Dr. Crystal T. Harrell is a #1 best-selling author, motivational speaker, and public health expert with a truly remarkable journey. She rose from growing up in public housing to earning a PhD from Yale University, securing over $670,000 in scholarships along the way. Her story is not just about academic achievement; a profound personal awakening led her to become a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction instructor, now bridging evidence-based science and spiritual growth.

In this episode, Dr. Crystal discusses the unifying thread of vision that connects her diverse life chapters. She shares a deeply personal account of recognizing she was living through the lens of a "traumatized child" and the small but profound step she took towards wholeness. Dr. Crystal reveals her strategic approach to securing over $670,000 in scholarships, emphasizing storytelling and consistency. As a certified mindfulness instructor, she offers simple, concrete techniques for students and professionals to regain focus and calmness amidst stress. She delves into her best-selling book, "Crystal Clear," explaining its meaning and the key takeaway for readers. Dr. Crystal identifies early warning signs of prioritizing achievement over well-being and shares her experience distilling a profound personal journey into an impactful TEDx talk. She challenges well-meaning but limiting advice from her early academic career and discusses the limiting belief she sees holding back incredibly talented technical people the most, offering encouragement to overcome self-doubt. Finally, she defines "innovation" as it relates to her work and human potential.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

· The unifying trait connecting her journey from public housing to Yale PhD.

· Her realization of living through a "traumatized child's" lens and the path to wholeness.

· Strategies for securing over $670,000 in scholarships, including the Gates Millennium.

· A simple mindfulness technique for stress reduction and focus.

· The meaning behind her best-selling book "Crystal Clear" and its core message.

· Early warning signs of prioritizing achievement over well-being.

· The process of distilling her journey into an impactful TEDx talk.

· Academic advice she now disagrees with and what she'd replace it with.

· The limiting belief holding back talented technical people the most.

· How she encourages students to overcome self-doubt.

· What "innovation" truly means to her in life and work.

Connect With Dr. Crystal T. Harrell:

· Website: https://crystaltharrell.com/

· Book: "Crystal Clear" on Amazon

· YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHRsMsCNrOxrIBOE8vBE8WQ

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcrystaltharrell/

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome Dr. Crystal T. Harrell: Yale PhD, Author, Speaker

01:15 Unifying Trait: Vision Across Life Chapters

03:10 Reconnecting with Wholeness: Overcoming Trauma

08:20 Scholarship Strategy: $670K in Funding

12:24 Mindfulness for Stress & Focus

14:46 "Crystal Clear" Book: Self-Discovery & Clarity

16:58 Warning Signs: Prioritizing Achievement Over Well-being

18:34 TEDx Talk: Distilling a Profound Journey

20:28 Disagreeing with Early Academic Advice

23:28 Limiting Beliefs in Talented Technical People

25:01 Overcoming Self-Doubt & Fostering Greatness

27:03 Innovation in Life, Field, and Work

28:54 Connect with Dr. Crystal T. Harrell

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