Written by Cameron Tukapua, Heartfelt Living Coach, Chinese Medicine Practitioner Cameron Tukapua coaches people to heal and transform their lives and relationships through conscious Self-care. Her offerings are based on four decades of clinical acupuncture and teaching experience. Cameron is the author of 'Heartfelt Living – How to Navigate Change and Healing: Your Ancient Wisdom Guide'. Finding it hard to recover from heartbreak? You are not alone! In this article, a Chinese medicine practitioner shares practical ways to see and heal your heartbreak. Unlock ancient wisdom secrets that have kept millions of people healthy for thousands of years. Whether your heartbreak is recent or ancient, these holistic healing tips can help you reclaim your power to heal your life. The love you are seeking lives inside you. 1. Expect some confusion In Chinese medicine, it is known that our heart rules our mind. Therefore, clear thinking when heartbroken will be challenging. Unclear thinking results in confusion, which is to be expected when the heart is hurting. Be patient with yourself. To navigate this challenge, stay focused on what you are clear about, which will help settle your thoughts. Do things to bring your mind to the body, like exercise, qigong, and yoga. Avoid making important decisions when you are not clear. Always wait for clarity. 2. Your heart controls your depths of being, protect it Your heart is located behind the sternum and is covered by a membrane called the pericardium. These structures protect the heart physically, mentally, and emotionally in Chinese medicine. Thoughts and emotions are easily dysregulated by the external environment in times of heartbreak. Be mindful of who comes close to you when you are out of balance. When people separate, sometimes one of the partners wants to stay friends. In an acute heartbreak situation, it may be kinder to withdraw from that person to allow time for healing. Can’t stay away from the source of your heartbreak In situations of shared responsibilities, for example, if there are children involved, and/or in a business that requires ongoing communication, distance yourself when you can. If you don’t feel safe, having an extra person in a shared space can help defuse some of the emotional tension. 3. You are always more whole than broken In modern medicine and most mainstream psychology, the primary focus is on the wound, with an emphasis on examining what is wrong. By contrast, ancient wisdom and holistic healing traditions focus on strengthening natural balance. They can work well in tandem. Know that your heart is all-powerful and can still operate with a crack. Contemplate other heartbreak times in your life. Consider how these experiences helped you to develop your inner strength and wisdom. As Leonard Cohen sings in his song Anthem, "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” 4. Honouring the highest in ourselves and others Your heart is the home of your higher self-awareness, which is attuned to love and wisdom. It deserves to be honoured. When heartbreak happens in a relationship with someone who does not know how to love and respect others, you may still feel betrayed, foolish, and stupid. We have all been there! In the Yogic traditions, we are taught to recognise love as an internal state, not an external experience. We experience love when we go inside ourselves. Invoke the love that lives within you. Place both hands on your heart and visualise your higher self awareness as a bright light above, pouring love into your being. Invite all the cells and tissues of your body to open and receive this love. Ask that any and all cellular memories of hurt and suffering be cleared from your system. Do this practice in bed before sleep. 5. Allow time for repositioning Heartbreak involving relocation of personal spaces and property is disorienting. Our homes, neighbourhoods, and workplaces represent our extended sense of self. Shifting away from the familiar and known can be very destabilising, especially if we rely on the external world for security. The boundaries of committed relationships act as containers for our energy. In the early stages of separation, we may feel unsure of how to act and be. Many clients describe a sense of free fall in these moments as they struggle to find themselves outside of the relationship. When your world has been tipped upside down, it may be wise to seek support from solid friends and professional helpers to help hold you steady. 6. Turn up the light In Chinese medicine, the heart is ruled by the sun, which belongs to the fire element. The radiant power of light strengthens our heart energy. The associated emotions are joy and love. In heartbreak times, life can feel dark and sad. To reignite the heart flame, it can be helpful to light candles, watch the sunrise, and sit around a fire. Uplifting music and books with feel-good endings can also help. 7. Heartbreak to heart awakening Heartbreak can rip us apart. It is the worst kind of pain and activates our vulnerabilities. Like grief, it is a compound emotion and can trigger other old hurts as well. If we allow ourselves to feel our pain by going inside, we can find our inner courage. Heart awakening is the hidden gift of heartbreak, and Brené Brown speaks beautifully to this in her TED Talk. 8. Heartfelt living, healing as a way of being Reclaiming the most whole version of ourselves is a heartfelt lifetime journey. It involves learning to trust ourselves and others. Learning to live guided by our own truth is a day-by-day process of learning and unlearning. Staying present and connected to life’s challenges and those around us is the learning ground. Heartbreak can be a powerful path to spiritual awakening, as it takes us to the core of our inner selves. 9. Love is the way The heart is our portal to an authentic life. Showing up to what is right in front of us is the path to healing. The magic of life is always available, here, now. The superpower of life is love. When we look for the highest in ourselves and others, we can feel more whole. As we learn to live love, we discover that healing is a way of being. Are you ready to go deeper into your healing journey? Whether you are seeking a path to lifelong wellbeing or support for your professional development, I may be able to help. Connect with me for a free call. Together, we can explore how Heartfelt journeying can support you to free yourself to be yourself. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Cameron Tukapua Cameron Tukapua, Heartfelt Living Coach, Chinese Medicine Practitioner Cameron Tukapua is a wellbeing coach who shares ancient wisdom teachings from Chinese Medicine, along with Qigong, Yoga, and Meditation practices. She helps people align the head and heart. Cameron has written a book called ‘Heartfelt Living', and her work has been featured in Thrive Global. She offers Individual coaching, online study pathways, and face-to-face wellbeing retreats.

Written by Jerrlicia B. Cameron, Global Cultural Strategist Jerrlicia Cameron is a global cultural strategist and creative architect known for building high-impact experiences that connect culture, commerce and community. She is the founder of Real Time Gains Management and Flag Party Global Exchange. There comes a point in every builder’s journey when success stops being measured by what they have accumulated and starts being measured by how they have evolved. We often celebrate accomplishments, the promotions, the awards, the businesses, the followers, the degrees, but rarely do we stop to ask a much more important question: Who did you have to become to build any of it? The answer is almost never found in one city, one career, one country, or one version of yourself. It is found in exposure. Exposure to people, to failure, to cultures that challenge what you have always believed, and maybe exposure to conversations that force you to reconsider what success actually means. As someone who grew up moving across countries as the daughter of a military father and a mother in healthcare, I learned early that no single environment represented the entire world. Every place had its own rhythm. Every culture had its own definition of community, leadership, creativity, and success. Looking back, those experiences shaped far more than my passport, they shaped my perspective. Years later, after working across healthcare, business, nonprofits, international partnerships, and creative industries, I realized something that continues to influence every room I enter: Environment does not simply influence identity. It reveals it. The people featured in this conversation may come from different countries, industries, and professional backgrounds, but they all share one characteristic: they have built beyond the borders of familiarity. From fashion in Nigeria to cultural architecture between Africa and the United Kingdom, to ecosystem development in Rwanda, to community building through music from Japan to South Africa, each has discovered that growth rarely happens inside the environment that first introduced you to yourself. Instead, growth begins the moment you are willing to see beyond it. That realization became the foundation for this first volume of In Perspective. The power of exposure “Exposure taught me that there is no single way to succeed. From Lagos to London, Addis Ababa to Accra, I have learned that people may speak different languages and live different realities, but ambition, purpose, and the desire to create impact are universal. It shifted my mindset from thinking locally to building globally while staying rooted in my African identity,” – says Dr. Adesegun Adeosun Jr., founder and cultural architect of SMADE Group. If there was one theme that echoed through the conversation, it was not talent. It was not ambition. It was not even a success. It was exposure. Not simply traveling to another country or attending another conference, but allowing unfamiliar experiences to reshape familiar thinking. Too often, we believe our hometown, our profession, our social circle, or even our industry represents reality. “Exposure to different cultures and environments has fundamentally expanded the way I see the world. Every city, community, and experience offers a different perspective on beauty, identity, creativity, and human behavior,” – says Ifeanyi Nwune, fashion designer and creative director of I.N Official (@ifeanyinwune). In truth, it represents only one perspective. The moment we encounter people who think differently, solve problems, create, or lead differently, something remarkable happens: our imagination expands. What once felt impossible suddenly becomes attainable because we have seen someone else make it real. International DJ and curator Akio Kawahito (@akio_kawahito) admitted that when he first began traveling globally, he focused on what made cultures different. Over time, however, his perspective shifted. Instead of seeing division, he began looking for connectivity. “When you are looking at being a global brand and upscaling, which is one of the most difficult things to do, you really have to focus on connectivity: what everyone has in common, what that thing is that everyone wants to be a part of,” – says Akio. Identity is meant to evolve If exposure changes how we see the world, identity determines what we do with that new perspective. One of the greatest myths surrounding personal growth is the belief that remaining the same somehow proves authenticity. Paul Atwine, executive director of Seev Africa CBC (@babzi411), states: “Discovering our brand identity versus brand purpose, or rather who we are versus why we exist, is the very definition of living. Your calling, talents and gifts, and purpose, passion and societal