Welcome to another episode of The 1 to ONE Thing! In this episode, I am joined by Heidi Steenrod, a Master's-prepared Registered Nurse of over 30 years and a Functional Healing Strategist.

After witnessing her best friend and her husband both battle cancer, Heidi went on a deep personal journey to explore healing from a different lens—combining functional medicine, clinical nutrition, brain science, and energy medicine. Today, she helps high-achieving professionals move out of survival mode and reclaim their health.

We dive deep into why stress isn't the enemy (it's our unexamined response to it), how to spot the "smoke signals" of health crises before they erupt, and the powerful role that gratitude and alignment play in our physical wellness.

Connect with Heidi Steenrod:

Website: https://www.wanishiwellness.com

Book a complimentary 20-minute consultation on her website.

Like, subscribe, and leave a comment to support the channel!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: The 1 to ONE Thing & Stress as an Unexamined Response

02:30 - From ICU Nurse to Functional Healing: Heidi's Story

05:15 - A Best Friend's Diagnosis & Navigating Patient Advocacy

08:30 - The Double Whammy: When Cancer Hits Home Twice

11:00 - Divine Downloads and the Power of Pranic Healing

14:15 - Wanishi Wellness: Gratitude, Shawnee Heritage, and Root-Cause Medicine

17:30 - Recognizing the "Smoke Signals" of Burnout and Fatigue

20:45 - Women vs. Men: How Heart Health & Prostate Symptoms Show Up Differently

26:00 - The Core Values Challenge: Striving for Success vs. Sacrificing Health

31:15 - Holding Space: Navigating Grief and Celebrating What is Yet to Come

36:30 - The Danger of Chronic Survival Mode: Moving to Rest and Digest

Connect with Heidi & How to Take Back Control of Your Health

Welcome to the show.

In this episode of The 1 to ONE Thing, I sit down with the incredible Yayoi Komiyama, a "brain-to-belly" expert and Weight Freedom Coach. Yayoi shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming a severe eating disorder, dealing with the cultural pressures of fitting into unrealistic molds, and shifting her mindset from punishing her body to truly honoring it.

We dive deep into why "weight freedom" is so much more powerful than "weight management," how to dismantle the shame and secret habits around food, and why finding your true identity is the first domino to creating lasting physical and mental health.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – The Brain-to-Belly Connection: Why mindset and identity are the ultimate drivers of both our struggles and our solutions with health.

03:00 – What is a Weight Freedom Coach?: Moving away from the endless loop of restrictive dieting and discovering what it means to truly have freedom from the scale.

05:00 – The "Armor of Fat": Yayoi’s origin story of growing up as an Asian girl in San Francisco, moving back to Japan, and using food as a protective shield against childhood teasing.

10:00 – Overcoming Exercise Bulimia: How a sprained ankle forced Yayoi to seek professional help and reprogram her brain to view exercise as a joy rather than a punishment.

15:00 – Weight Freedom vs. Weight Management: Why changing this one simple term shifts your entire belief system about health.

20:00 – The Illusion of the "Skinny Shell": Yayoi opens up about her past use of diet pills and why external looks mean nothing if the spirit inside remains hollow.

25:00 – Unpacking Big Food & the "No Fat" Myth: Navigating the tsunami of media trends, reading food labels, and why food should still be a fun, sensory experience.

30:00 – The Shame of "Secret Eating": A raw discussion on the deceptive habits we develop to avoid social stigma—like buying extra grocery bags or hiding treats—and how to heal from them.

35:00 – The First Domino of Transformation: Why identity is the core of healing, and how "heart coherence" can help us process emotional triggers before running to the kitchen.

40:00 – The One to ONE Thing: Yayoi's final piece of advice on how to connect your brain, belly, and heart to find alignment and true freedom.

Connect with Yayoi Komiyama:

https://braintobellycoaching.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/braintobelly

https://www.youtube.com/@B2Belly

Email: [email protected]

Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE the show to help us bring more of these conversations to light.🙏🏾

Welcome to the show.

I’m always excited to chat with Sondra because she has a way of "tangifying the intangible." We started by discussing her professional shift from "spraying and praying"—trying to chase every revenue opportunity—to going all-in on her business, Strategic Culture Partners. She realised that force of will can't create more time, so she chose to focus on the biggest point of leverage: the leaders.

One point Sondra made that really resonated with me is that nobody wakes up wanting to be "Attila the Hun." We often throw around labels like "toxic workplace," but Sondra reminds us that leaders are humans too, often hunkered down in their own psychological "gunfights" just trying to survive. By seeing leaders as humans and helping them create predictable working conditions, we can bridge the gap between business results and a healthy culture.

I shared a bit about my own life-changing move to Jamaica, noting that while many see it as a "major" event, it’s really the significance of the move—the signs we pay attention to—that matters. Sondra also opened up about her journey writing her book and how it helped her overcome the emotional blocker of feeling she needed to be published to be considered credible.

We ended with a brilliant "one thing" takeaway involving Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. Sondra pointed out that it’s never actually about training the dog; it’s about training the human to slow down and notice the signs before a reaction happens. As leaders—or even just as parents and partners—we have the opportunity to be "culture ambassadors" by bringing calm and peace to the "packs" we lead.

I hope this conversation encourages you to stop the habit of reacting and start being the point of certainty in your own world.

• [03:00] From "Spraying and Praying" to Strategic Focus
• [05:00] Humanising the "Toxic" Leader Label
• [11:00] Survival Instincts and the "Gunfight" at Work
• [14:00] The Power of Culture Ambassadorship
• [17:00] Credibility, Predictability, and Alignment
• [19:00] Being a Point of Certainty in Uncertain Times
• [25:00] Major vs. Significant: Lessons from Jamaica
• [35:00] Overcoming Emotional Blockers through Writing
• [38:00] The "Dog Whisperer" Approach to Human Leadership

Find out about Sondra here:

https://strategicculturepartners.com/

Her book, Would You Choose You? is out on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/06vWrYQr

It is so good to be back in the podcasting saddle after a bit of a hiatus. I have to give a huge shout-out to my guest and "coach extraordinaire," Mr. Whiskey, for calling me out on my "streak" of not recording. As we discussed, life happens, but the key is to not let not doing something become your new routine.

Here are my show notes and key takeaways from our deep dive into culture, privilege, and the human connection:

• [00:00] Embracing the Pace of Life: We started by talking about the pressure to produce results quickly. Mr. Whiskey reminded me of a favorite saying of ours: "slow is smooth and smooth is fast". It’s about accepting circumstances beyond our control without beating ourselves up.
• [02:00] Breaking the Bubble: Mr. Whiskey shared his incredible journey from being raised in a "racist and xenophobic" household in New Jersey to having his worldview blown wide open by the military. It was a powerful reminder of how travel and exposure can dismantle a skewed perception of the world.
• [08:00] The Monkey Trap of Comfort: I shared a metaphor I recently came across called the "monkey trap," where a monkey gets caught because it won't let go of a peanut to free its hand from a coconut. It really highlights how we often cling to the status quo and our comfort so tightly that we miss out on freedom and new opportunities.
• [10:00] The Reality of Loneliness and Scapegoating: We discussed the heartbreaking trend in Japan where elderly men commit minor crimes just to find community in prison because they are so isolated in dying rural areas. We noted how easy it is for societies to use tourists or immigrants as scapegoats for internal economic shifts and urbanization.
• [14:00] Race vs. Culture: One of the most insightful parts of our chat was Mr. Whiskey’s observation that culture can exist outside of race. He’s seen foreigners in Japan preserving traditions with more respect than some locals, challenging the idea that preserving a culture requires excluding other races.
• [21:00] The Power of Generational Forgiveness: This was a real "nugget" for me. We talked about generational forgiveness as a tool to defeat racism. Mr. Whiskey contrasted the present-day forgiveness happening between neighbors in post-genocide Africa with the way we often hold onto the past in the West as an excuse to avoid taking action today.
• [27:00] Drowning in Privilege: We explored the term "first-world problems" and how we can become "blinded" by our own opportunities. When we complain about the shade of white paint on a wall or a speck of litter, we forget that one in seven people globally lacks access to clean water.
• [33:00] Digital Integrity and Intentionality: We wrapped up by talking about how technology makes the world smaller but can also make us more insular through algorithms. My rule of thumb is to behave online exactly as I would in person. Mr. Whiskey left us with the challenge to seek out authentic cultural experiences rather than just hitting the biased "hot spots" we see on social media.

I'm feeling inspired to stay curious and keep exploring. If you're looking to get your own goals on track, don't forget to check out my 12-week year program at sawrightcoaching.com!

Welcome to the show.

Had an absolutely powerful conversation with Jon Cook and his mate Miles, who shared one of the most raw and honest stories I've heard. This is what real vulnerability looks like, and blimey, it's transformative.

Key Points:

Miles went from successful finance career to losing everything - health, family, home - through addiction and mental health struggles

After his 10th seizure, he hit rock bottom and decided to completely change how he lived his life

Found recovery through rehab and fellowship groups that provided non-judgmental space to be heard and understood

Men's mental health crisis is real, especially during challenging times like Christmas when isolation intensifies

Society's pressure on men to maintain a facade of strength and success creates a culture of silence that kills

The Stark Reality: "I lost my physical health, I lost my mental health, I lost my wife, I lost my access to the children, I lost my home." Miles didn't sugarcoat how quickly life can unravel when you're struggling alone.

The Fellowship Power: "I had a space where people would actually just sit and listen." That simple act of being heard without judgment became the foundation for Miles' recovery and rebuilding.

Cultural Pressure: We're living at such a fast pace that we don't pause to reflect on our well-being. The expectation to appear strong and successful isolates men from getting the help they desperately need.

The ONE Thing:

Recovery is possible, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. No one has to face their struggles alone - community and vulnerability are the pathways to transformation.

Breaking the stigma around men's mental health starts with conversations like this one.

Connect with Jon Cooke:

https://www.skool.com/the-honest-man-project-4222

Welcome to the show.

I had a profound conversation with Sven Masterson from Pennsylvania - an "accidental men's midlife coach" and author who completely transformed his understanding of masculinity and marriage. Sandra Norris connected us, and I can see why - this man gets what real men's work looks like.

Key Points:

• At 51, Sven followed the "script" - husband, father of six, entrepreneur - but was miserable, especially in his marriage
• Initially thought he had a "wife problem" until discovering he had a "me problem" - lacking empathy and compassion
• Found a coach online who offered free conversations, joined men's groups, went to a retreat in Mexico with strangers
• Now dedicates 1000+ hours annually to coaching men worldwide through conversations and community
• Writes books and runs cohorts because the men he works with are "conscientious, thoughtful, intelligent" - they read books and take action

The Vulnerable Moment: Sven shared publicly wanting his wife to "die in her sleep" during his darkest period - with her sitting beside him. That honesty connected with countless men struggling with similar thoughts.

Men's Work Reality: Real men's groups aren't about tearing down women or being "feral" - they're spaces where men can be creative, intuitive, empathetic, supportive, and industrious. When quality men gather, they echo and confirm the best in each other.

The Power of Story: We all think we're alone in our struggles - "I'm 50, why don't I have this figured out?" But when you tell your truth, you realize there are others just like you in 8 billion people.

The ONE Thing: Your value and worth is intrinsic - you're born perfect in that regard. Let go of the idea that your worth comes from performance or roles, because inevitably those roles end. That's when real vitality begins.

Connect with Sven:

https://svenmasterson.com

Connect with Steve: (Cohort program)

https://sawrightcoaching.com/12wyc

Welcome to the show.

Sometimes the hardest journeys create the strongest platforms to help others.

I had an incredible conversation with Kelvin Sampson from Nigeria, CEO of KD Squares and one of the most inspiring people I've met. This young man's journey from literally going hungry for days to building a globally recognized tech company is absolutely extraordinary.

Key Points:

• Born into poverty, lived with extended family, struggled through university and beyond
• Hit rock bottom after graduation - went without food for days, had to engage in dangerous illegal activities just to survive
• Started freelance writing at $1 per 500 words, working 10,000 words some days just to get by
• Built KD Squares (named after partners King, Kelvin, Denzel, David) as a mission-driven company empowering young Africans with digital skills
• Now globally recognized: 3rd best web design company worldwide, 5th in business intelligence, working with 100+ companies across 20+ countries

The Mission:

Instead of young talent turning to cybercrime for quick money, KD Squares provides legitimate pathways through digital skills training.

Kelvin's living proof that there's a better way than taking shortcuts that hurt communities.

From Teaching to Tech:

Even during his darkest days, Kelvin was teaching in secondary schools - always had that moral compass of helping others while helping himself. That ethos drives everything he does today.

Global Impact:

The company has multiple international awards and accolades, providing social proof to young Africans that legitimate success is possible through hard work and skill development.

The ONE Thing:

True success isn't just about climbing out of your circumstances - it's about building platforms to help others do the same.

Kelvin's journey from survival mode to global recognition shows what's possible when you combine necessity, initiative, and genuine desire to lift up your community.

Connect with Steve:

linkedin.com/in/sawright

Welcome to the show.

I had a brilliant chat with Klem (as she's known professionally) - a Polish-born, Scotland-based copywriter who helps brands find their authentic voice.

