Kelliann McDonald

You’re allowed to change without defending it.

Read that twice. Keep going.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Back in December my bestie and I hosted a Soulful Self Check-In. It was the first event of its kind for us.

The first time we co-created a wellness experience together.
The first time I publicly shared how I’ve quietly grounded a new level of spirituality into my life.

The space was perfect. The people were perfect. SoulFam Clubhouse held us exactly the way it was meant to. And for my portion of the event “the reflection portal” I brought something special with me, my 📚

The guided journals I wrote and published back in 2023. The ones I briefly shared then quietly set aside when life picked up speed.

What stayed with me the most after the event was how familiar the nerves felt. That flutter you get when you’re doing something new, when you care deeply, but you don’t have a script yet.

As someone who’s done a lot of things for the first time, I’ve learned that not all nerves are a warning ⚠️ Sometimes they’re just a sign you’re stretching onto a new edge.

So if you’re doing something for the first time right now…

If you’re standing at the edge of a new expression of yourself, despite the nerves, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE ✨

Thank you to all who joined us for a soulful self check-in 💚

Last week, morning coffee in hand, I got a text: “how’s it going building leverage from your talk?”

I paused not because it was a bad question, but because it surfaced an assumption a lot of us have about TEDx Talks.

So let’s clear this up 👏🏾

As someone who just delivered my first TEDx Talk and is now focused on the next chapter of this work, I’ve learned that TEDx doesn’t crown you. It doesn’t magically get you invited to six-figure stages or the latest popular podcast.

The TEDx stage calls you into deeper stewardship of the idea you chose to platform, long before additional stages open up.

That’s why much of my energy since the talk has been focused behind the scenes, refining the message and intentionally placing myself in rooms and communities that support what comes next.

There’s a moment after the red dot, after the applause, when it becomes clear that visibility alone doesn’t open doors.

Authority is built in what we choose to do after the spotlight fades, and in how devoted we are to continuing the work when no one is watching.

That’s the season I’m in now.

Building a body of work and a reputation as a thought leader. Letting go of the algorithm and choosing advocacy, collaboration, and consistent presence instead.

TEDxBuckheadAve. opened the door for me. Now it’s about walking through it, who I walk with, and how carefully I steward the idea that changed everything for me.

You just read Part 6 of 6: “How I Landed My First TED Talk.”

🔥 Curious to see my TEDx talk? Comment “TED TALK” and I’ll send you the vid

🗣️ Need 1:1 support landing your own talk? Comment “SPEAKER” and I’ll send you details

Rubes and I have been dreaming this up for years✨

Waiting for the moment to host a truly special event. And this year? Everything finally aligned for us to make it happen 🙌🏾

Join us on Saturday, December 13th in Atlanta for a Soulful Self Check-In. 2025 has been a huge year of growth for us (and for so many of you)

💌 We invite you to gather with us, exhale, reflect and honor everything 2025 offered… and set intention for what’s coming in 2026 🌱

We’ve been curating this event quietly, now we’re ready to open the doors

Expect restorative sound healing, mindfulness + guided reflection, intention work, honest conversation + connection, and a relaxing space to truly check in w/ yourself.

Let’s finish 2025 strong and cross the threshold into 2026 aligned and open to what’s next.

🎟️ Comment “SOULFUL” and we’ll send you the link to RSVP

SOULFUL SELF CHECK-IN📍
• Saturday, December 13th, 2 - 4 PM
• Live in-person in Atlanta (Decatur)
• Comment “Soulful” or visit link in bio to save your seat

EVENT LINEUP 📝
➤ PART 1 • Arrival: Grounding to settle and root into presence
➤ PART 2 • Sound Bath Journey: Ruby guides you into peace and deep clarity with sound frequency
➤ PART 3 • Reflection Portal: Guided reflection with Kelliann to honor 2025’s victories and lessons
➤ PART 4 • Connection: Receive your , sip tea, and collectively set powerful intentions for 2026

🎟️ Comment “SOULFUL” for the link to secure your spot (or check link in bio) Join us, it won’t be the same without you 💚

Rubes and I have been dreaming this up for years✨

Waiting for the moment to host a truly special event. And this year? Everything finally aligned for us to make it happen 🙌🏾

Join us on Saturday, December 13th in Atlanta for a Soulful Self Check-In. 2025 has been a huge year of growth for us (and for so many of you)

💌 We invite you to gather with us, exhale, reflect and honor everything 2025 offered… and set intention for what’s coming in 2026 🌱

We’ve been curating this event quietly, now we’re ready to open the doors

Expect restorative sound healing, mindfulness + guided reflection, intention work, honest conversation + connection, and a relaxing space to truly check in w/ yourself.

Let’s finish 2025 strong and cross the threshold into 2026 aligned and open to what’s next.

🎟️ Comment “SOULFUL” and we’ll send you the link to RSVP

SOULFUL SELF CHECK-IN📍
• Saturday, December 13th, 2 - 4 PM
• Live in-person in Atlanta (Decatur)
• Comment “Soulful” or visit link in bio to save your seat

EVENT LINEUP 📝
➤ PART 1 • Arrival: Grounding to settle and root into presence
➤ PART 2 • Sound Bath Journey: Ruby guides you into peace and deep clarity with sound frequency
➤ PART 3 • Reflection Portal: Guided reflection with Kelliann to honor 2025’s victories and lessons
➤ PART 4 • Connection: Receive your , sip tea, and collectively set powerful intentions for 2026

🎟️ Comment “SOULFUL” for the link to secure your spot (or check link in bio) Join us, it won’t be the same without you 💚

Still riding the TED Talk wave and preparing to step onto future stages…

I decided to look into organizations that would support my speaking journey.

Received a recommendation to look into the National Speaker’s Association (NSA) Georgia Chapter. Popped onto their website, and to my surprise, I saw a familiar face.

It was , who coincidentally I met through the speaking world two years ago when I participated on a panel. We’ve kept in touch ever since.

Turns out not only was he an active member of NSA, Tiran is this year‘s incoming president. The perfect person to speak to the value of the organization he was now leading.

More than a coincidence, to me this was serendipity✨

Occurrences like these have taught me to follow the breadcrumbs of synchronicity and serendipity in my life. Teaching me to see and act on the doors of opportunity that open when I’m on an aligned, purposeful path.

Tiran so graciously invited me to attend last week’s NSA member’s meeting, where we are pictured.

The NSA community was amazing. Felt like I hit the jackpot 🎰 and stepped into a room of movers and shakers really making waves in the professional speaking world.

Thank you Tiran for your leadership and the invitation into the speakers community. Excited to see what other serendipity emerges along this path.

Cc: