Speaker 1: 0:40

Hello, hello and welcome back you guys. Joy, hello, welcome to the Fit Soul podcast. I'm so glad that you're here today.

Speaker 2: 0:49

Thank you.

Speaker 1: 0:50

We're going to have a great conversation and we're talking about and I think this is I should have looked. I think it's episode 118. Okay, something like that, and I've been doing a series called the Faith-Fueled Woman's Secret Weapon.

Speaker 2: 1:07

Come on, Secret Weapon.

Speaker 1: 1:08

Come on now I love to hear it.

Speaker 2: 1:10

Come on, yes.

Speaker 1: 1:11

Okay, so, joy, we have the best story ever of how we meet.

Speaker 2: 1:16

And we're going to start with that.

Speaker 1: 1:17

Yeah, and then we're going to share how to connect with you and all the things. So I was as an entrepreneur she's an entrepreneur and a lot of entrepreneurs take their laptops and they sit at coffee shops. Yep, yes, yes, yes, and I was one day working and I don't even pay attention when I'm there. I'm kind of like all in my work mode and work zone.

Speaker 1: 1:42

And I looked up and there was this beautiful woman with these beautiful red lips, gorgeous red lips, and I'm like today, right, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I'm like, oh, I stopped what I was doing, I'm like you are beautiful what kind of lipstick are you wearing? Yeah, like what is that lipstick? What is that lipstick? It's pretty yeah.

Speaker 2: 2:05

And there she was Right. And from there I was like, oh my gosh, hi, this is the lipstick and you're like we should link? Yes, yes, and so we were like yeah, but it was just a random like connection over lipstick in a coffee shop, really.

Speaker 1: 2:17

That's right, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2: 2:18

Yeah, and then from there we were like we we would get together. I think the year ended. The next year we linked for coffee and kind of hung out and just talked about what you do and all the amazing things you're involved in and what I do. And it was a cool meeting that day as well.

Speaker 1: 2:32

It was it was, it was, and so one of the secret weapons that we have in our life not to like, um, you know, oh, here it is, but is is that idea of community and connection we're and connection we're. We're creative for interconnectivity. Can we tell you a fun little story? When rainy and I went to italy this past fall and when we were there we would we did a food tour, a walking food tour. In, we did a lot of walking food tours. This particular one was in rome, and this man was so knowledgeable, he was so personable, he was so delightful, and we went on. We had all of our specified little places. Oh, this one was not a walking food tour, it was a walking history tour. Okay, but we went to a cappuccino shop.

Speaker 1: 3:18

Of course, they have them everywhere right right and he walked up and he goes okay, okay, we're going to order a I can't remember exactly what we. I think you could order whatever you wanted to, but they don't drink cappuccino after 12 there. That's kind of gross. Like your body doesn't need the dairy. They say you should never drink it after 12. But we ordered our espresso and he said okay, now what you do is you go and he goes. You wait over here for your espresso is like on the bar, on the line. And he said you come here to network. I like what he said. You order coffee and it is an intentional place to come and connect with other business people and to network while you are here and you never, ever, go and sit and take a long long time at a table because it is very disrespectful to the cafe owner wow, isn't that interesting yeah, the whole idea of it was community and connections.

Speaker 1: 4:20

The whole idea, yeah was community and connection and it's so funny because in america it is airpods, headphones and nobody better.

Speaker 2: 4:31

I'll say anything to you.

Speaker 1: 4:32

Like, don't disrupt me, I'm in his own I'm in the zone, so um the idea that we were able to connect over coffee and then, when we connect in in real world today, how can we take that a step further? We connected online.

Speaker 2: 4:48

And so she.

Speaker 1: 4:48

DM'd me, so now I'm getting to know her a little bit, know more about her. She's a coach, I'm a coach and I really enjoy what you put out there. You guys have got to go follow her. It's the Joy Bradford on Instagram and Facebook.

Speaker 2: 5:00

Joy Bradford on Facebook. At the Joy Bradford on Instagram.

