I Am Unbreakable™ Magazine

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

TM

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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BOLD A RADICAL JOURNEY Sherri Stevens

I

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.”

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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!

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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

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clients across the continent, my radical tenacity and daring nature gained attention back home in Canada. I had never heard of the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) before 2007 when I received my first Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award for entrepreneurship. A second followed in 2008.

This sparked an entirely new calling.

In my entrepreneurial journey, I reached a point where I had achieved external success, checking all the boxes and surpassing expectations. However, deep within me, an unshakable feeling persisted. I’ve always wanted to be of great service and knew there was more awaiting my attention, a desire to build and leave a legacy. Then, as if the universe heard my desire, a breakthrough appeared in 2015 when the opportunity to acquire WXN became a reality.

With WXN, I could extend my hand to other bold women, sharing the challenges and triumphs I had known, and the peaks and valleys I had traversed.

With my experiences and knowledge, I could give guidance to these fearless female leaders

as they embarked on their own awe-inspiring epic journeys. Their success would be my success, and together we would reshape the world one woman and one checkmark at a time.

With WXN, I found my bold and resolute calling.

The day I took ownership of WXN should have been one of the best moments of my life. But it was one of the most devastating.

Aggressive lung cancer claimed the life of my sister, my best friend, just thirteen days before I had separated from my husband of twenty-five years. Barely able to make it through each day, I finally broke down in a panic attack during a client meeting.

It became blindingly obvious: I needed to turn my attention inward to my own mental health if I was going to change the lives of others.

Just like my mom, I refused to let these hardships break me. Therapy helped. It was a courageous decision to seek guidance and support, but without it, I never would have unraveled the layers of unresolved issues and emotions stemming from my father’s death.

I felt a long-dormant part of my soul reawaken.

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Slowly but surely, I healed. My husband and I reconciled and will celebrate thirty-three years of marriage this year. Today, my self-care rituals span the body, mind, and spirit. As I exercise, walk our four adorable rescue pups, practice daily devotions, and ink my deepest thoughts onto the pages of my prayer journal, I now let my creative heart run wild and free to release thoughts and feelings that deserve expression on canvas.

I also relish every moment crafting culinary masterpieces at cooking classes and in my own kitchen. My mom, now ninetyfour years young, continued (and continues) to be my muse, my beacon and my saving grace.

After all this time, we still embark on our little adventures. Spending time with her refreshes my soul.

Embracing my most perfectly imperfect self and letting go of a lifetime burdened with guilt, fear, and shame, my radical transformation was well underway. So was the transformation of WXN. While WXN stood for the advancement and celebration of women in leadership roles, something very important was missing. Soon after acquiring the company, I realized that many of the Top 100 Winners looked like me. The lack of diversity was unacceptable. So, in 2016, we set an intentional goal to dramatically improve representation among our Top 100 Winners.

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Over the last eight years, we have seen an incredible shift.

More than half of our winners now come from diverse backgrounds. And you know what? It is absolutely beautiful!

There’s something truly inspiring about celebrating the strength and success of women from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

WXN has taken a bold step towards inclusion, emphasizing that diversity is not just a buzzword but a fundamental value we hold dear. Exclusivity has no place in our world. In all we do, we nurture an environment that respects everyone's unique talents and perspectives. Let me tell you, there's power in that kind of diversity.

Every day I see firsthand the impact I, along with my amazing team, make in the lives of thousands of women across Canada. It's refreshing, inspiring, and absolutely game-changing.

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While I’ve spent most of my life in Canada, I’ve also grown deep roots in the U.S. Although WXN began in Canada, women across the world deserve a voice and a place to grow. Expanding into the U.S. was our first step toward global influence and impact.

With every new program, in every new member, and with the help of every new partner, I now see a legacy growing not just for myself, but for generations of bold women to come.

This radical path hasn’t been easy but nothing worth doing is. Today, when dark moments test my resolve, I can find the flickering light that guides me.

It is in these challenging times that I am forced to reassess what truly matters to me. I realize that success cannot be measured solely by material wealth or professional accolades.

make a lasting impact on the lives of women. I am called to serve, not just by reaching a greater number of women, but by encouraging and inspiring them to boldly embark on their epic journeys. Helping women unleash their true potential and fulfill their wildest dreams is my highest honor.

I applaud the bold women of WXN and all the women out there seeking their calling. Women who, like you, are on a radical journey – and who are powerfully, beautifully, and boldly unbreakable.

For me, true success lies in the courage to overcome adversity, the power to embrace vulnerability, and the ability to

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Making Your Dreams

A Reality Suzie Yorke

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Take a Break.

Early in my career, I worked long hours and sustained a great deal of stress. It’s easy to assume that breaks are a sign of weakness or incompetence. However, when building Love Good Fats, I began to realize how essential breaks are for the brain to reset and reignite inspiration. The simple act of a 5-minute-break keeps my mind refreshed so that I can tackle any task with ease. From marketing to creation to media interviews, I intentionally incorporate breaks into my daily life.

Plan, plan and plan: Big rocks first, Boundaries, Baby!

Being a CEO is challenging; planning boundaries are essential for every entrepreneur and company-leader 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 big plans via STRAT planning, smaller plans (Annual Plans – AOP), quarterly plans, monthly priorities and daily to do… are all connected.

As CEO, your most precious assets are your time and your energy.

Used them wisely. Start your day with revising your “to do” list.

Make sure you touch your most important “must do” and “to-do” lists so that you have the right strategies moving forward at the right time. Clearing boundaries, setting specific hours, and turning off your notifications are tremendously important.

To create a world-changing company, you must take worldchanging care of yourself.

As you grow, your boundaries will naturally evolve and grow as well, forcing you to consistently uplevel your commitment to self.

Lean into your unbreakable spirit and energy.

Playfulness is the Game Changer.

As women, we are united by the unique challenges we face in the workplace. Lean into your unbreakable spirit and let your resilience shine. Resilience is an amazing tool in the face of insurmountable adversity— helping you ascend to your next level and beyond. In moments of struggle, I leaned deeper into the spirit of “unbreakable-ness” knowing that I had survived all of my worst days, and that my greatest successes and most wonderful days were yet to come.

It was absolutely a great deal of trial and error to create these bars because they are low carb and sugar, and therefore, don’t offer a great binding agent.

During that process, I remained committed to my original vision and stayed playful. With the end in sight, I relaxed into the process and committed to playfulness -allowing myself to enjoy the process of creating a one-ofa-kind product I knew would change thousands of lives.

Amid the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget that entrepreneurs create because they care. We create because we genuinely want to make the world a better place. We create because we genuinely want to serve our communities. We create because we genuinely want to solve a problem. In my case, I kept the problem at the fore-front and kept positive throughout a challenging process. When we succeeded, things moved quickly.

Love Good Fat Bars first hit the floor in Whole Foods and within six weeks, were the number one and two selling bars in pretty much every store we were in.

Whatever you are trying to create in your life, commit to enjoying the process and being playful on the ride. One day, you’ll be looking fondly back on the memories.

Staying positive and playful is a profound act of self-care because you are rejecting the narrative of stress and leaning into the narrative that you are capable, powerful, and unbreakable.

My story serves as a reminder that age nor gender should serve as a barrier to your dream. You are never too young, and you are never too old. You are precisely where you should be, with the skills and vision you have, to create the mission in your heart.

So many years after I shared that dream with my mom, I shattered stereotypes and blazed a trail in a wildly competitive industry.

However, my success was not only about building a business, but learning to prioritize myself, to embrace the power of self-care, and to sustain the flame within no matter what trials or challenges stood in my way.

My story is the story of learning to embrace my unbreakable spirit in the snack food aisle and beyond.

If you are not accustomed to setting boundaries, start small.

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A ROADMAP FOR

PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS

&

Tricia Brouk

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roductivity is often associated with a lack of self-care and lack of personal time. I have learned that to be my best for my clients and myself, I ideally need six hours of self-care to set myself up for success … and I do not skimp either!

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In the hustle and bustle of life, achieving elevated levels of productivity and success while supporting mental and emotional health requires intentional planning and discipline. To create true productivity, a roadmap for success is essential. If you are ready to hit the next level in your life and business, draw inspiration from this article and create a daily practice to elevate your performance in all areas of life.

These strategies may seem taxing or difficult at first. Think of this process like working out a group of muscles. As you continue your exercise regimen, your muscles grow stronger. So, too, does your commitment to your “habit loop of success.”

Habit Loop of Success

Commit yourself to a consistent sleep pattern and watch the magic happen.

A habit loop of success begins at the most crucial point: sleep.

My commitment to productivity begins before the day starts with a strict sleep schedule. Sleep is the cornerstone of my success … even if this means no late-night scrolling or Netflix marathons.

Although I live in the city that never sleeps, I understand that sleep is vital to my physical, mental, and emotional health.

When I slack on sleep, I struggle with the focus needed to tackle my ambitious goals and it undermines my productivity for the day.

Spend your morning intentionally.

Another crucial step of my daily practice is how I spend the first hours of the morning. Reject the impulse to immediately engage with technology such as phones or computers. Technology first thing in the morning can be a detrimental block to creativity, well-being, and emotional health. Although having the world at our fingertips can be an

untapped reservoir of potential, if not mindfully practiced, it can tank our morning, and affect our entire day. Lean into a mindful morning approach that creates a positive and focused space where playfulness and creativity can bloom. Notice how your body and mind feels when you abstain from technology in the first hours of the morning. You will thank me later!

Intentional gratitude is an intentional life.

My gratitude practice is a key part of my daily routine and my habit loop of success. Each morning, as I sit down to journal, I express my deep gratitude for past, present, and future, aligning myself with wonderful moments that have happened and those to come. The gratitude statements cover a wide range. Sometimes they are small, such as a lovely cup of coffee prepared for me by my husband.

Other times, I align myself with the gratefulness for what will be tomorrow. Within these moments, I am both soaking in thankfulness and envisioning success before it materializes.

Design your day.

Directly following my gratitude practice, I sit down to design my day with deep intention. What do I want my day to look like?

How do I want to show up for my clients? How do I want to express my creativity, vision, and art in the world? How will I set myself up for success both today and tomorrow?

I believe that how I show up energetically each day makes a profound difference in both my world and the world at large. By designing my day, I commit to showing up as my best self to create the optimal productivity and life I want to create.

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Transcend the conventional notions of time management.

Life is busy. Many women have a multitude of roles they play and wear numerous hats.

Business Owner. Visionary.

Creative. Daughter. Wife.

Friend. Speaker. My approach to productivity and high performance transcends the conventional notion of time management. Investing time into personal well-being is not only beneficial for yourself, but essential in creating positive impact professionally and personally. Lay the groundwork for enhanced productivity and success by giving yourself the gift of time and prioritizing a habit loop of success.

Beyond the daily, it is important to tackle monthly and yearly goals to keep yourself in alignment with your overall vision and impact.

Within my monthly practice, I break down goals for the month and create sustainable goals.

Because I have invested time and energy into the cultivation of successful habit loops, I expand those loops to encompass my ambitious monthly goals. It is important to emphasize that growth lies in reaching beyond what you currently imagine. To truly grow, you must access your imagination. Set up a plan to meet your daily goals within your optimal productivity framework so that you can set up habit loops that propel you toward your larger monthly aspirations.

Looking further into the future, yearly planning is essential. I ask myself an all-important question: how do I want to show up for the next year of my life? What vision do I seek to commit to? What am I passionate about?

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During my yearly planning, I commit to increasing the stakes, as I motivate myself to show up at the highest level. An example of this is training speakers through the Big Talk Academy. It is a commitment that demands early mornings and an elevated level of daily engagement—something I am only able to achieve due to my commitment to habit loops and productivity strategies. By choosing a yearly intention and goal, I set the standard for daily effort and intentional dedication so that for all 365 days, I am showing up as my fullest and best self.

My challenge to you is this: what do you need to do daily to fully show up for yourself, your community, your family, and clients at the highest level available to you? I implore you

to define a yearly practice and embody it daily, as you tweak your habit loops to suit your goals and lifestyle. Align these habits with your personal values for maximum benefit from consistent behavior. Not only will the habit loop of success foster personal growth and accountability, but you will also shift into optimal productivity.

Committing to yourself daily is a powerful reminder that your goals are within reach

Strive to embody the values that drive those achievements and watch as habits restructure your life, business, and world.

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Leaders Build Trust During Change Siobhan Calderbank

A

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.

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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.

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Create and communicate a shared vision Collaborating with impacted stakeholders enables a shared vision to be created. Even if everyone cannot participate, input from peers that represent their voice and ideals will be included. This shared vision needs to be communicated approximately 7-15 times to staff before individuals begin to trust that change is coming. Share the benefits of the change with employees and details of what is coming up next.

Engage stakeholders throughout the process Team involvement fosters collaboration, breaks down silos and encourages proactive communications. To increase commitment to change, employees need to participate in the process of shaping and defining the change as well as the execution. The more staff are

able to interact with you as their change leader and champion, the more their trust in you will grow.

While change can be challenging, trust in a leader can be built easily through perseverance and consistent action. When employees are engaged and trust their leaders, the outcome is greater productivity, higher commitment, increased profits and a culture that promotes collaboration, as well as embraces change. Below are a few additional ways that leaders can shift their approach to reduce resistance and simultaneously build trust within the team: Deliver Open and Transparent Communication: Leaders should communicate openly and honestly about the reasons for the change, the vision for the future, and its impact on individuals and teams. Transparent communication helps build trust by ensuring employees feel informed and involved in the process.

Actively Listen: Leaders should actively listen to employees' concerns, questions, and feedback. By demonstrating that their opinions are valued and taken into consideration, leaders can foster trust and create a sense of psychological safety.

Be Consistent and Predictable: Leaders should strive to be consistent in their words and actions. When employees see that leaders consistently follow through on their commitments and behave predictably, it builds trust and reduces uncertainty.

Show Empathy and Support: Leaders should demonstrate empathy and support employees during times of change. Understanding and acknowledging the emotions and challenges employees may experience can help build trust and create a supportive environment.

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Foster Inclusion and Collaboration: Leaders should involve employees in the change process by seeking their input, involving them in decision-making, and encouraging collaboration.

When employees feel included and valued, it strengthens trust and commitment to the change initiative.

Display Competence and Expertise: Leaders should demonstrate competence and expertise in their roles.

When employees see that their leaders have the necessary skills and knowledge to guide the organization through change, it enhances trust in their ability to lead effectively.

Demonstrate Accountability and Integrity: Leaders should be accountable for their actions and decisions. By demonstrating integrity and taking responsibility for mistakes or setbacks, leaders can build trust and credibility with their teams.

Recognize and Appreciate Others: Leaders should recognize and appreciate the efforts and contributions of employees during times of change. Celebrating milestones and acknowledging individuals' resilience and adaptability helps foster a positive and trusting environment.

By focusing on these strategies, leaders can build trust during change, creating an environment where employees feel supported, engaged, and committed to the organization's success.

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Rockstar Legends Who Continue To Carry The Torch

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appy International Women’s Day To All The Amazing Women Around The World.

History is full of incredible, working women. Shattering glass ceilings in male-dominated industries before the term existed, most were not recognized at the time of their success, nor to this day.

There is a legacy of women throughout history whose success in business is directly tied to their personal resilience and commitment to themselves. There is magic in how they handled the disruptions along their journey through inner guidance while keeping their eye on their goals.

While learning the stories of women who blazed trails before me, a common approach materialized. They saw the obstacle, not who put it before them. This shift of perception in defining their next steps removes the societal aspects, reduces, or even removes, emotional response and permits a clear-minded, bestpractice approach to get to the set goals.

I wanted to take this opportunity to honour three incredible rockstar women who continue to carry the torch of our ancestors. These brilliant women have inspired

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my journey of globally amplifying women’s voices. This March 2024, on International Women’s Day, and every day, we celebrate you. The I Am Unbreakable™ community honours, respects, and appreciates your achievements and accomplishments towards global impact.spects, and appreciates your achievements and accomplishments towards global impact.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be felt with the heart~Helen Keller Shelley Zalis has been a very big inspiration in my journey, as well as to millions of women globally.

She is the founder of The Female Quotient and is referred to as a Chief Troublemaker. She has a heart of gold and I suspect our upcoming leaders will one day read of her incredible legacy, and continue to carry her torch. Her tag line says it all, We’re in the Business of Equality®. Changing the equation to close the gender gap in the workplace. Shelley’s community is built by women for everyone and is open to all. Love, love, love! www.thefemalequotient.com

Lisa Bilyeu is one of those gal’s you would want as your sister or BFF. You know the one with a heart of gold, with the cool chick kick-a** vibe, with a twist of LV and a side of GG? She’s not afraid to speak her mind on hot topics and is not afraid to share her struggles, or pet peeves. We all love, love, love her because she is relatable and authentic. She’s built an empire and her legacy is already rockstar! We need more Lisa’s in this world. www.impacttheory.com Do one thing every day that scares you~Eleanor Roosevelt Growing up, one of my role models was Oprah. Aside from her charismatic leadership style is known to draw people towards her vision. As a great leader, Oprah Winfrey never fails to influence people with her inspiring thoughts. A crusader for women and children, the foundation has awarded thousands of grants to non-profits that support the inspiration, empowerment, and education of women, children, and families around the world. Big mentee love! www.oprah.com

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What Is

Rockstar Confidence™?

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rusting and believing in myself fuelled me during push-backs, put-downs and other forms of the many obstacles you will find littering the path through each stage of my life

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Where do I find Rockstar Confidence™?

My first taste of business came at age 10. Running my own neighbourhood events sparked my entrepreneurial spirit.

At 10, I got my first taste of being an entrepreneur, and I kid you not, I truly knew this was my journey.

For some of us, it’s how we hustle in our business. For some, it’s the way we give back to your community. For some, it is the way we look after our aging parents. For others, it’s navigating a male-driven industry, making it home on time for dinner with your family, or the way we raise our children. Regardless of the reason, we all innately have Rockstar Confidence™ inside of us.

This experience was the first internal signal of a passion for the leadership role. My choice to follow this signal, regardless of what I heard from peers, guidance counsellors and general messaging about what my true place in the world should be, brought significant obstacles.

At 14, I was told I couldn’t do things because of my gender.

How do I get Rockstar Confidence™?

Trusting and believing in myself fuelled me during push-backs, put-downs and other forms of the many obstacles you will find littering the path through each stage of my life~Adrianne

At 17, My guidance counsellor told me, “You are not smart. You will never amount to anything.

Thank goodness you are goodlooking. Find a man, marry rich, go have a few kids, and you’ll be fine.”

Those hard, hurtful words fuel me to this day because for me: REJECTION TRULY IS REDIRECTION~Adrianne

This is my favourite question because giving you super simple answers to finding your inner Rockstar Confidence™ is my passion. My mission is to empower women to exceed their personal and professional expectations. Whether they are a founder, entrepreneur, CEO, leading a ground-breaking venture, or creating positive change within their community or organization, you can unleash your inner rockstar at any age and stage.

Our mission is to empower women to exceed their own expectations, whether they are founders, 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.

That’s the million-dollar question!

Rockstar Confidence™ is something everyone in the room embodies it, yet we all wear it differently. We will get back to that in a moment.

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At 19, I opened my first business and sold it for five years later for a profit.

At 24, I started a Public Relations Agency and serviced clients such as the Rolling Stones, U2, Samuel Jackson, Collin Farrell, Jessica Alba and the WWE, to name a few.

This required a certain amount of executive protection, so…

At 30-something, I became the first woman founder in North America to own a fully licensed Private Investigations and Security Agency.

Today, at 40 or 50 something, I am the first “THE FEMALE” with the longest history in the private Investigation and security sector in North America, paving the way for other females should they choose this industry. My journey proves that success is possible despite extreme rejection and adversity. The evidence shows that all genders are vital for all industry growth and sustainability.

It has taken a lot of courage to face obstacles like being ostracized, subjected to online threats, having cinder blocks thrown through your window, as a sign of being rejected because of gender.

full potential and embrace their inner rockstar. It embodies a deep and unwavering self-assuredness, an unapologetic belief in one's identity and abilities, and a fearless attitude that drives innovation and resilience.

But it also takes a lot of courage to be an entrepreneur and founder.

One of my non-negotiable boundaries in business is always to remain true to yourself, regardless of outside influences because THE STRUGGLE IS PART OF THE STORY. That is where resilience, fearlessness and confidence start!

At its core, Rockstar Confidence™ is about recognizing and tapping into the unique strengths and talents that each individual possesses. It encourages women to embrace their authenticity, to fully own and express who they are without reservation. This kind of confidence empowers women to step into their power, take risks, and pursue their passions and dreams with unwavering determination.

The struggle is part of the story.

But it is not the whole story.

It’s the chapter where growth happens and resilience is built.

As most of you know, that motto is tattooed on my arm as a reminder that nothing great comes easy. It’s hard work. I hear you; it's not easy. I get it; it can be scary. I also know you are worth it!

What is Rockstar Confidence™?

Rockstar Confidence™ is a transformative concept that empowers women to unlock their IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

Rockstar Confidence™ is not solely based on external accomplishments or skills. While these are certainly important, this kind of confidence goes beyond surface-level achievements. It encourages women to embrace their imperfections and understand that growth and success often come from taking risks, learning from failures, and persisting in the face of adversity.

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One of the key attributes of Rockstar Confidence™ is the ability to overcome challenges. It instills a mindset of resilience and determination, reminding women that they have the inner strength to navigate through any obstacle that life throws their way. It helps them develop a positive mindset, allowing them to view setbacks as opportunities for growth and to keep moving forward towards their goals.

Rockstar Confidence™ fosters an environment of support and empowerment among women.

It encourages collaboration, networking, and the lifting up of others, recognizing that true success is often achieved through collective efforts. By connecting with like-minded individuals who share similar values and aspirations, women can draw strength and inspiration from each other and create a collective force for positive change.

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In a world where women have historically faced barriers and limitations, Rockstar Confidence™ challenges and defies those norms. It empowers women to break free from societal expectations and to step into their own unique power and potential.

It promotes a sense of agency and self-belief, allowing women to create their own path and make a lasting impact on the world.

Rockstar Confidence™ is a powerful concept that encourages women to embrace their full potential, believe in themselves, and embody an unwavering self-assuredness.

It goes beyond skills and accomplishments, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges. With Rockstar Confidence™, women are inspired to be the rockstars they were born to be, unleashing their superpower potential and

making a positive difference in their own lives and the world around them.

Rockstar Confidence™ made super simple, is believing in yourself and you showing up for yourself! It is the only way to unlock your superpower potential and become the amazing rockstar you were born to be.

Rockstar is an adjective: resilient, internally focused, authentic, unconventional, driven, and always loyal~Adrianne

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The Power of An

Authentic And Beautiful Voice Alethea Crimmins

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uthenticity, enthusiasm, and most importantly, an unbreakable spirit takes center stage in my story. I am a regular woman, just like you. I was called for an extraordinary purpose, which is to reignite the importance of self-love in our communities, families, and within ourselves.

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My commitment to self-love was born in my struggle. It is something I have grappled with since I was three years old. I was born with a stutter and although it was once the source of my biggest struggle, the lifelong battle is now a source and representation of my strength and resilience.

Because I had a stutter, I endured relentless teasing at school, and during the worst moments, within my family. I am very selfconscious as it started at an early age, and it took me a long time to deal with it. I kept those emotions locked inside my heart despite how hurtful they were.

For years, I struggled with feeling that my stutter defined me. I was ashamed to speak my mind, to share my opinions and to be myself.

Over time, I saw glimmers of understanding that my stutter was a part of who I was. As I searched for deeper authenticity, I grew to embrace my stutter as an integral part of who I am.

Something I am so proud of … because I am me.

This understanding did not come overnight, nor was it easy. To learn to love my voice, I needed to foster a deep self-love and determination to share my message with the world.

When I initially got the call from the Jennifer Hudson show, I was floored. Sharing my message with my social media “friends,” as I do not believe in the concept of followers, but rather, friends, was a way to heal myself so that I could shine that light, love, and healing onto other people. I never expected to touch the world in the way I have.

This was all through embracing the power of my authentic and beautiful voice.

If you are ready to embrace your next layer of self-love and embrace your voice from IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

within, read along for tips used to cultivate and foster self-love, moment by moment, and minute by minute. This is an ongoing and evolving journey. I encourage you to start now as the benefits are life changing.

Start small, start scared and take the leap of faith to begin. You will never regret leaning into self-love.

Say your self-talk aloud.

As a pre-kindergarten teacher, I have learned so much from the spirits of my students. Their commitment to kindness, integrity and honesty is amazing.

I believe if we open our minds, we can learn from children. As I listen to my students, I am extremely intentional about challenging negative self-talk and perceptions so that any negative ideas do not take root in their minds.

As adults, we rarely speak our self-talk aloud because we understand how negative it can be. As you are going about your day, or going into a challenging situation, I urge you to verbalize your self-talk. Observe your tone, is it negative or positive? If you could, would you shift or adjust the message? Our self-talk is tremendously important as we continue our journey to impact the world.

Additionally, when you say loving and kind things to yourself, verbalize them and say them aloud. Hear your tone and voice saying these loving, soothing and uplifting words. Over time those ideas will begin to materialize, take root, and replace your negative self-talk.

Search for positive voices for your mind to absorb.

Through my TikTok videos, I wanted to be a bigger, positive

voice in people’s minds versus the negative influences and thoughts present in our world. I want to be the positive voice in people's minds when they feel bad about themselves and think, “Baby—you know better than that.” I serve as a reminder to people that they are beautiful and can seize greatness.

When people are struggling, I want them to hear my positive voice encouraging them.

The media you consume has a huge influence on your mental and emotional health. Seek out positive sources, from uplifting magazines to soothing podcasts.

Find encouraging voices you are proud of and will fuel your impact. A perfect example is this magazine, I am Unbreakable.

Choose positive media sources so those positive messages circulate in your mind and take a dominant position.

Sticky notes on a mirror.

One strategy that shifted my mindset was placing sticky notes on my mirror with positive sayings

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like “I am beautiful.” I would look at them and repeat them aloud.

At first, I did not notice a profound difference.

Over time, as I said them aloud and let the words impact my soul, I noticed an internal shift.

To help you on this journey create an intentional space and intentional time where you speak positive words to yourself daily. In the beginning, you may question whether the words are moving the needle, but if you stay consistent, you will find they are making a difference.

Understand what a “hater” is.

I learned the best acronym for haters. Haters are people who have anger towards anyone reaching success. At its core, that is what a “hater” is. As I grew my social media following and reached deeper with my empowerment videos, haters began to come out of the woodwork.

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I use those haters as my absolute motivation to keep growing and sharing my insights. Using them as an example, I see how my insights are deeply needed.

If you get pushback for sharing your authentic voice, keep going.

Understand that having haters signifies that you are on the rise to something phenomenal.

Learning to love yourself, especially after years of rejection, is a daily process and a lifetime commitment. It took me years to step into my power and find the truth and beauty in my voice.

Once I did, everything was so worth it. Find the cause or ideas that make your heart sing and use your voice to speak up for this.

Keep pushing. Keep striving.

Keep growing. It is worth it.

Do not dim your light.

Embracing my stutter meant realizing that my light is my own and is meant to be shared with the world. Most have heard of the adage that each snowflake is unique. We each have a unique energetic footprint and a unique light to share. Do not dim your one-of-a-kind light to make others feel comfortable. Embrace yourself wholeheartedly and you will find the tribe of people that embrace you completely.

Stay unbreakable. Stay strong. Use the voice that is uniquely yours and yours alone.

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FINDING YOUR

PURPOSE CHANTAL MCNEILY

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was introduced to the concept of ikigai, the Japanese “reason for living” by a client a number of years ago. Over the last six years, I have been exploring more deeply how this concept can drive personal and professional success.

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"Ikigai" is a Japanese belief that represents the intersection of four elements: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It's often described as the reason for being or the source of value in one's life. Six years ago, I wrote an article for Advisor Edge Magazine on how female financial advisors can align their practice to their Ikigai - driving an inner sense of purpose.

At the time of writing the article, I had no idea that my journey would lead me to the same profession I originally presented the concept too.

In my research over the years surrounding women and the financial services industry, I have come to realize that especially in the world of financial advice, women need to feel aligned to a purpose that is greater than themselves.

Although the journey has come with many twists and turns, I finally feel I’m at a place where I am truly aligned to my ikigai.

My purpose is to create an

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environment where every woman is encouraged to grow financially.

An environment where she feels safe asking questions, sharing her concerns with no judgement and no guilt. Where she can build her confidence in her ability to achieve and maintain financial success and live the life she wants and deserves.

The financial services industry encourages technical jargon, complicated concepts, and often put additional emphasis on performance. But for women, there is so much more.

I have been immersed in the financial services industry my entire life. As the daughter of a financial advisor, strong financial principles and discipline were instilled in me from a young age. Since early childhood, I had an internal drive for success. I started working at the age of 12 and I have not stopped working since. From the outside, I had it all…..but something was missing. It was never enough; I was always striving for more, constantly reaching for the next achievement but never taking

time to just “be” in present the moment. My workaholism filled a void, seeking external validation instead of finding that validation within. I knew that something had to change.

The journey of self-discovery has taught me that sometimes life leads you in a direction that you could never have imagined for yourself. Every failure, set back and challenge is there to help you grow, pushing you to become who you truly were meant to be.

To get to this place, I use many different tools; meditation, breathwork, yoga, coaches, personal trainers, and a lot of personal reflection.

For anyone looking to align with their purpose, here are some steps to help you discover your ikigai:

Identify Your Passions List activities, hobbies, or subjects that you truly enjoy and make you lose track of time.

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Find Overlapping Areas Continuously Reevaluate Look for the overlap between what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This is where your ikigai lies.

Experiment and Reflect

Recognize Your Talents Take note of the skills and talents that come naturally to you and that you excel at.

Consider What the World Needs Think about the problems or needs in your community or society that resonate with you.

What positive impact could you make?

Explore What You Can Be Paid For Consider how your passions, talents, and the needs of the world can align with potential career paths or opportunities.

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Try different activities, roles, or projects to test whether they align with your potential ikigai. Reflect on how each experience makes you feel and whether it fits the criteria.

Be Patient Finding your ikigai might take time. It's okay to explore and evolve as you learn more about yourself.

Combine Elements You might not find a perfect overlap immediately. Consider combining elements of your passions, talents, and purpose to create a fulfilling path.

Listen to Yourself Trust your intuition and inner voice. What brings you joy and a sense of meaning?

Your ikigai can change over time as your interests, skills, and circumstances evolve. Regularly assess whether you're still aligned with your sense of purpose.

Remember that ikigai is a personal journey, and there's no one-size-fits-all formula. It's about finding what brings you a deep sense of satisfaction, meaning, and contribution to the world. I have learned that the ego speaks loudest and first - but if we dig deeper, to the place between our head and our heart is our intuition.

When we can be with ourselves long enough to listen to what it is saying, it will guide us on our unique journey. The journey is not all rainbows and unicorns like the “movies” portray. It is a bumpy road filled with revelations about yourself that you most likely do not want to admit.

BUT IF YOU PERSEVERE YOU WILL FIND WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR, YOU WILL FIND YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF. THAT IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS.

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THE PRICE OF SUCCESS ANA SINCLAIR

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My entire life has been a series of breakdowns that shaped me into the strong, courageous, empowered woman that I am today.

Looking back at my childhood, I see a young girl who grew up fast and learned to create something from nothing. I am a 2-time immigrant and refugee success story

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What makes me so successful?

I get asked that daily. The fact is, that I am a woman who steps in and out of alignment powerfully and I have stepped into my power.

Does my mindset and perception make me successful?

Yes. It’s everything!

The price of success Growing up we didn’t have much.

I often started over, whether learning new languages, making new friends, or watching my parents overcome immigration and financial obstacles. I hated that. I was tired of the handouts and the charity case.

Most people who meet me today see the glam, the awards, and the success. They have no idea what I have been through. I always get asked how I do it all? And I want to share a little secret about success… it comes with a price.

Every successful person eventually realizes what true success looks like to them. Some of the most successful people IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

I know have these things in common…boundaries, self-care rituals and most importantly, they don’t do it alone. They know what burnout is and it's what led them to self-care.

Not booking a massage or facial … the self-care where you believe you have the right to stop. That you deserve to pause. That you are enough. You need people around you who believe that about themselves and remind you that you are special. Personal development and therapy are a considerable part of this journey.

My partner, Brandon, who is my best friend, is also a part of my village of love and light. I found that surrounding myself with empowered communities or individuals has created the space for me to step into possibilities.

Some of the most difficult experiences in my life shaped my negative belief systems. You see, before I became an awardwinning CEO and founder, angel investor and all the fancy things … I was a 2-time immigrant and

refugee learning English as a third language and raising myself. Long story short, I believed: money was hard to get; I was not safe; I have to do it alone and I'm not good enough. All those things shaped how I walked and talked for a while.

One day I decided that I would do anything to prove to the world that I was enough. I had to prove to myself that I was going to be someone. I hustled and ground it out to complete burnout.

I have gone through so many lessons over the last 2 decades as an entrepreneur … but the #1 lesson is that no matter how hard you go at it, success isn't the investor scooping you up or going public. It’s not winning a prestigious award and becoming a millionaire. Sure, those things validate your inner negative selftalk, but eventually, you realize that success is good health, good people, and the ability to feel peace.

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Health is priceless In my opinion, entrepreneurship is a series of over-glamorized failures that ultimately contribute to the growth of leadership abilities on a personal and professional level. They can make or break you.

We all have a choice. We can look at life's beautiful lessons with a victim's lens, or we can shut up and see the blessing. Being unbreakable doesn’t mean you are so strong that you don’t break.

Being unbreakable means you break down and that makes you stronger.

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Being vulnerable is healthy. If you are going to take on big things then expect big feelings, big letdowns, and most of all, big breakdowns. It’s key to get mental health support along the journey of growth. You cannot do it alone.

I believe that our bodies and minds are interconnected and if we don’t dance with the ups and downs of life healthily, that's when the real problems begin.

I KNOW this sounds cheesy as all hell, but I believe the biggest breakthroughs are in the biggest breakdowns. Maybe that is why some of the most courageous and powerful people I know have gone through some of the most unimaginable things.

What does success mean to you?

We all have an idea of what success means to us. I think that meaning changes with each season. I remember when success meant owning a business that people recognized … until I was working 24/7 and completely burnt out. Now my idea of success is hoping I get a chance to take time off to live life and spend time with my kids.

I’ve never been motivated strictly by money because my take is that you won't achieve true success if money is the sole thing motivating you. Like many others who pursue success, my

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The pursuit of success often revolves around wealth, career, reputation, or other perceived achievements. In my recent travels and engagements with millionaires and billionaires, I've learned that money fails to procure genuine relationships, health, or mental well-being.

I scan my 5 pillars of success: family, health, influence, selfexpression, and community.

There is no ceiling to success When you think about it, the ceiling always rises after you complete a major milestone. The realization of chasing the next high got me thinking, was all this hustle and grind worth it? It was an eye-opening experience to allow myself to slow down or say no when I needed to. I was scared I was going to lose it all.

I now know that work will always be there in the morning, but life is precious.

Don’t spend your time proving

your worth. You are worthy.

You are perfect the way you are. Let your work be filled with inspiration and passion … if it gets to be too much, slow things down.

After all, what success means to each of us looks different. To me, it means feeling safe, grounded and in alignment.

I never felt those things hustling to prove my worth. Now I know that life will continue to bring me obstacles and after all that I have been through ... I have my strength.

I now find empowerment and confidence in the challenges that life or business throws my way.

Most importantly, I see a need to help others create a life they love no matter the obstacles they face.

REACH FOR CONFIDENCE OVER TRADITIONAL SUCCESS. CONFIDENCE IS WHAT REMINDS YOU THAT YOU ARE ENOUGH.

definition of it has evolved as I began learning about my driving forces, the growth and healing I needed to experience, and what was important to me. Today, I define my success as having a healthy and positive relationship with myself and the outside world.

Happiness, alignment, confidence in the decisions I make and living my purpose serve as my success indicators. I believe that having strong boundaries and investing in the things that bring me joy means much more than winning an award or hitting revenue milestones.

If I can drive impact, inspire others, learn new things, and live life with people I love … I am winning.

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GO HARD OR GO HOME

JORDANA GOLDLIST

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Go hard or go home, that was my motto as I toured Toronto’s club scene in the early 2000’s. At the time, I was earning an honours degree in Philosophy at York University and working two part time jobs to finance my lifestyle (three if you count petty drug dealing to support my own habits).

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Back then, I was invincible. I made it to university after kicking a vicious crack addiction that saw me arrested twice and kicked out of school by the time I was 17 years old. After spending three years as a street addict, I successfully completed drug rehabilitation on my 4th attempt.

I was 19 years old, and it was the first time I had graduated anything since day care.

My life turned a corner when I finished high school at 21 years old as an honour roll student and earned an entrance scholarship to York University. When the YMCA Youth Substance Abuse Program and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health each asked me to join their youth outreach teams, I believed that I nailed sober living.

I happily added public speaker and youth outreach worker to my resume.

I attended various high schools, closed custody facilities, and youth programs across Toronto to tell my story of addiction and recovery in hopes of educating youth about their choices around substance use. I maintained a program of abstinence for the first two years of my sobriety.

Being sober as a 22 year old IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

university student was not fun. I felt socially isolated and had a hard time relating to the world around me. In my second year at York, I fell back into what I knew, using drugs as a way to connect with other people.

At first, my indulgences had rules: only with certain friends, only at designated places, only to party, never to control emotions, not to cope with life, and certainly not alone. I would avoid crack, cocaine, and heroin at all costs.

That trilogy was the catalyst to my teenage descent. I had plenty of other options; MDMA, MDA, and GHB were all rampant in Toronto’s club scene. I found a small circle of friends to smoke opium with for a little variety. I partied with a solid group of girls who always maintained some semblance of moderation. I, unfortunately, could not.

Everything I did was to an extreme. I needed straight A’s in school while working two jobs and I would use drugs as much as I could until I absolutely had to stop for either school or work.

“Go hard or go home” - and who wants to go home when you’re 23 years old and unbreakable?

Addicts are liars and more than we lie to our loved ones, our employers, our teachers, our neighbours, and anyone else who might listen to us, we lie to ourselves. We tell ourselves whatever words we need to hear to justify the fact that we are doing what we know we should not be doing. When I told myself that I could casually consume drugs without recourse, I was, of course, lying. It took three years, but at 24 years old I started using cocaine again.

My relapse lasted 4 months; during which time I received an offer of admission into Osgoode Hall Law School. In 2004, Osgoode was arguably the Harvard Law of Canada. This was no small feat. But I was in no condition to go to law school. I called Osgoode to defer (that’s how deep into my addiction I was) and they told me that I would need to reapply if I did not accept the offer.

There are no second changes for people like me.

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I accepted immediately and two months later quit cocaine for good. In June 2024, I will celebrate 20 years. I started at Osgoode that September, determined to maintain a party lifestyle (minus the cocaine habit) because my brain tells me that I can do everything. It took two weeks for me to realize that I needed to change the way I lived and pour every ounce of effort into law school. In my first semester at Osgoode, I quit everything except Osgoode.

I graduated in 2007 and became a lawyer when I was called to the bar the following year. The civil litigation firm that I articled with even hired me back as a lawyer. I spent the next two years writing angry letters for a living and seriously reconsidered my choices. I started thinking about everything my life had been about before law school and I knew I could use my experiences to help people beyond their real estate, employment, and commercial disputes.

I had always wanted to be a criminal lawyer but in my second year at law school my mother begged me to find another path.

“You have spent your whole life as a criminal, can’t you just be a lawyer?” she said to me. This was the woman who saved me from myself, time and time again.

The least I could do was listen for once.

I tried, I really did. But I am who I am, and I knew that I had more to offer than the life I was living would allow me. I switched to criminal law in 2010 and worked tirelessly to serve clients charged with anything from petty theft to murder. After 5 years at a highvolume legal aid firm, I opened my own practice: JHG Criminal Law. I wanted to create a boutique firm with a client-based approach, IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

where I personally met each client to try to understand their situation and find a solution best suited to their needs. I wanted to do for my clients what I would want someone to have done for me when I was in their place.

I worked the first year without taking a single day off. 7 days a week, from 7am to midnight, stopping only for the basics of life and the gym. One year in, a crown attorney pulled me aside and asked me if I was ok. I was confused, of course I was ok.

Busier than ever, doing good work, making good money.

“No”, she said, “are YOU ok? Not your practice, not your career, not your clients, but you.”

It was the first time I had ever considered such a thing. From the time I graduated from rehab, my life was focused on what I was doing: school, work, partying, friends, family, working out, staying sober. Not once did I stop to think about how I was feeling; I believed that would be a distraction from what I was doing.

And more importantly, from what I was trying to accomplish.

I never looked back on what I had done. I have always been focused on what more I need to do. When I asked the crown why she asked about me, she said I seemed tired and in need of a break. I considered the advice and booked a trip to visit friends in LA the next month. I still worked every day before I left.

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While I was in LA, I thought I was doing a disservice to my clients and failing my own philosophy: go hard or go home! I certainly wasn’t going hard when I was taking 8 days off to vacation.

Then I returned and realized that my time off reignited my love for the work.

I didn’t notice I was burnt out until I stopped to recharge. I came home and worked harder, smarter and more efficiently than before. I started to pay attention to my energy levels and attention span. Taking a minute to breathe and enjoy life did not detract from my performance, it accelerated it. I started to schedule vacations once a quarter to make sure I had a break in my calendar.

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I also came to recognize that I cannot do everything myself.

As my practice grew, so has my firm. From a single student to four employees in only 4 years, my business model continually changes and develops. I used to increase my work hours to keep up with the demand. Now, I increase my staff and better serve my clients.

I still do nothing in moderation.

I work 7 days a week defending high risk criminal cases: murder, drug trafficking, and firearms offences. For three years in a row, I have earned recognition as one of Canada’s best lawyers, running a lucrative practice that spans across southern Ontario. I speak on panels and receive calls

for advice from lawyers I look up to. I also travel four times a year so that I can replenish my energy and ensure every case is afforded the effort I know every client deserves.

Go hard or go home still rings true for me but I now see and appreciate the value of going home sometimes.

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THE GIFT OF BUSINESS WISDOM TO FUTURE GENERATIONS BARBARA MOWAT

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To everything, turn, turn, turn, there is a season, turn, turn, turn.

This adage echoes the rhythm of life: the cycle that seems to transcend time.

In my 70+ years on Earth, I’ve seen the seasons change, both literally and figurately.

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With each of those changes, I’ve seen the old fall away to reveal the beauty of the new, the insurmountable obstacles fading away to emerge stronger with each challenge, trial, and tribulation. I’ve lived a life marked by triumph, determination, and an unwavering belief in the power to be unbreakable.

I’VE FACED AN UNCOUNTABLE NUMBER OF CLOSED DOORS AND DEAD ENDS, BUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN, I RESOLVED TO FIND ANOTHER PATH, NO MATTER HOW BLEAK THE OUTCOME SEEMED. Born in Dryden, Ontario, my parents ran a boarding house.

My first step into dipping into my own resilience came when I was only eleven years old.

Facing the loss of my mother was beyond any pain I had ever experienced, and after my siblings left, I assumed the responsibility of running the boarding house when I was fourteen years old and in high school. Looking back on those years, I see the first glimmers of true resilience and grit: the glimpse of the Unbreakable spirit I would one day create.

This experience set the stage to define me as a business owner, woman, and wife. Sooner than I even expected! Love found me at seventeen. After meeting Barry, we moved to British Columbia to get married and begin our lives together.

Have you ever watched a scene in a movie where a young couple is enamoured with one another but burdened by financial challenges? The beginning of our marriage is nothing short of a set from a film: living in a $75 per month rented house. Despite this, I was determined to pursue a university education. I knew it was the next step to actualizing my dream until a pregnancy came my way.

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Eleven months into my marriage, my son, Brent, was born.

Daughters Paula and Brittany followed. Now a young mother of three, I continued to pursue my dreams, knowing that although I loved my children and our incredible life, motherhood would not derail my plans.

Determined, I took three jobs: working in a bakery, a chicken hatchery and selling Avon. Since we couldn’t afford daycare, I often brought my children to lecture halls with me. Ultimately, I graduated with an undergraduate degree in psychology and education from Simon Fraser University and then continued to pursue a master’s degree in counselling from the University of British Columbia.

In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, the ability to adapt and overcome is a testament to the strength within each of us. If you are feeling that

your path is being marked with obstacles, know that it is precisely through facing adversity that we discover our unbreakable spirit.

My unbreakable spirit was also my entrepreneurial spirit, and after working in education at various levels (grade school through university), I was ready to start a business—Impact Communications Ltd. began to many companies working with micro-entrepreneurs from the Uniquely Trade Shows (nationally and globally), a magazine “Home Business Report,” along with Home-Based Business Associations; started one of the first e-commerce sites (Uniquely Canada) as well as a retail store, all with micro-entrepreneurs, many of whom were niche artisans, to grow their businesses. We developed and expanded, offered trade shows and opportunities for business owners, and grew globally.

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So, we continue to grow virtual boards both in Canada and across the world, where women come together to not only provide support but create incredible connections that catapult their businesses and lives to the next level.

Earlier this year, my life partner passed away. Even through this, I never lose sight of my inner strength, knowing that I can lean on a strong, established support system that pours into me, helping me to trust my resilience and remain unbreakable.

Because I am not an Island.

My EXCELerate 2024 Conference is happening in Vancouver, BC, from April 24-26, 2024. I would love to meet you there, and my team will assist in any way we can.

It is for those who are looking to cultivate and create your support system.

Through my company, GroYourBiz Ltd., I have the opportunity to impart the gift of business wisdom to future generations, teaching them about the powerful attribute of resilience and the importance of cultivating an unbreakable spirit.

Whenever I attend an event or conference and spend time in the community of other women, I’m reminded of my intention and purpose for founding my latest company in October of 2010.

I believe I am called to provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small businesses, regardless of where they are from or how much money they make. Just as I would have hoped for in the early days of my career, I wanted to provide advice, collaboration, and community for the unbreakable, IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

powerful women who, each day, work towards growing their companies and making the world a better place for all of us.

The business and experience insights from incredible panellists are incredible, as well as the lifelong, meaningful connections that restore your soul in the hardest of times and keep you working toward building your power, strength, and resilience.

As the seasons change, so does my journey. I was recently honoured by the TIAW with a Lifetime Achievement Award and reconnected with GroYourBiz Entrepreneurs at those events.

Seeing my company's impact only revitalizes and reinvigorates my mission to provide the business access and advice I desperately need.

The tapestry of my life is forever intertwined with my commitment to supporting women globally.

Whether a woman lives in a tiny town like Prespatou, BC (Population 381) or across the world in Southeast Asia, I want women to be inspired to think differently about their businesses.

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Unbreakable Breaking Into Corporate Boardrooms Dr. Deborah Rosati

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began breaking into corporate boardrooms early in my career. Before becoming a certified corporate director was considered a career, my professional career as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) opened the doors to corporate boardrooms..

From the beginning, I refused to be defined by anyone. I’ll never forget a pivotal moment in the early 1980s when I was an articling CPA student working for a midsize accounting firm. A senior male CPA partner looked me in the eye and told me that I “would never become a CPA.” Instead of letting him define what I could achieve, I defied his prediction by earning my CPA. With the help of my family, friends and the co-op accounting studies program at Brock University, I proved that I was unbreakable.

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Corporate boardrooms have traditionally been exclusive clubs made up of male business leaders, with a limited number of individuals controlling the direction and decision-making of companies. However, in recent times, there has been a growing push for more equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) on corporate boards.

Breaking into corporate boardrooms can be daunting because it challenges the status quo. Some boardrooms are still

considered unbreakable for those who don’t fit the mold.

In this article, I will explore the seven strategies and insights that helped me navigate the world of corporate boards and find my seat at the boardroom table.

Know your value-add.

Companies seek board members who can bring value and contribute to their strategic objectives. Highlight your unique skills, experiences and

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perspectives that can benefit the organization. Showcase your ability to think critically, provide insights and make informed decisions.

Creating your board value proposition is one of the most critical elements of your board journey. Well-functioning boards have diverse memberships with varying experiences, cultures, genders, ethnicities, ages, and geographies. Your board value proposition is what you bring to the boardroom table and how you differentiate yourself from other board members and other board candidates.

Overall, you want to demonstrate your value to a board. The Savvy Director published a resource called “Guide to your Board Value Proposition” that can help you define the value you bring using this Venn diagram:

Always be learning.

Stay relevant, embrace change, prioritize learning, and adopt a future-focused mindset. You build your board competency by continuously honing your skills and staying updated on industry and governance trends.

I like to divide your board skills into two types: •

•

Power skills help you develop your board presence, profile, network, and voice. My power skills are my courage, curiosity, compassion, and character.

Technical skills help you develop your board knowledge and governance expertise. My technical skills are my financial, governance and ESG competency. I am a certified corporate director with my ICD.D, GCB.D and CCB.D, with financial expertise as an FCPA FCA.

For an overview of programs and certifications available for board members, refer to the WGOB E-Guide to Board Education and Development Programs.

I also recommend referring to our WGOB E-Guide for more guidance on building your board resume.

Network strategically.

Be strategic about whom you know in your network and how

those contacts can become meaningful connections to boards you are interested in joining. Now, you’re ready to reach out and learn more about the company and how you can bring value to the board. In my blog post “The Power of Connection,” I discuss setting your intention.

If you are searching for a new board appointment, here are some factors to consider before reaching out to a contact for a meeting: Expertise: A corporate board appointment is about how you can add value to the board with your skills and expertise. As you consider joining a board, you should ensure that you have sufficient knowledge in an area that boards require, such as governance, finance, IT, HR, global operations, government relations, M&A, ESG and digital transformation.

Industry: Consider what industries you have experience in. Then, think about whom you know in a particular sector and how they might help you connect with others in those industries.

Passion: Before you contact a connection, ensure that the board you are interested in is where you want to be. Don't pursue it if you aren’t passionate about it or there isn’t a solid connection to your interests.

Seek out mentors, sponsors and allies.

Mentorship and sponsorship can be invaluable on your journey to corporate boardrooms. Seek accomplished corporate directors in your industry willing to mentor and guide you. Their knowledge, experience, and guidance can help you navigate the complexities and uncertainties in corporate boardrooms and prepare you for board opportunities.

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Additionally, identify sponsors who can advocate for your advancement, provide visibility, and endorse your capabilities to boardroom decision-makers.

Allies can advocate, listen, lift, include, elevate, and sponsor you (for more on allyship, refer to WGOB’s recent blog post, featuring insights from Gavriella Schuster.

Elevate your board leadership skills.

Similar to your professional career, in your board career, you should be thinking about how you can elevate the boardroom discussion and, in turn, expand your board leadership. I have evolved my board leadership skills by going outside my comfort zone, chairing committees other than the audit committee, leaning in on a financial transaction as a special committee member and stepping up as lead director.

These experiences allowed me to broaden my board value proposition and become multidimensional in my board offering.

Refer to this blog post for more advice on elevating your board leadership skills.

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Embrace diversity and inclusion.

As awareness of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) becomes a priority, most organizations are actively seeking board members who bring diversity of thought, age, culture, ethnicity, skills, and expertise. You can become an agent of change by advocating for more diverse boards.

I believe in the power of three: one woman on a board is a token, two women on a board are a presence, and three women on a board are a voice. For additional tips on building diversity on your board, refer to this WGOB E-Guide.

Develop your personal brand.

Establish a strong online presence through thought leadership articles, blog posts and active engagement on professional platforms. Position yourself as an industry expert by sharing your knowledge and insights. This will help raise your profile and attract attention from those seeking qualified board members. I

elevated my LinkedIn profile this year by engaging a strategic marketing communications firm, which helped me articulate my personal brand in this way: “Deborah Rosati, an awardwinning corporate director and entrepreneur, has been defined in three interconnected ways throughout her 35-year career – as a corporate governance champion, catalyst for change and community builder."

Although breaking into corporate boardrooms can be daunting, with determination, a mindset of being unbreakable and the right strategies, it is possible to achieve a seat at the boardroom table.

Remember, determination and a belief in your abilities are critical on your board journey to become "unbreakable" by breaking into corporate boardrooms.

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THE TRUE SECRET TO BEING

Unbreakable Kristina Cleary

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didn’t know it, but I was on the verge of breaking down. My days were filled with meeting after meeting after meeting. Days turned into weeks, and then months of non-stop travel. Work life balance? Forget about that blurry line everyone references, work was my life.

The only thing becoming shorter— day after day—was my patience and demeanour. If only I knew then what I know now, I would have looked for answers to slowing down and ending the out-of-control rollercoaster I called life.

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Throughout my life, perhaps like you, I was taught to follow the rules and say “yes.” To my parents, teachers, organizations and leaders. I quickly became a high achiever, reveling in accomplishments and recognition. And wouldn’t you know it—nothing fires up a high achiever more than being given more—more responsibilities, more “to do’s” and more deliverables.

I learned that when I said yes, I was rewarded … with more work. I was recognized with promotions and career advancement, compensated with more money and bonuses, and showered with industry and organizational awards.

It was all amazing! Until it wasn’t.

At the peak of my career, I realized I was beyond exhausted and was no longer happy. I was shorttempered with my husband and children. My friend group dwindled. I couldn’t keep up any longer. I didn’t know it—but I was on the verge of burnout.

The good news is I was only on the verge of burnout, but was able to put an end to it and stay unbreakable.

How?

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I learned to use the one tool we are never taught—one that lies within all of us. A powerful tool for self-care. Also, the secret tool behind some of the world’s most successful people (per Warren Buffett!).

That tool was a single word.

“No.” Throughout our lives, we are taught to say “yes” to authority— parents, teachers, managers.

And as high achievers, we LOVE saying yes! Saying yes leads to recognition, praise, promotions and raises. But it can also lead to burnout. Particularly if we fail to set boundaries and be intentional about how we are spending our time between work and life.

Learning to set boundaries and to say no isn’t easy. Afterall, for most of us it’s in our nature to say yes and please those around us.

But consciously deciding what to say “yes” to, and what to say “no” can be life changing. I know first-hand, and it has changed the trajectory of my life. It has impacted my happiness. My relationships. My work. My health.

Saying “no?” You might be shaking your head and thinking, “impossible!”

But before you dismiss this secret weapon, think about all the benefits leaning into saying “no” as a tool can be for setting boundaries and can lead to:

Increased productivity Saying no can free up time, allowing you to be more productive and enabling you to focus on your own tasks and avoid workplace distractions.

Lower work-related stress Setting boundaries can help to lower work-related stress by helping you manage a reasonable workload.

Reduce risk of burnout Saying yes to everything can lead to burnout. Leveraging “no” enables you to more effectively manage stress levels and overwhelm.

Setting an example for others 75 percent of the women I work with report feeling a 7 or higher on an overwhelm scale from 1 (no overwhelm) to 10 (extremely

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overwhelmed). Be an example to other people by showing them how to set boundaries and say no to things that are not aligned with your priorities.

I know what you’re thinking…

“All these benefits seem great, I mean don’t we all want to be unbreakable? But actually, setting boundaries and putting this into practice is hard work!”

Trust me. It can be done. I’m living proof!

So, let’s dive into six simple steps on how to set boundaries.

Six steps to help you stay unbreakable!

Clarify priorities What are your priorities?

Personal? Professional?

Understanding your priorities helps you decide what boundaries to set and what aspects you're willing to compromise on.

Delegate tasks What can be delegated or outsourced to others? You don’t have to do everything alone.

Understand your workload What, and how much work can you reasonably handle? Only you can answer this question.

Take time off Taking breaks from work enables you to recharge both in and out of work.

Set limits What boundary setting rules are you living by? What are your limits at home? At work?

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Say NO When you allow yourself to say NO to something you are creating space to say YES to something else. Be sure you leverage the tool of NO to ensure you are focused on your priorities!

So, how has setting and keeping boundaries made me unbreakable?

After leaving behind more than twenty-five years in the technology industry, I now spend my time helping others stay unbreakable by proactively designing their lives. Two years ago, I decided to follow my growing passion and commitment to help create a world full of diverse leadership. I founded Accelle—a movement with a mission to help more women into senior leadership

positions through coaching, content and community. I’m committed to delivering solutions that empower women to develop confidence, improve their leadership presence, and become as successful as possible—all while staying unbreakable!

Join me and thousands of women like you on the journey by visiting and subscribing to my newsletter at accelle. com or following me on social media. I look forward to supporting one another as we continue to stay unbreakable!

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The

Put Your Mask First

Juliana Leamen

Paradox

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The idea of self-care evokes many images in people’s minds, with balance being a concept promoted by many.

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For most of my life and career, work and education have been at the center of it all, at its peak consuming seventeen hours of my day. Believe it or not, is was during this time that I was at my happiest.

After years of inner conflict, I have come to realize that the traditional model of finding balance, making time for relaxing activities, and “not working so hard” did not work for me.

What I propose, instead, is that we shift the conversation from, what else can I add to practice self-care, to what can I subtract? For me, self-care has become a way of living, and I hope the freedom I was able to find inspires you too.

Every human has an inner set of priorities that govern every choice we make, everything we seek and avoid, and how we see the world. I like to think of our inner priorities as fingerprints, we all have one, but they are all unique. Our inner priorities are also the lenses through which we see the world.

Those, whose inner priority lenses are slightly more in focus, are often most content in life, as they can see reality more clearly.

If you wish to uncover your inner priorities, look at your intrinsic core values. Do not look at them through an idealistic lens or as

the goals you wish to achieve, but rather the evidence of what has been demonstrated throughout your life. We are all born with an inner compass—our most authentic blueprint—and we navigate the world in pursuit of its fulfillment.

From my work on understanding the mind-body connection, with a focus on supporting the body by mastering the mind, I discovered that our physiology is in direct connection with our thoughts, beliefs and inner programming.

Moreover, as we deviate from our authentic blueprint, our body reacts—like a trusted best friend— to bring us back to authenticity. In my case, this came in the form of severe chronic pain and fatigue, as my body had to speak loudly to me because I was not listening.

My top three inner priorities are learning, teaching and business strategy. If you were to look at my house, you would see a large amount of space dedicated to books, electronic educational resources and workstations. The same is true for where most of my finances are allocated to and how

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energized I feel after spending hours dedicated to them.

We are the most fulfilled, most energized, have the highest wellness coefficient, and the most emotional self-governance when we spend our days acting according to our inner priorities.

Anytime I attempted to bring more “balance” into my life through activities that did not meet my aforementioned priorities, my energy and health would suffer and I would spend the entire time waiting to go back to doing the things I love. This turned out to not be relaxing for me at all.

I believe prioritizing your life according to your inner priorities is the highest form of self-care one could ever practice. Every time you think you “should,” “have to,” or “need to” do something is a red flag, indicating the task at hand is of lower priority to you.

Nowadays, I no longer manage my time, but rather my energy and my body never lies! I am very intentional with how I spend my

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time, and when I act outside of my inner priorities I do so with a greater degree of awareness, always with the intention of delegating lower priority actions and honoring myself. Addition by subtraction!

This has allowed me to set stronger boundaries by saying “yes” to myself, ultimately offering a higher quality “no” when needed. The proverbial, “put your own mask on first” is the ultimate teaching that caring for ourselves is not a luxury, but rather the first requirement so we have enough to give to others. Living my life based on my unique inner priorities is how I put my mask on each day.

As anything in life, this is a process and a practice, but the beauty is that every day—upon awakening—you get another opportunity to start fresh and

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to live in the present moment, making decisions that fulfill you, so that you can live an inspired life that makes a significant impact in this world. After all, there is only one of you and (actually) being yourself is the biggest gift you could ever give to the world.

Please answer all of these: If you were on a deserted island, and you could only bring one product with you, what would it be?

In terms of beauty products, I would have to say my eyeliner. I don’t wear much makeup, but eyeliner is my one go-to. If looking outside of beauty products, I would have to say my acupressure mat! I use it every single day and cannot imagine living without it!

I do not know where it originated from, but my favorite saying is, The problem is actually the solution, which has helped me see life as “on” the way, rather than “in” the way.

This is also a concept I promote deeply in my work, to help us shift from seeing our bodies as broken or something that needs fixing to looking at it with a loving set of eyes. As challenges arise, I ask myself, if this was actually the perfect solution to what I need, how differently would I look at it? And, this one question has profoundly changed my outlook on life.

What is your favourite motto, quote or saying (and by who)?

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GUILTLESS SELF-CARE AND

HOW IT INCREASES OUR CONFIDENCE Julie DeLucca-Collins

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have been a high achiever for as long as I can remember. Since you are reading a magazine named, I Am Unbreakable, you, too, most likely identify with being a high achiever.

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Being competitive and always pursuing personal and professional success was a badge of honor for many years.

As a modern woman, you may be immersed in a whirlwind of personal and professional responsibilities, goals and aspirations. Our current society celebrates "never giving up" and pushing our limits.

One day, things can change quickly, and like me, you can face the hard truth that we are not invincible. The price to pay for our high achieving behavior can ultimately cost a high price.

It was 2003 when I quickly learned that a breakneck pace was not sustainable, and that I needed to adopt the crucial practice of guiltless self-care. It wasn't until I was on my way to the hospital via ambulance that I realized that the concept of self-care had gotten lost in the chaos of my life.

Taking care of ourselves is important—like a big building block that provides support to feel good, inside and out. It's like having a strong foundation for staying calm and confident while we navigate through life's ups and downs. Just like how we build with blocks, self-care builds up our happiness and makes us strong on the inside.

frequently takes a backseat in your lives, as it has in mine from time to time. The relentless pursuit of goals can lead to tunnel vision, where our wellbeing becomes secondary to achievements. Neglecting our needs has profound consequences, leaving us susceptible to burnout—a state where physical and mental exhaustion collide, eroding our capacity to perform at our best.

Additionally, the lack of self-care can inadvertently lead to selfsabotaging behaviors. When tired and overwhelmed, decisionmaking becomes compromised, leading to choices that hinder us and those around us. Ironically enough, it is because of our need to give to others that we neglect our well-being and our need to rest, recharge and recalibrate from time to time. Have you ever found yourself becoming short-tempered and snappy?

Well, my dear friend, strained relationships are another casualty of putting our self-care last on the priority list. A burnt-out individual needs help to connect and communicate effectively,

leading to misunderstandings and isolation.

THE PATH TO RESILIENCE As I returned to health from my medical scare, I found guiltless self-care wasn't a luxury, but a necessity. I want you to know that it's not about indulgence, but rather about nurturing the very core of our resilience. It's a recognition that taking care of ourselves empowers us to care for our dreams and those around us.

It's not selfish; it's an investment into our long-term well-being.

As a former C-level executive, I experienced firsthand the toll of neglecting self-care. On the precipice of a severe health crisis, I recognized the need for change.

This realization led me to become a certified “Tiny Habits” coach dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs prioritize guiltless self-care. Leading by example, I've witnessed how incorporating selfcare into daily routines transforms lives.

So why am I singing the praises of guiltless self-care? Simple, I want you to learn important lessons from my past mistakes.

Neglecting our needs can lead to burnout, self-sabotaging behaviors, strained relationships and more. Embracing the simple practice of prioritizing and embracing your needs can foster confidence and empowerment.

THE PARADOX OF NEGLECT If you are anything like me, you often profess the desire for self-care, yet I am confident it IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

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Guiltless self-care is more than bubble baths and spa days; it's about building confidence. When prioritizing ourselves, we send a powerful message that our well-being matters. This practice amplifies our self-esteem, enabling us to face challenges with a sense of assurance. As we cultivate our confidence, we radiate positivity, inspiring others to follow suit.

If you are not sure where to start when it comes to self-care, here are my top tips:

Embrace a Morning Ritual Begin your day with intention.

Dedicate the first few minutes to deep breathing, stretching or mindfulness meditation. This sets a positive tone for the day ahead.

Start a Digital Detox

Prioritize nourishing foods that fuel your body and mind. Add fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains to your meals.

Hydration is a Must Drink enough water throughout the day. Carry a reusable water bottle with you as a reminder to sip regularly.

Incorporate a Creative Outlet

Set boundaries with technology.

Designate tech-free periods during the day to disconnect from screens and connect with yourself or loved ones. Challenge your partner to do the same. In our home, we have been known to have tech-free Sundays, and we don’t allow phones on date nights, etc. Get creative.

Engage in a creative activity you love, whether painting, writing, playing an instrument or crafting.

Creativity is a fantastic way to unwind and express yourself.

Move Your Body

By embracing guiltless selfcare, entrepreneurs like me find unique freedom and flexibility.

The entrepreneurial journey is inherently demanding, requiring us to wear multiple hats. We're better equipped to navigate challenges and setbacks when we tend to our physical, mental, and emotional needs. This freedom allows us to make sound decisions, cultivate creativity, and form meaningful connections.

Engage in physical activity you enjoy, whether a brisk walk, yoga, dancing or hitting the gym. Physical movement boosts endorphins and enhances your mood.

Adopt a Nourishing Nutrition IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

In the bustling landscape of “unbreakable” female leaders, the essence of guiltless self-care shines as a beacon of resilience.

The narrative isn't one of defeat; it's a testament to the strength that blossoms when we nurture ourselves. I want to challenge you to start prioritizing self-care.

Be willing to become architects of your success. Remember, embracing guiltless self-care should be a commitment to help you grow in strength, nurture your spirit, and pave a path to your dreams.

EMBRACING FREEDOM THROUGH GUILTLESS SELF-CARE

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Are You The "One?" Rose Marie Gage

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y passion is making a difference through positive connection with people, purpose, organization, and community. I want to leave whatever I am involved with better than when I started.

My biggest struggle was to place me at the top of the priority list. In my twenties, I didn’t do well with prioritization of self because I thought I needed to accomplish a great deal in my career. In part, it was due to being a female in a male-dominated industry and being a business person surrounded by engineers and technicians. At that time, I had greater disposable time and energy. I didn’t say “no” often, as I thought the opportunities would not come back.

my family (close #2). My internal struggle was always, will there be enough of me to go around?

What happens if my declined opportunity doesn’t come around again?

Going through different changes, challenges, and milestones, I had to place me at the top (#1) with

Are you the “one?” The parent, the spouse, the leader, the fierce one, the dear friend, the mentor, the

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Over time, I gained lots of different experiences and knowledge. I also learned that if what I did was meaningful, opportunities would always exist. They may not be the same opportunities, but that is more than okay.

coach, and so much more? How do you care for yourself when you are the “one”? As the “one” who is there for many, I haven’t consistently cared for myself while doing for others. It gives me great joy and satisfaction to be there for others. That said, when I fail to provide basic care to myself, everything becomes derailed – me and the ability to help others.

Self-care, for me, is the ability to take a daily “time-out” for rest and re-energization. The how varies a lot based upon whatever is swirling around in my life and the others I am responsible for.

Moments in nature, whether

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I choose me.

walking in a forest or getting my hands deep into dirt for gardening is soothing. Creating a masterpiece (painting, cooking, photography). When times are tough, and it will last a while, I add high intensity cardio or hot yoga four times a week beyond my normal routine to help burn the stress away.

We need to prioritize ourselves first, even if there are a lot of demands made on us. We need to fuel our mind, body and soul. Ensuring time to rest and recuperate regularly is a necessity. Choosing yourself sets the foundation for your life and the quality of it. It sounds simple and if you make yourself a priority, even with small steps, you can see that it makes a world of difference to you and all those you deal with.

Often it is as simple as a hot bath and a good read or scrolling through Instagram mindlessly with things that capture my attention.

As a mother, daughter, sister, dear friend, leader, collaborator, networker, volunteer, board member and lots of other hats, I have learned firsthand that maintaining a work-life balance is a juggling act. However, it’s more like water fluidly moving into the compartment of need, versus equally divided to each group. I have experienced and observed that it is all about the choices made and the ability to prioritize elements and needs of our lives.

In the past, when the pressure was on from multiple areas, I had to make hard choices for the results I needed. For example, when one of my parents was diagnosed with stage three cancer, my sibling and I needed to divide and conquer roles and responsibilities to navigate our complex healthcare system for a senior with cancer. At the time, I was between roles. As luck had it, I was fortunately restructured out of a job! That fortunate timing allowed me to be present so I could help with tests, therapies, healthcare visits and the rest.

When I found my next gig, I chose a company that supported me, my family and provided flexibility when needed. The role was that of CEO and my board was aware of my situation and needs. They were amazing people and a supportive board who cared about the company and its people.

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When I was under huge stress with job changes, job loss, health issues, death of a loved one, family crisis, divorce or a poor work environment, I was required to “place the oxygen mask on myself first” before I could assist anyone else.

Additionally, I have ensured lots of back-up in place, should I need it. Having dependable support, whether family, close friends, volunteers, or paid assistance, helped me when I was stretched, stressed, and had little time for the normal things that would allow me to cope.

Somehow life manages to give us lessons and roles that we either didn’t want or didn’t see coming.

If I look back at the defining moments of flux, stress, challenge, I didn’t have a plan to take care of me, but I had to put something in place so I could do whatever made sense or whatever was needed at the time.

What have I learned?

Lots! Simply put, it starts and stops with us. We need to value and nurture ourselves when others depend on us. When energy is depleted, there isn’t anything else left to give. We need to learn how to have a minimum level where we stop so we don’t burnout, suffer health consequences or other negative outcomes of being overstretched, without time and energy.

“No” is powerful.

Being able to say “no” was a huge challenge for me, particularly before my thirties. The more connected I was with others, whether home, work, play, or volunteering, the greater the number of requests or demands.

Whether you are a people pleaser, haven’t had the opportunity to speak up for yourself or something else, start small.

Below are a few responses I use regularly. Maybe some will work for you?

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“I am not the best person for this, let me connect you with the right person / better person”.

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“I don’t have time now. If you can wait for ___ hours / days / weeks / months, I may have time to assist. Otherwise, I cannot help you.”

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If a boss or supervisor is making the request, ask for assistance with priority setting. Something like: “My current priorities have me

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busy for the next week, what do you propose the new priorities to be?” A discussion to prioritize tasks and goals makes it easier to spend time on what is needed in the moment.

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When you don’t have time, just say “no.” No apology or explanation needed.

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If asked to do something for a fundraiser or an event that you don’t do or like to do, offer something else instead.

For example, when my child was in grade school, I was constantly asked to bake something for a bake sale or fundraiser. For the record, baking is not something I am good at. Often the results look more like bricks than something even remotely appealing to eat. My solution was often to ask can I purchase something, donate something else, or assist in another way.

Schedule time.

With technology and its advancements, there are ways to free up time and schedule the found time for you. Also, the simple yet powerful act of blocking time in the calendar for self-care, learning, growing, doing, and accomplishing makes such a difference.

Block time for self-care and unless it is an emergency, it is your sacred and protected time.

With generative AI (artificial intelligence / machine learning that grows knowledge from all its interactions) we can get assistance with writing, marketing, scheduling and allowing the AI to help with that which we feel is not our strength or is mundane.

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Ditch toxic people

Seek help.

Those who are closest to you should be uplifting and supportive. Keeping great company and ditching toxic relationships is key to both mental and physical health. People can uplift us or break us. Ensure those who are close to you or who you spend a lot of time with make you feel good about yourself. I am fortunate to have my dearest bestie. She is a wonderful and dear friend, a sister from another mother. She is an amazing listener, joker, supporter, talker, inquirer, and helper of heavy lifting.

My life has had plenty of chaos alongside the opportunities.

Sometimes it was a surprise and other times I ran into the fire to see how I could help. When life made a bunch of demands, I asked for help. Twenty-four hours before my son was to be dropped off for babysitting for the first time ever, the planned caretaker decided she was too busy and could not take him. I panicked and started calling family and friends. Fortunately, my sister-inlaw called her former caretaker, and the woman was amazing.

One door closed and the open window was a miracle in disguise.

We’ve been through a great deal together and whether it is a chat, text, seeing each other and having fun, or dealing with life’s challenges, she always brings me great joy and happiness. She is a rare gift in life.

I have an awesome husband and family. It is wonderful to have a close family that loves, protects, nurtures, supports or suggests changes for your benefit. I am a better person because of my close relationships.

As for the toxic ones … it is important to keep your state of mind in check. Are you drained from your time with the people or the job? Do you feel abused or taken for granted? Sometimes you can stand up for yourself and create an environment with hard boundaries. Other times, when you realize there is not much hope, it is far easier to walk away.

Having help from a variety of places allows us time to get things done, care for ourselves and others. There is no point in being the hero when there is little energy left. Ensure you have great contacts: family, friends, associates, and service providers.

We simply can’t do it all but if we prioritize ourselves, we can enjoy the journey.

Take control, make the time, get joy and rest every day. No one will have a greater vested interest in you than you.

That said, when walking away, ensure you are in control of your departure and have plans for what is next. Being in control and seeing a future path makes change easier.

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FAILURES Are Part Of The Process Of SUCCESS Anzie Stein

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y company, Anzie Jewelry, started almost twentyfive years ago in Montreal, Canada, when my husband was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. He thankfully survived and today devotes his time to helping cancer patients as the president of Colorectal Cancer Canada, all while still practicing law.

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At the time that he was diagnosed, we decided it was time that I continue my career as an artist. We didn’t know if he would survive, but we had always been creative people, wanting to start a company of our own. We thought, what better time than now? There were so many things going on between treatments, kids and life, I was determined to build a business and felt if we could get through all of that … we must be unbreakable.

I began making jewelry and stringing bracelets as a distraction and coping method through everything going on, and I still love making bracelets to this day.

We turned every medical trip into a healing trip, where we would source inspiration, gemstones, and take jewelry design courses. It was exciting to bring our children along because it opened our eyes to the fashion world in New York and Los Angeles, which many of my husband’s doctors were based.

Channeling our creativity was a great way to distract from what we were really there for, and it gave us something positive to think about. We walked the streets of New York and Los Angeles, and we came across beautiful stores with outstanding jewelry that we didn’t have at home in Montreal. It was therapeutic for us to hand pick gemstones and create beautiful pieces with them.

show off our collection and build the Anzie brand. I loved visiting new cities and meeting clients across North America. To this day I still love being on the road and meeting clients around the world.

In fact, I just returned from Vancouver and visiting five other Holt Renfrew stores across Canada, creating custom beaded bracelets, permanent jewelry and custom charm bracelets.

Anzie is a celebration of Life in Color, you can see that through the gemstones we use in the collection and through our story.

We are known as jewelry that can be worn from day to night. Anzie is whimsical, fun and meaningful.

We gain our inspiration from everything around us including architecture, nature and family.

Our Love Letter initial collection was inspired by our family and loved ones. The Aztec collection is inspired by the night’s sky.

Most of all, I love working with my family. We get to spend time together traveling and learning as we bounce ideas off of each other. It was easy for us to start a company together because we innately trusted each other and could be honest and open about everything - our excitement, our worries, our plans to move forward.

There are times when we have differences of opinion, but that’s

normal. I've learned a lot from my children. I couldn’t have done this on my own, that’s for sure. When we started the company, my daughter was designing and giving creative direction and continues to be our Creative Director in New York. She began with sales and marketing and is now VP of Sales.

My son developed our website and continues to develop our IT. Their natural knack for design and working with clients took our company to another level. We each developed different skills that complimented each other.

Self-care is a very important part of my daily routine and work ethic. I make it a point to go for three long walks everyday with my best friend (a black Portuguese water dog), my husband usually joins us for at least two of those walks. I work out three times a week in the morning for thirty minutes.

I’m lucky to have been surrounded by creative and hardworking people and I hope to inspire the next generation as much as my family inspired me.

Something that I’ve learned firsthand is that if I fail at something, I will work at it to do better in the future. I don’t expect to succeed right away.

Failure eventually brings success.

The “lifesaver” bracelet was one of the first pieces we created, in support of colon cancer awareness. My husband designed the multicolored bracelet and we started to sell it across Canada.

That was the starting point of Anzie.

Soon after, we launched Anzie jewelry in fifty stores across North America, and I found myself driving across California with our collection visiting Saks Fifth Avenue for trunk shows to IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

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I Am Tougher Than I Look In Fact "I Am Unbreakable!"

Marg Hachey

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s a woman business owner of an eight-figure business, 180 employees and seven offices across the country, I rarely had time to look after myself. I wanted to lose twenty pounds, start exercising, and take the time to get healthy.

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Often things happen quickly… there was construction going on down the hill from my home and curiosity had me driving by several times to see how the development progressed. One day, an invitation was propped on my door. It was an invitation to a Medical Spa open house. I said to my husband, “I am so there.”

After arriving at the beautiful tudor-style home and being greeted by two medical doctors, a husband and wife team, I felt so welcomed. They took me on a tour of the treatment rooms and the saltwater swimming pool, which was housed in an incredible solarium added on to the back of the home. Most of the spa treatments were waterbased, including mud baths with the mud from the Schwanberg Moors. The Spa was on twentyfive acres and included hiking trails through the forest.

I became their very first client. I went after work and swam laps in the wonderful pool, working my way up to ninety laps. It was a wonderful way to relieve the stress of my day before going home to prepare supper.

rubbed his eyes. I started to feel uncomfortable.

“Andrew, you’re scaring me,” I said.

“I can’t believe what I am reading,” he replied. “You have a mass on your left kidney the size of the kidney and also a mass on the right kidney. Are you not in any pain?”

I shared that I felt uncomfortable when I sit too long sometimes, but nothing to indicate anything was wrong.

At this point, Andrew called his secretary and asked her to book a CT scan immediately. A few minutes later, she came back to say that after contacting two local hospitals it would be a six week wait. Andrew insisted that was too long and called his wife, Dr. Anna, an oncologist at a major Toronto hospital.

Five days later, I had my CT scan.

Two weeks later, I was meeting with the head of urologic oncology and a month later I had surgery.

The surgery took seven hours and required a week in the hospital for recovery. Every time the surgeon came in to check on me, I was on my Blackberry. (I had to stay in touch with my business).

Once the fifty-eight staples were removed, I came home to recover for six weeks.

When life throws you a curve, like this, it makes you realize what an incredible support system you have. From my family, friends, and neighbours…they all pitched in to help.

Today, fifteen years later, so much has happened in my life that I would have missed if it wasn’t for the two wonderful doctors and the medical spa they opened, just down the hill from my home.

I encourage you to be sure to take the time to look after YOU! If you don’t, no one else will.

“Let’s go for a hike up the hills behind the spa,” Dr. Andrews said during one of my first visits.

When we got to the top of the hill, he checked my oxygen levels.

Needless to say, I was having trouble breathing and thought to myself, “well if I have a heart attack, I have a doctor with me”.

Early in my time at the spa, Dr. Andrew advised before they put me on a regiment or weight loss program that he would like for me to get a good check-up.

He booked a carotid artery and abdominal ultrasound.

When I arrived for my appointment to get my results, Dr. Andrew opened my file and started reading quietly. He then took off his glasses and IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

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Unbreakable Resilience A JOURNEY THROUGH SELF-CARE Blima Ehrentreu

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ithin the world of self-care and the essence of being “unbreakable,” my journey has been intertwined with a commitment to crafting purposeful design. Establishing The Designers Group (TDG) marked the inception of this narrative, built upon the vision of design that transcends aesthetics.

At TDG, our approach centers around impact-driven design, creating spaces that foster a better world. Designing purposefully has been a driving force, ensuring that our projects resonate with functionality, beauty, and a deeper meaning.

In the pursuit of maintaining inspiration and balance, I love to travel. It's not just about exploring new destinations but immersing myself in the cultures, landscapes and experiences that each place offers.

Meandering through bustling Moroccan souks, viewing Alaskan glaciers emerging through the mist, and sampling Parisian delicacies - the rich tapestry of traditions, architectural marvels, and the vibrant hues of different countries all contribute to inspiring my new design projects.

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The sights, sounds, scents and tastes encountered while traveling infuse fresh perspective into my creative process.

Staying attuned to the dynamic landscape of design is essential.

Regularly diving into design magazines and publications enables me to stay informed of evolving trends and innovations.

Perusing the exhibitor booths at design fairs exposes me to new products and materials on the horizon.

Meeting fellow designers and discussing our shared passions renews my creative spirit. This continual learning is instrumental in ensuring that our designs at TDG not only thoughtfully reflect current trends but also pave the way for future narratives in design.

The concept of being Unbreakable, to me, embodies

resilience and adaptability. It's a concept that we see in design when presented with challenges and the innovative solutions we can come up with as a result.

Constraints in budget, footprint or materials can seem limiting but often spur resourceful design.

At TDG, our projects represent the fusion of aesthetics with meaning, creating spaces that are not just visually captivating but also serve a purpose, positively impacting lives. From soothing healthcare environments to stimulating workplace designs, we infuse intention into everything from lighting schemes to finish selections, crafting spaces that uplift those within.

In my personal life, being active and spending time with loved ones are key elements in my selfcare regimen. I enjoy swimming laps in the mornings - the

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repetition and breathing allow me to clear my mind before tackling the day's tasks. Biking to work allows me to experience different neighborhoods, keeping my creativity sparked. Weekly tennis lessons infuse playfulness and friendly competition into my routine. These activities keep me grounded while also providing much-needed balance.

Equally important is cherishing time with family and friends.

Sharing a home-cooked meal, laughing over inside jokes, getting lost in deep conversation - these moments of human connection rejuvenate my spirit. Going on camping trips and celebrating milestones with loved ones - the experiential memories created are invaluable. During the busyness of daily life, it's easy to let these interactions fall lower on the priority list. But consistently making time for family and friends keeps me filled with love and perspective.

As I reflect on this journey, my hope is for all to thoughtfully explore their unique path towards fulfillment. It's about nurturing oneself, finding inspiration from the world around you, and embracing the strength within. For me, it's been about persistently crafting both a life and a world that stands for purpose, impact, and an unwavering commitment to design with a heart. The roots IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

of TDG stem from this vision and continue flourishing as we progress.

There will be twists and turns, as life rarely moves linearly. But staying Unbreakable involves flexing that inner resilience muscle, adapting to change, and boldly charting new directions when needed. It's a nuanced dance between flowing with life's cadence and deliberately designing its course. For those pursuing self-care and fulfillment, I hope my reflections shine light on living with intention. With purposeful design, we can create spaces, communities, and lives that uplift. The journey begins from within.

As the CEO of TDG, my dedication to mindful self-care enables me to lead with vision, empathy and energy. By taking time to recharge through activities I enjoy, I can pour passion into my work without burning out.

Staying unbreakable gives me the strength to guide my team creatively while handling the stresses of running a business.

My self-care journey has taught me that human connections matter most. At TDG, nurturing relationships is central to our supportive company culture. We celebrate team accomplishments, mark milestones, and support each other during challenges. I strive to cultivate an environment where everyone feels empowered to produce their best work.

TDG's core philosophy of purposeful design mirrors my personal ethos. Every project aims to make a positive impact by creating uplifting spaces. I'm proud that our team brings this mission to life every day through their talent and care. Our shared commitment to excellence drives TDG's continued success.

While accepting new opportunities, I'm mindful to take on only what I can manage without compromise. Saying no when needed prevents overload and burnout. I build in time to decompress between intense work periods. Taking weekends fully off and unplugging from technology allows me to return Monday refreshed.

Travel remains a touchstone, exposing me to rich cultural perspectives. Immersing in new landscapes fills my mind with inspiration to fuel creative problem-solving. Exploring diverse communities reminds me how design can empower people when done thoughtfully.

My hope is that by sharing my self-care principles, others may reflect on nourishing their body, mind and spirit. The journey requires self-honesty, bravery and compassion. But the effort pays dividends through increased resilience and fulfilment.

By strengthening ourselves from within, we can spread more joy outward through our life's work.

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You Are Not Your Story Sarah Hawco

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recently had the honour and pleasure of speaking with Adrianne Fekete on her fabulous podcast I Am Unbreakable. Going into the interview, I had no expectations and had no idea where our conversation would go. What I did know was that I have admired Adrianne from a far for a few years now.

I had listened to Adrianne’s previous podcasts and knew, given her career and background, some of her guests’ background and stories.

Given some of my charity work in the domestic abuse space and other speaking engagements, I had thought she might have known mine as well, at least the very unglamourous part.

Somehow, right at the beginning of our interaction, Adrianne, with polite curiosity, asked me about my relationship status. I laughed, realizing she had asked me to speak with her because of who I am now, not who or where I was ten years ago. It was refreshing and lovely, but also naturally opened the door to speak about that time and the journey from IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

then to now. So, we ended up spending a fair bit of time the messy part of my story on the podcast. The part of my life where I was in a high conflict marriage, where I found myself homeless with two toddlers, where I had to rebuild my life from scratch.

The story about coming out on the other side stronger and more grateful than I could have imagined. A week or so after doing Adrianne’s podcast a friend of mine asked me why it is that I rarely speak of this time, why it is that I have seemed to move on from it and don’t make this integral to who I am, why I don’t hang my hat on my story. It’s a good one after all, it could be my “schtick.”

My answer is always the same, because I am not what happened to me.

We all have a story, a history if you will. We have lived a life that has seen failures and successes, trauma and triumph. Often times, that history becomes a narrative in our head, it becomes our identity. So much so that we subconsciously seek out validation of that story, to the detriment of growth. It becomes the inherent bias that colours our sense of self.

I am a survivor, I am weak, I am resilient, I am winner, I am a loser, I am a fixer, I am broken.

But you are bigger than your story.

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If your identity and self-worth, or lack thereof, is wrapped up in events that happened to you, or accomplishments, or titles, what are you when those are long past or no longer relevant? At what point does your story no longer serve you?

Acknowledge it, learn from it, make peace with it, then forgive yourself if that is required, and move forward as a stronger person for it.

Resiliency I have been called resilient many times. Courageous and inspiring, even. But to earn that identity I had to endure great suffering and overcome it. Similarly, my children have been called resilient.

Children are often called resilient when they witness or encounter challenging times or transitions.

And indeed, they have.

Dr. Zach Bush, MD spoke about this on Rich Roll’s podcast (episode 456). He posited that if one identifies themselves as resilient, one will continue to seek out what they need to be just that: pain, trauma, difficulty; because if they were to find ease and success, they would have to abandon their identity. So resilient is something I was when it was required, but it is not who I am today. It can’t be.

The Fixer A fixer is often well intentioned.

Fixers want to help, nurture, take care of things, prevent others from feeling pain or discomfort.

Dr. Bush also spoke about this, saying he had identified as a “fixer,” both in his professional life and outside of it. Many of us are fixers, sure that we can make things better and bearing the weight of that burden, whatever it may be. But if one’s source of validation is being someone who fixes things, the only way to keep feeding that narrative is to seek out brokenness time and again.

To keep looking for the figurative birds with broken wings. Well, that can create a complicated loop. What happens when you can’t fix the broken thing? Then who are you?

You Are Not What Happened to You Some people have endured unthinkable harms and challenges which surely impact how they see and interact with the world. But those are events and circumstances that happened to them, it is not who they are. If the narrative in your head is that you are a victim, what you are telling yourself and the world, is that you are helpless, incapable … unworthy. You will keep seeking reaffirmation of that very thing blocking your ability to move forward.

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This holds for the “winners” too. Their narrative is that of a champion, a winner, someone who refuses to fail. This all sounds positive, no? But what happens when he or she does fail? Who are they then?

The narrative can also be sourced from harms one has put upon another, perceived or otherwise.

We have all made mistakes, some more serious than others. Made terrible decisions or uttered words we regret. If your story is one of failure or laziness, or of one not worthy of forgiveness, where is there space to invite in success or redemption?

Let Your Past Inform You, Not Define You None of this is to say that one shouldn’t be resilient, or helpful, or courageous, or successful.

These are great things! Letting go of one’s story does not dismiss one’s past. Nor does it mean that failures and mistakes won’t happen, of course they will. It is to say that your past is meant to inform you, not define you.

SO LOVINGLY ABANDON YOUR STORY, ALLOW YOURSELF TO GROW AND EVOLVE AND CONTINUE TO BECOME.

