Iconic Leadership with Karissa Adkins

I Thought I Was Having a Heart Attack at 32… It Was Chronic Stress

Most ambitious women don’t realize they’ve been living in survival mode for years.

In this raw and powerful episode of ICONIC Leadership, Karissa shares the terrifying night she thought she was having a heart attack at just 32 years old — only to discover her body was screaming from chronic stress, inflammation, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation.

From divorce… to leaving corporate America… to losing the “dream life”… this episode dives deep into:

chronic stress in women

inflammation and autoimmune disease

nervous system regulation

survival mode

trauma stored in the body

high-functioning anxiety

emotional suppression

Hashimoto’s disease

the mind-body connection

why ambitious women become addicted to chaos

This episode is for every woman who looks successful on the outside… but feels exhausted, anxious, disconnected, overwhelmed, or emotionally burnt out on the inside.

You are not broken.

Your body is communicating with you.

✨ Download the RI$E app for daily nervous system regulation, meditation, mindset rewiring, and emotional healing tools. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/rise-app-optin

✨ Subscribe to Alpha Queen Collective for more episodes on leadership, healing, identity transformation, feminine power, and conscious success.

Grab your copy: UNAPOLOGETIC, Universal Laws of ICONIC leadership https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2L48Y26

#Stress #WomenLeadership #NervousSystemHealing #TraumaHealing #Mindset #Hashimotos #Burnout #EmotionalHealing #WomenEmpowerment #ICONICLeadership

In this powerful mother-daughter conversation, we break down the 10 Universal Laws of Iconic Leadership and what it truly means to become the role model your children, your spouse, and the world need you to be.

We dive deep into mindset, confidence, self-image, personal growth, leadership, parenting, identity, and the impact a strong woman has on the people around her. My daughter shares what it was like growing up around personal development, resilience, and high standards — and how leadership at home shapes the next generation.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, confidence, motivation, or stepping into the woman you know you’re meant to become, this episode will challenge and inspire you to rise higher.

This isn’t just about leadership in business.

It’s about leadership in LIFE.

✨ In this episode we discuss:

• The mindset behind iconic leadership

• Why children mirror what they see

• Confidence, identity & self-image

• Breaking negative cycles

• Becoming the example your family follows

• Personal growth, discipline & resilience

• What true feminine leadership looks like

🔥 Ready to become the woman your kids, your husband, and your future are waiting for you to become?

Book your breakthrough call here:

👉https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/claritycall15m

Subscribe for more conversations on mindset, leadership, confidence, identity, feminine power, and personal transformation.

#Leadership #Mindset #PersonalDevelopment #Confidence #Parenting #SelfImage #WomenEmpowerment #Motherhood #LeadershipDevelopment #IconicLeadership

There are moments in life and leadership where it stops being about business… and starts being about impact.

This episode is one of those moments.

As we prepare to head to Kenya for the Rise Up Global Humanitarian & Empowerment Tour, I wanted to bring you behind the scenes of what this mission really means—why we do it, how it started, and the lives we’re committed to impacting.

You’ll hear the heart behind why they joined this mission, the impact they’re here to create, and what it truly means to lead on a global level. This is about purpose, service, and using your voice to make a difference.

If this conversation moves you, don’t just listen, take action.

Donate today to be part of the impact. https://gofund.me/93b544538

✨ Loved this episode?

Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes in making a difference.

What does it actually take to build a strong relationship when both people are ambitious, independent, and driven?

In this episode, we open up about what makes our relationship work—from communication and boundaries to navigating growth, pressure, and evolving roles. As a military family, a blended family, and two individuals committed to personal and professional excellence, we’ve had to learn how to operate as a true team.

From hosting our first Rise Up: Ultimate Power Couples Experience to building our vision for what’s next, this conversation breaks down the real strategies that have helped us stay aligned without losing who we are individually.

If you’re building something big and want a relationship that grows with you—this episode will give you a new perspective on what’s possible.

✨ Join the Alpha Queen Rising Community

If you’re craving real conversations, meaningful connections, and a space where you can grow alongside other ambitious women—come join us inside Alpha Queen Rising. We host monthly networking and create opportunities for you to rise in every area of your life. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/aqr-community

✨ Ready for your next level in business and leadership?

Book a 15-minute clarity call with me. We’ll identify the gaps holding you back from your next $100K—and map out exactly what to do next. 👉https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/claritycall15m

✨ Loved this episode?

Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and comment your favorite part on our YouTube channel—I’d love to hear what resonated with you most.

So you want to run a retreat?

You want to bring people together…

create transformation…

build community…

and elevate your brand.

I love that.

But let’s be real for a second—

Most people have no idea what it actually takes to run a retreat that delivers and converts.

In this episode of Iconic Leadership, I’m breaking down the real strategy behind hosting retreats that are not only transformational—but profitable.

Because retreats aren’t just about:

❌ picking a pretty location

❌ planning cute activities

❌ or filling your schedule with content

They’re about creating an experience.

A container.

A journey that takes your attendees from where they are… to who they’re becoming.

And if you don’t know how to do that?

You’ll overschedule, undercharge, and walk away exhausted—with very little to show for it.

In this episode, we’re diving into:

The biggest mistakes first-time retreat hosts make (and how to avoid them)

The difference between planning an event vs. creating a transformational experience

How to design a retreat that actually leads to client conversion

The mindset shifts required to lead a powerful room (not just organize one)

And how to position your retreat as a premium, must-attend experience

Because retreats, when done right, are one of the most powerful ways to:

➡️ deepen relationships

➡️ elevate your authority

➡️ and create high-level client opportunities

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing it right. Because your retreat is not just an event…

It’s a reflection of your leadership.

✨ Want my exact retreat blueprint?

I created a step-by-step guide on how to plan, launch, and execute a high-converting, transformational retreat, from vision to logistics to client experience.

👉 You have to be following me on Instagram first

Then send me a DM with the word RETREAT to @alpha_queen_empire and I’ll send you the full ebook.

✨ Join the Alpha Queen Rising Community

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership, your business, and your room—come join us inside Alpha Queen Rising. This is where ambitious women connect, grow, and rise together. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/aqr-community

✨ Ready for your next level in business and leadership?

Book a 15-minute clarity call with me. We’ll identify what’s holding you back from your next $100K and map out your next move. 👉https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/claritycall15m

✨ Loved this episode?

Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and comment your biggest takeaway on our YouTube channel—I want to hear what landed for you.

Let’s talk about the side of the speaking industry that no one wants to admit.

Because here’s the truth: Events are powerful. They can create connection, transformation, and massive income. But they can also be one of the most mismanaged, overpromised, and underdelivered spaces in the industry.

In Part 3 of this series, I’m flipping the lens.

Not as a speaker… But as someone who has:

➡️ spoken on stages all over the world

➡️ paid to be in rooms that didn’t deliver

➡️ and now hosted my own event for 150 women

Because just because you can host an event… doesn’t mean you know how to lead one.

In this episode, we’re breaking down:

Why so many events fail (even with big audiences and big promises)

The truth about pay-to-play—and why it’s not the real problem

What speakers actually need (and deserve) when they step onto a stage

The difference between filling a room… and leading it

Because attention doesn’t equal execution.

And followers don’t equal results.

This is a conversation about standards. About leadership. And about what it really takes to create an experience that not only looks good—but actually delivers.

Because if you’re going to build the room…You better know how to own it.

✨ Join the Alpha Queen Rising Community If you’re ready to elevate your leadership, your visibility, and your business—come join us inside Alpha Queen Rising. This is where ambitious women connect, grow, and rise together. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/aqr-community

✨ Ready for your next level in business and leadership? Book a 15-minute clarity call with me. We’ll identify what’s holding you back from your next $100K—and map out your next move. 👉https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/claritycall15m

✨ Loved this episode? Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and comment your biggest takeaway on our YouTube channel—I want to hear what landed for you.

Everyone wants to be a speaker. But very few people know how to turn speaking into sales. In Part 2 of this series, we’re going beyond the story—and into the strategy.

Because here’s the truth:

You don’t need more stages.

You need a talk that actually converts.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what it really takes to craft a signature talk that doesn’t just inspire people—but moves them to action.

We’re talking about:

➡️ How to structure a talk that creates connection and conversion

➡️ Why most speakers walk away with zero clients (and how to fix it)

➡️ The difference between “sharing your story” and leading a room

➡️ How to turn one 20–30 minute talk into $50K–$100K+ in business

Because speaking is not the business.

It’s the front-end of the machine.

And if you don’t have:

❌ a clear message

❌ a strong offer

❌ a follow-up system

You don’t have a pipeline—you have a missed opportunity.

This episode will challenge you to stop playing small on stages you were meant to own, and start treating your voice like the asset it actually is.

Because at the end of the day?

Your story is either making you money… or keeping you broke.

✨ Ready to actually build your signature talk and monetize your voice?

I break all of this down inside my Own the Stage: From Invisible to In-Demand Speaker Workshop.

It’s 3 hours.

It’s $33.

And it can shortcut what most people spend years trying to figure out.

👉 Send me a DM on Instagram @Alpha_Queen_Karissa with the word IN DEMAND and I’ll send you the link.

