In this raw and hilarious episode of PivotMe, April shares an intensely personal story—her tattoo horror story. But beneath the ink and regret lies a powerful message about people-pleasing, distraction, and the cost of staying silent in critical moments. From battling through a brutal year to permanently marking her comeback on her body, April takes us through a decision made during emotional exhaustion and what it taught her about boundaries, voice, and recovery.

Key Takeaways:

• 💥 Politeness Can Be Dangerous: When you override your inner voice to be agreeable, especially in pivotal moments, the cost can be higher than you think.

• 🌊 The Season That Tried to Drown Her: April opens up about a year full of personal storms—grief, heartache, and mental health struggles—that left her gasping for air and seeking meaning.

• 💡 Tattoo as a Symbol: Hoping to commemorate resilience, April chose to get a “Still I Rise” tattoo. What followed was anything but empowering.

• ✋ Red Flags and Regret: When the artist changed the design and she didn’t push back, April knew she was ignoring her intuition. Why? Because she didn’t want to seem rude.

• 🎨 Creative Fix: The redemption arc? April launched a design contest on 99Designs to creatively “rescue” the tattoo—with entries from artists across the globe.

Notable Quotes:

“It's hard to believe that the fear of offending can be stronger than the fear of pain, but you know what? It is.” — The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo “I wasn’t drunk—I was just too exhausted to fight for better.” “Politeness may not kill you, but it can leave permanent ink on your back.”

Challenge to Listeners: Where are you silencing your voice just to keep the peace? Is your desire to be agreeable costing you something important—your boundaries, your standards, your truth?

This week:

• Speak up in a moment where you’d normally stay quiet.

• Revisit a decision made during emotional exhaustion—do you need to correct it?

• Stop letting politeness override your instincts. Especially when something’s permanent.

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

In this powerful episode of PivotMe, April unpacks the concept of "Touching the Dream"—inspired by Ed Mylett—and what it really means to live into your future life now. Sharing stories from her own life, from paddleboarding in Lake Tahoe to watching her kids play on a private beach, April walks us through how visualizing success and brushing up against it in small, tangible ways actually rewires our belief system. You don’t need to wait until you’ve “made it” to feel what your dream life is like—you can live part of it now.

Key Takeaways:

• 🔑 Visualize It Clearly: Describe your dream in full detail—where you are, who’s with you, what it feels like.

• 💡 You Live at the Level You Believe You Belong: We all unconsciously self-regulate to our perceived worth. Change your belief, change your life.

• 🧘‍♀️ Touching the Dream Changes Your Baseline: Whether it's staying near the Ritz, renting the car, or walking through your future neighborhood—exposure creates belief.

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Normalize the Dream for Your Family: Let your kids see abundance as an option, not a fantasy.

• 📖 Journaling and Visualization: April shares a poignant moment journaling on a porch in Tahoe, realizing she was unknowingly living parts of her dream.

Notable Quotes:

“We live at the level we believe we belong.” “The more we touch the dream, the more it becomes our new normal.” “That morning, I realized—I wasn’t just visualizing the dream. I was walking through it.”

Challenge to Listeners: What can you arrange this month to touch the dream? ✨ Rent your dream car. ✨ Walk the neighborhood you want to live in. ✨ Sit in the first-class lounge—even if you’re flying coach. Expose yourself to it. Normalize it. Because you’re closer than you think.

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

Most people live in the "just enough" zone—asking for the bare minimum they think they can get. But what if the key to extraordinary success lies in making unreasonable asks? In this electrifying episode, April dismantles the fear holding you back from demanding what you truly deserve, sharing jaw-dropping stories of bold requests that changed lives (like Siri Lindley training with Olympians, or Mike securing a $50M loan). You’ll learn why someone half as qualified as you will outearn you today simply because they asked for more, and how to reframe rejection as a stepping stone.

🔥 The Unreasonable Ask Mindset

• Why high performers like Siri Lindley succeed: They ignore "realistic" limits.

• The painful cost of playing small: How under-asking leaves money and respect on the table.

🔥 Floor vs. Ceiling

• Most people articulate their floor ("I’d be happy with just X") but never their ceiling (the "magic wand" scenario).

• Case study: How David 10X’d his income by pitching 12-month contracts instead of month-to-month.

🔥 Self-Limiting Beliefs Exposed

• "I’m not ready to ask __" is often a lie. Examples:

  • Laura: "I’m not fit enough for Bek to train me."

  • Katie: "My questions are too basic for Mike."

• How these stories reveal self-selection out of opportunities.

