The Best You June 2016

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EVERYONE - EVERYWHERE

MAGAZINE

THE BEST YOU ISSUE 43 | JUNE 2016 | THEBESTYOU.CO

Be Inspired

Paul

KUTE BLACKSON

McCartney A NEW SPIRITUAL LEADER FOR TODAY'S GENERATION

A LOOK AT A LIFETIME OF MUSICAL INNOVATION

NATHAN DOUGLAS

THE SPORTS STAR TALKS OLYMPICS, NLP AND HIS PLANS FOR RIO

ANDY MURRAY

THE STORY BEHIND THE RISE OF THE GLOBAL TENNIS STAR

DOREEN VIRTUE

WHY YOU CAN BE CREATIVE – AND HOW TO GET STARTED

PLUS: MEET A REAL LIFE MERMAID!

MAGAZINE

THE BEST YOU

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EVERYONE - EVERYWHERE ISSUE 43 | JUNE 2016 | THEBESTYOU.CO

Be Inspired

Paul

KUTE BLACKSON

McCartney A NEW SPIRITUAL LEADER FOR TODAY'S GENERATION

A LOOK AT A LIFETIME OF MUSICAL INNOVATION

NATHAN DOUGLAS

THE SPORTS STAR TALKS OLYMPICS, NLP AND HIS PLANS FOR RIO

ANDY MURRAY

THE STORY BEHIND THE RISE OF THE GLOBAL TENNIS STAR

DOREEN VIRTUE

WHY YOU CAN BE CREATIVE – AND HOW TO GET STARTED

PLUS: MEET A REAL LIFE MERMAID!

EDITOR'S LETTER | BERNARDO MOYA

Bernardo Moya Editor-in-chief

WHERE WILL

YOU GO? I recently chaired a panel at a great event called Migrant Women, promoted by Mirela Sula. It was such an overwhelming and inspiring day with so many amazing stories of women and men that have overcome great adversity in their lives.

It was a room full of true empowerment and resilience. I often say that the world would be a much better place if we were all more empathetic. If we really made an effort to understand other people's challenges and where they are coming from.

Much was discussed about global history, and how human beings have travelled and explored throughout time.

The bottom line is that we are all immigrants, our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents have explored the world, for thousands of years.

One delegate neatly put it that, in his words, "Immigrants are modern explorers". One of the speakers on my session panel, Joe St. Clair, reminded us that new science also accepts that the universe – including us – is made up of energy, not matter.

Socrates said that the universe is made of energy, which was there before man and other material things like the earth came along. So if that's what we are, how is it important where we come from or what we look like?

I appreciate we live in challenging times, but at a time when we are deciding whether to stay in the EU or not, and being the son of an immigrant myself, I truly believe it's time for integration, rather than separation. The internet, technology and modern transport all allow us to be more global, yet we seem to be fighting the net result of this innovation at the same time.

Twitter: @Bernardo_Moya

of Sir Paul McCartney and Andy Murray, let this issue inspire your journey this summer.

In this issue, we feature an article from Mirela Sula's event, and we also share details of how The Best You is creating an innovative and unique platform for those seeking to improve their own lives.

We also interview a rising star in the personal development world, Kute Blackson. The son of a Ghanaian preacher and healer, he arrived in London as a young boy and absorbed more than 1,800 personal development books before the age of 18.

From this incredible knowledge he launched his own transformative spiritual coaching practice and has now written his first book, You Are The One which has been widely praised by everyone, from Jack Canfield to Larry King. Read about his remarkable story on page 10.

With other amazing names including Doreen Virtue, Sharon Lechter and Shaa Wasmund featured, plus profiles

www. t he b e s t youm ag a z i n e . c o

03

THE BEST YOU MAGAZINE CONTENTS | ISSUE 43 | JUNE 2016

REGULARS 03 EDITOR’S LETTER

Bernardo Moya welcomes you to this month’s issue of The Best You 72

WE SUPPORT...

Small Charity Week, a focus on helping innovative and original charities to raise awareness and support

32

BOOK REVIEWS

A few of our favourite recently published books – plus your chance to win some great reads

FEATURES 22

26

30

PAUL MCCARTNEY Celebrating a milestone this month and a summer of performance

ANDY MURRAY The UK tennis hopeful at this month's Wimbledon

HANNAH MERMAID An eco-activist and model, protecting the ocean's wildlife

16

THE TIME OF OUR LIVES

Movies for the great outdoors

INNER YOU 10

NO-ONE'S COMING Kute Blackson is a new leader for the spiritual age, according to a wealth of stars from the personal development world. Read about his extraordinary life and work in The Best You's interview

ENJOY LIFE 16

TOP 6 OUTDOOR CINEMA CLASSICS

The movies to catch at an outdoor screen near you!

19

THE GOOD NEWS

With so much of what we read in the papers being negative, The Best You brings you some good news

20

JUMP TO IT!

Nathan Douglas talks NLP with Bernardo Moya

To enjoy additional digital content, interactive design, video and online galleries, please download The Best You App

04

w ww.t hebest y oumagaz ine.co

22

PAUL MCCARTNEY

The life and times of A British Star

THE BEST YOU MAGAZINE CONTENTS | ISSUE 43 | JUNE 2016

LIVE LOVE LEGACY 40

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

From the streets of South London to culinary innovator and entrepreneur, Jemal Peters shares his transformative story

42

JOIN THE BEST YOU JOURNEY

Want to become the best version of yourself?

Here's where to start with The Best You's success programme

44

THE AHA! MOMENT

46

Go with your hunches and watch life fall into place

WHAT DOES IT TAKE… …to be beekeeper? The Best You chats with Tim Lovett of the British Beekeepers Association

FEEL & LOOK GOOD

MEL WELLS

Get healthy with the way you eat

50

50

FROM ONE GODDESS TO ANOTHER

Mel Wells explains why we need to love our bodies

52

THE COURAGE TO BE CREATIVE

Doreen Virtue introduces her new book which shows you how to get creative and succeed

54

THE POWER OF MIGRANT WOMEN

A report from the Migrant Woman Conference and Awards 2016

WEALTH & RICHES 58

Shaa Wasmund explains why it's never too late to put that much-wished for plan for success into action

60

LOOK AND LEARN

SHAA WASMUND

58

Behaviour expert Jez Rose says we need to think about it!

62

HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL TO SUPPORT YOUR BRAND

Sharon Lechter explains why content must come from the heart

64

THE ROCKY ROAD TO SUCCESS

Why you should just do it, now!

STOP TALKING, START DOING

The Best You looks at people, past and present, who worked hard for their moment in the spotlight

21ST CENTURY LIVING 68

VLOGGERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE The Best You recognises vlogstars doing good

70

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Bryan Szabo reviews the latest gadgets

www. t he b e s t youm ag a z i n e . c o

05

THE BEST YOU MAGAZINE | JUNE 2016 | CONTRIBUTORS

DASKA DAVIS

is deputy editor at The Best You. This issue she chats with Kute Blackson, Jemal Peters, Mariana Cooper, Lisa Lister and Jez Rose. "With additional contributions from Doreen Virtue, Mel Wells and Sharon Lechter, this issue of The Best You features a stellar cast to inspire your summer of personal growth." @TheBestYou

SHARON LECHTER

is an American accountant, author, businesswoman, investor, motivational speaker, financial literacy activist and philanthropist. She is also the founder and CEO of Pay Your Family First, a financial education organisation. Now working with The Best You, she will speak at The Best You Expo 2017. @sharonlechter

KUTE BLACKSON

BRYAN SZABO

JEZ ROSE

SHAA WASMUND

is an utterly unique visionary in the world of human potential. Unlike those who promise to simply help people 'get' what they want, his life work instead reveals to people what they have to give, by liberating who they are most truly and deeply. The focus: Freedom. @kuteblackson

is a behaviourist with ten years’ experience working with individuals, teams and the world's leading brands. He helps people become extraordinary through his practical training events. Author of Have a Crap Day and Flip The Switch, he appears regularly on radio, TV and in print, and is a TEDx speaker. @JezRose

is a Canadian-born freelance editor and writer who specialises in helping authors realise their full potential as writers. He believes that everybody has a story that should be told. His appearance on the acknowledgement page of dozens of titles proves that the voice he is helping budding authors to find is a precious thing indeed. @eidolonink

is one of Britain’s most highly regarded digital entrepreneurs. She is the author of the #1 best-selling book Stop Talking and Start Doing. As founder and CEO of Smarta, a site dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners, she shares her knowledge with more than 500,000 unique visitors a month. @shaawasmund

EDITOR/PUBLISHER BERNARDO MOYA info@thebestyou.co DEPUTY EDITOR DASKA DAVIS editorial@thebestyou.co GRAPHIC & DIGITAL DESIGNER MONICA NOTARNICOLA design@thebestyou.co THE BEST YOU EXPO, PARTNERSHIPS & ADVERTISING LOUISE DOCKERY louise.dockery@thebestyou.co | LUCIANO MOYA luciano.moya@thebestyou.co THE BEST YOU ADVISORS STEVE KELLY steve.kelly@thebestyou.co

Be Inspired

JULIAN DALEY julian.daley@thebestyou.co | MARVYN EBANKS marvyn.ebanks@thebestyou.co OFFICE MANAGER FRANCESCA GUIDALI francesca.guidali@thebestyou.co

NATHAN DOUGLAS

MATT WINGETT

DOREEN VIRTUE

MEL WELLS

is continually marvelled for the elegant style and spring with which he carries out the triple jump. A Sky Sports Living for Sport Athlete Mentor, he is a two-times Olympian and European silver medalist, and a four-times National Champion and National Championship record holder. @NathanJDouglas

is an American author and founder of Angel Therapy, a nondenominational spiritual healing method that involves working with a person's guardian angels and archangels, to heal and harmonise every aspect of life. She has written more than 50 books on the subject and shares her latest work in this issue. @DoreenVirtue

is a Portsmouth-based author who is also an NLP master. He uses skills learned from hypnotist Paul McKenna and NLP co-creator Richard Bandler in his work. For The Best You, he writes about life and careers of Sir Paul McCartney and Andy Murray, and interviews eco-activist and model, Hannah Mermaid for this issue. @MattWingett

is an author, speaker and coach at The Green Goddess Life which empowers women to stop dieting for good, by adopting a healthy, loving relationship with food, and a brand new lifestyle that reflects this. Featured in Hello!, Cosmopolitan, Heat and Closer, her client list includes celebrities, actresses, models and reality stars. @IAmMelWells

The Best You Magazine is published by The Best You Corporation Ltd, 5 Percy Street, W1T 1DG. TEL: +44 (0) 207 927 6502 EMAIL: info@thebestyou.co Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect The Best You Corporation Ltd, policy. The Best You Corporation Ltd accepts no responsibility for views expressed by its contributors.

Advertisements and reader offers are not endorsed by The Best You or The Best You Corporation Ltd.

REACH PEOPLE

INTERESTED & PASSIONATE

ABOUT PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. ADVERTISE

ONE MONTH, Be Inspired

GET ONE FREE

Call today + 44 (0) 207 9276500 or email us at advertising@thebestyou.co

Be Inspired

INNER YOU Connect with the wonderful, special and powerful inside.

Learn ways to get your mind and body in balance, bringing out the rich core of your being. Discover the secrets that will enable you to take charge of your inner life and become The Best You.

10

THE NEW LEADER

An interview with Kute Blackson

PUT YOUR COMPANY IN THIS SPACE! TO SPONSOR THIS PAGE AND BE PART OF THE BEST YOU, EMAIL US AT ADVERTISING@THEBESTYOU.CO

It might sound like a bad thing, but the good news is the rescue squad is inside of you! Life coach Kute Blackson wants us to take ownership of our potential to find personal freedom, and the starting point is his new book, You Are The One

INNER YOU | KUTE BLACKSON

NO-ONE’S

COMING

K

ute Blackson has, quite literally, witnessed a lifetime of transformation. Born in West Africa, the son of a Japanese Buddhist mother and Ghanaian spiritual leader and healer father, his first childhood memory is of seeing a crippled woman crawling across the floor. His father picked up a handful of sand, poured it on her legs, she was cured and walked.

Known as the ‘Miracle Man of Africa,’ Blackson’s father had spent time in India in the 60s where he studied spirituality and philosophy.

Blackson’s childhood was an enlightened one where the family’s bookshelves were crammed with texts by personal development gurus such as Jack Canfield, Barbara De Angelis, John Gray and Tony Robbins.

When the family moved from Ghana to London, Blackson recalls sitting in Wandsworth Town Hall as his father preached, and at just eight he was already addressing his father’s congregation. Ordained at

14, the future for Blackson junior could have been to follow in his father’s footsteps, but speaking with him today, it’s clear there’s not a shred of predictability in his body.

experience but I knew without it I was limiting the authenticity of my soul.

“I started questioning at a very early age,” says Blackson, “I read my first self-help book at eight and I had probably read 1,800 titles by the age of 18. I was the geeky kid absorbed by Canfield, De Angelis and Robbins as I travelled from Dulwich to Peckham, between school and home.

I HAD A UNIQUE BACKGROUND AND A VISION, AND I BELIEVE IT IS OUR JOB TO BE FULLY USED BY THE UNIVERSE.”

“Those authors were my friends growing up. I knew I was destined to follow my father into teaching, but I knew it wouldn’t be in a church structure. It was definitely a calling.”

Although his vast knowledge of the personal development world was invaluable in his growth and development, Blackson says he grew out of certain ways of thinking and knew that he had to find his own route.

He moved to America, with just two suitcases to his name, in a bid to forge his own path. “I hit a brick wall, he says, “At 22 I was frustrated and started to travel. I had so much to give and it was just not happening. I was broke and in a relationship that wasn’t working.

"I prayed and said I wanted to know the truth and find happiness. It started my own process of peeling away layers of accumulated knowledge and letting go. It was a scary

"

“There’s no-one like me or any of us, and I took a conscious decision to feel deeply and let go, thinking if I fail, I fail being myself.

I had a realisation that if I stopped looking outside I could go inside and clear away the blocks. I wanted to be the most authentic human being I was born to be.”

Blackson’s travels took him to India, Bali, Stonehenge, places of spiritual growth and he subsequently launched his own coaching business.

“I went to India for six months and cried, it was an outpouring of emotion but I was ready to help people.”

He embarked on a radical ‘Liberation Experience’ where he worked intensively with clients, many of them billionaires, athletes, musicians, taking them to remote destinations in India and Bali – where Blackson had found his own voyage of discovery – and where they were stripped emotionally bare of the material wealth that surrounds them,

www. t he b e s t youm ag a z i n e . c o

11

INNER YOU | KUTE BLACKSON and challenged to face their deepest fears to emerge reborn.

“My first client had serious addiction issues – they’d blown £250k in a weekend on drugs – but I took them to India and transformed their life in 30 days. It produced radical results, word spread and, organically, I started coaching more people one-to-one and I became the next evolution of myself. I realised I had to go through the fire to become the person who could serve.”

Physically and mentally exhausting, Blackson describes the trips as,

"

AN INNER YOGA THAT FORCES ME TO STRETCH INTERNALLY. THEY MOVE ME BEYOND ANY SPACE, I HAVE TO LOSE MY MIND. "I’m giving, giving, giving and it’s an incredible stress but at the end I feel more energy and a profound release than at any other time. It’s a game changer and when my clients come back they have the power to make an impact on their worlds.”

Blackson also started to post blogs and videos, sharing his insights from his journeys, building vast audiences who fervently follow his broadcasts.

Now, Blackson has written his first book, You Are The One, which shares insights to guide readers on a transformational journey to live a truly authentic, extraordinary life.

12

“I started writing the book ten years ago,” says Blackson, “and it was just an amalgam of thoughts.

At first I approached it as if I was writing a method coaching book, and then thought I would draw upon my blog posts, but it wasn’t authentic to who I am, and I knew it had to be recast if it was going to transform people’s lives. It wasn’t what my soul was telling me to do, and I had to surrender and become a servant to the soul of the book. It was a humbling process.”

Despite the manuscript being turned down nine times, Blackson found the inner strength and insight to rewrite the final draft in just six weeks.

"

IT WAS CHALLENGING AND SCARY ON THE SURFACE AND I WANTED TO GIVE UP BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT ANYTHING WORTH FIGHTING FOR ISN’T EASY.

A new voice for a new generation, like his father, Blackson is making a real difference to his followers’ lives.

“My mother’s and father’s work was all about service to the community,” says Blackson, “and really it’s all I ever wanted to do.”

You Are The One: A Bold Adventure in Finding Purpose, Discovering the Real You, and Loving Fully

by Kute Blackson is published by Simon & Schuster

WHAT THE INDUSTRY’S SAYING… “Kute Blackson is a leading visionary in the field of personal development. His work is remarkable, powerful, and will transform your life. You Are The One is a must read for all!!"

- Larry King, Emmy & Peabody, winning talk show host

“Kute Blackson is a bold voice and leader for the new generation of seekers. His book, You Are The One, is a unique message that will inspire you to fulfill your full potential and create the life you want!"

- Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and the #1 New York Times best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series

"I was just about ready to quit, but I remember reading how Pharrell Williams’ Happy had been turned down numerous times by the producers of Despicable Me, but he finally hit upon the hit track and it blew him up globally.

“Again and again through each compelling story I became Kute’s student, his peer, and finally his brother. Great teachers know how to pace their revelations to defeat our resistance as they reveal the truth. Kute Blackson is among the greatest,”

“When I saw that, I nearly cried and I was encouraged that something great was going to happen. I had to get my ego out of the way and surrender to the process.”

“He’slikeMorpheusfromTheMatrix.WearingNikes,”

Like all that Blackson puts his hand to, it is presented in a unique style and has been hailed by many as revolutionary, with Marianne Williamson describing him as, “The personal development movement’s answer to a new leader”.

The resulting book has been lauded by some of the personal development world’s biggest names including Jack Canfield, Mike Dooley and John Gray, many of whom are Blackson’s own heroes, as a remarkable and transformative work.

Published by Simon and Schuster, the book created a bidding war.

“It’s very touching,” says Blackson. “People like Jack, I read at 14 and wrote to

w ww.t hebest y oumagaz ine.co

him. When I came to New York I practically stalked him until I met him. He’s now a good friend and I was humbled by his comments.”

- Mike Dooley, NY Times best-selling author of Infinite Possibilities and Leveraging the Universe

- Arielle Ford & Brian Hilliard, co-authors of The Soulmate Secret

“Kute Blackson is the real deal. His book, You Are The One, will take you on a profound journey of self-discovery, and powerfully guide you to step into your greatness. He reminds you of the innate power you possess. This book is a bold wake up call to living your destiny!”

- John Gray, author of Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

To find out more visit KUTEBLACKSON.COM

14

www.t hebest y o umagaz ine.co

Be Inspired

40

GO-TO GIRLS Wonderful women vloggers

16

MOVIE MAGIC

Your guide to outdoor movies

ENJOY LIFE

19

20

THE GOOD NEWS

Positive ideas and innovations

UNDER THE SEA

Meet a real life mermaid

Laughter, humour, travel, love – these are the things that add the sparkle that makes life worth living. Climb a mountain, give to others, start a family, embrace life. What are the things you wish you had done but haven’t yet? Life is no rehearsal – enjoy life every day.

PUT YOUR COMPANY IN THIS SPACE! TO SPONSOR THIS PAGE AND BE PART OF THE BEST YOU, EMAIL US AT ADVERTISING@THEBESTYOU.CO

TOP 6

OUTDOOR CINEMA CLASSICS 1

DIRTY DANCING

With its 60s styling and soundtrack, Dirty Dancing has the power to whisk us back to the golden era of summer camps. In this unforgettable romance, Baby (Jennifer Grey) has one more year until she joins the Peace Corps, but when she arrives at Kellerman’s Resort with her family for a last family vacation, she discovers dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) and his gang’s style of ‘dirty dancing’. Summer romance doesn’t get much hotter than this!

Whether it’s a projector and sheet in your own backyard or a night out at some of the UK’s finest landmarks, there’s a feast of films on show at outdoor cinemas across the UK this summer.

Here’s The Best You’s best views…

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

2

Bringing the set list bang up-to-date, outdoor cinemas across the UK will be airing the seventh installment in the Star Wars film series. Directed by J. J. Abrams there’s a ton of special effects that mean even if you saw it on release, you simply have to head to an outdoor screen to watch it again and see the other half of what you missed first time round.

ENJOY LIFE | TOP 6

4 THE EXORCIST

Praised by Stephen King as an influence on his work, and one of the highest grossing horror movies of all times, The Exorcist follows the demonic possession of a 12-yearold girl and her mother’s attempts to save her with an exorcism by two priests. Shot in 1973, this film still has the power to spook!

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

GREASE

5

Oozing with sing-a-long songs, style and stars, Grease was the film that shot John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John to stardom in 1978. Set in 1958, Sandy and Zuko rekindle their summer romance at Rydell High school – but will their friends, the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, approve? Superb casting and enough plot to support the music which is undoubtedly this movie’s sweet spot.

3 AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Another 80s classic, Michael J. Fox made his name as Marty McFly in this sci fi adventure comedy. Teaming up with Dr Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd), the doc has cooked up a time travelling DeLorean which transports Marty back to his home town, circa 1955. Seeing his parents in a new light, Marty and the Doc have to engineer his return to 1985 before history unravels and he and his siblings are eroded from time. An awesome adventure with a cracking soundtrack.

6

Filmed on location in Surrey and Wales, John Landis added comedy to the horror genre with this 1981 tale of two American tourists whose lives take a dramatic turn when they are attacked by a wolf on the moors.

While Jack is killed, David discovers that he has become a werewolf and the story follows his romp through the capital. Don’t miss Rik Mayall’s cameo as a chess player.

ENJOY LIFE

1

GOOD NEWS

JAVA FUEL

Ditch traditional firelighters and start up the BBQ with a more environmentally friendly solution this summer. Bio-bean is crowdfunding for a new consumer product, Coffee Logs, biomass briquettes that are made from spent grounds collected from coffee shops around London. The company aims to produce truly carbon-neutral fuel.

BIO-BEAN.COM

2

MORE MOO, LESS PHEW

Scientists in Kerala, India are tackling the root cause of the estimated 13m tons of methane released by cows into the atmosphere each year. It might sound strange, but the gas is an enormous contributor to climate change and so breeding experts are developing mini cows which produce less milk but also release less gass and manure. Importantly they are able to withstand extremely high temperatures, making them a solution for the Indian climate.

KVASU.AC.IN

3

IT’S A BIRDIE!

Drones have had a bit of bad press in the UK, but Japanese golfers are now using the hovering tech to deliver equipment and refreshments to the course.

Players at the Camel Golf Course, Tokyo can order via an app and staff at a nearby depot pack the deliveries which are sent to a nearby pick-up point.

SORARAKU. RAKUTEN.CO.JP

4

LOOKING GOOD

Next summer’s beach body could get a whole lot easier to achieve thanks to a new smart mirror that tracks improvements to your fitness. The Naked 3D fitness mirror is scheduled for release in 2017 and uses infrared sensors, rotating scales and an app to scan and measure your body.

As you exercise it tells you how your body is changing and getting into shape.

Fitness just got smarter.

NAKED.FIT

www. t he b e s t youm ag a z i n e . c o

19

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

To find out more about Hannah Mermaid, visit HANNAHFRASER.COM/ MERMAID

Photography by Shawn Heinrichs

Photography by David Pu'u

Photography by Stefan Lemanski

Photography by Shawn Heinrichs

HANNAH MERMAID FORCE OF

NATURE Hannah Mermaid, aka Hannah Fraser, is the first person to make their living as a full-time mermaid. She tells The Best You how she came to make a unique career out of a passion for the sea – and the pros and cons of swimming with the sharks

ENJOY LIFE | HANNAH MERMAID As far back as she can remember, Hannah Fraser was fascinated by mermaids.

"I was drawing mermaids before I drew stick figures," she smiles. "They had mermaid tails. I went to the library as a kid, aged five, seven, looking for books on mermaids, and asking everyone where do I find them?"

At nine, she "lost her brain" when she saw the Daryl Hannah movie Splash. "I cut out every magazine picture I could of Daryl Hannah in her tail and plastered them over my wall," she laughs. "I was like, oh my god, someone's actually doing it, they made it real! - that's when I made my first tail."

A photo shows nine-year-old Hannah by the family pool in the tail, made from an orange plastic tablecloth that she and her mum spent hours on. "I painted tiny gold scales all over it."

Perhaps because her dad, Andy Fraser, was bassist with 1970s rock band Free, and her mother, Ri, was an Australian spiritual healer, Hannah was destined for unconventionality. Born in Chertsey, UK, in 1974, she grew up in Los Angeles.

Her father supplied the rebel gene and love of the spotlight, her mother encouraged creative self-expression and spiritual awareness.

Aged seven, she spent a glorious year onn an Ashram in Ganeshpuri, playing with other kids in gardens among statues of ancient Indian heroes and saints, attending plays, meditations and chants. "I learned techniques that, amazingly, set me up to be a mermaid in later life. Doing all this incredible yogic technique, breathing, chanting, meditating, gave me flexibility and a way to combat fear, learn how to be really focused, connect into a higher source, and get my ego out of the way so I could put myself in really challenging situations and rise to them. I learnt to exist in alternative cultures and what we call normal society."

At nine, her parents separated and she moved with her mother to Australia, where the mermaiding urge lay dormant. In her twenties, Hannah lived as an artist in Australia's hippy central, Byron Bay, an eco-activist, performance artist and dancer, attending dance parties in the forest. Then, at 29, an epiphany occurred – she realised if she walked away from creating visual art, she would still be worthwhile.

When she was offered an underwater modelling job she saw the pictures and thought, 'Wow, I am my art!' Freshly inspired, she made a tail and persuaded surfer friends to photograph her for her portfolio. Her plan? To be an underwater model... a mermaid.

For five years, she focussed on activism.

As her reputation spread, she worked with film crews and advertisers – but eco-activism remained paramount.

Sometimes, projects were scary.

One film involved showing that great

white sharks aren't just killing machines, but can connect with humans. Hannah agreed to swim with them, unprotected. It tested her courage to the limits, especially when, before getting into the water, one shark wrecked the divers' protective cage.

"Taking off into the deep endless blue, going alongside a shark, in my tail – it was like I'd left all thought processes behind and I was entirely present.

Everything slowed to absolute stillness.

I was part of the eco-system. I didn't feel threatened by the shark. That gave me confidence. I swam every day for five days."

Once, however, a great white came at her.

Completely alone and unprotected, she remembered her briefing: show it who's boss; behave like the apex predator. "I put my hands up, I started swimming towards it and screaming underwater. I was saying something like, 'Come on motherf***er, I'll take you out'. It just went, 'Woah, that is not dinner,' and took off. After that I was kind of invincible. Like, if I can do that I can do anything in the whole wide world. I've scared off a great white shark!"

So, what about fear?

"

THERE'S NO SPACE FOR FEAR IN THE WATER... FEAR HAPPENS BEFOREHAND. "Fear happened for two weeks solid, having nightmares about sharks and waking up with sweaty palms, and telling my mum, 'I love you, I hope I make it back'. That was where the fear was. And in the moment of putting the tail on and looking down and seeing these things in the water. When you're in there, present, aware, you're just completely in the flow, in the zone. Otherwise don't get in."

Considering the dangers of such shoots, she says: "You've got to do your research, you've got to make your plans, you've got to be 100 per cent respectful of entering another animal's environment."

Hannah also appeared in The Cove, a 2010 Academy Award-winning documentary about the Taiji Bay dolphin slaughter. Despite threat of imprisonment, swimming in dolphin blood, beatings from fishermen (she returned with severely bruised legs), and being intimidated with boat propellers, The Cove didn't make the impact she'd hoped; most people didn't want to watch a distressing film about dolphin slaughter.

To create positive, inspirational images, Hannah teamed up with underwater photographer Shawn Heinrichs. The world's first whale shark fashion shoot was born, bringing worldwide media attention to eco-tourism rather than hunting.

Next, Hannah heard that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species (CITES) was balloting on which animals to protect. Manta rays were overfished, yet ignored. "We realised mantas had a very limited time frame to get on to the ballot."

The resulting publicity shoot, off Hawaii, was like nothing she'd done before. Hannah was 30-feet down, weighted to the bottom of the ocean, in a powerful swell.

"I take the mask off and it's dark, so all I can see is a trio of lights shining from the surface, and bright lights from the bottom," she recalls. "I couldn't see the safety divers or photographers. I was alone in the blackness, holding my breath. Trying not to die, basically... There were viper eels wrapped around my legs. I'm in this weird semi-freaked-out state... with absolute trust that someone will bring me air when I ask for it. Then the manta rays came in, and when they started interacting with me, it's like nothing else exists. I am literally having my own close encounters of the third kind experience. There's these alien spaceship lights, then there's these huge flying things sweeping over my head, and I can touch them. I think about it and I think did I really do that? It's so surreal."

Then, the swell lifted her dress over her head and support divers scrabbled to her with air. For long seconds, it was touch and go...

It was worth it. After the film was shown to CITES delegates, 80 per cent voted for manta ray protection.

A tiger shark shoot in the Bahamas followed, after the Australian government announced a tiger shark cull to protect tourists – despite no recorded attacks. Hannah is quick to say hers was one action among many, but the video garnered massive coverage.

The legislation was overturned.

Hannah says: "Humans kill one hundred million sharks a year. Sharks kill ten humans. Out of all the animals I swam with in the ocean, these apex predators were the only ones that came back time and again for physical connection. I could feel their massive muscles flexing. I even tickled one on the nose, and it seemed to enjoy it!"

It was extremely dangerous, but pulling off a shoot with so many logistical challenges was deeply personally rewarding.

Hannah's art provides a bridge of understanding between humans and animals. So, how does she sum up her job as the world's first fulltime professional mermaid? "When you've got pounds of weights stuffed into your bikini and you're holding your breath until you feel like your lungs will burst, you're freezing cold, shivering, hypothermic and in fear of your life – and you can make it look like you're effortlessly dancing – that's what I do!"

With a busy summer of festival and US dates, the former Beatles and Wings star shows no signs of slowing down as he celebrates his 74th birthday this month. We look at the achievements of the man who wrote the world's mostfrequently recorded song and celebrate his life and contribution to music

ALEGENDARY COVER STORY | PAUL MCCARTNEY

VOICE

With a career stretching more than 50 years, Paul McCartney has one of the most famous faces – and voices – of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

His song Yesterday has been re-recorded more than 2,200 times – making it the most frequently recorded song of all time. He was half of the extraordinary Lennon and McCartney creative collaboration which produced the soundtrack for an era, and has pushed the boundaries of music, first as part of The Beatles, one of the most influential rock bands of all time, and then with his own band, solo and in collaboration with other famous artists.

Quintessentially British, he has received both an MBE and a knighthood and has even written and performed a movie soundtrack to another British icon, James Bond.

McCartney has worked with countless stars, including John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Kanye West and Rihanna among many others. The 1979 Guinness Book of World Records described McCartney as the ‘most honoured composer and performer in music’ with 60 gold discs (43 with The Beatles, and 17 with Wings) and as the world's most successful songwriter. By 2009, the tally was 188 charted records in the UK, including 91 Top 10 hits, and 33 #1s.

McCartney draws influences from classical, dance band, rock, jazz, reggae, rap, skiffle and countless other sources and is constantly seeking to find new forms of expression and new ways to work. He was fascinated by the avant garde in the 1960s, and conceived the world's first ever concept album, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

His range is wide. As well as rock and pop, his Liverpool Oratorio reached #1 in the Classical Album Charts, and he has continued his experimentation with classical music on the album Working Classical and, more recently, A Garland for Linda.

His life has also been marked by sadness and controversy. In 1980, he was accused of being heartless after he was asked about the death of John Lennon on the night of his shooting.

Tired and shocked, he replied, "It's a drag, innit?" Those words haunted him in the coming months and years.

The Beatles draw strong emotions because they mean so much to so many. Earlier that same year, McCartney was arrested in Japan for possessing marijuana and spent nine days in jail.

At Miami International Airport, Kenneth Lambert, a young man with no passport or money demanded a flight to Japan so he could, "Free Paul". He pulled a realistic toy gun and was shot dead by by police. In Japan, a protesting fan was shot, though not killed. There was even an acid-fuelled rumour that McCartney was supposedly killed in the 1960s, by John Lennon, who announced, "I buried Paul" at the end of Strawberry Fields Forever.

These are some of the passions this man has stirred. It's almost impossible to keep track of the extraordinary and multi-faceted life he has led – but it's worth taking a look at the early influences in his life to see how the former Beatle began his musical life.

James Paul McCartney was born on 18 June 1942 in Walton Hospital, Liverpool, England, where his mother, Mary Patricia, was a midwife and his father, James (Jim) McCartney, was a volunteer firefighter during World War II. He was joined by Mike, his younger brother, in 1944.

The family were poor and soon moved from Liverpool city centre to Speke, where they lived in subsidised council housing that came as part of Mary's job. Mary always kept up standards, managing to send Paul and Mike to school looking clean and tidy in a period when over-cleanliness was discouraged due to the waste of resources.

McCartney's clean-cut, butter-wouldn'tmelt-in-the-mouth image may well be down to her early influence.

From the age of 14, Jim McCartney had worked for A Hannay and Co, Cotton Merchants, where, he made the unusual jump from warehouse to the role of suited salesman. The most important thing about Jim for McCartney's career was his musical ability. He had been the leader of local ensemble, Jim Mac And His Big Band, which filled dance halls and labour clubs with the day's popular ragtime numbers.

This early musical influence was central to McCartney. At their home was an upright piano, and McCartney would join the family to sing around it. His dad had a love of vocalists like Fred Astaire and even Rudy Vallee, one of the old Jazz age singers. Perhaps that's why McCartney deliberately flunked his audition to sing for the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral Choir, because even as a boy he found it "so BBC" and "uptight".

His home life was stable, despite his father being averse to him singing, "Yeah" instead of "Yes" when they sang together – a word that would be central to The Beatles' future, not least with the line, She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.

At school, McCartney was a bright and talented child who enjoyed learning.

He was early tipped to be a teacher.

But all this changed as he reached his teens and he heard the music of, first, Bill Haley in 1955 – and then Elvis Presley in 1956. By now, McCartney, a latch-key kid, had been bunking off school to smoke and write lyrics in a local graveyard. When his dad bought him a trumpet, McCartney mastered the basics, but realising he wanted to sing, he traded it in for a Zenith acoustic guitar, having to reverse the strings in order to suit his left-handed playing.

McCartney became something of a "human jukebox", learning song after song and knocking them out on request.

Around this time, he met George Harrison on the bus to school, and the pair built a close friendship. Already, many of the elements were in place for his future, but the thing that changed him and made him withdraw into music was personal loss. His mother, Mary, died of cancer in 1956. This had a pivotal effect on McCartney. He lost interest in academic life, and focused increasingly on music.

He became obsessed with playing, with one friend commenting that he was as likely to sing at you as talk to you.

When he was writing, his work showed occasional brilliance. Indeed, it was early on that McCartney wrote his later massive hit, When I'm Sixty-Four.

In 1957, McCartney met John Lennon, who was singing with The Quarry Men at a summer fête in St Peter's Parish church in Woolton. McCartney immediately gave Lennon a mini-concert of rock 'n' roll hits of the time, to which an impressed Lennon is reported to have responded with, "F*** me."

It was the start of a hugely fruitful relationship. Within the year, McCartney had asked George Harrison to play lead guitar. In 1960, the band (by this time, The Silver Beetles) were asked to tour as a backing band for vocalist, Johnny Gentle. But they were still struggling, until manager Alan Williams fixed them up to play in the Reeperbahn district of Hamburg.

COVER STORY | PAUL MCCARTNEY

It was here that McCartney and the band came into their own. McCartney had a reputation for womanising which he only added to while in Hamburg. The hours and hours of playing had sharpened them all and formed the band into a coherent unit, though McCartney was still playing guitar at this point.

The winter of 1960-61 saw McCartney and the band back in the UK after being thrown out of Germany, having being accused of arson, when their contract in Hamburg went sour.

Jim McCartney ordered his son to the Labour Exchange – but he was caught sleeping on the job as a courier and dismissed. It was at this time that McCartney opted to play bass, and in 1961 they played their first gig at Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club.

Over the course of the next two and a half years, the Beatles came of age, until by 1963 they emerged as the largest act in the UK, and later, in the world.

"

THROUGH ALL OF THIS, MCCARTNEY MAINTAINED HIS EXTRAORDINARY CHARM AND LIKEABILITY, HIS OBSESSION WITH MUSIC AND HIS DESIRE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. THESE TRAITS HAVE SUSTAINED HIM THROUGH FAME AND DISASTER OVER THE FOLLOWING DECADES. Although just a fragment of his many accomplishments, for anyone wishing to be a star, Paul McCartney's brilliance as a composer, his singlemindedness, obsessive devotion to playing and delight in music – and his excellent singing voice – should remain an inspiration.

To find more about Paul McCartney download a digital version of THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO or get The Best You App from Apple Store or Google Play. www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

25

ULTIMATE

COMPETITOR

Born in Dunblane in 1987, Murray's mother was the Scottish national tennis coach, a woman who herself had to give up her dreams of international tennis glory when the women's game was deeply underfunded. She introduced Andy and older brother Jamie to the sport when very young, though she never forced them into it, as happened with other tennis greats.

When either could have gone into football, she famously commented they chose bats over boots.

Andy Murray was a precocious talent, to such an extent that the Dunblane tennis club effectively tried to get the youngster banned by raising the minimum age for membership – a resolution that wasn't passed. He was always driven by the need to keep up with older players – especially fired by his rivalry with brother, Jamie.

This sibling rivalry between Jamie and Andy was palpable. When Andy was beaten by an opponent in France who Jamie went on to beat in the final, Andy insisted he had worn him out first. Andy even drove the normally placed Jamie to violence through taunting, with Jamie landing a blow so violent that Andy was disfigured on one hand.

Always highly competitive, Andy would throw the monopoly board in the air if he was losing. On court as a child, he was

A N D Y MU R R

ndy Murray has had the dubious honour of carrying the tennis hopes of the United Kingdom, since his friend Tim Henman passed on the baton in the 2000s. At times, he's had a mixed relationship with the press and fans of the Home Nations, but he's gone on to prove his critics wrong, and since his 2012 Olympic gold and US Open victory, has won himself a place in the nation's hearts.

AY

A

SPORT FEATURE | ANDY MURRAY

Despite a recent split from his coach, the birth of his daughter and last year’s surgery, Andy Murray is still one of Wimbledon’s favourites. The Best You looks at the formative years and rise of the player

willing to answer back, and certainly wouldn't allow less talented players to make false line calls in matches without contesting it.

These traits led him to take his tennis seriously and he had a coach from the age of 11. Growing disaffected with the parochial attitudes and unsupportive nature of the English Lawn Tennis Association, he had a conversation with a young Spanish friend called Rafa Nadal, and decided to train in Spain. He studied in Barcelon, at the Schiller International School, from the age of 15.

Life at the academy included training from Emilio Sanchez, formerly the world #1, who honed and sharpened his skills and, by 2004, after showing much promise and winning various junior titles, he was selected as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The following years saw him amassing a team around him, including a coach, physios and others to bring him to his best.

Yet Murray had still not found the right coach.

Some previous coaches had attempted a psychoanalytic approach on Murray, which served only to annoy him, others were not strong enough personalities. Murray even took on Brad Gilbert, former coach of his childhood idol, Andre Agassi, but Murray's hotheadedness did not fit Gilbert's laidback personality, and they soon parted company.

After various attempts to find the right man, Murray opted for famous former Grand Slam winner, Ivan Lendl, in 2011.

Lendl had a profound influence on the younger man. In many ways he was a stabilising effect on the player. The Czech's icy coolness countered Murray's emotional side. Prior to Lendl, Murray's strongly competitive streak would often manifest as powerful swearing on court, or self-harm as he slammed his fist into his racket till his knuckles were raw, or once again, hit himself in the face.

These histrionics did not enamour him of the press, who described him as McBrat, in a direct echo of John McEnroe's inability to control himself on court in the 1980s.

Murray settled and matured under Lendl's influence. He was often seen in long conversations with him on the court – but Lendl was also careful to keep his distance from the player, choosing not to socialise with him after work, perhaps aware of Murray's moodiness.

Although Murray was runner-up at Wimbledon in 2012, something changed in him psychologically when a few weeks later he was back on centre court to win Olympic gold for Great Britain. Perhaps discovering that he was the best in the world at the point, or finally winning at Wimbledon changed him.

He went on to win his first Grand Slam at the US Open the following September, and was back to win at Wimbledon the following year.

28

w ww.t hebest y oumagaz ine.co

To find more about Andy Murray download a digital version from THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO or get The Best You App from Apple Store or Google Play.

SPORT FEATURE | ANDY MURRAY

"

THOUGH GRAND SLAM SUCCESS HAS ELUDED HIM SINCE, ANDY MURRAY IS ONE OF THE MOST INTELLIGENT AND EXCITING PLAYERS OF THE MODERN GAME. THIS MAKES FOR DEEPLY ENTERTAINING TENNIS. With the adoption of Jamie Delgado as his latest coach, The Best You wishes him luck as Wimbledon 2016 approaches.

NATHAN DOUGLAS

JUMP TO IT!

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

Nathan Douglas, Olympic triple jumper twice won silver for Great Britain in the 2006 and 2007 European Championships and European Indoor Championships. But his plans to make London 2012 his games were wrecked after a freak injury. Now, Douglas is back. He talks to Bernardo Moya about his early life, his influences, and what it takes to come back from injury

SPORT FEATURE | NATHAN DOUGLAS

When he was growing up in Oxford, Nathan Douglas recalls that getting into athletics nearly didn't happen.

"I was really quick as a youngster," he remembers. When he beat the fastest boy in the school, he invited Douglas to the local athletics club. But then…

"I hated it," he says.

"I was only seven. I remember running out crying, because I was such a nannie’s boy and my nan wasn’t with me." Thankfully, a friend convinced him to go back. After that, it was a different story. "I just absolutely loved it from that moment on." It was then he started dreaming of the Olympics.

The initial knockback and return are a motif of Douglas' life – and so is really great support. Douglas grew up with his grandparents in Oxford while his mother worked in Brighton.

"

MY GRANDPARENTS ALWAYS MADE SURE I HAD TRUE BELIEF IN MYSELF. THEY ALWAYS SAID YOU CAN ACHIEVE ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING."

approach to himself, and their physical spring.

that I can get back and perform to the levels that I know I can perform at."

The Olympic Games puts every athlete under pressures. So how does Douglas deal with it. He tells me: "When I qualified for the Olympic Games actually it was by surprise, so that was a big shock to people. But there were so many people wishing me well, and I just thought, ‘Well how can I fail out here?’ I actually went out there and really enjoyed myself and actually did myself justice at my first senior outing."

During his recuperation, Douglas also looked at how to coach others, and he trained in neuro-linguistic programming with its co-creator, Richard Bandler. While Douglas knew unconsciously how to motivate himself, his training with Bandler, he says, showed him how to give motivation to other people.

This made him realise that he has all he needs for performance coaching.

"

"A lot of people are putting themselves up there I suppose as a performance coach. Then when I’ve looked into them and into their history I’ve thought, 'Well what do you actually know about performance?'"

THAT, IS CENTRAL TO BEATING THE PRESSURE – MAKING SURE THAT YOU ENJOY WHAT YOU'RE DOING, THAT IN SOME WAY IT IS FUN. Douglas nowadays advises younger athletes to do whatever it takes to enjoy it – whether it's pulling a face at the crowd, or having a laugh. Fun is central to success.

An Olympic athlete who is now ready for Rio, Douglas hasn't only talked the talked, or walked the walk – he's jumped it, too. And he's ready to do so again.

The Best You wishes him golden success in Rio!

Other support came from Douglas’ first amateur coach, Steve Hill, with whom he's still firm friends today.

"He tried everything to push me on.

As soon as he realised I was talented he’d get me training with the older kids... He realised he needed to push me, he needed to advance me the best he could."

Competing in the triple jump was actually a matter of luck and timing, he recalls: "I had a lot of spring," he says. "My club didn’t have a triple jumper, so they presumed you know, he’s quick, he can long jump, have a go at triple jump." Douglas struggled at first, until he suddenly slotted in – and realised that triple jump was his sport.

Steve Hill, keen to push him further, recommended Douglas go to the establishment that has produced so many top class athletes – Loughborough University. The move didn't come easily to Douglas, and he would return to Oxford at weekends.

It took advice from his mum for him to stay at university one weekend – and suddenly, he loved it. Meanwhile, he was tipped for Olympic success as his skill, power and strength developed.

So, who were his role models?

He cites Jonathan Edwards for his technical skill and the many Cuban jumpers he's watched for their similar

What wasn't fun was the pair of injuries he picked up before the London 2012 Olympics which meant he couldn't compete. What could he do, rather than sit on the sidelines?

"Missing 2012 was probably the most difficult part for me," he remembers.

But he'd learned his lessons from previous knocks.

"I thought, ‘I’m going to try my best to be part of it.’" He threw himself into media work and even attended the men's triple-jump final – "which was painful, very painful," he admits.

Watch Bernardo Moya’s interview with Nathan Douglas at WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/ USER/THEBESTYOUTV/ VIDEOS

"At the same time it gave me extra hunger and motivation to make sure www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

31

B O O K C L U B This month we are giving away a wide range of fantastic books. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning, simply email your name and contact details to PRIZEGIVEAWAYS@THEBESTYOU.CO with the name of the prize you would like to win in the subject title before 30 June 2016.

NEED SOME INSPIRED THINKING? ENTER OUR LUCKY DIP AND WE’LL SEND ONE WINNER A BOOK FROM THE BEST YOU’S BOOKSHELF.

SELF-HYPNOSIS

by Valerie Austin Train yourself into deep hypnotic trances and work with your subconscious mind to transform problems and reach your full potential.

This book will give you the skills, rid yourself of negative thoughts and behaviours, and improve any aspects of your life you want to change.

WIN!

We have one copy of the book to give away.

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

32

w ww.t hebest y oumagaz ine.co

TRUST: MASTERING THE 4 ESSENTIAL TRUSTS – Trust in God, Trust in Yourself, Trust in Others, Trust in Life by Iyanla Vanzant You just can’t trust anyone – it’s a constant refrain in the modern world, and learning to trust is one of life’s more difficult lessons. This leads to fear and uncertainty, which too often erodes our confidence and undermines our relationships. ‘That’s because trust is not a verb,’ says legendary life coach Iyanla Vanzant, ‘it’s a noun. In fact, trust is a state of mind and a state of being.’

WIN!

This self-study spiritual-thought system teaches the way to love and forgiveness, and its universal message is unsurpassed in its power to heal. Yet many students report that they have difficulties grasping the principles. A Course In Miracles Made Easy will generate practical, healing results in the lives of students.

WIN!

A COURSE IN MIRACLES MADE EASY

by Alan Cohen

We have one copy of the book to give away.

We have one copy of the book to give away.

We have one copy of the book to give away.

RADICAL SELF-LOVE

by Gala Darling Have you ever dreamed of a life full of laughter, love and sequins – but felt totally clueless about how to make it happen? You’re not alone. Gala Darling spent years in soul-sucking jobs, battling with depression and a harmful eating disorder. Her life was filled with chaos and disaster, simply because she didn’t know how to create the life she dreamed of. In this book, Darling recounts how she turned her life around from selfdestruction to self-love, and shows how you can do the same.

WIN!

We have one copy of the book to give away.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

One entry per household. Entry implies acceptance of rules and conditions. No purchase necessary.

Open to all UK residents aged 18 years or over, other than employees of The Best You and companies associated with it. Draw will be conducted by The Best You Corporation. Prize is as stated and will be awarded to the entry drawn at random on the draw date. No cash alternative is available. No correspondence will be entered into. Delayed entries will be deemed invalid. Winners’ names may be published and the winners may be required to participate in publicity. Promoter: The Best You Corporation.

www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

33

BOOK REVIEWS POWER

NAP

A new crowd-funded book which challenges the stereotyping of girls in traditional fairy tales has become a runaway success. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls has already raised more than £410k on Kickstarter and outstripped the creators’ expectations.

Featuring 100 great women, from Frida Kahlo to Elizabeth I and Serena Williams, the contemporarily illustrated book focuses on the title aims to create strong female role models who help children to become more confident and set bigger goals. Traditionally children’s literature has failed to position women as protagonists with just 7.5 per cent featuring a female ‘lead’.

With the power to entertain, enrich and empower your life, books are as important today as they have been for millennia. Here’s what’s catching our eye at The Best You this month…

"

YOU ARE AN EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN, HOW CAN YOU EXPECT ANYTHING ORDINARY TO HAPPEN TO YOU." - Louisa May Alcott

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

BOOK REVIEW 1 | KUTE BLACKSON

1 YOU.ARE. THE.ONE. KUTE BLACKSON

Kute Blackson comes from a long line of spiritual leaders and works with people from all walks of life, offering his own uniquely powerful process to transform lives from the inside out. Whether it’s about forgiveness, confronting inner demons, letting go of self-hatred or the scars of the past, those hard-earned, sweat-proof lessons Blackson instills in his clients are right here, in this book, You Are The One. No need to pack your bags or renew your passport.

So what are you waiting for? For someone to save you? If so, you’re not alone. But it’s not going to happen. Your parents won’t rescue you. Your friends won’t carry you. No-one’s coming. Know why? Everything you are seeking is within you already. Because you’re already here. YOU. ARE. THE. ONE.

You Are The One is a reflection of Blackson’s unique and distinctive thoughts, teachings, stories, and poetic inspirations to help you access your true power and live boldly and fully in the world – with no regrets.

"

KUTE BLACKSON IS A LEADING VISIONARY IN THE FIELD OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. HIS WORK IS REMARKABLE, POWERFUL, AND WILL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE THE ONE IS A MUST READ FOR ALL!" - Larry King, Emmy & Peabody, winning talkshow host

BOOK REVIEW 2 | LISA LISTER

2 LOVE YOUR LADY LANDSCAPE LISA LISTER

Love Your Lady Landscape is a healing journey through the terrain of what it is to be a woman.

When a woman isn't in alignment with her feminine essence, she may experience exhaustion and overwhelm, lack sexual desire or passion for life, and generally feel “out of sync”.

In this book, Lisa Lister uses a myriad of tools and practices such as Earth-based spirituality, shamanic teachings, movement and dance, and breath and sound work to teach women how to reconnect to their feminine wisdom in order to start rebalancing all aspects of their lives.

Based on her own 11-year journey of healing and reconnecting with her body, this book will help you: - Release guilt and shame from the past - Explore self-pleasure and sensuality - Understand, read, and connect with your body's signs and signals - Learn about your menstrual cycle and its connection with the rhythms of nature and the universe - Discover the sacred art of receiving - Express your creativity - Find your voice to communicate your needs, wants and desires

Love Your Lady Landscape will move women into a fiercely loving and healing relationship with their body and will teach them how to use its cycles and signs to create a life of vitality, fulfillment, and creation.

"

I LOVE LISA LISTER AND WE NEED HER VOICE. SHE GIVES PRACTICAL AND SPIRITUAL TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO WALK WITH INHERENT WORTH AND DIGNITY AS A POWERFUL PRIESTESS, NO MATTER HOW MESSY OR HUMAN THE MOMENT WE FIND OURSELVES IN" - Meggan Watterson, author of Reveal and How to Love Yourself (And Sometimes Other People)

BOOK REVIEW 3 | SHAA WASMUND

3

STOP TALKING, START DOING ACTION BOOK SHAA WASMUND

Have you got an itch? To start your own business, go to the North Pole, retrain, lose weight, get promoted, learn to play the ukulele? Or do you just have a nagging sense that there must be more to life? If there is something you really want to do, but secretly fear you'll never do it then you need this book.

The original Stop Talking Start Doing helped readers to move from talking to doing. To climb into the ring and face their fears about making their thing happen.

It helped readers to understand why they had fears and why starting was easier than they thought. It encouraged them to start somewhere, anywhere.

The Stop Talking Start Doing Action Book will help you to identify where or what that starting point should be, and how to build from there to make your thing happen.

It will help you to evaluate why you have procrastinated until now and identify the small steps you need to take to make it happen. But it will help you to plan beyond that.

It will help you see how you can execute your idea through small, simple steps that are right for you, rather than one undefined, daunting task. Find sources of inspiration that work for you and learn how you can draw upon them as you go, draw confidence from previous experiences, and find the self-discipline you need to make swift decisions along the way.

