In this short episode, I talk about why the dreams that scare us the most are often the ones we’re meant to pursue. As I prepare for the first Niyah Network event, Creator Catalyst, I reflect on how much I’ve grown through the process of building something that once felt bigger than me. If you’ve ever felt nervous about chasing a big vision, this conversation is for you.

Most ambitious people don’t struggle with motivation.

They struggle with slowing down.

In this episode of I Am Not My Hair, I talk about the uncomfortable feeling many of us experience when we’re not working, building, or chasing the next goal. For years I’ve been in constant “go mode,” working toward the next milestone, the next version of myself, the next level. But recently I started asking a deeper question:

Why does rest sometimes feel wrong?

As I’m about to turn 23, I’ve been reflecting on how long I’ve been in this mindset of always pushing forward. And I realized something important — sometimes rushing isn’t ambition. Sometimes it’s control.

In this conversation we talk about:
• Why ambitious people often feel guilty when they slow down
• How constant productivity can actually be a form of control
• The difference between healthy ambition and anxiety disguised as work
• What happens when your nervous system never leaves “go mode”
• Learning to trust timing instead of forcing everything

Some questions worth asking yourself:

What am I afraid will happen if I slow down?
Who taught me that I always have to be working?
What am I running from?

Maybe success isn’t about getting there faster.

Maybe it’s about building a life you’re actually present enough to experience.

If this resonates with you, let me know in the comments. What are you learning to slow down in?

What happens when the one thing you built your entire identity around gets taken away?In this episode of I Am Not My Hair, we’re talking about what it really means to detach your self-worth from your goals. From athletes who struggle after injury, to creators who spiral when engagement drops, to my own experience losing my hair after modeling — this conversation is about identity.There’s a difference between who you ARE and what you EXPRESS yourself through.Your career is a role.Your platform is a tool.Your goals are chapters — not your name.We dive into:• Why over-identifying with success can trap you in a box• The BE → DO → HAVE mindset shift• How to detach performance from self-worth• Why grieving old versions of yourself is part of growthIf your dream disappeared tomorrow… would you still know who you are?Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Who are you beyond your title?

I started a podcast without a studio. I'm recording this in my car. And honestly? That's kind of the whole point. Let's talk about chasing your goals before you feel ready — and what you actually gain when you do.

In this 20-minute conversation, Kay and I talk about the real experiences creators go through — from self-doubt to pressure to comparison — and why community makes all the difference. Building can feel isolating, but the right people around you can change everything.

If you’re on your creative journey, this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow creator.

This is a short, intentional conversation about pushing through fear and staying committed to your path — even when the next step isn’t fully clear.In this 15-minute mini interview, Jay opens up about his journey with modeling, his experience attending ComplexCon, his relationship with Visionary Club, and what’s personally driving him as he moves into 2026.This episode wasn’t about rapid-fire questions or a strict structure — it was simply an honest conversation about growth, momentum, and choosing to keep going.This mini interview was filmed at a casting call event hosted by Visionary Club at the start of January.If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder to keep pushing forward — even when fear is present.

In Episode 1 of I Am Not My Hair, Niyah sits down with Luke Paul — founder of Visionary Club — to explore what it truly means to be a visionary before the success, before the validation, and before the wins.

Luke shares the mindset shifts required to build a clothing brand from the ground up, the mental discipline behind long-term success, and the internal work that happens long before recognition. The conversation also dives into Visionary Club’s Capsule 3: Fatal Attraction release and the realities of growing a brand that has earned recognition from platforms like Complex and beyond.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a clothing brand, stepping into leadership, or strengthening your mindset, this episode is for you.

This conversation sets the tone for the podcast — going deeper, challenging perspective, and redefining success from the inside out.

Listen with intention. Reflect on who you’re becoming in the process.