This Momaraderie feature was presented to me by Erica M. Allison, president of Allison Development Group, who writes the blog Spot On.
By Erica Allison
Meet Candice St. Pierre, a single mom of two and an ordinary mom with an extraordinary story to tell. This single mom has managed to rewrite her own story in just five short years and is approaching a major milestone in her life on 11.11.11. St. Pierre turns 40 and is choosing to celebrate this occasion in major style (think Arabian nights here). Her party represents her enthusiasm for living, the cornerstone for her amazing transformation.
Candice’s story is one of inspiration, wellness and reinventing yourself in tough times. She wants to share her story of everything that she’s overcome and all that she has achieved today in the hopes that it can inspire other moms out there.
In 2006, this Midwestern girl from rural Illinois returned to the USA from Germany with two little ones in tow. She was going through a devastating divorce, near bankruptcy, no job prospects and trying to stretch child support with two kids, shelter and food. In addition, she was unhealthy and overweight. When she landed in Greenville, SC she had no idea how she would turn her world around; there was no opportunity for an Eat, Pray, Love trip here. Instead, she focused on breadcrumbs and finding her way one important step at a time.
Five Years Later
Fast forward five years and Candice has wiped out $50,000 in credit card debt, over two-thirds (2/3) of her $100,000 in student loans; has a solid retirement plan and financial security; has a successful job and is currently planning a new, independent venture; and, is in the process of writing a book chronicling her story and her steps to financial and personal freedom. Candice is also 40 pounds lighter, with a new body to show for it; she recently competed in the Carolina Supernatural (body building/ figure competition) placing fourth in the Figure, Tall category. It was her first contest and a true testament to how hard she’s worked and succeeded.
“Our mental, physical and emotional selves are interconnected,” said St. Pierre. “Interestingly, I found a study that shows a correlation between weight loss and income. As you lose weight, your income goes up. I can attest to that!” St. Pierre is pleased to say that her credit card debt is gone, the legal bills are gone and she has paid off more than half of her student loans. “I am well on my way to being debt free,” said St. Pierre
Candice is the first to say she did not achieve her new optimal self on her own. As a single mom, she’s sought out help, and still does along the way. “It is not possible to do anything by yourself,” said St. Pierre. “Somewhere along the way, you need the help of others.” St. Pierre advocates hiring others to help reach goals, but only if one’s basic needs are met. In order to pay for advisors and coaches along the way, Candice focused on the necessities, but also took tangible actions, such as cutting off cable and garbage service, in order to free up funds to pay for help. “Sometimes, we have to make hard choices to move ourselves forward. The stronger we become (emotionally, physically, and mentally) the easier it is to make the right choices for ourselves,” said St. Pierre.
Candice’s story demonstrates that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Connect with her on LinkedIn, she’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for sharing her story! I think she could be a great inspiration to many moms out there, single or not!
That’s an amazing story! I like happy endings. The part about not doing it alone is key. So many people either try to go about it by themselves, or have no choice in the matter because they have no one to lean on. It truly takes a village. Nice post!
Thanks, Mike. I am guilty of not asking folks for help when I need it; although as I get older, recognize that I really should do it more! I’m practicing. Candice offers a great example of doing it for the right reasons and only when she had the funds to make it happen. That’s another important lesson she has: living within her means. I’ll pass on your kind words to her!
Too true Mike. My mother would descibe me as highly independent. I was that little girl that says “I can do it myself” whenever you tried to help her. I am still that same girl, but have learned to bite my tongue when someone offers help. I realized that when someone offeres help and gives it, it makes them feel good too. Of course, you never want to take advantage of someone, but for independent types that is rarely the case. Besides, when you have help, it makes the most boring jobs/chores so much more fun. A girlfriend recently offered to help me paint a room and I didn’t want to accept her help, because she is a busy working mom too, but I did and we had so much fun, laughing and giggling like school girls. It is a memory that will stay with me now.
This is the kind of story that gets me up and out of my seat, cheering people on! I can’t wait to hear more from Candice.
I get discouraged by much of what I see in America today. Where’s the entrepreneurial spirit that made this country so great? Where’s the can-do attitude that made Rosie the Riveter such a popular social icon? Where’s the pride in working hard and being the best? Where’s the frugality that the Greatest Generation practiced? Where’s the desire to get out of the slave relationship that debt keeps us in? Where’s the community-minded spirit that values hard work, personal responsibility, and helping your neighbor when they’re going through a hard time?
It’s still here. I see it all the time among solopreneurs and small businesses; Candice’s story is an example of all that’s right with America. I can’t wait to hear more from her to find out how she’s turned her life around, so she can inspire others to reach higher.
