Tequila Dixon-Bradley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Tequila , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to use my voice in a bigger way — to share my story openly, without fear or hesitation. For years, I poured into others quietly: my students, my children, and the families I served through education. But I often shied away from stepping fully into the spotlight myself. I thought my role was to guide and make a difference from behind the scenes.
After becoming a certified life coach and launching LTYE (Lend Them Your Ears) Life Coaching, I initially focused on adults — helping them navigate communication, balance, and personal growth. But over time, I felt a pull to shift my focus toward teens and families. Working with adults made me realize how much our struggles often start in adolescence — and how important it is to reach young people early, while also supporting the mothers who raise them.
That’s where The Dear Mama Project was born — as an extension of LTYE’s mission. It allows me to pour back into mothers, reminding them that their healing directly impacts the next generation. Through Dear Mama, I’m being called to speak, write, and create safe spaces where women — especially mothers — can rediscover themselves, find balance, and reconnect with their purpose.
I used to fear being “too vulnerable,” but I’ve learned that vulnerability is what connects us. It’s what helps us heal — and a healed woman is an amazing mother, teacher, and leader.
So today, I’m walking in faith, not fear — saying yes to opportunities that once intimidated me. I’m allowing myself to be seen as the woman I’ve become, not just the roles I’ve played.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tequila Dixon — I’m a wife, mother of four (including one amazing son on the autism spectrum), educator, certified family life coach, and the visionary behind two developing projects: LTYE (Lend Them Your Ears) Life Coaching and The Dear Mama Project.
With over 23 years in education, my passion has always been working with children and connecting with families on a deeper level. LTYE was born from my desire to help young people and families strengthen communication, set healthy boundaries, and embrace individuality. As that vision began to grow, I was inspired to create The Dear Mama Project — a blossoming movement that celebrates and supports mothers as they rediscover the woman within.
What makes my work unique is that it’s deeply personal. I’m walking the same path of rediscovery that I encourage others to take. Every idea, program, and piece of content created is rooted in real-life experience, transparency, and faith. I’ve walked through hard seasons — divorce, homelessness, single motherhood, navigating my son’s autism diagnosis, raising two teens, and rebuilding my life from the ground up — and I’ve learned how to turn pain into purpose so that others know healing is possible too.
Right now, I’m focused on growing both LTYE and Dear Mama from the ground up — going into communities, helping families reconnect, and rebuilding a sense of unity that feels lost in today’s world. The truth is, I may not be able to help everyone, but I know that this is what I’m called to do. My goal is to bring back the village — a network of support, understanding, and love — and remind families that healing and togetherness start at home.
My mission is simple but powerful: to bridge the gap by helping mothers create healthy environments, heal, learn effective ways to communicate, and rediscover themselves beyond the title of “mama,” so they can raise children who lead with love, confidence, and purpose.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Believe it or not, it was a complete stranger. He saw something in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself — and I’ll never forget that day. I was in one of those moods: tired, discouraged, and honestly, just trying to make it through the day. I remember ordering an Uber and silently praying that the driver wouldn’t try to make small talk. But if you know God, you know He has a funny sense of humor — and when He has a message for you, you’re going to hear it one way or another.
We began talking about life. I’m not sure exactly what I said, but out of nowhere, he told me, “You know, I can see you being a life coach one day.” I said, “Really?” He said, “No, you’re something more than that — there’s something deeper in you. You have a presence that makes people open up. You’re passionate, and I think you’re going to change lives. You should look into it.”
At the time, I didn’t even know exactly what a life coach was or what he saw in me that made him say that, but his words stayed with me. I looked into it briefly, then brushed it off, thinking, yeah right, I could never do that. Yet over the years, people would randomly tell me, “Have you ever thought about being a life coach?” or “You know, you should look into becoming one.” It was like clockwork — every year, at least a handful of people would say it, and every single time, I’d think back to that Uber ride.
That simple 15-minute conversation with a complete stranger planted a seed — one that would take root many years later when I became certified and launched LTYE Life Coaching. I may never see him again, but I’ll always be grateful for him. He saw me before I saw myself — and in doing so, he unknowingly helped me step into my purpose
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I know it may sound cliché, but my biggest fear has always been not being enough. For a long time, I let the fear of being judged — or having my ideas overlooked or taken — keep me small. I’ve always carried huge dreams, but I would constantly second-guess myself, wondering if I was qualified, talented, or “ready enough” to bring them to life.
Recently, I was in a meeting where someone said, “There’s room for everybody.” Those words hit me deeply. They reminded me that even if someone else is doing something similar, they can’t do it the way I can — because my voice, my story, and my purpose are unique to me and to the people I’ve been called to help.
Now, instead of letting fear silence me, I’m learning to see it as a sign that I’m stepping into new territory — territory that’s meant for my growth. I remind myself that I am enough, that my ideas matter, and that there’s more than enough room for me to take up space and make an impact.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
As a mom and educator, I wholeheartedly believe in our youth. The world often paints them as misguided, but I choose to believe they’re simply unheard. Too often, adults operate under the belief that they are always right — that children should be seen and not heard. I refuse to accept that.
I remember being a teenager and feeling misunderstood, like my thoughts didn’t matter. Whenever I tried to express myself, it was seen as disrespect rather than communication. That experience planted the seed for LTYE (Lend Them Your Ears) Life Coaching — a vision to help young people find their voices and to teach adults how to truly listen.
Through LTYE, I’m committed to giving youth the tools, language, and confidence to express themselves, set healthy boundaries, and step boldly into their individuality. I’m equally passionate about bringing back the village — that sense of unity, guidance, and accountability that once helped raise a generation.
Alongside LTYE, I created The Dear Mama Project to bridge the gap between parents and their children. Dear Mama focuses on helping mothers heal, listen without judgment, practice self-care, and lead with love — because when a mother heals, her family begins to heal too.
Together, these two projects represent my lifelong mission: to restore connection, rebuild families, and create safe spaces where both teens and mothers can grow together. Whether it takes years or decades, I’m committed to planting seeds that will shift generations.
I refuse to believe the narrative that families are broken or that our youth are “too far gone.” I believe in them. I believe in us. And I believe that by rebuilding the village — one conversation, one family, one heart at a time — we can help them rise.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
If I’m being honest, I would regret not fully stepping into what I’ve been called to do — bridging the gap between children and their parents, and rebuilding the village that so many families have lost.
I’ve always believed that the healing of our communities begins at home. If I don’t honor this calling, I’ll feel as though I’ve left something sacred unfinished. I would regret not creating spaces where mothers feel seen and supported, and not giving a voice to the teens who so often go unheard.
Most of all, I’d regret silencing the very purpose that fuels my life — helping mothers rediscover themselves while guiding their children to feel safe, loved, and understood. Because I know, without a doubt, this is bigger than me. It’s about legacy, love, and lifting the next generation by standing in the gap.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: ltyelifecoaching and dearmamaprojectbrand
Image Credits
Photographer: soulbritestudios
Hair and makeup: Adonicas Hair Den
