The Magic Of Being Yourself With Alexis Marie West

In this episode of That's the Light, host Shaina Lytle welcomes her friend Alexis Marie West for a heartfelt conversation about spirituality, identity, authenticity, and the magic of being yourself. The two reminisce about how meeting at a TBM live speaking tour in Austin sparked the meaningful friendship they share today. Together, they explore the peace that comes from showing up authentically both online and in real life, the importance of owning your gifts, and why protecting your light matters in a world that often encourages conformity. Shaina and Alexis also dive into healing the "witch wound," embracing mixed-race identity, navigating spirituality outside traditional expectations, and resisting the pressure to chase algorithms at the expense of authenticity. Along the way, they share personal spiritual practices centered on intuition, gratitude, self-trust, and staying connected to their inner guidance. The episode closes with a powerful reflection on what "the light" means to each of them—a divine energy that lives within us all and a reminder that the world needs us to shine as our most authentic selves.   Timestamps Meeting at the TVM Speaking Tour (00:01:05) Shaina and Alexis recount how they first met at the TVM speaking tour in Austin and instantly connected. Shaina's Spontaneous Question (00:01:43) Shaina shares the story of raising her hand to ask a question without knowing what she would say. Defining "Witch" and the Witch Wound (00:05:39) The conversation explores the modern definition of a "witch" as a powerful woman and healing the historical "witch wound." The Impact of Shaina's Question (00:09:29) Alexis describes how magnetic Shaina appeared on stage, and Shaina reflects on the positive audience reaction she received afterward. Who is Alexis Marie West? (00:11:22) Alexis introduces herself, discussing her mixed-race identity, human design as a generator, and her grounded, playful energy. Mixed-Race Identity (00:12:28) Both speakers discuss their shared experiences and family backgrounds as mixed-race women with parents from diverse ethnicities. Showing Up Authentically Online (00:16:28) Alexis and Shaina discuss the challenges of being authentic online, avoiding performance, and following their intuition for posting content. Shaina's Podcast Launch Philosophy (00:19:14) Shaina explains her resistance to traditional launch strategies, prioritizing building a genuine, reciprocal community over chasing large numbers. Recalling the High Priestess Moment (00:23:40) Shaina recounts the details of her question at the TVM show, including her spiritual journey and being called a high priestess. Alexis's Spiritual Practices (00:29:04) Alexis shares her daily spiritual routine, which includes gratitude, being present, and connecting with nature through walks. Shaina's Devotional Daily Routine (00:32:10) Shaina details her extensive spiritual practice, from morning pages and journaling to energy clearing and listening to her intuition. The Pressure of Manifestation (00:41:39) The discussion shifts to the seriousness of life, feeling things deeply, and the pressure to manifest a specific reality. What "The Light" Means (00:45:04) Alexis defines "the light" as pure, divine energy, leading to a conversation about protecting one's own light. Navigating Relationships and Boundaries (00:46:43) They discuss the difficulty of dealing with unsupportive people and the importance of setting boundaries while giving grace. A Self-Love Manifestation Ritual (00:50:21) Shaina shares a self-love ritual she learned, involving speaking affirmations to each part of her body. The Feeling Behind Manifestation (00:53:29) The conversation explores moving beyond manifesting material things and focusing on manifesting a desired feeling and state of being. The Challenge of Finding Joy (00:57:17) As a manifesting generator, Shaina discusses the challenge of finding joy when interests constantly change and stress is present. The New Paradigm (01:00:49) They touch on the concept of the "new paradigm," living intuitively, and the loneliness of having niche, forward-thinking ideas. Being a Woman of Color in Spirituality (01:03:22) The speakers highlight the lack of representation for mixed-race and Black women discussing divine feminine spirituality online. Closing Note: The Magic of Being Yourself (01:06:50) The episode concludes with the message that there is unique power and magic in showing up as your authentic self.   Powerful Quotes from the Episode Shaina, "There's nothing more powerful than a woman who knows her power."Shaina, "All we know is what we're taught, so you can redefine anything and reteach it whenever you're ready."Alexis, "You have to stay in your sovereignty, in your light, because that's what's needed."Shaina, "If the world is on fire, if you just be in your light, you can light up the world."Alexis, "The way you want to say it will stand out because no one else is doing it. It's the magic of being yourself."   RESOURCES: Connect with Alexis: Substack: https://substack.com/@alexismariewest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexismariewest Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexisMarieWest Poetry Book: https://amzn.to/4eeOhZr   Connect With Me: Shaina Substack: https://substack.com/@shainaslight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shainaslight FOLLOW THE PODCAST: That's the Light Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify   "The world doesn't need a different version of you—it needs your light."   Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com Contact us for expert podcast production and support.