This is the woman to thank for everything! Without her I wouldn't have taken action and started this site, written my first honest post and continued to pursue my dreams. A month of coaching with Jenn gave me the kick start I needed and I will be forever thankful for her help.
Today's interview is soulful, inspiring and a gorgeous illustration of the amazing person Jenn is!
www.positivitypimp.blogspot.com
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1. Tell us where you are in your life right now (in your perspective) + what your intention is for the rest of 2013.
Right now I'm in the middle of making some big changes in my life. This was always my intention for 2013; to take myself out of my comfort zone and to push myself to take chances and to stop doing things which do not serve me or make me feel happy. So far I've moved to a new country, found an amazing new home with my boyfriend, and I have been taking courses to develop myself personally and professionally. One thing which I've truly learnt is that when you are making substantial changes to your life you can hit speed bumps and at times you will question everything about what you want. You'll sometimes feel like you're going backwards rather than taking leaps ahead. I've come to affectionately call these times the 'Nurturing Phase'. It's important to allow time to adapt to change and reflect on where you are at. This gives so much clarity to my progression.
My intention for the remainder of 2013 is to bring more value, add more joy, and align myself even more intently with my desires. I see my career taking off in ways I have only dreamt of, and right now they all feel so tangible and real. I'm beyond excited to see how things unfold!
2. What fuels you to do what you do?
A desire to make a difference in some small or big way. Growing up the template of 'go to college, get good grades, get a good job, meet a guy, settle down, marry, have some kids, work tirelessly for 40 years and then retire and start doing the things you love' scared the pants off me. I feared getting to the end of life and being disappointed that I hadn't lived fully. I've always had the desire to do things a bit differently; to have fun, set and reach unimaginable goals, to break the mould and to be the girl that through her own actions inspires other people. It's a bench mark for how I live everyday. I want to help women, who like me, have had struggles and fear and doubt, and I want to help those women blast through the barriers which have been holding them back so they can live the life of their dreams too. That my darling is what fuels me.
3. What is the best advice you have been given?
You know there is so much wisdom and advice out there from great people who have gone before and have tried and tested so many routes to success. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the advice that's out there but my general rule is to take and listen to the advice which resonates with you on a deep level. Listen to the advice that give you goosebumps, makes your hair stand on end or makes your heart beat faster. Listen to the advice that compels you.
Some of the best advice I was given was to surround myself with good people. When people show you who they truly are, believe them. It's not about having a bunch of friends that tell you what you want to hear, but having friends that support you, challenge you, and push you to be the best version of yourself. They're the good folk that you need in your corner.
I also love the advice my Dad gave me. "If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence of having tried before". It's inevitable that not everything will work out or go to plan. Sometimes you'll lose big. The important thing to do is to move forward with unbridled enthusiasm even if you've been knocked down before. It's keeping the faith that everything is unfolding as it should and to remember, the Universe is not telling you that your dreams are not good enough, it might be telling you that it has something a little bigger and better in store. Our job is to keep the faith and trust. Best advice.
4. They say 'You are what you're attracted to'. So tell me who inspires you and why?
I'm really inspired by happy, enthusiastic and passionate people. I find those kind of people contagious and I'm inspired by their energy. That's the kind of person I strive to be too. I gather so much inspiration from seeing entrepreneurial women creating their own lives and proclaiming success on their own terms. It's breathtaking. Their bravery, soul, and moxie all combined is the ultimate in feminine power and I look at those women and think, 'I want a slice of that cake', so everyday when I feel anxious, nervous or fearful I just imagine what Marie, Gabby and Danielle would do. It motivates me and helps me tap into that power too.
I'm also inspired by the written word - books, poetry, songs. I love how words have power and can evoke emotions. That inspires me when I write blog posts or when I journal.
Culture, travel, photography, fashion, music, teaching, coaching... it all blows me away!
5. How do you overcome the inner critic in you?
Acknowledge it. Become aware of it, and recognise and know what it is up to, it's a sneaky character! Shedding light on our inner critic diminishes its power and puts us back in control. You almost have to say 'Listen Missy I know what you're up, and today it ain't working!!'. It's when we listen intently and believe what she's saying then it causes problems. My rule of thumb is this; if I wouldn't say it to my best friend, then I shouldn't say it to myself.
6. DREAM BIG: Where do you want your blog + business to take you?
When I started blogging 18 months ago I never thought Positivity Pimp it would help me discover my passions and life purpose. I never comprehended that it would help me connect with an abundant of like minded souls from all corners of the world, and I never could have guessed the opportunities which would have arose all because I decided to put myself out there in web land.
My hope for my blog and business is that is continues to grow and develop. Two words I focus on when I blog is Freedom and Creativity. I dream of my blog giving me the freedom to pursue coaching and to create a soulful business which will flourish. I dream of creating more diversity in my life to fuel my creative passions. I see myself setting up my own practise and studio one day, hosting retreats, building a school programme, and lately I keep seeing a book in my meditations. The possibilities are endless!
7. How did you come to the healthy path + what does it mean to you?
Like many people I came to this stage by hitting a rock bottom. I was quite young, about 24, which freaked me out quite a bit because for a long time I didn't know what was 'wrong' with me. I had everything that I thought I wanted or should have but my heart and soul was literally screaming at me to walk away. I suffered from depression and my body broke out in stress rashes. I had stomach problems and outbreaks. I was a mess. Eventually I paid head to the constant feeling that there had to be a better way, and that's where my health journey began.
For me being healthy is looking after my mind, body, and spirit. Everything flows into each other: the happy trinity. I think being 'healthy' is not about how many supplements are crammed in your cupboards, or how fancy your gym wear is; being healthy is having a deep rooted loving respect with yourself and honouring all our aspects of your physical, emotional and mental health.
8. How do you give thanks to your body everyday?
I don't buy tabloid magazines or read content which promote unhealthy images of what it means to be 'perfect'. I look after my body by listening to what it really needs. Our bodies have a remarkable way of communicating with us. I fuel it with fresh water and natural foods. I move my body and I adore stretching! I love the feeling of blood rushing around my body. I have a 'pamper sesh' every Thursday and I pay attention to my body. I allow myself to look at my body and the things which my ego would like me to hate, I feel nothing but love for them - my freckles, the shape of my bum, my curves, the one eye that's a little smaller than the other, and my pale skin. It's a practise and a habit which I have learnt, it wasn't always this way, but thinking and feeling this way about my body is a much happier and healthy place.
9. What do you LOVE?
I LOVE life and everything it affords me. I love my partner and best friend Freddie; the most generous, wise and happy soul I know. I love my strong circle or friends and my incredibly supportive family; my brother Philip is my rock. I cannot describe how much love and joy coaching and mentoring gives me. I love conversations, deep laughter, and tight squeezy hugs. I love walking bare foot in the grass and being out in nature. I love the smell of jasmine and mok. I love dining al fresco and I absolutely adore my Mum's Sunday roast dinners!
10. When the going gets tough, how do you keep yourself going?
I get my goals out and write them down every single day. I keep my vision board where I can see it - inside my wardrobe door, on my screen saver, and my laminate copy on the outside of my shower door!! Basically I UP the positive stuff and keep my eye on the goal. Again, it a conscious, constant practise to keep my head space clear and my heart open. Being negative and down beat doesn't get me very far and it's much easier to deal with the tough times when I'm feeling good. It's not to say that I'm immune to bad days but it's a decision and choice to pick myself up quicker and get back on track.
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