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According to Amber Amber Keltner of Liberty, Missouri on Life, Lessons & Legacy

According to Amber Amber Keltner shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Amber, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My favorite thing to do outside of work is to spend time with my family. My four-year-old daughter, Dream, has such a vivid imagination and an infectious laugh. I named my Cosmetics business after her, and hope to start teaching her entrepreneurship skills at an early age through my small business.. She is so observant, and she loves watching and learning whatever I’m doing. My two-year-old son, Aiden, is a little ball of energy. He loves to run, jump, and explore the world around him. Their sense of wonder and curiosity is a great reminder to appreciate the small things in life. Being able to watch them grow and learn every day brings me so much joy.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I go by According to Amber on social media, and I’m a 33-year-old content creator and entrepreneur. I cover Reality T.V. News and Trending Topics primarily on YouTube, but you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook. I have been blogging for going on 5 years now.

In addition to my content creation, I run a small cosmetics business called Dream Ann Cosmetics, which you can find on my website AccordingtoAmber.com. We specialize in quality Eyelashes, Eyelash glue, lip gloss, and cosmetics that I sell directly to consumers and offer wholesale options for those looking to start their own cosmetic business.

I post daily on my Youtube channel so subscribe to According to Amber on YouTube for daily updates!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world taught me who I could be, I was an open book. I was a curious kid who appreciated the little things in life. The world felt full of possibilities, and I saw myself as being able to achieve even my wildest dreams.

Then, somewhere along the way, that innocence got buried under the weight of addiction. I had a hard time feeling like I belonged as a teenager, and that caused me to get into the wrong crowd at a young age. For years, the drugs became my entire world. They silenced all my dreams and ambition, teaching me to focus only on the next fix. The world shrank to the size of my next high, and I learned to be a different person—a person who was defined by a constant need, not a creative drive.

I got sober 5 years ago, and have come so far in that time. Getting sober wasn’t just about quitting drugs; it was about unearthing that kid again. It was a long and painful process of peeling back the layers of addiction and relearning how to be me. The world had taught me a harsh lesson in survival, but sobriety allowed me to finally start learning who I could be on my own terms—not the person the drugs made me, but the person I was always meant to be. I’m still trying to figure out who I am at 33 years old, but I love this journey that I’m currently on. I have two beautiful kids, and I love that I can do a job where I work from home, and can be close with my kids all day.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“You are so much stronger than you think, and the pain you feel right now won’t last forever. There’s a future waiting for you, a life you can’t even imagine, filled with a kind of love you’ve never known. You will be a mother, and those two little faces, my son and daughter, will be your reason for everything. Hold on—they’re worth it.”

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
When I first started on social media, I was so afraid of being judged. I’d water myself down, keeping my posts short and to the point, careful not to reveal too much. I was terrified of what people might think of me, especially because of my past as a drug addict. I tried to bury that part of my life, as if it never happened.

But over time, I realized that the more I opened up and shared my true self, the more people responded. It turned out that being vulnerable and honest created a stronger connection with my audience. When I started sharing my story, I saw how many people could relate and find hope in it. I finally understood that my past isn’t something to hide—it’s a crucial part of what made me who I am today. I’m proud to share my journey, because it’s a testament to how far I’ve come and a way to help others who might be on a similar path.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Because of my past, I understand deeply that true strength isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up, again and again.

Most people see strength in a straight line of success—in a perfect career, a stable life, or flawless choices. But I know that the most profound strength for me was forged in the fire of addiction and recovery. For ten years, I was in a constant battle with myself, and I learned that you can lose everything and still find the will to fight for your life. I’ve seen rock bottom, and I’ve seen what it takes to climb back out.

This experience has given me a perspective that others can’t have. I understand that a person’s biggest struggles can be the very things that shape their greatest compassion and resilience. I know that healing isn’t a destination but a daily choice. I understand the true meaning of hope—not as a naive wish, but as a gritty, hard-earned belief that a better future is always possible. This kind of understanding isn’t something you can learn from a book; it’s something you earn through every step of a painful and beautiful journey.

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Image Credits
ALl credits go to me and from screenshots on my youtube channel of my own personal videos

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