needs, are two different things.” “Most people attach their purpose to their calling, but history has taught us that we all have purpose before finding our calling. As an ecosystem builder and social entrepreneur, the question, ‘Why am I doing this?’ has always been my North Star.” One statement Paul made stayed with me long after our conversation ended: “Growth stemming from passion can be exponential.” It was a reminder that purpose does not simply sustain growth, it multiplies it. In reality, refusing to evolve often limits the very purpose we are trying to fulfill. No one articulated that better than Dr. Adesegun Adeosun Jr.: “The journey from promoter to entrepreneur, from event organizer to cultural architect, required me to let go of the old versions of myself. Growth often demands discomfort.” Operating between Africa and the United Kingdom, his work has consistently centered on building global platforms while remaining deeply rooted in African identity. For him, evolution is not something to fear. It is something to embrace. “Purpose must always come before profit, and culture should always come before trends. The more I traveled and built globally, the more I realized that evolving did not require abandoning who I was. It required becoming more responsible for who I represented.” That realization eventually led to one of the most memorable reflections from our conversations: “Evolution is not betrayal, it is responsibility,” – says Dr. Adesegun Adeosun Jr. Those seven words carry weight far beyond entrepreneurship. They speak to anyone who has ever questioned whether growth means leaving old versions of themselves behind. Dr. Adeosun’s perspective reminds us that identity is not preserved through stagnation. “You cannot build the future while holding on to every part of the past.” Builders become increasingly capable of carrying larger visions while remaining grounded in the values that first inspired them to begin. Perhaps that is the real responsibility of leadership. Not protecting yesterday’s version of ourselves, but preparing today’s version to serve tomorrow’s purpose. Alignment beyond achievement If exposure expands perspective and identity shapes who we become, then alignment determines how we choose to move forward. For much of my life, I believed alignment was synonymous with achievement. Like many people raised in America, I grew up with a familiar blueprint: go to school, earn the degree, build a career, buy the house, get married, have children, and climb the ladder. Success is often presented as a checklist rather than a conversation. Like many people, I followed the blueprint I had been given. I earned the degrees, built the career, achieved the milestones, and checked many of the boxes society associates with success. Yet after every accomplishment, I found myself asking a question no promotion could answer: does achievement automatically mean alignment? The answer became no. Alignment was not another milestone waiting to be reached. It was recognizing that success had to be defined internally before it could ever be measured externally. Ifeanyi expressed: “Alignment is when your values, vision, and actions are all moving in the same direction. In fashion and the creative industries, there is constant pressure to follow trends, chase relevance, or meet external expectations. While those have their place, I believe long-term success comes from remaining connected to your core purpose.” Listening to Ifeanyi, I realized alignment is not something people discover overnight. It is built through the daily discipline of choosing purpose over pressure, even when the world encourages the opposite. “What changed the way I think most was realizing that every environment teaches you something about people. I stopped focusing on finding people who agreed with me and started building relationships with people whose values aligned with mine,” – says Paul Atwine. That distinction may sound subtle, but it changes everything. Agreement creates comfort. Alignment creates movement. Paul explained that meaningful partnerships are rarely built because everyone shares identical opinions. They are built because people share a purpose. Across borders, cultures, and industries, values become a far stronger foundation than similarity. His reflection challenges a common misconception about leadership. The strongest communities are not built through uniformity. They are built through shared purpose. It is perhaps why his advice feels so universally applicable: “Focus on building relationships with people you align with rather than agree with.” In many ways, that single sentence summarizes what international collaboration requires. Not consensus. Commitment. Akio approached alignment from the perspective of leadership across multiple countries. Working with teams in fourteen countries has taught him that alignment is not about everyone being the same. It is about everyone understanding the mission. “Everybody needs to be on the same page in terms of goals, but everybody also needs to feel supported within their role and recognized for their contribution.” As I listened to each perspective, I realized that alignment looked different for every person at the table. For Adesegun, it is a purpose. For Ifeanyi, it is creativity. For Paul, it is relationships. For Akio, it is leadership. From my perspective, alignment became the freedom to stop living someone else’s definition of success and begin trusting the life I was already building. Perhaps alignment is not something we discover. Perhaps it is something we finally allow ourselves to live. The courage to unlearn Growth is often described as learning more. This conversation suggested something different. Sometimes, growth requires letting go before moving forward. Every contributor described a belief they once carried that no longer served the person they were becoming. For Dr. Adesegun, leadership meant releasing the belief that he had to carry every responsibility himself. He discovered that sustainable leadership is not about being indispensable. “It is about building people and creating systems that can thrive beyond you.” For Ifeanyi, growth required unlearning the belief that success belonged to a select few. Instead, he came to believe that meaningful change begins when individuals take responsibility for their own vision, trusting that faith, discipline, resilience, and purpose can create extraordinary outcomes. Paul Atwine offered one of the most thought-provoking reflections of the conversation when discussing what he had to unlearn in order to grow. “There is a lot of wisdom in failure. Most people are not afraid of failure, they are afraid of being seen as a failure. In Africa, we call the loss you make ‘school fees’ because what you learned by doing is so valuable. The execution that follows will top that of someone who replicated your process through observation. The more you learn about what not to do, the quicker you get to doing what you need to do.” His perspective reframes failure entirely. Rather than viewing setbacks as something to avoid, he invites us to see them as an investment in experience, one that cannot be replicated through observation alone. Akio's response took the conversation in a deeply personal direction. Reflecting on his upbringing as the child of immigrant parents, he shared: Growing up, I was the child of immigrant parents. They wanted my brother and me to be successful, but they also wanted us to chase dreams they felt were realistic. Whenever I wanted to do something outside the box for a career, my mom would always say, ‘‘Akio, what are the odds of that? Only one in a million people can do that.’’ It was not that she was being negative. I think she just wanted us to choose paths that felt realistic. The thing I needed to unlearn was asking, Why can’t you be that one in a million? Why can’t you believe that anything is possible? That is what I try to emphasize to my team now. No matter what the mountain looks like in front of us, I always believe it can be climbed. If I can do it, you can do it. The biggest thing I had to overcome was this idea of impossibility, that maybe somebody else could do it, but we could not. Now my mindset is simple: we can do it. It can be done. Why not us? Akio’s perspective is a reminder that the beliefs we inherit are often rooted in love and protection. Yet growth sometimes requires us to respectfully challenge those beliefs, replacing limitation with possibility and choosing to believe that extraordinary outcomes are not reserved for someone else. They are available to those willing to pursue them. From my perspective, the greatest thing I had to unlearn was control. Not responsibility. Not accountability. Control. For years, I believed that if I worked harder, planned better, or anticipated every possible outcome, I could somehow manage everything around me. Life taught me otherwise. You cannot control every opportunity, every relationship, or every outcome. What you can control is your response. The moment I stopped carrying responsibilities that were never mine to carry, I discovered something unexpected: peace. Not because life became easier, but because I finally understood the difference between what belonged to me and what never did. Growth is not only about what we learn. Sometimes, it is about what we finally have the courage to release. One conversation, different perspectives As our conversation came to a close, I found myself returning to where it all began: perspective. Five builders. Five industries. Five life stories. Five different journeys. Yet despite the distance between our experiences, the conversation repeatedly arrived at the same destination. Exposure expands perspective. Perspective shapes identity. Identity influences how we build. No one at this table built success by remaining exactly where they started. Each person crossed a border. Sometimes a geographical one. Sometimes a professional one. Sometimes an emotional one. Sometimes simply the border between who they once believed they were and who they eventually became. That is the real power of perspective. Perhaps that is the greatest reminder of all. The future will not be built by people who all think alike. It will be built by people willing to learn from experiences different from their own. So whether you found yourself in Paul’s commitment to relationships, Adesegun’s responsibility to purpose, Ifeanyi’s creative curiosity, Akio’s belief in possibility, or somewhere within my own journey toward alignment, I hope you leave this table carrying one new perspective you did not have before. Because that is how growth begins. One conversation. One new idea. One expanded perspective at a time. Perhaps that is what perspective has always been: not convincing someone else to see the world your way, but becoming willing to see it through theirs. Follow me on Instagram, Linkedin and visit my website for more info. Read more from Jerrlicia B. Cameron Jerrlicia B. Cameron, Global Cultural Strategist Jerrlicia Cameron (JerriBre_Preach) is a global cultural strategist, creative architect, and founder of Real Time Gains Management, where she helps businesses, brands, and communities scale through strategic partnerships and experimental programming. "Turning ideas into concepts with Flawless execution". With a background in healthcare administration and operations, she is known for bridging culture, commerce, and community to drive measurable growth. Jerrlicia's work spans live events, global exchange initiatives, and business development across the U.S. and International markets. Through her platforms and thought leadership, she equips emerging leaders and organizations to move with clarity, structure, and impact.

