Mindful FIRE : Life Design for Financial Independence

In this episode: Relaxation in the Present Moment Meditation

This mindfulness exercise invites you to leave everything behind for a moment and revel in the profound simplicity of the here and now.

Our daily lives are filled with tasks, plans, concerns, obligations to family and work, and so much more. The list goes on.

Nonetheless, we have the option to let go of all that has transpired and all that is yet to happen, and merely immerse ourselves in the infinite moment of now, even if it's just for one breath.

That's the essence of this meditation practice. It's an opportunity to relax in the uncomplicated act of being conscious of nothing more than this incoming breath and this exiting breath, just as they are, instant by instant, breath by breath.

I hope you enjoy this meditation.

In this episode: Habits, Personal Development, and Building a Successful Business with Cathryn Lavery

Episode Summary

In this episode, Adam Coelho interviews Cathryn Lavery, entrepreneur and founder of Best Self Co. They discuss the power of habits, personal development, and the journey of building a successful business. Cathryn shares her story of transitioning from architecture to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind the Self Journal, and the importance of self-awareness and self-improvement.

Guest Bio
Cathryn Lavery is an entrepreneur and the founder of Best Self Co., a company dedicated to helping individuals achieve their goals and live a fulfilling life. She is known for creating the Self Journal, a structured journal designed to help people set and achieve their goals in a 13-week timeframe. Cathryn's passion for personal development and her commitment to helping others have made her an influential figure in the industry.

Resources & Books Mentioned
• Atomic Habits by James Clear

Guest Contact Information
• Website: bestself.co
• Instagram: @cathrynlavery
• Twitter: @cathrynlavery

Key Takeaways

• Shifting your identity and envisioning the person you want to become can help change your behavior and habits.
• Pay attention to what is and isn't working in your life, and try different approaches to find what works best for you.
• Small tweaks and habits over time can lead to significant personal growth and transformation.
• Focus on being a good example for others, especially for children, as they mirror your actions.
• Habits are investments in your future self, so choose them wisely and align them with your desired identity.
• Self-awareness and self-improvement are essential for personal and professional success.

In this episode: Starting a Business, Self-Awareness, Overcoming Perfectionism, Finding Purpose, Creativity and Personal Development

Episode Summary: Haley shares her personal journey of starting her own business and the challenges she faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of purpose and self-belief in pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors.

Guest Bio: Haley Hoover is the owner of the Sparkling Hippie, LLC, where she specializes in business coaching for wellness-based businesses. With a background in marketing and PR, Haley combines her passion for creativity and personal development to help her clients achieve their goals.

Guest Contact Information:
• Website: sparklinghippie.com

Key Takeaways:
• Starting a business is a journey that requires commitment and belief in oneself.
• Purpose is crucial in sustaining motivation and overcoming challenges.
• Embracing creativity and intuition can lead to personal and professional growth.
• Perfectionism can hinder progress, and it's important to trust the process and be adaptable.
• Self-awareness and emotional resilience are essential for navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Guest Name - Key Topics: 

In This Episode:  mindfulness, achieving work-life balance, overcoming perfectionism, prioritizing family, ideal day design, presence, self-awareness, personal growth with Matt Drinkhahn

Episode Summary
In this episode, host Adam Coelho interviews Matt Drinkhahn, an executive coach and host of the Eternal Optimist Podcast. Matt shares his personal journey of overcoming perfectionism and workaholism, and how it affected his relationships and overall well-being. He emphasizes the importance of asking empowering questions to shift mindset and achieve work-life balance. Matt also discusses the concept of designing an ideal day and the benefits of practicing mindfulness in daily routines.

Guest Bio
Matt Drinkhahn is a father, executive coach, and host of the Eternal Optimist Podcast. With a background in entrepreneurship, Matt has experienced the challenges of perfectionism and workaholism firsthand. He now helps others overcome these obstacles and achieve success while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Resources & Books Mentioned
• Front Row Dads (frontrowdads.com)
• "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle
• "Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Guest Contact Information
• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast: The Eternal Optimist Podcast

Key Takeaways
1. Perfectionism and workaholism can lead to burnout and strained relationships.
2. Asking questions can shift mindset and lead to more empowering actions.
3. Designing an ideal day helps prioritize what is most important.
4. Mindfulness in daily routines can increase presence and inner peace.
5. Achieving work-life balance requires setting boundaries and making intentional choices.

In this episode: Financial Independence, Living Intentionally and the FI Freedom Retreat in Bali with Amy Minkley

Episode Summary:
On today's episode, Adam Coelho is joined by Amy Minkley, a passionate advocate of financial independence and the host of the Five Freedom Retreat in Bali. They discuss Amy's journey to Asia, her experience with the FIRE movement, and how financial independence opens up a world of possibilities. They also delve into the importance of designing a life with intention and choosing what truly matters.

🔥 Download my One-Page Envisioning Exercise to think BIGGER about your life and what's possible for you 🔥 

Guest Bio:
Amy Minkley is an experienced international school teacher and a firm believer in financial independence. She has been living in Asia since 2001, where she fell in love with the region and its vibrant culture. Amy recently quit her job to live a more intentional and designed life in Bali, where she is also hosting the FI Freedom Retreat.

Books & Resources Mentioned:
- ChooseFI Podcast
- CampFI
- Econome Conference
- The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins

Guest Contact Information:
-Website: FIFreedomRetreats.com


Key Takeaways:

• Financial independence opens up possibilities and choices at every stage of the journey.
• Building financial literacy empowers individuals to make smart financial choices.
• FIRE is not just about early retirement; it's about designing a life based on personal values and priorities.
• Even small steps towards financial independence, such as eliminating debt and saving an emergency fund, can create more options in life.
• Prioritizing what truly matters and living intentionally are key aspects of the FIRE movement.

In this episode: Money as a Tool, Retirement and Autonomy, Awareness and Choice, Community and Belonging, Coast FI and Slow FI with Diania Merriam

Note from Adam
I hope you are well.  I know I've been MIA for the last few weeks, without any new episodes.

I've had some incredible things happening in my life, all thanks to envisioning. I can't wait to share them with you and share a resource I'm creating for you to think BIG about your own life and vision, so you can create similar amazing results for yourself. If you'd like to get early access to that, click here and sign up.

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Diania Merriam discusses her journey to financial independence and early retirement. She shares how she discovered the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and how it transformed her relationship with money.

Diania explains the concept of "Coast FI" and "Slow FI" and how she retired from her corporate career at the age of 33.

She also talks about the importance of clarity and comfort in managing finances and how financial independence allows for greater creativity and time abundance.

Connect with Diania Merriam

• 10% off her FIRE conference, Econome with code “mindful”
• Website: EconomeConference.com

About our guest, Diania:
Diania Merriam is a retired corporate professional and the host of a daily podcast about money. She is passionate about helping others achieve financial independence and creating a life they never want to retire from. Diania is also the founder of The Econome Conference, a gathering for like-minded individuals in the FIRE community.

Key Takeaways:

• Money is a tool, not a goal. It should be used to create time and space in your life.
• Retirement is not about not working, but about separating your finances from your work and having full autonomy over how, when, and where you work.
• Awareness and choice are essential in achieving financial independence. Understand your income, expenses, and the gap between them.
• Community and a sense of belonging are important for overall well-being, especially in the FIRE movement.
• "Coast FI" involves front-loading retirement savings and allowing compound interest to grow your investments over time.
• "Slow FI" is about reimagining your financial journey and being open to different paths and approaches to financial independence.

Resources & Books Mentioned:

• Mr. Money Mustache blog
• "The 4-Hour Workweek" by Tim Ferriss

In this episode, we will explore a 12-minute guided meditation to find peace, ease, and a sense of refuge in the present moment.

Today's meditation focuses on creating space in our lives. Amidst the challenges and difficulties happening in the world, such as war, layoffs, and economic instability, we will cultivate a space of refuge. This space allows us to leave everything behind and simply be with ourselves.

To begin, we intentionally let go of our worries and concerns, and we tune into our body, mind, and heart to understand how we are feeling in this moment.

After spending some time in this space of refuge, we will transition into a practice of loving-kindness and compassion. We will first direct these qualities towards ourselves and then extend them to all beings in the world.

I hope you find joy in this meditation practice.

In this episode: Engineering Serendipity with Tony Wilkins

Get my Free Envisioning Guide Here

Episode Summary: In this episode, Tony Wilkins joins the Mindful Fire Podcast to discuss the concept of engineering serendipity. They explore the idea of how seemingly chance encounters and events can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities in life. Tony shares his personal journey and experiences with serendipity, highlighting the importance of setting goals while remaining open to unexpected possibilities. They also discuss the concept of "enoughness" and how it relates to financial independence and finding fulfillment in life.

Guest Bio: Tony Wilkins is a self-described neighborhood kid who has achieved escape velocity. Growing up on the south side of Chicago, Tony always had goals in mind and pursued them with determination. Throughout his life, he has experienced numerous instances of serendipity, where failed plans led to even greater opportunities. Tony is now focused on being sustainably impactful, helping others while maintaining his own personal sustainability.

Connect with Tony Wilkins:

• LinkedIn: Tony Wilkins
• Tony Wilkins' TEDx Talk: "Engineering Serendipity”

Resources & Books Mentioned:

• Tony Wilkins' TEDx Talk: "Engineering Serendipity”

Key Takeaways:

• Engineering serendipity involves actively creating opportunities for chance encounters and unexpected connections.
• "Enoughness" is the concept of recognizing when one has reached a point of contentment and sufficiency in various aspects of life.
• Financial independence allows individuals to pursue their passions and make an impact in a sustainable way.
• Aligning personal values, goals, and financial resources is crucial in determining what is enough and finding fulfillment.
• Balancing personal sustainability and helping others is key to leading a fulfilling and impactful life.
• Reflecting on what truly brings joy and engagement can guide individuals towards their highest and best use of time.

With so much suffering happening all around us it's easy to get overwhelmed by difficult thoughts and emotions.

Unfortunately, mindfulness isn't a magic solution to remove the suffering in the world. But it does offer a different way of relating to the suffering and difficult emotions we are experiencing within ourselves.

​Today's guided meditation offers a chance to create some space within ourselves to allow whatever we're feeling to be there and to keep coming back to the simplicity of the breath.

Then we shift to practicing some compassion for ourselves and the millions of people suffering around the world.

On today's episode. I'm joined by my friend, Kerri Jacobs. Who's actually a former manager of mine. I'm really excited to have her on the podcast.

Kerri Jacobs has been leading high performing teams at Google in London, New York city, and now the Bay area for over 12 years. Her obsession with empathy and leadership and inclusion in every aspect of life led her to create the program, leading with empathy and to roll it out to leaders at Google.

Kerri is also a member of the 2021 class of Stanford University's CCARE in collaboration with ACA's applied compassion training for architects and ambassadors of applied compassion. A Scot from penny cook. She used to read books, watch films, and see a lot of Broadway shows. But these days, mainly anxiously scrolls, Twitter, and comfort eats. 

In her life before business, she taught dance sang in piano bars and wrote a dance and education syllabus for Scottish education curriculum. For primary school teachers. Kerri's facilitation style is not to lecture. She shares horror stories and LOL worthy moments from her own life as a manager, parent, and partner, and keeps it as real as one can, when video conferencing from a garage.

In this episode, Kerri and I explore what empathy is and why it's more important than ever to bring empathy into our interactions with the people we work with.   And how really small changes, really just being more thoughtful about how we're interacting with those we work with and those that work for us can make a huge difference and making people feel seen, heard, and cared for. Kerri also shares a number of practices that we can use to create greater empathy and connection with those that we work with.

And she shares how leading with empathy in this way can really not only impact your relationship with that one person, but can also transform your business and the success you're having as a business.

Kerri and I explore how she used to be super skeptical about all of this mindfulness stuff and how she actually came to understand the value of it in her own life when she found herself physically and mentally burnt out from work.  How mindfulness really helped her in her recovery and led her to explore and create more meaning in her life and her work through this leading with empathy program.

 Now more than ever before the demand is so great for this, she's finding herself being reached out to by people outside of Google, and it started leading trainings outside for other companies and organizations as well.

I really enjoyed this conversation with my friend, Kerri Jacobs. It was such a treat to be able to have a conversation with a leader that I've actually worked for.  I hope that you enjoy it as well.

Kerri’s Website  - LeadingWithEmpathy.com