Written by Latasha Nicole Phillips, Life Purpose Coach SoulFlwr LLC is a sacred service-oriented business with a focus on assisting those who come in contact with personal development progression with a focus on the self. Vulnerability is arguably one of the most unpopular aspects of a relationship. This is because negative connotations surrounding it can make us perceive it as too great a risk. Many of us fear being judged or rejected by someone we deeply care about, or that our raw emotions will be used against us. In either case, clarity about who to be vulnerable with and how to do so often falls through the cracks. Many avoid it altogether, deeming it unnecessary and inappropriate. But how can we build a foundation of trust and integrity to grow our relationships without it? In fact, how can we even grow personally without practicing some form of it ourselves? In this article, we will outline seven clear green flags of authentic vulnerability, so that we can practice this vital interpersonal skill appropriately. What is vulnerability? Some of the most revolutionary thoughts on this topic come from the social worker and thought leader Brené Brown. She defines vulnerability as uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. While these three things can be intimidating, Brown helps us reconcile vulnerability with courage because it takes courage to practice something that makes us feel so out of control. It also challenges us to practice what we preach. Our desperate need for control, especially in our relationships, makes it difficult to even consider, let alone implement, true vulnerability. But take heart. We have identified seven green flags that distinguish appropriate vulnerability from what is not. Context and timing A time and place for everything is especially true when it comes to vulnerability. In my experience, the best time to be vulnerable is when conflict arises between me and my closest loved ones, my spouse, a sibling, a relative, my parents, or a trusted friend. Conflict is the best catalyst for growth in relationships, offering an opportunity to become even closer. My strongest intention is to express deep love and for them to know that I do not intentionally do or say anything to hurt them. This helps them see clearly that they are worth the uncertainty, emotional exposure, and risk that vulnerability requires. Most of all, I want them to know they can trust me. This means being brave enough to put everything on the table so I can take responsibility for my part of the conflict. Years ago, I feared that my vulnerability would be ridiculed, as it was in my childhood. Growing up in a big family in a small town, my past is filled with incidents where my vulnerability was used against me. I was always willing to be open, but unfortunately, this was rarely reciprocated healthily. As a result, I was manipulated by family and friends alike. My experience with being vulnerable with strangers was a completely different story. They held a sacred space for me and showed me compassion that I did not even know I needed. We must, however, use discernment to know who to be vulnerable with. Another misconception I had was believing that someone who overshared their life experiences and issues was genuinely interested in a relationship. I learned the hard way that this is a fast track to being gaslit, manipulated, used, and flat-out abused. Be aware of those who want to attach to you without taking the time to get to know you. Emotional availability and reciprocity An emotionally available person is in touch with their own feelings, communicates them truthfully, and encourages others to express their true feelings. This demonstrates a willingness to take emotional risks for the healing and growth of the relationship. This equal exchange of energy helps create a safe space for practicing vulnerability. Knowing that it takes great courage for someone to reveal their true emotions, I make it my strongest intention to listen attentively. I remain mindful and observant when someone is nervous, uncomfortable, or hesitant while sharing something difficult. This allows me to give genuine feedback that includes my own emotional investment. Now, for me, vulnerability is simply not just sharing emotions. For instance, there may be an adjustment necessary in order to resolve a conflict. This includes walking the walk that I talked about. This intention shows that I am keeping my end of the bargain to protect the emotional security of my relationships. I expect my beloved to do the same. No hidden motives In all of my closest relationships, I have one golden rule, even though mistakes will be made, we must not intentionally hurt, manipulate, or be emotionally unavailable to each other. This ensures that we are genuinely growing together and fosters a deep intimacy rooted in emotional security. By communicating with integrity, there is a greater chance that we will grow closer, creating a sacred space that encourages mutual vulnerability. Shows maturity by taking responsibility Vulnerability is a profound demonstration of maturity. It possesses several emotionally mature traits. Some of the traits are self-awareness, personal responsibility, and especially courage. Choosing to be vulnerable means you are secure enough to be seen as imperfect and brave enough to face the risk of judgment or rejection. That is a boss move, not a weakness. Be aware of those who see it as a weakness and adjust accordingly. Learned to respect boundaries Everything begins with the self. Therefore, our priority is to become comfortable with our own vulnerability, which, in turn, helps us recognize it in others. By making vulnerability a personal practice, we also learn to appreciate the importance of trust, honesty, and clear boundaries in all relationships. Vulnerability is most successful when we respect others' boundaries, and we can do this by developing our own empathy and understanding the importance of protecting our own emotional space. Consistent In my own life, I have practiced vulnerability while making amends for my past mistakes. It was incredibly difficult, and I felt humiliated and awkward, to say the least. It is not the most comfortable practice for those of us who seek to control the outcome. But I knew that I could not do that because the ball was not in my court, so to speak. I knew that in my relationships, I lacked integrity. This, along with my codependent behaviors, caused much interpersonal conflict. I know now that I was possessed by my addiction to self-betrayal. Being exposed for that was highly embarrassing. However, I do believe that my relationships were restored through the intentional and consistent practice of mindfulness and vulnerability. I continued this practice regardless of how others responded. Eventually, despite the pain and suffering I had caused myself and my loved ones, I was able to forgive, be forgiven, and salvage the relationships that had been damaged. Be brave Embracing vulnerability is an intentional, lifelong practice. There is no end goal. It is a continuous act of choosing connection over conflict, authenticity over self-betrayal, and courage over fear. And while the path may hold moments of discomfort and uncertainty, it also has the potential to create profound joy, healing, and growth. Again, we are not weak for taking emotional risks for the relationships we value. Despite popular belief, it is a testament to our maturity and strength. Now, with a deeper understanding of the courage it takes, take your first brave step. Soulflwr would love to cheer you on as you grow. Please contact us here  for coaching. We also have an episode on vulnerability on our SoulGarden podcast on YouTube. We post episodes regularly on Sunday nights. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Latasha Nicole Phillips Latasha Nicole Phillips, Life Purpose Coach Latasha Phillips & Shawn Cross are African American female leaders in mastery learning and meditation fields who assist others in personal development and self-improvement endeavours. They have two decades of experience with various tools and resources that they currently use to live lives of inner peace and fulfillment. They created Soulflwr LLC as a sacred service to all who are ready to heal their past and themselves.

Written by Nazoorah Nusrat, Holistic Life Coach Nazoorah Nusrat is a holistic life coach, mind-body practitioner, and founder of Clarity Coaching Energy. Through NLP, somatic healing practices, and heart-led alchemy, she helps people reconnect to their souls, release limiting beliefs, and heal from burnout, trauma, and toxic relationships. We often talk about leaving the narcissist, but rarely about what happens after. The quiet ache, self-blame, and longing to understand what love truly feels like. In this article, holistic life coach Nazoorah Nusrat explores the deep work of healing your heart, mind, body, and spirit, recovery that helps you forgive yourself, rebuild trust, and remember what safe, genuine love really is. You don’t just walk away from a narcissistic relationship, you walk away from the illusion of love you thought you had. At first, you might feel relief. Then the silence hits, and what follows isn’t peace, it’s the echo of self-doubt, guilt, and heartbreak. You replay every moment, asking yourself why you stayed, why you gave so many chances, why you ignored the voice that told you the truth. Healing your heart after narcissistic abuse is not just about letting go of another person. It’s about coming home to yourself, your body, truth, and to a new definition of love that no longer costs your peace. The heart-mind disconnect Narcissistic relationships leave you emotionally disoriented. You begin to confuse intensity with intimacy, chaos with chemistry. Neuroscientist Dr. Helen Fisher explains that romantic love activates the same reward circuits as addiction. Dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline flood the system. When love is intertwined with manipulation or control, your brain becomes addicted to the highs and lows. The love you crave becomes the very thing that keeps you anxious. The healing begins when you teach your body that calm is love, not boredom. When you stop chasing the rush and start craving safety, your nervous system begins to unlearn trauma’s rhythm and rediscover love’s quiet truth. The pattern of over-giving Most empaths in narcissistic dynamics share a painful pattern, over-giving. You see their potential, their pain, their inner child, and you keep offering more love, hoping they’ll meet you halfway. You give 5, 6, 7 chances, thinking maybe this time it will be different. But as Dr. Nicole LePera notes, what we call forgiveness in trauma bonds often masks self-abandonment. You override your intuition to preserve attachment. Healing means making peace with the part of you that kept giving, not punishing yourself. You didn’t fail, you loved deeply. Now, your task is to redirect that love inward. Journaling prompt: “When have I said yes when my body quietly whispered no?” The science of a broken heart Heartbreak is not just emotional, it’s physiological. Research from the University of Arizona and the HeartMath Institute shows that emotional pain can disrupt heart rhythm, hormone balance, and immune function. It’s why heartbreak literally aches in your chest, and why self-compassion practices can steady your pulse. When you focus on gratitude or loving-kindness meditation, your heart rhythm becomes coherent, a synchronised state that improves mood, energy, and mental clarity. In other words, healing your heart emotionally heals your heart physically. The art of self-forgiveness One of the hardest parts of healing after narcissistic abuse is forgiving yourself. You might blame yourself for staying, for not seeing it sooner, for hoping against hope. But here’s the truth, you were not naive, you were hopeful. You believed in love. Positive psychology research shows that self-forgiveness reduces shame, lowers cortisol levels, and increases emotional resilience. When you forgive yourself, you create the internal safety needed for true healing. Mantra: “I forgive the version of me who thought love required suffering.” What to do and what not to do What to do: Feel your grief fully. Do not bypass it with busyness or denial. Practice heart-focused breathing. Imagine inhaling calm and exhaling compassion. Surround yourself with softness, safe friends, music, nature, and your own company. Keep a proof of love journal, moments that remind you love still exists (a child’s laughter, a sunrise, a safe hug). What not to do: Do not rush to prove you are healed by dating too soon. Do not shame yourself for missing them. That is withdrawal, not weakness. Do not label yourself broken. You are healing, and healing has no timeline. When you’re ready to love again You’ll know you’re ready when your heart no longer races at the thought of love. When peace feels more attractive than passion. When someone’s consistency makes you exhale instead of question. Dr. Sue Johnson, creator of Emotionally Focused Therapy, writes that secure love feels like home, it soothes the nervous system, and supports growth. That’s the goal. Not butterflies. Not fireworks. Just a steady, kind, safe love, the one you first learn to give yourself. Final reflection Healing your heart isn’t about finding new love, it’s about remembering what love actually feels like, calm, expansive, alive. It’s the warmth of sunlight on your skin after years in the dark. It’s your own heart whispering, “You’re safe now. You can rest.” You are not healing to prove you survived them, you’re healing to return to yourself. And that is the greatest love story of all. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Nazoorah Nusrat Nazoorah Nusrat, Holistic Life Coach Nazoorah Nusrat is the founder of Clarity Coaching Energy. With over 20 years of experience in health and wellness, she supports people moving through grief, burnout, or identity shifts to reclaim their clarity, confidence, and inner calm. As a reflexologist as well, Nazoorah blends science, spirituality, and soul to help her clients reconnect to their truth. Having moved through and healed from narcissistic relationships and dynamics, Nazoorah is passionate about emotional alchemy, sacred leadership, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered. References: Fisher, H. (2004). Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love. Carnes, P. (2019). Betrayal Bond: Breaking Free of Exploitive Relationships. LePera, N. (2021). How to Do the Work. HeartMath Institute (2017). The Science of the Heart. Neff, K. (2011). Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. Johnson, S. (2013). Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships.

Jontai Reynolds is a published author of The Counselor’s Curse, Twisted Allegiance, and No One Saw Her Coming: A Story About Reactive Abuse. She has also created several healing journals and workbooks. Beyond writing, Jontai is a dedicated community activist who serves in multiple leadership and service roles. Jontai Reynolds, Author Who is Jontai Reynolds? Tell us about yourself your hobbies, your favorites, and what life looks like both at home and in business. Jontai Reynolds is a student rehabilitation counselor who learned to turn pain into purpose. I created Taicorner Blogs to raise awareness and build a safe, collaborative space for professionals and communities in mental health, rehabilitation, and school settings. Currently, I serve on the Social Media Committee for both the National Rehabilitation Association and the American Counseling Association’s subchapter the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling. I’m also honored to serve as secretary for my school’s honor society and a proud inductee into the Counselor’s Honor Society. When I’m not studying or running my business, I’m a full-time mom to my five-year-old daughter, Jianna. We love spending time at PTA events or volunteering in our community. A fun fact about me is that I’m also a published author of several books and journals, including No One Saw Her Coming: A Story About Reactive Abuse and The Counselor’s Curse, both available on Amazon. I also have a book club and sisterhood circle entitle HER Union Circle where I highlight women entrepreneurs weekly.  Who is your ideal client, and what challenges do they face? My ideal client is someone who acknowledges that they may be struggling and is open to growth. Many face challenges with reactive abuse especially within the workplace, where emotional manipulation and retaliation often go unnoticed. What is your unique method or approach? I take a person-centered approach. Every individual is unique and deserves to be treated as such. I meet clients where they are, helping them uncover their own strengths and solutions rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all model. What misconceptions do people commonly have about your field? A common misconception is that people in this field are in it for the money or recognition. In reality, most of us do this work out of deep compassion. Many counselors volunteer their time whether offering free support through churches, schools, or community programs because we genuinely care about helping people heal and grow. How do you stay ahead of trends and changes in your industry? I pay attention to everything around me from social media conversations to workplace trends, and even the stories shared by family, friends, and adolescents entering the workforce. Staying connected helps me understand emerging challenges and adapt my work to meet real-world needs. What is your vision for your clients and your business over the next five years? My five-year vision is to become fully certified and continue expanding the conversation about reactive abuse in professional spaces. I want to make this issue more widely recognized and equip clients with the tools for self-advocacy to recognize when they’re victims of reactive abuse and understand their rights. Through my blog, community work, and collaborations, I hope to normalize these discussions and promote safer, more empathetic workplaces. Follow me on Instagram for more info! Read more from Jontai Reynolds

Written by Luis Benitez, Founder & Owner Luis Benitez is an experienced accounting professional with a diverse background in construction, restaurants, and retail. He founded LGB Strategic Solutions, an accounting/business strategy firm dedicated to helping business owners achieve long-term success. Many small business owners assume that hiring a CPA is enough to keep their finances in order and their business profitable. However, while a CPA plays an essential role in tax compliance and financial reporting, they are not a replacement for financial literacy. If you don’t understand your own numbers, you could make costly mistakes, miss out on profit opportunities, and put your business at financial risk. This guide will explain why understanding your financials is critical, what key numbers you need to track, and how taking control of your financial data can help you make smarter business decisions. Let’s dive in. Why relying solely on a CPA can be a costly mistake A CPA provides tax preparation and financial reporting services, but they do not run your business for you. If you only engage with your CPA once or twice a year, you miss out on valuable financial insights that could impact your daily operations. Here’s why relying solely on your CPA can be risky: Lack of real-time insights. CPAs typically work with historical data, meaning they analyze past performance rather than current business conditions. Limited strategic guidance is provided, as some CPAs offer advisory services, while many focus primarily on tax compliance rather than proactive financial strategy. Business-specific nuance. Every small business has unique financial dynamics, and a CPA not deeply embedded in your operations may not catch inefficiencies or financial red flags in real time. By taking an active role in financial management, business owners can make informed decisions that drive profitability and stability. Financial numbers every construction business owner must track You must track key financial metrics regularly to manage your business finances effectively. Understanding these numbers enables better decision-making and long-term business success. Understanding job costing and profitability One of the most significant mistakes small business owners make is failing to understand their true costs. Without knowing the actual cost of your products or services, it is impossible to price them correctly, determine profitability, or identify waste. Costing involves tracking all direct expenses, such as materials, labor, and supplies, along with indirect costs like insurance, rent, and administrative salaries. Overlooking these can lead to underpricing and financial loss. Industry-appropriate accounting software can help business owners track expenses accurately and assess real-time profitability. Understanding costing allows businesses to adjust pricing strategies, improve efficiency, and increase profitability. Managing cash flow for stability Many small businesses appear profitable on paper but struggle with cash flow due to delayed customer payments and ongoing operational expenses. Cash Flow Management requires a consistent and proactive approach to monitoring income and expenditures. Business owners should assess their cash flow weekly to ensure they have enough funds to cover payroll, inventory purchases, and other essential expenses. Implementing systems such as upfront deposits, milestone payments, or automated billing can help prevent financial strain. Additionally, businesses should avoid over-reliance on credit, as excessive debt can reduce profitability and create long-term financial instability. Tracking accounts receivable and payable Keeping track of outstanding payments from customers (accounts receivable) and your business’s financial obligations (accounts payable) is essential for maintaining a strong financial position. Late customer payments can disrupt cash flow, making it challenging to meet operational expenses. Prompt invoicing and consistent follow-up on unpaid invoices help mitigate this risk. On the other hand, strategically managing accounts payable ensures that vendors and suppliers are paid on time without unnecessarily draining cash reserves. Taking advantage of early payment discounts where possible, and prioritizing essential expenses, contributes to a financially healthy business. Distinguishing between gross profit margin and net profit margin Understanding the difference between gross and net profit margins is crucial for long-term business success. The gross profit margin reflects the profitability of your core products or services before overhead expenses are deducted. It is calculated by subtracting the cost of goods sold (direct costs) from total revenue, then dividing by total revenue. A substantial gross profit margin indicates that your business is pricing effectively and managing costs efficiently. The net profit margin , on the other hand, accounts for all business expenses, including indirect costs, taxes, and administrative overhead. This metric provides a clearer picture of overall profitability. Small businesses looking to improve margins should reduce waste, negotiate better supplier contracts, and improve operational efficiency. Understanding tax liabilities and deductions Failing to understand tax obligations can lead to overpayment or unexpected tax bills that strain business finances. Business owners should familiarize themselves with key tax deadlines to avoid penalties and interest charges. Additionally, taking advantage of tax reduction strategies, such as Section 179 deductions and depreciation methods , can significantly lower tax liability. Instead of waiting until tax season, business owners should work proactively with their CPA or accountant throughout the year to implement effective tax strategies aligned with business goals. How understanding financial numbers leads to smarter business decisions When small business owners take control of their financial data, they can make better decisions in real time. Accurate financial tracking allows them to price correctly, ensuring that offerings remain competitive while maintaining profitability. It also enables businesses to scale responsibly by identifying the correct times to hire employees, invest in new equipment, or expand operations. Regularly analyzing financial reports allows business owners to catch potential financial red flags early, preventing costly mistakes and losses. Additionally, a firm grasp of financial data enhances negotiations with lenders and investors, making it easier to secure funding for growth. Take charge of your financial future Your CPA is a valuable resource, but they will not save your business if you do not understand your own numbers. Financial literacy is among the most powerful tools a small business owner can have. Understanding financial statements, tracking key performance metrics, and managing cash flow effectively will set your business on a path toward stability and profitability. If you are ready to take control of your finances, I can help. Contact me today for a free financial strategy session, and let’s build a more substantial, profitable business together. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Luis Benitez Luis Benitez, Founder & Owner Luis Benitez is a dynamic leader known for his resilience, determination, and passion for business. Migrating to the U.S. as a child, he faced immense challenges, sacrificing a “normal” teenage life to work multiple jobs while attending school. At 18, he underwent brain surgery, forcing him to put his college dreams on hold. After navigating personal financial struggles, he seized the opportunity to complete his degree while gaining hands-on experience in construction accounting. Today, he is the Owner of LGB Strategic Solutions, an accounting and business strategy firm dedicated to transforming how businesses and individuals achieve financial growth—his mission is to foster growth through insight and innovation.

