116: Lydia Hodgson | Empowerment Through Vulnerability

The Edge Of Excellence Podcast

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by Lydia Hodgson, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, as she shares her powerful story and insights on mental health, excellence, and personal growth. Opening up about her own struggles with eating disorders and mental health in high school, Lydia emphasizes the importance of discussing mental health openly. Her bravery and openness have empowered many, especially young girls who resonated with her experience.

Matt explores Lydia's journey from a small town to achieving extraordinary success in college. Lydia, who broke records as a freshman by generating substantial revenue in a competitive internship, discusses her work ethic and the influence of her family. She attributes her success to lessons learned from her father's hard work and her brother's autism, which taught her the importance of organization and resilience.

The episode explores Lydia's philosophy of life, where she defines excellence as consistently bringing value and positivity through one's passion. She discusses the concept of "active waiting" – the idea of being proactive and open to growth while pursuing one's goals. Lydia's ambition in the fashion and marketing industry is driven by her desire to make a positive impact. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal excellence.

Join Matt and Lydia for this fascinating conversation.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Lydia's personal journey with mental health challenges and her advocacy for open conversations about mental health.
• How Lydia's upbringing, her father's dedication to hard work, and her experiences with her brother's autism shaped her values and work ethic.
• Lydia's definition of excellence as bringing value and positivity through one's passion.
• The concept of "active waiting," or proactively engaging in growth opportunities even without a clear direction.
• Lydia's decision-making process and her choice to pursue a career in the fashion industry, despite lucrative offers elsewhere.
• Lydia's ability to turn personal challenges into strengths and her approach to seeking feedback and support from loved ones.
• Lydia's mission to make the world a better place through her actions and career choices.
• And so much more...