From starting with mobile treatments straight out of college to building salons, treatment rooms, and training systems, Maria Young has shaped her career around one clear idea: beauty therapy is as much about people as it is about technique. Her work sits at the intersection of hands-on salon experience and practical education, with a focus on helping new therapists move beyond qualification and become truly client-ready. In this exclusive Brainz Magazine interview, she shares what the early days taught her, where beauty education can improve, how she standardizes care without losing its personal touch, and the mindset that has kept her moving forward. Maria Young, Beauty Salon Owner, Beauty Course Creator You started your business straight out of college doing mobile treatments – what did those early days teach you that still shapes how you work today? They taught me that you just have to put yourself out there, and doing what might scare you a little bit is actually the thing that helps you to grow the most. I was a young girl travelling around, going to people at home and constantly interacting with so many different people, it obviously helped me develop my people skills and my confidence and just understand people more. I think that has grown more constantly since starting out, and it is such a huge part of being successful in this sort of industry. Building connections with your customers is one of the most important things, and being able to take care of people no matter what age, gender, or concern. You’ve built both salons and training systems – how does running a real salon change the way you teach therapists? I think having the real salon experience and knowledge means I can combine that with my skills and give training that truly comes from experience, and also from having seen the gaps that can happen between training and being completely industry-ready. Putting the knowledge and experiences together means the training isn’t just standard training; it's created with so much more care and passion. What separates a therapist who is “qualified” from one who is actually ready to work with clients? Doing a standard course and getting a certificate is one thing, but being confident, professional, aware, and truly ready requires a little more attention to detail and an understanding of what is important when taking care of people and creating experiences. My courses provide that, and the proof is in the success of my learners and my salon. All of my staff have completed the courses and are so amazing! Any learners who have completed courses with me are also doing so well, which is so great to see! You spent years pushing for the opportunity to open inside a hotel – what kept you going when most people would have stopped? The belief I guess, because I just knew it would work and I would make it amazing. I had a really strong vision and a huge amount of drive. I think if you combine vision with drive and passion, you can’t go far wrong! Where do you think the beauty education system is currently falling short for new therapists? It’s not falling short as such, but I think we could always improve and upgrade things. I do think what would really help is making people really think about their why and really understand what this job means. It’s not just about doing treatments; there is so much more to it, and I don’t think, as a new learner, you really understand that part of it. Perhaps initiating that thought would enable new therapists to find their passion within it a little more and really see what this industry provides for people – wellbeing, self-care, time out, connection, routine, health, etc. A lot of people go into beauty college from school thinking it will be easy, but actually, there is a lot of theory, you have to be good with people, you need to understand so many things to be successful and do well with it. You’ve turned “pampering” into something you can train and standardize – what does that actually look like in practice? The online courses are in modules and broken down into easy-to-follow lessons, making it a convenient way to learn. All of my learners have said how it gives them time and they love that they can go back to lessons and really take it in and learn without pressure. It does mean they absorb things more. Sharing the tips and techniques and so much advice (because I have learned so much over the last 16 years myself) means it’s helping them to understand why we do things, not just that we do them, but the actual why. For someone just leaving college, what are the first three things they should focus on to build real confidence in the salon? I would say the top 3 things to focus on initially to ensure they are really ready would be to: Invest in additional courses to help elevate skills and better prepare you for the real environments (awareness, etiquette) Work on people skills constantly and meet new people, so it becomes natural Practice treatments as much as possible and use those skills right away How do you maintain consistent service quality as your team and treatment rooms continue to grow? I make sure we have regular team meetings and I send team letters out to ensure we are all on the same page, as well as regular training days. I also send the girls new courses I create and make sure they complete them, so we are all constantly improving and elevating! I will also try to get myself in for treatments to experience the girls' services, but actually, it is becoming harder as we get busier and the business grows! Looking back, what belief or mindset has made the biggest difference in everything you’ve built? I think the main thing that’s influenced the amount of growth is actually down to the amount of passion. Actually loving and believing in what you do pushes that drive and belief so much that I couldn’t stop if I wanted to, haha. It was just there. But also, I think when people doubt you or put you down, that helps me; it makes me more determined to succeed. You can let it pull you back, or you can let it be the catapult and push you to do more. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Maria Young

Written by Jessica Hastings-Lesperance, Realtor®, Director of Operations, Co-Owner Fierce and epic all rolled into one, she’s an absolute rockstar. Jessica Hastings-Lesperance was raised with Real Estate™ for her entire life. She is co-owner, Marketing Visionary, Director of Operations, and realtor® at the Terri Hastings Real Estate Group/Keller Williams Realty Centres, one of the top-producing Keller Williams teams in all of Canada. Some homes offer more than square footage. They create the setting for childhood memories, family connection, and a slower way of living. This article explores how one Georgian Bluffs property captures the timeless value of outdoor play, open space, and a backyard children will remember for years to come. I think today’s children are experiencing something we have never really talked about before: a backyard deficit. It was not until I walked through 880 16th Street W, Georgian Bluffs, Ontario, that I realized what we have quietly been losing. As I rounded the corner of the home, I stopped in my tracks. The garden was breathtaking. Not because it was extravagant, but because it felt alive. Winding paver paths, raised garden beds, a hand-built wooden bridge, mature trees, blooming flowers, and a level of privacy that made you forget there were neighbours nearby. It was not just a backyard. It was an invitation to slow down. It made me wonder: when did childhood move indoors? As parents, we spend so much time talking about screen time, mental health, confidence, resilience, and helping our children thrive. Research continues to show that regular outdoor play supports children’s physical health, creativity, confidence, and emotional well-being. Yet many families today are intentionally searching for homes that make that lifestyle possible. My family lives on 50 acres of cedar bush, and if I am honest, we probably take that for granted. Our kids disappear into the trees for hours. They build forts, ride bikes, climb trees, and create adventures that do not require batteries or wireless internet. Their friends come over, and before long, they are laughing, running, exploring, and making memories that simply happen because they are outside together. One afternoon, they were playing hide and seek, and we genuinely thought one of their friends had disappeared. We searched everywhere, calling his name, only to realize he had been hiding quietly behind a tree almost right in front of us the entire time. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. Those are the moments children remember. Not the newest gaming console. Not another afternoon in front of a screen. They remember chasing butterflies. Picking weeds, they later discover that they were actually wildflowers. Running alongside the family dog while dinner is being made inside. Watching the fireflies come out as the sun begins to set, or as my son calls them, the light-up flies. Parents smiling from the kitchen window, knowing exactly where their children are: safe, happy, and free. Walking through this property reminded me of those moments. I could picture toddlers carefully making their way across the little wooden bridge, convinced they had discovered an enchanted forest. I imagined children spending entire afternoons following the garden paths, collecting treasures, and inventing games that only made sense to them. I could see teenagers escaping to the movable 10x10 sunroom with a book, homework, or simply a quiet place to think. I pictured grandparents tending the gardens while grandchildren learned that the best things in life often require patience, sunshine, and a little water. This home is not designed for one stage of life. It grows with your family. There was a time when neighbourhoods echoed with the sound of kids riding bikes until the streetlights came on. Soccer games somehow lasted “just five more minutes” until darkness finally won. Parents knew every neighbour by name, and children discovered independence one scraped knee at a time. I do not believe families have stopped wanting that life. I think they are actively searching for places where it is still possible. As a REALTOR®, I have noticed something changing over the past few years. Families are asking different questions. They still care about kitchens and bathrooms, but they are also asking about quiet streets, backyard space, neighbourhoods, parks, gardens, and places where children can simply be children. They are no longer just buying a house. They are choosing the environment where their family will grow. That is what made this property so memorable. It is not just beautifully maintained, with over 2,500 square feet of finished living space, a thoughtfully renovated kitchen, a private primary retreat, and gardens lovingly restored over the years. It offers something much harder to find: space to build a childhood. Because one day, your children will not remember the countertops. They will not remember how many bathrooms the house had. They will remember the lilacs blooming every spring. The bridge they crossed a thousand times. The family dog is chasing them across the yard. In the evenings, they begged for “just one more game” before coming inside. Those are the stories they will tell decades from now. If you are searching for more than a house, if you are searching for a place where your children can build forts, ride bikes until the streetlights come on, pick flowers from the garden, and create memories they will carry for the rest of their lives, this home deserves your attention. 880 16th Street W, Georgian Bluffs, Ontario, is not just ready to move into. It is ready for memories. I would love to show you what made me stop in my tracks. To learn more or schedule your private tour, contact The Terri Hastings Real Estate Group. Because sometimes the right home does not just change your address. It changes the way your family lives. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jessica Hastings Lesperance Jessica Hastings-Lesperance, Realtor®, Director of Operations, Co-Owner Fierce and epic all rolled into one, she’s an absolute rock star. Jessica Hastings-Lesperance was raised with Real Estate™ for her entire life. She is co-owner, Marketing Visionary, Director of Operations, and realtor® at the Terri Hastings Real Estate Group/Keller Williams Realty Centres, one of the top-producing Keller Williams teams in all of Canada. Jessica is an inspiring entrepreneur, real estate investor, coach, speaker, and published author. She has been featured on major media outlets, including podcasts and real estate TV talk shows, and has been published in various magazines. Recently, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Fitness Instructors for 2023 by Impact Magazine.

Written by Dr. Whitney Annelle Evenchik, Holistic Neuroscience Coach, Nutritional Medicine Dr. Whitney is a certified Neuroscience Coach with a PhD. in Holistic Nutritional Medicine. Her focus is on reconstructing neurotransmitters to register through the mental psyche, providing a holistic approach to analyzing problems in a positive structure. In addition to educating the pubic eye on certain parameters of our toxic foods. For decades, we have viewed the brain as the undisputed, solitary commander of our bodies, a centralized processing unit sealed securely within the vault of the skull. But a quiet revolution in neuroscience and microbiology is fundamentally rewriting this narrative. Deep within our digestive tract, a sprawling, vibrant ecosystem is exerting profound influence over our moods, our memories, and our mental health. This is the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional superhighway of communication that links the 100 billion neurons of the brain with the trillions of microorganisms residing in the gut. Far from being a mere digestive tube, the gut is increasingly recognized as a "second brain." It houses the enteric nervous system, an intricate network of more than 100 million neurons lining the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the colon.[1] Even more remarkably, the gut is home to a vast, bustling colony inside your body, an intricate metropolis of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that outnumber our own human cells. This microscopic colony is not just a passive passenger, it is an active biochemical factory that manufactures the very molecules our brains rely on to function. As science unravels the mysteries of this connection, a profound realization is emerging: what we feed our gut microbes may be just as important for our mental well-being as it is for our physical health. The information superhighway: How the gut and brain communicate The concept that the gut and brain are connected is intuitively familiar to anyone who has ever experienced "butterflies" in their stomach before a public speech or lost their appetite during a period of intense grief. But the biological mechanisms underpinning these sensations are far more complex than simple nervous tension. The gut and brain communicate continuously through three primary channels: the nervous system, the immune system, and the endocrine, or hormonal, system. The most direct anatomical link is the vagus nerve, a thick, wandering bundle of nerve fibers that originates in the brainstem and branches down into the chest and abdomen, terminating beneath the intestinal epithelium.[2] The vagus nerve acts as a high-speed fiber optic cable, transmitting sensory information from the gut directly to the brain's emotional and cognitive centers. Remarkably, about 80 to 90 percent of the nerve fibers in the vagus nerve are afferent, meaning they carry signals from the gut to the brain, rather than the other way around.[3] Our gut microbes are adept at tapping into this communication network. They synthesize a staggering array of neuroactive compounds. In fact, the gut produces approximately 90 to 95 percent of the body's serotonin, a neurotransmitter intimately involved in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite.[4] This serotonin is primarily manufactured by specialized cells in the gut lining called enterochromaffin cells, and its production is heavily influenced by the chemical signals released by gut bacteria.[5] Beyond serotonin, gut microbes also produce gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms nervous activity, as well as dopamine and acetylcholine.[6] Another crucial mechanism involves short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate. These compounds are produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber, the complex carbohydrates that our human digestive enzymes cannot break down.[7] SCFAs are powerful metabolic and immune regulators. Butyrate, in particular, has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it helps to maintain the barrier's structural integrity and exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects on the brain's immune cells, known as microglia.[8] By dampening neuroinflammation, SCFAs play a critical role in protecting the brain against cognitive decline and mood disorders. Communication pathway Primary mechanisms Key molecules involved Neurological Direct signaling via the vagus nerve and enteric nervous system GABA, Dopamine, Acetylcholine Endocrine/Metabolic Hormone release and microbial metabolites crossing the blood-brain barrier Serotonin, Short-Chain Fatty Acids (Butyrate) Immunological Modulation of systemic inflammation and gut barrier integrity Cytokines (IL-6, IL-10), Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) The psychobiotic revolution The realization that gut bacteria can influence brain chemistry has given rise to a fascinating new field of study: psychobiotics. Originally coined by researchers Timothy Dinan and John Cryan, the term "psychobiotic" refers to live organisms that, when ingested in adequate amounts, produce a health benefit in patients suffering from psychiatric illness.[9] Today, the definition has broadened to include any intervention, such as prebiotics or specific diets, that influences the gut-brain axis to improve mental health. The foundational evidence for psychobiotics emerged from animal studies. In a landmark 2011 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers demonstrated that feeding mice a specific strain of bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (JB 1), significantly reduced their anxiety and depression like behaviors.[10] The probiotic also altered the expression of GABA receptors in the mice's brains. Crucially, when the researchers severed the vagus nerve in these mice, the behavioral and neurochemical benefits of the probiotic completely vanished, proving that the vagus nerve was the essential conduit for the bacteria's calming effects.[11] Human clinical trials are now catching up to these early animal models. A recent systematic review analyzing 51 randomized clinical trials involving over 3,000 patients found that psychobiotic interventions, particularly those utilizing strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, demonstrated notable effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of depression.[12] While psychobiotics are not yet a replacement for traditional psychiatric medications, they represent a promising, low-risk adjunct therapy that targets the biological roots of mood disorders from the bottom up. Feeding the mind: The SMILES trial and beyond If specific bacteria can act as mood-altering agents, it stands to reason that the food we eat, which dictates the composition of our gut microbiome, must also have a profound impact on mental health. For decades, the link between diet and mental health was viewed with skepticism by the psychiatric establishment. That paradigm shifted dramatically with the publication of the SMILES trial in 2017. Led by Professor Felice Jacka at Deakin University in Australia, the SMILES trial was the first randomized controlled trial to explicitly test whether dietary improvement could treat clinical depression.[13] The researchers recruited adults suffering from major depressive episodes and randomly assigned them to either a dietary intervention group or a social support control group. The dietary group received counseling from a clinical dietitian to transition to a modified Mediterranean diet, rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, and low in processed foods, refined sugars, and fried foods. After just 12 weeks, the results were striking. Over 32 percent of the participants in the dietary intervention group achieved full remission of their depression, compared to only 8 percent in the social support group.[14] The study provided compelling clinical evidence that diet is not merely a preventive measure for physical health, but a potent, actionable treatment for psychiatric illness. The success of the Mediterranean diet in the SMILES trial is largely attributed to its profound impact on the gut microbiome. The high intake of dietary fiber acts as a "prebiotic," providing the essential fuel that beneficial bacteria need to thrive and produce neuroprotective short-chain fatty acids.[15] Conversely, the typical Western diet, high in ultra-processed foods, refined sugars, and saturated fats, starves these beneficial microbes while promoting the growth of inflammatory bacterial strains. This microbial dysbiosis can compromise the integrity of the gut lining, leading to a phenomenon colloquially known as "leaky gut." When the gut barrier is breached, bacterial endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can leak into the bloodstream, triggering a systemic immune response that eventually reaches the brain and sparks neuroinflammation that is closely linked to depression and cognitive fog.[16] The power of fermented foods While high-fiber diets are crucial for feeding the bacteria we already have, recent research suggests that we may also need to actively replenish our microbial populations. In 2021, a team of researchers at Stanford University conducted a fascinating study comparing the immunological effects of a high-fiber diet versus a diet high in fermented foods.[17] The researchers assigned healthy adults to consume either a high-fiber diet or a diet rich in fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and fermented vegetables, for 10 weeks. The results, published in the journal Cell, were surprising. While the high fiber diet had many benefits, it did not significantly increase the overall diversity of the participants' gut microbiomes. In contrast, the fermented food group experienced a marked increase in microbial diversity. Furthermore, the fermented food diet led to a significant decrease in 19 distinct inflammatory proteins in the blood, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), a key marker of chronic inflammation linked to depression, stress, and cognitive decline.[18] "This is a stunning finding," noted Justin Sonnenburg, a senior author of the study. "It provides one of the first examples of how a simple change in diet can reproducibly remodel the microbiota across a cohort of healthy adults".[19] The implication is clear: in our highly sanitized, industrialized world, our gut microbiomes have lost much of their ancestral diversity. Fermented foods act as a steady, gentle infusion of beneficial microbes, helping to rebuild the colony inside your body and calm the systemic inflammation that so often clouds the mind. Cultivating your internal ecosystem The science of the gut-brain axis is still in its infancy, and researchers caution against viewing probiotics or specific diets as a panacea for severe mental illness. However, the evidence is robust enough to support a fundamental shift in how we approach mental well-being. We are not solitary organisms, we are complex ecosystems. Supporting the brain requires tending to the gut. This means moving away from ultra-processed, sterile foods and embracing a diet that feeds our microbial allies. It means incorporating diverse sources of prebiotic fiber, such as onions, garlic, asparagus, oats, and legumes, to fuel the production of short-chain fatty acids. It means regularly consuming fermented foods to introduce new, beneficial strains into our internal metropolis. As we learn to nurture the microscopic colony inside our bodies, we discover a profound biological truth: the path to a clearer, calmer, and more resilient mind may very well begin in the gut. Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Dr. Whitney Annelle Evenchik Dr. Whitney Annelle Evenchik, Holistic Neuroscience Coach, Nutritional Medicine Dr. Whitney is a certified Neuroscience Coach with a PhD in Holistic Nutritional Medicine. A mild concussion and coping with a parent with Parkinson's have made her quite aware of how imperative our brains truly are. She has dedicated her education and research to helping people think and do better, whether through the mental psyche or what foods to ingest for your body that nourish and help the brain function properly. References: [1] Kaltschmidt, J. (2025). The gut-brain connection: What the science says. Stanford Medicine. [2] Forsythe, P., Bienenstock, J., & Kunze, W. A. (2014). Vagal pathways for microbiome-brain-gut axis communication. Microbial Endocrinology: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease, 115-133. [3] Appleton, J. (2018). The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal, 17(4), 28-32. [4] Yano, J. M., et al. (2015). Indigenous bacteria from the gut microbiota regulate host serotonin biosynthesis. Cell, 161(2), 264-276. [5] Banskota, S., et al. (2019). Serotonergic Mechanisms Regulating the GI Tract. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity, 26(1), 14-21. [6] Strandwitz, P. (2018). Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain Research, 1693, 128-133. [7] Silva, Y. P., Bernardi, A., & Frozza, R. L. (2020). The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids From Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 11, 25. [8] Dalile, B., Van Oudenhove, L., Vervliet, B., & Verbeke, K. (2019). The role of short-chain fatty acids in microbiota–gut–brain communication. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 16(8), 461-478. [9] Dinan, T. G., Stanton, C., & Cryan, J. F. (2013). Psychobiotics: a novel class of psychotropic. Biological Psychiatry, 74(10), 720-726. [10] Bravo, J. A., et al. (2011). Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(38), 16050-16055. [11] Ibid. [12] Cruz Mosquera, F. E., Lizcano Martinez, S., & Liscano, Y. (2024). Effectiveness of Psychobiotics in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Cognitive Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. Nutrients, 16(9), 1352. [13] Jacka, F. N., et al. (2017). A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the 'SMILES' trial). BMC Medicine, 15(1), 23. [14] Ibid. [15] Berding, K., et al. (2021). Diet and the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Sowing the Seeds of Good Mental Health. Advances in Nutrition, 12(4), 1239-1285. [16] Kelly, J. R., et al. (2015). Breaking down the barriers: the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability and stress-related psychiatric disorders. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 9, 392. [17] Wastyk, H. C., et al. (2021). Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status. Cell, 184(16), 4137-4153.e14. [18] Ibid. [19] Stanford Medicine. (2021). Fermented-food diet increases microbiome diversity, decreases inflammatory proteins, study finds.

Written by Taylor Elane, Rest Practitioner Taylor Elane is a rest practitioner and certified Yoga Nidra guide whose work sits at the intersection of somatic science, ancestral wisdom, and organizational well-being to help mission-driven organizations and people leaders build cultures where the foundation of rest and sustainable capacity make the work, and the people doing it, last. The most strategic thing a leader can do is the one thing no one tells you to put on your to do list: stop. We've built an entire culture around the idea that rest is the opposite of performance, that the most committed leaders are the ones who answer emails at midnight, who never miss a post, who treat exhaustion as proof of dedication. But the research tells a different story. Rest isn't the opposite of high performance; it's the foundation of it. Burnout doesn't have a title or industry preference. Whether you’re a founder, an executive, a middle manager, a caregiver, or a creative, anyone moving through a high stress season of life is vulnerable to it, regardless of how composed things look on the outside. Most of us have lived some version of it: a season so demanding that slowing down stopped being a preference and became the only option left. That experience is what makes this conversation worth having, honestly rather than theoretically. Burnout is a leadership crisis hiding in plain sight The World Health Organization classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon, not a personal failing, but a predictable result of chronic workplace stress that hasn't been successfully managed. That distinction matters because it shifts the conversation from "what's wrong with this leader" to "what's wrong with how we're leading." Gallup's recent research backs this up with a critical insight: wellbeing isn't just a nice-to-have metric tracked after the fact. It's a leading indicator. Gallup has found that declines in employee wellbeing tend to appear before burnout becomes widespread, meaning the warning signs are visible well in advance if leaders know to look for them. The same research shows that wellbeing reliably predicts future absenteeism, performance, healthcare costs, engagement, and turnover. In other words, by the time burnout is visible across a team, the data has already signalled it. Here’s what's actually happening in the body. Two systems are responsible for managing stress: the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Think of them as a leader's internal alarm and recovery system, built to sound the alert when something demands attention, then power down once the moment passes. Under chronic, unmanaged stress, that system stops powering down. It simply continues to run in overdrive for months, sometimes years, until it depletes. Cortisol, the hormone meant to help the body respond to and recover from stress, starts running low instead of high. Recovery itself becomes harder, not easier. This is why pushing through doesn't work. A nervous system stuck in overdrive cannot access the cognitive functions that strong leadership actually requires, sound judgment, creative problem solving, emotional regulation, and the ability to read a room and respond rather than react. Burnout isn't just exhausting. It is, quite literally, a leadership liability. Social media and digital visibility compound this for today's entrepreneurs and executives. Constant content creation, the pressure to be visible to stay relevant, and the always-on nature of digital leadership all add a layer of stress that previous generations of leaders never had to navigate. The expectation isn't just to lead well, it's to be seen leading well, continuously, in real time. That kind of expectation adds to the nervous system’s overdrive. Why pushing through is the least strategic choice Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician who burned out five years into her own practice, identifies seven distinct types of rest: physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual. Most leaders, she points out, only ever access one, usually sleep, and then wonder why depletion persists even after a full night's rest. Leadership doesn't just tax the body; it taxes mental bandwidth, emotional capacity, and creative reserves simultaneously. That means recovery has to address more than just the hours of sleep a leader gets. Even more so, therapist and trauma specialist Resmaa Menakem adds another dimension worth considering: for many leaders, stress isn't just situational. Stress can be layered with longer histories and generational experiences that shape how the body holds and processes pressure. Rest, in this framing, is a structural need, not an indulgence to be earned after the work is done. Rest is the maintenance that a high-functioning system requires to keep functioning at all. The cost of skipping that maintenance isn't an abstract concept. A depleted nervous system shows up as diminished executive function, poorer decision-making under pressure, and a fractured presence, the sense that a leader is in the room but not fully there. None of that serves a team, a company, or a mission. Yoga Nidra as a high-performance recovery tool If burnout is a physiological problem, the most effective interventions are physiological too. This is where Yoga Nidra has earned serious attention from researchers, not just wellness practitioners. Yoga Nidra is a guided practice of conscious rest, performed lying down, that brings the body into deep relaxation while awareness remains gently present. It is neither sleep nor meditation in the traditional sense; it occupies the threshold between the two. Research shows it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body's "rest and recover" mode, while measurably lowering cortisol. A 2025 randomized controlled trial, published in Stress & Health, found that a consistent Yoga Nidra practice over two months significantly reduced cortisol and stress markers in participants. A 2026 meta-analysis, published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences and spanning more than 5,000 participants, found significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. Notably, in the 2025 study, even an eleven-minute practice produced measurable reductions in cortisol. That last point matters for time-strapped leaders. Yoga Nidra isn't a practice that requires blocking off an hour or more. Just 11 minutes of consistent practice is enough to shift the nervous system out of overdrive. Teachers like Tracee Stanley and Octavia Raheem, both of whom came to Yoga Nidra through their own experiences of burnout, frame rest not as a reward for hard work but as a baseline requirement for sustainable leadership. That reframe is worth sitting with: rest isn't what you do once the work is all finished. Rest is part of how leading gets done well. Rest as a leadership strategy: Three shifts to make Shift 1: From visibility to presence Being seen constantly is not the same as being effective. Leaders who confuse output with impact often discover, too late, that they were visible to everyone except themselves. Consider taking a few minutes to audit one week of your calendar and ask: how much of this was me actually leading, and how much was me being seen leading? No matter the results, you could block off two hours of unavailable, undocumented focus time to replace some of the “performance” of leading. A leader practicing this type of focused presence often makes more strategic moves than one who posts a daily update on their progress. Shift 2: From pushing through to strategic withdrawal Rest that is reactive, collapsing only when the body forces the issue, is far less effective than rest intentionally built into the rhythm of leadership before depletion sets in. This looks like scheduling recovery the same way you'd schedule a board meeting: non-negotiable, on the calendar, protected from being bumped by "urgent" requests. It might be a standing hour of Yoga Nidra twice a week, a single day each month, ideally each week, with no meetings at all, or simply ending the workday at a fixed time regardless of what's left undone. The strategy isn't to rest whenever there's time, it's to rest on purpose, before you need it. Shift 3: From fear of uncertainty to freedom within it Uncertainty is often treated as a problem to be managed away as quickly as possible. But uncertainty is also where vision gets made. Leaders who can tolerate not having every answer immediately are often the ones who make room for better ones to emerge. The freedom to choose between options for the best path forward can be embraced rather than avoided. This might mean resisting the urge to fill every unknown with an immediate decision, sitting with an open question for a week instead of forcing a same-day resolution, or naming uncertainty out loud to a team rather than performing false certainty to seem in control. The leaders who build the most resilient organizations are often the ones comfortable saying, "I don't have that answer yet, and that's alright. We can move through this uncertainty with openness and curiosity. Here’s what I do know, here’s what I want to learn, and here’s what we’ll figure out together." The leaders who go the distance are the ones who learn to rest Sustainable leadership was never going to come from leaders who run their nervous systems into the ground and call it commitment. It comes from leaders willing to treat rest as infrastructure, not a luxury, not a last resort, but a working part of how they lead. If you're navigating a season of burnout, transition, or simply more uncertainty than usual, consider this permission: rest is not where your leadership ends. Rest is where the next chapter begins. If this resonates for you or your team, begin with a House of Duafe discovery call to explore what rest and realignment could look like for sustainable, mission-driven work. Or, if you would like to experience firsthand the rest Yoga Nidra provides, try Remembering Ease, a 10-minute Yoga Nidra practice available on Insight Timer, free and accessible anywhere. No hour required, just ten minutes and a willingness to begin. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Taylor Elane Taylor Elane, Rest Practitioner Taylor Elane is a Chicago-based rest practitioner, certified Yoga Nidra guide, and liberation-centered wellness educator. A former equity and inclusion leader in higher education, Taylor holds certifications in Non-Performative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, equity and inclusion consulting, and trauma-informed resilience. She facilitates rest-centered experiences for mission-driven organizations, caregivers, and advocates, and guides Yoga Nidra meditations on Insight Timer.

Written by April Michelle Ratchford, Occupational Therapist, Podcast Host April Ratchford, OTR/L, is an autistic occupational therapist and the voice behind Adulting with Autism. She supports neurodivergent adults across the world with relatable storytelling, lived wisdom, and empowering strategies for real-life challenges. Have you ever been told, “Rejection is redirection,” right after your entire plan fell apart? Maybe you lost a job opportunity. Maybe a relationship ended. Maybe a dream you’ve spent months or years building suddenly disappeared. Then someone hands you an inspirational quote and expects you to feel better. As an autistic adult, I’ve never understood why people think these sayings are helpful. Rejection is redirection? Redirected where? Can someone provide a map, a GPS, or at least a PowerPoint presentation? The truth is that disappointment hurts. It hurts even more when you’re autistic because we don’t just create plans. We create entire futures around those plans. When those plans disappear, we’re not only grieving an event. We’re grieving a version of the future we already built in our minds. Why disappointment can hit autistic individuals harder Autistic individuals often rely on structure, routines, predictability, and planning. Many of us spend significant time mentally preparing for future events. We create schedules. We research every possibility. We imagine outcomes. We build expectations. When a major disappointment happens, it isn’t simply an inconvenience. It can feel like the floor has disappeared underneath us. While neurotypical individuals may adapt more quickly to unexpected changes, autistic individuals often need additional time to process the loss of certainty that comes with disappointment. The problem with toxic positivity One of the most frustrating experiences after a disappointment is hearing phrases such as, “Everything happens for a reason,” “Rejection is redirection,” “There’s a silver lining,” or “When one door closes, another opens.” While these statements are usually intended to be encouraging, they often dismiss the very real emotions a person is experiencing. Disappointment deserves acknowledgment. Sadness deserves acknowledgment. Anger deserves acknowledgment. Grief deserves acknowledgment. You do not have to immediately transform your pain into a life lesson. When disappointment changes everything Recently, I experienced a significant disappointment. For over a year, I had been planning an international trip to Seoul, South Korea. I had the budget. I had the vacation days. I had researched neighborhoods, transportation, cultural sites, restaurants, and everything I wanted to experience. This wasn’t simply a vacation. It represented possibility. It represented independence. It represented doing something for myself after years of prioritizing everyone else. Then circumstances changed. My son’s educational funding needs became the priority, and the money I had saved suddenly had a different purpose. Do I regret helping my son? Absolutely not. Would I make the same decision again? Without hesitation. Was I still devastated? Absolutely. Those truths can exist together. Why you’re allowed to grieve a dream Many people believe that if you make the right decision, you shouldn’t feel disappointed. That simply isn’t true. You can be grateful and grieving at the same time. You can be responsible and heartbroken at the same time. You can choose your family and still mourn what you lost. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that disappointment doesn’t disappear simply because someone else thinks you should be over it. You have to allow yourself to feel it. Ignoring disappointment doesn’t make it go away. It simply makes it stay longer. The difference between staying stuck and pivoting People often confuse acceptance with pretending everything is fine. Acceptance isn’t saying, “This doesn’t bother me.” Acceptance is saying, “This hurts, but it’s real.” Pivoting doesn’t happen because someone gave you a motivational quote. Pivoting happens after you’ve allowed yourself to process the disappointment. You acknowledge it. You sit with it. You become angry about it. You grieve it. Then, eventually, you ask, “What’s next?” Not because you’re happy about the situation, but because life continues moving forward whether we are ready or not. How to move through disappointment without losing yourself If you’re currently dealing with disappointment, consider these strategies: Allow yourself to be upset: You do not need permission to feel disappointed. Your emotions are valid. Stop comparing your timeline to others: Some disappointments take longer to process than others. There is no deadline for grief. Separate the disappointment from your identity: A failed plan does not mean you are a failure. A closed door does not determine your worth. Focus on the next step, not the entire future: When life falls apart, trying to solve everything at once becomes overwhelming. Focus on the next step. Then the next one. Then the next one. Remember that adaptation is a skill: Autistic individuals spend their entire lives adapting to unexpected situations. While it may not feel like it in the moment, adaptation is one of our greatest strengths. Disappointment is part of life, but it doesn’t have to become your home Disappointment is unavoidable. Every person will experience dreams that don’t happen, plans that change, and opportunities that disappear. The goal isn’t to avoid disappointment. The goal is to survive it. Feel it. Acknowledge it. Be angry if you need to. Then, eventually, pivot. Not because rejection magically became redirection, but because your life continues beyond the disappointment. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do isn’t pretending you’re okay. It’s admitting you’re disappointed and continuing forward anyway. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from April Michelle Ratchford April Michelle Ratchford, Occupational Therapist, Podcast Host April Ratchford, OTR/L, is an autistic occupational therapist, writer, and global advocate for neurodivergent adults. As the creator and host of Adulting with Autism, an internationally ranked podcast with over two million downloads, she blends clinical expertise with real-life lived experience. April specializes in supporting autistic young adults as they transition into independence, higher education, and adult identity. She is known for her clear, empowering approach that makes complex neurodivergent challenges accessible and manageable. April is currently advancing her studies in neuroscience through King’s College London to further elevate her work in autistic well-being and adult development.

Written by Sass Allard, Strategic Coach & Change Consultant Sass Allard is a strategic coach and change consultant helping leaders and high-performing women navigate complex change with clarity, resilience, and practical insight drawn from over 20 years in global organisations. As a woman somewhere in your forties or fifties, you might feel that the faculties you have always relied on have started to feel unreliable. The instinct that kicks in is to assume you’ve become the problem, and you work harder to cover it. Perimenopause is very often the quiet author behind all of this. Women end up carrying a physiological shift as if it were a personal failing, redoubling effort at the moment their nervous system is asking for something different, and the harder working response tends to make it worse. Fluctuating oestrogen affects the parts of the brain responsible for emotional memory, stress regulation, and decision making, which goes some way to explaining why so many competent women describe a loss of confidence in their own judgement at the stage when they have the most experience to draw on. The five things worth doing differently at work Pay attention to what you are compensating for. Most women in this transition are months or years into quietly covering for something before they acknowledge it, and the compensation itself tends to be more exhausting than the underlying difficulty. Naming it is where your energy starts to return. Stop performing fine. The professional habit of presenting composure regardless of internal state is useful up to the point where it prevents you from getting what you actually need. Selective honesty, with a coach or trusted colleague, is the faster route back to functioning at a level that works for you now. Reconsider what effort looks like today. Focused effort, recovery, and ruthless prioritisation tend to produce better results at this stage than volume. Women who make this adjustment tend to find their performance improves. Take the physical seriously. Sleep, movement, and creative activity are neurological inputs. Sleep consolidates memory and emotional regulation, both of which perimenopause disrupts. Movement and creative practice have a documented effect on cortisol and dopamine, two of the systems most affected by hormonal change, and for many women at this stage, they are the precondition for performing well. Act on what you already know. Most women navigating this transition have a clear, quiet sense of what needs to change. Trusting your instinct and following that clarity tends to open up more than it closes down. Five questions worth sitting with Give each of these a few minutes and try not to overthink it. What have I been quietly compensating for, and how long has it been going on? What am I afraid that says about me? Where am I spending energy performing that I’m fine? What would I stop doing if I trusted this wasn’t a failing? What do I already know I need, and haven’t said out loud? Trying harder is always going to reach its limit. What sits on the other side of that, once the performing stops and the honest assessment begins, is more workable than most women expect. Final thoughts There is a quiet grief that can come with realising the old way of working no longer works. For many women, especially those who have built careers on competence, reliability, and emotional intelligence, the first instinct is to push through. To stay sharp. To keep up. To prove nothing has changed. But something has changed, and acknowledging that is not weakness. It is information. Perimenopause does not erase your capability. It asks you to relate to your capacity differently. The skills, insight, judgement, and experience you have built over decades are still there, but they may need a different rhythm, different boundaries, and a more honest relationship with recovery. The goal is not to become who you were ten years ago. The goal is to lead, work, decide, and create from who you are now. Trying harder can feel like control, but often it is a sign that something deeper needs attention. When effort becomes constant compensation, it stops being productive and starts becoming costly. The edge you are looking for may not come from doing more. It may come from telling the truth sooner, protecting your energy more carefully, and trusting that your body is not betraying you. It is trying to get your attention. This stage can become a powerful recalibration. It can clarify what matters, what no longer fits, and what kind of work life you are no longer willing to tolerate. For many women, the shift is not the end of ambition. It is the beginning of a more sustainable, self-respecting version of it. Trying harder is always going to reach its limit. What sits on the other side of that, once the performing stops and the honest assessment begins, is more workable than most women expect. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sass Allard Sass Allard, Strategic Coach & Change Consultant Sass Allard works at the intersection of leadership, behaviour, and wellbeing, supporting individuals and organisations as they navigate demanding periods of change. Her background spans two decades in global companies, where she has helped senior leaders strengthen culture, clarity, and capability. She brings a grounded understanding of how hormonal shifts shape women’s experience at work without limiting the broader conversation. As a UN Women delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women, she brings a global lens to agency and progress. Sass writes about adaptation, resilience, and the practical shifts that create real movement in work and life.

