← Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
Confidence Classic: From Fifth Harmony to Finding Her Harmony with Ally Brooke
01:08:29
Loading summary
Transcript99 lines
- [00:00]
Ally Brooke
God, please take the wheel of my life because I can't do it on my own. And it was very hard to get out of bed and to sing the next day. But I sang that with all my might on that stage. And just like God does, even though I was very, very, very sad and low for the next few weeks, God reopened a door and that was to Latium Atlantic Records with Charles Chavez. And I ended up getting signed a few weeks later and it was extraordinary. And that's the theme of my book, is not giving up. Even in the face of adversity, even when you feel like it, when you don't want to move on, when all hope is completely lost and shattered, God will get you through. And man, he. He's changed my life. And faith changes everything. Just believing those are all the themes in my life that I want to share with so many people. I'm so thankful and beyond thankful.
- [00:56]
Heather Monahan
Come on this journey with me each week when you join me, we are going to chase down our goals, overcome adversity, and set you up for a better tomorrow.
- [01:06]
Ally Brooke
I'm ready for my closeup.
- [01:08]
Heather Monahan
Tell me, have you been enjoying these new bonus Confidence Classics episodes we've been dropping on you every week? We've literally hundreds of episodes for you to listen to. So these bonuses are a great way to help you find the ones you may have already missed. I hope you love this one as much as I do. I'm so glad you're here with me this week. Okay, so here is the weekly update and the takeaway that is really sticking with me. I wanted to share with you today so you may remember and if you don't remember, let me tell you a story. I launched my coaching program at the end of April for a May start. I believe it was June or July when when a gentleman sent me a DM on LinkedIn that said I thought it said something about mentoring. So I sent him a link to my program to sign up. He signed up, we began working together. Very successful man on the board of many companies, CFO of a company, owned some companies and come to find out as we began to know each other, he shared with me that the note he had sent me actually said that he wanted to mentor me. I read it quickly and just shot back the link to sign up for my program. What I thought was really cool about that was that he reminded me no matter where you are in your journey, you always have the opportunity to learn from someone else as well as teach someone else. So in one moment you can be the mentor in the other moment, you can be the mentee, and both are equally as valuable. And I really appreciated that lesson for a number of reasons, but one is that for a long time I thought, oh, I'm coming up. I'm climbing the corporate ladder. I should be mentored instead of realizing I was mentoring so many people along the way. So take a moment in your life and think of the moments where you're mentoring others, whether you've been realizing it or not, and the moments where you're learning from and being mentored by others. It happens to simultaneously all the time. However, many of us put ourselves in one category or the other, which is an epic fail. We're always learning from others as well as sharing our knowledge with others, which puts us on both sides of that fence. So that was a really cool lesson he taught me. Reminded me of when he signed on for my group, even though he had really wanted to coach and mentor me. Well, turns out he does end up coaching and mentoring me, and I'll share that part of the story with you. So during that month of working together on his goals, his priorities, which we made some major headway on, he ends up getting to know me pretty well. We're meeting a couple times a week, and he says, listen, I really like the expertise and experience you have around revenue generation, leading teams, developing teams, acquiring companies, etc. Etc. He said, would you ever consider being on a board? Now, for those of you that don't know, for probably a good three to five years in corporate America, I had pitched myself to be on the board of directors for the company I was the chief revenue officer for. Why? Because, number one, I warranted it. There was no diversity on the board. There was no one with revenue generation, innovation, digital experience, social experience. So I would really add this very strong flavor and unique perspective to the board that could help elevate the company as well. As I was a shareholder and I cared tremendously about the performance of our stock, so I had a vested interest. Take it back a few years. I sat on the board of City Year Miami, which is a nonprofit, for eight years. So I had prior board experience. I had tremendous experience, more than doubling the company's revenue that I worked for. So I had. Listen, I had the experience. I had the proven product. I had the reputation. All the boxes were checked, right? There wasn't a box that wasn't checked. However, every time I would pitch myself, I would be told, oh, great idea. Let's see about next year. Hey, hang on to that thought. Great thought. We'll consider it. Oh, hey, I'll bring it up in the next board meeting. And you hear what that is, right? That's basically blow off after blow off after blow off. Now, I take full responsibility for this. I allowed that to go on. I didn't say, hey, pump the brakes. You gave me a blow off twice. Now, it's been two years, and that's not acceptable. I want to know why specifically, I'm not getting the nod. Why am I not getting the board seat? And just so you know, in publicly traded companies, board seats come with equity. You receive equity in the company every quarter as well as your paid cash compensation every quarter. So it's a freaking great gig right now. Again, they're very sought after. But you have to own some space, special space. Well, most of the people on the board that I was the CRO of, the special space they owned was they grew up with the CEO. They were his age, in their 80s. They went to college with him. He trusted them. That was the space that they owned. The space I owned was revenue generation, innovation, doubling revenues. So I owned a space that wasn't being represented on the board. And that's why I felt so strongly about. I warranted and deserved a position. I waited years to get it. I never got it. Well, come to find out. Listen, we all know why I didn't. The woman that eventually fired me was a CEO's daughter, and she was roadblocking me from that opportunity from day one. I started pitching myself. So if you're being blocked from something, instead of, you know, continuing to beat your head against a wall, pick your head up and say, am I being roadblocked somewhere? Who do I need to ask to find out what's really going on so that. That way you don't waste your time any longer. Did I warrant a board seat? Absolutely. Was I pitching myself for the wrong one? Yes, I was. Okay, fast forward to now. So I meet this man. He comes into my mentoring program. We develop a rapport. He sees value in me. Ask if I would consider being nominated to the board of one of the companies he's in the C suite on. Of course, I said yes, as this was a bigger picture goal of mine. So all of this is going on, and I'm. I'm pretty excited. I had to go through a number of interviews in person, on zoom, with the existing board, with the founder, with him. You know, it was very intense. There's tremendous amounts of paperwork to fill out, which is crazy. That, oh, my gosh, took a lot of time. However, we got it all done. Anyhow, my first board meeting was this week and I was talking to one of my girlfriends who's known me for a long time, and she said, this was the day before the meeting. She said, oh my gosh, are you nervous? Your first board meeting is this week. I said, no, I'm not nervous at all. And she said, tell me why and I want to share this with you. So for me, coming up in corporate America, I made it to the C suite. When I was younger, people would say, oh my gosh. You know, when you get to that level, it's going to be so much harder. It's so intimidating. Here's what I learned and I want to share with you. And don't forget this. It is so much harder being an up and coming account executive than it is being a chief revenue officer of a company. And let me tell you why. When you're a chief revenue Officer, you have 20 years experience, you have a name that is owned, people know you, you've got a huge network, you're making a lot of money. So if you need a babysitter, it's a phone call away. You know, things are much more simple because of the means that you've created, because of the network you've created, because of the funds that you have, the resources you have, the fact that the company supplies you assistance, they have teams to support you. The higher you get up in different companies, the more support, more revenue, more income you have now, the more responsibility you have. But so what? You have a hundred times the resources and support you need. I take it back to being a new account executive. You don't know where you're going, you don't know what you're doing, you don't know the roadmap, you don't know the people, you don't have an established name, you're busting your butt and you're not making a lot of money. That is so much harder. So I constantly remind myself of that. Now, as an entrepreneur with three years in, I'm still a rookie. I haven't branded my name. After 20 years of experience in an industry I don't have the entire network built out, developed in on speed dial, you know, I'm still climbing that mountain. And I want you to remember this, that people will try to intimidate you because maybe they've pulled the curtain back and they're back there and they don't want anyone else coming for their spot. But let me tell you, go for the spot, go bigger. Because the higher up you get, the easier it is. My experience with the board, when I go back to that position in the C suite in corporate America, I would be the one preparing the reports for the board meeting. I was the one actually executing operations and delivering the strategies and concepts and ideas and implementing and executing and taking responsibility for the end result. I'd prepare these reports, I'd hand them over to the board. Walking into this meeting, they'd go in, and essentially what they do is they Monday morning quarterback you. They talk about what's going well, what's not going well, what they'd like to see, and that's their feedback, and they move on with their life. They walk out of that room, they go back to whatever job that is their real job, and they'll see you next quarter. Once a quarter, they come in. So I knew for me, because I had played the support role, the execution role, the person who's actually making it happen role, I knew I could go in and Monday morning quarterback after anyone, right? Because people have been doing it to me for years. It's much harder to be the one in the building executing. And if anyone tells you differently, they haven't been on both sides. I've been on both sides, and I know the person that's actually running the show, executing the strategies, dealing with the challenges, driving the revenue, implementing the plan and dealing with it either working or not, and having to rebound or bounce or change or find solutions. That person's got a tougher job than the board member that comes in once a quarter to evaluate and comment on that performance. So with that being said, I had also been on the nonprofit for eight years, and I'd had some experience being that, you know, once a quarter person that would come in and give feedback and ideas and then reconvene a quarter later. So I was set for this meeting. I was not nervous. I was excited for it. However, what it reminded me of. I've never been a part of a tech company before, so anytime you change industries, you're going to have a unique perspective. But the people that are in that industry are going to have a very different perspective than you will. So one of the things I learned is that in technology development, product development really is a star of the show. I come from a more traditional business where product development wasn't as exciting. You know, we really showcase revenue and driving revenue. So there's nuances you'll learn, but there's also value that you're going to add just because you see things through a different lens and you have the opportunity to learn from other people what works in that industry. Right. So it's a two way street, which was super exciting for me to see. But I was able to, you know, my focus is revenue, My focus is marketing. My focus is sales and sales development. And that's the lens of which I see everything through which what was so great about this is the other people on the board have very different, unique specialties. One person's legal, one person's primarily developing, one person's innovation and technology. One person is finance. So everyone owned their very unique white space. And when you bring all of those different perspectives together, you get a really holistic plan that has the potential to do incredibly well. So I was really happy to be a part of it. I wasn't nervous for it. It didn't shock me other than it just reminded me every company runs its own way. Every company has things that go really well and things that might not go so well. Every company has an opportunity to get better. But companies only get better when they tap people with different perspectives, different experiences, different and different prisms of which they see things through. That's how you start finding ways to grow and get better. And that's why I'm so excited to finally be on the board of a publicly traded company. Something that I had strived for for years and now something that I reflect on. I was knocking on the wrong door, the wrong company that was never going to elevate me to that position, appoint me to that position. That was never going to happen. In fact, the tides had already turned and I was the plan to get me out of there and get me fired. We're already in motion, so grateful for this opportunity. And I want you to remember, just go bigger. Go to that next level and don't be afraid. I promise you, if anything, you'll have more resources, more support, more money, which takes care of a lot of problems and makes that job a lot easier on you. So don't let you be the one to hold you back. Hold tight. We are going to be right back. And I can't wait for you to meet my next guest.
- [14:09]
Charles Chavez
Meet a different guest each week. And welcome back. I'm so excited to introduce you to a pop superstar. She's an actress, a songwriter, and now she's an author. Ally.
- [14:24]
Heather Monahan
Brooke.
- [14:25]
Charles Chavez
I'm so excited you're here with me today.
- [14:27]
Ally Brooke
Hi. Thank you so much. I am so excited. I know we're gonna have a really fun conversation, so thank you for having me.
- [14:35]
Charles Chavez
Okay, so I have to tell you, I Read your book in one day and I am not. Isn't that crazy? I'm not a big reader, so I wanted to tell you that you either are a very good writer or you had a great editor. I mean, I don't know what the deal is, but for me, I get really taken by story. And so you did a great job pulling the reader into the story. So much so that you're like, all right, I can't get off right now. I've got to hang in here and hear what happens next.
- [15:07]
Ally Brooke
Wow, thank you so much. That's like. That means the world to me. Because my story is everything to me. You know, it's not just about me, but it's about my family. It's about the people who changed my life, who paved the way. It's about my faith and how that's changed me. Thank you. That's crazy. That's really, really incredible. Thank you so much. Well, I'm so happy that I did a good job with the writing, picking out all the right stories. Thank you so much. That means everything.
- [15:40]
Charles Chavez
So when you were writing, was it one of those things? When I wrote my book, I was thinking, what am I doing? Do I even know how to write? Like, should I even be doing this? Did you doubt yourself in that same regard? Or were you able to leverage your success as a singer to say, okay, I know this will work?
