S2:E1 When Growth Gets Hard

Today's episode of Build Your Brave captures the New Year energy many of us are feeling and transforms it into sustainable momentum. Join Megan as she shares the honest truth about pursuing growth - not through perfectionism or sprinting but through consistent, brave steps forward.

Whether your January hasn't gone as planned or you're still riding that resolution high, this episode offers both comfort and challenge to help you become who God created you to be in 2025.

Key Takeaways:

1. Consistency beats intensity - build sustainable habits instead of sprinting toward burnout

2. "Quick down, quick up" - resilience isn't about avoiding falls, it's about how fast you rise

3. Change requires unlearning old patterns and embracing necessary failure

4. You lack nothing - access God's wisdom and resources for growth

5. Live with holy urgency - tomorrow isn't promised

• Transcript

  Hey friends, I am so excited to be back with all of you. I've missed you—and I truly believe today’s going to be a powerful time. Even though we're already a few weeks into the new year, I hope you still have that new year energy inside of you.

  Because this is the year you said, “I'm not settling. I'm not holding back. I’m becoming the best version of myself.”

  And I’m here to remind you that while it’s not easy...
  It’s worth it.
  Say it with me:
  “It’s not easy—but it’s worth it.”

  You Were Made for More: Let’s Build Your Brave

  We don’t grow by coasting. We grow by stretching. Life will bring resistance—internal and external—but I believe in you.

  Today, I want to share from my heart. These are some of the mindset hacks and skill sets I’ve needed (and still need!) to grow into the woman God created me to be. And I believe they’re going to encourage and equip you too.

  The Power of the Long Game: Consistency Over Intensity

  Something we say a lot in our business:
  Consistency beats intensity. Every time.

  You can start the year like you’re on a sprint—go hard, set 52 goals (guilty!)—but you’ll likely burn out. Instead, ask yourself:

  What habits can I build that will last?

  Because real growth takes time. Be realistic. Be compassionate. And come from a place of love, not pressure or perfection.

  Self-Compassion Isn’t Weak—It’s Powerful

  Let me be clear:
  I’m not saying give in to excuses. I’m not saying celebrate with a pity party and four cheeseburgers. I’m saying—love yourself enough to keep going.

  When we beat ourselves up, we delay progress. But when we meet failure with love and grace, we accelerate healing and transformation.

  Your future self? She’s counting on you. And those who will benefit from your growth? They’re counting on you too.

  Quick Down, Quick Up

  I say it all the time:
  “Quick down, quick up.”
  It’s not about whether you fell—it’s about what you do next.

  Successful people don’t have fewer problems. They’re just committed to not staying down. And neither should you.

  You’re Not Broken—You’re Becoming

  You’ve believed certain stories for years. Operated from limiting beliefs for decades. That system you’ve been running? It’s due for an upgrade.

  But guess what?
  You can upgrade. You’re just not going to rewire everything overnight.

  Unlearn to Uplevel

  Most successful people aren’t obsessed with learning more. They’re committed to unlearning what no longer serves them.

  Ask yourself:

  • Why do I believe that?

  • Why do I do things this way?

  • What needs to be challenged or changed?

  And then get to work.

  Change Your Relationship with Failure

  Let’s normalize this:
  Failure is necessary.

  If you’re not failing, you’re probably not stretching. You’re not risking. You’re not growing.

  I say this to my daughter who struggles with anxiety—we play out the “worst-case scenario.” And guess what? She realizes she’d still be okay. Stronger, even.

  Fail forward. Reflect. Learn. Adjust. Keep moving.

  What If You Don’t Have What It Takes?

  Here's a truth that might sting for a second…
  You might not currently have the mindset, skills, or habits you need to reach your goals.

  But here’s the encouragement:
  You have access to everything you need to get there.

  Psalm 23 says: “I lack nothing.”
  2 Peter 1:3 reminds us: “You have been given everything you need to live a godly life.”

  Wisdom Is Waiting For You

  You have access to:

  • The Word of God

  • The book of Proverbs (read one daily!)

  • Mentorship (even from afar—hello, podcasts & books!)

  • Education, events, community

  I was mentored by Christine Caine for years before I ever met her—through her teaching, podcasts, and books. Seek wisdom. You will find it.

  Reflect: Start. Stop. Continue.

  Here’s a simple but powerful exercise: Ask God:

  • What do You want me to start?

  • What do You want me to stop?

  • What do You want me to continue?

  It’s simple. But it’s life-changing.

  Live With Urgency

  Tomorrow is not promised.

  I have a friend—Nicole—who is currently fighting for her life in the ICU. She’s a mom. A wife. And her life changed overnight.

  So today, I’m reminding you:

  • Stop waiting.

  • Stop doubting.

  • Stop procrastinating.

  If God gave you the dream, do it today.

  What’s That Voice Prompting You to Do?

  Right now, I’m asking God to speak to you.
  That idea? That dream? That calling you’ve been ignoring?

  Let it rise to the surface.
  And say YES.

  Today Is a Gift. Don’t Waste It.

  There’s a motivational speaker I love who says:
  “If you woke up today, there is purpose in your lungs.”
  That’ll preach.

  Stop wasting today worrying about failure.
  Or being afraid of success.
  Or needing all the answers.

  Start. Today.

  This Is a Temporary Home

  Lately, my husband and I have been talking about values, legacy, and possibly downsizing. Why? Because we’re remembering:

  This is a temporary home.

  That shift has helped me release pressure. Pressure to impress. Pressure to perform. Because the only opinion that matters long-term... is God’s.

  Eternity Creates Urgency

  When we live with eternity in mind, it changes how we spend our time, energy, and money.

  One day, we’ll all stand before God, and He’ll ask:

  “What did you do with what I gave you?”

  Your story.
  Your voice.
  Your gifts.
  Your relationships.

  Let’s be found faithful.

  In Summary: Keep Going

  So friend, don’t give up on the version of you you’re becoming. Because when you become more healed and whole:

  • You love others better

  • You show up with more confidence

  • You live out your purpose with clarity

  Your life matters. Your purpose matters. And you can do this.

  Share This Episode

  If this blessed you—share it. Text it to a friend. Post it to your story. Tag me. Let me know what spoke to you.

  I'm so honored to be in your corner.

  Let’s keep building our brave—together.