On The Grow

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the 109th episode into the Truth About Series.

"The hardest parts of grieving are the little moments that become so routine to you that you don’t realize until they’re gone. Luna would always be the first one to greet me when I came back from my run. Her little paws would scurry to the door or she’d be peeking from her favorite blue pillow on my bed when the door opened to see who it was. After my runs the past few days, while walking up 9 flights of stairs to my apartment, my heart would break all over again. Knowing that Luna wouldn’t be there to greet me when I opened the door. Knowing that I wouldn’t see her cute little face ever again."

In Episode 109 on On The Grow, I talk about a recent tragic occurrence that happened in my life. I talk about how pain affects us, what I’ve been learning on this healing journey so far, and a mind-blowing perspective that can help someone else who is in a similar situation. If anyone else is hurting or in pain, I hope this episode comforts you as much as this healing journey has comforted me. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.co

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the 108th episode into the Truth About Series.

"What’s so fascinating about this progress is that a week or two leading up to the race, I was hitting my tempo runs a little faster than the 7:19 pace that I was aiming for. I remember praying about this over and over and God was telling me: “You will run this race faster than what you’ve been training for.” It was an unexplainable moment and of course, I had a million questions asking HOW this would happen. But since then, I couldn’t shake the words out of my mind. All I knew was… something epic was going to happen at this race."

In Episode 108 on On The Grow, I do a full race experience recap of the United NYC Half Marathon, I talk about my training focus and mindset of how I approached this half marathon, what it means to go after something scary and how I navigate this mindset, one of the most important things I’m learning in the current season of running, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.co

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the 107th episode into the Truth About Series.

"There’s something to be said about repetition.

You know why Netflix is successful? It can retain customers for a long time with the right series. It hooks the viewer with bingeable episodes to watch any time, anywhere. If I think about the Vampire Diaries, the episodes after the first one in a series starts with: “Previously on the Vampire Diaries.” The idea is, each episode is a cliffhanger, leading to the next. And the more you watched, the more invested you were. Now what if we took that same concept… and applied it to social media?"

In Episode 107 on On The Grow, I talk about the one thing I’ve been encouraging my clients to think about for their social media content. If you’re new, I own a social media agency called Gracefullee Made, that focuses on strategic storytelling as the approach to growth on social media. In the episode, I will explain why a series thinking mindset is valuable in the world of content, the importance of repetition, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.co

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the 106th episode into the Truth About Series.

"In a world where conformity often seems like the safest route, being a creative has its perks. There’s endless paths to choose from. The question is no longer, ‘where?’ But instead, ‘which ONE?’ A creative’s way of thinking is simply this — when one path isn’t an option, how can we create another one? It opens doors to new forms, styles, and mediums and causes us to explore uncharted territories of expression."

In Episode 106 on On The Grow, I talk about what it means to navigate being a creative in a chaotic world. Where does the mind draw motivation, inspiration, and creativity in a world that tries to distract, limit, and criticize you? I explore how we find inspiration in the chaos, redefine boundaries, challenge norms, and push the boundaries of digital storytelling. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.co

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the 105th one-off episode to wrap up 2023.

"In the waiting, I learned not to let outside noises distract me.

In the waiting, I learned to be still in the chaos.

In the waiting, I learned how to respond and not react.

In the waiting, I learned that you are not meant for everyone.

In the waiting, I learned how strong we are when we put our trust in Him, and not ourselves.

In the waiting, I saw the beauty of progress and hard work. 

In the waiting, I was reminded of the power of listening. 

In the trials and hardships, we discover what we were truly looking for all along."

In Episode 105 on On The Grow, I talk about how the waiting season was the most humbling, but rewarding component in 2023. I share an end-of-year recap from my personal, running, and business journey and how being still in a life of chaos can be the one thing that gives us hope. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.co

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the 104th episode into the Marathon Season Series.

"There’s this unspoken communication that happens at races that only us runners participating in the given race understand. We have this indirect eye contact thing sympathizing with one another because we’re all suffering internally but know that others are going through it with us, so it’s assuring in a weird way. 

In Episode 104 on On The Grow, I talk about ending the marathon season with the New York City Marathon and the recap that has been in the works. I cover the mindset going into the New York City Marathon, what I learned running it, a recap of some of the tough and fun miles on the course, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the 102nd episode into the Marathon Season Series.

