Our Northeastern University Speech: Find Your Why

Julie Elaine Brown and Madeline Cunningham at Northeastern University

Northeastern University Speech: Find Your Why

On October 20, 2024 Madeline Cunningham and I were so honored to speak at Northeastern University for a group of about 200 incredible young women from Delta Zeta NU.

⛰ We spoke about purpose, finding your why, and the importance of connecting to your health. One of the topics that came up was how you can evolve your career and purpose at any point you do not feel aligned.

We were asked incredible thought-provoking questions:

☀ How do you deal with guilt about how not to keep going on a specific path (aka your degree)
☀Dealing with the doubt that things will work out for you
☀How oral contraceptives impact women’s health

🌞 We were described as magnetic, which was such an incredible compliment and a testament to how engaging and inspiring these ladies are!

As an alumni of Northeastern University (graduate school, 1998!!!), I realized halfway through my co-op that I did not want to pursue the thing I was studying ;). It happens.

The skills are transferable: I used my J-degree to get into advertising, then brand strategy…and ultimately entrepreneurship. I can tell you that the interviewing, research, and writing skills have served me well.

Finding Your Why

One of the key topics we led with was the importance of Finding Your Why. Why are you here and what is your “north star” or reason to be?

Finding your “WHY” is important because it gives you a sense of purpose and direction in life.

Motivation: Knowing your “WHY” fuels your motivation, especially during tough times. When you understand the deeper reason behind your actions, it’s easier to stay focused and keep pushing forward.

Clarity and Focus: Having a clear “WHY” helps prioritize what truly matters. It becomes easier to make decisions and focus on goals that align with your purpose, eliminating distractions.

Resilience: Purpose strengthens resilience. When challenges arise, having a meaningful “WHY” gives you the emotional fortitude to persevere and keep going despite setbacks.

Fulfillment: When your actions are aligned with your purpose, life feels more fulfilling. It leads to a deeper sense of satisfaction because you’re working toward something that truly matters to you.

Impact on Others: A strong “WHY” can inspire and influence others. When people see that you are purpose-driven, it often motivates them to reflect on their own purpose, fostering a sense of community and shared goals.

Health and Wellbeing: Research shows that having a sense of purpose is linked to better health outcomes, including longer lifespan, reduced stress, and improved mental health. It promotes a more holistic approach to life, balancing mind, body, and spirit.

Living a Life of Non-Toxicity in all Forms

Maddy spoke about non-toxic living, connecting to a parasympathetic state. She started off with a tapping exercise to lower blood pressure and enhancing lymph drainage (useful for Sunday morning ;).

During our Q&A we were impressed to hear young women express concerns about processed food, synthetic hormones, and non-toxic products.

We spoke about some of the sneaky ways toxins can get into our lives, and how important it is to find organic or local food when possible. We also spoke about toxic relationships and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who light you up.

Apropos for a group of incredible young women in a supportive and empowering sorority! Those friendships will serve those women well throughout their lives.

Thank you Elise Robin for your inspired vision on this, and for hosting us.

Author

Julie Elaine Brown

Julie is the CEO and Co-founder of Rêve Health. She is a serial entrepreneur, accredited investor, and marketing strategist. She ran and sold a funded ecommerce wellness retreat company in 2012 and then started a strategy & transformation consultancy serving Fortune 100 clients. She has a Masters degree in Journalism from Northeastern University and a B.A. in English Literature with a Minor in Exercise Science. As a former Journalist, she is an avid researcher and reader. She enjoys hiking, biohacking, walking her dog, travel, wellness retreats, and watching sci-fi.
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