Written by Bradley Abbott, Personal Coach Bradley Abbott is known for his wholistic approach to personal coaching merging fitness training with nutritional therapeutics. Author of the e-books A How-to Guide in Developing Functional Strength, Power and Adaptability, and The Cussing Coach, both published in 2024. Back when I was around the age of 20 years old, I used to think like most people do, that people’s health issues could be solved by solving the genetic code that is shrouded in some mystery, and it was that mystery that got me intrigued in the first place. Not only was I interested in learning genetics, but I remember becoming enthusiastic and excited about the complexity of it. I wanted to learn as much as I could about it. Then a year went by, and I began to delve into sports nutrition and learned how to put together sports nutrition plans for elite athletes as part of my foundation degree. Although I began to get interested in nutrition itself, putting together an 8-week sports nutrition plan for athletes quickly got tedious. I remember staring at a computer screen for hours assembling every part of the plan and explaining why it would work. "Every species of animal and human that dies of natural causes dies of a nutritional deficiency disease." – Dr. Joel D. Wallach A few years went by, and I enrolled in and passed my Personal Training qualification in late October 2014. I quickly became an active and licensed PT at Pure Gym in Sunderland, and in my spare time, I became increasingly interested in nutrition related to health issues. I watched long and in-depth documentaries on the NHS, Naturopathic Medicine, Nutritional Trends of that time, and learned so much. I even tried going fully raw vegan for 24 hours as a test and realised quickly that this was not going to work. I learned shortly after why it was not going to work. I came across one doctor on these documentaries that seemed to make the most sense out of all of them, Dr. Peter Glidden. Think about it for a second, we are in a time period where we are the most able, we have the most sophisticated technology, and the best minds working on every possible scenario to try and help people recover, and we could reverse chronic diseases or symptoms? Something just did not add up. Then I learned shortly after watching all these documentaries and reading online articles that we were using the wrong dog for the hunt. Every single person and animal that dies of natural causes dies of a nutritional disease. Alzheimer’s is a cholesterol, essential fatty acids, and cofactors deficiency that occurred because of cholesterol and fat bashing with no help from Ancel Keys. Varicose veins are a simple copper deficiency. Copper, particularly colloidal copper, is required by the body to manufacture and strengthen the elastic fibres around blood vessels, skin tissue, and other bodily tissues. Obesity is a multiple mineral deficiency that causes pica and cribbing in animals and the munchies in people. The body craves minerals, so when people claim they crave food, they really just crave the minerals they hope the food will give them. Diabetes is a chromium, vanadium, and lithium deficiency. Chromium and vanadium in particular are required by the human body to metabolise sugar within the cells. Cancer is caused indirectly due to a selenium deficiency because selenium is required by the human body to recycle the body’s own antioxidant, glutathione. Rheumatoid arthritis is a calcium, magnesium, and cofactors deficiency with an infection of Mycoplasma spp., which can be dealt with by correcting the mineral deficiencies, the absorption of your gut, and by administering tetracycline. Of course, there are other factors at play here, such as increasing your likelihood of getting these diseases by consistently consuming the bad foods that cause inflammation and cell death, also known as apoptosis. I was always interested in exercise and performing like an athlete myself, but when I came across this information, so profound and so revolutionary, it was something that I could not ignore. Why would anyone want to? Not only that, it is information that would help my clients recover and achieve optimal performance years later upon my return to Pure Gym, Sunderland. The layout The idea of a healthy lifestyle is actually easy once you know where to look and which information to extrapolate. Eliminate the bad foods Replace them with the good foods Supplement with all 90 essential nutrients for your body weight and level of severity of the symptoms Hydrate the body with filtered or reverse osmosis water to reduce unwanted chemicals in the water Get 7 to 9 hours of high-quality, uninterrupted sleep, 8 to 10 hours if you are an athlete Perform light to moderate exercise daily Get fresh air daily You could even take this a step further and eat for your nervous system type, more on this in a future article The barriers and false notions The issue with this theory is: It is overcomplicated and interfered with by an outdated concept perpetuated by the allopathic medical profession Big pharmaceutical companies make way too much money from people getting sick, for example selling over-the-counter prescriptions, to even consider slowing down their system Some people are ill-informed about what the good foods actually are. I once worked with someone who thought mayonnaise, or even light mayonnaise, was good for you. Mayonnaise is nothing but free radicals, atoms that have lost or gained an electron, they will stick to anything including your cells when you consume them, causing apoptosis, also known as cell death. This type of regular, frequent consumption increases your risk of heart disease and cancer exponentially over the years. These types of issues have been ingrained in us for so many years that we accept them as normal, and there are not many people asking why. What is worse, in this context, is that not only are people genuinely scared to change their habits and leave their comfort zone, even if it is harming them, but they will actually go out of their way to defend it if you try to question them. I genuinely believe that this defence mechanism is birthed out of fear and understandably so. Still, you should never lose your ability to be open-minded, especially when it can save your life and many years of suffering. What to do and how to do it Through my years as a Fitness Instructor, Lifeguard, Personal Trainer, Youngevity Associate, and yes, even as a short-term assistant in delivering presentations on wholistic medical nutrition, I have seen many people and clients turn their health around dramatically through exercise and wholistic nutrition. I have even experimented with various programmes to see what works best and had dramatic positive changes myself. I have personally had clients reverse their symptoms almost completely through dietary changes, supplementation, regular exercise, and little dietary hacks that help speed up the healing and recovery. One of my clients had stomach issues, which her local physician prescribed lanzaprozole, a stomach acid blocker, rosacea, sciatica, and high blood pressure, which her doctor had prescribed blood pressure medication for, and low energy. Within three months, after going through the exercise and nutrition program I recommended for her, and the client relaying the information of the changes back to her physician, she was off her lanzaprozole and her blood pressure medication. What a turn around. Her rosacea almost completely reduced, and her energy sky-rocketed. Unfortunately, there was a shipping issue with her supplements, so her sciatica was not resolved. Sciatica, like any muscle and bone related issues, is a simple deficiency in calcium, magnesium, boron, strontium, sodium, potassium, and all other cofactors. The other client who she attended my Personal Training sessions with had low back pain for years, low energy, and was told by her local physician she was at risk of high blood pressure and was almost placed on the medication for it. Thankfully, that never happened. After three months of the program, this client’s energy sky-rocketed also, and her risk of high blood pressure was reduced to zero. In month four, she supplemented with the Gluco-Gel, which contains all the necessary raw materials to rebuild cartilage and bone tissue, Gelatin, collagen, chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine sulphate, and manganese, and saw the back pain she had for years completely reversed. I was so proud of both of them. Once you know the method, you can accomplish anything. Train and exercise The exercises that my clients did were a combination of light to moderate cardio, such as various stepping sequences on a stepping bench and slow to moderate pace on the treadmill on a hill-type setting. They practiced mobility of the hips and spine, such as torso rotations with a cable or by using their own body weight, and by practicing body-weight squats. They also used isolated resistance machines because it was easier on their joints, especially in the beginning. As my clients progressed, they added light weight to their mobility movements and increased the weight slightly on the isolated resistance machines. Remember, their goals here were not to build a big frame, but rather, to build functional strength, increase their range of motion, ROM, and to increase their overall energy levels throughout the day. As they got further into their program, we agreed that it would benefit them to practice more circuit-type sessions involving various movements, such as the step-up, the assault bike, battle ropes, weighted carries, and other exercises that would help them increase their cardiovascular output and energy levels. Disclaimer: The advice given in this article is not intended to treat or cure any disease. Further, the advice given in this article is not intended to replace the advice given by your doctor.  Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Bradley Abbott Bradley Abbott, Personal Coach Bradley Abbott is a personal coach and author. Known for his wholistic approach to training merging naturopathic principles with fitness training, he has managed to reverse the symptoms of his clients almost completely, and raise their energy to heights they never thought possible. He is the founder of Phoenix Phorm Online and uses these platforms to educate and inspire a larger audience. References & resources: Duffy T. P. (2011). The Flexner Report — 100 Years Later. Yale journal of Biology and Medicine; 84(3): 269-276.  Enjuris. '1o Biggest Pharmaceutical Settlements in History' . Accessed: Tuesday 18/07/2023.   Gonzalez NJ, (2017). Nutrition And The Autonomic Nervous System: The Scientific Foundations of The Gonzalez Protocol.  Jugdaohsingh R, (2007). Silicon and Bone Health. Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging; 11(2): 99-110. Keys A, Fidanza F, Scardi V, Bergami G, Keys MH, and Di Lorenzo Fr, (1954). “Studies on Serum Cholesterol and Other Characteristics of Clinically Healthy Men in Naples.” Archives of Internal Medicine; 93(3): 328–336. Keys A, Menotti A, Karvonen MJ, Aravanis C, Blackburn H, Buzina R, Djordjevic BS, Dontas AS, Fidanza F, Keys MH, et al. The diet and 15-year death rate in the seven countries study. Am J Epidemiol. 1986 Dec;124(6):903-15. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a114480. PMID: 3776973 Mertz W, (1986). 'Trace Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition' (Fifth Ed.). Tortora GJ, and Derrickson B, (2014). 'Principles of Anatomy and Physiology' (14th Edition).  Wallach JD and Lan M, (1997). Let;s Play Doctor (3rd Edition).  Wallach JD, Lan M, and Schrauzer GN, (2014), Epigenetics: The Death of the Genetic Theory of Disease Transmission.

Alneja Gašpar Horvat is a Transformational Mentor for Modern Women, navigating life’s crucial transitions, from finding love and creating a family to unlocking fertility, becoming a conscious parent, and balancing family with business without losing themselves amidst the many roles and obligations women often carry. She is the author of the “Unlock Your Fertility” program, created from her personal success story. She uses her signature Butterfly Technique to help women and couples overcome fertility blocks, heal core wounds, and become the parents they always wished for but never had. As a Fertility & Mama Coach, she supports clients through miscarriage, failed IVF, and other fertility challenges, walking with them every step of the way, from conception and pregnancy to birth, motherhood, and beyond, guiding them through the challenges that arise in love, life, and work once children arrive.  Alneja Gašpar Horvat, Fertility & Mama Coach and Transformational Mentor Who is Alneja Gašpar Horvat? That’s the million-dollar question. In the first 20 years of my life, I had absolutely no clue who I was. I was whatever people expected me to be, trying to fit in, be accepted, loved, and “good enough” for those around me. The next 20 years were about shedding all those fake roles and labels, and slowly discovering the real me. My greatest life challenges, early trauma, the tiring search for love, heartbreak and loss, burnout, health challenges, fertility struggles, and deep personal transformation, have helped shape who I am today. And the truth is, I can’t really fit into one box.  Yes, I am a Transformational Mentor for Modern Women, a Fertility & Mama Coach, and the creator of the Butterfly Technique and “Unlock Your Fertility” program. But beyond these titles, I am a woman, wife, and mother who has walked the path of transformation firsthand. My work is rooted in my personal journey, my greatest life challenges, and the moments that broke me open, times I questioned everything, and yet, through it all, I found my true calling. But outside of my work, I’m still just me, a woman who loves books and history, traveling and sandy beaches, good food, deep conversations, and dancing until my feet are sore and my heart feels free. I’m endlessly curious, very passionate about spiritual and personal growth, and devoted to constant evolution.  What inspired you to become a fertility and mama coach? My path into this work started with a diagnosis that shattered me, and the inner journey it took me on. It wasn’t something I planned, it just happened. It all began the moment my doctor dropped a bomb on me, saying, “You might never become a mom.” Something inside of me shifted, and I decided I was going to find a way to prove him wrong. And I did, not once, but twice. I was convinced that if I had somehow managed to break my body, I could also find a way to heal it. So, I went on a deep inner journey of healing and transformation. The woman who emerged from that process was a new version of me, pregnant, healed, and rediscovered. The most painful part of my life turned out to be my greatest blessing. It didn’t just make me a mother, it made me a woman who finally knew who she was and had found her true calling. I began sharing my story to motivate and inspire others, helping women in similar situations uncover and release what was silently blocking their fertility, guiding them as they moved from fear and frustration to faith, healing, and creation. Later, my calling grew with me. As I became a mother, I realized just how important the inner work I had done before getting pregnant truly was. If I hadn’t done that healing, I would have simply copied the unhealthy patterns from my own childhood, repeating the trauma, pain, and toxic ancestral cycles I was born into. So, my work shifted from just unlocking fertility to helping my clients become the parents their children truly deserve. And then my clients kept coming back, sharing, “Now that I’m a mom, I’m exhausted, reacting, repeating old patterns, I want to find myself again beyond being a mother.” Suddenly, I wasn’t just a fertility coach anymore, I became a mama coach, supporting women through motherhood and all the challenges that follow after the kids, in love, family, purpose, and career. Since my work emerged from personal experience, it keeps growing and evolving with me with every new chapter of my life. What common misconceptions do people have about fertility, and how do you address them? There are three major misconceptions I’d like to talk about today, and I’ll address them in the order they usually show up when I start working with a client. Misconception No. 1:  “Fertility is purely physical or hormonal.” The first misconception is that if we fix the hormones or follow the right medical path, everything will fall into place. Often, we address physical obstacles, balance the thyroid and hormones, or improve sperm quality, and still nothing happens. That’s because the physical wasn’t the real problem, these issues are often just symptoms pointing inward, signaling that something is out of balance on a subconscious or emotional level. Just think of all the couples who suffer from unexplained infertility, their body works perfectly, yet conception doesn’t occur, because something internal, a mindset, emotional, or even energetic block, is holding things back.  Therefore, I always inspire and guide clients to look within, beyond the symptoms, and uncover the root cause of their fertility or health challenges. When we work on the source, healing emotional wounds, releasing fears, and restoring inner balance, the physical symptoms ease, and the body naturally begins to align. It’s a domino effect, when the inner world heals, the body follows. Misconception No. 2:  “ Age automatically limits fertility.” Even though we often hear from doctors and IVF clinics that age is the main reason we can’t get pregnant, reality tells a different story. We keep reading about celebrities having babies at 52, or seeing our neighbors welcoming their fourth child at the age of 48. The truth is, we are not just statistics. Every body is unique. It’s not age alone that determines fertility, it’s the overall health, energy, emotional safety, and nourishment of the body that matter far more than the number of candles on a birthday cake. Someone can have an exhausted, imbalanced body at 32, while another woman may have a vibrant, fertile body at 52. I’ve worked with women in their mid-40s who were declined IVF for being “too old,” for having genetic mutations that affect conception, or for having low ovarian reserve. Yet, through my Unlock Your Fertility program, as we worked on the deeper blocks, the ones draining their energy, aging their bodies, and throwing them out of balance, they conceived naturally. Emotional and energetic health can have a profound impact on fertility.  I always encourage women to see beyond statistics and medical predictions and help them focus on healing, balancing, and energizing the body, physically, emotionally, and energetically. When the body feels safe, supported, and vital again, fertility is no longer an issue, even at 44 or 50. Misconception No. 3: “ Fertility is only the woman ’ s responsibility.” This is one of the most damaging myths. Fertility is a shared journey, both partners contribute equally, and both can carry emotional or energetic blocks. I’ve seen couples where the woman did everything, supplements, stress management, endless appointments, and therapy, while her partner stayed on the sidelines. When only one person heals, the process often remains incomplete.  In my experience, when I work with women alone, we achieve about an 80% success rate, which is an incredible result. But when both partners commit to the process, the success rate has been 100%. Having witnessed that many times, I always encourage men to take part in this journey, not only for conception purposes, but for their own healing, their relationship, and the generations to come. Emotionally healed people make better parents, that’s a fact. Men who join the program, even if a little skeptical at first, become deeply invested in the process, sometimes even more than their partners. In the end, true fertility begins when we stop chasing quick fixes, stop fearing numbers, and stop placing the responsibility on just one person. Getting pregnant is a two-person journey, both physically and emotionally. Can you share a success story of a client you ’ ve worked with and how you helped them? I had a client in her early forties, 42, to be exact. She already had a daughter from a previous relationship and didn’t want to go through IVF, but she was determined to have another child with her new partner. Getting pregnant wasn’t the issue for her, staying pregnant was. She had gone through six miscarriages in a row. Every medical test said she was perfectly healthy. There was no physical reason it shouldn’t have happened, and yet, it didn’t. When she joined my Unlock Your Fertility program, she came searching for answers, but what she truly needed was healing. About halfway through, we found the missing piece of the puzzle. Years earlier, when she gave birth to her first daughter, her partner at that time had left her just before labor. She had to give birth completely alone, under incredibly difficult circumstances. That pain, that fear, that moment of abandonment had rooted itself deep in her body. Even though she deeply longed for another child, her body remembered. On a subconscious level, it had linked pregnancy with danger and loneliness. So every time she conceived, her body tried to protect her by ending the pregnancy before she could be hurt again. After one deeply emotional session, everything shifted. She told me, “It feels like something heavy has finally lifted. My body isn’t fighting me anymore.” And not long after that, she conceived naturally again, only this time, her body didn’t resist what her heart desired. She carried the pregnancy to term and gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. But the story doesn’t end there. Just a few weeks ago, she sent me a message that she’s pregnant again. And she’s not an isolated case. I’ve had three similar cases recently, women who struggled for years to have their first child, and once we helped them unlock their fertility, the second pregnancy happened naturally, unexpectedly, and with incredible ease. Because once the body feels safe and the heart feels seen, life no longer needs to be forced, it simply flows. What are the most overlooked factors that impact a woman ’ s fertility? Every couple’s story is unique, each client I work with has their own deeply personal reason why conception isn’t happening. But if I had to name the most common and often overlooked factors that impact a woman’s fertility, they would include unhealed emotional wounds, unresolved trauma and stress, and a lack of emotional safety. We often underestimate how much early childhood experiences, ancestral trauma, and relationship patterns influence our reproductive health. The womb holds memory, it remembers loss, fear, heartbreak, and even the things we never consciously processed. When we clear that space emotionally, mentally, and energetically, the body begins to trust life again. One of the most common hidden blocks I see is the loss of a significant person, often a mother. Deep down, many women carry the fear that something might happen to them too, and that their own children could experience the same loss they once did. The body, in its own protective wisdom, may hold back conception to prevent that pain from repeating. There’s also the guilt many women silently carry after a past abortion, the subconscious belief that “I gave one child up, so I don’t deserve another.” This unprocessed grief can quietly close the door to new life until it’s acknowledged and healed. For others, the block comes from being in an unsafe or misaligned relationship. The body senses when it’s not secure enough to bring a child into the world with a certain partner, and no matter how much the mind wants it, the body won’t move forward until it feels safe. Another common pattern is the fear of reliving birth trauma, experiences that left women feeling powerless, violated, or alone. The body remembers that fear vividly, and often resists another conception to protect itself from going through it again. And finally, there are the inner conflicts that pull women in two directions, they deeply want a baby, yet fear losing their freedom, their career, their identity, gaining weight, or giving up the life they’ve built. You simply can’t receive