Written by Amy Noyes, Autistic and ADHD Coach and Advocate Amy Noyes is a Neurodivergent-Affirming Coach and Consultant, specializing in late-identified Autistic and ADHD adults who are struggling with unmaking, burnout, and self-advocacy. Amy is passionate about creating consent-based space to guide clients in reconnecting with their needs, autonomy, and true selves. If you are neurodivergent (ND) or if you support or care for someone who is, you may have heard the term masking. This essay is both personal and professional. It is about what masking has looked like in my own life, and what I have learned through years of living behind a mask without even realizing it. I hope that it helps those beginning to notice their own masking, and those who work with or love neurodivergent people, understand the depth and cost of this experience. Moments of masking I am sitting at the dining room table with my family of origin. It is incredibly loud, and the vibe is a bit dramatic. I am aware of everyone’s state, trying to appear calm, maybe even trying to make everyone laugh. But inside, I feel terror, because I have a note in my pocket from a boy at school, and I know down to my bones that no one in my family can see it. I am embarrassed because I do not understand the context of the note. What I do understand is that if my sisters find it, they will tease me mercilessly. I am in third grade, masking that everything is fine, while inside, I am frozen with fear. I am at a party where people are telling jokes that everyone seems to get, except me. I laugh along like I understand what is going on, while I am using every ounce of mental energy to make sure the expression on my face matches what is expected. The stress only lifts because of the buzz from the alcohol. Eventually, it becomes too much, and I leave the party alone, sobbing the entire walk home. I am a freshman in college, trying to make friends. It is midnight, and I have already worked 50 hours this week, at a job that only pays me for 20. I am ruminating over every decision. Will the board of directors, teachers, guidance counselors, and students approve of me? I feel like I am spinning out. But the grant reports and budgets are due next week, and I have a full caseload of clients to think about. When I walk through the halls tomorrow, everyone will see me smiling. I am 22, making sure everyone likes me, in my first job running a nonprofit. Looking back, these moments show how much of my life, and the choices I made, were shaped by masking. For decades, I was not even aware I was performing. I just thought something was wrong with me, and I worked endlessly to fix it. What is masking Recently, someone said to me, “Doesn’t everyone mask a little?” Relatively, yes, we could say that everyone takes on different roles in life. There are social expectations, and at work we may present one way, professional, while at home we can relax and let go of that role. However, neurodivergent masking is very different. It is not occasional or situational. It can be constant and all-consuming. It can feel like there is no place in life to truly relax or unwind, because the mask stays on around everyone. This is why neurodivergent masking can become debilitating, leading to serious health impacts and ultimately burnout . ND masking refers to consciously or unconsciously suppressing or modifying one’s natural behaviors, instincts, or traits to fit in or meet social expectations. For neurodivergent individuals, especially autistic and ADHD people, masking often means mimicking neurotypical behavior, suppressing emotions or stims, and pretending to be someone you are not. It is an exhausting, long-term coping mechanism that can lead to emotional burnout. Three aspects of masking are often described: Compensation: using learned strategies to blend in.Example: mimicking body language, studying social cues from movies. Camouflaging: actively hiding or suppressing neurodivergent traits.Example: forcing eye contact, changing facial expressions to match others. Assimilation: performing or pretending to fit in.Example: pretending to enjoy small talk or hobbies you do not actually like. The cost of unseen effort The stories above were my daily life, and eventually led to my first autistic burnout. After leaving my nonprofit job, I moved home with my parents. My health collapsed, and most of my friends disappeared. They could not understand what was happening. I felt utterly alone. I wish I could say I recovered quickly. But because I did not yet know about autism or ADHD, I spent another two decades cycling through deep burnout and overworking, always trying to earn belonging. My second major burnout, in my early forties, nearly broke me. I was exhausted beyond comprehension, having panic attacks daily. My health deteriorated rapidly, and I truly did not know if I would survive. Spending decades pretending that everything is fine while feeling like you are drowning takes a profound toll on the body and mind. If you suspect that you or someone you support might be masking, here are some signs and ways to be curious about it. Signs someone might be masking As a high masker for more than forty years, no one in my life would have guessed. I could appear social, confident, even easygoing, while internally feeling terrified and disoriented. At social gatherings, I might seem fine, sometimes even the life of the party, but as soon as I got into the car, I would ask my partner, “Did I do okay? Was what I said okay?” I would replay those moments for weeks. It was not until I found a neuroaffirming coach who created safety and curiosity that I began to understand my own masking. Masking is deeply tied to safety and survival. You might notice that someone: Overthinks or replays social interactions. Avoids social situations because they are exhausting. Suppresses natural movements or stims. Tries to act normal even when distressed. Downplays feelings or discomfort to avoid rejection. How to be curious about masking Whether you are exploring your own masking or supporting someone else, curiosity is the key. Ask reflective questions, be curious: Instead of assuming someone's behavior, approach them with curiosity. For example, “I noticed you seemed a bit distracted during the meeting. Was there something challenging happening for you?” This invites the person to explore their experiences. Listen actively: Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues. Sometimes masking shows itself in subtle ways that can be noticed in body language, tone, or pauses in conversation. Respect their boundaries: Be mindful that not everyone wants to share details about their masking. Some may only reveal it once they feel safe or supported. Remember, masking is a survival strategy. Create a supportive environment: When masking is understood as a coping mechanism, not as something to be fixed, it can create an opportunity for sharing authentically. This encourages others to share their experiences. Provide encouragement: Encourage and reinforce moments when someone does not mask, showing appreciation for their authentic self. This helps them feel safer and more validated. Learn and educate yourself: Understanding masking from a neurodiverse perspective, such as reading books, articles, or speaking to neurodivergent individuals about their experiences, will provide valuable insight. The impacts of masking Increased anxiety and depression: The pressure to mask and fit into social expectations can exacerbate anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The person may feel isolated because they fear that their true self will not be accepted. This can intensify feelings of loneliness and self-doubt. Mental and emotional exhaustion: Masking is incredibly exhausting. Not only are they using all their energy and resources to act like everyone else, they are also having to remember all the social rules, work hard to recognize patterns of engagement, and constantly monitor and suppress their natural way of being. They also do not feel they can show up in a way that works for them, or have fun in an easy-going way. Loss of authenticity: Masking often leads to a sense of disconnection from one’s true self. The person may begin to feel like they are pretending to be someone they are not, leading to identity confusion or a sense of lost self. This dissonance can contribute to a lack of fulfillment or inner conflict. Difficulty in building authentic relationships: Since masking involves hiding parts of oneself, it can be challenging to form deep, meaningful connections with others. If someone is constantly masking, it is hard for others to truly get to know them. This can lead to shallow relationships or feelings of being misunderstood. Hindered self-awareness and self-advocacy: When someone is masking, they might not fully understand or accept their own needs, strengths, and challenges. Over time, this can hinder their ability to self-advocate because they are not in touch with their authentic needs and experiences. They may also struggle to communicate those needs effectively. Impact on physical health: The stress and exhaustion from masking can manifest physically. Chronic stress from masking has been linked to various health issues, such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances, and nervous system impacts. Low self-esteem: People who mask start believing they must hide themselves to be loved. They may also feel that they have to earn their way to be worthy enough to get their needs met. Finding my way back The turning point for me came when someone suggested I might be autistic. I was surprised. My ideas about autism were narrow and stereotypical, but I started researching and quickly self-identified. That moment saved my life. Unmasking was really challenging at first. Sometimes it felt like no matter what I did, I could not win. If I masked, my health would be deeply impacted, and my body and mind would become completely exhausted. If I did not mask, the people around me, especially those in my existing relationships, would perceive me as rude, too direct, or even unreasonable. There were a lot of “Well, Amy.” Those moments made my body feel like it was in trouble or danger. In many ways, those same feelings are what led me to start masking as a child. When I first began to unmask, my voice would quiver, my face would flush, and I felt an urgency to rush through my words. I spoke quickly and often tried to prove my worth or excuse my existence. I apologized constantly. Over time, that began to change, but it took patience and a lot of self-compassion. One day, I noticed that I was calm. I was not looking over my shoulder for approval. I simply felt like myself. It was, in some ways, completely unremarkable, and yet profoundly freeing. When I support my clients through their own unmasking, it can feel terrifying for them at first. Sometimes it even feels abstract or like a foreign concept. It can also feel like things are getting worse before they get better. Part of this is because they are finally feeling their bodies’ reactions rather than dissociating from them. When dissociation starts to lift, sensory sensitivities can feel more intense. When I first started unmasking, my husband asked me if I was getting worse instead of better. At that moment, I realized I was getting better. I was feeling freer, but my ability to express discomfort was harder for him. I could finally say, “The rattle in the back of the car is hurting me.” I would stop the car, get out, and find the source of the sound. Those rattles, smells, and other stimuli had always hurt my body, but I was too disconnected to recognize it. Now, I know the source of my pain instead of believing there was something fundamentally wrong with me. From my own experience and from witnessing my clients’ journeys, I can say that it does get better. That does not mean there are no new challenges, but understanding your needs and limits is life-changing. I can now communicate those needs to my loved ones. I am no longer seen as a closed book or too private. I do not mask nearly as much as I used to. But when I do, I usually feel it in my body first. I call it losing my legs. My legs start to feel numb. Then my heart rate rises, my vision blurs, and I get lightheaded. Another sign I am masking is when I start to fawn, showing unbalanced interest in the person or people I am with. Unless I need to stay for professional reasons or for safety, I typically leave. My health does not allow me to spend much time around people who require me to mask, and that is part of how I have found peace. I have built a community of neurodivergent friends and colleagues who understand and care for me in ways I never experienced before. Finding those relationships showed me what belonging actually feels like, ease, safety, and mutual understanding. A moment of unmasking I wake up in the morning, and my entire body is covered in pain. That is not something I experience often anymore. I turn to my husband and tell him how much I hurt. In an instant, I remember that the night before, we had dinner with people I felt uncomfortable around. I say, “I masked last night. I cannot spend time with that couple anymore.” He responds, “That makes perfect sense, and I support that 100 percent.” I start to cry with relief. Relief that I can finally express my needs and be believed. Relief that my needs matter. I still cry even now, because this is my new reality. I can exist exactly as myself, without adjustment, and I am loved. I love myself. This is what unmasking can look like, not a single dramatic event, but a quiet realization that you no longer have to perform to be accepted. It is okay to ask for help At ND Friendly Life, Miranda and I support people who are discovering that they have been masking, often for years or decades. We understand, personally and professionally, how profound that realization can be. If you or someone you care for has been newly identified as autistic, ADHD, or simply starting to question the role of masking in your life, we welcome you to connect with us by visiting our website. It takes time to understand how masking operates within you. Go slowly. Because masking is a self-protection mechanism, unmasking requires safety, patience, and self-compassion. One of the most important steps is learning to find your way back to yourself, to notice when your body moves into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, and to respond with care rather than judgment. Sometimes that means naming it out loud. Sometimes it means stepping away and finding safety first. Over time, these moments of awareness become small acts of self-acceptance. Masking can be invisible to the outside world, but all-consuming inside. Whether you are beginning to notice it in yourself or supporting someone who is, remember, masking is not a failure or flaw. It is a survival strategy born of love and hope for belonging. Understanding it gently, with curiosity, is often the first step toward freedom. Visit my website for more info! Read more from Amy Noyes Amy Noyes, Autistic and ADHD Coach and Advocate Amy Noyes is a late-identified Autistic, ADHD, and PDA individual with a deep commitment to helping others discover and embrace their authentic selves. They understand how living in environments not designed for neurodivergent ways of being can lead to internalized ableism. Amy believes that uncovering one’s neurodivergence can unlock self-understanding, self-acceptance, and the ability to create spaces that truly support our brains. With degrees and professional experience in Autism Studies, Transpersonal Psychology, and Social Work, Amy has dedicated their life to supporting anyone who wants to better understand their true self.

Written by Sandro Endler, Business Finance Specialist Sandro Endler is an experienced finance professional with over 30 years of expertise in business finance and strategy. He is the author of FACE IT! Mastering Business Finance and holds advanced degrees in finance and economics from renowned universities. When business owners think about financial success, they often focus on profits. Yet, many profitable companies collapse because of one crucial factor, a lack of cash flow. According to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), about 50% of businesses fail within their first five years, and research by U.S. Bank shows that 82% of those failures are due to poor cash flow management. In other words, profit alone doesn’t keep a business alive, cash does. It fuels operations, pays employees, covers bills, and provides the freedom to invest and grow. Understanding and managing it properly can be the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Why cash flow matters Cash flow is the movement of money in and out of your business. It reflects your company’s true financial health on a daily basis, something that profit statements alone can’t show. While profit is an accounting concept, cash flow is reality. You can show a profit on paper while still struggling to pay suppliers or cover payroll if your cash is tied up in receivables or inventory. Healthy cash flow ensures liquidity, stability, and opportunity. It allows you to handle unexpected challenges, seize new business opportunities, and maintain the trust of your employees and vendors. Without it, even the most innovative business model is at risk. Common cash flow pitfalls Many business owners unintentionally create cash flow problems without realizing it. One of the most common mistakes is expanding too quickly without the necessary working capital to support growth. Others allow customers to delay payments for too long, which tightens liquidity and disrupts operations. Excess inventory can also become a silent enemy, tying up cash that could otherwise be used to meet immediate obligations or invest in growth. Another frequent pitfall is poor timing, paying bills before collecting receivables or failing to align cash inflows and outflows properly. A less obvious but equally dangerous issue is underestimating the cash requirements of new investments. When business leaders do not thoroughly analyze the financial impact of expansion projects, new equipment purchases, or marketing initiatives, they may find themselves facing liquidity shortages just when they expected growth.  Finally, many entrepreneurs neglect to forecast their cash flow altogether, leaving them unprepared for shortfalls that could have been anticipated and avoided. Each of these errors weakens financial stability and adds unnecessary pressure to a business that might otherwise be performing well. Building a cash flow strategy Strong financial management starts with visibility. Here are essential steps to master your cash flow: Forecast regularly. Prepare monthly cash flow projections to anticipate surpluses and shortages. Control receivables. Set clear payment terms, follow up promptly, and incentivize early payments. Manage payables strategically. Take advantage of credit terms but maintain good supplier relationships. Optimize inventory. Keep only what you need to operate efficiently. Monitor metrics. Track your cash conversion cycle, the time between paying suppliers and collecting from customers. These actions not only strengthen liquidity but also sharpen decision-making and confidence in your business leadership. Conclusion Cash flow isn’t just an accounting exercise, it’s a strategic discipline. Understanding how cash moves through your business empowers you to make smarter decisions about pricing, financing, investment, and growth. In times of uncertainty, companies with strong cash flow management are the ones that endure and even expand. As I often emphasize in my book FACE IT! Mastering Business Finance, mastering your cash flow means mastering your business. When you know where every dollar comes from and where it goes, you gain control, stability, and freedom to act, without excuses. Follow me on  LinkedIn ,  and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sandro Endler Sandro Endler, Business Finance Specialist Sandro Endler is an experienced finance professional with more than three decades of experience in business finance and strategy. As the author of FACE IT! Mastering Business Finance, he provides valuable insights for business owners seeking to improve their financial management. With advanced degrees in finance and economics, Sandro combines academic expertise with real-world experience to help businesses achieve growth and efficiency.

Written by Martha Maria Smith, Bilingual Coach Martie Smith's journey as a Resilience Ambassador began in Colombia and highlights her steadfast strength and adaptability, from her service in the US Air Force to becoming a Radiation Therapist and a certified personal trainer at 62. An internationally acclaimed author and Poet Laureate, she mentors young individuals and shares her expertise. When silence becomes heavier than words, resilience calls you to rise and speak your truth. This article explores how finding your voice can transform pain into purpose, inspire others, and create meaningful change in your community and beyond. The pulse of purpose There comes a moment in every purpose-driven life when silence feels heavier than words, when your heart beats louder than your fears, and when you realize that staying quiet no longer serves your calling, your legacy, your community, or your soul. That is the pulse of resilience, the heartbeat of transformation. It’s that sacred instant when your spirit whispers, “Rise. Speak. Share what matters.” Sometimes it begins after heartbreak or loss. Sometimes it’s born in exhaustion, the kind that cracks you open and lets wisdom pour in. And sometimes it’s grace itself, a sunrise reminding you that your story still holds power. When your heart beats for change, let your voice echo resilience, because every time you speak after being silenced, resilience is speaking through you. The echo of resilience Every revolution, personal or global, begins with a single heartbeat that refuses to quit. Your voice doesn’t need to be the loudest, it just needs to be authentic. When you speak from healed places, your words become medicine. They don’t just inform, they transform. That is emotional resilience in motion, the power to turn pain into purpose. Your vulnerability becomes a bridge that connects hearts. Your courage becomes a catalyst that inspires others to act. Your echo becomes an anthem of hope that reaches those who have forgotten their own strength. Every time you rise and share your truth, you illuminate the path for someone still wandering in the dark. From silence to significance For years, I hid my storms, believing that resilience meant being unshaken. But silence suffocates purpose. The truth is that storms don’t break you, they reveal what’s unbreakable within you. Resilience isn’t about bouncing back, it’s about echoing forward. It’s carrying your lessons so that others can walk a little lighter. When I began to speak from authenticity rather than perfection, I discovered a new rhythm of connection. People don’t bond with flawless stories, they connect with real ones. The cracks are what let the light in. So let your scars be your microphone, not your muzzle. Let your survival story become someone else’s permission slip to rise. The fire in the voice Every resilient soul carries a sacred fire, quiet, steady, unstoppable. When you find your voice, you ignite that flame. And when it burns with compassion rather than anger, it transforms everything it touches. To echo change is to trust your truth, even when it trembles. It’s choosing courage over comfort, faith over fear, and purpose over perfection. You don’t need a global platform to make an impact, only intention. Resilience lives not just in what you say, but in how you love, lead, and rise again. Your fire is not meant to consume, it’s meant to illuminate. Speak from that light, and you’ll inspire others to find their own. Five ways to let your voice echo resilience Resilience is more than endurance, it’s how we express love through action. Here are five ways to let your voice echo with power and purpose: Listen before you speak. Resilience begins with reflection. Before reacting, pause. Listen to what life and your inner voice are teaching you. Speak from love, not ego. Anger may awaken awareness, but only love sustains transformation. Let your words build bridges, not walls. Use your platform with purpose. Whether it’s a social post, a podcast, or a stage, every message carries energy. Fill your spaces with light and authenticity. Turn empathy into action. Feeling deeply is a gift, but true resilience turns emotion into motion. Volunteer, mentor, create, and transform compassion into change. Protect your flame. Purpose requires rest. Refuel your heart through prayer, creativity, and nature. A calm soul echoes louder than a chaotic one. The ripple effect of resilience Every time you rise, you send a vibration of hope into the world. Your resilience becomes a ripple that strengthens others. A kind word can restore faith. A story shared can awaken courage. A single echo can start a movement. Imagine a world where resilience is celebrated, where we don’t hide the cracks but honor the light that shines through them. That’s authentic leadership. That’s true empowerment. That’s how we build a legacy of strength and purpose that outlives us. Dare to care, dare to share, dare to rise The world doesn’t need more noise, it needs resonance. When your heart beats for change, that rhythm is divine direction. Whisper it. Write it. Paint it. Teach it. Let it echo through your community and beyond. Because resilience isn’t what you endure, it’s what you embody. It’s the voice that says, “I’m still here. I’m still rising. And I’m still ready to love again.” If your heart beats for change, let your voice echo resilience because somewhere, someone needs your echo to remember their own strength. Find your voice, fuel change, and let your resilience echo through every word you share. Martie M. Smith reminds us that true empowerment begins when authenticity meets purpose. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Martha Maria Smith Martha Maria Smith, Bilingual Coach Martie Smith's journey as a Resilience Ambassador began in Colombia and highlights her unwavering strength and adaptability. She exemplifies resilience from her service in the US Air Force to become a Radiation Therapist and certified personal trainer at 62. As an internationally acclaimed author and poet, Martie mentors young individuals, sharing her expertise and spreading messages of hope and resilience globally as a captivating speaker.

Written by Keith Edmonds, Life Transformation Expert Keith is a well-known author, motivational speaker, and non-profit organization founder with a passion for life transformation. He brings unique perspectives gathered from real-life experiences and empowers individuals to discover their untapped potential. Pain may shape you, but it does not have to define you. By shifting your mindset, you can transform trauma into strength, connect with others, and use your story to inspire healing. These six principles reveal how scars can refine, empower, and guide you toward a resilient new chapter. “You can’t change the past, but you can use it to change your future.” — Keith Edmonds Scars tell stories of a survivor Scars are proof that you have been through something that tried to break you, and failed. When I look in the mirror, the burns on my face remind me of a time I was powerless, but they also remind me of the strength that rose from that pain. In my book, Scars: Leaving Pain in the Past, I share my journey from being an abused child to becoming a man who found purpose in his pain. My healing did not start with time or luck, it started with a mindset shift. Transformation begins in the mind. Below are six mindset shifts that helped me move from victim to survivor, and that can help you do the same. 1. From “Why me?” to “What now?” “As long as you live in the question ‘Why me?’ you will stay in the past. ‘What now?’ opens the door to your future.” I used to ask “Why did this happen?” until I realized that question had no power, it only deepened my pain. The moment I asked “What can I do now?” everything changed. I took back control. You cannot undo what happened, but you can decide what happens next. 2. From shame to acceptance I spent years hiding my face and my feelings. I thought if I ignored the scars, maybe they would disappear. But denial does not heal, it delays. Acceptance is where freedom begins. When you accept your story, your scars stop being symbols of shame and start being signs of strength. 3. From “I’m broken” to “I’m becoming” “You are not broken, you are being rebuilt.” Pain does not mean you are damaged, it means you are transforming. Every wound carries the potential for wisdom. When I stopped seeing myself as broken and started seeing myself as becoming, I found peace. You are a work in progress, not a lost cause. 4. From isolation to connection Trauma tells you to hide. Healing happens when you connect. When I began sharing my story, I realized we all have scars, some visible, others hidden. That realization led me to create the Keith Edmonds Foundation, where I help children who have suffered as I did. When you connect, your story becomes a bridge instead of a barrier. 5. From fear to faith Fear said, “You will never recover.” Faith said, “You already have.” Faith does not erase pain, but it gives it purpose. Whether you believe in God, humanity, or your own resilience, faith is what turns survival into strength. Every time I chose faith over fear, I took another step toward healing. 6. From survival to service “The moment you use your pain to help someone else, you win.” True healing comes when you turn your scars into service. When your story helps someone else find hope, you transform pain into power. That is what being a survivor really means, it is not just surviving the fire, it is using your light to guide others through theirs. Scars do not define you, they refine you Moving from victim to survivor is not a single moment, it is a daily decision. Every time you choose courage over bitterness, action over anger, and service over silence, you reclaim your story. Your scars are not reminders of defeat, they are the proof of your endurance. Wear them with pride. They mean you lived, you learned, and you rose again. “Scars do not make you less beautiful, they make your story more powerful.” — Keith Edmonds Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , TikTok , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Keith Edmonds Keith Edmonds, Life Transformation Expert It would have been really easy for Keith to give up, just quit. Had he done so, he would have become another child abuse victim turned alcoholic, down a dead-end road to nowhere. But he didn’t. Keith learned you can’t live an extraordinary life without moving past, well, your past. So that’s what he did. Keith is an author, motivational speaker, and non-profit organization founder with a passion for life transformation. He brings unique perspectives gathered from real-life experiences and empowers individuals to discover their untapped potential. Keith has been featured in People, Inside Edition, CBS, CNN, and more.

Written by Marcia Anita Hobbs (BNoose), Entrepreneur/ Activist Marcia BNoose, born Marcia Anita Hobbs, is a renowned human rights activist, Fashion Designer, and Model/ Actress in Australia. Founder of the 'Human Rights Brand' Barbwire Noose Clothing , Marcia is recognized for her charitable contributions, autobiographical authoring, and pageantry title holdings within the pageant world. Not here to sugarcoat it, change is brutal, raw, relentless. And if you think activism is some polite conversation over tea, you are mistaken. Activism is a battlefield, and you are a war cry. The voice of the unheard screams until the walls crumble. I’ve lived it, breathed it, and fought tooth and nail for it. Social activism isn’t just about waving signs or posting hashtags. It is about empowering change through real, gritty, unapologetic action. If you want to make a dent in this world, you need to understand the social impact activism strategies that actually work. No fluff. No distractions. Just pure, unfiltered power. Why activism strategies for social impact matter? Let’s be blunt, passion alone won’t cut it if you want to be heard. You can scream your lungs out, but if you don’t have a strategy, you’re just noise. Activism needs a plan like a ship needs a rudder, otherwise, it drifts, it falters, it sinks. So what does a strategy look like? A blueprint. A roadmap. A thought bubble in your head. Strategy is a tactical approach that turns outrage into results. It’s about knowing your audience, your message, and your battlefield. It’s about leveraging every tool at your disposal, from grassroots organising to digital campaigns, from fashion statements to legal battles. Take my example, a powerhouse who uses my personal brand and fashion line, Barbwire Noose, to amplify voices that are often silenced. Social activism to me is not just talking the talk, it is walking the walk, blending style with substance to challenge governance and relevant sectors. That’s strategy. That’s impact. Here are some basic tips and tools you can apply to plan a strategy. Identify your cause clearly: What injustice are you fighting? Be specific. Build a community: Change is collective. Find your tribe. Use multiple platforms: Social media, art, fashion, literature, all are social activism weapons. Engage with policymakers: Don’t just protest outside their doors, demand a seat at the table. Measure your impact: Track progress, adapt, and push harder. What is an example of a human rights activist? When I say human rights  activist, I’m not talking about some distant figure in history books. I’m talking about people who bleed for justice every single day. People who refuse to stay silent when the world looks the other way. If you want to be an activist, ask yourself, "What am I willing to risk? How far will I go?" Because activism demands everything. How to turn passion into action: Practical steps Feeling motivated? Even just a little bit good. Yet, passion without action is just noise. Here’s how you turn that fire into a raging inferno that refuses to be ignored. E ducate yourself rel entlessly: Know the laws, the history, the players. Knowledge is power. Net work like your life depends on it : Connect with other activists, organisations, and allies. Us e social media strategica lly: It’s not just about posting, it’s about engaging, educating, and mobilising. Organi se events and ca mpaigns: From local meetups to global online campaigns, get people involved. Hol d authorities acco untable: Demand transparency, justice, and reform. S elf-care is not opt ional: Burnout kills movements. Take care of your mind and body. Remember, activism is a marathon, not a sprint. You need stamina, resilience, and a hell of a lot of grit. Why fashion and activism are a perfect match? Fashion is a language and an art. Art is a reflection of life, views, society, change, and everyday demands. It’s a way to communicate without words, like fashion. And that is why fashion and activism are a perfect match, you become a walking billboard for your beliefs. Barbwire Noose Clothing  is a perfect example. It’s edgy, unapologetic, and loud. It challenges norms and forces conversations. When you wear activist fashion, you’re not just making a style choice, you’re making a statement. You’re saying, “I stand for something bigger than myself.” Fashion can: Raise awareness: Bold designs catch eyes and spark questions. Fund activism: Proceeds can support causes. Build community: Wearing the same message creates solidarity. Challenge stereotypes: Break down barriers with style. If you want to empower change, don’t underestimate the power of what you wear. The road ahead: Keep fighting, keep rising Here’s the brutal truth, the fight for justice never ends. It’s exhausting, infuriating, and often thankless. But it’s also the most crucial battle you’ll ever fight. If you want to be part of this revolution, you need to commit. You need to be relentless. You need to use every tool, every strategy, every ounce of your being to push for change. And if you ever doubt yourself, remember this, every movement started with one voice. One person who refused to be silent. One person said, “Enough.” If you want to learn more about how to channel your energy into effective human rights activism , look no further than those who live it every day. Marcia BNoose is not just a name, it is a force. A leader. A beacon for those who dare to dream of a better world. So, what are you waiting for? The time to act is now. The world needs your voice. Your passion. Your fight. United voices create unstoppable movements. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Marcia Anita Hobbs (BNoose) Marcia Anita Hobbs (BNoose), Entrepreneur/ Activist A life like a little rock princess at times, Marcia is a leader in legislative change, politics, and the business world. Protesting for change throughout the state of South Australia and beyond, Marcia has dedicated her life to empowering those who feel they have no power or truly do not have power at all. A student of policy and governance, Marcia contributes to sustainable changes within government and the fashion sector. Heavily invested in environmentally friendly fashion. Marcia is bold, outspoken, and an active change-maker. Her mission is "a better world".

Box Hill, NSW, Australia – When two brands share the same commitment to community wellbeing, something powerful happens. Ale's Health, the Australian wellness brand built on breathwork, mindfulness, and conscious nutrition, has announced its partnership with Govita, marking the brand's first health food store collaboration. Together, they're proving that accessible, delicious, and genuinely nourishing food isn't just possible, it's here. The partnership brings Ale's two signature handcrafted products, The Nutty Choco Bliss Cookies and The PB Choc-Chip Brookie, to Govita Box Hill's shelves. Each treat is vegan, gluten-free, and made with organic ingredients. While Ale's Health has been supplying cafés across Sydney, this retail partnership represents a significant expansion into a space that truly aligns with the brand's core values.   "It broke my heart watching people settle for tasteless 'health food' because they believed that's all wellness could be," said Ale, founder of Ale's Health and holistic wellness practitioner. "It's not fair for people to live with this false idea about what nourishment should taste like. Why should you have to choose between health and flavour? These treats are my way of proving you can have both. Real ingredients. Actual taste. Deep nourishment! I mean, reciprocal love we're talking about here.”   The journey began humbly: what started as a hobby and a love for cooking transformed into something much bigger. While working at a coffee company, Ale began experimenting with recipes, combining her passion for creating delicious food with wholesome ingredients. When the café asked her to supply energy balls, she said yes. That single opportunity sparked Ale's Health. As the business grew, Ale pursued her Certificate in Natural Health Diet and Nutrition, going deeper into her studies and discovering the profound importance of nutrition in our bodies. She started incorporating everything she learned about food and nutrition knowledge into her recipes, transforming her hobby into a mission-driven wellness brand.   What makes this partnership with Govita extraordinary isn't just the products, it's the alignment of purpose. Govita has built its reputation on curating only the highest-quality natural products that benefit the community. The store's commitment to foods that truly support health and wellbeing mirrors Ale's Health's philosophy perfectly.   "We chose Govita because they're true believers in high-quality foods that are valuable for the community," Ale explained. "They believe in the goodness of our products and the value behind them. They care for the community's health and wellbeing, and so do we. This isn't just a business partnership, it's two brands coming together with the same vision of what wellness should look like."   Customers have spoken, and they're not holding back. "These cookies are a hit!" one raved. Another couldn't contain their excitement about The Sniker energy balls, "To me, it tastes more like a Snickers than ever! Sooo good!" A third wrote, "I ordered the almond base and oh my goodness these are decadent, rich and very moorish." The verdict is clear, healthy doesn't have to mean bland.   Today, Ale's Health has evolved beyond handcrafted snacks. Ale now offers comprehensive holistic wellness programs, helping driven professionals and wellness seekers regulate their nervous systems through breathwork, cultivate mindfulness, and reconnect mind and body. The handcrafted snacks remain at the heart of everything, they're proof that nourishment can honor both your health goals and genuine pleasure. Clean ingredients. Real flavour. Food that actually fuels you.   "This partnership with Govita represents something bigger than retail distribution," Ale said. "It's about building a community of people who believe that what we put into our bodies matters. When you choose our treats at Govita, you're not just buying a snack, you're joining a movement that says wellness can be delicious, accessible, and real. No chemicals. No compromises. Just food made with intention, for people who care about living fully."   The Nutty Choco Bliss Cookies hit that sweet spot, gooey centers with just enough crisp on the outside to make each bite satisfying. The PB Choc-Chip Brookie? It's what happens when you refuse to choose between a cookie and a brownie: moist, chewy, rich, and completely crave-worthy. Both are now available at Govita Box Hill, NSW, joining Ale's Health's growing presence in select cafés and stores across New South Wales, including Butler's Pantry at Redbank, Lennox St Bagels in Richmond, and Dipacci Showroom and Café in Port Macquarie.   Can't visit in person? The complete line of five organic wellness snacks is available online at aleshealth.com , with delivery throughout Sydney and outer suburbs. Cookies and energy balls ship across Australia, because everyone deserves snacks that don't make them compromise.   For those ready to go deeper, Ale's Health offers transformative wellness programs designed for people who are serious about reclaiming their vitality. It's not just about snacks, it's about building a life that feels as good as these treats taste.   About Ale's Health Ale's Health is an Australian holistic wellness brand founded by practitioner Ale, dedicated to building a community of individuals who believe in unlocking their true human potential through breathwork, mindfulness, nutrition, and conscious living. Combining transformative wellness programs with a line of handcrafted organic, vegan, and gluten-free snacks made exclusively with natural ingredients, Ale's Health serves people who refuse to compromise, driven professionals seeking balance, health-conscious individuals who value quality, and wellness enthusiasts ready for authentic transformation. Operating as an online store with delivery across Sydney and shipping throughout Australia, every product and program is designed for those who understand that real vitality comes from nourishing both body and spirit with intention.   About Govita Govita is a trusted Australian health food retailer committed to curating the highest-quality natural products that support community wellbeing. With a focus on foods that genuinely nourish and benefit health, Govita has built a reputation for partnering with brands that share their values of quality, integrity, and conscious nutrition.   Media contact Ale's Health
 Phone: 0407 749 195
 Email: info@aleshealth.com 
 Instagram: @aleshealth
 Website: aleshealth.com   For wholesale inquiries or to schedule an interview with Ale, please contact info@aleshealth.com .

Written by Danielle S. Calhoun, Empowerment Facilitator and Keynote Speaker Danielle Calhoun is a certified coach and wellness strategist with a background in HR leadership. She empowers high-achieving professionals to overcome burnout, reclaim their power, and create balance through strategic coaching integrated with spiritual alignment. Behind every Superwoman mask is a woman quietly exhausted by the pressure to do it all perfectly. This article explores how coaching helps high-achieving women silence the relentless inner critic, unlearn perfectionism, and transform burnout into empowered energy, reclaiming peace, purpose, and personal power. The hidden cost of Superwoman Syndrome From the outside, she is unstoppable, thriving career, endless drive, polished smile. But behind that image often lies the exhausting belief, “I am not enough unless I am achieving.” This inner narrative fuels Superwoman Syndrome, a chronic pattern of over-functioning and self-sacrifice rooted in the fear of inadequacy. Research in positive psychology connects this behavior to the “conditional worth” trap, the subconscious equation that self-value equals performance. Over time, this mindset breeds anxiety, burnout, and emotional detachment, leaving women disconnected from joy and authenticity. Slaying the inner critic: Where coaching begins A skilled coach does not just motivate, they help clients reprogram the story driving the overachievement. Through reflective questioning, mindset work, and emotional regulation tools, coaching uncovers the origin story of the “I am not enough” belief. Once identified, the process becomes about reframing and rewiring, helping women replace criticism with compassion and confidence. Coaching strategies that support this shift include: Cognitive reframing: shifting internal dialogue from judgment to curiosity (“What can I learn from this?” instead of “I failed again”). Somatic awareness: teaching clients to notice where tension, anxiety, or pressure show up in the body, then release them consciously. Identity work: supporting clients in building a sense of worth rooted in being, not doing. The result, the inner critic loses power, and authentic self-trust takes its place. The unlearned habit: Retiring the perfectionist mindset Perfectionism is not a badge of honor, it is a coping mechanism. Coaching helps women unlearn the habit of over-functioning by creating new behavioral patterns aligned with balance, not burnout. Clients are guided to: Redefine success, from constant output to sustainable fulfillment. Set aligned boundaries, learning to say “no” without guilt. Celebrate progress over perfection, recognizing that growth happens through imperfection. Behavioral coaching acts as both a mirror and a compass, reflecting old patterns while guiding new, empowered choices. Beyond burnout: Transforming exhaustion into empowered energy Traditional burnout recovery often focuses on rest, but rest alone does not heal the mental load of chronic proving. Coaching offers a proactive solution by integrating emotional healing with practical strategy. Through this process, women learn to: Recognize early signs of energy depletion. Use self-compassion and nervous system regulation to prevent collapse. Rebuild purpose and energy from a place of alignment, not adrenaline. This transformation does not just restore vitality, it reclaims agency. The woman who once ran on exhaustion begins to lead from authenticity, ease, and joy. The ripple effect: From self-leadership to collective empowerment When women dismantle their inner critic, they model a new standard of success, one that uplifts others. Teams, families, and communities benefit when women lead from emotional wholeness instead of depletion. Coaching becomes not just personal development, but a catalyst for cultural change, shifting how we define power, productivity, and self-worth. If you have been wearing the Superwoman cape for too long, it is time to lay it down. Working with a coach can help you silence the inner critic, unlearn perfectionism, and reclaim your energy from burnout. Take the first step, book a free 15-minute chat, or learn more about my Rooted in Joy Coaching Program on my website. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Danielle S. Calhoun Danielle S. Calhoun, Empowerment Facilitator and Keynote Speaker Danielle Calhoun is a leader in holistic success, burnout recovery, and spiritual alignment for high-achieving professionals. After years in corporate HR, experiencing and witnessing the toll of chronic stress, she developed a transformative coaching approach that blends wellness strategy with soulful purpose. She now dedicates her work to helping others reclaim their power, create balance, and lead with intention. Her mission: Thrive from the inside out.

Written by Cece Warren, Certified Counsellor and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Cece Warren knows that connection is where true health and happiness begin. A 15-year practicing Marriage and Family Therapist and Founder of The Relationship Wellness Clinic. Her work blends honesty, realness, and compassion to help people heal and create loving, healthy, safe connections. If you have been betrayed by the person you love most, you already know this is not just heartbreak, it is a full-body, full-life rupture. This is the kind of experience that shakes your sense of safety, your trust in yourself, and your view of who your partner is. Let’s unpack what is happening and how healing can happen. The reality of betrayal trauma Betrayal trauma is not just about the act, in fact, the act is not as heartbreaking as the deception. Dr. John Gottman notes, betrayal can be a blow so disorienting, so gutting, so earthshaking that you cannot breathe. You do not just question your partner, you question everything: your relationship history, your reality, your sense of worth, your future, your own intuition, your judgment, really your entire world. The way I describe it to couples is: imagine if the person you love most, the one you trusted and shared a life with, the one you thought would never hurt you so destructively, walked in the door and shot you without warning. Because emotionally, that is how most of my clients describe their pain. As the hurt partner, you now have a wound that is not only painful, you did not ask for it, and you no longer feel safe in your relationship, your house, and in your own skin. The very person you would run to for comfort is the one who caused the damage. So, what does it take to begin healing? Safety, safety, safety. Since our nervous systems are wired to recognize and protect us from threat, betrayal creates a cavern of uncertainty and insecurity that requires safety to be rebuilt. Gottman’s decades of research show that after betrayal, a couple’s emotional system is in literal chaos. The hurt partner’s nervous system is now on guard, hypervigilant to anything that might show danger or threat. Meanwhile, the partner who broke the trust is often lost in a sea of shame or guilt. To make matters more challenging, as if they are not challenging enough, the partner who broke trust is so desperate to fix things that they are unaware that rushing the process retraumatizes the other person. Here is what I would tell both partners: “You cannot rebuild trust without first rebuilding safety.” Rebuilding safety starts with no minimizing, no defensiveness and invalidation, and no trickle-effect release of information. In short, no “Can we just move on already?” or “I did not intend to,” or giving little snippets of what happened as your partner tries to pull information out of you. Validation and accountability must come before any hope of forgiveness or reconnection. Safety is not a feeling you demand or one that is freely given, it is one you earn back, slowly and consistently. Every brutally long, transparent conversation, every exhaustive empathetic response, every moment of honesty works toward rewiring the hurt partner’s nervous system. Over time, the body learns, maybe it is safe to relax again, and I will be okay. When love is not enough, but growth is Contrary to what we want to believe, love does not heal betrayal. Character does. Consistency does. Emotional regulation does. Transparency does. Ownership does. Rebuilding trust is less about what you say and more about what you practice daily, and yes, it will be a very slow process. You are in it for the long haul. There is no quick fix for betrayal. Gottman even says that if people knew what you truly had to go through to heal from an affair, you would never have an affair. The path forward: healing at the speed of safety As Gottman’s research and my professional experience reveal, couples do not heal by pushing through pain, they heal by creating conditions where healing can occur, and this includes a supportive therapeutic environment. When the nervous system is flooded, we are not listening, we are not learning, we are surviving. When shame is running the show, we are not owning our choices, we are not growing in our empathy. That is why professional support matters, it keeps the process safe, structured, and grounded in accountability instead of chaos. Like Terry Real says, “You cannot see the system when you are in the system.” That is exactly why a trained therapist helps regulate the process, ensuring both partners stay out of the reactive spiral and inside the work of repair. We heal at the speed of safety, sustained by accountability If you have been impacted by betrayal, having the right support is a game-changer in healing. Our Hurt Partner Betrayal Recovery Support Group at The Relationship Wellness Clinic offers a calm, supportive space to help you ground yourself and normalize what is happening for you without judgment in a calm, community space. Led by experienced therapists trained in Gottman and relational recovery frameworks, this group focuses on nervous system regulation, processing complex emotions, and restoring a sense of safety within yourself. For those ready to go deeper as couples and for a start to the healing process together, we also have a 24-week Therapeutic Betrayal Recovery Program that provides structured, long-term support for a couple’s healing and growth after relational trauma. This is not about pretending you are okay. It is about rebuilding, bravely, slowly, honestly, and with support that actually helps you move forward. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Cece Warren Cece Warren, Certified Counsellor and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist When it comes to relationships, couples therapy, betrayal recovery, and all the messiness in between, Cece Warren keeps it real. She is known for her transparency, gentleness, and unapologetic honesty. Her years of unhealthy, disconnected relationships and emotional chaos became her greatest teacher, allowing her empathy, clarity, and compassion to help others break free from unhealthy cycles and build connections that feel safe. Cece turned her own emotional, mental, and relational pain into fuel to help others rise. She is the founder and CEO of the Relationship Wellness Clinic and the voice behind the podcast, The Compassionately Blunt Therapist, where hard truths meet genuine care.

Written by Kemar Sisimayi-Dyke, Founder and CEO of Nova Connects Kemar Sisimayi-Dyke is the founder of Nova Connects. Leading Wembley's biggest marketing agency. Scaling brands, building communities, and helping brands reach their goals. Founded in 2024, Nova Connects has become a staple in London and the Wembley community. It’s rare to find a marketing agency that truly walks the talk of purpose, creativity, and community. Yet that is exactly what Nova Connects, founded by Kemar Sisimayi Dyke, has set out to do. Based in the heart of Wembley, Nova Connects has quickly become one of London’s most exciting and values-driven agencies, redefining how brands connect with people in meaningful ways. Redefining modern marketing through purpose In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s easy for marketing to become about numbers instead of narratives. Nova Connects challenges that mindset. The agency believes marketing should do more than attract attention, it should build trust, tell authentic stories, and create genuine community impact. “Our mission is simple,” says Kemar Sisimayi Dyke, Founder of Nova Connects. “We help businesses tell stories that people believe in. Stories that not only drive growth but also build relationships and real social value.” The power of purpose in every partnership Nova Connects works with a range of clients, from ambitious startups to established organisations that share the same belief that purpose drives performance. Every campaign begins with understanding what a brand stands for, what it contributes to its audience, and how it can make a difference. By putting authenticity at the centre of strategy, Nova Connects transforms marketing from a service into a force for good. Whether it’s a local community project or a nationwide awareness campaign, the team ensures that every project reflects impact, inclusion, and integrity. Building partnerships that create long-term change What truly defines Nova Connects is its approach to collaboration. The agency views every client as a creative partner, not just a customer. This philosophy has helped build lasting relationships grounded in trust, transparency, and innovation. The results speak for themselves. Nova Connects has developed enduring partnerships with brands that share its vision of combining commercial success with positive social outcomes. Each project becomes a shared journey, focused on progress, people, and purpose. Empowering communities and creative voices Beyond its agency work, Nova Connects remains deeply rooted in community impact. The team actively supports young creatives, local entrepreneurs, and grassroots projects across Wembley and beyond. Through mentorship, collaboration, and education, Nova Connects is helping to shape a more inclusive and equitable creative industry. “We’re proud to represent Wembley and the wider London creative community,” says Sisimayi Dyke. “Our purpose goes beyond business. It’s about creating opportunity, inspiring ambition, and showing that marketing can have heart.” Looking to the future of purpose-driven growth As Nova Connects continues to grow, its commitment remains unchanged, to deliver marketing that is as meaningful as it is measurable. With a blend of strategic thinking and creative storytelling, the agency is redefining what success looks like in the modern marketing world. In an era where authenticity defines brand loyalty, Nova Connects is proof that marketing built on purpose, passion, and partnership doesn’t just stand out, it lasts. Start your purpose-driven journey If you’re ready to create marketing that makes a real difference, Nova Connects is here to help you connect with purpose. Send an email . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kemar Sisimayi-Dyke Kemar Sisimayi-Dyke, Founder and CEO of Nova Connects Kemar Sisimayi-Dyke is a leader in the creative industry, bringing ideas to life and creating memories. Built under the investment from selling his previous company, Elysian Embrace, and founding the star agency we call today Nova Connects, he has dedicated his life to helping businesses succeed, and building communities around London to help the younger and older generation to have a chance to grow and become better entrepreneurs, whilst being at the age of 19. Kemar is the Founder and CEO of Nova Connects, the stars of marketing.

