Empress of Empowerment

Do you struggle with trying to be a perfect mom in a world where perfection is just an illusion? How about you work to become a good mom from now on instead of striving for unachievable perfection?

On the show today, we have Gladys Simon, a life coach, and an advocate for working moms who are trying to master their work and family. Becoming a mom transformed how Gladys viewed the world from a quite introverted bubble to living an authentic life where she uses her voice.  Gladys believes that you can be an imperfect mom and a fantastic mom at the same time.

Listen in to learn the importance of listening to your mom guilt on what you’re neglecting and fixing it rather than trying to fight it. You will also learn how to discover your superpowers and practice them daily after becoming a mom.

What You Will Learn:

· [2:13] How to be the good mom that your children need over trying to be a perfect mom.

· [5:04] How to fix mom guilt by checking on what you might be neglecting rather than fighting it.

· [8:47] The work-life blend – creating harmony with your activities as a working mom.

· [12:29] The power of being self-aware and saying yes to yourself to recharge, and be the person you need to be for yourself and others.

· [17:45] How to unlock your superpower/what you bring to the table after becoming a mom.

· [23:01] Why Gladys would tell her younger self

to trust her instincts more.

· [24:17] How she’s empowered by seeing people thriving and is inspired by her children.

· [26:00] How to connect with Gladys and what to expect from her.

Quotes:

·   “Life and work blend into each other because they revolve around one person, which is YOU.”- Gladys [9:34]

·   “Saying yes to yourself is realizing that you’re running on low power and taking the time to gladly charge the battery.”-Gladys [15:08]

Relevant Links:

·        Website: https://www.mylifecouch.com/

·        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gladys-simen/

Are you willing to let your past completely die so you can be rebirthed into your life’s purpose?

For you to step beyond your life today and live your purpose, you have to let go of the things that got you here. As a woman, you have to step into your power and stop sacrificing your dreams for others.

On the show today, we have Leticia Francis, a certified mindset coach, business foundations specialist, and the owner of Blaque Rose Coaching. She supports women who are ready to leave their soul-sucking careers by helping them find the clarity and confidence needed to build their dream business.

Listen in to learn the importance of being open to having hard conversations about race and racial inequality. You will also learn the value of letting go of what you knew and embrace new knowledge to make an impact.

What You Will Learn:

·        [2:01] Leticia on why she named her business Blaque Rose, which is about death and rebirth.

·        [4:12] How she helps her clients swim against the tide and do the things they want to do.

·        [6:50] How to shift your mindset and let go of your past so you can step into your life’s purpose.

·        [8:18] Why women should stop sacrificing and show up authentically for their dreams.

·        [15:06] How we can all understand our privilege and have hard conversations about racial inequality.

·        [20:32] How Leticia by being unapologetically and authentically herself navigated her corporate career.

·        [27:50] How to be courageous enough to speak your truth and get uncomfortable in growth.

·        [30:30] The created systemic cycle of keeping black people in financial illiteracy.

·        [36:15] The importance of embracing new knowledge to make an impact in the world around you.

·        [38:31] How to start taking action to develop the confidence that will allow you to grow.

·        [40:01] Why Leticia would tell her younger self to believe more in herself.

·        [41:23] How she’s inspired by her children to keep going.

Quotes:

·        “It’s our responsibility to use our privilege to stand up and be the voice for those that currently are being muzzled.”- Lauren [26:36]

·        “Knowledge is power and once you have it, no one can take it from you.”- Leticia [36:16]

·        “In order to build your confidence, you have to have tangible evidence that you have the ability to achieve a certain goal.”- Lauren [38:37]

Relevant Links:

·        Website: https://blaquerosecoaching.com/

·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaquerosecoaching/

Have you experienced mental health issues before and the struggles that come with them? 

Even though mental health can lead to a loss of identity and confidence and requires a long process to overcome the struggle, you can overcome it. Through the right medication, support, and willingness, people can manage mental health and advocate for it. 

On the show today, we have Courtney Jordan, a mental health advocate who’s created a mental wellness community and resources for individuals to make healthy habits and a consistent routine. She encountered a mental health crisis at the age of 23, which she eventually overcame with the right medication, faith, and support.  

Listen in to learn the importance of being brave to ask for help when going through mental health issues. You will also learn why you shouldn’t allow your diagnosis to define you or limit you from living your best life. 

“Don’t let the shame of what you’ve gone through keep you from all the great things you’re going to do.”- Courtney [29:30]

“It’s okay to not go at the speed of life, give yourself time and grace.”- Courtney [30:28]

What You Will Learn:

• [2:04] Courtney’s mental health crisis experience at 23 and how it influenced her work today. 

• [5:43] How her religion affected how she handled her mental health issues.

• [9:20] How mental health is affecting women’s confidence and deterring their dreams. 

• [13:15] How mental health affected her confidence as a young woman and how she overcame it. 

• [15:44] The stigma surrounding mental health, plus how things are quickly changing. 

• [18:50] Courtney on how she overcame the loss of identity and gained her life back. 

• [23:47] The importance of reaching out for help when going through mental health issues.

• [25:11] She explains why she came up with her Bright Mentality Journal.  

• [29:23] Don’t allow the shame of your mental issues to stop you from achieving your dreams.

• [30:20] Learn to stay true to who you are and give yourself time and grace to get better. 

• [30:58] How Courtney is inspired by come-back stories from mental health issues. 

Relevant Links:

• Website: https://thebrightmentality.com/ 

• Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/thebrightmentality 

• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/thebrightmentality/

Do you have what it takes to become a caregiver? To dedicate your time and energy to taking care of a loved one who needs it?

Being a caregiver can be an overwhelming task, especially when doing it for the first time without experience. To make your caregiving journey easier, you must be willing to ask for help and to prioritize your wellbeing, so you can better show up for the other person.

On the show today, we have Ashley Jackson and Meriam Boldewijn. They’re both caregivers, caregiver advocates, wives, business owners, and authors. They have combined experience of over 24 years in caregiving. Ashley is the author of the book Last Travel Found while Meriam is the author of Caregiver 2.0.

Listen in to learn how to advocate for your wellbeing as a caregiver without feeling guilty. You will also learn how to love yourself and be patient with the caregiving journey so you don’t get burned out.

“You do lose yourself as a caregiver if you don’t take care of yourself.”- Ashley [15:48]

“You can do it all at once, but baby steps are also steps.”- Meriam [26:45]

What You Will Learn:

• [1:46] How Ashley and Meriam became caregivers to their loved ones battling terminal illnesses.
• [4:43] How Meriam became her ailing husband’s caregiver without any prior experience.
• [6:44] Ashley shares her experience caregiving for the first time to her then-fiancé.
• [8:50] The challenges of asking for help and information overload that they experienced as first-time caregivers.
• [13:08] The difficulty of finding the right information to help you balance caregiving and other aspects of your life. 
• [14:40] How to take care of yourself in small ways as a caregiver so as not to lose yourself in the process.
• [16:38] The horrible experience that is caregiving on the caregiver’s psychological and emotional health.
• [20:04] Learn how to trust your instincts and advocate for your wellbeing as a caregiver. 
• [25:08] Leverage the available opportunities to ask for help and regain your power.
• [27:52] Ashley's book Last Travel Found, a love story for her and her loved ones.
• [29:00] Meriam on her book Caregiver 2.0, which is about her story and techniques for caregivers to get out of burnout.
• [31:45] Know your worth and be patient where you’re without striving for perfection.
• [32:52] How love and support can help you be patient in your caregiving journey.  

Relevant Links:

• Meriam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meriamboldewijn/
• Meriam’s Website: https://www.meriamboldewijn.com/
• Ashley’s website: https://timelessdreamevents.com/
• Ashley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timelessdreamevents/

Have you developed a body awareness to where you feel empowered? Do you want to take control of your body and develop a physical and emotional resiliency?

Physical movement and posture can really change the game for you by strengthening your body and releasing pain and tensions. You will be surprised by how much improving your overall body health through movements will positively impact both your mental and emotional health.

On the show today, we have Jessie Lucas, a movement educator and founder of the Embodied Movement Method. She helps women navigate their energetic and emotional habits that shape their physical wellbeing to reduce stress and strain in their systems, uplift their posture and energy, and create empowered health through embodied movement.

Listen in to learn about the Embodied Movement Method and how it can help reduce stiffness in your body, refine your movements, and create resiliency. You will also learn the importance of developing a sense of community where you learn to help others.

“The more self-aware you are, the more you know how your body systems work.”- Jessie [24:31]

What You Will Learn:

[2:09] Jessie on how her life evolved in many different ways before she became a movement educator.

[7:33] She explains the events that changed the trajectory of her career to body movement.

[18:56] Biohacking- how to take control of your body, be aware of it, and become empowered.

[25:43] How the Embodied Movement Method methodology addresses body safety first and develops a nervous system level of resiliency.

[33:27] Jessie on why her younger self would have benefitted from setting boundaries.

