Confidence Classic: Grit, Grace, and the Comeback Power of Resilience with Amberly Lago
In this episode of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan, Amberly Lago shares her story of recovery from a life-threatening motorcycle accident, including her decision to undergo 34 surgeries to save her leg despite a 1% chance of success. She introduces her Pacer Framework for building resilience, which encompasses perspective, acceptance, community support, endurance, and rest.
After her recovery, Lago transitioned from fitness professional to author, speaker, and coach, writing a bestselling book and launching a podcast. The episode explores how she transformed her injuries from a source of shame into symbols of resilience, and details her approach to handling criticism while maintaining a positive mindset. She also discusses her new mastermind program, which applies her coaching experience to help entrepreneurs develop practical tools for success.
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1-Page Summary
Amberley Lago's Personal Story and Journey to Resilience
After a devastating motorcycle accident, Amberley Lago faced a mere 1% chance of saving her leg from amputation. Rather than accepting defeat, she underwent 34 surgeries to save her limb. Instead of asking "why me?" Amberley chose to focus on what she could control, transforming her tragedy into triumph by sharing her story and inspiring others to persist through their own challenges.
Strategies For Building Resilience and Overcoming Challenges
Amberley introduces the Pacer Framework for building resilience: Perspective (embracing gratitude), Acceptance (acknowledging reality), Community (building support networks), Endurance (maintaining inner strength), and Rest (prioritizing self-care). She emphasizes that criticism often signals progress and advocates for maintaining daily habits and rituals to support a resilient mindset.
Amberley's Career: Podcast, Personal Brand, Mastermind
Following her recovery, Amberley transformed from a fitness professional into an author, speaker, and coach. Her book "True Grit and Grace" became a bestseller, and she advanced to become a TEDx speaker and podcast host, appearing on major platforms like NBC's The Today Show. She's now launching a mastermind program to support entrepreneurs, leveraging her 23 years of coaching experience and offering practical tools drawn from her own journey.
Importance of Mindset, Self-Acceptance, and Dealing With Criticism
Amberley shares how she transformed her injuries from a source of shame into symbols of resilience. When faced with criticism, particularly on social media and after appearing on television, she focused on staying true to herself and using her platform to uplift others. She emphasizes the power of choosing a positive perspective and maintaining confidence through repetition and direct engagement with challenges. Through her work, Amberley demonstrates how self-acceptance and a supportive community can help transform personal struggles into sources of empowerment for others.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- You can create a "Control Circle" to visually focus on aspects of life you can influence. Draw a large circle on a piece of paper, and within it, write down elements you have control over, such as your daily routine, reactions to events, or personal goals. Outside the circle, note down factors you can't control, like other people's actions or past events. This visual reminder can help you concentrate on actionable areas of your life, reducing feelings of helplessness.
- Develop a "Resilience Recipe" by listing daily habits that contribute to a resilient mindset. Start with simple actions like a five-minute morning meditation, a gratitude journal entry, or a short walk to clear your mind. Consistently incorporating these habits into your daily routine can reinforce a resilient mindset, much like ingredients come together to create a nourishing meal.
- Initiate a "Critique to Progress" journal where you document criticism received and the progress it signifies. Whenever you face criticism, write it down and reflect on what it indicates about your growth or the new challenges you're tackling. This practice can help you reframe criticism as a marker of your development rather than a setback, encouraging a positive perspective on personal evolution.
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Amberley Lago's Personal Story and Journey to Resilience
Amberley Lago shares her personal journey from a catastrophic injury towards becoming a symbol of resilience and hope.
Amberley's Life-Altering Motorcycle Accident and Devastating Injuries
On a typical day, Amberley's life changed irrevocably when she was struck by an SUV while riding her motorcycle. Waking from an induced coma, Amberley faced the harrowing reality that her leg had a mere 1% chance of being saved from amputation.
Amberley Faces Leg Amputation After Motorcycle Accident
Amberley was confronted with an almost certain prospect of losing her leg. In the aftermath of the accident, Amberley was told she could potentially face the drastic measure of amputation.
Amberley Endured 34 Surgeries For a 1% Chance to Save Her Leg
Displaying immense tenacity, Amberley latched onto the slim possibility of preserving her leg. Her choice led her down a grueling path of 34 surgeries to piece her shattered limb back together.
Amberley's Journey: Tragedy to Triumph Through Perseverance and Resilience
Amberley's journey from tragedy to triumph exemplifies her potent perseverance and resilience. Her focus on taking charge, learning, and growing from her painful experiences rather than succumbing to self-pity became a beacon of inspiration.
Amberley Focused On Control, Learning From the Experience Rather Than Asking "why Me?"
Rather than dwelling on her misfortune, Amberley adopted a mindset of control and learning. She saw her pain not as a roadblock but as a profound teacher that shaped her life's direction. Amberley's strength and hope were amplified through ...
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Amberley Lago's Personal Story and Journey to Resilience
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can start a resilience journal to document daily challenges and your responses to them. By reflecting on how you face adversity, you can identify patterns in your behavior that either contribute to or detract from your resilience. For example, if you notice that you tend to give up when faced with a particular type of obstacle, you can then focus on developing strategies to overcome that specific challenge.
