Written by Tiffany Ludwicki, Health Coach Tiffany Ludwicki is well-known when it comes to Snoring and sleep issues. She is the founder of Mind Body Mouth and the Stop Snoring Solution (an online and virtual program) It is just too common to hear a client say, “I wish my health care provider looked inside my mouth before prescribing medications, appliances, or surgery”, because the reality is, even after they try the “doctor's orders”, they still suffer with sleep, mood, and oral health issues despite the recommended approach that more prescribers offer. That is why I need to share the reality of the commonly overlooked symptoms and strategies with you today. Mouth breathing: Causes, symptoms, and how to fix it naturally Mouth breathing is far more common than most people realize. Many adults and children breathe through their mouths during the day or while sleeping without ever being aware of it. Over time, this pattern can quietly influence sleep quality, facial growth, oral health, and overall well-being. Because it often develops gradually, mouth breathing is easy to overlook. Breathing through the mouth is not usually a conscious choice. It is often the result of airway challenges, muscle habits, or compensations the body learned early on. The encouraging part is that learned patterns can be relearned. With the right support, healthier breathing is possible at any age. What is mouth breathing? Mouth breathing occurs when air is taken in primarily through the mouth instead of the nose. It can happen while awake, during sleep, or both. In certain situations, such as a cold, sinus infection, or temporary congestion, mouth breathing is a normal short-term adaptation. It becomes problematic when it turns into the body’s default breathing pattern. The nose is designed specifically for breathing. It filters airborne particles, humidifies and warms the air, and regulates airflow before it reaches the lungs. When breathing bypasses the nose, these protective functions are lost. Over time, habitual mouth breathing can affect how your blood regulates oxygen and carbon dioxide, stress hormones, and eventually how the muscles of the face, tongue, and airway function, leading to dysregulated sleep. And we all know what it’s like to get a poor night’s sleep! Signs and symptoms of mouth breathing Mouth breathing does not always look dramatic. Many of the signs are subtle and tend to blend into daily life, which is why they are often missed. Mouth breathing in adults Adults who mouth breathe may notice: Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking Snoring or disrupted sleep Feeling unrefreshed despite adequate sleep duration Jaw tension, clenching, or morning headaches Daytime fatigue or brain fog  Difficulty concentrating or feeling chronically “run-down.” Increased anxiety or a feeling of shallow breathing Poor oral health despite good hygiene practices Because these symptoms develop gradually, they are often attributed to stress, anxiety, depression, or aging, rather than breathing patterns. Sadly, people then seek pharmaceutical remedies that do not address the root cause of the symptoms. Mouth breathing in children In children, mouth breathing may present as: Sleeping with the mouth open Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep Dark circles under the eyes Frequent chapped lips or dry mouth Crowded teeth or orthodontic concerns Behavioral, attention, or learning challenges Bedwetting past 5-6 years old Early identification is especially important in children, as breathing patterns can influence sinus, facial, and cranial growth and development. In addition to this, since sleep cycles are affected by poor oxygenation or micro-arousals, their natural developmental cycles become impaired as limited growth hormones are being released during sleep. What causes mouth breathing? Mouth breathing usually develops from a combination of factors rather than a single cause. Some are structural, while others are functional or habitual. Common contributors include: Chronic nasal congestion from allergies or recurrent illness Enlarged tonsils or adenoids Deviated septum or narrow nasal passages Low tongue posture or reduced oral muscle tone Prolonged pacifier use or thumb sucking in early childhood Poor posture or chronic stress affecting breathing patterns Even when the original obstruction resolves, the nervous system may continue to default to mouth breathing. In these cases, the airway is technically open, but the habit remains. Mouth breathing vs. nose breathing: Why it matters Nasal breathing supports the body in ways that go beyond simply moving air in and out. As air passes through the nose, it is filtered and humidified, protecting the lungs and airway tissues. The nasal passages also produce nitric oxide, a molecule that helps improve oxygen delivery and circulation throughout the body. Nose breathing encourages the tongue to rest against the roof of the mouth, where it helps support the upper jaw and maintain an open airway. This resting posture promotes stability in the jaw and neck and contributes to more efficient breathing during sleep. Mouth breathing, by contrast, often leads to a low tongue posture and reduced muscle tone. Over time, this can increase airway collapse during sleep, contribute to snoring, and disrupt restorative sleep cycles. Is mouth breathing bad for you? Occasional mouth breathing is not inherently harmful. Persistent mouth breathing, however, may place extra strain on the body over time. Potential effects include: Poor sleep quality and increased snoring Sleep apnea and chronic disease Dry mouth and a higher risk of cavities or gum disease Facial growth changes in children Jaw tension or discomfort, TMJ dysfunction/pain Reduced daytime energy and focus Anxiety and depression Relationship challenges and feelings of lost connection/intimacy These changes tend to occur gradually, which is why mouth breathing often goes unrecognized for years. Mouth breathing in children vs. adults In children, mouth breathing can influence how the face, jaws, and airway develop. Early intervention can support healthier growth patterns and may reduce the need for more complex treatment later on. Adults, however, are not beyond change. The muscles involved in breathing, posture, and oral function remain adaptable throughout life. With guided retraining, adults can improve nasal breathing, sleep quality, and overall comfort. How to stop mouth breathing Addressing mouth breathing starts with understanding what is driving it. In some cases, medical or dental evaluation is necessary to rule out structural concerns that limit nasal airflow. Medical and structural support This may include: Evaluation by an ENT specialist Management of allergies or chronic nasal congestion Dental or orthodontic assessment when bite or jaw position is involved Collaboration with chiropractors, cranial sacral therapists, or osteopaths Functional and behavioral support When mouth breathing is habitual, changing the pattern requires retraining the muscles and nervous system. This is termed myofunctional therapy and involves: Establishing consistent nasal breathing Improving tongue posture and lip seal Improving facial muscle, coordination, and endurance Addressing posture and breathing mechanics Health/wellness coaching may be an additional benefit offered by some therapists How myofunctional therapy helps mouth breathing Myofunctional therapy focuses on the muscles of the mouth, face, and tongue that play a role in breathing, swallowing, and airway stability. Rather than addressing symptoms alone, it works to change the underlying functional habits that contribute to mouth breathing. Through guided exercises and education, individuals learn how to establish nasal breathing, proper tongue posture, a relaxed lip seal, and ideal swallowing patterns. This approach is gentle, non-invasive, and tailored to each person’s needs. Myofunctional therapy can support children during growth and development, as well as adults dealing with snoring, orthodontic relapse, jaw tension, or ongoing sleep concerns. When to seek professional help Mouth breathing that persists despite clear nasal passages, especially when accompanied by snoring, fatigue, dental concerns, or sleep disruption, is worth evaluating. A collaborative approach may involve medical, dental, and myofunctional professionals working together. Early guidance can help clarify what is contributing to the pattern and prevent more complex issues from developing over time. Final thoughts Mouth breathing is common, often overlooked, and frequently reversible. Awareness is an important first step. With proper evaluation and support, many people are able to retrain their breathing patterns and experience meaningful improvements in sleep quality, comfort, and overall health. If mouth breathing feels familiar, whether for you or your child, working with a trained myofunctional therapist can provide clarity, structure, and a sustainable path forward. Here are some quick links to help you resolve your challenges. Find out why you snore/mouth breathe by completing this assessment:   5 Steps to Help Tired Adults Discover Why They Snore And How to Get a Healthy Night’s Sleep without Disturbing Their Loved Ones Book a Snoring Assessment call with a professional Myofunctional Therapist . Visit Mind Body Mouth  for more information. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Tiffany Ludwicki Tiffany Ludwicki, Health Coach Tiffany Ludwicki is a leader in sleep performance. A history of snoring and memory loss combined with a child born with airway issues, Tiffany created strategies to dramatically improve their sleep quality. She has since dedicated her life to helping others unleash the snoring beast within to find peace throughout the night and optimize their potential throughout the day. She is the founder of Mind Body Mouth and the Stop Snoring Solution, an online program with virtual group coaching to assist others in stopping snoring and reducing sleep apnea events. Her mission is to spread awareness of the dangers of snoring and through snoring cessation, improve people's energy and reduce their risk for chronic disease and divorce.

