Ownership is knowing To Much is Given, Much is required with Emily Ford

In today’s episode we have the pleasure to have a conversation with Emily Ford. Emily Ford is an entrepreneur and speaker who had a dream and went for it. 

Join us today as Emily unpacks her story of growing up in a small town in Minnesota, raised by a single mother of three and always having that big connection to the light, to God and how pray and searching for more led her to learning about business at age of 23 and at the age of 26 she became a 7 figures earner, built a team and spoken to all over the world. 

For Emily Ownership is the concept of to much is given too much is required!

Follow Emily On Instagram: @itsemily

https://www.instagram.com/itsemily/p/BuSZ_C6n27a/

Learn more about Emily: www.itsemily.com

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As Emily talked about, everybody too much has been given. Much is required. Just the fact that we wake up in the morning, we put two feet on the ground. That is much given. This is the on a show where we tell stories of how everyday people made ownership theirs. Hey, everybody, welcome back to the own it show. I'm your host, Justin. And I'm. Alex. Welcome to the show. And guys, I know. We've been kind of going on this series and we've been really talking about what does it mean to lean into your different what does your story, what does your testimony, what does all of these things have in common when you're putting one foot in front of the other? And what mission are you really on? Where are you looking at going? I know we have something called this inner discontent or this inner calling, this inner poll that sometimes gets really confusing and convoluted internally. And we fight this inner battle sometimes and we often start fighting ourselves rather than just allowing it to be a calling that we lead into and to start driving our focus. And so the person that we have on today, the guest that we're bringing on, is somebody that I've met and at least have met through our mastermind at the Wellspring. And the unique thing about her is that she's got a story that I think will resonate with a lot of people. We know that our testimony is something that we are meant to have. It's something that's meant to make us relatable, something that's meant to speak to people in a way that others may not have heard before. You see yourself in somebody else for maybe the first time, and that responsibility that she's been able to do and speak through her testimony, she's not just somebody who's out there speaking about it, but she's out there taking responsibility for those as well and allowing them to have a place to ultimately reach their potential as well. So, Emily Ford, it is a great pleasure to have you on the On It Show and thank you for spending the time with us today. Thank you. I am so honored to be here and I am so excited about your guys's mission. Emily, I would love for you just to spend 2 minutes because every podcast in the world starts with, So where did you come from? Who are you? What did you do? I want to spend just too minutes on a little bit about yourself. Who are you? Where are you? Where are you from? What got you into this ultimately space that you're in? And there's a couple of things on your journey that I really want to hone in on that I got the pleasure of hearing and understanding when we were together in in Colorado Springs. Yeah, yeah. So awesome. I always I always want to share the beginning of where I've come from because I think people look at me today and they're like, Oh, I must have been easy. You were you were always born being able to speak and do these things. And the answer is absolutely not. I've had to work, work, work, work and work on myself and work on myself some more. So I grew up in a small town in Minnesota, raised by a single mom, and it was a crazy upbringing. I'm the youngest of three, wants for my mother had an abusive man live with us for a long time. So some days were great. Some days were horrible, and I raised my self most of the time, quite frankly. But I always had a strange connection to the light, and I didn't even know what it was at the time until a neighbor lady took me to a church. And I realized in that moment that I had a father, I had I had something bigger than myself. You see, I was raised without a dad. So that really saved me, so to speak, at a very young age. And so I grew up playing sports, playing volleyball, and after high school, I didn't want to go to a traditional college. So I did the fastest thing humanly possible. I went to massage therapy school and I ended up working for one of the top plastic surgeons in the Midwest. And that's really where I started to learn business. And how to work with people. And, you know, I was hungry for more, though, so I nanny for boys. I competed in Fitness America, fitness universe, bought my first house when I was 21, had three women live with me to pay the rent like hustle mentality for sure. And one thing that I always stayed connected with was discipline and just getting involved in some kind of church because it was like truly the only thing that would give me comfort being someone that deals with anxiety, things like that. But I was searching and I was praying for more and I always say when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. And I was 23 and I was like, Hey, like, I want to do more. I want to learn. I want to