65. Rewriting Your Inner Rules with Amanda Mulsow

What does it actually look like to shed the roles, rules, and expectations that no longer fit — and build something entirely your own? That's exactly what Amanda Mulsow did when she turned 40 in the middle of a global pandemic, a personal health crisis, and a mental health emergency with her daughter. Instead of falling apart, she chose a word, created a mantra, and started rewriting the story she had been living by for decades. Amanda is the founder of Grit Marketing and Strategy, a full-service agency helping small and local businesses grow through intentional, strategic marketing. Her story is one of unbecoming — and becoming more fully herself in the process.HIGHLIGHTS• Amanda's word of the year for 2020 was "life giving" — chosen before the world shut down, it turned out to be exactly what she needed• She developed the mantra "No F*cks at 40" as a declaration to stop living for other people's opinions and expectations• How COVID became an unexpected reset and opportunity for deep personal growth and self-investment• The power of building your tribe — why community is the second lever alongside personal development• A peer resource specialist's advice that changed Amanda's inner dialogue: "You would never talk to anybody else the way you talk to yourself"• Why a solo retreat is one of the most powerful tools for quieting outside voices and getting clear on who you are and where you want to go• Amanda's MS diagnosis in 2017 and how it forced her to finally prioritize rest and recovery• The farm upbringing that ingrained "always be productive" — and the leaders who helped her unlearn it• How three friends in one week told her she had "grit" — and how that became the foundation of her business name and brand• GRIT as an acronym: Growth Requires Intention and Tenacity• Why starting her own agency gave her deeper empathy for her clients and made her feel lighter, happier, and more confident• The value of embracing an experimental mindset: "I don't fail — I learn"• Perfectionism as a daily practice to rewrite — and why embracing a hobby you're bad at (hello, golf and watercolors) is a surprisingly powerful toolCHAPTERS0:00 – Introduction1:03 – Meet Amanda Mulsow2:21 – Turning 40 in Chaos4:05 – Life Giving Boundaries5:09 – COVID Reset and Growth10:33 – No F*cks at 4013:24 – Quieting Outside Voices17:49 – Rewrite the Rules20:45 – Pressure on High Achievers21:47 – Motherhood and Boundaries22:58 – Modeling Rest for Kids24:07 – Blocking Time to Recharge26:28 – Starting Grit Marketing29:15 – Rebrand and Upleveling30:02 – Live Boldly, Take Risks33:15 – New Identity as Owner34:51 – Failure, Learning, and Regret38:39 – Rewriting Perfectionism39:44 – Hobbies That Teach Imperfection41:16 – Closing Thanks and GoodbyeRESOURCES MENTIONED• The Hive (https://thehivewichita.com/) — the women's community Amanda joined during COVID for connection and support• Grit Marketing and Strategy (https://gritmarketingks.net/) — Amanda's full-service marketing agency for small and local businessesWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.