Maybe It Is Not You. Maybe It Is The Soil.

Maybe It Is Not You. Maybe It Is The Soil.

Growing up in the South taught me a whole lot of things I did not realize would matter later.

I used to hate the way I grew up. One red light. Everybody knowing your business. You could not sneeze without somebody’s auntie asking if you were feeling better the next day.

But what I did not understand back then was this: those same folks that were “in your business” actually cared. They prayed for you. They showed up. And when you move off and chase big dreams, they are still the first ones clapping.

But that is not even what this blog is about.

Today I want to talk about something I learned from agriculture that ended up changing my whole life.

See, my dad was a farmer. My grandad was a farmer. I come from a long line of agriculture. It was just understood that I would play my role one day too. And technically I did. I got both my Bachelors and my Masters in agriculture from UGA. I studied soil. Crops. Nutrients. All of it.

But somewhere along the way I realized my passion was not growing the food. It was helping people eat better food. Helping people get healthy. Helping people grow.

Funny how the Lord works, because all those years of studying soil gave me one of the biggest life lessons I have ever learned.

Before a farmer plants a crop, he spends more time on the soil than he does the seed.

He tests it.
He tills it.
He adds nutrients.
He fixes what is missing.

Because he knows something important.

If the soil is wrong, the plant does not stand a chance.

And here is the part people miss.

After the crop is planted, if it is not growing like it should, yes, he will check for bugs or disease. But he goes right back to the soil.

Why?

Because stunted growth usually comes from an environmental issue, not a plant issue.

Let that sink in.

Sometimes it is not you.

Sometimes it is the soil.

I will use myself as an example.

For the past three years, I was planted in the same place. I was growing. Slowly. Nothing was technically wrong. No major red flags. I was comfortable. Safe. Steady.

But deep down I knew I was capable of more.

And that feeling of being capable of more while barely moving forward? That will eat at you.

Then January 2026 rolled around and the Lord shut that door so hard I did not even have time to grab the handle.

I was removed from that environment overnight.

At first I was confused. What am I going to do? Where do I go from here? But there was peace too. The kind of peace that only comes when you know God is rearranging something for your good.

Within three days I was settled into a new space with my clients right there with me.

And yall.

The growth.

In one month I have gained new clients. New brand partnerships. New connections. And I finally get to transition to full time training.

Full time.

I did not need more discipline.
I did not need to work harder.
I did not need to be more qualified.

I needed better soil.

Deep down I knew the environment was holding me back. But comfort is sneaky. It will convince you that slow growth is enough when you were built for overflow.

Your next breakthrough is usually sitting right outside of your comfort zone.

If you know you are doing everything right and you still are not thriving, step back and look at the environment you are planted in.

Does it offer safety?
Does it bring peace?
Does it challenge you?
Does it support growth and collaboration?
Or is it just familiar?

Farmers do not blame the seed when the soil is depleted.

So stop blaming yourself if you are planted somewhere that cannot sustain your growth.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is fertilize your soil. Or move fields altogether.

It just might change your whole life.

And I promise you this.

You were never the problem.

XO - EmBraz