The InPowered Life

In this powerful episode of The InPowered Life podcast, Rudi and Anniston dive deep into the transformative power of authenticity and belonging. Inspired by the teachings of Brené Brown, they discuss why fitting in is the opposite of belonging and how living authentically is the key to personal freedom and fulfillment.


Key Takeaways:

Belonging vs. Fitting In: At our core, everyone desires to belong, but true belonging comes from being authentic, not from fitting in. When we compromise our true selves, we lose the ability to belong genuinely.

The Power of Authenticity: Authenticity is the highest vibrational frequency, 700x more powerful than any other. It connects you to your purpose and empowers you to live your best life.

Connection Through Vulnerability: Every human behavior is driven by a desire for connection, and the only way to create deep, meaningful connections is by being vulnerable and authentic.

Authenticity in Business: Rudi and Anniston talk about how authenticity should be present in every area of life, including business, and how being real with your colleagues and clients creates trust and drives success.

Personal Stories: Both hosts share their personal journeys of overcoming the need to fit in, how it impacted their relationships and careers, and the breakthroughs they experienced when they embraced authenticity.


Quotes

• “The opposite of belonging isn’t being alone; it’s fitting in. And when we fit in, we lose touch with our true selves.” — Anniston Blair Riekstins
• “Authenticity is 700x more powerful than any other vibrational frequency.” — Rudi Riekstins
• “The only way to create real connection is through vulnerability. Without it, you lose the power of authenticity.” — Rudi Riekstins
   

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com
Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/
Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins

In this powerful episode of the InPowered Life Podcast, host Rudi Riekstins is joined by David JP Phillips, an international speaker, coach, and global authority on public speaking, communication, and self-leadership. David is a three-time TEDx speaker and the author of High on Life, a transformative book that explores the path from depression to living a life of empowerment.

Key Takeaways:

1. Practical Tools for Emotional Mastery: David shares techniques to immediately shift your emotional state, including stress mapping, the awe exercise, and boosting testosterone through physical and mental hacks.
2. Public Speaking Tips: Insights into mastering the art of communication, from managing internal emotions to delivering impactful talks on stage.
3. Angel’s Cocktail: Learn how to mix your own "Angel’s Cocktail" of hormones—dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins—to boost happiness and energy.
4. Run Toward Your Fear: David advises embracing your fears rather than avoiding them, which allows you to take control and overcome anxiety in both public speaking and personal growth.
5. Stress Mapping for a Clearer Mind: Stress mapping involves listing all sources of stress in your life and systematically reducing or eliminating them. This tool helps in reducing chronic stress and improving overall well-being.
6. Harness the Power of Awe: By practicing the awe exercise, you can boost your happiness and gratitude levels, making you more energized and present in your daily life.
7. Practical Hormone Hacks: Learn scientifically-backed techniques to control neurochemicals like testosterone and oxytocin, which can boost your confidence and make you more present in relationships and work.
8. Mindset Shifts Lead to Lasting Change: Changing your emotional state can lead to significant shifts in thoughts and behaviors, helping you overcome challenges like stress and depression, and live a more empowered life.
    

Quotes:

• "Run towards your fear, otherwise it will run after you." – David JP Phillips
• "I learned to hack my depression and turn it into a pursuit of happiness." – David JP Phillips

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com
Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/
Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins

David JP Phillips’s Links: 
Website: https://www.davidjpphillips.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidjpphillips/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.jp.phillips 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjpphillips/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/davidjpphillips 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidjpphillips
Book: High on Life by David JP Phillip
Ted Talks: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL58GT05QtAOehn-knchKcLvypy7JkiQaz

In this episode of the InPowered Life podcast, Rudi and Anniston dive into one of the most underestimated but crucial aspects of personal well-being and high performance—sleep. Despite its seemingly mundane topic, sleep is a cornerstone of a healthy, empowered life. Hosts Rudi and Anniston share personal stories, science-backed insights, and practical strategies to optimize your sleep for ultimate vitality and performance.


Key Takeaways:

Sleep as a Foundation for Health: Sleep isn't just for rest—it's vital for healing, rejuvenation, and maintaining overall well-being. Your body produces critical cells during sleep that fight diseases, including cancer.

Quality Over Quantity: It's not just about getting eight hours of sleep. The timing and quality of sleep, especially deep sleep, matter. Deep sleep before midnight offers the most restorative benefits for your body and mind.

The 3-2-1 Rule for Better Sleep: Implement this formula for improved sleep quality:

• 3 hours before bed: No food.
• 2 hours before bed: No work or critical thinking.
• 1 hour before bed: No blue light (phones, TVs, or screens).

The Impact of Inconsistent Sleep: Missing even one hour of sleep can negatively affect your body, reducing cell production and increasing the risk of serious health issues like heart disease and strokes.

Small Changes, Big Results: Simple hacks like switching to dimmer light bulbs or investing in temperature-regulating bedding (like the Eight Sleep mattress) can drastically improve sleep quality and overall health.

Sleep is Non-Negotiable for High Performers: Prioritizing sleep is essential for anyone aiming to live a high-performance lifestyle. Skipping sleep for work or entertainment has lasting consequences on productivity and well-being.

Track Your Sleep: Using devices to measure sleep patterns and health metrics (like HRV) helps you become more aware of how your habits impact your sleep and, ultimately, your health and performance.

Quotes:

• "Sleep isn't just about rest—it's the time when your body repairs, heals, and rejuvenates itself." 
• "We want to live big lives, and that starts with prioritizing sleep. Without it, everything else falls apart."
• "Deep sleep before midnight is the gold standard for recovery. It's when your body does its most important work." 
• "Your best ideas and your most creative solutions happen when your brain is well-rested. That's why sleep is non-negotiable for us." 

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com
Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/
Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins


Chapters:
[00:04] - Introduction
[00:30] - The Importance of Sleep
[02:49] - Rudi’s Early Sleep Habits
[05:06] - The Health Benefits of 8 Hours of Sleep
[07:30] - Impact of Missing Sleep
[09:53] - The Role of Sleep in Parenting and Well-being
[12:18] - The Sleep-Deprivation Struggle
[14:28] - The 3-2-1 Sleep Rule for Better Sleep Hygiene
[16:39] - Rudi’s Experience with Alcohol and Sleep Quality
[19:03] - Creating a Bedtime Routine
[21:23] - Anniston’s Insights on Tracking Sleep and Deep Sleep Benefits
[23:44] - Why Deep Sleep Matters
[26:00] - Practical Sleep Hacks
[30:44] - The Eight Sleep Mattress
[33:01] - Personal Sleep Challenges and Solutions
[37:38] - Immune System and Sleep
[39:51] - Final Thoughts

In this enlightening episode of the InPowered Life podcast, meet guest Gina Worful, a registered dietitian and the founder of the Mastering Mindfulness Institute. Gina shares her transformative journey from conventional dietetics to a mindfulness-based approach to health and nutrition. She delves into why traditional dieting methods often fail and how understanding the deeper drivers of our behaviors can lead to sustainable changes. This conversation uncovers the science behind food cravings, the role of the nervous system, and practical tools for listeners to start reclaiming their health.


Key Takeaways:

Conventional Dieting Often Misses the Root Cause: Traditional diet plans focusing solely on willpower and restriction often fail because they don't address the underlying reasons for eating behaviors. Sustainable change comes from understanding the deeper drivers behind our habits.

Mindfulness Over Willpower: Gina emphasizes the importance of mindfulness—bringing focused attention to our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around food. By moving toward our discomfort with curiosity rather than avoiding it, we can uncover what truly drives our eating patterns.

The Science of Food Cravings: Stress and a dysregulated nervous system can lead to impulsive eating and cravings, particularly for quick energy sources like carbohydrates. When stressed, the body shifts into a survival mode, overriding rational decisions about food.

The Power of the Three Rs:

• Reconnect: Pause and bring awareness to your body when a craving hits.
• Reset: Move away from the immediate environment to break the autopilot behavior.
• Reflect: Afterward, consider what the craving or behavior was trying to tell you, whether you gave in to it or not.Awareness is the First Step: Shifting from judgment to curiosity about your eating habits is key. Instead of criticizing yourself for craving or indulging in certain foods, use these moments to learn more about your body’s needs and emotional triggers.

Regulating the Nervous System: The more regulated your nervous system is, the easier it becomes to make healthy food choices. Techniques like mindful breathing can help calm the nervous system and reduce the urge to eat impulsively.

Listening to Your Body: By tuning into how different foods make you feel, you can start to naturally gravitate toward choices that support your well-being. This approach helps you move away from rigid dieting and develop a more intuitive relationship with food.

Focus on Real, Whole Foods: Aim to eat closer to nature by incorporating more whole foods into your diet. A simple strategy is to include a variety of colorful vegetables, ensuring you receive a range of nutrients.

Change is a Gradual Journey: Sustainable change takes time and involves self-compassion and practice. Gina highlights that while noticeable shifts can happen in the first few months, true harmony with your body and food typically takes around a year of consistent practice and self-awareness.

Self-Compassion is Key: Reducing self-judgment and adopting a compassionate approach towards your eating behaviors can significantly impact your journey to better health. The goal is to make peace with food and your body, not to achieve perfection.
 

• "It's not just about knowledge. There's a depth underneath that we can't really see." - Gina Worful
• "Most people know the basics of healthy eating. What's missing is understanding what truly drives our behaviors." - Gina Worful
• "The more you restrict, the more you rebound back for safety." - Gina Worful
• "You can't force people to follow a program. But when you bring awareness and curiosity to their experience, they naturally start to change." - Gina Worful
   

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com
Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/
Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins

Gina Worful’s Links: 
Website: https://masteringmindfulness.institute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gina.worful/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gworful
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginaworful/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@masteringmindfulness.institute

Key Takeaways:

• Listen to Your Body: Your body constantly provides feedback. Are you listening? Rudy’s story is a reminder that ignoring signs of illness or exhaustion can lead to serious consequences.
• Create Space for Reflection: When we experience setbacks or illness, it’s crucial to take time to reflect and ask, “What is this teaching me?” Often, challenges contain lessons that lead to personal growth.
• Self-Care Isn't Selfish: The episode explores the concept that you cannot pour into others if you’re not pouring into yourself. Taking care of your own well-being is essential for living a fulfilling and impactful life.
• Overcoming the Fear of Disappointment: Rudy talks about his struggle to cancel important events despite being seriously ill, highlighting how sometimes, the fear of disappointing others can come at the cost of your health.
• Healing Comes with Awareness: Aniston explains how healing and growth often follow when we pay attention to our body’s signals and address the underlying emotional and mental challenges that may be contributing to physical symptoms.

Timestamps:

• [00:04] -  Introduction
• [00:29] - Setting The Stage
• [02:56] - Rudi Shares His Story
• [05:08] - The Power of Perception
• [07:23] - Pushing Through Illness
• [11:53] - Emotional Release & Realization
• [16:25] - Anniston’s Perspective
• [21:07] - Anniston’s Healing Journey
• [28:11] - Loving Yourself First
• [30:36] - The Healing Process
• [32:57] - Final Reflections

Quotes

• "Life isn't about perfection, it's about correct perception."
• "If you don't have it within you, you have nothing to give."
• "You are far more important than you could ever possibly imagine."
• "Our bodies are constantly communicating when we're out of alignment emotionally, spiritually, or mentally."

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com
Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/
Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins

Key Takeaways:

• The Importance of Seizing Opportunities: Ryan emphasizes the need to maximize every opportunity, whether it's in business or personal growth. He discusses how fear often holds people back and how overcoming that fear is crucial to success.
• From Humble Beginnings to Success: Despite starting from humble beginnings, Ryan's journey illustrates the power of determination, discipline, and continuous learning.
• The Role of Failure: Ryan candidly shares his experience with a failed business venture and how it became a stepping stone for greater success. He highlights the importance of learning from failure and not letting it define you.
• Podcasting as a Growth Medium: Ryan discusses the rising influence of podcasting, especially among the 18-34 demographic, and how it’s becoming a dominant medium for education and entertainment.
• Practical Advice for Aspiring Podcasters: Leveraging his experience, Ryan offers advice on how to build a successful podcast, including the importance of being authentic, engaging with your audience, and staying consistent.

Timestamps:

• [00:04] - Introduction to the InPowered Life podcast
• [00:29] - Rudi introduces Ryan Alford and his impressive background
• [02:51] - Ryan talks about the pressure and honor of having a top-ranking podcast
• [05:14] - Discussion on Ryan's mission and purpose behind his work
• [07:26] - Ryan's journey in seizing opportunities in his career
• [09:47] - How Ryan maximized his early career opportunities in marketing
• [14:14] - The mindset needed to move from good to great
• [19:02] - The importance of not settling for mediocrity
• [23:55] - Ryan’s failed business venture and the lessons learned
• [28:39] - How Ryan discerns which ideas to act on
• [33:25] - The importance of execution and staying involved in the business
• [35:48] - The future of podcasting and Ryan's work with the Radcast network
• [40:40] - Conclusion and final thoughts from Ryan and Rudi

Quotes

• "You either find a way or you find an excuse."
• "Failure is a stepping stone to just greater success, greater success, and greater success."

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com
Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/
Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins
 

Ryan Alford’s Links: 
Website: https://ryanalford.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alford.ryan
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryan.alford
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-alford-a071603/
Podcast: https://www.ryanisright.com/

In this episode of the InPowered Life podcast, hosts Rudi and Anniston Riekstins dive deep into the concept of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) and how it shapes our daily experiences. Through engaging personal stories and practical insights, they illustrate the power of focus in transforming our lives.

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com

Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/

Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins

In this episode, Rudi Riekstins engages with Erica Lippy on the journey of self-discovery and self-love. Erica shares her powerful story of overcoming limiting beliefs and toxic relationships to embrace her authentic self. This conversation covers practical strategies for reconnecting with who you truly are, such as journaling, solo vacations, and taking radical responsibility for your life. Erica also offers insights on how self-love is essential to attracting and maintaining healthy relationships.

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com

Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/

Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins

Erica Lippy’s Links: 

Website: https://ericalippy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionlovepursuit/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/passionlovepursuit 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXZEFrqqqIYZkx385BpuNxg/featured

In this episode of the InPowered Life Podcast, hosts Rudi and Anniston Riekstins explore how to navigate emotionally charged conversations during politically divisive times. They discuss the importance of understanding and respecting differing belief systems, while emphasizing the value of choosing kindness over the need to be right. They also share insights on the impact of media consumption on our mindset and offer practical tips for curating a more peaceful and positive life by being mindful of what we engage with. This episode is a guide to maintaining inner peace and fostering healthier relationships in challenging times.

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com

Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/

Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins

In this episode of the InPowered Life Podcast, host Rudi Riekstins sits down with acclaimed speaker and author Jon Gordon to talk about his journey from adversity to impact. Together, they dive into the themes of personal growth, the power of positivity, and the importance of staying true to one's purpose. Jon shares his journey from overcoming personal struggles to becoming a best-selling author and motivational speaker, offering invaluable insights and practical advice for listeners looking to transform their lives.

Visit our website: https://www.rudiriekstins.com 

Follow along at: https://www.instagram.com/the.inpowered.life.podcast/ 

Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudiriekstins 

Jon Gordon’s Links: 

Website: https://jongordon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jongordon11/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jongordonpage/

X: https://x.com/JonGordon11

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongordonenergy/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jongordonselects

Chapters:

00:04 Introduction to the Podcast

00:29 Meet John Gordon

02:37 The Concept of Expanders

05:01 Overcoming Doubts and Taking Action

09:44 Belief and Courage

14:22 Power of Positivity and Persistence

21:37 The One Truth: Oneness vs. Separateness

28:47 Integrating Faith and Leadership

35:59 Authenticity and Vulnerability

45:25 Message to Younger Self and Listeners

52:38 Closing Remarks