It's About Time

Fimo Mitchell, Founder of When The Village Meditates, Meditation guide, writer and podcast host

Pastel Remembrances is an offering of sixteen short stories that will take readers to different places from where they stand. A testimonial of travelling abroad, each story touches the pulse of what ignites societies. Captured are the dynamics of relationships in environments unlike what we think we know. These stories peel back the layers of what it means to see and to be seen in an unfamiliar place, and what transpires as a result.

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Alfonso Cuadra is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, author, success coach, and philanthropist. He has endured many hardships in his life, and like a phoenix, he always rises.  This episode of It’s About Time dive in and learn more about his story and more importantly I hope you feel his winning spirit and drive come through.  It has to be one of the most endearing and honest qualities about him.

I appreciate his ability to tell his truth, but to also give back and allow others to also flourish under his mentorship.

For the last 20 years he has been in real estate, and is instrumental using his life experiences and insights in helping people think big.

https://alfonsocuadra.ca/

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I would like to apologize for the laps in time from the last episode to this one.  Times are tough for everyone and I was honestly trying to get it together. You see during this very unprecedented time, I was also nearing the end of my pregnancy and was navigating how to have a baby, our first, during a pandemic and isolation. Without making this about me, I am happy to say little mama is thriving and at 6 weeks old we are coming into a pretty cool routine.  Therefore, I was able to get this episode together.  One lesson I have learned already about parenting is presence.  I can't do a million things at once, I need to focus and be present.  That means other things take a back seat.  It is somewhat beautiful to be present, especially nowadays with so many distractions.  This is why I would like to apologize, the delay went longer than even I anticipated and for that I am sorry.  I don't plan on making this a reoccurring theme - but, I do appreciate the love and check ins I have been getting from listeners. You are simply the best! (That means people dig what I'm doing and are listening!!!!)

This episode features fashion icon, Simon Chang. I met him at a function launching his collaboration with the Canadian discount store Giant Tiger.  It so happened I was seated as his table and we hit it off.  I noticed a few things about him immediately, his humility, simplicity, his joy de vivre. And, most importantly he loves what he does.  It shows in how he talks, how he gestures and how he respects himself and others.  He was so gracious when we met, and said yes when I asked if he would be interested in being interviewed.

I would like to point out, that he said yes without hesitation - there have been people that are still on the come up, as it were, that I have asked to interview and they have been like "let me hear a few episodes and holla back". Not Simon Chang.  Simon freaking Chang ... this was a lesson to me - real recognize real.  He was so down and open that he connected me with his people instantly and started to sync blocks of time with me instantly.  He didn't lowkey brush me off and never get back. He didn't ask a million questions about the show, he said he saw me, my intentions and was all in. He cleared his entire afternoon for me, I was touched. And, still am at how he and his team were with me and my team. Not just professional, but warm.  That's the difference between someone who does things with positive intentions and love and others who do things for ulterior motives. His sparkle, that twinkle in his eye is real .. his soul smiles.  It made me see that his success is only part of his story, his love of life, people, art and creativity are the other parts.  With an open heart he has been able to try his hand at so many creative elements and soar.

Simon's genuine curiosity keeps him young and so does his spirit.  He is a bright light and am very grateful he took the time to shine some of it on me.

I hope you enjoy this interview and as always encourage any feedback or comments my way.

I have to tell you, Mr. Chang is simply put, a gem.

www.simonchang.com

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This is a short and sweet episode with painter extraordinaire Justin Bua.  You will notice that it's a bit more tough to hear- and this is because I was granted access to chat with him at an event in a supper club downtown Montreal.  I was thrilled to meet him in person; I interviewed him almost 20 years ago when I was running and co-operating a music magazine called Vinyl.

What I find interesting - is the same genuine kindness and concern to connect with people then, shone through no as well.  It's a short interview not only because he was being pulled in a million directions, but also because a vicious thunder and lightening storm started and the make shift space we were in was in face the terrace that was closed in and we were getting drizzled on at first, and slowly but surely rained on.  I would like to note, it didn't stop Justin one bit - I was more worried.

Regardless, there are many gems that he drops in this short interview and happy to be able to share this with you.

Justin Bua's work has been synonymous with capturing our culture , Hip Hop Idols, the raw and classic cool of Jazz and modern day heroes and icons.  His work has become a baseline for all things reflective and cool pretty much like himself.  He is rooted in gratitude and I feel that propels his creativity and his career further.

I would love to chat with him in depth at a later date to see how some of the projects he talks about develop. Give thanks for giving this short capsule a listen and as always please feel free to send me your thoughts, feedback and comments.

Justin Bua

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Art Attack w/ Lizy Dastin and Justin BUA

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Daniel-Jocelyne Otou is a brand strategist, entrepreneur, and social engagement enthusiast. Originally from Cameroun, DJ moved to Canada from Senegal at age 4, where she grew up as an engaged youth, involved in many youth organizations. 5 years ago, while bed ridden from a difficult pregnancy, Daniele created and launched FemaleDepartment.com, a collective for women whose mission is to facilitate conversations and experiences -both online and IRL. She now also works at Apathy Is Boring, Canada’s official Youth Get Out The Vote Organization, where she’s merging her passion for brand strategy and community work.

Author:  Marianne Williamson A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

Jay Shetty podcast

The first time you hear Kwite Sane's style of DJing in the club, you'll immediately be transported into a world well worth experiencing. Kwite Sane, with his strong charismatic personality, creates absolute mayhem on the dance-floor with his extraordinary mixing ability and microphone skills which only a few deejays can possess. He has over 20 years of being the crowd-pleaser in the club mixing it up from Hip-Hop to Reggae to R&B to Dance music... seamlessly. He has been billed with several major hip-hop acts over the years including Diddy, Nas, Rick Ross, Mya, Bow Wow and Wacka Flocka Flame to name a few and has toured with the likes of Lloyd Banks, Sean Paul and the late Guru of Gang Starr.

Get to know Kevin Selman, in his own words.

As a brief insight into myself, Kevin Selman, owner/president of Spar Training. Coupled with my success as a personal trainer/ group fitness instructor, university athlete; my specialty is primarily focused on sport specific strength and conditioning. My goal works in tandem with that of the client; improving their performance or skill in a sport.

My strength and conditioning facility is geared towards sports performance advancements; it is designed with ample weight training and conditioning equipment seeing that strength and power are crucial to the success of most athletes.

My goal for young students/ aspiring athletes is that of; firstly, to improve one’s athletic performance, essentially working on improving the athletes speed, strength, and power.

Another focus I emphasize with my athletes is the goal to reduce athletic injury by incorporating mobility and flexibility protocols. This is designed and researched by developing regimes/programs that strengthen body parts that are prone to injury in a specific sport.

I am skilled in developing systematic training programs for both teams and individual athletes, working with close direction from their coach. I discuss and teach proper strength training techniques along with a vast plethora of various drills and highly developed circuits, all while maintaining proper supervision and motivating athletes as they train and improve themselves.

S.P.A.R. Training

845e Tecumseh St, Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9R 1A1

Phone number: (514) 318-4339

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For more than 20 years, Shirlette Wint has practiced in Montreal as a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, researcher and cultural consultant. She works with clients presenting mental health problems often related to issues of identity, self-actualization, marginalization and integration. To her work she brings her interest in art, culture and spirituality. Over the years she collaborated on multiple community / university action research projects that explored cultural capital among youths within Montreal’s Afro-Caribbean and Filipino communities.

In 2015 Shirlette contributed a chapter in the book Cultural Consultation: Encountering the Other in Mental Health Care, a Springer publication. In her chapter she discussed community consultation with racialized minorities. Earlier in her career she worked with the Black community Resource Center, the Cote des Black Community Center, Women on the Rise and Nyata Nyata dance Compagnie.  

Shirlette is also a founding member and former director of the Aspire Canadian Cultural Alliance and Foundation (ACCAF) a non-profit organization based in Montreal, Quebec, dedicated to the development and promotion of artistic and cultural productivity of individuals and groups from cultural minority communities.

The last thing you may want to know about Shirlette is that the first 11 years of her life was spent in rural Jamaica. From 11 until early 30’s she lived in NYC. And moved to semi-rural Rouyn Noranda, Quebec in early the early 90’s. She currently lives in Montreal with her husband of 27 years in the former Red Light district.

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Jessica Gohier is a resume expert, freelance writer, entrepreneur and facilitator of career objectives. She founded Profilia CV in 2008, and her organization now offers resume writing services to professionals across industries and seniority levels. In addition to her 10+ years of valuable experience interviewing job seekers to write their documents, her qualifications include an undergraduate degree in Applied Human Sciences (Concordia University) as well as Project Management certification from McGill.

Her super power is helping others see themselves through a renewed light, highlighting relevant skills & expertise in a way they may not have yet considered. Ultimately, her own career passion is marketing people based on their own aspirations and career objectives. Wordsmith with a vision, she paints accurate yet impressive pictures, which match potential employees with employers!

Through her passion for helping people and encouraging their personal development, she has established herself as a trusted reference in terms of resume development and professional advice. In addition to writing for individual clients and organizations, her work is also featured on Jobillico.com, highly reputable references in terms of online job search and career advice.

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A passionate yoga teacher, speaker and entrepreneur, Rozel has close to 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and MBA in Business Development from McGill University. Following her son's battle with cancer in 2010, Rozel left a successful corporate career in finance to follow her dream and open the Energie EnCorps Wellness Centre. The center is an expression of gratitude for her son's remission and a platform to promote pro-active, balanced and healthy living. Rozel pours her heart and soul into uplifting others, teaching others to live in the present moment and to take the philosophy of yoga off the mat and into the world.

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