Reclaiming Bossy

What if manifesting the life you want is actually easier than you think? In this episode, I’m joined by Spanish manifestation expert and creator Gara Real to talk about the methods, mindset shifts and beliefs that can help you create a life you love.

We talk about why what you focus on grows, how your reality can act as a mirror, letting go of resistance, becoming magnetic in love and relationships, and why the energy behind your actions matters. Gara also shares practical examples of how manifestation has shown up in her own life and how changing the way you think, feel and speak to yourself can change what you experience.

If you’re ready to stop putting conditions on your happiness and start becoming the version of you who already feels worthy of what you want, this episode is for you.

CONNECT WITH GARA

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@garareal

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realgara

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Intro

0:40 - Introduction & Reintroducing Gara

3:17 - Manifesting: What You Focus on Grows

6:06 - Why Reality Is a Perfect Mirror

7:05 - Finding Happiness Beyond Your Circumstances

9:32 - What You Resist, Persists

12:25 - The Secret to Genuine Self-Love

14:42 - Pick a Feeling to Carry for the Rest of Your Life

19:15 - The True Value of the Things We Desire

20:36 - Be Your Own Number One Cheerleader

21:21 - How to Stop Disrespecting Yourself

22:56 - True Authenticity Is Accepting Everything

24:03 - Going Against Your Negative Thoughts

26:29 - Becoming Magnetic by Letting Go

29:16 - Why the Energy Behind Your Actions Matters

30:22 - Stop Putting Conditions on Your Success

31:29 - Identifying the Voices in Your Head

32:08 - Better Thoughts Create a Better Life

40:23 - Becoming Magnetic in Relationships & Love

44:50 - You Are Bigger Than Anything You Want

45:04 - Give Yourself What You Are Seeking

45:42 - What It Means to Be “Bossy” & Final Thoughts

BOSSY BEHIND THE SCENES ON SUBSTACK

Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life:

https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes…

BINGO GRID TEMPLATE

https://trusted-note-ecc.notion.site/Vision-Board-Bingo-Template-2c7b7f85b0028084952dd4e2d2ff4325?pvs=74

FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE

Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives:

https://www.bossyandbrown.com

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together:

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

If you found this episode interesting, send it to a friend  and comment below what you are manifesting for the next season of your life:))

This episode is for anyone having a bad day, feeling stuck, in a funk or struggling as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter.

I’ve gone through periods in my life where I really struggled with my mental health, and one of the biggest gifts I’ve given myself is learning the art of the upward spiral: how to feel what I’m feeling without letting a bad day become a bad week.

In this episode, I’m sharing the simple things that help me shift my energy, from getting out of my head and into my body to leaning on community and finding your own “happy triggers”. 

TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro: Navigating seasonal blues & finding positivity

01:27 Happiness is a skill (and why it's hard right now)

02:53 Step 1: Feel the feeling & release internal garbage

05:28 Step 2: Stop intellectualizing your feelings

08:02 Step 3: Get in your body & reclaim your agency

11:12 Step 4: Lean on community (Stop isolating)

16:16 Step 5: Discover & deploy your "happy triggers"

21:10 Authentic positivity vs. false positivity

22:07 Outro, community updates, & final words

FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE

Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives:

https://www.bossyandbrown.com

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

If you liked this episode, send it to someone who you love to give them extra positive energy :)

This episode is for my Type B girls with big dreams, 200 tabs open in their brains and absolutely no desire to become a 5am, colour-coded-calendar productivity robot. I’m ambitious, but I’m naturally chaotic. Over the years, I’ve had to build systems that help me run a business, release a podcast every week, pursue approximately 100 side quests at once and still actually have a life.

In this episode, I’m breaking down my Life Operating System: how I organise my life around health, wealth, relationships, growth and happiness, plan in 12-week seasons, structure flexible weeks, schedule deep work and buffer time, and use tools like Notion, my calendar and To do List without letting productivity take over my life.

Because you don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Ambitious but Chaotic? Watch This

1:00 - How I Manage Chaos & My "Side Quests"

2:04 - Step 1: Finding Your Values & Priorities

4:20 - Step 2: Where Should Your System Live? (Notion, etc.)

5:08 - Setting "Bare Minimums" for Your Life Categories

6:33 - The "Menu of Options" & Lego Block Scheduling

8:22 - Why You Must Schedule Buffer Time

9:16 - The Ultimate Time Rule: Pay Yourself First

11:34 - Stop Using To-Do Lists (Use Your Calendar Instead)

14:08 - How to Actually Do Fun Things: "The 10 List"

15:37 - Why You Should Plan in 12-Week Seasons

16:44 - The 3x3 Vision Board Bingo Grid

18:26 - The Arrival Fallacy & The Meaning of "Devotion"

20:07 - Final Thoughts & Community

Bossy Behind the Scenes on Substack: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bingo Grid template: https://trusted-note-ecc.notion.site/Vision-Board-Bingo-Template-2c7b7f85b0028084952dd4e2d2ff4325?pvs=74

FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE

Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives:

https://www.bossyandbrown.com

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

If you found this episode interesting, send it to a friend :))

This week, I’m joined by Sharika Chauhan, who went from a 17-year career in finance to becoming a founder and children’s author, building Maya’s Worldly Wonders, a children’s brand centred around a bold British Indian girl exploring the world.

We talk about what it really takes to reinvent your career without feeling like you’re starting again, how to know when to follow your gut, and why the skills you build in one chapter of your life can become the foundation for something completely different.

Sharika also takes us behind the scenes of building Maya’s Worldly Wonders from an idea into books, education, merchandise and animation in development. We get into self-publishing, building creative IP, marketing something from zero, fundraising, representation and the tension between building something purpose-led and wanting it to become a seriously big business.

Plus, we talk solo travel, visiting more than 40 countries, doing things outside the blueprint and what an all-female sailing expedition from Reykjavík towards the Faroe Islands taught her about courage, resilience and doing things before you feel ready.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to change direction, or worried that choosing one path means being stuck with it forever, this conversation is for you.

TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Introduction & Meet Srika Chauhan

0:45 - From 17 Years in Finance to Building a Universe

1:53 - Backpacking in 2005 & Catching the Travel Bug

4:44 - The Borneo Jungle Epiphany (Birth of Maya's Worldly Wonders)

7:25 - Breaking Cultural Stigmas & Empowering Young Girls

8:48 - How Travel Crisis Skills Translate to Business & Startups

12:43 - The Reality of Self-Publishing (Marketing, Tech & Hurdles)

18:01 - Expanding the Vision: Books, Merchandise, & Animation

22:22 - Sailing the Atlantic: Reykjavik to the Faroe Islands

25:56 - Surviving 8-Meter Waves & Sea Sickness

28:12 - Creating an Authentic, Relatable Character

30:17 - Designing Maya: Fighting Stereotypes & "Princess Jasmine" Clichés

33:27 - Taking Maya to the Screen (Animation & World Discovery Centers)

35:45 - Advice for Creatives: Balancing Art with a Business Plan

38:35 - Why You Need an Exit Strategy, Structuring & IP

41:59 - Reclaiming the Word "Bossy" & Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

44:50 - Where to Find Maya's Worldly Wonders & What’s Next for 2027

Connect With Sharika 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharika-chauhan-3a9017b/

Instagram: sharika_chauhan

Maya’s Worldly Wonders: https://www.instagram.com/mayas.worldly.wonders/

https://www.mayasworldlywonders.com

Bossy Behind the Scenes on Substack: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE

Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives:

https://www.bossyandbrown.com

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

If you found this episode interesting, send it to a friend :))

Today’s episode is your reminder that it is possible to get good grades and have fun at university. I  graduated from UCL not only with a First but also top of my class, made the Dean’s List and had my dissertation nominated for a national prize. But I also had the best time at university. I met some of my best friends, learned to salsa dance, did a fashion show, volunteered, interned for a DJ, started a podcast, built a business and spent a year living abroad.

I’m sharing the simple systems that helped me balance everything, from understanding exactly what you’re being marked on and knowing which readings you can skip, to making your essays stand out, building a feedback loop and using time constraints to get more done in less time.

Because getting a First doesn’t have to mean spending your entire university experience in the library. Your degree can be important without becoming your entire identity.

If you’re at university and want to get good grades, have fun, try new things and make the most of these years, this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Balancing sleep, social life, and getting good grades at university

02:34 The marking criteria: Why you need to understand exactly what you’re being graded on

05:31 Adding personality: How to make your essays stand out to professors

07:26 Skip the readings: Prioritising your coursework and saving time

10:39 Building systems: Using Notion to document your research and streamline writing

13:00 The feedback loop: Why you should ask for professor and peer reviews

15:12 Time management: Using Parkinson’s law and scheduling your social life first

17:51 Protecting your yes: Experimenting with hobbies and cutting out rehearsed obligations

21:10 Redefining success: Detaching your self-worth from academic achievements and grades

BOSSY AND BROWN MAGAZINE

Stories from South Asian female founders, builders and creatives:

https://www.bossyandbrown.com

FOLLOW THE PODCAST / CONNECT WITH ME

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes on Substack: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

If this episode gave you helpful tips on how to balance everything at university, send it a friend too :)

What does it actually take to make it as an artist?

This week, I’m joined by South London R&B and soul artist Lottie Jade to talk about what it really takes to build a career in music, from developing your skills and finding your sound to having the confidence to actually put your work out into the world.

Lottie began attracting industry attention as a teenager, and at 18 was highlighted by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Ace as an R&B artist to watch after “Oh Well” gained close to half a million listens on SoundCloud. She has since worked with artists including S1, IQ, Zion Foster and Donae’O and says her music has generated more than four million streams across platforms.

Lottie started building her music career as a teenager and has now generated more than four million streams across platforms. We talk about her journey from BRIT School to becoming an independent artist, getting over the “cringe” of promoting yourself, dealing with negative comments, finding your identity as an artist and staying consistent with your craft.

We also get practical about how to actually become a better singer: training your voice like a muscle, taking care of it properly, understanding your natural range and why being a great artist isn’t necessarily about having the “best” voice. If you’re a musician, singer or creative trying to turn your talent into a career, this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Meet Lottie Jade and her musical roots in South London

01:30 The origin story: Growing up around music, attending BRIT School and building an audience online

04:42 Music industry myths: Why you don’t need to start young or have expensive equipment to start creating

09:03 Getting over the cringe: How to build the confidence to share your work and create your own opportunities

10:43 Dealing with hate: Why you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and how to stop fearing negative comments

12:54 Training your voice: Vocal health, avoiding strain and the cold water and dairy myths

17:20 Finding your sound: Working with your natural voice instead of trying to sound like someone else

22:51 Musician vs artist: Finding your identity and building an authentic creative persona

26:31 Bringing the music to life: Music videos, cutting through the noise and the power of creative community

Substack mentioned: Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW LOTTIE

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/isthatlottie/?hl=en

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@isthatlottie

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@Isthatlottiee

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/lottie-jade

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re building a career in creative industry and want mentorship, support to guidance lets work together ! Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, send it to someone who’s trying to build a career in the creative industries, develop their craft or finally find the confidence to put their work out into the world.

If you’re trying to build a career in the creative industries, this episode is  your playbook.

How do you actually find the right opportunities? How do you read a job description like a recruiter? How do you build a network when you hate networking? And how do you talk about everything you do without saying, “I’m just a…”?

This week, I’m joined by Isabel Sachs, founder of I LIKE NETWORKING, to talk about everything from building a job search matrix and knowing what NOT to apply for, to pitching yourself, networking without being transactional, navigating a multi-hyphenate career and going from expert to earner.

If you’re a creative, founder, freelancer or someone trying to work out what on earth you’re doing with your career, this one is for you.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro: Welcome to Reclaiming Bossy and introducing Isabel and her work with I Like Networking

02:17 The non-linear path: Why creative careers are hard and why you shouldn't be afraid to jump through a window

05:12 The reality of London's talent pool: Why resourcefulness and entrepreneurial hunger matter more than a standard CV

09:38 The job search matrix: How to stop applying blindly and choose opportunities aligned with your lifestyle values

16:38 Redefining networking: Moving away from corporate transactional culture to build genuine community and support

24:59 Networking red flags: Why spamming and monopolizing conversations don't work in the creative industries

30:40 The multi-hyphenate struggle: How to talk about yourself, own your achievements, and avoid the "I'm just a..." trap

35:05 From expert to earner: Monetizing your creative expertise through direct products and community leads

40:24 Promoting yourself without social media: Building a reputation and finding your audience without burning out

46:11 Key takeaways: Advocating for yourself, staying authentic, and creating your own opportunities

51:14 Reclaiming Bossy: What it means to be the boss of your own life and design a career that supports your choices

CONNECT WITH ISABEL + I LIKE NETWORKING

I LIKE NETWORKING Substack:

https://ilikenetworking.substack.com

I LIKE NETWORKING:

https://ilikenetworking.uk

Don’t Pick My Brain:

https://dontpickmybrain.substack.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ilikenetworking/?hl=en

I LIKE NETWORKING on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/i-like-networking/posts/?feedView=all

Isabel on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelsachs/

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re building a career in creative industry and want mentorship, support to guidance lets work together ! Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have a friend who is applying for 100 jobs, hates networking or is trying to work out how to build a creative career that actually fits their life, send them this episode.

And tell me in the comments: what’s one opportunity you’re going to put yourself forward for this week?

If you’re ambitious, love making plans and have a million things you want to do with your life, but you’re also not the kind of person who wants to wake up at 5am, cold plunge and follow the exact same routine every single day, this episode is for you. I’ve spent years trying to make myself more disciplined, more optimised and more consistent, and this year I realised I actually want to build my life around something else: devotion. Less forcing myself into someone else’s version of success, more creating a life I love enough that I want to keep showing up for it. 

In this solo episode, I’m talking about why I’m choosing devotion over discipline, what my grandmother taught me about building rituals around the things you care about, and how I’ve learned to be ambitious without making struggle the price of success. We talk about defining your own version of a successful life, trophies versus treasures, following your random desires, building joy into your routines and why the real secret to consistency might be learning how to fall in love with what you’re creating again and again and again.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Welcome to Reclaiming Bossy and why this is the year of devotion, not discipline

02:16 Who am I?: Mahika's background and proof that you can be ambitious without burning out

04:22 The optimization trap: Why trying to perfectly optimize your life often leads to anxiety

06:23 A lesson in devotion: What a 70-year-old grandmother teaches us about intentional living

08:29 Finding presence: Shifting focus from abundance to presence and enjoying daily rituals

10:57 Follow your desires: Why your random interests act as a North Star for authentic success

11:53 Define your own success: Stop dictating your worth with someone else's measuring stick

13:31 Treasures vs. Trophies: The difference between building a life inwards out versus outwards in

14:38 Rituals over habits: How to stay structured and consistent by bringing joy into the process

17:35 The success formula: Why planning, consistency, and fun are the real keys to achieving goals

19:59 Rethinking deadlines: Why you should extend your timelines instead of giving up on big dreams

21:54 Outro: A challenge to choose devotion over discipline and a call for community feedback

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen but are struggling with consistency, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If this episode made you rethink your relationship with discipline, send it to your ambitious but inconsistent friend who needs to hear it too. And tell me in the comments: what would change if you stopped trying to discipline yourself into your dream life and started becoming devoted to it instead?

A quick note before we start: this episode is a little different from our usual studio conversations. Frankie and I spontaneously decided to record this podcast in a pub toilet during the House of Ideas, so the production quality is a little lower than usual. You can check out our other episodes for the full Reclaiming Bossy studio experience, but I hope you enjoy this slightly more chaotic conversation just as much.

This week, I’m joined by Frankie James, founder of Ideas Fest and the Ideas Community, to talk about what it actually takes to turn an idea into something people want to be part of. We talk about building a community from scratch, networking without being transactional, landing speaking opportunities, finding aligned sponsors and creating events that people actually want to attend.

Timestamps 

00:00 Intro: Meeting Frankie and the story behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards

01:40 What makes a good entrepreneur: Why curiosity and disruption matter more than the balance sheet

02:38 Rethinking corporate events: How to make ceremonies creative and special on a budget

04:19 Ideas vs. execution: Why great ideas are worthless without passion and action

05:06 The birth of Ideas Fest: Pivoting from pandemic Zoom fatigue to an outdoor festival

06:59 Designing event magic: Fostering human connection instead of relying on expensive production

08:47 Attracting top-tier talent: How to get amazing speakers and why successful founders want to give back

11:00 Pitching yourself for the stage: The importance of community engagement before asking to speak

12:29 Building a standout community: Adopting an abundance mindset and collaborating with competitors

14:31 The death of traditional sponsorship: How to secure funding by building bespoke, value-driven partnerships

16:52 Authentic networking: Dropping the transactional mindset and learning to give before you take

19:16 The House of Ideas: Creating win-win opportunities for venues, sponsors, and attendees

22:42 Protecting your social battery: Managing founder burnout, FOMO, and the power of saying no

26:29 The reality of personal branding: Balancing authenticity with the pressure to perform on social media

28:25 Outro: The long game of business and the 14-year substance behind hosting shiny events

FRANKIE JAMES

Connect with Frankie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frangbea/

Ideas Fest: https://ideasfest.uk/whats-on

Ideas Community: https://www.ideasforums.com

Great British Entrepreneur Awards: https://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com

CREATIVE / FOUNDER OFFICE HOURS

If you’re a founder, creative or visionary with a big idea you want to actually make happen, bring me whatever you’re working on. Whether you’re building your personal brand, launching a podcast, growing a community, creating a new project or trying to work out your next move, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll turn your ideas into an actionable plan together: https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, send it to someone with a big idea they need to bring to life, and let us know in the comments: what opportunity is currently on your radar?

What does it actually take to travel the world while working, building a business, staying healthy and somehow still having a social life?

In this week’s episode of Reclaiming Bossy, I’m joined by Sofia, founding member and Head of Operations at Hardest Adventures, who has spent the last few years building businesses while travelling the world as a digital nomad.

We cover everything from budgeting across different currencies, creating sustainable routines and building a business on the road, to navigating friendships and relationships across time zones, meeting your health and fitness goals while travelling, protecting your sleep, finding community abroad and staying safe as a female solo traveller. Whether you’re dreaming about becoming a digital nomad, planning your first solo trip or simply want more freedom in the way you live and work, this episode is your starter pack.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro: Meet Sofia, adrenaline junkie and founder of Hardest Adventures

04:41 The Comfort Zone Challenge: Overcoming dark times by doing something scary every day

08:00 Dream Bigger: Breaking through your own mental ceiling and self-imposed limits

09:51 Just Go: Why you don't need years of preparation to start living as a digital nomad

11:45 Nomad Finances: Budgeting, automating savings, and making travel sustainable

18:21 Travel Logistics: Essential admin, insurance, and ditching physical SIM cards

20:46 The 3-Week Rule: A stress-free travel planning framework for Type-B personalities

22:44 Health on the Road: Maintaining fitness routines, eating well, and habit stacking

26:17 Hostel Survival Guide: Prioritizing sleep, boundaries, and dodging party hostels

28:43 Safety as a Solo Traveler: Trusting your gut and debunking media myths

32:44 Cultivating Self-Trust: How to listen to your intuition without feeling mean

35:10 Overcoming Loneliness: Nurturing connections and avoiding the lone wolf trap

37:29 The Weekly Dump: Creative ways to maintain long-distance friendships

39:53 Dream Woman Energy: Showing up as your best self and daily hype chats

41:40 Dating Yourself: Remaining single intentionally and navigating long-distance romance

44:08 Remote Team Culture: Building trust and over-communicating with your co-founders

46:05 Founder Productivity: Time-blocking, flow states, and the importance of switching off

48:44 Setting Boundaries: Why work phones are a game-changer for remote founders

50:04 Rapid Fire Travel Tips: Bucket list recommendations, essentials, and reflections

Arabic funk recommendations: https://open.spotify.com/track/1Ye2lpUppaahUYUyFiI9vW?si=BAOmKf2ST_uGU2wZpAo8IA&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1&dlsi=5639beb8c8024b70&autoplay_ok=1

Creative / Founder Office Hours

Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan. If you’re planning your own digital nomad chapter to the next season of life with more intention, you can book an Office Hours session and we’ll map it out together :⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentorin...⁠⁠⁠⁠

WORK WITH ME

Founders + brands: Work with me on personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.

Book a Strategy Session : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a discovery call : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discover...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]

Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me

Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy

Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy

My Instagram: @maahika.s

My TikTok: @maahika.s

Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthes...⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bossy and Brown magazine 

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bossyandbrown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, send it to the friend you want to travel the world with, and let us know in the comments where your dream digital nomad destination is. 🌍✈️