- [15:55]
Ally Brooke
Well, I'm naturally a writer, so I know kind of what I want it to sound like and kind of the style. But at first, for sure, I was really kind of. I think the hardest thing for me was figuring out what to choose to write. Cause I have so many stories, so much that I've lived through. And narrowing down that was really challenging. It could have easily been like the three part book, 800 page book. But narrowing all that down was so important and took a lot of time. But I did note right away, kind of like what I wanted it to sound like, the style, etc. But the hardest part was choosing the stories, you know, because there's just so much that I've lived and I've seen and so much, so many stories that I have. But yeah, once I kind of came to the conclusion of what I wanted, with the help, of course, with like my parents and my or publishing company, then it was a lot easier having that, you know, those other eyes too.
- [16:57]
Charles Chavez
It's funny to hear you say you had so much to choose from because you're only 27 years old. And that is crazy to me because at 27 I was never thinking, oh.
- [17:07]
Heather Monahan
I should be writing a book.
- [17:08]
Charles Chavez
A lot of people think, oh, I have a book inside me that I'd like to tell one day. And they never do it. So what was that catalyst for you?
- [17:16]
Ally Brooke
What?
- [17:16]
Charles Chavez
You know, was it someone reaching out to you, just saying, hey, you need to do a book, or did you just finally say, I need to put this in writing?
- [17:22]
Ally Brooke
Well, I knew that I wanted to one day write a book. I knew that I had so many stories in me again and wanting to share that with the world. You know, everything from me being a premature baby, defying the odds to me chasing a dream and obviously reaching success, to, you know, my family, how that shaped me, my identity, my culture, all of those things, and of course, my faith. So I knew one day I wanted to put it to paper, but I had my team around me to really encourage me and to say, hey, you know, I think now's the time. And I was like, wow, okay, if you guys, you know, believe that, then let's do it. And also my parents, too, as you see, they're such a. I mean, they're the biggest part of my life and such guiding lights for me. And I get so much advice from them. Even now, I'm always going to need my parents advice, Mom's advice. As you see, she's brought me to where I am today. Both of them seeing how much I lived. Gosh, I mean, in this entertainment industry, you just grow up so quickly, you see so much. And that is all what helped me to decide that now was the perfect time. And it ended up being the best time, more than I could have even imagined, you know, because right now, a lot of people need that hope and that joy and that love.
- [18:40]
Charles Chavez
Yeah, the timing was definitely perfect. And you talk about your family throughout the entire book and what an amazing cornerstone they were for sense of confidence, security, and believing in you. However, there were times earlier on when you were pretty young, still relatively young, 17, 18, you were off even a little before on your own, and you didn't have necessarily the best, most supportive people around you. And that was a really challenging time for you.
- [19:08]
Ally Brooke
Yes, that was so hard. Obviously you read the book and you saw just how close my parents were. They were basically my managers, my guiding light. Never crazy parent managers, but always parents who looked out for their child and wanted what was best and also had a lot of wisdom. So when X Factor came along, I had to go by myself to the next round. After I made it to the audition boot camp, you know, I was 19 years old. And that was the first time that I was doing something so big, you know, and something for my career without my parents. And again, doing everything with them. Them guiding me, being right there, being that source of comfort was everything. And just to go without them was so, so hard. I had to go by myself because on the show, when you're a legal adult, you cannot have anybody around, no parents. So that was such a pivotal moment in my life to really transition from a girl to a woman to a real adult. And in that moment, man, so many things changed. And boot camp, you know, I really relied on my faith and praying throughout the process and my own instincts and wisdom on how to make the right choices on my auditions and stuff in that time. And obviously calling my parents every second I could feeling their love from thousands of miles away. You know, they were in San Antonio, the bootcamp was in Miami. And then eventually when I made it, you know, into fifth harmony, and then we made to live shows, that was very, very hard because, you know, I was met with the harsh reality of the entertainment business is not always kind. And everyone else had their parents because they were not adults yet. And I was by myself. I had a fend for myself. I was met with a lot of opposition and a lot of people being kind of rude. You know, when I tried to speak up for, you know, something as well, it was very significant having more vocal parts. Again, nothing crazy. I'm not saying give me the whole.
- [21:18]
Charles Chavez
Song, but you had one line in your first big song.
- [21:22]
Heather Monahan
You only had one line.
- [21:24]
Ally Brooke
Yes. And you can imagine how humiliating that was because on X Factor, that was kind of the theme. You know, I wasn't getting a lot of singing parts. I felt like, man, I'm, you know, I had all this training. There's so much I did with my parents. I know I can sing. And I knew that everyone else, too, all the other girls who didn't really get the time to sing, they could do it too. But feeling all of that and having your chance at success and being part of something amazing was really hard. On X Factor, being stripped right away of my identity, of my voice, both figuratively and literally, you know, was very hard. And I hoped after X Factor, when we'd have our first single, things would change. But I was met again with a really heartbreaking reality of, oh, you just get one line on the song, your very first single, and you can imagine how hard that was and dealing with, you know, my family's emotions and then also dealing with the public thinking, you know, online Our fans singing, like, oh, Allie, you know, she's just not very valued, you know, and, like, kind of having that narrative on me was really hard, as you can imagine. It broke my heart.
- [22:40]
Charles Chavez
And it definitely rang true during the book that that window of time was.
- [22:45]
Heather Monahan
A dark time for you, where you.
- [22:46]
Charles Chavez
Were losing your voice, figuratively, that you weren't. And you know what's interesting to me, Ali, is that I've never been in the music career.
- [22:53]
Heather Monahan
I was in the radio business, but I was on the business side of.
- [22:56]
Charles Chavez
It in corporate America. It's very similar to what you went through in that coming up. Until you make it right, until your Beyonce or someone you know so well recognized, it's easier then to say, excuse me, the song is gonna go like this. But when you're not a proven commodity yet, you feel that sense of, if I raise my hand, they're gonna say, I'm difficult. No one will wanna work with me. If I don't raise my hand, I'm not gonna sound the way I have the potential to. What's the right answer? And it's very hard to figure that out.
- [23:27]
Ally Brooke
Wow, it's so true. You nailed it perfectly for people who are not in the entertainment business. You said it. And people who all around this could apply to them is that feeling of losing your power, your control, losing who you are in your career or in your path. It's so hard because it's finding that balance. And, you know, in our situation, we were controlled by the label and managers and a whole team around, and there are so many opinions you do feel that you don't have.