what you secretly resist. All of these blocks, whether emotional, energetic, or subconscious, are the body’s way of protecting, not punishing. Once those fears are met with compassion and safety, the body naturally shifts from defense into creation. When the heart, mind, and body are in harmony, life begins to flow effortlessly again. How do you tailor your approach to meet the unique needs of each client? My Unlock Your Fertility Program is not a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s a special and highly valuable individualized program designed to meet the unique needs of each client. Every fertility story is different, and that’s why my approach adapts to your personal journey from the very beginning. The program is built around my signature Butterfly Technique, which unfolds in three transformative stages: Th e caterpillar s tage: To make sure every client receives exactly what they need, we start with a diagnostic session. This session reveals the hidden emotional, energy, and mindset blocks and lays the foundation for a fully personalized program tailored to your story, your challenges, and your specific blocks, because no two journeys are the same. Th e cocoon st age: Once we have your fertility plan, we move into the Cocoon Stage and begin the healing journey. Here, we carefully address and release all blocks, restore balance in your body, boost fertility, and prepare you physically and emotionally for conception. Th e butterfly sta ge: In the final stage, we shift your mindset to manifest a successful pregnancy and coach you into becoming the conscious, empowered parent your children deserve. This stage transforms pain, wounds, and blocks into fuel for manifestation, making pregnancy more accessible and helping you step fully into the parent you’ve always wanted to be. The program consists of an online course packed with fertility tips, guidance, and practical advice, along with a fully individualized 1-on-1 program via Zoom, tailored to your unique needs. This combination ensures you receive both the tools and the personal support necessary to move forward with confidence. Every step is tailored to your unique needs, ensuring that your journey to parenthood is supported holistically, emotionally, physically, and energetically. I believe my client’s fertility story deserves a plan as unique as they are, one that truly fits their needs, empowers, heals, and leads them to the family they’re meant to have. Not by putting their story into the same basket as someone else’s, but by making them feel safe, fully supported, and cared for throughout the program. Fertility is a delicate and deeply personal journey, and my goal is to ensure every client feels seen, heard, and truly nurtured every step of the way. I am aware that an individualized VIP program is not accessible for everyone’s budget. Therefore, I have also created a more accessible version of the program in the form of an online course without 1-on-1 support, which covers the main fertility topics and guides participants through the most common fertility challenges with practical tips, exercises, and tools they can explore on their own. However, most of my clients choose the individualized package, as it is tailored to their specific needs and provides the deepest level of support and guidance on this sacred journey. What are the first steps you recommend for someone starting their fertility journey? Start with awareness. Tune into what your body and emotions are trying to tell you. Don’t rush to “fix” yourself, begin by creating a sense of safety within. This will help you see what might be wrong or out of balance and what needs to change to find success.  So the first step is to acknowledge what didn’t work, what you didn’t try yet, and what else you can do to reach a different result. In other words, you need to change something and do things differently. The same approach will only lead to the same results. To achieve a different outcome, you must take a different path. Reflect on what you haven’t tried yet, and explore what you can change. If you’ve focused only on the physical level, try going within and exploring your emotional or energetic blocks. If you haven’t seen a doctor, check your hormones, thyroid, and other potential obstacles. Approach holistically and think of all potential blocks – on body, mind, heart and soul-level.  Move away from old ways and ask yourself, “What do I need in order to feel safe to receive?” That’s where true fertility begins. And finally, remember that you don’t have to walk this path alone. It’s okay to ask for help and find the right support, someone who can guide you, provide tailored advice, and hold space for you throughout your fertility journey. The combination of awareness, new approaches, and the right guidance is the foundation for creating the envisioned result. If you need help or support on this sacred journey, you can always reach out to me here . You can also schedule a diagnostic counseling session  to uncover your hidden fertility blocks. Or check out my Unlock Your Fertility  program that helped me and so many of my clients become parents. For free fertility tips and parenting insights, visit my Brainz Magazine profile, where I share articles on love, fertility, motherhood, and personal growth. Keep an eye on my page, there’s so much more to come in the year ahead! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Alneja Gašpar Horvat

Written by Fizza Khan, Founder & CEO of Imentor360 Fizza Khan, IT Consultant and Founder & CEO of Imentor360, is empowering Elite IT Consultants to be seen, valued, and hired directly. More than 70% of digital transformations fall short of expectations, a recurring issue not caused by technology but by business structure and people's capabilities. My insight across various digital transformations in many sectors, this is a common theme, and the core problem lies in how companies ‘operational structure’ and delivery teams are aligned. Projects often lose momentum when there is no clear direction or a defined strategy from leadership or reporting of outcomes, leaving teams unclear on how their project contributes to overall change and outcomes. The synchronisation problem Another major reason transformations fail is a lack of synchronisation. Business units, delivery teams, and leadership often move at different speeds, chasing disconnected priorities. One team delivers new digital capability while another still operates on legacy processes. Synchronisation isn’t just a scheduling issue. It’s a skill and art, and can be cultural. Project leaders must act as integrators, ensuring communication flows both ways. That means connecting senior leads with product owners, delivery leads, and business sponsors around a single version of truth, the why, the what, and the how of transformation. Without that, projects become noise, lots of movement, little progress. With it, even complex change starts to feel coherent and achievable. It’s not the tech, it’s people's capability and the team's leadership Many still believe transformation fails because of the wrong system, platform, or vendor. But in my experience, most failures stem from people, knowledge sharing, and project knowledge gaps inside the project teams themselves, and motivation for change. There’s confusion between leader’s articulating a clear planning-strategy to define to the project leads the key project ‘priorities, so that the team leads can then define the clear team ‘activity and outcomes’, and that’s where delivery begins to drift   and where project contractors like me have the expertise to synchronise. The fundamentals are missing from Day 1: The hire: Hire the right digital consultants with a breadth of expertise. Business strategy-OKRs (Objective Key results) are not defined at the Business vision strategy stage, or misunderstood.  Delivery reporting: Status updates show tasks completed, not value delivered with ‘what result’ and not aligned to an ‘OKR’. Agile is used as a label, not a mindset. Daily stand-ups and sprints don’t mean much without real ownership or empowerment to drive the results. Team Silos remain. Delivery streams operate independently, with little synchronisation across business functions. Need to embed a culture of togetherness or quarterly planning events. The real capability gap Every successful transformation I’ve been involved in has one thing in common, strong foresight and delivery capability. When project leaders invest early in the right consultants and knowledge. Only then, teams and results follow. When they don’t, even the most advanced people, tools, and budgets fall flat. ‘Capability means more than technical skill. It’s about leader’s people skills and mindset, communication, delivery and alignment’ A capable team understands their team lead and clear direction: Why the transformation exists and what part of the project they are working on What outcome each workstream contributes to, and why and when to be delivered by How to synchronise efforts across functions with clear OKR delivery reporting metrics That’s where frameworks like Agile and OKRs truly connect. But too often, organisations adopt them in isolation and later date, OKRs as a reporting Ops layer, Agile as a best practice, routine. The power lies in combining both to create a shared direction and consistent momentum across an operation. It’s not about being “more agile.” It’s about being more connected, aligning transformation project delivery with business intent. Defining success differently In most failing programmes, “success” is defined by milestones, system go-lives, migration dates, or completed workstreams. But digital transformation success should be measured by clear objectives across ops, behavioural, and people change. Can teams operate without external dependency? Have ways of working evolved? Is there a visible impact for end users? The best project leaders redefine progress around these questions. They focus less on the Gantt chart and more on whether teams understand and adopt new ‘ways of working’ and the outcomes they’re delivering. They build internal people capability alongside delivery, so when consultants step away, the organisation keeps moving. In the programmes that I’ve worked on, the difference was visible. Teams didn’t just deliver, they owned the ‘priorities task’ and changed and delivered. Knowledge transfer wasn’t a final-week task, it was embedded throughout. Agile & Scrum was genuine, collaborative, transparent, and grounded in shared OKRs across the organisation for the bi-weekly reporting. Building the next generation of delivery teams In my view, the next phase of digital transformation won’t be defined by bigger systems or newer frameworks and just AI bolted on, it will be defined by smarter people-project teams. Those who combine “objective’s, technical expertise with delivery maturity’ this will outperform those who simply follow templates. Future-ready teams will: Implement OKRs to link strategy directly to daily project delivery. Treat Agile as a behaviour, not a checklist. Focus on outcomes, not solely on activity. Learn fast and adapt faster, share knowledge This shift requires project leaders who understand both structure and psychology, how people work, how they learn, and how to align them around purpose. The organisations that invest in this capability now will reduce dependency on external consultants and sustain transformation long after the programme ends. The shift ahead Transformation isn’t a one-off project, it’s an evolving capability. The technology will keep changing, but the foundation, people who can adapt, align, and deliver, remains the same. The future belongs to project teams that blend delivery discipline with learning agility. They’ll close the gap between ambition and execution, ensuring transformation isn’t just a phase, but a way of operating. That’s the real opportunity ahead, not another framework or process, but a mindset that connects people, purpose, and performance. When project leaders get that right, transformation finally delivers what it promises, lasting change. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Fizza Khan Fizza Khan, Founder & CEO of Imentor360 Fizza Khan has over 15 years of expertise as an IT consultant, Lead Business Analyst, and Project manager with many specialisms, hired to deliver many complex, critical projects globally across industries. Leading professionals have developed many innovative solutions. Now with her own brand, Imentor360, providing a platform for Elite IT contractors to showcase their skills and gain visibility, and to get booked directly.

Written by Elizabeth Hopper Borge, Health and Wellness Coach Elizabeth Borge is a well-known Yoga and Tai chi professional, a National Board Certified health and Wellness coach, NBC-HWC and C-IAYT yoga therapist. She is the owner of Fit for Life Jenkiintown and founder of Dancer for Life LLC. In today’s fast-paced world, many people are seeking holistic ways to relieve stress, restore balance, and enhance their overall well-being. One such practice gaining popularity worldwide is Reiki, a gentle, hands-on or hands-off healing technique rooted in the concept of universal energy. The origins of Reiki Reiki (pronounced RAY-kee) is a Japanese healing modality developed by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words, Rei, meaning universal, and Ki, meaning life energy. This life energy is believed to flow through all living things. When that energy is strong and flowing freely, we are more likely to be healthy and emotionally balanced. When that energy weakens or is blocked, we may be more prone to physical or emotional stress and disease. How Reiki works A Reiki session typically involves the practitioner placing their hands lightly on or just above the client's body, channeling energy into specific areas to encourage healing. It is a non-invasive and deeply relaxing experience. The goal of Reiki is to support the body’s natural healing abilities and promote emotional and spiritual well-being. Although Reiki is not a replacement for medical treatment, it can be a powerful complementary therapy. It has been used to help reduce anxiety, relieve pain, improve sleep, and support recovery from injury or illness. What to expect in a Reiki session A typical session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. You remain fully clothed and lie comfortably on a treatment table or sit in a chair. The practitioner may move their hands to various parts of the body, often in a set sequence, or intuitively based on the client’s needs. Many clients describe sensations such as warmth, tingling, or gentle pulsations during the session. Some experience deep relaxation, emotional release, or a meditative state. The benefits of Reiki Stress reduction and relaxation Enhanced emotional clarity and calm Relief from chronic pain or tension Support for mental health and mood balance Faster recovery from illness or injury Improved sleep quality One of the beautiful aspects of Reiki is that it works holistically, addressing body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. It encourages a state of harmony and balance, both internally and externally. Who can benefit from Reiki? Reiki is suitable for people of all ages, from children to seniors. Whether you are dealing with chronic stress, recovering from surgery, managing emotional struggles, or simply seeking greater balance in your life, Reiki offers a safe and supportive environment to heal and recharge. Reiki at Fit for Life Jenkintown You can experience the healing benefits of Reiki at Fit for Life Jenkintown. Our certified practitioner offers personalized Reiki sessions in a peaceful and welcoming environment. Whether you are looking to relieve stress, restore energy, or unwind, Reiki can support your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Let us help you return to balance, one breath at a time. Visit my website   to schedule your Reiki session ! Read more from Elizabeth Hopper Borge Elizabeth Hopper Borge, Health and Wellness Coach Elizabeth is an NHB-WC (Board-Certified Health and Wellness coach), Certified Professional Coach, and Certified Weight Loss Coach (AFPA). She is a C-IAYT yoga therapist and has had years of counseling experience. She is a Level 1 and Level 2 IIQTC (Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi) Senior Trainer, Tai Chi Easy Senior Trainer and a Healer Within Senior Trainer. She is using all these skillsets to support your wellness journey.

Written by Josh Sagar Chauhan I, C.E.O, Model, and Multi-Talented Artist Josh is a C.E.O., model, and multi-talented artist with over a decade of experience in financial services, renowned for delivering insightful, up-to-date coverage on international affairs, culture, and technology, offering clarity and perspective. Living with complex trauma is like navigating a labyrinth of mind and body, where each turn reveals layers of pain, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of healing. My journey encompasses anxiety, PTSD, potential ADHD, physical trauma, and neurological manifestations such as tics, auditory hallucinations, and hypnopompic and hypnagogic experiences. These symptoms are not anomalies. They are the body's and mind's responses to prolonged and repeated exposure to overwhelming stressors. The clinical landscape of complex trauma Complex PTSD arises from prolonged exposure to interpersonal trauma, often in situations where escape is difficult. It includes the classic symptoms of PTSD such as intrusive memories, hyperarousal, and avoidance, alongside disturbances in self-organization, including emotional dysregulation, negative self-perception, and difficulties in relationships. Complex PTSD affects a significant portion of the population, with higher prevalence among individuals who have experienced childhood abuse, neglect, or sustained interpersonal trauma. The neurobiological effects of complex trauma involve changes in the brain's stress response systems, including the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system. These changes contribute to heightened arousal, dissociation, and somatic symptoms such as tics and hallucinations. Understanding these mechanisms underscores the importance of integrated therapeutic approaches that address both psychological and physiological dimensions of trauma. Personal narrative: Intersections of trauma and identity My experiences reflect the complex ways trauma manifests. The auditory hallucinations I experience are often tied to past trauma, acting as intrusive reminders of unresolved pain. Hallucinations in individuals with PTSD are frequently linked to dissociative processes, where traumatic memories intrude into conscious awareness. Tics are another aspect of my lived experience. Psychogenic tics can arise from stress and dysregulation of the nervous system. Clinical observations have shown that individuals with PTSD can develop tics as somatic expressions of psychological distress. Recognising this interplay between mind and body has been essential in my recovery. Therapeutic interventions: A multidimensional approach Cognitive Processing Therapy has been central to my healing. This evidence-based treatment helps identify and challenge maladaptive thoughts related to trauma, fostering cognitive restructuring and emotional regulation. CPT enables integration of traumatic memories into coherent self-narratives and helps differentiate between trauma-generated responses and authentic self-experience. Trauma-informed care has also been essential. Support from first step leicester has provided a stabilising environment in which I can process experiences without fear of re-traumatization. Their approach acknowledges the complexity of trauma and the necessity of patience, empathy, and safety in therapeutic work. Comparative perspectives: Case studies and broader implications The experiences of others provide insight into the broader implications of complex trauma. For example, individuals with PTSD and psychogenic tics demonstrate the importance of evaluating neurological symptoms through a trauma-informed lens. Auditory hallucinations, often tied to dissociative processes, have been observed in multiple cases of trauma survivors. These comparative examples highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to treatment that addresses cognitive, emotional, and physiological dimensions. Coping strategies and environmental regulation Beyond formal therapy, I have developed coping strategies that support both internal regulation and environmental structure. Mindfulness, somatic exercises, and breathwork enhance interoceptive awareness and reduce sympathetic hyperarousal. Music and performance, as D.J. Saguaro, provide structured, multisensory spaces where emotion can be processed safely. I also maintain environmental boundaries to reduce overstimulation, including sleep hygiene, structured routines, controlled sensory input, and selective social engagement. These strategies reduce triggers for hyperarousal and support neurophysiological stability. Over time, integrating cognitive, emotional, and environmental regulation has enabled incremental but durable recovery. A continuing journey Healing is not about perfection but persistence. It is a gradual recalibration of mind, body, and environment that requires courage to face internal chaos and patience to accept progress in measured steps. Complex trauma does not define me, but it informs the empathy, insight, and creativity I bring to all aspects of my life. The message I hope others take from my experience is this. Trauma shapes your nervous system and your environment, but it does not define your capacity to rebuild. With the right therapeutic frameworks, supportive relationships, and intentional regulation of both internal and external environments, it is possible to cultivate a life that honours the past without being constrained by it. Acknowledgements: I extend my heartfelt gratitude to First Step Leicester for their expert care, trauma-informed approach, and unwavering support for survivors navigating complex trauma. A.I. drafted article. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Josh Sagar Chauhan I Josh Sagar Chauhan I, C.E.O, Model, and Multi-Talented Artist Josh Chauhan is experienced in banking, finance, luxury sales, marketing, advertising, and recruitment, with a desire to continually learn more. A proficient digital and creative consultant, Josh I has over two years of experience in niche brand and project delivery. With more exposure in advertising, television, and radio, as well as acting and live performance to national and international audiences, Josh Chauhan I is in research & development for his Incorporation Umbrella, Miwted.

