Oksana Matviichuk has spent over 15 years as a marketing strategy executive at top global advertising agencies, with the last six years of dedication to building B2B Brands. Oksana Matviichuk has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a sharp strategic mind. She is known for her ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop innovative solutions to intricate problems. Her success in these areas has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor. Strategy had always been her passion, and her extensive experience led her to work with Fortune 500 companies, advising C-Suite decision-makers on strategic marketing. Oksana Matviichuk is the USA ‒ Today bestselling author and was recognized as one of the Top Women Leaders of New York by Women We Admire. She talks about business and marketing strategy, leadership, and women's leadership. For the last five years, she has consistently been featured in Forbes as a contributing expert panelist. Oksana worked with 10+ enterprises, 20+ mid-size companies, and 100+ small businesses and entrepreneurs. In December 2022, she started practicing her pre-patent transformational methodology, "OM Strategy as a Service," for start-ups and midsized companies. In December 2022, Oksana joined OxUA Incubator, supported by the Oxford Ukrainian Society and Oxford University Innovation to empower Ukrainian businesses to flourish in the UK. Oksana Matviichuk, Strategic Forecaster, USA-Today Bestselling Author What inspired you to start your own consulting practice, OM Strategic Forecasting, after a successful career at top advertising agencies? Strategy in today's environment acquires new dimensions and characteristics that require fundamentally new approaches to lead businesses to success. We experienced several severe disruptions over the last several years, and those disruptions have challenged businesses of all sizes to transform as fast as we have never seen before. If in 2019, digital transformation used to be a five-year long-term strategic initiative, COVID-19 demonstrated that two to three weeks is a feasible timeframe. Then, we saw new categories develop and fall. Most rely too heavily on anticipating the future to be much more home-centric. OM Strategic Forecaster offers a new transformational approach, which tightly connects a company's business and marketing strategies and creates resilience and momentum to succeed through the transformation. We believe that the key to success is a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to strategy. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique challenges and goals and then develop customized strategies that are tailored to their specific needs. Our goal is to help businesses achieve long-term success by staying ahead of the curve and adapting quickly to changing market conditions. What sets OM Strategic Forecasting apart from other consulting firms? "OM Strategy as a Service " is a cohesive methodology that takes into account business performance, product, and services portfolio, identifies disruptions of tomorrow, and finds market opportunities to ensure business resilience and sustainability in a time of transformation. We offer flexibility and go beyond strategy development to overseeing successful execution. AI is one of the fundamental transformations the companies have experienced, initiating new quality requirements for the strategy and new dimensions of resilience and sustainability. Our "OM Strategy as a Service" methodology is not just about developing a strategy but also about overseeing the successful execution of that strategy. We take into account various factors such as business performance, product, and services portfolio, and identify potential disruptions that may arise in the future. By doing so, we can help our clients prepare for the challenges ahead and find market opportunities to ensure business resilience and sustainability in a time of transformation. What do you consider the biggest challenge of selling in the B2B environment? Counter-intuitively, I consider leads to be the biggest challenge for B2B. Often, marketers are so preoccupied with the immediate need to get as many leads as possible that they overlook more systemic flaws of the existing business model. For instance, lengthening the sales cycle can be an early indicator of the product's irrelevance or demand and audience change. Finding lead delivery efficiencies should be a low priority if this is the case. What do you think about the impact of AI on today and the future state of the business? I believe that AI will have an impact similar to the effect that production lines had in the past, the only difference being that the transformation will be almost immediate. Many leading companies now incorporate AI in their business processes, and those not on this journey today might face severe challenges in the future. The AI-based transformation also portrays an information poverty gap of the future: unequal access to AI. The impact of AI on businesses is already being felt, and I believe this trend will only accelerate in the future. We need to be proactive in mitigating the negative effects of AI while also embracing the potential benefits it offers. As with any major technological change, there will be winners and losers, and it's up to us to ensure we're on the right side of this transformation. How is AI going to change leadership? Leaders have been playing in the AI field for decades, striving to make well-informed decisions to the best of their ability. Today we have more than enough data for our decision-making processes, and AI is a powerful ally in analyzing different scenarios among the growing amount of data. Today our priorities should evolve. As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring that our decisions adhere to the values of diversity and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, compassion, creativity, acceptance, and equal opportunities. The impact of AI on leadership will depend on how it is used and integrated into our decision-making processes. As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring that AI is leveraged to align with our values and benefit our organizations and society. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Oksana!

Written by: Signe Knutson RTT, C. Hyp, Guest Writer How to plan for the best possible outcome and allow it to happen. What if you could roll with whatever happens and still achieve even better results than you anticipated? Make room for miracles by opening your mind to stretching, tremendous, amazing, and rich goals that start with one, easy, baby, step. Write down SMART goals and STAR goals and check them off as you reach them. Every day write 6 goals in your journal. Write three practical goals (Do, Be, Have,) and three dreamy goals (Do, Be, Have.) For example: SMART Goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based Do: wear my new dress to the gallery tomorrow Be: kind to the people I have been judgemental of Have: three sales by the end of week STAR Goals Stretching, Tremendous, Amazing and Rich Do: ride in a first class cabin on the train Be: a source of generational wealth for my family Have: a 4-month vacation SMART goals have been part of goal-setting plans since 1981, introduced by George T. Doran. STAR goals incorporate dreams. They do not need a timeline. I created them because SMART goals are logical, but limited. My goals require limitlessness. By incorporating STAR goals, we are open to serendipity, and welcome results beyond what we can carry out when looking at our current situation. The universe is full of surprises, and can provide anything, even if it seems out of reach right now. Even if it seems impossible, write down what you want, without judgement or denial. When you write it down, it enters the realm of the possible. When you write down your SMART goals, they can take you from A to B. When you write your STAR goals, let them take you to the stars. As you look back on your journals and daily lists, cross off the items that you have achieved. Amazingly, not only will you cross off SMART goals, but increasingly, you will start to cross off STAR goals! You are an active co-creator of your destiny. You can look forward to every time you reach a goal and a dream is realized! Imagine it, feel it in your heart, and smile. You can see how easy it is to progress when you include fantastic goals because if you allow them into the plan, they have room to come true. Make room for magic to happen and it does. Once you write down your STAR goals, meditate on the feeling you will have once they are manifest (literally, made real.) For instance, “I see myself now being the conduit of generational wealth in my family. I close my eyes and feel it here and now. I am surrounded by the environment I value. My goal is realized. In my mind’s eye, I see the view from the window of my dream home. I hear my children laughing, talking happily, with everything they need. I feel the health that abundance and joy provide. It is easy because I take it one step at a time and allow grace and forgiveness. My goals are happening. I do what feels right. I provide help in a meaningful way to those who need it. I take care of the biosphere and make ecological choices. I make excellent connections with wonderful people and we support each other. I let them know what I need and what I offer. I help them and they help me. It feels amazing.” When you feel the end result in your vision, the “How” reveals itself. Close your eyes and ask your inner knowing, subconscious, or higher knowing, superconscious, to guide you by giving you a specific direction. Listen, and write it down. It becomes a tangible step you can take. Take one easy first step. At every step, you are grateful for the previous steps you have accomplished, and the lessons learned, both in your mind and in your actions. Luck can step in at any point and you may skip steps, or you may be shown a more efficient way. Allow for miracles. Windfalls happen! Be ready and willing for your plans to change when something even better shows up. Allow for reciprocity ‒ someone may show up who needs exactly what you have to offer, and offers you exactly what you need. You only need to take one small step. When you agree to be a conduit for visionary goals, the unified field knows you are ready and hands you the key. Here’s that first baby step: Write down your SMART goals and STAR goals starting today ‒ and watch the magic happen! Book 1:1 RTTⓇ Hypnotherapy with Signe online here. For more info follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more info! Signe Knutson RTT, C. Hyp, Brainz Magazine Guest Writer Signe Knutson is an RTTⓇ Hypnotherapist, practicing in Vancouver, BC and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and online. Her book, The Power of Hypnotherapy ‒ Your Magnetic Mind is set to launch this April on Amazon worldwide. She is known for Breakthrough Therapy in 1-3 sessions.

