Let's get straight to the point. The very thought of "shooting your shot" has a clear meaning⁠—making your desires about another person known to said person. They are the forbidden crushes that our parents tell us to ignore in place of academic success, especially if you grew up in an immigrant household. It's the 5 stages of denial, a learned practice we've become way too familiar with in navigating our emotions.

But what if I told you that the act of shooting your shot is so much bigger than you think? And why has it been painted as taboo? As risqué? As BOLD? It's because going after what you want in relationships and love is one of the most powerful moves you can ever make.

The nerve-wracking, stomach-turning, gut-tumbling realization that you like someone is a sure sign of your growing humanity and your acceptance of it. Honoring that pull, that rush, that eye-dilating fear to reach out means affirming your ability to want something and open a world of self-trust and confidence.

In this week's episode of the VODPOD, I sit down with my very close friend Amanda to unpack why "shooting your shot" is put below the pursuit of success and how our upbringing and culture view's on relationship building can make or break our courage to go after what we want. We dive straight into the "how," take a chance on all kinds of love (romantic, platonic, familial, etc.) and hold nothing back.

Even though this episode was recorded in February, six months later it feels like a warm and special letter from the past. As we start to see the world open up, let's have the boldness to step out of ourselves, our fears, and our worries, and to instead step into the power that voicing our truth gives us. If you are looking for an honest and raw conversation on resisting struggle love, learning vulnerability, stopping self-sabotage, and making the first move, then this episode is for you.

p.s. Amanda and I finally did meet in April and again this summer after a year of connecting virtually!! **Stat check: The average person has 60,000 thoughts per day, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The VODPOD is all about centering voices and stories of Generation Z authentically. As voices of disruption, we recognize that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness, and embrace storytelling in a way that sparks thought, inspiration, action, and conversation. Every time that you disrupt, you step into a power that allows you to create, uplift, and empower yourself and others.

LIVE DISRUPTED: Questions to ask yourself after listening to this episode:

• In what areas of my life have I been getting in my own way by not going after what I want?
• Who taught me about love and relationship building? What truth exists in what I was taught?
• How can I start stepping into my power this month? What does shooting my shot look like in this season of becoming?

Join and connect with the community on Instagram @deb_olatunji, the podcast page, and the website! Be sure to leave a rating and write a review so that we can continue to share the stories of how fellow disruptors are being connected and empowered all over the world. Let’s disrupt together now!