Written by Martin Hargrove, Artist Mentor & Entrepreneur Martin Hargrove is the Producer/Artist behind the Fitstylesss website. He is a leader and teacher who perceives reality outside of the box and thinks and operates on a higher consciousness level. Subliminal audio embeds positive affirmations and healing frequencies beneath the threshold of conscious hearing, directly entering the subconscious mind to rewire limiting beliefs and elevate energy levels. These tracks, often layered with music, binaural beats, or Solfeggio tones like 432 Hz, transcend mere background noise and serve as potent tools for spiritual and personal growth. By bypassing the critical conscious filter, subliminal audio facilitates lasting shifts in mindset and behavior, making it ideal for those seeking alignment with abundance. Heightening your vibrational frequency In spiritual terms, “vibration” refers to your energetic state, the frequency at which your thoughts, emotions, and body resonate. Low vibrations manifest as stress, doubt, or stagnation, while high vibrations attract clarity, joy, and flow. Subliminal audio raises your frequency by delivering rapid-fire positive affirmations, often sped up or layered for intensity, that reprogram the subconscious. This process replaces negativity with empowerment. Tracks tuned to 432 Hz, for example, promote mental clarity and inner healing, syncing your energy with nature’s rhythms to reduce cortisol and calm the nervous system. The mechanism is simple yet profound. Binaural beats create brainwave entrainment, guiding listeners into alpha or theta states where the subconscious absorbs suggestions effortlessly. Users often report feeling lighter, more connected to their higher self, and experiencing vivid synchronicities after consistent listening. These effects are amplified by the quantum-like compression of affirmations, which the subconscious processes as pure vibrational energy. Scientifically, subliminal stimuli activate brain regions linked to emotion and memory, subtly shifting neural patterns toward positivity without conscious effort. Over 30-90 days, this builds new neural pathways, transforming fleeting high-vibe moments into a default state. Supercharging manifestation Manifestation thrives on alignment: your subconscious must believe in the desired reality for the Law of Attraction to draw it in. Subliminal audio excels by implanting “false memories” of success. Affirmations such as “I am a money magnet,” repeated trillions of times per session, help overcome doubts and blockages. This creates an emotional match, making you feel the wish fulfilled and accelerating results from weeks to days. Research supports the behavioral impact of subliminal messages. Studies demonstrate that they influence long-term decisions and attitudes, priming the mind for goal-oriented actions. In self-help contexts, subliminal audio has proven effective for habit change and motivation, validating its role in manifestation practices. Pair subliminals with visualization, imagine your goal permeating every cell while listening and watch resistance dissolve. Many listeners report manifesting jobs, relationships, and windfalls by bundling tracks for targeted boosts, such as wealth, love, or personal growth. Get started: Simple steps for results Choose wisely: Opt for creator-vetted tracks that align with your affirmations. For example, 432 Hz tracks are known for their vibration-enhancing properties, while boosters are designed to enhance manifestation. Listen smart: Dedicate 1-3 hours daily to listening in relaxed states, such as during sleep, meditation, or focused work. Use headphones to experience binaural depth. Begin with boosters to increase your receptivity. Amplify: During playback, visualize your desired outcomes. Stay hydrated and trust the 21-90 day rewiring window. Remember, subliminal audio isn’t magic, it’s a tool to help you tap into your innate power. Commit to using it consistently, and you’ll notice a significant increase in your frequency, attracting the life you envision. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Martin Hargrove Martin Hargrove, Artist Mentor & Entrepreneur I’m a hardworking individual who loves creating fashion, fitness, print, acting, and voice-over style content. I’m someone you can rely on to give 100% and I’m very efficient with time management. I let my work speak for itself, and I want to take my passions global/international while also still being coachable and reliable. This is what I’m passionate about, and I want to take this to the highest level. Also seeking representation.

Written by Pooja Desai, Keynote Speaker, Author, Poet, Writer & Entrepreneur Pooja Desai is known as a legendary healthcare leader. She is a children’s advocate, storyteller, and the author of the Tia Bua Series published in 2023. As co-founder of Heels and Boots on the Ground, she considers herself to be a knowledge donor across multiple platforms, helping adults and children believe in their magic. Leadership is not simply about giving direction. It is about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, inspired, and empowered to grow. One of the most important questions every leader should ask themselves is: Are you leading the way you want to be led? Throughout my journey, I have been known for my legendary leadership across multiple platforms. While titles, accomplishments, and recognition are meaningful, one of the greatest lessons I have learned is this: the most impactful leaders lead their teams the same way they themselves would want to be led. Authentic and kind leadership is how I lead I believe in, and have a proven history of, leading with kindness. The more engaged the employee is, the better the ROI and retention are for your business. Teams remember whether they were respected, heard, appreciated, developed, and protected during difficult moments. Leadership is not about control. It is about connection. The strongest leaders understand that their role is not to stand above their team, but beside them. Great leaders grow other leaders True leadership is not threatened by the success of others. Instead, it creates space for others to shine. A powerful leader mentors, teaches, encourages, and helps others discover strengths they may not yet see in themselves. They understand that leadership is not diminished by sharing knowledge. In fact, it is multiplied. A strong leader also understands the importance of celebrating employee ideas and ensuring credit is given where it truly belongs. Innovation grows in environments where people feel safe to contribute, create, and speak openly. Employees who feel seen and acknowledged are more likely to remain engaged, inspired, and invested in the mission. Great leaders do not take credit for the work of their teams. They elevate the people behind the success. A good leader advocates not only for themselves, but for their teams as well. Advocacy means speaking up when something is right and when something is wrong. It means protecting the culture, supporting fairness, recognizing contributions, and ensuring every voice has value. One of the greatest traits of exceptional leadership is accountability Accountability builds credibility. Strong leaders hold themselves to the same standards they expect from others. They take ownership of their decisions, communicate honestly, and remain transparent during both success and adversity. Accountable leaders do not blame others when challenges arise. Instead, they lead with integrity, learn from setbacks, and work collaboratively toward solutions. Teams respect leaders who can admit mistakes, grow from them, and continue moving forward with humility and purpose. As a strong leader, you also must encourage your teams to grow, glow, or go. Hard choices lead to maintaining the right culture. Leadership is also about celebrating both wins and losses. Wins deserve recognition because people need to feel appreciated for their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Celebration builds morale, confidence, and motivation. But losses matter too. Great leaders do not disappear during difficult seasons. They stand present in chaos, help their teams learn from setbacks, and remind them that failure does not define them. Only growth does. The most respected leaders are not remembered because they were perfect. They are remembered because they were human. They listened. They remained teachable. They led with accountability, empathy, consistency, kindness, and courage. The best leaders understand that culture is created daily through small actions. When leaders choose to lead the way they want to be led, they create workplaces, organizations, businesses, and communities where people can thrive rather than survive. At the end of the day, leadership is not measured only by numbers, performance metrics, or titles. It is measured by the lives you impact, the people you elevate, the trust you build, and the leaders you help create along the way. So, tell me, are you leading the way you want to be led? What are leadership qualities or ideas that have helped you grow, inspire others, or create positive change within your team? Share your thoughts and experiences. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Pooja Desai Pooja Desai, Keynote Speaker, Author, Poet, Writer & Entrepreneur Pooja Desai is a keynote speaker, author, poet, writer, and entrepreneur who champions children’s advocacy. With 25 years in healthcare leadership, she believes in transformational growth through mindset, emotional wellness, and purpose-driven impact. With a background spanning executive speaking, authorship, content, and program design, Pooja uniquely blends strategy with storytelling, translating complex leadership principles into actionable, human-centered solutions that help build resilience across multiple platforms.

Written by Dr. Omosefe Christina, Medical Doctor, CEO and Founder Dr. Omosefe Christina is a Medical Doctor, Entrepreneur, and Founder of Elite Exams. She blends frontline clinical practice with medical education and community programmes to help International Medical Graduates (IMG) and African families flourish in their careers and communities in the UK. For years, when postgraduate exams show gaps between IMG and UK-trained doctors, the feedback and response have been predictable: offer communication and language support, mentoring, and cultural awareness training. These measures help, but they treat differential attainment as an individual problem. The real issue is structural. Differential attainment does not exist because IMGs lack clinical knowledge or expertise in their fields. It persists because assessments and learning environments were designed around a particular type of candidate and have never interrogated whether their own design is fair. Structural competency, the ability to recognise how institutional structures produce unequal outcomes and to intervene, is missing from medical education. Without it, we keep blaming individual doctors for lapses that occur within their medical training. The problem we’ve misnamed: From “individual gaps” to “system design failures” When an IMG fails an exam or assessment, the conversation usually goes like this: they need better communication coaching, their accent may have affected the examiner, or they need more mock practice. These responses address only the symptoms. They don’t examine why the assessment itself is built around communication expectations that were never explicitly taught, or around cultural norms embedded in UK medical practice rather than in the clinical competence the exam claims to measure. Research from BMJ Open and the British Journal of General Practice (2024) is clear: even after accounting for knowledge and clinical experience, IMG doctors face significantly lower pass rates.