Overcoming Money Blocks: From Poverty to Financial Freedom

From Poverty to a Six-Figure Business 

In episode three of the five-part money series, I interviewed financial advisor Rebekah  Kiger about her remarkable journey from living below the poverty line as a teen mom  on food stamps to building a multiple six-figure business. Her story is a testament to  the power of decision, belief, and focus. Here’s an excerpt from that interview, in  Rebekah’s own words. 

I never imagined I’d be sitting here today, sharing my journey from scarcity and  financial survival to abundance and entrepreneurship. If anyone had told 18-year-old  me—new teen mom, barely scraping by on government assistance—that one day I’d  be a multiple six-figure entrepreneur, I would’ve laughed. Or maybe cried. Because  back then, it just didn’t seem possible. 

But I’m proof that it is. 

That’s exactly why I was so excited to join Kim on the “Shift Or Get Off the Pot”  podcast. As I listened to Kim lay out her intention for this money series—to go beyond  mindset into the practical and emotional aspects of wealth—it felt like coming full  circle. I’ve been on both ends of the financial spectrum, and I know firsthand that true  change takes more than hustle or spreadsheets. 

So, what made the difference for me? 

A Scarcity Blueprint  

I grew up way below the poverty line, one of seven kids, watching my mom survive on  welfare. I saw what money trauma looks like up close: the fear, the constant anxiety,  the chaos of bills and the threat of homelessness. Even though things eventually  improved for my mom financially, I noticed that the scarcity mindset stuck with her. The  body remembers, and so does the nervous system. 

By the time I became a teen mom myself, college was off the table. I started working at  a bank as a part-time teller, making $9 an hour. So I did what I thought you were  supposed to do: work as hard as you possibly can for as long as you need to. I started  climbing. Within a few years, I was making $50,000–$60,000—a victory, certainly, but it  came at the cost of 60-hour workweeks and missing moments with my daughter. I was  “successful,” but in survival mode, and absolutely wiped out. 

A Mentor’s Belief Changed Everything 

Then—right when I needed it most—a mentor appeared. He saw something in me I  couldn’t see yet. He asked me a question that changed my life: “If you could make any  amount of money, what would it be?” My first reaction was almost anger: how dare he  ask that? Couldn’t he see how far I’d come? 

But that question planted a seed. It was the first time I realized I could choose my  financial goal, instead of just accepting whatever I got. He helped me set a $100,000  target. I didn’t believe it was possible, but I borrowed his belief. Nine months later, I hit  my first six-figure year—something I never could’ve envisioned before. 

The True Blocks Are Inside Us 

That one experience showed me that practical steps—like setting goals and focusing  my effort—matter, but it was a shift in my nervous system and mindset that made it  possible. I realized that what kept me stuck was learned, embodied scarcity. Our  nervous systems are programmed in childhood, and for me, that meant chaos around  money felt familiar, even “safe.” When I started earning more, I’d find ways to sabotage  it—overspending, creating new chaos—because my body was more comfortable in  struggle. 

The facts don’t lie: 95% of our adult actions are determined by unconscious mental  and nervous system processes. If I hadn’t faced these patterns head-on, no amount of  budgeting would’ve freed me. 

Awareness Is the First Step 

So, how do we get unstuck? We start by noticing how we relate to money. If you avoid  your bank account or feel sick when you think about bills—pay attention. Are you  spending everything you earn, or hoarding money because it’s your only sense of  safety? These patterns are clues. 

For me, consciously tracking my money and making it a ritual (I call it a “money date” —cozy music, candles, and a glass of wine while looking at my accounts) helped  retrain my nervous system. It took the monster out of the corner and replaced it with  clarity and new possibilities. 

It’s Not Just Mindset—It’s Nervous System Safety 

Changing your money story isn’t just about thinking happy thoughts. It’s about making  your body feel safe receiving (and keeping) more. This is why mentorships,  masterminds, and supportive communities are powerful: when you’re surrounded by  people who see more in you and who talk about wealth openly, your nervous system  can finally relax and expand. 

My challenge to you is this: Take an honest look at your relationship with money. Can  you give it the attention and respect you’d give a loved one? Can you become curious, 

not critical, about your patterns? Every step you take—whether it’s a new money ritual  or simply acknowledging your feelings—is proof that you can shift your story, too. 

Build a Foundation and Watch Abundance Grow  

You don’t have to wait until you hit six figures to start working on your money  relationship. In fact, don’t! A windfall won’t fix an unsafe foundation. When you build  from the inside out, your outer results will follow—and the journey is so much richer! 

I’m so grateful to be where I am today. But I’m even more grateful for every struggle,  every mentor, and every lesson along the way—because they taught me that  abundance starts in the body, and grows from there. 

Are you ready to make your own shift? 

If you want to hear the full conversation and get even more practical tips, check out the  latest episode of “Shift Or Get Off the Pot.” And remember: it’s ok to lean on  someone else’s belief in you until yours kicks in. Keep taking action, and your belief will  most definitely grow.