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THE BEST YOU TRANSFORM • INSPIRE • MOTIVATE • ENRICH • EMPOWER • ENJOY FEBRUARY 2015 / Price £3.99
WILL .I. AM The Voice coach speaks out on Rita Ora, growing up in the ghetto and why success should never be easy
KATIE PIPER
URGES US TO BE HAPPY WITH WHO WE ARE
THE LONG RUNNER MEET A WORLD RECORD BREAKER
SING IT OUT LOUD
GAIL BLANKE ON HOW TO FIND INNER STRENGTH
READY TO LAUNCH
EMMA JONES’ GUIDE TO MAKING YOUR BUSINESS DREAM COME TRUE
DAVINA MCCALL
HOW TO QUIT SUGAR FROM YOUR DIET FOR GOOD
ALSO: VALENTINE’S DAY ROMANTIC GETAWAYS
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Contents
February 2015 / Issue No.2
REGULARS 5
EDITOR’S LETTER
18
WE SUPPORT...
Bernardo Moya welcomes you to this month’s issue of The Best You
33
The British Heart Foundation’s February Wear It. Beat It. campaign to help save more lives from heart disease
BOOK REVIEWS
A few of our favourite recently published books – fantastic reads to change your life
66
THE BEST YOU DIRECTORY
Where to find the best coaches, trainers and practitioners
FEATURES 22
WILL.I.AM
He needs no introduction thanks to The Voice, but the music maestro explains why success shouldn’t come easily
26
MARATHON MAN
Meet Rob Young who plans to run a marathon a day for a year – and raise funds for charities close to his heart
30
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
16 TOP 6 ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS The best places to head this year with the one you love
Katie Piper has inspired us with her bravery and mission to support others – now she’s urging us to love ourselves
INNER YOU 10
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STRESS BE GONE
Having battled severe depression, writer Rachel Kelly shares her sanity-saving steps to a happy life
A GROWING FAITH
Marcus Weston explains why Kabbalah could provide the secret to inner happiness and success
ENJOY LIFE 16
19
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TOP 6 ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS
Here are the best places to take your loved one
THE NEWS
With so much of what we read in the papers being negative, The Best You brings you some good news
SING A SONG
Life coach Gail Blanke has mentored presidential candidates – now she shares her insights with The Best You
22 WILL.I.AM Find out why Will thinks Rita Ora could be The Voice‘s best coach yet
EDITOR / PUBLISHER Bernardo Moya · DEPUTY EDITOR Daska Davis · ASSOCIATE EDITORS Cynthia Phillips and Gail Kingsbury COMMERCIAL CONSULTANT Peter Moore · MEDIA DIRECTOR Allan Banford · TECHNICAL CONSULTANT Martin Carter · ADVERTISING advertising@thebestyou.co w w w . t he b e s t yo uma ga z i ne . c o
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LIVE LOVE LEGACY 40
THEIR INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
Meet three people who are living life to the full with heart disease
42
YOU’RE TOO KIND
Do you give out as much love as you get? Random Acts of Kindness week could be the perfect opportunity to do more
45
BELIEF DEFEATS DISAPPOINTMENT
Jim Aitkins explains why having the right mental outlook can disappear disappointment before it strikes
46
WHAT DOES IT TAKE…
…to be an environmental activist? We chat with textiles designer Monique Maissan about making a difference
FEEL & LOOK GOOD 50
HER OWN WAY
Strala founder Tara Stiles shares her holistic approach to achieving balance in all areas of life
52
SWEET ENOUGH
Davina McCall explains why her latest challenge is to help us ditch the sugar bowl for good
55
LATE STARTER
46 WHAT DOES IT TAKE… …to be an environmental activist? Meet Monique Maissan
It’s not too late to make a life resolution for 2015. Follow our easy tips to improve your outlook today
WEALTH & RICHES 58
60
START IT UP
Enterprise Nation’s Emma Jones explains why it’s never been a better time to turn that idea into a burgeoning business
BE THE WORLD’S RICHEST PERSON
Leading business coach Garrett Gundersen believes financial success starts with identifying who you are inside
62
BACK TO THE BOARDROOM
After her stint on The Apprentice, family lawyer Lauren Riley has a new business venture that’s attracting investors
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THE ROCKY ROAD TO SUCCESS
The Best You looks at people, past and present, who worked hard for their moment in the spotlight
21ST CENTURY LIVING 70
Roger Harrop explains why millennials could be the key to your business success
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DIGITAL EXCHANGE
04
INSTALLATION COMPLETE
Bryan Szabo explores technological gifts for your partner
www.thebe sty o u m ag az i n e . co
70 INSTALLATION COMPLETE Young talent can transform your business growth in 2015
THE BEST YOU
EDITORIAL
MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS Life is passing us by, seemingly ever quicker, and this month my question is, ‘What kind of decisions are you making?’ Sometimes making the ‘right’ decision can easily lead us to paralysis. How can we decide what is the ‘best’ job offer, who will be our future life partner, or simply what is the best thing on the menu?
This issue, we have fantastic interviews with Will.I.Am, Katie Piper and Tara Stiles, plus advice from Enterprise Nation’s Emma Jones and US life coach Gail Blanke. We also meet an inspiring individual, Rob Young, who is running at least one marathon every day for a year – his journey has been amazing, so read his story on page 26.
And sometimes that’s the problem, the more we think about things, the less we rely on our intuition, emotion or gut instinct. It turns out that there really are no purely rational decisions.
Our goal is to help you beome the best you in all areas of life, so enjoy the issue and please tell us what you think.
But our emotions can also lead us astray. Since every choice represents a battle between your rational conscious and emotional subconscious mind, the key to good decisionmaking is learning how to pick which side should win.
BERNARDO MOYA, Editor-in-chief Follow me: @Bernardo_Moya
It turns out though that, for most people, there is no such thing as a purely rational self. So the best thing is to pay attention to the feeling and emotion that accompany the decision that we’re facing. It’s also important to asses how committed we are to follow things through, and most importantly – once we make the decision – to go into things 100 per cent, no regrets. At the end of 2014, I made some great decisions. On 1 January, Daska Davis joined The Best You as our new deputy editor, and Allan Banford became our media director. I am delighted and proud of the great content that our team has created in this issue, and look forward to delivering even more across our channels in 2015.
SHARE YOUR SUCCESS The Best You is all about inspiring people. If you have a tale to tell that you think will help someone become the best they can be, get in touch.
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THE BEST YOU CONTRIBUTORS
DASKA DAVIS
is deputy editor at The Best You. This issue, she interviews Rachel Kelly, Rob Young, Katie Piper and Lauren Riley. “Whatever area they operate in, I enjoy speaking with people to understand what makes them tick, and how they have achieved success in their lives. Life can throw up what seems like a challenge, often with the best outcome.”
@TheBestYou_
ROGER HARROP
has spent more than 25 years leading international businesses and is a speaker who inspires audiences with his Staying in the Helicopter® programmes. Over 20,000 CEOs, business leaders and executives in 38 countries have achieved transformational change through his thought-provoking, talks and books.
@TheCEOexpert
MARCUS WESTON
BRYAN SZABO
GAIL BLANKE
EMMA JONES
@kabbalahcentre
@eidolonink
@gailblanke
@emmaljones
JIM AITKINS
GARRETT GUNDERSON
TARA STILES
LAUREN RILEY
is an international speaker and advisor to business leaders, diplomats, politicians, celebrities and royalty around the world. After a career in international finance, he experienced how core spiritual values maximise business productivity and prosperity. In 2001, he decided to devote himself full-time to teaching Kabbalah.
is an American author. He speaks and trains for corporations and organisations on the topics that he also writes about. He believes that personal growth is not only easier than most people think, but can be fun as well. Visit Jim’s blog, Obstacle Blaster at obstacleblaster.com
is a Canadian-born freelance editor and writer who specialises in helping authors realise their full potential as writers. He believes that everybody has a story that should be told. His appearance on the acknowledgement page of dozens of titles proves that the voice he is helping budding authors to find is a precious thing indeed.
is a passionate entrepreneur who rose to prominence after he identified inconsistencies in conventional financial advice. When he studied the principles that real entrepreneurs use to create wealth, he experienced personal financial success and this has formed the core teachings of his Financial FastTrack programme.
@GBGunderson
is founder, president, and chief executive officer of Lifedesigns, LLC, a company whose vision is to empower men and women worldwide to live truly exceptional lives. A renowned executive coach and presentation skills trainer, she has advised CEOs, college presidents, a jazz musician, and even a presidential candidate with her expert insights.
is an American model turned yoga star who founded the Strala movement in New York City. An author and YouTube star, she has collaborated with Jane Fonda and Deepak Chopra. Her latest book encourages people to create their own holistic approach to wellbeing, encompassing physical, mental and spiritual health.
@TaraStiles
is founder of Enterprise Nation, a small business support company. Author of numerous books, she launched her first business at 27 and successfully sold the company two years later. Enterprise Nation was launched in 2006 and now provides online services, publications, events and finance to firms across the UK.
is a family lawyer who appeared on The Apprentice in 2014. Her latest launch is an app for the legal profession which aims to debunk the stuffy image that lingers over the profession and create a 21st century tool for client communication. Despite losing Lord Sugar’s vote of confidence, she is already attracting investors to her latest venture.
@MissLaurenRiley
The Best You is published by The Best You Corporation Ltd, 5 Percy Street, W1T 1DG. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect The Best You Corporation Ltd, policy. The Best You Corporation Ltd accepts no responsibility for views expressed by its contributors. Advertisements and reader offers are not endorsed by The Best You or The Best You Corporation Ltd.
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INNER YOU
THE BEST
YOU
Connect with the wonderful, special and powerful inside. Learn ways to get your mind and body in balance, bringing out the rich core of your being. Discover the secrets that will enable you to take charge of your inner life and become the best you.
Life Without Limits
TM
POETIC LICENCE
Rachel Kelly on the tools she uses to tackle depression
NEW MOVEMENT
Marcus Weston on how Kabbalah is attracting growing numbers in the capital
Put your company in this space! To sponsor this page and be part of The Best You, email us at advertising@thebestyou.co
INNER YOU
STRESS
BE GONE Former Times columnist and Sane ambassador Rachel Kelly has suffered two breakdowns and battled depression, and her strategies for tackling the ‘black dog’ come from the heart
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t a time when stress, depression and mental health problems have become everyday, our tactics for dealing with each remain remarkably limited. Talk with your GP and the likelihood is that, after a simple assessment, you will be offered anti-depressants or six weeks of cognitive behavioural therapy. But the ‘medical model’ doesn’t always provide a neat solution. Writer Rachel Kelly knows first hand that conventional medicine has its limitations when it comes to healing the mind. An Oxford graduate, Kelly worked for The Times for more than a decade, but says she suffered huge anxiety from constantly trying to achieve perfection in all aspects of life. “Like many women I was constantly trying to be the perfect mum, worker, wife, daughter, daughter-in-law,” she says. “My depression was largely anxiety-driven. Working in a busy newsroom is a hugely demanding job, you have to reinvent yourself every day. It’s like being on a hamster wheel where you constantly try to do more, but it never feels like it’s good enough. It was a bad fit for my temperament but ironically many people with anxiety are drawn to challenging environments such as law, the City and media.” For Kelly, life fell apart after the birth of her second child, George, when anxiety and depression took hold, and a second, much deeper attack several years later as a mother to five young children. Having tried conventional medication, Kelly found huge solace in other areas such as poetry and nature. “I’m not original in my thinking,” Kelly says, “and if you look back at psychiatry over the past 20 years, there are many who have suggested that the creative arts can be helpful in treating depression. “The ‘medical model’ has its limitations and the answer isn’t always in medication. There can be lots of side effects and, while the exact outcomes are much debated, 30 per cent of people feel an immediate effect, 30 per cent can see an improvement over time, but 30 per cent may not benefit at all from anti-depressants. They can be a bit of a sticking plaster and you need to look much deeper. It’s not enough to fix one part of the problem, and it’s best to look at many aspects of the mind and body to get well. “I developed lots of approaches and strategies to tackle my depression. Partly I adjusted my mindset to shift from needing to be ‘perfect’ to ‘good enough’, but I used four or five physical techniques to support this.” Today, Kelly has a much calmer lifestyle, her talents as a writer combined with her own life experiences to support others both through her memoir, released last year, her voluntary work and as an ambassador for mental health charity Sane. Her first book, Black Rainbow: How Words Healed Me – My Journey Through Depression, has been wellreceived with a second planned. “I am blown away to be involved with Sane,” she says, “and it is a privilege to work with them. The role and scope of mental health charities has grown enormously in recent years and often fills the cracks in the NHS. “I’m well now and I have found an answer for me, but it’s like being a diabetic I’ll always be vulnerable and have a tendency towards depression, but I’ve learned to manage it. I would urge anyone whose mental health is suffering to experiment and dip a toe in every water, try everything. It’s like a roadmap and everyone has to find their own way.”
Rachel Kelly has created a tool kit to tackle the warning signs of an attack, which for her include insomnia, obsessing and physical symptoms such as breathlessness and a racing heart. Her tactics to keep anxiety in abeyance include vitamin supplements, poetry, nature, mindfulness and using a compassionate mental voice to be kind to herself. Here are her tops for staying sane. 1. BREATHING Anxiety tends to make breathing shallow and fast but by forcing yourself to inhale and exhale more slowly, your body has to calm down, and with it your anxious, racing mind, lowering levels of stress hormones cortisol and adrenalin. 2. DIET When I eat a Mediterranean diet, with more lean proteins, whole grains, pulses, fruit, fish, nuts, cereals and olive oil my mind is more stable. I also take a vitamin B supplement as those suffering from depression tend to have low levels. 3. EXERCISE Although I’m not ‘sporty’ I know activity helps, and so I cycle to pick my son up from school or sweep the back garden as I wait for a call on speakerphone to be answered. Even a short walk outside to get some vitamin D helps. 4. ALCOHOL I’ve never been a drinker, but after an initial ‘high’, alcohol depletes the neurotransmitters in our brain that tell us to feel happy, so cutting out alcohol can be a good tactic. 5. COMPASSION It’s easy to let negative thinking take over – self-supporting thoughts and mantras can provide a support. Stick them or your computer and use them in moments of adversity. 6. POETRY A poem can be a lifeline when insomnia strikes. Take Love by George Herbert, Hope by Emily Dickinson and Invictus by William Ernest Henley are personal favourites. 7. MINDFULNESS It’s not successful for everyone, but focusing on what one is experiencing in the moment can provide full stops amid the rush, and a reminder to slow down. 8. GENEROSITY Acts of generosity are often linked to higher levels of mental wellbeing. I volunteer to support literacy learning at my local prison, and work with a number of charities and I always feel much better after a session with others. 9. SLEEP It doesn’t matter when you sleep, your body will rest when it needs it. Instead of worrying about insomnia and becoming tense, be flexible about napping at another time. 10. FIND YOUR OWN WAY In depression, there is a tendency for people to over-advise. Well intentioned as this is, it’s important to create your own path to recovery. Make a list of approaches that help you, copy and laminate them, and refer back to this when you are struggling.
Black Rainbow: How Words Healed Me – My Journey Through Depression is published by Hodder & Stoughton with all authorial proceeds donated to Sane and United Response.se.
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INNER YOU
A GROWING FAITH Madonna and Ashton Kutcher led the way, but the spiritual wisdom of Kabbalah appeals to people from all walks of life. Marcus Weston, lead teacher at the London Kabbalah Centre explains why the faith can help you get more out of life
What is Kabbalah? Kabbalah is a spiritual teaching – not a religious one – which allows it to sit alongside any faith, or none at all. It’s a practical system of ideas and insights designed to help individuals gain more from life. It teaches students to harness their full potential, feel more in control, realise the best version of themselves, reach a broader understanding of how life, business and relationships work. How do you define the differences between religion and spirituality? There are many differences, and increasingly people identify themselves as spiritual but not religious. After seeing the phenomenal growth in attendance at the London Kabbalah Centre, I think that – right now, especially – spirituality is something people are actively choosing and exploring for themselves. I also think, unlike religious conformity, a spiritual path is the cause of discovery and individuality, where what’s good for me will likely be different to what’s good for you. Maybe the best way to summarise it, is the first thing my teacher ever told me, “Don’t believe a word I ever tell you – there’s plenty of belief systems already in the world. But if you wish, be open to see the outcomes of your efforts, to see if it’s true for you.” What’s behind the Kabbalah boom? There’s been a snowball effect of people telling people and we’re seeing unprecedented growth with the need to open an extension to our West End building which will almost double the size of the centre. The rewarding thing is that when many of us started studying 15 years ago, there really was just a handful of us. So the fact that we now see 1,000 students a week is testament to how much the classes and studies have helped so many people. Why has Kabbalah attracted so many A-list celebrities? Many wrongly associate Kabbalah as a ‘fad’, as opposed to 4,000 years of social importance. Celebrity members represent a small percentage but naturally, because of their profile, their spiritual commitments get written about. I find the celebrity ‘thing’ intriguing, as people imagine fame and fortune to be a fairy tale. The truth is with great power comes responsibility, and its trappings are tough to handle, often leading to destructive behaviour.
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In a Kabbalah centre they get a life reality check. They’re given the chance to discover a new strength from within. Where many celebrities can become naturally dependent upon how others love, recognise, approve and ‘buy’ into them, life becomes very fickle. The façade of external factors fulfilling us leaves a lot missing, losing sight of what life’s really about. Kabbalah teaches us that fulfilment is found internally, and the path that we create for celebrities, nurses, teachers and CEOs alike, awakens a deep process where fulfilment is because of me. What’s the difference between Kabbalah and organised religions? Kabbalah is not an organised religion, but its roots became the spiritual foundation for what became Judaism, then Christianity and then Islam. The first book on Kabbalah was written by Abraham 4,000 years ago, called the Book of Formation. In this, he reveals secrets of how the universe and life works and provides practical tools for creating joy and fulfilment, the original instruction manual for life. Hence why if Moses, Jesus and Mohammed lived in the same generation they would get on famously. So the universal, spiritual foundation, assimilated into various organised religions, is Kabbalah. How can you become a member? There is nothing to convert to. Kabbalah, meaning ‘to receive’, teaches us to receive lasting fulfilment from observing how our words, thoughts and actions plant seeds that create life outcomes – learning to take more responsibility changes these for the better. We teach Kabbalah to create a better world. What’s your role at the centre? I wear five hats. Primarily I’m a student. Secondly, I teach classes on health and healing, relationships, business and leadership, astrology, reincarnation, meditation and ancient Kabbalistic literatures. Thirdly, I mentor business leaders, politicians, royalty, celebrities and sports professionals around the world. I meet my 72 ‘students’ once a fortnight to support and empower them in areas of their lives. Fourthly, I’m passionate about many social impact projects we undertake and, finally, the Kabbalah Centre is a registered charity so, as a trustee, I help ensure its integrity and efficiency.
You left your job as an investment banker to travel the world before finding Kabbalah. Tell us about your journey. I was in New York days after 9/11, feeling the shock, terror and senselessness of the week’s events. At the time I was running various business interests in London and had been studying Kabbalah at the London Kabbalah Centre for three years. With all my education, work and corporate experience I kept hitting business walls. My work mentors, industry peers and mastermind groups couldn’t seem to help me break through these. But again and again I would see my spiritual work internalise the problem and I saw a particular change inside of me that the situation elicited. I would work to change that self-sabotaging belief, attitude or behaviour and watch the business issue, mirroring my change internally, change in synch externally. This fascinated and truly excited me. I began to see that the best way of changing every branch of my life was in my internal spiritual work on myself. Beyond coincidence these personal changes were perfectly creating my success and fulfilment. I was really hit by 9/11. I sunk into a state releasing how amazing and beautiful life is, and how we as a population can so easily ‘muck’ the whole thing up. So I thought the only way you change the world is one person at a time, and you start with yourself. That was my moment. I returned to London and over weeks sat painfully with my business partner to explain my dilemma, guilt and determination. Lovingly he understood and the rest as you say is history. I’ve never looked back. Every day, I work harder and harder with more people to give them a taste of what I have received, and a taste of 4,000 years of spiritual giants’ work to lift the consciousness of humanity and empower people from every walk to life, to remove this world from sheer chaos, pain and suffering. Whenever I feel it’s too tough, I draw strength from this moment, my choice, my change of life. And that everything, however chaotic, can change in the blink of an eye. What’s the most exciting milestone you’ve experienced since? Marriage. It wasn’t obvious to me how I was ever built for marriage and true partnership.
I was always was extremely independent and determined (my wife would say ‘blinkered’) in my ambition for success. At the expense of everything else. And, more often than not, everyone else. Indeed I left getting married until quite late in my life. But it wasn’t the fact I got married that was the most exciting moment. It was the fact that my personal work within the Kabbalah Centre opened my heart to such a place where I genuinely loved. I began to love. To feel. To feel things outside of myself, not just of myself. This really was for me a new and much greater world. Ironically it also realised and delivered more of the very success that I craved too. Tell us about the development plans for the London Kabbalah Centre expansion. It’s very exciting, not just to see a greater student base, but to feel a greater consciousness flow out of the centre into more business boardrooms, government corridors and family living rooms, adding a bit more depth and awareness to the seeds we’re planting for our own future and how we treat others. Excitingly too, in this expanded space, we’re launching a major new initiative called ‘Tipping Points’, an exclusive lecture series that introduces leaders from the arts, sciences, politics and business. Each lecture explores the individual speaker’s field of expertise in relation to our ever-changing world, and challenges the audiences to consider if what we do next, matters. We’ve had some extraordinary speakers at the London Kabbalah Centre already, including fashion designer Donna Karan, Lord Young and Shaun Edwards, and many equally impressive and interesting speakers are already scheduled for an exciting 2015. Many people from all walks of life are intrigued by what these speakers have to say, and find this the perfect entry point. There’s an old Kabbalah phrase saying, ‘Consciousness is everything’. As greater numbers of people continue to marry consciousness into their relationships, work ethics and wellness, we’ll be well geared and lovingly ready to support them. To find out more, watch the Kabbalah Centre’s video at www.kabbalahcentre.co.uk
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ENJOY LIFE
THE BEST
YOU
Laughter, humour, travel, love – these are the things that add the sparkle that makes life worth living. Climb a mountain, give to others, start a family, embrace life. What are the things you wish you had done but haven’t yet? Life is no rehearsal – enjoy life every day.
Life Without Limits
TM
TOP 6 ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS
We look at the best places to escape with a loved one
IT’S THE GOOD NEWS
The Best You brings you positive stories
WHAT’S YOUR ANTHEM?
Singing a song could be the way to boost confidence
Put your company in this space! To sponsor this page and be part of The Best You, email us at advertising@thebestyou.co
ENJOY LIFE
TOP SIX
TOP6
romantic destinations
1. PARIS, FRANCE Top of the list has to be the city of love, Paris. Romantic walks along the Seine, café dining and the Eiffel Tower are synonymous with romancing couples. If you really want to push the boat out, reserve the penthouse suite at the Four Seasons Hotel George V which has a bird’s eye view of the tower without the thronging crowds.
2. VENICE, ITALY It would be impossible not to fall in love with Venice’s waterways, fabulous food and sensational sights. The city played host to the wedding of George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin last year, proving that even the glitterati love a gondola ride. Art, architecture and culture are at every turn, so bring a guidebook and make the most of this fabulous destination.
3. AGRA, INDIA Further afield, but home to the greatest monument to love, the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal which took 22 years to complete with 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built after two years of mourning by a heartbroken Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who had died in childbirth. Demonstrate your love by booking a trip to explore this amazing continent.
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TOP SIX
ENJOY LIFE
Don’t worry if you miss the flowers for Valentine’s Day, have the perfect getaway planned for the year ahead – you’ll be your partner’s romantic hero
4. NEW YORK, USA If you’re looking for get up and go, New York’s your city. From shopping at Tiffany & Co to a stroll in Central Park, you can take the Big Apple at your own romantic pace – the Empire State Building after dark is an unmissable spot to survey the city that never sleeps.
5. MALDIVES If a tropical climate, soft white sand and clear blue seas are an essential part of your romantic getaway, the Maldives is your destination. A hotspot for runaway weddings and honeymooners, there’s romance all over the place along with diving, spa treatments and an unmissable seaplane excursion over the islands.
6. BURGH ISLAND, DEVON A little closer to home, but no less exclusive for being on home shores, the Burgh Island Hotel has been attracting the famous, notorious and illustrious since 1929. Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot novels were set here, the Beatles stayed and Eisenhower and Churchill met there in the run-up to D-Day. A sea tractor collects you and your luggage and with luxurious settings plus a sumptuous view, it’s the perfect spot to wile away the days with your partner. w w w . t he b e s t yo uma ga z i ne . c o
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ENJOY LIFE WE SUPPORT
WE SUPPORT Did you know that one in four people are lost to heart and circulatory disease each year? It kills more women than men and is responsible for almost 160k deaths in the UK every year, an average of 440 people each day. There are currently 7m people in the UK living with heart and circulatory disease. On 6 February, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is asking the nation to join the fight for every heartbeat and show their support by organising a Wear it. Beat it. event, as a part of Heart Month, to raise funds for life-saving research. Whoever you are doing it for, and whatever you decide to wear, it’s easy for your workplace, school or group of friends to take part. If you want to get involved with Wear It. Beat It. simply encourage your colleagues, friends or pupils to wear red for a day and host a red event. You will find all the tools you need to help you plan a spectacular red fundraiser in your free fundraising kit available from the BHF, including posters, stickers, recipe ideas and red-themed quizzes.
Wear It. Beat It. this February for Heart Month and join the nation in the fight against heart and circulatory disease with the British Heart Foundation
The BHF is the UK’s number one heart charity. For over 50 years it has pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory disease. It has played a pivotal role in the discoveries of vital treatments helping those affected to live longer, healthier lives. This cutting –edge programme of research is powered by your generosity and support. Every pound raised will help make a massive difference to the millions of people living with these conditions. Help mums, dads, grandparents or babies born with heart and circulatoryproblems by hosting a Wear It. Beat It. event for the BHF on 6 February. Get your free Wear it. Beat it. fundraising kit now at bhf.org.uk/red or call 0300 330 0645.