- [24:00]
Charles Chavez
I'm a voice.
- [24:00]
Ally Brooke
And in my case, many times when I did try to speak up for little things like, oh, can I have my hair a certain way or makeup or can I wear this outfit? No, you can't. You know, this is not for you. This is for this person. And, you know, you gotta just stay where you are. And being met with talk that was very demeaning. You know, even kindly asking like, hey, can I have a little bit more, you know, singing parts? What can I do again? Being so young and trying to be a better part of something, you know, being better represented, being met with people saying stuff like, you should just be grateful that you're here and talk like that. It makes you feel so small and humiliated and you question yourself and you start to feel guilty. And you also have a complex of, every time I speak up, it's being met with, you know, harshness or with a big no, there was no Sense of understanding on the other side, like, hey, listen, understand you're feeling this way. Just ride it out. It was very much the opposite.
- [25:00]
Charles Chavez
During that time, you share that you gained some weight, which, let me tell you, anytime I go through really bad, I'm right there with you. For me, it's the food or the drink. Like, let's find a way to get through this. And that helps for difficult times. Never helps in the big picture, but you think in the moment it's helping and then actually makes things worse. But did those decisions during that time when things were going really bad, were those some of the catalysts that helped you say, wait a minute, I can't keep going like this.
- [25:28]
Heather Monahan
This isn't helpful to me.
- [25:30]
Charles Chavez
That scene, you went back to the hotel room and shut the door and turned your phone off and started drinking after. This was after. I think you'd already gained some weight. You were getting haters coming out, and you were just hitting your wit's end.
- [25:43]
Ally Brooke
That was so hard. So there was a moment where I was overwhelmed. There was so much that was happening at that time. And we were at the height of our career. You know, we were already at the top. We had not one, but two smashes, and we were coming soaring off of work from home. And you would think that, man, her life is perfect. She is just on cloud nine. She's untouchable. I can't imagine how she feels. Is actually, in some ways, yes, but most ways, it was so just being in that position of. At that point, as you read, there was so much that was happening, you know, everything from people being mean to me online, making fun of me, my body, making fun of my dancing, you know, not being validated in the group, losing my identity. Executives are being inappropriate with me. When I was trying to ask them for help, things were going on behind the scenes in the group that was very, very. No one could deal with that type of stress and toxic environment. And all these things add up. And I was just trying to seek help. I had a really dark moment of going into my hotel room and just drinking myself away because I wanted to escape reality. It was a very dark place. It wasn't, you know, I mean, I'm stressed. Let me have a few drinks, I mean, that's fine. But drinking because you want to numb everything and you want to not feel, and you just think these horrible, dark thoughts. And I never thought that before. I never turned to anything else for comfort besides, you know, my family or my faith or, you know, food. But this was a very Dark moment for me. So out of character. And I just had enough of all the pressure and the things that were going on. I just wanted to not be there in that moment. And I just remember feeling this overwhelming feeling and just all this darkness and pain and anger. And in that moment, crazily enough, one of our managers will. He was our tour manager at the time who I became super close with. He became like a confidant, someone who I could trust and someone who had similar, you know, faith as me and views and stuff. He happened to, you know, gut feeling.
- [28:04]
Charles Chavez
He knew.
- [28:04]
Ally Brooke
Allie's not answering her phone. Allie's not responding. This is not like her. He got a key to my room. He came in and he saw me. I was just completely out of it. And I was in one of my darkest moments I've ever been in my life. And he was there to rescue me in a way and to speak life into me and truth into me and encouragement and say, allie, why are you doing this? And he was there to be a friend to me and to pick me up and to speak faith into me. Saying stuff like, allie, I know things are hard, things are not fair, but God is going to get you through. And I promise. Just hang on, you know, I know it's hard, but you. You can do it. And I'm here for you and we're. I'm praying for you. In that moment, I. Awful as I felt in this dark place, it was nice to know that I had someone to talk to, you know, and I wasn't. I wasn't all there, you know, I was very inebriated, in a fog, and it was really embarrassing because I threw up and it was just awful. It was really, really, really bad. But in that, I remember just in a way, feeling lighter and having a mustard seed of faith and saying, you know, God, I'm angry, I'm unhappy and frustrated. I don't feel it's dark right now, Lord, but I'm going to choose to trust you, you know, and try to live each day as best as I can. And thank God I didn't have another moment like that. And eventually took a long time, but eventually things got better. And that's why I chose to share that story, is for all those people who feel, especially now that their lives are not going to get better, that hope is lost. Take it from someone who felt the same way is that there is hope and you can get through to the other side and you can thrive and you can really get back to a place where you're happy. And you're fulfilled. And it may take some time. It took me years, but I held on. And knowing that you can hold on, that's my prayer is through this book is that people can know that there is light and there is hope out there. So I hope that through those stories, someone who felt like me can choose to not give up.
- [30:27]
Charles Chavez
Meet a different guest each week.
- [30:33]
Unknown
I live in Florida and I've always struggled to find intimates that are breathable and lightweight. I recently tried the Skims Fits and Everybody collection and I found my new favorite bras and underwear. These pieces mold to my body. I even forget I'm wearing them throughout the day. I've never tried anything that can actually beat the heat or humidity in Miami. Everyone deserves this level of comfort. I guess I'm the last person to try skims. It's an underwear line that's game changing. I'll never go back. In the past, I've always struggled with bralettes digging into my sides and causing awkward bulges or leaving marks at the end of the day. The Fits Everybody triangle bralette fabric is amazing. It stretches to twice its size, so it provides the best support and lift without any discomfort. I don't know what kind of magic they put into this fabric, but it's like nothing I've ever felt. I've been reaching for it every day. It's that good shop Skims Fits Everybody collection@skims.com and in skim stores available in sizes XXS to 4X. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you select podcast in the survey and be sure to select our show in the drop down menu that follows.
- [31:43]
Charles Chavez
Confidence Clear.
- [31:44]
Heather Monahan
I asked you to try to find your passion.
