We had the good fortune of connecting with Safina Duke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Safina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk is just our way of describing “something that society doesn’t understand.”

We’re all given a role to play, and very rarely is it exactly who we are meant to be.

The bigger risk is not listening to your own intuition. Living your life for other people, or taking a track just because you think it’s what you’re supposed to do.

I’ve done a lot of jumping with no safety net. I’ve skipped college because it didn’t feel right, started a family at 19, quit a successful business, and failed publicly too many times to count. Trusting myself and the universe to support me has always worked out.

Having reinvented myself so many times, I think it’s such a gift now to know that I’m comfortable with everyone thinking I’m a little crazy.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our world is truly magical. It’s working whether you choose to believe it or not. That’s fascinated me as a kid, and now I get to help actual people to clear patterns in their lives, to find out who they are, and to have the courage to go for it.

The magic is this: if you can listen closely enough to figure out what you truly want, who you truly want to be… then a path will be formed for you. All you have to do is follow it.

I spent a long time not trusting my path, or being frustrated because I couldn’t see it yet.

I had a whole career before life coaching, and I struggled and agonized about what I was actually supposed to do.

If I could go back, I would have told myself to rush way less, worry way less, and keep finding ways to put myself out there and have fun.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re coming to Indianapolis, you HAVE to go to The Cake Bake Shop. It’s beautiful, one of the most aesthetically pleasing restaurants I’ve been to. Their cake is amazing (it even has glitter on every slice) , and I love their food.

During the summer, we have lakes for boating and doing all the water activities. It’s beautiful to be out in the water.

It’s also fun to experience the local growth of the town I grew up in, we have trails, shops, farmer’s markets, and family events.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Craig, my husband.

Thank you for always giving me the time, space, funding, and grace to figure myself out.

Your turn is next.

Website: https://linktr.ee/lifebysafina

Instagram: instagram.com/lifebysafina

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachwithsaf

Other: Tiktok: @LIFEBYSAFINA

Image Credits
Clare Gratz Photography (family photo)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.