Today’s episode is very special, as I had the pleasure of interviewing my personal coach, Ruby Fremon. Ruby is a coach for the new generation of thought leaders. She is a Top Breakthrough Coach for purpose-driven leaders who are ready to bring their big missions into the spotlight. Her no-bullshit approach ignites true transformation, while flipping fear into actualized ambition and doubt into absolute confidence. She’s the real deal, people.

Ruby and I have a similar background as to why our mission is to help others and we both have struggled with depression and anxiety for our entire lives.

Ruby is the host of Amplified Soul Live, a radical 3-day event that will provide you with the tools and strategies you need to craft your voice, stand out and courageously lead your mission.

[Grab your ticket to Amplified Soul Live 2019 here: http://bit.ly/ASL19marissa]

[Watch the recap video of Amplified Soul Live 2018 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moPfgCumq4I]

In this episode we discuss the power of CHOOSING DIFFERENTLY. Because quite simply, nothing changes if nothing changes.

We talk about the importance of evaluating who you’re surrounding yourself with and how these people are affecting how you live.

We even talk about how to CONQUER YOUR BULLSHIT through courage, persistence, and resilience. Which Ruby has a free course on by the way… you can access that training here.

Finally, we discuss how crucial SELF CARE is to functioning as your best self.

Ever wonder how mindfulness and meditation became so mainstream? Think about it, ten years ago when you went to a bookstore looking for meditation books, they were only in the spirituality section. Now you’ll find them in the business section, the science section, the self-help section, the spirituality section, and who knows where else.

The knowledge of meditation’s benefits have been around for centuries but it seems like no one cared to listen until someone decided that meditation is the new simple experience that will make you better, faster, stronger in this non-stop, always on society that we find ourselves in. The ‘re-branding’ of meditation (to be the quick and easy tool to conquer more, more efficiently) has made the activity available to a whole new demographic of people who don’t necessarily want the spiritual benefits. Due to this new take on mediation, it has also gained more interest in the mental health field.

The world “meditation” is derived from the Latin/Greek roots of the word “medicine” which makes total sense when you think about how in ancient times, physicians were also spiritual advisors or healers.

Meditation is proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety, which is the main reason why I’ve picked up the habit but I’m also extremely interested in the spiritual benefits mediation provides. But what exactly is meditation?

Transcendental Meditation is a discipline from the Hindu Vedic tradition and is achieved through the use of mantras. Using the mantras or focusing on a specific word helps to promote relaxed awareness and achieve stillness.

Mindfulness meditation is based on the 2,500 year old Buddhist tradition of increasing awareness, wisdom, and the ability to live life moment to moment. This practice emphasizes stress reduction and the power of focus.

When someone begins meditating, they enter an altered state of consciousness. This state of consciousness is achieved in mindfulness meditation by focusing on the present moment non-judgmentally. This practice helps to open your awareness to everything that the mind and spirit want you to know. The goal isn’t to shut down your mind, but instead the goal is to help you pay attention to thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations more clearly, from a detached perspective.

Philosophers have said that practicing meditation regularly leads to a state of enlightenment, while Buddhist and Hindu traditions say it leads you into transcendental consciousness, and the Ancient Greeks have even said that meditation leads you into a state of being. Even if you have never contemplated meditating before, I hope those few descriptions could spark your interest.

I have not released an episode in quite some time, plus there is a new look and a new intro to the podcast... so let’s talk about what has been happening.

Real life: Seasonal Affective Disorder has been kicking my butt. Like a total ass whopping level of kicking my butt this year. I won’t get into all the details as I put out a blog post recently about what has been going on. So feel free to go read that if you’re feeling curious.

Essentially, I restructured my brand, the whole website, the podcast, everything…..and I totally maxed myself out. Total burn out PLUS a super rainy fall season led to me falling face first into depression and isolation mode. 

I learned my lesson the hard way but now I know I can’t be doing #AllTheThings all of the time. Rest and relaxation is going to be the theme of my winter season. 

I’ve given up coffee and alcohol… for the most part. And if I have any of either, it will not be over one glass per day. 

I’ve been committing at least 10 minutes per day to some sort of self-care activity whether it has been reading for personal enjoyment, gratitude journalling, yoga,  meditation, or just listening to a few of my favorite podcasts. 

