Written by: Tanya Slater, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Do You Want Business Success AND Quality Time with your Family? Then, go home! The Girl Who Simplified explains how her students are moving forward in life, and business, by decluttering and simplifying their homes. Tanya’s alternative, holistic approach to happiness, fulfillment and success is exploding and about to take the business world by storm. Tanya says, “When you take control of your home, you WILL take control of your life.” As one of Tanya’s students puts it, ”Move over Marie Kondo, The Girl Who Simplified takes clearing to a whole other level!” Let’s take a moment to look at the reality for many female business owners and entrepreneurs. The child/work guiltconundrum - Being responsible for children, a home and a business is a common scenario for female business owners. Millions of us are in this (or similar) situation, knowing we are capable of so much more than we’re currently achieving. If only we had more time to focus on the business without interruption or distraction. When working, we feel guilty that we’re not doing more with the children and when we’re with our children, we feel guilty about the work we’re neglecting. This never-ending cycle of emotion hampers creativity and productivity in both areas. This, dear mum, is when you need to go home. Self-Care – But I’m too tired! – You see it everywhere you look; you should be exercising, you should be taking time for yourself, you should be eating healthily, not to mention you should be the most important person in your life. Now, while I admit that one of my favorite sayings is “shoulda’s are shit”, there is an element of truth in all of this. You know the drill; you can’t pour from an empty cup! That’s all well and good, I hear you say, but how can any of this happen when I have no spare time, energy, headspace, or money? I’m already struggling to fit everything in, so how are things ever going to change? This, my deserving fellow human, is when you need to go home. Want to make £10k a month? – Surely that would solve all my problems, right? Hmm... nope! I frequently see this ‘magpie effect’ (and been subjected to it myself) where some clever marketers have managed to speak to your deep-rooted insecurities, convincing you that what they have to offer is the missing piece of the puzzle. That if you implement their software, use their tool or embark on their coaching program, you will finally make it; you and your business will be a success! Be honest with yourself, how many things have you invested in that you have not used because, surprise surprise, you don’t have the time or the energy to commit and/or be consistent. This, my ambitious business-owning friend, is when you need to go home. Boundaries. Setting them AND upholding them – This could be an entire article on its own (and most likely will be!), but for now, we’ll just dip a toe in. What is the one thing you wish you had more of? Most people will answer “time”. Time is the most coveted global commodity. None of us know how much we have, and most of us give it away far too freely to people and situations that we don’t really want to and, as a result, don’t give our precious time to the people and things that are most important to us. Why do we do this? I believe it’s partly due to a lifetime of conditioning and partly due to our inability to set and uphold boundaries - both in our personal life and in our work. This, my beautiful soul, is when you need to go home. So, what do I mean when I say, “Go Home”? Exactly that! If there’s anything in your life or business that isn’t working, that’s draining you or taking up time and energy you know would be better invested elsewhere, look to your home. “When you take control of your home, you will take control of your life.” - Tanya Slater I have been on a decade-long journey of clearing and simplifying. I started in my home and went on to declutter my entire life: finances, friends, family, health, business, spirituality, commitments, the lot! I now know that our home should be a place of sanctuary, a place where each household member feels accepted for who they are and that they belong. When our home supports us to feel like this, we feel connected to ourselves and to each other. When we experience this, we start to gain clarity on our purpose and goals in life, and with that comes improved confidence in ourselves and our ability to run a house, lead a family, be healthy and grow a successful business. Over many years, a lack of this connection has seen us fill our homes and lives with unnecessary ‘stuff’, hoping it will solve our problems and bring us happiness. The reality is that all this ‘stuff’ we have accumulated is actually why we constantly feel tired, drained, overwhelmed, financially strained and like we never have enough time to do all the things in life we want to and know we’re capable of. There is a solution that can solve almost all your problems, and I want to spend my life shouting about it because it’s so simple. It costs nothing and anyone can do it—Declutter your home my friend. I’ll say it again. DECLUTTER YOUR HOME. That’s it. I love this quote, “Clutter is just a load of delayed decisions.” Unknown. This is something we tend to be oblivious of, and it’s only when we shine a spotlight on the clutter in our homes and lives that we begin to understand how much it weighs us down. I love witnessing the transformational shift in my Home Clearing Club students when they begin to experience weightlifting and the knock-on effect this has on their well-being, family, home, life, and business. It is truly magical. There is an old saying “tidy house, tidy mind”, and in my many years’ experience, this is spot on. They go hand in hand. I find that I can’t keep my focus on work or relax when I try to, if my home is upside down and many of my students often share with me that their house is a direct reflection of how they are feeling inside. If you have reached your ‘enough is enough’ moment and want things to change in your home, personal life, and business, why not put a stake in the ground and with a decided heart, try implementing the following actions and begin your own clearing journey. 9 Things you can do start creating a home that supports you and your family better and trigger a ‘snowball effect’ of benefits by simply ‘simplifying’. Get yourself a dedicated Clearing Journal Write down your big life goals and desires Think about how a clearer, more simplified home could benefit you and your family – what would you all gain? Think about the purpose of your home and write that down too Now visit every room in the home and decide on the purpose of each space – This is a great opportunity for fun family discussions Start in the entrance to your home and schedule a time this week to begin clearing With the purpose of each space in mind, first remove everything that appears obvious not to belong there Next, spend some time working, item by item, through the room, removing everything that is no longer needed and does not support the purpose of the room Over the next few days, observe how people come and go and find solutions for the items that seem to need a home there. I hope this short read has given you an insight into the power of decluttering, and looking within for the answers you seek, to start you on your own clearing journey. If you would like to learn more about how I help women like you turn the page, pick up your pen and write the next successful chapter of your life story, check out our awesome online community and enjoy regular tips and inspiration to your inbox. You can also check out my website, learn about my Home Clearing Club starting October 1st and join my free private community, The Curious Souls Life Clearing Club. I cannot wait to meet and empower you to take control of your home so you can take control of your life. Here’s to the simple life, Tanya Tanya Slater, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Bringing together a lifetime of experiences, childhood trauma and adult pain as well as a decade of clearing, Tanya introduces entrepreneurs to the power of decluttering so that they can enjoy success in business AND quality time for themselves and their families. Working online, Tanya runs The Home Clearing Club, guiding and coaching busy business owners methodically through the rooms in their homes while leveraging the power of peer support in the group. Her proven method sees her students experiencing the concept “when you take control of your environment, you can take control of your life” very quickly for themselves. Tanya loves witnessing people's surprise as they experience the transformational shift from such a simple act of clearing. The Girl Who Simplified mirrors Tanya’s own learning and journey of 30+ years condensed into a succinct and tried and tested formula. The Home Clearing Club has her students coming back for more and continuing their clearing and simplifying adventure in other areas of their life as members of The Curious Souls Life Clearing Club. Clarity, confidence, calm, inner peace, purpose, improved relationships, better mental and physical health, family communication, business success, life purpose, and the list of benefits are endless and joyful and it all starts in your home and heart.

Written by: Yogesh Osher, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. In my 20 years of coaching people, I found that the one single most common problem that stops so many from achieving their life or business goals is the lack of motivation or you can say the tendency to procrastinate. Procrastination can cause damage in every area of life, be it in business, relationships, health, wealth, education or even spirituality. Today I want to share with you a different, unconventional, thought-provoking and even you may say radical approach to this big problem of procrastination. Firstly let us recognize that emotions are at play with all procrastination. And therefore, awareness of emotions must also be part of the solution. There are two ways you can approach a task, want or should, and the difference is like day and night. The key is to know what kind of approach attitude or mindset, if you like, are you using and what are the emotions involved around the task. In general, with procrastination, I identify three core emotions that accompany the experience, fear, shame and resentment. These three are deeply interconnected and have been ingrained, in many cases, from early childhood. Yet they are not actually the problem; they are side effects; they can serve and help us to grow in becoming more aligned and fulfilled. Now you may think what the H is he talking about?! Bare with me. You’ll see what I mean, I’ll elaborate… The three emotions of fear, shame and resentment are powerful messages from the deeper true self. These emotions are signs that something is not aligned, that there is a gap, that your self-expression and the deeper aspirations are actually different and maybe even contradictory. They can be either a bad sign from the true self that we are NOT being who we really are, or a good sign that we are actually making some productive progress and it feels uncomfortable. In every case, awareness of these emotions helps us move towards a more integrated, authentic and fulfilled life. Let me explain . The life experience we have is the result of our emotions and the emotions are the fruits of our perspectives, and our perspectives are created by the ways we’ve learned to view the world and ourselves. The good news is that we can re-learn to see the world and ourselves in a way that serves us rather than hurts us. If you experience procrastination, it means that you keep entertaining a familiar way of viewing yourself and the world, even if it is outdated and painful. In turn, this fosters the three emotions to cycle through and makes it even harder to do what you want to do or get where you want to get. But this is not always bad. Because if you’re not aligned with your true self, you’ll be just compounding suffering for yourself. For example, a person with high artistic nature may feel fear and think they ‘should’ be making money, so they adjust to a job that has no artistic avenue, and they will slowly but surely feel more and more resentful, and inwardly ashamed of not being true to their calling. Today I’ll go deeper into looking at the first emotion, shame, and its two functions. But firstly, let’s look at what is the ‘True Self’? The ‘True Self’ is that sense of ‘I’ that is deeper than the perspectives and behaviors that we may adopt to please others to conform and be accepted by family, friends or society. True self is not a face to the world, neither good or bad. It is the deeper truth we experience in a given situation. This true self is made by the inner aspirations and a value system that we innately have. That’s not to be confused with the morals we learned or the world rules we uphold, but an inner knowing that is simply here. Now back to the first emotion attached to procrastination, shame. Shame is the feeling of I am not OK, I am not good enough, I am inadequate, or flowed. Shame is triggered when there is a split between the emotional experience and the superimposed idea of how ‘should’ I be. In a radically individualistic world, we may get a message that we are never good enough on the one hand and that we are entitled to everything on the other hand. Believing either or both of these ideas will inevitably arise shame as we deeply know that both are not true. Not good enough is a message, so many people have internalized and have to spend the rest of their lives proving wrong by achieving more and more. The external achievements however, can never fulfill the deeper longing for feeling ‘good enough’. Rather the opposite may happen. The more you rely on external approval, accreditation, recognition, or admiration, the more vulnerable and the more dominant is your pride and the weaker becomes the inner sense of ‘I’. Shame that I am not what I ‘should’ be or shame that I am what I ‘should’ be. Are two opposing functions of shame and tell us two very different messages! One is external shame or false shame, and the other is inner shame or true shame. When we are alienated from our true selves, we hold a facade of personality, say high achiever or expert or master or teacher or anything that is not truly integrated. We then experience a gap, and we know it. We know that we are false, and we feel shame and want to avoid the falseness. But here is the catch! We may also feel shame when being honest and true to who we are, because we think we 'should' be something else. And as long as we hold that 'should', we will suffer persisting procrastination habits, and we will not be free to be ourselves or interact honestly. The opposite case may be that we are aligning to ourselves and then stand out from the crowd, becoming no longer the 'normal'. We then become uniquely differentiated from others and may have conflict with people or culture around us. This can trigger shame too, but this shame is false and can be transformed by going deeper and knowing your inner aspirations and, most importantly, by the rejection of 'shoulds'. (Detoxing the root cause of Procrastination). So shame in itself is not the problem. The actual problem is the 'should' and the gap that this should presents and superimposes on our true self's authentic expression. To overcome this, you'll have to do the work of detoxing the 'shoulds'. That means to look deeply into each 'should' that you may carry and examine it with your adult eyes and think, do I really want to carry this 'should' or not? Does it actually have anything to do with who I truly am and what I truly value? When you have an awareness of emotions at work, you can DETOX yourself from 'shoulds,' and you'll have more chance of aligning your actions with who you really are. When your 'shoulds' are detoxed, you remain with an honest want or don't want. This dramatically empowers you and reduces or even eliminates your Procrastination. If you’re successful in overcoming false Shame, than the next enemy is fear. And this will be the topic of our next article. We will explore fear of being your true self vs. the fear of not being your true self. Remember, Awareness gives you Choice, and Choice leads you to productive Action! For more information, visit https://www.livingtotalwellness.live/detoxpro Yogesh Osher, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Yogesh Osher holds a Masters Degree in Gestalt Therapy. He is a highly skilled Gestalt therapist and group facilitator as well as a certified Wellness Coach and Yoga teacher and a Detox Practitioner (Dip. Natural Therapeutics). He is the founder of Living Total Wellness and a co-founder in the global naturopathic movement of Natural Yogic Treatments. In the past two decades, he has been studying, practicing, and teaching Zen, Tantra Yoga Meditation, Gestalt Therapy and Functional Medicine. His life purpose is true wellness. Engaging a synergetic synthesis of east and west, and drawing on methodologies, practices and systems that bring real results. He currently offers online wellness programs integrating personal growth with detoxification and lifestyle changes. He brings a spiritual outlook to promote lasting transformations in the life of his clients. Using gestalt process, self-empowerment and practical wellness, Yogesh promotes a heartfelt integration and elevation of life as a whole.

Written by: Natasha Bazilevych, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Have you ever had a moment when you were giving a speech or presentation and forgot what you wanted to say? How did you get out of that situation? Would you like to have a strategy to help you always remember your speech perfectly well? I was in this situation a few years ago when I was giving a speech at my Toastmasters club. In the middle of my delivery, I suddenly realized I couldn’t remember what’s next. At first, my brain froze in panic. Then it started searching for ideas. Meanwhile, my face was keeping a neutral expression. I tried not to let anybody know I was feverishly searching for ways out of an awkward situation. Do you think I was able to fool the audience? I doubt it. Of course, I kept on talking, jumped to the next point, and eventually got back on track. And maybe some people didn’t even notice. But, in any case, the effect and the power of the speech was lost. How can we prevent such failures from happening? I’ve got a few tips for you. Remember the Big Idea of your speech. May it be your lighthouse, the beacon of light in the dark storm. Even if you get nervous, forget the words, knowing the main idea, the key message of your speech will help you get back on track. Write and remember the outline perfectly well. Allow it to be your map, your navigation system. Keep it in mind by all means. Make sure not to have too many points in your plan. Use odd numbers as they’re easier to remember. Our brain focuses better on lists of 3, 5, or 7. Memorize the opening and the closing. First of all, remember your opening. Carve it into your brain. The first few seconds or even minutes are usually the most nerve-wracking. If you know your opening sentences perfectly well, it’ll gain you confidence and help you get into a speech flow. And don’t forget to prepare and memorize your ending. Otherwise, you’ll start rambling, talk too much and kill the power of your message. Learn the transition phrases and sentences. If you’d like to remember the whole speech word by word (which is not always necessary), transition sentences will be your torches in this tunnel. You’ll most likely have several sub-points supporting your main idea. Memorize the phrases that connect these different small ideas within the speech. It’ll often be the first sentence of each paragraph. Rehearse the speech minimum three times. How often in your life have you heard phrases like “practice makes perfect”, “repetition is the mother of skill”? It’s because they’re true! And no matter how sick and tired you are of hearing them, make sure to apply these truths in public speaking. Rehearse your speech. Repeat it several times just to yourself. Then, ask your friends to listen to you. Finally, shoot a video of yourself giving the speech and then watch it for analysis. These are my five practical tips for you. Would you like to dive deeper into public speaking? We’ve just reopened enrollment to our 8-week advanced program Speak With Power. You’ll learn how to: Overcome nervousness and build confidence Write clear and concise messages Use storytelling and humor in speeches Speak with persuasion and win debates Convince your customers with ease Deliver speeches with power Join today because the doors will close in a couple of days! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website for more info! Read more from Natasha! Natasha Bazilevych, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Natasha Bazilevych is an international speaker and business trainer. She teaches business owners, top manager and entrepreneurs to give powerful presentations and reach audacious goals. Natasha has been teaching business skills for 13 years, has two bachelor degrees and an MBA. Her signature program “Speak With Power” is a unique experience after which each participant knows how to overcome fear, craft powerful messages and deliver them with confidence.

Written by: Sukanya Datta, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Ever wondered about the history of how beauty evolved? This dates back to the era of Queen Cleopatra to the Victorian era. As seen through history, the meaning of beauty varied from country to country. Styles evolved, wanting women to achieve the perfect body. Asymmetrical waistline, lesser mass in the body and no scars was considered to be the epitome of beauty. A woman’s body has been the subject of scrutiny for several centuries. The norm remained in the society and the core problem remained unsolved. Young girls being pressurized to achieve perfect looks. Most advertisements in electronic media and newspapers revolved around women having great bodies. Of course, it’s never bad to have such bodies. But things tend to get worse when people start comparing themselves and ashamed of their physic. Lest, a person who seems to be larger feels neglected. In the realm of society, most stereotyping takes place. We often find people blatantly criticizing others for shapeless bodies or scars. Constant nagging often leads to depression. We, as a woman, need to understand the societal pressure another woman has to undergo. How often do we find people getting bullied in public or perhaps in the families only? These issues have mostly remained silent. Beauty, as defined by laws, has seen women going into depression. The term “fat”, “overweight”, “skinny” and “underweight” has been misinterpreted, and people have been wrongly judged. A fat or skinny person may be termed as unhealthy. But appearance is often deceiving. Have you ever thought that you can maintain a hearty life with a balanced diet and exercise and still loving the cellulite that is developing underneath? “OVERCOMING ALL THE CHALLENGES” Acceptance is of utmost importance. The mental stress that comes with and having to deal with it daily becomes a challenge for many. We often find ourselves in turmoil that lingers on—surrounded by the negative energy created that stirs in mind and the environment, and this gets carried on to others as well. Delving into the deep ocean of mindset. It is seen that issues have risen when there is insecurity and low self-esteem. Certain situations put people into their own dilemma. Is the fear of inner self causing this low confidence? Why are they ashamed of themselves? “CHANGING THE WORLD” We are here to believe in ourselves and that you are beautiful. Life is short. People often forget their own virtue. Every day each one of us strive for a better living. Eliminating unstable minds that create havoc in personal life. We have to unite and fight this. Bring change in our society and trends. Change is what we need. Visit my Instagram for more info! Sukanya Datta, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sukanya Datta is an electrical engineer. Along with the tech side, she is also a certified fashion designer. Being a tech lover, she have had a penchant for creativity. Entrepreneurship is a big journey and both tech and fashion have been a boon in her life. From developing monetary strategies and embark on the body positivity mission across the world and bridging the gap between women and fashion.

Written by: Nancy Michieli, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Like many girls growing up in the ’80s, I loved Wonder Woman and wanted to be her. I thought her pose was strong and magnificent. In 2012, Amy Cuddy’s famous TedTalk on “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are”, led us on a movement of Power Posing as our inner Wonder Women. The study focused on evaluating if body language would allow us to increase risk tolerance with decreased stress by assessing levels of testosterone and cortisol. The launch of this TedTalk, a series of studies on power posing, has struggled to validate Amy and her team's work. But here is the question, does power posing help women in the workplace be more successful. I propose No, it doesn't. Imagine walking into a room or a meeting with a woman taking one of the two open power poses. How does she make you feel? When women come across as aggressive, they are less liked, negatively impacting our ability to be heard and respected. We don’t want to feel like we are entering a boxing match. In research by Laura Kray, on feminine charm indicated that women are more likely to be successful in negotiating if she is both flirty and friendly. Women who are only friendly are seen as too nice and give everything up. Whereas using the combination of flirty and friendly in feminine charm has a sense of self-interest in the negotiation. These women who employ feminine charm can negotiate better while maintaining their likability. So, if Women need to have more feminine charm, then I propose replacing power posing with boosting our self-esteem and learning how to be more Fun, Flirty and Fabulous. According to Nathaniel Branden, when we have high self-esteem, we have the confidence to assert our needs and wants without minimizing those who are around us. Here are three tips for using body language for success: Fun - Engage Your Mindset Prepare yourself for a business meeting or life event like playing a game. Make it fun! When we look at challenges as hard, our mindset finds roadblocks which prevent our success. If we shift the perspective to fun and a game, this will allow our creativity to shine. It takes the pressure off, relaxing us and allowing us the opportunity to win. Flirty - Smile away We often think of flirty in a sexual connotation, but we can be more flirty in a non-sexual way when we have high self-esteem. A simple technique to learn how to be more flirty is to practice smiling in a mirror or laughing at yourself and the situation. These techniques will help you feel better about yourself and quickly shift your emotion from stress to success. When you smile at people around you, they relax, and you become more likable and approachable in the situation. Fabulous - Practice Yoga Standing Poses How we stand or sit in a room, people will take notice. In 2017, Agnieszka Golec de Zalava did a study to compare using Yoga Standing Pose to Power Poses to increase Energy and Self-Esteem. This study indicated that if we stand in the open position, we can increase our energy because our lungs are in a position to connect better with our breath. As well, the mountain pose opens our hearts, making our body is more receptive to those around us. You can walk into any room as confident and owning the space. When women increase their energy in a relaxed, confident stance, we increase our self-esteem, becoming fabulous. In my experience in the Oil & Gas industry, when I walk into a room relaxed, with my head held high, my body open, with a smile on my face, and high self-esteem, I have been able to lead teams to save companies as much as 10 Million dollars in a single year. As well, I have received a job offer where I could write my paycheck at whatever value I wanted. Women, if you want to increase your success in business and life, then stop power posing and develop your feminine charm by raising your self-esteem and learning the benefits of body language. You have the right to be happy and flourish in life and business. Follow her Podcast Luv2bMe, on Instagram at nancymichieli, or take her free 60-Seconds to Boost Your Self-Esteem. Nancy Michieli, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Nancy Michieli is excited to launch a new movement Luv2bMe. She is inspiring women to boost their self-esteem to be more fun, flirty and fabulous to flourish in life and business. Nancy is a Certified Rapid Transformation Therapy Practitioner, Certified Holistic Life, Career and Executive Coach and Certified Consulting Hypnotist. As well, Nancy holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, her Diploma as a Certified Sommelier from the Canadian Professional Sommelier Association and loves to compete in American Ballroom 9 Dance with the charming husband. During a successful 25 year career as an Engineer, Project Manager and Leader in the Oil&Gas Industry, Nancy discovered that women in the male-dominated field succeed when they bring their feminine charm. Her mission is to help women fall in love with being women, engaging their elegant, assertive feminine energy to achieve their life dreams.

Mark Sephton is a personal mentor to entrepreneurs. His mission to help others has seen him break into global markets while working with startups and millionaire entrepreneurs worldwide. Mark's love for entrepreneurship has been expressed through serving as TV host of the show "One More Round." When not on the big screen, Mark is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine and a speaker for corporate events, entrepreneurship summits, and major conferences worldwide. His expertise in personal and professional development has positioned him as an expert in the industry, resulting in transformational experiences for audiences, clients, and businesses alike. – I am of the belief that our own stories actually say a lot about our future. They give credence to what is to come. We are all an expression of the stories we are apart of, the ones we have experienced, and the ones we tell ourselves. It's a two-fold understanding based on the past stories and the narrative and stories we tell ourselves each and every day. Between these two caveats is where your current state and future lie. – When I started working with entrepreneurs, it quickly became apparent that there were some key markers and indicators to what indeed inspired an entrepreneur and also what hindered them. After 3 years of working with entrepreneurs, I decided to reflect and trawl over the notes I kept for each and every client. Once I had calculated and evaluated the essence of these notes, the findings for me were very interesting. What I found from these observations is what now has formed my GPS system. What is your GPS system? – The essence of my GPS system is what I formalize with a client and use as a framework to engineer and frame our sessions. The GPS helps reveal blindspots, efficiencies and deficiencies, and it's through me detecting and analyzing the health of each of these fundamentals, which helps gauge the focus and shift of our ongoing work. The GPS is made up of 10 key focused fundamental indicators of what I believe makes up a person's basic DNA and how to understand your health and performance within that is where growth and your focus should lay. – I have now been working with entrepreneurs, creatives and business owners for the best part of 10 years, and I get a huge kick out of seeing others innovate, create, build and outsmart the current problems and challenges we all face. I love the energy of business and I love the creativity and audacity of finding a solution to a problem, which is really the essence of business. Where did your love of business and people come from? – My love for business stems from my late grandfather, he showed me at a very early age that having a solid reputation was the bedrock of any lasting business and the business will scale based on one thing and one thing only. The bigger the problem, the bigger the reward, the more people affected by the same problem will always indicate how valuable your solution is. In effect, the more people affected by a problem you solve, the more money and scalable your business becomes. As for reputation, the best way to grow that is through a combination of being authentic, stop trying to be someone else. Secondly, it's showing up and delivering that which you promise. – I have now been working for entrepreneurs for over 10 years. I was in the hospitality industry for 12 years, developed brands, increased margins, improved customer experience, improved operations and the list goes on. I have always got a kick out of service-related businesses. I love to give of myself. I received a diploma in coaching and then took my hospitality experience with my love of working with people and formalized my own hospitality consultancy business, and from there, I pivoted to working with entrepreneurs and creatives. How do you build your brand? – I started producing content on YouTube, which then was discovered by Entrepreneur magazine, which then gave me the confidence to write my first book “Inside Job”. Whenever you have a book, you seem to get invites for speaking at conferences and summits naturally. Eventually, with all the content I was creating, which coincided with me hosting my own radio show “ Talk Business “ for a local community radio called Radio Plus, I was very much in the sweet spot of what I loved to do. – Radio then took me to TV where I was headhunted to host my current TV Show “ One More Round “ I joined allegiance with Direct Sales TV and have recently formed a new partnership with Glewed TV Via the Roku and Apple Networks. I went on to write my second book “ Plot Twist, “ and I am currently writing my third book. This third book will be specifically for men, helping men be better men, helping men express their emotions and how to deal with what is expected of them. What are some key entrepreneurial truths? – I came from a broken family. There is clear evidence that a high percentage of entrepreneurs had a problematic childhood and the common denominator for this is based on the fact that if you had to problem solve as a child, it actually raised your ability and skill to problem solve more effectively as an adult. Interestingly that then equates to the fact that the majority of businesses are just about solving problems. That's why our future experiences, which I call stories, lead the way for your future. – I have always taken my experiences both in my personal and business life to actually build something in the future. My 3 keys to the kingdom, which are paramount to ensure you make the right choices and head in the right direction, are doing what you love, doing what you are good at and doing and committing only to the opportunities which will take you to where you want to go. – The great thing about my GPS system is it will pinpoint exactly the direction you are to take. It will then formalize where you need to focus your energy and crystallize the direction you are to take to make sure you have a fulfilled life and one that creates a legacy where the essence of who you are will outlive this earthy body. I want that for me, and I want that for those I work with. How do we continue to grow and develop? – We must continue to become reflective and constantly look at how we can grow and develop within ourselves. Over the past year, I have been working with a psychologist after identifying a number of problems that I have not been able to master. I have been able to identify what the issues are, but unfortunately, I couldn’t mentor myself regardless of my wealth of knowledge and tools I kept to fix the problems, So I practice what I preach and I went and found some support, its been working and my reframing of my thoughts and my ability to soothe myself when those problems arise has been significant. – I mention this because it's so important that we get help, but more importantly, that we get help from the right person. When it comes to mentoring and coaching or even working with a psychologist, go work with someone who has what you don't have, or has what you want, a piece of your puzzle. Don't just work with anyone. Look at what the person represents, look at what they offer, look at what they have that you would like, and then base your choices on them. – For example, I have never sold a business in my life, but I have taught and coached thousands of people on what direction they should take, what they were put on earth to do, and how to lead themselves and their choices better. If you come to me wanting someone to help coach you through the process of selling a business, I am not your guy. Go find a coach who has done that. – It's worth noting that when selecting a coach or mentor, you find one who fires you up, you need a bit of chemistry, you need to be challenged, you need to be able to get real and you need to welcome being told what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. How do you work with entrepreneurs? – One of my most watched Youtube videos is called “ How to Give Birth “ I would like to say I am a marketing genius with this one, but it kinda just happened. If you go to YouTube and write how to give birth, you will see hundreds of videos and in most cases, you see a woman in extreme pain literally giving birth as a thumbnail. When you come across me and my smiley face, I am sure curiosity gets the better of most or perhaps even hatred if women think how this man can say about childbirth and click and watch my video. The truth is my Youtube video has nothing to do with giving birth naturally. It has everything to do with giving birth metaphorically. We all have a dream, a vision or something within us, which we want to take from a simple thought into reality. We all carry something deep within us which we need to express, you will have to go take a look at the video to get more of what I am saying, but I talk about how we need the pressures of life in order to get what’s within us out of us and giving birth to the dream and desire we have carried within us over the years, if you need help giving birth I am your man. – I love getting inside peoples heads. I love making people think. I love to work with high energy people. It is a privilege to come alongside someone who clearly has something within them, a solution to a problem, an innovation and idea, or a concept. They want to express what they have and need some directional input, a way of taking what's within them and expressing it in a profitable way and true to who they are. I give all I have in each session in both energy and my stories and experiences, which have served me and helped me build my own brand and circle of influence. – It's never too late to change your course, regardless of what happened to you in the past, you can write the next chapter on your journey, it's time to write another story. A story that you are proud to be the author of. Feel free to follow Mark on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and YouTube , or email Mark at info@marksephton.com You can buy his book on Amazon !

Sam Kim was having paranormal experiences before he had the words to describe them. Raised in a Buddhist household marked by poverty, he grew up sensing things that didn't fit neatly into the world around him, a quiet, private knowing that would take decades to fully unfold. Sam Kim, Teacher, Healer, Reader, and Speaker You often describe yourself as a "spiritual plumber," so what does that mean in your own words, and how did that become the foundation of your work? I would say a plumber is someone who fixes problems in homes regarding anything to do with pipes, I'm guessing you would assume. When I was plumbing, I would go through the walls and pipes to see the problems and issues, to resolve the situations with my clairvoyance. I would mechanically build the two worlds together from the core root, from underground piping and also using other tools and materials from the plumber's aspect, in my problem-solving skill set within the system of the house, where I would do the same as a healer, to clear out by just turning a valve on for the flow to stream through, in the making of ourselves as a spiritual lighthouse. But as spiritual beings, as we all are, there are streams that come to us, through us, and for us, like the water that cleans us in the shower. It is another form of a mystic mechanic, someone who resolves the life challenges we all face every day. Approaching it as problem-solving is where the two can unite, as a mechanic/helper, or even a magician when it comes to water and the astral world. If you're truly spiritual, you would have the skillful means to resolve challenges with your awareness in your being. There's always an internal system moving, in flow or in stagnation, that makes up who and what we are. Our bodies, for example, have pumps, valves, and miles and miles of tubing that keep us alive. The human body processes food, turning it into energy to sustain life, with all the organs and other closed systems working at peak performance. On the other hand, when talking about it spiritually, different kinds of states or attributes come along with the person's representation. With the aspect of spirituality, we're always cleansing, clearing out the old that we hold onto, physically, emotionally, and mentally, which can represent what kind of container or vessel we are. Now, a home or a building would be the same way as well: it needs to hold its own hardware internally, with proper maintenance to stay clean and healthy, just as we would take care of ourselves. As a spiritual plumber starts their investigation into what the problem is, to repair, replace, or install, three options are given in resolving the issue. Like, where's the leak coming from? It's like being the water and seeing how it moves through the pipes, like how we humans carry emotions through our internal plumbing to find the solutions to whatever needs to be resolved. I will say spirituality is a nonlinear point of view; it's more than just believing and not believing. But there is definitely a flow state between the physical, such as plumbing, and the nonphysical, such as spirituality. It's the same as a plumber clearing out the shit that's been clogged and blocked. In spirituality, your life can flow more smoothly, with clearer clarity in living day to day, without the blocks and clogs getting in the way of what it is you're going for. Now that I'm no longer a plumber and am into my spiritual healing practice, I use a lot of my plumbing mindset in my spiritual approach to solving problems, no longer in homes and buildings, but now in human souls. Surviving electrocution and a near-death experience changed the course of your life, so what convinced you that you were being called to become a healer rather than return to your previous path? For five years, I fought myself, going back and forth with plumbing. My body could no longer give me the strength to do the work under the conditions that job demands. Then came the accident. I was electrocuted with 480 volts, and my entire world flipped upside down. During my near-death experience, I questioned this world, because it felt too fake to me after what I went through over there. Like many other near-death experiences, it's a very similar story, with similar concepts and interpretations of the experience, and I can say that what I went through, and the interactions I had, were more real than this world. I met a cosmic light pool, some kind of galactic union of beings. The best way I can describe it is that this pool was spaceless, beyond plasmic, iridescent liquid, all of this and us together in a bubble of endless ocean. That's all pure energy. I didn't want to come back without a choice to stay or go, like in other NDE cases, I'm guessing some souls have that choice. Being told it wasn't my time, that's why I had to go back, really scrambled my brain. After coming back, my nervous system was still fried, and it was not easy. I still feel the effects from it today. Seeking help for my physical, mental, and emotional pain took me on a healing journey. During that process, I accepted that I was not going to be the same person I was before, and my life took a different route. In healing myself, I was also healing others. Getting electrocuted gave me some kind of superpower. Looking back, I remembered my childhood in Korea, when I encountered a Korean shaman in the woods doing a ritual, waving his hands in the air, creating a wind-like force, enough wind that he had control of the cloth he was manipulating. After that, I can remember other supernatural entities and experiences too. Now I look back and can see why all these things happened, especially from my spiritual point of view, as who I am now. I still, from time to time, encounter light beings, and in Korean folklore I can confirm three separate encounters with three separate entities: the Tiger Grandfather, DobKeBi, and a floating fire. With everything I've learned, energy, electrical power from the breath, intuition, synchronicity, trance, and channeling, I can now use what I've gathered in the guidance I've been given, part of a preparation that was set before I even knew of it. In my eyes, we are all multidimensional electrical beings, with emotions, feelings, and intentions that can be measured electrically. I've learned to use this well in my own healing techniques and the modality I've developed over the past several years as a practitioner. As a galactic medium, I do trance channeling to heal, read, and speak through the Clair senses, and I can assure you that all humans can remember their soul beings are one. Figuring out what I need to figure out, when I need to, that's the goal, I would say. You describe yourself as a Galactic Medium, so what do you believe people can learn from understanding their own cosmic blueprint? It's your cheat code and instructions, meant only for you to know. In cosmology, it's a blueprint for your birth chart, a map you learn to read so you can understand and master yourself. Your own blueprint, a cosmic blueprint, is like your soul's specification, like on a real blueprint, the labor and materials of things and what it took to create you. The cosmos was and will be here after we go, millions of light-years apart, they say, as we think we know. Throughout history, in ancient times, their cosmology and astrology were their map as well. Under astrology and cosmology, and through the galaxy, we are just a part of what astrology is; we humans are the pieces in the blueprint that's given to us. While the universe spins and expands through our galaxy and the cosmos, we all evolve genetically without even knowing it's happening as the years go on. In the galaxy and in yourself, there are cycles and upgrades happening at the exact right time when we realize our own cosmic blueprint and understand how it all works. I'm saying this from self-realizations and knowing what I need to know. Galactic represents an overview of how vast a human being truly is, from the physical to the nonphysical point of view, floating on a piece of rock like a tiny particle. As a medium, I translate the messages I receive from the other side to the physical person here and now. Individually and collectively, it all coexists. It's basically understanding your DNA, your family inheritance, your family dynamic, your attributes, and who, what, and where you came from. It can help you understand yourself with ease and compassionate acceptance. Seeing all this through a micro-to-macro perspective, it's a collective puzzle piece where we all work together, galactically. I was given the name The Galactic Medium for a reason, and now I know why. Under the sun, the creator, the central source, gives us exactly what we need to survive on this planet, organically, in a perfect world. But as a human, the medium, I understand the totality that comes with being a human being with a soul, to my own knowledge, to say. But in seeing this in the grand scheme of things, from 3D to multidimensional awareness, I now know and see the blueprint in my own way to live more harmoniously. Like the sun in the galaxy is the soup of cosmic light flowing, rippling out high-vibrational-frequency energy into the Milky Way, to us, through us, to be part of a larger cosmic order as planned. Knowing your map will give you the wisdom to use the tools that are given to you. The Source, the soup, whom I still have dialogue with, gave me the assurance that I'm part of something bigger than myself, other than just being a healer and a reader. I know enough to say idk what idk. But every day I learn more about myself on my own, because I know my own blueprint as civilization evolves too. More people are openly exploring intuition and energy healing today, so what shifts have you noticed in the questions people are bringing to you? The questions people bring to me vary quite a bit, since everyone is at a different point in their understanding. But across the workshops and trainings I attend, I've noticed a recurring theme: people ask how and why. That's a natural, very human question, I understand the impulse, but I've come to feel it isn't the most important one to start with. Often, people want the science handed to them upfront. They want the concept intellectualized before they've done any of the exercise or experimentation themselves. One teacher I studied under opened a class by simply saying, "No question, just do." For what it's worth, I see intuition as inherently healing. It's a kind of energetic awareness that surfaces what we need to know, when we need to know it. In my experience, the"aha" moment reveals itself in time, when the student is ready in their own how and why terms. If we listen and feel carefully, that same intuition can guide real healing. I believe this is a capacity everyone has, not something reserved for a few. If I could ask people one question, it would be, "What is your intention with this practice?" That question is simple and organic, but trends can make the work feel more complicated than it needs to be, sometimes at the expense of the intuitive process that unfolds naturally, in its own time. I'd also gently encourage people toward their own shadow work; that's often where the deeper healing happens. I take this work seriously, and I want to be upfront about that. To put it simply: in energy work, so much depends on the practitioner. By "clean vessel," I don't mean anything about being pure, vegan, or without flaw, I mean setting yourself aside as much as possible during a session, so the work isn't filtered through your own ego or agenda. Healing tends to happen most fully when the practitioner and the person they're working with meet each other with aligned intention, values, and trust. Over nine years of studying both Eastern and Western modalities, I've tried to learn how to meet people exactly where they are and build from there. In sessions, I try not to say more than necessary. My aim is to hold a calm, safe presence so the person can feel at ease with whatever they're carrying. If I sense something worth sharing, I ask permission first and go from there. Most people who come to me are dealing with everyday patterns, habits, lifestyle, recurring behaviors, the kind of thing that shifts once someone commits to doing their own inner work. I'd add that self-honesty, awareness of self-gaslighting, and spiritual bypassing are worth examining on one's own, asking sharper questions of yourself is its own discipline. Though I take this work seriously, I lighten things up from a broader perspective because in the end, we're all just moving through it together. " You bridge spirituality with physical disciplines like bodybuilding and yoga, so why do you believe embodiment is often missing from conversations about personal growth? We overcompensate by compartmentalizing the two separately, but in reality, it's in your one body you have. Though they are different, they both work with one another perfectly in sync when it's balanced correctly. Like water and concrete, you need both to create your molding, but in the perfect amount, of course. Your gut is your second mind, giving you the emotions and feelings so your mind can identify what's being processed through the feelings you're getting from your gut, so you know what emotions are being processed. Your gut has more electrical nerve pathways than your brain does. As a sensitive, I feel a lot with my clairsentient feelings often. They both coexist, but most importantly, you need a healthy, strong body for the mind to work efficiently, and a clean, clear mind gives the physical vessel the ability to channel the balanced mind to operate efficiently. An imbalanced vessel produces cortisol from stress, which creates diseases from the mind mixed with the emotions, amplifying the discomfort and dense heaviness that decays the body. Stress or no stress makes a huge difference in your physique physically! The intention of the mind travels through the body to create that intention you've just created, with cortisol depleting the muscles during that time. It's the mind that creates the body; for five years, I dedicated my mind and physique. An NPC yogi. I can and will say a strong mind can create a powerful temple, the body, where the vessel would just be whatever it needs to be in a moment of time. A masterful mind is a creator, sculpting, and that's what I did during my competition years. At 150 lbs, bench pressing 315 three times and squatting 375 is pretty impressive, even for me to say. But when I look back, I can really say it was more than 75% mindset in competition, especially when you're creating yourself from your own intentions and the hard work you put into yourself. From my experience and point of view in both worlds of culture, from the fitness physique point, comparing the spiritual as a yogi really helped me. From my point of view, two totally different, opposite, but combining the two gives you the innate intuitive understanding of reading your own body from a point of view where your physical body is communicating with you at all times. When the embodiment comes together, like yoga and qigong, the mind, body, and soul connection to the spirit helps you grow into who you really are meant to be. But remember, you are this spiritual, physical being who has this mind and body as a tool to bridge both sides. It's you, just by your pure intention, who chooses what it is that you need to embody: the mind or your body? But the wellness and other holistic modalities community is coming together to complement each other, with science showing proof and evidence that coexisting help works together in this one body we have here and now. Historically and in other cultures throughout time, like the yogis and other masters, their attributes united them both in their day-to-day life to live a mystical life, which is where we're all supposed to live, but society moved this active play so we are distracted by unimportant things like memes and news propaganda. Now, coming together with proof meeting with ancient history and civilizations from the Orient to the Egyptians throughout thousands of years of civilization that came and went through Earth's history. ETs, mediumship, and other nonphysical things have been around for thousands of years if you're comparing it to this year of 2026, especially on soil that's 250 years old on a billion-year-old planet we all are living on. When someone feels disconnected from their intuition, what is the first step you encourage them to take before seeking guidance from anyone else? Check in with yourself, slow down, and ground; try to be still and calm when you're feeling disconnected. Calm and stillness can help you be more aware of your sensitivity; bring yourself back into your body in that moment in the discernment of feeling disconnected. Or I would usually blink a few times to reset and shake off the disconnection, like a dog shaking something off its coat. Long pauses and breathing rhythmically can and will help you to flow back into the connection you thought you disconnected from. It's a learning process in these cases. To notice more of your intuition, it cannot be forced. It must be organic; it's like being in the right place and at the right time through trial and error. Intuition comes in super quick, and it's very subtle, and it comes in many different ways: a whisper, a symbolic sign through the environment, or even a flash through your mind's eye. It's really you becoming more aware of your connection that is always there. Reflection and integration, taking accountability and responsibility for the actions you made, can reset you and restart that intuition to kick back in again. I really feel it boils down to each and every person individually working on themselves, removing baggage and clutter that you accumulated from your old trauma and dramas you still hold on to, which will affect your sensitivity in feeling or noticing your intuition kicking in. Sometimes things take longer, so one can learn to discern and to be more patient. Pay more attention to yourself than to what is happening outside of you, or you miss the shift within because you're not in the present moment at that time. Be OK with what it is now without having to try to figure out everything in every case we come across. Learn and be curious about whatever it is that can help you understand why you got disconnected at that moment. By letting go of the past and the unnecessary things you don't need, you'll help yourself notice your intuition. A clean vessel with less or no filtration from having no attachments is the clear channel that comes into play as we are. I feel one of the most important things is to have one friend, or someone you can talk to about whatever it is, without any judgment. A person who can just be there with you without having to do or say anything for you, but for you to feel seen and understood when feeling disconnected with yourself in whatever way that may be. Overstimulation and distraction will definitely have you disconnected from yourself. For sure, having you pay attention to something other than yourself is disconnection. In reality, you can never be disconnected from yourself ever; even after your death, you're still connected to the universal entanglement. In my opinion and from my own personal observation, society and your upbringing have a huge hold on your self-awareness and your divine connection. Cultural indoctrination and the force-fed system have us humans lose track of our own innate capabilities. Your journey spans poverty, bullying, a learning disability, and rebuilding your life after a near-death experience, so what inner practices have helped you stay grounded through each chapter? A deep breath and a big sigh. “It could have been worse.” I always try to stay humble and remember where I came from. Yeah, sure, I can cry and be miserable from my upbringing in the past, but what is that going to do? If I had chosen the darker path, I know I wouldn’t be here writing this right now. The villains' and the heroes' stories are usually the same, but they both went in different directions. It's too easy to choose the repetitive habit of reactions, but I’ve come to a conclusion and accepted what it is, how human nature works from a victim point of view, and just changed it to a different perception. I understand it's all an evolutionary process everyone goes through, and some people learn and others don’t. Life still continues on after we go, in whatever you want to do, in your belief system and where you may be in the world. It's basically the same soulful journey we are on until our expiration date comes by, but before then, we’re here to live the life we want to create and learn from all the experiences we lived through. I still have my challenges just like anyone else, but those past circumstances I faced were part of the learning curve we all go through to come out metamorphosing into a better version from our learning and growing as adults do. Each chapter of my life was an interesting synchronicity, like everything was meant to happen exactly how it is right now. There are billions of lives on this planet, and I'm one of them, and I can assure you someone else out there has a more interesting story than I do. But the difference is being in the right place and at the right time. People can move effortlessly in ways where they are meant to be at the right time. I’ve learned tenacity, grit, and perseverance to help me go through the tough times. I know I'm not the only one who can get over life challenges; you just have to be realistic with yourself and your goal! Also, being a psycho and completely shutting the world off in the process can help you get where you want to go and be in the right state of mind at each moment of your life. I learned how to mix and match the good and the bad, turning the poison into medicine and alchemizing, turning shit into gold. I really feel the harder the struggle, the bigger the reward. The soul is in seeking what it is that they are looking for in the journey they are on before death knocks on your front door! When that time comes, the door opens, and you smile and welcome it in with no regrets about how you lived your life, what you did, and what you represented as a soul to bring into this world in that time. Again, it's seeing life from a different perception. But organically, from a universal eye point of view, it all comes and goes like the seasons, and your soul is moving through the in-between of the things that are happening during each moment. Perceiving your perceptions can help you get through some hard times, in my opinion. You often speak about balancing masculine and feminine energies, so how has that balance shaped both your life and your approach to helping others? Balancing the yin and the yang so I can act accordingly. The masculine and feminine roles are a bit different energetically in their representation, but they can both work hand in hand when they are both used efficiently and properly. Like fire and water, though one can cancel the other out in an imbalanced proportion, the water can heat up to create steam when they both are being used correctly. Also, depending on the intention, the male and female can coexist within the individual, acting passively or actively in the moment. For example, in a hostile situation, which one of the two would work better in these kinds of situations? A feminine would utilize words more, whereas the masculine would use their physical presence to differentiate the opposite of the two. But when you utilize them both together, that combination can be a force in disassembling hostile circumstances just by being more aware of the situations and handling them with the grace of balancing them into one. It is having the courage in their physicality but still having the finesse in a cordial way. It's like intuition versus logic, and from action-oriented to more strategic planning, it can be a potent insight when they both work together in executing a plan or goal we’re all striving for. Again, it's all energy-based, and when you're comfortable with both sides of yourself, you can be competent with confidence in your being. For me, at times I lean toward my intuition, the feminine side, more to gather whatever it is that I need in that moment. Then I make an actionable decision, taking the steps to make it happen with my will, toward my masculine side, doing what needs to be done. Exactly like in nature, miracles happen when a woman and a man unite together to cocreate a beautiful child organically; it is the power of embracing your own sexual divinity you’ve been seeded with naturally. Especially now, at a sensitive time, talking about this kind of topic is a bit challenging because it can be taken the wrong way from a different point of perspective. But historically, at the end of all troubled civilizations, there is massive confusion and idiocracy due to mismanaged important policy for society to know the truth behind everyone’s masculine and feminine roles. Right now, I notice the two opposites are in a battle. I feel, in my opinion, the system is manipulating organic nature by energetically misleading roles in masses, in confusion. A fool doesn’t know they're a fool, and you don’t know what you don’t know. But when the person welcomes the opposite side of their birth gender in their own divinity, he or she can be a powerhouse, knowing the two energies are one within themselves. The system is designed to make us hate who we are individually. Society allowing this kind of behavior to be normalized is truly harming our existence. Oneness is divinity, bringing both male and female together as a whole in being a human organically. If readers remember one idea from your story, what do you hope inspires them to see themselves differently? To go out with a bang: to think large and huge, where it will take you a few lifetimes to accomplish! But also to be realistic during this lifetime and to set at least two realistic, tangible dreams and goals in the making during your adventure. Of course, we must remember to have the living expenses to live, which is basic common sense we know of as being a human living here on Earth, as I see it. But also to be able to do whatever it takes to accomplish your dreams and goals without harming anyone else or yourself, with honesty, dignity, and integrity, with moral and ethical beliefs, of course! Listen, we live in a dog-eat-dog world; realistically, in 3D, it's super dense and difficult for sure! But I feel morals and ethics can take you to places only your imagination can take you. I hate to sound corny, but positivity and the truth will only give you more than what you need in the process. We’re all in a world with infinite possibilities at your fingertips, with the steps and instructional information to accomplish whatever that may be for you. If you're able to read this article, you're doing better than more than 50% of the population in the world, especially during this time. But most people want the same dumb materialistic shit and a fast way in and out of those things. A quick fix, the instant gratification. It's just a simple choice, whether you want to follow your wants or your needs. Wanting is the surface level instant gratification, whereas needs give you the fulfillment and contentment of your passion and joy without trying to control your destiny on your path. People have to remember the impermanence of things in life and accept that everything changes. Thoughts and feelings change like the seasons, with the people, society, and anything and everything under the sun. As for me right now, I can honestly say that I really don't care what anyone thinks about me or how they remember me, and I’m really truly saying this from my heart in the most compassionate way to anyone who reads this. What’s more important is my own value and how I would feel about myself, rather than others having values toward me. Without sounding pompous or cocky, the older I get, the less important approval from others is to me, especially now that opinions are given out like hot cakes everywhere lol. Remember that you were born pure before you knew what you know now. Way before you knew what fears and worries were. Without anything that influences your pure awareness in your own perception. Your vibratory rate comes from within, and you emit differently due to the intention behind your essence. The key is to be exactly who you are meant to be and master what you love doing. Know you’re the only person doing this; that’s because it’s from your soul and the individual sentient being that you are. It's ok to be different because our imprints and blueprints are set for you and only you. But remember, your difference fits with others who are different like you, but in their own different way as well, just a different shade of coloring in perception. It's following your flow and attracting what you're perceiving. Listen, we all eat shit, bleed, and expire when it's time. Yes, although that is all true, we all fit into this universe uniquely like a big cosmic collective puzzle. Please remember where you started from and how much you overcame to be where you are right now. The path of mindfulness and self-awareness is a master class in creating your life with your own rules and regulations within the parameters of your lifestyle. You want to do what others are doing or do what you want to do, what your soul is meant to do. What’s meant for you will always come back to you in different ways, but it's up to you to see and notice the signs and messages that are given to you every day. To know and understand how it works is to know your own innate. It's smarter than you and I, and it's an intelligence your smart body is entangled with, your own light force. What I mean is that we are all connected to this light force. That is your cosmic light force within, which is part of your intuition, your subconscious, and your unconscious, and it knows more than we think we know. Just by you starting to believe in this kind of stuff, this can be your second nature, getting guidance and help from people, places, and things around you at any given time. A kind of help that comes to you, through you, and for you when it's time. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sam Kim