OTHER WORTHY CAUSES THE BEST YOU SUPPORTS Teenage Cancer Trust www.teenagecancertrust.org
SMA Trust
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Katie Piper Foundation
Children Of The Night
War Child
The Children’s Trust
www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk
www.warchild.org.uk
www.childrenofthenight.org
www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk
T
GOOD HE NEWS
FAMILY MAN
A US study by the Academy of Management Perspectives, released this month, reveals that working fathers who spend time with their children each day are happier in their jobs, less likely to be looking for a new employer and experience less work-family conflict. The study also shows that the more hours men devote to their children, the less they view their careers as central to their identity. Seems achieving a work-life balance might just be kids’ play.
INVESTMENT TRACKER
ENJOY LIFE
EASY READER It’s estimated that we’re exposed to around 3,500 messages each day, but finding enough time to read those that interest us is an increasing challenge. A new system developed for smartphones and watches streams text to enable us to read up to 600 words per minute. Spritz (spritzinc.com) is based on the theory that most of us are slowed down as our eyes scan lines of text, and so instead flashes each word individually for a fraction of a second. One letter – the optimal recognition point – is highlighted to increase focus and speed significantly, and some users have achieved speeds of up to 900 words per minute.
What’s your motivation to exercise? In Russia, Alfa-Bank is rewarding customers who exercise with a high interest account that pays in every time they sync their Jawbone, RunKeeper or Fitbit fitness tracker. Using the bank’s activity software, customers can transfer cash to the account which is topped up by 6 per cent for every recorded step, walk or run – in essence, the more that customers exercise, the more they save. In beta trials at the moment, it’s an added reason to hit the road.
TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS A group of individuals from leading organisations including GoogleVentures, the Big Lottery Fund, Wayra and Stanford University have worked with Nominet Trust to identify 100 inspiring ventures from around the world which are changing lives. In the UK, projects to transform health, education, social welfare, security, energy and climate change were singled out by the Nominet Trust 100 (NT100) annual report which showcases technology that is being utilised to make a positive difference. Simon Devonshire, director of Wayra Europe and entrepreneur-in-residence for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “Many of these projects are beginning to scale up, or have the potential to do so in the near future. Given the right support, they will reach a point where their global social impact can match their ambition.” One such project is Euan’s Guide (euansguide.com) which was created by brother and sister Euan and Kikki MacDonald as a real-time disabled access review site. w w w . t he b e s t yo uma ga z i ne . c o
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LIFE COACH
SING A SONG
Gail Blanke is founder of Lifedesigns, a company whose vision is to empower men and women to live exceptional lives. An author who has appeared on Oprah, contributed to numerous publications and coached presidential candidates, we are delighted to welcome her as a regular columnist for The Best You
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LIFE COACH
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ne of my all-time favourite clients was a guy who worked for an asset management company. His CEO had told him to beef up his communications skills. Well, this became one of the easiest assignments I’d ever had. Early in our conversation, Roger and I started to talk about sports. It turned out that Roger had been a star on his high school soccer team. We talked about his toughest game, one that he’d helped pull out of the fire to win the league championship.
“So what did you think about when you walked onto the field? Did you have a song you loved?” Roger said, “I can’t believe you’re asking me that. I did have a song. I played it on the way to every game and sang it in my head on the field. You’re going to laugh, but it was My Sharona by the Knack. I loved it. It never failed to get my juices flowing.” “That’s the answer,” I said. “My Sharona. The work you do is just another kind of game – get it? You need to have the same spirit and energy when you meet with a client as you had when you took the field.” Roger said, “Wait, you mean I should sing My Sharona? You’re kidding, right?” “Nope,” I answered. “You should belt it out at the top of your lungs on the way to the meeting and hear it in your head when you walk in. Try it.” I know it sounds crazy, but singing that silly song made all the difference. Roger came out of himself; he became a ‘motivator’. He energised his clients and they loved it. Now he’s the guy the CEO goes to when she wants to clinch a deal. And he did it all by recapturing a moment in his life when he felt unstoppable… and by replaying the song that made him feel that way. Look back on those moments in your life. Maybe it’s the song you were singing in the bus on the way back from that basketball game in the ninth grade when your team came roaring from behind and won at the very last moment. Maybe it’s the song they were playing when that extremely cute guy pulled you out on the dance floor in college – the guy who turned out to be the guy… And what about other people in your life-people you love? What are their songs? Brown Eyed Girl is our older daughter Kate’s song. Whenever it pops up on my playlist I call her. And I do the same when I hear My Girl because it’s our younger daughter, Abigail’s song. And Break on Through is my husband, Jim’s, song. Even Willa, our golden retriever, has a song. It’s called The Doggie Girl Song. I made it up… One more story about Roger: Not long ago, he had a bout with cancer – which he won. His wife, Marsha, whom I also have tremendous affection for, sent me an email a few days after he got out of the hospital following his operation to tell me he was alright. “I knew he was going to be,” she said, “because the last thing he did before they wheeled him into the operating room was to sing a few bars of My Sharona.”
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WILL.I.AM Life started in a housing project in Los Angeles where drugs and violence were prevalent, but Will.I.Am forged his own path to success through music, creativity and determination
THE BEST YOU
COVER STORY
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hen Will.I.Am appeared on UK television screens on the first series of The Voice, there was an initial, ‘Who’s he?’ from the nation, yet within weeks he had a new legion of fans who were captivated by his off the cuff, straight yet charming responses to those pitching for a place on the singing coaches’ teams. With a sheepish bat of the eyes, and a, to the point, ‘That’s dope’ compliment, contestants and audiences took Will to their hearts. Of course to some he was already familiar as a member of The Black Eyed Peas, whose tunes include the upbeat, I Gotta Feeling. It’s easy to forget that the man who today works with government to promote the creative industries, ran with the Olympic torch as part of the UK relay and performed at the Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, started life in, what he describes as, a ghetto in Los Angeles. Raised by his mother after his father abandoned the family, Will’s rise to the top of the music industry is the result of true creative talent and endless years of hard work. His mother encouraged him to be unique and avoid conforming with other youth in the largely Hispanic community in which he lived. His path into music was mapped at high school where he formed a friendship with Allen Pineda, aka apl. de.ap, who he went on to found The Black Eyed Peas with. Growing up in a rough neighbourhood, life could have gone in a completely different direction. “Coming from the projects, the ghetto that I come from, it was tough,” says Will, “You know, when your friends are, you know, dead – I can’t think of a nicer way to put it, but a lot of my friends have passed away to violence and drugs. But having good friends to make you smile about the good things – that’s why I’m always joking and laughing because coming where I come from, I’m happy that I have the friends I have.” The success that The Black Eyed Peas enjoyed would be enough for many, but Will has taken his creative talents beyond a touring band. He has produced for Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson, and more recently collaborated with a new generation of musicians including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Nicky MInaj, Justin Timberlake and Miley Cyrus. TEAM PLAYER Will has chosen another path yet again as a coach on The Voice UK, which is currently in its fourth series, this season with music legend Tom Jones, Kaiser Chiefs’ front man Ricky Wilson and new recruit Rita Ora. Following the first series, Will spoke of his love of the UK, setting up a home here, and his gratitude that the British public had taken him into their hearts. In this experience too, Will’s belief in self-determination is key to success: “The Voice is a great platform for me to rinse out my experiences on folks who want to have a perspective, other than what they immediately know. Some people don’t realise how hard the wait is – it’s really about waiting more than it is your talent. So if you wait and you practise, eventually it will come. “Even if you ended up waiting until you’re 55 and you’ve been trying since you were 15. You just have to be patient with what it is you want to accomplish. And surround yourself with folks where you could learn and for everything that you lack in skill, it’s just a matter of waiting until you’ve got the skill that reflects what it is you want to end up doing.
Will.i.am at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, MGM Grand, Las Vegas “So if the folks on The Voice that join the competition want to have an immediate career, that represents success, that’s not realistic in any place. There’s luck and then there’s patience.” Despite criticism that The Voice has yet to yield a commercially successful chart-topping artist, Will believes that success on the show is purely a starting point for any talented singer. For his part, Will has continued to nurture his former team members, most notably Leah McFall. Despite not stealing the show’s winning trophy, he – visibly emotional about the disappointment – immediately flew her to Los Angeles to spend time in the recording studio and meeting industry chiefs. “I talked to Leah maybe four weeks ago, I see Jermain Jackman every time I am in London – I’m a friend and a confidante,” he laughs. For his own part, Will says that if he wasn’t where he is, he too would still be working towards his dream, although technology would be his alternative choice of career. “I like creating gadgets and apps and stuff,” he says. “I created the PULS, this device on my wrist.” The PULS is a wearable smartphone, sold under his i.am+ company, which can determine the wearer’s emotion and mood via their voice and rewards positivity with visual displays and points. It can also store music and manage social media channels straight from the handset. An early advocate of the blurred lines between technology and fashion overlapping, Will’s previous tech products have included an iPhone camera, while he has also designed his own car.
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He has also founded i.am angel, a non-profit organisation dedicated to, “transforming lives through education, opportunity and inspiration,” adding, “I hope none of the kids I send to school only want to do music. The world doesn’t need another musician. They need another Bill Gates.”
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NEW WAVE Creativity is central to his business interests and his passion for each is evident. In preparation for his role on The Voice, he contacted friend and then X-Factor judge, Cheryl Cole, for advice, later saying, “I reached out to Cheryl for advice on keeping your cool, having a poker face, the importance of sticking with the singers – it’s their dream.” Will has been instrumental in encouraging firstly Kylie Minogue to join as a coach, following Jessie J’s departure, and subsequently Rita Ora, with who he has spent time in the studio and socialises with. “Rita and I were working in the studio on her stuff and I think people are really going to like
it a lot. It’s fun working with Rita, it’s like, ‘If you could take a break from laughing and then get some work done’, because it’s so much fun and we’re just cracking up all the time. She’s been amazing to work with. I can’t wait until the UK sees how spectacular she is as a person as well as a talent. “I mean, we’ve all known Rita, but through her music, so now you get to know her even more and it’s the reason why she’s one of my favourite people. She’s just so, you know, cool, down-to-earth, fiery, sweet, adorable, beautiful, an edgy kind of girl. So I’m glad she’s on the show and she’s been great to work with. “Out of all The Voices that I’ve done, of all the seasons, Rita is probably the person that I’ve talked to all the time. Jessie J I got to know on the show, we hung out a lot, off and on, in between season one and two, and Kylie, I’ve seen backstage and always admired and adored, but Rita is always... it’s the first time I’m working with a friend.”
