When one hears of personal development programs, different stereotypes of self-help may come to mind. Leah Darrow joins the show to bring a Christian perspective to personal development through her new program called Power Made Perfect. She is a former model and current entrepreneur, Catholic speaker, author, and podcaster.

“I have always loved personal development. But obviously a lot of it really misses the mark when it comes to Christianity…They forget about the spiritual component to things.” Leah hopes to connect the goals of improving oneself with melding our lives to be in God’s image.

RELATED: For God or the ‘Gram? Reevaluating What Is True, Good, and Beautiful

“We get really uncomfortable as Christians talking about being successful. We really define that word success as only talking about fame or money,” she says. However, we are called to a different kind of success where God calls us to be more like him. “When you have [personal development] centered on Christ, you’re successful for Christ and with Christ in all that you do.”

Father Dave notes that many Christians feel that “because Christ calls us to serve others and to things like humility, we as people of faith shouldn’t be about success or improvement…but [faith and success] are not antithetical.” Leah agrees, saying how we are not meant to be “doormats” or to let life merely happen to us. “Christ is also calling us to call upon his power to act in our lives, to be an active player,” she says. 

She expands on this with a metaphor from the video game world, where many characters are “non-player characters” or “NPCs” that have a passive role. “I really encourage people to become active players in their lives with Christ at the center,” Leah says. Becoming an “active player” requires one to reflect and see what limiting beliefs hold themselves back from becoming the person God calls them to be. 

RELATED: How to Create a Prayer Tool Kit for All Your Prayer Needs

“Christ Jesus calls us to become more than what we are,” Leah says. “It is his power that transforms us, and not our own.”  The name of the program, Power Made Perfect, is based on 2 Corinthians 12:9 which says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” 

She also explains that success is going to look different for everyone depending on their vocation. “I’m a mom of 6, and for me part of my definition of success is being fully present to my children and to my husband,” Leah says. “This [program] is for any person who is just like, ‘I need to have more peace in my life,’” she explains, whether that is in big or small ways. “If we’re not actively moving or growing in that space, then we’re not growing at all.”