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PRIORITIZING PASSION, SELFCARE, AND HELPING OTHERS KAREN BIRD

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aren Bird, a member of Batchewana First Nation, wife and mother of four, stepmother to three, shares a part of her journey, shifting gears in her finance focused career, prioritizing her passion work and self-care.

In a conversation with Adrianne Fekete, she discussed the importance of nurturing one’s own healing, non-profit work with sexual assault survivors and from her perspective, women in leadership creating balance while managing multiple areas of commitment. Karen's journey is a testament to the power of reframing experiences, finding growth in difficult situations, embracing hope and the relentless determination of being “unbreakable.”

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Here is what she had to say: My decision to step away from working for the largest brokerage firm in Canada came during recovery from a car accident. The quiet and calm of time to focus on physical healing made space for deep reflection and attention to mental health. For some time, I was feeling that joy had left my work, but out of loyalty, forged ahead with the hope that somehow I could revive it.

There is a long-standing challenge for women to navigate male-dominated spaces. Not because we aren’t skilled and talented, but because of the barriers that exist. I know many strides have been made in this area, but there is still work to be done. Add diversity to the mix and the challenges multiply. There are still many places we must make room for ourselves.

Asserting authenticity, to me, means your voice is heard in a

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strong yet respectful way. And when it’s not, authenticity will allow you to reframe rejection into redirection, pivot and move in ways that foster exponential growth.

Once I was removed from a stressful work environment for longer than time I would have taken for vacation, I was able to embrace real rest. It was then I recognized the true effects of that stress on my life and health.

It was crystal clear I had to make change, a change that would allow me to be diligent in places that contribute to health and joy.

I was presented with an amazing career opportunity to impact daily and be a part of the prosperous economic future my people are building. I am also focusing on community in two ways – one, through Nakehndan – Knowing Your Truth, my non-profit work supporting sexual assault survivors and their families, and two, my work as a facilitator for ATHENA International, an organization empowering women in leadership.

As with anyone you watch in a relentless pursuit of a passion project, the fire to continue is born from a place of experience.

Nakehndan – Knowing Your Truth, draws upon my emotional journey after my child disclosed sexual assault just over a decade ago. From the perspective of a mother of a survivor, navigating the child welfare system, the justice system and the mental health world – there is a gap for families to heal together as a unit.

I quickly learned how to advocate for myself and my child in those spaces out of the sheer necessity for survival.

Disclosure destroys relationships as you know them. There is no manual on how a family can survive together. There is no manual on how to support one another as devastating truths are shared. As the survivor focuses on IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

their journey, the family around them is also experiencing what I refer to as “trauma shrapnel” and must embark on their own journey as individuals and equally as important, as a unit.

It is paramount there are safe spaces for truth to be heard and then learn new ways of communication that honours truth and carves a new way forward. Disclosure, the techniques used to survive and methods incorporated to thrive must all be uniquely defined by each family. There is no wrong way to do this, but it must be done together. This is your chance, as a family, to stop generational abuse in its tracks – to rewrite the future with forgiveness, kindness and healthy love.

Nakehndan – Knowing Your Truth, will work tirelessly to build such a space.

My recent experience has helped resurface the emphasis and importance of self-care in my

own life. Women’s nurturing instincts drive them to support and help others, often neglecting themselves in the process. Taking care of oneself is crucial, especially for those who are caregivers as they require self-care to continue helping others without compromising their own health.

It’s akin to the concept of putting on your own air mask first in the face of crisis on an airplane.

You can’t help others breathe if you can’t breathe.

I believe there is a shift happening around the societal expectations of women and how each generation is embracing that journey. My generation was taught to “tough it out, get up and keep going. There’s no time to cry about it.” Which in essence, means do not prioritize your own well- being.

Today, younger women are more readily making choices that focus on self-care, paying attention to what affects them and creating their own definition of balance

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in life as they walk through life. Teenagers now have role models with the best of both worlds including vibrant mothers and aunts who more naturally embrace self-care, and vibrant great aunts and grandmothers are learning to embrace self-care with stories of resiliency.

This leads to ATHENA international. My first experience with ATHENA was becoming a Women’s Leadership Award Recipient in 2019. Part of the nomination process is that the nominee must complete the nomination form and fill in all the blanks to demonstrate why you are a good candidate - that was an awkward yet empowering internal process.

It’s not instinctual to keep track or remember all the things we do. You finish a project and then move on to the next.

I was young … because of this experience, I advocated for myself at work … I have learned so much about my ability to build relationships in a way that benefits everyone … I signed up for this course through work, but it has impacted my personal life in ways I never thought would happen.”

I learn as much from all these ladies as they do from me – and that’s what our leadership journeys should be about – storytelling and sharing and lifting each other up.

Unbreakable, for me, is not exactly as it sounds. We all have breaking points. For me, breaking does not mean defeated. I have walked through many breaking

points in my lifetime. In one of my darkest times, I would scroll social media looking for inspiring quotes to grab and help my mind focus. I have a tattoo on my right arm that is a wave that goes around my wrist inspired by the quote,”thou she was tossed by the waves, she did not sink.”

Each wave has taught me a new wellness focus and a new word to describe my feelings, a new lense to look at myself with, and a new skill I needed to learn—all contributing to the woman I am today and the lessons I will continue to pass on to those around me.

In my acceptance speech, I encouraged every woman to sit down and write all the things she has done for others and for herself in the last year – no matter how small you may feel it is. The sense of self and celebration that comes out of that process is so validating.

In 2022, I completed training to become a certified ATHENA Leadership facilitator. Now I get to lead women in learning how to lead themselves by embracing authenticity, advocating, learning, collaborating and others key skills that live within them and just need to be awakened.

These skills and qualities are also closely related to our Anishnaabe (Ojibwe) core teachings of truth, honesty and bravery, etc.

Through ATHENA, I am able to be completely authentic in my journey as a woman in leadership and as an ogitchidaa – kwe (warrior woman).

In every cohort of women that I have had the honour to work with, I hear very similar testimonies …

“I wish this was available when IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

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A Journey from Darkness to Light Empowering Vulnerable Youth Karen Sherbut

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y the time I was seven, I had become intimately aware of the chilling embrace of fear—a constant presence in a house rife with violence, child abuse and addictions. I am a survivor of a childhood gone terribly wrong.

For years I tried to be invisible, unseen and unheard, my actions carefully measured to avoid the wrath of my father and stepmother. I lived in fear of the sound of the back door closing, knowing by its aggressiveness whether I needed to find a hiding place. But he always found me; fear was a part of life. This was the reality of my upbringing—a harsh and unforgiving world that drove me to make the desperate decision to escape at the young age of sixteen.

As I wandered the streets of Winnipeg on a cold January night, I had no idea where I was IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

going but knew that any place— even the streets and all of its unknowns—was safer than what I was running from. I became a runaway and quickly transformed into the consummate couch surfer, a part of the invisible homeless demographic that now plagues our society in untold numbers.

completed my education, and graduated with the determination to prove my worth. I knew I was better than what I had been led to believe. Unbeknownst to me, there was a community gathered around me that had lifted me up.

It gave me more chances than I could have ever imagined and never stopped believing in me.

Yet, amidst this darkness, I still saw myself as one of the fortunate ones. I was given a new start in life at sixteen. With the unwavering support of my big brother, some dear friends and their families, I found the resilience to persevere.

I held down multiple jobs,

I believe there is a profound difference between being broken and being unbreakable. We are all broken and bare painful scars that run deep. The magic is in the hard work of finding that indomitable power within you to pick up those pieces and put yourself together

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post-secondary education. We are committed to nurturing both the girls at Haven’s Way and the youth at Haven’s Harbour.

An alumni program ensures our youth know they are part of something so much larger than themselves, creating a sense of belonging that we all so desperately need.

When I say I am unbreakable, it means despite the traumas and adversities I have faced, I have found strength to endure, heal and emerge stronger and more resilient. again, and with an unwavering determination to overcome the darkest of times.

My career was marked by both corporate and entrepreneurial success, and it took an unexpected turn when I met my future husband, John. Together, we shared a vision to give back to society, a conviction that changing even one child's life could shape a brighter future for all. In 1996, this shared belief blossomed into Safe Haven Foundation, a sanctuary of healing and hope for homeless and at-risk youth. Safe Haven became our way of giving back, a beacon of light guiding these vulnerable girls towards a brighter future.

Our founding program, Haven’s Way has become a beacon of light, illuminating the path for homeless and at-risk girls, breaking the vicious cycle of neglect, poverty, abuse and homelessness. It's a home where love, support, counseling, and education converge to heal wounds and nurture dreams.

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We created a healthy family environment where these young girls can mend their shattered spirits, build their self-worth, and find the strength to thrive. On average, youth live at Haven’s Way for two and a half years. Since opening our doors in November 2000, as the first program of its kind in Canada, we have welcomed almost a hundred girls into Safe Haven's warm embrace.

And the most remarkable part?

Not one has ever returned to the streets. This is a testament to the transformative power of love and support by an entire community, a lot of hard work by our team who walks hand in hand with our youth, and most importantly, the girls that we serve.

Our commitment to serve homeless and at-risk youth didn’t end with Haven’s Way. We adapted our program as the needs of the youth change.

Our latest initiative, Haven’s Harbour is underway and will provide housing and support for youth while they learn to live independently while pursuing

My journey has taught me the significance of self-care and mindfulness, essential practices for survival and growth. While I have yet to master putting selfcare into practice on a daily basis, I remain committed to moving this needle towards daily regimes.

In doing so, I have learned that forgiveness is part of this.

Forgiveness frees oneself from the dark shadows as we let go of our own pain and embrace the path of healing with open hearts and open minds.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to share my story, for the chance to shed light on the resilience of our youth, and for the platform that allows their voices to be heard. With our community beside us we are creating a legacy of healing, one that empowers vulnerable girls to rewrite their narratives, embracing a future filled with limitless possibilities.

After all, isn’t that what we all deserve?

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EMBRACING SPIRITUALITY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP & MOTHERHOOD LUCY BASSO

I

consider myself a dedicated entrepreneur and mother.

In a world that showcases perfection on social media, I hope to offer a glimpse into the chaotic and beautiful life I live: from managing an overzealous dog to ensuring my children are taken care of, to spending time on selfcare. My life is hectic, inspiring and wonderful all in the same breath.

As the Founder of Welcome Angels Wellness Centre, my life consists of embracing spirituality to juggling the chaos of motherhood while aspiring to inspire others through my journey.

Of all things in my life, I’m most grateful for my health—a gratitude I believe is well-earned.

As I reflect back, realizing that I have survived three car accidents and smoking, and still have my health, I’m absolutely overcome with gratitude. I used to enjoy life very differently and experience the world differently. Drinking IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

More. Sleeping Less. Excessive Weight.

Because I have my health, I am able to help and serve so many people. But to make this shift, I had to first come to a series of realizations to help me change my life. Incremental and small at first, but those choices led me to the path that I am currently walking today. Letting go of smoking, then letting go of drinking, and so on. Gradual realizations set in on me, as I realized that I wanted so much more from life than I was currently experiencing.

And I was committed to getting it.

Today, I am happy, healthy, whole and absolutely still a “foodie.” The process of breaking free from our fewer desirable habits is never over and something that I still consciously work toward each and every day. My daily nutrition habits have changed, but most importantly, my internal dialogue has shifted and changed— something I am dedicated to passing onto my daughters and all of the women in my life.

If I can re-write the narrative for one woman on body image, selfcommunication and self-love, then I have done my job and

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achieved my life’s work. I hope my story will serve as an inspiration for women walking the path of wellness. No matter where you are, what you have faced, or what you are struggling with there is hope, beauty and freedom for you.

Below are some strategies I continually apply to my life.

Read along and integrate what resonates for you:

See the beauty within yourself.

When I scroll on social media and see the heartbreaking stories of young girls growing up and being bullied within their school for their body, weight and beauty, I am absolutely gutted. So often, we speak to ourselves in a way that we wouldn’t speak to our most hated enemy.

Prioritizing the shift of my negative internal dialogue has been life-changing for me. So often, we don’t stop to acknowledge or realize what a tremendous impact our self-

communication and self-dialogue has on every aspect of our self.

I have absolutely fallen into the trap of self-judgment, dissecting myself, especially regarding food.

I used to belittle myself for what I ate and spend hours ruminating over my perceived failures and limitations.

I encourage you to re-evaluate your internal narrative. Truly stop for a moment and think about what you are saying to yourself.

How does it make your body feel?

What are the frequent words or phrases circling in your mind?

Is that how you would speak to someone you loved?

If the answer is “no,” you might have some work to begin.

Breaking free from the vicious cycle of guilt and self-blame is not an overnight transformation, but take the time to foster a more positive and nurturing myself.

In the beginning, combatting the negative self-talk might be challenging. Don’t aim for perfection—realize these low vibrations and patterns have been ingrained in your body and will take time to turn around.

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AIM TO FIND THREE THINGS YOU LOVE AND ADMIRE ABOUT YOURSELF EACH AND EVERY DAY.

Practice selfcompassion.

It’s easy to reach for shame.

Moving from self-deprecation to self-compassion changed my life.

So that when I make a negative choice, I don’t blame or shame myself, or believe it defines me.

As best I can, I offer the same compassion to myself that I would offer a friend. Breathe into the feelings. Meditate. Talk a walk.

Nothing about my life is perfect, but I am committed to the daily practice of self-compassion when things go awry. Give yourself the same gift and watch your relationship with yourself transform.

Compliment others (and yourself!).

Do you know the feeling of joy that bubbles inside your soul when you receive a genuine

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compliment? You have the power to create that joy for someone in your life—today.

When someone compliments me, it creates a beautiful ripple effect. My energy is instantly lightened, and as I reflect, I lean into complimenting myself and self-love. Then, I’m able to uplevel that dialogue, which in turn uplevels everyone who enters my energetic field.

As a healer, my energy is of utmost importance to me. Reiki and meditation, among other practices, are tools I use to ensure that my energetic field is always ready to serve my clients.

Compliments, as simple as they may seem, are a beautiful way to transfer energy to yourself and

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others. So, the next time you see a woman with beautiful hair, please tell her. You are doing the collective energy of the world a great deal of good and potentially helping that woman rewire her self-relationship.

It takes a village to create change.

Lean into the loving support of those around you and intentionally cultivate your relationships to ensure they are serving you as you blossom into the best version of yourself. In my life, my team has been such a profound source of joy and support. Seek the support of coaches, mentors, friendships, your spirit team and angels as you

state your commitment to loving yourself deeply and speaking to yourself with compassion.

My hope is that you will take my story to heart. The next time you are sitting down to a family meal or rummaging through the refrigerator, remember that you are worthy of compassion and kindness.

Becoming unbreakable does not mean that you never break or fall back on your goals; it simply means that you choose resilience and try again.

SO, MY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS, HOW WILL YOU LOVE YOURSELF TODAY AND TOMORROW?

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Let's Capture Pure You

Agnes Kiesz

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gnes Kiesz, Brand Photographer and Creative Director at Pure Studios spoke to Adrianne on the "I Am Unbreakable" podcast about her journey to finding fulfillment and success in her life and career.

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Here's Agnes' story: Let's go back to where it all began.

I found joy and self-expression in front of the camera during my childhood, which sparked my deep love for photography.

In a way, it combined so many of my other hobbies which included fashion, art, and dance.

However, my parents had certain expectations for me, pushing me towards a career in law.

It took me a while to realize that photography was my true passion, and I knew I would regret it if I didn't pursue it.

My journey as an immigrant wasn't easy. I moved to Canada after getting a university degree, I worked multiple jobs to save up for state-of-the-art photography equipment, and I was determined not to rely on others for support.

I took responsibility for my own life and made the most of every opportunity that came my way.

Now, let's talk about something vital – selfcare.

I've been guilty of neglecting it in the past, and I've felt the negative effects on my wellbeing. It's crucial for women to prioritize self-care and set healthy boundaries in a world that often glorifies work and productivity.

So, I encourage you to love yourselves, be your own best friend, and make time for selfcare. The pressure society places on us to excel in various aspects of life can be overwhelming. But remember, it's impossible to meet all those expectations.

The importance of self-talk and being kind to oneself cannot be overstated. Think of it as putting on your own oxygen mask IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

before helping others – self-care is vital for effectively caring for others. Instead of being overly critical, I believe in coaching and encouragement, as it leads to positive changes and growth.

THROUGHOUT MY JOURNEY, I'VE DISCOVERED THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF TRUSTING EXPERTS AND EMBRACING NEW EXPERIENCES. WHETHER IT'S FITNESS, FASHION, OR PHOTOGRAPHY, FINDING THE RIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND INVESTING IN YOUR GROWTH CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. For me, self-care is spending quality time with family and friends, reading, fitness, cooking, travel and investing in myself. I like to invest in courses and work one on one with experts twice a year. This year, I finished yet another photography course (I love improving my skills) and now I'm working with a fitness expert who has helped me learn so much about weightlifting, discipline, and nutrition.

Today, my work is all about empowering women and encouraging them to embrace their inner beauty and value. I work with many high achievers over 40, who possess so much talent and expertise yet can feel a lot of stress when it comes to putting themselves out there. I sometimes laugh since almost everyone thinks they'll break my camera. But thanks to our gentle, full-service process, people leave a foot taller and often already planning another photoshoot by the end of it. This transformation opens new doors and thought horizons.

can lead to a truly transformative journey.

What does “unbreakable” mean to me?

Being "unbreakable" to me means embodying a deep understanding of oneself. It means acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses, as well as having a clear sense of what we want from life. When we possess this self-awareness, we can set goals and create plans to achieve them. This requires learning and growing, but as we become stronger, braver, and more resilient, learning becomes easier.

This concept of unbreak-ability also emphasizes the importance of self-reliance. By knowing ourselves and having a solid plan, we reduce our dependency on external validation. Outside approval can be fickle and unreliable. Instead, when we are unbreakable, we take control of our own lives, finding our inner strength and motivation to keep pushing forward, regardless of the obstacles we encounter.

I think my life and career journey is a testament to the power of following one's true calling. My determination, resilience, and commitment to self-expression are my way of showing you that pursuing your passion and embracing your unique talents SELF-CARE

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HOW TO NAVIGATE DESTRUCTIVE SELF-CARE KIM PANGARO

I

am a mother of four, a devoted wife, and a business owner. I am me. This is how I identify myself. Always a mother first.

The part that’s me, well … she was always last, until I realized that without a happy me their world would crumble.

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When I started my online parenting platform Atomic Mommy, I had zero concept of what healthy self-care felt or looked like. I’d read hundreds of articles on the subject during those early diaper-changing days.

According to the experts, selfcare was supposed to be easy and liberating. I never felt that way.

Instead, self-guilt always settled in, often debilitating me beyond how mom guilt does.

When I realized I suffered from self-guilt, I understood that over my entire life I had been denying myself from what I actually wanted in an effort to please other people. Then I caught Covid-19, and it was almost too late to turn things around.

The idea of leaving behind zero legacy and having nothing tangible for my children to be proud of was terrifying. So, I vowed I would never again be the person who gives up on herself if I recovered. At the time, I thought I had just told myself a lie to die peacefully, only, it ended up being a real pact I had made with myself.

Thankfully, I recovered and ended the people-pleasing lifestyle. I abandoned walking away from myself, and I forced my reflection to love itself. I boxed with the negative voices inside my head and won. And my transformative journey had begun. Because I absorbed toxic habits as a necessity to my survival, I came to understand that undoing the damage would never end.

came out of the blue, and it hit hard.

Self-care cannot be successfully accomplished until you come to terms with what you enjoy.

Once I understood this concept, self-care grew into a “must-have.”

I started to pencil in time for me every day, and that’s when the negative headspace truly dissipated.

It’s been three years since the vow. I can see the difference from who I was to who I am today, and I am proud to share that I’ve fallen off the path many times, and always find a way back to myself.

Because of this journey, I’d like to share how you can also navigate around destructive self-care: •

Understand that negative thinking is in direct violation of true self-care, hindering your capacity to desire or enjoy anything.

•

Journal the things that make you happy. Things that cause you to love yourself.

•

Journal the things you hate or don’t enjoy and remove them from your daily routine.

•

Make a self-care schedule.

Pencil in time for things you love to do, even if it’s as simple as enjoying a hot cup of coffee in silence.

•

Take stock at the end of each day, removing the things that made you feel negatively.

•

Give yourself the freedom to love YOU more than anyone else. This doesn’t mean stop loving your children. It does mean taking care of yourself first and forgiving yourself for doing it. Welcome the idea that giving yourself love and care before others provides more value to everyone around you.

•

Find people who will support you, check your worst impulses, guide you, be there if you fall, and will sit with you in silence when that’s what you need. A strong support system is key to taking control of your self-care.

Just like motherhood, self-care is a journey. So, keep learning and growing, and you will find your own unique way to harness the power of self-care. Now, I pose this question to you:

How might your life transform if you truly prioritize self-care?

I’d have to make that same vow to myself, over and over again. Never having the skills to effectively rid my brain of negative self-talk, keeping my vow felt hopeless, until a fellow mom’s insight guided me back to my path.

During a playdate she said something I’ll never forget, “You have to enjoy what you do, right?

Otherwise, what’s the point?” It IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

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Reclaiming My Crown Shannelle Vogt

I

am a mom, a purpose driven life coach, an author and a motivational speaker. Self-care is a journey of rediscovering oneself, nourishing the soul, and healing from past wounds. As a former Miss Canada Globe Pageant winner and a survivor of domestic violence, I have come to understand the profound importance of self-care in the process of healing, empowerment, and personal growth.

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awareness about domestic violence, and empowering survivors to reclaim their lives.

I tell all my students, “Finding your worth starts with placing the crown on your own head.” My journey through the Miss Canada Globe Pageant provided me with a platform to amplify my voice and make a difference.

My biggest personal struggle was breaking free from the cycle of domestic violence. It was a journey of immense courage, resilience, and self-discovery.

I overcame it by seeking counselling, surrounding myself with a supportive network, mentorship, and redefining my own strength.

In this article, I will share my perspective on what self-care truly means, how I practice it, and the transformative impact it has had on my life personally and professionally.

Self-care, to me, is the deliberate act of prioritizing my physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. It is a daily commitment to nurturing myself, both inside and out. This journey began with rediscovering who I am beyond the titles and roles I had assumed.

