Cover Model Feature

BodyScape Magazine Cover Model Feature

LARGER THAN LIFE

By Kerrie Lee Brown BodyScape Magazine Celebrity Profile Writer When you survive a traumatic near-death experience as a teenager, “you just know” there’s more to life than meets the eye. Annieca is a natural connector. She lights up the room with pure energy and spunk. With her trademark purple hair and blue gum, Annieca is someone who you can’t soon forget. She’s raw and real—and there’s no doubt in our minds that this month’s cover model was, and still is, ready to spread her wings and fly.

When you let go of what’s inside, it is very freeing.

READY TO FLY

No one knows tragedy quite like this month’s cover girl. But then again, no one knows the truth about euphoria quite like her either.

At 16 years old, Annieca was in a tragic car crash that she saw in a dream a few weeks prior. A car crash that should have taken her life; but instead left her with no movement in her legs, a broken tailbone, a fractured pelvis and one less kidney, and much to rehabilitate over the coming years. Her sensational story of life and death—or rather healing and witnessing the “truth”—comes at a pivotal time when most people need to hear a positive message about strength, perseverance, and success like our lives depend on it.

Born and raised in Small Town, Indiana, Annieca always knew her birthplace wasn’t her forever home. Having lived through years of sexual and verbal abuse as a child, her charismatic nature is the only thing that’s left of her trying younger years—which she takes wherever she goes. “It’s made me who I am today,” she says.

However, Annieca’s memories of hard times and innocence lost are protected and hidden away inside where she doesn’t feed them anymore. But don’t be fooled, they are still there. They fuel her when needed—but don’t control her anymore; and if she digs deep, she might give you a glimpse of what led her to where she is today.

Be ready for a tear or two.

SHE SHINES SO BRIGHT

Annieca’s amazing soul is what makes her light shine so bright. She illuminates any room she walks into and leaves you feeling energized with a sense of renewal and tranquility. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Annieca for this interview in Scottsdale, Arizona one beautiful Sunday afternoon this past February.

Special thanks to BodyScape Magazine’s amazing team, publisher and photographer Sarah Lyons and associate editor and posing expert Monica Brant, for making the magic happen.

I say “magic” because it’s true. As soon as Annieca entered the house where we were staying and photographing another model, I felt a magical presence surround me—a sense of love and compassion. Someone so full of life that it’s hard to believe hers was almost taken from her years ago.

There’s no doubt, Annieca is full of life and selfconfidence—although she’s also humble and calm on the inside she says. Annieca is someone who lifts everyone’s spirits the moment you meet her. I couldn’t help but resonate with her story as soon as we sat down to talk. From pain to purpose and back again, Annieca’s electrifying smile and evanescent soul is infectious.

I don’t watch TV. There’s no need for it in my world.

WORK LIFE

With a larger than life personality and the knowhow that could probably outwit any Pulitzer Prize Winner, Annieca could kick anyone’s ass in the boardroom or the courtroom. She’s sassy and smart—and no one is going to get in her way in business or otherwise. This is the type of woman you want on your side.

More than a pretty face, Annieca’s is an author, speaker, and mentor. She also runs a successful “matchmaking” business that specializes in the insurance industry. More specifically, she helps independent agency owners execute change by scaling businesses and shaping the way they operate. Annieca is direct and compassionate, and works with business owners one-on-one and with their teams.

Want to know how to grow your business? Beat the competition? Become a mover and shaker in your community? Annieca is your girl. She is a natural connector and a visionary all rolled into one package. Like a ball of fire ready to burst into flames with her business savvy, drive, determination, and knowledge about how corporations should run in order to be as successful as possible. She is dynamic and friggin’ awesome. She’s also a mom of three boys and a dynamo at that too.

Because I own our space, people feel comfortable in theirs when they’re around me.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Annieca has been in the insurance industry for over 20 years. She has helped 10,000-plus CEOs and industry agency owners build their businesses—set up culture, hire, train, motivate, compensate, and generate a revenue of millions.

In fact, she sold her captive Allstate agency for the biggest multiplier in Arizona and has been in the top 1% of agents in the Insurance industry for almost 20 years. Her career started after college in a brokerage house, then a staffing agency. Finally, she moved on to a leadership role in a bank where her skills grew tenfold.

Over the years, Annieca’s knowledge and know-how has multiplied tremendously and her experiences of connecting the dots flourished. She respects everyone she works with and always leaves a positive impression everywhere she goes— whether it’s to Tony Robbins talks (where she has been asked on stage to address the audience and, in turn, gave Tony a run for his money) or one-on-one where multi-milliondollar business tycoons call her in the middle of the night to ask her opinion on a business or personal matter.

Annieca does it all, and she’s far from done yet.

Q&A

How would you describe yourself?

“Well, first off, I am a mother but I am also a person who likes to play. I’m a mover, a shaker, and a disruptor. I’m a people-lover and I have a unique ability to see and understand everyone. I like to play in my daily business dealings and with people in the sense that I provide the opportunity for others to get to the next level on their own. I simply bring it out in them. I am a business leader who has grown my Allstate insurance agency and Independent Brokerage into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. My Playbook will show you how. I’m also an influencer, author, podcaster, and public speaker.”

What is your business mantra?

“People come first! We focus on the importance of people and culture. Businesses are operated by the people and we care more about the people than the business itself. That’s why we have a carefully curated online playbook that’s available to anyone to achieve the success we drive our clients toward. Winning formula for life is Culture + People = Revenue.”

I share truths through storytelling. It’s the only way to live.

What is your value system?

“Our value system spells FAMILY. We want you to have a family for LIFE. We always hire based on our value system, then teach them the skills to set them up for success.”

• Fun • Authentic • Meaningful • Integrity • Love • Youthfulness

Where have you lived?

“I moved to NYC and worked as a nanny, then I worked for a private detective firm, a brokerage house, a bank, then I got a job transfer to Arizona. My kids were born in Indiana. At the end of the day, I go where the universe takes me because that’s where I am meant to be. I am told that I ‘move’ people with what do; but it was my wakeup call so many years ago that woke me up to do this. herever I live—I live in the moment.”

How do you work with people?

“What I say to you is specific to you. We are all earth angels talking to each other and waking up the soul. This, our lifetime, is the awakening of our souls—and I’m just here to help others see their true potential. It’s in them to see and experience. I just help them feel.”

Digging a little deeper, what are we here for?

“Everyone struggles with that question. ‘Why am I here?’ ‘Why do I exist?” But for some reason that I will never understand, I just know why. I know we are all here for a reason bigger than one individual. All I know is that this is our earth plane. We are meant to exist. We are meant to live and die. We are meant to be.”

What is your ultimate goal?

“I want to help people get comfortable with their money and leave a legacy. I was brought back to life with the intention to wake up your soul. I am a messenger.”

You come across as very spiritual. How does spirituality impact your life?

“When you become spiritually grounded you don’t think about the micros and the macros. In other words, you don’t overdo anything because your soul knows what it needs. You only take what gives back. The food we consume, the exercise we perform, we take in the nourishment through our eyes. Nourishment can take it to that next level. Nourishment with God and his vision.”

I can’t dim the light. I learned to be obedient at such a young age and it killed me. Literally.

56 You look fantastic. Tell us about your workout routine.

“I work out 2-3 times a week in the gym I practice practice yoga. But first, I get up, meditate, journal, and breathe. It’s all about the ‘grounding’ work. I can’t go through my day without making sure I’m at peace and focused on the magic that I am going to make the next 24 hours. At night, I write three things in my journal. One about what was magical that day. One about how someone was inspired. And one about how magic created something special in that 24 hour period. My way of life is so fulfilling. Our bodies are spirits that are meant to move. Our body is an expression and how we communicate with the world.”

Why do people gravitate to you instantly?

“People gravitate to me because I hold a sacred space for them. People weep, people scream, people show gratitude. All I know is that the clouds need to fall every once in a while because otherwise it’s too much of a burden to carry. I help them by holding a space. Being present is very energizing. It is very freeing to help people in this way.”

What was the game changer for you?