Ashley Loren is an Internationally Accredited Life coach who specialises in coaching Mothers through matrescence and motherhood. She has a vision to create an online support hub for Mothers nationally and is currently taking her clients through her signature programme, the ‘More than Mum method’. Ashley also works 1-2-1 with women and helps them take control of their lives and rediscover their best selves to raise the next generation with the best frame of mind. Ashley Loren, Mum Life Coach Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better Hello! It's so lovely to be talking to you. I'm Ashley, a mum of two toddlers from Devon in the UK. Being from Devon, the beach has always been my happy place and so that's played a big part in my life, and in my younger days I was an avid surfer and snowboarder, but since becoming a mum of two, our days are spent walking the beach and building sandcastles, but the outdoors and taking the kids on weekend adventures is a joy! My passion nowadays is to help other mums see the light at the end of the motherhood tunnel so to speak, and rediscover themselves again. I found after having my first child that I felt completely lost in myself, with no idea of who I was anymore but with a longing to find my passion and help support my family whilst being at home with them. In my former career, I managed the Fine Jewellery shop and team onboard cruise ships, where I was responsible for training and developing the team to perform financially and also ensuring they felt competent and happy with their mindsets whilst working so far from home, so coaching was always within me. During my years of dipping my toe in a few businesses to see what fit (freelance writing, design and network marketing) I would often be asked to hold coaching sessions for people and as I looked into it further, I thought that would be something I'd like to explore. After losing my mum at the end of 2021, I decided life's too short to keep thinking about becoming a coach, so I leapt in, studied for my accreditation and started my business. Ashley, you're now an Internationally Accredited Life Coach, Holistic Coach and studying NLP, whilst empowering mums to take control of their lives during motherhood and coaching them to find their passions in life. As you're joining Brainz magazine as an executive contributor, what can we expect to see from you? I'm so excited to be a part of this incredible magazine, so thank you for having me. My area of expertise is delving deep to help find people's true purpose and passions whilst reframing their mindsets to create exponential growth within, and I find working with mums the most empowering, as Motherhood has such a huge effect on women's lives. I feel I can relate. Topic-wise, my mission is to raise awareness of Matrescence, the physical, psychological and hormonal changes that motherhood brings. It's not talked about enough and many of my clients have never heard of it until I've brought it up. It's created many lightbulb moments within my community and to see a wave of relief reach so many mothers, has been such a revelationary moment for me, as it strengthened my purpose as a Mum Life Coach. Raising awareness and creating realistic expectations around Motherhood, rather than the overly joyous and wholesome representation we often see on screen, is what drives me forward in this business. After working with mums to discover their passion and purpose in life, I was often asked to help start-up businesses and so I'm sure I'll be writing about some of those moments too, in the hope to empower mums reading this to start their own businesses from home, so they can be flexible around their families but also create something for themselves. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? My business itself is Ashley Loren Coaching but most people online will know me as The 'More than Mum' coach. I wanted to create a title that actually told people what I do. Rather than just being a purpose, mindset, or business coach. 'More than Mum' says it all. I'm the Coach for Mums and I thought why not coin a title that hasn't been seen before?! I help my clients to get back on a path where they can re-discover their passions in life and develop their purpose. I do this by delving deep into my clients' lives now and before they had children and encourage them to think about reoccurring incidences where they thrived. I then get to the root of each situation to discover a pattern in their character which comes up time and time again. This will determine the core strengths of that person which will then open up different paths which my client could take. I believe that our 'purpose' isn't a destination but something that we continually develop throughout our lives and one step will often lead to the next to further our purpose and develop our skills in life. That sounds so interesting, and I love the name! What are your long-term goals for 'More than Mum'? My long-term goals are to spread the word about Matrescence. Get the word in the dictionary and even in schools as a part of sex education. Adolescence (where the word Matrescence comes from) is such a normal part of life that is taught in schools and expected by everyone, but Matrescence is still relatively unknown. I believe we need to be teaching about it alongside the expectations of childbirth. Teaching that having a baby is 'hard' isn't good enough and the expectations put on mothers in society, the media and our own relationships is way off, in my opinion. Empowering mums is my passion and so to also see more mums succeed in creating empires from home, is also a huge goal. We're capable of so much more than most realise and so helping mums with this is such a cup-filler for me. Speaking of filling your cup, what would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future? I want to be known as the go-to Coach for Mums, and eventually, create a nationwide hub that can be accessed by all mums and mums-to-be as an additional place to seek advice about their mental health as well as coaching to plan their future. I want to be the coach that offers affordable coaching for everyone, no matter what their circumstances are so they can get back on top of life again after having kids. It sounds amazing and something I'm sure is needed in this world. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? It has to be other mums and women in business. Carrie Green, from the female entrepreneur Association, has been a huge inspiration. The platform she has created is what I envision for the More than Mum club in the future. Evelyn Weiss, who created a huge business from low ticket coaching whilst being a mum and impacting thousands of women. Also, a friend of mine, Carys Andersson, who I've watched grow her business from £0 - 5 figure months whilst raising her two daughters. These women have all pushed the boundaries of what is expected of in modern society and that's very inspirational, but what they've achieved also normalises creating a life of freedom, where we can earn a living on our own terms and still be amazing mums. Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. I think the greatest moment so far was simply helping my first client. Seeing that transformation in someone and having the realisation that if I hadn't created my business and worked hard to figure out my purpose, then she may not have become the person she is. I struggled for years to figure it out and battled with doubt along the way, but to be able to help someone for the first time was such an overwhelming feeling. It reaffirmed that I was on the right path and I do have value to give. A huge moment for any coach when they're first starting out. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. Losing my mum was the pivotal moment for me. I'd already lost my dad 10 years prior to losing mum, so I was familiar with grief and loss, but losing mum was so unexpected. She protected me so much when she was unwell, keeping a lot from me for my own sake, and when she was gone it was like a huge realisation of just how short life is. Her strength throughout her life and the last month especially was unbelievably selfless and after she passed, it created something inside of me, I never knew existed. I was able to reframe my grief, not let it break me, but make me and I poured that energy into making my life and the lives of others as good as it can be. That feeling stays with me every day and drives me to help others, whilst appreciating the air in my lungs, the ground beneath me and the life that flows through me. Wow. That was truly a life-changing moment for you and your clients. How can people work with you? I offer 1-2-1 coaching to help mums discover their purpose or purely support them through motherhood as well as specific programmes for mums looking to start a business or even grow their social media. Thank you Ashley, we can't wait to see more from you. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Ashley!

