Written by Jessica Lagomarsino, Business Strategist Founder of Cusp of Something, Jessica Lagomarsino, helps women integrate personal growth with strategic clarity to build intentional brands, businesses, and lives. She writes on introspection of purpose, inner work, and entrepreneurship. Purpose has often been described as an idea that inspires action, but science shows that it is also a biological force. When we engage in work that feels meaningful, the body responds. Chemistry, emotion, and energy align in ways that make clarity and motivation easier to sustain. Purpose is not an abstract concept that lives only in philosophy or self-help language. It is deeply physical as it is the body’s expression of direction. Within the brain, purpose triggers a network of responses that affect how we think and feel. When a person works toward something they truly care about, dopamine is released. This chemical supports learning, focus, and persistence. It helps us stay engaged during challenging tasks and transforms effort into a sense of progress. Dopamine is not the molecule of pleasure, as it is often labeled. It is the chemistry of motivation and forward movement. Another part of this biological story is oxytocin, the hormone that strengthens trust and social connection. When we feel part of something larger than ourselves, oxytocin levels rise, creating a sense of belonging and calm. This chemical balance directly lowers cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, allowing us to handle challenges with more steadiness. Purpose, in this sense, is a nervous system advantage. It creates the internal conditions for resilience and balanced energy. Research in positive psychology confirms that meaning drives more sustainable performance than external rewards. People motivated by contribution or curiosity consistently outperform those who rely on competition or recognition. This inner orientation is what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described as the flow state. In flow, attention sharpens, self-consciousness fades, and the boundaries between effort and enjoyment dissolve. The brain’s electrical patterns shift into coherence, creating a deep sense of engagement that feels effortless yet powerful. When we move through work that is not aligned with our values, the opposite occurs. The nervous system interprets misalignment as stress, releasing cortisol and adrenaline in constant cycles. Focus becomes forced. Energy begins to feel depleted. Creativity narrows. Alignment, however, rebalances the system. Dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin rise in harmony, supporting clear thought, curiosity, and connection. The entire organism works with us rather than against us. Purpose also strengthens resilience. Studies show that individuals who feel connected to a sense of meaning recover more quickly from adversity and display lower inflammatory responses under pressure. Meaning helps the brain interpret difficulty as challenge rather than threat. This reframing allows the body to maintain stability and the mind to remain open, even in periods of uncertainty. Purpose becomes a form of biological protection. Organizations that understand this principle perform differently. Teams that share a clear mission experience stronger collaboration, higher retention, and deeper creativity. A sense of shared purpose enhances psychological safety, inviting people to contribute new ideas without fear. It transforms compliance into commitment and turns daily routines into expressions of shared vision. In these environments, energy circulates more freely, and the human system behind the business begins to thrive. For entrepreneurs and leaders, this science carries an important message. Performance is not only a matter of mindset; it is the natural outcome of internal alignment. When what you do matches what you believe in, the brain rewards you with clarity, calm focus, and sustainable drive. Work begins to feel like an expression of vitality rather than an exchange of effort. The biology of purpose is a reminder that meaning is not a luxury. It is a fundamental human need, one that fuels endurance and creativity. When our choices reflect what we value, the body supports us with chemistry designed for growth. That is why purpose-driven work so often leads to long-term success. Follow me on Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jessica Lagomarsino Jessica Lagomarsino, Business Strategist Jessica Lagomarsino is a business strategist, guide, and founder of Cusp of Something. After years in corporate strategy and project management, she followed a pull toward more meaningful work. Today, she supports women in building aligned businesses through clarity, intentional action, and deep personal transformation.

Written by Adriana Bárbara Rodríguez, Mind Coach Adriana Barbara is a mind - specialized coach who is focused on helping CEOs and high-level entrepreneurs to develop their leadership teams by assisting each member to transform their mindset from the root. A new year begins, and almost automatically, we fill ourselves with excitement and hope. We start defining our “New Year’s resolutions”, losing weight, saving money, changing jobs, finding a partner, and starting a business. January arrives loaded with promises, a new calendar, new plans, and new expectations. However, for many people, the start of the year doesn’t only awaken excitement, it also triggers anxiety, guilt, and a quiet sense of inadequacy. This isn’t the first year you’ve set out to change, and experience tells you that things don’t always unfold the way you imagined. Why does this happen, and what impact does it have on our minds? There is a compelling collective narrative at the beginning of a new year, “a clean slate.” We repeat phrases like, “This time I’ll make it,” “This will be my year,” “Everything will be different,” “I will be better.” The problem is that these declarations, rather than creating calm, often spark an internal conflict. Our mind performs an analysis, though not always consciously, between the expectation of radical change and meaningful achievements, and the results obtained in the past. Results that weren’t necessarily bad, but were incomplete, slow, or disappointing. And that’s where internal tension begins. Our conscious mind is the rational part of us. It analyzes, plans, sets goals, and designs strategies. It’s the mind that dreams, visualizes, and writes resolutions. However, it represents only a small portion of who we truly are. On the other hand, our nonconscious mind knows us deeply. It holds our accumulated experiences, our past emotions, and above all, our mental conditioning, the beliefs we have about ourselves and what we are capable of achieving. When the nonconscious mind detects an idea that is not congruent with those patterns, it activates automatic mechanisms to bring us back to our familiar state of being. To illustrate this, let’s consider one of the most common New Year’s resolutions: exercising, losing weight, and adopting healthier habits. At first, you feel excited. You imagine yourself slimmer, energized, going to the gym, and eating better. You research diets, sign up for a gym, and everything seems to fall into place. However, your nonconscious mind stores years of neglect, frustration, discouragement, or low self-esteem emotions linked to beliefs such as “I’m inconsistent,” “I lack discipline,” “I always fail at this.” Here, a deep incongruence is created between what your conscious mind desires and the self-concept that governs your mental conditioning. And the mind doesn’t seek change, it seeks coherence with the identity it already knows. So what usually happens next? After a few days, more work comes up, you feel tired, or a physical discomfort appears. That becomes the perfect excuse to quit. This new “failure” reinforces the old belief and restores coherence between how you think, feel, and act. You stop struggling, and a sense of “peace” emerges. But this “peace” doesn’t bring fulfillment or satisfaction. It’s a numbing kind of peace. It allows you to stop spending energy fighting against who you believe you are, but it doesn’t help you grow or transform. The real danger of this false peace is that it invites you to settle, to accept the same results you don’t like, simply because you don’t know how to recognize this internal struggle or how to transform it at its root. To avoid this, here are five simple steps that can help you create real change this year: Identify your related beliefs: Be honest with yourself and observe what you truly think about the goal you’ve set. Do the inner work: Question that belief. Identify its origin and ask yourself whether it is truly true or simply a learned story. Redefine and stabilize: Replace the limiting belief with a new, healthy, and expansive one. Work daily on your thoughts and emotions to reinforce them. Be congruent: Align your thoughts, emotions, and actions with this new belief. Act as the person you are becoming. Be consistent: Don’t rely on motivation. Even when doubt or fatigue arises, maintain your inner commitment. Applied to the example above, the process would look like this: I recognize that my belief is “I’m inconsistent, and I fail at this.” I discovered that it comes from past experiences and learned messages, but it does not define who I am today. I redefine my belief as, “I am capable of developing discipline and improving.” I act in alignment by exercising daily and taking care of my nutrition. And even when doubt appears, I sustain my new identity through consistency. This requires mental discipline and intentional inner work. At first, it may feel challenging, but over time, it becomes natural. And when that happens, change stops being an effort and becomes part of who you are. This way, you won’t just achieve your goals, you’ll become a person who is congruent with the results you want to create. If this start of the year doesn’t feel the way you expected, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. Perhaps change doesn’t begin with more pressure, but with learning how to understand and consciously direct your inner world. Would you like me to guide and support you in transforming your mind and your team’s to create real, sustainable change? Learn more about my training and coaching services here . In my next article, we’ll continue exploring how to use the mind and emotions in your favor to move forward with greater balance and clarity. Follow me on  LinkedIn ,  visit my website for more info! Read more from Adriana Bárbara Rodríguez Adriana Bárbara Rodríguez, Mind Coach Adriana Barbara is a mind-specialized coach who is focused on helping CEOs and high-level entrepreneurs to develop their leadership teams by assisting each member to transform their mindset from the root, achieve their full potential, and improve their highest productivity in order to accomplish the organization’s goals in an effective and sustainable way, with her innovative neuroscience method in leadership.

Written by Anne Wallen, Director and Founder of MaternityWise Intl Anne Wallen is a respected figure in women’s health with over 30 years of experience and is a leading voice on global change in maternity care, particularly for those at greatest risk. Pregnancy and childbirth are transformative life events that come with a mix of joy, anticipation, and challenges. For many, this journey can also bring feelings of uncertainty, fear, and vulnerability, especially when navigating medical care. Understanding what to expect during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum is essential in reducing trauma and promoting a sense of empowerment and control for expectant parents. The link between knowledge and reduced trauma Trauma in pregnancy and childbirth often stems from unexpected or distressing experiences, lack of communication, and feeling a loss of control. Research indicates that when individuals are informed and involved in their care, their overall satisfaction improves, and the likelihood of experiencing trauma decreases. Here’s how knowledge plays a crucial role:   1. Empowerment through education Knowledge is empowering. When individuals understand what to expect during prenatal visits, labor, delivery, and postpartum care, they are better equipped to participate in decision-making. This sense of agency can help mitigate feelings of helplessness, which are often associated with traumatic experiences.   2. Reduced anxiety and fear Fear of the unknown can be a significant source of anxiety during pregnancy and childbirth. Knowing what procedures, options, and potential outcomes to expect can alleviate these fears. Prenatal education classes, birth plans, and open communication with healthcare providers can foster a sense of preparedness.   3. Improved communication with providers Informed patients are more likely to ask questions, express preferences, and advocate for themselves. This strengthens the partnership between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that care aligns with individual needs and values. Effective communication reduces misunderstandings that can lead to distress.   4. Anticipating emotional and physical changes Understanding the physical and emotional changes during pregnancy and postpartum can help individuals navigate these transitions more smoothly. Awareness of common experiences, such as hormonal shifts or physical recovery post-birth, can normalize these changes and reduce feelings of isolation or inadequacy.   Practical steps to increase knowledge and preparedness 1. Attend prenatal education classes Prenatal classes offer comprehensive information on labor, delivery, breastfeeding, and newborn care. These sessions provide practical tools for managing labor pain, understanding medical interventions, and preparing for postpartum recovery.   2. Develop a birth plan A birth plan outlines preferences for labor and delivery, such as pain management, birthing positions, and newborn care. While flexibility is essential, having a plan can help parents feel more prepared and aligned with their care team.   3. Build a support network Surrounding oneself with knowledgeable and supportive individuals such as doulas, midwives, or experienced friends can provide additional reassurance and advocacy during the birth process.   4. Ask questions and stay informed Regular communication with healthcare providers is crucial. Asking questions about tests, procedures, and potential outcomes ensures that individuals fully understand their care.   5. Prepare for postpartum The postpartum period can bring significant physical and emotional changes. Learning about potential challenges, such as postpartum depression or breastfeeding difficulties, and having resources in place can ease this transition.   The long-term impact of informed care When expectant parents feel informed and prepared, they are more likely to have positive experiences, even if unexpected complications arise. This positive outlook can extend beyond birth, fostering a stronger sense of confidence and emotional well-being as they transition into parenthood.   Reducing trauma in pregnancy and childbirth benefits not only individuals but also families and communities. By prioritizing education, communication, and empowerment, healthcare systems and providers can create environments where parents feel respected, valued, and supported.   If you’ve been impacted by birth trauma or just feel unsettled about your birth experience and you want to help others to have a more conscious and peaceful start to their parenting journey, you might consider becoming a doula. Supporting and preventing birth trauma is a doula’s primary goal, as they educate and support and show respect for the birthing families they serve. Not all doula courses are created equal. However,  MaternityWise  has a very comprehensive and powerful program that includes birth, postpartum, and lactation, which might change your own life, as you answer your calling to make a positive difference in the world.   Conclusion Pregnancy and birth are deeply personal experiences that deserve thoughtful and compassionate care. Knowing what to expect in the medical care journey can be a powerful tool in reducing trauma and fostering positive outcomes. Through education, communication, and a supportive care environment, expectant parents can approach this transformative journey with confidence and peace of mind. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram for more info! Read more from Anne Wallen Anne Wallen, Director and Founder of MaternityWise Intl Anne Wallen is a respected figure in women’s health with over 30 years of experience and is a leading voice on global change in maternity care, particularly for those at greatest risk. She continues to educate and empower birth professionals in more than 20 countries, contributes to a variety of curricula, and shapes the future of maternal health through her impactful role as a speaker and mentor. Anne is the Director and co-founder of MaternityWise International, and her legacy lies in inspiring generational changes around and elevating women's healthcare worldwide.

