Written by: Michelle Sherbun, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. What if everything came down to this very moment? Who I am. Whom I love. What I did. What didn’t I hold onto? What might that moment look like? That moment of glorious clarity and stillness. Would I be satisfied with the choices I made? Was I free enough to take risks and fly? Can I be grateful for what I have? Because, in reality, it’s all I need. It’s all I’ll ever need. So, was I totally here? Alive in this very precious and unique moment? Too often these moments slip away. Moving too fast to slow down and see, feel, and be. What could possibly be more important than being here – now – soaking life up? All of it – moment by moment. Intentions. It boils down to living a life of intentions. Not letting life live me. And when life is lived in full moments, moment following each wonderful moment. I am present with possibilities. I live my purpose. Not running so fast the possible is missed time and time again. Purpose lies in the moments found in an intentional life. A life that chooses whom I intend to be. And whom I intend to be, guides what I do and why I do it. Life is fleeting. As the saying goes – none of us get out of here alive. Will we be remembered for the moments when life was fully embraced? Or those times when we moved so fast, we missed the beauty. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Michelle! Michelle Sherbun, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michelle Sherbun came to her career first as a vocalist and an actor. And while she no longer performs, the listening and improv skills she honed on stage became the foundation for the leadership coaching she does today. Whether partnering with an individual leader or working with a nonprofit or business team, she taps and nurtures their courage, curiosity, and creativity to create the possible. Her favorite question: WHY?

Written by: Deanna Goodson, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I got my certificate as a health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in January 2021. I spent a full year studying nutritional concepts and learned a great deal that has helped me in my private practice and in the scope of the work I do as a coach for Modern Health, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). One of the first concepts we learned about at IIN was bio-individuality. Bio-individuality holds that everyone is different physiologically and biologically. We all have different needs when it comes to food and fitness in general. Basically, diets don’t work because they don’t take the individual into account. Each of us should find a plan that works for us. What works for me, for example, will not work for you and vice versa. Bio-individuality is basically a simple concept, but it is an important one. As a health coach, I help people create personalized eating and fitness plans that help them achieve their goals. The process is not rapid, but it is there. To lose weight effectively, you have to do it slowly at a rate of between 0.5 lbs.– 2 lbs. per week. Some people get very upset that the process isn’t faster. They want to see rapid results, but losing weight is a marathon, not a sprint and you have to change your habits. You don’t just go on a ‘diet’ for a short period of time and revert back to your previous eating and exercise habits once you lose all the weight you want to. That’s a recipe for disaster and yo-yo dieting. Studies have shown that yo-yo dieting can cause more damage to the body than being obese. Read that sentence again. Yes, yo-yo dieting can be more harmful to the body than being overweight. The best thing to do is to find an eating plan that works for you. I often recommend that people stick to whole, unprocessed foods and refrain from eating sugar, gluten or too much dairy. I highly recommend an eating plan that has lots of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. However, I also work with people on the concepts of primary food and secondary food. Primary food in a nutshell is what nourishes us besides physical food. We do need food to survive but primary food is what makes our lives worth living. There are twelve areas of primary food. They are: Spirituality Creativity Finances Career Health Physical Activity Home Cooking Home Environment Relationships Social Life and Joy. If something is amiss in any of the areas of primary food, then our secondary food will be out of alignment with our health and wellness goals. Secondary food, as you may or may not have guessed by now, is the food we eat. How you structure your eating plan is up to you and hopefully your health coach. I work with people often on building an individualized plan to help them get to their optimal health and fitness goals by helping them optimize their primary food and eat secondary food that is nourishing and life-affirming. If you’re interested in working with me to see what I have to offer, I’d be happy to offer you a 60-minute consultation. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Deanna! Deanna Goodson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Deanna Goodson is a professional life and mental health coach, nutritional counselor, and writer. She received her coach training at Rhodes Wellness College in Canada and received an ACC credential from the International Coaching Federation in May of 2019, which was recently renewed. As a mental health coach, Deanna is well-versed in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Emotional Freedom Technique, aka Tapping. Deanna is also a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and has a certificate in Emotional Eating Psychology (EEP). She follows an intuitive eating approach for her clients and helps them repair their relationship with food.

Written by: Helena Smolock, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. It never fails to amaze me how we relate to age and athleticism or, best to say Age vs. Athleticism. It is the societal norm to equate youth to athleticism, but did you know there is a term that identifies those over the age of 35 years old as "Master Athletes?" My Saturday nights are movie nights. It is a fantastic way to end the week, to shift my mind to a great movie with a remarkable storyline. This past Saturday, I stumbled upon a movie called, "Cinderella Man"; my husband commented to me, "You will love that movie." I did not ask why, but reading the synopsis, it intrigued me since I love to watch a good boxing match! As well it is a true story. Throughout the movie, the light was shed on what I had mentioned earlier – Age vs. Athleticism. I watched a character who in today's boxing industry would be retired and done with the punches and the injuries which come with it. On many occasions in the movie this character was called and teased as "old man," "you're done," “you’re crazy” and throughout certain intervals and levels of the fights and fighters of the higher calibre he was challenged and ridiculed, he continued to his final challenge. Nearing the end of the movie, he was faced with one of the most challenging contenders, one that most feared and some favoured. The contender's circle was strong. His coaches, his family and friends that supported his career and accomplishments were grand. Despite the challenge “the old man” did not care to listen to the very few naysayers around him. What did happen was his circle of support grew even more. Even the priest and the community on the night of the biggest fight sat and prayed for him. The stadium was packed, and the level of motivation was at an all-time high both in the ring and out of the ring. On my end, I was hyped up too! As a Master Athlete, my hype was in support of his focus to win! It took 15 rounds, he fell, he got back up, he was punched in the ribs, he got back up, he was knocked to the floor, he got back up. His vision went unclear, he cleared it, his mind started to tire, he envisioned his wife and children to clear his mind to get back into balance and clarity. His contender at each level was getting angrier and angrier even commenting “old man” to attempt to break him down emotionally, he ignored it. At the end, that “old man” knocked out his contender to become one the best fighters in boxing history! Was I bawling? Oh yes! That movie resonated within me. Age vs. Athleticism is only a stigma that society wants to define us, and have us believe, it is time to throw in our towel at a certain age. That the human body breaks down (yes it does), but we have control over how we age. Being in the Health and Wellness industry myself for 40 years, we have come a long way and more advanced in terms of Athleticism, Fitness, Wellness, Nutrition, and Health. Back in the character’s period that did not exist. What was scarce only strengthened him. The moral of this article, use what is negative whether that negativity exists in your environment, within your group, your connections, family, friends, or workspace. Flip that negativity into positive thought patterns within you. Within you is where experiencing and learning about challenges begins. Remain focused, create a razor-sharp mindset, and remember, throughout the journey, you will get knocked down, you will cry, you may want to scream into a pillow. Allow yourself to experience the highs and lows because at the end – you will win. Visit me here to receive a complimentary copy of my eBook – What's Your Type? Understanding Your Body and Personality. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Helena! Helena Smolock, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Helena Smolock, is an award-winning CPT-RNC, a Master Athlete, and Founder and President of Velocity Athletic Training. She received the Business Excellence Award from the Langley Chamber of Commerce 2003, was voted by clients and business associates across Canada and the USA as Business Person of the Year (2020-2022), seated at 4 in the top ten businesses in the USA, and most recently in 2023 seated at 1 (Blaine, WA). Voted in the top ten Business Person of the Year 2023, seated at 6 in the USA. Her company, Velocity Athletic Training has most recently been voted by LUXLife 2023 as the 1 Personal Training Company in Washington State. She has been a Fitness Columnist for Canadian Healthstyle Magazine, The Langley Times and has been featured on radio and television. Helena is also WBENC ‒ Certified as a Woman Owned Business. The Gold Standard in business Certification. From athletes and corporate professionals, to those seeking post-rehab, Helena has provided an environment where a trusted bond is developed between client and coach. Together we design your 1:1 Functional Conditioning to boost your Fitness with an Athletic Twist to enhance Performance and Mindset to WIN!!