learn how to build a business. And I met a woman at the gym and she got me involved in building my first health and wellness company, my first virtual health and wellness company. And so I dove into that and became a seven figure earner by the time I was 26 years old and built sales teams. And I've spoken all over the world and now I'm in. So Cal, I live like literally on the beach and filming a show here and I was having a lot of fun. That's just like what it's all about. It's fun, but God is more than big and fast and I'm just staying really disciplined and listening constantly to my next move in life. You mention a couple of things and I think for people who are listening and all of a sudden looking up who's Emily Ford and then looking on Instagram and looking up on just Googling your name and you're going to see all of these accolades. You're going to see all of these followers. You're going to see all of these all of this influence that that you have. And so often when we think about an influencer, it's about pushing something. It's about pushing an agenda. It's about I a a, a meaning of our product rather than being stuck on a purpose, being stuck on a mission, being on a mission, and the discipline that you had of getting involved in a church and having that church community so prevalent in your life from a young age, what did that do for you in being able to stay on purpose and on mission as you were growing this? Yeah, well, it really helped me learn leadership, the skills of leadership. One example is, you know, building sales teams, you build community, you go out, people stay up late at the bar, late at night, like I don't drink with my team. I don't get intoxicated, I don't do crazy. And I didn't at a young age and I never even like my friends that were in college partying all the time like it disrupted my spirit. And so it's like having my core values always be at the forefront of my life and all that I do. That's what it really helps me do and it really helped me love deeper love people, all people, no matter what, no matter if I'm going to see them one time, never see them again, or if I'm going to build a business with them. You know, it really helped me with the foundations of life, the principles of life and really to learn, you know, all those things that transcend in all areas of life. And I would say one of the most important things that has helped me with is confidence as a young woman for sure. Like, I understand because I've gone to church and got involved. I understand that I'm the only me out there. You know, he needs you together and in your mother's womb, right? Like. And so that helped me immensely because I wasn't the smartest kid in school. I struggled, you know, I wasn't great with numbers. But then I really knew like, okay, but there is other things I'm really great at. And so instead of focusing on what I'm not, I have chosen to focus on what I am and having those principles shine through has really made all the difference in my whole life. It's so amazing. And you can tell just by speaking with you and from your energy, you have such a connected spirit. And like you said, you were drawn to the light from a very, very young age. So I'm curious to understand, you know, I think there's a lot of people who can resonate with what it is you're saying. But for a lot of our listeners out there who haven't necessarily experienced what you might be talking about, can you can you talk to them a little bit about what this means on a day to day basis and how to cultivate this? Yeah, that's so good because, you know, there are seasons just like everybody, like seasons where I've had strong faith and seasons where it's been more of a struggle, but it was always kind of under neath what I had to do. I had to find a place where I could go, a church that I felt right with. There were some places I go to and I'm like, It just doesn't feel right. It feels judgy, it feels some kind of way. And if you're listening and you're like, That's how I have felt. Like I do the nondenominational thing, you know? Anyway, you do what you want. I was my family that was Catholic and I just couldn't for me, it was a struggle. And so I was like on a quest. I always say, like, be resourceful. And I'm like, Love me, tap in, let me see where where I can go. And so that's what I've done. You know, even in Hollywood, you know, my pastors, Erwin McManus at this church called Mosaic, I mean, you can watch them online. He's written so many good books at one of the hardest times in my life. He changed my life. He was there, you know. And so I always say, go search, but give it a little bit of time. It's like working out like is going to happen overnight. So go consistently and then get involved. And so I'm so big at scheduling things that I want to see grow. So it's like, why were in a group together that, you know, Monday mornings we worship and then we break off and pray for each other. Like I always try to schedule it and it's a non-negotiable and even in building business like there was a time where I was so crazy busy that I wanted to just be like, I don't need to go to church. I don't need to do this. I'm so busy, like we all have these things. And I realized when I did that, I made those poor decisions. I made poor decisions in life. I made poor decisions in the way I showed up as a leader, as a person. And so it's always been since I had that revelation, like God has to be number one, like it's just it's a non-negotiable. And in the mornings I do prayer, even with the person that I'm I I'm dating. Like, that's a thing. Like, we pray before we eat, we pray before, you know, we just spoke. We did an event together. It's like we, like, had God all over it. Like, it's just it's in the little, little mess of our day, right? It's just what we do in the fabric of our lives. And it's also it's the music we play. It's it's the books we read, it's the conversations we have. And, you know, I'm also trying to learn scripture and just just get better every day. 1% better. I suppose, right now, based on what you're talking about, because I would say I my morning routine is I take my dog on a walk and I pray while I'm doing it. And I actually people think I'm crazy because I talk out loud like I know God. But one of the things that came up for me this morning was Justin and I got married back in February. And like you, I come from a very, very Catholic family as well, to the point where I have uncles who are priests. One of my uncles is a deacon and we went through a marriage prep with my uncle who was a deacon. And it was an amazing experience for for Justin to just come closer in our relationship together, but also with God. But one of the things that he said that I have not forgotten is that prayer is constant because certainly in prayer, it's in everything that you do, because ultimately God is right there with you. And that's exactly what you're saying, right? You're like it's it is woven into it's woven into not only the big events of life, like, you know, the talk that you and your boyfriend did together. But also in the little moments like, yeah, right. Yes. Yeah, that's that's so beautiful. And I find it's like, you know, we talk about like affirmations and declarations and manifestation and it's like the real power is talking to God all day long. Like that's your superpower. Like it. We just forget it doesn't have to be this like, official thing, you know, in it's just I love it. I walk. I walk my dog in the morning, too. And the same thing is like, you know, it's so great. We were we were in church probably I don't know how big maybe two months ago. And we go to vote here in Miami. Rich Wilkerson, is is our pastor and just a spiritual mentor for for us. And he was talking about how you you literally make everything a cause for prayer. It's like we're stop and we're we're stopping at a red light, somebody's pray or, hey, we're we're dropping the kids off at school, praying before you get out or we're about to watch TV. Great. Let's say a quick prayer like these little things that make it purposeful because it's we focus so much on the grandiose things that happen in our life, the big moments, the big decisions, the big the big conversations that we have to have. But yet, just like anything, it comes down to the little details. It comes down to the little. I knew decisions the day to day decisions the day to day conversations, the day to day focuses that we do or do not have that ultimately yield where we're going in the macro in those big spaces. And I think what you said was so key is and I like your diet is not just what you eat. Your diet is what you listen to, who you're around, the people you have, the podcast you listen to, the music, you listen to the magazines, you read the books, you read all of these things consist of that. And it comes back to those little decisions that come in day in and day out as to how it impacts you at a deeper level. And you've just been so diligent and obedient to that, and I want to honor you for that, because now you're being rewarded for it in a major way. Yeah, that I thank you so much. I thought when I'm coaching people, I always say like, if you can't do it in the small places, like I coach a lot of people, they want to be on the big stage, they want to be a speaker, they want to. And I'm like, If you can't serve and speak from your heart to five people to two people, why on earth is God going to promote you to a stage of 10,000? And then, you know, and it's just like, what? Like I always say, like your stages everywhere you go in life, right? And it's like you're so spot on. It's like the micro little details, the shaping, the refining, the getting better, the staying diligent. Like all that adds up. All of it does so much. And it's just like we live in us. I always say we live in a microwave society. Like it's like people want it now, right? And it's like, no, this, this. Emily took a long time, right? Like we had to, like, slow cook this thing. And here's the funny thing, though, Emily, is you're going to look back on Emily today in a year from now, in two years from now and three years from now. And you're going to say the same thing. Oh, my goodness, Emily, then she is so much different than today because you're continually saying focused on those little minor details, those little unique things that continue to speak to you. And when you're connected and you mentioned it at the very beginning, you're light, but you're just connected to the truth. You're connected to these God whispers. You're connected to this inner calling that's keeping you curious, that's keeping you in a space that wants you to keep learning, keep asking questions, keep navigating so that you can ultimately realize the potential that's there. And it is it is massive. And listeners out there, you guys each have this on your life. You each have a calling, you each have a gift in that you're meant to lean into in a massive way. It's just are you willing to listen to it? Are you willing to open up and surrender to what's happening in your life and be able to go from we've all have these little earbuds right where you put them in and they're like sound canceling, but on your phone you can make them like non sound canceling. So you can put them in and you can still hear things, but then you hit a button and all of a sudden you can't hear anything. And that's what you've been able to do is you've been able to sound cancel everything around you and just listen to that direction that God's given you. And by doing so and being obedient that you've been rewarded for that. And so listeners out there that exists as well, that is there and that's a practice. That's a practice through daily disciplines. That's a practice through daily details that you can lean into small decisions. And when we do good with the small, we do good with the little, the little becomes big. And so yeah is in the thing is like when you're listening to the whispers, it's not always like the whispers like, oh gosh, this is going to be fine. Go do it. No, I'm talking like scary stuff, scary conversations. Like, I mean, it's. Been what have been some of those scary conversations for you? What like in initially it was standing in front of a room with words. It was a microphone and I was 23, 24 years old. And like there's 40 year olds, 50 year olds, there's bankers and people that make a lot of money. And I could barely pay rent. And it was like my hand was like shaking, grabbing the microphone. But it was like I knew that I had to do it to grow. And every single day of my life, I try to do something that scares me a little bit. And, and it's like just being obedient to that because that stretches you and then, you know, that's, that's how we become excellent at anything. So I think sometimes people think like if it's not like, yeah, it's easy, it must not be the calling on my life or it must not be my zone of genius. But like if you really listen, you know that thing that you should be doing, but you're not doing it. And a lot of times it's because we're selfish, like we're so selfish. And so I just suffer. We don't want to suffer. You're spot on. So it's like I'm like, how can I be more self less and like, all go first for somebody else? Like, that's just a mindset I've had. I'm like, Oh my gosh, this is like freaky. But like, I'll do it. I'll do it for somebody else. I hate it. I hate it, but I'll do it. Exactly. Yeah. So one of the things we talk about quite often on the podcast and within our own method is understanding your purpose or your calling. And you know, you're somebody and you, in order to live in what we call ownership, you have to have you have to know that and you have to know it intimately. So what is your purpose and how did you come to know it? It's been an evolutionary process through trial, through error, through like, you know, initially when I started building the business, it my little 23 year old brain was like, I just want to be my own boss and not have someone else tell me when I can go to the bathroom. Like that truly was my thought. But as I evolved and really like has have paid attention, now there is a period where it's like, I don't really need to work much anymore. I built this big team. I could just go lay on the beach and then I'm like, I would. I would lose my marbles in 24 hours, like I need to my human needs, our growth and contribution. So I got to grow and I got to contribute to society and so, you know, my purpose truly is to help people identify their greatness, but not only identify me, but like, let's put you on a journey to tap in and cultivate it. And I want to see other people emerge and grow. And that's where I get my truth fulfillment, because that's just the duplication of leadership, truly. And my purpose, my purpose has evolved even in the past. Like six months is a lot thanks to our Wellspring group. And you know, it's so funny, I'm like launching these businesses, doing these things and it's like, I really want to share the gospel. And before it was like, let me just help this person evolve. And it's like they cannot evolve if I don't share with them the truth. And so my purpose now has shifted of when I speak, I am going to tell the truth, the whole truth. And there's been areas and times in my career and I get a little emotional about this is like I've had people be like, Emily, just tone down the Jesus stuff, just tone it down, you know? And I'm teaching people how to be successful and I'm like, Okay, you just want me to, like, eliminate the thing that has helped me have the most courage, the best leadership skills. If you look, who is the greatest leader of all times? Jesus, you want me to like just eliminate what's helped me be disciplined? You want me to eliminate that's helped me make good decisions. I'm not doing that anymore. Right. And so that's that's the calling on my life now is like I for women for men to like is just to tell the real story. Like that's what I feel called to do it. It's it's amazing and it's powerful because I have that I have that same feeling forever. It's been you can talk about the little things that helped you get there, but they it all comes back to that major truth. And I'm curious to get your take on this or to hear your thought process when