Written by: Laura Flanagan, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. When I first moved to Costa Rica, I began exploring all of the exotic fruits and vegetables that hold such powerful medicinal properties. After all, I left the world of Western Medicine after a breast cancer diagnosis in 2013. Having taken myself off the medicine prescribed to me to prevent recurrence meant that I had to be well prepared to replace these with ‘food as medicine’. My predictions were accurate – there are more exotic fruits and vegetables here to create your own natural pharmacy! One of my many favorite exotic fruits is Mangosteen. The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. The tree grows from 7 to 25 meters tall. The edible fruit is deep reddish-purple when ripe. In Asia, the mangosteen fruit is known as the "Queen of Fruits," while the durian (Durio spp.) is known as the "King of Fruits." It is closely related to other edible tropical fruits such as button mangosteen and lemon drop mangosteen. The outer shell of the fruit is rather hard, typically 4-6 cm in diameter. Cutting through the shell, one finds a white, fleshy fruit 3-5 cm in diameter. Depending on the size and ripeness, there may or may not be pits in the fruit segments. The number of fruit pods is directly related to the number of petals on the shell's bottom. On average, a mangosteen has five fruits (round up figure). Prevents hardening of the arteries Protects the heart muscle Anti-Parkinson, anti-Alzheimer and other forms of dementia Anti-depressant Prevents and arrest fungus Prevents bacterial infections Viral fighters and prevention of infections Prevents gum disease Anti-diarrheal Lowers fevers Eye care-prevents glaucoma and cataracts Pansystemic - synergistic health effect on the whole body Energy boosters - anti-fatigue Anti-aging Weight loss Lowers blood fat Anti-tumor benefits Cancer: Mangosteen helps in the prevention of cancer with its powerful antioxidants. Lowers blood pressure Numerous references to "Immunostimulants" Blood sugar lowering On top of all of these benefits, it tastes amazing, and when I imbibe in these as I do for breakfast often, I feel more energetic for the rest of the day. Now, if you cannot come to visit me soon at the Socrates Center in Costa Rica where I will prepare a plethora of exotic and healthy fruit and vegetable delights, you can find Mangosteen juice at many natural health food stores and if you cannot venture out, you can also order the juice on Amazon! Follow me on Instagram, YouTube and visit my website for more info! Read more from Laura! Laura Flanagan MS, RYT, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Laura Flanagan is a Scientist by education and career, but she recently left her corporate job and moved to Costa Rica with her horse to open and Equine Therapy Center. Concurrently with her career as a scientist, she has been teaching Yoga and Meditation for over 18 years. Laura is a Yoga Instructor, Yamuna Body Rolling Instructor, Meditation Teacher, and Director of the Socrates Center in Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica. She has helped thousands of clients with physical pain through her certification with Yamuna who uses a form of small ball therapy. She has used her Yoga, Body Rolling, and Meditation practices to assist in her own recovery from breast cancer. She is also enrolled in the Functional Nutrition Counselor program through https://fxnutrition.com/

Written by: Hoda Elsobky, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Did you ever wonder why you don’t seem to be doing something that you love, or why you don’t seem to be loving what you do? Did you ever woke up in the morning wondering why nothing seems to be working the way you wanted it to be? If you found yourself there, don’t worry, I was there too! I was wondering if anything could ever work for me, and as the title suggests:” I reinvented myself!”. Actually, during my journey, I reinvented myself four times – If I could do it, you definitely can! Here is my story, I was doing bits of here and there, but never been doing what I exactly love to do. Only when I got clear about my passion, then nothing could have stopped me. “Writing” was my passion, and once I got hold of it, I started reading every single book that fell in my hand, I researched and studied how to write my first book, I went to a writing retreat, and simply - I did the work! And walked its walk, and now I am simply holding in my hands my first book “ Dare To Be Happy ”. Since then, my life has changed, and everything seems to fall in its right place ever after. Tips to help you discover yourself and your Passion: Ask your Parents and your closest old friends about your most dominant character/characters and your talents. What is it that they always saw in you? Ask yourself what is that thing that when you perform, you lose track of time, and you don’t seem to get tired while doing it. On the contrary, you find yourself full of Energy, Passion and Love. Try to get more connected with your authentic inner self. Meditation, relaxation, Yoga and Prayers can all help. Ask yourself direct questions, like what is my passion in life? Or seek the help of a Life Coach. Once you reach a clear answer on each of the above questions, then don't waste your time any longer; the floor is yours! Start the process of "Reinventing yourself" immediately. Here exactly lies the sweet spot between what you love doing, what you are good at, what the world needs and what you can be paid for. This is your "IKIGAI' as clearly stated by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, and this your "FLOW State" as described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. To conclude, if you think you don’t have any Talent, then you are wrong. No one in this world is born without a special Gift or Talent. There are only people who haven’t yet discovered the genius in themselves. Throughout my life I saw obese people becoming slim; less pretty women becoming beauty top models; Shy People becoming Public Speakers; Academic low flyers holding top positions and the list goes on.. You can be whatever you set your mind to. This is proven through studies, observations and real life. To learn more, follow Hoda on Facebook , Instagram and visit her website and Youtube-Channel ! Read more from Hoda Elsobky! Hoda Elsobky, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Hoda was born in Cairo, Egypt. Graduated from the American University in Cairo in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majored in Economics and minor in Business Administration. Later, She received her MBA in Marketing. Her greatest interest lies in the fields of philosophy and positive psychology, with a focus on self help and wellness. Above all, she is passionated about happiness as a way of living! She have worked in multinational IT companies in Egypt, like IBM and Oracle, in sales, marketing and business development capacity, from 1994 till 2005. At that point she flew with her husband to live in Vienna for three years and then to Dubai. There she discovered her passion for writing.

Owner and founder of Grant Method Coaching, Susanne Grant helps business owners create a work-life balance that works for them, their families and their business. She is a mental health advocate and on a mission to end the stigma around it as she was diagnosed with PTSD at 17 herself (now fully recovered). She knows firsthand how important it is to include your mental health into your business plans for long-term sustainable growth. Tell us more about yourself, Susanne. – After being diagnosed with PTSD at 17, I knew something had to change long-term for me to be able to function in society. Even though I was told I was beyond help by my psychologist at the time, I found a way to recover from the “unrecoverable”. – Understanding the importance of (mental) health and its impact on my daily life, performance and intimate relationships has given me great insights over the years, which I am now honored to share with fellow entrepreneurs. – As a mother of 2 and a wife living abroad, I know how challenging life can be with all the different hats we have to wear. I believe it is time to open up the dialogue about the importance of (mental) health and well-being to create a balance that works for us, our families and our business. Why did you start your business? – What drives me is the number of fellow entrepreneurs struggling with their mental health, not to mention the shocking numbers the "me too movement" revealed to us, for example. As a survivor of sexual abuse myself, I cannot stress enough how important it is to STOP these patterns in our generation, so our children and grandchildren do not have to deal with the deep-rooted programming that is passed down as "culture". – I am passionate about creating real sustainable (mental) health and wealth for all by changing the mindset, unhelpful beliefs and breaking (generational) patterns. It is time to no longer accept these outdated norms; where the hustle culture is promoted as a means to success and being busy is seen as a badge of honor. What is the Grant Method? – Working mostly with entrepreneurs who are also parents, it became clear - if we desire to create a balance that works - we need to start inside our home. We need to start taking a holistic approach to business if we want to make this work for those involved, which is not just the business owner or employees, but also the families who are affected. – When we look at the unit as a whole; being a parent, partner, child, sister, brother, and more AND look at the different elements that make this unit work. I.e, when all the needs are met emotionally, spiritually, physically, intellectually AND financially. Not just financially. That's how the Grant Method was born! – I take my clients through a 3-phase program where we: EXPLORE what they want and help them get clear on their personal and business goals. ELIMINATE the overwhelm, anxiety and all the other "stuff" they are holding onto with my powerful transformational and mindset 1:1 coaching. EXECUTE my proven and personalized strategy, so they manage their business in a new and exciting way that works for them ! – The most fascinating thing happens when my clients feel fulfilled by their work-life situation. New passions appear, new opportunities are created and they start giving more by volunteering for example. As I support these inspiring entrepreneurs to create a work-life balance that works for them, they are now impacting their communities worldwide. Why is Work-Life Balance such an important issue? – We live in a culture where “the hustle” is promoted and being busy is seen as a badge of honor. However, when talking about long-term sustainable business goals, we rarely seem to talk about the importance of mental and physical well-being of those involved. Yet, if you want to create a life well-lived, you want to find a balance that works. – Your business affects your relationships; your relationships affect your business. If you feel burned out, frustrated or fed up, everything will be affected! Creating a balance that fits your needs and requirements helps to reduce stress and prevent burnout, not to mention reducing your risks of depression, anxiety and insomnia “ Work hard, sacrifice everything you got and you will succeed! How often have you heard these kinds of statements? How we define success as a culture has led to many struggling with guilt, anxiety, stress and burnout… Is the way we define success ready for a drastic upgrade? I think it is time to open up the dialogue about the importance of (mental) health. ” - Susanne Grant What are your plans for the future? – As we improve (mental) health of business owners around the world and the way they spend time with their family, overflowing into their local communities, I believe we can change this world together! It's time to ditch the hustle culture, where driving yourself into the ground is seen as an effective business "strategy". – My next goal is to start working with HR departments and corporate teams, on top of my 1:1 clients, who are ready to embrace the importance of the team's mental and physical health and the business as a whole. Connect with Susanne on LinkedIn . You can find out more at grantmethod.com and sign up for her newsletter for her latest tips and tricks to help you find your ideal balance.

Written by: Saskia Kremer, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I don't believe in a 'work-life'-balance! And for someone who is a performance trainer, this statement might seem contradictory or at least raise some questions. Now, let me elaborate on this: When I brought my children to school this week for the first time in almost 6 months, I took some time to look back. It made me realize the weight and pressure of the last months. Being there for my kids 24/7 as a solo parent and running my own business was rewarding, but also had its toll… When lock-down hit, from one moment to the next, it felt I had at least two additional full-time jobs…: we shifted to home-learning and I had to grab the opportunities to pivot my business to secure a living. In these circumstances, there is just not a 'balance' in the daily life. Sometimes you just have to accept that situations are out of ordinary and require extraordinary measures! You simply cannot have the perfect balance in one day, sometimes not even in a week or a month. And letting go of that pressure frees up so much space and energy! Circumstances invite you to let go of perfection, dive deep each time to tap into that inner space to fuel motivation, focus and perform like a top athlete. The key to avoiding burnout is that you need to be aware that this happens so that you can adjust accordingly. It is a conscious choice! I know the sacrifices I made, and WHY I made them, I hold that space within me and this allows me to recognize when 'my time' is there. Only then I can 'catch up' on the rest as soon as the situation allows for some space. This 'out of balance situation' is true for our personal life when events or circumstances require our extraordinary attention. It is also true for our business: if you want to achieve out of ordinary results, you need to choose what you are going to focus on, make extraordinary choices to make your dreams come true. Are you ready to step up and make your dreams come true? Give yourself a jumpstart to increase your performance. Ask yourself: What is my deepest WHY to do what I do? How does it make me feel? What is the one action I can take right now to make it happen? How can I implement this on a daily/weekly basis? When you have the answer to these questions, making choices and keeping focus will become way easier, since you know where you are going and what you want to achieve. The sacrifices are no longer sacrifices, but an intentional path to growth! Do you want to know more and boost your Performance in unforeseen circumstances? Download my free ‘ High-Performance Guide ’ here! For more info, follow me on LinkedIn , visit my website and join my Facebook-Group ! Saskia Kremer, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine As an Executive Coach and Trainer, Saskia helps successful, time-challenged high-level management, directors, and business owners increase their performance and their teams' productivity, without the stress and the overwhelm. Once a Missionary, working alongside Mother Teresa herself, made her live all around the globe, helping people discover their meaning in life in sometimes heartbreaking circumstances. After leading multiple projects and International communities, she left the missions following her own experience of burnout. Starting her own business allowed her to combine her philosophical and theological research together with her rich multi-cultural experience. She places the human person at its center, allowing it to find its unique place and thrive. In 2016, as a single mum of 2 young children, she moved from Holland to Ireland and specialized in working with business owners, directors and managers, showing them how to create a bigger vision for their business and life, freeing up their own time so they can excel in what they are best at and increase their profit and satisfaction, without the stress and the overwhelm.

Written by: Silke Harvey, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Let’s face it. Our modern, fast-paced world doesn’t leave much time for relaxing and enjoying the moment. From the time you get up until you go to sleep, every second is filled with scheduled activities, chores, work, errands and dozens of activities on your to-do list. You work your way through the day at a breakneck speed just to drop into bed late a night to hopefully snatch a few hours rest and to do it all again tomorrow. This unsustainable pace is the reason why so many people are suffering from burnout, mental health problems as well as many physical diseases. Humans just aren’t made to tick like this. Nature intended for us to live in harmony with Mother Earth and her rhythms and not at the speed of this modern society driven by consumption and making money. In my workshops, I’ve come across this problem time and time again. For many of my clients, the time spent with me often was the first breather they’d had in weeks or even months. And during this time of stillness, of relaxation, their minds suddenly realized the rat race they had been caught up in ­– the fact that they had been living with a feeling of deep unhappiness and anxiety for so long that they believed it to be the norm. Having worked in a corporate environment and suffered from burnout myself, I can identify only too well. I tried all of the spiritual practices, read all the self-help books and, just like my clients, came to the conclusion that there is just too much to do in the day to sit cross-legged on a yoga cushion for an hour or more at a time. Time is precious; time is money. But during my own recovery from burnout, I also realized that no matter how much money our time is worth, it’s even more valuable when it comes to our own health. Then it becomes immeasurable, in fact. Over time, I developed my own signature method for teaching my clients how to relax even when things are busy. This method is based on five pillars. Every day, take as little as 10 minutes out of your schedule and engage in at least one of the following activities: 1. Time for Fun This is the big one. Life without fun is miserable, a ready-made recipe for negativity and depression. Humans are hardwired to need fun to keep up their positive energies. Spend time doing something that really lifts you up and see the massive difference it makes. It can be as easy as putting on a favorite song and having a really good dance around the house, doing a jigsaw puzzle or singing in the shower. Keep it simple. 2. Time for rest Another biggie. Rest doesn’t have to involve going to bed or sitting down meditating for hours, although it’s great if you can work up to that! Practicing mindfulness, being entirely present in the moment, in the here and now, is a powerful tool for resting the mind. It’s as easy as focussing fully on what you’re doing. Washing the dishes – feel the temperature of the water, watch the bubbles dance in the sink. Walking – observe the leaves on the trees, the clouds... The possibilities of integrating mindfulness in each day are endless. Yet every single minute spent doing this helps to relax and clear the mind. 3. Time for nature Connecting with nature is essential for our human wellbeing. We are all children of Mother Earth and need to feel her regularly to maintain a healthy balance of body, mind and spirit. Go outside, even if it’s only for a short walk around the office block in your lunch break. If you live in an urban environment, even feeling the fresh air, sun or rain on your skin is already making that connection to nature. Breathe deeply whilst walking in nature and practice your mindfulness at the same time. The effect is immediate and uplifting. 4. Time for gratitude Each day, ideally just after you get up, write down three things you are grateful for. It can be as little as just a few words, no need to write a novel. By focussing on the good things in your life, there is no way the brain can think about negative stuff at that moment. So there’s yet another opportunity to up the positive vibes. And even in the worst of times, there’s always something to be grateful for. If you’ve had a bad time, start simple. The delicious taste of that first cup of tea or coffee! The sunshine through the window! It’s raining outside and you’re warm and dry inside! Once you start thinking from a perspective of gratefulness, life will soon become a beautiful wonder, each and every day. 5. Time for reflection Like gratitude, a daily practice of reflection can help you appreciate everything you have in life. Sit for a while and think about your day. What went well? What didn’t go to plan? Then try and learn the lessons that life has offered you there. Keep your focus on a positive outcome. Appreciate the good things that happened. Don’t dwell on the negative ones. Writing this down in a journal helps many people to gain even more clarity. But whichever way you choose to reflect, taking the time at the end of each day is a worthwhile practice. Try out some of these activities and experiment with them. There’s no right or wrong way of going about them. They are highly personal to each and every person. You’ll find that these tasks will become an effortless part of your day, and you’ll most likely end up spending much longer than just 10 minutes on them. You may even end up engaging in all of them. But whatever you decide, persistence is the key. Even if things are difficult initially, start with just a minute at a time and slowly up the game until it becomes second nature. You’ll be surprised how quickly your mind will improve and how much you’ll slow down even when things seem out of control and stressful all around you. The result will be a happier, more relaxed you with lots more energy to handle the stress all around you. If you’d like to find out more about working with me, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website. Silke Harvey, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Silke Harvey is the writer and founder of the Inner Hippie Club, a community for women who’ve lost their mojo and want to release their Inner Hippie, that carefree teenage feeling before life got serious. A professional musician, corporate employee and freelance translator in her former life, Silke draws on her colorful past and personal experience with burnout and surviving in stressful working environments to help women reclaim their inner joy and bring a healthy balance back into their lives. She has developed an effective method based on time for fun, nature, rest, reflection and gratitude. Silke is a certified Reiki Master, Reiki Drum practitioner, Seichem practitioner, Chakra Dancing and Creative Mindful Meditation facilitator and HAO animal healer and applies many of these techniques when working with clients.