Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Natalie Forand of Downtown Phoenix

Natalie Forand shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Natalie , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I love to read by the pool or hot tub. As a content creator, I am always on my phone. I love getting outside and reading to take a screen break and clear my mind. My most recent reads are “It Starts With Us” and “Verity”, both by Colleen Hoover.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Natalie and I am a full time content creator in Downtown Phoenix. I love to film and edit lifetyle content like my daily routines or products and brands that I’m loving. I also love to film vlogs of trips or fun things I do around Phoenix and Scottsdale.

My favorite part of being on social media is the community I have created of both followers and other creators. I have so much fun talking about shows, products, brands and much more! I did this by sharing my realistic life which created a space to relate to one another. I think that is what sets my page apart and makes my community special.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My friendship with my energy healer is what has completely changed myself, my life and how I view it. My experience with her and reiki has helped me realize that the world is not just happening to me but that I am also happening to the world. She helped me learn to forgive and love myself which shifted my entire perspective of who I want to be and what I want to put out in this world.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me gratitude to a depth that I am not sure I would have if things were handed to me or if success had come easy. I am not saying that successful people aren’t grateful. I personally just believe that when you have to lose or sacrifice things to get by, there is an intimate and emotional level of appreciation once over coming those challenges. The person knows the pain of going without.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They would say loyalty. It is important to me to be there for my family and friends no matter what. I expect that in return in any kind of relationship I have. This usually means having a small circle but I enjoy that.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace here in Arizona. When I was little, I would always say that I wanted to live somewhere it was always summer. I enjoy the sun, swimming and being outside in general. It re-charges me and fills my cup.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @blondepersonatalie
• Youtube: @blondepersonatalie
• Other: Tiktok: @blondepersonatalie