- [31:48]
Charles Chavez
You know, finding your harmony really is about hope and you're even though you're so young. And I want people to know this because a lot of people say, what's a 27 year old gonna be able to teach me? But there's two things that I want people to know.
- [32:03]
Heather Monahan
It's really important.
- [32:03]
Charles Chavez
One is that you know you've reached super stardom and everyone wants to take a step back from that and say, oh, she's pretty, she's a great voice. Oh, because of this? Oh, she has great parents. No, because once you go through the book and see that EKG of highs and lows and about to give up and then doesn't give up, it is unbelievable. I mean, literally starting from the time you're a little kid, whether it be from your career or from your family death in your family, illness in your family, car accident, you still don't even have a license from the result of the car accident you went through.
- [32:36]
Ally Brooke
And that's what I want people to see, you know, taking off that layers of, you know, oh, singer or dance could say, starts off with harmony. You know, it's like, no, the human part of me. And in our pain, we're all connected and we all have a story. And you may not be a singer or you may be a singer, but you can. You know, I hope that through my book, you can learn so much, you know, from my, I guess, short life so far. I've lived a lot, seen a lot, like I keep saying, and I share lessons from my heart. Because at the end of the day, guess what? We're all human and we all experience pain. And I've experienced a lot of that and a lot of joy, too. And you get so many fun stories and just awesome moments that you see as well. But that is so important to share that. Yes, like you said, you know, everything from a car accident to illness in the family, to death, to rejection, to heartbreak, to identity issues, body issues, it's all here. And I really, genuinely hope that I can help someone out there by sharing my story.
- [33:40]
Charles Chavez
Oh, you already have. I really like the part about when fifth harmony breaks up. First it goes to four, and then you guys split up and go your own way after six years, which that's. I mean, that's a huge deal. It's essentially like restarting over as a rookie all over again. Cause now you're on your own. And seeing these other girls get picked up by labels and that pressure that you had on you as the more senior, the older out of the whole group, why hasn't Allie been picked up?
- [34:06]
Heather Monahan
Hearing you tell that story of the.
- [34:08]
Charles Chavez
Nos and not knowing if it was over, that was so hard to read. Thinking about what you were going through.
- [34:15]
Ally Brooke
You kind of see that theme in the book and in my story is those almost happening, the threat of, oh, this almost happened, or, oh, man, this door, constant door shut in my face. And for someone who's so young and for anybody who's. Who's lived what I lived could really take a toll on you and your confidence and your faith. My faith was tested so many times. And at this point, you know, seeing that pressure of the fans being like, ali, where's your label? Where's your music? And me internally and privately freaking out, and I had rejections from four different labels that I saw, which was so devastating, you know, and in that moment, you know, Will now went from Fifth Harmony tour manager to part of my management, which is awesome. And he was there to deliver that news. I knew something was wrong. I was on my way to a private event in Bentonville. Bentonville, I think that's how you say it, Arkansas. And you know, I was like, hey, what's wrong? I could tell something's wrong and he wouldn't tell me. He's like, no, no, no, I'm fine. Then finally I'm like, hey, I know something's wrong. Please tell me I can take it. And he's like, allie, I'm so sorry, but the label's all passed. I'll never forget just crumbling on the floor in my hotel room crying and just feeling all hope is lost. The shock of, oh my gosh, like not even one out of four of the labels said yes. And my other co manager at the time was so sure that all of them would say yes, there'd be a bidding war. And I, you know, went off of his confidence as far as being excited, you know, and I again, 12 year old, never got a record label meeting to now I got my first record label meeting, therefore, you know, blah, blah, blah. And they all said no. And you have to think too, the other, you know, girls, they have their own label homes, which is awesome. But meant for me, I can't go to those labels and there's only a handful of labels that you can go to. So, you know, this to me in that moment felt like, oh my gosh, there may be no more doors. I don't know what I'm going to do. Feeling that anger and that panic and that agony of God, what is happening? What are you doing? This is always happening to me. But now I really don't know what I'm going to do. Am I ever going to be able to make music again? You know, all this work that my parents and I have done since I was 12 years old, all the sacrifices and hard work and staying the narrow path, trying to do things the right way and stay in your path while doing it. And this is what happens is so devastating. And I just, I'll never forget that agony and feeling so alone. And that pain just overwhelmed me. I was angry. I was angry at God and crying. But I happened to be singing one song in particular called Jesus Take the Wheel the next day at this event and I remember just crying the entire night. There was a thunderstorm. I hate thunderstorms. And I think I fell asleep in the bathtub because that's where I like to hide when there are thunderstorms. Just cried my eyes out. But I listened to Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood so many times on repeat. And I literally just surrendered and said, God, please take the wheel of my life, because I can't do it on my own. And I just surrendered to you. I need help. I need help. And it was very hard to get out of bed and to sing the next day. But I sang that with all my might on that stage. And just like God does, even though I was very, very, very sad and low for the next few weeks, God reopened a door. And that was to Latium Atlantic Records with Charles Chavez. And I ended up getting signed a few weeks later. And it was extraordinary. And that's the theme of my book, is not giving up. Even in the face of adversity, even when you feel like it, when you don't want to move on, when you. When all hope is completely lost and shattered. God will get you through. And, man, he's changed my life. And faith changes everything. And just believing. Those are all the themes in my life that I want to share with so many people. I'm so thankful and beyond thankful.
- [38:45]
Charles Chavez
I like how you would end those chapters where it really seemed at the lowest moment, you'd say, and as I was going through this, I had no idea what was about to happen next. And that gives you that epiphany moment that anyone can be in any situation. And if we don't know, if we stay on that path, what could happen next? But if we give up, we're foregoing.
- [39:06]
Heather Monahan
What could happen next.
- [39:08]
Ally Brooke
Exactly. And that's the theme again. You don't have to be in the entertainment business. You can be in college, in school, in the job you're in now. You just don't know what's going to happen. And sometimes it's in the waiting that you learn the most lessons and you become the strongest. And sometimes we just have to wait it out, you know, even in our. In our pain and our sadness and our brokenness. But there's something beautiful waiting on the other side. It could be your answered prayer, or it could be an answer to a prayer you didn't even ask for. But it ends up completely changing your life. It's amazing. We just. We just gotta hold on.
- [39:52]
Charles Chavez
I'm proud of you for going on.
