Alexia Vernon - Step into Your Moxie: Amplify Your Voice, Visibility, and Influence in the World

W riting this book has been yummier than a golden chai latte, and for me thats really saying something. Truly, from the time I first sat my bum-bum down to write my book proposal through to typing out the closing remarks in my last chapter, birthing Step into Your Moxie has been one of my most joyful, intuitive, and purpose-filled professional endeavors I have ever experienced. I say this not to suggest that writing is easy, that the literary gods are sweet on me, or to elicit eye rolls or virtual backhands from anyone who has had a different relationship to writing. Rather, I feel compelled to acknowledge how grateful I am to no longer be circling around the perimeter of my purpose and to be able to write about, speak about, and coach in and from my passion zone. Thank you, precious reader, for reading my words, for letting them inspire your words, and for helping me leave my legacy by choosing to step into your moxie.

To my clients, particularly the women (and occasional men) in my Spotlight programs and in Influencer Academy thank you for showing up for yourselves and for being such fabulous champions for one another. Thank you for trusting me as one of your guides and for reminding me each and every day that I step into my moxie so you have permission, and a pathway, to step into yours.

Big love to my agent, Steve Harris. Agent Steve, thank you for saying, I want this book, for having an answer to all my questions (and I know, I ask a lot of questions), and for being a constant advocate for me and this work.

To the entire team at New World Library, Im grateful to you for giving Step into Your Moxie a nurturing home to grow up in. Thank you, Marc Allen, for acquiring the book. Thank you, Georgia Hughes, my editor, for getting me and my point of view, and for the creative freedom to write the book I envisioned. Kristen Cashman, I thoroughly appreciate all your support in the homestretch with editing, design, and production. To my copyeditor, Mimi Kusch, thank you for letting me keep 90 percent of my humor and for cleaning up my grammar without taming my voice. And thank you, Kim Corbin, for working your marketing moxie to give this book an audience. A special thank-you also goes out to my New World Library sister from another mister, Corinne Zupko. Thank you for shepherding me through this process, for sharing your dos and donts, and for reminding me to breathe during the times when I forgot to.

What a dream come true to partner with the fine folks at Penguin Random House Audio on the audiobook for Step into Your Moxie. You all are true class acts. I appreciate your stellar recommendations for how to get ready, as well as your support during the recording process.

To the women in my Lady Authors Mastermind (yes, Im sticking to our original name), thank you for inviting me into your coven when I was in the depths of PPD, for showing me that solopreneur-speaker-author-motherhood is messy for everyone, and for giving me permission to think outside the box about what this book would look like. For your feedback, advanced endorsements, and introductions, Halelly Azulay, Emily Bennington, Alexandra Levit, and Jodi Glickman, I am forever grateful.

To the women and men in The 108 and The Conquer Club, thank you for sharing one of the most important years of my life with me, for your inspiration, feedback, and courageous truth telling.

Victoriya Scovel, thank you for getting me through the homestretch of the writing and editing process, for laughing at all my jokes, and for always texting me right when I needed some of your boundless wisdom and cheerleading.

Jessica Tomlinson, thank you for believing in the Moxie Movement from the very beginning and for your friendship. Youve been through it all with me including that crazy laryngitis episode wed both like to forget.

To my alma mater, Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, thank you for instilling in me that I have a responsibility, as someone with tremendous privilege, to be a woman who can change the world. Class of 1998 may we always know better, and with twenty years under our belts in the world, care enough to do better.

To my other teachers, mentors, and coaches, especially Jille Bartolome, Gabrielle Bernstein, Lori Lipman Brown, Kay Cannon, Jonathan Fields, Mitalene Fletcher, Nathalie Lussier, Natalie MacNeil, Cheryl Radeloff, Pamela Slim, Jon Stancato, Chris Vine, Rene West, and Helen White whether you were in my life for a season or are hanging around for a lifetime, you each have shaped me as a speaker, author, coach, and thought leader in more ways than you will ever know.

Lots of consensual hugs and kisses go out to my business team, especially to Brittany Becher, Tressa Beheim, Stefanie Frank, Lysa Greer, Cher Hale, Angela Stoner, Michael Vitone, Julie Waterhouse, and Stephenie Zamora. There is no way I could have had the bandwidth to write this book without you all working your magic behind the scenes, breathing life (and support) into the Moxie Movement.

To my family Mom, Dad, Aunt Elaine, and Allen thank you for your unconditional love and tireless championship. To my little Koukla, thank you for reinvigorating my purpose in this world, for unapologetically using your voice (even when Mommy tells you its time to go to bed), and for bringing so much depth and meaning to my life.

And finally, to my partner in work and life, Stephen Oliveira thank you for letting Lafitte bring you onstage, for wooing me with your homemade chocolate-covered strawberries, and for spending the past sixteen years illuminating what it looks like to be kind, compassionate, and committed to justice. There is nobody I would rather cocreate my future and watch The Daily Show with.

B randed a Moxie Maven by President Obamas White House Office of Public Engagement for her unique and effective approach to womens empowerment, Alexia Vernon is a sought-after speaking coach to female (and male) executives, media personalities, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and change-makers who want to spread their ideas, positively impact peoples lives, and advance their thought leadership. Alexia is the creator of the Spotlight speaking community, and she has supported thousands of speakers through her online trainings, live events, the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator coaching program, and her premier mastermind, the Spotlight Speakers Collective.

Alexia has delivered transformational keynotes and corporate trainings for Fortune 500 companies, college campuses, professional associations, and the United Nations, and she is also a TEDxWomen speaker. Alexia has gotten her gab on with media such as CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, Forbes.com, Inc.com, the European Business Review, and Womens Health magazine.

Alexia lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her partner in business and life, Stephen, and their precocious, wide-eyed daughter.

Connect with Alexia online at AlexiaVernon.com. For worksheets, meditations, and other supplemental materials related to the book, visit AlexiaVernon.com/MoxieBook.

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Alexia Vernon

@AlexiaVernon

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