Kristi Hayes’ greatest desire is to influence and inspire families to go into the vulnerable places and serve others. She is the Founder and CEO of Be Strong Story, a business spreading the message from a simple lunch box note that her husband wrote to their son: Be Strong. Protect the Weak. Love Everyone. Now, this is not only the tagline for their business, it’s become an action statement for their family as they work with homeless and others who need a second chance. Kristi is a certified personal trainer and Level 1 Crossfit Trainer, a mom of 2 kiddos, 2 cats and 1 dog, and wife to Grant. On any given day you will find her walking on her hands with her kids, building a team of women to do what they didn’t think possible, and re-decorating multiple rooms in her house.
IF YOU HAVE EVER FELT GOD CALLING YOU TO HOLD YOUR DREAM LOOSELY, THIS WAS THE EPISODE FOR YOU.
In this episode, Kristi shares the story about how Be Strong Story was born and the years prior in which God taught her to hold loosely to her dreams. You will be inspired to work hard at your dream but also to check yourself for clues that you’re gripping it too tightly. You will learn Kristi’s bold but simple strategy to find a mentor and the value of obedience, even if you can’t see the rewards right away.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, Kristi is offering a discount code for Devoted Dreamers listeners on any purchase in their store, like a Be Strong Story cuff or disk necklace. See below for more information.
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CONNECT WITH KRISTI AND BE STRONG STORY:
Website || Kristi’s IG || Be Strong Story’s IG || Facebook
MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
Branded Collective
Be Strong Families – pledge form (coming soon!)
Emily McCarthy (website / shoppe / Instagram)
Voxer app
The Wall Street Journal
Promo Code for 15% off jewelry (or anything else) in the Be Strong Shop: "DREAMER"
PODCASTS:
How I Built This with Guy Raz (Apple Podcasts / Stitcher)
Going Scared with Jessica Honeggar (Apple Podcasts / Stitcher)
SCRIPTURE:
Since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
~ Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)
You will discover there are people among your own
who can rebuild this broken-down city out of the ancient ruins;
You will firm up its ancient foundations.
And all around, others will call you
“Repairer of Broken Down Walls” and “Rebuilder of Livable Streets.”
~ Isaiah 58:12 (VOICE)
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
The story about the lunchbox note [3:20]
Looking for partners that are living out the Be Strong mission [6:05]
Learning to love who God created her to be [8:35]
Six years ago, when God asked Kristi to let everything go for Him [9:15]
Finding contentment in Him, not in what she could do for Him [11:23]
Shaping their family (and helping others) live out Be Strong. Protect the Weak. Love Everyone. [12:00]
It’s not just about service; it’s about building a mutual kinship with the different ones [12:32]
Stories of how this plays out in her kids’ lives [13:41]
They do “Eyes wide. Lights shine.” fist bumps at school drop off [17:00]
Creating Be Strong Families in Denver, Colorado, with opportunities to serve as a family [17:56]
When you have no idea what you’re doing in business [21:55]
Everything is figure-out-able [22:25]
Bringing friends & cheerleaders in to help you see what you’d otherwise miss [23:27]
Using the Voxer app to not feel so alone in your work/your dream [24:29]
How God orchestrates things you never expected [25:59]
Learning to hold things loosely; being aware of cues that she’s going back to her old wayS [27:05]
A different mindset about failure [28:02]
How the shift wasn’t quick, but the outcome was exactly what she needed [28:27]
Kristi’s favorite bible verses right now [29:21]
Her advice to go after your dream with your whole heart but hold it loosely [31:14]
Why you don’t have to be an expert at everything; just start somewhere [32:00]
God put that dream in your heart for a reason so go after it! [32:12]
Kristi’s “trick” on how to find/ask someone to be your mentor [32:45]
Her favorite resources/podcasts [34:30]
How to connect with Kristi and Be Strong Story…and that promo code you were looking for [37:24]
She wants their tagline to be more of an Action Statement than a Mission Statement [39:02]
You might not see fruit from your obedience right away; obey anyway [39:57]
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The Devoted Dreamers Podcast is produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
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