This woman gets it when it comes to the power of words to shape not just how we communicate, but who we become.

Timestamps:

(13:35) - The "Here comes..." identity technique

(19:08) - Storytelling as what defines us from other animals

(27:06) - Message in a bottle metaphor and overcoming sharing barriers

(34:47) - AI ethics and maintaining authentic voice

(42:46) - Art as commissioned work vs personal expression

(47:32) - Finding your voice and protecting humanity

Key Points:

• "Here comes..." technique: Start conversations by mentally declaring your intended identity - "Here comes the expert" or "Here comes the creative" - and you'll naturally step into that role
• Words don't just describe our world, they create it - be intentional about the language you use about yourself
• The balance between ego and service: Like commissioned art, you can bring your unique artistry while serving someone else's vision
• AI is a tool like a pen - powerful when held properly, dangerous when given too much agency over your authentic voice
• Finding your people: Content length doesn't matter ("How long is a piece of string?") - what matters is knowing your purpose and who you're trying to reach

The Message in a Bottle: Every piece of content you create matters to you as the creator. When you overcome that initial hurdle to share your message, two things happen: you realize you can do it (the world doesn't end), and you open yourself up to receive messages from others.

Art vs Commission: We all have that Leonardo da Vinci element within us - sometimes we just need an external perspective to help arrange the pieces differently until it clicks.

The ONE Thing: Be human, protect your humanity at all costs. No tool should ever replace your authentic voice - your genuine self is what creates real connection and separates you from the noise.

To contact Klementyna:

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

To contact me:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach

Welcome to the Show!

I had an absolute cracker of a conversation with Sondra Norris from San Jose, CA. - 30 years in learning and development, HR, and executive consulting.

This woman gets it when it comes to helping people stay human in all their roles.

Key Points:

• Leaders aren't superhuman - they put their pants on one leg at a time and have the same human flaws as everyone else
• Self-awareness is everything: leaders must understand that every action is being measured and impacts whether people feel safe or unsafe
• When people feel unsafe, they rally others around that toxicity - creating negative group dynamics that poison new hires
• Traditional DEI often isolates rather than unifies - focus on shared human experiences instead of differences
• Active listening isn't just brain activity - you're creating safety for people to volunteer their best selves
• Trust is earned through consistency: being the same human regardless of circumstances

The New Hire Reality: Fresh employees arrive open and optimistic, but existing toxic team dynamics quickly convert them. "Welcome to the factory" becomes the unofficial onboarding.

Trust Bank Account: Make constant deposits because something will always go wrong. Without that foundation, you can't earn forgiveness when mistakes happen.

The Bottom Line: Companies employ half the planet. If they could make the experience genuinely positive, growing, and human, they could literally change the world through sheer numbers.

The ONE Thing: Everything you do as a leader is about building trust and creating safety. People stop giving creativity, extra hours, and innovation when trust dies - and it all comes down to basic human-to-human perception.

Are you creating safety or toxicity in your one-to-ones?

Connect with Sondra:

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

Connnect with me:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach

Welcome to the show.

I met Linda Gross through our mutual connections in our FaceBook groups. This woman knows the pain of getting stung by non-paying clients - and she's built a brilliant solution around it.

Key Points:

• Linda got burned by a client who ghosted her after services were delivered. Even won in small claims court but couldn't collect - that's when she knew there had to be a better way
• Statistically, clients stop paying on month four because they've "drunk your beer and eaten your hamburgers" - got what they came for from your 90-day program
• She matches coaches with legitimate third-party lenders (not the dodgy ones everyone's heard of) offering A and B paper credit with 0% financing options
• Only works with intermediate to advanced coaches ($5K-$20K programs) who've quit their day jobs - no motivation coaching needed at that level
• Her 90-day business program focuses on parallel income streams and plugging money leaks that sink coaching businesses

The Reality Check: 

Most coaches are brilliant at their craft but clueless about business fundamentals. They'll work 80-100 hours a week but spend valuable time as £10/hour debt collectors instead of £1000/hour coaches.

Linda's Model: 

She only gets paid when the loan closes - complete win-win-win for coach, client, and her. If someone's credit is horrible, she gives them homework to fix it rather than letting coaches discover this painful truth on month four.

Main Takeaway:

You don't have to risk your own money or become a debt collector. There are professional financing solutions that let you focus on being the best coach you can be instead of chasing payments.

Why are you doing a £10/hour job when you're a £1000/hour coach?

Connect with Linda:

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/linda-gross-business-coach-mentor-421aab32

Connect with Steve:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach