Step into the Pivot

From functioning alcoholic to emotional freedom expert, Helen McConnell's life transformation began with a terrifying realization: "I'm going to lose it all." Though outwardly successful with the elegant BMW, beautiful condo, and executive career, Helen's inner world was crumbling under addiction. Her powerful pivot started with sobriety through AA, but something still felt missing.

The true revelation came years later when Helen discovered Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) – commonly known as "tapping." Within just two minutes of trying this simple practice, she experienced what she describes as an "energetic release" of decades of stuck emotions. This moment led Helen to not only transform her own life but to dedicate herself to helping others find similar freedom as a certified EFT practitioner.

This episode features a live tapping demonstration that showcases the technique's remarkable efficiency. Host Ivana experiences a dramatic reduction in tension about an upcoming speaking engagement after just one round. The physical release was visibly apparent as stress literally "dumped out" of her body.

Discover how this deceptively simple practice could transform your relationship with stress, trauma, and emotional barriers. Ready to experience what Helen calls "participating in a miracle"? Listen now and tap into your own emotional freedom.

Guest Bio:
Helen is an exceptionally skilled and gifted practitioner of emotional freedom technique with a true passion for empowering all professionals, and especially women. She is a  leading tapping expert and her expertise lies in helping people  achieve success and enjoy their lives to the fullest. With a focus on stress reduction, Helen teaches simple tools that effectively eliminate stress and all its symptoms. Her dedication to her clients’ well-being shines through in her work, as she guides them on a transformative journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Connect with Helen:
YouTube, LinkedIn, Book,

Online Resources:
"How to Tap", "What if I Could Stop Worrying So Much?" , "Tapping for Neck Pain, Stress & Tension"

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Welcome to the finale of our two-part conversation with Jeff Acheson. 

A parable about saving starfish opens this profound conversation with Jeff, who shares his journey of transforming devastating personal loss into purposeful action. After losing his daughter Amber two years ago, Jeff founded Amber's Aces to partner with ROX (Ruling Our Experiences), an organization dedicated to building confidence and self-esteem in young women. Through tears and powerful insights, he reveals how "Amber is not here, but she's not gone," as her legacy continues through this mission to help girls overcome the same struggles she faced.

Jeff breaks barriers by openly discussing grief, mental health, and emotional intelligence in the retirement industry, creating pathways for others to share their experiences. His perspective bridges gender divides, reminding us that mental health affects everyone.

His approach shifts from curative to preventative mental health support, channeling grief into meaningful change that extends far beyond one life. Learn how you can support this mission by visiting our website to find information about ROX and Amber's Aces.

Guest Bio:
After 46 years in financial services, investment management, and retirement planning, I’ve chosen to focus the most strategic chapter of my career on entities and professionals I deeply respect—law firms, lawyers, and lobbyists. Our shared commitment to precision, discipline, and excellence makes serving the legal community both a professional and personal mission.

As CEO of the Advanced Strategies Group (ASG), I’m leading a targeted effort to modernize retention and retirement strategies in the legal industry. Too many plans offered them still follow one-size-fits-all templates that ignore the complexity and sophistication today’s legal professionals require. That’s why I developed the Law Firm Benefits and Planning Platform. These solutions are powered by The Attorney’s Edge, our virtual-first planning platform, and ASG MAPS—an investment strategy framework built to optimize 401(k) outcomes for high-balance participants.

I hold seven professional designations as validation of my commitment to being a trusted authority in my field, and I’m a past president of both National Association of Plan Advisors and the American Retirement Association. I also co-authored the NAPA Nonqualified Plan Consultant (NQPC) designation curriculum and serve as a consultant to my peers in this space.

ASG’s history was built beyond the legal sector, but today we’re fully invested in serving it—offering a sophisticated alternative to the status quo.

The focus of my personal life is on pursuing my definition of Ikigai and helping others find theirs in loving memory of my daughter Amber, who couldn't find hers.

Connect with Jeff Acheson:

Amber's ACE's for ROX, LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

The moment Jeff Acheson's daughter Amber passed away two years ago, his world changed forever. What followed wasn't just grief, but a powerful transformation that's touching countless young lives today.

Through vulnerability and courage, Jeff illuminates the critical distinction between diagnosed mental illness and the broader spectrum of mental health challenges: self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth issues that can silently devastate lives while appearing outwardly functional. His story provides a wake-up call for parents, educators, and anyone who works with young people: sometimes it's not just kids being teenagers.

