To change your life, you first have to change your mind. Mindset is everything when creating a new you, whether you’re getting over the past, losing weight, trying something new—it all starts with a decision in your mind. 

Back before Rachel Hollis became a household name and a New York Timesbest-selling author Girl, Go Wash Your Face, I made the decision to attend her annual conference, RISE. 

To be honest, I knew very little about Rachel Hollis. I had previously read her fiction books by a recommendation of a friend. (Side note: Party Girl is one of my all-time favorite fiction books. If you have not read Rachel Hollis’ fiction series and love some chick lit, this series is a must-read.) That same friend had invited me to go to the conference, and I decided to tag along. 

Embassy Suites by Hilton Los Angeles

Since it was in Glendale, it was a quick trip to LA. After some searching, we decided that we would stay at Embassy Suites by Hilton Los Angeles. This hotel was a quick walk to the conference. Prior to the trip I had never stayed at an Embassy Suites before, and they exceeded any and all expectations. When we first arrived, snacks awaited us in our large suite. And the breakfast that came with the room was exceptional. Embassy had every item you could possibly imagine, including made-to-order omelets. The best part was they had coffee in to-go cups, so we could take it up to our room when we needed a few extra minutes to wake up. And the provisions did not stop there. Every evening there was “happy hour,” which included complimentary snacks, wine, and Champagne. Cheers!

On the first day of the event, I was not exactly sure of what to expect. I had never been to a “self-help” conference before. The theme of the weekend was “Made for More.” Speakers for that day included Rachel Hollis, Jen Hatmaker (one of my faves), Elyse Snipes, and Dave Hollis. 

Here are a few quotes from the first day that moved me:

“How would the best version of me handle this situation?”—Rachel Hollis

“Sometimes we need a voice not to just tell us what we are, but tell us what we are not.”

“Something doesn’t have to be bad for it to be over.”—Jen Hatmaker

And my favorite of the day, Dave Hollis:

“If you aren't growing, you are dying. There is nothing in between.”

The second day was jammed full of great speakers like Elizabeth Lascaze, best-selling author Anna Todd; lifestyle blogger Landyn Hutchinson; founder of May Designs Mica May; stylist Toi Sweeney; and, of course, Rachel Hollis.  

Concluding the event was an incredible dance act with a song from The Greatest Showman. With fun still to be had, a ’90s dance party was held that evening for the attendees. 

Rachel Hollis’ Rise 2019 conference set for June in Minneapolis is already sold out. (Although there are rumors that she might be holding and additional event in July 2019. At the time I write this, details have not been announced.) The Rise conference was even made into a documentary, Made for More. The documentary first appeared in theaters over summer of 2018, but a special encore is coming back to theaters January 2 and 9. You can grab tickets here. 

Even though I left the weekend motivated by Rachel Hollis and each speaker, what impressed me moving forward is that I am the only one responsible for my situation. We each have the choice to make a different decision, which will fuel different actions for us to gain success in our daily lives. 

If you want to read more about Rachel Hollis, you can find her on the web or on her favorite social media platform, Instagram. 

By Brenna McGowan