Magic Leone is not just a coach, he’s a disruptor redefining what it means to be a high-achieving expert in the modern economy. He operates from a singular, powerful premise, the industry’s obsession with marketing tactics and sales funnels has distracted true difference-makers from their most valuable asset, their identity and their movement. Having navigated his own journey from uncertainty to becoming a top-tier industry leader, Magic understands the “silent war” waged by high-achievers who, despite their brilliance, often feel overwhelmed, isolated, or simply not good enough. He fights for these leaders, believing the world needs their unique solutions now more than ever. His signature approach goes far beyond traditional business strategy. He helps clients strip away borrowed tactics and survival thinking to reclaim their internal authority. This foundational shift transforms experts from vendors selling a product into movement leaders leading a cause. The result? Businesses that grow not by chasing sales, but by attracting believers and building legacies that outlast market trends and algorithmic shifts. In this exclusive interview, Magic Leone shares the mindset, methods, and movements that are helping a new generation of experts rise as impact makers, leaders, and legends. Magic Leone, Global Business Strategist & Movement Builder What inspired you to dedicate your career to helping high-achievers unlock their fullest potential? I met a brilliant woman once, one of the most talented branding experts I’d ever seen, who told me she’d rather live under a bridge than keep trying to make her business work. That broke me. I’ve seen too many people like her, impact makers with incredible talent and pure intentions, stuck not because they lack skill, but because no one gave them the map. This doesn't just limit experts, it limits everyone who could benefit from their help. I’ve lived both sides of the story, the hunger and the victory. I grew up in a world where love and security weren’t guaranteed. I still remember sitting on a stairwell as a teenager, crying because I wished someone, anyone, would just show me the way. No one came. I had to build my own power, brick by brick. Years later, I became the top coach in my industry. But that moment on the stairwell never left me. When I started working with high achievers, I saw the same pain. People think they have it all figured out, but they don’t see the silent war inside, the pressure, the loneliness, the “I’m not good enough” that keeps them up at night. These are the people I fight for. Because when I help real difference-makers rise, I multiply my own impact through theirs. That’s how movements are born, and why I created the definitive map for them. How do you define the core transformation you deliver to your clients? I don’t just help people achieve goals. I help them become the kind of leader goals chase. The biggest problem for experts isn't their offer or their skill, it's the hidden belief that they’re not enough. They waste energy trying to look presentable, focusing on better websites and modern plugins, and shift away from their core mission, message, and movement. They are afraid to fail or get rejected, so they use borrowed tactics, becoming followers instead of leaders. I can look at someone’s content for ten seconds and see how they see themselves. If you don’t see yourself as a leader, neither will your audience. Early in my career, I made a similar mistake. I was afraid people would reject me, so I produced popular content to get approval. Someone called me out, and it was a timely awakening. I stopped trying to fit in and started choosing to lead. It turned out my originality was the difference-maker that brought me success. So, the first transformation I deliver is internal authority. I strip away the borrowed strategies and the quiet voice that says, “Maybe I’m not good enough.” I bring them back to their core identity, the part of them that’s unstoppable. When they lead from power, their message lands, their market listens, and their business moves. This isn't about chasing clients, it is about leading movements that attract believers. Can you walk us through your signature approach and why it stands apart from typical coaching or training methods? Most programs build funnels. I build movement leaders. I don't create fitness trainers, ad experts, or therapists. I turn their work into movements that help humanity, create following, expand impact, and bring commercial success. Titles like “coach” or “consultant” demote experts from being a movement leader. My method is simple and powerful, built on two non-negotiable pillars: Phase 1: Restore internal authority (Make the Leader) The first step is to help them see they are so much more than an expert. We open the space for them to speak from a bigger stage to a larger audience to impact thousands. You can’t achieve greatness without being great. Phase 2: Launch the impact movement (Build the cause) Next, we take their mission and turn it into a movement that helps humanity and brings commercial success. Your entire approach shifts when you shift your mission. For example, a woman running a clothing store in Mexico was stressed by low sales. I helped her realize she wasn't selling clothes, she was saving indigenous art and providing a livelihood to indigenous women. This made her qualified for government grants, and she went from running a store to starting a brand that represented her movement. Funnels downgrade you, movements uplift you. A funnel makes you a vendor, a movement makes you a voice people can’t ignore. Why be a marketer when you can be a leader who changes lives? Why run ads when you can run revolutions? When a client first comes to you feeling stuck or under-performing, what’s the first thing you help them change? The first thing I help them change is the Why and the Who. They’re often selling a solution to a transactional customer, but I shift them to leading a mission for a committed believer. I once worked with an investment expert whose high-end mastermind wasn't drawing members. He was selling “better investments.” But founders who sold their businesses weren’t primarily investing for profit, they were investing for identity, status, and lifestyle. Many chose funds based on the perceived image of the manager, thinking their insecurities would be solved by mimicking that success. I told my client his mission had to be to save investors from making the mistake of investing with the wrong person for the wrong reason. We reframed his mission to “Protecting your Legacy and Identity from Fraudulent Investment.” He went from inviting people to make money to protecting their financial legacy. That message resonated deeply. I don't teach them to step out of the box, but to reshape the box. Every leader needs to reevaluate their approach to making an impact. This one change is the game-changer. What are the common blind spots you see in people aiming for major growth in life, business, or relationships? I could write a book on this. But here are the big ones: They confuse activity with momentum. They follow the wrong map for the wrong reason. They build products when they should be building movements. They rely on followers instead of influence. They chase noise instead of clarity. Most experts are well-intentioned but directionless. They’re stuck in survival thinking instead of leadership vision. A client with 80K Instagram followers never got a single conversion because she had collected followers, not believers. Followers are entertainment, believers are participants. Business is about strategy, and the leader with the best strategy, focus, and discipline wins this game. Here are the practical shifts we make: I had a client with a list of 500 emails ask for topics they would like in his new course. He recorded and offered it to them at 50% off as a thank you. He got paid to create his offers. For another client, I had him record a video in response to an inquiry from his prospect because videos convert better. I then had him publish it because if one prospect had this question, others do too. The question I always ask is, “What task would you do if you had a gun to your head?” Those are the tasks that make a difference, the rest is entertainment. When I work with clients, I sharpen everything so they accrue believers and participants, not followers. The moment they see themselves as leaders, everything else, strategy, positioning, authority, falls into place. How do you help clients not just achieve ambitious goals but sustain their success? Growth and sustainability are never an issue if you focus on movement, mission, and purpose over funnels. A movement leader does not increase sales, they increase their reach to help. If you wake up and think, “How can I help more people with my therapy?” you will never lose direction. This is exactly why I make clients identify their purpose and build an impact-based business around that purpose. The more impact you make, the more your business grows as a natural consequence of the impact, not the sale. Success isn’t built on motivation. Motivation is a spark, mission is the engine. When their business becomes their cause, they stop depending on hype and start running on purpose. That’s why I build movements that outlast algorithms, platforms, or marketing trends. When their fire is anchored in identity and systemized through strategy, they don’t just reach their goals, they sustain them. They stop chasing energy. They become the energy. Could you share a client success story that illustrates how your method shifted everything for someone? I can give several stories. A plant food client went from negligible to half a million in recurring revenue in just six months when we moved him from funnels to movement. Their entire business revolved around discounts and transactional selling. We burned their funnel to the ground. We focused on their deeper story, connection to nature, mindfulness, resilience, health. We shifted from selling products to creating belonging, a lifestyle around plants. Within six months, they grew to half a million in recurring sales. No hype. No discounts. Just pure impact. Because believers buy differently than customers. There is a reason every corporation from Coke to Nike uses movement, not features, to grow business. The Dove “Campaign for Real Beauty” doubled sales from $2.5 billion to $4 billion within its first decade. Turn your business into a movement, and you will never do business again. What mindset and behavioural shifts do your clients experience by the end of the program? They stop being marketers. They become leaders. This transformation isn't just business, it is internal. Once you learn a new way to be, to lead, you use this new authority in business, life, and relationships. You go from being the person who hides in the shadows or stands in a corner to a person who can’t go unnoticed. You turn heads just by showing up. You become the person who learns to lead with a cause, and leaders draw attention no matter where they go. This is not just about building a business, but about becoming a true leader and leading a great life. Why is now the right moment for someone to invest in your help and create a meaningful impact rather than waiting? The cost of waiting is lost legacy. I’m here for the high-achiever who is tired of following the wrong map and is ready for the truth. Come to me only when you've exhausted all the tactics and you are truly ready to stop being a coach or a consultant and start becoming a household brand and an Icon. I will make you work, but I will get you where you want to be. The world doesn’t reward those who wait. It rewards those who lead. We’re in a noisy marketplace where the only ones heard are those who speak from a mission, not a script. If you’re going to give your energy to something, make it something that matters. The cost of waiting is not just lost revenue. It’s lost legacy. If someone is reading this and wondering, “Is this for me?”, what one question should they ask themselves? My program is not about teaching business tactics, it is about becoming the person who has the vision and ability to make winning moves, strategies, and actions when they want. Your holistic transformation is what brings long-term success. So, the question to ask yourself is: Do I want just a business tactic, or do I want a holistic transformation that will put me in the league of the legends? Do I want to step up in life and become the person people go to? Do I just want to make money, or do I want to create a legacy? Anything less, this is not for you. “People don’t follow products. They follow leaders. And leaders build movements.” – Magic Leone Don’t just grow a business, build a movement. Become the impactmaker, industry leader, and legend you were meant to be. Start your rise here . Follow me on Instagram , and visit my LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Magic Leone