[1] [2] This gap exists because the assessment measures cultural fit as much as clinical reasoning. Structural competency asks three critical questions before we decide what an individual IMG “needs.” First, what system pattern produced this outcome? Assessment structures often reward UK-style communication and doctor-patient interaction, assume local knowledge, and measure conformity alongside competence. Second, who benefits from this pattern? UK-trained doctors, who learned in this system, and the system itself, which doesn’t have to change. Third, what needs to change upstream to prevent repetition? The assessment itself, not the individual doctor. Without such reviews, training supervisors and programme directors often mistake structural problems for individual weaknesses, and the harm multiplies. How training systems create differential attainment In medical education, we expect a developed academic curriculum, assessment criteria, feedback loops, post-training allocation, supervisor relationships, learning materials, and informal networks through which opportunities are allocated. Each piece was created for efficiency, but together they can disadvantage IMGs. Take the training post allocation. When a trainee needs specific clinical experience, opportunities are often allocated based on criteria favoring those embedded in local networks: doctors whose supervisors recommend them, who attended medical school locally, or whose approach “fits” the department. An IMG, even with stronger clinical credentials, may be invisible to these informal networks simply because they are new. Assessment structures also matter. Many postgraduate exams contain scenarios built on assumptions about NHS pathways, communication norms, and subtle cultural references. While Royal Colleges don’t explicitly require familiarity with English medical culture, scenarios written by and for doctors trained in that culture embed assumptions invisible to anyone outside it. IMGs present their top-level clinical knowledge, but the cultural cues remain hidden barriers. Feedback systems can compound the issue. A supervisor might tell an IMG trainee, “You need to use the X consultation.” This might actually mean, “You do things differently than we expect,” reflecting discomfort with a different consultation style rather than a skills gap. Without structural thinking, such feedback is viewed as personal criticism rather than constructive guidance. GMC analysis found that IMGs had less access to structured feedback and fewer career progression opportunities, resulting in significantly lower pass rates in specialty training applications. The difference wasn’t knowledge, it was access to the right information, the invisible curriculum. What leaders and educators miss: The invisible curriculum Every training programme has two curricula. The explicit curriculum outlines learning outcomes, knowledge, and skills. The invisible curriculum shows how things are actually done, what is valued, who receives opportunities, and how communication must be tailored to be taken seriously. For IMGs, the invisible curriculum is a hidden barrier. No one teaches it, yet everyone expects them to know it. When they don’t, the blame falls on the individual. Structural competency means explicitly naming this curriculum by making unspoken expectations visible, examining what assessments actually measure, and recognising that “fit” isn’t a competency. Hiring or promoting based on cultural fit builds a homogeneous team, not the strongest one. Adopting structural competency Revisit the structure. Before the exam, we have to consider what we are actually measuring. Is clinical reasoning being tested, or cultural familiarity? Would the doctor understand the assumptions behind the scenarios? Is the communication technique expected to be universal in good medicine, or just local to UK practice? Re-design the assessments to separate clinical competence from sociocultural conformity. Map the invisible curriculum. It is equally important to work directly with IMGs. What do you think we expect that’s never been explicitly taught? What assumptions do supervisors make about what you should already know? Turn those invisible expectations into explicit learning objectives. Allocate opportunities deliberately. Equal opportunities for IMGs in research posts, teaching roles, leadership opportunities, and specialty training placements, these shouldn’t go only to people in informal networks. Create transparent pathways. Actively sponsor IMGs into spaces in which visibility and opportunity happen. Structure feedback around learning, not judgment. Educators should offer feedback that adds value to training by asking for the clinical reasoning behind certain decisions. Feedback that assumes incompetence leads to a defensive stance. Feedback that assumes competence and asks for an explanation creates learning. Examine training post design. IMGs often get relegated to posts that are harder to manage or less prestigious, sometimes because supervisors think they “need” those experiences. It would be most helpful to question such assumptions. Allocate posts based on learning need and career path, not on a perceived clinical “gaps.” Build learning loops into your programme. Every cohort should include a structured debrief, rather than passive surveys and questionnaires. Semi-formal feedback from IMGs can help identify answers to questions such as ‘What surprised you about the system? What wasn’t clear? What expectations were hidden?’ Use that data to change the programme for the following cohort. The hidden harm: When systems fail, people pay Ignoring measures to integrate IMGs is not only inefficient but counterproductive. IMGs are told to work harder, improve their English, be more confident, and adapt to culture, but they are not informed that the system wasn’t designed with them in mind. The gap between individual blame and systemic responsibility creates moral injury, where capable doctors are told their failure is personal when it is structural. Data from the GMC Workforce Report 2025 show IMGs make up 42% of the UK medical workforce, yet their specialty training success rate is 23%, compared to 69% for UK-trained doctors. This is not a knowledge gap, it is a system gap. When IMGs leave, taking their expertise with them, it is often framed as personal failure, when in fact the system could not accommodate them.[3] Building medical education systems that work The most effective programmes do not wait for national directives, they embed persistent learning into their structures. Feedback loops should be created every year to determine what worked, what created barriers, and which assumptions were wrong. Flattening hierarchies allows feedback to flow upward, and measuring what matters extends beyond exam pass rates to include integration, access to networks, and quality of feedback. Programs embedding structured reflection on differential attainment see improvements in IMG outcomes and overall programme quality. From blame to design: A different kind of leadership Structurally minded educators ask different questions: instead of “Why are IMGs struggling?” they ask, “What about our training design assumes UK medical socialisation?” Instead of “What support do IMGs need?” they ask, “What should we change so the system supports everyone?” Instead of “How do we help IMGs fit in?” they ask, “How do we build a learning environment where difference is an asset?” Real structural competency in medical education means assessment measures competence, not conformity, curricula make invisible expectations visible, feedback assumes capability, opportunity allocation is transparent, and learning loops interrogate differential outcomes. The future of medical education Postgraduate training faces a simple choice: design systems that filter out capable doctors because of differences, or systems that learn from international expertise. Differential attainment is not inevitable, it is designed, whether deliberately or through neglect, which means it can be redesigned. When medical educators develop structural competency and see both the trainee and the system shaping them, medical education will not only respond to equity gaps, but it will prevent them. The future will be defined not by measuring individuals against a fixed standard but by redesigning systems that create unequal outcomes in the first place. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Omosefe Christina Dr. Omosefe Christina, Medical Doctor, CEO and Founder Dr. Omosefe Christina creates digital learning platforms that turn frontline experience into practical support for international doctors in the UK. She is the CEO of Elite Exams, which supports the medical education of internationally trained doctors aspiring to become independent GPs. She builds digital systems, courses, platforms, and automated learning pathways to support doctors who migrate to the UK. References and Further Reading: [1] Woolf K et al. Perceived causes of differential attainment in UK postgraduate medical training. BMJ Open. 2016;6(11):e013429. [2] Brown et al. Language of primary medical qualification and differential MRCGP exam attainment. BJGP. 2024. [3] General Medical Council. Workforce Report 2025. [4] Metzl JM & Hansen H. Structural competency: theorizing a new medical engagement with stigma and inequality. Social Science & Medicine. 2014;103:126–133. [5] General Medical Council. The Invisible Curriculum: The Role of the Hidden Curriculum in Shaping Medical Training. [6] The King’s Fund. Medical Education and Workforce Planning.

Written by Rita Baki, Human Performance & EQ Consultant Rita Baki is a certified coach and emotional intelligence specialist who works at the intersection of neuroscience, somatic psychology and emotional resilience. As practitioners and coaches, our one-hour support sessions carry with them unseen labor, from years of continuous training to processing emotional conflict and clinical judgements. This article is dedicated to everyone who held onto the integrity of their practice without losing their humanity within. Let’s take a moment to think about you. Challenges we face as practitioners For having a profession that is so beautifully graceful, we are often shadowed by the painful challenges of isolation, compassion fatigue and burnout. We sit with grief, trauma and uncertainty day after day, holding space for others while quietly wondering who holds space for us. The emotional labor is invisible to most, yet relentless in its weight. Because we chose this work out of deep care, asking for help can feel like a contradiction. But it is not. Acknowledging these challenges is perhaps the most honest thing a practitioner can do. Five lessons that no certification will ever teach you Thankfully, throughout turbulent times, I was not on my own. By my side, I had compassionate mentors, colleagues, trainers and seniors. Inevitably, heaviness will show itself in your work. I hope that this article gives you some guidance against the discomfort. Looking back on my career, these five lessons are what helped me fight burnout and changed the way I coach entirely. 1. I don’t need to have the answer The quickest way to burnout is to internalize the responsibility for our clients’ progress. What we fail to admit is that we do not always need to know the answer. After years of struggling, clients will surely have an urge for certainty. At the same time, it is our job to empower them against this fear of ambiguity. So, before you jump to self-doubt, take a moment to remember. Sometimes, our “I don’t know” is simply a reflection of life’s truth. 2. My body will tell me what I need, I just have to listen A tightened chest before a session, heaviness in your shoulders mid-conversation or a subtle restlessness you can not quite name. These are signs of body-centered countertransference, your body is reacting before your mind is. Learning to pause and check in with yourself can be one of the most transformative shifts in your practice. Personally, it made me a more congruent coach. After all, how can we invite clients to trust and inhabit their own bodies if we remain strangers to ours? 3. Coaches need coaches In working with clients, it is inevitable that unconscious patterns trigger feelings and reactions that are difficult to understand. Therefore, self-awareness for coaches and mental health practitioners becomes an indefinite ethical practice. Additionally, these sessions help you balance between your personal and professional life in a way that invites acceptance and self-reflection. 4. Training programs should emphasize self-care for practitioners Unfortunately, compassion fatigue in the mental health field is a systemic, rather than individual, problem. Building on that, it only seems logical and practical that we approach self-care from a core, educational perspective, making it a priority for sustainable high-quality care. 5. My presence matters Finally, this is the most important thing I learned after years of coaching: my presence matters. Even when I show up tired, sad, frustrated or worried, consistent presence provides a relational stability that honors the vulnerability that my clients so courageously show up with. Practice what you preach Take that vacation. Draw those boundaries. The advice we give most freely is often the advice we need most. Give yourself permission to receive what you so generously extend to others. "You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." – Buddha Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Rita Baki Rita Baki, Human Performance & EQ Consultant Rita Baki is a certified coach and emotional intelligence specialist who works at the intersection of neuroscience, somatic psychology and emotional resilience. She collaborates with individuals, couples and medical professionals to address the psychological dimensions that influence recovery and quality of life. Rita recognizes that every path to healing is unique, and it was her own inner journey that ignited a passion to help others discover the same path. Her work is anchored in a simple yet powerful philosophy: Meaningful, sustainable change begins with inner alignment. References: Body-centred countertransference in Irish therapists Self-reflection as a tool for therapists Emotional labor and compassion fatigue among mental health practitioners Compassion fatigue and burnout in the coaching profession Self-care for mental health practitioners