[34:02] How Jessie in the future would advise the now Jessie.

[35:16] How she’s empowered by other women in their empowerment journey.

Relevant Links:

Website: http://embodiedmovementtraining.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieblucas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/embodiedmovementtraining

Are you a stay-at-home mom or a working mom who feels the need to change and empower herself? Do you want to enhance some of your passions or maybe share some of your skills with other moms?

As women, we were created versatile and we honestly don’t have to do the same thing like being a stay-at-home mom without trying out some other exciting things. It is important that you give yourself permission to be who you are by empowering yourself as both a woman and a mom.

On the show today, we have Kerry Glanz and Lee Genung, the co-founders of the Modern-Day Village. This is an online marketplace for women to create meaningful and flexible work and to find and hire the help they need. Kerry was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years, and it was then that she recognized the value of the skills and interests and founded Modern-Day Village. Lee pivoted in her career to be more flexible after having kids, and she’s now thrilled to provide a service and create a community she wishes she had her whole career.

Listen in to learn the importance of letting go of what you can’t do as a mom to take care of your mental wellbeing. You will also learn how the Modern-Day Village platform works and how you can become part of the community.

“Surround and encourage yourself to do things that you love and that you’re good at and understand that you’re not going to be good at everything.”- Lee [18:28]

What You Will Learn:

[2:06] Kerry on how she discovered the professional need for moms to help other moms.

[4:14] Why Modern-Day Village is unique in the services they provide and has a community feel.

[7:08] The importance of having many options to help stay-at-home moms empower themselves.

[10:03] Why being a mom shouldn’t be considered a liability.

[15:24] Why learning and delegating is necessary and beneficial for your mental health as a mom.

[19:50] How to sign up, create a profile, and start working at Modern-Day Village.

[21:40] Lee and Kerry share some of the exciting things they’ve witnessed on the platform.

[24:41] Lee on how she has learned to have faith in her choices and trust herself as a mom.

[25:29] Kerry on how she learned not to control everything as a mom.

[27:00] How Kerry has learned to evolve and to experience as much as she can.

[28:02] How Lee has learned to enjoy the journey without focusing too much on other things.

[28:27] Both women on whatever inspires them and their journey.

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.moderndayvillage.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernday.village/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernDayVillage

Do you want to live a life of abundance? A life where you’re prioritizing, respecting, and loving yourself?

Even though we were never taught about self-love and self-care, it does mean we can’t get curious at any moment of our lives and make that change. To finally love yourself and get comfortable in your vulnerabilities, you have to first let go of the self-limiting stories you tell yourself.

On the show today, we have Meghan, a professional educator, long-time yoga, meditation teacher, and the founder of the Lovely Human School. She helps people learn how to reconnect to themselves and rewire the unhealthy habits and patterns blocking them from living an abundant and revolutionary life.

Listen in to learn how to get comfortable with your vulnerabilities so you can sit with others. You will also learn the importance of establishing boundaries with your loved ones so you can prioritize yourself and your needs.

“When we take care of ourselves, we get to see lovely in the world, and then we get to go do lovely.”- Meghan [34:30]

What You Will Learn:

[2:13] Meghan explains where the name Lovely Human School originated from.

[4:33] The lack of self-love education and how we can teach ourselves the idea.

[7:44] How to be curious about loving and respecting yourself today when you were never taught how.

[10:20] How to logically love yourself even through mistakes by taking care of yourself.

[12:38] Why Lovely Human School is inclusive to both men and women.

[15:31] How to be comfortable in your vulnerability so you can sit with others.

[17:17] Stop being the fixer and the people pleaser so you can support those in your life.

[18:41] The three-step process to the Lovely Human School methodology.

[20:50] Meghan on some of the biggest and transformation stories she’s experienced with her clients.

[24:43] How to make time to prioritize and take care of yourself.

[28:36] Why Meghan would tell her younger self that she’s enough and to speak up.

[30:50] What Meghan’s future self would tell her today.

[32:07] How she’s empowered by helping and supporting other people.

Relevant Links:

Program: https://www.lovelyhumanschool.com/8weeks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.selfcarequeen/

Have you been experiencing chronic pain and pain medication doesn’t seem to work anymore? Are you ready to make changes in your life and reclaim it? Did you know that there are different natural options available for chronic pain other than medication?

When it comes to chronic pain management, you have to find whatever works for you. This is because symptoms differ from one patient to the next. You have to learn to listen to your body and understand where the chronic pain is stemming from.

On the show today, we have Serita Valmond, a certified chronic pain coach. She empowers people battling with chronic pain get back control of their bodies naturally. Serita’s passion for helping chronic pain patients developed after her own experiences with the same pain after a bad car accident.

Listen in to learn how to get in tune with your body and pay attention to any pain and what’s causing it.

“People with chronic conditions are four times likely to have depression and anxiety.”- Serita [24:52]

What You Will Learn:

[1:50] Serita on how a car accident injury led her to chronic pain and some events that impacted her life afterward.

[14:03] The mental turmoil that physical pain and multiple challenges caused Serita.

[18:02] The physical and mindset changes she made in her life to get rid of the pain medicine.

[21:58] Why she’s committed to helping people find naturally available options for pain.

[28:14] Advocating for the minority in healthcare and teaching them to advocate for themselves.

[35:44] The different pieces Serita teaches you about chronic pain management.

[42:51] Serita on the advice she’d give her younger and future self, plus how her kids empower her.

Relevant Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamchronicallyresilient/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serita-valmond-1a75641a8/

Do you have your finances and wishes in place to lessen the stress of your loved ones in case of death? If your answer is no, then you need to start thinking of doing so for both their sake and your peace of mind.

The conversation of having a will and legally managing your finances seems boring and not the one any of us like to have, but it is necessary. You have let go of your fears and think of your wishes and how much of a smooth sailing your loved ones will have regarding your finances when you’re no longer here.

On the show today, we have Allison Pilling, a mindset coach, wellness advocate, and former environmental engineer. Allison experienced the loss of her husband, which led to disorientation in her life before she rediscovered herself. She now helps people who’ve experienced loss release fears and build confidence to embrace an empowered life.

Listen in to learn the importance of giving yourself permission to move forward and be happy in life after losing a loved one.

“There’s a lot more inner peace when you trust what you’re doing and you just feel good.”- Allison [49:02]

What You Will Learn:

[2:32] Allison describes her experience with the loss and grief of her husband.

[8:27] The importance of having a will to make it easy for your loved ones in case of death.

[12:40] The simple things she changed in her work and life to nurture herself and show up.

[20:57] How to set healthy boundaries and let go of the fears to set your finances in place.

[29:12] How she transitioned from an environmental engineer to a life coach.

[34:37] Stop focusing on what others can or can’t do, and focus on what you can do.

[40:29] How Allison coaches people, how to find her services, plus her current challenge.

[43:20] Allison’s book RIP (restoring inner peace), which is about permitting yourself to move forward after the loss of a loved one.

[46:34] She advises her future and younger self to live her life without a formula.

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.allisoncoaches.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllisonCoaches/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisoncoaches/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-pilling-aab74834/

Are you aware of the issues surrounding pregnancy, prematurity, childbirth, miscarriage, or even child mortality? These issues and experiences are often overlooked even though they most likely impact parents for the rest of their lives.

Parents who experience miscarriage or the death of their child(ren) undergo a grieving process and pain of child loss, which is often not spoken about in society. Both antenatal and prenatal mothers need healthcare and socio-economic support to have a solid foundation.

On the show today, we have Michelle Valiukenas, a mom, advocate, survivor, and founder of Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation, where they help families in crisis. After the death of her 9-day old daughter Colette, she was inspired to take action and improve outcomes of pregnancy, childbirth, prematurity, and infancy, as well as aid in the grieving process after child loss. Michelle shares her story of pregnancy difficulties, miscarriage, and the painful loss of a child and how it all impacted her.

Listen in to learn how socio-economic and racism issues are impacting mother’s healthcare and child mortality rates in this country.

“The obstacles, barriers, and difficulties don’t equate to it being all on you or all on how you would be as a parent.” [58:45]

What You Will Learn:

[2:06] Michelle shares her miscarriage story and child loss experience and how it impacted her.

[16:12] Understanding the incredibly beautiful yet difficult process pregnancy and childbirth is.

[27:11] The importance of sharing and dealing with the issues of miscarriage and child loss.

[39:35] The power of creating a ‘village’ of support to get pregnant, give birth, and raise a child.

[42:42] The socio-economic and racism issues in healthcare that need to be addressed to prevent child mortality rate and protect mothers’ health.

[52:40] The necessary support system that pregnant mothers need to give them a foundation.

[57:37] Michelle on why obstacles barriers and difficulties don’t define the parent you become.

[59:41] Why she would remind her future self to step back and appreciate the impact of her progress.

Relevant Links:

Website: https://colettelouise.com/

Email: [email protected]