Written by Brian Stewart Caldwell-White, Health and Wellbeing Advocate Brian writes about human and pet health, Well-being, Neurodiversity, Disabilities, Cancer, and LGBTQIA+ topics, aiming to inform and inspire readers. Brian`s insights and expertise come from his own lived experiences and his professional background in Social Law and Medical Laws. In a culture that celebrates cure but quietly overlooks prevention, we risk missing the simplest path to long-term wellbeing. This article challenges the reactive healthcare model, highlighting how proactive choices, education, and natural support can reduce disease, empower individuals, and protect the health of both humans and pets. Prevention and cure: Two sides of the same story We all know the saying, prevention is better than cure. Yet, in a world obsessed with innovation, pharmaceuticals, and life-saving technology, we often forget the quieter power of prevention. Prevention stops illness or harm before it begins. Cure responds when things go wrong. Both are vital, but only one, the cure, tends to get the glory. According to The King’s Fund, prevention in health means creating the conditions that help people stay well, through good housing, strong communities, fair employment, and education. “Cure saves lives. Prevention saves futures.” A culture built on reaction, not protection In the Western world, we have built a healthcare culture that rewards reaction. We wait for illness, for breakdown, for crisis, and then we pour in the resources. Prevention, however, is quiet and long-term. It requires trust, education, patience, and less visible outcomes. When you prevent, nothing happens, and that is precisely why it is undervalued. Success in prevention looks like the absence of disease, not a miracle recovery story. “When prevention works, it looks like nothing happened. That’s its quiet brilliance.” Lessons from everyday life Prevention is not just a medical concept, it is how we live wisely. We do not drive without insurance. We brush our teeth to prevent cavities. We teach children kindness to prevent bullying. But when it comes to our health, we often wait until something breaks before we act. Imagine if we applied the same common sense to our bodies as we do to our homes, cars, or pets. The cost savings in our healthcare systems would be phenomenal, quality of living would be massively improved, but the reduction in profit for the pharmaceutical industry would not sit happily with the shareholders, I suspect. The illusion of cure Ten years ago, at age 41, I was told I had prostate cancer. I was terrified, but comforted by a 99 percent chance of cure through surgery. I had a radical prostatectomy. The pathology confirmed what I longed to hear, cancer removed. You are cured. For three years, I lived under the warm glow of that word, until seven years ago, I was told it had returned. Now, a decade on, I am back with Oncology and looking at further radical treatment. That is, unless my own natural approach to arresting the recurrence does not work. Same disease. Different perspective. The truth? Cure does not always cure. In fact, the General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice explicitly forbids UK medical professionals from using misleading language when communicating with patients. This includes leading them to believe they can be cured. They can only give objective information, manage expectations, and acknowledge the uncertainty with the offered treatment. “We are taught to fight disease. We are rarely taught to understand it.” The cost of chasing cures Research published in BMJ Open highlights how health systems are disproportionately geared towards curative measures. Cures bring hope, and headlines. But they also come with cost, financially, emotionally, and socially. For every pound we spend on treatment, only a fraction goes toward prevention. And yet, prevention is the very thing that could keep millions out of hospitals in the first place. This is due in part to the industry built to provide preventative solutions for humans and their pets having to fund its own research, which then leads to criticism that research is biased. With the curative industry having the might of the pharmaceutical industry as its backers, the preventative solutions that have been around for longer than modern medicine, approximately 150 years old, really do not stand a chance at being accepted as genuine, unless in Germany, as German doctors prefer to prescribe plant-based medicines rather than synthetic ones. Yet, when the pharmaceutical industry funds the trials of its own medicines, they are not afforded the same level of criticism that is aimed at the preventative industry. Which does beg the question, why? The psychology of the quick fix As Theresa Marteau of the Bennett Institute notes, we live in a culture of immediacy. We prefer instant results, a pill, a procedure, a promise, over the slow discipline of daily habits, a culture that has exploded due to the COVID pandemic. Here in the UK, as witnessed by myself when I worked as a medicolegal case manager for the world’s largest medical defence organisation, the pandemic has created a tsunami of people with health anxieties, and instant results are creating an unsustainable demand on our health and social care system. Prevention requires long-term thinking, something our societies and even our political systems struggle with. We, as humans, do not really have an appetite for long-term goals and forward thinking, even more so now that studies show the attention span of humans is around eight seconds. I like to call it the Uber phenomenon. I want it now. Prevention requires a commitment to change, to a reduction in profit margins, and to a radical rethink about how we deliver healthcare to humans and their pets. But the irony is, it is the slow work of prevention that brings the most lasting change. “We want quick fixes for problems that took years to grow.” Nature knew first When I founded Barberras Botanicals Ltd , it was born from personal experience and the healing influence of nature. I started taking CBD oil to control nocturia and dysuria, a serious side effect of having my prostate removed, as nine to ten times per night going to pee meant I could not sleep and therefore could not function or be healthy, and because the synthetic options had side effects that would hinder my physical fitness. Botanicals and plant-based compounds have been supporting human health for centuries. Many can help reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and support the immune system, all essential in preventing disease. If small businesses like mine can access this knowledge, surely our vast healthcare systems can too. So why, therefore, is the mere mention of treating prevention as equal to curative seen as blasphemous by the vast majority of healthcare professionals? The business of sickness Let us be honest, prevention does not generate the same profits as cure. There is no blockbuster drug for living well. There is no celebrity fundraiser for not getting sick. But imagine if we flipped that script, if Movember campaigns focused equally on prevention as they do on treatment and survival. We might just see fewer men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the first place and fewer men, just as I did, having to go through radical treatments that nearly always leave mental scars that are harder to deal with than the physical ones. The preventative medicines industry reported a worldwide turnover in 2024 of approximately $407 billion, as opposed to the pharmaceutical medicines industry worldwide turnover in 2024 of approximately $1.7 trillion. So with the pharmaceutical medicine industry turnover being very nearly four times larger than the preventative medicines industry, you can draw your own conclusion as to why the business of sickness is a profitable one. “It is time to make prevention profitable, because health is the best investment we have.” Prevention and cure in pets As the proud owner of Barbara, my rescue Saluki-Lurcher mix, I have learned that prevention is not just a human issue. According to the PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report , nearly half of UK pets are overweight, increasing their risk of diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Vet bills rise, quality of life falls, and yet these are almost entirely preventable conditions. We are equally quick to book a vet’s appointment as we are to book a doctor’s appointment, and as is the case with us humans, vets are not always the best solution to our pets’ health issues. I, for one, as my Barbara was adopted with severe trauma-induced anxiety, wish I had known then what I know now about treating his anxiety, because if I had, he would not have had to endure months and months of side effects from taking a prescribed anti-anxiety medication. And with pet ownership at an all-time high due to the pandemic, we need more than ever to ensure that prevention for our pets’ health is treated as equally as the curative treatments. We owe them the same care we wish for ourselves. We at Barberras state, “If it is good enough for me, it is good enough for my dog!” “Sometimes, the simplest acts of care, a walk, a good meal, a gentle touch, are the truest forms of prevention.” Prevention in mental health It is not only about bodies. Minds, too, need maintenance to prevent major problems. Rethink Mental Illness reminds us that while mental illness may not always be curable, it can often be prevented or reduced through early intervention, education, and connection. There is talk that giving less money to the curative industry, which makes huge profits, can then be used to help prevent mental health crises in humans and their pets. I, for one, did not have access to preventative talking therapies when I was a much younger man, so I only got the help I needed from alternative therapy when I was at a crisis point. We now know, hindsight is a wonderful teacher, that I would not have gotten to that crisis point had I had access to alternative therapies at an earlier stage in life. This early access would also be extraordinarily helpful with the current crisis of suicide amongst men, where at least 50 men per year are successfully committing suicide. We must treat mental health the way we treat physical health, not waiting until the crisis point before offering support. Prevention as empowerment Prevention is not about fear, it is about freedom. It is not about paranoia, it is about power. It is the power to make small, intentional choices that protect our long-term well-being. To know our bodies. To ask questions. To demand education, not just medication. That is Barberras’ main objective, to empower humans to take control of theirs and their pets’ health. We are capable, we just need to be reminded now and again that we have the power because it is our body and mind. “Prevention is not fear, it is freedom.” My Movember and my message This Movember, my moustache is not just for show. It is a symbol of conversation about men’s health, prostate cancer, and the need for balance between prevention and cure. I am a man living with cancer, yes, but I am also living with purpose. I have learned that the most radical act is not surgery. It is self-awareness. It is the choice to live well before we have to fight for life itself. Building a culture of prevention What if every GP appointment included a conversation about prevention, not just symptoms? What if our education system taught health literacy as much as it teaches maths? What if our healthcare budgets mirrored the value of prevention, not just the cost of disease? What if the NHS worked in partnership with the vast array of alternative treatment providers rather than steering people away from them? What if vets did the same, worked with the vast array of alternative treatment providers rather than persuade pet owners that their way is the only way? We could build a world where wellness is the norm, not the exception. “We celebrate survivors, and rightly so, but let us also celebrate those who never needed saving.” Prevention starts with you Whether you are facing your own health journey, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about living better, start today. Visit my website  to explore natural remedies for you and your pets. Follow my journey on YouTube , where I share honest updates, botanical insights, and real conversations about cancer, healing, and hope. And do not miss my upcoming podcast, Blether with Barberra, where we will chat about all things health, humour, and holistic living. Let us make prevention not just an idea, but a movement. Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Brian Stewart Caldwell-White Brian Stewart Caldwell-White, Health and Wellbeing Advocate Brian is a health and wellbeing advocate whose own experiences with mental health, neurodivergency, and prostate cancer inform his writings. Brian covers human and pet health, as the health of the dog he adopted is paramount to his own mental health. Brian is also highly informed about physical and cognitive disabilities and LGBTQIA+ health issues, due in part to his being a disabled gay man. As founder of Barberras Botanicals, where the motto is "If it's good enough for the dog, it's good enough for me", he inspires readers to embrace wellness, inclusive living, and health autonomy for humans and their pets.

