Written by Mary Rose Connolly, Wellbeing-Led Education Consultant Mary Rose Connolly is the founder of POSA Consulting and an experienced international educator with over 20 years in schools in Ireland and the UAE. She works with teens, families, and schools, bringing a strong background in positive health, wellbeing, and safeguarding to provide clear, personalised educational guidance. Well-being at work has become big business. From yoga classes and lunchtime talks to therapy apps and team socials, companies are investing heavily in the idea that happier employees make better employees. On paper, it sounds progressive, but in reality, it often feels a bit like throwing darts in the dark. Good intentions do not always result in good outcomes, particularly when we are not quite sure about the ‘why’. The problem with well-being is that, essentially, it is not tangible or truly definable as it means different things in different contexts, it's elusive and always just beyond our grasp, and yet the research shows it works. Organisations that do it ‘right’ see the results. But ‘right’ is equally elusive, so how do you apply the best principles to your context? The starting point has to be culture. There are four fundamental truths that we must accept in order to truly embed wellbeing as a driver of innovation and standards. Truth 1: Culture is the foundation Number one, well-being cannot exist without a clear understanding of the context of your company and the vision of the culture you want to create. Without a clear vision and a shared acceptance of its objectives, no amount of wellbeing ‘activity’ will have the desired impact. Employers will continue to pay for initiatives and hope for engagement, employees will continue to show up, enjoy the moment, and then walk straight back into the same environment that made them need the yoga class in the first place, and most importantly, with the same attitude. Money will be spent, but nothing will really change in the long term. Truth 2: Well-being is about engagement, not happiness The second fundamental truth is that well-being is about engagement, not happiness. No adult is responsible for another person’s happiness, not even in the workplace. Most of us are busy enough managing our own happiness, let alone being responsible for someone else's. Yet somewhere along the way, workplace wellbeing has become synonymous with keeping everyone content. The result? A cycle of short-term fixes and long-term frustration. Since COVID, a good example of this is around flexible work locations, staff want the autonomy to work from a location of their choice. Employers allow some flexibility and write it into policy - some staff performance goes down, management gets frustrated, and the company revokes the policy (often seen as a privilege), much to the annoyance of those who continued to perform at a high level. Policies protect companies and staff and ensure compliance and fairness, but arguably, and possibly controversially, the best employees will never ‘need’ the parameters of those policies. They will work hard, come in when sick, be available when they should be off (the list is endless), and yet when that employee asks for something, companies often invoke policies, telling them they need to be ‘fair’. This is where the idea of ‘fairness’ gets messy. Is fairness really treating everyone the same, regardless of effort, output, or accountability? Policies exist to create consistency, yes, but your strongest people rarely need them. They show up, step up, and go beyond because that is who they are, and yet, when they ask for flexibility or trust, they’re often met with rigid rules designed for all. I am not suggesting a two-tier approach or a system that shamelessly promotes your best workers and punishes others, but is there an entirely different approach that we can take? Is it possible to take this metaphorical jigsaw completely apart and remake it to become the vision that we want - one that prioritises culture, connection, belonging, and performance in equal measure? Because culture is where wellbeing actually lives. Truth 3: People cannot flourish in fear The third fundamental truth when creating a culture of wellbeing is that people cannot flourish in fear. Every successful person on the planet has referenced how failure brought them success. And yet, often in the workplace, we punish those who step outside the line, who misstep, even inadvertently, and punish them through performance reviews, investigations, written warnings, or worse, social isolation. In high-performing environments, there’s a universal commitment to the belief that things can always be done better. Conversations happen, and mistakes are not quietly punished but used as fuel for growth. Positive organisational scholarship explores ways in which human potential can be unlocked in the workplace. It investigates what makes some organisations and their employees flourish and identifies positive processes, strengths and behaviours that can be adopted by all organisations to improve performance. It understands that well-being is not about happiness but about how connection, belonging, and culture can enhance resilience, improve communication, and ultimately output. In layman’s terms, it wants to prove that a culture of wellbeing can drive standards. Truth 4: Leadership must live well-being Here is the final fundamental truth: Well-being in the workplace cannot thrive unless those who lead believe in it. In today’s drive for wellbeing, leaders often have to adopt ideas and policies ‘for the sake of it’, which undermines the whole concept of what they are trying to do to begin with. Leaders at the highest levels must live what they want to see. Wellbeing is knowing your company, wellbeing is designing the culture you want to embed, purposefully creating processes which foster this culture, and driving it through behaviour and communication at every level. Adaptive complex systems If your organisation is a system, then wellbeing must be embedded within it and drive systems thinking. Those who do this successfully create adaptive, complex systems that learn from experience, remain flexible and reflective, and ultimately have the potential to teach themselves how to solve their own problems. So stop spending money on aimless activities and start by auditing your staff's wellbeing levels. Collate and analyse the data to build a clear picture of how effective your current culture really is before planning how you will effectively invest in wellbeing. Stop asking if people are happy and start measuring their engagement. Happy staff doesn’t tell you they’re happy, they show it! Follow me on Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mary Rose Connolly Mary Rose Connolly, Wellbeing-Led Education Consultant Mary Rose Connolly is an international educator and school leader with over 20 years’ experience supporting young people and families in Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. Beginning as an English teacher, she developed a lasting belief in student voice and in empowering teenagers to grow into confident, capable adults. As a senior leader, she embedded well-being into school culture to strengthen relationships and drive outcomes. In 2025, she founded POSA Consulting to champion young people and provide trusted, unbiased guidance to families throughout their educational journey.

Written by Jonathan Rose, Mental Health Advocate & Public Speaker Jonathan Rose is redefining what it means to win beyond the field. A 104th Grey Cup Champion turned founder of Prove Yourself Right Inc., he’s a voice for resilience, mental health, and community impact, bridging elite performance with purpose-driven leadership that inspires the next generation. What happens when movement disappears from childhood? As unstructured play fades, so do key opportunities for building confidence, resilience, and identity. This article explores how fitness can fill that gap, helping young people develop mental strength, discipline, and self-belief through intentional movement and modern education. The sound of what’s missing Have you noticed it? The silence. Drive through your neighborhood, and you’ll see empty parks, quiet sidewalks, and fewer kids outside creating games out of nothing. There was a time when the world beyond your front door was the arena. No invitations, no structure, just presence. You showed up, you figured it out, and in the process, you learned far more than the rules of a game.   You learned how to communicate. How to adapt. How to lose and come back better. Without realizing it, those moments weren’t just play. They were preparation.   The hidden cost of inactivity Today, that natural training ground is disappearing and with it, a critical layer of youth development. Unstructured play once built confidence, resilience, and identity. In its absence, many young people are left searching, questioning their self-worth, struggling to find their voice, and quietly battling self-doubt that can evolve into deeper mental health challenges. This is not simply a shift in lifestyle. It’s a shift in development. And it demands a response.   Fitness as a foundation for mental strength Fitness is often framed as a physical pursuit. But in reality, it is one of the most powerful vehicles for mental and emotional growth, especially in youth. Programs rooted in fitness and development do more than get kids moving. They rebuild environments where character is forged.   Through physical challenge, young people experience: Discipline: Showing up even when it’s difficult Resilience: Pushing through discomfort and setbacks Confidence: Earning belief through action Connection: Engaging with others in a meaningful, shared effort   These are not abstract lessons. They are lived experiences internalized through repetition and effort. This isn’t just about activity. It’s about identity.   Where education must evolve If the landscape has changed, then so must the approach. The integration of fitness into the school curriculum represents one of the most underutilized opportunities in modern education. When movement becomes part of the learning environment, education shifts from passive intake to active transformation.   Fitness sharpens focus. Movement stimulates cognitive function. Challenge reinforces discipline in real time. Students don’t just learn about perseverance, they practice it. They don’t just hear about consistency, they live it. This is where education becomes holistic, developing not just intellectual capacity, but personal capability.   Case study: The prove yourself right fitness challenge In Renfrew, Ontario, a 6th-grade class led by educator Anne Lefebvre became a real-time example of what’s possible when fitness and mindset intersect.   Through The Prove Yourself Right Fitness Challenge, students didn’t just increase their physical activity, they transformed their engagement. Those who once hesitated began to participate. Those who struggled to focus began to apply themselves. Energy shifted. Effort increased. Confidence followed. The breakthrough wasn’t just physical, it was psychological. Because when a young person begins proving something to themselves physically, it fundamentally reshapes how they see themselves mentally. Effort becomes identity. Progress becomes personal. The mindset multiplier effect What starts in the body extends into every area of life. When students experience growth through physical effort, that same mindset transfers into the classroom, relationships, and decision-making. They begin to approach challenges differently, not as obstacles to avoid, but as opportunities to rise.   This is the multiplier effect of fitness-driven development: Increased academic engagement Stronger emotional regulation Greater self-awareness Higher standards of personal accountability   It’s not about creating athletes. It’s about developing capable, confident individuals.   A blueprint for the future of youth development The path forward is clear. If we want stronger, more resilient young people, we must be intentional about the environments we create. Schools, communities, and organizations have an opportunity and responsibility to reintroduce the elements that once developed youth naturally.   But this time, with purpose. By merging fitness, mindset, and education, we can bridge the gap between potential and performance, equipping the next generation not just to succeed academically but to navigate life with confidence, discipline, and clarity. The standard moving forward This is the mission behind Prove Yourself Right Inc., a movement grounded in the belief that true confidence is earned through action, and that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their strength from the inside out.   Because the goal isn’t just to build better students. It’s to develop stronger minds, resilient spirits, and individuals who don’t just hope to succeed but have already proven to themselves that they can. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jonathan Rose Jonathan Rose, Mental Health Advocate & Public Speaker Jonathan Rose is the founder of Prove Yourself Right Inc., a purpose-driven brand empowering individuals through discipline, accountability, and personal growth. A 104th Grey Cup Champion, mental health activist, and Community Relations Representative, he continues to inspire impact beyond the game.