🔥 The Big Ask Framework

1. Identify your unreasonable ask (What’s the "wild" request you’re avoiding?).

2. Flip the script: "What if they say YES?" (Spoiler: They often do.).

3. Move the needle: Even a "no" resets expectations upward.

✔ Today: Write down your "floor" (minimum) and "ceiling" (big ask) for a current opportunity. ✔ This week: Make ONE unreasonable ask (mentorship, partnership, salary, etc.). ✔ Share: Tag @theAprilGarcia with your #UnreasonableAsk—we’ll feature bold stories!

• "Someone half as good as you is making an unreasonable ask today—and getting it. Why not you?"

• "Your minimum is a trap. The world rewards those who articulate their CEILING."

• "Rejection isn’t failure—it’s data. ‘No’ today often becomes ‘Yes’ tomorrow."

• Book: The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

Marketing agencies are begging you to run LinkedIn ads. Here's why that might be the worst $5,000 you'll ever spend. April breaks down the exact conversation where she stopped a client from blowing his ad budget—and the 3 foundational fixes he needed first.

Key Takeaways: 💸 The Cold Hard Math – Why LinkedIn ads cost 3-5X more than other platforms for B2B leads 🛑 The Busyness Paradox – If you're already overwhelmed, ads will drown you (not save you) 🪟 Storefront Theory – Why your profile is like a retail window (and Kyle's was empty) 🎯 The Elevator Pitch Fix – "I do [X] for [Y] so they can [Z]" template that converts visitors 📊 Opportunity Cost – What you should spend on before even considering ads

Case Study: Kyle's 4 Profile Flaws:

1. No clear client avatar ("For who?")

2. Generic headline (like "Business Growth Expert")

3. Zero social proof (no recommendations/case studies)

4. Muddled background (no clear transformation offered)

Action Plan: ✔ Audit Your Profile – Would a stranger understand exactly what you do in 8 seconds? ✔ Build Social Proof – Get 3 client recommendations before spending on ads ✔ Track Organic First – Can you convert profile visitors without paid traffic? ✔ Alternative Plays – 3 cheaper lead gen strategies that work first

April's Rule: "Never pay to drive traffic to something you haven't proven converts for free."

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

What if your $5 could plant the seed for the next great community leader? In this deeply personal episode, April Garcia shares the beer-with-Mike story that sparked ElevateUs—a 501(c)(3) turning small actions into generational change. Discover how mentorship + opportunity create chain reactions that transform entire communities.

Key Moments: 🍻 The Birth Story – How a casual beer with Mike revealed the missing link in leadership development 💡 The ElevateUs Difference – Why this isn't charity, but an "opportunity multiplier" 📈 Lillian's Legacy – From struggling entrepreneur to job creator (your support in action) 🌊 The Ripple Framework – How one empowered leader impacts 200+ lives statistically

3 Ways to Create Impact Today:

1. Fuel the Movement – Every $27 funds an hour of mentorship

2. Share Your Wisdom – Become a mentor (no "perfect leader" required)

3. Amplify the Message – Share this episode with #RippleEffectLeader

Powerful Quote: "We don't help people to be kind—we invest in people because it's the smartest economic development strategy there is."

Resources: • Donate/Volunteer: www.elevateus.org

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

Mark Twain famously said, "Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day." In this episode, April Garcia dives into why tackling your hardest task first is the ultimate productivity hack—and how to stop letting procrastination drain your mental energy.

✅ The Frog Theory – Your "frog" is the task you dread most. Avoiding it costs more energy than doing it. ✅ Fear vs. Reality – Most frogs take less than 20 minutes to complete (but feel massive in your mind). ✅ Frogs Multiply – Ignored tasks breed mental clutter and distraction. High performers eat theirs fast. ✅ The 20-Minute Rule – If it feels overwhelming, start with just 20 minutes. Momentum kills resistance.

🐸 Find Your Frog (15:30) – Identify one task you’ve been avoiding. Write it down. 📸 Accountability Move – Take a "before" pic of your frog (notes, screen, sticky). Tag @theaprilgarcia with #iameatingthatfrog. ⏰ Eat It Now (15:45) – Set a timer for 20 minutes. Start. No overthinking—just action.

📖 "Eat That Frog!" by Brian Tracy – A guide to overcoming procrastination.

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

That "pretty good" hire you just made? It could be costing you 3X their salary in hidden losses. April reveals why most businesses accidentally hire for failure, and the exact framework she uses to build teams that 10X company value.

Key Insights: 💸 The True Cost of "Good Enough" - How a single wrong hire can tank morale, productivity, and client relationships simultaneously 🎯 The Alignment Trifecta - Why skills + experience + cultural fit still isn't enough (and what to assess instead) 📊 KPI Trap - Most businesses measure the wrong indicators (here's what to track instead) 🗣️ Feedback Fallacy - Why annual reviews destroy retention and what to do instead 🔥 The Rehire Test - Simple 3-question audit to run on your current team TODAY

Powerful Statement: "Hiring isn't about filling seats - it's about multiplying your organizational DNA. Every new person should make your company more 'you', not less."

Actionable Steps: ✅ Team Audit (Do this now)

1. Would I enthusiastically rehire this person today?

2. Do they amplify our culture or just fit in?

3. Are they growing faster than the role demands?

✅ Hiring Process Fixes

• Replace "years of experience" with "problem-solving style" in job descriptions

• Conduct working interviews (not just talking interviews)

• Implement 30/60/90-day culture checkpoints

Must-Read Resources: • "Good to Great" - The "First Who" principle explained • "The E-Myth Revisited" - Why you're hiring wrong without systems • "Traction" - The accountability framework top teams use

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

What if the biggest obstacle in your life isn't your circumstances... but the story you keep telling yourself about them? In this eye-opening episode, April reveals how the narratives we unconsciously repeat shape our reality - and how to reclaim authorship of your life.

Key Revelations: 🔥 The Fiction We Live By - How your brain turns random events into "facts" about who you are 🔥 The Replay Damage - Why repeatedly telling a negative story does more harm than the original event 🔥 Secret Story Audit - How to spot the invisible narratives running your life (hint: check your self-talk) 🔥 Editing Your Existence - The neuroscience behind rewriting limiting beliefs 🔥 From Victim to Hero - Transforming "This always happens to me" into "Here's how I overcame"

Powerful Moment: "Your mind is constantly writing a novel about your life. The question is - are you the hero overcoming challenges, or the victim of circumstance? The pen is in your hands."

Actionable Steps: ✍️ Story Identification 

• Listen for "I always..." or "I never..." statements

• Notice what you tell friends after setbacks

• Track your automatic negative thoughts for 24 hours

🔄 Story Rewriting 

• Add "until now" to limiting beliefs ("I'm bad at public speaking... until now")

• Create an "evidence log" disproving old stories

• Write your ideal story in third person as if it's already true

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

"Show me your calendar and bank account, and I'll tell you what's important to you." This brutal truth is about to confront every busy professional, entrepreneur and leader listening today. April takes you through a revealing audit of your last 30 days and next 30 days to expose the gap between what you say matters and where you actually spend your time.

Key Takeaways: ✅ The Calendar-Bank Account Truth Test: Why these two documents don't lie about your real priorities ✅ The Priority Paradox: How we defend "important" things that never make our schedule ✅ Decade-End Reckoning: Why this audit matters more as we close out this decade ✅ The Ownership Audit: Spotting how much of your calendar is hijacked by others' agendas ✅ Scheduled Goals vs. Wishful Thinking: The shocking reality of how many goals actually get time blocks

Powerful Questions:

1. What recurring meetings/events would you NEVER put on a fresh calendar today?

2. Where are the "invisible priorities" you claim matter but never schedule?

3. What percentage of your calendar represents YOUR priorities vs. others'?

Action Steps: ✔ Conduct the 30/30 Audit (review last 30 days/next 30 days) ✔ Color-code entries: Green = aligned with goals, Red = someone else's priority ✔ Cancel/Delegate 3 "Red" items within 48 hours ✔ Schedule 3 "Missing Priority" blocks before year-end

Quote: "Your calendar is your priorities in ink - stop lying to yourself in pencil."

---------

Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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

Fair to Others But Not Yourself? Why You Need That +10%

Are you charging what's "fair" but forgetting to be fair to yourself? In this episode, April exposes the dangerous habit of undercharging that's sinking businesses and nonprofits – and why you need to add that critical +10% to protect your legacy.

🔥 Key Takeaways ✅ The Left-Lean Compensation Principle – If you naturally lean toward "fair" pricing (like 100K), you must add +10%) to avoid self-sabotage ✅ Giving Away the Farm – How well-meaning leaders bankrupt their businesses/nonprofits by over-giving ✅ The Legacy Threat – Why undervaluing yourself jeopardizes everything you've built ✅ Reasonable ≠ Right – What's fair to others often isn't fair to YOU ✅ The +10% Mindset – Simple math to protect your mission and sustainability

💡 Quote of the Episode: "Your reasonable price is someone else's bargain – add the +10% that keeps your legacy alive."

🎯 Action Steps: ✔ Audit your last 3 quotes/proposals – did you subtract value unconsciously? ✔ Add the "legacy test" to pricing: "Will this sustain what I'm building?" ✔ Practice the +10% rule on your next bid

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Want to be part of a transformative experience for entrepreneurs and leaders? 🚀 Join us for Collaborate in Grass Valley 2025! 🌟

Don’t miss out on your chance to connect, grow, and unlock your full potential with a community of like-minded go-getters.

👉 www.theaprilgarcia.com/collaborate2025 

👉👉 Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.theaprilgarcia.com 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilGarciaPivotMe 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theAprilGarcia/ 

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