Written by Alan Melton, Business Coach Alan Melton, founder of Small Business Coach Associates in 2002, is a seasoned entrepreneur and advisor to over 1,000 business owners. His expertise earned his business an Inc 500 ranking and him the U.S. SBA's Small Business Person of the Year. In today’s rapidly changing world, leadership demands more than traditional management. Emerging generations crave purpose, empathy, growth, and ethical action. This article explores how a sustainable, human-focused leadership blueprint can nourish both business performance and personal fulfilment for leaders and teams alike. What is a growth mindset in your opinion? A growth mindset is something that resonates with me a lot. For me, it means believing that all people and all talents can be developed. It is about seeing opportunities rather than difficulties, whatever the circumstances. This is what I call an open mind to possibilities, ready to answer why not instead of the fatal yes, but. Small Business Coach Associates empowers entrepreneurs to achieve sustainable growth with a business coach who focuses on strategic planning, accountability, and long-term success. This is the essence of my profession as a coach, which leads me to dedicate time to helping each person develop, to find their own riches within themselves, to nourish them, and make them shine without false modesty. It is simple to state, but sometimes it is a long road to accepting one's own light and reconciling with oneself and one's uniqueness. What does meaningful and responsible leadership mean in today’s post-COVID world? My deep conviction is this. In an environment as uncertain and changing as ours, following a global pandemic and facing new political, energy, and economic crises looming, leaders must demonstrate resolute responsibility and meaningfulness, and develop their authenticity and their capacity for empathy and compassion. They have no choice if they want to attract and retain young talent. Some figures from recent studies on sustainable leadership carried out by us prove it. Seventy-five percent of Millennials and nearly eighty percent of Generation Z expect to be coached. They want managers who: Help to grow Promote collaborative work Really care about people Show consistency in their actions and words daily All these young people who have recently entered the job market or are about to do so are primarily looking for an inspiring and useful career that offers real self-fulfillment. Nearly two-thirds believe that coaching is twice as much of a career booster as training. The number one reason for leaving a job among this young generation is the manager, and behavior that is unethical and unrelated to social and societal responsibility. The most important factor in a company's attractiveness is the work environment and quality of life it offers its employees. The two pillars that underpin the choice of a new job are: The nature of the work, which must be motivating in itself Flexible and collaborative working methods and a rigorously ethical professional environment Psychological safety within teams is finally recognized as a key factor in the effectiveness and acceptance of change, while also helping to foster innovation and improve the acceptance of diversity. What is at stake here is how companies can attract talent, especially Generation Z, and keep them engaged and motivated. This is not a new question for most leaders and managers who must constantly navigate contradictory injunctions between an inspiring medium-term vision and a short-term performance requirement. But it has become an absolute must and an increasingly critical question if companies want to attract and retain top talent in a world that values authenticity and purpose. How can this type of sustainable leadership generate sustainable performance? This positive impact on performance comes from several factors. But the main one is that this type of sustainable leadership generates higher commitment from employees. Likewise, it leads to a tangible increase in productivity and work efficiency. Current research suggests that this increase is based on two linked mechanisms. First, a boost in trust and increased loyalty that induce greater mobilization and increased autonomy in the service of a project that everyone has understood and finds motivating. How can leaders embody such a sustainable leadership style that is responsible, compassionate, and meaningful? What advice do you have? Genuinely care about others. Listen to them without preconceived judgment and without being anxious about having to respond to their requests. Listening and understanding are the first steps to developing empathy. Continue to develop yourself. Adopt a why not mindset. See the opportunity to learn in every circumstance. Allow yourself to be challenged to constantly push your own limits. Cultivate your own passions and seek opportunities at every opportunity. You will see how astonishing this abundance of possible paths to explore is. These tips seem very simple, but I am aware that putting them into practice requires motivation and patience. Choose one and start with a small, realistic step. Through holistic leadership , Small Business Coach Associates helps business owners grow not just financially, but personally, building balance, clarity, and purpose in every aspect of leadership. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Alan Melton Alan Melton, Business Coach Alan Melton is an accomplished entrepreneur and seasoned business coach with a track record of profound impact. In 2002, he established Small Business Coach Associates, making use of his experience from founding and growing several businesses and consulting over a thousand business owners. With his leadership, his business was recognized as an Inc. 500 fastest-growing company and has earned him prestigious awards, such as the U.S. SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year and the Governor’s Sterling Award. His mission alongside his team is to "coach you to wealth and business freedom."

Written by Simon Lau, Master at Simon Lau Centre I am the founder of The Simon Lau Centre. I was born in China and, from a young age, educated by Buddhist monks. This instilled in me the belief that the minds that coordinate the activities of violence can coordinate the activities of cooperation. Everyone has an equal right to eliminate suffering and seek happiness. Grief is a wound that requires acknowledgement, expression, and patience. This article offers a compassionate approach to navigating loss, unpacking hidden emotions, releasing guilt and anger, and embracing practices that transform suffering into strength, wisdom, and deeper love. Grief is a wound To heal, it must be acknowledged and attended to with care. To work through and complete the grieving process is to face our feelings openly and honestly, to express, release, and accept them, no matter how long it takes. Grief unexpressed becomes grief that lingers indefinitely. In the case of sudden loss, survivors often experience a whirlwind of unfamiliar emotions, especially anger, directed at what they perceive to be the cause of death. Support them in expressing that anger. If held inside, it can fester into chronic depression. Help them release it and uncover the deeper pain that lies beneath. It’s not uncommon for someone to feel intense guilt after the death of a loved one. They may replay moments from the relationship obsessively or torment themselves with thoughts of what could have been done differently. Let them speak, even if what they say feels irrational or tangled in shame. With time, these emotions soften. Slowly, they will forgive themselves and begin to move forward. Ending grief When you’re overwhelmed by suffering, inspire yourself. Begin with “bringing the mind home.” One powerful method is to go into nature, let your tears pour freely, and let your grief flow downward like water. Allow nature’s wisdom to soothe and purify you. Visualize buddhas and enlightened beings above and around you, radiating compassionate light and offering their presence and blessing. In their embrace, speak your truth. Say what’s in your heart to the one you’ve lost. Let your heart open. Express any anger or hurt you’ve held. Offer your forgiveness freely. Tell them of your regrets and all the pain you may have caused. Say everything that needs to be said, then ask yourself gently, "Can I now truly say farewell? Can I let go?" Imagine the person turning away, leaving in peace. This practice allows you to express your love one more time, to help the one who has passed, and to complete and heal the relationship within your heart. Learning from bereavement Grief can be a fierce teacher. If you allow it, it will force you to look directly at life and ask difficult questions. After loss, you may find yourself alone, facing a new beginning, and ask, “What will you do with this life? Why do you wish to continue living?” Bereavement reminds us of love unspoken, of forgiveness withheld. It invites us to be vulnerable and receptive, courageous and patient. Above all, it asks us to share our love more deeply, with urgency, with presence. Helping through suffering In time, you may feel mysteriously grateful for your pain. It offers you the chance to work through and transform it. Hidden within suffering, within the rawness of despair, is the seed of bliss. When you are most vulnerable, you may also be closest to your strength. Suffering teaches us compassion. It attunes us to the pain of others. If you suffer, you know suffering, and you carry the capacity to help with authenticity and depth. So, do not shut out your pain. Accept it. Stay open. Even in desperation, allow the pain to be. It may be offering you something profound, the discovery, through spiritual practice, of what lies beneath sorrow. Rumi reminds us “Grief can be the garden of compassion.” If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain may become your most powerful ally in the search for love and wisdom. Final reflections We know, too well, that protecting ourselves from pain doesn’t work. When we defend against suffering, we suffer more and miss the lessons it contains. As Rainer Maria Rilke wrote: “A heart that has never been exposed to loss, innocent and secure, cannot know tenderness, only the won-back heart can ever be satisfied.” Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Simon Lau Simon Lau, Master at Simon Lau Centre I trained in martial arts and qigong. The discipline training became an invaluable tool to teach me how I could overcome my fear of violence and allow myself to perform in everyday life in a more spontaneous and constructive way. In keeping with the Warrior tradition, I have focused my life as much on being a healer as being a martial artist. I am a sincere practitioner of qigong, Chinese herbal medicine, and Chinese astrology, believing that physical, emotional, and spiritual health are essential for self-development and inner awareness. Everyone has the potential to improve and change because each new day represents a new life. Every hour of our time is a gift.