For this episode of RESILIENT PEOPLE, Janet Fanaki speaks with Wellness Coach Sharon Summerfield.  She is the founder of The Nourished Executive and counsels clients on dealing with burnout, stress management and building healthy daily rituals.    

Sharon was once a busy executive assistant and project manager for various engineering firms. She made a pivot to create the Nourished Executive by identifying a need and what was working for her in her own personal wellness journey.

After suffering debilitating pain from two accidents, Sharon created ‘Project Me’ and built her own team of experts who helped her to get on the right track. She encourages others to follow the same course.

She also credits daily practices like meditation, journaling, incorporating joyful activities and micro changes as ways to build resilience.

As she said during our conversation, "We forget how far we've come" as a way to reward ourselves for our small self improvements.

Our conversation touches on: burnout, stress management, wellness practices, self-care, support from community and building resilience. 

To learn more about Sharon Summerfield visit nourishedexecutive.ca

Tara Pyfrom grew up in the beautiful Bahamas. She comes from a long line of family members who lived there for generations. Residents there are used to hurricanes.

In 2019 Tara's beloved island experienced the wrath of Hurricane Dorian, the biggest cyclone to hit the Bahamas. Tara, her wife and daughter watched as their home filled with water, making its way all the way up to the attic.

Once the storm passed and they were forced to evacuate, they needed to find a place to live and eventually found their way to Canada.  

We spoke about living through the scariest moments of the hurricane, the moments of problem-solving, the benefits of therapy and seeking all different types of it, the purpose she found from this challenge and where she draws her resilience. 

I want to thank Tara Pyfrom for speaking with me, sharing her story of surviving Hurricane Dorian and the purpose she found in writing for self care and to create a book about her experience. 

This episode covers:

• surviving Hurricane Dorian and the next steps to rebuilding
• the benefits of therapy
• the power of community
• problem solving in tough times
• building resilience
• writing for therapy and purpose

To learn more about her, visit www.tarapyfrom.com or her Instagram page. 

The RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast is hosted by Janet Fanaki. It's my conversations with regular people from around the world who are admired for their resilience. They have experienced a major life challenge, found a purpose from it and now help others to be resilient too. 

To hear more RESILIENT PEOPLE episodes, learn more about Janet Fanaki, order a RESILIENT tshirt and book her for a speaking engagement visit www.resilientpeople.ca

Find Janet Fanaki and RESILIENT PEOPLE on:

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If you or someone you know is admired for their resilience, please send an email with more information to: [email protected]

For this episode, I reflect on some of the learnings from past guests, the purpose that her guests have found from the challenges they faced and how a bigger purpose can be created through adversity.  

Janet mentions in this episode, "a major challenge will most definitely change you, but it doesn’t need to define who you are for the rest of your life." RESILIENT PEOPLE is produced and created by Janet Fanaki. It's conversations with regular people from around the world who are admired for their resilience. They have experienced a major life challenge, found a purpose from it and now help others to be resilient too. 

This episode covers:

• the importance of finding purpose
• building resilience
• some of the purposeful roles that guests have created for themselves because of their lived challenge
• an introduction to the first guest of the season, Tara Pyfrom, who survived Hurricane Dorian

To hear more RESILIENT PEOPLE episodes and learn more about Janet Fanaki, order a RESILIENT tshirt and book speaking opportunities visit www.resilientpeople.ca

Find Janet Fanaki and RESILIENT PEOPLE on:

Instagram

Twitter

Apple podcasts

Spotify

If you or someone you know is admired for their resilience, I'd love to hear from you. Please send an email to: [email protected]

This episode is a response to a Twitter post that I recently made that garnered a bit of attention. I was remarking on how I, as a widow, was starting to include a friend who recently lost her husband in my social plans. Inviting her to play tennis, hang out and go out for dinner.

So many people replied with their own stories of living with grief and the alienation they encountered while others wrote about the ways in which they had included a griever in their vacations, dinners and making plans together.

The grievers had remarked on the typical "outreach" comments that they would hear as a way for others to feel as though they were helping. These are touched-on as well as examples of how they also felt acknowledged, loved and seen which allowed them to make steps to move forward from their loss.

The RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast is hosted by Janet Fanaki. This show profiles regular people from around the world who are admired for their resilience. They have lived through a major life challenge, found a purpose from it and now help others to be resilient too. 

This particular episode is narrated by Janet and focuses on the ways which we can help support a griever. It is in response to a post that Janet posted to Twitter where she comments on including her friend in plans after she suffered the loss of her husband. 

This episode covers:

• Comments from contributors, as grievers and also ones who have been a support to someone who has faced loss.
• Sharing tangible ways to help someone living with grief.
• Avoiding the typical one liners like, "I didn't know what to say" or "Let me know if you need anything".

If you are widowed and have a story to share on how someone helped you move forward in your grief, please share your comments on the RESILIENT PEOPLE contact page at www.resilientpeople.ca/contact

For more information on the RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast, go to www.resilientpeople.ca

If you or someone you know is admired for their resilience, I'd love to hear from you. Please send me an email to [email protected]

Find Janet Fanaki and RESILIENT PEOPLE on:

Instagram

Twitter

Apple podcasts

Spotify

Shaun O'Gorman is an author, motivational speaker, father, and a former police officer in Queensland, Australia Growing up in a police family, Shaun knew from a very young age what he aspired to be when he got older. But he wasn't aware of how much this profession would change him. Witnessing horrific events and drama of day to day life, he struggled for a long time with PTSD, attempted suicide and eventually left the police force.

Shaun found a purpose in public speaking to police academies, military, first responders, athletes and schools about his struggles and his goal is to help people to cope with life’s hardships and build resilience.

RESILIENT PEOPLE is hosted by Janet Fanaki and features conversations with EXTRAordinary people from around the world who are admired for their resilience. They have overcome a major life challenge, created a purpose from it and now help others to be resilient too. 

The  aim is to show that your negative experience does not define your future. It can also be a platform to help you find new meaning, to build a positive and resilient mindset.

In this episode, Janet speaks with motivational speaker and former police officer Shaun O'Gorman from Queensland, Australia.

Topics covered include:

• PTSD and policing
• anger management
• personal development and self-awareness
• building resilience

To learn more about Shaun O'Gorman, visit The Strong Life Project. 

To learn more about the resilience of regular people from around the world, visit RESILIENT PEOPLE.

RESILIENT PEOPLE is created and hosted by Janet Fanaki. 

Purchase a RESILIENT t-shirt and support programs and services that help brain tumour patients across Canada. The Adam Fanaki Brain Fund has been providing funding to the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, St. Michael's Hospital and Sick Kids. Over $260,000 has been raised to date. 

Buy yours at www.resilientpeople.ca

Follow the show and Janet on Instagram and Twitter. 

Back in 2019 I spoke with a woman by the name of Dawn Custode. She loved to sail, travel, spend time helping the causes that she held dear and having fun with loved ones. At the time, Dawn was dying of colon cancer, a disease that she had lived with for two and a half years. She was spending her remaining days imparting her wisdom on life for the living. And she had some terrific advice. 

Our talk came at a time when my own husband was living with terminal brain cancer called glioblastoma. 

RESILIENT PEOPLE is hosted by Janet Fanaki and features conversations with EXTRAordinary people from around the world who are admired for their resilience. They have overcome a major challenge, created a purpose from it and now help others to be resilient too. 

The  aim is to show that your negative experience does not define your future. It can also be a platform to help you find new meaning, to build a positive and resilient mindset.

The guest on this episode is Dawn Custode. She was an Accountant who loved to sail, play games, get together with friends and travel as much as possible. 

She passed away from colon cancer on May 26, 2019.

Dawn and I spoke about her purpose, her message to others to not waste time, focusing on what matters in life, her travels and what she would regret as her life was ending.  
 

Dawn Custode posted on Facebook and you can find her page at: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.custode?mibextid=LQQJ4d

If you are someone with a story to tell, or know someone who does, please record a voice memo or type a message and send it to: [email protected]. 

Find all interviews from the podcast, information about Janet Fanaki, hiring her for speaking opportunities and order a RESILIENT t-shirt as well as other merchandise at www.resilientpeople.ca.

The RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast is available everywhere you listen including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

FOLLOW RESILIENT PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram www.instagram.com/resilientpeopleca & Twitter www.twitter.com/resilientpeopl

This episode of RESILIENT PEOPLE features tips and advice for single people to find joy on Valentine's Day. Typically focused on romance, attitudes are finally starting to change around it. 

We now hear more about spending the day with our 'galentines' and 'palentines' - thanks to companies like Walmart, Edible Arrangements and Jack Astors - celebrating with family and friends and even our pets. And there's also nothing wrong with practicing self care and locking the world out to be alone too. 

This episode will share some terrific insights from other single people as well as from host Janet Fanaki who has been a widow for three years and learned ways to really enjoy Valentine's Day. 

RESILIENT PEOPLE is hosted by Janet Fanaki and features conversations with EXTRAordinary people from around the world who are admired for their resilience. They have overcome a major challenge, created a purpose from it and now help others to be resilient too. 

The  aim is to show that your negative experience does not define your future. It can also be a platform to help you find new meaning, to build a positive and resilient mindset.

This episode features tips and advice for single people to find joy on Valentine's Day. Typically focused on romance, attitudes are finally starting to change around it. 

We now hear more about spending the day with our 'galentines' and 'palentines' - thanks to companies like Walmart, Edible Arrangements and Jack Astors - celebrating with family and friends and even our pets. 

And there's also nothing wrong with practicing self care and locking the world out to be alone. 

This episode will share some terrific insights from other single people as well as from host Janet Fanaki who has been a widow for three years and learned ways to really enjoy Valentine's Day. 

If you are someone with a story to tell, or know someone who does, please record a voice memo or type a message and send it to: [email protected]. 

Find all interviews from the podcast, information about Janet Fanaki, hiring her for speaking opportunities and order a RESILIENT t-shirt as well as other merchandise at www.resilientpeople.ca.

The RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast is available everywhere you listen including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

FOLLOW RESILIENT PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram www.instagram.com/resilientpeopleca

In 2017, Max Gruver began as a freshman at Louisiana State University. He, along with his parents, was full of hope and excitement. From Georgia, his parents heard about his first weeks away at school which included pledging at various fraternities. They never anticipated that on September 17th they would receive a call that would change their lives forever. Max had died at LSU from a hazing event held at Phi Delta Theta house.

Rae Ann Gruver is a mom, wife, former NICU nurse and the founder of The Max Gruver Foundation. 

In her grief, she and her family created the Foundation to abolish hazing on campuses, educate young people on the risks associated with it and to change laws state by state.

Her efforts along with the volunteers who support this initiative are making a big difference.

I spoke with Rae Ann about:

- the day that they moved Max to LSU

- what happened in those first few weeks

- how is hazing defined

- the days following Max's death

- the purpose that she found to honour his memory and becoming a changer

- where her resilience comes from

Learn more about their work in creating awareness, education, policy and laws to prevent hazing across the United States. Attention to drugs, alcohol, and bullying are part of the education and awareness measures, as they are often used in hazing events.

Follow The Max Gruver Foundation on: 

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

RESILIENT PEOPLE is a podcast created by Janet Fanaki. Each episodes introduces listeners to regular people from around the world who are inspired for their resilience. They have experienced a major life challenge, found a purpose from it and now help others to be resilient too. 

Learn more at www.resilientpeople.ca

Follow on:

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In this episode of the RESILIENT PEOPLE podcast, I interview Toronto psychiatrist and sleep expert, Dr. Cara Ooi. Helping teens to sleep better is her main focus, but as our conversation will show, sleep disorders cover every age group.

As many of us struggle to get a good night's rest, Dr. Ooi offers simple and effective tools to help us. Without getting the necessary amount of sleep, it impacts everything from our productivity to our relationships. But as she confirms, there are many options. Her approach includes using methods like: changing the way we use our bed, addressing the light around us and sleep timing.

​Listen and learn how to get the sleep you've been dreaming of. 

To learn more about her, please visit www.decodeinsomnia.com and on Instagram.

To learn more about RESILIENT PEOPLE visit www.resilientpeople.ca

Follow Janet Fanaki, creator and host of RESILIENT PEOPLE on Instagram 

Order a newly redesigned RESILIENT t-shirt from the website. All proceeds support The Adam Fanaki Brain Fund which provides financial aid to charities that help brain tumour patients and their caregivers. Learn more at www.theadamfanakibrainfund.com

Contact Janet either by going to the contact page on the website or email [email protected]

In this episode I interview celebrated parenting and now midlife author, Ann Douglas. Her new book, "Navigating the messy middle: A fiercely honest and wildly encouraging guide for midlife women" is out now. 

Canadian author Ann Douglas has been writing books about parenting for years. Popular guides to help pregnant women and new parents prepare for the exciting and very unpredictable life of parenthood. This latest book aims to help women through the midlife years. 

As she said in our conversation, "I am fascinated by human growth and development. Being in the middle chapter of life, I started to wonder what is this life stage and how can I enjoy it?"  Having interviewed over 100 women during the pandemic, the book is full of their wisdom and strategies to thrive in midlife through heartfelt, funny, sad and inspiring stories.

Ann and I spoke about:

- the need for women and society to rewrite the narrative

- going beyond negative stereotypes of what it means to be a midlife woman

- practicing self-compassion

- the importance of building a like-minded community of support

- learning from different generations on best practices for living our best lives

- the joy that can be found in the midlife years

Follow Ann Douglas on social media including Twitter and Instagram. 

RESILIENT PEOPLE features conversations with regular people admired for their resilience. They have lived through a major life challenge, found a purpose from it and now help others to be resilient too. 

Created and hosted by Janet Fanaki. 

To learn more about RESILIENT PEOPLE visit www.resilientpeople.ca

Follow Janet Fanaki, creator and host of RESILIENT PEOPLE on Instagram 

Contact Janet either by going to the contact page on the website or email [email protected]