Amina Change Your Life

Leigh Burgess, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, joins me today as a thought leader, game changer, and powerhouse connector. At the helm of Bold Industries Group, Leigh is dedicated to empowering women through a global network, encompassing Bold events, the Bold Leaders Collective Membership, and the Bold Lounge Podcast. Her extensive expertise in speaking, coaching, and consulting is complemented by her forthcoming book, "Be Bold Today: Unleash Your Potential, Master Your Mindset, and Achieve Success," scheduled for distribution by Simon and Schuster in November 2024. With a laser focus on the intersection of mindset, strategy, and wellness, Leigh brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion on embracing boldness in personal growth. Welcome, Leigh!

The key moments in this episode are: 

00:02:12 - The Inspiration Behind Leigh’s book

00:06:01 - The BOLD Framework 

00:09:26 - The Pragmatism of Bold Moves 

00:12:05 - Reframing Boldness as a Spectrum 

00:19:29 - Embracing Small Steps as Bold Choices 

00:23:21 - Midlife Awakening 

Connect with Leigh Burgess

Website: leighburgess.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leighburgess23

Instagram: @theleighaburgess

Youtube: @boldindustriesgroup

Book: simonandschuster.com

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Our guest today is Daniela Pierre-Bravo, a New York City-based journalist, bestselling author, and speaker known for her impactful work in amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities, immigration, and women's rights. With a strong background in journalism, Daniela has contributed to notable platforms such as NBC, MSNBC, Forbes, and New York Magazine. As a former DACA recipient, her personal journey from being undocumented to achieving professional success provides her with a unique and insightful perspective on overcoming adversity in the workplace. Through her advocacy and storytelling, Daniela offers a compelling narrative that resonates with individuals navigating similar challenges. Her extensive experience and commitment to empowering marginalized communities make her a valuable addition to the podcast, providing practical wisdom and inspiration for those facing career obstacles. The key moments in this episode are: 

00:02:25 - Overcoming Obstacles as an Immigrant 

00:02:13 - Building a Community of Professional Women 

00:10:36 - Navigating Other’s Privilege in Building Your Career

00:14:12 - Reporting on Immigration as a Daca Recipient Journalist

00:16:31 - Regulating the Nervous System 

00:19:09 - Creating Community and Coaching 

00:22:41 - Bravery and Vulnerability 

00:26:21 - Importance of Subscribing and Leaving Reviews 

Connect with Daniela Pierre-Bravo

Website danielapierrebravo.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ddaniela-pierre-bravo

Instagram: @dpierrebravo

X: @dpierrebravo

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Brea Baker, a dedicated freedom fighter and writer, brings nearly a decade of frontline activism to our conversation. From contributing to advocacy campaigns, such as the 2017 Women's March, to addressing racial injustice, Brea has made a significant impact with her work. Her expertise extends to advising public figures on social justice and writing for major publications like Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Refinery 29. As a recipient of the 2023 Creative Capital award and a Yale alum, Brea's book, Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership, offers a deep dive into the need for reparations as an economic, racial, and environmental justice policy. 

The key moments in this episode are: 

00:02:24 - Brea's Journey To Writing 

00:10:35 - Writing A Book On Land Theft 

00:12:04 - Dealing With Grief And Taking Action 

00:12:47 - Oral History And Ancestral Knowledge 

00:14:27 - The Importance Of Black And Indigenous Land Ownership 

00:16:41 - Systemic Overwork And Land Theft 

00:24:17 - Preserving Family History 

00:25:22 - Writing Family Stories 

00:28:03 - Personal Connection To Land 

00:30:46 - Reparations And Environmental Justice

Connect with Brea Baker

Website: breabaker.com

Book: breabaker.com/rooted

Instagram: @FreckledWhileBlack

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Lewis Weil is a former scientist turned entrepreneur and financial planner. With a background in molecular biology and a knack for running diverse business projects, Lewis decided to use his privilege of growing up around financial planners to support marginalized people plan their futures. As the founder of Lewis Weil Co., he brings a fresh and compassionate approach to financial planning. His philosophy centers around empowering people to align their finances with their values and life goals and understands the complex interplay between personal finance and individual well-being. Lewis's commitment to long-term thinking and understanding the societal impacts of financial decisions adds a unique dimension to his expertise, making him a trusted guide for historically excluded groups seeking inclusive and compassionate financial planning strategies. Through his holistic and shame-free approach, Lewis aims to support individuals in navigating the complexities of the financial system and finding financial security while honoring their motivations and purpose.

The key moments in this episode are: 

00:04:57 - Compassionate and Shame-Free Financial Planning 

00:10:18 - Holistic Approach to Financial Planning 

00:14:48 - Building a Financial Legacy 

00:15:35 - Identifying Personal Values 

00:16:49 - Managing Debt and Saving 

00:19:21 - Budgeting for Variable Income 

00:28:27 - The Changing Financial Landscape 

00:30:00 - Connecting with Lewis

Connect with Lewis Weil

Website: lewisweil.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lewisweil

Instagram: @lewisweil

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai 

Darlene Cordero founded Wellness Culture, an organization dedicated to supporting wellness practitioners, teachers, and healers. Focused on nurturing and advocating for the success and well-being of this industry, she is guided by a passion for driving culture and collective consciousness. As a strategic advisor for leaders, founders, and startups, Darlene facilitates crucial strategic decisions and connections. Her creative vision has led to impactful collaborations with luminaries such as Deepak Chopra and multi-Grammy award-winning Latin recording artist J Balvin.

Darlene is also the author of The Healer's Playbook: Empowering Wellness Entrepreneurs, a guide designed to help wellness practitioners build purpose-driven, thriving businesses. The book offers practical strategies, authentic storytelling, and meaningful connections to align goals and elevate their impact.

The key moments in this episode are: 

00:02:33 - Non-Linear Career Paths 

00:05:32 - Embracing Life Amidst Health Challenges 

00:12:52 - The Healer's Playbook 

00:14:02 - Finding Purpose While Writing a Book 

00:15:33 - Everyone is a Healer 

00:19:06 - Diversity and Inclusion in the Wellness Space 

00:22:59 - Impact Within Organizations 

Connect with Darlene Cordero

Website: wellnessculture.co

Instagrams: @meetdarlene

Instagram: @wellnessculture.co

Book: Amazon

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Monica Le Baron, an MBA, best-selling author, and sleep expert, specializes in helping ambitious women with sleep disorders achieve a good night's rest in 30 days or less through her program, Sleep Simplified. Her expertise has been recognized by the International Association of Yoga Therapists, Healthy Women, Telemundo 48, and the Insight Timer app. With her proven approach, clients have successfully attained 8 hours of restful sleep, reduced nighttime awakenings, and accelerated sleep initiation. Leveraging her own experience in overcoming insomnia, chronic pain, stress, and anxiety, Monica's commitment to improving sleep quality positions her as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to optimize their well-being.

The key moments in this episode are:

  00:02:05 - Monica's Journey to Becoming a Sleep Coach 

00:08:09 - The Four-Step Framework for Better Sleep 

00:11:06 - Finding Your Optimal Sleep Time 

00:14:45 - Structural Abnormalities and Sleep Support 

00:17:24 - Cognitive Impairment from Lack of Sleep 

00:20:34 - Importance of Quality Sleep 

00:21:53 - Addressing Sleep Gap and Shift Work

Connect with Monica Le Baron

Website: monicalebaron.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/monicalebaron

Facebook: facebook.com/sleepsimplified

Instagram: @monica.le.baron

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Lia Avellino, LCSW, serves as the CEO of Spoke Circles and is a relational and somatic psychotherapist specializing in anti-oppressive interventions. With a focus on modern love, women's wellness, and individual empowerment, Lia's expertise extends to her role as an advisor at the Well Relationship Columns for Well+Good, where she contributes valuable insights and serves as a media commentator. Her commitment to utilizing experiential learning frameworks and bringing the science and ethos of therapy into community settings has established her as a prominent figure in the field. Lia's extensive experience and dedication to empowering individuals make her a trusted resource for navigating and managing spiraling thoughts, providing practical strategies and guidance for those seeking to overcome these challenges.

The key moments in this episode are:

  00:00:05 - The Illusion of Internal Solutions 

00:02:20 - Depathologizing the Human Experience 

00:05:24 - The Function of Behavior 

00:09:26 - Embracing Uncertainty and Discomfort 

00:13:36 - Connecting with Leah 

Connect with Lia Avelino

Website: spokecircles.com

Instagram: @lialoveavellino

Instagram: @spokecircles

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Today’s expert is Amy Bonaduce-Gardner.

Amy is a nervous system coach and the owner of prism movement studio. She has been a teacher for 25 years and has taught everyone from preschoolers to olympic athletes. With a degree in psychology and training in movement and dance, Amy has taught in both the public school system and in private practice. Her work focuses on the relationship between the nervous system and physical and emotional well-being, providing relief for clients with unresolved physical and emotional challenges. 

The key moments in this episode are: 

00:01:57 - A Nervous System Perspective 

00:06:57 - Tools for Getting Unstuck 

00:13:18 - Acknowledging Our Thoughts 

00:13:47 - Embracing Stuckness 

00:14:03 - Normalizing Human Experience 

Connect with Amy Bonaduce-Gardner

Website: prismmovement.com

Instagram: @prismmovementstudio

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Megan Hellerer the founder and CEO of Coaching for Underfulfilled Overachievers, and the author of the new book, Directional Living: The Underfulfilled Overachiever’s Guide to Fulfillment in Work and Life, which outlines a framework for a brand new paradigm for career fulfillment in the 21st century. After checking all of the traditional boxes of success—graduating at the top of her class from Stanford and spending 8 years as a Google executive—and still finding herself deeply unhappy, she quit her “great-on-paper” job with no plan. Megan has led hundreds of Underfulfilled Overachievers, including representative AOC, to transform their lives by transforming their careers. Now, her mission is to provide others with the support and guidance that she needed and couldn't find when she herself was struggling.

The key moments in this episode are: 

00:04:57 - Universal Experience of the “Bathroom Floor Moment” 

00:11:29 - Introducing Directional Living

00:18:06 - The “Not That” Experiment 

00:21:57 - The Myth of Certainty 

00:29:16 - The Illusion of Fixed Passion and Purpose 

00:30:45 - The Power of Curiosity in Decision-making 

Connect with Megan Hellerer

Website: meganhellerer.com

Instagram: @meganhellerer

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Anu Gupta (he/el) is a lawyer, educator, scientist, and the Founder of BE MORE with Anu. He founded BE MORE in 2014 after witnessing the social and financial harms of bias to individuals, organizations, and communities firsthand. He foresaw the numerous possibilities available when people have access to mindfulness practices and scientific wisdom. He synthesized his skills as an attorney, research scientist, and a meditation teacher to build programs centered on advancing equity and belonging unlike any that existed before. Anu has logged over 10,000 hours of meditation and developed BE MORE’s approach after 15 years of research that was funded by the National Science Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, the American Heart Association, among others.

The key moments in this episode are: 

00:02:08 - Anu's Journey

00:10:10 - Ancient Wisdom and Social Connectivity 

00:15:47 - Writing as a Process of Self-discovery 

00:20:02 - Primary and Secondary Identities 

00:26:38 - Moving Beyond Dualities 

00:29:00 - Navigating Bias in the Workplace 

00:31:27 - Hope in Challenging Times 

Connect with Anu Gupta

Website: anuguptany.com

Instagram: @anuguptany

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai