Tabitha Brown: What Happens When You Finally Stop Pretending
In this episode of The School of Greatness, Tabitha Brown shares her path from living behind a self-created facade to discovering her authentic self. She describes how a period of illness led to a spiritual awakening, which prompted her to embrace her prophetic dreams and visions, adopt a vegan lifestyle, and pursue a new direction in life.
The conversation explores how Brown's commitment to following divine guidance, rather than maintaining control, transformed her life. She discusses the role her support system played in this transformation, particularly her husband's backing, which allowed her to pursue her goals without financial pressure. Her journey illustrates how accepting one's true self can lead to personal and professional growth, including becoming a brand ambassador and publishing multiple bestsellers.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 23, 2026 episode of the The School of Greatness
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1-Page Summary
Tabitha's Journey of Self-Discovery and Spiritual Growth
Tabitha shares her transformative journey from living inauthentically to embracing her true self. After feeling suffocated by a facade she created, she experienced a spiritual awakening during a period of illness. Her turning point came through a heartfelt prayer: "God, if you heal me, you can have me."
Embracing Authenticity and Divine Guidance
Initially frightened by her prophetic dreams and visions, Tabitha learned to embrace these gifts. She underwent a complete transformation, adopting a vegan lifestyle and pursuing her authentic path. This led to remarkable success, including becoming a Whole Foods brand ambassador, publishing three New York Times bestsellers, and launching product lines.
The Power of Obedience in Spiritual Journey
Tabitha emphasizes the distinction between habitual prayer and intentional faith. She describes how true surrender to divine guidance, rather than maintaining control, brought freedom and abundance. She illustrates this through her experience with a failed restaurant venture, noting that following divine guidance, even when it leads to loss, brings more peace than forcing one's own path.
Support Systems and Relationships
Tabitha's husband played a crucial role in her journey, supporting her authenticity despite industry pressures to conform. While some friendships dissolved as she embraced her true self, her family remained her foundation. She credits her husband's support, particularly his role as a Los Angeles police officer, for enabling her to pursue her dreams without financial pressure.
Divine Guidance and Personal Freedom
Tabitha describes receiving divine direction through dreams, visions, and encounters. She shares how following these signs, even when uncomfortable, led to unexpected success. Her experience demonstrates that obedience to divine guidance, rather than self-reliance, can unlock true freedom and purpose. For Tabitha, greatness emerged from embracing her authentic self and allowing her inner truth to guide her external actions.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Start a personal authenticity journal where you document moments you feel inauthentic and explore ways to align your actions with your true self. By reflecting on these instances, you can identify patterns and situations where you're not being true to yourself and brainstorm strategies to address them. For example, if you notice you're often inauthentic in social settings, you might plan to express your opinions more openly or choose activities that reflect your interests.
- Create a "faith action plan" that outlines steps to surrender control in one area of your life and trust in a higher power or the flow of life. This could involve identifying an aspect of your life where you feel overly controlling, such as your career, and deciding on actions that represent letting go, like turning down overtime work to spend time on personal growth or family. Track the outcomes and feelings associated with these actions to evaluate the impact of surrendering control.
- Establish a support network by reaching out to friends or family members who encourage your authenticity. Schedule regular meet-ups or calls with these individuals to discuss your journey towards living more authentically. During these sessions, share your experiences, challenges, and victories in embracing your true self, and seek their feedback and support. This network can provide a stable foundation as you make changes in your life.
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Tabitha's Journey of Self-Discovery, Authenticity, and Spiritual Growth
Tabitha reveals the pivotal moments in her life that led her to a path of self-discovery, authenticity, and spiritual growth.
Tabitha Realizes She Isn't Living Her Authentic Self, Leading To a Turning Point
Tabitha shares that she wasn't living her truth for a long time. She had created a version of herself she thought would win but instead led to feeling suffocated. As she began to remove layers of inauthenticity, she started to feel better. She also sought to spread love and reach people authentically, desiring to have a meaningful impact.
Tabitha Felt Stuck in Darkness and Depression Until She Prayed For Healing, Committing To God
Plagued by a long period of sickness and depression, Tabitha felt abandoned by God. She acknowledged that her prayers had been hollow and without meaning. This realization led to a heartfelt plea: "God, if you heal me, you can have me." This commitment marked a turning point in her life, as she began to feel different from that day forward.
Tabitha's Gifted Awakening and Bravery
Tabitha Embraced Her Prophetic Dreams and Visions For Well-Being
Tabitha experienced prophetic dreams and visions, which initially scared her. She even tried praying them away. However, when she shared the messages from these revelations, she found relief. By embracing these visions, she affirmed her belief in divine guidance and acceptance of her special gifts.
Tabitha's Shift From Conforming To Living Her Truth
Embracing Authentic Southern Roots Leads To Success and Fulfillment
Tabitha experienced a period of complete transformation, beginning with her decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle and to shave he ...