Written by Eszter Noble, Clinical Hypnotherapist & Coach Eszter Noble is an RTT® practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Coach, specializing in anxiety, fears, and depression. Her method utilizes the most effective techniques from CBT, NLP, psychotherapy, and hypnotherapy, with the ability to provide freedom from any issues and deliver permanent, lasting solutions. How many of us work long hours, put our heart and soul into our craft, and still feel frustrated because the compensation doesn’t seem to match our efforts? We feel overworked, often even undervalued, and our only answer seems to be to just work even harder. What if I told you that making money has much more to do with your mindset than your educational accolades or effort? Every financial result is a reflection of invisible mental programming that you may not even be aware of. Your beliefs, your identity, and your sense of what’s possible are what will ultimately determine what your financial success will look like. If your inner story says, “I have to work even harder to earn more,” then your outer reality will reflect exactly that, long hours with linear returns. But when your mind expands, you understand your old patterns and your limiting beliefs, and everything shifts. Your money story runs you, until you rewrite it Astonishingly, by the time you are 5 years old, you have already formed your relationship with money. You have formed certain beliefs around it, internalised all the mantras and convictions of your caregivers, and made decisions that will stay with you for decades to come. Money is the root of all evil, money can’t buy happiness, it takes money to make money, and so on. Take a moment and recognize some of the ideas and limiting beliefs you inherited or observed and adopted growing up. You may have felt them strongly, but are they actually facts? Once you start deconstructing and questioning a belief, it begins to lose the power it has over you. From a subconscious standpoint, your relationship with money mirrors your relationship with worth. If you secretly believe you’re undeserving or that money is scarce, you’ll unconsciously repel abundance through procrastination, undercharging, or playing small. I remember growing up and desperately wanting a certain brown leather bag for school. No idea what I was thinking, because it was ugly as sin. It was made from multicoloured brown patches stitched together with rough thread. I mean, which 10-year-old schoolgirl dreams of such things? When I was denied this abomination of a bag, I was inconsolable. My world was well and truly ending. I remember it so vividly, and the strongest feeling that stayed with me was that I’m just not worthy. I don’t deserve it. As a child, it didn’t occur to me for one second that my mom might not be able to afford this expensive abomination. I cried and cried for hours, days even, while putting all my value into this disgusting brown bag. The equation in my head was, I can’t get what I so desperately want, I must not be worthy. Growing up, we simply didn’t have all the tools to make sense of such situations, and parents don’t always have the time or ability to give us an empowering explanation. Reprogramming starts now, and in the mind. Through awareness and repetition, you can teach your brain new truths, “I am worthy of success.” “Money flows where I add value.” “I’m capable of generating income in new, creative ways.” “Wealth grows from confidence, not constant labour.” When your beliefs shift, your behaviour follows. You start noticing different opportunities, speaking differently about your value, and making choices from possibilities rather than fear. You need an alter ego to be successful There’s a common thread that pulls through all areas of our lives, whether it be relationships, education, work, or you name it. We desperately want to avoid rejection. We are hard-wired to avoid rejection because it triggers deep fears of isolation and challenges our sense of self-worth, which, historically, threatened survival if we were excluded from the group. This emotional pain motivates us to seek acceptance and protect ourselves from perceived social or emotional harm. It applies in a work or business setting as well. Most people hate making cold calls, pitching new ideas, and speaking up in meetings because the possibility of being shut down or rejected is too real. After months or even years of building yourself up, practicing, and persevering through uncomfortable situations, you can absolutely develop the grit required, but what if there was an easier way? Some people already say that they have a work and a home persona, so this idea shouldn’t be too hard to implement. Creating an alter ego can help immensely to boost resilience, focus, and success in high-pressure environments. By doing this, you can compartmentalise and help separate your professional identity from personal vulnerability, thereby protecting your confidence and reducing stress during demanding situations. When you step into this alter ego, you could perform exceptionally well in front of colleagues and critical people, regardless of nerves or doubt. The alter-ego approach provides several workplace benefits: It creates psychological distance from fears and failures, allowing you to act with greater composure and creativity. The alter ego embodies desired traits (confidence, focus, persuasiveness), making it easier to override hesitation and deliver peak performance, even under scrutiny. This strategy doesn’t just protect self-esteem, it empowers you to expand your comfort zone and take bolder risks, reframing challenges as opportunities for growth. Resilience and achievement rely as much on a crafted mindset and intentional self-presentation as on technical skill. Developing an alter ego in the workplace can help you silence self-doubt, adopt empowered behaviours, and unlock higher levels of performance. Let’s take a salesperson as an example. Jonathan needs to make 70 cold calls a day. The first 10 people are upset and swear at him. Do they actually know Jonathan? Of course not, they never met him. They are rejecting the software he is trying to sell, and not his character or who he is as a person. Compartmentalise and carry on! Work on yourself before you work harder Hard work is a vessel, not the creator of wealth. The real creator is the mind that directs it. Once your mindset aligns with abundance, your work becomes more strategic and inspired. Instead of grinding, you grow. Instead of chasing money, you attract it. You have to believe you are worthy. The most successful people aren’t working harder than everyone else. They’re thinking differently. They’ve mastered the inner game first, and the outer game simply followed. Once you upgrade your beliefs, you’ll naturally upgrade your results. So, if you want more cold, hard cash in your life, here’s what to do: Clear your limiting beliefs around money: Take a moment and collate all the beliefs you picked up around money and success growing up. Are they true? Are they at all helpful? Add value, don’t just expect: Providing value first builds trust and goodwill, making partners and clients more willing to support your needs or requests. When you clearly demonstrate how your actions benefit others, it creates loyalty, opens opportunities for collaboration, and establishes a reputation for integrity and expertise, all of which strengthen your position. Set clear, measurable financial goals: Measuring your goals makes it easier to hold yourself accountable, adjust strategies if needed, and maintain motivation, all of which increase your likelihood of achieving financial success and minimizing stress along the way. Hone in on your craft: Developing advanced skills allows you to deliver exceptional results, differentiate yourself from others in your field, and attract meaningful projects or clients. The pursuit of mastery not only deepens your sense of purpose but also elevates your resilience, confidence, and adaptability in the face of career challenges. The solution is often simple. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but it’s simple. The clarity of what needs to be done is usually obvious once you see it, so take the first step, have an honest conversation with yourself, and make the change you’ve been avoiding. What makes it hard isn’t the complexity of the actions required, but the resistance, fear, or discomfort that comes with following through. Your environment matters Money might not grow on trees, but much like an oak that can’t survive in torrid terrain, you can’t get wealthy if you surround yourself with broke people. Your environment and the people you choose to surround yourself with will have a massive impact on your financial well-being. Your social circle influences your mindset, habits, and opportunities for growth. People with positive, growth-oriented attitudes can inspire smarter financial decisions, share valuable resources, and encourage wealth-building behaviours, while negative or scarcity-minded peers will reinforce limiting beliefs and unhealthy habits. By building relationships with those who support ambition and learning, you position yourself for better advice, expanded networks, and greater confidence in pursuing your financial goals. I understand it can be hard to find the right people and socialise with wealthy entrepreneurs, but if you have internet, you can do it. There is so much material out there, so many successful people share their expertise, you have to sit yourself down and learn it. Your new circle can be online initially. If you’d like to hone in on a specific skill, you could search for a mentor. Someone who has put in the legwork and has years of experience can be a fantastic resource. When you reach out, though, let’s keep in mind what we learned earlier in the CASH framework. Offer to add value before you expect them just to spill all their industry secrets. What could you bring to the mentor-mentee relationship? Another aspect worth considering is that often, fantastic resources are just around the corner. Find the biggest house with the most cars parked on the driveway in your town and introduce yourself. Often, the biggest influencers, the people everyone deems experts, are really busy, but John Dough, who made a fortune from gas stations, is also a terrific resource. Branch out, talk to new people, get out of your usual environment, because nothing changes if nothing changes. It’s all about developing the right habits and spending your time wisely. So next time you are asked to go to the arcade and have some beers or make your credit card work overtime on an unnecessary shopping spree, choose to spend time with your new friends instead, and become financially literate. The final frontier: Fear Becoming financially literate means understanding key concepts like earning, budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, and protecting your assets, and being able to use this knowledge to make informed financial decisions in daily life. Financial literacy empowers you to plan, manage, and grow your money wisely, helping you avoid debt traps, build financial security, and achieve both short and long-term goals with confidence. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that’s taught in schools, but you simply cannot afford not to have the knowledge. So many people avoid making important decisions because they lack the knowledge, and there is fear surrounding mortgage processes or investments. We fear the unknown. Just because it wasn’t part of the curriculum in class, it doesn’t mean it’s too late to learn. Take some time to familiarise yourself with budgeting, borrowing, whatever it is that feels daunting to you. The dream isn’t to win the lottery. It’s to upgrade your understanding of money. Most lottery winners end up broke after a few years because they often lack financial literacy and do not have the skills to manage large sums responsibly. Sudden wealth can lead to excessive spending, poor investment decisions, pressure from others, and lifestyle inflation, all of which quickly deplete winnings if not properly planned and protected with professional advice. Money and your mind go hand in hand. Emotional resilience is just as important as financial clarity. Practice mindfulness, seek professional guidance if needed, and celebrate small wins to increase confidence and reduce stress. Start by acknowledging your financial anxieties and educating yourself on personal finance so you have the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions. Making money starts in your mind, and money is nothing without peace of mind. Your beliefs about wealth, possibility, and self-worth shape every single financial decision you make. A positive money mindset, one rooted in abundance and confidence, motivates you to pursue opportunities, learn from setbacks, and build habits that lead to financial growth. If your mindset is limited by fear or scarcity, you’re likely to sabotage your own success regardless of how much you earn. True financial well-being is not just a number on a balance sheet. It means feeling secure, content, and free from persistent stress about your financial circumstances. Wealth without inner calm often leads to anxiety, poor decisions, and dissatisfaction. Cultivating peace of mind involves understanding your emotional triggers, managing your financial habits, and aligning your money with your values, so your pursuit of success enhances your life rather than erodes your well-being. You need both in balance. Follow me on Facebook ,   Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my   website  for more info! Read more from Eszter Noble Eszter Noble, Clinical Hypnotherapist & Coach Eszter Noble is an established Clinical Hypnotherapist using the RTT® (Rapid Transformational Therapy) method, trained by world-renowned hypnotherapist Marisa Peer. She is known for handling extremely difficult cases and clients who have been stuck for years and have tried it all. Specializing in anxiety, fears, and depression, she is extremely intuitive and honest, dedicated to empowering her clients to become the best possible versions of themselves. Offering her expertise in English, German, and Hungarian, Eszter’s mission is to take the taboo out of therapy.

