School of Self-Worth

Today, in our inaugural episode, Nicole and Octavia reflect on the decade since they first connected, as well as all the pivotal moments over the years that became accelerants for change in Octavia’s life. Together, they discuss the power of rest in support of dreams, to elevate success, to become more efficient, and to prevent burnout. 

Octavia Raheem is a wife, mother, author of  Pause, Rest, Be & Gather, Executive Rest Coach, Chief Operating Day Dreaming Officer, and Experienced Yoga Teacher. She began practicing yoga in 1999 and has been teaching since 2007. Octavia founded Starshine & Clay, an online retreat space for Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color to rest and restore. Her work has been featured in Yoga Journal, Tricycle Magazine, Mantra, Well + Good, CNN, and Atlanta Magazine.

In this episode, we cover… 

• The seminal moment that made rest a priority for Octavia (4:09) 
• How Octavia took ownership of her dreams (11:45) 
• How yoga helped her restore pieces of her worth that had been diminished by the acculturation and devaluation as a black woman (12:46)
• Setting your own barometer for success (19:46)
• The detriment of dreaming someone else’s dream, and the importance of defining your own terms of success (20:51)
• How rest helps you be more efficient while tuning into your visions and goals (24:25)
• Setting boundaries in support of your dreams (37:34)
• Ways we can prevent burnout (48:55)

Quotes From This Episode: 

“I really walked with the power of dreams and the power of remembering the cultural capacity to dream, even in the midst of the nightmare that it can be to live in a marginalized body in this world.” 

“Some part of the world I came from was so hard and so challenging to be in, that dreaming was the way out, and I also understood that I had to do something. I couldn’t just have the vision, I had to do something with the vision. I had to activate it.”

“Discovering yoga in 1999, this practice that calls one into the relationship with the body, the mind, the heart, with who and what you actually are within this memory of who are and were before the world tells you who you’re supposed to be…began to restore pieces of worth that I had felt had been diminished by the acculturation and devaluation of myself as a woman.” 

“Rest is anything that restores you to a state that feels grounded and steady.” 

“When you move from this rested place, I find a simplicity in ‘the how’ emerges, so you’re more efficient.” 

“In the vein of self-worth, I have just decided that I’m worthy of my own time and care.” 

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz >> nicoletsong.com/quiz

To Learn More About Octavia: 

• Visit Octavia’s website 
• Read Octavia’s books, Pause, Rest, Be and Gather
• Follow Octavia on Instagram @octaviaraheem 

Keep In Touch with Nicole: 

• Website: nicoletsong.com 
• Subscribe to her newsletter  
• Follow her on IG @nicoletsong
• Follow her on TikTok

School of Self-Worth is a purposeful podcast and community for the ambitious woman who knows she is worthy of an astoundingly great life.

Join us weekly as we redefine success, set and sustain boundaries, and reclaim your self-worth. Hosted by Nicole Tsong, bestselling author, former journalist, and work/life balance coach, who helps professional women live an aligned life. We will have diverse and meaningful conversations with successful women from all walks of life who share insight about what it takes to be brave, joyful, and yourself every day.

Every single episode is thoughtfully designed to leave you feeling empowered, with tangible tips and advice that will lead you to your next breakthrough.