- Create a "Control Circle" diagram each week to visually map out what you can and cannot control in your life. Draw a large circle, inside it, list things you have control over, such as your actions and attitudes. Outside the circle, list things you can't control, like other people's actions or unforeseen events. This exercise helps you focus your energy on what you can influence, reducing stress and increasing your sense of empowerment.
- Develop a personal "Perseverance Plan" for when times get tough. This plan should include a list of motivational a ...
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Strategies For Building Resilience and Overcoming Challenges
Amberley Lago offers insights on resilience and how to approach life's obstacles with strength and confidence, advocating for the Pacer Framework and daily habits to cultivate a resilient mindset.
Pacer Framework For Resilience and Positivity
Amberley presents the Pacer Framework as a holistic approach to building resilience and maintaining a positive outlook.
Perspective: Embracing Gratitude and Positivity to See Challenges as Growth Opportunities
She begins with the importance of perspective, highlighting the power of altering how one views and reacts to situations. For instance, she sees her husband's snoring as a reminder to be grateful for his presence. Practicing gratitude is essential; one might start the day with gratitude, keep a gratitude journal, and have an accountability partner to ensure a consistently positive perspective.
Acceptance: Embracing Difficult Situations
Acceptance revolves around acknowledging the realities of any situation. By confronting these realities, one can become resilient and take the necessary actions to improve their life circumstances.
Community: A Network of Supportive Family, Friends, and Peers
Community plays a critical role in resilience, ensuring one does not feel isolated and has access to help and support. Amberley references her own support network, such as sobriety sisters and her mastermind group.
Endurance: Tapping Into Inner Strength and Determination to Persist
Endurance is all about accessing the internal "why" that motivates continued effort. It requires discipline and regular habits to maintain drive and direction.
Rest: Prioritize Self-Care and Recovery to Prevent Burnout
The importance of self-care to circumvent burnout cannot be overstated. By strategically stopping and scheduling recovery time, one can prevent the fatigue that comes with overworking or neglecting basic needs.
Amberley stresses rest as a component not of luxury but necessity, essential for those dealing with chronic pain or intensive workloads. She knows firsthand the consequences of insufficient rest and the rejuvenation that a proper break ...
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Strategies For Building Resilience and Overcoming Challenges
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While gratitude is beneficial, it's important to recognize that not all challenges can be seen as growth opportunities, especially in the face of trauma or severe loss.
- Keeping a gratitude journal may not be helpful for everyone; some individuals might benefit more from other forms of expression or therapy.
- An accountability partner can be helpful, but over-reliance on another person for maintaining a positive perspective might hinder personal growth and self-reliance.
- Acceptance is crucial, but it's also important to balance acceptance with the drive to change unjust or harmful situations where possible.
- Community support is vital, but it's also necessary to develop the ability to cope independently, as external support may not always be available.
- Endurance and persistence are important, but without proper balance, they can lead to ignoring one's limits and potentially harmful consequences.
- Self-care is essential, but the concept can be misinterpreted as an excuse for avoiding responsibilities or necessary tasks.
- Rest is necessary, but too much emphasis on rest might lead to procrastination or avoidance of challenging but necessary work.
- Criticism and setbacks can b ...
Actionables
- You can create a "gratitude map" by drawing a simple map of your life with branches representing different areas like family, work, and hobbies, then add leaves to each branch with specific things you're grateful for, updating it weekly to visually affirm your gratitude.
- Explanation: This visual tool allows you to see the abundance in various aspects of your life, making gratitude more tangible and easier to recognize. For example, on the family branch, you might add leaves for "supportive spouse" or "healthy children," while the work branch might have leaves for "completed a challenging project" or "helpful feedback from a colleague."
- Start a "positivity exchange" with friends or colleagues where you send each other one message a day highlighting a positive experience or thought, creating a shared space for encouragement and accountability.
- Explanation: This practice fosters a supportive community and ensures you're actively looking for and sharing positive aspects of your day. For instance, you might text a friend, "Had a great morning run today, felt really energized!" and they might reply with, "Managed to finish my report ahead of time, feeling accomplished!"
- Integrate "micro-pauses" int ...
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Amberley's Career: Podcast, Personal Brand, Mastermind
Amberley Lago transitions from fitness professional to a multifaceted role as an author, speaker, and coach. Her journey and the platforms she now uses are a testament to her resilience and capacity for transformation.
Amberley's Shift From Fitness Pro to Author, Speaker, and Coach
Amberley Lago’s transformation from a dancer and trainer to an influential personality came following a major accident and recovery. She authored the best-selling book "True Grit and Grace" and advanced to become a TEDx speaker, podcast host, and a prominent figure in resilience and transformation.
Amberley's "True Grit and Grace": A Journey of Resilience and Transformation
Lago’s book "True Grit and Grace" details her own story of tragedy and triumph. She promotes empowerment and resilience through coaching methods and workshops inspired by her experiences. Amberley started with a limited social media presence but employed it strategically to market her book and expand her influence. She mentions her book tour's success, selling out at every signing, as evidence of the power of social media.
