
#myRISEstory: How Breanna Learned She’s Worthy to Occupy Space
“The conference helped me realize that I am worthy enough to take up as much space as I want in the world- regardless of my size and how much physical space I take up.”

Meet Breanna. Daughter, mother, friend. Attendee of RISE x Ft. Myers, Breanna stood out to us for her raw emotion she bravely shared with thousands of women. She was weighed down by what many of us allow ourselves to be held back by: fear, expectations, feelings of unworthiness. Breanna proclaimed she could never be a runner because of her weight, but Rachel challenged her to rethink how she saw herself. She told Breanna if she signed up for the RISE Run, Rachel would fly her to it come December. So, how is Breanna doing since this powerful moment at RISE? Find out for yourself!
Q
How would you describe the woman who came to RISE?
A
The woman who came to RISE was excited for the experience and knew would go home more motivated, but I didn't think it would have such a long-term effect.
Q
How would you describe the woman who left RISE?
A
The woman who left RISE was a different woman in the sense I decided to no longer try to dull the edges of who I am. The conference helped me realize that I am worthy enough to take up as much space as I want in the world- regardless of my size and how much physical space I take up. If that makes sense.
Q
Before RISE, what did you see in your future?
A
Before RISE, I expected to come home and be motivated for awhile, but eventually fall back into my old habits. I knew I had goals I wanted to accomplish, but they were too embarrassing to truly try to reach. Reaching for my goals meant that people would inevitably find them out which scared the sh*t out of me.

Q
After RISE, what do you see in your future?
A
After RISE, I feel like I have been given Dumbo's feather and I believe in myself all of a sudden. I'm doing things I didn't think were possible, like running the 5k, which I know isn't a big deal to probably most people, but to me it was the first step in reaching toward my goals.
Q
At RISE, what emotions were you feeling? What emotions were you held back by?
A
At RISE, I didn't expect to have so many emotions. Especially since I went with my mom, I know she has always been a little reserved with her emotions, so that taught me to want to be reserved, especially around her. So, the idea of really opening up at RISE in front of her kind of intimidated me, but after the first day when we did the "Stand up for your Sister" exercise I feel like both of our walls came down and we were so moved that it really prepared our hearts for the vulnerability that is needed to go through such a powerful weekend.
Q
What was your motivating factor for going to RISE? What were your expectations?
A
I'd been following Rachel since 2016 a few months after my father passed away and I was just in a really bad headspace. Last 90 Days was having its first run ( I think) and I thought what if I just tried for 90 days to pull myself out of this slump? Through Last 90 Days, I was able to move where I was in the grieving process forward. I was so grateful for the Last 90 Days program that I just wanted to digest everything Rachel was putting out there because it has been so tremendously helpful.

Q
How has your perspective changed since RISE?
A
My perspective is “I can” now. Before, my perspective on many of my goals or thoughts for my future were I wish I could, or I wish I was “that type of person.” But through RISE, it has shown me the only thing holding me back is me and that if I want to achieve something, I need an outline of how to get there and if I follow it, eventually it will happen.
We will be checking in with Breanna as she begins training for the RISE Run in December! Interested in joining the #RISERUNCREW and signing up for the race, too? See more deets here!
P.S. On Monday, March 23, at 12PM CST, we are springing into Hollisday! You can purchase one RISE RUN ticket and get the RETREAT for half the price. Mark your calendars because you don't want to miss this opportunity!
MIchele Broxton on