Written by Quintin Gunn, Chief Strategic Officer Started at Mojo Interactive in 2000 as a marketeer for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, AACS, ASPS, Boston BioLife, and AACD. Helped in the Development of "Locate a Doc" and TrainNowMD, along with developing marketing lead generation strategies. Expanded into 34+ medical specialties. Founded Social Media Solutions for Doctors (2016) Patient selection, the process of identifying and choosing patients who are likely to be good candidates for care, deserves focused consideration in every well-managed medical practice. Choosing the right patients can improve clinical outcomes, increase satisfaction, motivate staff, boost financial results, and enhance the practice’s reputation. When approached thoughtfully, patient selection supports both the patient’s best interests and the practice’s long-term success.​ Understanding patient selection Patient selection is more than just filling appointment slots. It is a strategic process that considers many interconnected factors, including medical history, personality, expectations, compliance potential, socio-economic background, and suitability for specific treatments. The overarching goal is to foster positive patient experiences, good clinical results, and sustainable practice growth. Criteria used to select patients may include: Medical history and current condition: Practices should evaluate patients' medical backgrounds to ensure they are suitable for the services offered. Some treatments or specialties may have strict inclusion or exclusion criteria, for example, surgical procedures with contraindications or chronic disease management that requires patient reliability. Temperament and personality: Collaboration and communication are vital. Patients who are open, respectful, and engaged with their care often experience better outcomes. Conversely, disruptive, non-compliant, or dishonest patients may jeopardize both their health and the practice environment. Treatment expectations: Ensuring that patient expectations align with what the practice can realistically provide is fundamental. Unreasonable or misinformed expectations can lead to dissatisfaction and disputes. Ability to pay: While ethical prohibition exists against refusing care solely for lack of payment, private practices may need to assess insurance coverage, ability to meet co-pays, and willingness to accept financial policies Social and environmental factors: Support systems, proximity to care, transportation, and family context can all affect whether a patient can complete treatment or comply with protocols. Who is responsible for patient selection Patient selection is a shared responsibility that involves multiple members of the healthcare team: Front desk staff: Often the first point of contact, these team members establish an initial connection with patients. Training in pre-qualification and red flag identification is vital. They may ask about reasons for seeking treatment, prior medical experiences, and logistics, such as insurance information or scheduling needs. Patient care coordinator: This role involves matching patient needs to services, verifying eligibility, and coordinating the initial visit. The coordinator can screen out those whose needs are better met by another provider or who are unlikely to benefit from the services offered. Physician or provider: The ultimate decision rests with the clinician, who integrates the above information with clinical judgment, risk and benefit analysis, and ethical standards. All staff should undergo regular training to recognize ideal candidates for the practice scope and specializations, manage difficult encounters, and refer patients appropriately when necessary. Strategies for selecting the right patients There is no universal algorithm for patient selection, but several core strategies help maximize success: Clear screening protocols: Use structured questionnaires, intake forms, and checklists to assess candidacy. Incorporate queries about health status, motivation, medication history, and previous provider relationships. Transparent communication: Set expectations early regarding practice philosophies, treatment options, payment policies, and guidelines for behavior. Provide written resources or videos to reinforce verbal discussions. Clinical judgment: Use evidence-based criteria for treatment eligibility, compliance with therapies, and predicted risks. Gut instinct: Sometimes intuition plays a role. If the provider or staff sense significant red flags, such as manipulative behavior or hostility, it may be best to refer the patient elsewhere. Regular review and adjustment: Patient selection strategies should be reviewed annually or after major incidents. Feedback from all team members can inform improvements in protocols. Ethical and practical considerations Patient selection is subject to important ethical boundaries: Non-discrimination: Practices must not exclude patients based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, or other protected classes. Selection criteria must comply with legal and professional standards. Access to care: While practices may set boundaries for the types of patients they accept according to specialty, logistics, or scope, they should provide referrals or resources for those turned away. Balancing inclusivity and safety: While diversity in patient populations is desirable, occasionally exclusion is necessary for safety, such as when a patient behavior poses risks to staff or others. In research settings such as clinical trials, patient selection has additional implications. Inclusion and exclusion criteria affect trial validity, diversity, safety, and relevance. Well-designed criteria minimize selection bias, improve data quality, and respect participant autonomy. Technology and patient selection The increasing use of technology such as electronic health records, telemedicine, and decision support tools can enhance patient selection. Electronic health records: Allow better tracking and analysis of medical histories, missed appointments, and care compliance. Patient portals: Enable direct collection of pre-screening information and management of appointments and reminders. AI and predictive analytics: Artificial intelligence can help identify high-risk patients or those likely to benefit most from care, supporting evidence-based decisions. Real-world scenarios for patient selection The importance of patient selection varies by practice type and specialty. Primary care: Focuses on broad inclusion but still screens for compliance, respect, and alignment with practice philosophy. Surgical practices: Strict inclusion and exclusion for safety and efficacy, with psychosocial factors influencing postoperative success. Mental health: Careful screening for commitment to therapy, ability to cooperate, and suitability for treatment modalities. Chronic disease management: Emphasizes reliability, appointment attendance, and willingness to follow instructions. Benefits of thoughtful patient selection Robust patient selection processes yield measurable benefits: Improved care quality: Providers can deliver tailored care to patients best suited for the practice expertise, improving outcomes. Enhanced patient satisfaction: When patients feel understood and receive services that match their goals, satisfaction rises. Lower stress for staff: Managing agreeable, compliant patients reduces burnout and increases morale. Financial health: Selecting reliable, appropriately insured patients minimizes bad debt and helps maintain practice viability. Risk reduction: Identifying and excluding high-risk patients can help avoid litigation, negative reviews, and adverse outcomes. Challenges and solutions Patient selection is not without obstacles: Limited diversity: Excessively strict criteria may reduce representation of underserved groups. Periodic review and real-world data integration can address this issue. Bias and fairness: Unconscious bias may affect decision-making. Practices can counteract this through training and regular review of selection policies. Ethical dilemmas: Deciding when to exclude disruptive or non-compliant patients can be difficult. Practices should have clear written policies and legal counsel, when in doubt. Patient selection in digital practice marketing For medical practices with a robust web presence, patient selection extends to the online environment. Marketing messages, website content, and interactive forms should be crafted to attract the ideal patients, those most likely to benefit, comply, and contribute to the practice success. Informative content: Detailed service descriptions help prospective patients self-select. Online intake forms: Digital screening allows staff to flag candidates before an office encounter. Managed online reputation: Public reviews and reputation management promote transparency about the kind of patients the practice serves best. Conclusion Patient selection is a nuanced, vital aspect of medical practice management, shaping care quality, patient and staff satisfaction, operational efficiency, and financial health. Practices benefit by developing evidence-based criteria, training staff rigorously, leveraging technology, and balancing ethical demands with real-world constraints. By prioritizing patient selection, practices maximize the likelihood of sustainable growth, fewer adverse events, and the delivery of outstanding, personalized care in a challenging healthcare landscape. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Quintin Gunn Quintin Gunn, Chief Strategic Officer Core business principle: "Inspect What You Expect" which provides a systematic measurement and monitoring approach that develops the "Like, Know, Trust" framework factors for all client relationships. Teaching educational content over hard selling, relationship building, sales focus.