Bobby Foster - Changing Your Perspective From Victimhood to Empowerment

Bobby Foster is a life coach, author, award-winning spoken word poet, and a professional speaker who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. His own life experiences inspired him to write Catch Your Breath, a guide to manifesting your ideal life by transforming yourself. This book is a combination of a memoir, self-help, self-help workbook, and poetry - as our Author of the Day, Foster tells us all about it.

Please give us a short introduction to what Catch Your Breath is about.

Catch Your Breath is a book about manifesting a life that you would want to live. It’s about changing your perspective from victimhood to empowerment.

What inspired you to write this book?

In 2016 I began seeing a life coach. It was a life changing experience where revelations and epiphanies become common. I was learning all kinds of ways to heal and empower myself and I wanted to share that with others, so I began writing Catch Your Breath.

Your book stresses that, to accomplish what we want in life, we don't need to attain anything - we need to remove our blocks. Please explain.

We’re so concerned about what we need to get in our lives to make it better. The truth is we already have everything we need. We just have perspectives, thought patterns, and belief systems that hold us back from seeing the abundance in our lives. Usually if you feel like you need to attain something, there’s actually something in your way from seeing that you already have it. If you get rid of that block, you can experience your abundance.

Why did you include poetry in your book?

I am a spoken word poet. I’ve been blessed to compete in national slam poetry competitions and have won awards at the college I attended—the University of Central Florida. Spoken word poetry is my favorite form of writing. I wanted a way to incorporate my poetry in the book, so I added poems that are about the topic of the chapter that help people reflect further on the message of the chapter that it’s in.

Your book includes a lot of real-life examples - did you find it hard to share so much about yourself with the world?

Definitely, but being so vulnerable is what I believe makes people empathetic with my writing and my story. Over the years I’ve gotten more comfortable opening up in front of the masses, but I usually make it a rule of mine that if I’m not uncomfortable putting out a project, poem, or book, then I’m not digging deep enough and being vulnerable enough in my work.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

Interesting question. Well, I can build computers from scratch. I’m a gamer, so I learned how to do it on YouTube. I’m actually a great marketer as well. I became a life coach as well because I love having masterminding sessions to assist others on finding themselves, or putting finishing touches on people’s business ideas or on how to fulfill their visions.

You also recommend other sources and your life coach in your book - why did you take this approach?

Because the ability of connecting others to as many sources of inspiration is important to me. I believe that we’re all connected and the more we can join in that connection, the more inspired and motivated our lives can be.

Why did you title the book "Catch Your Breath"?

I was born with a genetic disorder called Cystic Fibrosis, CF for short. CF is a deadly disorder that’s become a chronic illness because of modern medicine. Today, the average life expectancy is late 30’s, early 40’s. Among other things, the main issue with having CF is that it makes it hard to breathe. I do whatever I can to raise awareness and funds in order to find a cure, so I wanted to incorporate that somehow in my title. I believe my book will also make people feel less stressed in their lives and relieved, so it’s like a play on words in that kind of way. I guess that’s just the poet in me.

What do you hope readers will take away from this?

That their lives are ultimately in their control. By becoming aware of our thought patterns, belief systems, and our actions we can see why certain events, people, and situations are manifesting in our lives. Once we’re aware of that we can take the steps necessary to create lasting change. We can stop living out of fear and learn to live out of love. 

Is there something that compels you to write? And do you find that writing helps you achieve a clarity about yourself or ideas you've been struggling with?

Writing is the avenue I use to be a vessel for the Universe. Ideas flow through me and the most effortless and best way I can get them out is through writing. I believe writing is important because it creates empathy. It gives a way for people to step into your shoes and if you do a good enough job it allows people to step into their own shoes—and what I mean by that is a lot of the time people run away from their own lives, and if your work as a writer allows people to be more of their authentic selves than you’re doing your job right. Writing definitely creates clarity for myself, and I hope it does for others as well.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is a typical writing day like for you?

Honestly, my writing is sporadic. I try to write everyday, but I don’t even come close. When it comes to writing spoken word poetry, I usually finish my poems in one sitting. It’s just completely inspired. Writing books are a bit harder for me, and they usually take me around a year to write. When I write, I like to sit down with my laptop, open a window, put on some aromatherapy, blast music from people like Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Drake, and J.Cole to get inspired, and just type away.

What is your favorite motivational phrase?

Sometimes when I feel like the world is going against me, I say a quote by Gabrielle Bernstein that gets me back in the mood to be inspired and motivated. “Obstacles are detours in the right direction.”

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on a follow up to Catch Your Breath. Also, I release a spoken word poetry video every month. I’m also working on speeches, online courses, and building my life coaching business.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

I would love to hear from everyone that reads this. I love to have conversations and see what people are up to, or if they need help with something I’m always in the mood to help wherever I can.

My website is www.bobbyfosterspeaks.com

Instagram- @_bobbyfoster

Facebook- www.facebook.com/iambobbyfoster