- [39:54]
Heather Monahan
Dancing with the Stars.
- [39:55]
Charles Chavez
Cause I know you had received some negativity dancing back in fifth harmony. And the haters were really hitting you hard when you had those low moments. But then when I saw you had passed a couple of times. And then this time, this final time, you said, you know what? I'm gonna go for it.
- [40:10]
Heather Monahan
And I was so proud of you.
- [40:11]
Charles Chavez
For going for it. But that had to be incredibly scary for you.
- [40:17]
Ally Brooke
Yes, it was. Oh, my gosh. For those who don't know, in Fifth Harmony, you know, the fans, they. A lot of people made fun of me online and said I was the weakest dancer and I couldn't dance. This went on for years. So I had a complex about myself, was super insecure, and there was even videos that were made that went viral for the wrong reasons. Obviously, it's a very sensitive subject, dancing. So when Dancing to the Stars comes, obviously, I'm flattered. I'm a huge fan of the show, but I'm super scared. So I passed the first time. And also, the first time was not the right timing because I was just starting off my solo career. I needed music and all these other things they ask another time a year later, and thank God they did. And again, I was like, my team, they were like, allie, we really think this is awesome for you. Could be amazing. And I'm like, no, guys, you already know my answer.
- [41:11]
Charles Chavez
Nope.
- [41:11]
Ally Brooke
And I said that because the root of it all was I was terrified of going on the show and embarrassing myself and confirming my worst nightmare, which was I couldn't dance. Failing in front of millions of people, you know, being literally judged on my dancing by judges. But at the same time, I secretly did want to do it, because Dancing with the Stars, again, huge fan win with Harmony was on it. It was so magical. Oh, my gosh. And this is what really helped me was talking to my friends and also talking to my mom. And you see all this unfold in the book, and my mom's like, mama, I really think for the first time, you should do it. You know, we're fans of it. We've been watching it since you were little, and then it could be an awesome challenge for you. But most importantly, it could really help you with your confidence, Mama. And give you a beautiful experience I never had. And I was like, oh, man. Of my mom saying yes.
- [42:11]
Heather Monahan
What?
- [42:13]
Ally Brooke
Man, that means something. Because she's usually right. And the first time around, she's like, I don't know if it's the right timing, but this time, I was like, dang, I have to listen. And also, several other people in my life were saying the same thing. So I prayed, and with faith, I said yes. And I was super nervous of what the heck lied ahead. I was scared, like, Please, dear God, don't let me embarrass myself. But it ended up being one of the most special, amazing experiences I've ever had. I learned so much. You'll again see it all in detail in the book. But I say in the book that I entered a little cub, and I left the competition like this fierce lion, and it was so incredible. I loved my partner, Sasha. I loved all the contestants. We really did become a family. I made it to the finale, third place, and that's what I want to show so many people, especially kids, is that, hey, don't be afraid. Go for it. Even if you are afraid. Choosing to not listen to the negativity or the haters and to go for it. An amazing experience could be on the other side or greater lessons. So that's hopefully the encouragement that people can see. You know what? If I didn't say yes, my life might have not been the same to where it is today.
- [43:35]
Charles Chavez
Meet a different guest each week. Confidence clear. Confidence clear.
- [43:43]
Heather Monahan
I asked you to try to find your passion.
- [43:46]
Charles Chavez
Well, your confidence certainly wouldn't have been. And I'm a firm believer that stepping into that big fear, stepping into that, you know, big scary moment really is what helps you to create the confidence. Your mom was so right. But, you know, it's so interesting. You were talking about, and I'm hearing you talk now about asking this person for advice, this person for advice. But I also know that now at this point, and one of those things, obviously, is a result of you starting a professional clinic at such a young age. You had to ask outside of you all the time. Right. You couldn't make those decisions at 12, 16, 18.
- [44:18]
Heather Monahan
No one could.
- [44:18]
Charles Chavez
But now, as an adult and you stepping into your solo career, you began to ask yourself.
- [44:25]
Ally Brooke
Absolutely. And I love that you bring that up because, yes, at such a young age, I relied solely on my parents, did not make a decision without them. And now, after so long, getting so much experience under my belt, having a personal transformation, growing so much, I'm now at a place where I am making my own decisions. Of course, if I'm stuck or, you know, I'll ask people. But at the end of the day, I know who I am. I know my brand. I know what's in my heart, and I'm confident enough to now say, hey, I'd love to do this, or, nah, that's not right for me, or, hey, I'm gonna change this, or, hey, let's explore that. It's so awesome, because I know a lot of people out there probably struggle with finding their own voice and finding their own confidence. And again, for me, having that complex of being in fifth harmony and a lot of people being so mean to me and negative to me, you know, in our business and trying to just take away my voice, take away my light, I work through that with the help of my faith, my parents, my new team around me, therapy. All these things help me to stand tall today and to say, hey, I know my voice. I know who I am. I've got my confidence, and I know someone out there is struggling the way I did and is, you know, maybe super codependent on someone or people's opinions. It's possible to get to a place where you hone in on your voice and what you want and you become your own boss. And there's something so liberating that happens there. And it's a lot of work, guys. It's a lot of work on yourself. A lot of tests that need to happen, a lot of growing, but it's possible. And I just want to encourage someone out there to follow your own voice and to work on it and to believe in yourself.
- [46:17]
Charles Chavez
It's so worthwhile.
- [46:18]
Heather Monahan
When you look back on all these.
- [46:20]
Charles Chavez
Different times now, what's the one that you'll point to and say because you have so many. Whether it be deciding to go out on your own and really starting your own solo career, or taking that fear and jumping into the dancing situation, going on dancing the stars or bearing everything and writing the book moment that you look at that you're like, this is.
- [46:40]
Heather Monahan
When I knew I'm my most confident from now on.
- [46:42]
Ally Brooke
I think up until recently, the moment that the beginning of this year, starting my own solo tour, that was a moment. Every single thing that had occurred in my life led up to this one moment of having my own show of showing people in the world who I was on the stage as an artist on my. For the very first time, I'm calling the shots, you know, obviously collaborating with my team and my choreographer and my dancers. But at the end of the day, being my own boss, it's like, whoa. As you see, you know, people who get my story and read my book, you'll see why that moment was so significant for me, and it was so powerful in pushing myself to the limits. There are so many obstacles that happened just to get my tour to become ready, too. That you'll see. But fighting through all that and just like, just being that fighter and owning who I am was so wonderful. And then through this book, writing this book, bearing it all and not being afraid to be vulnerable for the very first time in my life was so freeing and wonderful. And it's the most amazing feeling knowing that so many different stories have helped so many young girls, guys, adults. I've gotten so many messages of people being like, ally, your story of not giving up helped me or inspired me, or, hey, I'm going through a very similar situation as your family did, or my mom struggling with scoliosis. I'm a premature baby, just like you. I mean, all those moments and even something as I've heard so many stories of something very personal, like my, you know, decision to save myself for marriage. A lot of messages of people saying, ali, you know, I felt alone, but thank you for sharing that. And people who don't have that same decision still showing me so much love and support. It's so awesome seeing all these beautiful stories. That's why I created this book. You know, it's not about me. It's about helping, you know, that little girl who felt like me, who doesn't have confidence, who doesn't feel pretty enough or good enough, or someone who's at a crossroads in their life saying, I don't know what the heck to do, or doors closed, all these things. That's the most beautiful part of finding my own harmony and writing it down and sharing it with others. That's. I think one of the most beautiful things about writing a book is that it's all out there and you get to connect to people and help people. That's what it's all about.
- [49:17]
Charles Chavez
So I hate the end because here's the thing, and I'm reading Allie and I'm like, oh, my gosh, you know, her. Her solo career starting to come together. And I'm like, cheering you on. I'm excited for the next city. And you're Chicago and now Boston, and we're selling out now, and I'm getting so excited, and all of a sudden the fricking pandemic hits, and I'm like.
- [49:37]
Ally Brooke
What the f. Why now, girl? I know. See, you get it. You get it. You see that this is kind of a recurring theme. But, hey, it's life, you know, and it's what we choose to do after that. Oh, yeah. I had many tears that were cried. I had prayers of, like, God, why? But you know what? I trust you. You know, I've been through this story before to where lots of whys, but then, you know, in the end, you get me through it. And that's exactly what he's done. And the most crazy part about it is, you know, yeah, still sad, you know, that I couldn't complete my tour. And it was very devastated for a long time, you know, during the quarantine. But what's been such a wonderful thing about this time? Personally for me, if I didn't have the time that I did, I would have never completed this. I completed this during the quarantine, during the first few months, I mean, tirelessly working on it, finishing stories, gosh up for many, many, many long hours, days, crying, call my parents, saying, I don't think I could do this. No. Because as you know, a book is such an extraordinary amount of work and time. It's a gargantuan thing to get accomplished. But I did it. And what a more perfect time to have an inspirational book. And now so many people need it. And again, hearing how many people love the stories. And one of my favorite things is when people shout out my parents and give love to my parents because for the first time my parents story gets told. My mom, her scoliosis, but still supporting her little girl, traveling back and forth, all the sacrifices they did, all the little self promotion they did for many years, how we did it together as a family. Like my parents deserve the whole world and their stories in here. And that's why I want people to read it for many other reasons too. But that's one of the most important things. Because my parents are superheroes. Man. It's been crazy that like God, you know, turned some of my pain into something powerful, which was this book. And during this time I was also able to be part of an award show and to film my very first movie. It's just like God continues to blow me away. And most importantly, I'm thankful my friends, family and loved ones are safe and healthy. And that's all that you can ask for. And everything else is just an added bonus. And you know, just taking my blessings so heavily in my heart.
- [52:13]
Charles Chavez
I mean, you're so right, your parents are total superheroes. I was blown away by the sacrifices that they've made, physically, financially, geographically, I mean, just everything. They're flipping amazing. But it is kind of cool to hear now thinking about the impact of the pandemic. You ending the tour unexpectedly.
- [52:32]
Heather Monahan
That was not the plan.
- [52:33]
Charles Chavez
Then finishing the book, then a movie. Right. Like all these unexpected blessings came and after, yet again, a very difficult and trying and testing time for you again.
- [52:45]
Ally Brooke
You know, just taking the good and the bad, you know, dealing with my emotions. Yeah, you know, I was very sad. I was in Sadness and you know, a lot of questioning for a long time again, but choosing again to trust God and to trust his plan. And oh my gosh, there's so much anxiety that came to me as us all, so much fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of what's going to happen to my family, my loved ones, all of it. But you know, sometimes in that you just got to be like, I have no control. I have no control. So the thing I can control is sometimes is my emotion and my outlook and just leaving it all to God because that's all I can do, but being thankful for every day. And again, like you said, you know, one door closed and another one opened. And I learned so many lessons during this time time and really worked on myself, reconnected with so many different people, been able to work, you know, again, so thankful and most importantly, trying to help other people through my book and through social media. That's what helps connect us all, is our stories. So again, just fighting through the hard times and the hardships.
- [53:55]
Charles Chavez
Well, you're an amazing storyteller and for everyone to understand, this is a super easy, fast read with really inspiring messages that to me, I'm 46 years old and it resonated clear as day.
- [54:10]
Ally Brooke
Oh my God.
- [54:14]
Charles Chavez
I want people to know that you don't have to be in your 20s to read this book because it's really relatable as a parent, as a corporate employee, as an entrepreneur, as anyone who.
- [54:24]
Heather Monahan
Has something out there they want to.
- [54:26]
Charles Chavez
Chase down, but there's someone scared to go after it. They're challenged with their own self confidence, their own doubt, the haters, all of the same things that we all deal with. This is just such a great story of overcoming it. And so much of your success after.
- [54:40]
Heather Monahan
Reading that obviously is rooted in your.
- [54:42]
Charles Chavez
Faith, which is such a good reminder that there is something so much larger than us out there and we can turn it over instead of carrying it on our own backs every day, which.
- [54:50]
Heather Monahan
Happens to so many of us.