I’ve also committed to not put myself in situations that I don’t agree with and avoid toxic people as best as possible. So far, these few simple changes have made an amazing impact. 

I’ve been finally feeling like myself again. Inspired to create more episode, to write more blog posts, and most of all help all of you.

I feel like this horrible lapse into depression was to realign me with my work in the world, to help people overcome their mental health challenges so they can live life to the fullest and become the leaders who make the change they wish to see in the world.

That was a big driving force in restructuring this podcast, I want to constantly provide you with holistic resources that have helped me to overcome my bouts of anxiety and depression. The more I learn and the more I grow, the more I have to share with you. 

In that respect, I appreciate all of my mental setbacks as they help me to offer a new perspective and an opportunity to serve you in a greater capacity.

When you change your storyline, you can completely change your life. Jamie Lerner, a wellbeing therapist and co-author of the book The Ever-Loving Essence of You joined me on Shining From The Shadows for Episode 023.  

In this episode we speak about looking into your past, acceptance, forgiveness, and changing the story in which you are living your life by.

Jamie’s biggest inspiration/mentor is Esther Hicks and the Abrahams. If you haven’t read their book, Ask and It Is Given, I strongly recommend you add it to your reading list.

Motivational speaker, author, and spiritual life coach, Sylvia Salow, explains the journey to reaching a complete inner transformation. Sylvia guides others to find their true self and connect with their inner guidance because it embodies wisdom.

Did you know I went to school for graphic design? Yeah, that was a waste of two years and a crap ton of money. But hey, I did walk away with one very valuable lesson... the importance of whitespace. Nope, I'm not talking about whitespace in your designs, I'm talking about the importance of clearing out in your life.

Tune into the first solo episode, or as I will call them, Soul Chats, to listen in on this valuable lesson. Enjoy!

What happens when you believe that “becoming your own boss” would fix your lifetime battle with anxiety -- only to find yourself in the lowest place you’ve ever been?

According to Jessica Rodriguez, you break the entrepreneurial status quo by creating a business that works for your life, instead of a life that works for your business.

Business strategist, Jessica Rodriguez and I discuss anxiety and how it when from hurting her business to helping her success.

On today’s episode, I talk with Sarah Hartley the creator and editor in chief of Holl & Lane Magazine about how she created this Sanctuary For Soul-Filled Stories. Sarah brought this idea to life four years ago while taking care of her newborn and wanting to share the reality of the 'not-so-cute' parts of pregnancy. 

From there this magazine developed into sharing stories on miscarriage and infertility, mental health and body image, love and loss and so much more. Holl & Lane is opening the door on conversation and shutting the door on shame, which I am SO about! 

Tune in to listen to us talk about how she produced this magazine as a side hustle until this year, how she manages business and real life as a mom with a four year old son and a four month old son, and what's in store for the future of Holl & Lane!

On this episode of Shining From The Shadows, Joseph Fusaro and I discuss how he was able to find peace and maintain his mental health after struggling with mental illness for most of his life.

Joseph shares his mental health story, his journey to mental health recovery, and shares his beautiful perspective on life.

This podcast was very fun to record as Joe is one of my best friends and I've been dying to share him with all of you! A talented writer with a budding new mental health podcast, he's a force to be reckoned with.

On today’s episode, I was joined by Confidence and Mindset coach, Kate Crocco! I was so excited to record this episode with Kate as I could relate to her story so much and I look up to her daily for inspiration. 

During this episode we discuss Kate's journey from being a psychotherapist to becoming a confidence and mindset coach for female entrepreneurs. While working as a therapist, Kate saw how her addiction patients would recover much quicker through the help of peer-to-peer counsellors who could share their similar story with the patients, versus the actual therapy where all Kate could provide was strategies and techniques to recover. 

As someone who struggled with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder, Kate longed to share her story with her patients, and just wanted to let them know that they could get better and that there was a way out. As this is not allowed when you're a therapist, Kate found her way to life coaching and realized it was the perfect blend of what she was looking to do, even though she was terrified to make the jump.

Kate and I also talk about motherhood and how she juggles being a mom, running a business, and doing #AllTheThings.