• • •

Identify your personal starting point Take the first steps to set your plan into motion Find your inspiration and self-discipline

Build confidence in your quick decisions along the way.

"

TO ACHIEVE ANYTHING IN LIFE YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE, BE IT WRITING A BOOK, STARTING A BUSINESS OR CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN, THIS BOOK WILL SET YOU ON YOUR WAY" - Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, explorer

BOOK REVIEW 4 | JEZ ROSE

4 FLIP THE SWITCH JEZ ROSE

Do you ever wonder why achieving results is such a struggle? Do you want that to change?

Let Jez Rose show you how to train your brain differently by uncovering strategies used by some of the most successful people in the world.

Using real-world examples, the former comedian examines why some people struggle to achieve, despite trying, while others appear to achieve extraordinary results.

Jez Rose will show you why we behave the way we do and how to change for the better.

By changing the way we think, our behaviour and approach to life will also change. Aware that our success is also a result of other people, Flip the Switch will show you how to improve the behaviour and thought patterns of those around you too.

• • • •

Practical exercises to get you thinking differently Learn how to change for the better using a variety of techniques Get the confidence to go after what you want, when you want Become extraordinary by adopting Jez Rose's down-to-earth and charismatic approach

Flip the Switch: Achieve Extraordinary Things with Simple Changes to How You Think will change how you approach success and leave you ready to take on the world.

"

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU BECOME THE PERSON YOU DREAM OF BEING – NOT JUST THE PERSON YOU END UP BEING" - Marshall Goldsmith, leadership thinker and executive coach

Be Inspired

40

STREET WISE

One man's transformative journey

LIVE LOVE LEGACY

44

46

FOLLOW THE CLUES

Your intuition has the answers

NATURE'S KEEPERS

Why the humble bee is key

What do you want to be remembered for? What are your relationships like with those around you? How does life treat you… and how do you treat your life? There is so much good in you.

Enrich your life with the passion you feel and the connections you make.

PUT YOUR COMPANY IN THIS SPACE! TO SPONSOR THIS PAGE AND BE PART OF THE BEST YOU, EMAIL US AT ADVERTISING@THEBESTYOU.CO

FROM TO SELFRIDGES Jemal Peters grew up in a tough London district where crime was the normal route to riches – but he didn’t let his formative years define who he was destined to become

LIVE LOVE LEGACY | JEMAL PETERS | INSPIRATIONAL STORY

Entrepreneurs come from all walks of life, and if you don’t believe it, meet Jemal Peters whose Big J’s Kitchen range of condiments is the result of one man following a passion.

Life didn’t deal Peters the easiest start – his father left when he was just seven, and at ten his mother became seriously ill meaning the family lived on benefits. Most days he went to school with no lunch or money to buy food, and he started to dabble in crime.

Seeing the street as the place to create a living and provide for his mother, a defining moment came when, on his 16th birthday, he was arrested and spent the day in a cell.

Despite attempting to get various jobs, for the following five years he dabbled in crime, but it was the birth of his daughter which was pivotal to his decision to move on from the street.

He started to build a career in the youth work industry, but in 2012 he decided to launch his own business and create his own food brand.

“Food was always the centre of our household, and was something that brought us together,” Peters explains. An article in Metro led to investment and an email to Dragons’ Den star Sarah Willingham led to him running three kitchens in central London, and now his condiments are sold in Selfridges.

“People are surprised, but one thing that makes the product fresh is that it’s organic and from the real world, it’s not created by some

big corporation,” says Peters with justifiable pride. The other win from Peters’ business model is that he contributes a portion of Big J’s annual profits to his OR? Project, which helps young offenders or those at risk to go into business.

“It helps to get us forwards,” says Peters, “and doing something more.

We’re putting help back into the community which is where we can make a real difference to the lives of people who wouldn’t ordinarily think about or get a chance to create a business for themselves.”

In fact, Peters says that his entrepreneurial skills were learnt on the street, although he didn’t realise it at the time.

"

THE CRAZY THING IS, THE SKILLS I LEARNT ON THE STREETS IS WHAT I CARRIED THROUGH TO THE BUSINESS WORLD,” HE ADDS. “FROM MOTIVATION TO MARKETING, DEALING WITH CUSTOMERS, BREAKING DOWN PROFIT AND LOSSES AND MORE.” The OR? Project aims to make radical and lasting change to the lives of those it touches. “We’re not about looking good, but about real, direct action,” says Peters. “Even if we only work with ten people in a year

and move them from the street environment, it’s enough of a success for me. Kids think they can only benefit from crime, and so if we can transform their mindset to believe they can do better, it’s worth it.”

Peters’ latest venture is to demonstrate how anyone can start a new business with just £250. “It’s the same amount of money young people would spend on trainers or jeans, but I want to show them how they can grow a future with that kind of investment.

"We’re starting with wraps and showing them how to build a business from the ground up, with PR, social media, leafleting and digital activity. I want to show people it can be done.”

For Big J’s Kitchen too, Peters has plans to grow the brand with growth of the company’s manufacturing and logistics. It’s a long way from the streets, and Peters is an inspiration to anyone who’s ever thought, ‘What if…’ “I always had a little niggle in me knowing that I was better than a life of living off crime,” he says.

“I knew I had to get out, but it was my daughter’s birth that forced me to act. She’s now ten, and it’s been hard work but I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with Big J’s Kitchen and the work we’re doing to make a difference to the community.”

To find out more visit

BIGJSKITCHEN.COM

www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

41

LIVE LOVE LEGACY | THE BEST YOU JOURNEY TBY: Tell us how your journey with The Best You began BERNARDO: Sure. It was eight years ago that I set up NLP Life Training. The idea was to be the best personal development training company in the world. We had – and still have – Richard Bandler, the genius co-inventor of NLP, delivering our trainings, and we still give the very best NLP training courses in the world.

TBY: And what does the future hold in store?

BERNARDO: So much! And I'd love people to come with us.

The Best You Corp has incredible expertise in helping people steer their business to prominence. I want readers to benefit from that knowledge and share in our success.

That's why The Best You is offering the Triple Track to Success.

TBY: Why did you decide to grow the business?

BERNARDO: Richard's advice is always sound, and he advised me to widen my horizons – and that's what I've done over the years. Four years ago, I created The Best You, and now NLP Life Training is a part of a much larger organisation. The Best You is a powerhouse producing the most exciting and groundbreaking personal development events around today.

TBY: So, what is The Triple Track?

BERNARDO: It comes in three parts. It's designed with three distinct business stages in mind, and deals with different needs of a business at different times. So, it starts with the business person who had a great idea, but doesn't know how to develop that idea, showing them how to become fully professional, through expansion, all the way to close mentoring. You don't have to take them all – if you're already well established but want closer guidance, you can skip a step, or steps – but each stage is there to help you.

TBY: What are you most proud of with The Best You? BERNARDO: There's so much! (laughs) But this year, we ran our first The Best You Expo. It was a phenomenal success. We reached out with our partners to give people a real sense of possibility – or more accurately – the possibilities available to them. The Best You Expo had free seminars, with many of our exhibitors taking to the stage to talk about their product. Visitors to the event loved it! And The Best You Expo 2017 is going to be even bigger and better – readers can find out more at THEBESTYOUEXPO.COM.

I'm also proud of The Best You Magazine – it has a digital readership of 35,000 and we are now distributing 10,000 copies around London. It's very exciting.

TBY: So what are The Triple Tracks?

BERNARDO: First, there's TURNING PRO – outlined at THEBESTYOUSEMINARS.CO/EVENT/TURNING-PRO, it's a programme that will help you discover the skills to take your business to peak professionalism. The Best You team is here to deliver skills clients need to really make it. It's all about taking that idea and properly, completely professionalising. It shows what to do and what to avoid to be recognised as a leading professional in your field.

With THE BEST YOU PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME which is accessible at THEBESTYOUSEMINARS.CO/WP-CONTENT/ UPLOADS/2016/05/THE-BEST-YOU-PARTNERSHIPS.PDF, clients get to partner with The Best You and together we promote their business. That includes a publicity package, business guidance, product creation and much more besides. It's a powerful way to really take your business further.

Then there's something unique to me: THE BERNARDO MOYA MENTORING SCHEME. I was asked for this by clients because I've taken my business through tough times and out the other side to increasing success. I've learned really powerful lessons along the way, and now I get to show clients the way by personally mentoring them to build their business.

These are exciting times and we look forward to working with clients to help them achieve their success.

To find out more about THE BEST YOU’S TRIPLE TRACKS programme and The Best You Expo 2017 visit THEBESTYOUEXPO.COM EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

PARTNERSHIP

Are you on the right path to achieving your ambitions and life goals? The Best You has the potential to help you to achieve success. Now distributing 10k copies of The Best You around London, we have the events and resources to support your journey. From TURNING PRO, a course that will take your career to the next level, to becoming a Partner or receiving 1-2-1 MENTORSHIP, The Best You is your guide to becoming the best you! Benardo Moya talks about the growth of The Best You – and what the future holds

JOIN

THE BEST YOU

JOURNEY

Tell us about the Aha! Factor and how you developed the language of answered prayer.

I was raised to believe that there was always more out there and that we were not alone. However, I did not really start to lean into what I had been learning until my fiance passed away in my late twenties.

That just did not make sense to me along with my major dislike for corporate work and my deep desire to be an entrepreneur.

I knew that I had to blaze a new path and recognised that as I asked questions of life, I received answers in a variety of ways. So I went on a quest to make sense of that.

How can we all tap into more Aha! moments and use them to channel our decisions to achieve the lives we want?

"

EVERYONE IS BORN WITH THE LANGUAGE OF INTUITION. THE ENERGETIC SENSES ARE A NATURAL OVERLAY ON TOP OF OUR PHYSICAL SENSES. It is just a matter of first understanding what they each are and then taking notice of them in your daily life.

Can you share a couple of examples, either personal or from clients, where the Aha! Factor has me into play.

There are so many. I guess writing the book I would sit down and ask the question, ‘What does the reader need to know most right now?’ and I would then get a stream of consciousness and be able to write for three hours without stopping.

In the energetic communication system described in the book, that is called channeling. And we all do it on occasion.

Artists, writers, actors, athletes and business people often call it ‘being in the zone’.

Also, I had a dream about my car blowing up. When I woke up I had an appointment that was very far away on the highway that morning. But I had a very strong feeling that I should pay attention to my dream.

I went to the bank to get money for my appointment and there was something wrong with the accounts so I was not able to get the transaction to go through. So I paid attention to the signs and the goosebumps and chills I was getting and decided to go directly to the mechanic.

I told him about my dream and he took the car in right away and came to find out I had zero oil in the car. It would have burned out the engine and potentially blown up if I had driven the distance to my appointment!

44

w ww.t hebest y oumagaz ine.co

The Aha! Factor

by Mariana Cooper is published by Watkins. Find out more at THEAHAWAY.COM

As an intuitive and medium, you've coached and helped numerous clients towards personal success – what do you think are the common factors that hold us back from success and how can we best overcome them?

I think that not being fluent in the language of intuition is the biggest issue. When people work only from their mental minds alone it is like trying to stand a table on three legs. The intuition goes beyond where the mental mind can ever reach and should be the number one consideration instead of the mental mind alone.

"

THE THING IS THAT EVERYONE GETS AN IMMEDIATE INTUITIVE FEEL, BUT IN MOST CASES THEY OVERRIDE IT WITH MENTAL THOUGHTS AND LOSE THEIR WAY.

You've worked with Doreen Virtue and studied many masters, but who inspires you in the personal development field?

I have worked with a lot of personal development folks as well. I like the work of Seth Godin, Martha Beck, Tony Robbins, Brene Brown and Brendan Burchard. Jack Canfield also comes to mind.

What's next for you and the Aha! movement?

There is so much going on! I have a new online course for the book called The Aha! Factor Online Course which will launch this summer. It's our goal to help one million people get fluent in the language of their intuition. I am working on a new TV project, doing a variety of speaking and media appearances and moving forward with developing content for my next book.

LIVE LOVE LEGACY | MARIANA COOPER

Ever wondered how some people seem to intuitively know what to do and when? In an interview with The Best You, Mariana Cooper explains how you can have it too

THE

AHA!

MOMENT

LIVE LOVE LEGACY | WHAT DOES IT TAKE

Town or country, you’re sure to spot a busy bee when you’re outside this summer.

Tim Lovett, director of public affairs at the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) explains why they are so important to our eco system

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A...

BEE-KEEPER?

1| How did you get involved in beekeeping?

“I’m a biologist by training but as a kid I read Sherlock Holmes, and I always remembered the end, when he retired to Sussex to keep bees. My local beekeeping group had an open day, and I went along with my daughter and got hooked.

Firstly I got involved in my local beekeeping association, then at county level and finally nationally. I became a trustee in 2000 and have been a chairman, president and now director of public affairs at BBKA. We are an educational charity and part of our work is to inform the public about the importance of honey bees.

Ten years ago, it became apparent that the government was not funding research into bees and honey bees were facing serious challenges. Thanks to a successful campaign of awareness, £10m was invested into the Insect Pollinators Initiative.

2| Bee-keeping has become hugely popular in recent years, but how difficult is it to manage a hive?

