Berni Xiong (shUNG) Is The Shin Kicking Life Spark.

In 2008, I took a leap of faith from my cushy corporate sales job to launch my first entrepreneurial endeavor. I had little cash reserves but A LOT of ambition. As with any major transition in life, I got really sick three weeks into my new venture. Was hospitalized for a week. Forced to fast for seven days. On day 7, I was discharged from the hospital with a mystery diagnosis. Slapped with a $40,000 medical bill and a prescription for antibiotics to kill the parasite in my colon I had contracted from the hospital bed.

If you would have told me things happened for a reason. I would have told you to take your yoga mat and shove it where the sun don’t shine.

Nothing can ever prepare you for epic fails like these. Times when you have your back against the wall. Jobless. Losing thousands of dollars quickly. A complete invalid feeling like a good-for-nothing waste of space.

For a few days during my downward spiral, I even entertained the idea of letting myself whittle away to nothing so my son could collect my life insurance.

I thank my lucky stars I surrounded myself with good people who supported me through one of the most debilitating times in my life. One golden nugget I keep with me every day is something my coach taught me that cold November in 2008.

Have an attitude of gratitude.

Every day, my only goal was to take one positive action that day. In order to get to the next day.

A week into my recovery, I volunteered for a non-profit organization. One week later, I applied for new sales jobs even though I was barely able to walk and unable to drive without vertigo. On day 36 of my recovery, I landed a new sales job and began rebuilding my life, career and self-esteem.

Nine months later, the universe tossed another boulder on my plans. I was booted from corporate and back in transition once again. Turns out that was just the shin kick I needed to spark the re-launch of my business. Since the Fall of 2009, I’ve been dedicated to coaching other solopreneurs, consulting start-ups and small businesses, speaking at conferences and events, writing and publishign articles, and hosting The Shut Up Show.

Today, I spark people and movements.

MORE ABOUT BERNI

Berni is the author of  The Year of the Brave Bear: Speak Up. Stand Out. Change Your World.

She is a trained professional coach and graduate of Coach University, the first and original coach certification training institute. She also holds a Master of Arts in Business Administration (MBA) from Cardinal Stritch University where she graduated with high distinction and was inducted into Delta mu Delta, a national honor society in business administration.

She is a certified Weight Management Specialist through American Council on Exercise (ACE).

Berni’s proudest accomplishment is being mom to a 20-year-old son–her male doppelganger.

Berni currently lives in America’s Midwest serving clients virtually anywhere there are shins that need kicking and access to Internet or a phone.