Meet Crystal T. Ash | Author | Speaker | Youth Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal T. Ash and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal T., what principle do you value most?
Without a doubt, authenticity matters the most to me! It reveals truth, cultivates self-awareness, and yields freedom. For many years, I spent a lot of time performing life without actually living it. Authenticity awakened me to a greater version of myself. I am now able to operate on a higher level of purpose, calling, and being in every moment. In my book, Letters from My Grandma’s Table, I share different life experiences that caused me to hide within myself in an effort to protect myself from future hurtful moments. As I was concealing myself from the world, I learned to perform daily in an effort to get by. I chose to wear a mask to shield the true nature of who I was. I was never really able to live a truly free and abundant life for so long. I was limited by the parameters of the performance. Choosing to operate in authenticity made me stop living in fear. Authenticity imploded the limits of how I was living. Now, there is a freedom in approaching every moment without limits of who I can be. It opened my mind to a higher sense of my power and how I exist with myself and others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The focus of CTA Speaks is sharing life wisdom with authenticity for inspiration and transformation. My life philosophy on self-discovery & personal development is simple. Once you know who you are, the sky truly becomes the limit. This all begins with an honest look at a few direct yet profound questions.

Who are you? Why are you here? What motivates you? What are your goals? How will you achieve them?

Each of these questions can help lead you closer to your path of self-discovery and overall fulfillment. They also require a tremendous amount of reflection and honesty. While some may force you to confront the pains of your past, others may push you to form new, more satisfying relationships. Regardless of the path, they are all equally beneficial in helping you reach your ultimate goals.

After over 15 years of mentoring young people, I have learned that adjusting my mindset as it relates to the philosophy of life has led to an undeniable transformation. Young people have taught me so much about shifting my perspective. There are no shortcuts on this journey. There’s no doubt change is uncomfortable. But if you’re willing to put in the work, you will be well on your way to the life that you have not only imagined for yourself but one that you absolutely deserve.

Whether you are reading my book or an audience member while I’m speaking, I want people to walk away inspired to live out their purpose and calling. Each person has a unique story that holds a wealth of life lessons. I want people to be motivated to find their own lessons and follow their own path.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love experiences! After a great hiking trip at Stone Mountain, we would definitely have brunch at The Real Milk & Honey. For the best shrimp in the city, we would go to this local spot off the beaten path called Atlanta Fish House and Grill. To mellow out, we could catch an up and coming artist on the live music scene, watch the sunset in Piedmont Park, or ride bikes along the Atlanta Beltline.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents have been my biggest supporters all of my life. They have always encouraged me to believe in my gifts and talents. I also have a dynamic circle of supportive friends who are always there for me. My greatest inspirations are the young ladies I mentor. They motivate me to be the best possible version of myself.

Website: www.crystaltash.com

Instagram: @CTASpeaks

Facebook: facebook.com/crystal.t.ash

Image Credits
Poetic Images by Avery Carter | jm Photography by Jasalyn Meriweather