If you go back ten years, the public profile was that bees make honey, sting and swarm. Now that has changed and people are aware that they are vital for pollination, only

sting defensively and that swarming is a good sign, as it’s how they reproduce.

Keeping and running a couple of hives is not difficult but it is essential to be properly trained.

During the season you would need to inspect your hives on a weekly basis – if there’s no space, you need to add on an extra box or super for the bees to store their honey – then in winter, you need to check that the bees have enough food and if the hive is too light, feed them.

It’s not labour intensive but knowledge is important.

3| Bees have obviously existed naturally for thousands of years, but why is it important for humans to be involved?

There have been immense changes in agricultural practices over the past 50 years, which has impacted the way that bees forage.

Also, the arrival of the Varroa mite in the early 90s killed almost all wild honey bees, so humans have had to act to protect honey bees which are very important to us.

One third of what we eat is pollinated by bees, and their behaviour affects other animals, such as pollinating berries for birds to eat. It’s enormously important to the eco-system.

When the varroa mite hit in the 90s, lots of beekeepers gave up but a new generation has come through and while we had

8,500 BBKA members in 2005, today we have 25,000.

The main credit must go to the public, which has got involved. Farmers too are more aware of their role in good stewardship and use of pesticides. Although there is no silver bullet for the varroa mite and bees are still under threat, we have established good growth in the number of colonies.

4| If we were thinking of getting involved, how would you suggest we start?

If you want to keep bees, the best thing to do is go along to your local beekeeping association and join the BBKA. Get a buddy and look over their shoulder and learn how to do it correctly.

The BBKA also has two schemes – Adopt a Beehive, which enables you to be an armchair beekeeper, and Friends of the Honey Bee which supports the work of the BBKA.

5| And how soon would we be able to expect to enjoy some honey?

If you’re lucky, your buddy might offer you a jar while you wait. Ordinarily you might get some in April or May if there’s a rapeseed crop nearby, but traditionally you would expect to enjoy some mixed flowers honey in August.

To find out more, visit BBKA.ORG.UK

Be Inspired

40

GO-TO GIRLS Wonderful women vloggers

50

RETHINK YOUR GOALS

How to find your inner goddess

FEEL & LOOK GOOD

52

55

FREE SPIRIT

Doreen Virtue on getting creative

FEMALE INTUITION

Get the best from your body

Feeling good about yourself has a hugely positive impact on your appearance, persona and the response you ignite in others. Explore new ways to enhance the impression you make and enjoy the benefits of a positive self-image.

PUT YOUR COMPANY IN THIS SPACE! TO SPONSOR THIS PAGE AND BE PART OF THE BEST YOU, EMAIL US AT ADVERTISING@THEBESTYOU.CO

FEEL & LOOK GOOD | MEL WELLS

Love food? That’s a good thing, says Mel Wells in her new book The Goddess Revolution, who wants us to love our bodies and reclaim our lives

FROM ONE GOODESS...

...TO ANOTHER

Our stories around food, weight and body image are all so very personal.

We keep them tight to our chests, for fear of being judged or misunderstood.

Yet so many of us are secretly letting them rule our days, which in time allows them to rule our lives. Talking about how we feel around food, and living in our flawed bodies, can feel like we are baring our naked souls.

I’m sure, like me, you’ve seen those ‘before and after’ diet photos on social media.

Transformation stories that compare the difference in body shape or size, and congratulate the dieter on her ‘huge achievement, hard work and willpower’.

"

BUT… WHAT IF, DESPITE LOSING WEIGHT, NOTHING REALLY CHANGED INSIDE THAT WOMAN’S HEAD, WHEN IT CAME TO HOW SHE FELT ABOUT HERSELF? What if she was still at war with her body, despite it changing physically due to a gruelling regime? What if she was still not at peace with what she saw in the mirror, despite celebrating such a ‘win’ with weight loss, and being commended by her trainer and fellow dieters? What if she still agonised every day over her food choices and criticised herself in every photo? Where would that leave her? Is that still a success story?

"

THE REAL TRANSFORMATIONS THAT LAST FOR LIFE ARE THE GAME-CHANGING, SHOW-STOPPING, QUANTUM SHIFTS IN MINDSET – WHICH, IN TURN, ARE REFLECTED BACK AT YOU IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE. Not just your body shape or fat percentage. No one woman’s experience is the same as another around food or her body.

You are on your own unique journey with food and your body, based on your experiences and conditioning, up to this very point of you picking up my book and deciding to start reading.

In my book, I share my personal revolution around food, weight and my body, and give you the life-changing tools and principles you need to break out of what may feel like body jail, for life.

I’ll also be sharing a few of the stories from inspirational Goddesses who have joined the revolution and made quantum shifts too – way beyond what any diet club could compete with – real, raw transformational stories, where the change has happened from within. You might not relate so much to my story – but one of theirs might hit you so hard that you fall off your chair and get smacked awake. Yep – this journey goes way deeper than celebrating a number on the scales or a size in the back of a dress.

"

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. MILLIONS OF WOMEN FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LIVING IN A BODY THAT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE THEIRS, WHILE OTHERS ARE LIVING DAY TO DAY, CONSUMED BY DIETING RULES AND OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS AROUND FOOD AND WEIGHT. It’s time we speak out and have those conversations around food, weight and body image that we have been keeping inside our own heads.

The Goddess Revolution by Mel Wells is published

by Hay House.

Through my own journey, my healing and my self-practice, I’ve discovered the key to finding total freedom around food and in my body. It is now my life’s work, to pass this on to you, and for you to be rewarded with waking up every day feeling absolutely comfortable in your own skin, free from rules, free from fear or guilt surrounding food and ready to create whatever you want from life – without being held back by how you feel about your body and your unwanted food patterns.

The revolution is here, Goddess.

www. t he b e s t youm ag a z i n e . c o

51

FEEL & LOOK GOOD | DOREEN VIRTUE

•

"

• •

IT TAKES COURAGE TO BE CREATIVE.

•

Facing your deepest feelings and authentic truth, as they are the inspirations for your creativity Exposing your most vulnerable feelings publicly Sharing raw and real information about yourself, which may be embarrassing or unflattering Receiving criticism and ridicule from those who don’t resonate with your work Confronting the possibility of your work not selling or being commercially viable Isolating yourself while you work on your creative project

I know from personal and professional experience, as I’ve been self-employed as an author and speaker since 1993.

During that time I’ve learned a lot— including from making mistakes.

•

True creativity is channeling divine inspiration and expressing the infinite mind of God. Creativity is akin to patiently waiting for beautiful butterflies to flutter by and land upon your shoulder. Since I’ve taught intuition classes for over 20 years, I’ve also learned how to help people overcome fears and blocks to receptivity.

That’s why I admire creative folks.

They’re real, they’re brave, and they’re healers in their own way, because when others relate to their painting, book, photograph, or other art form, those people know that they’re not alone… that someone else feels the same way.

Yes, it takes courage to be creative, and I will hold your hand throughout the book to help you muster that courage.

I’ve experienced and overcome each of the fears about being creative. After all, expressing yourself creatively means:

If you’re drawn to a creative career or you feel guided to have creative hobbies, then you recognise that creativity is a calling that can’t be ignored. Even though you know the risks listed above, you’re also in touch with the compelling feelings driving you to create.

•

"

SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT CREATIVITY IS THE SAME AS MAKING THINGS UP AND IMAGINING THINGS. WELL, THAT’S ONLY A SMALL PART OF CREATIVITY. THE LARGER PART IS BEING A MIRROR, REFLECTING HOW THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW, AND BEING A CHANNEL OF AUTHENTIC, RAW EMOTIONS. Creativity is problem-solving and inventing ways to meet needs and fix issues. For every risk associated with being creative, there are many more blessings.

All your efforts are rewarded when people tell you how your work has helped them, or you see your creative project making a positive difference.

In early 2014, my Hay House editor, Alex Freemon, suggested that I write a book about creativity. The idea intrigued me, as I always enjoyed teaching writers in my classes and

THE COURAGE TO BE CREATIVE Legendary New Age author Doreen Virtue is back with a new book which encourages us to get creative. Here she introduces the title to The Best You's readers

seminars, at Hay House Writer’s Workshops, on AngelUniversity. com, and at the UCLA Writers’ Program. I also loved encouraging people to follow their purpose and passion.

But it’s one thing to have an idea, and another to know how to bring it to life. And that’s what this book is about: diving deep inside our feelings, including recognising and healing blocks to creativity and enjoying a full-time creative career.

When I began writing this book, I knew the basic concept was to discuss the process of creativity. I knew it would be about all forms of creativity, not just writing. To bring this book you’re now holding into being, I used the very creative process that I outline here and that I recommend for you. It’s one I’ve used for all of my creative products and services, and it works!

Some of the most creative people I’ve met are also the most sensitive.

Their sensitivity makes them receptive to divinely inspired ideas.

Yet, that same sensitivity makes them shy to reveal their ideas to others.

In studying creative individuals’

processes, I find that creativity is one-half the ability to listen and be receptive, and one-half the courage to put the creative idea into action.

vision, or idea. That’s the type of memorable creativity that ends up on museum walls, on the radio, and in bookstores.

This is a book about both receptivity and courage.

Yet, creativity for most people is more ‘ordinary,’ in an everyday sense. Practical creativity means the ability to solve problems in new and innovative ways.

"

IT’S ABOUT HAVING THE COURAGE TO BE YOURSELF, BECAUSE THE TRUE YOU IS HIGHLY CREATIVE. AFTER ALL, YOU’RE THE CREATION OF THE CREATOR, IN WHOSE IMAGE AND LIKENESS YOU WERE MADE. SO, THEREFORE, YOU ARE CREATIVE YOURSELF. Some people think that the word creativity applies only to writers, artists, musicians, and such.

Actually, creativity is practical, with applications in business and daily life, including relationships, parenthood, health, and so forth.

In its purest form, creativity is the outward expression of an inner voice,

A study by the Institute of HeartMath found that highly successful people gave themselves permission to be intuitive and creative. They’d intuit future trends and creative ways to solve problems down the line (Tomasino 2007).

Creativity can help you take your business to the next level, assist your child’s learning, increase your enjoyment of necessary activities like housework and exercise, and boost your self-confidence and happiness.

So, let’s get courageous and let’s get creative!

The Courage To Be Creative by Doreen Virtue is published

by Hay House.

www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

53

RITA ORA LEADS SUCCESS AT MIGRANT WOMAN EVENT More than 250 women and men filled the Millennium Gloucester Hotel for the second annual Migrant Woman Conference and Awards in late May. The one-day event focused on migrant women’s stories of overcoming barriers and achieving success in the UK, which brought together representatives from more than 20 countries and six continents.

The conference received huge acclaim from delegates on social media, with one commenting: “It was fast paced and varied.

It also had elements of surprise and a lot of fun and laughter woven into the serious and valuable tips and information.”

Another wrote, “I found it very educational and inspirational, the gathering of so many inspiring, powerful and highly talented women from many different countries, being able to share their experiences.”

The event featured panel discussions on a range of topics, mixed with cultural and uplifting entertainment including Brazilian singing and carnival dancing, plus Russian and Albanian dancers, culminating with the Migrant Woman of the Year Awards presentations.

54

www.t hebest y o umagaz ine.co

The main panel session was chaired

by Mirela Sula, founder of Migrant Woman Talks and editor-in-chief of Global Woman magazine; Nazek Ramadan, originally from Beirut, Lebanon, founder and executive director of Migrant Voice; and Zrinka Bralo, chief executive of Migrants Organise, journalist and refugee from Sarajevo Bosnia.

They discussed ‘What it means to be a migrant and the role of women in migration’.

Other panel debates included: • What does integration mean from different perspectives – chaired by Bernado Moya, chief inspirational officer at Best You

•

Lessons from abroad – migrants in different countries – chaired

by Isabella Niewiadomska, performance nutrition and wellness coach

•

How can international newspapers contribute to the national conversation? – chaired

by Ashish Pattni, founder of the Pattni Consultancy

Special interviews also took place, including: • Gina Lazenby and John Lee, entrepreneur, author and cofounder of Wealth Dragons, discussing financial freedom •

Lina Bourdon interviewing Helen Tse, co-founder of Sweet Mandarin, about her journey to cooking for British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Chinese Premier

•

Overcoming barriers for settling in a new country – chaired by Virginia Bright, international artist

Mirela Sula said of the event: “We’re so proud of the achievements of each and everyone involved with this year’s Migrant Woman Conference and Awards. It’s truly humbling to be in the presence of these incredible women from across the world and to celebrate everything they have accomplished in their respective fields.

•

Financial empowerment for personal freedom and social good – chaired by Rafael Dos Santos, founder of Mi-Hub

We’ve seen the event grow noticeably since its first incarnation, and we can’t wait to see how it will develop in the years to come.”

FEEL & LOOK GOOD | THE MIGRANT WOMEN

Beauty, diversity and inspiration in abundance, with singer Rita Ora winning the Award for Renowned Female Achiever, The Best You reports from the Migrant Woman Conference and Awards 2016 Migrant Woman Talks is a platform that has been created in order to inspire and empower migrant women by celebrating successful achievers, to create a growing momentum, and to build a like-minded community that can collectively achieve even greater things. It was the initiative of Mirela Sula, editorin-chief of Migrant Woman magazine, launched in April 2014.