Written by Connie Ng, Holistic Practitioner | Quantum Energy Healer | Five Elements Coach Connie Ng, a distinguished Holistic Health Coach and international speaker, blends Five Elements wisdom with vibrational medicine to heal chronic respiratory, gut, and skin conditions. Renowned for her intuitive approach, she empowers clients to unlock deep mind-body connections, release energetic blockages, and catalyze profound transformation in their lives. We’ve entered an era where green juices, ice baths, infrared saunas, red-light therapy, and mindset hacks are no longer enough to fuel sustainable success. While these tools offer temporary boosts, an increasing number of high-performing professionals are coming to realize a more profound truth: peak performance isn’t just physical or mental. It’s energetic. The real edge? It’s not in your supplements. It’s in your frequency. In this quiet shift, a forgotten healing tool is resurfacing, one that predates our modern obsession with productivity but feels more relevant than ever: plant essences. Often misunderstood or dismissed as “woo,” these nature-derived remedies are now being rediscovered by those seeking not just to function but to flourish on all levels. Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about healing. This is about unlocking quantum performance by restoring energetic alignment, and plant essences are proving to be one of the most subtle yet powerful allies available to us. Plant essences: The best-kept secret in mind-body upgrade Plant essences are the ancient elixir you’ve never heard of but your nervous system has been craving. Unlike herbal tinctures or essential oils, plant essences contain no physical plant material. Instead, they are vibrational infusions that capture the energetic imprint of a flower or plant in spring water, which is then preserved and used to bring the human energy field back into balance. Each plant holds a unique vibrational frequency, a kind of energetic signature that corresponds to a specific emotional or spiritual imbalance in the human system. When that essence is introduced to someone who resonates with that pattern, it initiates a subtle yet deep transformation, clearing trauma, restoring clarity, and helping the body and mind align with their natural rhythm. As I often say, "Plant essences are nature’s intelligence, bottled.” They don’t override symptoms. They invite integration. While this may sound esoteric, its results are grounded in real-world experiences. Clients often report: Mental clarity Emotional release Intuitive insight Relief from eczema, digestive issues, fatigue, respiratory congestion, chronic pain, and more. A brief history: From Harley Street to vibrational medicine In the 1930s, Dr. Edward Bach, a respected Harley Street physician, bacteriologist, and homeopath, made a radical departure from conventional medicine to pioneer what is now known as “flower essences,” a form of vibrational medicine. He believed that emotional imbalances were the root of most illnesses. Bach developed the first 38 flower remedies to address emotional blockages and personality traits that contributed to disease long before terms like psychosomatic were mainstream. His philosophy closely mirrored ancient systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which teaches that emotions and physical health are intricately linked, two sides of the same energetic coin. As I shared in my article, “When the Body Speaks: Decoding Mental Health with the Five Elements,” TCM has long taught that unprocessed emotions disturb organ function and lead to illness: “The Heart is the sovereign; from it the spirit emerges. If the sovereign is disturbed, the whole system falls into disharmony.” According to the Huangdi Neijing, the foundational text of Chinese Medicine, dating back over 2,000 years, the Heart houses the Shen (spirit). When emotional disturbances are left unresolved, they manifest physically. This ancient insight is now increasingly validated by trauma studies and neuroscience. Two vibrational medicine systems I use in practice Among the many plant essence systems available today, I work most deeply with two refined systems that bridge ancient wisdom with quantum healing: 1. First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® One of the most comprehensive vibrational systems in the world, containing 185 native flora essences designed to support holistic well-being: Flowers: Emotional transformation & archetype balancing Ferns: Clear trauma from the auric layers Trees: Aligns chakras & spiritual power Seeds: Releases limiting beliefs & core fear Plants: Aid life transitions & soul evolution Ferns are especially powerful. As prehistoric plants, they hold a trauma-free frequency that clears deep ancestral and energetic imprints. In my sessions, I also refer to a client’s birth chart (using a form of medical astrology) to help identify these inherited or constitutional trauma patterns with even greater precision. 2. Golden Light Healing Plant Essences Founded by Patricia Hueneke, a respected Herbalist, Psychic Medium, and teacher based in Canberra, Australia, this quantum vibrational system was designed to work in 5D consciousness. 5D (Fifth Dimension) refers to a level of awareness where healing occurs beyond the mind and physical body, at the level of energy, emotion, soul, and timeline. While we live in a 3D world, 5D healing works at the quantum field where identity, possibility, and energetic coherence are accessed. These essences help facilitate: Energetic upgrades and soul retrieval Release of intergenerational trauma Realignment with the higher self and divine intelligence Healing beyond the conscious mind, at the timeline and identity level By healing at this vibrational frequency, we are healing beyond the conscious mind-- across timelines and identity levels. Beyond the bottle: Meridian-based plant essence application In addition to oral use, I guide clients to apply essences topically on specific acupressure points along the meridians, blending plant intelligence with ancient Chinese energetic pathways. This rarely known technique draws from my training in Five Elements Coaching, Fusion Acupressure, and Vibrational Diagnostics. When applied to the right points, essences can trigger deeper emotional release and energetic recalibration. Here are a few real-world examples using Golden Light Essences: Large Intestine 4 (LI4, Hegu, “Union Valley”) is used in conjunction with Mary’s Thistle Essence to support detoxification and clear stuck emotions associated with a major life challenge. This essence helps restore Liver energy, uplift vitality, and bring back the expansive joy of Jupiter’s energy, leading to grounded optimism and restored flow. Heart 7 (H7, Shenmen, “Spirit Gate”) is used with Meadowsweet Essence for clients driven by perfectionism. It helps soothe emotional tightness in the heart and neck area, neutralize internal acidity, and restore the sweetness of simply being. It is a beautiful remedy for self-compassion and nervous system release. Kidney 2 (K2, Rangu, “Blazing Valley”) is used with Skullcap Essence for clients prone to overstimulation and adrenal burnout. This essence calms racing thoughts, strengthens nervous system stamina, and restores emotional equilibrium, often helping resolve tension headaches, eye fatigue, and chronic stress patterns. From vibration to transformation: My full protocol While plant essences are often the entry point, my clinical protocol supports healing across multiple dimensions: Energetic mapping & five elements analysis Using intuitive diagnostics, holistic counseling, and body-based cues, I help clients decode how emotions and beliefs manifest physically. This is based on the Five Elements framework (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), a time-tested model in Traditional Chinese Medicine that maps emotional, organ, and seasonal patterns. It provides a clear structure to trace dysfunction back to root imbalances and realign with nature’s healing blueprint. The first question I always ask: “What emotion is driving this symptom?” Because when you shift the frequency of the emotion, the body often follows, with surprising speed. I explore this connection further in my article, a deeper look at how unresolved emotions show up as Physical Symptoms. Facial Emotional Therapy (FET) A hands-on modality that uses facial meridians to gently release stored emotional trauma and activate healing through the face’s connection to the organs and nervous system. Quantum frequency devices Qi Coils (PEMF + RIFE): Enhance cellular repair, brainwave coherence, and energy flow. Used for eczema, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, addictions, and cancer-related support. Scientific validation: Qi Coils showed measurable benefits for neurodiverse children during COVID-19 (see references) in a study titled “The Impact of the Qi Coils and Frequency Method on Neurodiverse Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic” in their academic performance, behavior, and Emotional regulation. Qi Coils, developed by Qi Life, uses pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to enhance cellular repair, brainwave coherence, and energy flow. These modern tools enable practitioners to run RIFE frequencies and other targeted healing programs, supporting emotional and physical health at a deep vibrational level. RIFE technology, originally pioneered in the 1930s, was designed to match the resonant frequency of pathogens, disrupting them without harming healthy tissue. Today, it’s used in frequency protocols to address conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, inflammation, and even cancer. Increasingly, biohackers, entrepreneurs, and high-functioning professionals are turning to tools like Qi Coils, not just for symptom relief but to maintain energetic hygiene, nervous system resilience, and alignment with the quantum field. Curious to explore these tools? Details and recommended links are provided at the end of this article. Enzyme detox: Clearing the terrain Zencleanz enzyme-based detox clears mucoid plaque, liver stagnation, and lymph congestion. Supports clearer skin, improved digestion, and mental clarity. Infused with Zen Buddhist prayers, it acts as both cleanser and nourishment. For emotional or energetic recalibration to take root, the physical terrain must be cleared. That’s why I incorporate Zencleanz, a vibrationally aligned, enzyme-based detox system. Rooted in the Five Elements principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zencleanz formulas are designed to remove: Mucoid plaque: A thick, rubbery biofilm that clings to the intestines, trapping toxins and waste. It’s the holy grail for detox veterans, often taking months, or even a year, of water or juice fasting to expel. Liver stagnation Lymphatic congestion Zencleanz can release this overnight in a single-day cleanse, making it a biohacker’s shortcut to deep cellular renewal. What makes it unique? Enzymes are fermented for 3 years to ensure maximum potency Zen Buddhist prayers infused during fermentation for a deep healing vibrational frequency It acts as both a deep cleanser and a pre-digested food that nourishes at the cellular level Clients often report Improved digestion, reduced bloating, and clearer skin Emotional lightness and sharper mental clarity Reduced cravings for sugar, alcohol, and processed foods Are you curious to try it? A direct link to the recommended kit is included at the end of this article. Why this matters We are now entering what mystics and astrologers call the Age of Aquarius, an era marked by consciousness, energy, frequency, and collective awakening. In this age, vibrational coherence replaces force as the primary healing currency. Vibrational medicine doesn’t replace physical medicine. It explains why physical medicine fails when the energy body is ignored. Once you shift the frequency, everything changes. Ready to experience the shift? Healing doesn’t have to be forceful. Sometimes, the most profound shift comes from a whisper, from nature itself. Because the secret to quantum performance isn’t in doing more. It’s in aligning with who you already are, energetically, emotionally, and soulfully. It’s about moving from burnout to balance, so performance flows naturally, not forcefully. If you're ready to recalibrate from the root, I offer 1:1 sessions integrating: Plant essence prescriptions tailored to your emotional blueprint Meridian-based vibrational therapy for deep energetic release Quantum frequency tools (Qi Coils + RIFE) for nervous system and physical healing Five Elements analysis to trace and shift your psycho-emotional patterns Enzyme detox support to clear the terrain and anchor lasting change. Click here to book a session, or DM me on Instagram @connieng.coach to explore whether vibrational medicine is your next evolution. Because once you shift the frequency, everything changes. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Connie Ng Connie Ng, Holistic Practitioner | Quantum Energy Healer | Five Elements Coach Connie Ng is a Multi-Disciplined Holistic Practitioner and Quantum Energy Healer who specialises in helping clients overcome chronic physical and emotional conditions by addressing their root cause at the energetic level. Blending Five Elements wisdom with Star Magic Healing, vibrational medicine, and holistic counselling, she facilitates deep transformation for those who feel stuck despite trying everything. Connie is the founder of The Salt Therapy Clinic & Sanctuary and works with clients both in-person and remotely. Resource links & tools: Zencleanz Enzyme Detox Kits → [Use 5% OFF PROMO Code: CONNIENG] ZenCleanz | Whole Body Detox & Rejuvenation System/Plant-Based Enzymes Explore the system I use in practice for clearing mucoid plaque and resetting gut vitality. Qi Life Quantum Tools → [Use 5% OFF PROMO Code: CONNIENG] https://qilifestore.com/?ref=6607870 Explore Qi Coils & PEMF/RIFE tech for nervous system support and energetic optimisation. References: Qi Coils & Frequency Healing Gallizia, J. & Wong, D. The Impact of the Qi Coils and Frequency Method on Neurodiverse Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Read the study Gallizia, J. & Wong, D. Qi Coil & B.R.I.G.H.T. Learning System In The Classroom – Read the study B. James, Royal Rife: The Man Who Found a Cure for Cancer Traditional Chinese Medicine & Five Elements Kaptchuk, T. J. (2000). The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. McGraw-Hill. Ni, M. (1995). The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine: A New Translation of the Neijing Suwen. Shambhala Publications. Beinfield, H., & Korngold, E. (1991). Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. Ballantine Books. Mind-Body Medicine & Trauma Van Der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma. Penguin Books. Maté, G. (2019). Healing the Wounds of Trauma. Sounds True. Hay, L. (1984). You Can Heal Your Life. Hay House. Noontil, A. (1998). The Body is the Barometer of the Soul – So Be Your Own Doctor II. Annette Noontil Publishing. Plant Essences & Vibrational Therapy Scheffer, M. (2001). New Bach Flower Therapies: Healing the Emotional and Spiritual Causes of Illness. Healing Arts Press. Scheffer, M. (1996). Advanced Bach Flower Therapy: A Scientific Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment. Inner Traditions. Kaminski, P., & Katz, R. (2005). Floral Acupuncture: Applying the Flower Essences of Dr. Bach to Acupuncture Sites. Inner Traditions. Ball, S. (2006). New Bach Flower Body Maps: Treatment by Topical Application. Flower Remedy Programme. Meyer, M. (2004). Acupressure for Emotional Healing: A Self-Care Guide for Trauma, Stress, & Common Emotional Imbalances. Bantam. Hueneke, P. S. (n.d.). Living in the Golden Light. Golden Light Essences Publishing.

Written by Shannon Yeager, Owner, Founder, and Wellness Coach Shannon Yeager is a leader in wellness coaching and the founder of Expand Beyond. Her expertise includes nervous system regulation and intuitive guidance to help people align with their purpose and create lasting transformation. You’ve built a thriving career and accomplished ambitious goals, but you feel exhausted and drained when you wake up in the morning. Does this sound familiar? Many visionary leaders and entrepreneurs come to me feeling like they are drowning in upcoming meetings with no breathing room in their day. They have no time to replenish their energy or do the things they want to do. I know how this feels. When I started my business, I thought my success depended on my ability to hustle. I said yes to every new opportunity. As my business started to grow, my calendar was filled with back-to-back meetings. I would wake up in the morning and immediately open my laptop to work. It became hard to sleep at night because my mind would cycle through all the tasks I needed to do the next day. I knew this pattern wasn’t sustainable. I was ready to break free from the hustle mentality, reclaim my time, and reignite my spark. I created systems and frameworks based on ten years of experience in the wellness industry to help myself and my clients cancel the chaos and create space for joy. I was shocked when I counted the amount of time I got back each week. It was over 20 hours in my calendar. This allowed me to show up with more clarity for my clients, host international retreats, and take time off to travel with my family. I started teaching these frameworks to clients, and they experienced similar results. One client shared, “Between social media scrolling, overthinking, and procrastination, I estimated close to 20 hours a week. Insane when I saw it out in front of me. I have been able to reclaim a lot of that time back. I’ve read four to five books and had more time to dedicate to many physical healing habits that I had gotten away from.” Now I’m excited to share these frameworks with you. 3 ways you can cancel the chaos in your calendar, your mind, and your life 1. R.E.S.E.T. your system “Nervous system regulation” feels like a buzz term these days. Many coaches talk about it, yet the tools aren’t integrated into their systems. When you are in “fight or flight” mode, it is difficult to stay energized, absorb new information, or make clear decisions from an intuitive place. I created the R.E.S.E.T. system using proven methods to regulate your nervous system, strengthen boundaries, and build resilience. To start regulating your nervous system, you can try: Breath work , bring your attention to the breath and guide it through different patterns to slow down the thoughts Meditation , focus the mind through awareness techniques Grounding , get outside in nature to release energy Using your voice , hum or sing to stimulate the vagus nerve Mindful movement , release tension in the body to calm the mind through practices like yoga, walking , tai chi, chi gong, and more These techniques are designed to fit into your lifestyle. Even just a few minutes throughout the day will make a difference in resetting your system. 2. Identify and patch your E.N.E.R.G.Y. leaks Activities, behaviors, and habits can either drain or boost your energy. This can impact your work, home, relationships, well-being, and mindset. Energy leaks often waste time and energy without helping you move toward your goals. Some common energy leaks include scrolling on social media without intention, saying yes to things you don’t have space for, replaying conversations in your head, overthinking decisions, and having a cluttered environment. Once you are aware of your energy leaks, you can patch them using the E.N.E.R.G.Y. framework. For each activity, behavior, or habit, you can: Establish your intention for the activity Navigate boundaries, such as saying no when you need to protect your energy Eliminate distractions, like blocking time on your calendar or putting your phone in another room Refill your cup by prioritizing activities that boost your energy Ground in nature by spending time outside Say yes to heartfelt connection by scheduling time to connect with people who support you Once you patch your energy leaks, you will create more space in your day to slow down and focus on projects that replenish your energy and bring you joy. 3. Build your mindful M.O.R.N.I.N.G. ritual How you start your day sets the tone for the whole day. Rather than jumping into work, opening your phone, or writing an email, ask yourself if you can start your day with self-care so the nervous system is more regulated. Although it may seem counterintuitive, taking even a few minutes to slow down will make you more focused, productive, and calm for the rest of the day, especially when you are stressed or life gets busy. You can create a M.O.R.N.I.N.G. ritual that helps shape your mindset and create a calm state. Here are some tips to get started: Set a dedicated time on your calendar Stack your ritual before or after habits you already have in the morning to help them naturally integrate and stick Make your ritual realistic so that you can show up for it consistently. Create a list of non-negotiables for your morning and let everything else flow with life. Once you have a mindful M.O.R.N.I.N.G. ritual, you can create additional rituals to transition between tasks and wind down your evening. Are you ready to dive deeper and create a custom strategy to reclaim your time? You can watch the full Cancel the Chaos workshop for free. These steps are the beginning of the transformative journey inside a one-on-one cocoon. Together, we rewire old patterns, find clarity on your purpose, and take bold action as you step into your next-level self. You can apply for a discovery call to explore if this path is aligned for you. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Shannon Yeager Shannon Yeager, Owner, Founder, and Wellness Coach Shannon Yeager is the founder and owner of Expand Beyond, intuitive wellness coaching and practices. She is a certified wellness coach, yoga instructor (RYT-500), sound healer and Usui Reiki practitioner with 10 years of experience in the wellness industry. Her mission is to help people learn the tools to regulate their nervous system, tune into their intuition, and find what lights them up to live a vibrant and fulfilling life.

Written by Stoyana Natseva, Global Mentor, Bestselling Author, and Founder Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva is a Full Professor, psychologist, researcher, bestselling author, and founder of Happy Life Academy. She is the creator of the Direct Change Solution® (DCS) methodology and the Internal Autobiographical Map (IAM), helping individuals and organizations achieve lasting transformation through science-based education. Most people have experienced the same situation more than once. A decision is made. A new direction is chosen. There is focus, energy, and a clear sense of movement. For a while, everything seems to align. Then something subtle happens. The intensity fades. The urgency disappears. The decisions begin to shift, almost without being noticed. Over time, the result moves back toward what used to feel familiar. This is one of the most common patterns in personal and professional life. It shows up in business growth, in relationships, in health, and in personal goals. The question is not why people lose motivation. The real question is why the same results keep repeating, even when the effort changes. In her work in applied psychology, Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva approaches this differently. Through her methodology, Direct Change Solution, she looks at change as a structured process, not as a series of actions. From this perspective, behavior is only the visible layer. What actually drives results sits deeper. Every person operates through an internal structure that organizes experience, meaning, and identity. This structure defines what feels natural, what feels possible, and what feels sustainable over time. At the core of this structure lies what she describes as the internal autobiographical map. This map is formed through lived experience. It holds not only events, but also the decisions made in those moments. Over time, these decisions become reference points. They influence how a person interprets situations and how they respond. A person may consciously aim for growth, yet continue to act from decisions formed years earlier, in completely different circumstances. These decisions remain active. They shape expectations. They influence direction. They define limits. This becomes visible in real situations. A person builds a business, reaches a new level, then suddenly begins to slow down, delay decisions, or avoid opportunities that previously felt important. From the outside, it looks like a loss of focus. From the inside, it feels like uncertainty. In reality, an older decision is still an active one that defines how much growth feels safe or acceptable. As long as that decision remains unchanged, the result cannot stabilize at a higher level. This is where most approaches to change fall short. They focus on behavior, while the source of that behavior remains untouched. Within the Direct Change Solution framework, the process moves deeper. It begins with identifying the patterns that define current results. From there, attention shifts to the decisions embedded within the internal map. Once these decisions are recognized, they can be redefined in alignment with a new standard. This changes the entire dynamic. Actions begin to follow a different logic. Choices become more consistent. Direction holds over time. What used to require constant effort becomes more natural. This is why some people experience repeated cycles, while others establish a new level and maintain it. The difference is not in how much they try. The difference is in what drives their actions. When change is approached as a structured process, it becomes something that can be understood, applied, and repeated. It stops depending on temporary states. It becomes a system, and that is where the real shift happens. Not when a person tries harder. Not when a person knows more. But when a person changes the internal decision from which everything else follows. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Stoyana Natseva Stoyana Natseva, Global Mentor, Bestselling Author, and Founder Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva is a Full Professor, psychologist, researcher, international educator, bestselling author, and founder of Happy Life Academy. She is the creator of the Direct Change Solution® (DCS) methodology and the Internal Autobiographical Map (IAM), and founder of the Happy Life Institute for Direct Change Science. Through her internationally accredited MBA and professional education programs, she has trained more than 100,000 students from over 50 countries. Her work has been recognized with international awards, a Guinness World Record, and multiple World Book of Records distinctions, while her research and educational initiatives continue to bridge science, leadership, and personal transformation worldwide.

Written by Annette Densham, Chief Storyteller Multi-award-winning PR specialist Annette Densham is considered the go-to for all things business storytelling, award submission writing, and assisting business leaders in establishing themselves as authorities in their field. Chantelle Ryan is no stranger to hard work. She’s a mother to nine children, and she had been pouring her heart and soul into the regional education system for two decades when she started a sideline project (which has grown into a powerful service) from her living room, with one support worker. She set out to make a difference to a few families. She never imagined this day would come, nor that things would turn out the way they did. Throughout her twenty years in the educational system in Dubbo, she watched the same trend repeat on a loop. Children in regional New South Wales were entering school significantly more vulnerable than their metropolitan peers, and the services designed to support them were concentrated far from the communities that needed them most. “Children walk out of class, refuse to participate, shut down, or fail to succeed, and like clockwork, these kids are labelled as ‘complicated’,” Chantelle said. “It’s hard to believe it’s possible for so many children with such varying challenges to all be blanketed under one term.” Driven to look more closely, Chantelle discovered that ‘complicated’ children aren’t the problem. “It’s a systemic issue,” Chantelle said. “In some regional areas, one in three children begins school developmentally vulnerable, and as they move through the system, they need therapeutic support. But the challenge is, access to this support can take months to get.” Waiting lists in many regional areas are months long. Families are told there’s no provider available locally. “This means many children slip between the cracks of this broken system. Families become isolated and overwhelmed,” Chantelle said. “It becomes a cycle, as these kids grow up with no prospects, in the middle of nowhere, with no future to strive for. It compounds, and the struggle becomes ingrained in the culture.” Chantelle’s professional life was stable. Working in education offered security and predictability, but staying comfortable while witnessing this became unconscionable. Spear and Arrow Therapeutic Support Services was born in her living room, with one contractor and a massive problem to tackle. Can two people in the middle of nowhere, with no resources, make a dent in a system that resists change? Chantelle wanted families to have one point of contact when they needed to access behaviour support, therapy, and coordination. This big dream meant everything had to exist within one framework. To create that structure was not easy; it would drastically increase administrative complexity alongside the headache of dealing with governance frameworks, compliance, supervision structures, and documentation standards. Chantelle was determined that it was possible to build something extraordinary in a sector already known for burnout. The beauty of rural communities is that news travels fast, and reputation is your biggest ally. It wasn’t long before stories of children’s lives being transformed spread, and very quickly, recruitment followed reputation. Staff numbers increased. Today, Spear & Arrow employs more than 30 team members and supports over 100 participants across the Central West, generating annual revenue exceeding $1.5 million with steady year-on-year growth. Chantelle never imagined that helping families in need, those on the outskirts with no access to help, would lead to a thriving venture and transformed lives, but here we are. The scale is significant in a regional context, but Chantelle measures impact by the number of families who previously travelled long distances for coordinated care and can now access integrated services locally. Spear & Arrow is Indigenous-owned and operates on Wiradjuri Country. Cultural safety and community accountability are embedded in policy and practice. More than half of annual profits are reinvested into workforce development and service expansion. When demand for respite services became clear, Chantelle led the development of Wiluray Gunyah, a purpose-built respite house shaped through community consultation and designed to reflect domestic rather than institutional care. The organisation continues to expand cautiously across the Central West, but even after all this success, the underlying objective stays the same: to bring access to quality disability and behaviour support, and that help should not depend on postcode. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Annette Densham Annette Densham, Chief Storyteller Multi-award-winning PR specialist Annette Densham is considered the go-to for all things business storytelling, award submission writing, and assisting business leaders in establishing themselves as authorities in their field. She has shared her insights into storytelling, media, and business across Australia, the UK, and the US, speaking for the Professional Speakers Association, Stevie Awards, Queensland Government, and many more. Three-time winner of the Grand Stevie Award for Women in Business, gold Stevie International Business Award, and a finalist in Australian Small Business Champion awards, Annette audaciously challenges anyone in small business to cast aside modesty, embrace their genius, and share their stories.

Written by Pooja Desai, Keynote Speaker, Author, Poet, Writer & Entrepreneur Pooja Desai is known as a legendary healthcare leader. She is a children’s advocate, storyteller, and the author of the Tia Bua Series published in 2023. As co-founder of Heels and Boots on the Ground, she considers herself to be a knowledge donor across multiple platforms, helping adults and children believe in their magic. In a world that constantly shifts, the journey toward becoming the person you aspire to be requires more than just age or titles, it demands self-leadership. In 'Raise Yourself to the Adult You Wish to Be,' Pooja Desai explores the profound importance of taking accountability for your own growth and development. This article delves into how daily, intentional actions such as embracing your voice, setting boundaries, and advocating for yourself are pivotal in building trust, credibility, and leadership. By taking ownership of your journey, you begin to shape not only your professional path but also the adult you were always meant to become. Life teaches us in ways that often leave invisible marks long after the moment has passed. It shapes how we see the world, how we trust, and how we navigate our emotions and decisions. For many professionals, the journey to adulthood is not about age or title, it is a deliberate, ongoing act of self-leadership. The truth is, no one will “raise” you into the person you wish to become. That responsibility, as heavy as it may feel, lies deeply on your shoulders. To build anything, you must first build yourself. That process begins with accountability. It starts with a courageous look inward: recognizing the lessons life has taught you, finding patterns that no longer serve you, and acknowledging areas where your resilience, mindset, and leadership must grow. The magic lies in daily commitment. Showing up for your own growth consistently and daily, even when it is uncomfortable. It means deciding, moment by moment, that your emotional, mental, and professional development is non-negotiable. It is learning to say “no” without guilt, to advocate for your ideas with confidence, and to embrace your voice. At the core of raising yourself is accountability. Accountability is not about pressure, it is about ownership. In strong leaders and high-performing professionals, accountability is the difference between intentions and results. Accountability builds trust. Trust builds credibility. Credibility builds leadership. Life teaches us that challenges are inevitable. But those same experiences also build strength, empathy, and insight if we choose to grow intentionally. By taking ownership of your development, you are not just reacting to life, you are designing as the adult you were always meant to become. Raising yourself is not a one-time achievement. It is a lifetime commitment. The world will continue to shift, and so will the challenges you face. The adult you wish to be is waiting, and the magic lies in every choice you make to raise yourself to meet them.   Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Pooja Desai Pooja Desai , Keynote Speaker, Author, Poet, Writer & Entrepreneur Pooja Desai is a keynote speaker, author, poet, writer, and entrepreneur who champions children’s advocacy. With 25 years in healthcare leadership, she believes in transformational growth through mindset, emotional wellness, and purpose-driven impact. With a background spanning executive speaking, authorship, content, and program design, Pooja uniquely blends strategy with storytelling, translating complex leadership principles into actionable, human-centered solutions that help build resilience across multiple platforms.

Kellum Dietz’s journey from a childhood sketchbook in Baltimore to a career in live caricature art shows how creativity and human connection can shape a lasting profession. His work across entertainment, hospitality, and community spaces highlights the power of adaptability in building a meaningful creative career. A creative career built on connection Kellum Dietz did not follow a typical path into the arts. His story starts in Baltimore, Maryland, where he first picked up a pencil as a child. Drawing was not just a hobby. It became a way to connect with the world around him. “I’ve been drawing since I was a kid,” Dietz says. “It was always something that felt natural to me.” Today, Dietz is known as a caricature artist working at Hershey Park and other major amusement parks. But his career is not just about art. It is about people, energy, and real-time connection. His journey shows how creative skills and customer experience can come together to build a lasting career. Early training and artistic focus Dietz took his passion seriously early on. He attended the Joe Kubert School of Art in New Jersey, where he majored in commercial art. The program is known for hands-on training and real-world skills. One area stood out. “My highest-rated class was storyboarding for film and animation,” he says. That focus shaped how he thinks about visual storytelling today. Even in a quick caricature, there is a sense of motion, humor, and personality. It is not just a drawing. It is a moment captured. This foundation gave him more than technical skills. It taught him how to observe people closely and translate that into art. How Kellum Dietz built a career in caricature art After school, Dietz found his niche in live entertainment. He began working as a caricature artist at amusement parks, including Hershey Park. This role requires speed, confidence, and strong communication. Guests expect a fun experience, not just a finished product. “I love working with people and helping people,” Dietz says. “That’s a big part of what I do every day.” Over time, he built more than 15 years of experience across different roles. His background includes restaurant work, bartending, gym management, DJ work for weddings, and videography. Each role added a new layer to his skill set. More importantly, each one strengthened his ability to engage with people from all walks of life. This mix of art and service is what sets him apart in his field. Why customer experience matters in creative work Dietz’s career highlights a key trend in today’s service economy. Creative professionals are not just judged on their output. They are judged on the experience they create. In a fast-paced setting like an amusement park, that experience happens in minutes. “You have to connect with someone right away,” Dietz explains. “It’s not just about drawing. It’s about making them smile.” That mindset carries into his other work. He bartends weddings and special events. He DJs. He performs as a character for children’s parties. Each role depends on energy, timing, and emotional awareness. This ability to shift between roles shows a broader leadership trait. He understands how to read a room and deliver what people need in that moment. A career that extends beyond art Dietz’s work is not limited to drawing. His career spans multiple industries tied together by one theme: human interaction. He has worked in hospitality, fitness, entertainment, and events. These roles may seem unrelated, but they all require the same core skill. Connection. “I’ve always enjoyed helping people and being around people,” he says. That mindset has helped him stay adaptable. It also allows him to find opportunities in different spaces. In 2025, he even worked as a background extra in the Superman film. It was a different kind of creative environment, but one that still fit his interest in visual storytelling. Giving back through creative work Beyond his professional work, Dietz has stayed active in community efforts. He has supported food drives, cancer research, and organizations like the Red Cross. He also works as a character actor for Make-A-Wish events. “That kind of work means a lot to me,” he says. “It’s about giving back and making someone’s day better.” He has also been involved in anti-war and peace advocacy efforts. These experiences reflect a broader view of his role in the community. For him, creativity is not just about personal success. It is about impact. Lessons from Kellum Dietz’s career path Dietz’s career offers a clear takeaway for anyone building a path in creative industries. Skills matter. But adaptability and people skills matter just as much. His background shows how different roles can support one another. Bartending builds communication. DJ work builds timing. Art builds observation. Together, they form a strong foundation. “I just try to keep learning and keep working with people,” he says. That simple approach has helped him stay consistent in a changing environment. The ongoing journey of a working artist Today, Kellum Dietz continues to work across multiple creative and service roles. His focus remains steady. Art. People. Experience. He spends time on illustration and cartooning. He values time outdoors and with family. He stays active and focused on health and fitness. These habits support the pace of his work and the demands of his industry. At its core, his career is about showing up and delivering value in real time. “You never know who you’re going to meet,” he says. “That’s part of what makes it exciting.” In a world that often separates art from business, Dietz’s path shows they can work together. His career is proof that creativity, when paired with strong human connection, can build something lasting.

Written by Dr. Jackie Cawley, CEO, Delean Institute for Growth and Wellness Dr. Cawley is an osteopathic family physician, health care executive, and leadership mentor with over 30 years of experience. As the CEO and founder of the Delean Institute for Growth and Wellness, she is dedicated to helping others achieve optimal wellness through personal development and transformational growth. Leadership rarely waits until you feel ready. A few years ago, I was unexpectedly sidelined by an accident that required emergency surgeries, followed shortly by the elimination of my executive role. In a matter of months, I went from leading at full speed to navigating recovery, uncertainty, and an identity shift. What I discovered during that season reshaped how I view resilience in leadership and in life. Resilience is not about “bouncing back” or “pushing through.” It is the disciplined ability to recover, regroup, and grow forward, especially when the path ahead is unclear. In today’s high-pressure, always-on environment, resilient leadership is not optional. It is a strategic necessity. 5 practical ways leaders can strengthen resilience as a daily practice 1. Recover before you react Under stress, even experienced leaders default to urgency. But reactivity erodes clarity. Resilient leaders pause long enough to regulate before responding. This is where emotional intelligence becomes operational. Instead of pushing through exhaustion or uncertainty, ask: What is actually required of me in this moment? Research on stress and cognitive performance consistently shows that emotional regulation improves decision-making under pressure. Recovery is not weakness, it is strategic recalibration. 2. Focus on what you can control Uncertainty narrows perspective. The agency expands it. When disruption occurs, organizational change, market instability, and personal setbacks, resilient leaders redirect attention to what remains within their influence. Step back from the chaos and ask: What is one constructive action I can take today? This small shift moves the brain out of threat response and into solution mode. Consistent, focused action builds confidence and restores momentum. Resilience grows through deliberate steps, not dramatic leaps. Related:  Futuristic Psychology™ – Leading Yourself With Agency and Calm in a Disrupted World   3. Recalibrate priorities Adversity exposes misalignment. Many leaders respond to disruption by increasing output. But sustainable stress management for leaders requires discernment, not acceleration. Use challenge as a leadership audit and reflect on what truly matters at the current moment, where time and energy are best invested, and what can be let go of. Resilient leadership is not about doing more. It is about doing what matters most with clarity and intention.   4. Practice regulated presence Leadership presence is contagious. Teams take emotional cues from the leader. When anxiety is unmanaged at the top, it cascades downward. When steadiness is modeled, it creates psychological safety. Even brief mindfulness practices, 60 seconds of intentional breathing between meetings, improve focus, composure, and interpersonal effectiveness. This is not abstract wellness theory. It is applied mindful leadership. Calm does not mean passive. It means grounded. Related: Regulated Leadership – The New Competitive Advantage 5. Integrate the lessons Growth after adversity is rarely dramatic. It is incremental and internal. When I returned to leadership after my recovery, I was more intentional, more empathetic, and more aware of how quickly circumstances can shift. Resilient leaders reflect on what experience has taught them, how it has strengthened their ability to address challenges with confidence and self-awareness, and how they will lead differently because of it. Integration transforms challenge into capability. Without reflection, hardship becomes depletion. With reflection, it becomes development. A leadership imperative In unpredictable environments, technical skill is not enough. Organizations need leaders who are comfortable with navigating ambiguity and who can make clear decisions under pressure. Regulating stress and the emotions that come with it are a critical component of leadership, as is the ability to foster open communication and trust with their teams during change. Resilience in leadership creates stability without rigidity. It allows leaders to adapt without losing direction. When leaders model recovery instead of reactivity, clarity instead of chaos, and reflection instead of impulsivity, they strengthen both performance and culture. Resilience is not a soft skill. It is a strategic imperative. Every leader will face situations that disrupt certainty and moments that test identity, confidence, and direction. Resilience is not about enduring these seasons alone. It is about learning how to move through them with awareness, self-compassion, and intention. The work of recovery, regrouping, and growth is deeply personal, but it does not have to be solitary. Let’s work together to achieve your development goals Are you ready to strengthen your resilience? I have refined a simple three-step process: Recover, Regroup, and Grow to help leaders navigate adversity with clarity and grounded strength. It provides structure when emotions feel overwhelming and direction when the path forward feels uncertain. Because resilience is not built by pushing harder. It is built by moving through challenges with reflection, adaptation, and purpose. If you find yourself in a season of disruption professionally or personally, consider that this moment may not be asking you to prove your strength, but to deepen it. And sometimes, the most resilient choice is allowing yourself guidance as you build it. To learn more, click the link to schedule your free discovery call. Book an Appointment With Dr. Jackie Cawley - Delean Institute . Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Jackie Cawley Dr. Jackie Cawley, CEO, Delean Institute for Growth and Wellness Dr. Jackie Cawley is a healer, teacher, and thought leader in wellness, personal growth, and leadership development. She has a passion for helping others achieve their full potential and be empowered to pursue their personal and professional goals. Dr. Cawley is the founder and CEO of The Delean Institute for Growth and Wellness, author of Power Up, and creator of the Power Up Framework for transformative growth and empowerment. Her mission: help others achieve wellness through personal growth.

