Episode 17 - Protecting Your Peace with India Lott

By Jessica Garrison

This week we wrap up Season 5, with an accomplished young woman whose kindness, determination, and patience are already changing the lives of those around her. India Lott has her own podcast, A Tall Girl’s Podcast, where she’s able to give a voice to tall women.

India has a lot on her plate being a senior in college, a freelancer, and the host of her own podcast. To manage her self-care, India has days that are “off limits,” and I love how firm she stands in allowing herself to take time for herself. If we keep ourselves busy constantly, life will fly by before we’ve even realized it.

Describing herself as a chronic people pleaser, India expressed the guilt she would feel whenever she would tell someone no. Over the years, she’s learned to protect her peace and set stronger boundaries to do that. With the help of the younger generation openly talking about mental health more, it’s given India more chances to speak her mind and to live unapologetically.

We’ve heard from previous guests about the connection between mental and physical health, and India continued this much-needed conversation. She shared how she processes her emotions and how necessary it is to take time with your feelings. Otherwise, you can experience sickness from the stress, and it’s just not worth it.

India shared with us the story of how her podcast came to be. What started out as rant sessions about being a tall girl turned into a platform that promotes body positivity. She’s found a lot of support from her listeners and offers them the same support in return, continuously uplifting women in their fight to live unapologetically in their bodies.

India’s “why” is very important to her, and it shined through during this episode. When she’s having a difficult time focusing at school or deciding if a sacrifice is worth it, she remembers why she’s here, why she’s doing it, and why she’s working so hard. Her passion continues to push her towards her goals.

Living out of her own expectations versus others can be difficult when you’re a tall Black woman like India. As soon as people see her, they make snap judgments about what she does professionally or what she’s studying at school. After being reduced to her height as her personality for so many years by others, India has found a way to live her life authentically, and what she has to offer is so inspirational.

Being tall is part of herself that India can’t change, and by embracing this layer, it takes the power away from others who try to judge her. India’s relationship with herself has improved so much over the years, and part of that has come from speaking kindly to herself. How we talk to ourselves is so effective, and it’s important we give ourselves as much compassion and grace as we give to others.

You can listen to India’s podcast and hear her share even more stories about her journey. I couldn’t get enough of her charisma and joyfulness while listening to the episode. We are so honored to wrap up Season 5 with this engaging guest!

No worries though, as we’ll be back with a new blog soon as we kick off Season 6 in a few short weeks!

Ways to Engage: How does India saying to speak kinder to yourself make you feel? Reflect upon the different ways you’ve spoken to yourself lately and analyze: am I being kind to myself? Am I being too harsh? Would I speak to my friend like this? Try to think of something more gentle you can say to yourself in a moment of stress or anxiety.