Dawn Raven shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Dawn, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I believe in our world that is so heavily based in social acceptance and approval and packaging our lives so perfectly online that there’s so much that people don’t express about their struggles, but what I find seem to reoccur the most in conversations with people that I’m able to hold safe space for is the lack of REAL love and connection and financial security in the dreams that we pursue. The dating world can be brutal especially for people who feel like there’s no consistent security in your pursuit for purpose in “what you do”?
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello my name is Dawn Raven, I am an actor, CKD advocate, entrepreneur, former WNBA player and the owner of Sadie Rose Entertainment. I am a retired athlete who almost lost my life to kidney disease but by God’s grace have had two kidney transplants and been able to continue my life as an actress and advocate for those afflicted by Chronic Kidney Disease. I have lived many lives, and have been able to achieve big goals of mine through all the trials, but that’s what makes the testimony meaningful.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The journey that has led me to where I am today has been a really tough one, and I believe these last 5 years have been transformative in a way that’s allowed me to see how deeply I identified AS my toughest days as opposed to it just being a huge part of who I have become in spite of, but I’m just truly realizing it doesn’t define how I’m to show up in the world or that I even operated that way. Those “things” are not who I am, and have only played a significant role in how powerful I have become. They served their purpose, and no longer hold the power, I do!
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I started a YouTube during the pandemic, to just tell my story and document some difficult medical days for me. The outpouring response that I’ve received since has really made me realize how my platform and my story is necessary for others to muscle through their own journey. The idea that the pain and hurt I experienced is now a benefit to other people’s lives just by talking through my own crap has given a meaning to it all. A reason, a purpose.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That we are not enough! Pretty enough, talented enough, worthy enough, popular enough, all the enoughs! Rejection is the biggest part of my industry as an actress. This career is what feels like 99%rejection, especially at the stage I’m in my career- decades in! But it is all a lie! I’m saying this now as a reminder because the thought creeps in time to time even now, when I know better. But the desire to achieve my dream burns so deep inside of me and because of how badly I want it, my mind won’t allow me to accept the rejection sometimes, and maybe that’s the pro athlete in me, but I’m enough- I’m just awaiting my turn- and its coming!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Ohhh.. this part of me is changing now as we speak, but the question triggered me still so I wanted to answer it. I sometimes feel like I’m watching myself from the outside of my body, like a puppet meticulously moving throughout life to appease or to feel received. so if I had 10 years left I would just be free- without any fear in the world. Nia Simone said “that it was freedom is- no fear!!” If I knew the time that God was calling me home, I would do everything exactly how it would serve me and the rest of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedawnraven.com
- Instagram: @thedawnraven
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DawnRaven