Amberley's Tedx Speaker, Podcast Host, and Media Personality Platform
Amberley has made appearances on various media outlets such as NBC's The Today Show, The Doctors, and The Hallmark Channel. As a podcast host, she interviewed Heather Monahan, showcasing her adaptability to new roles. She leveraged social media to engage with audiences, leading to her TEDx opportunity at Berkeley alongside prominent speakers. Her effective use of Instagram allowed her to connect with event organizers and benefit from collaborative opportunities.
Amberley to Launch Mastermind Program to Support Entrepreneurs
Amberley Lago aims to offer her accumulated wisdom through a mastermind program, fostering a space for mutual learning and expert guidance.
Amberley's Goal: Foster a Community for Shared Learning
Lago is eager to establish her mastermind to create a community where shared learning can occur. Through this program, she envisions bringing together guest speakers and group members to share knowl ...
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Amberley's Career: Podcast, Personal Brand, Mastermind
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can document your personal growth journey through a blog or vlog, sharing insights and progress to inspire others and build a community around common challenges. Start by choosing a medium you're comfortable with, like writing or video, and commit to regular updates. Share your content on social media platforms to reach a wider audience and encourage interaction through comments and messages.
- Create a virtual support group for individuals with similar goals or challenges, using social media or messaging platforms to facilitate discussions and peer support. Begin by identifying a specific topic or challenge you're passionate about, then invite others to join through online forums or community boards. Schedule regular virtual meetups to discuss progress, setbacks, and strategies for success.
- Devel ...
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Importance of Mindset, Self-Acceptance, and Dealing With Criticism
The article examines how Amberley Lago turned her personal challenge into a story of inspiration and resilience, and the significant role mindset played in her journey.
Amberley's Journey to Embrace Her Unique Story
Amberley's personal journey transformed from a source of shame to a spotlight on resilience. She discusses the challenges of criticism, particularly after sharing her story on the doctor's TV show, where some from her CRPS community disagreed with her belief in the power of mindfulness and mindset to handle pain.
Amberley's Journey: From Shame To Proudly Showcasing Her Injuries As Resilience
Learning to proudly showcase her injuries as symbols of resilience, Amberley appreciates changing people's lives by inspiring them to persist and accept their scars. Her encounter with a negative comment on TikTok underscored the importance of processing her feelings about her leg's appearance, enabling her to share her content confidently.
Amberley's Strategy: Constructively Addressing Criticism via Social Media
In response to naysayers on social media, Amberley shared her approach to dealing with criticism, focusing on staying true to herself and encouraging others to remain confident in who they are. She uses TikTok not to discourage but to uplift others, displaying her resilience against negativity.
Mindset's Power In Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
Mindset is pivotal in rising above adversity, as Amberley embodies her belief in utilizing perspective, gratitude, and possibility as fuel for resilience.
Amberley's Belief: Choose Perspective, Focus On Gratitude and Possibility to Fuel Resilience
Amberley advocates for choosing a positive perspective, focusing on gratitude, and embracing possibilities as a means to build resilience and overcome challenges. She cites the significance of maintaining confidence through repetition and direct challenge engagement. Focusing on enjoyment and not taking life too seriously, Amberley's mindset is geared toward positive experiences over stress.
Importance of Self-Acceptance and a Supportive Community
Host Heather Monahan commen ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Importance of Mindset, Self-Acceptance, and Dealing With Criticism
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While mindset is important, it is not the only factor in overcoming challenges; external circumstances and resources also play a critical role.
- Not everyone may have the same capacity for resilience, and suggesting so could inadvertently minimize the struggles of those with different psychological or environmental challenges.
- The idea of showcasing injuries as symbols of resilience might not resonate with everyone; some individuals may prefer privacy or feel that their injuries do not define their resilience.
- The effectiveness of dealing with criticism on social media can vary greatly depending on the individual's personality and the nature of the criticism.
- The strategy of staying true to oneself in the face of criticism, while admirable, may not always be the most practical or safe approach in every situation.
- The concept of choosing perspective and focusing on gratitude might be challenging for individuals suffering from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, where such cognitive shifts can be more difficult.
- The notion of not taking life too seriously may not be applicable in all contexts, especially in situations that require a serious and measured approach.
- The emphasis on self-acceptance and the power of speaking from the heart, while generally positive, may not always lead to the desired connection with others, as some audiences ma ...
Actionables
- You can create a personal resilience journal to track your mindset shifts and growth. Start by writing down daily challenges and your emotional responses to them. Over time, aim to identify patterns in your thinking and actively work to shift towards a more resilient and positive perspective. For example, if you notice you're often self-critical, challenge yourself to write two positive reflections for every negative thought.
- Develop a "resilience roadmap" by documenting past hardships and the strategies you used to overcome them. This can be a digital document or a physical scrapbook where you include stories, photos, and reflections on difficult times and how you managed to get through them. Use this roadmap as a reminder of your strength when facing new challenges, and share it with close friends or family to encourage them as well.
- Enga ...
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