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

Hi Deanna, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
A book that has impacted me tremendously is Daring Greatly by Dr. Brené Brown. Graduating with my Bachelor’s in Psychology, I was hooked when I read ‘How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead’ on the cover. She reinforces the importance of being seen, heard, and valued in any relationship and how coming from a place of vulnerability makes us a better person, spouse, friend, and leader.

As a business owner and impact-driven leader, I strive to be better than the day before. And reading Dr. Brené Brown’s pioneering research fuels the fire inside me to show up and make myself be seen every day and dare greatly. She has impacted how I look at vulnerability, shame, and ways to cultivate the change I want to see. But that change starts with reminding myself of the bible verse, Matthew 5:24, “You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is my resilience and emotional intelligence. These two skills have taken years of putting in the wholehearted work of self-awareness, self-management, and mental well-being in the face of adversity. I’m so proud of myself for making a daily habit of building my resilience by self-reflecting, journaling, practicing mindfulness, gratitude, and meditation.

My faith in God has helped me overcome challenges of trauma and stressors that, at times, made me question my worthiness. But if there is one lesson I have learned, true freedom is freedom of self. Permitting myself to experience my experience, whether good or bad and own my stories (even the messy ones) in a world that can make me feel as if I am not enough is how I began my freedom of self. This powerful journey was the gateway to building resilience, self-compassion, worthiness, and emotional intelligence – all excellent skills I have used in business and life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Starting locally, I would take my best friend to Downtown Phoenix for happy hour drinks at Bitter & Twisted before attending a Suns game and viewing the beautiful art on Roosevelt Row. The next day, we’re exploring some of my favorite cities like Tempe and Scottsdale. Being a City of Tempe Ambassador, it’s all about strolling down memory lane with a visit to Arizona State, Mill Ave, and Tempe Town Lake. For food, we are heading to Old Town Scottsdale to visit the Herb Box and finish the day with drinks at Jade Bar at Sanctuary Camelback. We are gassing up the car for a road trip the rest of the week! Stopping in Carefree at a wellness resort, CIVANA, we are relaxing and rejuvenating before heading north to Payson on the way to Sedona. You can’t come to Arizona without seeing the stunning red rocks, feeling the pull of a vortex, visiting the Holy Chapel, and staying at Hilton Sedona roasting smores to live music. At the back end of the trip, I would take my best friend to one of the world’s seven wonders, The Grand Canyon, for white water rafting and horseback trail riding. We would finish the trip by heading north to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, simply stunning views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God deserves all the glory, honor, and praise. My faith has kept me strong through the peaks and valleys of starting a business and being an entrepreneur. As a reminder, I have my husband’s favorite bible verse written on my office whiteboard: “He must increase, but we must decrease.” – John 3:30. In difficult times, God is at work in my situation. And in my triumphant moments, make it less about me and all about Him.

Website: www.coupleyfit.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deanna.mangum/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannamangum/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deanna_Helene

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeannaMangum10

Image Credits
Araya Photography MJD Photography James Patrick Photography Lindsay Borg Photography

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