Written by: Dr. Belynder Walia, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. So, you're a fabulous transgender individual, living your best life and striving to be your most authentic self. You've made strides in transitioning and embracing your gender identity. And now you want surgery to confirm your gender identity. But, sadly, surgery is not in the cards for you. A financial issue, medical barrier, or other pesky obstacle stops you from your surgical dreams. Whatever the reason, you're feeling a little disheartened about it. It's okay not to feel okay. Rest assured! There are ways to manage these feelings healthily. First things first ‒ it's essential to acknowledge and accept your emotions. It's okay to feel disappointed, frustrated, or even slightly sad. You're human, after all! So please take a moment to sit with your feelings and process them so that you are self-aware and self-accepting. It's important to feel your emotions. Maybe that means having a good cry, talking it out with a friend, or indulging in much-needed self-care. Speaking of self-care, that's an essential part of coping with the inability to access surgery. Take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and engage in activities that make you feel good. And, of course, treat yourself to a bit of indulgence now and then. You deserve it! Maybe you could take yourself out for a nice meal, spoil yourself with a luxurious bubble bath or try a new look or outfit that makes you feel great. Connecting with others who understand your experiences is also a great way to cope. Seek support from friends, family, or members of the LGBTQ+ community. They can offer you empathy, understanding, and a listening ear. And who knows, they might even have some great tips or insights to share! Joining a local LGBTQ+ support group or an online forum can be a great way to connect with others who share your experiences and offer support and encouragement. Finally, remember that other ways exist to affirm your gender identity beyond surgery. Maybe it means exploring new ways to express yourself, building a solid support network, or finding joy and fulfilment in new hobbies or interests. For example, you could try experimenting with new hairstyles or clothing, taking up something new or learning a new skill or language. The possibilities are endless! It's important to remember that you are not alone in this journey. Many transgender individuals face barriers in accessing surgical procedures, and it's essential to find ways to cope and thrive despite these challenges. Take heart ‒ you are strong, fabulous, and deserving of love and acceptance. That, my friend, has to come from within you first. By acknowledging your emotions, practising self-care, connecting with others, and finding alternative ways to affirm your gender identity, you can manage the psychological impact of being unable to access the surgical procedure you desire. Remember, surgery may be a part of what's meant to happen for you, but it's not the only way to affirm your gender identity. You can continue your journey towards your most authentic self. And know that therapists like myself are more than willing to help you get through the days you need reminding. All you need to know for now is that you are enough, just as you are. Be true to yourself and enjoy every moment of your life being you. Follow Belynder on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and visit her website for more info. Read more from Dr. Walia! Dr. Belynder Walia, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Belynder Walia is a leading Psychotherapist who helps people who need a swift, effective solution to a current problem that negatively impacts their lives. She's worked with a wide variety of people, from stay-at-home carers to experts and celebrities in the public eye. Having suffered from Perinatal Anxiety, she focuses on enabling others to learn, heal and grow from pain. Belynder is the founder of Serene Lifestyles, an online and on-set psychotherapy practice at www.serenelifestyles.com. Her ground-breaking methods include a combination of Psychotherapy and Neuroplasticity to help align the THREE Brains (the head, heart, and gut). She's in many publications, including Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Harpers Bazaar, The Moment, Planet Mindful, and Thrive Global. She’s featured on the front cover of Passion Vista as one of the women to look up to 2022. Belynder is also writing her first non-fiction book, to help people radically change their minds to change their lives.

Written by: Mark Newey, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. When we feel shame – about our failures, our bodies, our sexuality, our addictions, our parenting styles, how we show up at work—what we are really feeling is fear: fear of being found out as imperfect, fear of rejection, fear of not deserving the love and belonging we all crave. But underneath our grown-up masks, we all have within us a frightened little child, afraid that nobody will accept us for who we really are. We are a social species, and our sensitivity to each other and our ability to avoid behaviour which might offend others are necessary skills. But over-sensitivity brings feelings of insecurity so that we can react defensively to even minor criticism; some of us are so nervous of social interaction that we isolate ourselves. We also see endless signs of the desire for the trappings of status behind which people try to hide their insecurity. Today, we live in societies in which worries about how we are seen and judged by others (what psychologists call ‘the social evaluative threat’) are one of the most serious burdens on the quality of life in rich developed countries. The costs are measured not only in terms of the additional stress, anxiety and depression, but also in poorer physical health, excess consumption of drink and drugs to alleviate anxieties, and in the loss of friendly community life which leaves so many people feeling isolated and alone. These insecurities are cancer in the midst of our social life. Having reached a standard of living unthinkable a couple of centuries ago, we now worry much more about maintaining standards in relation to others. Our concern with living standards is closely related to the anxieties around self-worth and social comparisons. There is, for example, a substantial body of research showing how well-being and satisfaction with our own pay depends substantially on how it compares with other people’s pay rather than whether it provides us with what we need. We worry about so much with regards to social status ‒ everything from anxieties about exams, jobs, money and promotion, our house, our car and what these things say about us. Part of the reason for our increased anxiety about what others think of us is that most of us no longer live in settled communities with people who have known us all our lives. Instead, we are surrounded by relative strangers. The result is that, whilst how people saw us was once formed over a lifetime, there is now a sense that who we are, and how others see us, is less fixed and therefore in constant need of attention. In a society of strangers, outward appearances and first impressions become more important. Growing up is a matter of learning to behave and live in ways which other people find acceptable; we seek the constant good opinion of those around us. It means that shame is constantly hovering over our shoulder. In her wonderful book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown tells us that there are three things that we need to know about shame: We all have it. Shame is universal and one of the most primitive human emotions that we experience. The only people who don’t experience shame lack the capacity for empathy and human connection. Here’s your choice: fess up to experiencing shame or admit that you’re a sociopath. Quick note: this is the only time that shame seems like a good option. We are all afraid to talk about shame. The less we talk about shame, the more control it has over our lives. Shame is the fear of being cut-off from others; we are psychologically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually hardwired for connection, love, and belonging. Connection with others is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. Shame is the fear of disconnection of not being worthy or good enough for love, belonging or connection. We tell ourselves we’re unlovable and that we don’t belong. When we experience shame, we feel disconnected and desperate for worthiness, but when we are hurting, we are more likely to engage in self-destructive behaviours. Shame vs. Guilt We often get shame and guilt mixed up. Guilt is about something bad that we’ve done while shame is the belief that there is something bad about us. Guilt doesn’t tend to go away until we’ve admitted our mistakes and asked for forgiveness. When acted upon, guilt can produce a positive result. With shame, it helps to share our vulnerability and talk to someone we trust. However, shame is often used as a tool for controlling people and their behaviour, typically at school and at work. We’ve all been shamed at some point by a parent, teacher, peer in the playground or work colleague and, because of childhood programming, the experience imprints into our psyche and nervous system and becomes