The Value of Authenticity

Sheletta Brundidge has done it all - she’s a mom, an autism advocate, a community activist, an award-winning broadcaster, a best-selling author and a business owner. She’s always wanted to be someone who shifts atmospheres, and when she walks into a room, it’s clear that is exactly what’s about to happen. Sheletta lives authentically and unapologetically, but has she always been this way? And how does she do it? 

Co-hosts Melanie and Nadege dig into how Sheletta taught herself to be confident and what advice she has for others who are trying to live authentically (spoiler: stop caring!). Sheletta shares her story of working in radio and being pressured to present herself differently. When she decided to stop pretending and start showing up as her full self, opportunities and success followed her. Sheletta calls herself a missionary, determined to help others find and share their true selves – but she also knows that in the process of showing up authentically, she is constantly evolving. 

Sheletta’s confidence and commitment to showing up authentically came from a place of exhaustion. After working in radio and being told by several consultants how to talk, act, and look, Sheletta decided that enough was enough – she was going to start showing up as her whole, authentic self and that people could take it or leave it. This message is what she shares with the world, whether it’s in a university class she’s teaching or with the many people she helps in what she calls her mission work.  

“I like to say I’m a missionary. Everything I do is mission work, whether it’s the autism children’s books, or the podcasts, or the activism, or the speaking, or the radio. Whatever it is, it’s all mission work, I’m on assignment: to help people.”  

Sheletta can share these important life lessons because she’s done and seen it all. In addition to being a renaissance woman, Sheletta is a mother of four children, three of whom have autism spectrum disorder. After finding success in treatment for her children, Sheletta set out to do what she does best - share her knowledge, experiences and wisdom with other parents going through the same thing. In her process of documenting and sharing her life with her family, Sheletta has helped countless people who are going through the often isolating, confusing and overwhelming experience of raising children with autism. 

Despite the confidence and vivacity she exudes, Sheletta knows she doesn’t have all the answers and feels she has yet to arrive. But it’s that exact authenticity that has gotten her so far and is what she wants to drive home with people. When asked what advice she’d give to others struggling to show up as their whole selves, Sheletta simply says “just do it.” 

“Stop overthinking it, just be real! People are coming for your story – the more people that know about your story, the better. We always wait for someone to tell our story or celebrate us – why are you waiting for someone else to tell your story?” 

Links:  

Sheletta and her son Andrew, promoting his book on Morning in America

Sheletta’s website

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