"There is nothing more beautiful than when you prove to yourself just how strong you are. That’s exactly how I felt in this moment. I could finally see the finish line up ahead. My legs were cramping HARD. Every bone in my body was telling me to stop running. “You’re not tired, keep pushing,” I repeated over and over in my head. It really took a lot of convincing. I took a deep breath wincing in pain as I started to pick up speed again."

In Episode 102 on On The Grow, I go into details of my mindset and goals heading into the Columbus Marathon, a race recap, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the 101th episode into the Walk and Talk Series.

"People don’t realize that when you get robbed, in that instant moment, your brain… it just kind of doesn’t function properly. At least not right away. Your body is just numb trying to process what just happened but at the same time, your mind is telling you you need to make decisions… fast."

In Episode 101 on On The Grow, I talk about overcoming the curveballs life throws your way. In this instance, a scenario I never thought would happen to me. I was robbed in broad daylight in the middle of a public square in London. I share the story of what happened, how it feels to be in a traumatic moment like this, the mindset shift that helped me overcome it, and how I still made the most of the trip there.  

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the one hundredth episode into the Walk and Talk Series.

"It’s true when they say in the moment… things feel like a blur, almost like you black out. I could feel my heart beating so fast — hyperventilating and getting teary-eyed at the same time. Was I really crying? How does one feel in this moment? My hands were shaking, I didn’t know which expressions to emote. This was *really happening.* Right there, right now. Bobby was down on one knee with a ring box in his hand, Brynne was over on the side snapping photos, the sun was setting behind me… and in that fleeting moment, all I wanted was for time to stand still. Everything about this exact memory was simply perfect… right out of a fairytale."

In Episode 100 on On The Grow, I share the details of the proposal night which includes how Bobby asked, whether I was surprised or not, an unexpected plot twist, and lastly, my answer to the question: how’d you know he was the one?

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety ninth episode into the Walk and Talk Series.

“Didn’t you always want to help people, Grace?” I thought. And that made me realize just how powerful it is to tell your story. To truly open up and be vulnerable and raw with some of the deepest and darkest parts of you. The ones that you were able to overcome because you are worth fighting for. When you’re in that mindset of controlling what you eat and how you look, growth isn’t really the thing you’re focusing on. If anything, it’s diminishing yourself less and less so that people can’t see you anymore. You want control… until you have nothing TO control."

In Episode 99 on On The Grow, I take another trip down memory lane and revisit a dark and miserable time in my life where I secretly battled something I considered a flaw. For 8 years, on and off, I struggled to find purpose in who I was, refused to nourish my body with the proper nutrition, and navigated a twisted and disordered mindset that took years to shift. Eventually, I learned to overcome my insecurities and imperfections that were getting in the way of my growth and turned it into something that would leave an impact instead.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety eighth episode into the Dear Diary Series.

"Sometimes, I’ll have these thoughts through moments of burnout, and also just out of curiosity. When I used to feel burnout — and man, were they bad back when I was getting started with my agency — I used to question why I didn’t choose the other career options I had shown interest in at different points in my life. When the questions arose from burnout, it made me realize that most of the choices I had shown interest in, were actually checklists that I found convenient In that season of life. It was either because I had seen the ‘easy’ sides of that career option and considered I could just ‘get by.’"

In Episode 98 on On The Grow, I dive deep into a question that I’ve asked myself numerous times throughout this career in social media. Whether it was through moments of burnout or just out of curiosity, I question the very question of other career options that I had been interested in or would have been opted for, had I not gone into the social media industry.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety seventh episode into the Dear Diary Series.

"I look back and I’ve noticed a recurring pattern of the meaning and value behind my homes. I’m a firm believer that your HOME is a reflection of who you are as a person. The way you decorate and shape it. The way you take care of it. The way you decide who can come inside it."

In Episode 97 on On The Grow, I talk about the place or places that we call ‘home.’ Our comfort space, our place of residence, our coveted and treasured spot that has value and meaning behind closed doors. I talk about what ‘home’ meant to me growing up, defining what ‘home’ means in our adulthood, the experiences we have with temporary living, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety sixth episode into the Dear Diary Series.

"How do URL conversations cut off IRL conversations? In the span of a decade, I’ve witnessed and seen so many friendships fizzle out because of Instagram alone. And I realized — social media makes it possible to maintain more friendships, but at a more shallow level. Social media makes it EASIER to not have to go beyond a real friendship with someone. We start to dictate that someone “liking” our posts or “commenting” means they’re friends with us. It confirms our connection to them. But what happens when that person stops interacting with you online but still interacts in person? The social media relationships become based on storytelling rather than shared living— which is not bad, but just not the same."

In Episode 96 on On The Grow, I share a recurring question that seems to creep up in every season. I do a deep dive into how social media can affect a friendship in real life, the truth behind why people judge a friendship off of social media alone, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety fifth episode into the Dear Diary Series.

"I still very much love fashion. I do. It excites me to work with fashion brands, attend NYFW shows, and do anything fashion-related, but now… I have other loves. And that’s just it — I always thought that there could only be ONE love. That whatever love consumed me in that season of life would be replaced if I tried to add in other passions."

In Episode 95 on On The Grow, I share what has my full attention and focus in this current season of life, how we can tell when we’re fixated on something, and exploring how this fixation relates to other aspects in our lives. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety fourth episode into the binge-able Dear Diary Series.

"As we get older, we start to see age for what it really is — just a number. It has meaning every year, as we celebrate reaching another number, but over time, the value of it just simply becomes another numerical symbol rather than it defining who we are."

In Episode 94 on On The Grow, I talk about the numbers game in relation to age, the truth about age in our adulthood, and why we shouldn’t let age define who we are. If you remember from this previous episode, I shared I had marked a goal date in my calendar that scared me, and I also give a more thorough recap of that very *goal* and how it came to fruition. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety third episode into the binge-able Dear Diary Series.

"You recognize there’s power in fearing something and that you can choose to control whether fear wins or you win. I know it’s not easy — in fact, every time I do this, I find days where I can’t sit still because of how scared I am for that specific date. But there’s also something so exhilarating about going for it. Knowing that that fear, the thing that scares you, doesn’t control you."

In Episode 93 on On The Grow, I talk about the value in doing things that scare you, what we can learn from it, and more. I share an example of a previous goal I had a few months ago where I felt so anxious and excited at the same time, and how it came to fruition. In addition, I share another goal that I marked on the calendar... in October. OFFICIALLY. Two words: Challenge. Accepted.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety second episode into the binge-able Falling in Love Series.

“I owe it to myself to try something different. And if I’m going to try something different, I’m going to really lean into what my gut is telling me to do in health and fitness.”

In Episode 92 on On The Grow, I have one of my clients, Tom McGee join me to talk about building a brand and falling in love with the process of it. He shares more in-depth about his background and journey into the fitness industry and creating his own business after breaking off from the corporate world. Tom does a really great job at tying in the mindset and challenges we face on an everyday basis and applying them to both fitness and nutrition.

Tom is an online fitness and nutrition coach based in New York City.

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninety first episode into the binge-able Falling in Love Series.

"I was taken back by that, but that’s the kind of person Andy is — he’s always looking for us to be our best selves and he’s not afraid to ask for help.”

In Episode 91 on On The Grow, I have one of my really good friends Shenae join me to share her beautiful, and not your typical, love story of how she met her husband, Andy Garcia. I couldn't think of anyone better to share the process of falling in love with a person than Shenae because she shares the importance of falling in love with one's heart more than just the physicalities. In the episode, we share tips for someone who is in the singleness season who is looking for their special someone, what it means to really give someone a chance, and so much more. 

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the ninetieth episode into the binge-able Falling in Love Series.

"That’s one of the cool things about running a marathon. Because no matter how fast you finish — no matter if you’re running the whole time — if you finish, you have that forever, knowing what you’re capable of. I’m capable of doing this — I’m a marathoner, no matter how fast it is.”

In Episode 90 on On The Grow, I have one of my best friends Tatum, join me to talk about what the process is like training for a marathon (from applying to training to the finish line), how to apply for Chicago and NYC Marathon, tips for someone wanting to run a marathon, and more. This is a really insightful episode for someone running the NYC Marathon this weekend, or someone who plans to run it in the future.