part of our ongoing reality. Much research shows that shame is correlated to addiction, violence, aggression, depression, eating disorders and bullying. There are no positive outcomes for shame, so it’s hardly an appropriate tool to control behaviour. When we feel shame, or even the anticipation or fear of it, we are more likely to engage in self-destructive behaviours or come out fighting and blaming others. Men and Women and shame Men and women experience shame differently and for different reasons. The biggest source for women is how they look. The damaging power of the fashion industry, combined with the rise of social media and influencer culture, is still leaving a negative mark on women, despite the emergence of body positive movements and education over the past 20 years. Interestingly, it tends to be women who put this pressure on each other. Most women will admit to making more of an effort to dress up for their female friends than their male counterparts. Motherhood comes a close second for shame for women. You can never be a good enough mother! Today, it’s compounded because society promotes an aspirational (and, for the majority, unrealistic) ‘have it all’ culture, expecting women to work and to be perfect in all areas of their lives. We must not underestimate the corrosive effect on women’s mental and physical health from this overwhelming need to look and be perfect. For men, shame is failure: failure at work, in the bedroom, on the sports field, and financially. For men the message is clear: you cannot be weak (or vulnerable). The biggest insult for a man is to be called a ‘wimp’. The need for men to be seen as ‘macho’ and strong is overwhelming. This is particularly the case at work because men are expected to take on ‘masculine’ roles, not caring or creative work. In this respect, some of the bravest people we know are male nurses. Boy, are they being authentic! Interestingly, for the last 20-30 years women have been saying that they want men to be sensitive, vulnerable and open. The truth, however, is quite different! Women can’t handle men being weak and vulnerable; they find it repellent. In some respects, it’s hardwired. Evolution dictates that men have to be strong to protect the home and secure the food. (Although, we could also argue that many of these expectations were by design and not necessarily ‘nature’.) Typically, men will shut down or react aggressively to a woman’s disappointment or repulsion of their sensitivity and vulnerability. Shame is at the bottom of all midlife crises. Men feel disconnected from life and the fear of failure seems to be around the corner. Women are exhausted as they begin to realise that being perfect is not possible. Shame is the fear of disconnection, which is why people start avoiding and hiding through affairs, addictions and crazy working hours. Because emotions drive our behaviours, we need to pay more attention to understand the connection so that we can live a more conscious life and choose to thrive. We particularly need to look beneath shame to avoid falling into negative behaviours, which can affect others as much as ourselves. Shame-driven ‘Negative’ behaviours The deeply engrained sense of shame that most of us have leads to some very negative behaviours. Perfectionism Where there is perfectionism you will find shame and failure—perfection is a concept that doesn’t exist. It can never be reached which means that, by default, we ‘fail’ and that in turn leads to shame. Perfectionism is about self-protection. We believe that if we are perfect then nobody will judge us and think poorly of us, thus protecting us from feelings of shame. Unfortunately, because we can’t possibly be perfect the drive for perfection inevitably brings us exactly what we are trying to avoid: shame. Perfection is about trying to earn the approval and acceptance of others. But it’s not the answer. We need self-acceptance and self-esteem. Unfortunately, the more we fail (aren’t perfect), the more we seek perfection; the more we seek it the more we succumb to its addictive nature—a guaranteed journey towards depression and anxiety. Competition Our competitive culture continually requires us to compare ourselves with others; in fact, many of us, whether through parenting or schooling, have been raised that way. Our culture also teaches us to conform, not to stand out. So, we compare ourselves with others and aspire to be better than them. That way we can feel good about ourselves. But, due to the aspirational nature of society, we need to be careful with whom we compare ourselves: we tend to compare ourselves with those we believe to be better than us, leading to more shame. Being cool and in control Being cool and in control is all about pretending; it’s another way to mask our emotions in order to fit in ‒ a sure way to stifle our authenticity. We think this will minimise our vulnerability and keep us safe. The trouble is that people can see straight through our attempts to be cool and keep control which makes us look uncool and shameful! It’s a bit like perfection—the more we try to act cool, the more inauthentic we are and the more we expose ourselves to ridicule. We get caught in a negative loop. Self-Esteem: The antidote to shame Self-esteem is the magic bullet (if ever there was one) for mental wellness. If you go around hating or even disliking yourself, you change how you create your reality ‒ your world is inevitably a much darker place. Self-esteem simply means being comfortable with who you are and being comfortable in your own skin. This doesn’t mean being cocky or arrogance. In fact, contrary to how it may appear, the bully in the playground is probably the most insecure child in the school. ‘Be who you are. Say what we feel. Because those who mind don't matter. And those who matter, don't mind.’ ‒ Dr. Seuss When I first read this quote, I had tears in my eyes. Being comfortable with who you are—the good, the bad and the ugly—is the secret to mental wellness. Consider the people in your life for a moment. How many of them do you think have good self-esteem? How many of them are comfortable in their own skin? Seriously: how many? I've been asking people for over 15 years. On average, the answer is between three and five. And so, out of all the people we know, three to five are actually comfortable in their own skin. Okay, it's not scientific data, but how horrifying is that? We have a massive issue around self-esteem. The main reason is that we are brought up to constantly worry about what people think about us. In my day it was ‘What will the neighbours think?’ Who cares what the neighbours think (unless they are your friends and they matter). Social media has, of course, amplified this problem. Here’s the next serious question for you: how many people in your life actually matter? Consider your immediate family and friends; those who genuinely have your back and would put their lives on the line for you. The average is somewhere between 12 and 15 for those who actually matter in our life. And yet, we’re constantly worrying about what everybody thinks about us, even though most of the time it’s the people who don’t actually matter to us! Here’s a challenge for you: give me one good reason why you shouldn’t be comfortable with who you are. Yes, we’ve all failed at something, hurt those we love and done things we regret. But that doesn’t mean to say that we can’t be comfortable with who we are. In fact, if we want to be successful, live a good life and create loving relationships, it’s essential that we’re comfortable with who we are. In over 15 years of challenging people on this, I’ve never been given a single good reason. This is not about being arrogant or over-confident, it just means that we need to stop being worried about what people think about us. Worrying about what people think relates directly to shame, poor self-esteem and self-loathing. It is a massive issue in modern society. Building self-esteem may sound like a mountain to climb, but when you have built a reasonable sense of identity you’re already half way to being comfortable with who you are. Having self-esteem is not difficult, but it is the key to mental wellness and living a good life. Self-esteem gives your life a positive glow in terms of how you create it—consciously and unconsciously—rather than the grey clouds generated by self-loathing. If you would like a no-obligation virtual 30-minute coffee break chat to explore further how Radical Self-Discovery can genuinely transform your life and your business, please don’t hesitate to contact me from my website. You can also follow me on LinkedIn. Read more from Mark! Mark Newey, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mark Newey is a Protagonist and Disruptor, empowering small business owners to totally transform their company's biggest asset: themselves. Running a business is stressful, especially in today's environment: if we are stressed, our cognitive capacity drops by 40%, which means we are operating at 60% efficiency. Mark has distilled 22 years of experience from his own breakdown and working with 3000 clients (of whom 1200 were small business owners) into a foolproof system: The 7 Steps to Radical Self-Discovery. Only 10% of companies thrive and grow coming out of a crisis. The difference between the 10% and the 90%? The mindset of the entrepreneur.

Written by: Dale Halm, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Coaching is often misunderstood as a tool for helping create organizational and personal excellence. This article explores how coaching can shift performance from mediocrity to excellence. Great coaching reveals your personal best I am hesitant to refer to the word "coaching" as a practice of excellence, as it is often misinterpreted or carries a negative connotation. When I ask people in my training programs if they are open to being coached, the immediate reaction I get is, "Here it comes. He is going to tell me what I’m doing wrong." That's not coaching – that’s giving someone your opinion, regardless of the effect it might have on them. Coaching in professional sports is seen as highly valuable. It can make all the difference between winning and losing. In relationships and the business world, the reaction to coaching is often, "Who do you think you are? You’re not an expert in my field! How can you coach me?" The type of coaching I am referring to is the process of providing real-time input with the intention of bringing out the best in others. When coaching, we point out constructive as well as ineffective behaviors. Coaching is not an assault, nor is it being condescending. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It signals to others that you are acting on their behalf. Most people gloss right over that concept. When you realize the act of coaching is about caring, it can be seen in a new light. Willingness to coach in-the-moment Coaching is being active, responding to what is happening in the moment, rather than avoiding or failing to address things. When you are committed to an agenda for excellence, you set high expectations for yourself and others. If you are not coaching others or willing to accept coaching, then you are not really committed to excellence. For years, I worked in the semiconductor and utility industries where safety is paramount. Enormous effort is put forth to create a culture of safety in these types of businesses. The best indicator of an outstanding safety culture is when people can have direct and honest conversations with each other. By specifying unsafe behaviors or reinforcing safety standards, serious accidents can be prevented. People must first, gather up the courage to address an issue (provide coaching), and secondly, they must be receptive and act on the input given (accept coaching). In this type of culture, people simply won't tolerate unsafe behavior. They demonstrate compassion and support of their co-workers by coaching one another to be safe. Questions that lead to more effective coaching To achieve organization excellence, we must do the same when it comes to how we work together. We must have the tenacity to speak up and coach others, as well as receive and act on feedback. Here are two questions you can reflect on to help you be a more effective coach. Am I coaching others in a truly supportive and constructive manner? When others are demonstrating ineffective behavior, do I take the initiative to provide the necessary coaching? Coaching guidelines Keeping the coaching process simple and on-track is vital. It is easy to make coaching more complex than needed or suddenly find yourself in a conversation that's misguided. To provide effective coaching follow these guidelines. Initiate the coaching process. In a sincere manner say, "I'd like to point something out, are you ok with that?" Most people are willing to listen when you ask them a question like this. In a culture of excellence, it lets others know you have an important concern to share. Avoid storytelling, be brief. Describe the specific behavior you witnessed. Express your thoughts about what could be negatively impacting the situation. Give first-hand information based on your observations, not hearsay. Do not overload the receiver. Provide coaching on one specific behavior. Use "I" statements ("I noticed that"). Avoid saying "you need to," as using the pronoun "you" can be interpreted as a personal attack. Maintain objectivity by avoiding blame or jumping to conclusions. Ask the person you are coaching to share their views about what happened. This allows you to work together to discover ways to improve the situation. Thank the person for being receptive to your coaching. This modest step sets the stage for a mature and healthy relationship where coaching is viewed as a routine way of supporting others. People committed to excellence do not hesitate to coach one another. They do it because they hold others in high regard and see it as a form of continuous improvement. To step up and coach someone means taking responsibility for the success of the enterprise or relationship. Dale Halm, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dale Halm is the Founder of Dale Halm Consulting, LLC. He has held leadership positions for a Fortune 500 company and has contributed significantly to record-setting start-up operations resulting in multi-million dollar cost savings. Dale's extensive experience includes various training and organization development roles at Intel, Freescale (NXP), and Arizona Public Service Company. He is the author of The Excellence Agenda and specializes in transforming workplaces and maximizing human potential. Dale has been a speaker at numerous conferences and holds both a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University.