✨ Join the Alpha Queen Rising Community

If you’re looking for a space where ambitious women come together to have real conversations, build powerful connections, and grow—come join us inside Alpha Queen Rising. We host monthly networking and create opportunities for you to elevate in both life and business. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/aqr-community

✨ Ready for your next level in business and leadership?

Book a 15-minute clarity call with me. We’ll identify what’s holding you back from your next $100K—and map out exactly what to do next. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/claritycall15m

✨ Loved this episode?

Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and comment your biggest takeaway on our YouTube channel—I’d love to hear what resonated most with you.

What if your voice wasn’t just something you used… but something that could build your entire business?In this episode of Iconic Leadership, I’m taking you inside the real, unfiltered journey of how I’ve generated over $500,000 from speaking—and why speaking is still my #1 lead generation strategy today.

From getting paid to perform in a play as a child… to stepping back onto stages as an entrepreneur… to landing high-ticket speaking opportunities before I ever felt “ready”—this is the story behind the strategy.

But let me be clear—this episode isn’t just about my journey.

It’s about helping you understand why speaking is one of the most powerful tools for visibility, authority, and client acquisition… when done right.

Because speaking isn’t about telling your story.

It’s about:

➡️ turning your message into movement

➡️ turning your voice into revenue

➡️ and learning how to lead a room—not just inspire it

And in this episode, we’re also breaking down:

● The biggest lies women believe about speaking

● Why visibility alone won’t make you money

● And what actually separates speakers who get applause… from speakers who get paid

Because the truth? Claps don’t pay your bills. Clients do.

Want to go deeper and actually learn how to do this?

I recently hosted my Own the Stage: From Invisible to In-Demand Speaker Workshop—a 3-hour training where I break down exactly how to turn your voice into a client-generating machine.

And you can get the full replay for just $33.

Send me a DM on Instagram @Alpha_Queen_Karissa with the word IN DEMAND and I’ll send you the link.

Ready for your next level in business and leadership?

Book a 15-minute clarity call with me. We’ll identify what’s holding you back from your next $100K, and map out exactly what to do next. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/claritycall15m

Loved this episode?

Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and comment your biggest takeaway on our YouTube channel, I’d love to hear what resonated most with you.

In this episode, I sit down with my husband for a powerful and real conversation around leadership—what it actually looks like beyond the surface. From the very beginning of our relationship, one of the things that stood out most to me was his perspective on leadership, discipline, and personal growth. Our early conversations were rooted in mindset, evolution, and what it truly means to lead—not just in business, but in life.

In this conversation, we unpack the real side of leadership—the pressure, responsibility, mistakes, and mindset required to lead at a high level. This is not the polished version of leadership—this is the truth behind it.

If you’re stepping into your next level and know you’re being called to lead in a bigger way, this episode will challenge and expand how you think.

✨ Join the Alpha Queen Rising Community If you’re looking for a space where ambitious women come together to have real conversations, build powerful connections, and grow—come join us inside Alpha Queen Rising. We host monthly networking and create opportunities for you to elevate in both life and business.https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/aqr-community

✨ Ready for your next level in business and leadership? Book a 15-minute clarity call with me. We’ll identify what’s holding you back from your next $100K—and map out exactly what to do next.https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/claritycall15m

✨ Loved this episode? Make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and comment your biggest takeaway on our YouTube channel—I’d love to hear what resonated most with you.

The views and opinions expressed in this production are not endorsed by the department ofwar or the United States Air Force 

What if everything you’re chasing—money, success, validation, love—was never about the achievement itself… but about how you want to feel?

In this episode of Iconic Leadership with Karissa, we dismantle the illusion of success and reveal the truth most high-achieving women never learned: without emotional self-mastery, no level of success will ever feel like enough.

You’ll discover why income goals don’t land, why wins feel empty, and why burnout, hustle, and constant “next-level” chasing are symptoms of suppressed emotions—not lack of strategy.

This is not a mindset conversation. This is a deep dive into emotional regulation, nervous system safety, and the inner capacity required to receive wealth, power, and fulfillment without self-abandonment.

If you’re successful on paper but feel disconnected, restless, or unfulfilled… this episode will change how you see success forever.

🔗 READY TO GO DEEPER?

If this episode resonated and you’re ready for deeper emotional mastery, embodied leadership, and sustainable success—

→ Book a private call with Karissa Explore what’s possible when you stop forcing visibility and start leading from grounded power, self-trust, and internal safety. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/claritycall15m

→ Join Alpha Queens Rising A free online community for high-achieving women ready to regulate their nervous systems, elevate their leadership, and grow without burnout. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/aqr-community

→ Stay connected with The Alpha Queen Insider Your daily dose of tips, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you step fully into your power and become an ICONIC leader. https://rise.alphaqueencollective.com/newsletter