It meant letting go of societal expectations and embracing my authentic self.

Self-care is not a luxury; it's a necessity that allows me to thrive, not just survive.

Who am I? I am an overcomer, a dreamer, and a creator of everything possible. Beyond the sash and the crown, I am a woman with a passion for advocacy, raising IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

I studied my patterns and relearned how to set goals and work towards them by believing in myself. Embracing self-care was pivotal in this process, as it helped me rebuild my self-esteem and redefine my sense of worth.

prioritizing sleep rejuvenated my body, mind and soul.

3. Channeling my emotions through writing, speaking and other creative outlets provided an avenue for self-expression and healing.

4. Learning to set healthy boundaries and saying "no" when necessary protected my energy and prevented burnout.

5. Practicing mindfulness and meditation allowed me to stay present, reduce anxiety, and cultivate inner peace.

One of my significant professional internal struggles was overcoming the fear of being defined solely by my past.

I didn't want to be reduced to a “survivor;” I wanted to be seen for my advocacy and passion helping others overcome and believe in themselves. To overcome this, I practiced self-compassion and reminded myself that my experiences added depth to my advocacy work. I focused on my strengths and the positive impact I could make.

Tips for Self-Care:

1.

Taking time each day for introspection and journaling helped me process my emotions, the stories that I was telling myself, and gain clarity on my goals.

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Discovering Authentic Inner Happiness Teresa Greco

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here was something about turning forty years old that made me stop and take a deep hard look at myself and the life I was living.

Some people use the term “mid-life crisis” to describe when someone suddenly decides to make significant changes in their life.

Turning forty wasn’t a mid-life crisis per se, but it did have me asking myself the all-important questions: “Where is my life going?” “Am I happy in the life I am living?” “Can I imagine myself living the same life for another forty years?” “Is there more to life than just this?”

I reflected on whether I felt happy and fulfilled, and I realized that despite checking off all the boxes everyone told me I needed to have a happy life, I wasn’t truly happy. Internally I felt that something was missing.

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Like many people, I had been conditioned to believe that happiness was something you searched for outside yourself in your possessions, positions, titles, degrees, relationships and experiences. Happiness was a point of arrival and depended on my earning, achieving, searching for, buying or waiting to be happy.

“I’ll only be happy when …” or “I won’t be happy until …” were phrases I completed in different areas of my life.

We all want to be happy, but I now know that being happy is very different than feeling happy. To feel happy is to view happiness as a transient emotion when circumstances in your life are going well for you, you’ve achieved a personal or professional goal, or you’re participating in activities you enjoy. This is pleasure, which is short-lived, for when such things take a turn for the worse, happiness is gone.

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happiness is our essential nature.

It’s a state of being rather than only a state of mind. Happiness is at the core of who we are, and it is therefore impossible to lose the happiness within you.

Through the various principles and practices I have utilized over the last ten years and shared with others through my writing, speaking, coaching practice and shows, I discovered that the lack of happiness, meaning, and fulfillment in our lives stems from us being disconnected from the love, peace and happiness that exists as an innate quality of our spiritual selves.

We must commit to taking the steps we need to remove the blocks to our happiness and learn about the way we can reconnect with the joy of our true essence.

Our essential nature is happiness, and by making time to nurture all aspects of ourselves, we can realign with the happiness that’s always there within us to feel.

You can begin your journey towards lasting happiness by embracing these five simple daily habits.

embrace personal growth. Small steps add up and actions like exploring a new route to work or trying a different hairstyle can help move you in a new direction.

Learn Something New Every Day The most accomplished individuals are driven by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Daily learning not only keeps your mind sharp and engaged but also equips you with valuable skills to achieve your goals. The world is a treasure trove of knowledge—never stop seeking ways to enrich yourself, no matter how small the nuggets of wisdom may seem.

Cease the Unhealthy Comparison Game Comparing your worst attributes to others' best qualities breeds resentment and discontent.

Instead, reflect on your personal

growth journey by comparing yourself to the person you were in the past. Recognize the progress you've made and the improvements you've achieved over time. This perspective fosters a healthier appreciation of your own evolution.

Prioritize Self-Care To achieve lasting happiness, prioritize activities that enhance your well-being. Dedicate time to yourself—cook nutritious meals, engage in physical activity, or indulge in inspirational content.

Self-love and self-care are not selfish acts; they are essential for nurturing your own happiness.

By making self-care a habit, you become the source of your own joy.

Remember, you can tap into your happiness at any moment, and by cultivating these habits, you can elevate your life to new heights of contentment and fulfillment.

Cultivate Gratitude in Every Moment Life isn't solely about extravagant vacations and grand gestures.

True happiness lies in appreciating the simple blessings we already possess. Even when life takes an unexpected turn, there's always something to be thankful for—your loved ones, the essentials of life, and countless small miracles that often go unnoticed.

Step Beyond Your Comfort Zone Your comfort zone is where old habits and hidden fears reside, keeping you stuck. Living the happy life, you came here to live requires you to take risks and IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

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How Did You Become A Ceremonial Breathwork Specialist?

Victoria Bauman

I

grew up in a country with immense injustice that significantly affected me, so I was determined from a young age to try to bring more harmony to the world. My early career was in Community Development. But I soon realized that no matter how much money or new ideas are thrown at a problem, people in pain will make decisions that bring more pain.

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While hurt people send hurt into the world, people who feel harmonious inside offer harmony to the world. So rather than focusing on global projects I began working oneon-one, helping individuals reach harmony inside themselves.

Then in 2017, I attended a breathwork workshop and experienced five years of profound personal growth in a few hours. I was blown away. I immediately trained in Breathwork Facilitation and began running workshops and retreats around the world, helping people at an even deeper level, healing themselves with their own breath. Over the years I continued training in different lineages of breathwork to keep honing my use of the technique.

I eventually came to understand that breath is a sacred medicine of our modern times, and I now use it ceremonially to help us transmute our deepest pain into our highest embodiment of love.

What does your morning routine look like?

I spend time in the morning scanning myself energetically, physically, and emotionally, sensing how I feel. If something feels off inside me, I take time to understand what’s wanting my attention.

Some days my inner child needs nurturing. Some days I need selfforgiveness. Some days I’m invited to expand my understanding of how life works.

I like to start my day this way, giving myself what I need to meet the day with beauty. (Rather than masking my feelings, unknowingly projecting them onto others, and eventually manifesting a life conflict that requires me to finally look inside!)

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Other than that, my mornings are different every day – surfing, journaling, hiking with friends – whatever’s calling that day!

A few years ago I was on top of the world. I felt like I’d worked through my childhood pain, and I was ‘living the dream’ in my career and personal life.

Then within a few months it all crumbled, through a series of very difficult unexpected life circumstances. I couldn’t find understanding in it. My belief in human love, the belief that drove me, was shattered. My spirit broke. I felt lost in a desert, with no way out.

Eventually I realized that the only way out was through the eye of the needle. I had to look at the depths of my pain, right in the eye. I had to let everything inside me that wasn’t the highest truth, die. I had to expand my understanding of love. It completely changed

me as a person. I live from an understanding inside myself now that I didn’t have access to before.

Trust that everything you face is inviting you to grow in love, whether your mind can currently understand it or not. If you don’t see a way out of a difficult situation, offer up the surrender of “I don’t understand why this is happening but I’m willing to be shown why. I don’t understand how to move through this but I’m willing to be shown how”. From there follow your own guidance, step-by-step, through it.

Life never betrays us. It’s always guiding us higher. Sometimes the fire of truth burns through our lives, and it feels like life is destroying us. But it’s actually destroying everything in our lives that’s no longer in service to our highest path. It’s up to us to do the uncomfortable work to let ourselves expand.

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The Importance of Self-Care to Avoid Burnout Krista Malden

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elf-Care is something we all think about doing, something we all say we do, and is something we all wish we did better. For me, self-care was one of the hardest things to learn, because I grew up being told to “always put others before yourself.”

This is one of the worst things you can learn, because to help people you need to make sure your cup is full.

I have always put others before myself, until the past few years, when I learned quickly what burnout was. So, before I share my selfcare, I will give you a tiny bit of background. I am a mother of two, which is a full-time job. I am a business owner, a community connector, storyteller and advocate for change. I run a magazine called Community Now! Magazine and spend every day connecting with leaders, innovators, and community advocates who are making change across various ecosystems.

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I have the best job because I spend my time learning, connecting people and sharing people’s stories and knowledge.

My passion is storytelling and connecting people so that we learn, grow and create a better world for everyone. I host events to bring people together so that people have multiple platforms to connect and share. And I push for change within our mental health system, our legal systems, and all aspects of our society, because I know we can be better and make changes for everyone.

Even if it’s through sharing only one story at a time.

Self-care became a priority for me over the past few years because I was—and still am—dealing with being dragged through our family legal system, while trying to raise two kids full-time on my own and while running and growing a business. I hosted one of our mental health events, and ironically enough, I internally crashed and burned. When your body or mind decides to crash and burn, you have no choice but to go down.

For me, learning the practice of self-care was a challenge for multiple reasons. For example, I found that learning to put myself first was hard. Also, when you can’t sit still and people tell you that self-care is practicing SELF-CARE

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stillness, such as meditation, you fail. Self-care, like everything else, can require a learning curve. But once you figure out what you need for your own self-care, you will be re-energized and your bucket will be full, instead of empty all the time!

WHAT SELF-CARE LOOKS LIKE I have learned to practice four different kinds of self-care: daily self-care, weekly self-care, postevent self-care, and emergency self-care.

Daily self-care Things I do every day to ensure I stay on track, focused and happy, such as: Making my bed A walk Play piano or drums Have coffee alone Read the news

Weekly self-care Things I do once a week, such as: Inspirational conversation with another person from my community about life, business or current events (a conversation with no agenda) Bubble baths with candles and music, at least twice a week to wind down and pause Hike or long walk in the mountains when it’s warm outside

Implement after a hard day, such as: 30 minutes to 1 hour alone a drive a walk a phone call or zoom call with someone who will pump you up and help you walk through the process of what’s next

change (not a bad thing—a HARD thing), I fell and couldn’t get out of my head. I still had kids to look after, bills to pay, a business to run, and I felt like I couldn’t do any of it. But one thing I could do was make my bed every day after I woke up. This allowed me to accomplish two things:

Self-care is what helps you be the best “you,” when I was learning about self-care. Some people say it’s meditation, fitness, or getting pampered at a spa (which we all need from time to time), but for me it is about how can I make my days easier.

1.

I had to get out of bed to make it!

2.

I made the bed and could put a check mark beside it on my to do list, so every day, even If I didn’t accomplish anything else, I still accomplished something.

And as I began to practice these four forms of self-care listed above, it became the backbone in keeping myself focused throughout of week. To help myself stay on top of it, I started a to-do list—because they make me happy—and I created a new routine. Then every time I did something that made me happy, or inspired me or helped me relax, I added it to this list.

My self-care and your self-care will look different—but remember that self-care is for you! And not for anyone else. It needs to be what you need, what helps you, what makes you feel better, and what gives you time for you.

Fun Fact: Making your bed may not seem like self-care, but it is. Here is why … I had a year of

Self-care starts with something simple. It doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming, but it has to be about you and only you.

Three quotes that I carry everywhere with me are:

“Until thought is linked with purpose, there is no intelligent accomplishment.” – James Allen “Fall forward.” – Denzel Washington “Connect the dots backwards.” – Steve Jobs

Post event self-care Important 1-3 days after planning, running, and hosting an event, such as: Sleep - I take a whole day off and shut everyone and everything off Watch movies in bed and relax

Emergency self-care

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Therapist or Stylist?

Why People Confide in Their Hairdresser?

Marlene Venditello

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ver the past few decades, working behind a salon chair, I've discovered that I often serve as a confidant, therapist, and sometimes the only source of kindness in people's lives. Some see me as a listener, an empathetic friend, and even the only physical touch an elderly person may experience.

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It's astonishing how well I've come to know my clients, sometimes even better than their own families.

Without bragging, my clients often praise not only the fabulous hair they leave with but also the emotional uplift they experience during our sessions. In the chair, they receive a blend of therapy and a hair transformation, all in one.

Throughout the years, I've observed people sitting in my chair and opening up as if it were a magical confessional, fueled by trust and a sprinkle of fairy dust. When I started, I didn't quite grasp why they shared their deepest secrets with me during a hair appointment. However, I soon realized that I'm a healer and an empath, and people can sense that. What they share with me never leaves the chair, and they know I'll listen without judgment.

People often feel comfortable sharing their secrets with their hairdresser due to the unique bond and environment that hair salons provide.

Here are ten reasons why people may choose to confide in their hairdresser:

Trustworthy Relationship Over time, clients develop a trusting relationship with their hairdresser, as they regularly visit the same salon and stylist. This trust encourages them to share personal information.

Non-Judgmental Atmosphere Hair salons often provide a relaxed and non-judgmental environment where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of criticism.

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Confidentiality Hairdressers are bound by professional ethics to keep their clients' personal information confidential, creating a safe space for individuals to share their secrets.

Active Listening Skills Hairdressers are trained to actively listen to their clients' needs and concerns. This attentive and empathetic listening encourages clients to open up and share their secrets.

Emotional Outlet For many people, visiting the hair salon is a form of self-care.

It provides an opportunity to relax, unwind, and vent about their personal lives, offering an emotional outlet.

Neutral Third Party Hairdressers are often seen as neutral third parties who are not directly involved in their clients' personal relationships or social circles. This neutrality can make it easier for individuals to discuss sensitive topics.

There's nothing more satisfying than seeing the radiant smiles on my clients' faces, knowing I've helped them regain their confidence and feel beautiful.

made me realize that I could do something meaningful for someone beyond the roles of wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend.

I MADE HER FEEL ALIVE, AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD, I COMMITTED TO OFFERING THAT FEELING TO ANYONE IN MY CHAIR. I recently came across a quote that I keep as a reminder when life becomes too fast-paced and I need to recenter myself: "In an age of speed and acceleration, aim to slow down. When you live slow, you become more mindful and intentional about how you live your life, and you begin to take care of your body, mind, and soul so that they can then take care of you. Your entire life can change in an instant. So instead of passively taking what you have for granted, be grateful for it and do whatever good you can with it."

The passing of my father-in-law was a significant reminder to slow down and live in the moment.

Life is unpredictable, and we should cherish each day because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

I strive to leave a touch of "Guru sparkle" with everyone I meet.

A pivotal moment for me occurred a decade ago when my husband's aunt was in the hospital for an extended period and longed for a comforting touch on her scalp. I brought my newborn with me, and she mentioned her discomfort with her unruly hair. It was falling out, and the hospital bed head was far from cute. Without hesitation, I offered to trim her hair, despite never having done her hair before.

She teared up and gratefully accepted. The look on her face SELF-CARE

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MY

Unbreakable Natalie Boccia

TRUTH

I

have always loved a good story. Stories are the glue that connect one generation to the next. Some stories have a happy ending, others end in tragedy. Some stories leave the reader hanging on and wanting more.

Stories. Everyone has one.

Surviving cancer is one thing.

Survivorship is something else. By sharing my story, I hope you may have the courage to share yours.

The moment I truly appreciated how powerful words could be was July 2021; the twentieth anniversary of my diagnosis. I experienced a personal revelation after delivering a speech at my brother's wedding. My depression and anxiety began to dissipate on that night. All because I shared a few stories about growing up with a younger sibling.

For the first time in twenty years, I exhaled. A bit.

I clearly remember saying to myself, What just happened? I felt validated and empowered by the words I had shared because I realised my passion for connecting with others through the art of storytelling. Ironically the word “cancer” wasn’t even mentioned once in the speech.

Yet, the awareness that deep IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

within there was a story inside bursting to come out was overwhelming. For so long, I was not able to tell it, but I realised that night that there is no other option.

My story keeps me up at night because she longs to be told. So why wasn’t I? What exactly held me back all these years?

Well … a few things.

I have held back for fear of judgement. I felt too embarrassed.

I didn’t want to seem insensitive towards the heartbreak and grief of others. I didn’t like the way I looked. I wasn’t sure how people would respond. I felt guilty sharing it.

My survivor guilt had such a grip on me that I was petrified to even look back and try to make sense of it. I didn’t even know it was a thing until I stumbled upon an article about PTSD. The guilt had convinced me that I should never talk about it.

Who do you think you are? Do you think you’re the only one who's gone through shit?

And that is precisely my point.

We have all struggled with something. Focus should not be on who has had it worse, but rather on how we can help each other heal from whatever it was that broke us.

The silence is what feeds the monster in everyone. Everyone lives with a trauma or a regret, or a guilt-consumed memory. We all carry disappointments, fears, insecurities, self-doubt, grief, and unresolved emotion. What I hope through writing this is that others may feel brave enough to look inwards and come correct.

My mission now is about living a purposeful life and giving back to those who are suffering. Many suffer in silence. These days, living in gratitude and the importance of compassion and empathy towards others who may be going through their own struggles is the lens I use to view the world.

Faith has played a huge role in moving forward and overcoming the traumatic experience of being a cancer patient. We can encompass different forms of SELF-CARE

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spirituality and hopefulness and faith should not be dismissed especially during those challenging and turbulent times.

Surrendering control and my belief in a higher power; a Divine energy of love and light, runs through me like a current. That is what happens when you have multiple discussions with your mortality. When adversity strikes some people turn away from God. I jumped right in.

Faith over fear is my morning mantra. Plus, lots of coffee. Then, I write down three things I am grateful for. I don’t have any tattoos yet but when I do get one, that is going to be my first one.

Faith over fear.

Plus a line from a U2 song: “...and when I go there, I go there with you. It’s all I can do…”

Until we go there, we need to focus on our time here.

God purposely puts people and situations in one’s path for their higher good. When things go wrong it is because it is happening for you; not to you.

Survivor guilt stemmed from something deeper because not everyone who survives cancer deals with it. So why was this keeping me up at night?

I suppose I believed on a subconscious level that my illness was somehow deserved because I was a bad person. Feelings of inadequacy and insecurity have always influenced my thoughts and actions. As a child, I was bullied and tormented by people entrusted to care for me who offered regular reminders that I was “just not that special.”

Personal insecurities and negative beliefs were instilled from a very young age. My first conscious memory was being publicly ridiculed for how I spoke. Growing up in an abusive household and the immigrant mentality of IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

working hard and saving money was just how it was.

The more I share my story, and the more connections I make, the mountain of negative programming gets chipped away.

Mental health issues grow from tiny seeds that were planted way before we were even aware.

The more I share my story, I pull out another rotted root.

Further, my mission as a teacher and youth mentor involves discussing the impact of negative self-talk on one’s self-esteem. My educational approach is always steered by the overall concern of the emotional well-being and social skills of our youth. These days it is necessary more than ever. Curriculum is important but so is feeling confident in your own skin. When helping a student address their self-advocacy skills I wonder if my words are more for me than them.

the conversations in your path when you need it; and when you are ready to receive the message.

My greatest hope is that I leave a positive legacy for my three daughters. I see them as a mirror for what I wish I had when I was younger and for what they need as they move forward. I am not a perfect parent but each day I make a mindful attempt at teaching them how to build on their resiliency and self-worth. But before I can guide them, I must first heal myself because I have to become what I want them to be.

Otherwise, they will just inherit and carry on what I do not fix.

The cancer did not break me.

Those bullies did not break me. That broken child’s voice in my head did not break me. I just could not accept my new identity because the guilt was not allowing it. And I was letting it control me.

I am not in remission. I have accepted my mission.

At the end of the day, what anchors me is the storytelling and the need for empathy and understanding in our interactions with each other. Sharing personal experiences, providing support, and making an authentic attempt to serve others is how we navigate this sometimes crazy world. It is through these connections that we can create a more compassionate and meaningful experience.

A few months ago, during a conversation with a friend, I was scolded for the first time ever for not sharing this story sooner.

“The problem, Natalie, is that you care too much what people think!

Stop giving a shit. How dare you not share this story! Think of how many people you could have helped all this time!

As I said, God puts the people and

I am in control. I am just getting started. I am able to break through. I am unbreakable. And so are you.

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RECOGNIZING BEAUTY AND OVERCOMING CHALLENGES Stories of Resilience and Transformation Sonia Diminco

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ello beautiful soul reading this.

My name is Sonia Di Minco. I am the owner and founder of TESORI Canada. Through many of my trials, tribulations and life experiences, I have learned that it was these trying times that has fortified me with the power to be able to recognize self-beauty in seeing others beauty.

Through all my hardships, I have remained faithful to overcoming challenges for better days that were ahead of me, even if I didn’t see it at that particular time. It was my faith that got me through the valleys and I’m grateful for all the struggles because it made me who I am today!

I know that all the valleys that I went through, made the climb worthwhile. All the trials and challenges I faced made me braver, wiser and IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

more courageous, and the perseverance proved exactly how strong I was and am to this very day. I wholeheartedly believe that pain is power and that it always leaves a gift or a lesson.

Through difficult times, personal growth and transformation occurs. And during these difficult times in our lives, it is important to surrender to a higher power because the divine plan is always bigger and better than our own.

My faith was tested in many situations and even when I wanted to give up, I didn’t. I remained hopeful and believed in my own ability to overcome obstacles. I also believe that gratitude is a vital component of this process, acknowledging the small blessings in life. Aside from gratitude it was trusting my intuition and my gut feelings because from past experiences, ignoring those nudges lead me to regret so much, so I learned to listen to that still small voice.

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As I mentioned above, I suffered severe health challenges, specifically being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after giving birth to my third child. Initially, I followed traditional medical treatment, however, nothing seemed to be working for over two years. I eventually decided to educate myself with alternative options, including using cannabis and unfortunately never had the chance to try because my battle came to an end resulting in a total colectomy, losing my whole colon and rectum.

After having several operations for reconstruction of my bowels, the changes led to profound changes in my life. Today I am considered healed and back to normal, living with an j-pouch.

Living with a chronic illness brings its own set of challenges and I believe it’s so important to have supportive loved ones by

your side, helping you to fight your way through. There is no way I could’ve got through my health battles without my loving and supportive husband and my parents and in-laws. They were there every step of the way to lift me up and encourage me to stay strong. This very day, I truly live in the present moment. Every day is a gift, and I know we hear that a lot but I truly do, as nobody is promised tomorrow.

