The Small Victories Podcast

What if adversity could be the catalyst for your greatest transformation?

In this powerful and honest episode of the Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Alan Lazaros—CEO of Next Level University and host of a global top 100 self-improvement podcast—to unpack the often misunderstood difference between self-belief and self-worth, and why both are necessary to live a fulfilled, aligned life.

Alan shares his deeply personal story of loss, trauma, achievement, and awakening—from losing his father at 2 years old, to surviving a near-fatal car accident at 26 that shifted his life’s direction. Through this lens, he teaches us how true transformation starts not with doing more—but by knowing, accepting, and honoring who we truly are.

Key Takeaways:

• 🎯 Self-belief is your confidence in what you can do. Self-worth is your confidence in who you are. You need both.
  

• 🧭 Transformation requires the journey of self-awareness → self-acceptance → self-improvement—in that order.
  

• 💡 You don’t rise to the level of your dreams; you fall to the level of your beliefs.
  

• 🧱 If you don’t consciously assign goals to yourself, you’ll unconsciously “stumble upon” a life that doesn’t serve you.
  

• ⚖️ High achievers often suffer from low self-worth. Achievement alone won’t make you feel worthy.
  

• 💥 Adversity is only an advantage if you believe you can turn it into growth. Without belief, it’s just pain.
  

• 🚧 Saying yes builds self-belief. Saying no builds self-worth.
  

• 🌟 Self-worth is cultivated by honoring your core values and setting boundaries—even if it means disappointing others.
  

Reflection Questions:

1. Where in your life are you saying “yes” when your heart is really saying “no”? What boundary is waiting to be honored?
   

2. Do you base your worth on what you achieve—or who you are at your core?
   

Connect with Alan Lazaros: 🎧 Listen to the Next Level University podcast and explore coaching resources at: www.nextleveluniverse.com 📲 Instagram: @alazaros88 📲 Instagram (podcast): @nextleveluniverse

In this powerful episode of the Small Victories Podcast, host Pauline Victoria welcomes Mark Rodriguez, founder of Warrior Life Academy, a man whose life story is nothing short of miraculous. After surviving two double lung transplants and battling a terminal diagnosis, Mark shares how he went from dying man to warrior coach—turning pain into purpose and adversity into impact.

Through his raw and transparent journey, Mark unpacks the mindset, faith, and warrior spirit it takes to not only survive life’s darkest moments but rise above them transformed. He shares a deeply personal framework for healing that goes beyond physical recovery: one that begins with accountability, demands inner healing, and leads to true elevation and purpose.

This episode isn’t just inspirational—it’s transformational. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unworthy, broken, or lost in your life, Mark’s journey reminds us that we’re never beyond redemption, never too far gone to be used by God, and never without a fight worth fighting.

Key Takeaways:

• You are the leader of your own life. No one else can make the decision to fight for your future but you.
  

• Healing starts with accountability. You can't grow into your purpose without first taking radical ownership of your past.
  

• Your inner warrior doesn’t always yell—it serves, smiles, and chooses gratitude. Strength comes in many forms, including quiet persistence.
  

• Self-care is a reflection of self-respect. You can’t pour from an empty cup—and you can’t lead others well if you’re abandoning yourself.
  

• You were made for more. Every mistake, every wound, and every scar can be used for good when surrendered to God.
  

• Quitting is hard. Fighting is harder—but worth it. You must choose your hard. Only one leads to transformation.
  

• True victory is living as the person God always knew you could be. And that means embracing the fight, not avoiding it.
  

