKER_01 9:01

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 9:03

That's powerful. So resilience and faith. You shared that the Bible and your daily practices of prayer, reading, and journaling are life preservers for you, right? I've learned that by learning about you. So, how did these habits specifically help you through your your breast cancer journey that we haven't talked about and shape the way you show up for others today? So that's a big question there, based on a lot of information that I've researched about you, but really it's about resilience and faith. So let's talk about that in your experience.

SPEAKER_00 9:43

Yeah, that's that's you know, that to me is foundational. I think having and being rooted with the higher power is totally a game changer. I I have proof about this in my own life. And so I believe that mindset is so vitally important, but who you talk to, who you pour your heart and soul into is someone higher than you. He is not judging you, he is loving you unconditionally. And so because I at a young age accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I was lock stock barreled. I I and it's so interesting because my grandmother, who is my protector, she uh got us into us city kids, into uh the country, into Bible Camp. Yeah, and from Bible Camp, it said they taught us you can always know that God is real.

SPEAKER_01 11:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 11:02

Ask and you'll see. And so very early on, we my dad was coming to pick us up, my sister and I. Uh-huh. And I was just praying, oh my God, please let us go up to the country to my cousins for the rest of the summer.

SPEAKER_01 11:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 11:21

And so that was my prayer. I didn't say anything, I just prayed and believed that God would answer me. And so sure enough, when my dad picked us up, packed a car, he says, Well, girls, I have a surprise. We're going up to Uncle Jakey's in the country for the rest of the summer. I was like blown away. And so that just little things like that. Now, with my um, so I worked in this field of histology, which is the study of tissue, which having breast cancer was like, oh, that tissue's coming through my department, you know. So I know all of the what goes on with that situation.

SPEAKER_03 12:05

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SPEAKER_00 13:16

So when my doctor said to me, Are you okay? And I said, Sure, I'm okay. And so I left his office and drove to the post office, hand to the Bible, went in the post office, went to open my box and didn't have my keys. Realized I left my car running.

SPEAKER_01 13:39

My goodness.

SPEAKER_00 13:40

Locked. Devastated. I went back in the Postmaster General. She was in there, and she said, honey, what's wrong? Because now I'm like, I'm a little losing it, and I'm recognizing, oh, maybe I don't have it together. And so she says, Oh, let me give you a hug. She says, You're gonna be just fine. People always lock their, you know, their keys in their cars. And she says, and I told her what had had just happened at the doc. She says, and I've been down that road. Wow. You're gonna be okay.

unknown 14:18

Wow.

SPEAKER_00 14:19

So Coach Sandy, it didn't stop there. I got in my car. I finally got my keys, got in my car.

SPEAKER_01 14:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:29

My biggest concern was my how do I get I want to be around for my boys to be 18 and gone. Yeah. I I need to be that person. And no sooner did I get to the first red light with the voice, you're gonna raise those boys.

SPEAKER_01 14:54

Thank you, Lord.

SPEAKER_00 14:56

Oh I I I cry about it today to just think he spoke to me. And he came through with that promise.

SPEAKER_01 15:10

Definitely.

SPEAKER_00 15:11

And so little things like that, yeah. You you'd be hard pressed not to believe that there's somebody out there higher than you that can order your steps.

SPEAKER_03 15:24

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 15:26

And he has truly ordered my steps, and I have to say, I um so I raised this, I I'm in a family of six. I chose to use my education to get out of the city. Yes, the other five did not. I chose to allow God to be the foundation of my life. The others not so much, okay, but I raised my sons with that, and then I asked the Lord, uh I hand my children back to guide and protect. Yes, but let me see, let me know that they know who you are.

SPEAKER_01 16:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 16:12

And let me tell you, within that first year at two different times, they both accepted the Lord.

SPEAKER_01 16:22

Wow.

SPEAKER_00 16:22

Our lives are very different than my family, my siblings, their cousins, they live very different lives. They're not any better. They they love each other, but there's some protection that orders their steps. And and and so with that, just knowing who they are, having the confidence of who they are, and you as and me as the mom, you know your children get what you got tenfold.