people have come to you and and said that and you've just put a stake in the ground hard steak and said, no, this is a non-negotiable now for me is to be able to speak this way. This is a non-negotiable for me that I'm owning this and I'm leaning into this and I'm making this a part of my testimony, part of my story, a part of my message for our listeners out there. I think it's really important for them to hear this is how has that ultimately come back to you through 6100 fold since you've owned that message? Oh, my gosh. It everything. Like I got a show. I got like like the people, the transformation. It's not it's not even what you say or what you train on. It's how you make people feel. And it's, you know, it's like it's really like there's been some talks where I don't plan it, but it's just I've prayed over the room and it just went a whole different direction, which we know that's the Holy Spirit, but that's where the true transformation lies. And the change happens in people's hearts, and God rewards that. I truly believe it. And it's coming in all different ways. And, you know, some people fear like, Oh, if I'm too much myself, like, am I going to get canceled or am I going to be annoying? And it's like sure to the people that aren't ready to receive it, but there's so many people that are and you know, it's just, it's just so cool. Like, I just I feel like the more bold I am, it's like people are just coming forward and they're like, this morning I was on a call with a 21 year old top sales rep for like roofing. And he was just like I, I spoke on Saturday and like, I realized I don't have face, like, I don't even and he was like, what do I do? And I'm like, here I was for a minute thinking because I had all these young sales reps in the room, like thinking they're going to think like this chick comes in and she's like, Jesus, you know? But I was like, No, I'm staying true. And they're all coming forward. Like, I'm missing something in my life. And I'm like, they're so young and impressionable, they they could go this way or this way right now in their life, you know? And so it's just like it's just the way it should be. Like when you follow the calling on your life and you know the truth and you stick to it, it's just the right people come in and you just become an example. And to me that's like everything. And it's amazing because your message is somebody else's miracle. And so often we hold our messages back because we're worried about what other people think, what other people are going through, what other people are going to cast down on us. And by doing that, we're holding back what is literally God, given what is literally presented there for a reason. And when we are able to do that, it it transcends any type of any type of worldly disagreement, any type of worldly discernment, any type of worldly discomfort that we have. And you said it earlier, and I want to I want the listeners to get this because you said something profound and it was I'll go first for someone else. And you making a choice to step out and to go into something that's uncomfortable, something that doesn't feel good. Emily talked about it earlier. She said not every calling is rah rah. This is amazing. I'm excited. This is easy, right? Just like going and talking on stage and choosing to own your story and owning it and truly owning your truth. Probably was not. Easy. But that was the calling that you had. That was the inkling that you had. That was the decision that you were being told to make. And ultimately you were rewarded for it. And so I challenge everybody out there listening right now. I'm sure you have this has touched you in a certain way. That's gone. Where can I start growing? Where can I start listening? Where can I start being more obedient? Where can I start going out on a limb and doing something that's a little bit uncomfortable? Because I've known this for a long time, but I haven't taken action. And Emily's already been the person that's done it first so that you guys can now go and follow and do it for somebody else. So beautifully said. Oh, my goodness. Fire right. There. And in. Yeah, I just I feel like if you're listening and you're like, oh, gosh, that's me. Like in the moment right after the podcast, like, do one thing that will help you move that step forward. I'm all about like, if you feel it, it's like make a phone call, maybe go on your your Facebook and be like or your Instagram and maybe it's like you haven't told the whole story, do it or in the moment why you feel it and start that process of just really owning who you are. And your truth is just so amazing. It's offering. It's so freeing. Like, I have never had this much energy in my life because I'm truly congruent and I'm not dumbing myself down. Like before, I felt like I would sometimes dumb myself down. It was like, Oh, you know, don't say it. Everything, you know. And so you feel like you're dimming your light a little bit. I'm sure so many people can relate, you know, like even you probably in the sports world, it's like, don't be too, like, you know, charismatic. Yeah. Oh, I mean, forever, to be honest with you, it's only been in the last couple of years that I've been really able to. And it's not that I it's not that I couldn't while I was there. It's that I didn't have the courage to and I wasn't willing to. And it's only been in the last couple of years that it's really come to fruition, that I've been willing to lean into it. And as you continue to lean into it, doors continue to be opened, opportunities continue to be there and alignments continue to be there. When we talked about it before, Steve Weatherford talks about your your alignments, determine your assignments and not the other way around and it's it's who you align with that ultimately create the assignments that you were built for. And so often in everyday culture, we lean into assignments. It's, I want to build this business, I want to make this friend, I want to meet this person, I want to get on this stage. I want to go to this place. Rather than focusing on the relationship and the alignments that ultimately determine what it is that you were built to do, what it is that you were meant to do, the space that you were meant to take up, so that ultimately you can take dominion and do something for the kingdom that's bigger than yourself. And ultimately will reach the people that you were meant to reach. Yeah, spot on. It's, it's like following that. Like, I think it takes a level of trust, especially for a huge. Underlying piece of it. Control freak people where there's been so many times in my career where I'm like, why isn't this going faster? Or like, I just get frustrated and it's like, I always have to remind myself in those moments, like, who's talking right now? Is it your ego? Like, are you who are you wanting to glorify or what are you wanting to glorify? Or what do you what's the whole the whole thing in the moment? Like, I turn it into service and I turn it into like trusting and allowing and flowing. There's like a flow that happens when you're not forcing it, you know? And it's just so powerful. And then all of a sudden it's like, Whoa, this happened. Yeah, because you weren't trying to control everything. You were trying to control it, you know? And I say this to Justin all the time is you become a co-creator of your life, and it's not all in your hands. It's in God's hand as well. When you have that trusting in co-created together, that's where really amazing, beautiful things happen. Amen. So true. So, Emily, one of the questions we want to ask you from somebody who so clearly lives in what we call ownership, you're so you're so connected, right? You're connected to God. You're connected to yourself. You're connected to your purpose. And you said it multiple times throughout this episode. Is your in alignment finally or you live in congruency with who you truly are? And that's what we define as true ownership, right? And all of these things that come with it, like adding a healthy lifestyle, living, living in a wellness driven way is truly like the whole container of ownership for so for somebody who lives in such an ownership way, what would you say in a word or phrase? Is your definition of ownership? Oh, man, that's so good. You know, to me, my definition of ownership, I think, would have to be the concept, like too much is given, much is required. And what I mean by that is, like I was given this body, so like take care of it. I was given spiritual gifts to speak. So speak in leadership and speak and love, you know, even like when I had no money and I was given my first paycheck, it's like I take ownership of that, like be a good steward of that. And so it's, it's having that mindset of like, you know, even again, if you don't feel like you have a lot in worldly terms, you've got to turn that around because like there was a period where I didn't have much, including to pay my bills and I had a mentor say to me like, if you can't be grateful for your pillow, like, why on earth is God going to give you more? Like your attitude is, is just not one of, of abundance or even worse catching, you know. And so I have this philosophy of like no blaming, no complaining, no justifying. And it's just like it changed everything for me. So yeah, in all facets, it's like extreme ownership is just how I decide to live anything. And where can our listeners find you if they want to learn more about you or. Yeah, yeah, on Instagram is great and it's Emily or it's Emily dot com yeah. Listeners is is something that I really want you to tap into and it's something that hopefully spoke to you today. But I'm going to take you to Romans 12 one. And it is there for brothers and sisters in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living, sacrifice the holy pleasing to God. This is your true worship. And so it's what we do with our bodies. It's what we do with our minds. It's what we do with what we've been given. And as Emily talked about, everybody too much has been given. Much is required. Just the fact that we wake up in the morning, we put two feet on the ground, that is much given that is an opportunity to pour into other people. That is an opportunity for you to go first and be the first for someone else. Be the first that inspires somebody else. Be the first that moves you to do something for somebody because your message is somebody else's miracle that they need to hear, that they need to be moved, that they need to be ultimately able to receive that and old and realize that you are great, that greatness is in you because greatness built you. And when we can lean on that, but we can understand that it ultimately changes our reality and allows us to realize the true purpose of why we were here. So remember, success is different. So own your different and we'll see you guys next week.