Elizabeth Raymond is Charlottesville born and raised. After attending the University of Virginia for her Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Education, Elizabeth ventured into the world of entrepreneurship with her mom and sister, as one of the Co-Founders of NoBull Burger, "the true veggieburger". NoBull Burger produces and wholesales veggie burgers to over 400 grocery stores and restaurants throughout the country, all the while spreading the message of “when you eat good, you feel good and ultimately live a happier, healthier life”. This mantra is evidenced by only using real-food ingredients and chef-driven flavor. When not immersed in the many hats of running a business, she spends time working in her community with the Luke J. Raymond Foundation. She, along with her family, created this organization to advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Elizabeth’s passions encompass the many facets of health and wellness, altogether physically, mentally and socially. She very much enjoys enhancing her life through serving and connecting to others, spending time in nature, practicing yoga, anything involving food & travel, and learning more about this wild world we live in. 

In this episode of the Fenom Podcast I am talking with my good friend, Gina Ward. Gina is the founder of SHIFT2LEAD, a Leadership Development School. She’s a fellow Certified Baptiste Yoga Teacher and Studio owner. Gina’s story has something that I think we can all identify with, her life has been on a constant stair stepper of jobs, titles, accomplishments and approvals from others. She overworked herself in the effort to prove her capabilities and worthiness and I can see so much of my story here, too. Even when an initial diagnosis of Leukemia was given to her, she continued to press on until the illness had to literally knock her out for Gina to make a real shift in her life. This shift has allowed her to lean into her power instead of forcing her way through life. She embraced the less is more mantra that the pandemic has ushered in and found space, clarity and a passion for life that has led her to her life’s purpose- giving tools and techniques to connect people with what is holding them back and put them back into their power. I invite you to listen and see the similarities in your own story and what would it take for you to finally shift your perspective…

Michelline Hall is a Lynchburg Virginia photographer, entrepreneur, and arts advocate.  I came across Michelline when someone shared a post of her “American Woman?” Art exhibit at Lynchburg’s Midtown Outdoor Art Gallery a couple of months ago and I was blown away at her amazing images of stylized portraits of Black and brown women that explore identity and culture. Her 10 photos hang on the side of a commercial building in Lynchburg’s Midtown. Michellin explains,

“Art is essential. Representation is vital. Expanding art interactions beyond traditional venues and into wider communities has always been my passion.” This quote perfectly sums up her “why”.

In speaking more with Michelline, I learned she is the co-founder and Director of Marketing of Blackwater Branding Agency alongside her husband which opens up the conversation to the importance of pivoting and branding in a pandemic as well as working alongside your husband, raising a family and making time for YOU to live your purpose and passion.

Once again, this is why I do this podcast to spotlight an inspirational, phenomenal woman. I hope you enjoy our conversation and catch a piece of Michelline’s spark of life!