SPEAKER_03 16:58

Yes, yes. That's amazing. Amazing. See that that resilience and that faith really just exudes, and you can see based on your obedience at a very young age, you've you're literally uh eating off the the fruit, right? Those seeds that were planted all those years ago. I tell, and I didn't tell you, but I'm from Brooklyn. I was born in Brooklyn. My parents are from South America, Guyana, but I was born in Brooklyn. So so many things that you said resonate with me. I remember my grand, my praying grandmother praying for us in that uh in that home in Brooklyn and just encouraging us. And it is a difference when you know whose you are and who holds your future. There's a confidence that you can have. And it's exactly what you said. It's not that you're better than anyone. You just know God's work in your life, right? You know that you know that you know. You know that voice you've heard. That same voice is the verse I voice I heard that told me, take this step. You can do this. You can be this girl from Brooklyn and stand up in front of all these people in Spain and present these financials. And when you're done, they say you bring the sun. Half of the people in the meeting didn't even speak the same language as me. They had to have an interpretive. But when you know that you know that God put you in that place and He has ordered your steps, you can walk with that confidence. So I'm so encouraged by you sharing because so many people hear that C word, right? And so many people literally look at it as the end, but not knowing that they can choose to believe, right? That mindset, you had to know, and you literally told God you want to be here for your family. And He gave you that. But you had something to remember years ago being a child where you didn't even speak it, but because you believed and you saw God, and that's the thing. I think a lot of times we forget what God has done for us. When you just think about all the things you were able to get to to even be this entrepreneur here, all the things you had to go through. Your son had to have his business so you could go and be a blessing to the people within that. Like, literally, like you said, ordered steps. Yeah. And that's why to me, it's so important to have this series, right? To talk to people like you because you know, someone will see you living in Raleigh, enjoying all there is to enjoy with this beautiful. I mean, North Carolina is gorgeous from casual, but yeah, but you get the opportunity to do that. So some of those family members, some of those friends, they see you and they are like, it's like they forget what you've come from, right? They forget when you were that single mom taking care of these boys, going through everything you went through. And then there are people that are seeing you now that see you doing the work you're doing, like, oh wow, but they have no frame of reference of that resilience and that faith, those prayers that no one else heard. You know? That to me is so beautiful.

SPEAKER_00 20:28

Yeah. Yeah. You there's really you, you know, you there's really no words. You, you know, I'm I'm I'm a firm believer. I don't have to put on the back of my car that I'm a Christian. Just watch me.

SPEAKER_01 20:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 20:48

Just just watch me walk. Watch my talk.

SPEAKER_03 20:51

My actions, yes. Yeah, yes.

SPEAKER_00 20:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 20:54

That's it. Your living testimony is so encouraging because there's someone that's listening right now. And the question for you is you are a part of this organization. Why have you chosen to be a part of every Doc Black? And what keeps you coming? Because I know when I'm on those what on those Monday night mastermind calls, I always see your smiling face. So, what is it about this organization that keeps you coming and wanting to be a part of it?

SPEAKER_00 21:26

Well, this is like-minded people need to be in like-minded spaces.

SPEAKER_01 21:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:33

And Dr. Jimmy Davies has created this beautiful platform for just that.

SPEAKER_01 21:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:42

What um got me really connected was they open up in prayer. So you have a choice. You could either be there or not, but God is gonna be there because they open up in prayer. Yes. And so it's so foundational and and In order to because in my everyday walk, I'm not necessarily around entrepreneurs. Yes, yes. So in order to stay focused and stay driven and not lose perspective of where I'm going, yeah, being in that meeting on Monday nights is a lifeline. It it pours into me. And there's some some Mondays that I am like, man, this is gonna be hard because it's later in the evening and I my day starts at four o'clock in the morning. So it's it's like it's it's a it's a draw. But every time I don't want to be there and I go in spite of, I am blessed. Yes. I mean, somebody is speaking and they are speaking my language. I'm like, oh, I need to know about that. Oh my gosh. And I'm a this the bad one, maybe not so bad, but I'm a lover of books. So don't say you got a book because I'm on Amazon before the the meeting is over and I have ordered the book. I love it. But it's so it's so vitally important and it's it's such a amazing network that is so necessary to get especially today to get us where we need to be. Because I think about I think about how they how the Black Wall Street was taken away.

SPEAKER_03 23:29

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 23:30

This is like rebuilding, this is like building upon what has already been there from Joe Dudley.

SPEAKER_01 23:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 23:38

It's like it's just building on that. And here's a safe place where you will see and be with like-minded people who are out to help you. In one way or another, yeah. All of our connections, there's certain and if it's not for you, it's for somebody else that you know in your circle. And so it it has just been it's been my Monday night joy for sure. And I I struggle on Tuesday, but it's okay.

SPEAKER_03 24:13

Yes, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_00 24:14

So that's that's what that's what it's means to me. And I think it's so important to have that platform.

SPEAKER_03 24:21

It is, it is, and I just I I agree with everything you say. I tell my friends, they look at me and they're like, you know, you're so full of energy. I was like, well, I go get filled up. Like, I don't let myself get depleted, and I know I don't have to. Every Monday night, I can choose to go in and get filled up. And so I'm charged up for the week. I'm literally giving from the overflow. And if I need some more, just to literally, just to be in the in the study hall, right, in the morning, just to know that my other fellow entrepreneurs are there. We don't even have to say anything to each other. We say good morning and we go about our business, right? But it's something about having that community is so sacred. And we get to learn all sorts of new technology, right? So let's talk about AI before I let you go. How are you using AI with your coaching?

SPEAKER_00 25:14

Oh my gosh. I am so because my avatar are these young people, 12 to 18, I'm clearly not that age. Maybe at heart I am.

SPEAKER_01 25:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:27

But um I I go into that platform because tell me what they're saying.

SPEAKER_01 25:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:36

Uh what turns them on? I wanna I want a lead magnet that'll grab their attention. Yes, bam. Little things like, and what colors do they like? Like, is there what you know, what are they watching?

SPEAKER_01 25:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:50

And so for me, it's an informational pool.

SPEAKER_01 25:53

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 25:54

And so because I already have this program, I already have the workbooks, I already have everything in place, I just need to know how do I how do I connect to that person? And and AI is just walks me through almost too much information. I have to like step back and like, okay, wait, that I have to save that for another platform. Or but it's it's very vital for me because it allows me to be connected to an avatar that I'm not that actually that person.

SPEAKER_03 26:30

I love that. And that's one of my favorite questions to ask in this series because each entrepreneur uses it differently, right? But when you get to the heart of it, you are allowing it to assist you with what you already have. So it's not creating anything for you, it's just helping you to get a little glimpse into those people in this specific age range so you can help serve them because you have what they need, definitely, even if they don't know, right? Because at 16, if you told me about mindset, I'd probably roll my eyes at you.

SPEAKER_00 27:08

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 27:10

Just because I was that girl. Like, what is she talking about? I'm I'm trying to focus on prom, what I'm aware. You know, I got these grades to get into these schools, like, you know, so, but I needed the mindset, right?

SPEAKER_03 27:24

Because I was moving into that next level, going to school away from home, to North Carolina from up there. You know, I needed to know all these things. So you are providing such a wealth of information to help them be prepared as they go into those next levels, as they transition, these foundational things that they need to know. So that to me is truly exciting and truly needed. I have a 19-year-old there, like I need the community, right? Like I believe, I grew up in the time where, you know, that neighbor next door knew you, you know. And so your mom, if she was running out, can you look in on Sandra over there? Yeah. You know, so I think we can learn to be that and, you know, take care of each other. And by providing opportunities to help our young people, you are doing just that, my friend.

SPEAKER_00 28:16

Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 28:18

So I need to know how we can get in touch with you. I will leave all your information in the show notes, but please tell everyone how they can connect with you and learn more about the work that you're doing.

SPEAKER_00 28:29

Oh, absolutely. So my um website is bocoach elisabeth.org.

SPEAKER_03 28:35

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 28:36

That's the easiest way and the best way to connect with me because that on that platform you can leave all my information is there.

SPEAKER_03 28:44

Nice, nice. So I'll make sure I include it in the show notes so everyone can get in touch with you. Thank you again. It was a pleasure. I know that someone's listening to this will be encouraged to take a step and then connect with you so they can learn all the good work you're doing and see how they can get some of the services so we can move forward and not worry about what's going on in the world, but stay committed, stay grounded in our faith, and have that resilience. So thank you.

SPEAKER_00 29:16

Yes. Thank you, Sandy. Loved it. Loved it. And yeah, I'm humbled and so appreciative. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 29:25

You're welcome. Wow. That was a powerful conversation. I hope you're feeling inspired and ready to take action toward your 90-day wins. If today's episode gave you a new perspective or an extra push to go after your goals, I want to hear from you. Let's keep the conversation going. Share this episode on your socials and tag me at 90 DayWins. I'd love to know your biggest takeaways. And if you're listening on Apple Podcasts, do me a favor, leave a five-star review and a comment. Your support helps more goal getters like you find this podcast and stay motivated on their journey. Remember, every day is a chance to win. Let's make it count. See you next time on the 90 Day Win Talk.