Speaker 1: 5:04

So, before we go any further, tell us a little bit about yourself, who you are, what you do.

Speaker 2: 5:08

Sure. So I am Joy Bradford.

Speaker 1: 5:11

Yes, that's a better man.

Speaker 2: 5:12

Born and raised Mississippi girl and my husband and I we've been married almost 12 years have two littles one baking in the oven, that's right as we speak A, a daughter, son and one on the way, and he and I pastor our church locally here in Mississippi. And then I'm a purpose coach as well, so I get to do life with women in purpose and also get to do life with people in ministry, and so my world kind of collided and blended when we moved back from Starkville after living there for eight years, and the Lord called us back here. I'm from here, here being the Flowood, jackson Brandon area, so it came down this way, and so my overall purpose is just to see people walk fulfilled in who God has called them to be. Whatever that looks like, I'm not picky. Any way I can help a person on the track to where God has intentionally created them to be. Let's go.

Speaker 1: 5:57

Let's go. Oh my gosh, okay. So I immediately loved you, just from who you are and what you do. You speak with such passion and so articulately and I just, I just love it, okay. So, joy, as a faith-fueled woman's secret weapon, let's talk a little bit, because this is your wheelhouse. Is purpose? Talk a little bit about purpose, and you know I don't know about you, but I get clients that call me or people that are in my coaching programs.

Speaker 1: 6:26

I'm like I've got to know my purpose. And they're freaking, wigging, wigging out because they think they've got one purpose and, by God, they're missing that one purpose of their life and they're like off. They're off altogether. So, can you bring some clarity to purpose?

Speaker 2: 6:43

Yeah. So I think we have to first understand that we're believers in Jesus Christ. If you fall into that realm, I can speak more specifically to you. Our umbrella, first purpose, is to obey and honor the will of God. So this is the house, the glorified God, and all I do, the assignments and the callings and the opportunities that I have inside of the home, inside of this house of glorifying God, they're going to change. And if I get locked down to one purpose, if I change jobs, is my life over? Is God done with me?

Speaker 2: 7:12

I heard a guy say once that he was mentoring some football players who are professional football players and then their career was over. So is their purpose done? Is God done with them? Absolutely not. So if we get bogged down to this one thing, like I was created to do this only, then God's like you're trash after that one assignment.

Speaker 2: 7:29

So I think we have to do is we glorify God in all we do? The different opportunities and doors that he opens align with our gifts, our callings, the things that we're good at, and purpose falls within the categories of opportunities and calling and intentions, within glorifying God, because if not, you'll chase after this one thing and you'll never find it. Because purpose is a discovery, it's a journey, it's not a, it's not a arrival, it's not a destination. And so if we get bogged down in this one thing of like, this is it. And then people grow and change over life as parents and moms.

Speaker 2: 7:56

In one season, your purpose may be raising kids, and then, when that your kids leave, are you done? God's done with you? Like, no, like, what is he calling you to do? Who has he created you to be? And finding out that and your identity in Christ is what makes it all so easy. But people get so, and purpose has become this sexy, like, oh, my purpose, I gotta know what this is the way it's commercialized. And it's like honey, listen, like it's not even like, don't even, don't stress yourself. Like God's created you here. You're're still breathing, you're still purpose for something. Use the assignments and the opportunities to glorify him. And then purpose becomes more and more clear.

Speaker 1: 8:31

Come on, we got Daniel over here.

Speaker 2: 8:35

Listen, that's it Listen.

Speaker 1: 8:42

Mic drop and we're done. Okay, so, joy, I instantly now Daniel, you know why I said you had to meet her and I instantly fell in love with you and we were meant to do life together You're stuck with me now. Yeah, we're forevers, we're forevers.

Speaker 2: 8:59

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:01

And I just I appreciate the clarity that you bring. And also, by the way, joy is a keynote speaker at the Worthy Woman Summit and we'll be speaking a whole keynote on purpose and breaking all of that down. It's such an important topic.