- [54:52]
Ally Brooke
Yes, that's it. And you perfectly encompassed my story and its message and thank you for sharing that because that's so important, you know, is connecting through our stories and hopefully people of all ages can connect to mine because there's so much in there. You know, I know I'm young, but a lot of life, you know, a lot of experience, it's all the same. You know, the pain's the same, the victory's the same, the questioning is the same, the wondering's the same anxiety, but knowing no matter who you are, no matter where you come from, no matter what age, you can overcome so much more than you could even think possible. And you really can, by all that, achieve more than you can imagine. That's what happened to me, you know, to my surprise. You know, I would have never thought, gosh, if you'd have told me two years ago when I was crying on that floor that, hey, Ali, you're about to be on such an extraordinary ride in the next two years. Have so many of your biggest dreams come true. You're able to bless so many people and be an impact and be a light and live out so many amazing dreams. From collaborating with people you love, meeting people you love, getting that love from your favorite, you know, artists and stuff, and also creating the songs in your heart, the videos in your heart, being part of, you know, Macy's Day Parade and these award shows, and have all these things in your heart come true. Being in a movie, all these things, I would have never believed you. But again, just fighting and never giving up, not losing hope is the theme and is the message. And honestly, even things I didn't even think of happened these past two years. It's really wonderful. Thank you so much for saying that, Ali.
- [56:35]
Charles Chavez
Where can everyone find the book?
- [56:37]
Ally Brooke
You can find it wherever books are sold. Barnes and Noble, Amazon, you can find. You can get. I can read to you on Audible. You can get the audiobook. Yes. There's so much, so much in here. So much. I uncover so many different topics and lessons from my heart, and I hope that I can inspire you and your story and your own faith, you to have the confidence to create your own path and to know that all things are truly possible and knowing that you can achieve something so much. You can achieve such great heights and you can get through anything. That's my prayer for this book. So thank you to all of your wonderful listeners out there.
- [57:17]
Charles Chavez
Well, thank you for writing, finding your harmony, and we will be cheering you on.
- [57:23]
Ally Brooke
Thank you, Heather. This was so awesome and I really appreciate you reading my story in a day that is. Oh, man, you can't really ask for more than that. And that really appreciating every story just the way I hoped. So thank you and God bless you.
- [57:39]
Charles Chavez
All right, hold tight, guys. We'll be right back.
- [57:40]
Heather Monahan
I asked you to try to find your passion. I hope you enjoyed meeting Ally as.
- [57:46]
Charles Chavez
Much as I did.
- [57:47]
Heather Monahan
I'm so blown away. And this goes back to what I was talking about before we sat down with her at such a young age. She has achieved such massive success. So Far beyond me, right? She is so far ahead of me in so many ways. She's 4 million followers on Instagram in her community. You know, she is just light years ahead of 99% of the population. The amount of success she's had at such a young age. And that reminds me, she just kept going bigger, you know, even though she was afraid, even though she had doubts, she found ways to keep going bigger and really started going to the next level when she started listening to her, her own voice and started tuning out the naysayers. So I am taking that advice for myself. I hope you take that for you so we can continue to go far beyond where we are today. So this week I had my team meeting, which I have every Friday, and one of my clients was going through a program that he has to help young people in their early 20s, people graduating college, figure out what it is that they're meant to do. You know, from a passion perspective, really bringing passion, their talents, and finding a way to create revenue all together and really have this great experience in life. Instead of like many of us, just kind of fall into a job or do what your parents tell you to do, or do what a friend said you were good at, but really tap into what is your purpose, what is your mission, why are you here? And how can you create revenue for yourself while serving your purpose and mission? And it was so interesting. One of the women on my team raised her hand and said, oh, my gosh, do that for me. I wish someone would do that for me now. And she explained, you know, in your 40s, after having kids, after doing all the things and checking all the boxes everyone told you to do, right? Go buy a house, go to college, go, you know, get a 9 to 5 job, go get married, go have kids, go, you know, go, go, go, go do these things. And then one day you wake up in your 40s at this, you know, second half of your life and start saying, wow, did I. Have I really been living my purpose? Am I making an impact? Am I leaving a legacy? Am I living to my potential? Right? All these questions that so many of us, myself included, have asked. My wake up call obviously, was at 43, getting fired. That sort of was that moment to ask those questions. Some people don't get fired and just ask themselves the questions for whatever reason or realization they have. And I hope you're doing the same thing. But for me, that moment, for her, the fact that she raised her hand on that call and asked that question on the call, that's the answer Right. She might not have that whole picture answer yet. Of course not. I still don't. I'm sure you don't either. But the fact that she raised her hand, that she had the confidence and felt comfortable enough to raise her hand and ask that question, that's how I know she's going to find what her purpose is. That's how I know she's going to head down that right path. And for me, it reminds me of the day my friend said to me, go take a stand up comedy class. And I cringed. And he said, oh, you really don't want to do it. Even more of a reason why you need to. You need to start stepping into fear and putting yourself in new situations to figure out where you're actually supposed to go. Because the more we stay in these little rat races that we're comfortable in, circling the drain, I call it. You know, we're just running around the same path but going nowhere. The more we do that, the more we're never going to find passion. The mission, the purpose, the bigger picture, the legacy, the whole reason why we're here. So I challenge you today to step out of your comfort zone. I challenge you to be like this woman and raise your hand and start asking the question. I challenge you to ask someone the question, too, that you never have before. Ask for help. Surround yourself with people who are so far ahead of you. Because if you're not willing to change the situation, you're accepting it for what it is. And you're choosing that situation. You're choosing to circle the drain. So choose not to circle the drain. Choose to raise your hand. And just like this woman, she might not have the answer today, but the fact that she's choosing not to accept where she is is the answer that's going to get her where she needs to go, and it's going to get you where you need to go to. I'm committed to that. I'm not where I need to be yet, but I am definitely on my way. And just like her, it started with raising my hand and asking questions. Questions of myself first and then questions of others and then taking actions and stepping into fear and falling down along the way. But that's all part of the process to figure out where it is you're actually supposed to be. So thank you so much for being here this week. If you like the show, please leave me a review. It helps so much. And if you can share it on social media, tag me. I will definitely repost. Reshare. Re tag. We'll do it all. And until next week, keep creating your confidence. You know I'm right there with you. I decided to change that dynamic. I couldn't be more excited for what you're going to hear. Start learning and growing. Inevitably something will happen.
- [62:58]
Charles Chavez
No one succeeds alone.
- [63:00]
Ally Brooke
You don't stop and look around once in a while. You could miss it.
- [63:04]
Heather Monahan
Come on this journey with me.