Written by: Stefanie Magness, 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. Starting a business is like taking a road trip in a new car. You're excited, nervous, and ready for the adventure ahead. But before you hit the gas and speed off, there's one thing you need to do: buckle up. Like you must protect yourself on the road, you must also cover your derrière when starting a business. So, what does it mean to cover your derrière? First, it means protecting your business and yourself from potential legal issues. As a startup, you're just getting started, and the last thing you want is to hit a legal speed bump that could cost you time, money, and even your business. Here are a few tips to help you cover your derrière when starting a business: 1. Get the right paperwork Before you hit the road, you must have all the necessary paperwork. The same goes for starting a business. You must have all the legal documents, such as your business registration, tax ID number, and necessary licenses or permits. You don't want to get pulled over by the legal authorities because you don't have the right paperwork. 2. Protect your intellectual property Just like you wouldn't want someone stealing your car, you also don't want someone stealing your business idea or brand. So protect your intellectual property by registering for patents, trademarks, and copyrights with USPTO. This will ensure that no one can steal and use your intellectual property for their own gain. 3. Have a solid legal agreement When you start a business with someone else, a legal agreement is essential to outline everyone's roles and responsibilities. This can help prevent any disputes or legal issues down the road. Think of it as a GPS for your business journey – it helps keep everyone on the same page and heading in the right direction. 4. Get insurance Just like you need car insurance to protect yourself on the road, you also need business insurance to protect yourself from potential legal issues. Various insurance options are available, such as general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and cyber liability insurance. Talk to an insurance agent to determine which type of insurance is right for your business. 5. Stay up to date on laws and regulations Laws and regulations constantly change, so staying current on any changes affecting your business is essential. This includes everything from tax laws to data privacy regulations. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so ensure you're informed and compliant with all laws and regulations. Starting a business can be like driving a sports car on the open road ‒ it's exhilarating, fast-paced, and full of adventure. But just like driving a sports car, starting a business can be risky, and you must be protected. Think of it like strapping on a seatbelt before you hit the gas ‒ it may not be the most exciting part of the ride, but it could save you from a severe crash. By taking the necessary steps to cover your derrière, you're not only protecting yourself and your business but also setting yourself up for success. It's like adding high-performance tires to your sports car ‒ it may not seem like a big deal at first, but it can make all the difference in how your car handles on the road. So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life, but don't forget to cover your derrière along the way. With the right paperwork, intellectual property protection, legal agreement, insurance, and compliance with laws and regulations, you can hit the accelerator confidently, knowing that you're prepared for whatever twists and turns the journey may bring. Stefanie Magness, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Stefanie Magness is the ultimate business baker, whipping up a legit mindset for entrepreneurs one recipe at a time! With 24 years of experience and her legal education, she's a seasoned pro who knows the secret ingredients to create a legit and thriving business. As CEO of Legit My Biz, she's the go-to advisor for entrepreneurs, dishing out DIY tutorials, training, writing, speaking, and a hefty dose of empowerment and motivation. When she's not baking up business magic in the kitchen, Stefanie moonlights as a business counselor at the DC Women's Business Center and DC Small Business Development Center. And as the executive producer of LegitTV™, she's the hostess with the mostess, serving up a menu of inspiration and education for entrepreneurs. Stefanie's business brilliance has earned her a place in the spotlight, with features in the Small Business Report, Nice Girl CEO Podcast, Essence Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Canvas Rebel Magazine, and ValiantCEO Magazine. So, whether you're a fresh-faced entrepreneur or a seasoned pro looking to take your business to the next level, grab a fork and join Stefanie in the kitchen for a taste of business success!

Written by: Luca Berni, 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. Procrastination is human. Although it often makes us feel guilty, it is not a matter of ill will, indolence, or a poor attitude to get the job done. Procrastination is something more complex that originates in the biology of our brain and to be able to control it, and possibly fight it, or get around it, it is first of all important to recognize it and understand how it works. Procrastination usually begins with a self-deception, a lie that we tell ourselves to face with more serenity the fact that we are putting off an activity that we should do. The lie goes something like this: "I do X, but first I do Y", where X is the activity that will be procrastinated, and Y is instead an activity that is pleasant or that we are able to do easily or that makes us get a positive result quickly. The point is that every time you complete a "Y" there will always be another one, triggering an infinite circle from which you get out only because you decide to or because the events around us force us to act, such as the looming deadline. Why do we procrastinate? There are activities that create a certain amount of suffering based on personal experience, education, or each person's character traits. Whenever a person is faced with one of these activities, an unpleasant emotion emerges, and our brain implements a series of defence mechanisms to avoid it. Although rationally the person knows that procrastinating will only worsen the situation, they fail to act overwhelmed by emotion. The "limbic" part of the brain, which is the oldest and most involved in the emergence of emotions, takes over the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for logical-rational reasoning, resulting in the person losing the lucidity to evaluate the consequences of procrastination. In this situation, the brain tries to replace an unpleasant emotion with a pleasant one replacing an activity that creates suffering with one that gives pleasure. The cycle of procrastination Procrastination is a mechanism that feeds itself and, over time, and perhaps as a deadline approaches, instead of motivating the person to act, it tends to inhibit it even more. The cycle that is triggered is the following: I don't do => Time passes => I feel guilty => I feel bad => I do something that makes me feel good => I postpone => I don't do... The most critical moment for activating the procrastination cycle is before starting the activity. Usually, when the person overcomes the first impact and gets the first results, the probability of procrastinating is significantly lowered. This is why it is said that: "success in obtaining a result is strongly linked to the first step one decides to take." Serial procrastinators Procrastination has not to do with the ability to manage time, but with emotions. Serial procrastinators, those who make procrastination a lifestyle, are usually highly sensitive people, who find it more difficult than others to regulate their emotions and have low self-esteem. Often, those around them contribute to making matters worse, making them feel lazy or indolent. From a neurological point of view, it has been observed that these people have a larger amygdala (a region of the brain located in the limbic system) and have fewer connections with the anterior cingulate cortex (rational part). This leads them to have a lower organizational capacity and a greater sense of disorientation in tackling new activities. What to do and what not to do If we want to support someone who procrastinates (including ourselves) we must avoid the following mistakes, which will only make the situation worse: Appealing to self-discipline Increasing deadlines Setting yourself as a virtuous example (“do as I do”) Judging These attitudes increase discomfort and the likelihood of triggering or fuelling the procrastination cycle. Some good strategies, on the other hand, can be the following: Keeping a procrastination diary to become aware of the reason why a certain activity creates unpleasant emotions and once discovered, address it with an expert. Cultivating compassion and self-compassion because procrastinating is still a way of taking care of ourselves. Let's accept it! Lowering the bar. If an activity is perceived as too stressful, if possible, lower the level of the challenge a little or ask for help. Breaking the activity into smaller perceived more affordable parts at the end of each of which create a reward mechanism. Appointing a partner to help and support us in maintaining focus. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Luca! Luca Berni, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Luca Berni is an Executive & Team Coach that works with Leaders, Top Managers, Entrepreneurs, Boards of Directors, and Leadership Teams. Before becoming a Coach in 2009, he worked as a Manager in different Multinational companies in different Countries for almost twenty years. Luca also works as a management consultant, he co-founded and runs TheNCS The Neuroscience Coaching School, and he writes articles and books about Coaching and Management.

Written by: Kate Greunke, 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. Starting a business has a way of bringing up every insecurity you've ever had about your capabilities, your intelligence, and your experience. If you're like I was in the beginning, you might feel pressured to make you and your business look a certain way, much like putting on a costume. And yes, that costume likely feels awkward and fake. Unlike your colleagues, you might not have a big team. You can't fathom hiring anyone to help you ‒ because how on earth would you pay them? The thought of outsourcing things you despise, like marketing or bookkeeping, sounds like a dream but you have no money for such luxuries. Despite the lack of funds, you feel nauseated every time you send an estimate or *gulp* an invoice. Your inner critic whispers worries such as… "What if they think you are too expensive and tell all their friends?" "What if they ask for a discount?" "Do you ACTUALLY know what you’re doing?" Mindset over Marketing Before you can successfully market your business, you need to discipline your mind. Your inner critic will always be there, but you don’t have to listen to it. Imposter syndrome will appear every time you try to step outside your comfort zone; embrace it. I started my entrepreneurial journey in 2014. It was painstakingly emotional because, as hard as I tried to delineate between my work and personal life, my business was personal ‒ as it should be! I didn’t believe that a girl from the rural midwestern United States could become the leader of an international brand. That thought honestly never crossed my mind. I was dreaming small because I felt small, and I was teetering on the edge of fulfilling my own dismal prophecy. Fortunately, I wasn’t alone. After a particularly defeating work day, I was hiding in the bathroom (yes, my own bathroom) and feeling quite sorry for myself. I had been working long hours and doing everything I knew how to do to market my services, but no one seemed interested in hiring me. Or if they did, they didn’t stick around. “Maybe I should just be done.” The whisper escaped me in a long sigh. Everyone told me that I was such a great copywriter but no one wanted to pay me for it. What was the freaking point? Suddenly my head jerked upward. “Don’t you think I gave you your gifts for a reason?” Who was that? My eardrums didn’t pick up on a voice, but I heard the firm, somewhat annoyed tone anyway. Today, it makes me laugh a little. I was throwing such a pity party that God was finally telling me to suck it up and have a little faith. Why on earth was I expecting everything to be so easy? Because I’m a stubborn, redheaded, type A, enneagram 3, I questioned that statement. Maybe it was my own mind trying to be hopeful or just mess with me. But that voice. I knew that voice. God decided, however, that I needed to hear the message again. This time, He used a different method. The Prophecy that I Didn’t Believe Later on, I was at my lowest point as a new business owner. I attended a networking event at a fancy, waterfront hotel. It was awful. Everyone else looked like they'd stepped out of high-end meetings where they'd just landed the biggest client of their career. And then there was me. My blazer was from a thrift store. My business cards sat in my sweaty hands. My confidence had forcefully wormed its way out of my skull and into the nearest alley dumpster. But then it happened. I was standing at the huge windows overlooking the waves, pretending to be in awe of the view while assessing whether the heavy drapes would be enough to conceal my petite frame. "Hello?" came the voice. I turned. An impeccably dressed woman in her 60s approached me with a polished, bearded husband in tow. She asked who I was and what I did ‒ typical networking questions. I answered but was admittedly distracted by the glittering rings she wore on nearly every finger. She was somebody's rich grandma, the trust fund wielding, "let's take the yacht" type. At the time, I was a 23-year-old kid from Wisconsin who knew more about the proper care of cows than about fashion brands, but I was pretty sure her entire ensemble cost more than my annual income. "There's something about you," she said, her voice suddenly changing from polite to intrigued. She turned to her husband. "Don't you see it?" Her steel gaze was edged with something I couldn't pinpoint. Did she pity me? Did she know I was a fraud? "Okay?" My nervous laugh annoyed me. "You're going to be extremely successful." It wasn’t a compliment or a lead into some other comment. It was a point-blank assessment. The “Rags to Riches” Moment I have no idea who this woman was, but I could sense by her don’t-argue-with-me statement and the telltale, encouraging smile of her husband that perhaps she, too, had started at ground zero. Just maybe, she knew what was possible with a strong work ethic and the passion to serve others. Just maybe, she knew it didn’t matter where I started but where I was right then. I didn’t know it yet, but in the coming years I would be… Working with clients in 10 countries Growing my team, including hiring my own husband Taking a 3-month maternity leave, after which I never returned to full-time hours Making multi-six figures while working part-time Named in the Top 20 under 40 by Vision Magazine Listed as a Brainz 500 Global Entrepreneur by Brainz Magazine Instructing national organizations and corporations on best marketing practices Hosting a marketing podcast that ranks in the top 1.5% globally Yet in that awkward moment, I didn’t believe her words. I politely smiled and internally scoffed. Part of me hoped that she might be right, though I didn’t dare voice it. A few years later, I had forgotten her prophetic statement and was busily building my brand. I kept my head down, nose-to-the-grindstone style, and put metaphorical blinders on so that I wouldn’t so much as see a social media post from my competitors. What they were doing didn’t matter. I was doing my own thing, and that really started to pay off. When I was updating the accolades section of my website, I suddenly recalled her words, and my fingers froze in mid-type. I instantly wished I could go back and tell her thank you – thank you for believing in me. Her unbiased proclamation of encouragement carried me through that terrible evening, and her words were neatly tucked away in my brain for later use. Her mindset of “you will” instead of “you might” made all the difference. Let me be that person for you today. I believe in what is possible for your business. I believe that you WILL make it successful. I also believe it will be one of the hardest, most uncomfortable things you've ever done. And I know you can do it. If you’d like to hear more stories that will encourage, commiserate with, and inspire you along your emotional (er, entrepreneurial) journey – or if you just want clear cut marketing advice that works – follow The Kate Show Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kate! Kate Greunke, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kate Greunke founded Socialite in 2014 as a virtual agency of professional marketing specialists exclusively for the home industry. Kate hosts a marketing podcast, The Kate Show, which is ranked in the top 1.5% of all podcasts globally and available on all podcasting apps. In 2021, Kate was named 20 Under 40 by Window Fashion Vision Magazine. She currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband and two children while managing an international team and extensive client roster.

Written by: Christy Roberts, 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. Working with a life coach and self-directed healing (SDH) practitioner can help you create a more fulfilling and meaningful life by helping you identify and achieve your goals, overcome obstacles, and develop a greater sense of self-awareness, balance, and personal growth. Coaching and Self Directed Healing are different approaches that complement each other well. Coaching helps clients identify their goals and work towards achieving them, while SDH helps clients process and release emotional pain and blockages preventing them from reaching their goals and living a truly fulfilling life. They are the perfect partners. What is Life Coaching? Coaching is a process that transports people from where they are to where they want to be. It’s like having a Personal Trainer for your mind and it’s one of the fastest-growing industries on earth today. There is always a strong focus on the action you can take right now and the aim is to improve performance. A great way to think of a life coach is as an action-oriented mentor who can help you access and reach your potential. They will focus on what’s in your life right now, what you ideally want to achieve, and how that gap can be navigated. A life coach is trained to help individuals identify their goals, develop a plan for achieving them, and overcome the obstacles that may be preventing them from reaching their full potential. By providing feedback, support, and guidance, a life coach can help individuals gain clarity, focus, and confidence, leading to greater success in their personal and professional lives. A big challenge to be aware of in the coaching industry is that there are no regulations or standards of care for life coaches. Anyone can call themselves a coach. This means that a person must do their due diligence before signing up to work with a life coach. It’s important to ensure they has received thorough training through a recognised certified body. Plus, I’d recommend checking testimonials, awards, collaborations, and social contributions. Ask yourself, are they demonstrating a good level of success? What do their clients say? What is Self Directed Healing? Self Directed Healing is a revolutionary healing modality, that simultaneously works on all aspects of a person’s being causing powerful and transformational results. It’s a simple, fast, and measurable process that identifies the root cause of problems and shifts deep blocks that enable you to achieve and sustain emotional health and well-being. This modality releases deep emotional pain, like grief, trauma, anger, fear, stress (and more) as well as limiting beliefs, energetically through the physical body and the conscious mind. Leading to a greater sense of inner balance, well-being, and purpose. Self Directed Healing is revolutionising the way we realise our potential and dramatically increasing the speed that this occurs. As well as working with your current pain and challenges, we can access early childhood emotions, beliefs, and trauma by working with your ‘inner child’ and processing old wounds and pain, back from when they originated. A Self Directed Healing practitioner is trained to help individuals identify and release emotional blockages that may be affecting their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. These blockages may be caused by many things including past traumas, grief, disconnection, emotions, or limiting beliefs that are holding individuals back from living to their fullest potential. Bridging the Gap A session with a life coach will feel a lot different than one with an SDH practitioner. Coaching provides actions, planning, structure, and accountability while SDH is more about consciously processing emotional energy, releasing deep pain, and self-sabotaging patterns. “Coaching sessions are more forward-focused and action orientated, whereas, in SDH sessions our conversation is usually determined by how they’re feeling and what people or events may have triggered their feelings.” In recent years, more and more people are seeing the benefits of working with life coaches and SDH practitioners for their personal growth and development, and are turning to them for help in solving their problems and making positive, focused steps toward their goals. “A coach looks at your present to help you create the future you desire, while an SDH practitioner works with your past to help you manage your present, enabling a more positive future path” Whether you are seeking to overcome challenges, develop better emotional balance, achieve your goals, or simply live a more fulfilling life, working with a life coach and SDH practitioner can help you fast-track unlocking your full potential and achieving your dreams. 21 benefits of working with a life coach and SDH Practitioner Discover your true purpose in life Strengthen your self-esteem Increase your self-confidence Acquire clarity and focus Identify and release old patterns of thinking and behavior that are no longer serving you Enhance your communication skills Develop healthier relationship and social skills Achieve a better work-life balance Heal past emotional issues including grief and trauma Overcome fear and insecurity Overcome procrastination and feeling stuck Create a more positive and fulfilling life Achieve greater emotional intelligence, connection, and understanding Become more productive and efficient Devise an action plan and attain more success Receive practical guidance, support, and understanding to help you move forward Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression Learn to cope better with difficult situations Develop greater self-awareness and self-acceptance Achieve greater personal and professional success Set and reach meaningful life goals If you’re interested in getting a better sense: of who you are what you’re capable of unearthing your skills, talents, and gifts and discovering what gives your life meaning Then I’d encourage you to reach out. There are often blind spots below the surface that we can struggle to uncover by ourselves. I offer free discovery calls for you to explore if coaching and self-directed healing are right for you. You can book yours today. For more information and access to free resources check out our website or YouTube Channel and follow us on the social links below. A conversation has the power to change your life, and the power is in your hands. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Christy! Christy Roberts, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Christy is the Global Self Directed Healing Practitioner Trainer, an award-winning Coach, and Grief Educator with over 20+ years of Human Resources and Organisational Development experience. She helps people journey through the toughest of life’s challenges, like grief, trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, fear, overwhelm, stress, and burnout. Christy is passionate about unlocking our human potential, transforming mindsets, and supporting people to get out of their own way and live their ultimate lives by achieving the success and results they desire. She provides Coaching, Self Directed Healing, Workshops, and Educational Resources that positively impact people, leaders, and workplaces. As Founder of Creating Change, she is driven to make a change in our society and culture, so that we are more authentically connected to ourselves and living with passion and purpose.

Written by: Sarah Tricker Alchemy, 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 I moved to Canada eleven years ago, I was going to become a teacher. If you had told me back then that I would be a solepreneur with my own store creating online membership sites and courses I would have just laughed at you! The funny thing is as I look back I can see how everything came as it was supposed to ‒ how I was led to this point in time! I worked hard to get my degrees and eventually teaching job. I would not change a thing about that nine-year journey. The people I met, the students I taught, the learning I accomplished. When I left teaching on June 30th, 2016 so many people were confounded at the why. Hey, I’m not going to lie I always did my best to be different! All I can truly tell you was that that career was eating me up whole and consumed my life in ways I could have not imagined. There was a part of me that wanted to break free ‒ and at the same time was trapped with the illusions of a secure job and income. I started Tricker Tarot on July 1st, 2015 and ran my business on the side. Mainly doing the reading circuits getting out there and connecting with the community of readers and healers. Had some of the best times with my mentors and new-found friends. It was becoming more and more apparent that I could not grow this business whilst being a high school teacher. Ah, the feeling that started around February 2016 was that I was not ‘fitting’ into the school I worked at. Hired for being different, you know tattoos on my hand, and then being let go for being different. It was around May that I was informed to look for another job as I was not getting my contract renewed. It was a Friday afternoon, how I did not crack the biggest smile whilst sitting in the principles office! I walked down the hallway and got in my car allowing the biggest smile to beam across my face punching the air ‒ the relief I have a business and I am now clear on my purpose! It's interesting looking back as I had already taken the plunge and rented a room to read from a few months earlier. Man, I had this in the bag only needed X amount of readings a day and I would be earning the same. As I was paid pro-rata as a teacher, I would have two months of pay for the summer too. By September I would be living the dream! Well what can I say, the reality of having a one-year business and expecting a five-year business income came as a bit of a shock. They say you have to hit rock bottom to move up and I did that. Also, you have to know that the universe is going to test your perseverance. How much did I really want this? This was the hard part in trusting that it would all work out and to keep plugging away. Well what a year half it turned out to be. I was only a tarot reader when I left teaching and that’s when the real journey began. I received my mediumship training, Reiki training, and ultimately life coach training. Who knew how much one could change in that short period of time! Well I found out that when you trust and allow things to come whilst at the same time taking action, you can end up with more than you ever dreamed ‒ I know I did! So here I sit after hiring my first person to create this amazing website and give myself the freedom to create the content to help others. The brand transition was a scary prospect as I have nurtured Tricker Tarot over the past few years. Hey, I had no idea when I picked that name what I would be offering today so now I connect on a deeper level with who I truly am and the service I offer to others ‒ the alchemist who create something precious from nothing. Why am I telling you all this? Sometimes we need permission from someone else that it’s OK to change our minds and walk a different path. The expectation that you are to pick your career in high school and stay on that path until you retire has long gone. Yet we still hold on far too long to something that may just not be working. Some of the things you probably heard when growing up were sayings such as; ‘Once you have started something you have to finish it!’; ‘Winners don’t quit!’; ‘You made your bed, now lie in it!’; the list goes on! The fact is that we live in a world that is so full of opportunity. That we may think we want something and when we get into it we actually don’t. Let’s let go of the shame of changing paths! One thing is for sure, that everything we think we know when we start a journey never unfolds the way we expect. That in fact, starting that journey can actually be propelling us on a completely new one without us even knowing. Really, who are we to know what it is we desire. Isn’t there a bigger force at play? I honestly believe in our face paced world that we do forget to enjoy the journey we are on, the journey of our life. We are often so busy striving to get to a specific destination that we arbitrarily set for ourselves that we forget to enjoy all the experiences along the way. There has to be a balance! If you live to work when you end your life and look back what will the memories of life be? If your only focus is money and success who will you share that with? As each minute, day, week, month, season, year passes you by those moments you can never get back! Always remember that we work to live. We are not slaves to our bosses. We are selling our time to them. They do not own you. Family, friends, and experiences are what make you unique. Your stories and your memories! What is your journey? Where do you stand today? Please connect with me if you are struggling to see the woods for the trees! Maybe some guidance through the cards or jumping into the life coaching program would suit you best. Always remember the universe guided you to me today! Follow Sarah on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and visit her website for more info! Read more from Sarah! Sarah Tricker Alchemy, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sarah Tricker Alchemy is a change-maker and has the ability to see what lies in the unseen and unexplained. After realizing her dream to become an educator, Sarah soon understood she herself was not fulfilling her life purpose. In 2016 she began the journey of entrepreneurship and had been forging her way to true authenticity. Sarah is a Public Speaker & Spiritual Empowerment Coach helping women who are in transition within their life. With her gift as a healer, she facilitates women in finding their authentic selves as well as their life purpose. Every moment is a miracle, and there is always opportunity even when you cannot see it.

Written by: Jana Short, 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. In today's digital age, social media has become an essential tool for businesses and entrepreneurs to market themselves and their services. With millions of people using social media platforms daily, reaching out to potential clients and building relationships is an excellent opportunity. However, it's crucial to avoid inevitable mistakes when marketing yourself on social media that could turn off potential clients and harm your reputation. This article will discuss the top three mistakes to avoid when selling yourself on social media. Mistake No.1 It's never about you! Creating selfish content is one of the most significant mistakes businesses make when marketing themselves on social media. Focusing on yourself and your goals instead of your potential clients can quickly turn them away. Understanding that your potential clients are only interested in the results they can achieve by working with you is essential. To avoid this mistake, ensure that all your content is focused on the benefits your clients can receive by using your services. Show how your services can solve their problems or help them achieve their goals. For instance, if you're a fitness coach, focus on the benefits of staying fit and healthy rather than promoting your services. Creating content that educates, informs, and engages your clients will help you build trust and establish your expertise in your field. Mistake No.2 Cold Sales Pitches Another mistake businesses make sending cold sales pitches to potential clients without taking the time to build a relationship first. Understanding that trust is built over time and not overnight is essential. People are likelier to do business with those they know, like, and trust. Instead of sending sales pitches, take the time to get to know your potential clients. Connect with them on social media, engage with their content, and start a conversation. Building a relationship first will create a sense of familiarity, and your potential clients will be more receptive to your pitch when the time is right. It's also important to personalize your approach to each client. Avoid sending generic messages that could apply to anyone. Instead, take the time to understand their needs and tailor your message accordingly. Personalizing your approach will show that you value them as an individual and that you're genuinely interested in helping them. Mistake No.3 Lack of Authenticity In today's world, people value authenticity more than anything else. Your potential clients want to know they're dealing with a real person, not a faceless entity. One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is trying to fit into a mold that they think will attract clients but needs to be more genuine about who they are. To avoid this mistake, be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not to impress potential clients. It could damage your reputation if you present yourself in a certain way and then can't deliver when it's time to work with your clients. It's better to be authentic from the start and attract clients who value and appreciate who you are. Final Thoughts Marketing yourself on social media can be challenging, but avoiding these common mistakes is essential to build trust and rapport with your potential clients. Instead, focus on creating content that's all about your clients and their needs, take the time to build relationships, and be authentic. Remember that building trust takes time and staying consistent in your approach is essential. In conclusion, social media is an excellent tool for businesses and entrepreneurs to market themselves and their services. However, it's essential to avoid inevitable mistakes that could damage your reputation and turn off potential clients. By creating client-focused content, building relationships, and being authentic, you'll be on the right path to establishing yourself as an expert in your field and building a loyal client base. Discover holistic living articles by Jana Short and other experts in the Best Holistic Life Magazine app. Available on app stores. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Youtube, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Jana! Jana Short, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jana Short is making waves among international influencers and entrepreneurs through her various platforms. She is a highly accomplished mindset coach, NLP & RTT practitioner, entrepreneur, best-selling author, podcaster, and Best Holistic Life Magazine editor. Jana has received numerous accolades for her work, including being named one of Los Angeles' Women of the Year 2023 by Hollywood Soeleish Magazine and One of Los Angeles, Top 15 Coaches of 2023 by Influence Digest+ Magazine.

Written by: Shreesha Khare, 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. To say that her courage has impressed me would be an understatement. Her tenacity and iron-like power to shine like the northern lights had brought me to tears totally. Her higher self was directing her, though, and existing being used this experience in the real world as fuel to fly onward and be born again, turning her entire existence around as if she had never been drowned by strong tidal waves. I am talking about Dr Neeta Bhushan author of ‘That Sucked, Now What? which is an award-winning bestseller book. She is a former cosmetic dentist turned best-selling author, host of one of the top podcasts, the Bravetable Podcast, and co-founder of the Dharma Coaching Institute. She lost her parents and brother within a few years, only to find herself in a toxic marriage. She was highly successful professionally, but she hit rock bottom when she found herself in divorce court. Her inner child and present self were in a state of wonder at how she allowed herself to go through that physically abusive situation. Today, she helps other women find their truth and find power in the path they are walking. She is bold, sassy, and filled with divine light to show a person like me who is going through the suckiest moments that breakdown can be breakthrough and we can embrace the suck moments with grace. Going through her book, I also realized that we could start things from scratch. As Dr Neeta explains in her book that embracing the suck is the ultimate spiral, let me share personal encounter. Sucky Moment of ‘Situationship’ and How I found the Message in that Mess? The moon has gone through different phases, and now it is shining in the sky with a blank slate to start something new, which we call the "New Moon," a completely fresh lunar cycle. However, I was about to run in a spiral. I was thinking about starting new things and was about to plant the next level of seeds with someone whom I believed to be my evolutionary partner. However, I found him way too immature, despite being a grown man, when he responded to my question, Hey Love! You know what? I feel so blessed to have been with you all these years; you are like a manifestation blessing. In all these eight years, we have come stronger every single time. I was thinking, "How about putting a ring on it? Give me your hand. You are a blessing in my life. Do you know that? Our friendship is the foundation of everything, and I don’t want to lose it. We will always be friends. And currently, I don’t have emotional bandwidth, he said. I found myself in the murkiest water, completely submerged in it, and I found no space to go; everywhere I was thinking to go, there was only dirt. The chest was full of constriction, and a feeling of breathlessness overtook it. I called for help, but I was only found in a bad situation. I had no choice but to choose to experience the suckiness that has taken over it. I felt luminaries were asking me to dive into this murky shadow work, and in this dirt, I must start digging through the hidden desires buried beneath the surface of this "situationship," which the universe thought I was bypassing. To my utmost avoidance, I must feel the suckiness of the suck. My inner child was so confused—what have I done to deserve this? My ego was not ready to accept the fact that he didn’t even take seconds to discard me like I was nothing to him. With all my commitment and loyalty towards him, I am just a ‘friend’ to him. With all the craziness I had been through, it was disappointing to hear that ‘I never showed consistency'. I could not even throw a pity party or call a friend. I was all alone in this murkiness. As the seasons passed, the mess inside of me was getting messier, and I was unable to maintain the cleanliness I was showing to people around me. It was time to meet the sucker as a friend without judgement. I opened all my audio diaries about him, which I had recorded, and my journal notes and started listening and reading from top to bottom, which was eye opening for me. What happens when you fly a kite in the sky and try to control it as you want, going against the wind direction, is that you get hurt. I was doing exactly that; my bond was always hurtful, dramatic, and unsettling. I was so sucked up into the drama of his life because he was never shy about making sure his needs were met. When we make intimate relationships our whole world, we face deep cuts, and this all roots back to our sucky situations in childhood. Unconsciously, I carried the behaviour of being fearful and overly cautious when bonding, which was a response to my upbringing or a difficult relationship with a parent. The reason I was experiencing this was because I was looking for a sense of self-worth and wholeness in a partner, as during my childhood, authority figures abandoned me or made me do something that made me believe that without another person, I would always be incomplete. The fear of abandonment was making me stay in bond despite all omens saying that I am trying to flee from my own destiny and deciding not to take any decision. Whenever we find ourselves in tough moments, the first thing we think is to run away from the environment so that we can bring change into our lives. We can still change, though, by tuning out the outside noise and focusing on the depth of our inner understanding. This is done by recognizing and releasing the restriction where we are. The constriction of my inner child wants to release me from the walls I have built around me because I am getting tired and cannot handle the pain whose wounds have become my characteristics. With all the map work I did, I noticed the urge that was banging up again and again was that I had been awakened from deep conscious sleep through this relationship. It was indeed a most painful journey. I should better let go of what no longer serves me and stop playing the victim card as it is so easy to blame. I had waited too long to be in this mess; the relationship served its spiritual purpose of awakening me and helping me meet my gifts and dreams. I felt that someone had kept a heavy stone on my heart. I cried on top of my voice; the mess inside of me was reflecting outside of me. I said to myself that I would turn all this suckiness into something powerful, and for me, that something powerful was writing poetry. As I was alchemically dissolving, I weaved my sucky feelings into words of wisdom rather than staying stuck in that feeling. For 2 months, I productively expressed my emotions through art. This way, I also came to know that I carry the gift of healing through words in the form of poetry and published my first ever poetry book; maybe it can be helpful to someone else while they navigate the deep waters of sucking. Dr Neeta Bhushan book really showed me wings in my sucky moments. "When found in sour moments, believe that it is an omen of transition and transformation." Namaste! Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Shreesha! Shreesha Khare, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Shreesha Khare is an author and an inspirational thought leader, aka a leading luminary. She is walking on the path of "Self-Illumination" to be more of her true self, share more of her personal experiences, and change the lives of others through her own journey of personal transformation. There is a deep internal desire in her to take all of what she has learned and help others along their path. She believes that suffering is the key to unlocking our greatest gifts. She is the Founder and Chief humanitarian Being at S&S Co-Space for Humanity, a boutique where you will be served with coaching and guidance of self-love and self-actualization, is like taking a journey into the inner cosmic world.

Written by: Oksana Saprykina, 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. Are you a victim of sexual assault? Do you have after-effects from your assault? Find it difficult to trust others? Afraid it can happen again? Are you constantly on alert? Feeling anxious? Nervous? These are all common occurrences after a sexual assault. The Emotional After-effects Difficulty trusting new partners Panic attacks Generalised anxiety Compulsions such as cleaning, having to keep things in order, hoarding, etc. Sexual problems like vaginismus, inability to orgasm, loss of interest in sex, etc. Feeling guilty that you didn’t do more to stop your attacker Feeling dirty or unclean Not being able to remember certain parts of your life Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature, or a sexual act committed without your consent. If you have been sexually assaulted, either recently or sometime in your past, it is important to resolve those hurtful, upsetting and maybe frightening emotions that surround the incident. By acknowledging them and resolving them with the gentle help of a trained hypnotherapist, it is possible to heal the hurt so that you can have the happiness you deserve again. Survivors of sexual-abuse will commonly describe how they found ways of separating themselves from their bodies as unpleasant things happened to them. These experiences of dissociating the mind from the body is a form of dissociation and help people to protect themselves from trauma. These are often described as being akin to out of body experiences and are a form of hypnosis. Dissociation was probably your defence mechanism when it was all happening. It’s a form of self-hypnosis. Abusers are so manipulative that the victim is often left with the belief that they were somehow to blame. Perhaps they should have fought back. Perhaps they should have told. The fact that they did what they thought best at the time is forgotten and that little child I judged as if they should have acted with all the power and agency of an adult. The self-judgement can be remorseless and unending. Effective Recovery With Rapid Transformational Therapy You can recover fully from the after-effects of sexual assault and lead a perfectly happy life again. As a trained RTT therapist, I regularly see clients who have experienced an assault of this nature at some stage of their lives. It gives me great satisfaction to see a client, after a few sessions of RTT hypnotherapy, able to speak openly about their traumatic experience without those old negative emotions. This is the point at which you make room for positive, happy emotions in your life again. Hypnosis is a state of mind which we all attain on a regular basis. The deeper states are similar to those times when we know we’re falling asleep but haven’t quite crossed that line. Lighter states are found in daydreaming. The relevance of hypnosis to the treatment of sexual assault derives from two sources: the fact that hypnotic phenomena are mobilized spontaneously as defences during assault, becoming part of the syndrome of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the usefulness of formal hypnosis in treating PTSD. The role of dissociative defences during and after traumatic experiences is reviewed; an analogy between the major elements of formally induced hypnosis ‒ absorption, dissociation, and suggestibility, and the major elements of PTSD ‒ is drawn. Special problems relevant to sexual assault in childhood are discussed, including extreme self-blame and a profound sense of personality fragmentation. Uses of hypnosis in the treatment of sexual assault victims are reviewed, with an emphasis on helping such patients restructure their memories of the experience, both by reviewing them with greater control over their physical sense of comfort and safety and by balancing painful memories with recognition of their efforts to protect themselves or someone else who was endangered. The use of a split-screen technique in hypnosis is described with a clinical example. Special considerations in such treatment, including the traumatic transference and forensic complications of such psychotherapeutic work, are enumerated. When you have learned to forgive that younger self for the things he or she suffered then the rest of your emotions will begin to fall into line. You can learn new ways of dealing with emotions on a ‘here and now’ basis so that you’ll no longer need to repress them and suffer the consequences of their exploding into rages, tears or anxiety/panic attacks. Hypnotherapy could help people to leave anger, anxiety, depression or that strict sense of ‘I must always be in control’ behind them – once and for all. Without going into a detailed all that’s necessary to know is that I suit the therapy to your needs. You’ll find rapid changes occurring as each week goes by, and those changes will quite likely continue beyond the end of the therapy, so that you can finally get back to enjoying life again and realising that you are safe today. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Oksana! Oksana Saprykina, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Oksana Saprykina is an established Certified Hypnotherapist practicing an award-winning method ‒ Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) taught by Marisa Peer. Oksana lived and worked in four countries on different continents. She speaks three languages fluently and works with clients around the world. Oksana is an expert at identifying her client's talents and passions and converting them into the career of their dreams. She has the skill and ability to make a difference in someone's life in an extremely rapid straightforward way. She helps clients unblock and release old behaviors or beliefs and allow that person to take back the life they dreamed of but never believed that was available to them.

Written by: Jen Landry, 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. Motherhood is one stressor after another and can start as early as pregnancy. Yet, there is a secret to success, and it is not in Las Vegas. From the moment a woman discovers she is pregnant, she begins to worry, fear, and reach heightened stress faster. There is a lot of worry about the health and safety of both mom and baby. Then labor and birthing come with their own set of stress and worries. Now, mom and dad have a brand new baby at home. Mom is barely sleeping, is triggered by cries to react, and is already questioning her sense of self and caring so much for this new life. For some, this is the new normal. Living in the fight or flight response. For others, this can be considered traumatic. However, both sides are dealing with increases in heart rates, a disrupted immune system, a nervous system that is out of whack, and so much more. This toxic “Bounce Back” Culture is also piled on women who have given birth. This notion that you should look exactly like you did before you got pregnant, that no one should ever know you are a mom by looking at you. However, there is a secret. One that could especially change life for new moms. One that can make the biggest difference despite how small it feels. One that is safe, effective, and possible in all trimesters, including and especially the 4th. Breathing Drills. During pregnancy, our ribs and pelvis expand, our abdominal wall stretches out, and a lot of pressure is put on the pelvic floor. However, if we can teach women how to start breathing properly (lift the pelvic floor, draw abs in and up, and connect to the rib cage) during pregnancy, then we can solve a lot of problems physically. These techniques then carry into labor as well as postpartum. This is ultimately the first step that should and needs to be taken before any advanced exercise. These drills can help shrink waists, eliminate pain or leaking, and create quality posture. It helps bring the rib cage back to normal size, works the abdominal wall from the inside, ensures the pelvis is aligned and stable and enables proper pressure management. So how does this tie into all the stress we face? Well, the beautiful thing about the proper breathing drills both in pregnancy and postpartum is that you can use them to tap into the vagus nerve and a calmer state of mind. The vagus nerve helps regulate both digestion and heart rate as well as aiding in regulating the immune system. So when you do these breathing drills take the time, breathe deeply, and find safe positions. Then when you are practicing deep breathing and working through these breathing drills in a core function way, you should be using an audible exhale. Making a noise like “ha” can help trigger the vagus nerve and relax the mind and system. These components (safety, time, and deep audible breaths), allow a mom a moment to relax, do something for herself, and work on strengthening. As well as allowing the fight or flight mode to calm down, the stress response to cries to be less, the immune system to regulate, the heart rate to mellow, and aid digestion. These are keys to making Mom life easy and a success. Especially in those very early days. There are other ways to trigger the vagus nerve that can help relax, but pair them with the early breathing exercises and core work and accomplish a lot more in a short amount of time. A win for moms everywhere! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jen! Jen Landry, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jen Landry is a leader in functional fitness. She specializes in pregnant, postpartum, and everyday women. As a mother of two little girls and two pregnancies that left Jen feeling weak, broken, and in need of answers, she discovered the Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Certification. Obtaining this certification changed the way Jen looked at pregnancy and postpartum fitness as well as female health in general. It ignited a fire to help as many women as possible, so they could avoid what Jen experienced. She is the CEO and Owner of Moms Fit Life. Her Mission: Teach Moms they can trust their bodies again and rock mom life with confidence!