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Will.i.am and Chrisette Michele in the press room at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Staples Center, Los Angeles
THE BEST YOU
COVER STORY
WILL I AM AT A GLANCE • Born William Adams on 15 March 1975 • Founding member of the Black Eyed Peas with whom he has received seven Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, a Teen Choice Award, two MTV Video Music Awards and three World Music Awards • Has had a total of 34 Top 40 entries on the UK Singles Chart and sold more than 9.4m singles in the UK • A coach on the UK and Australian series of The Voice • In April 2013, announced that he has ADHD • Believed to suffer from tinnitus
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FEATURE THE BEST YOU
MARA THON
MAN With a world record to break and a plan to transform the lives of disadvantaged children around the globe, Rob Young is a man on a mission
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THE BEST YOU
For most people, running a marathon would be a life achievement, a tick on the bucket list. When Rob Young watched the London Marathon last year, he was inspired by the amazing fundraising stories that he heard about. While the physical feat of running 26 miles and 385 yards (42,195km) was impressive enough, the reasons for enduring the gruelling road race were as individual as the whacky costumes that many of the entrants wore to raise £261.4m for charities and good causes. Young was inspired to run a marathon, but his partner, Joanna, told him he’d never do it. Many of us would have concurred, turned over and moved on to the next thing. Thankfully, Rob Young is unlike most people. The next day Young set out to run his first marathon, and decided that he would run at least one every day for the consecutive 364 days, to beat the current world record of 366 in a year. As he was holding down a 9-5 job to support his young family, Young’s running had to fit in around this, and so he often ran from 3-7am each morning before heading off to official marathons around the UK at the weekend, often in a kilt in recognition of his Scottish roots. Sleep was the first sacrifice, and despite being self-funded (refusing to take a penny of the money raised by his challenge to support him and his family) Young has now left his job to concentrate fully on running. Already 7,200 miles into his challenge, he has headed to America to participate – the only European to do so – in the USA Super-Marathon Series, which covers snowtopped mountains and arid desert across 12 states from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Mentally and physically strong, Young believes the ability to run a marathon lies within all of us. “I think you just have to keep going,” he says. “For the first month there are problems as your body adapts to the amount of activity – your feet blister and go hard – but after that your body gets into a routine, your mental attitude changes and you think, ‘I can do it’. “I was a non-marathon runner and went into the process without any background on the sport, but from the first day I’ve had help from friends and family. I thought marathon running was an individual sport, but I quickly realised that people will support and advise you, and there’s a strong sense of community.” TOUGH START Fundraising is central to his race to break the record, and the three charities that he has chosen are integral to Young’s amazing story. As a child, he suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of his father. Beaten daily, he still carries scars on his body, but his suffering went much further. Sometimes his father would zip him into a suitcase and push him down the stairs, or dangle him over the bannisters at the top of the stairs by one leg. He was told that if he cried or made a noise, he would be dropped and so he learnt to close his eyes and focus on other things. One evening, aged six, he heard his father crash into the house. Knowing he was angry, he anticipated a bad beating. The usual insults, beating and dangling ensued, and when Young’s mother tried to intervene, she was beaten and told
FEATURE
to stay out of the way. His father then tied a rope to Young’s neck and hung him on an old-fashioned coat hanger near the front door. “It seems strange now,” he says, “but I remember feeling relieved that it was all going to finally come to an end. I remember the sensation of having no air to breathe and struggling as my father held my legs. It then got very scary before he decided to let me down. Needless to say I’m very glad now that he did.” Later that night, as his mother put him to bed, Young told her that he couldn’t cope anymore, that he was in too much pain. She promised to take him away as soon as he could walk again. Several days later, they left with his sister and were placed in a safe house in Yorkshire, although his father tracked them down. Feeling unsafe, they left by foot to walk south to his grandfather’s house in Hampshire, sleeping overnight in a ditch. Along the way, a car stopped in front of them on the motorway. A middle-aged man got out and approached them, but Young, just a child, stood in front of his mother and sister to defend them. Seeing they were scared, the man
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asked his wife to speak to them and explain that they were concerned for their wellbeing, having seen them on the road earlier that day. The couple offered to drive them the rest of the way, buying them a meal at a service station on the way. “The taste of that cheap roadside burger was like heaven!” says Young. “I had been used to very poor quality food at home, so this was an unprecedented treat. To this day, that burger is still the tastiest thing I have ever eaten (or at least that’s how I remember it). I will never forget that act of kindness from complete strangers and how it gave me the hope of freedom.” The feeling of gratitude and hope is something that has stuck with Young, and it’s now guiding his life journey to fundraise for children’s charities, the NSPCC, GOSH and Dreams Come True, a commitment that he says will continue long after the last marathon is run. Although a court order prevented Young’s father from making contact, the toll on his mother left her feeling unable to cope, and so he was placed in an orphanage. Exposed to an unstructured environment with children twice his age, Young endured many frightening experiences and was bullied into doing things that distressed others. Anger became his defence mechanism, and it was only at 11 that he was moved to an orphanage were he felt safe and started to enjoy school. Young was fostered shortly afterwards by the deputy headmaster of an independent school who taught
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him traditional values and skills for life, and supported his education. “To this day, I believe he enabled me to become the person I am today,” explains Young. “All my best aspects developed under his watchful eye. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have passed my exams and been able to prepare for a good life.” SPORTING CHANCE After school, Young joined the British Army’s Royal Signal Corps, and it was here that his lifelong love of athletics was nurtured. “As a kid, I always loved sport and had a very competitive nature, always giving 100 per cent, always pushing myself,” says Young. “I enjoyed athletics and I remember turning up to meetings and competing in all kinds of events. If other athletes failed to turn up, I would happily take their spot.” And compete he did – 5km, 3,000m steeple chase, 1,500m, 400m hurdles and flat, 100m relay, shot put, hammer, pole vault, javelin, the list is endless. Alongside he represented Great Britain at the Biathlon event and was selected for the GB junior duathlon team. From here, Young became a pro-cyclist, although the birth of first his daughter, Olivia, and later a son, Alexander-Lui, with Joanna, meant he was forced to concentrate on looking after his young family. “I worked as a manager of a motor parts company, but I gave it up about 10 weeks ago to concentrate on running. I don’t have sponsors, and all the money that
THE BEST YOU
I raise is going to my charities. My approach is different, I don’t push for sponsorship, but friends are helping us out. Although I am running, it’s equally tough for Joanna, taking care of Alexander and keeping things together back home, particularly while I’m away in the States.” Midway through the US challenge, Young will fly back to the UK to participate in the Virgin Money London Marathon. “It will be very special,” he says. “I am hugely looking forward to it, and it seems strange that it was watching that day, a year ago, that triggered all of this.” FUTURE PLANS For a man who has lived on adrenaline for a year, the inevitable question is, what next? Although not bothered by celebrity and stardom, Young has met a number of famous people over the last few months, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes. “We talked about walking across the North Pole for six months, a challenge not previously thought possible,” explains Young. “I would definitely consider it, but I have also thought about the record for the most marathon miles in one go, without sleep, and I reckon I could go for 500 miles.” Hand in hand with his physical achievements, Young also has plans to continue making a positive difference to
FEATURE
the lives of disadvantaged children. “I will always look after my three charities,” he says, “and they fit into my vision. I want to get kids into sport and to let those who have endured hardship or abuse know that they don’t need to be ashamed of the past, they can move forwards and overcome it, it doesn’t have to define their whole life. “From the age of 10, I wanted to create self-sustaining schools across the world, to take kids off the streets and rubbish tips, get them into education and create their success stories. The reality is that a child on the street is likely to be abused and become seriously unwell if they are neglected. It’s shocking that the world allows children to be treated as rubbish and we don’t consider them as people. I want to create something to change this, where each generation can take care of the next.” Young’s story is an inspiring one, overcoming extreme adversity to change both his own life and that of others, but he believes that all of us have the power to make a positive difference in the world. “Anyone can do it,” he says. “A good heart and a strong mind will carry you through.” To learn more about Rob Young’s challenge and to donate to support the work of the NSPCC, GOSH and Dreams Come True, visit marathonmanuk.com
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KATIE PIPER Katie Piper overcame a lifechanging experience and has inspired others to do the same through her television shows, books and the Katie Piper Foundation – now she is helping a new generation to embrace who they are
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or many women, being comfortable with your identity is something that typically emerges in your 30s or 40s. It comes as no surprise that Katie Piper, a woman who has overcome overwhelming trauma after she was attacked by a man who threw acid in her face, announced recently that she is a proud survivor, saying, “When I look in the mirror, my scars no longer upset me, they just remind me I am stronger than the person who tried to hurt”. Piper’s story is an amazing one of strength, defiance and triumph over adversity, and she found a place in the nation’s heart when she bravely gave up anonymity to increase awareness about burns victims. Following an early modelling career, Piper was just moving into television work when she met Daniel Lynch. Unbeknown to Piper, Lynch had previously been jailed for throwing boiling water into a man’s face, and just two weeks into their relationship he seriously assaulted and raped her. Two days later, he convinced her to go to an internet café where he had paid Stefan Sylvestre to throw sulphuric acid at her face. Blinded in one eye, Piper had to wear a plastic pressure mask for 23 hours a day for two years as part of her treatment, and her injuries also meant that she needed to be fed through a tube in her stomach. The two men were later convicted and received life sentences. Just over a year after the attack, Piper shared her story in a Cutting Edge strand for Channel 4, entitled, Katie: My Beautiful Face which was watched by more than 3.5m viewers and nominated for a BAFTA award. Piper’s physical and mental recovery has been remarkable, but her resolve and compassion to campaign and support others has been equally inspiring. The Katie Piper Foundation, of which Simon Cowell is a patron, raises awareness and provides support to victims of burns and other disfigurement injuries, also campaigning for the specialist treatment that Piper received in France, to be more widely available in the UK. Piper is also fronting a second series of Body Shockers, a Channel 4 series about people who are considering plastic surgery or who have undergone a procedure they now want to reverse. Piper has the ability to empathise and connect at a deeper level with the participants, perhaps because of the experiences she has had. “There has been a generation of young men and women who have gone for full body tattoos, body piercings or exaggerated breast enlargements, and the alternative has become mainstream,” she says. “Plastic surgery is now readily accessible to anyone, not just Hollywood stars. “But that’s been followed by a generation that want to regress. When we announced the second series, we were inundated by people who regretted what they had done – they have mutilated their body by choice. I can really empathise, and whether it’s by accident or because you want to change something, it’s a hugely emotional area. “I’m a nosey person and one of the favourite parts of my job is meeting people from all walks of life. I’m not a snob, and I like tattoos that are tasteful or personal. Also, I can understand where they are coming from, and while some may be misguided it’s important that people are able to express themselves and experiment. None of us know what lies ahead.” Today, Piper is firmly in control of her own destiny. Now a mother, to Belle Elizabeth who turns one next month, and recently engaged to her partner, James, Piper’s career, continues to flourish. A recent holiday offered time as a family, to envisage their wedding. “We packed a ton of bridal magazines and planned to lay on loungers and decide what we would like, but we spent all our time running around with Belle,” she laughs. “So I’ll be looking on Pinterest for some great ideas instead.” She appears a pinnacle of success but says overcoming such a horrific experience was never a straight path. “My first book came about because my psychologist suggested writing as a therapy,” says Piper. “So my journal became the place that I could put down what had happened and how I felt. Now I write for Belle, and I might give her the password to read it when she turns 20. “Part of me is a strong person, but part of me still isn’t and there were many days when I didn’t cope, but I would encourage anybody facing a tough situation not to lose hope. Recovery is a roller coaster and it’s often ten steps forward, five back, but that’s human nature.” Bodyshockers: Nips, Tucks and Tattoos airs on Channel 4 on Wednesdays at 10pm.
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BOOK REVIEWS With the power to entertain, enrich and empower your life, books are as important today as they have been for millennia. Here’s what’s catching our eye at The Best You this month…
JOIN THE CLUB First came Oprah, then Richard and Judy, now Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg is championing the literary cause. Earlier this year he announced that he was making it his New Year’s resolution to read two books a month. Zuckerberg’s first book choice was Moisés Naim’s The End of Power which tracks the evolving nature of power. The publication immediately climbed best-selling book lists around the globe, and
more than 100k followers ‘liked’ Zuckerberg’s resolution. You can follow his progress at facebook.com/MarkZuckerberg “My challenge for 2015 is to read a new book every other week – with an emphasis on learning about different cultures, beliefs, histories and technologies” - Mark Zuckerberg
Life Without Limits
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BOOK REVIEWS
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THE 3 THINGS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR DESTINY TODAY BY PAUL MCKENNA Paul McKenna Ph.D. has helped people from all walks of life and helped them to change their lives for the better. He has investigated nearly every method of therapy, coaching and personal change available, and as a result has recently created an amazing new system that could help you to breakthrough in the areas of your life you truly want to! He has discovered and crafted a simple set of processes that you can be guided through in a matter of hours. Paul McKenna wants to help you to clear the past of blocks or negative experiences and get in touch with the very best of who you truly are so you can live more happily in the present.
““Paul McKenna’s books get better and better each time. Pioneering techniques, nut-shelled brilliantly” – Kevin Rochay
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THE BEST YOU
BOOK REVIEWS
DAVINA’S 5 WEEKS TO SUGAR-FREE BY DAVINA MCCALL Hi, my name is Davina, and I’m a sugar addict..’ Davina McCall loves a challenge, and giving up sugar has been her toughest yet. Davina shares her favourite superhealthy recipes that have helped her kick the sugar habit and cut out junk food for good. Recipes are easy to make but taste amazing, contain foods that help you look and feel great and have no long lists of scary, hard-to-find ingredients This is real food for real life! Davina is no guru, she’s one of us, so her plan also includes pudding recipes that help the most sweet-toothed chocoholic kick the added sugar habit. Simple, delicious and brimming with flavour, these recipes take the faff out of sugar-free.
”A fantastic book. Brilliant recipes that are easy to make using everyday ingredients. Perfect for busy parents. Feeling better already” – Issy Verrall
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WIN! HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE NEW GAME OF BUSINESS BY ROGER HARROP These are the most exciting of times for business – ever. The opportunities to win are there for all since, in the new game of business, the playing fields are being levelled between small and large businesses and also internationally. Top sports people don’t make excuses. They play, run or hit to win. Coming second is not an option in their game. Nor should it be in business. Nothing should now get in the way of your business winning the game and becoming number one. Win! By being exceptional Win! By being a great place to work... and play. Win! By constantly prospecting. Win! By focusing on the bottom line.
“Let’s get this straight right from the beginning. This is not a book. It is much more than that. ’Win!’ is the ‘mission control’ for discovering how your business can succeed” – Graham Jones
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THE BEST YOU
BOOK REVIEWS
I HEART ME BY DAVID R. HAMILTON PHD
In this inspirational and truly transformational new book best-selling author David Hamilton fuses science with selfhelp to offer simple yet powerful strategies for learning to love yourself. Throughout I Heart Me, you will learn that loving yourself means more than feeling good about yourself or being kind to yourself. It’s about being confident, being able to express yourself without fear, being unconcerned about whether you are liked and about living your own life not someone else’s idea of what your life should be!
”Hamilton has the unique gift of combining spirituality and science in a simple but powerful way. Everyone must read his work!” – Suzy Greaves
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GODDESSES NEVER AGE BY CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP M.D.