Written by: Adele Hartland, Guest Writer If we think about conflict at its core, it can often be linked to a fear around how to deal with what comes up, not only for us, but also for those we are experiencing the conflict with. Not only do we have to have capacity to deal with our feelings, but we must also find capacity to deal with their feelings, and how we feel about them! Conflict is in essence a difference of opinion, a moment where my perspective doesn’t align with yours. Where my interests, (what I choose to give my attention to) differ from yours. A conflict of interests. But does it always have to be labelled as right or wrong? What if instead we viewed it as an opportunity to learn, expand and ultimately evolve? Conflict is also a moment in time when our vibrational frequencies don’t match. Simply put, a moment of incompatibility. So why is it that we always look outside of ourselves to resolve a conflict that effectively started on the inside? If the radio station you’re listening to has static, do you first try to tune someone else’s radio to find the right frequency? No, you tune your station and perhaps check to see if anything might be causing interference. How we perceive life has been shaped and moulded through our unique life experiences, the various environments we’ve navigated, our values, our opinions, and our beliefs, which all culminate to form part of our identity. Sometimes the beliefs and opinions we have aren’t even ours, we just picked them up along the way without much conscious thought or challenge. These views, opinions and beliefs can sometimes cause interference. This is why a difference of opinion can sometimes feel like an attack on our identity or at least who we ‘believe’ we should be, so we might reject what we’re hearing, seeing, or feeling. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to think or feel like someone is to blame, and that someone has to take responsibility and ownership, and apologise. Someone must be right, and someone must be wrong. Naturally there are times we should apologise, but what if in the attempts to get to this point, we first all individually took full responsibility and ownership of our sense of self, our actions, our behaviours, AND our emotions and feelings? What if instead of deflecting and rejecting, we chose to reflect? What am I believing about myself in this situation? i.e., I’m not good enough. What am I believing about the situation? i.e., I’m always taken advantage of. What am I believing about the other person? i.e., This person doesn’t want me to succeed. These three questions alone can provide insight into some of what we might be holding onto, limiting beliefs or views that we formed at some stage in our life due to our experience of a situation, which now form the lens through which we perceive life. Are these beliefs or views currently serving you? A belief is not a fact. A belief is just something you have thought about enough times through how you have perceived the world for it to now be the lens through which you experience the world around you. Our beliefs, unresolved traumas and unreleased emotions become the filter or lens through which our brains and bodies translate information. When we take time to go within to find the answer, we can bring attention to the areas within us that may require healing. Past traumas can be likened to tiny little landmines that exist within us. These landmines have a vibrational frequency and attract experiences to us that will allow for this stuck energy to come up, also known as repetition compulsion or trauma re-enactment, and if we are aware and choose, it can also be an opportunity to release and heal. Whilst it might feel like someone has stepped on the landmine, and as such it’s their fault for setting it off, you are ultimately the owner of that landmine, and the person who set it off, if you’re open to it, has possibly just given you a beautiful gift by providing awareness and an invitation and chance to heal. I recently experienced a moment of incompatibility with a close friend. At that moment I felt myself become overwhelmed and upset. I felt unheard and unsupported. When I took time to meditate & reflect to be able to articulate what I was feeling, I asked myself, where in my life was, I not listening or supporting. The answer popped into my consciousness like a light switch being flicked on in a dark room. I was not listening to or supporting myself. I was feeling overwhelmed and was looking for the cause outside of me. I was providing space for so many around me, but I was forgetting about myself. I didn’t have the capacity in this situation to deal with my emotions. As human beings we are the most cutting-edge piece of technology known to man, we just never received a manual, however, if we take time to go within, we will connect to our highly intuitive, surprisingly accurate and profoundly insightful inner guidance system. I invite you to spend a little less time rejecting and deflecting, and a lot more time reflecting and connecting with your inner guidance system, as it holds the key to finding the gift of expansion in every moment of incapability. P.s If you knew you lost your keys inside your house, would you spend all your time looking for them outside? For more info follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Adele Hartland, Brainz Magazine Guest Writer Adele Hartland, owner, and founder of Lacuna Coaching Ltd is a certified Engagement & Leadership coach, DISC & Motivators Practitioner, Change Management Practitioner, NLP practitioner, MHFA, Quality Mind® Mentor, and HeartMath® Certified Coach, who has over 20 years international experience working in both SME’s and large organisations such as SABMiller, Red Bull and British American Tobacco. Together with her experience & access to some of the newest, most innovative, and effective approaches, Adele supports organisations and individuals to grow & thrive. Adele guides individuals through the process of better understanding themselves and others, their behaviours and beliefs, their strengths and development areas, and how to emotionally self-regulate and release what is no longer serving them, so as to be able to consciously create an environment that is conducive to growth & expansion through the consistent implementation of positive habits and changes that then translate into the life of their dreams. ‘The most overlooked requirements to increasing the rate of advancement in business and life are self-awareness and alignment, both individually and collectively. Self-awareness of who we are and what we want to be and do, and then the alignment of the required thoughts, action, and behaviours to make those desires a reality.’

Written by: Patricia Baronowski-Schneider, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. A strong sense of morality is crucial for navigating the complexities of life and making decisions that align with our core values. Our moral compass helps us differentiate right from wrong and guides us toward living ethically and responsibly. Cultivating a strong sense of morality is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection, learning, and practice. This article will explore five steps to help you develop a moral compass and make decisions with integrity. 5 Tips on How to Build a Strong Sense of Morality 1: Reflect on Your Core Values A strong sense of morality is rooted in your core values. These principles guide your decisions and actions and often stem from your upbringing, cultural background, and personal experiences. To develop a moral compass, identify and reflect on your core values. Consider what matters most to you, such as honesty, compassion, or justice. Write down these values and consider how they influence your daily decisions and actions. 2: Educate Yourself on Ethical Theories and Philosophies To build a strong sense of morality, it's essential to understand various ethical theories and philosophies. This knowledge can help you better comprehend the nuances of moral dilemmas and provide a framework for ethical decision-making. Familiarize yourself with ethical theories such as consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Read books, attend lectures, or participate in discussions on ethics and morality to deepen your understanding of these concepts. 3: Cultivate Empathy and Compassion Empathy and compassion are vital components of a solid moral compass. These qualities enable you to understand and appreciate the perspectives and emotions of others, which in turn helps you make more ethical decisions. To cultivate empathy and compassion, practice active listening, be present in your interactions with others, and challenge yourself to see situations from different viewpoints. Volunteering or community service can also help you develop empathy and compassion, as they often involve working closely with people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. 4: Practice Critical Thinking and Self-Reflection for High Morals Developing a solid sense of morality requires ongoing critical thinking and self-reflection. Regularly examine your beliefs, values, and decision-making processes to ensure that they align with your moral compass. Challenge your assumptions, consider alternative viewpoints, and question the ethical implications of your choices. Self-reflection and critical thinking will help you identify areas where you must refine your moral compass and make better decisions. 5: Take Responsibility for Your Actions and Learn from your Mistakes Taking responsibility for your actions is essential to developing a strong sense of morality. When you make a mistake or realize that your decision has negatively impacted others, acknowledge it, apologize, and learn from the experience. Reflect on what you could have done differently and commit to making better choices in the future. Taking responsibility for your actions and learning from your mistakes demonstrates a commitment to personal growth and ethical decision-making. Conclusion: Developing Strong Morals is a Lifelong Journey In conclusion, developing a strong sense of morality is a lifelong journey that involves self-reflection, learning, and practice. By following these five steps—reflecting on your core values, educating yourself on ethical theories and philosophies, cultivating empathy and compassion, practicing critical thinking and self-reflection, and taking responsibility for your actions—you can strengthen your moral compass and make decisions with greater integrity. Remember that growth is an ongoing process, and striving to improve your ethical decision-making will lead to a more fulfilling and responsible life. Embrace self-reflection, learn from your experiences, and seek feedback from others. Engage in open-minded discussions, challenge your beliefs, and stay informed about ethical issues. By nurturing empathy, practicing active listening, and cultivating a solid moral compass, you can foster personal growth and contribute positively to the world. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and visit my website for more info! Read more from Patricia! Patricia Baronowski-Schneider, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Patricia Baronowski-Schneider. I’m the founder of Pristine Advisers, since 2010. I have been in the IR/PR industry for over 35 years. I am a 3 x’s international best-selling published author and have also been featured in various books about IR/PR and Business. I’m a member of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, have been featured in and on the cover of multiple magazines and newspapers and won many awards for my work. I help companies around the world to be in front of the audiences that matter most to their business. Check out my YouTube Channel – Been There/Done That where I offer free advice on trending topics. You can also check out my Podcast “Successful Minds with Patty B”.

Written by: Trea Tijmens , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Matchmaking or dating coaching – in the past, many singles cringed at the very sound of these words. But singles increasingly become aware that a life partner impacts all other aspects of life. Instead of randomly choosing someone, they want to choose their life partner wisely. Many busy professionals seek expert support in their partner search. They understand that matchmaking or dating coaching can help you achieve your goal of finding the right partner more efficiently. What you'll learn: Modern matchmaking and dating coaching services are more efficient and successful in helping busy professionals find love. When choosing a partner search expert, take into account your the professional, effectiveness of the offer, and value added. Dating coaching is more successful than matchmaking because it empowers you and gives you the skills to date and choose the right person. For most men, a mix of matchmaking and dating coaching can work wonders. Why Singles Seek Help Finding a Partner? There used to be a stereotype that people who turned to dating agencies or matchmakers were desperate and could not find love on their own. Based on my almost 18 years of experience in the matchmaking and date coaching industry, the opposite is true. The successful, attractive single men and women who contact me for a consultation are not desperate – they are determined. A typical single in Switzerland who considers hiring a matchmaker or a dating coach is a well-educated professional or business owner. They have a good life, successful careers, a nice home, great friends, and interesting hobbies. The only thing still missing is… love. Many of my clients come to me through recommendations. Their work colleagues met their husband or wife with my help and told them about what I do. Others find me through research. Here’s what they tell me: They have been dating for months, even years, without much success. They broke up years ago, concentrated on their careers and believed that once they would be ready, they would meet someone nice. (NOT happening, zero dates). Some are divorced or widowed and have not dated in a long time. They don’t know where to start and how to go about it. Some made bad dating or relationship choices in the past and want support and guidance to do better. Some feel they are too busy to identify potential matches and want someone to do it for them. Some clients want to start a family and don’t want to waste precious time – they need an effective dating strategy. Whatever the reason, you will be choosing from two popular options: matchmaking or dating coaching. Photo by Ron Lach/Pexels Matchmaking Or Dating Coaching: Which One Is Better for You? If you’re considering hiring someone to help you find the perfect partner, you may feel a bit lost. Whichever path you take, it will be an investment of your time and financial resources, so it’s important to choose wisely. Start by considering three main factors: The professional, effectiveness, and value added: The professional. The most important and first match that needs to happen is between you and your matchmaker or dating coach. Is the professional you turn to qualified and experienced, do they enjoy a good reputation, do you feel they have your best interest at heart, do you like their methodology, do you feel that they personally want to see you succeed, are you enthusiastic about doing the process with them? Effectiveness. If you invest in career coaching, you want to see the return of your investment, for example a promotion. Same goes for partner search. Finding a dating professional with a strong record of success is key. Make sure you understand their definition of success. Still, even a top expert won’t be able to help you if you’re not proactive, fully invested and ready to give your best to the dating process. Added value. You may think that matchmaking or dating coaching have only one goal in mind – helping you find your ideal partner. But the best services out there offer much more. They give you the tools to create a lasting and happy relationship once you have found that special someone. They also teach you skills you can reuse, should the relationship not work out. Some of my own clients have even told me parts of our dating coaching have been very useful in their professional life – for example personal networking skills. Pros and Cons of Matchmaking Most singles start their research with matchmakers and dating agencies. We’ve all heard of these services and TV dating shows, which made them even more popular. Matchmakers work by finding potential candidates for you, some will also arrange your first dates. It seems like a magic bullet. You give them your money, and they will find you your mr. or mrs. Right! I applied this approach when I when I first started my company Success Match in 2005. I worked as a matchmaker, helping successful single executives in Switzerland find their life partners through making them introductions. And, while I had some success with that, the success rate of clients being in a happy relationship by the end of their membership term was shockingly low. The reality is that almost all singles need a lot more than simply going on some dates to help them transition from single to in a relationship with the right person! Photo by Leeloo The first/Pexels What's Dating Coaching? A lesser-known option is dating coaching. This method focuses on empowering you, setting you up for success in the dating process, giving you the tools to date effectively and improving your social and relationship skills. After years of only offering matchmaking and introduction services with a very low success rate. I went back to school to learn everything I could about dating and relationships and switched to a holistic approach and dating coaching model. It proofed to be the best decision for my clients and my business. With my dating coaching and mentoring programs I went from low success rates to up to 85% effectiveness in helping my clients find their partner! Unlike matchmaking, which is more transactional, date coaching is an empowering, transformational journey. Dating Coaching gives you the tools, guidance, strategy and support you need to succeed. Individual dating coaching is a pragmatic approach focussed on your needs and helping you succeed. Before we start with finding the right partner, we focus on being the right partner. We start off by getting clear on where you are currently at, define where you want to be / what you want to create, as well as your needs and expectations of a partner and your relationship. We clear emotional baggage, break deadly dating and relationship patterns, and change limiting beliefs. We set you up for success in your partner search and give you the dating and relationship skills you need to succeed. As your dating coach I am here to help you, to guide you, to empower you, to give you the tools and strategies you need to succeed, to hold you accountable, to give you tough love when needed, to cheer you on and to celebrate your successes with you. Once you have found your person, we work together to help you build a strong relationship foundation so that you can create the relationship you desire. Combining Both Approaches The majority of professionals who can assist you in partner search will either offer matchmaking or dating coaching. My extensive experience as a science-based dating expert has led me to create a third option for my male clients. I noticed that a combination of coaching and matchmaking gives me an almost 100% success rate when working with my select gentlemen clientele. Choose What Works Finding the right partner is the major journey in your life. Most people, when asked about their sources of happiness in life, name love and family as the most important. Making the right choice in Matchmaking or dating coaching gives you the best chances of finding someone for a lasting relationship. When looking for a dating professional or agency, make sure to ask about their success rates and references. Even better if someone comes through recommendations of happily paired or married friends. If possible, stay away from companies that don’t offer personalised support. Working with a dedicated expert will create that atmosphere of mutual understanding. I spend at least a full day with my gentlemen matchmaking clients at their home and get to know my clients really well. Only then can I effectively choose potential matches and provide tailor-made advice and support. If you would like to learn how I can support you in finding love, reach out for a free consultation today. Follow me on LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Trea! Trea Tijmens, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Trea Tijmens, the CEO of www.successmatch.ch , is an international elite matchmaker and award-winning dating expert and coach. Trea believes that to love and be loved is a basic human need and that people do not thrive without love. A former head-hunter, she founded SuccessMatch in 2005. Based in Switzerland, she works with local and international clientele and prides herself on her high success rate. Trea is passionate about helping her highly international single professional clientele transition from where they are today to where they want to be; in a happy, fulfilling, lasting relationship with the right partner!

CodeGym is a company with Ukrainian roots, now working in European, American, and Asian markets. Nearly ten years ago, it created a self-paced course for learning Java, a popular programming language, and has been improving it ever since. Over 2 million students from 40+ countries have already taken this course to acquire or improve their coding skills. Things were looking pretty good for the company, with excellent outcomes and new ambitious goals – until on February 24, 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. But if you think the war could stop CodeGym, you’re entirely wrong. Not only the company sustained and learned to work under any circumstances, but it also created new products and entered new markets. CodeGym Java University, a 12-month program with mentors’ help and a job offer guarantee, is now conquering the Indian market. And CodeGym’s EDU product is gaining popularity among U.S. high schools and colleges. We decided to ask Alex Yelenevych, a co-founder of CodeGym, about managing the company during the most turbulent times we can imagine, and the tips for keeping the team together and maintaining its creative spirit. Let’s start from the very beginning. Why did your company decide to teach people Java? What’s so special about this programming language? We chose Java for several reasons. First, we believe this language has enormous potential. Just look at any rating of the most popular programming languages, and you’ll find Java among the leaders. There are over 250 programming languages worldwide, but Java has held the first positions for years, if not decades. The demand for Java developers doesn’t drop, it increases. So, a Java developer is a promising profession. Second, we are a company created by programmers for programmers. And there’s an interesting story behind CodeGym’s start. My co-founder Dmytro Vezhnin was a programmer who once helped his younger sister make a career switch and become a Java developer with a much bigger salary. Then, he taught several friends Java in mini-groups. And soon, he decided to quit his job and create a Java course for anyone who wanted to become a developer, no matter their background. Our initial hypothesis turned out to be correct: anyone can become a Java developer even if they haven’t worked in the IT industry before. If you put enough effort into it, you’ll be there. Thousands of our graduates prove this point: they work for Google, Microsoft, Tata, Ubisoft, Oracle, Citrix, Infopulse, Epam, and other companies. When the full-scale war started, what helped you keep the business afloat? Under extreme circumstances, we experienced the most profound truth of the statement, “The company is its people.” One of the first crucial decisions me and my co-founder made was to keep the whole team. We assisted people in leaving Kyiv for safer regions and stayed in touch with everyone to ensure they and their families were okay. And the team appreciated our efforts: later, when we resumed the work, they put all their effort into it. It’s part of the answer to “how did we manage to keep the business alive?”. Also, we had to become very creative and bold. In one day, we lost a significant share of our income, so we had to take brave steps not to let our ship sink. We started meeting online and brainstorming. We remembered the ideas we’d been postponing. And quite soon, we devised a plan. It consisted of some short-term steps (like a promo campaign with a 50% discount on our course) and the bigger goals (e.g., expanding to other markets). The first part helped us stop cash-bleeding and continue paying salaries, and the second helped us grow. What surprised you the most in your team over the last year? How brave and committed they are. One of our employees was living in a small village for a few months, and the internet connection was very weak there. She had to look for a place to work, but she still delivered the results. When the drones' attacks on our civil infrastructure started, people had to deal with blackouts and work from bomb shelters. But they continued doing their job. Except for the first two weeks of the war, CodeGym hasn't stopped. It sounds like you have to manage a highly distributed team. How do you do that? Some managers still believe that working with a remote team is impossible or that its productivity decreases drastically. Indeed, our team is now spread across the globe, but it still works as a whole. Communication is the key here; we are trying to keep everyone on the same page. Is it possible when people don't come to the office often (or at all)? From our experience, yes. When drones' attacks began, some employees couldn't attend online meetings. So, we started taking detailed notes and sharing them with our colleagues. Moreover, we became experts in asynchronous communication. When drones' attacks began, some employees couldn't attend online meetings. So, we started taking detailed notes and sharing them with our colleagues. Also, we record all the meetings. As for written communication, we talk via chats in M.S. Teams daily. We're lucky to have a highly motivated team, so our recipe "online meetings + notes + chats" works perfectly. What did you learn from working under such extreme conditions? Last year changed all of us and made us grow as a company and as individuals. As a manager, I learned how to combine long-term thinking and short-term plans that may change every second. Uncertainty doesn't scare us anymore; we are used to it. We started experimenting a lot. When we come up with an idea, we test it, analyze the results, and make conclusions. Then, we proceed to the next experiment. Also, we did many things for the first time. For example, we built a sales team in India, a country with a totally different culture than European. We learned when and whom to hire and discovered multiple nuances of the local customers' behavior. It's a precious experience! At the same time, all our core values and beliefs remained the same. We still believe that you don't have to be a genius to become a programmer, that you can switch a career if you're not satisfied with the current one, and that we'll eventually help 1 million people become Java developers. It's our mission, and it hasn't changed. What would you suggest to those who want to become programmers but are afraid they may give up when topics get difficult? Motivation may be an issue, it's true. That's why our self-paced course reminds a game; it has a storyline with heroes and even jokes. Plus, there's a community, so you don't feel lonely on your study path. But for some students, self-motivation isn't enough. Actually, when we discovered that, the idea of CodeGym Java University was born. Live lessons and communication with mentors make learning more engaging. So, if you're struggling with self-studying, finding a mentor may be the right solution. But remember: the best mentors are practicing professional developers. And the last question, what are Codegym's plans for the future? We're pretty ambitious. We continue working on existing products (self-paced course, Java University, CodeGym for EDU), polishing and improving them. Also, we research new countries which seem promising. In the next 5-10 years, I hope we'll be a major EdTech player in many parts of the world. Alex Yelenevych. Co-founder, Chief Marketing/Product Officer at CodeGym. He leads product development and is responsible for marketing strategy and growth. Alex graduated from the National Technical University of Ukraine with a specialist degree in Computer System Networking and Telecommunications in 2014. After graduation, Alex has been working for three years in companies like Starwind Software, BlackBerry Ukraine, etc, in both technical and marketing positions. Also, Alex is an active member of the Product Management & Startup Community in Ukraine, often speaks at Marketing and Product conferences, and is a regular writer for Java-related magazines and blogs.