After Amber's passing, Jeff partnered with Ruling Our Experiences (ROX) to create AMBER's ACES—Advocates and Champions for Expansion—raising $100,000 in its first year to help middle and high school girls develop healthy relationships and strong self-confidence. At $100 per participant for the 12-week program, that's 1,000 young lives potentially changed.

Join us for this deeply moving conversation about turning pain into purpose and discovering how, sometimes, a person's greatest impact comes after they're gone.

Guest Bio:
After 46 years in financial services, investment management, and retirement planning, I’ve chosen to focus the most strategic chapter of my career on entities and professionals I deeply respect—law firms, lawyers, and lobbyists. Our shared commitment to precision, discipline, and excellence makes serving the legal community both a professional and personal mission.

As CEO of the Advanced Strategies Group (ASG), I’m leading a targeted effort to modernize retention and retirement strategies in the legal industry. Too many plans offered them still follow one-size-fits-all templates that ignore the complexity and sophistication today’s legal professionals require. That’s why I developed the Law Firm Benefits and Planning Platform. These solutions are powered by The Attorney’s Edge, our virtual-first planning platform, and ASG MAPS—an investment strategy framework built to optimize 401(k) outcomes for high-balance participants.

I hold seven professional designations as validation of my commitment to being a trusted authority in my field, and I’m a past president of both National Association of Plan Advisors and the American Retirement Association. I also co-authored the NAPA Nonqualified Plan Consultant (NQPC) designation curriculum and serve as a consultant to my peers in this space.

ASG’s history was built beyond the legal sector, but today we’re fully invested in serving it—offering a sophisticated alternative to the status quo.

The focus of my personal life is on pursuing my definition of Ikigai and helping others find theirs in loving memory of my daughter Amber, who couldn't find hers.

Connect with Jeff Acheson:

Amber's ACE's for ROX, LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

In this episode of Step Into The Pivot, Theresa and Dr. Ivi (Ivana) share deeply personal reflections on July 4th, and how the meaning of this holiday has shifted for each of them over time.

Theresa recalls the joy and innocence of childhood fireworks. For Dr. Ivi, the explosions once triggered traumatic memories from her war-torn childhood in Croatia. But instead of avoiding the pain, she chose a bold pivot: transforming the holiday into a ritual of personal liberation.

Through mindful sensory engagement and deep inner work, she rewired her nervous system and turned July 4th into her own Independence Day. This journey inspired her to create the Courage Cards, tools that help others uncover truth, heal gently, and honor their evolution with playfulness and depth. One card, “Toast Your Triumphs,” reminds us that real transformation is layered, courageous, and lifelong.

Tune in to explore how intentional rituals can help you reclaim parts of your life that still need healing. What might your personal independence day look like?

If you want more information about purchasing your own deck of Courage Cards—or are simply curious—reach out to [email protected] or visit our website at www.courageousbeing.com. 

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

What happens when you realize the person you've been presenting to the world for decades isn't your true self? Jay Washington's powerful conversation takes us on a journey through authenticity, emotional growth, and unexpected life pivots.

The conversation takes a deeply moving turn as Jay shares his transition from being the fun uncle ("funkle") to becoming a father figure ("dunkle") for his niece and nephew after they lost both parents. Rather than seeing this unexpected responsibility as a burden, Jay discovered it became his North Star, providing purpose and healing wounds he didn't know existed. "To make the choice to love a child that you didn't biologically create is a special gift," he reflects.

Jay's insights on setting boundaries, emotional intelligence, and breaking generational cycles offer practical wisdom for anyone navigating their own pivot. His simple yet profound advice to his younger self "I would hug him and tell him you are enough" encapsulates the core message of his transformation. For men especially, his advocacy for emotional expression challenges harmful societal norms: "The more emotionally in touch you can be as a man, it takes security in yourself to go against what society has prescribed for you."

Guest Bio:
Jay Washington is Client Advisor, Vice President Workplace Retirement Solutions for JPMorganChase.  He works with Chase Business Bankers and other intermediaries provide a turnkey 401(k) solution to business owner plan sponsors. Jay Joined JPMC  in March 2025. Prior to that, Jay spent 25 years in the retirement space in various client facing roles, where his passion for better participant outcomes provided a wealth of opportunities.

Jay graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with degrees in Economics and Journalism, and obtained his MBA from Point Park University— in addition to several industry designations. He holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 licenses. 

In his spare time, Jay enjoys working out and traveling. He is an active father-figure to his niece and nephew, as well as an active member and officer of five nonprofit boards.

Connect with Jay:

LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

When we first met Lia Bliss at a business conference, she captivated the room with her LinkedIn expertise, delivering insights so valuable that attendees could barely keep up with their note-taking. Behind this polished presentation style lies a story of persistence and transformation that began with 20-hour shifts split between retail and bartending while supporting herself as a single mother.

The turning point came when Lia invested in a business coach despite financial constraints, finding support from an unexpected source who believed in her potential. Then COVID hit. Rather than seeing disaster, Lia recognized opportunity. She began creating content about working from home, which caught the attention of her father, a career CMO needing help with corporate training during the pandemic lockdown. 

For a year, Leah delivered multiple 90-minute sales trainings weekly, receiving intense camera training and feedback after each session. Simultaneously, she worked with professional speakers, published a book, and built the foundation for her future business. When both positions ended abruptly on the same day, she faced the ultimate pivot: fully embracing entrepreneurship. 

Today, Leah delivers memorable keynote presentations and thrives on connecting with inspiring professionals.

Guest Bio:
Lia Bliss transforms digital engagement into measurable business growth. As a LinkedIn strategy expert with algorithm intelligence that cuts through the noise, she operationalizes social selling for Fortune 500 executives and high-growth entrepreneurs alike. Beyond traditional platform tactics, Lia's systematic approach converts digital presence into revenue through her Executive Thought Leadership programs, Enterprise Training for sales teams, dynamic Keynote Speaking, and exclusive Entrepreneurs Mastermind. With a background in sales enablement and a reputation for delivering results, she brings both strategic vision and tactical precision to professionals navigating the digital landscape. When corporate leaders need digital engagement that performs, they turn to Lia for the systematic advantage their competition hasn't seen before.

Connect with Lia:
TheBlissMagic.com

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

In this thought-provoking conversation with psychiatrist Dr. Xiaojue Hu, we explore how integrating spirituality with conventional psychiatry creates powerful new possibilities for healing.

Dr. Hu shares the remarkable story of her own unexpected spiritual awakening that occurred during her fourth year of psychiatry residency at NYU. Raised by atheist parents from communist China, she experienced a profound shift in consciousness that opened her to both spiritual exploration and psychedelic research simultaneously. This personal transformation fundamentally changed how she approaches mental health treatment.

The heart of our discussion centers around viewing psychological challenges through metaphors that honor their transformative potential. Dr. Hu introduces the concept of the "descent journey" where we descend into emotional darkness, are stripped of familiar identities, and eventually emerge transformed. She compares psychological suffering to childbirth: painful and intense, but ultimately creating something new and meaningful from the experience.

Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey, supporting loved ones through theirs, or simply curious about new paradigms for understanding psychological suffering, this conversation offers valuable insights for Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond. Join us in exploring how viewing suffering through a sacred lens creates space for more comprehensive healing.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Xiaojue Hu is a psychiatrist based in New York City. She’s an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the New York University Center for Psychedelic Medicine, where she's worked as the lead study therapist and co-investigator on multiple psilocybin clinical trials. Xiaojue has also worked with the pioneering nutritional psychiatrist Drew Ramsey as part of his group private practice Brain Food Clinic, where she has a holistic, integrative approach to mental health. She is trained in psychedelic integration and such mind-body therapeutic approaches as Internal Family Systems (IFS, Level 1) and Focusing. Xiaojue is especially interested in spirituality, women’s mental health, and cultural psychiatry (including issues around belonging, migration, race, and identity), and has previously worked as the leading psychiatrist at the Asian Bicultural Clinic at Gouverneur Health, a community mental health clinic providing care to the underserved.

Connect with Xiaojue:
PsychologyToday.com

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Bill Harmon, seasoned retirement industry executive, broke through the polished corporate veneer to share a deeply personal story.

Bill takes us through the life-changing moment when his son William was born with Down syndrome, and the emotional rollercoaster that followed. After initially struggling with clinical, limitation-focused medical resources, Bill discovered a beautiful metaphor that changed his perspective forever: "Welcome to Holland." This poem frames having a child with special needs as boarding a plane for Italy but unexpectedly landing in Holland, a different destination with its own unique beauty.

Through William, Bill learned to embrace authenticity in an industry often defined by careful personas. "If I had a superpower it would be to make everyone feel comfortable in their own skin," he shares, crediting his son with teaching him this invaluable lesson. The impact reached far beyond his family life, transforming Bill's leadership style from competitively driven to purpose-focused. His willingness to bring his whole self to work, emotions and all, made him stand out in financial services leadership.

Have you experienced a "Welcome to Holland" moment in your life? We'd love to hear how you navigated your own unexpected destination. Share your story in the comments or reach out, because as Bill reminds us, finding a community for support makes all the difference.

Guest Bio:
Bill Harmon has spent his career in the retirement industry.  Starting his career with Great-West and leading them forward as they became Empower Retirement to lead their core market growth.  Bill then continued with Voya Financial as he led their 401(k) Markets with an end result of improving client retention.

Currently Bill serves as President of Thrive Flexible Matching.  With debt being a key inhibitor toward saving for retirement, Thrive helps employers meet their employees where they are. There is over $1.7 trillion in student loan debt from 44 million Americans, so the need to address this is great, and Thrive can help.

Bill’s career highlights his communicative and open-minded working culture with a passion for fostering professional development. An insightful influencer and thought leader, he has served on many industry and nonprofit boards and pursued various innovative business applications for industry-wide advancement.

Connect with Bill:
LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

What would happen if you woke up tomorrow fundamentally believing in your worthiness, regardless of your accomplishments? This question lies at the heart of our conversation with transformational leadership coach Toya Gavin, whose journey from burnt-out prosecutor to authentic coach reveals profound lessons about reclaiming our true selves.

Toya shares the vulnerable moment when she publicly admitted her burnout and depression to thousands of fellow attorneys, expecting little response. Instead, she received an outpour from others suffering silently with similar struggles. This act of courage not only launched her coaching practice but demonstrated the transformative power of vulnerability.

At the core of Toya's philosophy is "Woke Up Worthy", the revolutionary idea that our worth isn't tied to achievements or others' approval. This perspective offers liberation especially for women and people of color who often feel they must be perfect and never falter. As Toya explains, "We're expected to be these perfect things where nothing goes wrong and we never make mistakes...but for women and people of color, we don't get the room to try and see what we can create."

Guest Bio:
Toya Gavin is an attorney, coach, and founder of Woke Up Worthy. At Woke Up Worthy, Toya helps women of color stop chasing degrees so they can start going after the life they want. 

Toya is an ICF-certified coach and holds a Juris Doctorate from the George Washington University Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Rutgers University. She also is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Toya's work as a coach is informed by numerous teachers, authors, artists, and practitioners, both personal and professional, including her sisters, aunts, husband, and mother.

Connect with Toya:
Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Substack

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Step into the remarkable journey of Melissa Terito, a dynamic guest who transitioned from a fulfilling teaching career to become a partner at a top CPA firm. In this episode, we explore how she navigated her career pivot, embracing the internal nudges that drove her towards a new path in accounting. With a deep appreciation for the skills acquired through her teaching background, Melissa discusses the unique ability to translate complex ideas into relatable concepts, a skill that serves her well in the financial industry.

Listen as she shares candid insights on the fears and challenges associated with her transitions, from how mentorship played a crucial role in her development to her newfound leadership aspirations. As she reflects on the importance of resilience, discipline, and physical well-being, Melissa inspires us to not only seek personal growth but to also mentor those who follow us. Join this engaging conversation, highlighting how embracing changes can lead to significant personal and professional fulfillment.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your own pivot stories with us!

Guest Bio:
It all begins with an idea. Melissa, or Missy to her friends and family, is the woman with all the ideas. Melissa attended Louisiana State University and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Education. After four years of teaching high school math, she returned to LSU part-time to see if she would enjoy the accounting profession. Something about it stuck and she resigned from teaching.  

She was hired at Faulk & Winkler as an intern in the pension department, completed the courses to sit for the CPA exam, and received her CPA designation in 2012. Melissa’s brief career in the classroom was invaluable in positioning her to be a mentor in the CPA profession as well as giving her the communication skills to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. In 2020, Melissa started a podcast – Louisiana Ladies – wherein she speaks to local (mostly) female members of the Baton Rouge community. Many are entrepreneurs, some are domestic engineers, all are inspiring. She chats with them about their story, it is lighthearted and fun, and has a steady following with over 20k downloads. 

In 2022, Melissa began her public speaking debut about Boundaries in the Workplace, something she is very passionate about, and has curated perfectly over the years. Melissa resides in Baton Rouge with her husband Patrick and their two dogs. They appreciate the local culture and flavor of the city, especially the culinary offerings. Away from the office, she enjoys reading, riding her Peloton, playing pickleball, traveling, and spending time with her five adorable nephews.

Connect with Melissa:
Website, LinkedIn

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot