Tabitha Brown: What Happens When You Finally Stop Pretending

Summary of Tabitha Brown: What Happens When You Finally Stop Pretending

by Lewis Howes

1h 7m•January 23, 2026
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Overview of Tabitha Brown: What Happens When You Finally Stop Pretending

This episode of The School of Greatness (host Lewis Howes) features Tabitha Brown discussing how stepping into authenticity transformed her health, relationships, career, and purpose. She traces a journey from long-term illness and masking her identity to a faith-led healing, viral success via short videos, a plant-based lifestyle, and building a values-aligned business and creative life. The conversation centers on obedience, vision, practical daily habits (her “30-day new thing” approach), and the spiritual and practical keys to sustaining success and freedom.

Key takeaways

  • Authenticity unlocks sustainable abundance: “God can’t bless who you’re not.” When Tabitha stopped pretending and surrendered, her life expanded across health, audience, and business.
  • Obedience over sacrifice: listen and act on the internal prompting/confirmation instead of forcing outcomes that feel wrong—obedience often prevents longer pain.
  • Small, consistent daily actions matter: do one small thing every day toward your dream; simple habit shifts create momentum.
  • Dreams vs goals: dreams are deposited inside you and won’t let you rest; goals are self-made and can be checked off. Treat dreams as persistent callings.
  • Look for confirmations/signs: little, unexpected confirmations helped Tabitha keep faith through decades of persistence before viral success.
  • Stewardship and readiness: timing matters—be prepared emotionally and spiritually to steward success when it arrives.
  • Boundaries and alignment: saying “no” to lucrative but misaligned opportunities protects integrity and long-term growth.

Major topics discussed

  • Her illness and spiritual turning point
    • Suffered for ~1 year 7 months; conventional medicine left her discouraged.
    • Prayed: “If you heal me, you can have me.” That commitment to authenticity triggered an internal change.
  • Gift of visions/dreams
    • Tabitha has prophetic dreams/visions; suppression made her physically ill; speaking the message relieved symptoms.
  • Code-switching and masking
    • Grew up in the South learning to code-switch; masked voice/identity to survive in workplaces and entertainment.
    • The persona she built helped her get jobs but blocked deeper fulfillment.
  • Viral breakout and plant-based shift
    • Began posting videos (Aug 2017); did a 30-day vegan challenge and felt immediate health improvements (chronic headache gone in 10 days).
    • Viral Whole Foods video Dec 30, 2017 led to rapid audience growth and brand partnerships (Whole Foods ambassador).
  • Practical framework: I Did a New Thing (30-day challenge)
    • Try small new actions daily (different route, new food, color in wardrobe, eat alone, new recipe).
    • Return to childhood interests to rediscover truth and purpose.
  • Career, marriage, and stewardship
    • Husband Chance supported her; marriage strengthened by putting family first.
    • You must be ready to protect, say no, and steward opportunities responsibly.
  • Faith, vision, and confirmation
    • Walk by faith, not sight; seek and track confirmations; stay obedient rather than trying to control outcomes.

Notable quotes and insights

  • “If you heal me, you can have me.” — the prayer that marked a turning point.
  • “God can’t bless who you’re not.” — on how authenticity attracts what’s truly meant for you.
  • “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” — action aligned with guidance prevents longer pain.
  • “The very thing I used to cover about myself is the thing people love about me the most now.”
  • Three truths Tabitha would leave the world: “Live free. Spread love. Eat well.”
  • Definition of greatness (Tabitha): “Freedom — being completely free in your world and in everybody else.”

Actionable steps (what to do next)

  • Start a 30-day “new thing” challenge:
    • Each day, do one small new thing (route, outfit color, food, say no to something misaligned).
  • Reconnect with childhood truth:
    • Journal about what you loved as a kid; identify persistent desires (dreams) that won’t let you rest.
  • Take one small daily step toward your dream:
    • Read, watch, practice, or create 10–30 minutes daily.
  • Track confirmations:
    • Note unexpected signs, conversations, or coincidences that affirm your path.
  • Practice boundary-based obedience:
    • Say no to opportunities that conflict with your values or long-term vision.
  • Pay attention to your body/spirit:
    • Notice how you feel after actions that align vs. those that don’t—use that as feedback.

Practical resources & where to follow

  • Book: I Did a New Thing: 30 Days to Living Free — Tabitha’s practical framework for habit change and alignment.
  • Social: @TabithaBrown on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook; website: TabithaBrown.com
  • Host/show: The School of Greatness (Lewis Howes) — episode for full interview and show notes.

Quick summary for skimmers

  • Problem: Long-term illness + masking identity created physical and emotional suffering.
  • Turning point: A faith-driven surrender and commitment to authenticity.
  • Actions: Started daily videos, adopted a plant-based lifestyle, followed small new routines, listened for signs, said no to misalignment.
  • Outcome: Viral growth, brand deals, bestselling books, businesses and creative opportunities—rooted in authenticity and stewardship.
  • Core message: Walk in your truth, practice obedience, do one small thing daily toward your dream, and protect your integrity.

This episode is strong on practical spiritual guidance, habit-change tactics, and real-world examples of how authenticity, faith, and small consistent steps lead to lasting transformation.