In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience, Natalie Poindexter joins Mark Travis Rivera for a powerful and honest conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, and what it truly means to become yourself.

Natalie shares her journey from people pleasing and overgiving to building a life and business rooted in boundaries, clarity, and purpose. Drawing from her background in grant strategy and her experience as a Black woman founder, she reflects on the realities of entrepreneurship—navigating uncertainty, rejection, and growth without losing yourself in the process.

Together, Natalie and Mark unpack the tension between authenticity and expectation, exploring how societal norms, workplace environments, and generational conditioning can shape how we show up in the world. Natalie opens up about her experience stepping into entrepreneurship after being unexpectedly let go from her job, and how that moment forced her to trust herself in a completely new way.

They also discuss the importance of community, the power of saying people’s names in rooms they’re not in, and what it looks like to build connections that go beyond transactional relationships. Throughout the conversation, Natalie emphasizes the role of faith—choosing to move forward even when the path is unclear—and the importance of doing the exact opposite of what you’ve been conditioned to do in order to step fully into your purpose.

This episode is a reminder that resilience is not about doing more or pushing harder—it’s about choosing yourself, setting boundaries, and trusting that you already have everything you need to move forward.

Guest Bio:

Natalie Poindexter is a TEDx speaker, founder, and funding systems strategist who helps leaders move from chaos to structure without burning out. With 10+ years in grant strategy, evaluation, and technical assistance—and a background in pre-hospital EMS—she brings a practical “triage + build” approach to leadership, boundaries, and sustainable impact. Natalie is the founder of NPI Consulting House and the creator of Scaffina, a platform supporting grant and procurement readiness. Her work centers ambitious women—especially women of color—in leading with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

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Natalie Poindexter Initiatives

Questions or comments?

Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-snyder/returning-home

License code: ASYBPBHYUQEWOLWE

Disclaimer Note: The captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.