The Spotlight Redirected
The stage was small, nestled within my elementary school cafeteria, and the audience was filled with adoring parents and grandparents. Siblings, however, were there under duress, some sitting on the floor in groups, gazing up at us. I had landed one of the lead roles in the performance, a third-grade production titled Universe and Other Stuff, but at the time, it felt as grand as Broadway. I was made for this—the stage, the cafeteria lighting, and the boisterous audience.
I had been performing since I was two years old, wielding a microphone just a few years later. My third-grade teacher had assigned me the part of "the Sun," the main ball of energy in our solar system. Dressed in vibrant yellow, complete with full-length stretchy leggings and a cardboard sun cutout, I was ready to shine. While I can’t recall many of my lines, one that stands out is, “I am a great big ball of gas, and I am hot.” With that line, I would touch my thigh with my finger, making a sizzling sound to convey my warmth—temperature-wise, of course!
What a joyful time that was, and how God has brought that memory to the forefront after so many years of forgetting. I performed for over a decade, dancing and radiating my light and energy on various stages. I had explored almost every style of dance, even competing. Naturally, theater seemed like the next logical step. However, I soon transitioned into a very different form of performance: sports. For many years, nothing could replicate the adrenaline of a packed audience and flashing lights. I made the choice to engage in team sports to help ease the financial burden on my single mother and grandparents. At just eleven years old, while most kids were carefree, I was grappling with adult responsibilities.
My life as an athlete brought gifts that dance had not. I learned the value of teamwork—showing up for my teammates and giving my all not for personal glory, but for the success of the team. I fell in love with the exhilaration of running onto the court or warming up on the field. God had pulled me from the spotlight to teach me lessons of sacrifice and selflessness. As an athlete, I became coachable, learning to embrace constructive criticism. Unlike the ease of dancing, mastering skills in basketball, field hockey, or soccer proved challenging. Yet being a leader and a team-oriented player felt instinctual. Rugby was the only sport that came effortlessly to me, and it was there that I gained recognition for my abilities and led my team off the field.
Years passed, and I forgot what it felt like to be on stage, to experience the adrenaline of an audience or the comforting familiarity of backstage. It was over fifteen years later that an opportunity arose. I was invited to speak during Women’s History Month while serving as the Associate Director of Operations at Catholic University in D.C. It was 2021, and even amidst COVID protocols, we could host more than fifty people. The event featured a light reception, beautifully arranged tables, and a diverse array of attendees.
This year, I was asked to speak alongside the Vice President of Student Affairs, Judy Briggs—a woman I deeply respected. As my turn approached, I felt a wave of nerves. I wore uncomfortable heels and had prepared a speech I hoped would resonate with these young minds. Standing at the podium, I was unprepared for the emotions that washed over me. The nerves transformed into butterflies, ignited by the students' reactions—each laugh and applause fueling a fire within my soul.
In that moment, the lights illuminated my path, a stark contrast to the darkened audience I once knew. There were no flashes from cameras, yet the sense of homecoming and exhilaration returned. I realized then that this familiar feeling had evolved, yet it felt so right. God was awakening a version of myself that I had long forgotten. That night, I sensed that He had plans to return me to the stage.
God has a sense of humor and truly deserves an EGOT. The very next day, I was convinced that I would become a renowned public speaker, sought after to deliver life-changing messages. As you might imagine, that’s not quite how it unfolded. Over the next three years, God guided me to create opportunities for impactful change that manifested in unexpected ways. In 2022, I developed a speaker series for a client, curating and moderating a panel featuring remarkable, forward-thinking women.
In the spring of 2023, God called me to use my social media platform to highlight the stories of strong women whose narratives could transform lives in their own communities. That spring, I met a woman who would connect me to one of the greatest gifts I’ve received thus far. We serendipitously crossed paths in a coffee shop, our experiences overlapping in nearly every way—except one. She was a podcaster, a title I had long coveted. From 2019 to 2021, my best friend and I often discussed the dream of starting a podcast during our commutes to work.
It was that divine introduction that led me to my first test episode. The Brittany Wheeler Show launched in June 2023, providing a platform where I interview ordinary people living extraordinary lives. I now had a stage, albeit one that differed from my speeches in 2022 or my childhood dancing. The podcast lacks a traditional spotlight or live audience, yet it ignites within me the same fiery passion I felt while speaking in 2022. To date, The Brittany Wheeler Show has featured over sixty guests, released forty episodes, and hosted two in-person speaker panels.
In spring 2024, God revealed to me that those in-person panels were essentially live episodes of my podcast. The stage He stripped away from me at age eleven has been returned threefold. The dimly lit audience I once cherished has transformed into engaged faces, grateful for the stories shared. The blurred silhouettes I used to seek applause from are now individuals who openly express their appreciation. The intricate dance moves that required immense skill have evolved into a natural ability to curate questions that draw out the authenticity of my guests.
The spotlight I once craved is no longer solely for me; it is shared with my guests, and often, I find myself redirecting attention to them. Finally, the backstage life I once knew has been reshaped by God into a space I’ve designed for myself. My years as a dancer and as an athlete were not wasted; rather, God utilized them to redefine who I needed to become in order to share my gift and reorient my desire for the stage.
The Brittany Wheeler Show (TBWS) is a stage I have crafted, and the performance unfolds every Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts. It is a showcase of excellence, grace, resilience, and love. My desire to be on stage remains unwavering, yet now I long to share that experience with others. I am convicted to share my love and light by being the spotlight for others I once desired for myself. It is the most fulfilling endeavor, one that I believe is limitless!
I warmly welcome you to the TBWS family and thank you for being my cherished audience. I am grateful for your presence here. Follow the show, share the episodes, and stay tuned—it's just getting good. As always, “Do good things, make me proud, and we will see you next time!”