Though we might talk about wanting to ‘age gracefully,’ the truth is that when it comes to getting older, we are programmed to dread an inevitable decline: in our health, our looks, our sexual relationships, even the pleasure we take in living life. But as Christiane Northrup, M.D., shows us in this profoundly empowering book, we have it in us to make growing older an entirely different experience, for both our bodies and our souls.
“An amazing perspective on ageing which will inspire you to embrace every stage of life”
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– Karen Smith
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LIVE LOVE LEGACY
YOU
What do you want to be remembered for? What are your relationships like with those around you? How does life treat you… and how does you treat your life? There is so much good in you. Enrich your life with the passion you feel and the connections you make.
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HEARTFELT TALES
Three people tell their tale about their brave fight against heart disease
SPREAD A LITTLE HAPPINESS Why helping others helps you
WHAT DOES IT TAKE…
… an environmental activist
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THEIR INSPIRATIONAL
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STORIES
“I LIVE WITH A HEART CONDITION THAT HAS NO CURE” MARITESS DUNN
I
found out when I was 17. I was in the middle of my A-levels and I had been feeling breathless, then one day I collapsed. I was taken straight to hospital, and they found the arteries from my heart to my lungs had narrowed. It means that my heart has to pump much harder, and it can lead to heart failure. I was determined this wasn’t going to stop me going to university. I had coursework all over my hospital bed. I came out of hospital in time for my exams. I was so happy when I got the grades I needed, and made it to university. I have learnt to live with my condition. I’ve had to accept that there are things that I just can’t do. I can’t push my body too hard. I never know what the next day will bring. I wake up and I have to see how I feel. The British Heart Foundation is funding research into treatments and cures for people like me. I hope that one day they find a cure for my heart condition.
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This month we support the British Heart Foundation’s Wear It. Beat It campaign on 6 February. We meet three individuals who are living with heart disease, but who don’t let their condition get in their way
LIVE LOVE LEGACY
“MY HEART STOPPED IN MY SLEEP” DAWN BELL
I
had been born with a heart condition and had open heart surgery as a child. I thought I was well until I learnt at the age of 33 that I had developed heart failure. I had been even more tired and breathless than normal but put it down to being a busy
working mum. With medication I carried on leading a near normal life until one night last year I had a cardiac arrest in my sleep. My husband thought I was dead and told my two teenage daughters, ‘mum’s gone’. Thankfully I was resuscitated and given a second chance of life. After the cardiac arrest I had fantastic support and reassurance from a local British Heart Foundation nurse. She was positive and upbeat, telling me that I could live my life as well as, if not better than before. I was fitted with an ICD, an internal defibrillator. If my heart ever goes into a dangerous rhythm again it will shock it back into a normal rhythm. The British Heart Foundation is funding research into new treatments and possibly a cure for heart failure. The help and support I’ve received has helped keep me alive, to enable me to spend many more precious years with my family. On 6 February I’ll be hosting a Wear it. Beat it. day at work to help raise awareness and funds for further lifesaving research.
“I CHANGED MY THINKING” BETTINA WALLACE
I
found out I had high blood pressure after I suddenly collapsed on the train home one day. When the doctor told me, at first I wanted to deny it – I just didn’t want to know. But then I thought about my mum who had it too and went on to develop heart disease, and then the penny dropped. I decided to lose weight, and to take control of my life. I altered the way I cooked. I really cut down on the salt. Instead I use herbs and spices as seasoning. I only use salt to deal with snow or ice now!
I have lowered my blood pressure with medication, losing weight and ditching the salt. Recently I had a test and it’s the lowest it has ever been since being diagnosed. I feel really positive about my future, and I’m enjoying the time with my grandchildren. Now I’m looking forward to a healthy future. Bettina will be holding a bake sale on the 6 February. Join Bettina and Wear It. Beat It. to help raise money for our life saving research.
I started volunteering with a BHF community project in the local area, learning and sharing tips for healthy lifestyle changes. w w w . t he b e s t yo uma ga z i ne . c o m
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LIVE LOVE LEGACY THE BEST YOU
YOU’RE TOO KIND For 20 years, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has been inspiring us to do a good deed and keep the baton of helping others moving across the globe
Y
ou’ve probably experienced it yourself – an unexpected compliment or a surprise treat left on your desk by a work colleague; a call from a friend just when you were feeling at a low ebb; or a terrific squeeze hug from a child.
That burst of positive emotion can be as powerful to give as to receive. International Random Acts of Kindness Week takes place on 9-15 February and is the perfect opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and do something for others each day. Being kind is more than just a nice thing to do, it’s also good for our wellbeing and is scientifically proven to boost our health, happiness and community. It’s also something we can improve through regular practice. In the US, a movement to encourage kindness has been developed in schools, creating a next generation of generous hearted souls. “Compassion and kindness training in schools can help children learn to be attuned to their own emotions as well as those of others, which may decrease bullying,” says Richie
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Davidson, neuroscientist and professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin. Scientifically, kindness has a three-way effect with a positive impact on the recipient, the giver and additionally the passer-by who might chance upon the act in play. The ‘helper’s high’, as it has been dubbed, is beneficial to our health too. “People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease,” says Christine Carter, author of Raising Happiness. Reduced blood pressure, depression and anxiety, along with increased energy levels are some of the additional benefits of helping others. In fact, the act of helping another person triggers activity in the same areas of our brain that are involved in pleasure and reward. It’s an experience that 26-year-old Luke Cameron got to enjoy for 365 days last year, when he undertook a year-long challenge to perform a good deed throughout 2014. In honour of a friend who lost her life to cancer, Cameron’s good deeds included giv-
ing clothes to charity, making cakes for colleagues, donating food to the homeless, doing his dad’s ironing and even helping an elderly lady to cross the road. Recording his numerous acts of kindness on his Good Deed Diary blog (thegooddeeddiary.com), he rounded off the challenge at the end of last year by giving £365 to random people in his home town of Cheltenham. His selfless acts were recognised by Utility Aid, a consultancy which aims to help charities reduce their energy spending. Cameron was offered a new role as national philanthropy manager, to help charities across the UK. So go on, take the plunge and plan your week’s worth of kind acts – as they say, what goes around, comes around. Learn more about why helping others helps you feel great too. Here are three great books to read: 1. W hy Good Things Happen to Good People by Stephen G Post 2. T he Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci 3. Born to be Good by Dacher Keltner
10WAYS
TO SPREAD THE LOVE 1. Smile at someone you don't know. 2. Eat lunch with someone you don't normally hang out with at work. 3. T ell someone special you love them and give them an extra hug. 4. V olunteer to do something in your community – bake a cake for a neighbour or friend. 5. B righten someone's day by sending a digital card to tell them that you think they're doing great. 6. C ook a healthy new dish for you and your family. 7. I nstead of taking the nearest parking spot, leave it for someone who might need it – a pregnant lady, an elderly person or someone who just requires a little more ease. 8. C all a friend who you haven’t seen in a while and offer to take them out to dinner. 9. D onate unwanted or unused clothes or household goods to charity. 10. W hen you pay for your morning coffee, treat the person behind you by including the cost of theirs too.
THE BEST YOU
LIVE LOVE LEGACY
JIM AITKINS
LIVE LOVE LEGACY
BELIEF DEFEATS DISAPPOINTMENT Jim Aitkins is an American writer and speaker whose observations about everyday life provide powerful lessons for personal growth. He believes that outlook and a little preparation can help us to overcome disappointment
Various disappointments sometimes inspire people to do crazy things. Take sports, as an example. The outcome of a hard-fought game always involves someone being disappointed; and not only the players. We have all seen fans get angry when their team loses, on occasion proceeding to burn cars, loot businesses and worse. Let’s forget that some fans also do those things when they are extremely happy. Personally, I do not understand the logic. At a sporting event if our team wins, I don’t imagine ever turning to my wife and saying, “I’m so happy, I could ransack a convenience store!” Extreme emotions inspire extreme reactions, but since disappointment too often leads to more negativity and unhappiness than elation, I want to tell you how I prevent a state of disappointment from lingering too long in my mind. It is all about belief. What you believe about the event is generally what will determine how disappointed you will be if the situation does not end the way you hope it will. That is obvious to most of us, but what is less so is the fact that we can control what we believe and we can, therefore, reduce the level of disappointment that we experience in life.
One way that we can reduce the gloomy burden that very often accompanies disappointment is by consciously deciding, in advance of the event, how you will think. Sounds funny, doesn’t it? But think about it: how often do you actually decide how you will think? Isn’t it true that, more often than not, you allow the event itself to decide for you how you will think about it? And that’s usually fine when it comes to awesome outcomes, but what about less-than-favorable outcomes? That is when it becomes extremely important to know, in advance, that you can direct your thoughts, and to know exactly where to take them. So, let’s talk about where to take your thoughts when you do not get the outcome that you were hoping for. Three things can help you to shape what you believe about an event. Be fiercely determined that you will … 1) Q uickly adapt to the new reality that this development presents. Do not allow yourself to create a list of ‘I should-haves’ or regrets. 2) I mmediately smile. This requires some discipline, but it has been scientifically proven that doing things like smiling and physically looking up can very quickly begin
to change both our mental and emotional state of mind for the better. 3) I dentify benefits. Be determined to see at least three concrete beneficial aspects of the event that would not have otherwise been realised had not the disappointing outcome occurred. At the end of the day though, the key factor when it comes to defeating disappointment is what you really, deeply believe. Belief is the highly combustible fuel that will provide explosive power to the above technique. If you believe you were made to be an overcomer, you will be one. If you believe that your faith and creativity will eventually transport you from the circumstances you currently see, toward the better situation that you don’t yet see, then it will. To get there, you just have to know how to effectively deal with and ultimately defeat disappointment. Disappointment is visited upon each and everyone of us. There is no avoiding it. So, when it comes knocking – as it inevitably will – how do we defeat it, so that we can keep moving forward? By creatively using our thoughts – inspired by our strong beliefs – to rise above it, we can turn a negative into a positive experience.
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LIVE LOVE LEGACY
WHAT DOES IT TAKE… TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST? Do you have a life ambition? Learning from those who have achieved their goals can help your path to success. This month, we talk with Shanghai-based textile designer and environmental activist, Monique Maissan
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE ENVIRONMENT?
In 2012, after recognising the need for everyone to step up and do their part to help the environment, I founded Waste2Wear to provide textiles made out of recycled plastic bottles. We are breaking the mould for sustainability and eco-friendly practices in the textile industry.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CAREER? “My motto is the purpose of life is a life of purpose. I want to make the world a better place for my children. We have done such a bad job polluting it in the last 30 to 40 years. I hope I can contribute to a mind-shift on how people should use resources and let them realise that if we continue to go on like this, our children’s children, and certainly their children, will not have many of the things and species we take for granted when they grow up.”
WHAT HAD BEEN THE BEST THING ABOUT THE PROJECT?
Waste2Wear has been making waves in the media and global sustainability community, having been awarded the European Economic and Social Committee’s Award for Sustainability in September 2014. ‘The Green Hijab,’ a highly successful product launched in Malaysia in 2014 has become incredibly popular, and our amazing “Green Pillow” made from 82 recycled bottles is being launched to expand the brand worldwide.
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LIVE LOVE LEGACY
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
People who selflessly use their effort and abilities to work for a good cause. No matter how small; if you improve somebody’s livelihood, or environment, I believe that you are doing what we are supposed to be doing here on this planet. The oceans are polluted; the landfills are growing, so unless we start cleaning this up and stop continuing this we have ruined their chance of a nice world to live in.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
At Waste2Wear we continue to innovate and create exciting opportunities across the globe. The future looks bright, as a new concept and social enterprise called Waste2Weave is helping to dramatically change the lives of women in India. I am also heavily involved with charity work, such as Kanthari in India, Operation Blessing, and Braille Without Borders.
WHO WOULD YOUR IDEAL LUNCH COMPANIONS BE?
Top of the list would be Mahatma Gandhi and Richard Branson. From Ghandi I would hope to learn how to keep going and how to keep your goal in sight, even when it is getting really hard to do so. I would also ask for some tips on our project in India where we work with the exact same industry of women who let him decide to wear the cloth wrapped around him as a garment to draw attention to his cause. From Branson, I would like to learn how to grow companies to a large level and still keep the relentless energy to go on developing new businesses that innovate and develop new ideas to improve life on our planet. With that insight, I would love to create even more projects to help to protect the planet’s future.