Written by: Jina Law , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. We believe and support complete wellness. Mind, Body and Spirit. With a background in wellness and beauty. I have always been a conscious individual. However, at the height of COVID, we all had to pivot in our careers and life as we knew it. The pandemic dramatically altered all of our perceptions of wellness and beauty. We have never before seen so many health-conscious individuals aware of how their choices would ultimately affect their well-being. As our perception of wellness changed, our notion of beauty evolved as well. There is so much insight on how the two parallel. After many hours of research trying to find a solution to help myself as well as others, Bella Couture was “birthed.” Beauty and wellness are so deeply intertwined with our culture, personal identity and social standards. It was important for us to have a clear stance, a focused vision and an optimal Mission. Having clients with alopécica, other forms of hair thinning and or loss as well as cancer We knew we had to do something and the time was now. Let’s first get a clear definition of “Wellness” The state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal. If I may, let’s extend the definition- “the state of being in good health “ physically, mentally and spiritually. Which will also enhance outward beauty. With this being not only our vision but our mission we created several products to help aid and support an optimal lifestyle. Now let’s talk BellaCouture and how each product supports our journey to beauty and wellness. “Your Future Is Bright “is our affirmation and prayer journal. Speaking positive affirmations to yourself has been known not only to raise the chemical serotonin in the brain but also modifies one’s perception of self. Our meditation candles offer a variety of essential oils and base notes for relaxation and stimulation. BellaCouture anti-aging Vegan hair care is a selection of products formulated to fulfill the wellness and beauty needs of the consumer from a holistic approach. We believe in hearing the hearts of our consumers and take every opportunity to add value and a personal touch to their experience on the journey to optimal wellness and beauty. Follow me on Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jina! Jina Law, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jina Law is multi-faceted. Humanitarian, model, stylist, author, and mentor among other things. Ms. Law began her career and love for creating beauty as a young woman. With over 20 plus years of experience and numerous advanced courses, Jina decided to use her education alongside her gifts and talents to create a product and course to help others. During COVID was a time that most had to pivot in their career. Jina saw this “opposition” as an opportunity and BellaCouture was born. ​Ms. Law displays her genuine passion for people with every client that has the pleasure of sitting in her chair. Her work ethic exudes ambition; a spirit of excellence and constant goal-setting. Jina continues to explore new innovative ways to support beauty and wellness.

Written by: Alessandro Carli, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Achieving goals, results, success… who doesn’t want that? What we do all day long, though, is stress ourselves out to do whatever it takes to get “there”… but is that what we should really do, or is there something we still haven’t figured out yet? When you wake up in the morning, and you go to the bathroom to get yourself ready for a new day, one of the first things you do is look at yourself in the mirror. What seems like a very ordinary thing to do is actually something quite extraordinary, as you start living two realities simultaneously: one is you, and another is whom you see looking back at you. Or, to put it another way: one is the cause (you), and the other is the effect (the image of you in the mirror), but because nobody can see oneself as he/she really is, that reflection in the mirror is the only reality we interact with, and that we believe to be true. Now, let's suppose there's something about our face that we don't like and want to fix: a long beard, our face looks a bit swollen, our hair looks more like a thorn bush, a pimple that came out of nowhere overnight... what are you going to do about it? How are you going to fix the image in the mirror? Exactly, you CAN'T! The only thing you CAN do is to change something in (the real) you so that what you'll then see in the mirror will change accordingly. In other words, you work on the cause, not the effect. Obvious, right? Of course, it is! And yet, what most of us do in our lives is trying to change the effect to either solve a problem, or to achieve a goal, which is impossible: you just can't change an effect! Beware of the “mechanistic” thinking Yet... when we conflict with people, we argue in order to change other people's minds, in the impossible attempt to pull them to our side; when we get sick, we just want to get rid of the symptoms with some pills, instead of wondering why they came up in the first place, and do something about the causes; when our company starts having cash-flow problems, our first option is to ask for a loan from our bank, just to get some instant, albeit short-lived, relief. when we ask to get coached so we can achieve a goal, we ask our coach to tell us "how-to" get there as quickly and as least painfully as possible, instead of asking him/her to help us become the kind of person we need to be to not only attain the desired outcomes but to be able to fully enjoy them on the long term. We are result-oriented, and that's because our ego constantly asks for either instant gratification or relief. This basic thinking and attitude of ours is described as "mechanistic", because we perceive reality as a big Machine that we can control by just pushing a few buttons, now and then, to get what we want... but it's like trying to change the image of us reflected by the mirror. Changing our focus This is why it makes no sense to be so focused, and even obsessed, on attaining results at all costs unless the results refer to a significant change of perspective by the individual concerning his role and purpose in this world. Ultimately, everything comes down to attaining strong, visible results, because this is the level where causes manifest as tangible effects, but there's an enormous difference in the quality of those results if they derive from a mechanistic or systemic (with a clear knowledge and application of natural dynamics. Check out my previous article in Brainz Magazine here) approach to our reality. The strategies you use to achieve solid, significant, and, most of all, long-term results should consider the following guidelines. They should be process-centered In short, never mind the results. Just make sure the process you engage in to attain the desired goals includes a sharp vision of where you want to be, why, the mental state you need to work with, how you want to feel, what significant benefits you want to produce not just for yourself, but also for those who are somehow involved in your project. They should be sustainable We hear a lot about "sustainability", lately, but in most cases, it's not clear what actually makes something sustainable. It's not so much what we do that makes a strategy/result sustainable or not, but how our environment reacts to what we do, and because the various environments, or contexts, that we operate in are natural, they do not respond positively to "mechanistic" strategies (click here to know more). They should also benefit others This is not only moral, or ethical, but deeply psychological too. We use our minds a lot more effectively when we are in a state of desire than when we are in a state of need. When we are in a state of need, it's just about us, and there's a very heavy psychological pressure being exerted on us. On the other hand, when we desire something, we don't "have to" have it, we just want it, there's no pressure, and we possibly want others to enjoy it as well, giving us more motivation. They should cause some pain I realize many would disagree with this. However, pain and fear are not just great motivators (even though they're not sustainable in the medium-long term), but they clearly indicate that you're trying to break out of your comfort zone and grow, which is the REAL purpose behind your trying to achieve the results you're pursuing. You should have full control over them It doesn't mean that it has to be easy, or it would contradict the previous condition, but it does mean that whatever has to be done must be in your power to do. This is important, because the less control you have, the stronger your inner resistance will get, which can ultimately sabotage any attempt to succeed. It's possible to realize any result or goal you have in your heart and mind, but you must be able to distinguish at what level you should operate to succeed. Focusing on your final result, and trying to change the conditions to force events to happen will only get you a lot of frustration; however, if you act wisely, moving the right strings with some knowledge of the natural dynamics involved, then there's just nothing you can't achieve. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and visit my website for more info! Read more from Alessandro! Alessandro Carli, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Canadian born, now living in Italy, Alessandro has been involved in personal growth since 1987, and made it his full-time profession for the past 22 years. He trained and coached people at a personal and professional level, helping them draw out more of their human potential, and at the same time having them become more aware of the laws, forces and dynamics that shape our reality. It's a specific study topic related to Systemic Intelligence which, besides working on self-improvement, allows to interact more effectively with our various environments. He wrote and published two books (in Italian) which roughly translate in "The 5 Principles of Corporate Success" and "Your Money And Your Life".