Written by Kerrie-Lyann Hirst, Trauma-Informed Coach Kerrie-Lyann Hirst is a trauma-informed coach and social impact leader specialising in generational trauma, nervous system regulation, and cycle-breaking leadership. She combines lived experience with ethical, non-clinical practice to help individuals and organisations create sustainable, trauma-aware change. Generational trauma is increasingly recognised as a factor shaping leadership behaviour and organisational culture. What are we unknowingly passing on in our families, teams, and systems? Ethical leadership is often discussed in terms of values, integrity, and decision-making. But rarely do we examine the inherited emotional, relational, and systemic patterns that quietly shape how we lead. As the Founder of Heal A Generation CIC, working at the intersection of trauma-informed practice and organisational leadership, this question sits at the centre of how I choose to lead. Not because leadership demands perfection, but because it carries responsibility, and responsibility requires awareness. The weight of that responsibility is significant. How leaders structure organisations, model behaviour, and make decisions has a direct impact on the people they serve, the teams they lead, and the systems they build. Leading ethically requires slowing down and examining how past experiences, including trauma, show up in the present. This is not about having a bad day and its ripple effect. Leaders work with people navigating mental health challenges, addiction, vulnerability, and complex life circumstances. They lead teams made up of real humans with full, messy lives. At the same time, they are laying foundations that will either support or strain future generations within the organisation. Leadership is shaped not only by conscious values but by the nervous system, personal history, and lived experience brought into everyday decision-making. Much of what shows up in leadership is not a conscious choice, but inherited survival patterns learned long before we ever held responsibility. What generational trauma actually is (beyond the buzzword) Generational trauma refers to the beliefs, emotional responses, and behavioural patterns that are learned, witnessed, and unconsciously adopted within our environments. These patterns are shaped by cultural, social, political, and circumstantial contexts and are often passed down through families, communities, and institutions. While many of these patterns originate in early childhood through primary caregivers, they are also reinforced in schools, organisations, and other systems of influence. Over time, what begins as adaptation or survival becomes normalised behaviour carried into adulthood and often into positions of leadership. So, what, then, is trauma? In this context, trauma refers not only to what happens to us, but to the lasting impact those experiences have on how we think, feel, and respond to the world. Trauma can stem from single events such as abuse, bullying, neglect, or relational harm, as well as from ongoing experiences commonly captured through Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). What is less widely understood is that trauma is not just held in memory, it is held in the body. To survive challenging environments, we develop adaptive survival responses shaped by the nervous system. These responses are often described as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. The nervous system’s role is protection. However, patterns that once supported survival can later show up in everyday life as people-pleasing, avoidance, hypervigilance, or perfectionism. In leadership contexts, these same patterns may manifest as emotional dysregulation, burnout, control, or the misuse of power, often without conscious awareness. Left unexamined, this can lead to harmful leadership patterns. Exploring how trauma-based patterns show up in leadership Hyper-responsibility Hyper-responsibility often presents as an internalised belief that everything depends on the leader. This pattern frequently develops in environments where safety, stability, or emotional regulation were inconsistent, and survival required taking on adult roles early. In leadership, this can show up as difficulty delegating, chronic overworking, and burnout. Leaders may absorb responsibility that properly belongs to teams or systems, feeling personally accountable for everyone’s well-being. Over time, this creates unsustainable leadership models and can foster dependency rather than empowerment. Emotional suppression Emotional suppression emerges when emotional expression is minimised, ignored, or actively discouraged. Messages such as “be strong,” “don’t make a fuss,” or “just get on with it” teach individuals to disconnect from emotional experience. In leadership contexts, this may show up as avoidance of emotionally charged conversations, dismissing staff wellbeing as a personal issue, or an inability to hold space for discomfort, grief, or vulnerability. The result is often emotionally disconnected cultures with low psychological safety and unspoken resentment. Conflict avoidance and conflict dominance Conflict avoidance and conflict dominance are two expressions of the same survival response. Leaders who learned that conflict was unsafe may avoid it entirely, delaying decisions, maintaining unclear boundaries, and adopting a passive leadership style. Others may respond through dominance, controlling situations to prevent a perceived threat. This can manifest as authoritarian decision-making, shutting down ideas, and rigid “my way or no way” cultures. Both patterns reduce trust, stifle innovation, and create environments shaped by fear or stagnation. Overachievement tied to self-worth Overachievement tied to self-worth develops when value, love, or safety were experienced as conditional on performance. Leaders shaped by this pattern may over-identify with their role or title, struggle to rest or step back, and measure team value primarily through output. While often praised in high-performance cultures, this pattern contributes to burnout, normalisation of overwork, and leadership models that fail to demonstrate balance or sustainability. These behaviours are not character flaws, they are adaptive survival strategies. The issue arises when they remain unexamined and are carried into positions of power. The harm comes from not being aware that these behaviours can affect how you lead. Awareness is the point of intervention. When leaders understand how survival patterns shape their behaviour, they gain the ability to choose differently. How generational trauma shows up in leadership Survival patterns formed in early environments often translate directly into leadership behaviours. One common expression of this is the tension between control and trust. Leaders shaped by environments where trust was unreliable may adopt highly controlling leadership styles. This can show up as rigid hierarchies, micromanagement, or an overreliance on authority as a means of maintaining safety. From the perspective of teams, this often creates a sense of being unseen, undervalued, or excluded from meaningful decision-making. From the leader’s perspective, control is rarely about dominance alone. It is often driven by an internal belief that responsibility cannot be shared, that no one else fully understands the work, the risk, or the consequences. Over time, this erodes trust on both sides, contributing to disengagement within teams and burnout for leaders themselves. Overwork as a virtue Overwork as a virtue often develops from early experiences where rest was viewed as laziness and worth was tied to productivity. For leaders, this belief can translate into an inability to slow down, switch off, or prioritise rest without guilt. In leadership contexts, this mindset can shape workplace cultures where long hours are normalised, and teams feel pressure to constantly perform, often leading to burnout and a persistent sense that their efforts are never enough. For both leaders and their teams, this pattern frequently impacts relationships, with work consistently taking priority over home life, rest, and connection. Fear-based decision making Fear-based decision making often develops in environments where mistakes carry high emotional or practical consequences. When safety felt conditional, decision-making became rooted in avoiding risk rather than exploring possibilities. In leadership, this can show up as hesitation, over-control, or reactive choices driven by the need to prevent worst-case outcomes. Opportunities may be delayed or avoided altogether, and creativity and out-of-the-box thinking can stall as leaders prioritise certainty over growth. For teams, this creates a climate of anxiety and caution, where people are reluctant to take initiative or speak openly. Over time, fear-based leadership limits creativity, trust, and collective confidence. Difficulty holding healthy boundaries Difficulty holding healthy boundaries often stems from early experiences where personal needs were ignored, blurred, or unsafe to express. Leaders shaped by these environments may struggle to separate responsibility from over-availability. In practice, this can look like blurred working hours, difficulty saying no, or taking on emotional and practical burdens that belong to others. Teams may become overly reliant, while leaders feel stretched, resentful, or depleted. Without clear boundaries, both leaders and organisations risk burnout, confusion, and relationships that lack clarity or sustainability. All or any of these survival strategies can look like strong leadership until they create harm. Organisational culture as an inherited system While leadership behaviours often feel personal, they rarely exist in isolation. Organisations themselves inherit patterns shaped by the histories, values, and survival strategies of those who lead them. Over time, these patterns become embedded in culture, influencing how people work, communicate, and relate to one another. Organisational culture reflects what is consistently rewarded, suppressed, and normalised. These signals are rarely written into policy, but they are felt daily through decision-making, expectations, and unspoken rules. In trauma-shaped systems, output is often prioritised over wellbeing. Resilience becomes confused with endurance, and vulnerability is quietly silenced in favour of performance. What begins as individual coping strategies can evolve into organisational norms that reinforce overwork, emotional disconnection, and fear-based leadership. This is where individual awareness meets systems responsibility. Ethical leadership requires examining personal patterns, but also recognising how those patterns scale, shaping cultures that either interrupt harm or pass it forward. Ethical leadership: From blame to responsibility So, how do we ensure we lead ethically and do not pass harm forward? Ethical leadership is not about being healed, fixed, or having all the answers. It is about awareness, choice, and accountability. It requires recognising that while many of the patterns we carry may not have started with us, we are responsible for whether they continue through us. This shift from blame to responsibility is central to ethical leadership. It moves leadership away from defensiveness or perfectionism and towards conscious stewardship. Ethical leaders do not deny their influence, they examine it. They understand that leadership always leaves an imprint, whether intentional or not. Practising ethical leadership begins with reflection and continues through action. It asks leaders to pause and consider: What behaviours am I modelling, especially under pressure? What environments am I actively creating or allowing to persist? What patterns am I reinforcing, and which ones am I consciously choosing to interrupt? Ethical leadership is not a final destination, but an ongoing practice. One rooted in responsibility for the cultures we shape, the people we lead, and the legacies we leave behind. What it means to break the cycle in leadership So what does it actually mean to break the cycle in leadership? At its core, cycle-breaking is the conscious decision to choose something different. It begins with awareness, noticing the patterns we carry, the behaviours we default to, and the responses that feel automatic. From there, it becomes a willingness to challenge, change, or gently erode what no longer serves the people, cultures, or systems we are responsible for. Breaking the cycle is not about rejecting the past or blaming what came before. It is about recognising how inherited patterns show up in the present, and choosing not to pass them forward without checking them first. In leadership, this often shows up as a shift towards conscious leadership that is responsive rather than reactive, reflective rather than defensive. It involves developing emotional literacy, the ability to recognise, name, and hold emotional experience in ourselves and others without dismissing it or becoming overwhelmed by it. It also requires nervous-system-aware decision making. Leaders who understand how stress, fear, and survival responses influence behaviour are better equipped to pause, regulate, and choose actions aligned with their values rather than their triggers. This does not remove pressure or complexity, but it changes how leadership meets it. Importantly, cycle-breaking is not a one-off moment of insight. It is ongoing work. It requires humility, the willingness to acknowledge when old patterns resurface, and containment, the ability to hold responsibility without collapsing into guilt, control, or avoidance. When leadership is approached in this way, it becomes less about authority and more about stewardship. Stewardship of people, of organisational culture, and of the future generations shaped by the systems we build today. Breaking the cycle in leadership is not about perfection. It is about presence, responsibility, and the conscious choice to lead in a way that does not pass harm forward. Why this matters now Why does this conversation matter now? We are living through a period of significant cultural and organisational change. The way people work, lead, and relate to systems has shifted, accelerated by global disruption but driven by something deeper. There is a growing unwillingness to tolerate environments that prioritise output over wellbeing, silence over honesty, or endurance over care. Across sectors, we are seeing rising levels of burnout, increasing pressure on mental health services, and widespread disengagement rooted in a lack of trust. Many people are no longer willing to sacrifice their health, relationships, or sense of self to systems that do not acknowledge their humanity. At the same time, the next generation is making something increasingly clear. They are less willing to accept “this is how it’s always been done” as a justification for harm. They question hierarchy, challenge unspoken rules, and refuse to suffer in silence. In doing so, they are exposing the limitations of leadership models built on endurance, emotional suppression, and unquestioned authority. This generational shift is not a rejection of leadership, but a call for it to evolve. Younger leaders and workforces are asking different questions about success, sustainability, and responsibility, and they are expecting answers that go beyond performative values or wellbeing initiatives. In this context, ethical leadership is no longer optional or aspirational. It has become a requirement. Trauma-informed leadership does not mean turning workplaces into therapeutic or clinical spaces. Being trauma-informed is not about treatment or diagnosis, but about recognising how lived experience and survival responses influence behaviour, and leading with awareness of their impact on people and culture. It means leading with awareness, accountability, and responsibility for the impact leadership has on people, culture, and the generations that follow. Closing: What we choose to pass forward Leadership passes on more than policies and KPIs. The way we lead leaves an emotional footprint for those in our orbit, shaping how people experience safety, trust, and belonging within the systems we are responsible for. When we lead with awareness, we gain choice. We begin to notice the patterns we carry and understand how they influence the cultures we create, often in subtle but lasting ways. Leadership then becomes less about control and more about responsibility for the impact we have on others and on what continues beyond us. We may not have chosen the experiences that shaped us, but we do influence what we pass forward. In leadership, that influence extends beyond individuals to teams, organisations, and future generations. Now we know we can choose what we pass forward. What are you consciously choosing to pass on, and what patterns are you willing to interrupt? Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kerrie-Lyann Hirst Kerrie-Lyann Hirst, Trauma-Informed Coach Kerrie-Lyann Hirst is a trauma-informed coach, speaker, and founder of Heal A Generation CIC, supporting individuals and families healing from generational trauma and chronic stress. Shaped by lived experience and 15+ years in leadership and project delivery, her work bridges personal healing with systemic change. Kerrie specialises in nervous system education, burnout recovery, and trauma-informed leadership, working ethically within non-clinical boundaries. She writes on cycle-breaking, self-worth, and why healing ourselves is essential to healing the next generation.

Written by Dr. O. Esther Aluko, Career & Personal Development Coach She is a Career and Personal Development Coach with almost ten years of experience. Her expertise is in Job & workplace readiness, career planning, growth, and personal development. Her work focuses on helping individuals build their capacity for career progression, navigate job transitions with ease, and achieve personal effectiveness using results-oriented methods. Solopreneurship often begins with freedom, freedom to choose your work, your schedule, your voice. But very quickly, that freedom collides with reality. You realise that talent alone does not bring clients. Passion does not pay invoices. And waiting to feel “ready” can quietly stall your growth.   The Ripple Effect Advantage reframes solopreneurship in a way that removes pressure and replaces it with structure. It teaches this simple but powerful truth: your discipline becomes your marketing. Not hype. Not noise. Not constant reinvention. Discipline.   Systems are not bureaucracy, they are ripples Many solopreneurs resist systems because they associate them with corporate rigidity. In reality, systems are simply decisions you no longer have to make repeatedly. They are the ripples that protect your energy and multiply your output.   A system might be:   A weekly content schedule A repeatable client onboarding process A consistent pricing structure A standard proposal template A regular review of your offers   Each one is small. None feels groundbreaking. But together, they create reliability, and reliability builds trust.   Clients are drawn to clarity. Systems create clarity. That clarity becomes a ripple that attracts the right people and repels the wrong ones.   Showing up online is not optional, it’s a digital ripple Visibility is one of the most misunderstood elements of solopreneurship. Many people treat online presence as a separate activity from “real work.” In reality, it is the work.   Every time you show up online with insight, honesty, or value, you create a digital ripple. That ripple travels further and lasts longer than you realise.   A single post can:   Clarify your thinking Position you as an authority Attract a future client Open a collaboration Lead to an invitation you didn’t ask for The mistake solopreneurs make is inconsistency. They post sporadically, disappear, then reappear with urgency. The Ripple Effect Advantage teaches consistency over intensity.   When you show up regularly, people begin to expect you. Expectation builds familiarity. Familiarity builds trust. Trust converts.   Visibility compounds when you stay long enough One of the most powerful aspects of visibility is its compounding effect. Content does not expire the moment it is posted. It continues to work long after you log off.   I have had clients reach out months, sometimes years, after reading or watching something I shared casually. At the time, it felt small. In hindsight, it was a ripple that never stopped moving.   This is why discipline matters. One post rarely changes everything. But consistent posting over time creates a digital footprint that speaks for you when you are not present.   Your content becomes your introduction. Your archive becomes your credibility.   One piece of content can attract clients for years Solopreneurs often underestimate the long-term value of what they create. They think content is temporary. In reality, content is an asset.   One well-written article can:   Establish your voice Clarify your framework Demonstrate your expertise Attract aligned clients repeatedly   One video can introduce people to your energy and philosophy long before they meet you. One podcast appearance can place your ideas in rooms you will never physically enter.   The Ripple Effect Advantage encourages solopreneurs to stop chasing virality and start building legacy content. Content that reflects who you are, what you stand for, and how you help. That kind of content never goes out of season.   Discipline builds trust, trust drives sales People do not buy because you are loud. They buy because they trust you. Trust is built through repetition, integrity, and alignment.   When you show up consistently:   Delivering value Keeping your word Maintaining standards Refining your message   You signal professionalism. You signal reliability. You signal safety.   This is especially important in coaching, consulting, and service-based businesses. Clients are not just buying expertise, they are buying confidence in your ability to guide them.   Your discipline communicates that confidence before you ever sell.   My own ripple journey in scaling coaching When I reflect on how my coaching work has scaled, it was not through one big launch or viral moment. It was through repeated small actions that I committed to even when the results were not immediate.   I kept speaking when rooms were small. I kept writing when engagement was low. I kept showing up when growth felt slow. I refined my message instead of abandoning it.   Over time, those ripples compounded. Opportunities began to come to me. Clients arrived already aligned. Invitations replaced introductions.   What looked like “overnight success” from the outside was actually the quiet return of years of disciplined ripples. Hustle is unsustainable. Discipline is calm. Hustle reacts. Discipline plans. Hustle chases. Discipline attracts. Hustle burns out. Discipline compounds.   The Ripple Effect Advantage invites solopreneurs to move away from urgency and towards intention. To stop doing more and start doing better consistently. This does not mean working harder. It means working with direction.   Your business is always communicating Even when you are silent, your business is speaking. Your online presence, your responsiveness, your clarity, and your systems all communicate something about your standards and your seriousness.   When discipline is present, the message is clear: this business is stable, intentional, and trustworthy. That message attracts the right clients and creates sustainable growth.   Ask yourself: What system, if created now, would save me time later? What content could I commit to creating consistently? What message do I want my digital presence to communicate? What ripple am I avoiding because it feels small?   Because in solopreneurship, the small things are never small. They are the strategy.   You do not need to become louder to grow. You need to become more consistent.   When your discipline becomes your marketing, growth stops feeling forced and starts feeling inevitable. That is The Ripple Effect Advantage. Join the ripple effect advantage early access list You’ll be the first to receive: The Ripple Blueprint Workbook A free Ripple Reset 2026 live coaching session First access to the 12-week Ripple Effect Accelerator Early-bird bonuses Pre-release pricing for the Ripple Effect Advantage eBook   Begin your ripple here . Because breakthroughs don’t start with big moments. They start with one intentional ripple, and this might be yours.   Missed my earlier articles on The Ripple Effect Advantage? Complete the form above to receive the full series and catch up at your own pace. Follow me on Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. O. Esther Aluko Dr. O. Esther Aluko, Career & Personal Development Coach She is a Career and Personal Development Coach with almost ten years of experience. Her expertise is in Job & workplace readiness, career planning, growth, and personal development. Her work focuses on helping individuals build their capacity for career progression, navigate job transitions with ease, and achieve personal effectiveness using results-oriented methods. Her speaking engagements span the United Kingdom, Belgium, West Africa, and Ireland with corporate organizations and higher education institutions.

Tahira is a licensed insurance annuity professional from New Jersey. She has been working in insurance for about two years and has built a strong foundation of knowledge about the different types of life insurance policies available. She is also trained and qualified to offer fixed annuities. Tahira Holland-Tucker, Life Insurance & Annuity Professional Who is Tahira Tucker? Please introduce yourself. My name is Tahira, and I am a life insurance and annuities professional and the founder of Insured By Tahira. I specialize in helping individuals and families secure tailored life insurance solutions designed to protect their legacy and financial future. What inspired you to become a life insurance and financial security expert? I was inspired to become a life insurance and financial security expert because I saw how powerful proper planning can be. I have also seen others struggle financially after unexpected events because they didn’t have the right protection in place. It made me realize how important it is to plan ahead. When people have the right financial protection in place, they can live with more confidence and less stress about the future. How do you help families and individuals secure their financial future? I help families and individuals secure their financial future by creating customized financial protection strategies using life insurance and annuities. My goal is to make sure they’re covered, protected, and confident about their future, no matter what happens. What makes your approach to life insurance different from others in the industry? My approach is different because I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. I take the time to truly understand each client’s situation, goals, and concerns before recommending anything. My focus is on education, transparency, and building long-term relationships – not just selling a policy. What common mistakes do people make when choosing insurance coverage? One of the most common mistakes people make is waiting too long to get coverage, which usually makes it more expensive. Another mistake is choosing a policy based only on price instead of making sure it actually fits their needs. A lot of people think they’re either too young or too healthy to need insurance, so they put it off. Many people also underestimate how much coverage their family would really need, or don’t review their policy as their life changes. This is why having a professional guiding you through the process makes such a big difference. Can you walk us through how you help a client find the right policy step by step? I start by getting to know the client and their story. Then I look at what they want to protect and what their goals are. After that, I walk them through their options in plain language and help them choose what fits their needs and budget. I handle the paperwork, guide them through every step, and stay connected long after the policy is in place. How do you tailor your advice to fit each client’s unique needs and goals? I start by getting to know each client, their family, lifestyle, financial responsibilities, and long-term goals. Then I assess their current situation and design a personalized protection strategy using life insurance and annuity solutions that support both their present needs and future plans. Every recommendation is tailored, there’s no one-size-fits-all in my approach. What results have your clients seen after working with you? My clients gain confidence, clarity, and peace of mind, knowing their families and financial future are protected with a plan designed just for them. Why is life insurance an essential part of financial planning, especially now? Life insurance is about peace of mind. It protects your family from financial stress if the unexpected happens. Today, with everything being unpredictable, health risks, inflation, and other financial pressures, having life insurance as part of your plan ensures your loved ones are taken care of no matter what. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give someone who’s hesitant about buying life insurance? I’d tell them to think about the people they care about most. Life insurance isn’t for you, it’s for your family. Even a small plan can make a big difference if the unexpected happens, giving your loved ones security when they need it most. How can potential clients get in touch with you to start securing their financial future? I make it easy for people to get started. They can reach me through my website, send me an email, or give me a call. I’ll take the time to understand their goals and help them find the life insurance plan that fits their needs and gives them peace of mind. Life Insurance Annuities Email Contact Phone: (609)-365-9193 Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Tahira Holland-Tucker

Written by Natasha B. Russell Darby, Transformation Architect A dynamic force in the entrepreneurial world, Natasha B. Russell Darby (NBR) is the Founder & CEO of NBR Global Solutions Inc. With a passion for empowering purpose-driven ventures, NBR Global Solutions offers coaching, speaking, training, and consulting services that equip entrepreneurs, businesses & non-profits with the tools they need to succeed. In a world obsessed with visibility, many leaders overlook the foundation that truly sustains success. This article reveals why authority is not built through branding alone, but through internal alignment, mental clarity, and identity-led leadership that allows influence and opportunity to follow naturally. The facade of modern leadership and brand authority In my two decades navigating the high-stakes world of corporate communications and municipal leadership, I have witnessed a recurring "profit leak" that many executives overlook: The Facade Fallacy. In an era dominated by digital presence, many leaders invest heavily in the external "skin" of their brand, high-end photography, polished websites, and social media campaigns, while their internal foundation is in a state of quiet crisis. A personal brand is not a logo or a colour palette, it is a resonance. It is the psychological and professional "frequency" you emit when you walk into a boardroom or lead a city-wide initiative. If your internal state is cluttered with the residue of past transitions, unhealed setbacks, or imposter syndrome, your brand will suffer from "Identity Leakage." You cannot command a million-dollar room with a hundred-dollar internal narrative. To move from a "manager" to a "governing authority," you must build using the B.O.S.S. Framework. The B.O.S.S. methodology: A blueprint for alignment 1. Believe: The internal identity audit Most branding starts with "What do you do?" I start with "Who are you becoming?" Before the market can believe in your value, you must reconcile your internal identity with your external goals. We strip away the survival-mode narratives of the past and replace them with a deep-seated authority. This is where we cultivate the "mogul mindset," the unwavering conviction that your expertise is the only logical solution to a high-value problem. 2. Optimize: The operational shift  True leadership requires a sound mind and an optimized internal environment. We focus on "cognitive load management," ensuring that your mental energy is not being drained by unmanaged stress or inefficient systems. When you optimize your daily rituals and your internal dialogue, you move from a state of "fight or flight" to a state of high-level strategic "flow." 3. Strategize: Precision positioning Once the internal foundation is unshakable, we look outward. We identify your "Unique Value Proposition" (UVP) and position you in the market as a "Category of One." We don't just "market" your services, we architect a message that speaks directly to the pain points of high-ticket clients, ensuring you are seen as a strategic partner rather than a commoditized service provider. 4. Succeed: Legacy execution Success is the byproduct of total alignment. We create a roadmap for long-term sustainability, ensuring that your growth doesn't come at the expense of your peace. This phase is about "legacy execution," building a brand that continues to work for you even when you aren't in the room. The bottom line When you align your internal character with your external communication, the "hustle" ends and the governing begins. You stop chasing opportunities and start attracting the ones that are worthy of your expertise. As the founder of NBR Global Solutions Inc., Natasha is the creator of the proprietary B.O.S.S. Framework, a transformative methodology designed to help executives and entrepreneurs build "inside-out" brands rooted in resilience, authority, and mental clarity. Her unique perspective is forged in the trenches of leadership, she doesn't just coach strategy, she lives it daily in one of the most demanding communication environments in the country. A dedicated advocate for emotional intelligence in leadership, Natasha’s mission is to help leaders move from "fight or flight" to a state of governed success. Learn more about the B.O.S.S. Framework and the 90-Day Executive Strategy Intensive here .   Follow me on Facebook and Instagram  for more info! Read more from Natasha B. Russell Natasha B. Russell Darby, Transformation Architect NBR is driven to transform lives and businesses through impactful leadership and strategic communication. With a passion for purpose-driven leadership, she empowers clients to lead with purpose, confidence, and clarity. NBR's expertise in communication, branding, and public relations enables her clients to achieve their business goals and unlock new opportunities. As a sought-after speaker and event host, she inspires audiences to reach their full potential, both personally and professionally. Dedicated to making a positive impact globally, Natasha actively volunteers her time in support of youth.

Written by Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Gemma Sheppard BSc, MSc, is a mindset coach for ambitious women who have lost themselves. She helps women reclaim their self-worth, own their big identity shifts & remember who the f*ck they are, using a unique blend of science and spirituality. One thing I’ve noticed since moving back to England is how much British people love complaining, it’s exhausting. It seems like some people can find fault in almost anything. The traffic, the weather, the way someone spoke, everything is a reason to be frustrated or let down. I used to think that the person was the problem, maybe it was genetic, and their whole family was negative people. But actually, it is their brain. The human brain constantly scans for information that confirms what it already believes to be true. So if you believe life is hard, unfair, or filled with difficult people, your brain will filter your experiences through that belief, and you will keep finding proof. This is known as confirmation bias, and it quietly determines how you interpret your entire world. The psychology of negative thinking When your mind is trained to look for problems, your body follows. Negative thinking and emotions like anger, resentment, and frustration release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Your brain begins craving the intensity of those emotional spikes, even when your logical mind wants peace. The body learns to feel safe in chaos because chaos feels familiar. Over time, this chemical state becomes subconsciously comfortable, and the nervous system starts to seek it out, meaning the brain becomes unintentionally addicted to negative thinking patterns. Yes, you read that right, addicted like we get addicted to smoking, drugs, or alcohol, except it is to negative emotional states. And these are just as damaging, if not worse than addictions to substances, because most drug addicts know they are drug addicts, but people with a negative mindset may not even know there is another option. And here is the worst part, your negative mindset might be killing you. So even if you do not smoke, your body is still under attack from the addiction to negativity. Your mindset is the lens you live through Think of your mindset as the glasses through which you experience reality. If the glasses are clouded with judgment, comparison, or self-righteousness, everything you see will look distorted. But if you start clearing that lens by noticing what is working and what is true, you begin to see life differently. This does not mean ignoring your emotions or pretending everything is fine. It means training your attention to include what is actually true, safety, progress, connection, and possibility. Five steps to retrain your brain I have to add a caveat here, as the title says five easy steps. And the steps themselves are not difficult, but the process of breaking the negative thinking cycle will take time. Whether you stick with it depends on how much you want to live your life differently. Notice your focus: Observe how often you scan for problems. Awareness is the first stage of emotional intelligence. Pause before reacting: A deep breath interrupts the stress response and gives your brain a moment to reset. Reframe: Ask, “What else could be true?” or “What is one thing going right?” This builds cognitive flexibility and helps weaken negative thinking patterns. Practise gratitude and humour: Both increase dopamine and serotonin, naturally countering your brain’s negativity bias and helping shift your negative mindset toward a more positive outlook. Repeat daily. Neuroplasticity happens through repetition. The more often you redirect your attention, the stronger the new pattern becomes. The mindset shift that changes everything If you are always looking for something to be annoyed about, you will always find it. But if you start looking for signs of peace, progress, and purpose you will find those too. You do not see life as it is, you see it as you are. And the more you clean that internal lens, the clearer and calmer your world becomes. This does not just benefit you by literally increasing your lifespan, it benefits others because they are not constantly polluted with your negative thinking or energy. Your mindset does not just influence your emotions, it creates your experience. Change your focus, and you change your life. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Gemma Sheppard Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Gemma is the founder of Align & Grow Coaching and author of the Align & Shine Workbook, guiding women through the messy stages of identity shifts into unapologetic confidence. With a background in Psychology (BSc) and Human-Animal Interaction (MSc), she blends evidence-based tools with grounded spirituality and a no BS approach. Her work includes digital products, workshops, and coaching experiences. You'll usually find her outside with her horse or rescue dog, dreaming of a future animal sanctuary X retreat centre. Her mantra, f*ck fitting in.

Written by Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Gemma Sheppard BSc, MSc, is a mindset coach for ambitious women who have lost themselves. She helps women reclaim their self-worth, own their big identity shifts & remember who the f*ck they are, using a unique blend of science and spirituality. In my work as a mindset coach, clients often say, “I can’t stop the negative thoughts.” These automatic thoughts can seem uncontrollable, almost like your thoughts are actually you. In fact, what’s happening in your mind is a powerful dynamic of automatic thinking and beliefs. Many clients struggle with negative thinking patterns, which often appear as these automatic thoughts. Drawing on my academic background in psychology and my coaching experience, I want to break down why understanding the difference between the two is essential for reshaping identity. For many people, understanding this difference is exactly what they need when they are feeling stuck. What are automatic thoughts? Psychologist Aaron Beck, the founder of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), [1 ] first described automatic thoughts as rapid, involuntary responses to everyday situations. They’re often negative, exaggerated, and self-critical. For example: You spill your coffee: “I’m such an idiot.” You see someone look your way: “They must not like me.” From a neuroscience perspective, these thoughts are shortcuts. They arise in milliseconds, fuelled by the brain’s survival mechanisms. Their job is to keep you safe by predicting danger. But in modern life, they often leave you paralysed in fear or spiralling in self-doubt. There is some evidence to suggest that automatic negative thinking patterns may predict depression in healthy individuals. [2 ] What are beliefs? Beliefs sit beneath automatic thoughts. These beliefs are the long-standing assumptions you hold about yourself, others, and the world, and they are often formed in childhood or through repeated experiences. If automatic thoughts are the waves, beliefs are the ocean currents. The thought “I’m such an idiot” may feel fleeting, but if you carry the belief “I’m not good enough,” that single thought reinforces the belief and strengthens the cycle. Over time, beliefs shape your sense of identity. These negative beliefs are sometimes called self-limiting beliefs. What’s important to stress is this, beliefs aren’t facts, they’re learned interpretations, and they can be unlearned. [3] Why does this distinction matter? If we get caught up in our automatic negative thinking, it can feel like we are drowning. Each time you catch one, another one pops up, and it becomes a negative cycle. But when you work at the level of beliefs, you are able to interrupt the entire cycle. For example: Automatic thought: “I’ll mess this up if I speak.” Underlying belief: “My voice doesn’t matter.” Challenging the thought might help you survive a single meeting. Shifting the belief empowers you to redefine your identity as someone whose voice does matter and act accordingly. This is a practical approach to stopping negative thinking. The science of change CBT has demonstrated for decades that reframing automatic thoughts reduces anxiety and depression. But neuroscience adds another layer, beliefs are tied to entrenched neural pathways. Research on neuroplasticity shows the brain can rewire when you pair cognitive reframing with embodied practices such as breathwork, grounding, or nervous system regulation. [4] These practices signal safety to the body, which allows new beliefs to take root. [5] This is where mindset work stops being surface-level and starts creating lasting transformation. Practical application in coaching With my clients, I encourage a four-step process: Catch the thought: Identify when an automatic negative thought arises. Name it. Label it as a thought, not the truth. Identify the belief: Ask, “What belief is this thought feeding?” Then challenge its validity. Where did it come from? Whose voice is it? Regulate: Take a deep breath and exhale longer than your inhale, splash cold water on your face, or shake it out. Do whatever you need for a quick reset. Reframe and affirm: Once you are regulated, you can reframe the limiting belief into an affirmation. Repeat this process as many times as you need to rewire your brain. I integrate evidence-based psychology with nervous system tools, including grounding, breathwork, and working alongside animals to co-regulate stress responses. This blend helps clients not only change their thinking but also embody new beliefs. Using real-life examples of beliefs helps clients see the patterns clearly. Identity is malleable Automatic thoughts are noisy but fleeting. Beliefs are quieter but deeply influential. Both matter, but if you want to reshape your identity, beliefs are where the true leverage lies. By learning to distinguish between the two, and by working with both the mind and the body, you give yourself the tools to step out of old stories and create new ones. This approach also teaches your system how to change negative thinking over time and allows you to cultivate a growth mindset. Identity isn’t fixed, it’s a practice. And every new thought, every belief you challenge, is a chance to become the future you. If you notice yourself stuck in automatic negative thoughts or want support in reshaping your beliefs, coaching can help. I work with clients to identify patterns, challenge limiting beliefs, and cultivate a growth mindset, allowing you to step into your full potential. Visit my website for more blogs, free resources, digital products, and to stay connected. Follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Gemma Sheppard Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Gemma is the founder of Align & Grow Coaching and author of the Align & Shine Workbook, guiding women through the messy stages of identity shifts into unapologetic confidence. With a background in Psychology (BSc) and Human-Animal Interaction (MSc), she blends evidence-based tools with grounded spirituality and a no BS approach. Her work includes digital products, workshops, and coaching experiences. You'll usually find her outside with her horse or rescue dog, dreaming of a future animal sanctuary X retreat centre. Her mantra, f*ck fitting in.

In this insightful interview, Gemma Sheppard, a multi-passionate entrepreneur, writer, and educator, shares her journey of rebuilding self-worth through sobriety, nervous system awareness, and deep personal alignment. Drawing on lived experience and academic training, Gemma reflects on identity change, boundaries, and the often-overlooked role animals play in human healing and growth. Gemma Sheppard, Mindset Coach Who is Gemma Sheppard? Gemma is a multi-passionate entrepreneur whose ADHD brain keeps her curious, creative, and constantly learning. Her interests span psychology, personal development, animal welfare, yoga, cooking, reading, and writing, all woven together by a core question: how do humans actually change? Gemma has lived through multiple identity rebirths, including losing her father at a young age, navigating addiction, relocating to Vietnam for four years, getting sober in 2021, adopting a rescue dog, and experiencing reverse culture shock after returning to England in 2023. Having recently completed her MSc in Human-Animal Interaction and Wellbeing, she now sits at the intersection of psychology, nervous system regulation, and animal-human relationships. Gemma is the founder of More Than Human, a welfare-first animal care and education business, and the creator of Animals Make Us Human, a Skool community exploring how animals shape our emotional worlds, identities, and capacity for growth. Alongside this, she offers pet relationship coaching, supporting people to understand the psychological patterns, beliefs, and nervous system dynamics that influence how they relate to their animals. Her rescue dog, Nelly, and her horse, Mr Kipps, ensure she spends most of her time outdoors whether that’s on group walks, at the yard, or exploring the countryside. Gemma describes herself as a “feral woman”, having consciously shed rigid societal expectations around appearance, productivity, and what a successful life should look like. Her intention is simple: to become more herself each day. What do you mean when you say “self-worth is the foundation of everything”? When we consistently think we’re not good enough, not clever enough, not attractive enough, not capable enough, we unconsciously look for evidence to support that story. Our nervous system reinforces it, and our external world starts to mirror it back to us through relationships, work, and opportunities. Until you commit to rebuilding self-worth brick by brick, old patterns will keep repeating. That often means recognising that some of the people around you contributed to your loss of self-worth, sometimes intentionally, often unintentionally. Growth requires discernment. You have to notice who still aligns with you when you stop abandoning yourself. Boundaries are a powerful act of self-love. They tend to frustrate the wrong people and energise the right ones. Learning to say no and to tolerate the discomfort that follows is one of the most important lessons on the path to freedom. Why is nervous-system awareness so important during life transitions? Major transitions shake our sense of identity. Sobriety, grief, relocation, starting or closing a business, relationship changes, getting a pet, these experiences are often interpreted by the nervous system as a threat, even when they’re moving us toward a better life. The nervous system doesn’t care about long-term fulfilment. It cares about survival. Without awareness, it reacts as if you’re being chased by a lion, even if you're not, but if you actually are, run. When you learn how to regulate your nervous system, you can embody change rather than intellectually understand it. You start to recognise the beliefs, habits, assumptions, and relational patterns that keep you stuck and crucially, you realise they’re not fixed. You are not your thoughts: they are suggestions, not facts. Can you share a transformation story that really stayed with you? One client in her 50s had spent years living alone in her marital home after a divorce. Her adult child had moved out, and she was left rattling around the house with her cats. Sobriety had already begun to lift the fog, revealing that alcohol had numbed trauma, grief, anger, and the realisation of how poorly she had been treated in the past. She’d tried therapy, but she was ready for movement. She needed honesty, accountability, and compassion at the same time. The transformation she made over a few months was extraordinary. Each week she showed up having processed layers of experiences she’d carried for decades. She journaled, meditated, visualised, and, most importantly, took responsibility for her inner world. Eventually, she chose to relocate temporarily, giving herself permission to simply be for the first time in her life. Watching her reclaim her agency was deeply moving. What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck or disconnected from themselves? Get it out of your head and onto something external. Buy a beautiful notebook and write. If writing isn’t your thing, use voice notes or videos. Keeping everything inside is corrosive and affects your mind, your body, and your relationships. Your life and health are your responsibility but you can change your internal landscape, but you don’t have to do it alone. Find someone who believes in you fully such as a coach, therapist, partner, or friend, who will support you without colluding with your avoidance. You need encouragement and grounding when you’re riding the storm. What’s the first step if someone is ready to say “f*ck it” and start fresh? Don’t wait until you feel ready, you'll be waiting forever: act first and feel ready later. Thank your nervous system for trying to protect you, even when it’s being overzealous. Speak to yourself and others with compassion. Remember, your thoughts are not facts, they're suggestions, you get to decide which ones you live by. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Gemma Sheppard