Candice is a fire-cracker for sure! She’s started a book on her story and I can’t wait for that to come to life! I’ll keep you posted. When I asked her about her debt reduction/elimination plan, she used Dave Ramsey as an example. I’m currently going through his course (paid); Candice went to the library and checked out every book he’d written and listened to his cd’s to gain insight and develop her plan. That’s the American spirit – work with what you have and use the best in all of us to make things happen!
G’Day Jamye and Erica,
Thanks for such a great story: especially the bit “it is not possible to do anything by yourself.” If only the self development gurus would give greater emphasis to this.
Sounds like Candice is having fun too,
Regards
Leon
Thanks, Leon! Candice sets a great example for lots of folks and she is indeed having fun! I agree, more folks could do well to remember they can’t do everything by themselves (including me!).
Thanks Leon!
I definately have more good days than bad days. My expectation is that life will only get better!
Candice
Everybody knows Midwestern girls are the strongest stock around. (Says the Detroit native.) What an inspirational story!
Imported from the USA, right Emma? 😉
Will Candice share her amazing tips to her financial successes? I’m, uh, curious!
Otherwise – congratulations Candice. We congratulate people who overcome one obstacle at a time usually, not ten in the period of a year. I bet you feel great. And, as someone who used to lift weights regularly (it will happen again for me – someday), I love that you chose to make your body strong.
Great story, Erica, thank you for sharing and for @soulati:disqus for inviting you to do so. Now I really want to get back to my bootcamp!
Glad you liked it, Shonali! Candice has great tips on incorporating exercises into the day to day routine (Even while working!). When she was training for her figure competition, she told me that while out with friends at a bar, she was doing leg lifts and squeezes while they drank. No one noticed and she got the benefits! You’ll be back at bootcamp before you know it, but not before you heal!! (bossy pants, sorry!)
Jenn, based on my conversations with Candice she went completely bare bones and only spent money on the essentials: food, shelter and clothing. All else came second, or not at all. She and the kids slept on mattresses on the floor when she first returned to the states, until they could afford to buy some furniture. She was frugal and used all extra money to pay down debt (a Dave Ramsey approach to things).
She’s also writing a book about her journey (don’t know if I mentioned that!) and from the table of contents/outline I’ve seen will give more detail and inspiration on the how tos of what she’s accomplished.
Hi Jenn,
This is Candice… Some of my favorite authors are David Bach, Dave Ramsey and Loral Langmeir. I actually was able to hear Loral speak and met her briefly. Their viewpoints on how to become wealthy are somewhat opposing. David and Dave say save every penny, but Loral says forget that and go make more money. If you focus on the negative and not spending money, you become depressed. It is better to focus on how you can increase your income. There are ways all around us. Some other tips that I have learned over the years….
1. Visit the library frequently. There is so much that a library has to offer and not just books! Have you seen their DVD collection?
2. Never pay for recurring charges of any sort unless you have to have them to live. I cancelled cable service, garbage service and have been considering cancelling my home phone as well. If you have a personal cell phone, then you really don’t need both. I don’t have a personal cell phone only one for work.
3. Listen to music, really loudly and dance around the house! Why? Because it is free and makes you feel better. When I get to feeling down about money, weight, my ex, an arguement with a friend, I turn up the music and dance in the house that I bought. I am proud that I can afford the house that I am in and it is my right to enjoy my home. Also, my children think I am the silliest mom and I feel better after a little Shania Twain.
The reality is that will power will only carry you so far. It is nearly impossible to will yourself to spend less, eat less, etc. However, you can put in place strategies that help you do whatever it is that you want to do. My favorite strategy is an “if-then” strategy. If I feel like eating sweets, then I will go and make myself a cup of coffee. If I feel like spending money for entertainment, then I go to the library or find another “free” event or festival.
On average, it takes 6 weeks to create a new habit. Very often, we try to do way to much all at the same time…diet, budgets, whatever you are trying to achieve. You have to weave changes into your life over time and don’t beat yourself up when you don’t get it right the first time. It took me 5 tries before I could get the Atkins diet down right. And once I got it, I started losing weight. It took me more than 2 years to get the body builder’s diet and work out plan to work for me, but once I did….holy cow! Finances are no different. Go on a money diet. If one month doesn’t go well, figure out why and do better the next month. Whatever you are working on, it takes an amazing amount of mental energy to implement a change. #1 – Don’t be too hard on yourself. #2 If you fail, try again. #3 Find what works for you.
Thank you for reading my story! I am so happy to share…
Candice
Congratulations Candice on being an amazing woman and a great role model.
Hello..
You have set a great goal in the life which is an inspiration for other single mothers.. I always admire what a lady did for the child specially when there is no body to support and help her..
Thank you for your comments. I feel it is important to share my story so that other single moms know that there are others “out there” like them and that you CAN dig yourself out of debt AND create a wonderful, happy, healthy life for yourself and for your children.