After having my life saving surgery, performed by Dr. Riordon at RVH in Barrie, Ontario Canada, and two more subsequent surgeries in Toronto at Mount Sinai by Dr. Erin Kennedy, I was asked to speak at a Crohns & Colitis Fundraiser by Mary from “Our Wings to Fight,” initially turned down the opportunity.

But I called her back after five minutes to accept the keynote speaker opportunity, as I felt the importance of sharing my struggles to inspire and help others. Even if I helped one person in that room filled with seven hundred, I did something right. You never know when you are going to help someone who needs to hear what you’ve been through. I was so scared to speak in front of such a large audience, but finding the courage to share my journey and potentially change lives was worth it.

Being authentic and connecting with others on a personal level regarding health issues that are quite embarrassing when speaking of bowels and bowel movements, but I followed my heart and did what was right.

After my speech, many attendees thanked me personally for being vulnerable and how they needed to hear what I had shared. My heart was so full!

Through it all, I always maintained a positive attitude and I expressed my gratitude towards Dr Riordon, who saved my life. When she looked at me and said, “if you don’t get in that operating room,

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you are going to kiss everyone goodbye,” it brought me to complete tears and shattered me.

I knew not having the surgery would mean that my battle was over and ulcerative colitis had won. I cried so much as they wheeled me into the ER. I said bye to my family, not knowing if I would see them again. I was terrified, shivering, and in so much pain.

Not knowing if I would wake up from the surgery, my life flashed before me several times. After many grueling surgical hours, I woke up and my entire colon and rectum were gone. I would then have a whole journey of learning how to use an ileostomy bag, followed by two subsequent surgeries to reconstruct my bowels.

I vividly remember my aunt coming to visit me when I came home and she whispered to my mom, “be careful with her, I don’t want her to go into severe depression.” I looked over to her and said, “Zia, what is there to be depressed about? I’m here!”

I appreciated every day that followed. Life is a gift and I’m so grateful to be here every day.

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Every experience in life is viewed as an opportunity for growth and progression of our souls. I truly believe we should always cherish life and remain resilient in the face of our difficulties. You can be forever a victim, or choose to use it to raise yourself up.

I want you to know that you are unbreakable, and your life experiences will shape and mold you into the person you were created to be. Every moment of adversity is a blessing, and the way you look at the adversity will either move you forward or keep you where you are.

IT’S YOUR CHOICE! Building resilience is a valuable skill that comes from many challenges in life. These challenges can help you navigate, bounce back from every adversity, and thrive in the face of change.

Here are some tips to help you achieve resilience:

Cultivate a Positive Mindset Adopt a positive outlook and focus on the opportunities that arise from challenges. Practice gratitude and look for silver linings in difficult situations.

Develop a Supportive Network Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who can provide emotional support, guidance, and encouragement during challenging times.

Take Care of Your Physical Health Engage in regular exercise, eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep,

and practice self-care. Do this, even if for just fifteen minutes a day. Taking care of your physical well-being can improve your mental resilience.

Build Emotional Intelligence Enhance your emotional intelligence by developing self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills.

Understanding and managing your emotions can help you navigate stress and setbacks.

Set Realistic Goals Break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps.

Celebrate your progress along the way and learn from any setbacks or obstacles that arise.

Remember that building resilience is an ongoing process that takes time and practice.

BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF AND EMBRACE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT COME WITH NAVIGATING CHALLENGES. Above all, be you. Be exactly who you were made to be. Shine bright for all to see but always remember to help others along the way. You can’t get all the way up that mountain and not help others climb up with you.

Remember to extend your hand. After all, your experiences are to be shared to be a beacon of light to help others who may need you more than you know.

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Setting an Intention for

Better Self-Care Dr. Monica Vermani

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r. Monica Vermani is one of Canada’s highest-rated clinical psychologists. She is also an author, public speaker, and advocate in the field of mental health and wellness. In her private practice, Dr. Vermani provides a multi-faceted treatment approach in treating adolescents and adults suffering from trauma/abuse, mood, anxiety, substance addictions, and other related conditions and disorders.

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As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, we cannot help but feel that shift. With this change of seasons comes that old back-to-school feeling … whether you’re six or sixty-six! Fall means getting back to daily routines.

What better time to change up our self-care?

Self-care is a commitment to yourself, a promise to factor your well-being into the equation of your life. When you integrate quality self-care into your daily life, not only do you begin to feel and look better but you also begin to interact and attract more positivity into your life. It all starts with setting an intention to take care of yourself.

Self-care owner’s manual.

Unlike a shiny new vehicle, we don’t come with an owner’s manual. But if we did, we’d have access to the basic knowledge and wisdom to fuel ourselves with fresh, high-quality, nutrition-rich foods. We would know to keep problematic thoughts, behaviors and habits in check. We would appreciate our strengths and realize that we are not defined by our traumas, our failures, and our mistakes. We would know how to talk to ourselves with kindness and compassion, and to challenge our negative thoughts and selflimiting beliefs.

taking on more than we can handle leads to burnout and exhaustion. We would come to understand that sometimes, through our compassion for others, we abandon our own needs. There’s no time like the present to start factoring yourself into the equation of your life and putting your needs right where they belong, at the top of your list!

SIX STEPS TO QUALITY SELFCARE

Make quality a priority in your life.

Quality food, rest, and time to connect with friends and family work to support and restore the body, mind and spirit.

Pay attention to your thoughts.

Challenge negative self-talk, fears, and feelings of inadequacy.

Be as nice to yourself as you are to others.

Start saying no to requests for help from others when you are running on empty, or don’t have the time to take care of your own needs.

Do one nice thing for yourself, every day.

Do something that makes you happy and allows you to reconnect with yourself, every day. Doing at least one thing you enjoy is a great way to start to reconnect with yourself every single day.

Set healthy boundaries around your time and energy.

Learn to say no to a request or demand when saying yes means you’ll be burning the candle at both ends.

We’re often our harshest critics and most relentless worst enemies.

We would know that our bodies require a good eight hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep each night, to repair, relax and restore our energies. And we would make sure that we get it! We’d understand that taking time alone and apart each day to do things that bring us joy is not self-indulgent, it’s necessary for restoring our sense of selfconnectedness and peace of mind!

We would realize that overburdening ourselves by IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

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Prioritizing Mental Health Promoting Brain Wellness and Seeking Support

Dr. Carol Malec

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r. Carol Malec is an author, researcher, educator and psychotherapist who often shares her journey from being an ICU nurse to shifting her focus to brain health and wellness through explaining that her experiences in the ICU underscored the importance of addressing mental and emotional health in parallel to dealing with physical health needs in order for people to truly recover from health setback or illness.

This led her to pursue further education and research in the field.

Dr. Malec discusses the importance of mental health awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding it that prevents many people from getting the help they need. She introduces the concept of viewing mental health as brain health or brain wellness, a paradigm shift pioneered by Dr. Daniel Amon. Brain health focuses on understanding and improving brain functioning to promote overall well-being.

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“Accessing mental health help is a challenge for many,” as Dr. Malec acknowledges that the current infrastructure often falls short in providing timely and comprehensive support. She emphasizes the importance of building a support team which can include self as well as a “team helpful” list of others who are supportive, such as family, friends, support people in allied health as well as, community supports. These resources along with personal self- care efforts can be helpful when mental health resources are in short supply.

Self-support is important overall, and she encourages individuals

to achieve this by prioritizing their own well-being, learning how to coach themselves in healthy ways as well as incorporate daily self-care practices. One simple practice that makes a big impact is to evict “the bully in our brain” that self-negativizes and criticizes and creates negative mood states that contribute to poor brain health.

Dr. Malec addresses the question of what individuals struggling with their mental health can do to improve things for themselves.

She suggests actively seeking out positive social connections.

Talking things out with someone you trust can help you gain

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perspective and alleviate emotional suffering. She also emphasizes the importance of lifestyle choices and self-care practices, such as avoiding substances and engaging in activities that promote well-being such as regular aerobic exercise.

Dr. Malec suggests that it takes courage to reach out to others, especially during periods of isolation and internal struggle.

Dr. Malec discusses the impact of prolonged isolation and lack of activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. She compares it to the experience of people living in cold climates during winter, where they tend to retreat and become less active. She emphasizes that overcoming this requires a significant amount of effort and patience. Prolonged isolation and lack of activity can lead to physical deconditioning, similar to what happens to patients in hospital beds when illness is prolonged.

She suggests starting by taking small steps, such as a walk around the block once a day, taking stairs instead of an elevator, as these small steps can help to rebuild and recondition and can lead to increasing levels of aerobic exercise overtime. Set small goals, achieve them, feel success, and build from there.

Recently, Dr. Malec became involved in a project developing a new breakthrough mental health tool designed for individuals to gain a better understanding of their mental health, with

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the aim to help alleviate the current strain on mental health system resources. The YMI tool was created by doctors, psychotherapists, data scientists and other experts, as a predictive survey and uses supervised artificial intelligence to generate insights on the degree of how individuals’ genetic expressions, childhood and life experiences affect their mental wellbeing.

It then provides resources to connect with qualified experts for treatment.

“The increasing demand for mental health services and the potential for burnout among healthcare professionals has increased,” Dr. Malec says. She believes that the pandemic has exacerbated this issue and there is a need to enhance access to mental health support.

“Right now, individuals are struggling more than ever.

There is a ‘rise of the selfdiagnosis’ movement that has been facilitated by the internet.

Many people turn to online sources for information which may be inaccurate, mistakenly self-diagnose, and without consulting a professional because resources are scarce, end up in a worse situation. This trend adds to the challenges faced by healthcare providers,” states Dr. Malec.

“I believe and practice personal stress management. I call it the five-point prevention plan for self-care. This plan includes prioritizing self-care through: 1) seeking and maintaining positive social connections, 2) avoiding drug and alcohol substances, 3) maintaining a daily routine of aerobic exercise, healthy food consumption, and good quality sleep to meet personal sleep needs, 4) practicing self-reflection through journal writing, and, 5) cultivating a positive mindset by writing out daily gratitude in an effort to develop new brain neuropathways by using positive

self-talk. I really emphasize the importance of rewiring the brain to focus on the positive aspects of life.” says Malec.

It is important to keep your personal approach to managing stress and maintaining mental wellness at the top of your to-do list every day. There is evidence that supports the importance of structured journal writing, avoiding social isolation, aerobically exercising, practicing kindness and empathy with others, and incorporating diet and nutrition for mental health to reduce problems such as depression and anxiety.

Simple Tips to heal Your brain, Improve Mood and Become more Emotionally Healthy •

Self-care practices including: regular but modest AEROBIC exercise, healthy nutrition practices that reduce sugar intake and avoid processed foods, slowly eliminate substances that negatively impact brain function such as alcohol and drugs. Additionally put a priority on getting your optimal sleep, start a healthyinformation diet by turning off the negative news, and reduce your time on social media platforms as studies are revealing that these all play

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a significant role in mental wellbeing.

•

•

•

Learn how to emotionally self-regulate as it is a prosocial skill that will improve your own mental health by leading to more positive social interactions and improvement in your relationships with others. This can be learned through self-help books, Youtube videos, or good therapy.

Structured journal writing builds new neural pathways and fosters a balanced mindset.

Avoiding social isolation is crucial for positive mental health.

•

Offer Small acts of kindness or volunteer work, as these can have a positive impact on our wellbeing and lift your mood.

•

Letting go of long-held resentments through a forgiveness process. This can be directed to ourselves for things we regret or for others. This step helps create conditions for a healthy brain.

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Prioritizing mental health and recognizing its significance in overall well-being is crucial. By viewing mental health as an integral part of our well-being, we can shift our perspective and take proactive steps to promote brain health and wellbeing.

This starts with having open and honest conversations about mental health, breaking down the stigma associated with it, and creating a safe and supportive environment for conversation about mental health. By normalizing these conversations, we can encourage individuals to actively seek support and connection when they are facing mental health struggles.

There is research that shows personal efforts which people make on behalf of their mental health and wellbeing can make a significant improvement in their brain health.

Taking an active role in our health and wellbeing also contributes to healing partnerships with health care professionals that can contribute to better outcomes overall.

By actively prioritizing mental health, seeking support and connection, and adopting brain wellness practices, we can create a foundation for overall wellbeing. It is essential to remember that mental health is a journey and everyone's experience is unique.

By fostering a culture of understanding, compassion and support, we can promote brain health and wellness for individuals and society as a whole.

People who aerobically exercise, make healthy food choices, develop and maintain positive social relationships, have healthy sleep habits, and feel empowered and in self-control are more able to deal with their life stressors.

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The Power of Vulnerability and SelfCare on the Healing Journey Dr. Sheetal Ajmani

B

eing vulnerable is hard.

Prioritizing your self-care can sometimes feel even harder. And yet these two things hold tremendous healing and transformative power on your path to living a radiant life.

I’m Dr. Sheetal Ajmani, a physician and the founder of Radiant Living Institute where I guide highachieving professional women to get unstuck and learn to live radiantly again as they navigate personal and professional crises.

Through my own personal journey through career burnout and divorce, I’ve dived deep into Eastern and Western modalities of grief healing, trauma recovery, and well-being.

I’ve packed two decades of personal and professional IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

exploration of these tools into my signature program, Reclaim Your Radiance, to create a powerful six-step program that has already helped countless women create jobs they love, cultivate nourishing relationships, and rediscover joy in their lives.

Here’s the thing, in today's world social media often portrays these seemingly perfect lives and so it's all too easy to fall into the trap of comparison and feelings of inadequacy. But here's a piece of advice I first heard years ago, and it’s this:

Don’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides.

The truth is that you can never truly know what’s going on behind the scenes of those picture-perfect posts. Instead, it’s vital to your well-being to resist this urge to compare and instead honor where you are on your own journey.

You see, I truly believe that life’s challenges are the greatest catalyst for self-empowerment.

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In fact, this is one of the core principles and tenets of Radiant Living Institute. Life does not present you with challenges solely to make you suffer; rather, these are opportunities for you to dive deeper into your own selfexploration. If you allow it to be, these difficulties can be seen as signposts guiding you to let go of what no longer serves you and step into the most radiant version of yourself.

Now, being “radiant” doesn’t necessarily mean life becomes sunshine and rainbows, or that you’re smiling and laughing all the time. Rather, living radiantly means knowing that the world is always changing, but that the true source of your peace and happiness comes from within.

That no matter what happens in your external world, you are unbreakable because there is an ever-present truth, wisdom and strength that resides within.

So what does this have to do with vulnerability and practicing self-care. Well, let’s start with selfcare. What is self-care anyways?

Adapted from the Oxford dictionary, my favorite definition relates to “the practice of taking

an active role in maintaining one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being, particularly during times of stress.”

I like to emphasize that it’s a “practice,” meaning it’s not perfect. There does not come a time when suddenly you say, “Yup, self-care … I’ve mastered that!” Rather, it’s a continual journey.

Why? Because life is always changing.

You are constantly presented with new situations, experiences, and people.

Therefore, your selfcare will also look different during different seasons of your life.

Additionally, self-care requires taking “an active role.” This means that you need to actually think about it, be intentional with it, and create space in your life for it. Self-care doesn’t “just happen;” rather, you create it. When you take an active role to practice self-care during periods of calm, it becomes easier to lean into the tools during periods of stress when you need it most!

And now here’s where vulnerability comes in. It can feel vulnerable to prioritize your self-care. You’re used to putting everyone else’s needs first. You may have been raised to be a people-pleaser and so setting boundaries, saying “no,” and choosing to say “yes” to yourself instead can feel like a really hard and uncomfortable step to take.

You may feel selfish or guilty about doing so at first. It can feel uncomfortable to express your needs when you’re not used to it.

But, when you realize that practicing self-care is the least selfish thing you can do, then this

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shifts everything. You see, while you drain and deplete yourself to meet everyone else’s expectations of you, you are no longer able to show up as your best self for those who you are trying to please. Well then, you’re no longer showing up for yourself or for them.

To shift this paradigm to a winwin situation, you must prioritize your well-being. And you do so through the practice of selfcare. Through taking the first uncomfortable step of being vulnerable and admitting that you’re going through something hard. That you need to allow for grace in your life and give yourself permission to pause, step back if needed so that you can lean into healing yourself and showing up as your best self.

And so while I realize that all of this can feel big, hard, and scary, I want to close with this imparting wisdom that is another core tenet of Radiant Living Institute - small changes make a large impact. In other words, start small.

This could look any number of ways, including: •

Give yourself an intentional pause. Take 1-3 minutes every morning to sit in stillness, perhaps while sipping your morning coffee or tea without distraction.

•

Journal for five minutes daily. This will help you clear through the thoughts racing in your mind.

•

Make an appointment with a therapist, coach, or guide.

•

Go for a walk.

•

Call a friend.

These are just a few examples of ways to get started. Choose one of these to try this week and then notice how you feel afterwards.

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A Man’s Perspective On

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH Scott Janney

H

ey everyone! I was asked the question: “why should men support and help where they can for women leaders to grow?” I like this question and also hate it.

First, women don't need our help. Women are incredible. You know, I watch my wife, I watch my mother-in-law, I watch so many women in startups and different ecosystems, I watch women who are business leaders… and they all do an amazing job. In fact, I think men kind of get in the way. That said, it is important for men to always support women.

things. You know, if you think of the syrup, it hits each little square of the waffle. A woman's brain is like spaghetti where everything is touching something and is completely intertwined.

​​

A woman's brain being like spaghetti isn’t negative. I’ll give you an example. If my child is having a nightmare, my wife, Lauren, will instantly think about how the nightmare is connected to two weeks ago when he watched a scary movie. I don’t always think like that. Women have this incredible ability to connect things far better than men do. I really believe this.

​​ There's this old message that I learned years ago in a class I went to called Valiant Man. It was a class at a church service, and it talked about the man's brain versus a woman's brain. It talked about how a man's brain is like a waffle that compartmentalizes IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

​​

​​ important for men to support It’s women because for so many years, men have typically been the leaders. A personal example is that ten years ago, my wife and I opened our first insurance agency. About six months to a year into the business, they approached Lauren to open her own agency. This was really exciting for us, and I was also a little nervous. I told Lauren that she was walking into a man's world and that made me worry. I worried not because I didn't think she had a place, in fact, I definitely thought she needed to be there and should have been there a long time ago. But it really was a man's world.

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had two locations (Yorktown and Chesapeake – 1 hour drive apart) and we were sitting opposite of each other, and I said, “what have we done?” And she said,” it’s ok, we will figure this out”. She was right.

While I lost some faith, she found it! She was unbeatable and unbreakable at that moment. ​​

I remember about three years into Lauren owning an agency and doing an amazing job. I got a phone call from upper management/leadership, and they said, “I want to ask you about your wife's agency?” I took a pause and asked, “why are you calling me? You should be calling her”. That was a really important moment.

Not only for me, but for the caller, as well.

It was a reminder that Lauren can speak for herself and has a voice.

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​​

She is more than capable and she's way more educated than me. It was a good moment, but it was also a learning moment for me because I saw firsthand how upper management came to me first instead of going directly to her. Those kinds of things need to change.

I​​ have seen my wife be unbreakable. I remember one moment when she was pregnant, near her due date. We bought an insurance agency to merge into an existing agency. All but one of our staff members quit within a couple weeks of each other. We

I​​ think right now in today's society, we need to do a really good job at supporting our women and protecting them. I just think that it's amazing if you support a woman, you can watch how well they do and watch how much better they’re doing than men. And men - don't be worried about them being better than you because it's going to happen. Embrace it and support it because it’s amazing what women can do. I watch my wife with my kids and what she can do with them literally transforms who I am.

And so, I encourage all of you to support women. That's my two cents.

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Embrace A Journey of Kindness and Courage Brian Coones

F

rom humble beginnings in a small town in Ontario, life's journey has been nothing short of a transformative odyssey. It’s been a wild ride and I’m grateful for it all. The early years were simple, marked by a predictable trajectory with limited dreams.

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had been, and the shadows of my internal world remained an unexplored territory.

To the surprise of my family and friends, I eventually left the corporate nest to set out on my own. The entrepreneurial leap marked not just a career shift but a pivot towards self-discovery and limitless potential.

This bold move shattered the fixed mindset of my formative years, opening my eyes to a growth-oriented approach that reveled in the unpredictability of entrepreneurial life. This move also removed the structure and provided freedom I was not prepared for.

My mindset was fixed and encased within the boundaries of a modest town. The transition to Toronto's bustling energy was a stark contrast—a place pulsating with the hopes and anxieties of a million souls. It was in this teeming metropolis that

I carved a niche in the corporate world, ascending the ranks of the telecommunications sector and showcasing a potential I had not yet fathomed.

Despite the outward sheen of some success, darker currents swirled beneath. Childhood scars of trauma shadowed my ascent, giving rise to a disruption of anger, anxiety, insecurity and a relentless quest for approval through achievements and escapism. Always chasing shiny objects and craving external validation. Emotional intelligence remained as alien as the city once IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

My mid-thirties heralded a period of introspection as the hollow allure of transient pleasures became apparent. I had become the character I imagined I wanted to be, but felt empty and alone.

It was amidst this existential void that the enigmatic presence of the number 1111 began to resurface with intriguing regularity.

This numerical echo seemed to be a wake-up call from the universe.

It was a random moment of noticing seven ones on the odometer of my vehicle that launched a spiritual journey.

I began to consume books, joined the mindfulness center, and engaged in plant medicine retreats. At first, this was a venture into the mystical that would later become the foundation for healing.

A life-altering encounter with mortality followed an accidental overdose, culminating in a threeday coma in ICU. My lack of selflove and respect and unhealed inner wounds had caught up with me. The subsequent awakening and blessing of becoming a father was a stark turning point; this became my why, my anchor, spurring a profound internal revolution.

Embracing the wisdom of the words of Eckhart Tolle: "Awareness is the greatest agent for change," and the existential insight of Nietzsche: “He who has a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’”

Thus began my profound journey into self-awareness. Self-care became the practice and self-love became the feeling.

This pilgrimage is an ongoing saga, a relentless pursuit that transcends the confines of a single lifetime. Here, in the intertwined paths of healing and spirituality, one discovers the essence of being—a liberation from transient identities and a communion with the core self.

