MOJO MODE with Annie O

In this episode, I share one of my personal stories of adversity, mindset, and triumph. At the Division 1 women’s college basketball level, the three-point shot is one of the most important of the game. In high school, I had practiced for years and years as a jump-shooter and then during my freshman season at Illinois, a mental block took over and I couldn’t hit the rim from behind the three point line!  

I knew I had to fix my shot to become a top player - but how? A couple years later, the moment came where it was time to fix my shot once and for all - and I went back to the basics. I repeated the mantra form that I learned when I was six-years-old: toe, knee, elbow, ball. Slowly but surely, I retrained my entire body to shoot with a cohesive, aligned flow. 

Listen to today’s episode to hear the backstory of one of my favorite and frequent mindset practices of going back to the basics.   

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:

• What I do when I'm up against something that feels insurmountable or too complicated
• Simple ways to take the pressure off and get out of your head 
• The incredible outcomes of going back to basics during my basketball career 
• Learning to pivot when your ideal plan gets set off course 

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter

I’m joined by Dr. Margaret Rutherford, a psychologist with over 25 years of experience, author of Perfectly Hidden Depression, and host of The SelfWork Podcast. Her research is mainly centered around the mental health effects of perfectionism. She’s passionate about helping people get out of that thought pattern and live authentic, balanced, and healthy lives. 

Perfectly Hidden Depression is a compassionate guide that walks readers through the process of understanding their perfectionism, identifying destructive beliefs, and uncovering repressed emotions. Dr. Margaret details tangible tips for quieting that critical inner voice, and powerful strategies for coping with difficult feelings, including her ‘5 C’s’ method. She created The SelfWork Podcast, which has over 300 episodes and 3.5 million downloads, to broaden the conversation around mental health. 

Dr. Margaret  also works closely with This Is My Brave, a non-profit organization that believes in the power of storytelling to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness. This Is My Brave has produced over 75 unique shows in cities across the world and featured nearly 875 storytellers sharing true, personal stories on overcoming depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more. 

Listen to today’s episode to hear how Dr. Margaret  is breaking down barriers and normalizing conversations about mental health. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:

• How Dr. Margaret made the bold decision to pivot her career from singer to therapist 
• Recognizing when your actions are driven by the past, and how to shift that narrative 
• Leaning and growing into your curiosities and passions - even in your 60’s
• How to identify signs and symptoms of perfectly hidden depression in your loved ones 
• The importance of keeping your energy focused on what you have control over 

About our guest: 

• Dr. Margaret's Website
• Dr. Margaret's Instagram
• The SelfWork Podcast
• Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism That Masks Your Depression
• This Is My Brave

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter

I’m joined by Steven Benedict, a professional track and field athlete and Olympic Trials Qualifier, to discuss his unique and inspiring story. There are over 400,000 children in the foster care system, and at just a few months old, Steven became part of that statistic. At eight years old, he and his younger brother were adopted by a supportive and loving family who encouraged him to try out every sport that sparked his interest. 

Though he was involved in all different after-school activities growing up, Steven felt naturally inclined and interested in track and field. Since then, he’s done consistent work to build internal confidence and become a world-class athlete. In addition to competing in the Adidas Classic Diamond League and US Nationals, he ran for Nike for 2 years and was a Penn Relays Champion.

Off the track, Steven is the founder of Empowering Movement, a coaching business that offers tailored programs to elite and up-and-coming athletes that utilizes his signature Performance Coaching Method. He’s also the founder of a non-profit organization called Fostering Success, which pairs professional athletes with foster kids to create awareness, offer mentorship, and support ongoing opportunities for fostered and adopted children nationwide.

Listen to today’s episode to learn more about Steven’s incredible story and how he’s working to create sustainable change in the foster care system. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:

• How being exposed to different activities and communities as a child added up and expanded Steven’s track and field skill set 
• What Steven means when he calls running a ’soul sport’ 
• How Steven has worked to develop his mental, physical, spiritual, and situational awareness 
• The reality of what it takes to be a professional athlete 
• Steven’s vision for Fostering Success and how he plans to move the needle in the foster care system 

About our guest: 

• Steven's Website
• Fostering Success Website

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter

I’m joined by chef, food blogger, photographer, recipe developer, and creator of Ask Chef Dennis®, Dennis Littley. He’s an online cooking sensation known for sharing his recipes and techniques that result in restaurant-quality meals in under 30 minutes. After transitioning from chef to food services management, Dennis landed in the cafeteria of an all-girls Catholic high school. He was tired of the same old pizza and chicken nuggets, and decided to use his fine dining experience to revamp the menu. He eventually created a culinary program that brought acclaim to the school and was used as a model for other schools around the country.

It was around that time that he started his food blog to provide a space for his trainees to learn more and connect, but he also gained a global following. Dennis and I discuss what inspired him to get out of his comfort zone, start recording cooking videos, and develop new social media skills. He shares the stories behind some of his most popular recipes, including the fan-favorite tiramisu, and what his vision is for his culinary travel series. 

Throughout his career, Dennis has always been dedicated to paying it forward and opening people’s minds to the world of possibility that exists within the home kitchen. Even in a prosperous and privileged country like the US, ​there are millions of children and adults who don’t get the daily meals they need in order to thrive. Dennis is passionate about the work that the folks over at Feeding America do to ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all Americans. 

Listen to today’s episode to hear Chef Dennis’ story and find joy in the one thing that brings us together: delicious food! 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:

• The importance of surrounding yourself with a with a team that lifts you up and delegating tasks
• Reigniting the spark for something that you love after experiencing burnout 
• Tips for becoming more present in the cooking and eating process 
• Being open to learning new skills and reinventing yourself in retirement
• How Dennis is upgrading his website and staying on top of food trends 
• Dennis’ philosophy of giving everything in life three chances

About our guest: 

• Dennis' Blog
• Dennis' Instagram
• Dennis' Facebook
• Dennis' TikTok
• Feeding America Website

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter

Dr. Mandeep Rai is an international best-selling author, speaker, and broadcast journalist. She is the author of The Values Compass: What 101 Countries Teach Us About Purpose, Life and Leadership, which details how to incorporate values from other nations into your own life. She began her career working for JPMorgan, the United Nations, the European Commission, and grassroots NGOs before setting up the UAE’s first media venture capital fund. Dr. Rai studied philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) at the University of Melbourne, has an MSc in development from the London School of Economics, an MBA at London Business School, with a year at Harvard Business School and MIT, and she holds a PhD in global values.

Through her extensive travels (185 countries, and counting!), Dr. Rai came to the conclusion that each country has a core value. For example, the United States is characterized by entrepreneurship, Canada by openness, South Africa by forgiveness, and Mexico by celebration. The book is equal parts travel guide, foreign language class, and history lesson all told through the lens of vivid, vibrant stories. In our conversation, Dr. Rai explains how she came up with the five primary values and shares a preview of a tool she’s developing to help readers narrow down their own values. 

We also touch on daily practices for heart-centering and tapping into your own energy. Dr. Rai is a deeply spiritual person and connected with her community, and she shares a charity that is near and dear to her. The Jaskomal Foundation is about bringing awareness and education in regards to stem cell transplants and increasing the donor registration list. Listen to today’s episode to hear our conversation about The Values Compass and more.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:

• Notable leaders who have endorsed Dr. Rai’s work, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama
• How Dr. Rai makes every morning a ‘miracle morning’ 
• Looking at countries through their relationship to change, continuity, connection, community, and core values 
• Dr. Rai’s go-to practices for finding and discovering values so that you’re always operating as your authentic self 
• How Dr. Rai is working to build more awareness about the importance of understanding national values

About our guest: 

• Dr. Rai's Website
• Dr. Rai's LinkedIn
• Dr. Rai's Instagram
• The Values Compass: What 101 Countries Teach Us About Purpose, Life and Leadership
• The Jaskomal Foundation

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter

I’m joined by Michael O’Brian, an executive coach, speaker, author, and the Chief Calm Officer of the Pause Breathe Reflect™ movement. In 2001, Michael was the marketing lead for a $700M brand and, as he describes it, he was checking everything off the list. He had a college degree, successful career, wife, kids, and a house. But on July 11, 2001, an SUV traveling 40 mph hit him head-on when he was out for a morning bike ride. After being discharged from the ICU, his doctors warned him that he would have a lifetime of limitations, walk with difficulty, and probably never cycle again. 

Michael’s mental health took a major hit after receiving that news. He eventually connected with a mentor who emphasized that everything in life is neutral until you label it. He challenged Michael to start a mindfulness practice, which eventually turned into his signature Pause Breathe Reflect™ session that he shares with leaders today. He came up with the acronym G.R.A.C.E., which stands for Gratitude, Reframing, Awareness, Community, and Energy, as a way to become more resilient and achieve success starting from the inside out.  

As a way to commemorate t​​he 21st anniversary of his accident and Last Bad Day, he’s embarking on a challenge he’s calling the Rise2Ripple. He’ll be cycling The TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, which is a whopping 4,300 miles and covers 43 states. It’s a celebration of life, generosity, mindfulness, and the beauty of the United States. In our conversation, we also highlight the World Bicycle Relief, a non-profit organization that specializes in large-scale, comprehensive bicycle distribution programs to aid poverty relief in developing countries around the world.

Listen to today’s episode to hear Michael’s inspiring story and learn more about the power of mindful, intentional living. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:

• Embracing the mindset that things happen for you, not to you 
• Challenging today’s hustle and grind culture 
• Michael’s transformative perspective and approach to achievement and external validation 
• How five mindful minutes using Pause, Breathe, Reflect™ can transform your day
• The origin of the word ‘peloton’ and how Michael relied on his community through his recovery
• Showing people what's possible when you slow down and live life mindfully

About our guest: 

• Michael’s Instagram 
• Michael's Website
• Michael’s YouTube
• Michael’s LinkedIn
• Pause Breathe Reflect Instagram 
• Pause Breathe Reflect Website
• Rise 2 Ripple Challenge 
• World Bicycle Relief 

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter

Scott MacGregor is the founder & CEO of SomethingNew LLC, one of the fastest-growing talent strategy companies in the country. SomethingNew is a record seven-time recipient of the American Business Award for Innovation and winner of Best of Staffing. Growing up, he had dreams of becoming a professional athlete, but a career-ending injury in college forced him to pivot and refocus his energy into business. He was the youngest National Account Manager in the history of Pitney Bowes, a Fortune 500 Company, and at the age of 29, he took a bold leap into the startup world. After 10 years of putting the plan together for SomethingNew, Scott launched the company that redefines talent acquisition and recruiting. 
 

In 2020, he asked himself, “How can I give back more? How can I help more people?” The answer to that came in the form of a private membership community called Talent Champions Council. The idea behind the community was to teach leadership principles, spread his ‘People Over Everything’ mantra, and help industry leaders uplevel their businesses. In just two short years, the platform has amounted to over 500 members in 29 countries, and hosted 140 live,  interactive events. 
 

When Scott came up with the idea for SomethingNew, he was dedicated to building a company that gave back. He was able to combine his passion for learning about people’s unique stories and philanthropy by publishing the Standing O! books. Each book features prominent CEOs, professional athletes, bestselling authors, Olympians, military leaders, and more who share chapters of gratitude for life lessons learned, and 100% of the proceeds go to charity. The books have supported amazing organizations such as, Elevate New York, Look for the Good Project, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Blankets of Hope, and Warrior Rising.
 

Listen to today’s episode to learn more about Scott’s entrepreneurial journey, the charities that he’s passionate about, and his interpretation of what it means to be bigger than yourself. 
 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 
 

Topics Covered:

• Why philanthropy is the cornerstone of all his business ventures
• Scott’s passion for bringing together international leaders to share their knowledge and skills around building talent
• The work ethic, discipline, and resiliency required to succeed in both athletics and business 
• Epic Standing O! stories, from Olympians, CEOs, Navy Seals, and professional athletes
• How Scott evaluates communication skills, empathy, and resourcefulness during the hiring process
• Transformative conversations that have taken place at Talent Champions Council events 
• How Scott grows by constantly staying curious and building genuine relationships 
   

About our guest: 

• SomethingNew Website
• Talent Champions Council Website
• Standing O! Books
• Scott MacGregor's LinkedIn
• Scott MacGregor's Instagram
   

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod
   

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter

Christine Handy is a mother of two, a breast cancer survivor, international speaker, accomplished model, best-selling author, and a nationally-recognized humanitarian. Starting at age 11, Christine had a talent for modeling and was featured on campaigns for brands such as JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, Guess, and more. However, her lifestyle came to a halt at 35 when health issues and complications with surgery affected her career. Less than 10 years later, Christine was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer and struggled with her will to live. 

Through her 15 months of chemotherapy, she decided that if she was going to get a second chance at life, she was going to do it differently. She started a positive affirmation practice, built her self-esteem on her faith, and discovered who she was outside of the external validation of modeling. She started identifying as a “cancer disrupter” and made it her mission to uplift other people battling life-threatening illnesses. 

Part of that mission is her volunteer and board work with EBeauty, a wig exchange program that supports people diagnosed with breast cancer and raises awareness about the disease. In addition, she wrote and published a book based on a fictional depiction of her life and is currently working on her second book through her master’s program at Harvard. Christine also still rocks the catwalk and recently walked in New York Fashion Week. Listen to today’s episode to hear more of Christine’s inspiring story and learn how she’s transformed her life after major adversity. 
 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 
 

Topics Covered:

• How Christine re-routed her life after her cancer diagnosis
• The power of positive self-talk
• Nurturing your self-esteem by living a life of serving
• Walking away from transactional relationships
• Consuming content that’s in alignment with your values and personal growth
• Rooting your life in things that can’t be stripped away 
   

About our guest: 

• Website
• Instagram
• Walk Beside Me Book
• EBeauty Website
   

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod
   

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter

I’ve shared a bit about my high school and college basketball career in previous episodes, and in today’s episode, I want to highlight one of the most pivotal games of my career. Flashback to a snowy game night on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa一just a typical Tuesday in the middle of winter for my Kennedy High School team. Two of our biggest fans, Ryan and Greg, were in the crowd. They had differing mental capabilities and were known throughout the town for going to all of the city’s sporting events. The warmups and 20minute countdown to tip-off were going as planned, when all of the sudden, the legendary University of Tennessee Head Coach Pat Summitt, and her assistant coach Mickie DeMoss, walked in. Summit accrued 1,098 career wins, the most in college basketball history at the time of her retirement, and took home eight NCAA Division I basketball championship titles, so you can imagine what an honor it was to have her recruiting and watching my game. 

You would think that’s what made the game so special, but it was actually the car ride home that sticks in my memory. My parents and I gave Ryan and Greg a ride home, and they shared passionately about their upcoming Special Olympics game. This conversation sparked a shift in my relationship with them, and I started to view them as true friends and fellow athletes instead of superfans. Listen to today’s episode to hear more about how I first learned about the Special Olympics and discovered what it meant to be a part of something bigger than myself. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. 

Topics Covered:

• A peek into my junior year basketball season 
• The larger role that Ryan and Greg played in my life outside of basketball 
• The inclusive team spirit of the Special Olympics 
• Why I love connecting with other people and hearing what lights them up 

Special Offers: 

• If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod

Follow Us:

• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram 
• Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter
• Anne’s Website 
• Anne’s LinkedIn
• Anne’s Instagram
• Anne’s Twitter