Speaker 2: 9:17

It is.

Speaker 1: 9:18

It is such an important topic.

Speaker 2: 9:19

It is.

Speaker 1: 9:20

We're created to live purposefully.

Speaker 2: 9:22

Yes.

Speaker 1: 9:22

And people confuse roles and responsibility with and listen, I've done it Same.

Speaker 2: 9:29

I walked. It Okay, same yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:31

I walked that I felt like I'm older than you, I'm in a different life stage. Yeah, I'm in a different life season, and as I was starting to look forward ahead and realize Empty Nest was coming at me quick.

Speaker 2: 9:44

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:45

I freaked the heck out like what but the lord. Just the more we can walk in our identity of who we're created to be and enjoy the journey of becoming how he's designed us intricately. That's right.

Speaker 2: 10:02

It's a beautiful thing so beautiful, it is 100, agree. But I think that, especially as you've kind of transitioned, when you transition out of the empty nest, some people go through these crises. Sure, like they're just identity crisis, like, well, who am I now? That I'm not like mom full time? Yeah, but you poured in so much life and energy and effort into your children, who are now doing what God has called them to do. But your life didn't end when their life began, right to walk out and walk out on the two. So that's such a beautiful thing because there's so many people, particularly women, they get stuck right there but they lose themselves in the momming, because you can lose yourself in the mommy moments, you can lose yourself in the day-to-day and it's like but who is Amy? Like outside of mama, mama, mama, who is Amy? And so I think finding that is beautiful. And now you coach from that perspective of like midlife and understanding who you are, that life continues, taking care of your body, your soul, your spirit. So that's a beautiful thing.

Speaker 1: 10:54

Yeah, I love that about you. Oh well, thank you I appreciate that. You know, as long as we've got breath, there is a purpose and a reason and those different seasons. There is a purpose and a reason, and those different seasons For the mom that is at home still with your children.

Speaker 1: 12:21

there's not a more important role than you have, important to those beautiful children that are driving you crazy sometimes Because that window is. I know the days are long, but man, it goes by quick. The years are short. Yeah, the years are short. This little one took you by surprise.

Speaker 2: 12:41

Yes, she did Praise the Lord.

Speaker 1: 12:43

It's the Lord.

Speaker 2: 12:44

I think it's Isaiah 65. The Lord opened and closes the womb. Okay, this wasn't my plan, but it was his, and she will be here. Yes, yes, she will, yep.

Speaker 1: 12:55

So you blessed me so much.

Speaker 1: 12:57

I don't think you'll ever understand how powerful one text that you sent to me was, and I just want to take a moment just to talk about that, because God gives us confirmations and he used you in a moment, not just the help and what he called you to do, but it was powerful, the beautiful intricacy of God and the little things. But the moment. I want to just share a story real quick. It's story time. Y'all grab a cup of warm milk, list, don't. But what I wanted to share with our audiences is that I had in that trip to Italy I was just talking about the only trip to Italy I've ever had, which, by the way, I'd like to move there.

Speaker 1: 13:48

Okay, squirrel, I'm back Um, is that? Coming home from that trip, the Lord was doing a work in my heart, a big work. Before I even got to that trip, I was really sitting in places of what do you want from me? What do you want from me, lord? What do you want me to do? There's more potential here and I don't want to leave my life yes feeling like I haven't given it all word out brush.

Speaker 1: 14:20

Yeah. And so while I was there, I was just overwhelmed with the beauty, the magnitude, the buildings, the structure, the history, the architecture, that everything was spectacular. Just all of these tours, that we went on and touring the cathedrals. I would walk away from these tours and Randy was like, ok, what's next? Would walk away from these tours and Randy was like, okay, what's next? I'm like I just need a moment like the beauty literally overwhelmed me, it moved me deeply and to sit and to have the number one, the privilege, the blessing, the opportunity to be able to see it right in in in person, but then to recognize and realize what man accomplished.

