The Lawyer’s Well-Being Brief . . . A Deep dive into Embracing Authenticity
“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”-Robin Williams
Welcome (back) to the Lawyer’s Well-Being Brief! Each week, I share insights and practical strategies to help us cultivate well-being and thrive — both personally and professionally. Live well! Lawyer well!
This week we are looking at You Be You: Detox Your Life, Crush Your Limitations, and Own Your Awesome, written by Drew Canole.
What’s the book about?
You Be You is designed to empower you to seek more, be more, and do more — from a place of self-love, first and foremost. Loving ourself is not selfish; it’s necessary. Maybe we’ve felt trapped by expectations, weighed down by doubts, or disconnected from our true self. Deep inside, our authentic self is ready to rise, and while the process may be challenging, it’s also where our greatest potential lives.
Who is Drew Canole?
Published Author with Hay House, Inc., Founder of Fitlife.tv, Co-Founder of Organifi LLC, and a health and fitness entusiast.
The Journey to Self-Discovery
At the heart of Canole’s philosophy is the idea that true transformation begins when we commit to discovering — and honoring — our authentic selves.
He introduces the concept of “whydentity”, a powerful fusion of identity and purpose. Instead of focusing on what we do or what we have, Canole encourages us to explore why we exist and what lights us up from the inside.
Our “why” becomes the anchor. It fuels motivation, brings clarity, and acts as our compass in both calm and chaos.
Detoxing from External Expectations
One of the first steps toward authenticity is letting go of the expectations imposed by others — family, society, social media, and even outdated versions of ourselves.
Canole challenges readers to ask:
“Whose story am I living?”
By detoxing from limiting beliefs and inherited narratives, we create space for our true voice to emerge. It’s not about becoming someone new — it’s about remembering who we’ve always been.
Embracing the Messy Middle
Transformation is rarely linear. It’s uncomfortable, uncertain, and often messy. But Canole reminds us that growth doesn’t happen in comfort — it happens in challenge.
He encourages readers to embrace the in-between — the space where old patterns are crumbling and the new version of us hasn’t fully arrived.
In this space, our strength is built. Our resilience takes root. Our purpose begins to take shape.
Honoring the Body as a Vessel for Change
True transformation involves the whole self — mind, spirit, and body.
Canole emphasizes that our bodies are not just tools for survival; they’re vessels of expression. To support meaningful change, we must treat our physical selves with care and reverence.
This includes:
Clean, intentional nutrition
Daily movement
Rest, recovery, and mindfulness
Our body isn’t separate from our personal growth — it’s essential to it.
Soul Mapping: Visualizing the Ideal Future
Another powerful practice in You Be You is “soul mapping” — envisioning our future self and reverse-engineering our way there.
We should ask ourself:
What does my ideal day look like?
Who am I surrounded by?
What am I creating or contributing?
This is more than visualization — it’s a strategic, intuitive practice that helps us align our present actions with our long-term purpose.
When we can see it, we can start to be it.
Building Momentum Through Consistent Action
Vision without action is a daydream. Canole grounds his philosophy in the power of daily consistency.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about alignment. Each small decision, done with intention, creates momentum. These micro-shifts — our morning ritual, our food choices, our self-talk — compound into transformation.
As we consistently choose the version of ourselves that aligns with our “whydentity,” change becomes not just possible — it becomes inevitable.
Closing Thoughts| We Already Have What We Need
Drew Canole’s You Be You is more than a motivational read — it’s a blueprint for a life of clarity, health, purpose, and self-love. His message is clear: “We don’t need to become someone else. We need to remember who we are.”
Because the most courageous thing we can do in today’s world… is to simply be ourself.
Forward Always!