Written by Jingying Xu, Founder of Meditate Into Prosperity Jingying Xu, Ph.D., is the founder of Meditate Into Prosperity, guiding professionals and leaders to transform inner power into outward presence through meditation, energy healing, and personal growth coaching. A former Research Scientist at the University of Oxford, she blends scientific rigor with Eastern wisdom for lasting transformation. Leadership presence is often misunderstood as confidence or charisma. In reality, true aura is something people feel before a leader ever speaks. This article explores how nervous system regulation, embodiment, and authenticity create quiet authority, shaping how leaders influence, stabilise, and expand the spaces they lead. People often ask me what gives a leader real presence. Is it confidence? Posture? Voice projection? Charisma? These things may help. But they are not the source of aura. True leadership aura is not something you perform. It is something people feel, even when you are not trying. It is the quiet authority that remains when the meeting falls silent, when decisions become uncertain, when the room waits for someone to steady the field. Aura is not a technique, it is where you stand internally The most powerful leaders I have met rarely try to look powerful. They do not rush to dominate the room. They do not compete for attention. They do not need to raise their voice or reinforce their title. They simply stand fully inside themselves. And something subtle happens. The room slows down. People listen more carefully. Tension begins to soften. Because aura is not created by performance. Aura is created by internal position. Where are you standing inside yourself when you lead? The nervous system is the hidden engine of aura This is something few leadership trainings ever discuss. What we call “aura” is, at its core, a reflection of nervous system regulation. When a leader is internally anxious, afraid of losing control, concerned about being judged, needing to prove their authority, the body reveals it instantly: Shallow breathing. Tight shoulders. Restless movements. Rapid speech. Eyes that scan instead of settle. No matter how polished the words, the nervous system communicates first. People may not consciously notice, but they will feel it. And they will register one quiet message: “This person is not fully stable.” True aura begins when the nervous system feels safe. When breathing slows. When the body softens. When presence replaces tension. Only then does authority become natural. Powerful leaders do not need to compress others There is a simple way to recognise real aura. Observe what happens to others in the leader’s presence. Leaders without a true aura often rely on: Interrupting. Controlling. Dominating the conversation. Reinforcing hierarchy. They may have power, but they do not hold the field. Leaders with real aura do something very different. They do not shrink the room. They expand it. People speak more freely. Ideas become clearer. Emotions regulate naturally. Silence becomes comfortable. Because when a leader is internally stable, they no longer need to press themselves upward by pressing others down. True authority does not compress. It stabilises. Aura is a somatic skill before it is a leadership skill One of the most overlooked aspects of presence is the role of the body. Aura does not originate in the head. It grows from the ground. Leaders with a strong aura often share the same physical qualities: A grounded stance. A steady centre of gravity. Slow, economical movement. Eyes that settle instead of search. Their energy rises from the feet, through the spine, into the voice. This is why practices such as: Breath awareness Walking meditation Grounding Somatic regulation are not spiritual luxuries. They are leadership technologies. When consciousness fully inhabits the body, the aura becomes embodied. And embodiment is the foundation of authority. The strongest aura comes from authenticity Perhaps the most surprising truth is this: The leaders with the strongest aura are often the most natural. They allow pauses. They admit uncertainty. They do not fear silence. They do not hide vulnerability. Because authenticity carries an extraordinarily stable frequency. When a leader is no longer defending an image, no longer protecting an identity, no longer performing a role, the nervous system relaxes, and the entire room follows. Trust grows not from perfection, but from coherence. From the alignment between what is felt, what is spoken, and what is lived. Presence is the new leadership advantage In an era of complexity, speed, and uncertainty, what organisations need most is not louder leadership. It is steadier leadership. The ability to regulate the emotional field. To hold clarity under pressure. To transmit safety in moments of uncertainty. To anchor decisions in calm presence rather than urgency. This is not charisma. This is a regulation. And regulation is contagious. Working with Jingying Xu, PhD, DipBSoM Jingying Xu’s work integrates neuroscience-informed meditation, somatic regulation, and consciousness-based leadership development. Her signature approach, The Jingying Method, supports leaders in cultivating: Nervous system stability under complexity Embodied authority and grounded presence Emotional coherence and intuitive clarity A natural leadership aura that influences without force She offers: Guided Meditation Programmes for Nervous System Regulation & Presence Private 1-to-1 Leadership Mentoring for Executive Presence & Embodied Authority A Weekly Newsletter on Meditation, Healing & Conscious Leadership Learn more and subscribe here . For more info, follow me on Instagram . Read more from Jingying Xu Jingying Xu, Founder of Meditate Into Prosperity Jingying Xu (Ph.D., DipBSoM) is the founder of Meditate Into Prosperity, guiding professionals and leaders to transform inner power into outward presence through meditation, energy healing, and personal growth coaching. A certified Level-3 Meditation Teacher with the British School of Meditation and former Research Scientist at the University of Oxford, she combines scientific rigor with 18 years of practice. Blending Eastern wisdom with Western science, Jingying empowers clients to realign within, expand clarity and presence, and lead with authentic impact.

Written by Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Certified Wholistic Personal Trainer, Intuitive Healer & Cosmic Energy Reader Joanne Angel Barry Colon has 30+ years in the health, fitness, and wellness industry. She is the Wholistic Fitness owner located in Queens, New York, a certified holistic personal trainer, intuitive healer, cosmic energy reader, student of Astrology, Master of Numerology, and Creator of Chakra Balance Numerology Cosmic Energy Forecast Deck. Are you feeling the energy shifts between the planets and the Lunar animals? On January 26, 2026, Neptune leaves Pisces after spending 14 years in its home sign, and Saturn leaves Pisces after 3 years. Both Neptune and Saturn move into fiery Aries, starting a new astrological cycle. Four days later, we say Goodbye to the Year of the Wood Snake. On February 17, 2026, we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. Get ready for lots of action, speed, courage, independence, and travel. However, with all of this fire energy, we usually rely on the element of water to balance it out so it does not get out of control. This is where it gets complicated. There is absolutely no water energy coming from the outer planets in the 2026 chart. So the earth element must do all the balancing work. Thank goodness for the closer planets, Venus and Mercury. For the first 4-weeks we will experience a little bit of the water element coming from Pisces. Venus enters Pisces on February 10th through March 6th. Venus in Pisces is when individuals seek spiritual connection and emotional merger, expressing affection through art, healing, or selfless devotion, often leading to dreamy, empathetic, and boundary-dissolving relationships, though sometimes struggling with discernment. Venus in Pisces is exalted. The first 4-weeks of the Fire Horse may be very powerful for many. Mercury enters Pisces on February 6th through April 14th. Mercury goes retrograde on February 26 through March 20th. During Mercury in Pisces, your mind, communication, and thinking style are deeply intuitive, empathetic, imaginative, and spiritually connected, processing information through feeling and synthesis rather than pure logic, leading to creative expression (art, music, poetry) but sometimes challenges with clarity, boundaries, and practical details. During Mercury's retrograde in Pisces, you may notice communication, thinking, and technical skills slow down, making it ideal for spiritual reflection, revisiting past issues, and trusting intuition over logic, and feeling lost in fantasy or emotion. How will the first 4 weeks of the Fire Horse amplify your intuition, spiritual growth, psychic abilities, dreams, imagination, and illusions? With both Venus and Mercury transiting Pisces, pay attention to any physical symptoms that may surface. Physical symptoms are your body's way of letting you know an emotion may need attention.   With both Neptune and Saturn transiting Aries, you may begin to question who you are, why you're here, and what legacy you will leave behind. Take a look at the house Aries and Pisces are in and read what is in store for you during the first 4-weeks of the Fire Horse cycle and thereafter. First house: Represents the house of self, how you want to be seen, first impression, and starting new things and new beginnings. Associated with Aries and ruled by Mars, it’s time to be a leader and take charge. Second house: Related to personal finances, material and physical possessions, relationships, marriage, contracts, values, covers our emotions, feeling secure, and saving money. Associated with Taurus and ruled by Venus. Speaking up and speaking your truth helps you be seen and heard. Third house: Represents communication, learning, teaching, speaking, creativity, listening, technology, schedules, planning, and travel. Associated with Gemini and ruled by Mercury. It’s a perfect time to have a conversation and clear the air. Fourth house: Related to healing, caring, nurturing, home (shelter, body, work, soul purpose), relationship with mother, other women, and feminine. Associated with Cancer and ruled by the Moon. As you change and let go of what no longer serves you, healing begins. Fifth house: Represents change, freedom, courage, charm, creativity, self-expression, and unpredictability. Associated with Leo and ruled by the Sun. It’s a great time to be courageous and experience freedom. Sixth house: Related to organizing, routine, schedules, planning, healing, nervous system, body, and illness. Associated with Virgo and ruled by Mercury. What area in your life can you receive more or give more, and release guilt or judgement? Seventh house: Represents Balance, harmony, relationships, marriage, contracts, meditation, quiet, spiritual awakening, and agreement. Associated with Libra and ruled by Venus, a great time to bring more play and joy into your day and relationships. Eighth house: The house of crisis, the time to handle extreme circumstances. This is the side of you that deals with death, endings, transformation, finances. This house is also associated with surgery, psychotherapy, and the way we heal after loss. Associated with Scorpio and ruled by Pluto and Mars. Remember what you focus on grows. How would you like to see yourself transform? Ninth house: Represents new experiences, higher learning, foreign places, long-distance travel, dream state, and legal matters. Higher education, publishing, advertising, and having your own opinions are handled here, along with politics, religion, and philosophy. Associated with Sagittarius and ruled by Jupiter. It’s a perfect time to learn something new, teach something new, or connect with your higher consciousness. Tenth house: Related to success, fame, achievement, awards, recognition, work, soul's purpose, relationship with father, other men, and masculine energy. Associated with Capricorn and ruled by Saturn. It’s a perfect time to applaud yourself for all that you achieved and completed. Be your own cheerleader!  Eleventh house: Represents community, visionary, patience, the weird kid on the block, curious, analytical, and an overthinker. Associated with Aquarius and ruled by Uranus and Saturn. Where can you be more compassionate toward yourself and allow yourself to stand out? Twelve house: Represents your intuition, psychic abilities, empathy, kindness, caring, dreaming, letting go of things that no longer serve you, and addictions. This house carries all the other houses' energies. Associated with Pisces and ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. Trust your intuition and your dreams to help you let go of what no longer serves you. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more info! Read more from Joanne Angel Barry Colon Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Certified Wholistic Personal Trainer, Intuitive Healer & Cosmic Energy Reader Joanne Angel Barry Colon has 30+ years in the health, fitness, and wellness industry. She is the Wholistic Fitness owner located in Queens, New York, a certified holistic personal trainer, intuitive healer, cosmic energy reader, student of Astrology, Master of Numerology, and Creator of Chakra Balance Numerology Cosmic Energy Forecast Deck. She is the Host of Joanne's Healing Within TV Show, Joanne's Cosmic Energy Radio Show, and Author/Self-Publisher. Joanne's mission is to help women (men by referral) release issues from their tissues as they release emotional weight and fall in love with themselves while witnessing their transformation into the best version of themselves.

Written by Versandra J. Kennebrew, Speaker, Author & Healing Artist Versandra J. Kennebrew is a dynamic motivational speaker, healing artist, and holistic health educator with more than two decades of transformative experience. As the founder of Optimal Living Retreats LP, she empowers couples, communities, and wellness professionals to embrace touch as a sacred tool for healing and connection. Her innovative work in relationship wellness earned her the prestigious 2025 CREA Global Award from Brainz Magazine, honoring her contributions to holistic healing and emotional intimacy. In today’s rapidly changing world, organizations often struggle with disengagement, isolation, and the growing epidemic of workplace loneliness. The Power of Common-unity in Organizations explores how intentional human connection transforms teams into thriving communities. Drawing from nearly a decade of leadership within Toastmasters International and an award-winning tenure as District 14 Program Quality Director, I demonstrate in this speech how “common-unity”. A fusion of shared purpose and collective growth, ignites engagement, strengthens collaboration, and fills the void of meaningful relationships. Good evening, District 14 Toastmasters family! It’s an honor to be here with you to celebrate the successes of our clubs during the first half of this Toastmasters year. Nearly 10 years ago, I walked into my first club meeting in College Park, Georgia, with a dream to speak, to lead, and to connect like one of my mentors, Les Brown, The Motivator. What I found at Ardyss Toastmasters Club Atlanta in District 44 was far more powerful than a podium or a timer. I found a community, a common-unity, that lit up my life and my speaking career. Today, I want to explore how the shared heartbeat of Toastmasters can help us overcome three common challenges to member engagement, and how it can fill the void of meaningful relationships in a world that’s growing lonelier by the day. Let’s talk about the power of common-unity We live in the most connected time in human history. We carry minicomputers around in our pockets and receive countless notifications and unwanted phone calls from telemarketers, yet loneliness is at an all-time high. Studies show that over half of Americans feel isolated, unseen, or emotionally disconnected. But here’s the truth, loneliness isn’t just a lack of people. It’s a lack of meaningful connection. Like some of you, I joined Toastmasters to enhance my public speaking skills. On a warm and toasty summer day in 2016, I received my Competent Communication manuals in the mailbox, and I jumped right in, page by page and project by project, until I achieved, drum roll please, “DTM!” That’s right, my dear Toasties. I achieved the highest education distinction in Toastmasters International, Distinguished Toastmaster, or DTM. I learned quickly that Toastmasters is not only a place to practice speaking, but also a global movement of people who show up, speak up, and lift each other up. And when we tap into our common-unity, we don’t just build better speakers, we build better leaders and better humans. From my experience sponsoring and mentoring hundreds of Toastmasters members, there are three top challenges that keep members from fully engaging, and how common-unity can break through each one. 1. Fear of failure Many members hesitate to speak or lead because they fear being judged or falling short. I remember mentoring a new member who wanted to wait for weeks to present her Ice Breaker. The fear she was experiencing led her to make excuse after excuse for not adding her name to the agenda as a speaker. We got together after a club meeting and met with the Vice President Education. Together, she and I encouraged our new member to consider what she wanted her new family to know about her. Career, hobbies, pets, hopes, and dreams were some of the topics we suggested she might explore. She lit up when we mentioned hopes and dreams, and her speech revealed a special part of herself that she didn’t share often. We broke down barriers that day and made a meaningful connection through discovering what mattered most to her. Common-unity creates safety. It says, “You’re not alone. We grow together.” 2. Inadequate information sharing Opportunities are missed when communication is unclear or siloed. I’ve seen clubs lose momentum simply because members didn’t know about contests, trainings, or opportunities outside the four walls of the club. Depending on your club’s niche, members have specific communication expectations. A few examples: Hope Speaks Toastmasters Entrepreneurs, average age 25 to 45, ministry or community service Preferred communication: WhatsApp and telephone calls Your Small Business Toastmasters Preferred communication: Email, newsletters St. Augustine Toastmasters Preferred communication: Church bulletins, flyers, church events When we share information openly, using the most common communication methods for our members, we create a culture of inclusion. Common-unity thrives on transparency. It says, “We rise when we share.” 3. Lack of education program awareness Here’s a brief overview: Pathways Learning Experience, six specialized paths Better Speakers Series, 10 to 15-minute advanced education projects Better Leader Series, 10 to 15-minute advanced education projects These education tracks help members develop crucial communication and leadership skills through hands-on practice in a supportive environment. They boost confidence, improve presentation delivery, enhance critical thinking, and teach effective team roles. However, until recent Pathways updates, they may have been hidden in plain sight. I recall one member telling me, “I didn’t know what a DTM was. I thought Toastmasters clubs were just about giving speeches.” That’s a missed opportunity. Common-unity is about empowerment. It says, “Let me show you what’s possible.” So what is common-unity? It’s the fusion of shared purpose, mutual growth, and collective joy. It’s what happens when a club becomes a family. When a speech becomes a breakthrough. When a handshake becomes a lifeline. From Atlanta to Accra, Toastmasters clubs are lighting up lives. Every time we welcome a new member, mentor a peer, or celebrate a win, we’re building a bridge across the loneliness gap. Let’s be intentional. Let’s be connection catalysts. Fellow Toastmasters, when we move from isolation to common-unity, we don’t just speak, we are heard. Let’s commit to creating spaces where every voice matters, every story is honored, and every member feels seen. Because community isn’t built by proximity, it’s built by intentionality, safety, transparency, and empowerment. If you are able, I invite you to stand and extend your hands to the Toastmasters member on your right and your left. Look them in the eyes and say these words, “We are Toastmasters!” When we say these words, we are declaring that we embody the promise, mission, and vision of Toastmasters International. Now give yourselves a huge round of applause for committing to your own personal development. Let’s continue to celebrate one another and tap into the power of common-unity. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Versandra J. Kennebrew Versandra J. Kennebrew, Speaker, Author & Healing Artist A certified yoga teacher and graduate of Irene’s Myomassology Institute and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Versandra blends science, spirit, and storytelling to create immersive wellness experiences. Her book Touch Me With Love: Intimate Alignment for Couples Through Touch and Yoga is a cornerstone of her mission to restore trust and deepen love through intentional touch. Whether speaking on international stages or mentoring future wellness leaders, Versandra’s message is clear: love is the force that binds us, and touch is its language.

