Andrea McKenna Brankin has put the survival skills she has learned living with bi-polar disorder into a book and a business to enable her to improve the lives of others.
What’s your story?
I’m a journalist with 30 years experience writing about business, technology and lifestyle topics. I also live a full life with Bipolar Disorder. When I moved to Singapore in 2011, I finally had time to write my own story of living with and managing the illness. After some interest from publishers, I decided to self-publish Bipolar Phoenix: ‘My F’ed Up Life and How I Fixed it’ on World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2020.
What excites you most about your industry?
The Mental health topic has been blown wide open since COVID-19 has changed our world and given regular people a glimpse of what it feels like to suffer inside one’s head. It is the perfect time to educate the public around the world about how to identify and manage mental illness so they can lead happy and fulfilling lives. There’s a lot of opportunity to speak and write and coach on this topic and that’s what I’m hoping to do with Bipolar Phoenix.
What drives you in business to push beyond what other people consider normal?
I am driven by the feeling that many people are suffering from mental health problems and they need answers, support and HOPE now. So, I am driven by emotion, not numbers per se. And because I have lived with a mental illness – and continue to thrive – I know how to approach these issues. I know by sharing my personal (sometimes tragic train-wreck story), I can help others overcome because I’ve done it.
What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?
The most useful skills I have learned is using my speaking skills via new technology that allows me to reach the online audience, via new apps like Streamyard, where I can run my web talk show, Bipolar Phoenix Andrea, as well as being able to utilize social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to share my message that there is hope in dealing with mental illness. Of course, being a journalist has also given me the skills to hone my message in a palatable way.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to focus on sharing my own story and my own message. One part of that was a friend and life coach encouraging me to finally publish my book and take the Bipolar Phoenix brand and effort into the world.
Who inspires you?
Women entrepreneurs inspire me, especially ones that have overcome some obstacle, whether it was working in a man’s world, dealing with abuse, or struggling to come up with funding. When they make things happen for themselves, I feel inspired that I can also rise in the world.
What have you learnt recently that blew you away?
Most recently, I have watched my friend, the sole and independently financed founder of Sceptr Cosmetics, build, market and roll out her own line of lip sticks that actually don’t smear on the face masks that we are required to wear in Singapore and elsewhere. The timing was impeccable! And it really works.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would maybe learn a bit more about self-marketing. But overall, I’m proud of the path that I’m on. I get to learn from the strong women entrepreneurs around me and I’m thankful for their mentorship. This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
How do you unwind?
I walk! I live on East Coast Park in Singapore and I walk up to the beach and back. I also like to sit with a coffee and just sit, do nothing else. I like meditation, as well, and use a few cool apps to do them regularly.
What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your business?
The mindset change was influenced by mentors saying, “Yes, you can!!!” Although I was fearful to put my book out there, with all my personal stories of disaster and triumph, I had a friend and mentor basically say, “That fear is bullshit. Just get it done.” Simple advice. With a simple answer. Nothing will change if you don’t put yourself out there authentically and make the change you want to see in the world. I want people to understand mental illness and know there is hope to live with it.
Everyone in business should read this book:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Shameless plug for your business:
My book about my life living with Bipolar Disorder is called Bipolar Phoenix: My F’ed Up Life and How I Fixed It. Read it to understand what it’s like to live with Bipolar Disorder and find out several tips in how to manage it and turn your F’d up life around. These tips apply to many issues, not just bipolar disorder or mental illness. I’m available to speak on the topic as well as write relevant articles. The book is available on Amazon.com and Kindle.
How can people connect with you?
I can be reached at bppandrea@gmail.com , on my website, BipolarPhoenix.com.
Social Media Links?
BipolarPhoenixAndrea on Facebook
BipolarPhoenixA on Instagram
Bipolar Phoenix on YouTube
Bipolar Phoenix Andrea (@BrankinAndrea) on Twitter
This interview is part of the CallumConnects series. Every entrepreneur featured has been recommended by one of our previous guests.