“A big game changer was finding my voice and never allowing another to silence me. We each have beautiful life stories to be shared, some big and some small. The biggest game changer of all…...Dying and Being Born Again. When I was sixteen years old, I was hit by a car travelling 50 mph and I was 70 feet in the air landing on a concrete median. Both femurs crushed with metal rods inserted into the bones and wires wrapped around them holding each one together, being told I would never walk again. My tailbone was broken, my pelvis fractured in two places and a left kidney that no longer functioned. Oh, not to mention, I died and went to Heaven and spoke with my Dad and Jesus.”

What happened?

“I got home from a school Christmas concert and felt weird. I had the same dream for three weeks straight. I know now that I was seeking light at the time because I had been hit by a car, molested, and understandably didn’t want to go to sleep. But I woke up the next morning after the concert and it felt like a new day. Even in high school I was sought out by people. These are really poignant moments—guide posts if you will—signs that some of us are born leaders.”

Do you believe in second chances?

“Absolutely! My dad used to call me ‘sissy’ when I was a kid and that stays with you, but when I had my accident I realized that there was more left for me to do. God doesn’t send you back unless you have a second chance. Now I do mergers and acquisitions and help sell and take away pain points that companies encounter.”

Tell us about your Tony Robbins experience?

“I traveled worldwide with Tony Robbins and his wife, Sage, for a year and a half with their Platinum partnership and leadership program. When I joined Tony’s world I was watching what he was teaching, and I was observing his movements on stage. I was handpicked by Tony himself, while on a spiritual trip in Abu Dubai at Emirates Palace, to support him directly. It felt amazing. I hit the jackpot and I’ve been thriving since.”

We don’t work every day. We play.

What is your philosophy on life given what you’ve been through?

“Money doesn’t matter. Mission matters. I do what I do because it’s just a knowing inside me. I was meant to do this. My contribution to this world is growth and passion. I truly believe that my neardeath experience gave me superpowers. I can’t explain it any better.”

Why did you decide to shoot for BodyScape Magazine?

“You’d never believe it, but I used to be camera shy. I used to want to be someone else. I hired Sarah Lyons to photograph me in 2018 because I knew she would be able to capture my message through her lens. I then started to be comfortable in my own skin. The reason I did the shoot for BodyScape was because I knew it was my path. I knew this story would illuminate my life and shed some light on who I am and what I stand for. It’s like I am living in an episode of euphoria. It’s more than just pictures and the story—the spoken word is priceless and so are the words on this page. I share my story willingly in good company and I know what I am doing will have an impact.”

Fun and business go together or don’t play in my playground. A lot of our creativity happens when we play.

What does living in the moment mean to you?

“I’m one of the most positive people you’ll meet. I’ve been in enough dark to know the light is present. That’s why I’m always present with people. I am here in the now. I seek nothing other than peace and serve the gift of tomorrow. I’ve learned that you just have to be at peace with where you are in life. Things will fall into place. If you force it then you won’t get the gifts from living. When you live in the moment you know where you’re going. For instance, I know professionally where I make my money. I have systems for success but don’t force it into a box. The same can be said for our personal lives. Go with the flow.”

What message do you want to tell other women reading this magazine?

“We’re born to rise. Be you. Just be you. Women are amazing, beautiful creatures and it’s time to stop doubting ourselves and just live positively. It’s time to spread our wings and fly. Women, men, children, and animals are ready to fly — human kind, all kind.”

Contact info:

To connect with Annieca,

watch her vlogs, or gain access to valuable information on finance business management, motivation, and team building

www.annieca.com

Connect on

@annieca_com

@AnniecaAcker

Also, listen to Annieca’s “The Game Changing Podcast” www.annieca.com/podcast

About the Author:

Kerrie Lee Brown is the former editor-in-chief of Oxygen Women’s Fitness Magazine and the founder of RedLily® lifestyle brand. Find her wellness line and book

“My Heart, My Self – A Guide for Women Who Do Too Much”

www.RedLilyLife.com @KerrieLeeBrown @redlilylife info@kerrieleebrown.com

for writing and consulting services.