Tahira is a licensed insurance annuity professional from New Jersey. She has been working in insurance for about two years and has built a strong foundation of knowledge about the different types of life insurance policies available. She is also trained and qualified to offer fixed annuities. Tahira Holland-Tucker, Life Insurance & Annuity Professional Who is Tahira Tucker? Please introduce yourself. My name is Tahira, and I am a life insurance and annuities professional and the founder of Insured By Tahira. I specialize in helping individuals and families secure tailored life insurance solutions designed to protect their legacy and financial future. What inspired you to become a life insurance and financial security expert? I was inspired to become a life insurance and financial security expert because I saw how powerful proper planning can be. I have also seen others struggle financially after unexpected events because they didn’t have the right protection in place. It made me realize how important it is to plan ahead. When people have the right financial protection in place, they can live with more confidence and less stress about the future. How do you help families and individuals secure their financial future? I help families and individuals secure their financial future by creating customized financial protection strategies using life insurance and annuities. My goal is to make sure they’re covered, protected, and confident about their future, no matter what happens. What makes your approach to life insurance different from others in the industry? My approach is different because I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. I take the time to truly understand each client’s situation, goals, and concerns before recommending anything. My focus is on education, transparency, and building long-term relationships – not just selling a policy. What common mistakes do people make when choosing insurance coverage? One of the most common mistakes people make is waiting too long to get coverage, which usually makes it more expensive. Another mistake is choosing a policy based only on price instead of making sure it actually fits their needs. A lot of people think they’re either too young or too healthy to need insurance, so they put it off. Many people also underestimate how much coverage their family would really need, or don’t review their policy as their life changes. This is why having a professional guiding you through the process makes such a big difference. Can you walk us through how you help a client find the right policy step by step? I start by getting to know the client and their story. Then I look at what they want to protect and what their goals are. After that, I walk them through their options in plain language and help them choose what fits their needs and budget. I handle the paperwork, guide them through every step, and stay connected long after the policy is in place. How do you tailor your advice to fit each client’s unique needs and goals? I start by getting to know each client, their family, lifestyle, financial responsibilities, and long-term goals. Then I assess their current situation and design a personalized protection strategy using life insurance and annuity solutions that support both their present needs and future plans. Every recommendation is tailored, there’s no one-size-fits-all in my approach. What results have your clients seen after working with you? My clients gain confidence, clarity, and peace of mind, knowing their families and financial future are protected with a plan designed just for them. Why is life insurance an essential part of financial planning, especially now? Life insurance is about peace of mind. It protects your family from financial stress if the unexpected happens. Today, with everything being unpredictable, health risks, inflation, and other financial pressures, having life insurance as part of your plan ensures your loved ones are taken care of no matter what. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give someone who’s hesitant about buying life insurance? I’d tell them to think about the people they care about most. Life insurance isn’t for you, it’s for your family. Even a small plan can make a big difference if the unexpected happens, giving your loved ones security when they need it most. How can potential clients get in touch with you to start securing their financial future? I make it easy for people to get started. They can reach me through my website, send me an email, or give me a call. I’ll take the time to understand their goals and help them find the life insurance plan that fits their needs and gives them peace of mind. Life Insurance Annuities Email Contact Phone: (609)-365-9193 Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Tahira Holland-Tucker

Written by Natasha B. Russell Darby, Transformation Architect A dynamic force in the entrepreneurial world, Natasha B. Russell Darby (NBR) is the Founder & CEO of NBR Global Solutions Inc. With a passion for empowering purpose-driven ventures, NBR Global Solutions offers coaching, speaking, training, and consulting services that equip entrepreneurs, businesses & non-profits with the tools they need to succeed. In a world obsessed with visibility, many leaders overlook the foundation that truly sustains success. This article reveals why authority is not built through branding alone, but through internal alignment, mental clarity, and identity-led leadership that allows influence and opportunity to follow naturally. The facade of modern leadership and brand authority In my two decades navigating the high-stakes world of corporate communications and municipal leadership, I have witnessed a recurring "profit leak" that many executives overlook: The Facade Fallacy. In an era dominated by digital presence, many leaders invest heavily in the external "skin" of their brand, high-end photography, polished websites, and social media campaigns, while their internal foundation is in a state of quiet crisis. A personal brand is not a logo or a colour palette, it is a resonance. It is the psychological and professional "frequency" you emit when you walk into a boardroom or lead a city-wide initiative. If your internal state is cluttered with the residue of past transitions, unhealed setbacks, or imposter syndrome, your brand will suffer from "Identity Leakage." You cannot command a million-dollar room with a hundred-dollar internal narrative. To move from a "manager" to a "governing authority," you must build using the B.O.S.S. Framework. The B.O.S.S. methodology: A blueprint for alignment 1. Believe: The internal identity audit Most branding starts with "What do you do?" I start with "Who are you becoming?" Before the market can believe in your value, you must reconcile your internal identity with your external goals. We strip away the survival-mode narratives of the past and replace them with a deep-seated authority. This is where we cultivate the "mogul mindset," the unwavering conviction that your expertise is the only logical solution to a high-value problem. 2. Optimize: The operational shift  True leadership requires a sound mind and an optimized internal environment. We focus on "cognitive load management," ensuring that your mental energy is not being drained by unmanaged stress or inefficient systems. When you optimize your daily rituals and your internal dialogue, you move from a state of "fight or flight" to a state of high-level strategic "flow." 3. Strategize: Precision positioning Once the internal foundation is unshakable, we look outward. We identify your "Unique Value Proposition" (UVP) and position you in the market as a "Category of One." We don't just "market" your services, we architect a message that speaks directly to the pain points of high-ticket clients, ensuring you are seen as a strategic partner rather than a commoditized service provider. 4. Succeed: Legacy execution Success is the byproduct of total alignment. We create a roadmap for long-term sustainability, ensuring that your growth doesn't come at the expense of your peace. This phase is about "legacy execution," building a brand that continues to work for you even when you aren't in the room. The bottom line When you align your internal character with your external communication, the "hustle" ends and the governing begins. You stop chasing opportunities and start attracting the ones that are worthy of your expertise. As the founder of NBR Global Solutions Inc., Natasha is the creator of the proprietary B.O.S.S. Framework, a transformative methodology designed to help executives and entrepreneurs build "inside-out" brands rooted in resilience, authority, and mental clarity. Her unique perspective is forged in the trenches of leadership, she doesn't just coach strategy, she lives it daily in one of the most demanding communication environments in the country. A dedicated advocate for emotional intelligence in leadership, Natasha’s mission is to help leaders move from "fight or flight" to a state of governed success. Learn more about the B.O.S.S. Framework and the 90-Day Executive Strategy Intensive here .   Follow me on Facebook and Instagram  for more info! Read more from Natasha B. Russell Natasha B. Russell Darby, Transformation Architect NBR is driven to transform lives and businesses through impactful leadership and strategic communication. With a passion for purpose-driven leadership, she empowers clients to lead with purpose, confidence, and clarity. NBR's expertise in communication, branding, and public relations enables her clients to achieve their business goals and unlock new opportunities. As a sought-after speaker and event host, she inspires audiences to reach their full potential, both personally and professionally. Dedicated to making a positive impact globally, Natasha actively volunteers her time in support of youth.

In the high-pressure world of construction, where things often move fast and unpredictably, people like David Torske bring a much-needed sense of calm and structure. Based in Calgary, David is a Project Coordinator and developing Project Manager who has built a reputation for clear communication, strong organization, and a solutions-first mindset. “I’ve always been someone who likes to break things down,” David says. “If a project feels chaotic, it’s usually because the pieces aren’t clear yet. That’s where I focus, taking complexity and turning it into a plan people can follow.” How a BC childhood shaped a builder David grew up in interior British Columbia, surrounded by lakes, mountains, and small-town sports. He spent his school years playing basketball and volleyball, while also skating and swinging bats in community hockey and baseball leagues. Looking back, he says the value of those early team sports was less about the trophies and more about learning discipline and trust. “You show up for your teammates. You put in the work. And when things go wrong, you regroup instead of pointing fingers,” he says. That mindset has carried into his construction work today. From coordination to leadership David’s role in construction spans both residential and commercial projects. He manages timelines, tracks changes, and works closely with trades and vendors to keep things on course. What sets him apart is how he blends detailed planning with real-time flexibility. On a typical day, David might be reviewing schedules, troubleshooting delivery delays, helping prep pre-construction documents, or checking in with trades to confirm site readiness. He’s often the person who sees potential slowdowns before they happen and puts steps in place to keep things moving. “A lot of what I do comes down to communication,” David says. “Not just sending updates, but making sure the right people have the right information at the right time.” The value of strong documentation One area where David shines is in documentation. He takes pride in managing accurate records that can stand up to scrutiny and support the team through every phase of the build. “I try to treat every project like someone else might need to pick it up mid-stream,” he explains. “That means no guesswork in the files. Everything should be clear, what changed, when, and why.” With tools like Excel, Microsoft Project, and Procore, David brings a technical edge to his coordination style. His reports are clean, his logs are current, and his approach helps reduce errors across the board. Working with clients and staying cool under pressure Another reason David is trusted by teams and clients alike is his calm, professional demeanor. Even when tensions rise on-site or deadlines shift, he stays steady. “I try to listen first, and respond second,” he says. “Clients want to know they’re heard. And if there’s a solution, I’m going to find it without adding stress to the mix.” His approach has helped foster long-term client relationships and improve cross-team collaboration. It’s one of the reasons he’s continued to grow into leadership roles. Lessons from the outdoors Outside of work, David finds peace in the natural world. On weekends, you’ll often find him in the Alberta foothills or tucked along a quiet stream with a fly rod in hand. His favorite trips involve studying topographic maps to discover remote trout waters, places few people visit but that offer deep solitude and reward. “There’s something about standing in a cold river with a fly rod that resets everything,” he says. “You focus on one cast, one drift. That kind of patience comes in handy when you’re managing construction timelines.” He also collects sports cards, mostly hockey, baseball, and basketball, and reads graphic novels for their creative storytelling. “It’s fun to shift into a different kind of story,” he says. “There’s art and pacing and problem-solving in those pages too.” David Torske's path of steady growth As he continues to expand his skills, David remains focused on building better systems, better teams, and better outcomes. “I’m always looking for ways to improve the process,” he says. “Not just for myself, but for the whole project. Whether it’s trimming a schedule or improving how we share info, small changes add up.” He’s currently working toward broader leadership roles in project management and continues to earn praise for his structure, calm, and clarity. “Big projects don’t scare me,” he says. “You just take them one step at a time, and make sure no one is taking those steps alone.”

Written by Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Gemma Sheppard BSc, MSc, is a mindset coach for ambitious women who have lost themselves. She helps women reclaim their self-worth, own their big identity shifts & remember who the f*ck they are, using a unique blend of science and spirituality. One thing I’ve noticed since moving back to England is how much British people love complaining, it’s exhausting. It seems like some people can find fault in almost anything. The traffic, the weather, the way someone spoke, everything is a reason to be frustrated or let down. I used to think that the person was the problem, maybe it was genetic, and their whole family was negative people. But actually, it is their brain. The human brain constantly scans for information that confirms what it already believes to be true. So if you believe life is hard, unfair, or filled with difficult people, your brain will filter your experiences through that belief, and you will keep finding proof. This is known as confirmation bias, and it quietly determines how you interpret your entire world. The psychology of negative thinking When your mind is trained to look for problems, your body follows. Negative thinking and emotions like anger, resentment, and frustration release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Your brain begins craving the intensity of those emotional spikes, even when your logical mind wants peace. The body learns to feel safe in chaos because chaos feels familiar. Over time, this chemical state becomes subconsciously comfortable, and the nervous system starts to seek it out, meaning the brain becomes unintentionally addicted to negative thinking patterns. Yes, you read that right, addicted like we get addicted to smoking, drugs, or alcohol, except it is to negative emotional states. And these are just as damaging, if not worse than addictions to substances, because most drug addicts know they are drug addicts, but people with a negative mindset may not even know there is another option. And here is the worst part, your negative mindset might be killing you. So even if you do not smoke, your body is still under attack from the addiction to negativity. Your mindset is the lens you live through Think of your mindset as the glasses through which you experience reality. If the glasses are clouded with judgment, comparison, or self-righteousness, everything you see will look distorted. But if you start clearing that lens by noticing what is working and what is true, you begin to see life differently. This does not mean ignoring your emotions or pretending everything is fine. It means training your attention to include what is actually true, safety, progress, connection, and possibility. Five steps to retrain your brain I have to add a caveat here, as the title says five easy steps. And the steps themselves are not difficult, but the process of breaking the negative thinking cycle will take time. Whether you stick with it depends on how much you want to live your life differently. Notice your focus: Observe how often you scan for problems. Awareness is the first stage of emotional intelligence. Pause before reacting: A deep breath interrupts the stress response and gives your brain a moment to reset. Reframe: Ask, “What else could be true?” or “What is one thing going right?” This builds cognitive flexibility and helps weaken negative thinking patterns. Practise gratitude and humour: Both increase dopamine and serotonin, naturally countering your brain’s negativity bias and helping shift your negative mindset toward a more positive outlook. Repeat daily. Neuroplasticity happens through repetition. The more often you redirect your attention, the stronger the new pattern becomes. The mindset shift that changes everything If you are always looking for something to be annoyed about, you will always find it. But if you start looking for signs of peace, progress, and purpose you will find those too. You do not see life as it is, you see it as you are. And the more you clean that internal lens, the clearer and calmer your world becomes. This does not just benefit you by literally increasing your lifespan, it benefits others because they are not constantly polluted with your negative thinking or energy. Your mindset does not just influence your emotions, it creates your experience. Change your focus, and you change your life. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Gemma Sheppard Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Gemma is the founder of Align & Grow Coaching and author of the Align & Shine Workbook, guiding women through the messy stages of identity shifts into unapologetic confidence. With a background in Psychology (BSc) and Human-Animal Interaction (MSc), she blends evidence-based tools with grounded spirituality and a no BS approach. Her work includes digital products, workshops, and coaching experiences. You'll usually find her outside with her horse or rescue dog, dreaming of a future animal sanctuary X retreat centre. Her mantra, f*ck fitting in.

Written by Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Gemma Sheppard BSc, MSc, is a mindset coach for ambitious women who have lost themselves. She helps women reclaim their self-worth, own their big identity shifts & remember who the f*ck they are, using a unique blend of science and spirituality. In my work as a mindset coach, clients often say, “I can’t stop the negative thoughts.” These automatic thoughts can seem uncontrollable, almost like your thoughts are actually you. In fact, what’s happening in your mind is a powerful dynamic of automatic thinking and beliefs. Many clients struggle with negative thinking patterns, which often appear as these automatic thoughts. Drawing on my academic background in psychology and my coaching experience, I want to break down why understanding the difference between the two is essential for reshaping identity. For many people, understanding this difference is exactly what they need when they are feeling stuck. What are automatic thoughts? Psychologist Aaron Beck, the founder of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), [1 ] first described automatic thoughts as rapid, involuntary responses to everyday situations. They’re often negative, exaggerated, and self-critical. For example: You spill your coffee: “I’m such an idiot.” You see someone look your way: “They must not like me.” From a neuroscience perspective, these thoughts are shortcuts. They arise in milliseconds, fuelled by the brain’s survival mechanisms. Their job is to keep you safe by predicting danger. But in modern life, they often leave you paralysed in fear or spiralling in self-doubt. There is some evidence to suggest that automatic negative thinking patterns may predict depression in healthy individuals. [2 ] What are beliefs? Beliefs sit beneath automatic thoughts. These beliefs are the long-standing assumptions you hold about yourself, others, and the world, and they are often formed in childhood or through repeated experiences. If automatic thoughts are the waves, beliefs are the ocean currents. The thought “I’m such an idiot” may feel fleeting, but if you carry the belief “I’m not good enough,” that single thought reinforces the belief and strengthens the cycle. Over time, beliefs shape your sense of identity. These negative beliefs are sometimes called self-limiting beliefs. What’s important to stress is this, beliefs aren’t facts, they’re learned interpretations, and they can be unlearned. [3] Why does this distinction matter? If we get caught up in our automatic negative thinking, it can feel like we are drowning. Each time you catch one, another one pops up, and it becomes a negative cycle. But when you work at the level of beliefs, you are able to interrupt the entire cycle. For example: Automatic thought: “I’ll mess this up if I speak.” Underlying belief: “My voice doesn’t matter.” Challenging the thought might help you survive a single meeting. Shifting the belief empowers you to redefine your identity as someone whose voice does matter and act accordingly. This is a practical approach to stopping negative thinking. The science of change CBT has demonstrated for decades that reframing automatic thoughts reduces anxiety and depression. But neuroscience adds another layer, beliefs are tied to entrenched neural pathways. Research on neuroplasticity shows the brain can rewire when you pair cognitive reframing with embodied practices such as breathwork, grounding, or nervous system regulation. [4] These practices signal safety to the body, which allows new beliefs to take root. [5] This is where mindset work stops being surface-level and starts creating lasting transformation. Practical application in coaching With my clients, I encourage a four-step process: Catch the thought: Identify when an automatic negative thought arises. Name it. Label it as a thought, not the truth. Identify the belief: Ask, “What belief is this thought feeding?” Then challenge its validity. Where did it come from? Whose voice is it? Regulate: Take a deep breath and exhale longer than your inhale, splash cold water on your face, or shake it out. Do whatever you need for a quick reset. Reframe and affirm: Once you are regulated, you can reframe the limiting belief into an affirmation. Repeat this process as many times as you need to rewire your brain. I integrate evidence-based psychology with nervous system tools, including grounding, breathwork, and working alongside animals to co-regulate stress responses. This blend helps clients not only change their thinking but also embody new beliefs. Using real-life examples of beliefs helps clients see the patterns clearly. Identity is malleable Automatic thoughts are noisy but fleeting. Beliefs are quieter but deeply influential. Both matter, but if you want to reshape your identity, beliefs are where the true leverage lies. By learning to distinguish between the two, and by working with both the mind and the body, you give yourself the tools to step out of old stories and create new ones. This approach also teaches your system how to change negative thinking over time and allows you to cultivate a growth mindset. Identity isn’t fixed, it’s a practice. And every new thought, every belief you challenge, is a chance to become the future you. If you notice yourself stuck in automatic negative thoughts or want support in reshaping your beliefs, coaching can help. I work with clients to identify patterns, challenge limiting beliefs, and cultivate a growth mindset, allowing you to step into your full potential. Visit my website for more blogs, free resources, digital products, and to stay connected. Follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Gemma Sheppard Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Gemma is the founder of Align & Grow Coaching and author of the Align & Shine Workbook, guiding women through the messy stages of identity shifts into unapologetic confidence. With a background in Psychology (BSc) and Human-Animal Interaction (MSc), she blends evidence-based tools with grounded spirituality and a no BS approach. Her work includes digital products, workshops, and coaching experiences. You'll usually find her outside with her horse or rescue dog, dreaming of a future animal sanctuary X retreat centre. Her mantra, f*ck fitting in.

In this insightful interview, Gemma Sheppard, a multi-passionate entrepreneur, writer, and educator, shares her journey of rebuilding self-worth through sobriety, nervous system awareness, and deep personal alignment. Drawing on lived experience and academic training, Gemma reflects on identity change, boundaries, and the often-overlooked role animals play in human healing and growth. Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Who is Gemma Sheppard? Gemma is a multi-passionate entrepreneur whose ADHD brain keeps her curious, creative, and constantly learning. Her interests span psychology, personal development, animal welfare, yoga, cooking, reading, and writing, all woven together by a core question: how do humans actually change? Gemma has lived through multiple identity rebirths, including losing her father at a young age, navigating addiction, relocating to Vietnam for four years, getting sober in 2021, adopting a rescue dog, and experiencing reverse culture shock after returning to England in 2023. Having recently completed her MSc in Human-Animal Interaction and Wellbeing, she now sits at the intersection of psychology, nervous system regulation, and animal-human relationships. Gemma is the founder of More Than Human, a welfare-first animal care and education business, and the creator of Animals Make Us Human, a Skool community exploring how animals shape our emotional worlds, identities, and capacity for growth. Alongside this, she offers pet relationship coaching, supporting people to understand the psychological patterns, beliefs, and nervous system dynamics that influence how they relate to their animals. Her rescue dog, Nelly, and her horse, Mr Kipps, ensure she spends most of her time outdoors whether that’s on group walks, at the yard, or exploring the countryside. Gemma describes herself as a “feral woman”, having consciously shed rigid societal expectations around appearance, productivity, and what a successful life should look like. Her intention is simple: to become more herself each day. What do you mean when you say “self-worth is the foundation of everything”? When we consistently think we’re not good enough, not clever enough, not attractive enough, not capable enough, we unconsciously look for evidence to support that story. Our nervous system reinforces it, and our external world starts to mirror it back to us through relationships, work, and opportunities. Until you commit to rebuilding self-worth brick by brick, old patterns will keep repeating. That often means recognising that some of the people around you contributed to your loss of self-worth, sometimes intentionally, often unintentionally. Growth requires discernment. You have to notice who still aligns with you when you stop abandoning yourself. Boundaries are a powerful act of self-love. They tend to frustrate the wrong people and energise the right ones. Learning to say no and to tolerate the discomfort that follows is one of the most important lessons on the path to freedom. Why is nervous-system awareness so important during life transitions? Major transitions shake our sense of identity. Sobriety, grief, relocation, starting or closing a business, relationship changes, getting a pet, these experiences are often interpreted by the nervous system as a threat, even when they’re moving us toward a better life. The nervous system doesn’t care about long-term fulfilment. It cares about survival. Without awareness, it reacts as if you’re being chased by a lion, even if you're not, but if you actually are, run. When you learn how to regulate your nervous system, you can embody change rather than intellectually understand it. You start to recognise the beliefs, habits, assumptions, and relational patterns that keep you stuck and crucially, you realise they’re not fixed. You are not your thoughts: they are suggestions, not facts. Can you share a transformation story that really stayed with you? One client in her 50s had spent years living alone in her marital home after a divorce. Her adult child had moved out, and she was left rattling around the house with her cats. Sobriety had already begun to lift the fog, revealing that alcohol had numbed trauma, grief, anger, and the realisation of how poorly she had been treated in the past. She’d tried therapy, but she was ready for movement. She needed honesty, accountability, and compassion at the same time. The transformation she made over a few months was extraordinary. Each week she showed up having processed layers of experiences she’d carried for decades. She journaled, meditated, visualised, and, most importantly, took responsibility for her inner world. Eventually, she chose to relocate temporarily, giving herself permission to simply be for the first time in her life. Watching her reclaim her agency was deeply moving. What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck or disconnected from themselves? Get it out of your head and onto something external. Buy a beautiful notebook and write. If writing isn’t your thing, use voice notes or videos. Keeping everything inside is corrosive and affects your mind, your body, and your relationships. Your life and health are your responsibility but you can change your internal landscape, but you don’t have to do it alone. Find someone who believes in you fully such as a coach, therapist, partner, or friend, who will support you without colluding with your avoidance. You need encouragement and grounding when you’re riding the storm. What’s the first step if someone is ready to say “f*ck it” and start fresh? Don’t wait until you feel ready, you'll be waiting forever: act first and feel ready later. Thank your nervous system for trying to protect you, even when it’s being overzealous. Speak to yourself and others with compassion. Remember, your thoughts are not facts, they're suggestions, you get to decide which ones you live by. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Gemma Sheppard

Written by Jingying Xu, Founder of Meditate Into Prosperity Jingying Xu, Ph.D., is the founder of Meditate Into Prosperity, guiding professionals and leaders to transform inner power into outward presence through meditation, energy healing, and personal growth coaching. A former Research Scientist at the University of Oxford, she blends scientific rigor with Eastern wisdom for lasting transformation. Leadership presence is often misunderstood as confidence or charisma. In reality, true aura is something people feel before a leader ever speaks. This article explores how nervous system regulation, embodiment, and authenticity create quiet authority, shaping how leaders influence, stabilise, and expand the spaces they lead. People often ask me what gives a leader real presence. Is it confidence? Posture? Voice projection? Charisma? These things may help. But they are not the source of aura. True leadership aura is not something you perform. It is something people feel, even when you are not trying. It is the quiet authority that remains when the meeting falls silent, when decisions become uncertain, when the room waits for someone to steady the field. Aura is not a technique, it is where you stand internally The most powerful leaders I have met rarely try to look powerful. They do not rush to dominate the room. They do not compete for attention. They do not need to raise their voice or reinforce their title. They simply stand fully inside themselves. And something subtle happens. The room slows down. People listen more carefully. Tension begins to soften. Because aura is not created by performance. Aura is created by internal position. Where are you standing inside yourself when you lead? The nervous system is the hidden engine of aura This is something few leadership trainings ever discuss. What we call “aura” is, at its core, a reflection of nervous system regulation. When a leader is internally anxious, afraid of losing control, concerned about being judged, needing to prove their authority, the body reveals it instantly: Shallow breathing. Tight shoulders. Restless movements. Rapid speech. Eyes that scan instead of settle. No matter how polished the words, the nervous system communicates first. People may not consciously notice, but they will feel it. And they will register one quiet message: “This person is not fully stable.” True aura begins when the nervous system feels safe. When breathing slows. When the body softens. When presence replaces tension. Only then does authority become natural. Powerful leaders do not need to compress others There is a simple way to recognise real aura. Observe what happens to others in the leader’s presence. Leaders without a true aura often rely on: Interrupting. Controlling. Dominating the conversation. Reinforcing hierarchy. They may have power, but they do not hold the field. Leaders with real aura do something very different. They do not shrink the room. They expand it. People speak more freely. Ideas become clearer. Emotions regulate naturally. Silence becomes comfortable. Because when a leader is internally stable, they no longer need to press themselves upward by pressing others down. True authority does not compress. It stabilises. Aura is a somatic skill before it is a leadership skill One of the most overlooked aspects of presence is the role of the body. Aura does not originate in the head. It grows from the ground. Leaders with a strong aura often share the same physical qualities: A grounded stance. A steady centre of gravity. Slow, economical movement. Eyes that settle instead of search. Their energy rises from the feet, through the spine, into the voice. This is why practices such as: Breath awareness Walking meditation Grounding Somatic regulation are not spiritual luxuries. They are leadership technologies. When consciousness fully inhabits the body, the aura becomes embodied. And embodiment is the foundation of authority. The strongest aura comes from authenticity Perhaps the most surprising truth is this: The leaders with the strongest aura are often the most natural. They allow pauses. They admit uncertainty. They do not fear silence. They do not hide vulnerability. Because authenticity carries an extraordinarily stable frequency. When a leader is no longer defending an image, no longer protecting an identity, no longer performing a role, the nervous system relaxes, and the entire room follows. Trust grows not from perfection, but from coherence. From the alignment between what is felt, what is spoken, and what is lived. Presence is the new leadership advantage In an era of complexity, speed, and uncertainty, what organisations need most is not louder leadership. It is steadier leadership. The ability to regulate the emotional field. To hold clarity under pressure. To transmit safety in moments of uncertainty. To anchor decisions in calm presence rather than urgency. This is not charisma. This is a regulation. And regulation is contagious. Working with Jingying Xu, PhD, DipBSoM Jingying Xu’s work integrates neuroscience-informed meditation, somatic regulation, and consciousness-based leadership development. Her signature approach, The Jingying Method, supports leaders in cultivating: Nervous system stability under complexity Embodied authority and grounded presence Emotional coherence and intuitive clarity A natural leadership aura that influences without force She offers: Guided Meditation Programmes for Nervous System Regulation & Presence Private 1-to-1 Leadership Mentoring for Executive Presence & Embodied Authority A Weekly Newsletter on Meditation, Healing & Conscious Leadership Learn more and subscribe here . For more info, follow me on Instagram . Read more from Jingying Xu Jingying Xu, Founder of Meditate Into Prosperity Jingying Xu (Ph.D., DipBSoM) is the founder of Meditate Into Prosperity, guiding professionals and leaders to transform inner power into outward presence through meditation, energy healing, and personal growth coaching. A certified Level-3 Meditation Teacher with the British School of Meditation and former Research Scientist at the University of Oxford, she combines scientific rigor with 18 years of practice. Blending Eastern wisdom with Western science, Jingying empowers clients to realign within, expand clarity and presence, and lead with authentic impact.

Written by Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Certified Wholistic Personal Trainer, Intuitive Healer & Cosmic Energy Reader Joanne Angel Barry Colon has 30+ years in the health, fitness, and wellness industry. She is the Wholistic Fitness owner located in Queens, New York, a certified holistic personal trainer, intuitive healer, cosmic energy reader, student of Astrology, Master of Numerology, and Creator of Chakra Balance Numerology Cosmic Energy Forecast Deck. Are you feeling the energy shifts between the planets and the Lunar animals? On January 26, 2026, Neptune leaves Pisces after spending 14 years in its home sign, and Saturn leaves Pisces after 3 years. Both Neptune and Saturn move into fiery Aries, starting a new astrological cycle. Four days later, we say Goodbye to the Year of the Wood Snake. On February 17, 2026, we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. Get ready for lots of action, speed, courage, independence, and travel. However, with all of this fire energy, we usually rely on the element of water to balance it out so it does not get out of control. This is where it gets complicated. There is absolutely no water energy coming from the outer planets in the 2026 chart. So the earth element must do all the balancing work. Thank goodness for the closer planets, Venus and Mercury. For the first 4-weeks we will experience a little bit of the water element coming from Pisces. Venus enters Pisces on February 10th through March 6th. Venus in Pisces is when individuals seek spiritual connection and emotional merger, expressing affection through art, healing, or selfless devotion, often leading to dreamy, empathetic, and boundary-dissolving relationships, though sometimes struggling with discernment. Venus in Pisces is exalted. The first 4-weeks of the Fire Horse may be very powerful for many. Mercury enters Pisces on February 6th through April 14th. Mercury goes retrograde on February 26 through March 20th. During Mercury in Pisces, your mind, communication, and thinking style are deeply intuitive, empathetic, imaginative, and spiritually connected, processing information through feeling and synthesis rather than pure logic, leading to creative expression (art, music, poetry) but sometimes challenges with clarity, boundaries, and practical details. During Mercury's retrograde in Pisces, you may notice communication, thinking, and technical skills slow down, making it ideal for spiritual reflection, revisiting past issues, and trusting intuition over logic, and feeling lost in fantasy or emotion. How will the first 4 weeks of the Fire Horse amplify your intuition, spiritual growth, psychic abilities, dreams, imagination, and illusions? With both Venus and Mercury transiting Pisces, pay attention to any physical symptoms that may surface. Physical symptoms are your body's way of letting you know an emotion may need attention.   With both Neptune and Saturn transiting Aries, you may begin to question who you are, why you're here, and what legacy you will leave behind. Take a look at the house Aries and Pisces are in and read what is in store for you during the first 4-weeks of the Fire Horse cycle and thereafter. First house: Represents the house of self, how you want to be seen, first impression, and starting new things and new beginnings. Associated with Aries and ruled by Mars, it’s time to be a leader and take charge. Second house: Related to personal finances, material and physical possessions, relationships, marriage, contracts, values, covers our emotions, feeling secure, and saving money. Associated with Taurus and ruled by Venus. Speaking up and speaking your truth helps you be seen and heard. Third house: Represents communication, learning, teaching, speaking, creativity, listening, technology, schedules, planning, and travel. Associated with Gemini and ruled by Mercury. It’s a perfect time to have a conversation and clear the air. Fourth house: Related to healing, caring, nurturing, home (shelter, body, work, soul purpose), relationship with mother, other women, and feminine. Associated with Cancer and ruled by the Moon. As you change and let go of what no longer serves you, healing begins. Fifth house: Represents change, freedom, courage, charm, creativity, self-expression, and unpredictability. Associated with Leo and ruled by the Sun. It’s a great time to be courageous and experience freedom. Sixth house: Related to organizing, routine, schedules, planning, healing, nervous system, body, and illness. Associated with Virgo and ruled by Mercury. What area in your life can you receive more or give more, and release guilt or judgement? Seventh house: Represents Balance, harmony, relationships, marriage, contracts, meditation, quiet, spiritual awakening, and agreement. Associated with Libra and ruled by Venus, a great time to bring more play and joy into your day and relationships. Eighth house: The house of crisis, the time to handle extreme circumstances. This is the side of you that deals with death, endings, transformation, finances. This house is also associated with surgery, psychotherapy, and the way we heal after loss. Associated with Scorpio and ruled by Pluto and Mars. Remember what you focus on grows. How would you like to see yourself transform? Ninth house: Represents new experiences, higher learning, foreign places, long-distance travel, dream state, and legal matters. Higher education, publishing, advertising, and having your own opinions are handled here, along with politics, religion, and philosophy. Associated with Sagittarius and ruled by Jupiter. It’s a perfect time to learn something new, teach something new, or connect with your higher consciousness. Tenth house: Related to success, fame, achievement, awards, recognition, work, soul's purpose, relationship with father, other men, and masculine energy. Associated with Capricorn and ruled by Saturn. It’s a perfect time to applaud yourself for all that you achieved and completed. Be your own cheerleader!  Eleventh house: Represents community, visionary, patience, the weird kid on the block, curious, analytical, and an overthinker. Associated with Aquarius and ruled by Uranus and Saturn. Where can you be more compassionate toward yourself and allow yourself to stand out? Twelve house: Represents your intuition, psychic abilities, empathy, kindness, caring, dreaming, letting go of things that no longer serve you, and addictions. This house carries all the other houses' energies. Associated with Pisces and ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. Trust your intuition and your dreams to help you let go of what no longer serves you. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more info! Read more from Joanne Angel Barry Colon Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Certified Wholistic Personal Trainer, Intuitive Healer & Cosmic Energy Reader Joanne Angel Barry Colon has 30+ years in the health, fitness, and wellness industry. She is the Wholistic Fitness owner located in Queens, New York, a certified holistic personal trainer, intuitive healer, cosmic energy reader, student of Astrology, Master of Numerology, and Creator of Chakra Balance Numerology Cosmic Energy Forecast Deck. She is the Host of Joanne's Healing Within TV Show, Joanne's Cosmic Energy Radio Show, and Author/Self-Publisher. Joanne's mission is to help women (men by referral) release issues from their tissues as they release emotional weight and fall in love with themselves while witnessing their transformation into the best version of themselves.

Written by Versandra J. Kennebrew, Speaker, Author & Healing Artist Versandra J. Kennebrew is a dynamic motivational speaker, healing artist, and holistic health educator with more than two decades of transformative experience. As the founder of Optimal Living Retreats LP, she empowers couples, communities, and wellness professionals to embrace touch as a sacred tool for healing and connection. Her innovative work in relationship wellness earned her the prestigious 2025 CREA Global Award from Brainz Magazine, honoring her contributions to holistic healing and emotional intimacy. In today’s rapidly changing world, organizations often struggle with disengagement, isolation, and the growing epidemic of workplace loneliness. The Power of Common-unity in Organizations explores how intentional human connection transforms teams into thriving communities. Drawing from nearly a decade of leadership within Toastmasters International and an award-winning tenure as District 14 Program Quality Director, I demonstrate in this speech how “common-unity”. A fusion of shared purpose and collective growth, ignites engagement, strengthens collaboration, and fills the void of meaningful relationships. Good evening, District 14 Toastmasters family! It’s an honor to be here with you to celebrate the successes of our clubs during the first half of this Toastmasters year. Nearly 10 years ago, I walked into my first club meeting in College Park, Georgia, with a dream to speak, to lead, and to connect like one of my mentors, Les Brown, The Motivator. What I found at Ardyss Toastmasters Club Atlanta in District 44 was far more powerful than a podium or a timer. I found a community, a common-unity, that lit up my life and my speaking career. Today, I want to explore how the shared heartbeat of Toastmasters can help us overcome three common challenges to member engagement, and how it can fill the void of meaningful relationships in a world that’s growing lonelier by the day. Let’s talk about the power of common-unity We live in the most connected time in human history. We carry minicomputers around in our pockets and receive countless notifications and unwanted phone calls from telemarketers, yet loneliness is at an all-time high. Studies show that over half of Americans feel isolated, unseen, or emotionally disconnected. But here’s the truth, loneliness isn’t just a lack of people. It’s a lack of meaningful connection. Like some of you, I joined Toastmasters to enhance my public speaking skills. On a warm and toasty summer day in 2016, I received my Competent Communication manuals in the mailbox, and I jumped right in, page by page and project by project, until I achieved, drum roll please, “DTM!” That’s right, my dear Toasties. I achieved the highest education distinction in Toastmasters International, Distinguished Toastmaster, or DTM. I learned quickly that Toastmasters is not only a place to practice speaking, but also a global movement of people who show up, speak up, and lift each other up. And when we tap into our common-unity, we don’t just build better speakers, we build better leaders and better humans. From my experience sponsoring and mentoring hundreds of Toastmasters members, there are three top challenges that keep members from fully engaging, and how common-unity can break through each one. 1. Fear of failure Many members hesitate to speak or lead because they fear being judged or falling short. I remember mentoring a new member who wanted to wait for weeks to present her Ice Breaker. The fear she was experiencing led her to make excuse after excuse for not adding her name to the agenda as a speaker. We got together after a club meeting and met with the Vice President Education. Together, she and I encouraged our new member to consider what she wanted her new family to know about her. Career, hobbies, pets, hopes, and dreams were some of the topics we suggested she might explore. She lit up when we mentioned hopes and dreams, and her speech revealed a special part of herself that she didn’t share often. We broke down barriers that day and made a meaningful connection through discovering what mattered most to her. Common-unity creates safety. It says, “You’re not alone. We grow together.” 2. Inadequate information sharing Opportunities are missed when communication is unclear or siloed. I’ve seen clubs lose momentum simply because members didn’t know about contests, trainings, or opportunities outside the four walls of the club. Depending on your club’s niche, members have specific communication expectations. A few examples: Hope Speaks Toastmasters Entrepreneurs, average age 25 to 45, ministry or community service Preferred communication: WhatsApp and telephone calls Your Small Business Toastmasters Preferred communication: Email, newsletters St. Augustine Toastmasters Preferred communication: Church bulletins, flyers, church events When we share information openly, using the most common communication methods for our members, we create a culture of inclusion. Common-unity thrives on transparency. It says, “We rise when we share.” 3. Lack of education program awareness Here’s a brief overview: Pathways Learning Experience, six specialized paths Better Speakers Series, 10 to 15-minute advanced education projects Better Leader Series, 10 to 15-minute advanced education projects These education tracks help members develop crucial communication and leadership skills through hands-on practice in a supportive environment. They boost confidence, improve presentation delivery, enhance critical thinking, and teach effective team roles. However, until recent Pathways updates, they may have been hidden in plain sight. I recall one member telling me, “I didn’t know what a DTM was. I thought Toastmasters clubs were just about giving speeches.” That’s a missed opportunity. Common-unity is about empowerment. It says, “Let me show you what’s possible.” So what is common-unity? It’s the fusion of shared purpose, mutual growth, and collective joy. It’s what happens when a club becomes a family. When a speech becomes a breakthrough. When a handshake becomes a lifeline. From Atlanta to Accra, Toastmasters clubs are lighting up lives. Every time we welcome a new member, mentor a peer, or celebrate a win, we’re building a bridge across the loneliness gap. Let’s be intentional. Let’s be connection catalysts. Fellow Toastmasters, when we move from isolation to common-unity, we don’t just speak, we are heard. Let’s commit to creating spaces where every voice matters, every story is honored, and every member feels seen. Because community isn’t built by proximity, it’s built by intentionality, safety, transparency, and empowerment. If you are able, I invite you to stand and extend your hands to the Toastmasters member on your right and your left. Look them in the eyes and say these words, “We are Toastmasters!” When we say these words, we are declaring that we embody the promise, mission, and vision of Toastmasters International. Now give yourselves a huge round of applause for committing to your own personal development. Let’s continue to celebrate one another and tap into the power of common-unity. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Versandra J. Kennebrew Versandra J. Kennebrew, Speaker, Author & Healing Artist A certified yoga teacher and graduate of Irene’s Myomassology Institute and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Versandra blends science, spirit, and storytelling to create immersive wellness experiences. Her book Touch Me With Love: Intimate Alignment for Couples Through Touch and Yoga is a cornerstone of her mission to restore trust and deepen love through intentional touch. Whether speaking on international stages or mentoring future wellness leaders, Versandra’s message is clear: love is the force that binds us, and touch is its language.

Written by Kate Adey, Business Founder Kate Adey is described as wise, insightful, and pragmatic, creating immediate safety for transformation. A mother of three with a Master's in Leadership, she's the author of The Other Way, which distils 20 years working with professional women through transitions and leaders creating cultures where excellence and wholeness aren't in opposition. Working 70-hour weeks. Checking emails at 11 pm. Always available, never switching off. High performers often adopt these behaviours to maintain control and achieve peak results. Yet, what if these very actions are not proof of control, but clear signs that control has slipped away? The relentless push is depleting your body, straining relationships, and reducing your effectiveness. This article argues that real high performance comes not from overexertion, but from working with your natural rhythms. You will learn why the control cycle traps high achievers, what research really shows about exhaustion and performance, and how to trade depletion for sustainable success. What is the control paradox? Many high-performing leaders believe that working longer, being constantly available, and ignoring personal well being deliver better results. Their reasoning is that having more control should lead to more achievement. However, this pursuit of control backfires, creating what is known as the control paradox, where more control leads to less real effectiveness. But here is the uncomfortable truth. These behaviours are not evidence of control, they signal its absence. Losing control can hide behind the appearance of relentless effort. While working 70+ hour weeks, your sleep quality deteriorates. When you are always available, your relationships become strained. When you never switch off, physical tension and health symptoms emerge. When you neglect your personal needs, your team experiences higher burnout rates. This is the control paradox. The belief that “it’s all up to me” creates the very depletion and breakdown you are trying to prevent. When pressure mounts, you tighten control and sacrifice rest and well being. It works briefly, until your body forces a stop through illness or exhaustion. Then the cycle repeats. What the research reveals about exhaustion’s impact The data tells a clear story about what happens when we ignore our body’s signals and push through depletion. Stanford research shows 70-hour workweeks yield no more output than 55 focused hours. Productivity drops after 55 hours, and extra effort adds no value while draining your energy. Sleep deprivation results in a 20% drop in decision-making accuracy. Think about that. One-fifth of your decision-making capacity is lost when you do not get proper rest. For leaders making critical choices that affect teams, budgets, and strategy, this is not a minor inconvenience, it is a fundamental impairment. Teams led by “always on” leaders burn out 35% more. Constant availability creates a culture of overwork and pressure, harming both performance and well being. This is not about working less. Now is the time to take stock of your own cycles. Notice when you are pushing against your natural energy and commit to making one small adjustment this week. Sustainable performance starts with tuning in to your body’s messages. Why January is the worst time to demand growth Every January, the pressure arrives. Set goals now. Reinvent yourself. Launch that new product. Rebrand your company. New year, new you. But here is what is happening. Your body is in Winter. Biologically, seasonally, energetically, you are in a period designed for rest, composting, and clarity. Not forced harvest. We have built our working lives around the Gregorian calendar, a linear, solar, transactional system created in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. It was designed for production, not regeneration. It made time measurable and monetizable, turning humans into what historian E.P. Thompson called “time discipline machines.” Before this linear approach to time, humans lived by natural, circular rhythms connected to moon cycles and growing seasons. Four distinct phases, light and dark, fallow and bloom. Winter was not a failure to be productive, it was essential preparation for Spring’s growth. When you demand growth from yourself in January, you are asking a seed buried in frozen ground to bloom. It is not a lack of discipline that makes this hard. It is that you are working against your biology. The other way is to work with your energy, not against it. To recognise that sustainable high performance requires honouring natural cycles of action and rest, visibility and composting, blooming and integration. Understanding your four anchor points Breaking the control cycle requires honest assessment across four critical areas of your life. These are not separate compartments, they are interconnected anchor points that either reinforce sustainable performance or accelerate depletion. Work and career: This reveals how you are managing your workload, setting boundaries, and believing that everything depends on you. Are you working excessive hours? Checking email late at night? Finding it difficult to disconnect? These are not signs of dedication, they are symptoms of the control paradox in action. Health and physical well-being: Your body keeps the score. Physical tension, deteriorating sleep quality, and persistent health symptoms are your nervous system’s way of signalling that something needs to change. When work pressure increases, this is precisely when physical wellbeing matters most, not when you can afford to abandon it. Relationships and family: Limited quality time with family. Being physically present but mentally elsewhere. Relationships feel strained despite your professional success. Connection requires presence, and presence requires the capacity to be there, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Self-care and rest: This is not about spa days or luxury holidays. It is about basic resourcing. Do you have time for activities that restore you? Can you rest without guilt? Are you treating yourself with the same care you would offer someone you are responsible for? Self-care is not selfish, it is the foundation that makes everything else possible. Your highest score across these four areas reveals where the control cycle is costing you most. Identify this area and choose one tangible action you can take today to begin breaking the cycle. What you can influence but cannot control Here is something your body does without your conscious effort such as breathing, heartbeat, nail growth, and cellular regeneration. These automatic processes continue whether you are paying attention or not. Your body knows how to regulate itself. Yet we have convinced ourselves that we must control everything manually. We override tiredness with caffeine. We push through pain. We ignore signals that our system is overloaded. And then we are surprised when things break down. The shift is not about adding more control. It is about understanding what you can influence. You cannot control outcomes, other people’s responses, or external circumstances. But you can influence your nervous system, your breath, your response to pressure, and your capacity to be present. This is where working with natural rhythms becomes practical. Humans are rhythmic creatures. We have ultradian cycles, 90-minute rhythms of focus and rest, circadian cycles, 24-hour patterns of alertness and sleep, and infradian cycles, monthly and seasonal fluctuations. When you work with these rhythms, taking breaks during ultradian dips, honouring your need for sleep during circadian low points, and recognising seasonal energy shifts, you improve focus, creativity, and wellbeing. When you ignore your chronobiology, you increase cortisol levels, raise your risk of burnout, and exhaust yourself to the point of being no good to anyone, including yourself. Your nervous system is your superpower Here is what makes the nervous system work differently from everything else you do. It compounds. Think about email. You clear your inbox, but tomorrow it fills again. You complete a project, and another one arrives. Most work is routine maintenance, necessary, but not cumulative. Nervous system regulation is different. Training your body to remember that it is safe is cumulative. The work you do today becomes the floor from which you start tomorrow. Each time you practice regulating your response to stress, you are building capacity that remains available to you. The bridge between your control patterns and a more sustainable approach is your breath. Breathing is the only automatic bodily function that you can also consciously control. It is your access point to shifting from a stressed, reactive state to a grounded, responsive one. Light, slow, deep breathing, LSD breathing, calms the mind and optimises physical health by enhancing oxygen delivery, which is vital for cellular function and energy production. This is not woo woo. It is physiology. Three practices that build sustainable performance These three practices regulate your nervous system and ground you in your body. Pick one practice now and commit to doing it this week. Even brief, consistent practice will make a difference as you break the control cycle. Following the breath: Sit comfortably. Notice your natural breath without changing it. Follow the path as it enters and leaves your body. Silently say “in” as you breathe in, “out” as you breathe out. Continue for a few minutes. This simple practice anchors you in the present moment, calming the mind and relaxing the body. Awareness of body: Sit comfortably. Start from the top of your head and move slowly down to your toes. Notice any sensations in each part of your body. Acknowledge tension or discomfort without judgment. Gently invite those areas to relax. This body scan helps you reconnect with your physical form and recognise where you are holding stress. Releasing tension: Breathe in and bring awareness to any area of tension in your body. Breathe out and imagine that tension dissolving, leaving your body with the breath. Repeat this process with different areas. With each exhale, consciously release the tightness and stress you are holding. Building your daily toolkit Integration matters more than intensity. A three-minute practice done daily has more impact than an hour-long session done occasionally. Here is how to anchor these practices into your day: Morning (5 to 10 minutes): Start your day with one of the three practices. Before you check your email or engage with demands, resource yourself first. Choose body scan, following the breath, or releasing tension, whichever feels most needed. Midday reset (2 to 3 minutes): When energy dips or tension rises, interrupt the pattern. LSD breathing, following the breath, or a quick body scan brings you back to your body instead of pushing through on adrenaline. End of day (5 minutes): Before you transition home or into the evening, release the day. This prevents carrying work tension into your personal time. Choose releasing tension, body scan, or LSD breathing. Remember, the nervous system works in compounds. The work you do today becomes the floor you start from tomorrow. This is not about perfection. It is about consistency. The daily self-check that changes everything At the end of each day, ask yourself three questions: Did I honour my four anchors today? (Work, Relationships, Health, Self-care). If no, what got in the way? The pattern reveals the belief. When you consistently abandon self-care under