  
  ⁠ Reflection Questions for the Listener:

1. What area of your life are you avoiding accountability in—and how might taking ownership lead to your healing?
   

2. Are you speaking life over your situation, or are you unintentionally giving power to defeat through your words and actions?
   Connect with Mark Rodriguez:

• 🌐 Website: www.thewarriorlifeacademy.com
  

• 🔗 LinkedIn: Mark Rodriguez on LinkedIn
  
  🎥 YouTube: Warrior Life Academy

In this empowering episode of the Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Urmi Hossain—a multicultural, multilingual, and multi-passionate powerhouse. Born in Italy to Bengali parents and now based in Canada, Urmi shares her story of navigating identity, embracing her full self, and encouraging others to invest in who they are becoming.

A self-published author, blogger, speaker, and financial services professional, Urmi blends her analytical mind with a passionate heart for women’s empowerment. From cultural conflict to clarity, from self-doubt to self-expression, Urmi reminds us that your uniqueness isn’t something to hide—it’s your greatest strength.

Whether you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong, or you’re unsure how your many passions fit together, this episode will inspire you to stop choosing one part of yourself over another—and instead create your own box, own your story, and step into your potential.

Key Takeaways:

• Your cultural background doesn't need to fit in a box—it can be a bridge. Use your multicultural experiences as a strength that allows deeper understanding and connection.
  

• Your identity is a choice, not a label. You get to define who you are, not just by heritage, but by intention and alignment with your values.
  

• Investing in yourself is a form of empowerment. Whether through education, personal development, or hobbies, pouring into yourself sets the foundation for fulfillment.
  

• Vision boards are more than crafts—they’re declarations of intent. Putting your dreams into visual form makes them real, personal, and actionable.
  

• • Passion and profession can coexist. You don’t have to choose between logic and creativity—your purpose can be the thread that ties them together.
    

  Reflection Questions for the Listener:

1. Where in your life are you still trying to fit into a box that no longer serves you?
   

2. What is one small but powerful way you can invest in yourself this week?
   

Connect with Urmi Hossain:

https://www.womeninleadership.ca/victoria

https://www.instagram.com/wil_victoriachapter/

📘 Author of Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Intercultural Conflicts

In a world that demands constant movement, how do we return to stillness—the kind that grounds us, connects us, and heals us?

In this beautiful and insightful conversation, Pauline Victoria sits down with Catherine Corona—a multi-talented artist, author, singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and lifelong student of meditation and the sound current. Drawing from over four decades of practice and creative exploration, Catherine reveals how stillness is not something we create but something we reconnect with.

She shares powerful childhood stories, sacred practices, and timeless wisdom about the inner quiet that lives within us all. You’ll learn why trying to “quiet the mind” doesn’t work, how sound can be a spiritual doorway, and how to reclaim your soul’s spaciousness—even amidst chaos.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or spiritual seeker, this episode is an invitation to come home to yourself and discover that your stillness is where your strength resides.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Stillness isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we return to. It already lives within us.

• You don’t need hours to connect. A few minutes of daily practice can shift your awareness and open you to greater peace.

• Trying to silence your mind doesn't work—redirect it instead. Catherine shares how using mantras and sound currents can guide your focus.

• Let go of identity to discover essence. Beyond our stories and titles is a soul longing to remember its connection to all things.

• Entrepreneurs and doers don’t have to choose between purpose and peace. Stillness enhances creativity, intuition, and clarity.

🌐 Connect with Catherine Corona:

Explore Catherine’s Five Daily Spiritual Practices and more at www.soulandspirit.net. Reach out and share your journey—she welcomes hearing from listeners.

🎧 Tune in now and take your first step toward rediscovering the stillness, strength, and soul within you.

What if your current mess isn’t a mistake—but a setup for your mission?

In this powerful episode, Pauline Victoria is joined by Steven Foster—pastor, author, father, and coach—to explore the idea that we are always right on schedule, even in the middle of life’s storms. Steven vulnerably shares his story of success, collapse, and spiritual awakening, and how Romans 8:28 became the foundation for his transformation.

Discover the difference between grinding in your own strength versus flowing with grace, and why your story—no matter how ordinary or messy you think it is—has the power to heal, uplift, and guide others.

This conversation is a heartening reminder that your greatest struggles may be the very tools God uses to shape your purpose.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• You're not behind—you're right on schedule. Every part of your journey, including the painful parts, is shaping your purpose.

• There’s a grace for your specific race. When we run outside of our grace, we burn out. True success happens in alignment with God’s timing.

• Your mess is the message someone is waiting for. What you’ve walked through uniquely qualifies you to lead and uplift others.

1. In what area of your life are you trying to “grind” instead of flowing in grace?
2. What story or experience have you downplayed that could actually be the message someone else needs right now?
   

📚 Claim Your Free Copy of Steven’s Book: Text the word NEXT to 949-383-4502 to receive a free copy of You’re Right on Schedule.

🖥️ Connect with Steven Foster: Website: itsyournextstep.org Instagram: @stevenfoster.yns

🎧 Tune in now to be reminded that even your broken pieces are part of a bigger masterpiece.

What if the life you want isn’t blocked by your circumstances—but by the story you keep telling yourself?

In this powerful episode of The Small Victories Podcast, Pauline Victoria sits down with Kyle Smith, Clarity Consultant and founder of ClarityConsultant.ca, to explore how we can stop waiting for life to change and start choosing the life we want to live.

Kyle shares his own raw and transformational journey from feeling stuck and chaotic to stepping into personal leadership and purpose. Through practical tools like intentional breathwork, story reframing, and the concept of “soft talk” vs. “solid talk,” Kyle empowers listeners to shift from indecision to action.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, directionless, or unsure of your next step, this conversation will help you reconnect with your inner authority and create the clarity you’ve been craving.

• Clarity is leadership of the self: It’s not just about knowing what you want—it’s about taking responsibility for choosing your path.
  

• Soft talk weakens our self-trust: Learn how ambiguous language creates uncertainty, and how shifting to “solid talk” builds decisiveness and confidence.
  

• Awareness is the first step toward change: You can’t choose a new direction unless you first acknowledge where you are.
  

• Purpose transforms emotional chaos into focused action: Especially for men, channeling energy into meaningful pursuits can lead to healing and growth.
  

• Your words create your world: “Abracadabra” literally means “with my words, I create.” The stories you speak shape your identity, your direction, and your destiny.
  

1. What story have you been telling yourself that might be holding you back from the life you truly want?
   

2. Where in your life are you using “soft talk,” and how could shifting to “solid talk” help you make more confident decisions?
   

🎧 Listen now and begin your journey toward clarity, leadership, and empowered living. 📲 Learn more about Kyle and his 7-Day Soft Talk Challenge at ClarityConsultant.ca

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

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@dapperdudekyle 

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dapperdudekyle 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarity-consultant/ 

X: https://x.com/dapperdudekyle 

Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/limitless-life-with-kyle-smit 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dapperdudekyle 

🔑 Key Takeaways:Reflection Questions for Listeners:

Success isn’t about waiting for the universe to deliver—it’s about taking action, recognizing opportunities, and staying resilient in the face of challenges. In this episode, entrepreneur Igor Vainshtein shares his journey of building and selling businesses, creating innovative products, and applying manifestation in a practical way.

Igor, the founder of 24 Seven Golf, creator of the Golf Track app, author of Practical Manifestation and Agile Manifestation, and designer of the Entrepreneuropoly board game, reveals the mindset, strategies, and lessons behind his success.

Together, we explore: ✔ Why failure is part of the entrepreneurial journey—and how to push through setbacks. ✔ Practical Manifestation—how to reverse-engineer your dreams into reality. ✔ The secret to spotting opportunities that are already in front of you. ✔ Why your mindset is your biggest obstacle—or your greatest asset. ✔ How playing games like Entrepreneuropoly can strengthen your business skills.

🔗 Check out Igor’s work: www.igorvainshtein.com 📖 Practical Manifestation (available now) 📖 Agile Manifestation (coming early 2025) 🎲 Entrepreneuropoly – The board game that teaches real-world entrepreneurship: Biz.Game

✔ Success is built through persistence, not perfection. Igor has launched over 20 businesses and follows the 1 in 9 rule—only one out of every nine businesses succeeds. If you’ve failed three times, keep going—you’re still learning and improving.

✔ Manifestation isn’t just about visualizing—it requires intentional action. Many people believe in manifestation but never take action. Success happens when you break down your goals into actionable steps and execute them consistently.

✔ Opportunities are everywhere—but you need to train yourself to see them. Igor walked past a sign for a luxury car rental business every day without noticing it—until he became aware of the possibility. When your mind shifts, you suddenly recognize opportunities that were always there.

✔ Entrepreneurs must learn to "deal with it." Challenges are inevitable, but success comes from resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving. This is why Igor created Entrepreneuropoly—to teach future business owners how to navigate uncertainty, make decisions, and think strategically.

✔ Your daily actions determine success, not just your big goals. Instead of saying, "I want to lose 20 pounds," reframe success as "I will walk 10,000 steps a day." Small, measurable actions build momentum toward big results.

✔ Reframing challenges makes them easier to tackle. If you find a way to make something fun, enjoyable, or meaningful, you’ll stop procrastinating. Success isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter.

✔ The journey itself is the victory. Many entrepreneurs believe they’ll be happy once they reach a certain milestone, but true success is enjoying the process of growth, learning, and creating.

💡 Want to train your entrepreneurial mindset in a fun way? Check out Entrepreneuropoly at Biz.Game.

Key Takeaways:

So many women struggle with the idea that they can truly love the body they live in. Years of misinformation, chronic health issues, and limiting beliefs make them feel stuck in cycles of frustration, discomfort, and self-doubt. But the good news? Healing is possible—and it starts from within.

In this episode, holistic health coach and nutritionist Leah Dombrowski shares her powerful journey of overcoming chronic gut issues, autoimmune disease, and fatigue through functional medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. Now, she helps women reclaim their health, lose weight naturally, support their gut, and feel strong and confident in their bodies.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by health struggles, dismissed by doctors, or unsure where to start, this conversation will empower you to take control of your health and live in a body you love.

Learn more about Leah and connect with her: https://www.livingwithstrength.com/ 

• Your symptoms are not "normal"—they are signals from your body. Bloating, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and digestive issues may be common, but they are not normal. Instead of ignoring them, listen to what your body is telling you and take action.

• Your health struggles don’t define you, but your response to them does. Many women use conditions like PCOS or hypothyroidism as excuses to stay stuck, but healing is possible. Your diagnosis is not your identity—it’s data that helps guide your health journey.

• Functional medicine addresses the root cause, not just symptoms. Traditional medicine often covers up symptoms with medication, but true healing happens when you look at your whole body, lifestyle, and nutrition to find the real issue.

• Your mindset is the biggest obstacle to change. Many people wait until they hit rock bottom before making a change, but you don’t have to. You have the power to choose health before you reach a breaking point.

• Stop looking for quick fixes—real health is a long-term commitment. Fad diets, extreme cleanses, and “miracle supplements” don’t work in the long run. Instead, focus on building sustainable habits that support your body over time.

• Find your ‘why’ to stay motivated. If you struggle to stay consistent, ask yourself: Why do I want to feel better? Whether it’s to be more present for your family, regain energy, or boost confidence, your deeper reason will keep you going on hard days.

• You don’t have to figure it all out alone—coaching accelerates your results. Instead of spending years guessing, working with a coach gives you clarity, guidance, and a personalized plan that works for YOUR body.

Your body was designed to thrive. Healing is possible. The first step is choosing to take action. Tune in and start your journey to living in a body you love. 🎧

To connect with Lea, visit https://www.livingwithstrength.com/ 

Key Takeaways:

Have you ever wondered how to turn your unique talents and life experiences into a thriving business? In this episode, we dive deep into monetizing your genius with Shelby Jo Long—a seasoned business strategist, communication expert, and Senior VP of the Strategic Advisor Board.  

With 15 years as a professor and debate coach, Shelby has mastered the art of helping entrepreneurs discover their genius, clarify their brand message, and create high-ticket offers. She believes that when you build a business around your natural gifts, you not only find financial success but also create a fulfilling life and meaningful impact.  

If you've ever struggled with pricing your expertise, identifying what makes you stand out, or wondering how to transform your passion into profit, this conversation is packed with insights to help you take the next step.  

Learn more about Shelby and grab her book, “I See Your Genius: Transform Your Idea Into Income” www.shelbyjolong.com 

https://www.facebook.com/longsj 

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

Key Takeaways:

• Your genius isn’t just what you know—it’s how you solve problems. True genius isn’t just book smarts or formal education. It’s a combination of your experience, worldview, and ability to create solutions that others need.  
• Your story is your competitive advantage. The personal experiences that shaped you are what set you apart from others in your industry. Your unique perspective and journey create an emotional connection with your audience. 
• People pay for solutions, not just skills. Your expertise has value, but it becomes truly monetizable when you position it as a solution to a real problem that your audience is willing to invest in.  
• You don’t have to be the only one—you just have to be the right one. Many people may have similar talents, but how you deliver your message, connect with people, and serve your audience makes you different.
• Charging for your expertise is not selfish—it’s an exchange of value. Your knowledge and gifts were given to you for a reason. By monetizing them, you create impact, transformation, and sustainability in your work.
• Visibility is essential—hiding your genius helps no one. If no one knows about your gifts, they can’t benefit from them. Showing up online, speaking about your expertise, and building relationships is key to success.  
• Growth accelerates when you surround yourself with the right people. Building a business in isolation is limiting. Connecting with mentors, coaches, and strategic partners can fast-track your success.  
• Success starts with action—clarity comes from movement. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. Taking the first step, even if it’s small, will lead to clarity, confidence, and momentum.
• Your genius is valuable, and the world needs it. The key is learning how to position, communicate, and monetize it effectively so you can create both impact and income.

If you're ready to turn your natural talents into a profitable business, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now! 🎧

To connect, visit www.shelbyjolong.com 

Learn more about Shelby Jo Long at www.shelbyjolong.com 

https://www.facebook.com/longsj 

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

Are you truly living from your spark, or are you simply going through the motions? In this inspiring episode, Sharon Rolfe, the Queen of Courage, shares how embracing our unique talents and values can lead to a life of meaning, fulfillment, and impact—at any age.  

Sharon, a behavioral scientist and essence coach, spent 50 years in the corporate world before embarking on a mission to help people rediscover their inner spark and repurpose their unique gifts. Now at 77, she proves that it's never too late to step into your purpose and create a legacy that matters.  

Whether you’re feeling stuck, searching for meaning, or wondering how to turn your passions into something impactful, this conversation will encourage you to live wholeheartedly, with courage and intention.  

Key Takeaways  

• Courage & Resilience – Fear can hold you back, but choosing courage leads to transformation.  

• Discovering Your Spark – Identify your unique talents by listing 20 things you love to do.  

• The Power of Joy – What brings you joy is often the key to your purpose.  

• Aligning Passion with Values – True fulfillment comes when what you love aligns with what you stand for.  

• The Role of Legacy – Your impact isn’t just financial; values, wisdom, and contributions shape your legacy.  

• Wholehearted Living – Every day is an opportunity to step into your gifts and live a life that matters

It’s never too late to discover your purpose and make a difference! Tune in and be inspired to embrace your own unique spark.

Grab Sharon’s book, "Fresh Courage in Retirement," and learn more about her work here: www.Sharonrolph.com 

🎧 Listen now and start living with intention today!