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REBEL, REBEL
Strala founder Tara Stiles on following your own path
NATURALLY SWEET
Davina McCall helps you quit sugar for good
SECOND CHANCE
It’s not too late to make positive changes this year
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FEEL & LOOK GOOD
HER OWN
WAY
Tara Stiles has collaborated with Jane Fonda and Deepak Chopra, is author of three books, has more than 200,000 YouTube subscribers and was described by Vanity Fair as, ‘the coolest yoga instructor ever’ Have more energy, lose weight, relax, eat better – each of us has our own goals to achieve, so a one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing might not be the best route, at least that’s the suggestion of yoga guru Tara Stiles’ new book. Stiles is the founder and owner of Strala, a movement-based system that encourages freedom and expansion. Laid-back and energetic simultaneously, Strala is HQd in New York but is a global phenomenon with classes in Los Angeles and Paris. Stiles, who radiates health and positivity, credits her ‘straight-edged hippy’ parents for her inspired and invigorating approach to life. Raised in a solar house in Illinois, she talks of an idyllic childhood overflowing with home-grown vegetables, recycling and reusing – way ahead of today’s trend – and playing and meditating in the woods. She studied dance and yoga as a teenager and became interested in how breathing and movement can help to make us feel fantastically alive. Strala is the culmination of this approach, and Stiles works carefully with instructors to ensure a class experience is as positive and invigorating, whether it’s delivered on the West Coast or in the French capital. “People consistently say, ‘That was so much fun!’ ‘I felt free to be myself!’ ‘I did more than I thought I could and it was easy,” exclaims Stiles. “The concept is about achieving a breath body connection, moving in a way that feels great to move and naturally through simple and challenging moments alike.
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FEEL & LOOK GOOD “From my earliest memories, I was interested in connection and expansion and the concept of movement with ease. It’s an evolution of yoga, but the concept is very open and connected to elements of nature, science and the human experience. “The more I got into yoga, the more I saw a divide and people who didn’t practise. I started making videos and sharing classes with friends. I needed a name for my studio and came up with Strala. It’s a Swedish word that means to radiate light. The meaning was synchronicity. I thought I had invented a word combining strength, balance and awareness. I created a concept that was simple and natural, but didn’t exist in the industry.” What makes Stiles’ Strala classes distinct from traditional yoga is a series of moods and paces to suit participants, according to how they are feeling. “Natural movement allows people to get further with less effort,” she continues. “Dance understands this concept very well. Yoga often gets stuck on dissection. I’m not interested in teaching people about their elbows or an evolution of Hindu philosophy but more in guiding people to connect with how they feel and move naturally so they can build strength and a healthy range of motion.” But Stiles’ approach is not solely based around exercise. Her holistic approach to life is reflected in her latest book, Make Your Own Rules Diet which encompasses self-reflection, relaxation and diet. “Healthy and balanced living means having a consistent practise of mindfulness that spreads through the day,” she explains. “From meditation to mindful eating and interactions, self-care and reflection, there is so much variety to keep things interesting and balanced. Start small and do something every day – whether it’s five minutes of yoga in the morning or after work, or five minutes of meditation or both. Keep at it consistently. “My first two books were more about yoga practice and aim to make that more approachable for people. Food and mood were the next steps to tackle. Everyone wants to feel better. I wanted to demystify healthy eating and show that it can be delicious, as well as healthy and, just as importantly, cost-effective.” With step-by-step goal setting processes, six yoga routines, breathing and meditation practices, plus an array of recipes, Stiles invites us to create our own paths to realise our individual goals. Based on her own achievements, it’s a route we might be well-advised to choose. Make Your Own Rules Diet by Tara Stiles is published by Hay House.
TARA’S TIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVING 1. Practise regularly. I have loads of videos online to help people fit in a few minutes of yoga wherever you are and however much time you have. 2. Drink your greens! Green juices and smoothies are an easy way to get your energy up and keep your whole body and energy vibrant. 3. Do new things, learn new skills to stay interested and active. I’m into knitting, learning languages and Japanese culture. Pick something and make a hobby out of it. It will keep your mind sharp. w w w . t he b e s t yo uma ga z i ne . c o
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SWEET ENOUGH
Having fronted some of television’s biggest shows and raised more than £2.6m for charity, DAVINA MCCALL is on a new mission – to help us quit sugar for good
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he was the original face of reality television, fronting the UK’s first Big Brother series and greeting contestants as they emerged from the house. With a succession of popular shows since, she’s remained one of the nation’s favourites with her down to earth, ‘girl next door’ image, releasing fitness DVDs and putting her name to sports equipment to encourage us to exercise. Last year, she ran, swam and cycled 500-miles in seven days for Sport Relief – Davina McCall manages to inspire us all with her get-upand-go approach to life. Now she aims to encourage us to ditch sugar from our diets. A self-confessed chocoholic, she has now released a new book, Davina’s 5 Weeks to Sugar-free, packed with recipes and tips to make healthy eating an easy, everyday choice. Here are three recipes to try.
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POACHED EGGS WITH AVOCADO ON TOAST Davina’s tip: ‘For years I didn’t do poached eggs because I couldn’t understand the whole whirlpool thing but now – can’t stop me. Stir frantically to make a swirling vortex of water, then drop your egg in very quickly. You’ll think it’s all going wrong but it isn’t. Use really fresh eggs cold from the fridge for best results. If they’re cold the whites will be firmer.’ Serves 2 1-2 very fresh eggs per person 2 slices of wholemeal seeded bread Butter, for spreading 1 avocado 1 tsp lime juice Salt and pepper 1B ring a saucepan of water to the boil, then turn the heat down slightly until the water is simmering. Break an egg into a small cup. 2 Swirl a spoon around in the water to make a whirlpool – really get the water going – then drop in the egg. Cook for about 2½ minutes, until the white is set and the yolk is still runny, then remove the egg with a slotted spoon so the water drains away from it. Repeat with as many eggs as you want to cook. 3 Meanwhile, toast the bread and spread with butter. Remove the stone from the avocado and mash the flesh with lime juice and seasoning. Spread mashed avocado on toast and top with poached eggs.
FEEL & LOOK GOOD CHICKEN WITH CHORIZO, CHICKPEAS AND KALE Davina’s tip: ‘This is another fantastic one-pot dish and I love anything with chorizo. Kale is the new broccoli – everybody’s doing it – but you can use other greens, as long as they keep their shape and don’t go mushy. Spinach doesn’t work. You might find two cans of chickpeas slightly too much, but one can isn’t enough, so save any leftover chickpeas to put in a salad.’
RISOTTO WITH SPRING VEGETABLES Davina’s tip: ‘I like to make this classic spring vegetable risotto, known as risotto primavera, with brown risotto rice for a healthier dish. It works brilliantly but you really do need to soak the rice overnight before using it. I did try skipping this step and the rice took forever to cook and after all, there’s nothing that difficult about soaking. If you fancy, add 100ml of wine after you’ve fried the onion, courgette and garlic, and before adding the stock.’ Serves 4 250g brown risotto rice, soaked overnight 1 tbsp olive oil 10g butter 1 onion, finely chopped 1 courgette, finely diced or grated 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 750g chicken stock Bunch of asparagus (about 200g), cut into 5cm pieces 150g peas, fresh or frozen 100g spinach 1 tsp lemon zest To finish 25g butter 25g Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra to serve Handful of fresh basil 1 Drain the soaked risotto rice. 2 Heat the olive oil and butter in a very wide, straight-sided pan. When the butter is foaming, add the onion, courgette and garlic and fry gently for a few minutes. The courgette will disintegrate but don’t worry – it adds creaminess to the dish. Add the rice and cook for another couple of minutes, then pour in all the chicken stock. 3 Bring the stock to the boil, turn the heat right down to a slow simmer and cover the pan. Simmer the risotto gently for about 45 minutes – keep checking regularly and giving a quick stir. At the end of the cooking time, taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary. 4 Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Add the asparagus and cook for a minute. Add the peas and cook for another minute, then the spinach. As soon as the spinach has wilted, drain everything thoroughly. 5W hen the risotto is cooked to your liking, stir in the vegetables and lemon zest. Finally, add the butter and Parmesan and beat thoroughly until they have completely melted into the risotto and it is creamy. Stir in lots of fresh basil. 6 Serve with extra Parmesan cheese for people to add at the table.
Serves 4 1tbsp olive oil 8 chicken thighs or other pieces, with skin and bone 2 cooking chorizo sausages, sliced into rounds 1 onion, sliced 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 x 400g cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 x 400g can of tomatoes 200ml chicken stock large sprig of thyme small bunch of kale, thickly shredded salt and black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. 2 Heat the oil in a large casserole dish. Add the chicken thighs or pieces and brown them thoroughly on both sides. Make sure the skin in particular is crisp and brown. Remove the chicken from the dish and set it aside, then pour off the excess fat released by the chicken. 3 Add the slices of chorizo to the casserole dish and brown them for a couple of minutes on each side. Remove them from the pan and again drain off any excess fat. Add the onion to the casserole and fry gently for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another minute. 4 Add the chickpeas (as much of them as you want) and tomatoes and stir well to combine. Tuck in the sprig of thyme, pour over the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Pile the kale on top of the chickpeas, then arrange the chicken and chorizo on top. Season again. 5 Put the lid on the casserole dish and place the dish in the oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the lid and cook for a further 15 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked through. Davina’s 5 Weeks to Sugar-free is published by Orion Books (orionbooks.co.uk)
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LATE STARTER
FEEL & LOOK GOOD
February, and maybe you’re regretting not getting started on those life-improving resolutions… It’s not too late, after all Chinese New Year falls on 19 February and is the perfect ‘second attempt’ window – follow our solution guide, and there’s still time to succeed in 2015
YOUR CHALLENGE
THE SOLUTION
GET IN SHAPE
Flat out and no time for the gym? Take a desk workout instead. There are tons of routines to try on YouTube, so ditch that extra coffee break or sneak a session into your lunch break each day.
GET QUICKER
Buy a shower timer and take two minutes of your wash time in the morning – you’ll save water too!
GET ORGANISED
All it takes is 15 minutes. Apparently when we see tasks in short time frames, we’re far more likely to hit it. Whether it’s tackling bills, sorting your wardrobe or hitting a tedious cleaning task, set the timer and challenge yourself to be done before the ringer goes.
GET HEALTHIER
The same approach can help our diet too. Cravings – even for chocolate – pass in 15 minutes, so have the timer to the ready and be good to yourself!
GET MORE FRIENDS
Become a volunteer. Check out an array of opportunities around the UK at www.do-it.org.uk
GET A BETTER JOB
Rethink working life – start your own business (see Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation’s advice on page 58) or ditch corporate life and do something entirely different at escapethecity.org
GET BETTER AT YOUR JOB
Take a nap. Sounds counterintuitive but daytime naps boost memory, so take a zzzz at lunchtime and boost your productivity.
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WEALTH & RICHES
THE BEST
YOU
Building your career or business can bring both financial reward and personal growth in every aspect of your life. Seek out advice and support to ensure your success today and for the future.
Life Without Limits
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YEAR OF THE ENTREPRENEUR
Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation boosts your chances of business success in 2015
SOUL MAN
Garrett Gunderson explains why finding your soul purpose is more important than wealth
AFTER THE APPRENTICE
Lauren Riley on Lord Sugar and her latest venture
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WEALTH & RICHES
START IT
UP The number of UK start-ups has risen 110 per cent over the last three years. Emma Jones, founder of small business community Enterprise Nation, explains why 2015 is the year of the entrepreneur
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ecord numbers of people are starting a business and relishing the freedom and flexibility that comes with being their own boss. They are starting by working 5 to 9, which is the term I apply to keeping hold of the day job while working on the business at nights and weekends. It’s a low cost and low risk route to start as you keep the security of a salary with time to build cash flow and confidence in the business. Having joined the record half a million other start-ups being formed each year, what does it take to succeed? Here are my six factors for business success
HAVE A PLAN
From start-up through to growth, have a plan as to where you want to be heading and what’s required to reach the end destination. Call it a business plan or route-map; either way, it’s the document that will guide you to success. Of course, you can’t plan for everything and one of the great pleasures of business is you never know which opportunity will present itself next but with a plan you’re prepared for the journey and it provides the business, you, and potentially your team, an essential sense of direction. Review the plan every six months or so to be sure you’re on track.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPPORT
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There has never been so much support available for the small business owner as there is today. Apply for a government Growth Voucher which offers funding to access accredited advice, find small business peers in online forums (like Enterprise Nation) who are willing to share their stories, and approach experienced entrepreneurs, as 20 minutes of their precious time could shortcut a lot of your time. Make the most of all the support that’s on offer from government, large corporates and your own peer group.
WEALTH & RICHES
BE OPEN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES
What do I see as the single factor common to growing businesses? They all have founders who are alert and open to entering new markets, launching products and working with partners. With more than one billion people online across the globe, often looking for British made or designed products, you could say it’s a good time to Go Global. With government having committed itself to a target of buying 25 per cent of all products and services from small business by May, it’s most definitely time to consider government as a client. What about heading to that event for a complementary sector to your own, you just never know who you might meet. The business owner who is open to opportunity deserves to do well.
EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY
It’s spoken about frequently, but technology has been a good friend to small business; enabling sole traders, micro-enterprises and one-man/woman-bands to get going and growing. Turn to social media to raise your profile and communicate with customers, head to the cloud to run your new enterprise from anywhere, and
achieve all this on a budget that won’t break the bank with tools like Twitter, Skype, Facebook, Dropbox, Instagram and Basecamp. Test the tech that works for you (and your customers) best and then dedicate time to these platforms. Measure what works with tools such as Google Analytics, Hootsuite and Sprout Social.
STAY AHEAD
In the fast pace of business, leaders are those in touch with innovation. Make the most of free tools like Springwise to be briefed on trends from across the globe, hang out with young people (watch how they buy/ consume/communicate) and attend events. If you run the business from home consider co-working once a week and read, read, read blogs, newspapers, forum boards to consider how new technologies and trends can benefit your business.
IT’S A FACT... • In 2014, there were 5.2m businesses in the UK • More than 99% of UK businesses are small or medium-sized – employing 0-249 people • 5m (96%) businesses are microsized – employing 0-9 people. These account for 33% of UK employment and 19% of turnover • Service industries account for 73% of businesses, 79% of employment and 70% of turnover • The manufacturing sector accounts for 5% of businesses, 10% of employment and 16% of turnover • 18% of SMEs are female-led, and 22% of FTSE100 board members are female
BE PATIENT
Rome was not built in a day, nor was a business. Building customers and profit can take time, which is a struggle for entrepreneurs who can be in a hurry. Stick to the plan and get all the support you can, as on those few days when you doubt if you’re making progress, turning to either will show how far you’ve come.
Emma Jones is founder of Enterprise Nation, the UK’s most active small business network. Join Enterprise Nation to access business support for all stages of your entrepreneurial journey at enterprisenation.com
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WEALTH & RICHES
BE THE WORLD’S RICHEST PERSON Most of us would love to be rich – but wealth isn’t just measured by a healthy bank balance, says business guru Garrett Gunderson
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here is wealth and then there is quintessential wealth. Wealth can be impartially measured and the type of questions we use to evaluate this are, ‘how much do you earn?’; ‘what investments and savings do you have?’; ‘do your assets outweight your debts?’ Using these yardsticks, it is relatively simple to compare how you are faring financially to anyone else. Many of us were raised to view money and wealth like a game of Monopoly, where the objective is to accumulate as much cash and assets as possible. The player who has the most at the end, wins. But the game’s instructions never offer an explanation as to why Monopoly money has value – other than to buy more properties and cushion yourself for those inevitable turns when you land on the high-rent squares controlled by your challengers. Do Monopoly players enjoy their hotel stays? Are they there on honeymoon, enjoying a reunion or holiday? In the real world, life is a balance of work and play, a truism that is too often overlooked by those ensnared in the pursuit of conventional wealth. Quintessential wealth is also about net worth, but it extends beyond numbers and decimal places to elements that are not so readily quantifiable. These include how richly you live your life; how passionately and consistently you pursue your dreams; and how much better you leave the world because of the contributions you make to it. Quintessential wealth encompasses five areas.
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WEALTH & RICHES
IDENTIFY YOUR SOUL PURPOSE There is an important distinction between the questions, ‘What’s my job?’ and ‘What’s my purpose?’ Going to work to pay the bills and save for retirement is an energy drain. In time, your job diminishes your stamina and exhausts your affection for what you do. By contrast, pursuing your mission in life – your soul purpose – is a labour of love, to which you bring heartfelt passion, integrity and unique strengths. It is invigorating. It generates enthusiasm and vitality. Often the nature of the work you do when pursuing your soul purpose may be identical to the work you do when in a job. The crucial difference is your perspective and outlook. When you strive daily toward a clear objective you’re far less likely to suffer a financial setback. That’s because your energy and enthusiasm for your business grow steadily. Your soul purpose is about who you are, not what you do. It is what you were meant to be in life. It’s the career you pursue – not because you’re good at doing something, or because your parents or spouse encouraged you to do it, or because it’s what you’ve always done – but because it makes you feel fulfilled, important, aligned with your highest values, and creates a legacy that long outlives your productive work life. USE IT WISELY No matter how much you earn and save, you can never afford to be caviler with wealth. Prosperity is too central to facilitating your life’s soul purpose. Yet virtually every small business owner, usually unwittingly, wastes money. Often this arises from overpaying tax, missing opportunities to, ill-advised investments and failing to properly assign risk. Identifying where you are oozing money and taking all necessary steps to stem the outflow is incumbent on everyone who seeks true mastery of their financial destiny. MAKE MONEY WORK FOR YOU Do some business owners emerge from university, dreaming of socking away funds for a few decades in a pension? When money sits for
decades in accounts it’s not just the money that stagnates. Money should be put in motion. Instead of investing in a savings plan, reinvest your profits back into the business that generated them. Or buy yourself and your employees more training. Hire more or better staff. Buy and grow another business that uses your experience and expertise. Fund your soul purpose. BE RICH NOW Perhaps more noxious than any other type of procrastinators are those who hold off on enjoying their lives and incomes, awaiting some day in the far off future when they’ll feel sufficiently financially secure. Reality seldom delivers on that distant promise. If you live life with a ‘fear’ mentality there doesn’t usually come a time to relinquish that fear. Of course, it is prudent to have a plan for later life. Disability and long-term care insurance, along with life insurance, are just a few of the safety nets that I highly recommend. But regularly setting aside a portion of your income to spend on life’s many pleasures in the immediate future, is absolutely essential to realising your soul purpose and living a more rewarding existence. I suggest putting three per cent of your income in a ‘living wealthy’ account to enjoy eating out, travelling and treating yourself to things you truly desire – you deserve it and it will re-energise you to go further with your business goals.
THINK AHEAD Thinking beyond yourself and your years is a secret ingredient for making your ‘now’ a richer experience. Consistent with a soul purpose, those who act on their will while they are alive – by working on family relations, businesses, foundations, collections or charitable causes that will one day serve as their legacy – enjoy seeing their own bequests in action. Knowing that your life’s work will continue on and that you will leave this world a better place for having been an active contributor to it, makes each day more meaningful, rewarding and inspiring. BE A WINNER What becomes of profit seekers who ease up on the gas long enough to contemplate how they’re earning, spending and perpetuating their wealth? Do their revenue-generation machines grind to a halt? Do they lose their drive and sense of urgency? Hardly. Those who make the active choice to become quintessentially wealthy – not just Monopoly money wealthy – often discover that their economic engines actually run more efficiently and productively than ever. They no longer merely roll the dice, pass go and collect £200; they relish the journey and the bounty of riches it brings. Garrett B. Gunderson is founder of Freedom FastTrack (freedomfasttrack.com) and author of Killing Sacred Cows. w w w . t he b e s t yo uma ga z i ne . c o
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WEALTH & RICHES
BACK TO THE BOARDROOM Straight-talking Lauren Riley may not have won Lord Sugar’s heart but her determination and effort are opening many doors
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ith his Marmite approach, Lord Sugar may have missed an opportunity with The Apprentice contestant Lauren Riley when he uttered the infamous, ‘You’re fired’ in last year’s show. At 29, the family lawyer is set to revolutionise the legal profession with the launch of The Link App, which keeps lawyers in regular contact with their clients. Riley is already in talks with five investors interested in the app, at a figure that outstrips the show’s £250k prize. “The Link App was born out of my experience as a lawyer,” Riley explains. “It’s a constant frustration among lawyers that so much time is wasted trying to connect with clients to ensure that everyone is informed. I thought that technology could improve the situation and, although I’m a lawyer first and foremost, this has taken me into the field of technology. “I’ve already had requests from different professions to adapt the same technological solution and I do think the app has the potential to grow globally too.” Having provided news commentary on Divorce Day earlier this year, Riley’s glamorous image lends itself to television work, and the parallels between presenting to camera and in the courtroom haven’t gone unnoticed. Invitations to celebrity parties and London Fashion Week are an indicator that Riley has the potential to crossover into media. For now, she continues to work at a legal firm while developing her app. “As a child I wanted to be a barrister,” she says, “and, while my parents encouraged me, later at university, lecturers tried to warn me off what is a hugely competitive field. That was like a red rag to a bull and I was determined to achieve my goal. It took a lot of hard work but I’m proud of my achievement – I enjoy thinking on my feet in court. “On The Apprentice I went in with a different attitude to the other contestants. I am a professional and I’ve worked hard to succeed in my own right. I wasn’t prepared to compromise who I am. It was a fantastic opportunity but it was a small part of my life. I was serious about the competition, as I am about everything I do, and I was passionate and worked hard but it wasn’t the right path for me. “The show did teach me a lot about myself. Divorce lawyers typically get a bad rap, and while I am straightforward and to the point, I also learnt that I’m a nice person. I had such good reactions from the public who recognised my integrity, professionalism, business acumen, and how hard I’ve worked to get where I am.” Riley’s determination is evident in every aspect of her life. A self-confessed fitness fanatic, she shares her love of kettle bell workouts and detox drinks with fans via social media. “I am a perfectionist in all aspects of my life,” says Riley. “If my head is into something I will work really hard at it – I want to give my workouts the most effort, I want to succeed with my business, I want to go to the best parties – it’s who I am.” For Riley, there is no doubt that the results of her determination will bring even greater reward yet. Follow Lauren Riley at laurenriley.co.uk; to find out more about The Link App, visit thelinkapp.co.uk
WEALTH & RICHES
THE ROCKY ROAD TO SUCCESS
MARTHA STEWART DOMESTIC GODDESS
A true ‘Jane of all trades’ during a time when women were raised to live more simplistic lives, Martha Stewart grew up in New Jersey in the 40s and 50s, learning about culinary arts and fashion from her mother. Having pursued ambition to rub elbows with famous New Yorkers from an early age, Stewart found her way into modelling, pursuing this for a number of years as a way to pay for college. While finishing college, Stewart married Andrew Stewart and later had a daughter, Alexis. Stewart’s husband, through his publishing career, introduced her to the head of Crown Publishing Group, leading to the publication of her first home entertaining and cookbook. After several additional books and TV appearances throughout the 80s and 90s, Stewart folded her various outlets and ventures into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. A television series, website and other lifestyle outlets turned Stewart into a hugely recognisable American brand and sky-rocketed her multi-million dollar net worth. In 2004, Stewart was convicted of conspiracy in a stock trading case. It was an epic fall from grace for a person and brand so loved, but after serving time in federal prison Stewart returned to form, and her company, without missing a beat – albeit with a new refining edge to her brand.
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JOHN RZEZNIK
CREATIVITY TRIUMPHS ADVERSITY Raised in upstate New York, John Rzeznik had four older sisters whom he would eventually depend on for everything. After their parents passed away within two years of each other, the Rzeznik children were on their own. Rzeznik was mostly brought up by his four sisters until he turned 17 and moved out on his own. He discovered a passion for playing guitar while in high school and college. Just a few short years after leaving home, Rzeznik formed the Goo Goo Dolls with bandmate Robby Takac. Taking a workman-like approach to their music, the Goo Goo Dolls played gig after gig, from the largest to the smallest, until they attracted the attention of a record label. They toured for the next several years, trying to take the band to the next level. Following a dispute with their small record label after several albums and their first hit, Name, the band signed with Warner Brothers Records. Rzezkik was known to battle writer’s block after the band began to achieve widespread acclaim. Iris, far and away the Goo Goo Dolls’ biggest worldwide hit, was preceded by a bout with writer’s block, but Rzeznik was able to overcome the affliction and steer the band through. Whether it was overcoming the death of his parents, stage fright or lack of confidence in himself, John Rzeznik has learned how to achieve the success that lies beyond adversity.
THE ROCKY ROAD TO SUCCESS
MARY KAY ASH
PIONEERING FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR Mary Kay Ash was born in deep south Texas in the early 20th century. Ash’s mother, a nurse and manager of a restaurant in Houston, was a strong role model and powerful figure in her life. As was common at the time, Ash married when she was only 17. Her first break from the norm was to divorce her husband, after they had three children, in the mid-40s. While her husband had been away fighting in World War II, Ash began her career in marketing and selling to direct-to-customers, in their homes. This experience would later become the foundation for Ash’s namesake company. Watching men get promoted above her time and again, Ash eventually formed Mary Kay, Inc. in 1963, a rare entrepreneurial effort from a woman during the era. Starting her venture with only $5,000, Ash focused her product line on cosmetics, purchasing proprietary skin care compounds. Proving to her male counterparts that her sales and marketing expertise would eventually be the stuff of business legend, Mary Kay, Inc. earned almost a million dollars in only its second year in existence, a huge sum of money at the time. Mary Kay Ash passed away in 2001, but left a company with annual sales exceeding $2bn, as well as a legacy of female entrepreneurship and success.
WEALTH & RICHES
STEVE JOBS
A KEEN INTELLECT AND VISIONARY Steven Paul Jobs was born with vision, the ability to see what is possible through effort. His birth parents gave him up for adoption early on, and Jobs was raised in San Francisco by supportive parents. After a move to Mountain Valley, California when Jobs was five, his father began teaching Jobs about basic electronics. Jobs was able to skip one year of school thanks to his keen intellect. While attending high school, he met Steve Wozniak, who at the time was developing his own homemade computer. After a stint working on video games at Atari, Jobs took one look at the very first Apple Computer that Wozniak had just completed and suggested they sell it. Thus was born Apple Computer, Inc. in Jobs’ parents’ garage. After many wildly successful and turbulent years, including the his ousting and return to the helm of Apple, Jobs turned a computer company into a pop culture phenomenon. He oversaw the invention of the iPod, which turned the music industry on its head. He steered a course for new versions of Apple Computers; and he took the mobile phone into the future with the advent of the iPhone. Jobs passed away in 2011 after a brave battle with cancer, but the imprint he made on consumer electronics will be remembered for generations to come.
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THE BEST YOU DIRECTORY The best professionals in personal development
UNITED KINGDOM
SPORTS THERAPISTS AND NUTRITIONISTS
Dr Stephen Simpson NLP, hypnotherapy and havening Email: doc@drstephensimpson.com Website: www.drstephensimpson.com Clients include leading names from the world of sport, business and the entertainment industries
Shayna Schulman Attitude adjuster and flexibility enhancer Email: Shayna.s@virgin.net Phone: +44 (0) 208 960 7715 Licensed trainer, coaching, consulting, yoga, nutrition
NLP TRAINERS Tina Taylor: Licensed master trainer and practitioner Email: kay@the-me-group.com Phone: +44 (0) 7946 351640 Website: tina@tina-taylor.com Tina’s experience allows her to create and provide some unique coaching services, from stopping addictions to pregnancy and pain control
Ulrika Shaw: Thrive consultant and hypnotherapist Email: enquiry@shawmind.co.uk Phone: +44 (0)7810 556029 Website: www.shawmind.co.uk Are you suffering from anxieties or depression? Maybe you’re struggling with bad habits such as overeating or smoking? I help people overcome anything that holds them back!
Geoff Rolls: Corporate coach and kinesiologist Email: geoff@geoffrolls.co.uk Phone: +44 (0)7905 056 513 Website: www.geoffrolls.co.uk Learning and development, NLP trainer, TFH kinesiology instructor
June O’Driscoll: Exec coach, business coach, trainer Email: june@thoughtitude.co.uk Phone: +44 (0)7876 657 8055 Website: www.thoughtitude.co.uk NLP, coaching and hypnotherapy training school and consultancy
LIFE COACHES Dr Andrew A Parsons Mindfulness, resilience and finding clear purpose Email: aaparsons@reciprocalminds.com Phone: +44 (0)7854 029 268 Support people, build awareness and make changes for success
Dustin Vice Personal and business development coaching Email: dustin@alliancecoachingsystem.com Website: www.alliancecoachingsystem.com Professional coaching, coaching business system for professional coaches
Gail Cherry: Torchlight coaching Email: gail@torchlightcoaching.co.uk Phone: +44 (0)1143 489 161 Website: www.torchlightcoaching.co.uk Helping people with their personal and professional development. We work together to be the best you
Ruth Hepworth: Life coach Email: ruth.hepworth@ntlworld.com Phone: +44 (0)1252 655 849
Those Life Consultant Guys: Coaching, seminars, business, goal setting and more Website: www.thoselifeconsultantguys.com A coaching company which prides itself on helping you to live your best life; every day, through one-on-one sessions and seminar programmes
Nick Nanton Career and life coaching, consultancy and public speaking Website: www.nicknanton.com Phone: (407) 215-7737 Recognised as one of the top thought-leaders in the business world
Edson Williams: Life coaching Email: edson@leadbyexample.com Phone: +44(0)7867517777 Website: www.leadbyexample.com Specialising in leadership development and sport coaching
David Owen: Life coach & NLP trainer Email: bestyou@excel-yourself.com Phone: 07900 243494 Website: www.excel-yourself.com Stop smoking, slimming, phobias, relationships, stress, confidence, self-esteem
THE BEST YOU DIRECTORY The best professionals in personal development
PHOBIA SPECIALISTS John Vincent Public speaking without fear Email: John@JohnVincent.tv Phone: +44 (0)7808 545 421 Website: www.johnvincent.tv
Paul Wright Phobias, anxieties, panic attacks Email: paul@phobiagone.com Phone: +44 (0)203 086 8444 Website: www.phobiagone.com
NLP THERAPISTS / HYPNOTHERAPISTS Linda Cameron and Gail Walshe Inspire for impact Email: say-hello@inspireforimpact.com Phone: +44 (0)845 601 7567 Website: www.inspireforimpact.com NLP trainers, NLP master practitioners, NLP life coaches, hypnotherapists
Debbie Williams Birmingham NLP Practice Group Website: www.debbiewilliams.co.uk Phone: +44 (0)121 241 0728 Life coaching, public speaking, sports coaching, all eating disorders, emotional mastery, OCD, stopping blushing, cocaine addiction, binge drinking
Edson Williams Coaching, NLP, personal development Email: say-hello@inspireforimpact.com Phone: +44 (0) 7867517777 Website: www.leadbyexample.com With an holistic approach, Edson specialises in performance coaching
Laura Spicer: Public speaking skills and confidence Email: laura.spicer@gmail.com Phone: 01752 361 576 Website: www.laura-spicer.com The only accredited sound practice trainer for the Society of NLP
EATING DISORDERS John Arroyo Coaching, personal development Email: john@johnarroyo.co.uk I have been a therapist and personal development trainer for 20 years, specialising in eating disorders for the last 10 years
EUROPE
NLP TRAINERS
Pasquale Acampora (Italy) Master trainer and mental coach, NLP, team building Website: www.blackship.it Phone: +39 (0)335 70 99 000 Pasquale’s key areas are sport and business; he has worked with top athletes and multinational companies
Alessandro Mora (Italy) Sport coaching Email: a.mora@ekis.it Phone: +39 (0)522 337 611 Website: www.pnlekis.com NLP, coaching and team building applied to sport and business all over Italy
Xavier Pirla (Spain): NLP master trainer and NLP coach Email: kay@the-me-group.com Phone: 91 002 84 44 (Madrid) 93 193 6449 (Barcelona) Website: www.the-me-group.com NLP, NLP business applications, coaching workshops and consultancy
Aleksander Sinigoj (Slovenia) Mastermind academy Email: info@itnlp.com Website: www.aleksandersinigoj.com Leadership, motivation, sales, business NLP
To include your details in The Best You directory, call 0203 011 0866 or email advertising@thebestyou.co Visit www.thebestyoudirectory.co for more personal development professionals
21ST CENTURY LIVING
THE BEST
YOU
We live in a technological age and the opportunities that new ideas and developments bring to both our personal and professional lives are amazing. Discover fresh thinking and technologies that can enhance daily life.
Life Without Limits
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YOUTH ON YOUR SIDE
Why millennials have the power boost your business
BRAND NEW AND SHINY
Tech toys to please this Valentine’s Day
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Roger Harrop believes that millennials have the power to transform your business through the latest technologies. Embrace them and grow, he urges
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21ST CENTURY LIVING
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ith the UK economy on the up, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have an opportunity to steal a march on their rivals by working on tech-driven transformation with the next generation of graduates. It’s now clearer than ever that technology can be a game-changer for businesses. In just a few years, hi-tech has levelled the playing field for smaller businesses, meaning many can now compete against bigger and better-resourced rivals – so long as they have the right attitude and know-how. In 2015, companies cannot – and must not – ignore the potential of technology to transform operations. There are now examples from all over the world of SMEs taking on corporates and beating them on their own terms. It’s a sea-change that has come about quickly – and it’s up to UK SMEs to ensure they are keeping up in today’s globalised world.
One of the best ways to understand what’s possible is to engage with those under 30 who are already using their smartphones to run their lives. A recent article reported that 34 per cent of 17-30-year-olds carry out every transaction of their lives through their smartphones. For the first time in history, young people have more knowledge than older, more experienced employees. A white paper by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Millennials at Work: Reshaping the workplace, supports this viewpoint: ‘Millennials’ use of technology clearly sets them apart. One of the defining characteristics of the millennial generation is their affinity with the digital world. They have grown up with broadband, smartphones, laptops and social media being the norm and expect instant access to information. This is the first generation to enter the workplace with a better grasp of the key business tools than more senior workers.’ I challenge UK businesses to take on a chief technology exploitation officer (CTEO) on their top team before the year is out. Your CTEO will be under 30 years of age in all likelihood, and have a sharp understanding of the potential that’s there to be tapped by putting together the best of today’s technologies.
Find a way to bring millennials into your company and have them respected and listened to – and not just in the traditional way of starting on the bottom rung of the ladder. Larger companies will be appointing CTEOs on the top team. It isn’t realistic for SMEs to recruit an individual solely for this purpose, but they should be giving a member of their team an overall responsibility for integrating technology into every aspect of the business, not just marketing or IT. SMEs are best placed to do this because they don’t have departmental silos and lack big company inertia. In the right way, technology can help with lead generation, customer engagement, sales, operational efficiency, new product development, employee engagement and brand building. There is no area of the business that cannot benefit. Equally, there is no area that will not suffer if it isn’t used. Take 3D printing for example, there are no set-up costs, and it takes the same to print one item as it does 10,000. The possibilities are endless. A start-up company in Spain called Foodini allows customers to send their loved one a chocolate with their own portrait printed on it. It uses 3D printing to cover the chocolate. In fact there is plenty of research and development going on into 3D printing of all sorts of foods. QR codes are becoming ubiquitous. One of my clients included QR codes in their Christmas cards with a personalised video from the CEO for each customer in their own language. At the very least that’s going to get people talking about them and the costs for this campaign were very little. Augmented Reality is another piece of technology that is valuable for all kinds of businesses, especially e-commerce. You can show people in three dimensions exactly how your product will serve them in a way that has never been possible before. By adopting these technologies and recruiting the right team members, UK SMEs will be able to compete with larger organisations and also internationally. We are world-leaders in so many industries, but with SMEs enabled in this way, it won’t just be the market’s biggest players that are able to forge ahead – the challengers can do so too. Read about Roger’s latest book, WIN! How to succeed in the new game of business on page 36.
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21ST CENTURY LIVING
DIGITAL EXCHANGE With Valentine’s Day this month, lovers are scratching their heads, trying to find that perfect gift to show their dearest just how they feel about them. Roses? Yawn. Chocolates? Been there, done that. If you want to really put a smile on your constant companion’s face – so long as that person happens to be a tech addict – here’s a handful of the most exciting tech products that are guaranteed to please.
JAWBONE UP24
How is your New Year’s resolution to take better care of your body coming along? If you and your loved one have both fallen off the wagon, the Jawbone UP24 might be a great way to get your fitness motors running again. ‘His and hers’ Jawbones enable couples to use the device’s tracking features (including activity and sleep monitoring capabilities) to create a more complete picture of their active (or perhaps inactive) lives. If you’re both first-to-the-top kind of people, turn it into a competition for who can be the most active, but, be warned, nothing kills romance faster than outperforming your partner. Suggested retail price: £99
DNA 11 – DNA PORTRAIT
Depending on how deep a sleeper you’ve got on your hands, this has the potential to be an incredible surprise for your scientifically inclined partner. Swab the inside of your loved one’s cheek and send it to the folks at DNA 11. They’ll analyse the DNA and create a completely unique printout of your dearest’s DNA in any of a wide range of colour options. Then pick from a wide range of framing and display possibilities. Even better, get both of your DNA printed out and display them sideby-side. The DNA portrait is a stylish and ultra-modern way to show the world that you care about the stuff we’re all made of. Suggested retail price: £159
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CENTURY LIVING
DEVIALET PHANTOM
For the man or woman who loves their audio gear. There is enough technology crammed in these exquisitely designed (and modestly priced) speakers to stump the folks at NASA. We’re not prone to hyperbole, so believe us when we tell you that what Devialet has done with audio technology represents a massive leap forward. They’ve managed to combine analogue and digital in their amplification systems (something nobody else has done), and they’ve entirely reinvented the subwoofer. In simple terms, the Devialet designers claim that their product creates 20 times the interior pressure of your typical high-end sealed driver (they call this ‘Heart Bass Implosion’). This means that they deliver as much punch as a young Mike Tyson. And this isn’t about volume (it doesn’t take brains to be loud). I heard one of Devialet’s amplifiers recently, and the sound is disorienting at first. Needs to be heard to be believed. The audio brand to watch. Suggested retail price: £1,350
QR CODE JEWELLERY
By combining a QR code with a tasteful and elegant locket, which hangs on a silver-plated necklace, the QR pendant (available through Zazzle.com) can keep a special image, design or note close (literally) to your heart. Also available as a ring (below) this is a gift for the tech-minded couple, It might date, but it’s a reasonably priced trinket with a twist. Suggested retail price: £25
PONOPLAYER
PonoPlayer is to the iPod what the iPod was to the Walkman. It’s high quality (up to 24-bit) music made portable (but still affordable). The company’s website, the brainchild of folk and grunge legend Neil Young, offers extremely high digital recordings of a relatively wide range of artists. The list of artists is still growing, but don’t let the small catalogue deter you. The PonoPlayer is also compatible with other high-quality audio file types including FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, and AAC. If you’re still, like me, stubbornly refusing to replace or upgrade your collection of MP3 files, don’t worry. The PonoPlayer can handle MP3s too, allowing for you to get the most out of what you’ve got while, at the same time, allowing you to broaden your horizons in terms of future music file formatting options. Suggested retail price: £265
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