March 2024
BOUNDARIES
&
SELF-WORTH: A VITAL CONNECTION FOR INNER SECURITY
Dr. Dee
HOW TO STOP OVERTHINKING
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO
CONVERSATIONS Lunden Souza
THE IDES OF MARCH: THE POWER AND POTENTIAL OF PROPHECY Mark Anthony, JD Psychic Explorer
CELEBRATING NATIONAL
NUTRITION MONTH: A Time to Revitalize Our Commitment to Health
Jes Penix
THE SACRED SIGNIFICANCE OF MONEY INTEGRITY Dawna Campbell
BEST HOLISTIC LIFE WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2024
FUN WAYS TO BOOST
YO U R B R A N D V I S I B I L I T Y Jana Short
BREAKPROOF YOURSELF
EDITING Best Holistic Life Magazine BEST HOLISTIC LIFE LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED https://bestholisticlife.com Cover Image James Patrick Photography @jpatrickphoto https://jamespatrick.com/ Chief Editor: Jana Short Editors: Dr. Dixie Short, Jessica Schreib Layout: Jessica Schreib U Schreib.Design, Germany. Images: If not otherwise specified, images belong to the creator of the articles. Any reproduction, publication or distribution is copyright infringement.
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Jana Short ABOUT THE EDITOR
Jana Short is making waves among international influencers and entrepreneurs through her various platforms. She is a highly accomplished mindset coach, NLP & RTT practitioner, entrepreneur, best-selling author, podcaster, and Best Holistic Life Magazine editor. Jana has received numerous accolades for her work, including being named one of Los Angeles' Women of the Year 2023 by Hollywood Soeleish Magazine, being featured on the cover of San Francisco Soeleish Magazine in July 2022, and being named the Los Angeles Entrepreneur Magazine's Top Influencer of 2022 for the second consecutive year.
Catch Jana on: https://www.janashort.com/
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B e s t H o l i s t i c L i f e M a r c h 2 0 2 4 > CO V ER STOR Y
BREAKPROOF YOURSELF
BREAKPROOF YOURSELF BY JENN DRUMMOND
B r e a kp r o o f Y o u r s e l f
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Best Holistic Life March 2024
B r e a kp r o o f Y o u r s e l f
A formidable mindset is often the unsung hero behind every
place people above all else as we climb our personal summits.
great achievement. It's the secret weapon that transforms
Through the lessons learned in the thin air of high altitude
adversity into triumph, and it’s something I've come to
and the thick of life’s unpredictability, I share insights that
understand intimately through my own array of challenges.
will guide you in forging a path to your own peaks of success
From scaling the world’s most daunting peaks to surviving a
and significance. Let's embark on this ascent together, ready
near-fatal accident, my life’s narrative has been punctuated
to conquer not just the mountains of rock and ice but those
by high stakes and higher elevations.
we encounter in every facet of life.
In December 2018, my perspective on life took a dramatic shift. I emerged unscathed from a catastrophic car acci-
Embracing Imperfect Starts
dent—a miraculous escape that defied every prediction.
How a journey starts does not dictate how it will end. The
This brush with mortality, coupled with the loss of a close
journey is yours for the taking, regardless of what someone
friend under tragically ordinary circumstances, instilled in
may think of as an imperfect start. I learned this lesson first-
me a profound conviction: my existence is purposeful, and
hand during a climbing expedition in Russia.
my contributions should be meaningful.
When my bags were lost, leaving me without gear and
This realization led me on a quest to climb the Seven Second
supplies, I was confronted with a choice: to abandon my
Summits, where I etched my name as the first and only
climb and hope for a better start next year or to persevere
woman to complete this formidable challenge. My adven-
with what I had. Choosing the latter, I rented gear and bought
tures reinforced a core belief: to achieve greatness, one must
the essentials, fully aware that none of it was a perfect fit for
nurture a mindset equipped for the arduous journey ahead.
the journey ahead.
This article is an invitation to embrace the imperfect begin-
The climb was rife with challenges, from ill-fitting equip-
nings, understand the value of teamwork, learn the art of
ment to unforeseen mishaps. Yet, these tribulations did not
adaptability, find strength in adversity, and remember to
deter my ascent. I reached the summit against the odds; a feat
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Best Holistic Life March 2024
made more poignant when political events subsequently barred Americans from returning. My achievement would remain unrealized if I had not persisted through the initial setback. This experience is a testament to the power of pushing forward despite imperfections. As we navigate our pursuits, it's crucial to ask ourselves: can we adapt to the unforeseen, and where can we afford to be more flexible? An
possible, mirrored the reality that many goals outside mountain climbing
imperfect start need not dictate the journey's end but can shape
falter for want of a support system.
a story of triumph that might otherwise go untold.
It's a potent reminder that when our energy wanes and our own summit
Big Mountains Take Big Teams
seems out of reach, the solution may lie not in pushing harder alone but in rallying more hands to lift the collective burden. Next time you find yourself
The adage "it takes a village" finds literal and figurative resonance
gasping for air on the climb to your ambition, pause and ponder: Do I have a
when tackling life's "big mountains." The daunting ascent of Mt.
big enough team for this big mountain?
Everest empowers teams with specialized roles like maintaining the path, providing medical support, or scouting the terrain with
Acclimatizing
drones. Similarly, success in our personal and professional quests
Acclimatizing to challenges in life, much like acclimatizing to the altitude on
often hinges on the strength of our team.
a mountain, is a deliberate process that often requires strategic retreats and
Having a sherpa by your side to share the load is not just a priv-
measured advances. Mountain climbing is not a straight journey from base
ilege but a strategic necessity. My own experience on Everest,
to summit; it's a zigzag of ascents and descents, a dance with the mountain's
where a network of support made a safe and manageable ascent
altitude to allow the body to adapt.
B r e a kp r o o f Y o u r s e l f
Mt. Logan, caught in the grip of a snowstorm, my pink-lensed goggles colored my vision, transforming the stark, icy landscape into a whimsical candy land. This methodical process involves ascending to the point of
The rope to which I was tethered took on the hue of a
physiological strain, then descending to recover, during which
watermelon rind, prompting me to hum "Watermelon
the body increases its red blood cell count to cope with lower
Sugar High" with a light-hearted spirit despite the
oxygen levels higher up. Similarly, when faced with challenges
harsh conditions.
in business, we may push forward to the point of difficulty and
This shift in perception turned a grueling climb into an
then step back to the "base camp" of the boardroom to recal-
enjoyable adventure—until reality chimed in with the
ibrate.
beep of my watch, signaling a break. Suddenly, with
This is where we assess our strategies, address what's not work-
the adjustment of my goggles, the charming illusion
ing, and plan anew with the benefit of fresh perspectives and
gave way to the starkness of the storm, and with it, my
renewed vigor. Just as climbers produce more red blood cells to
energy waned. The storm hadn't changed, but my view
survive at higher altitudes, businesses must bolster their capa-
of it had, drastically affecting my morale.
bilities and strategies to thrive amidst the thin air of competition
This is akin to almost any journey worth taking, where
and market pressures.
the path from concept to realization is fraught with
Pink Lens Goggles
challenges. By adopting a 'pink lens' perspective— looking for the enjoyable in the midst of difficulty—we
The power of perspective is as transformative in business as
can alter our experience of the journey, finding plea-
it is in the rigorous sport of mountaineering. While climbing
sure and motivation in places we least expect.
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Best Holistic Life March 2024
TRANSFORMING ANGUISH; M A K I N G L OV E M AT T E R BY SUSAN BARTZ HERRICK
Somehow, I knew what the policeman was going to say. There was
had on my son’s brain. Rage at the stigma that kept compassion
a slow and deliberate inhale before dreaded words left his lips.
at bay and funding for recovery to a minimum. Rage at the public
“I’m sorry, Ma’am. Phone calls like this are never easy. There
policymakers and the medical community for not understanding
is not a kind way to say this… your son is deceased. Looks like
that Substance Use Disorder was a disease and not a moral failing.
fentanyl poisoning. I am so sorry for your loss.”
The scientific truth is that my son had an illness. As of May 2013,
A wrenching, desperate scream escaped from my lips, and I felt
the DSM V acknowledged that those suffering from “addiction”
as if my heart were being ripped from my chest. I collapsed in
are more accurately suffering from a disease called Substance Use
my husband's arms. In one split second, my world was reduced
Disorder (SUD). My son’s brain was predisposed to the disease and
to subatomic fragments that were scattered into darkness. My
was damaged over time, unable to find relief from the medical
30-year-old son, my only child, my precious Luke, was gone.
community. In reaching out to a friend for a Klonopin to ease his
Autopilot then took over. I contacted family members and
anxiety, he was given pure fentanyl. Yet to the world, he was just
friends. Shock turned into welcome numbness as I planned my
another addict who overdosed.
son’s memorial service and wrote his obituary. In a daze, I made
Early one morning, while reading, I came across the ancient
it through the shaking of hands and offered condolences at his
proverb, “Being angry is a useless emotion. It's like drinking rat
wake. But through all the days, there was an ominous sensation
poison and expecting the rat to die.” Reluctantly, I knew I had
hovering about. Whispers, downward glances, and awkward
to do something about this anger, or it would take me down, too
moments were hanging in the air like bats at dusk. It became
-- which, at times, quite frankly, was appealing.
painfully obvious that the stigma of shame was present. I began to
I knew what I had to do. I had to honor the memory of my child.
smolder with rage. I was not ashamed of my son! Why were they?