pressure, that is the “it’s all up to me” belief in action. How committed am I to these anchors tomorrow? Rate yourself one to ten. This is not about judgment. It is about an honest assessment of where you are and what support you might need. Pair this with your daily toolkit. The breathing practices regulate your nervous system. The self-check reveals your patterns. Together, they interrupt the control cycle before it pulls you back into depletion. The control cycle will try to reassert itself. That is normal. Old patterns do not disappear just because you have recognised them. Notice when it happens. Use your breathing practice to interrupt it. Come back to your anchors. What makes this approach sustainable Most approaches to high performance ask you to add more, more discipline, more systems, more control. This approach asks you to align differently. Instead of forcing harvest in Winter, you compost and clarify. Instead of powering through ultradian dips, you take strategic breaks. Instead of overriding your body’s signals, you listen and respond. Instead of believing “it’s all up to me,” you recognise what you can influence and release what you cannot control. Sustainability comes from working with your natural rhythms, not against them. From building nervous system capacity that compounds over time. Protecting your four anchor points so that performance does not require depletion as the price increases. This is not about working less. It is about deep roots rather than brittle, hard work. It is about shifting from doing to being. It is about recognising that you cannot control your way out of a control cycle. You can only interrupt it by choosing a different way. Start your journey today The control cycle thrives in isolation, the belief that you must figure everything out alone, that asking for support means weakness, that it is all down to you. But sustainable high performance is not built in isolation. It is cultivated through honest recognition of patterns, practical tools that work with your biology, and support structures that hold you accountable to real change. If you are ready to break the control cycle and shift from depletion to sustainable performance, I work with senior business leaders who are tired of paying for success with their health and relationships. My approach integrates nervous system regulation, natural rhythms, and practical frameworks to help shift from “it’s all up to me” to aligned, sustainable leadership. Visit kateadey.co.uk to learn more about working together or connect with me to explore how “The Other Way Method” could support you on your leadership path. If you are experiencing one or all of these transitions, motherhood, career, and perimenopause or menopause, then do check out my new book, The Other Way: Re-discover wisdom, power, and flow in motherhood, menopause, and career transitions. Re-discover how these transitions reveal the wholeness that was there before conditioning covered it up. Follow me on LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kate Adey Kate Adey, Business Founder Kate Adey works with professional women navigating motherhood, career shifts, and menopause, and with leaders creating cultures where excellence and wholeness aren't in opposition. She spent years in management consulting, thinking her way through problems, until a hypnobirthing course during pregnancy connected her to her body and the signals she'd been ignoring. Everything shifted. Her curiosity led her to the teachings of non-duality. She created The Other Way Method™ and the Triskele Framework, MotherWise, CareerFlow, and MenoPower from twenty years of this work. Her book The Other Way shows how these transitions reveal the wholeness that was there before conditioning covered it up.

Written by Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross, Healing Practitioner Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross is a healing practitioner specialized in subconscious transformation and energy medicine. She holds a PhD in Business Technology and is a Certified Advanced Resonance Repatterning Practitioner. She offers 1:1 sessions, remote quantum-based healing, and regular healing seminars. How our spiritual, emotional, and physical bodies work together on the path of inner change: Healing is not just about managing symptoms or improving well-being. True healing is a path of spiritual growth, a process of becoming more conscious, more aligned, and more connected to our true nature. We are not only physical beings. Our life and experience are shaped by the interaction of three interconnected layers: the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual body. The spiritual body, or higher self, accompanies us throughout our entire life, whether we are aware of it or not. It holds the vision of our growth and gives us the impulse to move towards meaning, wholeness, and contribution. The emotional body stores memories, imprints, and unresolved experiences. These inner patterns, often formed in childhood or inherited across generations, shape how we feel, react, and relate. Unless they are brought into awareness and transformed, they can block us from experiencing peace, trust, and deep connection. The physical body is the most visible expression of our inner world. It is shaped not only by genetics and environment but also by the information it receives from the emotional and spiritual levels, through the nervous system, hormonal regulation, and subtle energy flow. Chronic tension, illness, or fatigue can often reflect inner dissonance that needs attention and healing. When we are disconnected from our spiritual guidance, it is not because it is absent but because static and blockages in our emotional and physical layers act as a filter. All three bodies influence each other. The more clarity and coherence we create in one of them, the more clearly we can hear our inner voice and live in alignment with it. This raises important questions: What prevents us from living in harmony with the five basic human values, love (prema), truth (sathya), right action (dharma), peace (shanti), and non-violence (ahimsa)? What holds us back from embodying our true nature in everyday life? The call to transform The impulse to change our lives or shift perspective often comes from the higher self. Sometimes it is a conscious decision. Sometimes it arises from a crisis. When challenges become too great to ignore, life itself pushes us toward healing and transformation. But transformation is rarely linear. It is often triggered by problems that we cannot solve with our usual strategies. Limiting beliefs, painful emotions, and behaviors that are not aligned with universal values can block our growth. True transformation begins when we develop a new perspective, using new tools. Through this process, we build self-worth and experience lasting inner change. Healing childhood programming Much of what shapes our emotional body originates in early childhood or even earlier. Personal experiences, karmic imprints, or ancestral patterns leave a lasting impression on the subconscious. Many spiritual traditions believe that the emotional body carries over from previous lives and continues its evolution in this one. Unresolved challenges reappear not to punish us, but to offer us the chance to grow, a gateway to our most realized self. For instance, someone who struggled with anger in a past life might face situations in this life that call for a new response. The lesson is not to suppress emotion, but to prevent it from becoming an unconscious identity. Whether or not you believe in past lives, emotional patterns such as anger, guilt, or fear must be addressed in the present moment. Their origin matters less than our willingness to heal them. Most of our adult programming begins in childhood, for instance, through inherited beliefs, emotional wounds, or survival patterns. To evaluate if we are acting on subconscious programming, we might ask ourselves: When do I overreact emotionally? Where do I constantly criticize myself? Are there recurring triggers or self-sabotaging behaviors? Why do I keep running into the same kinds of problems? Two real-life case studies Emotional conflict One of my clients felt that everyone at work was against her. No matter what she proposed, her ideas were dismissed. She suppressed her resentment and anger for fear of losing her job. In our session, we uncovered a pattern: as a child, she often felt ridiculed or ignored by her father. Once she acknowledged the original anger that was suppressed as a child and learned to speak up while listening to others, her internal and external situation began to shift. Physical symptom A man in his forties still slept with the lights on. Under stress, he developed coughing fits and had trouble breathing. He also couldn’t quit smoking. In a meditative session, we uncovered a childhood memory: his father had covered his face with a blanket during play, triggering a panic response. The subconscious formed the belief: “If I cough, I survive.” Through guided regression and visualization, we rewrote the memory. The body no longer needed to trigger the protective mechanism. The symptom disappeared. This is how unresolved trauma in the emotional body and childhood experiences can manifest as physical symptoms or emotional patterns later in life, and block access to spiritual clarity. Once resolved, we become more open to inner guidance and the stream of consciousness within. Living a conscious spirituality Transformation becomes easier when we combine healing with grounded spiritual practice. Here are some simple ways to strengthen the connection to the higher self: Take conscious breaks: When emotions run high or thoughts loop, pause. Breathe. Move. Chant. Shift your state. Practice gratitude: It anchors us in the now and opens our awareness to what is already good. Bless your life: What you bless becomes lighter and more vibrant. Practice mindfulness and meditation: They bring presence and clarity. Use prayer: A quiet prayer can restore trust, calm, and inner peace, especially in difficult moments. The intersection of healing and spiritual growth Healing and spirituality are not separate paths. They support and deepen one another. When we commit to both, we begin to resolve long-ignored issues and live with more authenticity, clarity, and compassion. Southwood Healing and Resonance Repatterning are two examples of integrative tools that address issues at the emotional and spiritual root. But ultimately, it’s not about any one method. It’s about finding what resonates with your consciousness and commitment. There is no separation between spiritual and worldly life. The more we align our thoughts, actions, and relationships with universal values, the more we embody our highest potential naturally, joyfully, and with purpose. Follow me on Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross, Healing Practitioner Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross is a healing practitioner and subconscious transformation expert with over 17 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in computer science and a PhD in Business Technology. Alongside her academic and professional career, she founded Sandra Gross Healing in 2007. She works 1:1 in personal healing sessions and remotely using Biofield Therapy and LebensTransfer, two quantum-based healing modalities. Sandra supports clients in resolving mental, emotional, and physical issues to create lasting change. She also leads seminars, group sessions, and regularly gives talks.

Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross is a healing practitioner, spiritual teacher, and expert in the transformation of subconscious patterns. With a master’s degree in computer science, a PhD in Business Technology, and more than 17 years of experience in the field of energy healing, she bridges the worlds of science, holistic healing, and spirituality. Sandra is certified in Resonance Repatterning and trained in Southwood Healing, a deeply intuitive form of energy work, as well as other healing modalities from the English spiritual healing tradition. Her unique approach combines structured methodology with intuitive insights, supporting clients around the world in releasing emotional blocks, resolving acute and chronic issues, and reconnecting with their inner guidance. She works internationally with individuals from all walks of life who seek clarity, healing, and transformation on a deep level. Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross, Healing Practitioner What’s your purpose, mission, and driving force for all the work you do? My mission is to support people in understanding their own patterns, discovering what might need refinement or change. My clients often come to me because they are experiencing uncomfortable emotions, physical symptoms, or difficult life situations. Many of the problems we face in life, such as emotional pain, relationship struggles, and even health issues, are not merely circumstantial. They can be linked to one or more causes, often rooted in childhood. By looking behind the curtain, it is possible to see where they experienced hurt early in their childhood and developed unconscious patterns and physical symptoms that still govern their lives. The discord is experienced because the subconscious is not aligned with who they really are. My work is about identifying these patterns and, if physical symptoms are present, also working on them energetically, helping people release what no longer serves them so they can live more freely, in better health, and with greater happiness, in harmony with themselves. Why did you start your business? It was not planned. I grew up in what would be considered a “normal” family and was happy most of the time. I never thought my family life was particularly difficult or that my family had unusual issues. But in my adult life, when I encountered some of life’s situations, my experiences felt unpleasant, and my emotions difficult to understand. When I went back to the cause of my problems, I discovered unhealthy patterns in my family, passed down through generations. I started my own healing journey, finding those patterns and shifting them. I experienced my life improving substantially and profoundly. Each experience that teaches us more compassion for ourselves and others helps us to heal, forgive, and grow. In the beginning, this might not be easy, especially if I have clients with traumatic experiences. But once I understood how healing works, I wanted others to experience this as well. I thought, if people would just know how easy it is to shift, once they understand how patterns move through generations until someone puts consciousness into them, how much better their experience of life would be. My business just evolved naturally. With each component of my continuous education in spiritual, emotional, and energy healing, I began offering those services, and my experience and practice grew organically. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? My practice is called Sandra Gross Healing. I support people who are struggling with emotional overwhelm, physical symptoms, relationship dynamics that keep repeating, or a general sense of being stuck. I use Resonance Repatterning, Southwood Healing, and energetic testing methods to uncover the root causes of their issues, often going back to childhood or earlier. I also use distance healing methods based on quantum entanglement. Clients send me a dried blood drop via postal mail, and I can energetically test their health conditions using their sample. This method is called Biofeldtest in German (English: biofield test). With the Biofeldtest, I can assess what’s happening in their somatic body, identify latent health conditions, and detect inherited imprints energetically. I then transfer healing frequencies to the client through their sample, directing them to the areas that need to spiral up into a higher frequency. This method, called “LebensTransfer,” transfers life force energy to those parts that need energy and protection to regulate themselves. For those who prefer not to send in a sample, I can also work remotely with them purely energetically. Many of my clients have chronic physical issues. In this case, I combine methods: going back with Southwood Healing or Resonance Repatterning to resolve trauma and other incidents, and at the same time, working with the LebensTransfer to resolve physical symptoms. While I cannot promise healing, my work supports the client energetically and in a healing capacity. As I am not a doctor or psychologist, I do not work with clients experiencing severe psychological trauma. But most of us have many small traumas that still influence us today. There are numerous studies that suggest traumatized people develop a higher possibility of chronic diseases later in adult life. With my personal and distance approaches combined, I offer a well-working method that has already brought substantial change and relief to many. Clients often come to me when they want deep, sustainable transformation. Whether it is an emotional or physical problem, or both, many clients come for several weeks or months so that I can support them in solving their life challenges. It’s like finding and removing blockages (mental, emotional, energetic, or physical) so that they can step back into their power to change their lives. And their inner physician receives the space through the healing modality “LebensTransfer” to heal and self-regulate. What sets your approach apart from others in the industry? I combine analytical clarity with spiritual depth. I don’t ask my clients to believe anything; we test everything. My work is grounded in structure, precision, and deep respect for each individual’s process. I also don’t offer surface-level motivation or coping strategies. My sessions are about uncovering one or more causes of their challenges and resolving them at the root. That’s what creates lasting change. Could you share some success stories from your clients? Yes. One client had severe neck and shoulder pain. After two sessions, the pain was gone, not because we “treated” it, but because we uncovered and released emotional guilt related to her mother’s death. Another client came to me with chronic digestive issues, Morbus Crohn. We traced it back to emotional trauma. With regulation and healing, her digestion went back to normal, and her inflammation and food intolerances disappeared. A third client had very little contact with her daughter for years; through our work, the relationship reopened. Clients tell me how their self-love, self-respect, and happiness in life were greatly improved through the course of our sessions. What are some common misconceptions about the healing industry? Many people think energy healing is vague or unstructured and that it’s based only on intuition or belief. But when done properly, it is deeply precise and measurable. Another misconception is that healing has to be long, painful, or mysterious. In my experience, when the right pattern is identified, change can be immediate. You don’t need to relive everything; you just need to work with the right point in the system. Finally, some people think you have to be spiritual to benefit from this work. You don’t. You just have to be open and willing to look inside. How do you and your business address them? I work in a very structured and transparent way. Every session begins with a clear focus. I test and confirm each step with the client’s system. I also take time to explain what we’re doing and why, so clients can track their own transformation. And I always bring it back to practicality: how can this shift help you in your daily life? What positive actions are you going to take between now and our next session? Which difficult conversations do you need to face and have? How can our work together support your relationships, your health, and your purpose? Healing is not an abstract concept; it should make your life more real, not less. For readers inspired by this conversation and eager to start their journey, what first steps do you recommend? If you feel something resonated with you in this interview, I invite you to take a moment to reflect: What is the one issue that keeps showing up in your life, emotionally or physically, that you are constantly brooding about or struggling with? Which issue in your life keeps coming back again and again, with different players and different circumstances, even if you thought you had conquered it? When did your physical symptoms first appear? The life situation at that time usually indicates what feels stressful for the client and can point us toward the underlying cause that happened much earlier in life. That’s usually the doorway. On my website, you’ll find a short form with 7 simple questions designed to help you reflect on your current situation. You can briefly describe your emotional or physical challenge. I personally read every submission with care. If I feel we’re a good fit, I’ll invite you to a free 30-minute Clarity Call via Zoom. In this call, we’ll explore your situation in more depth before I suggest a possible next step. Sometimes, taking this one small step is all it takes to initiate real change. Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross is an internationally practicing healing practitioner based in Switzerland. She works with clients online in English and German. Learn more here . Follow me on Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Sandra Veronika Gross