August Leader 2021: Marina Paul
Wait, I think I know her?!
I remember starting this book account, which was originally Bebe’s Book Pantry, and I saw a story post from a dear friend (funny enough, it was Alia, our October Leader) about this badass sounding book, Becoming a Superhero: Awaken Your Superpower and Inspire the Magic in Others by Marina Paul. I thought, Wait... what the heck. She went to my high school! Then I saw many other friends post about it, pretty much all my high school friends from Laguna Beach. I just knew I HAD to absolutely connect with this girl.
This episode is particularly satisfying because we recorded this episode 3 times. The first time I was buzzing from my interview with my current full-time job and a killer DogEared Interview beforehand, while she was deep in her author cave. The second time, the audio was just bizarre and your ears would’ve been upset. The third, we met in person again, sat at my wondrous desk space in my Santa Monica studio, and this was priceless. We were in this sacred container where everything simply came together, the words were fluid and our bubbly selves were shining at their best.
Author and Entrepreneur, Marina Paul
Marina is the author of her very first book, Becoming a Superhero: Awaken Your Superpower and Inspire the Magic in Others. If anyone has read Think and Grow Rich, and then if any women have read Think and Grow Rich for Women, then this is your modern, shorter, bubbly version of that. Marina gives such tangible, simple tools and insight to hunker down for yourself, so you can really tap into your gifts. Then, a perfect build on how your superpowers can also be used to stand alongside the beautiful team that you call your community, family, loved ones, partner, coworkers, employees, whoever they may be! I believe this book is so, so important for us young women who are looking to really get intimate with their purpose and find out how you can find amazing joy when you empower others.
She is also the CEO and Founder of her new female sportswear brand, SPRHRA. This brand is inspired by the sports culture ethos, but holds strong values in mental health and inclusivity of women. Something she said that really stuck out to me was, “All I see are these brands that have perfectly curated moments of women, or they’re not even sweating. We need to see women kicking ass and sweating like a pig.” I don’t know about you… but I have 1) At least what I know of, I have not heard of a brand doing that. 2) We absolutely need this, now more than ever.
Episode Overview
Marina and I dive right into the good stuff. It was easy because we both love, love books (and anyone you meet on this podcast does… of course). I go on asking her the classic DogEar starter questions. I also make sure to tap into her author experience. She said something really, really fascinating that made me think about how easy it is to fall into familiar ways of coping with anxiety and stress.
I asked her, “What was a lesson from your author experience that applies to your everyday life?”
Her response was along the lines of, “I found out that I couldn’t ‘athletic’ my way out of it. Writing a book is all mental. I can’t go for a run or workout to make it any better. I just have to sit down and write.’
Honestly, I think that is so freakin’ insightful. This experience can translate to so many things. For me, it would translate to sitting on my pillow and meditating. You can’t always ‘mantra’ your way out of difficult times. You just have to take action. You just gotta do it.
I hope you get to know Marina, check out her book on Amazon in paperback, kindle or in any local Orange County bookstore. Make sure to follow her on Instagram at @marinapaul and stay tuned for her SPRHRA launch in January 2022.
Episode Show Notes
Intro message, mission and introducing Marina Paul, DogEared’s first leader + August Leader.
4:10 What are you currently reading? And how did you find it?
5:12 So what is your favorite genre, favorite author, and do those exist in the same camp?
7:40 What is your earliest memory of reading a book?
8:43 So in terms of reading, what are your rituals and habits?
12:24 What books are on your nightstand?
14:00 What moves you in a work of literature?
16:18 What book has evoked a visceral reaction out of you?
19:09 What has been the most motivating book for driving your success in terms of your book and your passions?
26:58 What lessons have you taken from writing in Becoming a Superhero, and implement them when you write another book?
28:49 What is the best advice you’ve gotten when it came to writing your book?
30:18 Intermission!
32:05 What have been books in your life for fun, or book candy?
36:45 If you could have an author write about your life, who would it be and why?
38:30 If you could pick up a book and read it again or read it now, what would it be?
42:43 How has reading been a part of your life? In terms of escape, learning, clarity, pleasure; has one been more than the other; and how has it changed since you’ve grown?
46:16 What is on your TBR list?
49:50 What makes you dog-ear, bookmark or highlight a page?
53:19 Why do you read?
58:25 What can you say about your book and what can you spill the tea on about what you’re launching, what to look forward to?
Books mentioned in the podcast:
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Bluest Eye, Beloved by Toni Morrison
Thriving While Black by Charisse M. Williams
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Undaunted by Kara Goldin
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggin
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
The Odyssey
Follow Marina on Instagram at @marinapaul to learn more about her book and hear about what she’ll be dropping soon. REVISED DATE: WINTER 2022
Her book, Becoming a Superhero: Awaken Your Superpowers and Inspire the Magic in Others is available on Amazon, hardback, paperback and kindle.