Tune into Yourself

David C.N.R. Springer, Fulbright foreign student scholar, award-winning youth leader and Prison Officer shares with us his story.

Currently he is completing an M.A. in Communications and a Masters in Social Work. David shares with us his views on the importance of communications both from a work and life perspective. He discusses the importance of asking questions, prayer and optimism on his life path.

 Prison can be considered a last hope for many who have been failed by the social structures which we usually take for granted such as school, family, church and community. Restorative justice a popular term internationally is an initiative he would like to build upon on his return to Trinidad and Tobago.

He shares the inspirational message that now could be the best incubator for many and not to loose hope even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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In this episode, Roxanne Colthrust a Digital Entrepreneur with some twenty years experience shares with us lessons she has learned and how she has addressed challenges faced over the period.

She stresses the importance of being agile and adaptable to survive and thrive as an entrepreneur. With her first degree in economics she understands the importance of strategic mindedness - paying attention to the market and looking ahead to see possible scenarios. With this strength she was able to make business changes such as introduce remote work and reduce expenses months before the pandemic hit.

She stresses the importance of partnerships and finding your tribe in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. Other key areas which she addresses are: valuing of services and product, having the courage to walk away from business deals when necessary and  identifying your passion.

Please click on the links to view the companies mentioned in the interview:
https://www.destinationtnt.com/
https://www.sightfactory.com/
https://www.shopcaribe.com/

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Patricia Wright-Alexis  avid hockey player, coach  and youth fitness instructor left the corporate world to pursue her passion. She wanted to positively impact others as she had been positively impacted by hockey. She is one of the Directors of Incentivize Network Limited, the parent company of IN Sports Field Hockey academy, IN Events Caribbean and the IN Clubhouse. 

She has used her passion to fuel her purpose - positively impacting youth. She credits her grit,  the ability to plow through difficult times as a significant strength on her journey. She has overcome self-imposed limiting beliefs to reach where she is today. She credits the opportunities presented to her through her involvement in hockey - winning a sports scholarship, being captain of the hockey team as being fundamental to her personal growth and development.

She encourages persons to spend time with their thoughts to find their purpose and when they find their purpose - to run with it, let your passion fuel your purpose. Your passion energizes you to create and connect!

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight  that knows neither victory nor defeat." 
Theodore Roosevelt

The above is a favourite quote of Dr. Kizanne James-McCarthy a multi- award winning development professional, Chevening Scholar, reproductive health consultant and physician with a passion for global health. 

Kizanne shares with us the importance of pushing through the many challenges of life without allowing these challenges to make us bitter. Although she has faced both health and financial challenges her understanding of the importance of community and showing compassion and empathy for our fellowman shines through. 

From overcoming her fear of public speaking to now speaking to global audiences and even doing her own Ted Talk her journey inspires us to live life and learn from the lessons it provides through our triumphs and failures! 

Lyris Hazzard- Wilson shares a mother's story of successfully raising three children despite her having financial and academic challenges.

She discusses how important it is to be of service to others and to serve from the heart. Her advice in these challenging times is for people to be plugged into a group as even when you are down and out someone from that positive group will assist you. She also encourages persons to find an organisation or cause to be part of and serve.

Her foundation has been her church and family. She has also reached out to Professors and lecturers at the University of the West Indies - Agriculture Department and Cocoa Research Centre who were always willing to assist her children. The friends that she surrounded herself with were also able to give a helping hand. As she put it she refuses to hate and still sees beauty and good in the world despite all of the challenges that she has been through.

She is  very proud of her children and their accomplishments and encourages persons with reading and writing challenges to find ways to support their  own children so that they can accomplish their dreams.

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Occupational Therapist, Khamara-Lani Tarradath shares with us what this field is all about and her journey to qualify in this career.

Her self-confidence, flexibility and perseverance helped her to secure the necessary scholarship funding to study abroad after five attempts.

 She emphasizes the importance of volunteering and talking to persons in the field to which you aspire. This along with the necessary research helps you to make the right decision. After the choice is made their will be challenges along the way and knowing yourself - strengths and weaknesses along with the surety that you made the right decision helps you to stay the course.

Khamara is also the Public Relations Officer for the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy association. The association can be contacted on the facebook page of the same name , on IG @ttota868 and you can also get more information on their website.

Liesl Semper, HR professional shares with us challenges she faced and overcame during a ten year period of unemployment and under employment. During this time she was also the sole care giver for her mother who had Alzheimer's  disease.

Having a dream to be an HR professional led her from her home in Trinidad and Tobago to the USA to pursue her MBA, but a major external event 9/11 changed her planned trajectory. She shares how focusing on her circle of control, letting go, while accepting at the same time  what couldn't be changed and maintaining the belief that something good can happen does make a difference! You can follow her on LinkedIn.

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Your comments and views are welcomed!

Zakiya Mills shares with us useful tips to navigate a challenging environment. Her enthusiasm and the strategies shared will help empower you as you face challenges in both business and life.

Her purpose -driven business focuses on empowering people and inspiring them as they face life challenges. Each of the ten companies in her business shares this common thread.



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Mr. Kevin Liverpool is the Administrator of CariMAN  a regional network of individuals and organizations working on transforming masculinities and engaging men and boys to promote gender equality and end violence against women and girls.

Kevin shares with us how his strengths optimism and patience helps him to go brave and continue doing this very necessary work. He was an educator for 10 years and through this and his own struggles as a teenager he appreciates the need to pay it forward.

Many persons helped him on his journey and he knows the importance of mentorship. The organisation has recently started a new project in conjunction with the IADB and he is excited to make a difference and leave a legacy.