We had the good fortune of connecting with Bessie Barker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bessie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Winston Churchill famously said, “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure, without lack of enthusiasm”. I would wiggle that quote a little and say, in my life, success has been my ability to go from risk to risk, without lack of enthusiasm.

One of the greatest risks I ever took was a few months after I had just given birth to my first child: and my husband asked if I would be willing to give away, not sell, everything we owned (millions worth). Then leave our celebrity lifestyle, red-carpets, speaking engagements, etc., and live penniless in a small van, for a social experiment: to find the meaning of life and test out, firsthand, if all that God, faith, ‘Universe-will-provide’ stuff everyone reads about was real or just hype.

I took a deep breath, realized I wanted more from my life, and decided to stake all I had on a “Yes”.  BEST. DECISION. EVER!

We traveled for 8 years, making it to 33 countries. Helping people and gifting our time for free to those in need, learning numerous spiritual teachings, experiencing the most incredible things and living what feels like 10 different lives in one. All that from a simple “YES.”

In my experience, risk is the moment we “let go and let God”. So much of life is controlled, and there is a place for that, but to live without risk – and all the delights, challenges, and growth it brings – would not be living at all. Now, I share with women what I learned, to help them find their wings in the world, so the next time they are faced with challenges, changes or self-doubt they have the tools to soar through them.

What should our readers know about your business?
I love how I get to spend my days and can’t believe I’m so blessed. Most of my time is filled with helping women step through their reactions and responses to life-change & loss with a method I call the ‘Deep & Gentle Excavation’: gently unearthing and releasing whatever is holding them back, so they can be free to create and bloom in their God-given purpose. Speaking, coaching, books, articles, and experiential events. I work a lot one-on-one, helping overcome massive barriers, anxieties, hopelessness and bringing a sense of vitality and creativity back into everyday life.

Writing a daily faith/inspiration blog on Insta & Facebook, @WakeupwithBessie, is a lot of fun – and leading women worldwide in a guided peace-bath called SOUL Spa: a chance to rest & recover and hear God’s whispered wisdom for their lives.

I’m fiercely PASSIONATE about helping those who’ve lost hope with my message – you are NEVER too far gone to come home and come alive. New book, charting our adventures & discoveries is out soon 🙂

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love taking guests to Melrose Trading Post flea market for incredible fashion finds, one of the best vintage market I’ve seen worldwide with global food and live music. I always find something incredible there!

For a little culture: Shakespeare in the Park, near the Planetarium in Pasadena.

The best garlic beef ever at Pampas Grill Churrascaria in the Original Farmers Market on 3rd Street. And, if we have time: a sun-drenched drive down PCH for lunch at Café Rio Mexican Grill, on 17th Costa Mesa (their sweet pork barbacoa salad with fresh lime and Cilantro is to die for!) and slowly cruising through Corona Del Mar & Laguna Beach O.C., for some art & artisan coffee & caramelized apple tartin at Urth Caffe. Soooo good!! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to do a shoutout for Kirsten Casillas: writer and speaker on moving through loss, with an experience called ‘Mending the Soul’, and challenges like Emotionally Healthy Parenting.

She is one of the bravest women I know! Kirsten has always encouraged me to boldly proclaim truth and has been such a big support over the years. She inspires me endlessly with her courage through pain and the way she speaks up for others.

Website: www.BessieBarker.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakeupwithbessie/?hl=en

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bessie-barker

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bessie.barker.74/

Image Credits
Hazel Moments Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.