I had to break the stigma of addiction and replace it with verified
Yes, my son struggled with drug dependency. He almost died in
and accurate information. I had to help. I had to try and keep other
2010 in a car accident. Addiction was the price we paid for his
parents from getting that same phone call I did. And so, I began
life. But how he died in no way represented who he was and how
to write. The world needed to know about the one million lives
he lived his life.
that have been lost since 1996, when Purdue Pharma introduced
In the 11 years after the accident, Luke powered through four
Oxycontin and claimed it was less than 1% addictive.
major surgeries and three deadly intestinal blockages. Through
They needed to see how the pharmaceutical company, along
all the struggles, he not only attained many years of sobriety; he
with the medical community, defined new terms such as “break-
also was accepted into an Ivy League Bachelor of Applied Arts
through pain” to sell more pills, costing nearly one million Amer-
and Science program and started his own CBD oil company. “Fall
icans their lives and decimating the lives of the millions more who
down six, get up seven” was his motto. My son was my hero, not
loved them. The urgency for action kept me going -- more than
someone to be shamed.
300 people die each day from Fentanyl poisoning.
In the weeks following his death, that quiet rage grew in my soul.
My memories poured out in a cathartic explosion. Over the ensu-
Rage at the devastating effects all those doctor-prescribed drugs
ing months, my editor walked me through edits, helping me craft
T r a n s f o r m i n g A n gu i s h ; M a k i n g L o v e M a t t e r
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Best Holistic Life March 2024
O ptimi z e Yo u r W or k o u t : A G u ide to E f f ective W arm - u ps and C oo l - downs
OPTIMIZE YOUR WORKOUT: A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE WARM-UPS AND COOL-DOWNS BY ANDREA SCHWARTZ In the world of fitness, where every workout is a chance to sculpt a
workspace. That's what the cooldown is—a practical winding down.
healthier version of yourself, there's a straightforward but often
As your heart rate settles, a cooldown helps your body transition from
underestimated routine—the warm-up. Before diving into the vigor
high activity to a state of rest, preventing dizziness and promoting
of a workout, there's a necessary prep session, a low-key awakening
overall cardiovascular health.
that goes beyond just physical readiness—it's the warm-up. It's not
Stretching:
about flashy rituals but a practical way to ensure your body is geared
Post-workout stretching is like putting your tools back on the shelf
up for the exercise ahead, both physically and mentally.
after a job well done. It's not a grand finale but a sensible act of
Getting Ready: The Importance of Warming Up
maintenance. Stretching aids flexibility and reduces muscle tension,
As you step into the gym, a space buzzing with potential, the first step is
making it a simple yet effective way to prevent injuries and improve
the warm-up. It's not about making a grand entrance but about getting
your overall range of motion. The cooldown and stretching are the
your body ready for the grind.
practical conclusion, ensuring your body gets the care it needs after
Physical Prep:
putting in the effort. It's not about making headlines but about quietly
Think of your body as a car on a cold morning. The warm-up is like
promoting recovery.
idling the engine before hitting the gas pedal. Dynamic exercises like leg
In the straightforward landscape of fitness, the warm-up and cooldown
swings and light cardio kickstart your system, getting the blood flowing
aren't flashy rituals; they're the nuts and bolts of a well-rounded
to your muscles. It's a practical move to prevent injury by ensuring your
workout. So, as you step into the gym, treat the warm-up as your
muscles and joints are ready for action.
practical prep and the cooldown as your sensible wrap-up—a routine
Mental Tune-up:
that turns exercise into a straightforward and effective journey. It's not
But the warm-up isn't just a physical checklist; it's also about gearing
about the drama; it's about the practical steps that make your workout
up mentally. As you ease into those preparatory movements, there's a
routine a reliable and sustainable practice.
subtle shift in focus. It's a transition from the external world to the task
As you wrap up your workout routine, remember that the journey to
at hand, helping you get in the zone for a more effective workout. The
a healthier you doesn't end here. For quick and effective 10-minute
warm-up isn't glamorous, but it's a pragmatic approach to ensuring
warm-ups and cooldowns, along with a plethora of workouts, nutritious
your mind is on the same page as your body. So, before you start lifting
recipes, insightful blogs, and a supportive community, look no further
or running, take a few minutes for the warm-up routine. It's not about
than the A.B.S. Wellness app. Elevate your fitness experience, connect
theatrics; it's about making sure your body and mind are on board for
with like-minded individuals, and access a wealth of resources—all
what's ahead.
in one place.
Cooling Down: The Low-Key Aftermath
Download the A.B.S. Wellness app now and embark on a comprehensive
As your workout wraps up, attention shifts to the cooldown and
wellness journey that goes beyond the gym. Your path to a healthier
stretching—a quiet but vital part of the process. It's not about making
lifestyle starts with a simple tap. Join the A.B.S. Wellness community
a dramatic exit but about taking care of your body post-exercise.
today! https://abswellness.remotecoach.fit/
Cooldown: Imagine finishing a project and taking a moment to organize your
Connect with Andrea: https://linktr.ee/andreaberlinschwartz
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