The truth. It is in this state of pure consciousness that the expansion of the mind and spirit unfolds.

When we transcend, we infuse pure consciousness to expand Intelligence, creativity, happiness, love, power and peace. The daily ritual of mindfulness and self-care grows these positive qualities while negativity retreats.

The sanctity of my morning routine has become the cornerstone of my existence, a tranquil refuge from the turmoil of the outside world. The stillness of dawn witnesses my dedication to breathwork, meditation, visualization, gratitude and physical movement, punctuated by the refreshing nervous system reset of a cold plunge. Each act of self-discipline, no matter how small, contributes to a tapestry of resilience and personal transformation. It’s not one thing.

It’s all the things!

Unbeknownst to me, the ripple effects of my metamorphosis began to touch the lives around me. The quiet strength and newfound purpose did not go unnoticed, and as I began sharing the practices that underpinned my transformation, giving back became a source of further growth and inspiration. This mutual exchange crystallized into FOR THE FELLAS

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a purpose larger than life itself— to guide others on their journey toward mindfulness, to aid in their healing, and to uplift their wellbeing.

The fulfillment derived from this mission has become an incomparable reward.

The essence of being "unbreakable" has been redefined through these experiences. It’s a testament to the practice of resilience, faith, self-belief, a growth mindset, and the undying ember of hope. It is a recognition that while we cannot calm the stormy seas, we possess the skill to navigate them with poise and grace. Our responses are shaped by the inner work we undertake, enabling us to harness the best within us, regardless of the external circumstances - equanimity. As the father of mindfulness, Jon Kabat Zinn, is quoted, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

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You are the artist that shapes the force of life flowing through you. If you don’t like your art, you have the power to recreate your design. With deliberate practice over time, you can rewire your brain and nervous systems to overcome old patterns and programs that no longer serve you. To be unbreakable is to hold an unwavering belief that despite our current situation, we are endowed with the creative power to redraw, rebuild and rejuvenate our existence. We can grow and evolve through life’s challenges rather than be broken by them.

The call to action is clear: do not linger in the shadows, awaiting a dire wake-up call to embrace positive change. The living moment is now. Don’t wait for something catastrophic to happen in your life. Cast aside the apprehensions of judgment from others and embark on the journey to becoming your best self. Selfcare is not an act of selfishness; it is the prerequisite to a fulfilled life.

By nurturing oneself, we ensure

that we are in the best position to contribute positively to the lives of those around us.

Therefore, take that initial, courageous step. Fill your own cup first so that it overflows, allowing you to offer the best version of yourself to the world.

Embrace love and laughter every day. That is what it truly means to be unbreakable and fortified from within, ready to provide and inspire goodness. The world is in dire need of such spirited individuals, now more than ever.

So, embrace the journey. Let it reshape and fill you, as you emerge as a beacon of hope and strength.

We are all here to do something great with our lives. The time is now.

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Embracing the Quantum of Fatherhood My Unbreakable Journey Through Nature's Tapestry Brandon Sinclair

H

ey Unbreakable readers! I'm thrilled to share a glimpse into my world. A world that revolves around family, entrepreneurship, and an unwavering passion for hockey, quantum physics, astrophysics, and nature.

As a 36-year-old, juggling two kids with a third one on the way, life is a beautiful chaos that I wouldn't trade for anything.

The journey of self-discovery and resilience has been a constant theme in my life. I've learned that being Unbreakable doesn't mean avoiding challenges; it means embracing them head-on and finding strength in the face of adversity.

Unbreakable: the Resilience Manifesto

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"I can bend…I can shake…but I won't break." This mantra encapsulates the essence of my version of Unbreakable living. It's a declaration of resilience—a commitment to remaining steadfast in the face of challenges. Life, much like the quantum world, is dynamic and unpredictable, unless you can focus your intentions. Being Unbreakable is about possessing the flexibility to adapt without losing one's core essence.

In the dance of life, challenges are inevitable. The ability to bend and sway, like the branches of a tree in a storm, is a testament

to strength, not weakness.

Unbreakable living isn't about avoiding challenges; it's about navigating them with grace, resilience, and an unwavering determination to emerge stronger on the other side.

The right questions and Unbreakable inquiry "Unbreakable means always asking the right questions, the kind that propels you forward through every challenge." This is a principle I hold dear, drawing inspiration from the inquisitive FOR THE FELLAS

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nature of quantum physics.

The pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and selfdiscovery is an integral part of the Unbreakable journey.

In the quantum realm, questions are the catalysts for transformation. They lead to discoveries, innovations, and a deeper understanding of the intricacies of existence.

Embracing an Unbreakable spirit involves an ongoing commitment to asking the questions that matter, both in the pursuit of knowledge and in navigating the complexities of life.

Never give up on...

Life's challenges are dynamic, evolving as we progress through the years. What seemed insurmountable in adolescence may now appear trivial in the rearview mirror of our late 30s.

However, the crux of being Unbreakable lies in the enduring commitment to never give up— on us, our circumstances, or our people.

As a father, the challenges have evolved with the passage of time. The sleepless nights that once seemed endless now serve as cherished memories. Yet, the commitment to never give up on the people we love, the circumstances we face, and, most importantly, ourselves, remains unwavering.

Nature's lessons in Unbreakable living Nature, with its timeless wisdom, has been my silent teacher in the art of Unbreakable living.

The resilience of a tree enduring the changing seasons, the unwavering persistence of a stream carving through rock— these are the lessons nature imparts.

Tip for Unbreakable Living: Take a moment to connect with nature regularly. Whether it's a walk in the woods, a quiet moment by the ocean, or simply stargazing on a clear night, let nature be your guide in finding strength and rejuvenation.

Nature has a unique way of grounding us, reminding us of the bigger picture, and inspiring an Unbreakable spirit.

Unbreakable as a concept Unbreakable is a multifaceted concept. It's dynamic, everevolving, and deeply influenced by the natural world. Nature, with its ever-changing landscapes, mirrors the dynamic essence of the Unbreakable concept.

There is no one definition that one can define Unbreakable to mean, it is your perception and your perspective that drive the meaning.

The best way to define your version of Unbreakable, is to ask yourself, “what does this mean to me?”

In my life it has meant many things…not physically giving up… knowing when to pivot my focus or say no…accepting defeat and knowing that is not the end, but a new beginning … standing behind your values and being okay with the outcome …

Just as nature endures, adapts, and evolves, so too can we. Let the love for yourself and your life be a

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guiding force in our Unbreakable journey.

Embracing the Quantum Symphony As I traverse the quantum dance of life, the love for my family, entrepreneurship, hockey, science, and nature are integral components of my Unbreakable journey. Hockey, beyond being a sport, is a metaphor for my life.

The resilience displayed on the ice, the teamwork required for success, and the ability to shake off hits and keep moving forward, all resonate deeply with the principles of Unbreakable living.

Entrepreneurship, much like the quantum leap, involves taking risks, embracing uncertainty, and persisting in the face of challenges. It's a journey that requires adaptability, resilience, and an unwavering belief in one's vision. The entrepreneurial realm, with its highs and lows, mirrors the unpredictable nature of the quantum world.

Family, the nucleus of my Unbreakable journey, provides the strength and motivation to navigate life's twists and turns. As a father of two with a third on the way, the chaos of family life is a beautiful symphony—a reminder that the most meaningful achievements are often found amidst the chaos.

Tip for Unbreakable Living: Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. Every setback is an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine your approach. The entrepreneurial journey is a series of quantum leaps—be prepared to take them with courage and resilience.

Navigating the Cosmos of self-care

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Amidst the intricacies of my life, self-care becomes the gravitational force that keeps everything in balance. Burnout is a real concern, and I've learned the importance of intentional selfcare practices to recharge and maintain an Unbreakable spirit.

activities that bring you joy and rejuvenate your mind, whether it's reading a book, practicing mindfulness, or pursuing a hobby.

Every week I dedicate two hours on Wednesday mornings to hiking in nature alone. My “Wellness Wednesday” is an opportunity to reflect on life and connect with the natural world. I am able to recognize the harmonic natural process that surrounds me and begin to apply those concepts to the way I create life.

Vulnerability is not a weakness but an inherent aspect of existence. Similarly, embracing vulnerability in your personal and professional life can lead to authentic connections and opportunities for growth. It takes strength to be open, honest, and true to yourself.

Self-care isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for sustaining the Unbreakable journey. Whether it's a solitary hike through nature, a moment of meditation, or simply unplugging from the digital noise, self-care is the compass that guides us back to our center.

Tip for Unbreakable Living: Take a moment each day to disconnect and reconnect with yourself. Whether it's a quiet walk under the stars or a few minutes of meditation, this intentional pause can be the catalyst for maintaining your Unbreakable spirit.

Taking action … my final top tips!

In conclusion, my Unbreakable journey is a harmonious blend of family, entrepreneurship, hockey, quantum physics, astrophysics, and an enduring love for nature.

It's about bending without breaking, asking the right questions, and never surrendering to the essence of who I am.

As we pirouette through the quantum dance of life, let's draw inspiration from the resilience of nature, ever-adapting and evolving. Together, as part of the Unbreakable culture, let's stand firm in the face of challenges and proclaim with unwavering conviction, "I GOT THIS!" IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

Find strength in vulnerability

Here are my final 7 tips for living an Unbreakable life:

Embrace change like quantum particles Just as particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, embrace change as a constant.

Be adaptable, stay open to new possibilities, and view challenges as opportunities for growth.

Cultivate curiosity

The spirit of inquiry is a powerful tool. Ask questions, seek knowledge, and approach challenges with a curious mindset. It's this curiosity that propels us forward in both personal and professional realms.

Connect with nature Nature is a source of solace and inspiration. Regularly immerse yourself in the natural world.

There is magic all around to discover, quiet your mind and let your senses take over.

Build a support system Just as particles interact and influence each other, surround yourself with a supportive network. Family, friends, mentors, and peers can provide valuable perspectives, encouragement, and a safety net during challenging times. Keep to the conversations that leave you feeling invigorated and inspired!

Reevaluate and reset Life is dynamic, and so are the challenges we face. Periodically reassess your goals, priorities, and strategies. A willingness to recalibrate when needed ensures that you stay aligned with your values and aspirations. It is okay to change course, pivot, or just stop… this is your decision and no one else’s.

Prioritize self-care without guilt In the hustle and bustle of life, taking care of yourself can easily slip down the priority list.

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Self-Care What does that word mean to you?

Brad Walsh

W

ell, let’s look at the actual word itself and break it down. “Self” means a person’s essential being that distinguishes them from others, and the word “care” means the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance and protection of someone or something.

Now, these are the official dictionary meanings of each of those words separately. When we put them together, in my opinion, it means looking after oneself and putting one’s well-being first and above all else in order to show up in the world being the best version of me I can be. That way I can be in and of service to others to create a ripple effect in the world that will help raise the vibration of the collective.

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Now society and all the conditioning we have had pounded into us growing up, would have us believe that putting ourselves first is selfish right? I’m going to have to call bullshit on that. I know this sounds cliché but it’s 1000% truth.

When you’re sitting on an airplane waiting to taxi down the runway, the recording that comes over the intercom system and tells you that in case of an emergency the

oxygen mask will drop from above and you are instructed to put your mask on first before assisting the person in the seat beside you.

So, tell me again why it’s selfish to put yourself first? Oh right, it’s not.

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It’s time to wake up, shift that paradigm, and look at this picture through a new frame of mind.

In order to fully show up and be present for others, and do what I believe is a big part of why we’re all here on this planet, which is to lift one another up, support each other, and be in and of service to others, we MUST look after ourselves first. Otherwise, you simply will not be able to do that.

I know through having conversations with and interviewing over 500 women, as well as witnessing first hand, growing up as a kid with my Mother and Grandmother, that women tend to put themselves and their needs and wants on the back burner, and everyone else around them first. We are seeing an incredibly high rate of burnout among women, and it sadly is continuing to climb higher. I do think this is also prevalent among our male population, but men are just too proud to admit

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it. This speaks volumes to our conditioning growing up as boys and being taught it’s not ok to be emotional or show and share our feelings, but that’s an entire conversation or article to be had at a later date.

We must first learn how to shift our minds into a place where we know it’s ok to prioritize ourselves.

Only then will we be able to begin to put our own self-care methods into practice and start to heal ourselves by showing up as the best possible version of ourselves for those around us.

What do these self-care practices look like? Well, they come in many forms, shapes and sizes.

If I’m being completely honest, this is a fairly new thing for me, and when I say new I mean in the last 2 years. I had a spiritual awakening 2 years ago which led me down this path of self-care and spirituality that started with the loss of my Grandmother. You see, I was raised by my Mother

and Grandmother and those 2 women were my biggest role models. They were/are a picture of strength and resilience. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without those women.

For me, first and foremost, it starts with movement. Getting outside in nature and walking in the fresh air. In addition to that, it’s also meditation and journaling.

These are my top 3 but it can be anything that makes your heart or your soul sing. Doing things that bring you joy and keep you in the highest possible vibrational state.

That is self-care because you’re doing something that is for you.

There are so many ways to do selfcare, you just need to find what works for YOU!

So I ask you this….what are you going to do today that is just for YOU?

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The Power Of

Partnership

A

s a man, I recognize the importance of standing beside your partner and supporting her journey as an entrepreneur and leader, is a commendable mindset.

Your commitment to championing her can have a significant and far-reaching impact on female empowerment and societal change.

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First and foremost, your presence and support validate her aspirations and provide a strong foundation for her entrepreneurial journey. By actively standing beside her, you demonstrate your belief in her abilities, skills, and vision. This validation can be incredibly empowering for her, reinforcing her self-confidence and driving her to excel.

Furthermore, being an active supporter means actively engaging with her as a partner.

It involves open and honest communication about her goals, challenges, and progress. Take the time to listen to her ideas and share your thoughts and insights constructively. By fostering a collaborative environment, you can contribute your own expertise and perspectives, helping her overcome obstacles and make informed decisions.

In addition to emotional and intellectual support, practical assistance plays a vital role in enabling her success.

Entrepreneurship demands a tremendous amount of time and energy, often leaving little room for other responsibilities.

By sharing the load, whether it's through household tasks, childcare responsibilities, or even assisting with her business operations, you allow her to focus

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on growing her venture fully. This support helps alleviate stress and gives her the space she needs to thrive.

Celebrating your partners achievements is another essential aspect of standing beside her.

Acknowledge and recognize her milestones, from small victories to significant accomplishments.

Celebrate her wins with genuine enthusiasm and pride, publicly acknowledging her successes within your circles. By doing so, you not only uplift her spirits but also highlight the value and impact of her work to others, potentially inspiring them to support and champion female entrepreneurs as well.

Networking and connections can be powerful tools in her entrepreneurial journey. Help her expand her professional network by introducing her to your contacts, inviting her to industry events, or suggesting collaboration opportunities. By leveraging your own network, you can provide her with access to valuable resources, mentors, and potential partnerships, opening doors to new opportunities that can accelerate her growth.

Beyond your individual contributions, it is crucial to advocate for gender equality

and challenge gender biases within society. Use your voice and platform to speak up against gender disparities and promote equal opportunities for women. Encourage diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of life, whether it's within your relationship, workplace, or community. By actively promoting equality, you help create an environment conducive to female empowerment and pave the way for lasting change.

Your commitment to standing beside your partner as she pursues her entrepreneurial and leadership ambitions is a powerful way to drive gender equality and empower women.

By providing unwavering support, actively collaborating, assisting practically, celebrating achievements, facilitating networking opportunities, and advocating for equality, you are creating a ripple effect that can inspire and empower women on a larger scale.

Together, you can make a significant contribution towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

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THINGS I

LOVE

HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA

Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica A long-wearing, non-comedogenic concealer that visibly blurs, brightens and conceals with medium, buildable coverage that de-puffs after 2 weeks of daily use. | $43.50 www.sephora.com

HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA

Cruelty-Free Concealer Brush Designed with a domed curve and pointed tip, this luxe concealer brush was engineered for effortless blending and coverage in hard-to-reach areas. | $38.00 www.sephora.com

LIPIKAR BAUME AP+M TRIPLE-ACTION

Body Lotion Balm, AntiItching, Soothing & AntiRelapse for Eczema-Prone & Dry Skin $33.95 www.laroche-posay.ca

ANZIE

BOHÈME ROSE QUARTZ BREAST CANCER AWARENESS RIBBON LIFESAVER BRACELET Support the fight against breast cancer in style. Round rose quartz beads are strung together with a silver ribbon charm on a stretchy cord. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the cure foundation for breast cancer. | $254

JO MALONE

Pomegranate Noir Daring sensuality, encapsulated in scent.

Ruby-rich juices of pomegranate, laced with Casablanca lily. Warmed by smoky guaiacwood and patchouli. | $220 www.jomalone.ca

www.anzie.com

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THINGS I LOVE 124

LANCÔME

LOUIS VUITTON

Discover the best kept secret of millions of women for over 30 years. The versatile, skin transforming formula wears so many effortless ways. Apply dry or wet as a powder or foundation for a natural matte finish. This portable compact is perfect for quick touch ups, and comes with both a puff and a sponge to build sheer to full coverage. | $60

Offered in a springlike bicolor version, this elegant OnTheGo MM tote lends a fresh touch to the season’s silhouettes.

Embossed Monogram Empreinte leather elevates this roomy, practical carryall, as useful for a day in town as for a day of business appointments. The bag’s top handles and long straps allow for a range of styling options. | $4500

www.lancome.ca

louisvuitton.com

Dual Finish Foundation

On The Go MM

LULULEMON

Scuba Oversized Full-Zip Hoodie With an oversized fit and the soft, cozy fabric you love, this new Scuba silhouette keeps your postpractice comfort at peak levels. | $128

LULULEMON

Warm Revelation Beanie When the temperature drops and warmth is in style, this beanie has got you covered with cozy wool-blend fabric. | $48

Lululemon.com

Lululemon.com

DYLAN LEX

Remi Choker A more subtle choker of the DYLAN LEX family. Tightly soldered crystals that fall into your collar bone, complete with square cut Swarovski’s for that extra edge.

Remi is a modern classic. | $640 Dylanlex.com

SPANX

Thinstincts Tank The best base layer! With added performance features like breathability, wicking and absorbency-Thinstincts is the perfect smoothing, lightweight layering piece. | $49 Spanx.ca

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THINGS I LOVE 125

LEGENDARY INSPIRATION FROM A

ROCKSTAR LINEUP In the future, there will be no female leaders.

There will just be leaders.

Sheryl Sandberg

Strong women don't have 'attitudes', we have standards.

Marilyn Monroe

Don't think about making women fit the world - think about making the world fit women.

Gloria Steinem

My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Strong women, that's who i really respect.

Victoria Beckham

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I encourage women to step up. Don't wait for somebody to ask you.

Reese Witherspoon

Champions keep playing until they get it right.

Billie Jean King

There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.

Michelle Obama

Stay strong. Stand up.

Have a voice.

Shawn Johnson

NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER 126

Females are the most beautiful, gorgeous creatures in the whole world. And I think that we are gorgeous no matter what size we are.

Alicia Keys

Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.

Oprah

Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water.

Eleanor Roosevelt

We need to get women to the point where they aren't apologizing. It's time to take ownership in our success.

Tory Burch

Women are leaders everywhere you look - from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.

A Really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars.

Carly Simon

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a secondrate version of somebody else.

Judy Garland

Nancy Pelosi

A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong.

Unknown

I am woman phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, that's me.

Maya Angelou

I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me.

There's something special about a woman who dominates in a man's world.

It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Rihanna

Audrey Hepburn

Women are the real architects of society.

If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.

You must love and care for yourself because that's when the best comes out.

Cher

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Dolly Parton

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.

Tina Turner NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER 127

FUR BABY

Rockstars French Bulldogs have gained immense popularity and have become beloved pets for many people around the world. Their cute and smooshie appearance, combined with their lovable personalities, have made them a favorite choice among dog lovers.

F

Frenchies have also captured the attention of celebrities. Many well-known individuals, including actors, entrepreneurs, musicians, and even Olympians, have shown their fondness for this breed. Social media platforms like Instagram have played a significant role in showcasing these celebrities and their adorable Frenchie companions, further increasing their popularity.

owners. People who encounter them on the street or see them online often find themselves captivated by their charm. Their widespread appeal has made them a favorite breed among dog enthusiasts worldwide.

Here are a few fun facts that make Frenchie’s stand out:

1. ADORABLE APPEARANCE French Bulldogs have a distinct and charming appearance that sets them apart. They have a compact, muscular body with a large square-shaped head, prominent round eyes, and a flat, wrinkled face. Their "bat ears" are erect and give them an alert and attentive expression.

French Bulldogs have become stars in their own right, not only among their immediate communities but also on a global scale. Some of them have gained widespread recognition through their social media presence or their association with famous owners. These dogs have amassed large followings and have become influential figures in the world of pet influencers.

The love and adoration for French Bulldogs extend beyond their IAMUNBREAKABLE.COM

ROCKSTAR FUR BABIES 128

2. PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT French Bulldogs have a friendly, affectionate, and sociable nature. They are known for being excellent companions and family pets. They form strong bonds with their owners and enjoy spending time with them. French Bulldogs are generally good with children and get along well with other pets.

3. LOW EXERCISE NEEDS Compared to some other breeds, French Bulldogs have relatively low exercise requirements. They are not overly active or athletic dogs and typically prefer short walks and indoor playtime. This

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aspect makes them suitable for individuals or families who lead a more relaxed or less active lifestyle.

4. ADAPTABILITY French Bulldogs are known for their adaptability. They can adjust well to different living environments, including apartments and houses with small yards. Their moderate size and calm demeanor make them suitable for urban living.

5. MINIMAL GROOMING French Bulldogs have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. They shed moderately, making them a

good choice for individuals who prefer a dog breed with less hair maintenance.

French Bulldogs have garnered a significant following and have become rockstars; capturing the hearts of their parents and a vast number of admirers through various media platforms.

Share your Frenchie Cuteness with us and win a chance to be featured in the next I Am Unbreakable magazine in our “Fur Baby Rockstars” section.

ROCKSTAR FUR BABIES 129

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ROCKSTAR FUR BABIES 130

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