Speaker 1: 15:07

And let me just give you one small example, because this ties into our story. But one particular cathedral in Florence and of course I can't remember the Domo has this big dome and it's just the spectacular dome. But this cathedral we went toward it, the cathedral in the center of Florence stayed without a dome on the top because no one had built one like that yet and they didn't know how to do it. So can you imagine Florence I believe at this time was the capital of Italy Can you imagine this spectacular, decadent, unbelievable cathedral that takes it's in the center of the city and it's just gorgeous, with a whole area that is not covered because they couldn't figure out how to do it.

Speaker 1: 16:06

And so all these people had to bid on it, and this one guy, he came up with an idea.

Speaker 1: 16:11

He didn't have it all worked out, but he was able to figure out a way to make the dome work and it was the infrastructure anyway. Between looking at stuff from that Michelangelo, da Vinci, all of the Baccelli, all of these incredible artists and and all of the designs that they made I walked away thinking could we even come up with things like that? They came up that with their mind. We have all of this technology and we're not coming up with things like this anymore.

Speaker 1: 16:41

My point being was is the creative, the creativity that man has is unlimited. We're created in an unlimited creative God. That's right. That's right. But we're so distracted from cell phones and technology and TV and, um, we're distracted by social media and other people. I mean, I mean I won't go too long into all of this but the average American if you take the time right now and it's going to increase that they're spending on their cell phones, if they're spending in front of a TV, if you take all of that together, it's about 13 years of our lives. Can you imagine? And it's like no, but yeah, we can. It's like okay, yeah, that's the part I'm talking about so I'm there in italy.

Speaker 1: 17:28

I digressed. I went off way longer on that than I meant to, but here we go and we got random. Okay, so what? I um, while I'm there, I'm like and I'm done, I'm I'm done wasting so much of my life, yeah, and it away. There's way more here and it's time to let it go, and so I set time limits on my phone.

Speaker 1: 17:50

In Italy. I didn't even know how to do it. I'm like okay, legit, I'm taking ownership, I'm taking responsibility, I'm taking action steps to hold my butt accountable. Okay, so I'm all in on that flight home. I am moved and I'm not getting on TVs and screens and I couldn't get on my computer and start doing work. So I just sat there and the Lord was like he speaks to us when we let him. He speaks to us when we are quiet and we're listening. He tells us our next steps.

Speaker 2: 18:19

Isn't that beautiful.

Speaker 1: 18:20

Yes, but most of us are way too distracted, we're not still, we're not listening. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So anyway, I got home, god spoke to me on that flight homes like do this, do this, do this talk to these people, have this woman, worthy woman summit end of March. It's at the embassy suites like, okay, great, it was such a beautiful ride home. But when I got home I'm like oh gosh, no wait, what right? I forced myself to put it on Facebook because I didn't even know where to have an event. I didn't know where to start.

Speaker 1: 18:58

I forced myself to put it on Facebook.

Speaker 2: 19:00

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 19:00

And I got back to your text. I got a text from the girl at the coffee shop. Right the red lips that we've talked to. Now she's. My friend said I don't know what you're doing with this event, but you tell the story said I don't know what you're doing with this event, but you tell the story.

Speaker 2: 19:20

Yeah, I was. I do remember when we met for coffee. That day you said I would love one day to do some type of woman something here. But you're like I don't know where to start. I wouldn't know what to do and I was just listening we're getting to know each other and I'm like, okay, and that day I'm like man, it'd be cool. But it was just kind of like thoughts of like one day-ness right, I hope it's a desire in my heart. Well, I think a half a year had gone by when you went to Italy and so you posted it.

Speaker 2: 19:39

I'm in Texas on a trip for a friend who's doing a podcast and I'm laying in the bed and I'm scrolling and you were like I just have to do this and be obedient. I'm putting this out there. If I don't put it out there, it's not going to happen. But I'm doing a women's conference. I don't know what to do and immediately the Holy Spirit said you need to text her and whatever she needs, you need to help her, provide the skills, services you know benefits that you have and help her. And I was like in my mind. I was like yeah, that makes sense. But I'm like wait, I'm pregnant, like I got all this extra stuff Like Lord is what I said.

Speaker 2: 20:12

I'm like yes, sir, I've learned to work now and ask questions later. So I text you that day and I was like, hey, don't know what you're doing, don't know what you need, but I got you. I've done events. You know different places, different states run logistics, so how can I help you? And you're like, oh my God, thank you so much. And, babe, I was like God told me he was like listen, if God told you, go for it, we'll work it all out for the rest.

Speaker 2: 20:34

And so in my mind, I think that sometimes too we can second guess ourselves because of what we think capacity wise or timing wise. But what I've learned is just to trust the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and from there the grace that he gives you for the pace that you call to will all be aligned. And so I just I obeyed. And so from there we're rocking and rolling, locked in, working through logistics, having meetings, preparing. It's going to be an amazing event in Mississippi that people and women should either drive to come to or show up for in some way. And it all became out of your obedience from what the Lord is speaking to you on the plane back from Italy. And so I think it's just so neat how God orders our steps and he goes before us, and so I think it's just so neat how God orders our steps and he goes before us, and so it's a beautiful thing.

Speaker 1: 21:18

Well, he's speaking. That's the thing that, like, I'm hearing you say. You know, I've just learned to listen to that still small voice and I love I just need to unpack a little bit of what you just said and I've got all this and I'm like, oh Lord, and in the space of abundance sometimes when we talk about living abundantly. Jesus, you know John 10, 10, that God calls us to it life, life to the full and abundant life.

Speaker 1: 21:43

Some people just assume that's money, it's material things, it's like no, no, no, no, no. Like, if you think about the children of Israel. And they had enough. God gave them food every day, manna every day. How much did he give them?

Speaker 2: 21:56

Just enough for the day.

Speaker 1: 21:57

Just enough Enough, but did they have enough? Yes, they did, they did, they had enough every single day. And on that sixth day. They got for the next day and they had more than enough. Yeah Right, and so in God's economy, even in our time economy, there's more than enough for sure increases our capacity to do things when we're aligned with what we're aligned us to do yes thank you for that.

Speaker 1: 22:21

Yes, yes, yes. Oh, I just want to like reach out and touch your finger. We're gonna get in trouble for him, daniel, if we do, yeah um, but all that to say that text that you sent back to that was beyond confirmation, because I sat on this plane ride home and I can't express this enough but I literally wept, I wept and I wept.

Speaker 1: 22:46

The presence of God was so beautiful and so thick and I know I look like a crazy woman, I didn't care, I just went with it. I'm like whatever, and I mean it's so much, came to me on that plane ride and it was a 10 hour flight, 11 hour flight. I didn't even. I just like kept it to myself. We got up and stood, we were in Charlotte, north Carolina, and Randy's kind of standing the way we exited he was over, like I couldn't just so. Finally. I was like over, like I couldn't just so finally. I was like I'm hosting an event, like on the plane, like I'm hosting an event in Jackson Mississippi area.

Speaker 1: 23:24

He said okay just like right, he's like your husband, he's like all right, god's called you to it but let's go right he's a little confused, just like what right but I knew I had to get it. I had to hold myself accountable in that moment on there, but I was so much fear was coming up for me Sure. And I'm like that wasn't on my agenda and there's all this agenda is pretty full.

Speaker 2: 23:47

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 23:48

But I knew that, I knew that, I knew that, I knew that, I knew. And you saying I'm here, I can be your logistics coordinator because we hopped on a phone call. I'm like, oh god, you're so sweet yeah, that was so sweet. You have no idea what that did for me right in the um space of God.

Speaker 2: 24:04

Confirming it again yeah, yeah, thank you, you're welcome, I'm excited.

Speaker 1: 24:09

I'm excited, I'm excited, it's gonna be good so Joy and I are working on logistics right now.

Speaker 2: 24:13

Yes, we are this thing's going to be fire, it is. It's going to be fun Energetic dynamic. It's going to be life changing.

Speaker 2: 24:20

Life changing For women who come in the room, yeah, who really want to be the very best versions of themselves, to live life on purpose, to live life with intention. The dash in between beginning and died, like that dash is the most powerful piece of our lives. What do we do with that dash? I think learning what God has called us to do in the season of in-between of I'm here and then I'm gone, because we don't know when that time comes. Not to be morbid, but we don't know. If God's called you to be 96 and you're 76, you've got a lot of years left. But if God's called you to be 36 and you're 30, your time is coming to an end. We don't know what that looks like. And so, the living life with intention, I think this conference, this summit, this women's gathering, is going to be intentional, about connections, that you're going to meet people from different places doing different things, and really I mean the spread of speakers like come on, come on, it's going to be so good, it's going to be so good.

Speaker 1: 25:10

So I'm excited too. Okay, so, joy, how can people connect with you?

Speaker 2: 25:16

Yeah, so Instagram is at the Joy Bradford, facebook is Joy Bradford, but my website is just joybradfordcom. Just remember Joy Bradford, joy Bradford. And I always say Brad, like the name, ford, like the truck, and you got it. And you got the joy, joy, joy.

Speaker 1: 25:32

You got it, so got it. You'll find me that way the joy. Bradford and you and your husband pastor a church. Which church is this?

Speaker 2: 25:40

it is New Vision Fellowship. It's in Brandon Mississippi, and so we pastor there have a 1030 Sunday morning service, so yeah, y'all would love to have anybody pop in, we would come on, come through, pull up, as the young folks say. The young folks say pull up, pull up on us.

Speaker 1: 26:00

Yes I don't know what the young folks say, listen I have to try to stay young.

Speaker 2: 26:04

It's a struggle out here. I'm like what's, what's good now? Are we still saying cap? Are we still saying lit, no cap, yeah, I don't know what is no cap.

Speaker 1: 26:12

Okay, now y'all have to tell me what is no cap?

Speaker 2: 26:15

Yeah Like, if I say no cap, it's like all truth. Get with it.

Speaker 1: 26:22

I'm always daylight dollar short, okay, okay, you guys, thank you for Tuning in. Today. The woman, a faith fueled woman's Secret weapon here is Community, is intentionality, is purposeful living, purposeful living. And when you connect, when you are open, when you are looking and you are open to connect and you put yourself out there a little bit. I had to put myself out there a little bit to tell her how beautiful her lips are and what color lipstick was that? I didn't know if she was going to look at me like girl. What has wrong with you?

Speaker 1: 27:00

I didn't know right, you didn't know yeah, but she was like oh girl, it's such and such color here you go and now look, just you know from that one interaction god has has us together, we're partnering together. She is helping me so much with this summit, pulling together the logistics and thinking things through. It's been fun, it's been wonderful, very refreshing. She's like my sister, my little sister now, and I can't wait for this baby to be born.

Speaker 2: 27:31

Auntie Amy.

Speaker 1: 27:33

Auntie Amy is going Wazer. So thank you so much. All right, you guys, we will be back next week and just appreciate you for listening. Thank you, please share. If you've enjoyed this, please share. Tag me and Joy. We will repurpose, we will repost you Absolutely. Grab your ticket. You can go to the worthy woman summitcom I'll say that again.

Speaker 1: 28:02

Worthy woman summitcom. I'll post this in the show notes. If you're watching this on facebook, we'll throw it in our um, in our captions and down in the comments as well. But we would love to. What is your greatest takeaway from this? We would love to hear, like, what action are you taking besides grabbing your ticket to the summit that part but truly like, what action will you take? Will you maybe get out of your comfort zone a little bit? Maybe strike up a conversation, build your network without it being transactional, just to be a good, human and to love on others as well.

Speaker 1: 28:33

So okay, my friend, you've only got this one life to live, you might as well maximize it. All right, friends, bye for now.