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Tabitha's Journey of Self-Discovery, Authenticity, and Spiritual Growth
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Start a personal authenticity journal where you document moments you feel inauthentic and brainstorm ways to align your actions with your true self. For example, if you catch yourself agreeing to something against your beliefs for the sake of fitting in, write it down and plan a response that reflects your genuine opinion for next time.
- Create a "Return to Roots" vision board that captures the essence of your childhood dreams, values, and passions. Use images, quotes, and symbols that remind you of who you were before external pressures shaped you. This visual tool can serve as a daily reminder to stay true to your core self.
- Engage in a "Vow of Sincerity" practice where for one week, yo ...
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Obedience vs. Sacrifice In Following a Calling
Tabitha shares her personal spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's plan over habitual practices and self-driven efforts.
Tabitha's Lesson: Habitual Prayer vs. Intentional Faith
Tabitha's Breakthrough Came By Surrendering To God's Plan
Tabitha recognized she needed to move beyond habitually praying to actively and intentionally seeking God. Her breakthrough came when she truly prayed for healing, surrendering to God’s plan for her. In a pivotal moment of transformation, Tabitha made a commitment, telling God, "If you heal me, you can have me." This surrender marked the beginning of her alignment with God’s intentions, as evidenced when she walked through a hallway with her eyes closed, trusting in the divine path set before her.
Tabitha's Journey: God's Leading Vs. Her Own Efforts
Tabitha's Sacrifices: Disappointments vs. Blessings From Obedience
Tabitha experienced both disappointments and blessings on her journey of obedience. She started posting videos online, nudged by what she felt was a divine voice, despite having a minimal audience initially. Searching for signs became crucial for her, and visions of future success offered reassurance and excitement, underscoring the idea that divine inspiration persists and is often confirmed by signs, unlike fleeting self-generated ideas.
Tabitha contrasts her past, excitement-driven endeavors with her present state of peace, indicating she is now properly aligned with God's plan. Her consistent prayer for confirmation exemplifies her desire to ensure she remains within God's will.
Freedom and Abundance From Obedience, Not Control
Tabitha On Finding Freedom and Blessings By Aligning With God's Plan
Tabitha stresses the freedom and abundance found in obedience to God over trying to maintain control. She recounts forming a partnership to open a restaurant in LA and ignoring her initial gut feeling that it was the wrong decision. The subsequent issue ...
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Obedience vs. Sacrifice In Following a Calling
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Counterarguments
- Obedience to a divine plan may not be universally accepted as the best approach for everyone; some may argue that individual autonomy and decision-making are equally important.
- The concept of surrendering to a higher power may not resonate with those who do not share the same faith or who believe in self-reliance.
- The interpretation of signs and divine inspiration can be subjective and may lead to confirmation bias, where one sees what they want to see rather than objective guidance.
- The idea that blessings and positive outcomes are a direct result of obedience to God's plan could be challenged by the perspective that outcomes are often the result of a complex interplay of factors, including personal effort, chance, and the actions of others.
- The notion that sacrifice without obedience leads to discomfort and challenges could be seen as an oversimplification, as sacrifices can sometimes lead to personal growth and positive change, regardless of religious obedience.
- The belief in divine guidance as a "gift under the tummy" might be critiqued as an unreliable method for decision-making, as gut feelings can be influenced by many factors unrelated to spiritual discernment.
- The assertion that prolonged suffering ...
Actionables
- Create a personal "obedience journal" to document instances where you feel prompted to make a decision that aligns with your faith, noting the outcomes and feelings associated with each decision. This can help you reflect on the impact of following what you perceive as divine guidance and learn to distinguish it from your own desires.
- Set up a "faith corner" in your home with items that symbolize surrender and trust, such as a blindfold to represent walking by faith or a small plant to symbolize growth through obedience. Use this space for daily reflection or prayer, focusing on releasing control and seeking guidance for the day ahead.
- Develop a ...
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Relationships and Support In Embracing True Self
Tabitha Brown explores the significance of relationships and support when embracing one's true self, emphasizing the importance of her husband's backing in her journey towards authenticity.
Tabitha's Husband's Belief in Her True Self
Tabitha's Husband Encouraged Her Authenticity Despite Industry Pressure
Tabitha Brown's husband played a crucial role in supporting her decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle and share her journey online. He was curious but encouraging about the potential of her viral video. Her husband's happiness for her to be herself was paramount, especially when contrasted with his dislike for the Hollywood industry, which pressured Tabitha into being someone she wasn’t. He valued her authenticity, often questioning why she couldn't remain the person she was with her father, rather than the persona the industry desired.
The arguments about being oneself versus conforming to industry expectations ultimately led to his long-term dislike for Hollywood. Once Tabitha started living authentically, the person he loved was visible to the world, improving and strengthening their relationship.
