Maddison Adkins shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Maddison, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m learning from my younger self.
As I wrap up my twenties, I’ve been reflecting a lot. This decade has been a rollercoaster. Lately, I’ve found myself facing situations that feel familiar, but I’m showing up to them differently. That growth feels really powerful.
Running my own company for the past year and a half has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. I’m constantly learning, (usually the hard way) from the girl I was even just yesterday. It’s been tough, but also incredibly insightful. The mistakes have made me wiser.
My dreams and ambitions look different now than they did in my early twenties, and I’m realizing that everyone’s path and timeline are different, and that’s okay.
In relationships and friendships, I’ve learned that people grow and change, and it’s natural for circles to shift. Relationships should support your life and evolve with you. And most importantly, I’m learning to trust myself, my gut, my voice, and my own pace.
It’s a journey. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and excited to see where it leads.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Maddison Adkins, founder of LifeWise Resources, a mental health practice in Dallas, TX, focused on empowering wellness, recovery, and growth. LifeWise was created to serve the gap in mental health care, offering real-life support like coaching, case management, group activities, and sober support to help people apply what they’re learning in therapy to everyday life.
We partner with therapists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals to bridge that space between insight and action, helping clients outside of the therapy room, where growth can take place. My team is made up of passionate, purpose-driven professionals who are truly invested in changing lives.
Right now, I’m focused on growing LifeWise’s impact and building a strong, collaborative community. Especially our Wellness Walks for wellness professionals. (Friday mornings on the Katy Trail!) I’m also exploring a creative side venture to expand my own learning and expression.
Everything we do at LifeWise is rooted in authenticity, connection, and walking alongside people as they become the healthiest version of themselves.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Being nice.
I’ve realized that in certain business situations, I’ve been overly nice, sometimes to my own detriment, and even at a cost to my team. Over time, I’ve come to see that being nice and being kind aren’t the same. Kindness is essential and should always be present, but being nice can sometimes slip into people-pleasing, making it difficult for me to set and maintain healthy boundaries. It’s time to let go of the need to be “nice” at all costs, and instead focus on being genuinely kind while standing firm on what’s necessary.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that I’m not alone. It’s the one thing we can all relate on. Through my health challenges, heartbreak, financial hardships, failures, and losses, I’ve learned that life is full of ups and downs. When you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up. In those moments when I thought there was nothing left, I found strength I didn’t know I had. I learned how to persevere, and I believe that perseverance is what has ultimately led me to my success. Suffering has humbled me, made me more human, and more relatable. It’s in those difficult moments that I discovered resilience, patience, and empathy, lessons that success alone couldn’t teach me. I’m grateful for what suffering has shown me, and now I strive to help others see through to the other side of their own struggles.
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 would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They would say integrity is at the core of what matters most to me. I strive to bring integrity to every area of my life. Whether I’m a partner, friend, boss, sister, aunt, or daughter, I want my actions to align with who I truly am and the values I hold dear. I value honesty and authenticity in every part of my life. Real conversations, genuine feelings, and meaningful connections are what I cherish above all else.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Helping people is what I was born to do. I just didn’t always know what that would look like. Every job I’ve had, whether it was in childcare, chick fil a, administration, operations, or now as a business owner, has played a part in shaping me. Each step taught me something valuable and led me closer to where I was meant to be. I believe that when your passion and your career align, that’s when you find your true calling. And now, everything I’ve done has come together in a way that feels whole, purposeful, and deeply fulfilling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lifewisedallas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewisedallas/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddison-adkins-2a0076147/
- Facebook: LifeWise Dallas
Image Credits
Hannah McSpedden Photo