With over 30 years of experience leading transformational change for iconic global brands, Ty Jernstedt is an executive coach, culture strategist, and the founder of WithTrust and Remix Coaching. Based in Amsterdam, Ty’s mission is to "remix" the employee experience by building organizational cultures rooted in trust, empathy, and inclusion. Ty Jernstedt, Owner Who is Ty Jernstedt? Introduce yourself – your hobbies, your favorites, you at home and in business. Tell us something interesting about yourself. I am a Chicago native who now calls Amsterdam home. Since graduating from Duke University, my career has spanned 30+ years across four continents. My first decade was spent in marketing and communications for iconic brands like Mizuno, Nike, Coca-Cola, Disney, and McDonald’s. These years taught me how powerful a story can be, but my later work in leadership development, inclusion, and employee experience taught me what actually makes those stories sustainable: the people behind them. Before founding With Trust, I held senior leadership roles at Nike and Zalando. In 2018, I founded Remix Coaching, which is focused on developing leaders, aligning teams, and evolving cultures for clients such as Converse, ASICS, ING, and Tommy Hilfiger. At home, I am a husband, a dedicated Duke Blue Devils fan, and a servant to two Shih-Tzus. My passion for global connection was ignited early on during a year with Up With People, performing in seven countries alongside artists like Lenny Kravitz and Take That. That experience – navigating 24 different nationalities – was my first true masterclass in building bridges across cultures. What inspired you to start With Trust? Founder Ty Jernstedt’s story and work and focus your career on trust, leadership, and culture? The transition from a marketing executive to a coach was driven by a desire to have a deeper impact on people. During my tenure as the Global D&I Director at Nike, and in subsequent roles, "trust" was a recurring theme. It was the invisible barrier that prevented people from feeling they belonged, sharing their ideas, and collaborating effectively with others. I’ve lived on both sides of the fence. I have worked in low-trust environments where silos were fortified, and the blame game was the default setting. Conversely, I have operated in high-trust cultures where innovation felt effortless because we were supported rather than policed. The difference wasn't just in the results; it was in the energy we brought to achieving our goals. I started With Trust to move organizations from "command and control" to "connect and collaborate." My inspiration is that lightbulb moment when a leader realizes their greatest leverage isn't authority, but it’s the trust they cultivate to drive belonging and innovation. How do you define “trust” in the context of leadership and high-performing teams? For a leader to be effective and a team to be truly high-performing, these four trust elements are essential: Credibility: developing and leveraging their expertise Consistency: being reliable to deliver as promised and behaving consistently to honor their values as well as the organizational values Connection: building an understanding and authentic partnership with others Care: showing they care more about the collective well-being and success over their own What are the biggest challenges leaders face today when building trust across teams? The primary hurdle is the speed of business, coupled with hybrid work. Remote environments have stripped away organic rapport-building, leaving communication vulnerable to misinterpretation. Many leaders feel they don't have the time to build trust, so they prioritize transactional tasks. By diminishing connection and care for their people, they are guaranteeing a breakdown in performance. How does With Trust’s approach help leaders during major transitions or new roles? Transitions are high-stakes because leaders start with an empty trust bucket. New leaders are closely watched. Every interaction is scrutinized for signals of friend or foe. I coach leaders before they start their new role to develop a game plan for building trust through how they communicate, build connections with their new team, and demonstrate empathy and care for their team’s success. During the partnership, leaders can assess their emotional or conversational intelligence to identify how they can develop in these areas and build stronger trust from the start. Ongoing coaching after they have started helps them continue to assess and improve their impact in building deeper trust with their people. To create greater alignment with their team, we facilitate a New Leader Alignment session after a month of the new leader starting. The aim of this session is to help the leader and team understand each other better and align on expectations. By getting on the same page and clarifying how they want to work together, they are setting themselves up for more success. What does “leading with trust” look like in practical, everyday leadership behavior? During key moments that matter for employees (1:1s, performance reviews, team meetings, etc.), leaders need to leverage their experience to support their people. They intentionally spend time building a deeper understanding and connection with their people by asking questions and listening authentically. They aren’t just going through the to-do list during 1:1s; they use that time to support and elevate their team members’ experience. They are consistent in following through on their commitments to their people. They are making decisions that show they care about the success and well-being of their team and acknowledge the great work individuals and the team have done throughout the year. Why should organizations invest in trust building before focusing on strategy or performance? Strategy is the structure, but trust is the foundation. If the foundation is cracked, the structure will collapse. When organizations don’t have that foundation, they pay a Trust Tax, which leads to extra meetings, defensive emails, and internal politics that slow everything down. High-trust organizations gain a Trust Dividend, in which communication moves at the speed of thought and innovation flourishes because people feel safe taking risks. Can you share a powerful example of how building trust transformed a team or business outcome? I was asked to work with two teams responsible for designing and deploying benefits for a global organization. There was a high level of blame and a long list of escalations that significantly reduced the program rollout's efficiency and effectiveness. Based on the work we did together, the teams were able to better understand each other’s worlds, identify the specific aspects that led to low trust, and commit to taking action to improve those aspects of their dynamics. They also identified specific aspects of one-team spirit so they could work together to solve any issues that arose. As a result, they were able to evolve and launch new benefits more quickly to better support employees and manage costs more effectively for the business. What are the top three skills you help leaders develop through your coaching and programs? Emotional Intelligence (Empathy): Moving beyond surface-level rapport to truly sense the unsaid and address fears before they become fractures. Conversational Intelligence: Shifting from "Tell-and-Direct" to "Ask-and-Empower" to trigger the brain’s creative and trusting state. Collaboration (Openness): Developing skills and behaviors to encourage inclusive communication, openness to diverse approaches and ideas, and a focus on collective success as they brainstorm and problem-solve. How does stronger trust improve collaboration and communication within teams? When trust is high, communication cascades quickly through the leadership levels and across functions in organizations. You don’t need a 20-slide deck to justify a change, nor do you waste time rewriting emails or "BCC-ing" colleagues to cover your tracks. A five-minute conversation suffices because the intent is already established and trusted. Collaboration becomes fluid because the ego is removed from the equation. In low-trust cultures, information is hoarded as a source of power. In high-trust environments, information is shared freely as a collective resource. This transparency turns a group of individuals into a cohesive team capable of pivoting in real-time to meet market demands without the lag time of internal politics. What signs should a leader or organization watch for that indicate a need for trust-centered coaching? The most glaring sign is the "after-the-meeting” norm, when people are silent in the boardroom but vocal and complaining in private. Other red flags include high potential attrition, innovation stagnation, and excessive bureaucracy, in which simple decisions require numerous layers of approval. In low-trust organizations, the blame game, finger-pointing, and a victim role run rampant, and leaders aren’t stepping up to address these toxic behaviors. What is the most valuable advice you want potential clients to take away about working with you and With Trust? Working with me and With Trust isn't about a one-off, feel-good workshop. It’s about being committed to a journey of rewiring the DNA of your leadership and your team's dynamics for systemic change. Trust is a muscle, not a mood. It requires consistent, intentional training and assessment. My advice is this: Stop waiting for a crisis to address your culture. The right time was yesterday; the next best time is now. It’s not just focusing on what you are doing, but how you are doing it. When you partner with us, you aren't just improving your bottom line – you’re improving the human experience of work. You are building an environment where people can do their best work, and that is a competitive advantage. To do this effectively, we work with clients at a very practical level, without being bogged down in theory or models. It’s a true partnership to make work work better with trust. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Ty Jernstedt

Written by Arleen Tyndall, Conscious Parenting & Life Coach Arleen Tyndall spent 25 years as a trauma-informed clinical HIV pharmacist, now turned Conscious Parenting Coach trained by Oprah's favorite parenting expert, Dr.Shefali. A global speaker and co-author of the number 1 international bestseller The Perfectly Imperfect Family, she guides mothers to break generational patterns and heal family connections. Vancouver is a paradox of fancy hotels, chic restaurants, and unaffordable real estate within walking distance of the Downtown Eastside. This neighborhood is known for its human misery, where sidewalk markets display stolen goods, drugs are openly dealt, and people inject in doorways. A person is often seen staggering through traffic in sloth-like motion or knocked out cold curbside, with breath so faint that passersby pause to confirm they are alive. As the clinical HIV pharmacist in a medication adherence support program, I periodically accompanied an outreach nurse to deliver missed doses to patients in alleys, parks, or their single-room homes. This life-saving treatment could prevent the deterioration of their immune systems and slow the AIDS epidemic by reducing the devastating viral transmission that had hit this marginalized community. It was here that I learned how humans cope with our own suffering. “The question is not why the addiction, but why the pain.” – Dr. Gabor Maté, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts What is an addiction? Every human seeks the solace or validation we have all needed since childhood. Once rewarded, our brain is wired to repeat behaviors that feed our dopamine cycle as a survival mechanism. We unknowingly carry these early coping blueprints into our adult lives, even if they no longer serve to protect us but rather lead us toward unhealthy and unwanted outcomes. When we think of addictions, substance use is the first to come to mind, usually involving narcotics, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. But our modern world has us overstimulated by a myriad of irresistible distractions, video games, gambling, shopping, social media, and processed foods, to name a few. Any one of us could be teetering on the precipice of an addiction if our unconscious behaviors meet the 4 C’s criteria:[1] Craving: The intense physical and psychological desire that drives the behavior, accompanied by changes to the brain and often triggered by environmental cues or stressful life experiences. Compulsion: The overpowering urge to engage in the behavior as if it were necessary for survival. Control (loss of): The inability to manage, limit, or stop the behavior even when one wants to. Consequences: A person continues the behavior despite serious negative outcomes like health issues, legal trouble, financial loss, and relationship breakdowns. These conditions are met with substance abuse, vastly depicted in popular culture and seen on the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. However, we all live in an illusion if we think that we are untouched by such pain. These addictions are mirrored in our own lives and even celebrated in our society. Socially accepted addictions Masked in our society, addictive practices are reinforced through collective emotional suppression, capitalist marketing, social acceptance, and cultural expectations for success. Real-life examples of socially acceptable addictions that meet the 4 C’s criteria are modeled in the workaholic, the triathlete, and the perfectionist. The workaholic who craves success is often goal-oriented and incessantly productive. Loss of control appears when work never ends, sacrificing time to rest or connect with loved ones outside working hours. The compulsion to prioritize career commitments for personal or family success puts relationships in jeopardy. The negative consequences are a distancing partner or unattached children who feel abandoned and unimportant. Avoiding these emotional conflicts in the home, they instead turn to work as a form of coping, unaware they are fueling the disconnection. The triathlete craves the adrenaline of competition and is rewarded by achievement. A loss of control manifests as extensive training that monopolizes their time. Using family for support, they exercise despite physical injury or illness, juggle work, and neglect responsibilities, consequently becoming a disengaged partner or parent. Withdrawal may appear as guilt and anxiety when skipping exercise. Instead of enjoyment, the compulsive behavior fills an uncontrollable need to follow a rigid routine or is linked to diet or appearance preoccupations. Completing races and striving for faster times, these achievements create the appearance of healthy living. The perfectionist craves finding the right solutions to all problems (read my Brainz article on How Perfectionism Is Harmful for Families and How to Break the Cycle).[2] Trapped in constant fixing mode, they compulsively jump into situations uninvited to get things done at their high standards. An inability to accept mistakes results in a loss of control when constantly crossing others’ boundaries. Surrounding family members may feel inept or not ‘good enough’ as a consequence, diminishing their self-perception and self-esteem. These are only three examples of many publicly promoted addictive behaviors. The ubiquitous self-soothing consumption of food and alcohol directly affects physical health. Highly marketed to bait customers, shopping, sports betting, and government-sanctioned lotteries sow financial stress. When our lifestyle choices appear similar to others, it becomes easy to mask an addiction. What lies beneath our actions are the emotional reasons for them. Are we filling a painful void or acting with intention from positive internal motivation? One could work, race, and strive for healthy perfectionism, trying to improve oneself for the purpose of personal growth rather than proving one’s worth for fear of judgment and shame.[3] It is a very fine line indeed. But across all these behaviors, criminal or commendable, there are good things that happen for everyone engaging in an addiction that keeps them going back. Benefits of addiction “The first question to ask is not ‘what is wrong with the addiction,’ but ‘what is right about it?’ What is the person getting from the addiction?” – Dr. Gabor Maté There are benefits of an addiction that fills a void within, albeit temporarily, which drives the continued behavior:[4] Community connection with others Pain relief from emotional trauma and life stress Sense of control or empowerment over one’s life Brings momentary comfort or peace to cope through unbearable situations A signal for help guiding us to human suffering and unhealed wounds Understanding these benefits rouses empathy and compassion for the person with an addiction. Through a conscious parenting lens, the focus shifts from the behavior to the unmet emotional need. What would drive a person toward self-sabotage? Pain from unhealed wounds is rooted in our youth. Risk factors for addiction in youth Can you see the common thread in this list of youth risk factors?[5] Family history Family conflicts, chaos, and stress Unsupported mental health or neurodivergence challenges Poor school performance or lack of school connections Lack of parental or family engagement Lack of social belonging or peer pressure Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse Discrimination or oppression, for example race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation Insufficient emotional safety and connection in a child’s early life increase their risk for substance use disorders and other addictions. Connection is to be seen, heard, and known; a child then feels worthy of love, validation, and belonging. These needs cannot be met if a parent is unaware of what they are. The four main psychological needs that every child requires are:[6] Unconditional loving acceptance by multiple adults. The ability to rest and not work, for example, not having to be smart, clever, pretty, or compliant for acceptance and belonging in the family. The ability to experience all emotions without suppression allows for the natural development of healthy coping skills and emotional self-regulation. Unstructured free play in nature. Aside from awareness of these needs, a parent often lacks the self-regulation skills to provide for them. Parents have good intentions, but children do not feel them. Instead, they absorb a parent’s emotional dysregulation from the fear and anxiety modeled in our own behaviors. Passed on from one generation to the next, traditional or colonial parenting practices undermine emotional safety and connection. Awakened by my child’s worsening behaviors at home, I faced these hard truths in my own parenting journey while caring for patients challenged by addictions at work. Lessons from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside For over two decades, I witnessed people spin through the revolving doors of hospitals, housing, jails, and treatment centers. They faced mental health challenges, addictions, poverty, homelessness, discrimination, and severe trauma. My clinical practice engaged people in their own healthcare through trauma-informed connection. Yet, I was trapped in a cycle of traditional parenting by default, causing harm by disconnecting from my child. These four lessons I learned in the Downtown Eastside are urgently needed in our family homes: Punishment fuels shame: The criminal justice system has not stopped people from using illegal drugs. Instead, it causes more shame, guilt, anxiety, and stress, the root feelings of trauma that keep humans detached and dependent on drugs. These are the same feelings that drive our children to ‘act out’ what they cannot articulate or process. Triggered parents who use punishment force obedience with fear or fuel misbehavior with more shame. Neither are outcomes for emotional resilience. Prohibition drives rebellion: To forbid, censor, or mandate that something is not allowed creates reasons to rebel. When something is prohibited, it goes underground. The best example is the prohibition of alcohol. The black market boomed, tunnels were dug, and criminality spawned. The same happens in our homes. Kids may exhibit defiance outright and turn to peers for validation or lie to their parents in fear of disappointing them, because they still seek attachment from their caregivers for approval. Harm reduction is needed at home: Clean needles, naloxone kits, and safe injection sites are examples of harm reduction for substance users to maximize safety by reducing negative effects while they continue using. In parenting, I came to understand my capacity to harm my child when I became dysregulated and reactive. If my child fears me, emotional safety in the home is jeopardized, along with our connection. Practicing conscious parenting reduces the harm of disconnection in my relationships. Trauma-informed self-care can break cycles: The same trauma-informed care principles used to connect with patients need to be applied in parenting. They are safety, trust, collaboration, choice, and empowerment. Each is significant in conscious parenting, which prioritizes connection over control. Through self-connection, parents realize that their own traumas feed negative generational cycles if left unhealed. Conclusion It is crucial that we become conscious of our habitual patterns and make intentional choices to interrupt them. Remaining oblivious to the negative consequences of our behaviors propagates the insidious disconnection spreading in our families, a reflection of the disconnection within ourselves. As parents, our children are constantly watching us. When we see their challenging behavior as communication, we can respond with compassion instead of control and fear. This allows our children to feel accepted for who they are, building self-worth from within rather than external approval. Emotional safety gives children a strong sense of belonging in their own home, promoting resilience so they can resist peer pressure and turn to you as their safe harbor. This form of connection is the most powerful prevention for addictions. Start with you If you’re ready to interrupt the patterns that lead to disconnection and begin creating the kind of emotional safety that strengthens resilience in your children, there are two new opportunities to learn with me outside individual coaching sessions. The Conscious Parenting Reset: Triggered to Transformed is a self-paced online course that helps you understand your triggers, shift reactive patterns and build deeper connections in your family. Watch the introduction video with live testimonials and register today for lifetime access on the exclusive Udemy listing here. If you and your partner want more alignment, less conflict, and  deeper connection in your parenting, then sign up for The Couples Conscious Parenting Reset. In this curated 3-week live guided experience you and your partner learn and practice tools together in real time, either privately or with a small group “village”. With a private 1hr personal integration call at the end and ongoing text support throughout, you will transform your home. Limited availability Reserve Your Spot! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Arleen Tyndall Arleen Tyndall, Conscious Parenting & Life Coach Arleen Tyndall served marginalized communities challenged by addictions for 25 years as a trauma-informed clinical HIV pharmacist. After recognizing her own struggles in motherhood with perfectionism and inherited pain, she trained with Oprah's favorite parenting expert, Dr. Shefali. Her spiritual awakening and ancestral learnings in her mother's birthplace of Bali led her to launch a Conscious Parenting movement at The Green School and train in Somatic Alignment. A co-author of the #1 international bestseller The Perfectly Imperfect Family and a global speaker, she helps mothers reconnect to themselves and see their children as awakeners through vulnerable storytelling and practical tools that nurture self-compassion. References: [1] CAMH, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health [2] Brainz article: Perfectionism is Harmful for Families: How to Break the Cycle, Dec 2025 [3]  Link [4] Gabor Maté, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts [5]  Link [6] Dr. Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal

Chris Masloski is a life, health, and financial coach. He struggled personally while at University and wanted to better himself, so Chris decided to go on a self-help journey, learning about anything he could in that area. After going down this self-discovery journey and not being fulfilled at his job, he decided to go all in with coaching. Now, Chris coaches people around navigating their lives, creating a positive mindset, forming great habits, becoming the healthiest version of themselves through diet, exercise, and meditation, and creating financial freedom through education, planning, and investing. His life goal is to awaken the planet to what's truly going on through all these things and much more. Chris Masloski, Life, Health, and Financial Coach Who is Chris Masloski, and what is New World Awakening? I’m a life/health/financial coach, content creator, trader, meditator, musician, and athlete from Chicago, IL. I chose the name New World Awakening because my ultimate goal is to awaken people to the new world that is coming through coaching, content creation, community, and more. What inspired you to start New World Awakening? Since I was a young kid, I always had this feeling that I was meant to be someone special, but I wasn’t sure what it was at the time. I started my self-help journey in my senior year of college and slowly began to venture into figuring out what was really going on in the world at a deeper level. After spending a couple of years going down this path and realizing that the world needed my help, I eventually made the decision one day that I would dedicate my entire life to helping others and this planet. When I made this decision, I was only a couple of months into my first full-time job and still had no idea how and what I was going to do. Eventually, I came across coaching along with the urge to create content and knew that this was my higher calling and path to help others. After several months of trying to do a full-time job and build a coaching business, I made the decision to go all in on coaching and creating content as I had promised myself I would. Now I’m doing this full-time and feel fully committed to my life path. What are the key areas you help clients with, and why are they important? The key areas I help clients with are general life coaching, health, and building finances. The common theme that I have experienced with all these areas is how much mindset and habit-building play a part. They’re important because there’s not a single person out there who doesn’t think about all three of these areas of life on a regular basis. I know that everyone could use help in at least one and probably all three areas, which makes this combination unique. I also teach about strengthening mindset around all these areas because mindset is ultimately what will determine success or failure when it comes to improving oneself and in just about anything. So learning how to get in the right mindset for one of these areas will make it easy to take action in the others. How does your background in finance and life coaching give you a unique edge? The crossover of people who do life coaching and have worked a high pressure/fast paced finance job is close to 0. So while there are many advisors out there that are great at educating people on what to do with their finances and coaches that help you work through objections and mindset beliefs around money, having both in one is truly unique! Connecting the two is my unique edge, offering that all in one. Understanding and direction. What makes your coaching different from other life or financial coaches? Oftentimes, many people come to me for financial coaching, thinking it’s about money when it’s about their life. It’s happened many times where someone comes to me for financial coaching, but then it turns into a life coaching session. I don’t end up talking about anything financially and instead help them work through their limiting beliefs around money. I’m able to pick up very quickly whether they need financial coaching or life coaching based on what they’re telling me about their money problems. Then once they’re ready to go into the more technical stuff or get deep on their beliefs, I’m right there for them. Can you explain how your coaching approach helps people transform their mindset and life? What most people don’t realize is that mindset is the key to everything. It’s what separates the normal from the elite, the elite from the pros, and the pros from the best. With my coaching, I directly target the mindset behind what they believe and bring it to the surface so they can see it for themselves. People first need to have the realization that their current mindset is no longer serving them and may be negative before they can make the change to a more empowering or positive one that will get them to where they want to be in life. Therefore, I target that first before guiding and helping them with anything else. After doing this a few times, I start to introduce productive ways for clients to work towards the mindset they want, which can impact anything they are working towards. Eventually, clients start to get used to thinking about their negative mindset, how they can shift it towards a positive one, and integrate the things we’ve covered in sessions. Once this happens, clients start doing this all on their own which is ultimately the transformation I’m looking for. What results have clients seen after working with you? The first client I had for the span of a year made progress that I didn’t even realize could happen. At the start, she wasn’t financially savvy at all, having some investments and a rough plan, but with no clear direction. Over the span of the year of working together, I helped her understand different types of investment vehicles, create an explicit plan for how she was going to handle her money, and create a positive and productive mindset around money. After the year of coaching, she started investing a fixed amount into the crypto market each month, planning for her future business expenses, became non-emotional about money, and actively learning things on her own. She basically made a full 180 within the span of one year, meeting twice a month. I also had a different client where we met weekly for life coaching sessions for about 6 months. At the start, she was in a constant state of being fearful. Family life at home was rough with a psychologically abusive husband, kids who didn’t respect her very much, sacrificing her personal time for everyone else, and getting in her head about everything going on in her life. Over the 6 months, she started to stand up to her husband, find her independence by doing things for herself, not others, integrate mindfulness practices to stay out of her head, and create an organizational structure. By the end of the 6 months, she had confidence and independence that were non-existent just 6 months prior. How does your content contribute to your overall vision for your business? I’ve always had this feeling that I need to share my knowledge with the world since I started my awakening journey, given the knowledge that I’ve accumulated. While coaching is a great way of doing that, I know that I need to have a much bigger audience to share my knowledge with. Therefore, along with coaching, I’m prioritizing making content because I know people need to hear about what I know. I’m currently creating health videos on TikTok that help you understand the hidden forces influencing you and how to break free from them. Ultimately, I see myself hosting a podcast where I discuss awakening topics, interview guests, and give my opinions on what’s going on in the world. I feel as though that’s where I’ll be making my biggest impact on this planet. Who is the ideal client you love working with, and why? My ideal client is someone who is willing to make a true change in any one of the areas that I offer services in. Additionally, this would be someone who is willing to change their mindset. Many people are stuck in their own minds, and unless you’re truly willing to get out of those bad cycles and habits, you won’t make any progress. I would also say that it must be someone who is willing to accept different ideas from the norm. I’ve learned that the normal way of doing things is oftentimes wrong and that doing the weird or crazy things is what will really allow you to get ahead of everyone else. If the client has these qualities, then the potential for great change will be immense. If someone is ready to break through and grow, what should they do first? They should go to my website, check out my coaching packages, and schedule a discovery call. In the discovery call, we’ll discuss why you’re looking for coaching, what exactly I offer, and determine if this would be a good fit. This way, we can get very clear about everything and leave the call with a better idea of how I can help. Additionally, I offer individual coaching sessions so that you can get an idea of what a coaching session with me is like if you want something short-term. If you’re just looking for helpful resources, I have a free resources page that gives you the opportunity to learn more about various topics, including health, personal development, crypto, finance, spirituality, and much more. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Chris Masloski