Maintaining Relationships While Stepping Into Purpose
Tabitha Reflects On Lost Friendships and the Wisdom to Nurture Growth-Oriented Relationships
During her interview with Lewis Howes, Tabitha Brown shared that embracing her true self sometimes meant losing friendships, which was challenging. She understood that as she walked in her freedom, some people from her life who were not ready to embrace their own freedom vanished. Brown acknowledges and accepts these changes, recognizing not everyone is willing to join her on this path of freedom.
Family and Community's Role in Spiritual and Personal Growth
Tabitha Credits Faith, Husband, and Family For Keeping Her Grounded Amidst Growing Success
Tabitha highlights the role of her husband, crediting him with her ability to pursue her career and dreams. Her husband, having served as a Los Angeles police off ...
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Relationships and Support In Embracing True Self
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can identify and communicate your core values by writing them down and discussing them with a close friend or family member. This helps ensure that the people around you understand what is truly important to you and can support you in living authentically. For example, if creativity is a core value, share how you plan to integrate it into your daily life and ask for their encouragement.
- Create a "freedom jar" where you write down one small action each day that moves you toward embracing your true self. This could be as simple as saying no to a commitment that doesn't align with your values or trying a new hobby that excites you. Over time, you'll have a collection of actions that reflect your journey toward personal freedom.
- Establish a ...
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Lessons and Advice For Freedom, Abundance, and Fulfillment
In a conversation probing the depths of spiritual and personal growth, Tabitha sheds light on the intricate relationship between divine encounters, obedience, and the journey to fulfillment.
Tabitha's Guide To Recognizing Signs From God
Tabitha experiences dreams, visions, and encounters that provide divine direction in her life, manifesting even while she's awake as if a movie plays out beside her.
Tabitha's Divine Direction Through Dreams, Visions, and Encounters
During an episode where she questioned her path, Tabitha dreamed of herself on a show, baffling her because she was neither acting nor auditioning due to illness. Sensing significant life shifts, because the air feels different on her skin, Tabitha felt compelled by a voice to start making videos about her vegan lifestyle. Despite initial hesitance, she followed this divine nudge, which eventually led her to immense online success. Moreover, Tabitha looks for signs of confirmation in her life. A stranger once recognized her as someone destined for a children's show, a premonition realized two decades later. Whether through an unexpected conversation with friends or a prompting from within, she encourages others to seek their own signs and heed them, though sometimes these revelations are meant for personal awareness only rather than sharing.
Power Of Practicing Obedience, Even When Uncomfortable
In her spiritual journey, obedience to God, rather than self-reliance or sacrifice, has been the cornerstone for Tabitha's freedom and purpose. After the divine message to make videos, despite her reluctance and the initial lack of viewers, she remained committed. This obedience proved challenging but necessary, distinguishing itself from mere sacrifice by leading to growth and blessings. Having turned down lucrative offers misaligned with God's plan, she demonstrates steadfast obedience to her faith. She credits this alignment with a higher calling as crucial to experiencing fulfillment and abundance, showcasing that surrendering control to God rather than insisting on self-reliance unlocks true freedom and purpose.
Tabitha's Defin ...
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Lessons and Advice For Freedom, Abundance, and Fulfillment
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The interpretation of dreams and visions as divine direction is subjective and may not be universally accepted as a reliable source of guidance.
- Physical sensations like changes in the air could have explanations unrelated to divine signs, such as changes in weather or personal health.
- The success of Tabitha's vegan lifestyle videos could be attributed to market trends and her personal charisma rather than divine intervention.
- The idea that discomfort or uncertainty is a sign of following divine guidance could discourage critical thinking and self-reliance.
- Recognizing signs of confirmation could be confirmation bias, where one only notices evidence that supports their beliefs and ignores evidence to the contrary.
- The concept of divine revelations being meant for personal awareness and not sharing could be used to avoid accountability or peer review of one's beliefs or actions.
- The emphasis on obedience to God might conflict with other belief systems that prioritize individual autonomy or different spiritual practices.
- Rejecting lucrative opportunities not aligned with God's plan assumes an ability to discern divine will, which could be influenced by personal biases or misinterpretations.
- The notion of surrendering control to God may not resonate with those who value taking personal responsibility for their life's direction.
- Defining greatness in terms of joy and absence of fear of failure might overlook the value of learning from mistakes and the role of healthy fear in personal development.
- Authenticity as recognition of God's perfect creation ...
Actionables
- Start a personal "signs journal" to document and reflect on moments you perceive as significant or potentially divine guidance. Each day, jot down any unusual occurrences, feelings, or thoughts that strike you as meaningful. Over time, review your entries to discern patterns or directions that may be emerging in your life.
- Create a "values vision board" to visualize your commitment to following your inner convictions. Use images, quotes, and symbols that represent your core beliefs and aspirations. Place it somewhere you'll see it daily to remind yourself of the path you're choosing to follow, even when it's challenging.
- Develop a "surrender ritual" to practice lett ...
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