I Am Unbreakable™ Magazine by iamunbreakable

THE POWER OF SELF-CARE

REBUILD AT ANY STAGE & ANY AGE Volume I | Winter 2024

THE STRUGGLE IS PART OF THE STORY

FEARLESS

RESILIENT FEMALE LEADERS

Authentic Stories About Their Dirt Road To Success

the Wall Street Journal Best Seller

SPOTLIGHT WOMEN WHO INSPIRE

Rockstar Confidence Courage & Kindness

The Power of Mindfulness: Enhancing Leadership Mental Health & Brain Wellness MEN'S CORNER

THE HIGHLY EVOLVED WOMAN MEET THE LEGENDARY ROCKSTARS BEHIND

AWARD-WINNING

ENTREPRENEUR

shares why her passion is to EMPOWER Others to NEVER GIVE UP on their dreams, regardless of gender & obstacles ADRIANNE FEKETE

BE THE HERO OF YOUR STORY

MEET THE THOUGHT LEADERS, CHANGE MAKERS, AND HEALERS WHO ARE MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR ADVANCING EQUALITY & INCLUSION

THE MOST ALLURING THING A WOMAN CAN HAVE IS CONFIDENCE. BEYONCÉ

Hey Rockstars!! Welcome to the I Am Unbreakable™ Magazine. Launching this one-of-a-kind playbook goes beyond my wildest dreams. I am so excited to share this publication with you Our mission is to hold space within a supportive and inclusive platform that amplifies a woman's voice, perspectives, experiences, and achievements. Through education, advocacy, and community building, we strive to be a part of the solution. By encouraging women to embrace their strengths, cultivate their talents, and speak out confidently, we aim to create a world where every woman can freely express herself, shape her own narrative, and inspire positive change. Our purpose is to elevate and empower women to exceed their own expectations. Whether they are a founder, entrepreneurs, CEOs, leading a ground-breaking venture or creating positive change within their community or organization. Movement forward is movement. We are dedicated to supporting women to unlock their full superpower potential while inspiring them to be the rockstar they were born to be. The I Am Unbreakable™ culture represents a community of fearless, resilient human leaders who share their authentic, unfiltered stories about their dirt road to personal and professional success with their powerhouse mindset. Simply put, they always followed their dreams, regardless of obstacles or outside influences, because THE STRUGGLE IS PART OF THE STORY. That is where resilience and confidence start! Fellas, we have not forgotten you!! How can we? Some so many outstanding men deserve to be celebrated, too! Championing is essential for women’s leadership success because they will rise further and faster when they know the men in their lives have their backs. I am a mother, a daughter, a wife, an aunt and a friend. I am so grateful for the love from my four boys, my husband and mother, who have always supported my dreams. They never stopped believing in me, and their kindness is a big part of my superpower. I am proud to have the privilege of raising incredible young men who I hope will stand beside their partners as they follow their passion. I am kind and care deeply about serving others, mental health awareness, and animal welfare. I am a woman who elevates, empowers and collaborates with others because empowered women empower women.

Thank you for coming on this incredible journey with us. Remember my three favourite words…

YES YOU CAN!

Love, Adrianne xo IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER

TABLE OF

Contents Thought Leaders 06 Fearless & Hero's Meet the hero’s and thought-leaders driving change and making a global impact.

21 People I Love

Rockstar legends who continue to carry the torch to drive global change for equality in all industries.

Change Makers 46 Resilient & Healers Resilient leaders sharing authentic stories about their dirt road to success.

Power Of Authenticity 72 The & Vulnerability The struggle is part of the story. But it is not the whole story.

Self-Care The Power Of Self-Care: How Entrepreneurs practice self-care to avoid burnout.

Health X Brain 103 Mental Wellness The healing power of intentional mindfulness and seeking support during your wellness journey.

110 For The Fellas

Amazing MEN-Tors that support and champions women.

IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

124 Things I Love 126 Rockstar Quotes 128 Rockstar Fur Babies Through storytelling we can convey complex concepts, inspire others, and build meaningful relationships.

132 About The Podcast

MATT ROMANICK Just a quick short hello to all the incredible contributors who have made this possible, as well as the amazing community. You are changing lives by sharing your experiences and knowledge with others. I am honoured to be a part of the solution.

IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BOLD A RADICAL JOURNEY Sherri Stevens

was four years old and the moment I lost my beloved father still plays vividly, like a motion picture in my mind. When he was on his “happy pills” (as I called them back then), he was a brilliant and creative man who used to cuddle with me on our big, yellow, puffy floral chair and call me his “little angel.”

IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

FEARLESS THOUGHT LEADERS & HERO’S

He was an intense, violent, and irrational man when he wasn’t. The truth is, he battled bipolar disorder and was in and out of mental health institutions for years. On one particular night, ahead of my first day of school, he escaped the institution and was later found two miles from our home, on the railroad tracks. My beloved father was gone. When the police officers arrived at our home with the news, I watched as my mom collapsed onto the big, yellow, puffy floral chair that once brought me such joy. Now it only brings me sadness and anger.

Later as I worried that I would not grow tall enough or slim enough to meet the physical restrictions of the job, I consistently pestered my mom to measure my height and to weigh me. I meticulously followed every detail all the way down to the style of my hair and the kind of polish painted on my fingernails.

I became the competition! I started my first business in staffing and training at twenty-six, with nothing more than a $100 typewriter, a $1,000 line of credit, an old typing test from high school, and the guts to take a big, bold risk. It was something I had been practicing as a child.

News like that would have broken most people, but it didn’t break her. Through the days, weeks, months, and years that followed, I witnessed in my mom a strength, grace and determination that forever shapes my life. I learned to be resilient. I learned to be strong. I learned forgiveness. Together we found solace in our little adventures. Adventure was our sanctuary and joy. We’d take trips packed as full as our suitcases, with moments of laughter and wide-eyed wonder. And on one adventure to the Bahamas, I fell head over heels with the idea of becoming a flight attendant. The glamour of traveling to exotic places was something I dreamed of. The ability to simply fly away. I was only seven years old when I became laser-focused on reaching that goal. Immediately, I started my training. I transformed our rec room into the cabin of an airplane, serving pretend beverages and meals to my dolls, all lined up in folding chairs alongside my faithful French poodle. I borrowed stacks of books about flight attendants from the library. I wrote to my favourite airlines – yes, I had favourite airlines even at the age of seven!

IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

Here’s the beautiful thing about radical journeys: sometimes you need to get utterly lost to discover your true path. I found my next steps forward thinking about a staffing company I had worked with in Toronto. In my small town of Woodstock, Ontario, there was only one such company in the market. Where were all the competitors?

By the age of twenty-one, I had reached the top of my class and earned my wings. My first flight to Munich, Germany filled my heart with excitement and purpose. Two years later, while serving my last flight, this time to Saudi Arabia, I was filled with a disheartening sense of stagnation and dread. After all that I had done to prepare for and achieve my dream, I now hated it.

What do you do when everything you’ve built your future on drops from under your feet? It broke me for a while, at least. I quit my job and moved back in with my mom and poodle. There were days when I couldn’t get out of bed, much less my pajamas. I was utterly lost.

You see, when I wasn’t playing flight attendant in my rec room, I busied myself creating make-believe businesses in my basement with the help of my mom. My mom would provide a seemingly endless supply of pens and pads of paper upon which I’d scribble business processes and plans. A passion that served me well, as it turns out. I forged ahead, making connections within my community, attending events, and joining our local chamber of commerce, where I would eventually become the first female president. Those connections linked me to even more connections. I hired a coach who knew the ins and outs of business because back then, I sure didn’t. And thirty years later, that little staffing and training business, called SRG, became a dominant awardwinning company, spanning 12 offices across North America, and earning more than $30 million in annual revenue. While my company gained traction with globally renowned

FEARLESS THOUGHT LEADERS & HERO’S

Making Your Dreams

A Reality Suzie Yorke

unning my own company was always my plan. At age fifteen, I told my mother that I would one day run my own company, I just wasn’t sure what that looked like. Twenty-five years later, I’m living that reality, but not without my fair share of trials and tribulations.

IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

FEARLESS THOUGHT LEADERS & HERO’S

And most importantly - not without leaning into becoming unbreakable. I can’t help but marvel at the twists and turns that life has thrown my way. Today I stand proudly as the founder of a beloved and unique brand thriving business that has carved its niche in the world of nutritious snacks. I hope this article will serve as an inspiration on the story of my ascent, my challenges, and the vital lessons learned, and mistakes made along the way. Like many entrepreneurs, my journey began with a simple yet distinct powerful realization - the snack industry was in desperate need of a change. Reading labels and navigating grocery store aisles, I found myself frustrated with the array of snacks available, especially those full of sugar. Wholesome options that satisfied the taste buds while nourishing the body felt impossible to access. That’s really where my mission begins. Starting a company is never easy. However, within an industry dominated by massive players, I knew my walk would force me to grow, shift, and change in ways I never dreamed of. Little did I know this journey would not only transform the snack aisle but redefine my own resilience.

IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

As the founder of my own company, I quickly became a wearer of many hats, from visionary brand architect to the hands-on executor of the day-today operations. As they always do in the face of a massive decision, sleepless nights and moments of self-doubt followed.

Boundaries, Baby!

In those moments, my self-care strategies and practices became more important than ever to my health and the health of my brand. Over time, I realized my well-being was not a luxury.

Being a CEO is challenging. Boundaries are essential for every entrepreneur and companyleader to access their fullest potential. It’s easy to let work seep into every aspect of your life. It’s easy to let boundaries between work and personal time blur. It’s easy to respond to every text message or email as soon as you see it. However, establishing clear boundaries, setting specific hours, and turning off your notifications are tremendously important.

If I was to change the face of healthy snacks and re-write the national narrative on fats, my wellbeing was a genuine necessity. Regardless of where you currently are in life, utilize the following selfcare strategies and tips to find balance, decrease burnout, and access your brilliance.

To create a world-changing company, you must take worldchanging care of yourself. If you are not accustomed to setting boundaries, start small. As you grow, your boundaries will naturally evolve and grow as well, forcing you to consistently uplevel your commitment to self.

FEARLESS THOUGHT LEADERS & HERO’S

Leaders Build Trust During Change Siobhan Calderbank

As organizations grow, they will need to change direction to avoid plateauing and remain competitive. In today’s work environments, individuals experience change at rapidly increasing levels, resulting in employees feeling a range of emotions and change fatigue.

IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

FEARLESS THOUGHT LEADERS & HERO’S

Often trust is the underlying reason for resistance. Individuals may ask themselves: Can I trust my leader? Can I trust the direction the company is going? Can I trust that my team will be able to help the company get there? There is no disputing that organizations perform better when led by a trusted leader. As reported by Tolero Solutions, approximately 45 percent of employees identify a lack of trust in leadership as the biggest issue impacting work performance. During change, teams thrive in a trusted environment, displaying positive behaviors such as increased resilience, heightened discretionary effort, superior performance, and a tendency to embrace accountability especially among self-directed team members. Additionally, teams demonstrate collaborative approaches to information sharing, swift decision-making, an increased appetite for learning, and enhanced delivery of quality products and services when operating in an environment that fosters trust. Notably, this results in higher customer satisfaction, overall increased employee engagement, and promotion of the organization. For change to be effective, the culture has to support the initiative and staff need to trust their leaders. Here are eight ways a leader can build trust and credibility during change.

Be transparent When people do not know what is going on or trust that their leader is being truthful, they will likely resist change. If the change is not going according to plan, be honest and tell people what is happening. While you may IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

be unsure of what challenges may lie ahead, reinforce that the organization will face them together. Be open with communication. When possible, let people know exactly what is happening, what to expect and how the change is going to impact them.

Explain why Just because you tell people to get on board with the change, doesn’t mean that they automatically will. Leaders need to earn trust and it starts by explaining to people why the change is happening in the first place. Once employees understand why the change is necessary, they can begin to move towards acceptance and take aligned action.

Provide regular updates Even when you don’t have any or all the information, let people know where things stand. If not, they will make up a narrative as to what is happening and it will be far worse than what the truth really is. If you don’t know the answer, say so. A true leader doesn’t have to pretend to know everything (Simon Sinek). Additionally, consistent updates in an open forum provide an opportunity for people to ask questions, discuss their concerns, and collaboratively work towards solutions.

Walk the talk There’s nothing more annoying than a leader that asks people to change, but is not willing to change themselves. To be seen as a trusted leader, and to truly understand what individuals are dealing with, you need to experience the change yourself. People need to see that you are equally invested in the change.

Act with Integrity Do what you say you will do and always do the right thing. Your moral and ethical behavior will be observed by others, especially during tough times of change. Recognize people for their efforts. You’ll be seen as more credible and trustworthy when your actions are consistent with who you are and “affirm your values” (Kouzes and Posner).

Make consistent decisions Individuals need to see that a leader’s decisions are being made logically, objectively, and are balanced. Choosing one option over another cannot be based on hap hazard, fly by the seat of your pants selections. Leaders need to take the time to gather and analyze data, then evaluate options against criteria, so that an informed decision can be made.

FEARLESS THOUGHT LEADERS & HERO’S

WANT TO BE FEATURED? CARRY THE TORCH WITH OTHER ROCKSTAR LEGENDS

JOIN OUR ROCKSTAR COMMUNITY EMPOWERED WOMEN

EMPOWER WOMEN WWW.IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

INFO@IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM