Known for their stoic demeanor, the three dynamic ladies are back this week discussing the topic of vulnerability, which they agree hasn't always been their strong suit. In this episode, Danielle, Val, and Ani share personal stories about what led them to realize that vulnerability is actually a strength, not a weakness. For Big Money Stylist, we go over the following formula each month: Week #1: Power Week #2: Production Week #3: Profit Week #4: Protection In This Week's Episode.....POWER Point #1: Plastic Barbies Danielle: My husband, Garrett, is the more emotional one who likes to talk about his feelings. He would always tell me I’m like this plastic Barbie or a robot because I didn't want to share my feelings. I didn’t see that in me, and I guess I came across as unapproachable. Coach Val: When I was little, my mom would say to me, "You never cry!" I was feeling what my sister was feeling, who was a crying mess, but it just didn't come out in tears. It just doesn’t manifest in me the same way it does with everyone, but I still feel the same way. [mks_pullquote align="left" width="300" size="24" bg_color="#000000" txt_color="#ffffff"]QUESTION[/mks_pullquote] How are you like Danielle and Val? How are you different? Point #2: Sharing Stories Creates Connection Danielle: The first time I started sharing little pieces of my story inside of the small classes we were doing, it was like an outer body experience where I was them, listening to me. That’s what triggered the emotion. I was a student listening to my story. Then it hit me: I went through a lot! This was hard shit! It’s like an emotional high where you finally feel yourself letting go and sharing your story, and at the same time, you feel the love and energy in the room. It’s a really cool place to be in. Coach Val: The first time Garrett threw me on stage and told me to share my story was the first time I wasn’t crying because I was in front of people, I was crying because I was realizing "Holy shit, you went through a lot of stuff, Val." It was the first time I felt my true sense of purpose. That moment was also therapeutic for me because I realized other people open up so that they don’t feel alone, and in opening up, I felt less alone. [mks_pullquote align="left" width="300" size="24" bg_color="#000000" txt_color="#ffffff"]QUESTION[/mks_pullquote] How do you feel when you share your story? Point #3: Turning Weaknesses into Strengths Ani: When I see students talk about things I would never talk about, I feel like they’re so strong for being able to share that part of their story. But when it comes to my sadness, vulnerability, and tears, I can shut it down super fucking quick. I view it as a weakness in myself, which is so fucked up. Why is it good for someone else but not good for me to do that? The first time I was really vulnerable with the students was at the beginning of January when I ended my engagement. I'm in front of 125 artists and telling them this entire story, and the whole time I’m doing it I’m thinking, “You’ve lost your fucking mind. I can’t believe you’re sitting here sharing this deep, painful part of your life!" The outpouring of love and support I received for weeks afterward totally blew me away. It was in that moment I realized that the more I can be open and honest with my students on anything and everything, the more it can help them. [mks_pullquote align="left" width="300" size="24" bg_color="#000000" txt_color="#ffffff"]QUESTION[/mks_pullquote] How would sharing your story begin healing you and others? Point #4: It's All or Nothing Coach Ani: I went back into the network and shared more detail than I had ever shared. I was sharing nitty gritty shit, which probably made me look like shit, and like a terrible human. But it just is what it is. I’m not going to lie and make myself look better, which I think is something a lot of people do. If you’re going to tell the story, tell all of it. Danielle: People can read when others ar