Written by Kate Adey, Business Founder Kate Adey is described as wise, insightful, and pragmatic, creating immediate safety for transformation. A mother of three with a Master's in Leadership, she's the author of The Other Way, which distils 20 years working with professional women through transitions and leaders creating cultures where excellence and wholeness aren't in opposition. Working 70-hour weeks. Checking emails at 11 pm. Always available, never switching off. High performers often adopt these behaviours to maintain control and achieve peak results. Yet, what if these very actions are not proof of control, but clear signs that control has slipped away? The relentless push is depleting your body, straining relationships, and reducing your effectiveness. This article argues that real high performance comes not from overexertion, but from working with your natural rhythms. You will learn why the control cycle traps high achievers, what research really shows about exhaustion and performance, and how to trade depletion for sustainable success. What is the control paradox? Many high-performing leaders believe that working longer, being constantly available, and ignoring personal well being deliver better results. Their reasoning is that having more control should lead to more achievement. However, this pursuit of control backfires, creating what is known as the control paradox, where more control leads to less real effectiveness. But here is the uncomfortable truth. These behaviours are not evidence of control, they signal its absence. Losing control can hide behind the appearance of relentless effort. While working 70+ hour weeks, your sleep quality deteriorates. When you are always available, your relationships become strained. When you never switch off, physical tension and health symptoms emerge. When you neglect your personal needs, your team experiences higher burnout rates. This is the control paradox. The belief that “it’s all up to me” creates the very depletion and breakdown you are trying to prevent. When pressure mounts, you tighten control and sacrifice rest and well being. It works briefly, until your body forces a stop through illness or exhaustion. Then the cycle repeats. What the research reveals about exhaustion’s impact The data tells a clear story about what happens when we ignore our body’s signals and push through depletion. Stanford research shows 70-hour workweeks yield no more output than 55 focused hours. Productivity drops after 55 hours, and extra effort adds no value while draining your energy. Sleep deprivation results in a 20% drop in decision-making accuracy. Think about that. One-fifth of your decision-making capacity is lost when you do not get proper rest. For leaders making critical choices that affect teams, budgets, and strategy, this is not a minor inconvenience, it is a fundamental impairment. Teams led by “always on” leaders burn out 35% more. Constant availability creates a culture of overwork and pressure, harming both performance and well being. This is not about working less. Now is the time to take stock of your own cycles. Notice when you are pushing against your natural energy and commit to making one small adjustment this week. Sustainable performance starts with tuning in to your body’s messages. Why January is the worst time to demand growth Every January, the pressure arrives. Set goals now. Reinvent yourself. Launch that new product. Rebrand your company. New year, new you. But here is what is happening. Your body is in Winter. Biologically, seasonally, energetically, you are in a period designed for rest, composting, and clarity. Not forced harvest. We have built our working lives around the Gregorian calendar, a linear, solar, transactional system created in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. It was designed for production, not regeneration. It made time measurable and monetizable, turning humans into what historian E.P. Thompson called “time discipline machines.” Before this linear approach to time, humans lived by natural, circular rhythms connected to moon cycles and growing seasons. Four distinct phases, light and dark, fallow and bloom. Winter was not a failure to be productive, it was essential preparation for Spring’s growth. When you demand growth from yourself in January, you are asking a seed buried in frozen ground to bloom. It is not a lack of discipline that makes this hard. It is that you are working against your biology. The other way is to work with your energy, not against it. To recognise that sustainable high performance requires honouring natural cycles of action and rest, visibility and composting, blooming and integration. Understanding your four anchor points Breaking the control cycle requires honest assessment across four critical areas of your life. These are not separate compartments, they are interconnected anchor points that either reinforce sustainable performance or accelerate depletion. Work and career: This reveals how you are managing your workload, setting boundaries, and believing that everything depends on you. Are you working excessive hours? Checking email late at night? Finding it difficult to disconnect? These are not signs of dedication, they are symptoms of the control paradox in action. Health and physical well-being: Your body keeps the score. Physical tension, deteriorating sleep quality, and persistent health symptoms are your nervous system’s way of signalling that something needs to change. When work pressure increases, this is precisely when physical wellbeing matters most, not when you can afford to abandon it. Relationships and family: Limited quality time with family. Being physically present but mentally elsewhere. Relationships feel strained despite your professional success. Connection requires presence, and presence requires the capacity to be there, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Self-care and rest: This is not about spa days or luxury holidays. It is about basic resourcing. Do you have time for activities that restore you? Can you rest without guilt? Are you treating yourself with the same care you would offer someone you are responsible for? Self-care is not selfish, it is the foundation that makes everything else possible. Your highest score across these four areas reveals where the control cycle is costing you most. Identify this area and choose one tangible action you can take today to begin breaking the cycle. What you can influence but cannot control Here is something your body does without your conscious effort such as breathing, heartbeat, nail growth, and cellular regeneration. These automatic processes continue whether you are paying attention or not. Your body knows how to regulate itself. Yet we have convinced ourselves that we must control everything manually. We override tiredness with caffeine. We push through pain. We ignore signals that our system is overloaded. And then we are surprised when things break down. The shift is not about adding more control. It is about understanding what you can influence. You cannot control outcomes, other people’s responses, or external circumstances. But you can influence your nervous system, your breath, your response to pressure, and your capacity to be present. This is where working with natural rhythms becomes practical. Humans are rhythmic creatures. We have ultradian cycles, 90-minute rhythms of focus and rest, circadian cycles, 24-hour patterns of alertness and sleep, and infradian cycles, monthly and seasonal fluctuations. When you work with these rhythms, taking breaks during ultradian dips, honouring your need for sleep during circadian low points, and recognising seasonal energy shifts, you improve focus, creativity, and wellbeing. When you ignore your chronobiology, you increase cortisol levels, raise your risk of burnout, and exhaust yourself to the point of being no good to anyone, including yourself. Your nervous system is your superpower Here is what makes the nervous system work differently from everything else you do. It compounds. Think about email. You clear your inbox, but tomorrow it fills again. You complete a project, and another one arrives. Most work is routine maintenance, necessary, but not cumulative. Nervous system regulation is different. Training your body to remember that it is safe is cumulative. The work you do today becomes the floor from which you start tomorrow. Each time you practice regulating your response to stress, you are building capacity that remains available to you. The bridge between your control patterns and a more sustainable approach is your breath. Breathing is the only automatic bodily function that you can also consciously control. It is your access point to shifting from a stressed, reactive state to a grounded, responsive one. Light, slow, deep breathing, LSD breathing, calms the mind and optimises physical health by enhancing oxygen delivery, which is vital for cellular function and energy production. This is not woo woo. It is physiology. Three practices that build sustainable performance These three practices regulate your nervous system and ground you in your body. Pick one practice now and commit to doing it this week. Even brief, consistent practice will make a difference as you break the control cycle. Following the breath: Sit comfortably. Notice your natural breath without changing it. Follow the path as it enters and leaves your body. Silently say “in” as you breathe in, “out” as you breathe out. Continue for a few minutes. This simple practice anchors you in the present moment, calming the mind and relaxing the body. Awareness of body: Sit comfortably. Start from the top of your head and move slowly down to your toes. Notice any sensations in each part of your body. Acknowledge tension or discomfort without judgment. Gently invite those areas to relax. This body scan helps you reconnect with your physical form and recognise where you are holding stress. Releasing tension: Breathe in and bring awareness to any area of tension in your body. Breathe out and imagine that tension dissolving, leaving your body with the breath. Repeat this process with different areas. With each exhale, consciously release the tightness and stress you are holding. Building your daily toolkit Integration matters more than intensity. A three-minute practice done daily has more impact than an hour-long session done occasionally. Here is how to anchor these practices into your day: Morning (5 to 10 minutes): Start your day with one of the three practices. Before you check your email or engage with demands, resource yourself first. Choose body scan, following the breath, or releasing tension, whichever feels most needed. Midday reset (2 to 3 minutes): When energy dips or tension rises, interrupt the pattern. LSD breathing, following the breath, or a quick body scan brings you back to your body instead of pushing through on adrenaline. End of day (5 minutes): Before you transition home or into the evening, release the day. This prevents carrying work tension into your personal time. Choose releasing tension, body scan, or LSD breathing. Remember, the nervous system works in compounds. The work you do today becomes the floor you start from tomorrow. This is not about perfection. It is about consistency. The daily self-check that changes everything At the end of each day, ask yourself three questions: Did I honour my four anchors today? (Work, Relationships, Health, Self-care). If no, what got in the way? The pattern reveals the belief. When you consistently abandon self-care under pressure, that is the “it’s all up to me” belief in action. How committed am I to these anchors tomorrow? Rate yourself one to ten. This is not about judgment. It is about an honest assessment of where you are and what support you might need. Pair this with your daily toolkit. The breathing practices regulate your nervous system. The self-check reveals your patterns. Together, they interrupt the control cycle before it pulls you back into depletion. The control cycle will try to reassert itself. That is normal. Old patterns do not disappear just because you have recognised them. Notice when it happens. Use your breathing practice to interrupt it. Come back to your anchors. What makes this approach sustainable Most approaches to high performance ask you to add more, more discipline, more systems, more control. This approach asks you to align differently. Instead of forcing harvest in Winter, you compost and clarify. Instead of powering through ultradian dips, you take strategic breaks. Instead of overriding your body’s signals, you listen and respond. Instead of believing “it’s all up to me,” you recognise what you can influence and release what you cannot control. Sustainability comes from working with your natural rhythms, not against them. From building nervous system capacity that compounds over time. Protecting your four anchor points so that performance does not require depletion as the price increases. This is not about working less. It is about deep roots rather than brittle, hard work. It is about shifting from doing to being. It is about recognising that you cannot control your way out of a control cycle. You can only interrupt it by choosing a different way. Start your journey today The control cycle thrives in isolation, the belief that you must figure everything out alone, that asking for support means weakness, that it is all down to you. But sustainable high performance is not built in isolation. It is cultivated through honest recognition of patterns, practical tools that work with your biology, and support structures that hold you accountable to real change. If you are ready to break the control cycle and shift from depletion to sustainable performance, I work with senior business leaders who are tired of paying for success with their health and relationships. My approach integrates nervous system regulation, natural rhythms, and practical frameworks to help shift from “it’s all up to me” to aligned, sustainable leadership. Visit kateadey.co.uk to learn more about working together or connect with me to explore how “The Other Way Method” could support you on your leadership path. If you are experiencing one or all of these transitions, motherhood, career, and perimenopause or menopause, then do check out my new book, The Other Way: Re-discover wisdom, power, and flow in motherhood, menopause, and career transitions. Re-discover how these transitions reveal the wholeness that was there before conditioning covered it up. Follow me on LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kate Adey Kate Adey, Business Founder Kate Adey works with professional women navigating motherhood, career shifts, and menopause, and with leaders creating cultures where excellence and wholeness aren't in opposition. She spent years in management consulting, thinking her way through problems, until a hypnobirthing course during pregnancy connected her to her body and the signals she'd been ignoring. Everything shifted. Her curiosity led her to the teachings of non-duality. She created The Other Way Method™ and the Triskele Framework, MotherWise, CareerFlow, and MenoPower from twenty years of this work. Her book The Other Way shows how these transitions reveal the wholeness that was there before conditioning covered it up.