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-ninth episode into the binge-able Falling in Love Series.

"There’s a lot of things that interest me about New York City, but there is one particular thing that interests me more than the others — and that is how New York City can be seen as a paradox. It’s both empty and fulfilling. It can end dreams, just as quickly as it can start them. Living here is both simple and complicated. It makes us feel happier, and more connected than any other city in the world. But at the same time, it can also be the catalyst that pushes us into a hole of depth and despair that is almost indescribable when we feel disconnected from it. So what is it about this place that leaves us hungry for more?"

In Episode 89 on On The Grow, I talk about that moment when I truly fell in love with New York City -- how that love didn’t happen instantly, the process of falling in love with where you currently are, and how a city like New York can change you.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-eighth episode into the binge-able Conflict Resolution Series.

“A lot of people in relationships are dishonest with themselves. They think they want something and maybe they do, maybe they do like that partner, but deep inside, they’re not being honest with themselves. They actually just like the comfort. They’re comfortable with where they’re at, they’re fearful of the uncertainty of not having another person. I feel that dependency is a huge reason why conflicts start is because people don’t want to opt out of something they are comfortable in.”

In Episode 88 on On The Grow, my boyfriend Bobby joins me to talk about how we met, our first “date” (which was actually virtual), our first conflict and dissecting the real issue in both perspectives, our mindset on conflicts within relationships, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-seventh episode into the binge-able Conflict Resolution Series.

"And you know what they don’t tell us about friendships in our adulthood? It’s that it’s not a falling out more than it is just the natural progression of things. Time moves on, so do we. As adults, our friendships are slightly more strategic, created based on deeper things we have in common and rejected by what we do not. I guess you can say we’re pickier and it’s the commonality and shared interests that bring us together, whether we realize it or not. We realize that our friendships form seeking company we enjoy that challenges us and encourages us to be the best we can be."

In Episode 87 on On The Grow, I talk about the causes behind conflicts in our friendships, things I’ve learned about friendships in my late 20s, how to cope with friendship breakups, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-sixth episode into the binge-able Conflict Resolution Series.

"Maybe we avoid conflict because we fear the confrontation. We fear how the other person may respond. Or where the situation could go. Maybe we fear conflict because it’s uncomfortable. We can’t control how the ending to the situation may go and it’s a scary thought. But it’s the conflict itself that teaches us to get better at handling these situations — how to respond rather than react."

In Episode 86 on On The Grow, I talk about the causes behind conflicts in professional settings, the fear of conflict, what happens when emotions drive decisions, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-fifth episode into the binge-able Deep Dive Into the Life of a Social Media Entrepreneur Series.

"The thing about these sorts of things is that when you love something, it shows. You don’t have to explain it, you don’t have to shout it on the rooftops… it SHOWS. It shows in your content, it shows on your face, it shows in your personality… and that’s exactly what happened. My love for creating and storytelling in a digital space taught me so much about what social media really was. The desire to share anything, really. The desire to connect with others digitally. The desire to be entertained. The desire to be limitless in creativity."

In Episode 85 on On The Grow, I share the moment when the idea of working in the social media space crossed my mind, a fun fact of how I even started my online presence, tips on pursuing a career path in social media, and I end the podcast answering the submitted Q&As that people were interested in learning more about the social media space.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-fourth episode into the binge-able Deep Dive Into the Life of a Social Media Entrepreneur Series.

"Client shoot days are the performance in my book. It’s the grand show where you’re on stage presenting your talent to not just the client, but to the world. You’re dressed your best, you're fueled properly — mentally and physically. You’re focused and ready to execute what you learned in dress rehearsal. And that’s when the fun part begins."

In Episode 84 on On The Grow, I share what goes on behind a day planning, traveling, and shooting content for clients — there’s more to what’s perceived on social media, so I wanted to share more of what goes behind the scenes on days like these. I talk about the analogies of how content shooting days are like a performance, tips of what I’ve learned on work trips, an important mantra I live by, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-third episode into the binge-able Deep Dive Into the Life of a Social Media Entrepreneur Series.

"I used to be the type of girl who would want to know how other entrepreneurs did it all. How they managed to go about their entire day and get everything done. How were they maximizing their day? Their time? Was the answer waking up earlier? Was the answer coffee? … half-kidding. What fueled them to always be go-go-go and never miss a beat? After two years of diving right into my own social media business, it turns out, the answer is quite simple."

In Episode 83 on On The Grow, I talk about my day-to-day tasks as a social media strategist. I share how my day is broken down, what my workload consists of, what I’m doing for my clients, and my work-balance lifestyle.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-second episode into the binge-able Deep Dive Into the Life of a Social Media Entrepreneur Series.

"The most difficult part of hiring wasn’t adding someone to my team, but more so giving up that control of doing everything. What prevented me several times from even sending out that hiring post was the fear of letting someone else in and do the work that you’ve grown so comfortable doing yourself."

In Episode 82 on On The Grow, I talk about how social media affects our mental health from a marketer’s standpoint, how to deal with constantly being ONLINE as a creator and an entrepreneur, where I’ve seen growth from a professional perspective, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eighty-first episode into the binge-able Deep Dive Into the Life of a Social Media Entrepreneur Series.

"I’ve always been that person who never thought burnout would happen to me. ‘I love what I do — there’s no way I’d ever get burnt out from it,’ I had myself convinced. But little did I realize that even if you love what you do, it’s not always the work that burns you out. Sometimes it’s the combination of work and life events that becomes a recipe for burnout."

In Episode 81 on On The Grow, I talk about why social media marketers find themselves so easily burnt out, the energy leaks that may be causing our burnout, how to break free from burnout, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the eightieth episode into the binge-able Running With Vision Series.

"The thing that always impresses me about running is that even when your legs are about to give in, there’s something about the finish line that will remind you that you’ve got more in you to keep going. You’ve got a little more energy and strength to push yourself even more to finish STRONG."

In Episode 80 on On The Grow, I talk about the mentality of a runner when crossing that finish line, why you should finish strong while training, the truth behind why we put so much emphasis into the end of a race rather than the start, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-ninth episode into the binge-able Running With Vision Series.

"Here’s the thing. Gratitude runs… they aren’t about speed. As a runner, you can imagine speed is the first thing that comes to mind when running a race. How fast are you going? What time did you clock? Did you hit a PR? All thoughts that go into a runner or spectator’s mind when watching a race."

In Episode 79 on On The Grow, I talk about being thankful for our health, body, physical, and mental strength. This episode was very fitting, as May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I share the importance of taking runs one day at a time, not obsessing over progress, the harmful effects of comparing your runs to others, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-eighth episode into the binge-able Running With Vision Series.

"I know what you’re thinking — if you’re trying to be faster, why on earth would you slow down? But that’s just it. People are so caught up and focused on the fastest mile, the fastest pace, or the fastest time on the scoreboard, that slowing down is the last thing they’d ever do. But little do people know that while you’re training as a distance runner, it is ESSENTIAL to slow down in order to get faster in running. Because by slowing down, you’re building consistency with effort. Your body doesn’t know “pace,” it only knows effort."

In Episode 78 on On The Grow, I talk about why it’s essential to slow down in order to get faster in running, two goals I’m focusing on for this upcoming Sunday’s Brooklyn half marathon and my strategy for it, what I’ve learned in group training, the runs where you’re not performing your best and how every run will not always be your best run.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-seventh episode into the binge-able Running With Vision Series.

"Our minds are so powerful. We believe what we think. Often times, when I’m struggling or stressing about my workload, the question I’ll ask myself is this — what’s an area I can focus on that might be my biggest obstacle that I can turn into my biggest advantage? How can I take something like a hill, a challenge, and make it a goal I want to reach? Remember: Moments of weakness are just opportunities to get stronger."

In Episode 77 on On The Grow, I talk about running the “hills” in your race and also in life, my mentality when it comes to running hills and how to overcome them, how I’ve progressed when I first started to now, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-sixth episode into the binge-able Running With Vision Series.

"I used to think that when you’re running empty, you’ll feel lighter. I thought the weight you add on would weigh you down. You feel like you’re able to run faster, stronger, longer… and I did. At that level, I was able to sprint one of my best runs. But just like in life, when we take the shortcut to success or try to cut corners with building anything sustainable… you crash. The high will come down and you WILL experience the hardships of what you were trying to pursue temporarily.

In Episode 76 on On The Grow, I talk about my mindset prior to long-distance running, what it means to run on empty, not fueling properly before and after a run, why our bodies NEED fuel, and where my energy source comes from.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-fifth episode into the binge-able Life Hacks Series.

“Do you feel safe to open up to this person? Or is it surface-level? It’s okay to have the surface level, fun friends. But it’s just more of ‘how deep are you willing to go to listen to each other and be there for that person?' I think that willingness to open and listen without judging them is a really difficult quality to find in strangers and friendship encounters. We encounter a lot of people all the time, but who are the people who are willing to show up for you?”

In Episode 75 on On The Grow, I bring on a special guest -- Teresa Ting -- for a discussion on choosing the right company for friendships and relationships. We talk about what bonds you to be friends, seasonal friendships, qualities to look for in a real friendship, the challenges of friendships in our industries -- as an actor and as a social media marketer. And finally, we go into relationships where we talk about what's really important, standouts, what we find attractive in another person, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-fourth episode into the binge-able Life Hacks Series.

"I think this is a mind shift. Whatever happened may not be OKAY, but you’re essentially going to stay stuck where you are because of your refusal to move forward. Let me be clear: moving forward doesn’t always mean you’re accepting it’s okay. It means you’ve chosen to prioritize YOURSELF — your health and your happiness — instead of wallowing in unrealistic hopes of righting the past."

In Episode 74 on On The Grow, I talk about a topic that many of us struggle with. Whether it’s forgiving others in a relationship, forgiving others in a friendship, or even forgiving ourselves for past mistakes, I find that the act of forgiveness is easier said than done. We tend to not want to forgive others because if we do, it will excuse the behavior that caused the pain in the first place. It acts as a sign of defeat — it feels like we’re OKAY with whatever situation that happened. I’ll share a few more reasons why it’s hard to forgive others, and then why we SHOULD forgive, towards the end of the episode.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-third episode into the binge-able Life Hacks Series.

"I think a lot of people think living on a budget is like living on a leash. It can actually be freeing, if you think about it. You don’t have to worry if you can treat yourself or do this or spend that because your budget will let you know. And having a budget can keep you in check for your savings goals too."

In Episode 73 on On The Grow, I talk about another important aspect of adulting — managing our finances. Money is always a tricky subject to discuss — especially as we get older. It’s also a taboo subject — many of us don’t talk about it. But what if we did? In a healthy way? In a beneficial way to help others? I share how the money conversation hardly played a role in our childhood education, reasons why people may steer clear of the topic, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-second episode into the binge-able Life Hacks Series.

"Think about it — our parents’ relationship is our first and most influential example of how to interact and communicate in a romantic relationship -- how love is shown between parents influences the child."

In Episode 72 on On The Grow, I talk about why it’s so important to build and maintain a strong, positive relationship with your parents. I also go more in-depth on my experience and background between me and my parents’ relationship, how it plays an influential role in my life now, things I’ve noticed because of the positive relationship, ways to strengthen that bond if you’ve been putting it off, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

Email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventy-first episode into the binge-able Life Hacks Series.

"Let’s talk about the very term ‘adulting.’ It’s become a frequently used word for all of the things that people need to do as grown-ups. I remember back in grade school and even college when my friends, classmates, and I would converse about what life would be like as ‘adults.’ We’d joke around and throw the term ‘adulting’ around loosely. ‘Adulting’ is paying bills and going to your first big girl, big boy job. ‘Adulting’ is making dinner for yourself after a long day of work. Did you ever take time to think about how you thought your life would be all figured out by your mid-20s and 30s?"

In Episode 71 on On The Grow, I talk about an important aspect of adulting — taking responsibility. I go more in-depth on the Internet’s joking term ‘adulting’ and how we’ve labeled it into a term for all the things people need to do as grown-ups, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the seventieth episode into the binge-able Red Flags Series.

"Growth comes in many forms — I don’t promise clients that I’ll grow their following to an X number, but I do assure that I will help build a community and help with engagement. It’s better to focus on long-term, sustainable goals rather than temporary ones."

In Episode 70 on On The Grow, I talk about the red flags a social media marketer spots or should spot in clients and potential clients. If you’re looking to get into this space or currently in this space, you might already know the signs or have already seen the signs. When you’re in the early stages of your business, it’s easy to look past the red flags at first. You’re in the mindset of starting it up, getting it to work and also hustling because you’re ALL IN. But as your business grows and you’re finally learning bits and pieces of how you want to run your business and reminding yourself of the values you stand for, the red flags start to become clearer. More visible, I’ll say.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty ninth episode into the binge-able Red Flags Series.

"I think it’s so healthy to check ourselves every once in awhile. We can get blinded by the things we love or the things we want, that sometimes those red flags don’t seem as visible. After all, when you look at someone through rose-colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."

In Episode 69 on On The Grow titled, “That’s What Happened: You,” (inspired by a favorite line from Taylor Swift’s latest and greatest), I talk about five red flags to look for in yourself. How often are we so ready to detect red flags in our new love interests or new friendships, that we forget to spot the red flags in ourselves? We’re so quick to judge someone else’s actions that we overlook our OWN. RED. FLAGS. I’ll talk about five red flags — self-deprecation, dependency, self-work, self-centeredness, commitment issues, how to spot them, and more. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty eighth episode into the binge-able Red Flags Series.

"It’s going to take some time to heal, and every day won’t be easy. You basically lived at this work environment for months or years, so it will take time. It really helps to not beat yourself up over what happened in the end and remind yourself that you were able to free yourself from something that wasn’t benefitting you. It may be the ‘dream job’ or a stepping stone to your next career, but what I’ve learned especially from my experiences is this — if it costs you your peace and mental health… it’s not worth it. There are so many things that are greater than just a ‘dream job.’ Having a title or a job doesn’t define who you are. It’s not the job that makes you… it’s what YOU make out of that job that matters. Don’t forget it."

In Episode 68 on On The Grow, I share my experiences working in a toxic work culture, four red flags to spot one, how to slowly integrate out of one (mentally or physically), and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty seventh episode into the binge-able Red Flags Series.

"Along with this fast-paced hustle culture, technology gives us EVERYTHING we want. Everything is there at the touch of a button. When we’re lazy or just don’t have time to cook, we Postmate it. Or Uber Eats it. We get our food delivered to us in an hour or less RIGHT to our door. It’s that easy. We are so used to figuring out how to optimize our time and our pleasures that forging real relationships doesn’t register the same way. So when we start sending an eggplant emoji to a girl on a late night and she doesn’t respond or doesn’t want to come over, we get upset. Or if you want to hangout next week at 7 PM with a friend, and they can’t do that specific time, you’re bummed out. We’re so used to getting what we want when we want it, we run away from the idea of slowing down and nurturing a real relationship. Don’t even get me started on the dating apps."

In Episode 67 on On The Grow, I talk about the people who claim to make plans once, twice, maybe even three times… and never follow through. These are the people who like to say A LOT, but when it comes to executing, it never happens. They like to talk up a big game of who they are, their plans, what they’ll do… but then nothing. I call these people flakes — BIG. RED. FLAGS. I’ll talk about the type of ‘flakes’ I’ve experienced in my life, give you another perspective on why people flake, how to spot the red flags with these types of people and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty sixth episode into the binge-able Red Flags Series.

"Why do we try to see the good in these types of people? Maybe because we think there’s potential within them. We’ve seen signs that they can be the person we want them to be. You know they’re capable. So you can’t help but turn a blind eye when they let you down. You know that it’ll only happen just this once… or twice. Or maybe you don’t want to think they’ll do anything to harm you."

In Episode 66 on On The Grow, I talk about the type of ‘friends’ who will be your friend ‘till the end’… until you become competition. The type of people who claim they want the best for you but truly, just don’t want you to be doing better than THEM. They don’t have your best interest at heart and even though you may experience such fun moments with them… you have to remember they are two-faced, and that they’ll choose themselves over you, if it comes down to it. I go more in-depth about the red flags to pay attention to with these types of ‘friends,’ why we try to see the good in these types of people, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty fifth episode into the binge-able Bring On The New Series.

"I can’t even tell you how many times I used to ‘plan out my life like my social media strategy work.’ If my content calendars worked well for my business, why couldn’t life be structured too? But so I thought. Ever since I quit my 9-5 job and decided to start my own business, I’ve stopped ‘planning and strategizing’ every piece of what my life is supposed to look like and started celebrating it for what it is — failures and all. Have you ever felt like you wanted control over everything that happened to you?" 

In Episode 65 on On The Grow, there’s something that I’ve been thinking about mentally for quite some time now. It’s the challenges of your job — the new clients you take on, the new roles you have to play, the new hats you wear, and the mental aspect of wondering where your career is headed. I also talk about negativity bias and why we as humans tend to focus on the negatives, rather than the positives.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty fourth episode into the binge-able Bring On The New Series.

"And I think every time we move to a new place, we have so much gratitude because we remember where we came from. One of the most important messages I got from this testimony was to never ever settle. Far too often, we get tired or burned out from work or relationships and we either stick through it because it’s what we know. We dread our job, but we don’t quit. We want to stop trying in the relationship, but we don’t leave it. We want what’s easy and comfortable because we know it won’t let us down or hurt us. So we settle."

In Episode 64 on On The Grow, I share a testimony on how I found this new apartment, my thoughts on leaving an apartment I was comfortable in for three years to experience a new environment, what it means to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, why I’m not letting *just anyone* into my apartment anymore, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty third episode into the binge-able Bring On The New Series.

"Sometimes when new people enter my life, I’ll spend time thinking whether they’re seasonal or in my life to stay. And if they’re seasonal, what’s the reason? What are they teaching me?"

In Episode 63 on On The Grow, I talk about accepting changes in friendships and relationships. I talk about a personal matter that took place prior to the move and how I dealt with it, the reality of dating in a place like New York City, friendship breakups, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty second episode into the binge-able Bring On The New Series.

"I remember coming to this conclusion like — 'how much would I be able to accomplish if I woke up one hour earlier?' And that stuck with me. I started thinking about 1) how much cooler it would be running at 7 AM instead of 8 or 9 AM. 2) how nice it would be to finish a run and come back to my apartment before 8:30 AM. I don’t know why that makes me so happy. And 3) maybe I’d be able to end my day earlier if I had this extra time. And that’s how it began."

In Episode 62 on On The Grow, I share more about the time management tactic I’ve been using for almost a month now. I’ll explain why I decided to make this change, the process of it, and how it affects me to this current day. I also go into a little more detail on my current life update -- AKA moving to a new NYC apartment last week -- and why I decided to take that initial step. 

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixty first episode into the binge-able Reel or Not Reel Series.

"These face filters create this societal beauty standard that many people feel comfortable hiding behind. I love using the filters because it creates an edited and clean viewpoint of what I want to share. But it definitely needs to be approached in a way where it’s not realistic. I want to shout this loud and clear — WHAT YOU’RE SEEING ON A FILTER IS NOT YOUR FACE. And I’m seeing more and more that these filters are creating these distorted contoured looks that start to change how your face looks and that is something I do not agree with. It’s not okay."

In Episode 61 on On The Grow, I discuss the harmful effects of face filters on Snapchat and Instagram, why many of us find it hard to go #nofilter or #nomakeup, what it means to be truly vulnerable on social media, what we can do when we are feeling insecure from social media, and more.

If you ever have any questions, comments, tips or suggestions, contact me here:

email: grace@gracefulleemade.com

Welcome back to On The Grow, I'm Grace Lee.

This is the sixtieth episode into the binge-able Reel or Not Reel Series.

"I like the idea of seeing social media as a slot machine. When an outcome is unpredictable, the behavior is more likely to repeat. If people knew they never were going to get money by playing the slot machine, then they never would play. It’s the idea of a potential future reward that keeps the machines in use. That’s similar to social media. We don’t know how many likes a photo will get, nor do we know who will “like” the photo, and when the photo will receive likes. Its unknown outcome and the possibility of a desired outcome that keeps people wanting to continuously check on the platforms."

In Episode 60 on On The Grow, I talk about how social media affects our mental health through comparisons, body image and weight, the idea of what ‘perfection’ is supposed to look like, and more. I also touch on knowing when to unfollow someone for your mental health.