The aim of this platform is not to complain, nor to portray an image of being the victim, or to blame, but to feel proud of what we are, and who we are, and to invite other women to feel positive about themselves and their future.

Global Woman co-hosts monthly networking breakfasts, held in central London, which tap into human emotions through open and frank sharing in a safe environment. They provide a magical form of empowerment that is hard to describe as a scripted formula. See more at HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.

COM/WATCH?V=MNE2DUUTUNC

Global Woman Summit GLOBALWOMANSUMMIT.COM

THE MIGRANT WOMAN TALKS AWARD WINNERS Rita Ora - Lirim Greiçevci, Kosovar

ambassador in London, received the Renowned Female Achiever award on behalf of Rita Ora, and said, “Thank you to those who voted for her and congratulations to Migrant Woman team for the great work that they are doing to promote the values of migrant women in Great Britain”.

Zenobia Nadirshaw won Inspiring Woman of the Year and was commended

by the judges for spending the past 40 years fighting for the rights of vulnerable people – a highly important task that often goes unnoticed by society.

Rehab Jameel, received the award for Community Champion of the Year, for working

on a very important women’s and girls’ rights issue, which affect individuals, communities and the integration of women into UK society and is bringing solace and hope to women who are victims of FGM.

Betty Encinales won Entrepreneur of the Year

for proving that a will to succeed against all odds is possible. A successful business woman and philanthropist, despite all the challenges she has faced, among them the kidnapping of her father, a serious accident and becoming self-taught in the English language.

Adam Strong was awarded Best Man for his

contribution to the lives of so many women through Association of Extraordinary PAs (AEPAS), as well as continual motivation, support and muchneeded recognition that he provides to them.

taking place on 30-31 July 2016 was created by Mirela Sula, in collaboration with the Laszlo Institute of Research and Club of Budapest, through her associations with Ervin Laszlo and Joe St Clair.

"

THE MAIN THEME OF THE SUMMIT IS A NEW PARADIGM FOR CHANGING THE WORLD.

Be Inspired

40 58

GO-TO GIRLS Wonderful women vloggers

KICK IT UP

It's time to make your plans reality

WEALTH & RICHES

60

62

PAYING ATTENTION

Building your career or business can bring both financial reward and personal growth in every aspect of your life. Seek out advice and support to ensure your success today and for the future.

Think about your reactions

WRITE ON...

...and make your brand stand out

PUT YOUR COMPANY IN THIS SPACE! TO SPONSOR THIS PAGE AND BE PART OF THE BEST YOU, EMAIL US AT ADVERTISING@THEBESTYOU.CO

WEALTH & RICHES | SHAA WASMUND MBE

Have you got an itch? To start your own business, go to the North Pole, retrain, lose weight, get promoted, learn to play the ukulele? Or do you just have a nagging sense that there must be more to life?

"

LIFE IS SHORT. IF YOU’VE GOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO START. Maybe you will be forever restless until you write that novel, start that business, get that job, or work in that industry.

The first thing is to recognise the itch.

Recognise it and you’re halfway there.

Because then at least you know which way to focus your attention.

THE TRAIN

The first step is to know what you want. What is it you want to start changing? Is it about introducing something new into your life or is it something bigger? There is no universal right answer. Just a right answer for you.

So, grab a pen and paper, pull out your iPad or pick up a piece of chalk. Write down the one thing that you want to do most. The one thing that would make the most difference or bring the biggest happiness into your life.

ALL ABOARD...

YOUR LIFE EXPRESS

You can have a happy life choosing a job path that allows you to finish at 5pm, every day on the dot so that you can leave the job in the office and play the odd round of golf on long summer evenings. But bear in mind that while such a lifestyle might seem like perfection to you, it might smack of claustrophobic routine for someone else.

On a more pragmatic note, it might be that you require a predictable and relatively undemanding job so that you can plough your real energy into another project – a business of your own, or maybe your passion for cooking. Once you recognise the virtues of your job you might find you’ve got less to be frustrated about.

And then there’s the brightly lit, hardas-concrete realities of your personal situation.

Most people are limited by obligations to family or economic constraints.

Others by physical infirmities. These are real and naturally you have to marry your sky-high ambitions with some smart navigation around such obstacles.

Your options can be as wide open as the seven seas, if you want them to be – rejoice and make the most of it!

CREATE YOUR OWN LIFE EXPRESS

1. Write down all the big events and experiences in your life so far.

Think of achievements, successes and happy experiences. Think of difficult, challenging and unhappy experiences too.

•

Think about the turning points in your life – starting school college or university. Moving home, making friends and other significant relationships, starting a new job, leaving a job, birth of your children, bereavements.

Write down too, any special travel experiences and holidays, celebratory events, parties and festivals.

•

Write down any opportunities you didn’t take up.

•

Write down the year things happened, next to each event and experience.

2. Now take a very large piece of paper, the size of a flip chart piece of paper, (or create a large piece by sticking smaller pieces of paper together) and draw a faint line from one side of the paper to the other.

3. Now write down each experience and event, in order of the year it

This is an edited extract from Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book: Practical tools and exercises to give you a kick in the pants

by Shaa Wasmund, published by Capstone.

She is the woman who won a Cosmopolitan competition to interview Chris Eubank… and ended up managing his PR. She took an unknown James Dyson and launched his global business. Now Shaa Wasmund MBE is urging us to take action and make our goals reality

happened, along the line. Write each experience and event as far above or below the line as you think best represents each experience.

For example, if being fired from a job was the most difficult thing that has happened to you it might go far below the line. If the best thing that has happened so far was a period of travel, place that high above the line.

Add symbols, emoticons and pictures to each experience and event.

4. Draw a line to connect all the events – the line will of course, go up and down as it connects all the events across the years.

5. Now look at your ‘Life Express’.

Look at how far you’ve come and how many ups and downs, twists and turns have occurred in your life.

•

Which of these events and experiences just happened to

you? Which ones were deliberate decisions?

•

Times when you’ve felt most energised and useful?

•

What skills and abilities were you using? What environment?

Which relationships? What are the common themes? These themes are often a good indication of what’s going to work well for you in future.

•

If an event was your decision and it turned out well, how did you feel about it then?

•

If a decision you made didn’t turn out so well, how did you feel then and how do you feel now?

•

Despite the ups and downs in your life, you’ve got this far. Where are you going next? Do you think it will be a straight line?

" •

HOPEFULLY, THIS EXERCISE WILL HAVE SHOWN YOU THAT THERE WILL BE EVENTS, EXPERIENCES, GOOD TIMES, DIFFICULT TIMES, DECISIONS TO BE MADE.

THEY’RE GOING TO HAPPEN ANYWAY. DON’T LET THEM STOP YOU. START DOING! www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

59

Self-parking cars, clothes with tech built in, multi-screening, all benefits of the digital age – or not? What if the tech that is designed to empower us is actually inhibiting our thought processes and actually leading us to achieve less?

It’s a thought which behaviour expert Jez Rose considers in his new book, Flip The Switch, in which he challenges us to step back from instant messaging and take control of our conscious decision-making.

"

MY JOB AS A BEHAVIOURIST IS TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE DO THE THINGS WE DO. THE PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATED TECH IS THAT WE STOP THINKING AND I HAVE A REAL CONCERN ABOUT IT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. “My cousin is able to watch television, have a movie running on his laptop, while swiping a tablet and playing a video game. Kids think they’re doing it all, but actually they’re not doing anything. If we’re not challenging the space between stimulation and response, we’re not actually thinking at all.

“I think of that scene in Disney’s Wall-E where the entire human species is laying down watching screens and pushing buttons, and we’re not that far apart. It sounds sensationalist but it’s true and it needs to be thought about.”

If it sounds like a generational rub, ask most 30-somethings if they sit on the sofa watching endless Netflix box sets while swiping tablets and checking their social media channels, most evenings.

“It’s about conscious behaviour and decision-making,” says Rose, “and the consequences of the choices we make. Our grandparents used a great epithet, ‘Count to ten before reacting,’ and that’s something we still need to do before we add a comment, send an email or text with a knee-jerk reaction. It’s simple advice that can benefit us all.”

While most of us live in a truly 24/7 world, Rose says that taking a conscious decision to stop and step away from external media can be a life-saver and a great way to ground ourselves before we take action.

“A great tip is to stop everything entirely so you’ve got something to compare to.

“Take 60 seconds to sit in silence and don’t think. It’s actually harder than

it sounds for most of us as we are so over stimulated most of the time, but it can be enough to check yourself before you act.”

In his book, Rose – who appears regularly on radio and TV and was invited to speak at a TEDx conference on behaviour – offers advice and techniques to help readers identify behaviours that hold them back, how to improve their own and others’ mindset.

Having started his career as a standup comedian Rose has worked as a behaviourist for more than ten years, including projects for Philips, Volkswagen and Marriott.

So, after a decade of people watching, do we all act in the same way?

“Everybody asks if I’m profiling them,” laughs Rose, “and although I always mentally run a safety profile when I meet people, it’s just a job.

“There’s a body of work to pull on, but what is true is that the vast majority of people lack self-confidence – you see it when they reach for their phone or check their watch – but behaviour is not guaranteed, and we can all choose how we respond. I encourage everyone to challenge the status quo and think about why we do what we do.

"

WE ALL HABITUATE VERY EASILY – WE COOK THE SAME MEALS IN ROTATION, WE DO THINGS AT THE SAME TIME IN THE SAME ORDER – BUT WE CAN CHALLENGE AND THEN SHIFT OUR BEHAVIOUR. MAYBE THERE IS ANOTHER WAY? Challengers in history such as Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela thought, there’s another way, and although it was difficult the impact their actions made was life-changing.”

Flip The Switch by Jez Rose is published by Capstone.

To find out more visit THEBEHAVIOUREXPERT.COM

WEALTH & RICHES | JEZ ROSE

As a renowned behaviourist, Jez Rose wants us to turn off the auto response to channel the best from ourselves – the result, he says, could be extraordinary

LOOK

& LEARN Visit THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO to watch Jez Rose's TEDx Talk and read his tips for getting your kids to do what you want them to do!

www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

61

WEALTH & RICHES | SHARON LECHTER

HOW TO WRITE

A NOVEL

TO SUPPORT

YOUR BRAND People often come to me for help in reaching their, ‘I want to write a book’ goal. The latest statistics show that approximately 86 per cent of consultants say they want to write a book. In reality, about one per cent actually follow through.

I’ve had the opportunity to engage with some of the world’s greatest writers. One of my most recent books, Think and Grow Rich for Women, and my current work with the Napoleon Hill Foundation have added an even larger dimension to my experience. It doesn’t matter if you are interested in how to write a novel, a business book, or a self-help book.

62

www.t hebest y o umagaz ine.co

"

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I’VE LEARNED IS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING AN OUTLINE. STAYING FOCUSED ON YOUR INTENDED READERS AND WHAT VALUE THEY WILL GET OUT OF YOUR WORK IS IMPORTANT. By focusing and having an outline, you easily lead the reader through an experience that as a whole accomplishes your goals.

Which of course brings up another question: What is the purpose of your writing? Are you writing for your business and do you plan to use your work as an extended business card? Are you writing to position yourself as an authority?

Are you learning how to write a novel in hopes of having a best-selling book in a certain genre?

Your writing serves a purpose, for you and for your readers. Getting clear on the expectation of the book you are writing will lead you to better decisions relative to your outline, your title, your visuals, how you publish and distribute.

Sharon Lechter is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, international speaker, licensed CPA, Chartered Global Management Accountant and, most importantly a mother and grandmother.

A life-long education advocate, she is the founder and CEO of Pay Your Family First, a financial education organisation.

Regarded as a global expert on financial literacy, she has served as a national spokeswoman and Presidential advisor on the topic.

In 2015, Lechter joined the global initiative of Empowering a Billion Women by 2020 (EBW2020) as its chief abundance officer.

Now working in partnership with The Best You's CIO, Bernardo Moya, and set to speak at The Best You Expo 2017, here she shares her insight into how content can boost your brand.

For example, many of the clients I work with use their book to share their unique perspectives and business offerings. Consultants are experts at this. And, their books are critical assets in their branding toolbox, which they can feature on their website, distribute electronically, or have as giveaways at speaking engagements. Being published increases their credibility and positions their expertise. After all‌ they wrote the book on it.

So if you are thinking of writing a book, think about the job that your book needs to do for you and then focus on an outline that leads readers through

an experience that is both relevant and meaningful. Authentic sharing of information and impact is the highest honour you can give to your readers.

After all, in the words of Ernest Hemingway,

"

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WRITE ONE TRUE SENTENCE. WRITE THE TRUEST SENTENCE THAT YOU KNOW.�

For more advice from Sharon Lechter visit SHARONLECHTER.COM. To find out more about The Best You Expo visit THEBESTYOUEXPO.COM

www. t he b e s t youm ag a z i n e . c o

63

WEALTH & RICHES | ROCKY ROADS TO SUCCESS

ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE A TALENT FOR STAYING IN POWER

AHEAD OF THE TECH CURVE

Eleanor of Aquitaine was born around the year 1122, as exact records of a birth that long ago do not exist. Until she became a teenager, she was raised in privilege as the daughter of France’s most powerful duke, who was also one of the King’s wealthiest landowners. She was extremely lucky for a woman of her day, to be born into nobility where she wasn’t looked down upon.

Michael Dell was born in Houston, Texas in 1965, to an upper middle class Jewish family. Even in elementary school, the future founder of Dell Computers attempted to leap ahead of other children his age, convinced he was ready to graduate from high school at age eight and enter the business world.

While encouraging of their son, his parents wisely kept their son in school.

Indeed, she was encouraged to pursue education by her father William, Duke of Aquitaine. She was skilled in mathematics, languages and many other traditions of the day, all in preparation to inherit her father’s domain upon his eventual death. She was noted as being a lively, charismatic and popular person from the time she was a child.

After her father died, everything did not go as the late Duke had planned for his daughter. Instead of watching over Eleanor until such time as she was old enough to take possession of her father’s lands and title, the King of France married her off to his own son and took charge of her family’s lands. Soon after they were wed, the elder King died, making his son the new King, and Eleanor the Queen of France. Due to the fact that the couple did not have a son, and during a time of great unrest in France, the marriage was later annulled.

After several attempts were made on her life during her single period, Eleanor demanded that Henry, future King of England, marry her. She became Queen of England and the couple had five sons and three daughters. After enduring many additional hardships, including imprisonment, she once again became Queen of England later in life when her son ruled as King.

64

MICHAEL DELL

www.t hebest y o umagaz ine.co

Dell became fascinated with computers and technology almost from the time he could speak. It was evident that he had an extremely high proficiency for computer engineering, quickly learning the ins and outs of any machine he encountered.

However, he also had a keen eye for business trends and how supply and demand worked. It was while selling newspaper subscriptions in high school that this combination of talents allowed him to out-earn everyone.

Intending to study medicine upon entering college, the always-enterprising Dell began a side business of upgrading personal computers, eventually turning that into an efficient and profitable operation, running it out of his college dorm room. Dell sensed he had created a winning business model, but one that was also scalable. He made his first company, PCs Unlimited, official in early 1984 and never looked back.

In the early 1990s, after changing the name of the enterprise to Dell Computer Corporation, the firm was officially listed on the Fortune 500. Dell himself was still only in his 20s. The company’s fortunes have grown wildly in the past two decades, with Michael Dell consistently steering its fortunes slightly ahead of the curve.

ROBIN WRIGHT

SIMON COWELL

Robin Wright was born to non-entertainment industry parents in 1966 Texas. After a move to California however, she was raised in the backyard of Hollywood for much of her young life.

While she attended high school in San Diego and Los Angeles, Wright began a modelling career, which quickly led to a higher profile, landing her a gig on a popular TV soap opera while she was still in her teens.

Born in London just before the rise of the swinging 1960s, Simon Cowell’s mother and father counted their professions as ballet dancer and music industry executive, respectively.

Cowell was a decent student in school while he was growing up, however he was not particularly drawn to any one passion as far as his future career was concerned.

TALENT STRIKES TWICE

Winning the highly coveted role of Buttercup in the instant and timeless classic The Princess Bride, Wright’s film career started with a successful jolt. In the early 1990s her star rose with the role of Jenny in another classic, Forrest Gump. It was during this time that she met and married actor Sean Penn. After the couple started a family, Wright continued her film work, but at a much slower pace.

After a sometimes turbulent marriage, Wright and Penn divorced in the first decade of the 2000s. She still had a career, but since Forrest Gump she was mostly known as an under-theradar actress that preferred roles in more artistic, independent films. While this may have been partly true, Wright has said that a comparatively lower profile than her contemporaries was due to her desire to be there while her children were growing up.

However after her divorce, she began to steer her own fate.

In 2013, Wright exploded back onto the scene in her already iconic role of Claire Underwood in the wildly popular Netflix series, House of Cards. Additionally, she has honed her directing skills at the helm of several of the series’ episodes.

FAILURE WAS NOT AN OPTION

Earning an education in sociology, Cowell never felt that was his true calling. He dabbled at lower-level positions in the entertainment industry, both on the film and music side, taking a short-lived job in the mailroom of a prominent music publishing firm. He continued to bounce around between odd jobs after that.

He then attempted to launch two unsuccessful music ventures and was left wondering what to do next. He began to realise that he had a talent for finding musical talent, and soon he was fostering aspiring musicians into the music industry that hadn’t even considered a career in music. But Cowell saw promise in these acts. Indeed, one duo had an immediate hit upon release of their first single, thanks to his tutelage.

In 2001, Cowell stepped onto the global stage with his role as a judge on the first ever season of the Idol franchise, appearing in the UK under the name Pop Idol. What followed was one of the most successful careers for any talent scout in the music industry. Due to his own skill at spotting talent and his natural charisma, Simon Cowell became a household name the world over, proving that even in the face of failure, letting your ability shine is the more important than anything.

Robin Wright has proven that it is possible for a woman over 40 in the entertainment business to control her own fate.

www. t he b e s t youm ag a z i n e . c o

65

Be Inspired

68

TOP VLOGGERS

YouTubers give it back

21ST CENTURY LIVING We live in a technological age and the opportunities that new ideas and developments bring to both our personal and professional lives are amazing.

Discover fresh thinking and technologies that can boost daily life.

70

HOT TECH

Gadgets for the summer months

PUT YOUR COMPANY IN THIS SPACE! TO SPONSOR THIS PAGE AND BE PART OF THE BEST YOU, EMAIL US AT ADVERTISING@THEBESTYOU.CO

Vloggers Making

1

PEWDIEPIE

Aka Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, the Swedish YouTube star has helped to raise funds for Save The Children, World Wildlife Fund and Charity:Water, generating donations of more than £1m over the years.

What a Bro!

Watch PewDiePie’s £1m charity moment at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ulIwePLwFns

At The Best You, we recognise those who are using their digital space to educate, empower and do good for others

They’re some of the biggest YouTube names, so this month we salute those who lend their digital space to a great cause…

21ST CENTURY LIVING | VLOGGERS

king A Difference JIM CHAPMAN

He raised almost £6k when he ran the London Marathon in aid of the British Heart Foundation earlier this year, and last month the male fashionloving vlogstar participated in an all-star charity football match at Norwich City in aid of Community Sports Foundation.

Catch up with EveryDay Jim at https://www. youtube.com/user/ j1mmyb0bba

3 ZALFIE

That’s YouTube golden couple Zoella and Alfie, of course.

Zoella has worked closely with mental health charity Mind and become an ambassador for the organisation. And while boyfriend Alfie has donated to Chestnut Tree House, the couple teamed up to support charity Rays of Sunshine to meet fans and spend time with seriously ill children.

2

Check out power YouTubers Zoella and Alfie at https://www. youtube.com/watch?time_ continue=2&v=YMZape3gW-k

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

THE

GREAT

OTTERBOX

OUTDOORS

Summertime, and for most of us it’s time to head outside and enjoy the sun while it lasts. Of course, some people prefer the comforts of indoors no matter what the thermometer’s reading.

Whether you’re escaping from or into the sun, we’ve got gadgets to help you make the most of the summer months

If you’re as clumsy with a smartphone as we are, a shock-resistant case is something you probably can’t do without. Cracked or scratched screens might be common for those who leave such things to chance, but those who have invested in an Otterbox can rest assured that their phone is as safe as it can be. The Otterbox is shock-resistant, waterresistant, and even keeps dust away from your device. The new Otterbox is significantly less bulletproof than the earlier models, but it has replaced durability with functionality. Thanks to a number of well-thought-out partnerships, the new Otterbox can be tricked out with flash drives, speakers, mobile wallets and card readers – and the list is still growing. A more sophisticated piece of technology than the old tank that made the Otterbox name famous.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £39

UNIVERSE

PEBBLE TIME SMARTWATCH

21ST CENTURY LIVING | GADGETS

NINJA FULL-FACE

The snorkel mask is one of those pieces of technology that has long been crying out for a re-imagining. The masks are often clumsy, and the breathing tubes seem to be designed with suffocation in mind. The H20 Full-Face Snorkel seems to have solved these problems. Valves on the breathing pipe keep air in and water out, and the fact that the snorkel covers the entire face gives the user a sense of security they lack otherwise. If you have been kept from the delights of the world beneath the surface, the full-face snorkel might give you a chance to discover all that you’ve been missing.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £99

www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

SNORKEL

HUMAN INC. HEADPHONES

20

Once you get over the undeniably strange appearance of these headphones, they might just become one of the most indispensable pieces of tech you have (assuming you’re a music lover). These completely wireless headphones attach comfortably to the top part of the user’s ears, and the resulting immersive sound experience just might be game-changing. At this stage, there is very little concrete information about the headphones, but if the people at Human Inc. can make good on half the promises they are making, this will be a huge product launch. Features would include the ability to decrease or increase the ambient volume and portable loudspeaker capabilities. Human Inc. raised more than $5m this year, so there is much expected of it, but, as they get closer to a release date, it’s looking more and more like its products are the real deal.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: TBD

H

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE DESIGN & SHOTS ON IPAD, IPHONE & ANDROID DEVICES. THEBESTYOUMAGAZINE.CO

Pebble first introduced its smartwatch a while back, and it was an immediate hit with the tech set. It was an intuitive device that effortlessly captured the more essential features of the big-name smartwatches, but for a quarter of the price you’d pay for more popular brands. Pebble has re-tooled the device, and it’s in colour now! It’s still relatively light, but at 42.5 grams, it feels sturdy. Rather than a touchscreen, it’s got four buttons and due to its stripped-down functionality, the Pebble Time boasts what just might be the best battery life in the field – stretching for light users for as long as a week. It might not be the dressiest watch (Pebble will be coming out with a steel version later this year), but it will do what you ask of it. It’s as reliable and user-friendly as ever.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: £154

71

GET INVOLVED IN...

2016 will see the seventh year of Small Charity Week, a week that has quickly become a major feature of the UK charity calendar.

It engages policymakers, the media and the general public to support in the work of the UK’s vibrant small charity sector.

We support small charities because nearly one in five see possible closure as likely*, yet the demand for the services provided by small charities has never been greater, increasing 58 per cent, 2014-2015**.

Small Charity Week hopes to provide support that will enable struggling small charities to remain open and thrive. Whether it be in improving knowledge, fundraising skills, or social media know-how; the week has something for everyone.

1. 13 JUNE 2016: I ♥ SMALL CHARITIES DAY I ♥ Small Charities Day is a day

to raise awareness of the constant hard work by small charities across the UK. We are running three competitions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where all entrants need to do is take a photo of themselves holding up a poster that reads: ‘I love (charity's name) because (why you love them)’.

There are cash prizes available for each and it is a great way to engage with your supporters.

2. 14 JUNE 2016: BIG ADVICE DAY

Expert advice is not always easy to come by when resources are stretched and this can be a particular problem for small

charities. Big Advice Day will see a national London event and various regional events where small charities can access expert 1:1 advice on a variety of topics.

3. 15 JUNE 2016: POLICY DAY

Small charities are at the centre of Civil Society. It is important therefore that the voices of small charities are heard above the noise created by larger ones with better resources. To mark Policy Day 2016, a policy reception will be held in Admiralty House, Westminster.

It will be an opportunity for small charities to meet policymakers, MPs, officials and other small charities to talk about key small charity sector issues.

4. FUNDRAISING DAY is action-

packed this year to help small charities engage with current and new supporters. Kicking off the activities is the Fundraising Conference offering small charities the opportunity to learn from experts at an all-day event in London.

Next up is the #GiveMe5 campaign, where Local Giving and the FSI have pledged to double 1,000 x £5 online donations made on Fundraising Day as well as offering a free membership to small charities who attend any FSI training events. eBay for Charity and the PayPal Giving Fund have got involved with Fundraising Day too! They are offering small charities the chance to appeal to eBay users at checkout asking them to donate, as well as the chance to auction off prizes in the Small Charity eBay Auction

SMALLCHARITYWEEK.COM

which has up to £2,000 matched funding available.

5. 17 JUNE 2016: VOLUNTEERING DAY

Many volunteers miss the opportunity to support small charities simply because they are not aware that they are needed.

Volunteering Day aims to bring volunteers and small charities together by providing a platform for both parties to meet and share ideas. This year, small charities are invited to attend a speed-matching Event with Media Trust, a Trustee networking event with the I Am Group and an Advisory Panel with Reach Volunteering.

6. 18 JUNE 2016: CELEBRATION DAY

Small Charity Week closes with a day to celebrate small charities everywhere. Celebration Day is a great big thank you to small charities for all the effort they put in to make the world a better place.

If you are a small charity and any of the activities taking place in Small Charity Week would be useful to your organisation, sign up today!

If you’d like to think about it, you can keep up to date with all Small Charity Week news by signing up to its mailing list – email info@ smallcharityweek.com or follow @SCWeek2016 on Twitter. * FSI, 2015, Quarterly Report, Taking the Pulse of the Small Charity Sector ** FSI, 2015, Small Charities Index November – September 2014

www. t he b e s t youm ag azi n e . c o

73

To advertise here, please contact us on +44 (0) 207 927 6500 or email adverstising@thebestyou.co

Speak

& exhibit at Book Today

call 0207 927 6500 email louise.dockery@thebestyou.co or luciano.moya@thebestyou.co

or please visit www.thebestyouexpo.com

To advertise here, please contact us on +44 (0) 207 927 6500 or email adverstising@thebestyou.co

To find out more please call + 44 (0) 207 9276500 or email us at info@thebestyou.co