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Meet Alisha Gee of We Lift To Rise in Scottsdale

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha Gee.

Alisha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I never thought my family member who I use to play monopoly with would also be the one who stole my innocence by putting his hands underneath my clothes. This is my story and, unfortunately, the story for so many others. For so long, I was scared to tell the truth. I am here today to tell you that we do not have to keep it a secret anymore. We do not need to carry the shame that doesn’t belong to us. We can be free starting right now by learning from what has happened to us and allowing it to make us stronger. I want to tell you more about my story of abuse but I will not stop with just my experience in the past. I also want you to know how strong it has made me and how I have used my pain and suffering to become the influencer I am today.

Between the ages of 11 and 13, a family member consistently molest me. It started of with innocent games and turned into inappropriate touching. It took me a long time to realize what was actually happening because this family member would always tell me “it was normal,” “everyone does this,” etc. I always knew deep down that it was ok.

Then there was the shame. When I finally started saying no and tried to get him to stop, he would threaten to tell our parents a secret of mine like “well, I’ll tell your parents that you drink and cut yourself.” Sadly, at that point, the outlet I found to deal with my pain was self-mutilation. I started cutting myself all over my body so I would only focus on the physical pain instead of the incredible pain I felt inside. Eventually, the cutting wasn’t enough and when that didn’t work anymore, I started drinking to forget my pain. I was so ashamed. I was ashamed that my family member was doing this to me. I was ashamed about the cuts all over my body.

I have a little different story than most because I never ended up having to tell anyone. Ultimately, and to my relief, my parents ended up seeing an inappropriate email from this family member had sent me while he was traveling. My parents questioned him about it and he told them everything. My mom then confronted me about it and I told them everything as well.

Unfortunately, her response wasn’t what I had hoped it would be. She wasn’t upset for me, she was upset with me. For some reason, my mother wasn’t able to be the supporting and loving mom I needed during that time and instead she blamed me for letting the abuse happen for so long. She made me feel even worse about the situation and made me feel like it was all my fault. This leads me into a very important part of this story. What to do with a negative reaction from someone you trust.

It wasn’t until a year later, when I went to counseling, did I fully understand the abuse wasn’t my fault. My mom reacted the way she did because she felt embarrassed that this happened in our family and didn’t want anyone to ever find out about it.

Here is why this part is so important: If you have told someone but they aren’t doing anything about it then you need to tell someone else. Even if they tell you not to tell anyone else. That is their fear talking. You did nothing wrong. And sometimes, it’s hard to understand but not all grownups act like grownups in tough situations. You need to keep telling people until you find the right person who gets you out of the situation you’re in and gets help for you.

Being abused by a family member was my story but not anymore because I want to tell you that you don’t have to let your past define you. Whatever traumas or difficulties you have experienced in your past, while they might never fully leave you, they do not define you, that is NOT YOUR STORY.

I have turned my abuse from the past into my greatest strength because I have become a health and transformational coach and speaker. That has lead me to open up my own company called We Lift To Rise for women who have been through abuse or painful past experiences.

I created the Rise Up Framework that helps women Release their past, Reclaim who they are meant to be, and Rise Up and create a future they’ve always dreamed of. I am extremely honored to be able to walk alongside women while they are on their journey of healing through taking action every single day to learn who they are and love themselves again. I work with them through fitness, mindset, and accountability. I believe fitness is the number one way to fight for yourself after abuse and painful past experiences. When you can change your mindset behind fitness and the way you view your body, you are able to return to your true self and love who you are. Most importantly, I believe that we are not meant to do life on our own that is why I love having a group of women supporting each other on their healing journey.

You have the chance right now to re-write your story. You get to decide how it goes. If you need help, ask for it today. Don’t wait like I did to stop having the victim mindset. Your choices will influence those around you. You have the power within you to make a positive difference in your life and in the world. Go and start Influencing the world now! You are never too young!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been anything but smooth and for a while, I would beat myself up for “cooping” with negative behaviors such as drinking, cutting, and doing stuff with other guys.

However, now looking back I realized that I was fighting for myself the only way I knew how which was numbing my pain anyway I could.

I feel fortunate though because it could have been way worse if I had an addictive personality because the amount I was drinking could have lead me to being an alcoholic for life or worse. I also feel blessed that I did not get in any worse situations while I was drinking and doing stuff with guys that could have lead me to being drugged and sold in Sex Trafficking.

I think the worse thing I went through was giving up on who I was meant to be for so long. After the abuse I lost myself and didn’t even know who I was and what I loved to do. Even if I would dream about changing the world, I would always go back to the victim mentality and think about my past and how shameful I was about it.

We Lift To Rise – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is called We Lift To Rise for women who have been through abuse or painful past experiences. The idea behind my company is that we lift each other up to rise to our full potential and we lift weights to lift our self up after painful life experiences.

I believe when we rise above our abuse in the past we are able to stop letting the past define us and start writing our own future! And I believe through empowering women through physical, mental, and emotional support we can change the direction of self-destruction women who have been through abuse are headed towards!

I created the Rise Up Framework which I use in my online coaching program called Rise Up Academy which helps women Release their past, Reclaim who they are meant to be, and Rise Up and create a future they’ve always dreamed of. I am extremely honored to be able to walk alongside women while they are on their journey of healing through taking action every single day to learn who they are and love themselves again. I work with them through fitness, mindset, and accountability. I believe fitness is the number one way to fight for yourself after abuse and painful past experiences. When you can change your mindset behind fitness and the way you view your body you are able to return to your true self and love who you are. Most importantly, I believe that we are not meant to do life on our own that is why I love having a group of women supporting each other on their healing journey.

I am most proud that I have been able to take a stand for women who have experienced abused and painful like experiences to share their own stories and love who they were created to be.

What makes Rise Up Academy Different:
– Coached by Alisha who has gone through sexual abuse by a family member and has spent 15 years of blood, sweat, and tears to build a program that saved her own life.
– Interviewed many different women on their past painful experiences and what has helped them, which gives this program variety for every women who has gone through pain.
– This program focuses on fitness as well because it will give you the strength and confidence you need to fully heal.
– You have a group of survivors supporting you and sharing their success stories to inspire you

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Speaking engagements because I take a stand for women in all walks of life and am open and honest with them about my story and my struggles, so it gives them the courage to do the same. So I am proud that the difference, the difference makes.

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