Kellie Warne is a certified Diet and Lifestyle Advisor on a mission to make wellbeing feel simple, sustainable, and genuinely achievable for busy people. With a unique blend of corporate experience, emotional literacy work, and ION certified nutrition training, she helps individuals and organisations move from overwhelm and exhaustion to clarity, confidence, and lasting energy. In this interview, Kellie shares her personal journey, her evidence-informed approach, and the powerful mindset shifts that help her clients transform their health without restriction, guilt, or perfectionism. Kellie Warne, Diet and Lifestyle Advisor Who is Kellie Warne? Introduce yourself, your hobbies, your favorites, you at home and in business, and tell us something interesting about yourself. I’m Kellie Warne, a certified Diet and Lifestyle Advisor trained at the Institute of Optimum Nutrition and a full member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists. I help busy professionals, families, and organisations improve their energy, digestion, mood, and overall wellbeing through simple, sustainable habits that genuinely fit real life. My journey into this work began with my own desire to feel more energised, calmer, and more like myself. Exploring how nutrition, lifestyle, and self-compassion influence both physical and emotional health transformed my life, and now I support others to experience that same shift. I’m passionate about helping people move away from restriction, confusion, and food fear, and towards confidence, calm, and vitality. Before becoming a practitioner, I worked in corporate advertising sales, so I understand the pressures of fast-paced professional life. I later moved into education as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, supporting young people through lifestyle medicine such as focusing on nutrition, sleep, movement, stress, and connection. At home, I’m a mum of two, happiest when I’m cooking, experimenting with new recipes, staying active outdoors, or spending time with my family and our Shih-poo puppy, Pumpkin. What inspired you to start Diet and Lifestyle Therapy, and what problem are you solving for your clients? I started Diet and Lifestyle Therapy because I wanted to offer the kind of support I wish I’d had when I was trying to improve my own energy, manage stress, and feel more confident in my health. I realised that most people don’t lack motivation. They lack practical, realistic strategies that work alongside busy lives. The problem I’m solving is exactly helping people break free from cycles of fatigue, stress, digestive discomfort, and confusion around food. I guide clients to build simple, evidence-informed habits that support energy, digestion, mood, and emotional wellbeing without overwhelm, guilt, or restriction. How would you describe your approach to nutrition and lifestyle change compared to traditional diet plans? My approach is the opposite of traditional diet plans. There are no rigid rules, no restrictions, and no short-term fixes. Instead, I focus on practical, sustainable changes that fit into real life. I work collaboratively with each person to understand their unique needs, routines, and challenges. Together, we create small, achievable habits that gradually build confidence, energy, and wellbeing. It’s flexible, judgement-free, and rooted in evidence-informed nutrition and lifestyle medicine such as covering sleep, stress, movement, and daily routines. The goal isn’t to “eat perfectly” for a few weeks. It’s to feel empowered, calm, and in control for the long term. What are the most common diet and lifestyle challenges your clients face before they work with you? Most clients come to me feeling tired, stressed, and overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice. Many struggle with digestive issues, irregular energy levels, and difficulty maintaining consistent healthy habits. Busy schedules, work pressures, and family commitments often leave them feeling stuck or unsure where to start. A lot of people also carry guilt or frustration around food, worrying about whether they’re “doing it right” or swinging between restriction and overindulgence. My role is to simplify things, remove the pressure, and help them build practical habits that support energy, confidence, and wellbeing. How do you help clients create simple, sustainable habits that actually stick? I help clients create lasting habits by focusing on small, realistic steps rather than overwhelming overhauls. We identify the areas that will make the biggest difference to their energy, digestion, stress levels, or overall wellbeing, and then build achievable actions that fit naturally into their daily routines. I combine evidence-informed nutrition guidance with lifestyle strategies, including sleep, stress management, movement, and daily rhythms, to create a holistic, personalised approach. I also support clients to build awareness, self-compassion, and confidence, so the changes feel natural rather than forced. Progress, not perfection, is the foundation of everything we do. Can you explain how lifestyle changes can impact overall health, energy, and wellbeing? Lifestyle changes have a profound impact on how we feel because our daily habits shape how our bodies and minds function. Simple shifts in nutrition, sleep, movement, stress management, and connection can improve digestion, stabilise energy, support mental clarity, and reduce stress. Balanced meals help regulate blood sugar and prevent energy crashes. Prioritising sleep enhances mood and focus. Movement and relaxation practices help regulate the nervous system. Over time, these small, consistent actions compound into better physical health, emotional resilience, and a greater sense of control. What results do clients typically experience after working with you? Clients experience more stable energy, improved digestion, reduced stress, and a greater sense of calm and confidence around food and lifestyle choices. Many feel more in control of their health and better equipped to manage the demands of work and family life. Because the focus is on sustainable habits rather than quick fixes, these improvements last long after our sessions end. How do you tailor your guidance to meet the unique needs of each person? I take time to understand each person’s lifestyle, goals, challenges, and preferences. Everyone’s body and circumstances are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Together, we identify the areas that matter most, whether that’s energy, digestion, stress, or food confidence, and build practical habits that fit seamlessly into their life. I adapt the plan as we go, offering support and adjustments based on what’s working and what needs refining. The aim is always to create a realistic, sustainable, empowering approach that supports long-term wellbeing. What’s the most rewarding success story you’ve seen through your work? One of the most rewarding success stories I’ve seen comes from a client working long, irregular shifts in the NHS. She struggled with irregular meals, reaching for convenience snacks, and constantly putting everyone else’s needs before her own. Together, we explored her lifestyle and identified practical, flexible strategies to prioritise her health without adding stress to her demanding schedule. Over time, she started planning meals, eating more regularly, and enjoying time in the kitchen again. She reported feeling more energised, empowered, and in control of her health, even on night shifts. What made this particularly rewarding was seeing her mindset shift. She realised that valuing herself wasn’t selfish, but essential for caring for others. Watching her regain confidence, consistency, and a sense of wellbeing reminded me why I love this work, helping people create lasting change in ways that truly fit their lives. How does your nutritional and lifestyle advice support long-term health rather than short-term fixes? Long-term health comes from sustainable habits, not temporary solutions. Instead of restrictive diets, I help clients build balanced, nutrient-rich meals, consistent routines, stress-management tools, and practical strategies for navigating real life. By focusing on achievable, adaptable habits, clients develop the skills and confidence to maintain their wellbeing for years to come. It’s about progress over perfection, and creating a lifestyle that supports energy, resilience, and joy. What misconceptions about diet and healthy living do you most want to clear up for your audience? One of the biggest misconceptions I want to clear up is that healthy living has to be complicated, restrictive, or perfect. Many people believe they need to follow rigid diet plans, count every calorie, or completely overhaul their lifestyle to see results, but that’s simply not true. Healthy living is about creating simple, sustainable habits that fit your life, not forcing yourself into extremes. It’s about nourishing your body, managing stress, moving in ways you enjoy, and prioritising sleep and self-care. Small, consistent changes compound over time, leading to lasting health, energy, and wellbeing without guilt, deprivation, or unrealistic expectations. What’s the first step someone should take if they’re ready to make a lasting change and start working with you? The first step is to reach out via my website and start a conversation. We begin by exploring your current habits, lifestyle, and goals so I can understand what’s working, what’s challenging, and where small changes will make the biggest difference. From there, we create a personalised, realistic plan that fits into your life. My approach is judgement-free and focused on sustainable change, so even if you’ve tried before, we simply start where you are. Taking that first step is often the hardest, but it’s also the one that opens the door to lasting energy, confidence, and wellbeing. Follow me on  Facebook , Instagram , and visit my LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Kellie Warne

Written by Adam Markel, Author & Wellness Expert Bestselling author, keynote speaker, workplace expert, and resilience researcher Adam Markel inspires leaders to master the challenges of massive disruption in his new book. Let’s talk about something that’s been bubbling up in workplaces everywhere, disengagement. By now, you’ve probably heard the phrase “quiet quitting.” It’s become the go-to way to describe employees who are doing just enough to get by, mentally checking out, or simply trying to survive their workday. But here’s the truth, quiet quitting isn’t the real problem. It’s just the warning sign. What’s really going on runs deeper, burnout that’s gone unchecked, cultures that have worn people down, and a lack of meaning in the day-to-day that’s been building for years. So the question is, how do we turn this around? How do we help people feel connected again, motivated, and inspired to bring their best? The path forward starts with purpose-driven leadership and building resilience. Let’s dig into what that really means. Burnout and cultural fatigue: The silent killers of engagement Burnout isn’t just about working long hours or feeling stressed, it’s about prolonged emotional exhaustion, a sense of detachment, and the creeping belief that your work doesn’t matter. Combine that with cultural fatigue, where the workplace feels like a treadmill of endless demands with little recognition or meaning, and you’ve got a recipe for disengagement. When people feel like cogs in a machine, they naturally start to pull back. They stop going above and beyond. They stop caring. And it’s not because they’re lazy or not motivated, it’s because they’re exhausted. They’re running on empty, and no amount of pizza parties or performance bonuses is going to fix that. This is where leaders need to step in, not with quick fixes, but with a deeper understanding of what’s really going on. Burnout and cultural fatigue thrive in environments where people feel undervalued, unsupported, and disconnected from a larger purpose. Addressing these problems requires more than band-aid solutions, it demands a cultural shift. Purpose-driven leadership: The antidote to quiet quitting The good news is disengagement isn’t irreversible. People want to feel connected to their work. They want to know that what they’re doing matters. And that’s where purpose-driven leadership comes in. Purpose-driven leadership is about more than just setting goals or hitting targets, it’s about creating a sense of meaning and belonging. It’s about helping people see how their work contributes to something bigger than themselves. When leaders lead with purpose, they inspire their teams to do the same. When people truly understand the why behind their work, everything shifts. They’re more likely to stay engaged, even when things get tough. Purpose becomes that steady North Star, it gives direction through uncertainty and reminds us that what we do matters. It’s not just about checking tasks off a list. It’s about connecting the work to a bigger meaning. But purpose-driven leadership isn’t just about words, it’s about actions. It’s about showing up consistently, modeling the values you want to see, and creating an environment where people feel safe, supported, and valued. It’s about asking the deeper questions: “What drives you?” “What do you care about?” “How can we align your strengths with the work we’re doing here?” These aren’t just good-to-have conversations, they’re essential. Resilience strategies to reconnect employees with meaning and motivation So, how do we take this from theory to practice? How do we help employees reconnect with their sense of purpose and reignite their engagement? Here are three resilience strategies that can make a real difference: 1. Create space for honest conversations One of the most powerful things a leader can do is simply ask, “How are you really doing?” Not the surface-level, “How’s it going?” but a genuine, open-ended question that invites honesty. And then, here’s the key, listen. Create a culture where people feel safe to share their struggles, their frustrations, and their ideas without fear of judgment or retaliation. When people feel heard, they feel valued. And when they feel valued, they’re more likely to stay engaged. 2. Align work with strengths and passions People do their best work when they’re in their “zone of genius”, that sweet spot where strengths, passions, and skills come together. As a leader, one of your most important jobs is to help your team discover and spend more time in that zone. Sometimes that means reshaping roles, shifting responsibilities, or even creating new opportunities that better fit what each person brings to the table. When work taps into someone’s energy instead of draining it, productivity goes up, but so does fulfillment. 3. Foster a culture of connection and recognition Workplaces thrive when people feel seen, valued, and connected. Recognition doesn’t always have to come in the form of big gestures, it can be as simple as a genuine thank-you, celebrating small wins, or creating space for people to share their ideas. When leaders intentionally build connections and acknowledge contributions, it strengthens trust and fuels engagement. The ripple effect of purpose and resilience When leaders put purpose and resilience at the center, the benefits extend far beyond individual employees. The whole organization begins to shift. Teams grow stronger, collaboration improves, and fresh ideas start to flow. Most importantly, people begin showing up fully, not just clocking in, but bringing their energy, creativity, and commitment with them. But perhaps most importantly, purpose-driven leadership reminds us of what work is really about. It’s not just about profits or productivity, it’s about people. It’s about creating environments where people can thrive, grow, and contribute in meaningful ways. And when we get that right, everything else falls into place. So, if you’re seeing signs of quiet quitting or burnout in your organization, don’t just treat the symptoms. Go deeper. Reignite engagement by reconnecting your team with their purpose. Because when people feel connected to their work, and to each other, there’s no limit to what they can achieve. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Adam Markel Adam Markel, Author & Wellness Expert Bestselling author, keynote speaker, workplace expert, and resilience researcher Adam Markel inspires leaders to master the challenges of massive disruption in his new book, “Change Proof – Leveraging the Power of Uncertainty to Build Long-Term Resilience” (McGraw-Hill, Feb. 22, 2022). Adam is the author of the 1 Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly bestseller, “Pivot: The Art & Science of Reinventing Your Career and Life.”

Written by Jane Jawad, Co-founder of Centaura Group and Strategic Adviser Jane Jawad helps SME owners turn operational chaos into enterprise value through AI, automation and strategic dealmaking that drives 15-25% EBITA Growth and exits worth 2–3x more. Most CEOs know they "should" be using AI. What's missing is the line between intention and profit. In established businesses, the winners don't try to boil the ocean. They connect AI directly to a handful of commercial outcomes, margin, cash, retention, operational capacity, then execute through short, disciplined pilots with clear kill points. Done properly, AI doesn't just lift EBITDA. It reduces key-person dependency, improves reporting quality, and makes performance predictable. That predictability is what sophisticated investors, lenders, and buyers actually pay for. This approach is deliberately unglamorous. It avoids hype, focuses on what moves the numbers, and builds capability that endures. The aim isn't to become an "AI company." The aim is to run a stronger, simpler, more resilient business. The real reason AI lifts enterprise value Enterprise value rises when a business earns more and looks less risky. Many leadership teams obsess over the first part and ignore the second. In real transactions, the valuation multiple is often driven by perceived risk: how dependent the business is on the CEO, how explainable the numbers are, whether performance looks repeatable month after month. AI creates value when it converts tribal knowledge into systems. It standardises decisions, improves visibility, and eliminates the defensive tap-dancing required when someone asks, "Why did margin drop?" or "What's really driving churn?" That's the shift: from heroic firefighting to repeatable execution. Three pressures shaping decisions now Three forces are reshaping the mid-market landscape. Margin squeeze and complexity. Costs rise, expectations rise, and too many businesses still run on manual workarounds and institutional memory. AI disruption. AI has moved from buzzword to baseline expectation, but most firms have a patchwork of disconnected tools rather than a coherent strategy, so they're burning budget without seeing meaningful uplift. Deal activity and consolidation. Whether a company plans to sell or not, the market has hardened. Capital providers and strategic partners expect better evidence, tighter reporting, and less reliance on a single irreplaceable person. The opportunity is significant. So is the gap between companies making deliberate moves and companies waiting for clarity that won't come. AI plays that pay The fastest EBITDA impact comes from decisions that happen every week: pricing, renewals, forecasting, scheduling, collections, service delivery. Protect gross margin Margin leakage is rarely one dramatic failure. It's thousands of small decisions. Inconsistent discounting, fuzzy approval chains, limited visibility into true profitability, exceptions that calcify into policy. AI becomes valuable when it enforces margin discipline at the point of decision. Better guidance in quoting and approvals. Early warning signs of erosion surfaced before they compounded. Standardised guardrails that protect profit without killing momentum. The win isn't "AI pricing." The win is protecting the margin while keeping pace. Save renewals early Retention is one of the cleanest profit levers because it protects revenue you've already paid to win. Churn risk usually becomes visible too late, when renewal becomes a hostage negotiation. AI helps when it surfaces early signals, consolidates them into a simple risk view, and prompts structured intervention before the relationship deteriorates. Fewer surprises mean less panic discounting and more predictable earnings. Improve cash conversion Many profitable businesses still feel cash-starved. Working capital is usually the culprit. When forecasting is weak, teams hedge. Buffers multiply, inventory swells, overtime appears, rush costs become routine. AI helps by improving demand signals and scenario planning so finance and operations operate from the same version of reality. Cash predictability reduces risk. Reduced risk lifts value. Cut repeat admin The best early AI wins don't replace people. They eliminate low-value work that keeps talented people trapped. Faster first drafts of proposals and client updates. Faster triage and routing of exceptions. Faster retrieval of the right information at the right moment. Cleaner handoffs between teams. Fewer "chase and check" cycles that burn hours. These wins feel mundane, which is precisely why they work. When time returns to customer experience, delivery quality, and growth initiatives, EBITDA follows. Roadmap without a full-time chief AI officer Most businesses don't need a dedicated AI executive. They need senior ownership and execution discipline. A practical approach starts by choosing two or three outcomes for the next 12-18 months. If the outcome can't be expressed in commercial terms, margin, churn, cash, cycle time, the initiative will drift. Next, select use cases you can actually deliver. Start where data exists and the workflow is stable enough to improve. "Good enough now" beats "perfect in 18 months." Then run one focused pilot with clear ROI. Six to eight weeks is often enough to see signal. Set the baseline, success threshold, and decision date before the pilot begins. If you can't stop a pilot that underperforms, you're not piloting, you're accumulating complexity. Finally, scale what works properly. Scaling means workflow integration, training, governance, and consistent measurement month after month. That's how value becomes durable. Deal-ready every day Deal-readiness isn't an exit project. It's an operating standard. A deal-ready business is easier to run, more resilient under stress, and more attractive to lenders, partners, and high-quality hires. AI contributes by standardising processes, tightening reporting cadence, and reducing key-person dependency. Investors rarely pay a premium for "using AI." They pay for what AI enables: predictable execution, controlled risk, and a management team that can operate without founder heroics. The first three moves in 90 days For time-constrained CEOs, the best approach is simple and high-leverage. First, map how value flows through your business, from winning work to getting paid and identify the five places where time, money, or opportunity leaks. Second, run one focused AI pilot with clear ROI. Choose one revenue-side use case (margin discipline, renewal protection, sales velocity) and one cost or cash use case (forecasting, scheduling, collections). Keep each narrow: one team, one segment, one region. Third, begin deal-readiness even if a sale isn't planned. Tidy reporting, document key processes, strengthen the management bench, reduce reliance on any single person. When those three are in motion, strategic options multiply: scaling, succession, raising capital, or a transaction. Conclusion You don't need every answer today. You need a deliberate first move. Start with one hour to map the top operational pain points and where time actually goes. Then launch one AI pilot that links directly to EBITDA or cash. Prove value, build confidence, scale what works. For leadership teams that want speed without chaos, the formula remains constant: commercial outcomes, tight pilots, disciplined scaling. Build a business that's easier to run, and more valuable when it counts. Follow me on LinkedIn  and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Jane Jawad Jane Jawad, Co-founder of Centaura Group and Strategic Adviser Jane Jawad is co-founder of Centaura Group, where she helps established SMEs unlock hidden value and prepare for high-multiple exits through AI, automation and strategic deal advisory. With nearly two decades leading transformations for major corporates, she now channels that expertise exclusively toward £10m–£75m businesses across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Jane works with owner-led firms to eliminate founder dependency and engineer EBITDA growth that translates directly into valuation uplift. She co-founded the SME Innovation Network and writes about AI strategy and building companies buyers actually want to buy.

Written by Jivi Saran, Quantum Business Consultant Jivi Saran is globally recoginised, for advancing Quantum Business and Conscious Capitalism. A Senior Business Advisor, Scholar, and Best Selling Author, Jivi blends rigorous research with 35 years of executive advisory experience to elevate leadership and business transformation. What if business was never truly about products, profit margins, or market share, but about something far more subtle and powerful? What if the real driver of success was not found in spreadsheets or strategies, but in the invisible space where intention, presence, and human energy intersect? In a world obsessed with doing more, scaling faster, and optimizing endlessly, we rarely pause to ask whether how we show up shapes what we create. And yet, beneath every transaction lies a relationship, beneath every decision lies a state of consciousness, and beneath every organization lies a field that quietly determines whether value flourishes or fades. To understand this, we don’t need another complex framework, we simply need to remember what we already knew as children. What if business was never really about money, competition, or even growth? What if business was about how you show up…what you pay attention to…and the invisible energy you bring into the room before a single decision is made? To explore that question, let’s do something radical. Let’s explain Quantum Business to a five-year-old. What is quantum business? A lemonade stand perspective Imagine a lemonade stand on a warm afternoon. A small table. A hand-drawn sign. A jug of lemonade made with care. At first glance, this seems simple, almost insignificant. Yet within this small exchange lives every principle that governs Quantum Business. Quantum Business begins with a quiet recognition, business is not merely an exchange of goods, it is an exchange of states of being. The lemonade itself matters, of course, but it is not the whole story. People approach the stand not only because they are thirsty, but because something draws them in. A smile. A sense of welcome. The feeling that this moment, however small, is genuine. Long before a coin changes hands, an invisible transaction has already occurred. At the lemonade stand, the child does not separate who they are from what they are offering. Their presence is the brand. Their excitement is the marketing. Their care is the differentiator. This is the first truth of Quantum Business, value is created in the field before it is captured in the transaction. When coherence exists between intention, emotion, and action, people feel it. And when they feel it, trust forms effortlessly. Two identical lemonade stands Now imagine two identical lemonade stands. Same recipe. Same price. Same location. Yet one attracts a steady stream of customers while the other remains unnoticed. Traditional business thinking struggles to explain this. Quantum Business does not. The difference lies in the internal state of the person behind the stand. One is present, proud, and connected to what they are doing. The other is distracted, uncertain, or simply “going through the motions.” The market responds accordingly, not to the product alone, but to the signal being emitted. In Quantum Business, leadership functions much like that child at the stand. Leaders are not separate from their organizations, they are central nodes within them. Their clarity or confusion, integrity or misalignment, calm or reactivity permeates the system. Culture is not what is written on the wall, it is what is felt at the lemonade stand when someone walks by and decides whether to stop. There is also an unspoken generosity at play. When the child offers lemonade with kindness, perhaps even giving a cup to someone who cannot pay, the entire environment shifts. Others notice. Goodwill circulates. Abundance increases rather than diminishes. Quantum Business understands that value expands when generosity replaces scarcity, and that ethical, human-centered choices are not at odds with performance, they are often the source of it. Most importantly, the lemonade stand teaches us that business is alive. It responds. It reflects. It amplifies what is present. When joy, purpose, and coherence are introduced into the system, they ripple outward. When fear, force, or disconnection dominate, the system contracts. Quantum Business works with this reality rather than denying it. It recognizes organizations as living fields, not mechanical machines. So, what is quantum business? It is the practice of aligning inner state with outer strategy. It is leadership that understands influence before control. It is commerce grounded in consciousness. It is the wisdom of a lemonade stand, remembered and applied at scale. And perhaps the most radical insight of all is this, the future of business will not be invented, it will be remembered. Remembered from a time when we instinctively knew that how we show up matters, that people feel more than they calculate, and that even the smallest stand, run with presence and care, can change the flow of the entire street. That is quantum business. How do you know you need a lemonade stand? You know you need a lemonade stand when you’re standing behind the table… and no one is stopping. Not because your lemonade is bad. Not because your sign isn’t bright enough. Not because the market “isn’t ready.” But because something invisible has gone quiet. In business, this moment shows up when effort increases, but results don’t. When strategies multiply, but clarity diminishes. When meetings are full, yet momentum feels oddly absent. You are present, but not quite connected. The stand is set. The jug is full. And still, the street flows past without noticing. Sometimes, you need a lemonade stand when your lemonade tastes fine, but you’ve forgotten why you started selling it in the first place. The joy is gone. The curiosity has been replaced by obligation. You’re doing everything “right,” yet nothing feels light. In Quantum terms, the signal is fragmented. The system is still functioning, but coherence has slipped. You also need a lemonade stand when your team is busy but disengaged. When everyone has a role, yet no one feels ownership. When culture lives in slide decks instead of in how people speak to one another. A lemonade stand reminds us that people don’t commit to structures, they commit to shared intention and felt meaning. And then there’s the clearest sign of all. You need a lemonade stand when you’re exhausted from pushing, when growth feels forced, when expansion feels heavy, when success requires constant effort rather than natural flow. A lemonade stand doesn’t chase customers. It creates an invitation so clear and so aligned that stopping feels natural. In Quantum Business, the lemonade stand is not a downgrade. It is a reset. A return to first principles. A moment to ask, What am I truly offering? How am I showing up? And does the field I’m creating invite trust, curiosity, and connection? Eight quiet signals your business is ready for quantum business You may need Quantum Business when effort is high but impact feels disproportionately low, when strategy is sound yet momentum is missing, when your organization is busy but not alive, when decisions are made quickly but without clarity or conviction, when culture is articulated but not felt, when leadership relies more on control than coherence, when growth requires constant force rather than natural pull, and when success, despite being visible on paper, feels misaligned internally. Together, these signals point not to a failure of competence, but to a deeper need for alignment, between intention, presence, leadership, and the living system of the business itself. 1. Strategy exists, but momentum has vanished When the strategy is technically sound yet execution stalls, the issue is rarely competence. It is coherence. Quantum Business recognizes that misaligned intention, fragmented attention, and incongruent leadership states dissipate momentum before action begins. 2. Growth requires force instead of flow If expansion feels heavy, driven by pressure, incentives, or constant intervention, the system is resisting. QB restores alignment so growth emerges organically, pulled by clarity and resonance rather than pushed by urgency. 3. Culture is articulated but not felt When values live on walls and websites but not in decisions, conversations, or behaviors, the cultural field is fractured. Quantum Business works at the level where culture is experienced, not announced. 4. Leadership decisions feel fast but hollow Speed without depth produces rework, regret, and erosion of trust. QB recalibrates decision-making so leaders act from presence and principle, where clarity precedes velocity and conviction replaces reaction. 5. Teams are busy, yet disengaged High activity with low aliveness signals a disconnect between role and meaning. Quantum Business reconnects people to purpose, restoring ownership, creativity, and intrinsic motivation across the system. 6. Trust is fragile or transactional When relationships depend on contracts, controls, or constant oversight, trust has not been established at the field level. QB strengthens the invisible conditions that allow trust to become self-sustaining. 7. Success looks good on paper but feels misaligned Revenue may be strong while leaders feel restless, disconnected, or quietly dissatisfied. Quantum Business addresses this split by integrating performance with purpose, so success is both measurable and meaningful. 8. The organization reacts more than it creates When a business is perpetually responding to markets, crises, or competitors, it has lost its signal. QB restores authorship, enabling organizations to shape their future rather than chase it. Why the lemonade stand isn’t working anymore Seen through the lens of a lemonade stand, these eight signs become unmistakable. The stand is set, the recipe is right, and the strategy is sound, yet people walk by. The child behind the table starts pushing instead of inviting, adjusting prices instead of presence, working harder while feeling less connected. The sign still says “lemonade,” but the joy, clarity, and coherence that once drew people in have faded. This is not a failure of effort, it is a signal that alignment has slipped at the source. Quantum Business returns the stand to its essence, where intention matches action, where energy precedes exchange, and where people stop not because they are persuaded, but because something feels genuinely right. The leader behind the lemonade stand At the lemonade stand, real change never starts with the lemons, the price, or the sign, it starts with the one standing behind the table. A quantum leader senses when something is off and resists the urge to push harder. Instead, they pause. They breathe. They remember why the stand exists and who it is meant to serve. Their shoulders relax, their attention returns to the moment, and their smile becomes genuine rather than performative. Without altering a single external variable, the field around the stand shifts. This is how a quantum leader transforms the situation. By becoming coherent themselves, they restore coherence to the system. The stand begins to feel inviting again. People slow down. Eye contact returns. Curiosity awakens. In Quantum Business, leadership is not about directing traffic, it is about becoming the signal others naturally respond to. When the leader’s presence is aligned, the business no longer needs to chase attention, like a well-run lemonade stand, it quietly draws people in. In conclusion: The observer, the stand, and the shift In quantum mechanics, the observer is never separate from the system being observed. Presence alters outcome. Attention collapses possibility into reality. The lemonade stand has always known this truth intuitively. When the child behind the table is aligned, present, joyful, and intentional, the stand comes alive. When they are distracted or disconnected, the same stand fades into the background. Nothing external changes, yet everything does. Business operates by the same laws. Organizations are not machines to be optimized, they are living fields that respond to coherence, intention, and leadership state. Quantum Business invites leaders to stop fixing symptoms and start tuning the signal. To recognize that growth is not forced but attracted, that trust is not engineered but felt, and that the most powerful lever for change is the one most often ignored, the inner alignment of the leader and the system they influence. If your lemonade stand once drew a crowd and now feels quiet, this is not a failure. It is an invitation. An invitation to pause, recalibrate, and lead from a deeper level of awareness. When you do, the field shifts, people return, and business, like the simplest stand on a sunny street, begins to flow again. The question is no longer whether Quantum Business works. The question is whether you are ready to step behind the stand, consciously. Reach out to us to integrate Quantum Business into your strategy. Follow me on Instagram , and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Jivi Saran Jivi Saran, Quantum Business Consultant Jivi Saran is a transformative business advisor, scholar, and thought leader whose work bridges quantum principles, human consciousness, and organizational strategy. With over 35 years of guiding executive teams, she empowers leaders to make purposeful, future-shaping decisions that elevate both performance and humanity as the founder of Quantum Business Growth and author of Quantum Business: Leading with Soul in a World of Systems, Jivi champions a new era of leadership grounded in clarity, coherence, and conscious capitalism.

Written by Larry Carroll Jr., Author, Wellness Entrepreneur, and Trauma-Informed Strategist Larry Carroll Jr. is an author, publisher of Ryze, and CEO of Ryze Above Inc., a trauma-informed company dedicated to helping individuals transform adversity into purpose through wellness, education, and self-mastery. Wellness is often reduced to habits, routines, or quick fixes, but true well-being is far more complex and interconnected. Living in 8D invites you to look beyond fragmented approaches to health and explore wellness as a living ecosystem, one where emotions, body, relationships, purpose, work, finances, and environment all influence how we thrive. This article introduces the 8 Dimensions of Wellness as a holistic framework for understanding why so many people feel depleted, and how real alignment begins when we stop treating life in pieces and start honoring the whole. Living in 8D Wellness is not just a buzzword tossed around in yoga studios or health blogs. It is also more than eating right or exercising regularly. Wellness is a vibrant, living mosaic, made up of many pieces, each one essential to the full picture of our wellbeing. Imagine your life as a garden. You would not water just one plant and expect the entire garden to flourish. You would tend to the soil, the sunlight, the air, and even the small organisms that help keep everything in balance. That is exactly how I see the journey toward wellness, a dance with multiple dimensions, each calling for attention, care, and love. Globally, fewer than one third of adults describe their lives as “thriving.” In the United States, that number drops even further, with less than half of adults reporting feeling truly satisfied with their lives, the lowest levels recorded in over a decade. Despite advances in technology, medicine, and productivity, overall wellbeing continues to decline. True wellness is multidimensional, a dynamic balance of how we think, feel, move, connect, work, and live. The 8 Dimensions of Wellness offer a holistic framework for understanding health beyond symptoms and toward sustainable wellbeing. Related: Global Happiness Index Rather than treating life as fragmented parts, this model invites us to see wellness as an ecosystem. When one dimension is neglected, others feel the strain. When they are aligned, growth becomes possible. I was first introduced to holistic thinking when I earned my Altis certification in 2020. Holism is defined by the theory that parts of a whole are interconnected and cannot exist independently of the whole, nor be understood without reference to it. Five years later, I was reintroduced to the concept of holism through the lens of the 8 Dimensions while acquiring another certification, this time in a substance use class. I now refer to this approach as Living in 8D. In a single day, you and I are constantly navigating these dimensions. More often than not, when one is off, the others follow. This brings us back to the core definition. One dimension cannot be expressed in isolation. The whole must be taken into consideration. I am writing this not just as an article, but as an invitation. An invitation to understand the human experience more fully and to stop blaming ourselves for struggling in systems that rarely support the whole person. I am glad you are here. Let us begin. The 8 dimensions of wellness When people hear the word wellness, they often think only about physical health. Yet research consistently shows that mental health, relationships, finances, work stress, and environment play just as powerful a role in overall wellbeing. In fact, in the United States, one in four adults experiences a mental health condition each year, and nearly one in two report feeling lonely or emotionally disconnected. These are not individual failures. They are signs of fragmented wellness. The 8 Dimensions help us see the full picture. What are the 8 dimensions? They are: 1. Emotional wellness The ability to understand, express, and manage emotions in healthy ways. Emotional wellness is not about avoiding difficult feelings. It is about developing the skills to process them without being consumed. Yet fewer than 30 percent of Americans rate their mental health as “excellent.” When emotional wellness is neglected, stress becomes chronic, reactions become impulsive, and healing stalls. When emotional wellness is strong, we respond rather than react. Related Article: Americans’ view on their mental health at record low. 2. Physical wellness Caring for the body as the vehicle for life and purpose. Physical wellness goes beyond aesthetics or performance. It is about honoring the body through movement, rest, nourishment, and recovery. Chronic stress and burnout, reported by nearly 60 percent of U.S. workers, often begin in the body before they are acknowledged in the mind. A regulated nervous system begins with physical care. A healthy body creates the foundation for clarity, energy, and endurance. 3. Social wellness Building meaningful, supportive relationships and a sense of belonging. Humans are wired for connection. Yet globally, social isolation and loneliness are rising at alarming rates. In the United States, about half of adults report feeling lonely, a condition linked to depression, anxiety, and increased mortality risk. Social wellness reflects the quality, not the quantity, of relationships. Isolation erodes wellness. Connection restores it. Related Article: 1 in 2 Americans Feel Lonely and Emotionally Disconnected, according to a New Poll. 4. Intellectual wellness Engaging in lifelong learning, curiosity, and critical thinking. Intellectual wellness encourages adaptability in a rapidly changing world. As industries shift and uncertainty grows, the ability to learn, think critically, and challenge outdated beliefs becomes essential to resilience. Growth requires curiosity. Stagnation begins when learning stops. 5. Spiritual wellness Finding meaning, purpose, and alignment with personal values. Across cultures, studies show that people with a strong sense of purpose experience lower stress, better mental health, and longer life expectancy. Spiritual wellness does not require religion. It requires alignment. It answers the question, why do I live the way I do? 6. Occupational wellness Experiencing fulfillment, balance, and purpose in work or vocation. Work plays a central role in identity and stability. Yet Gallup reports that less than one quarter of U.S. workers feel engaged at work, while burnout continues to rise. Burnout is not a personal weakness. It is often a signal of misalignment between values, capacity, and expectations. Related Articles: Employee Wellbeing & Mental Health Workplace Statistic (2024 2025) 7. Financial wellness Developing a healthy relationship with money and resources. Financial stress remains one of the leading contributors to anxiety in the United States. Many households lack emergency savings, and financial insecurity directly impacts emotional, physical, and relational health. Financial wellness is not about wealth. It is about clarity, stability, and peace of mind. 8. Environmental wellness Living in harmony with your surroundings, both external and internal. Our environments shape our nervous systems. Crowded, unsafe, or chaotic spaces increase stress and reduce focus, while supportive environments promote calm and healing. Your environment either supports your healing or disrupts it. Bringing the dimensions together The power of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness lies in their integration. You do not have to master all eight at once. Wellness is a practice, not a destination. Start by asking: Which dimension feels strongest right now? Which one has been neglected? What is one small action I can take today? Healing happens when awareness meets action. In conclusion, each dimension is like a note in a symphony. When they play in harmony, life feels vibrant and full. When one note is out of tune, the entire melody can feel off. When the melody is off, the answer is not judgment, it is realignment. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the dimensions and develop our own personal techniques to bring the 8 dimensions into harmony. In the meantime, if this article resonated with you, if you recognize areas of your life that feel out of alignment, you do not have to navigate it alone. I offer free one-on-one Elevation Calls, designed to help you: Identify which dimension needs attention right now Gain clarity without pressure or judgment Take your next step toward living in alignment This is a conversation, not a commitment. Book your free Elevation Call at: Book now . Alignment begins with awareness, but growth happens through action. Be real with where you are. Be relentless about where you are going. Ryze Above, so that you begin to live in 8D. Learn more about me on my website, About Me . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Larry Carroll Jr. Larry Carroll Jr., Author, Wellness Entrepreneur, and Trauma-Informed Strategist Larry Carroll Jr. is the author and publisher of the memoir Ryze and the CEO of Ryze Above Inc., a trauma-informed wellness company. His work bridges lived experience, behavioral insight, and holistic development to help individuals turn adversity into growth. Through writing, education, and coaching, he explores resilience, identity, and personal accountability. His articles invite readers to examine their inner world while building practical tools for lasting change.

Written by Jack Stuhlreyer, HGI - Executive & Professional Recruiters Harvard Group International has been successfully helping clients fill critical and strategic hiring needs for three decades. As a consultant in this field, HGI regularly provides analysis and advice to executives and professionals who seek the firm's assistance. The door is always open to employers and individuals for courtesy discussions. This is among those realities in business that are obvious until one is face to face with it. In the Executive Recruiting practice, it’s encountered too often; Hiring Managers concerned with hiring candidates with greater experience, more select or broader, than the hiring managers themselves. Sure, there is always “politics” within business teams, but the best leader doesn’t fear the addition of wisdom and abilities to their team. Personal insecurities? Maybe. Rapid growth and change in businesses can be among the reasons for filling team leader openings at times with a person whose confident maturity has not yet caught up to the assigned responsibilities. Often, they in turn need to fill open team positions. And Executive Recruiters are then faced with presenting only candidates with less experience and attained wisdom.  Inferred, even heard – “older people will not respect or follow a younger boss’s directions”. Will disrupt the team by second guessing. Can represent an unspoken challenge to authority. May undermine a boss’s position in the eyes/mind of upper management. This is where the hiring manager’s supervisor needs to provide guidance and encouragement. It’s easy to demonstrate where the addition of certain wisdom enables greater success for a department or division to the credit of the team’s “boss”, in business-type entities for sure, but similarly in sports or even the military. Good leaders warrant respect because they give respect. It’s even true that the wisest of candidates appreciates opportunity while at the same time appropriately valuing team structure.  Not required for a team leader to be the most informed, skilled, or wisest of the team Good leaders organize experience, skills, resources, and wisdom in the most effective way. While not hiring those of evident superior wisdom, skills, and abilities can usually be a mistake, the contrived efforts of a boss to discredit as a means to eliminate such team members is most often particularly negative in its effect on the team overall. One hires individuals for their distinct abilities, of course, and that should include wisdom in the form of certain select knowledge and ability. The best leaders bring such advantages to bear on behalf of the team, rewards rather than ridicule, making such wisdom into team advantages. This is about wisdom, not ego.  The best leaders learn from taking considered chances To include installing wisdom from which they themselves will gain. How a new hire will fit into a team or department is a viable point of evaluation and decision, for sure. One should interview not to exclude those of wise distinction among candidates, but rather to sort out the few who may not reflect the values of team abilities over those of the individual. While most hiring managers look for candidates of evident accomplishment, for some department, division, or similar leaders, maybe earlier in their own career, the real aspect for which to probe is how a candidate has respected and supported those of higher authority as they, the candidate, provided a measurable contribution to previous employers. Don’t make it a “qualification” to be of less experience and wisdom than oneself. Do assure the qualification of “team player” in finalist candidates. Except maybe in cases of critical individual contributor roles. Hire wisdom combined with humility and experience. In summary Some hiring managers have concerns about hiring a person of greater experience and or ability than they feel with regard to themselves. Age is typically not a factor and less of an indicator than maybe first anticipated and applied. This complication is more common than thought from the view of executive recruiters. Top managers respect and seek wisdom from their teams. Successful managers seek to have team members who can add to the team as well as provide council to they, themselves, the hiring manager. Where insecurity is an issue for a hiring manager, it can usually be addressed with counsel and time. P.S. Age-influenced, time-tested wisdom is usually a positive attribute. Then again, it has been noted that people tend to learn more from mistakes made by the ranks above them than from those boss’s accomplishments.  Follow us on LinkedIn , and you can also visit our website  for more info! Read more from Harvard Group International Harvard Group International, Executive & Professional Recruiters Harvard Group International was founded in 1997 with a primary focus on automotive manufacturers and tier-one suppliers. From its beginning, the culture has been one of providing help and advisory services to clients and candidates alike. As the firm grew, the practice evolved more of a generalist focus, covering almost every industry segment across finance & investment, medical, technology, consumer, and more, to manufacturers and suppliers – US and International. With that history, HGI has helped many of the largest corporations in the world, as well as private businesses and start-ups. The key to success is grounded in the firm's process of thoroughly understanding the clients' needs as well as hiring managers' preferences to enable effective 'digging' into likely sources, and identifying accomplished candidates that require actual recruiting before presentation to clients. Over the years, HGI has become known for professional courtesy, confidentiality, and focused urgency. The associates and directors of the firm have reviewed many thousands of resumes, placing thousands of candidates across a broad spectrum of titles, roles, and diversity.

Written by Andrea B Denney, 2x Author, Narrative Legacy Fine Art Photographer Andrea B. Denney is a leading grief-informed fine art photographer and author recognized for her expertise in legacy storytelling and compassionate visual art. Her award-winning work helps families preserve memories with depth, empathy, and artistry. Have you ever stood in the quiet that falls after caregiving ends, not knowing who you are or how to move forward? Maybe you felt the world shift on without you, while your heart lagged in a silence that nobody really talks about. It’s common to wonder: “Can I heal after the goodbye? Is there really a way forward from here?” I’ve been there, and so have millions of caregivers worldwide. This article is your roadmap to what comes next, what truly works, and how you can build a new, meaningful chapter, using trauma-informed, real-world support built for gentle, lasting change. What is trauma-informed grief? Grief after caregiving isn’t just sadness, it’s exhaustion, shock, and often trauma woven together. Trauma-informed grief support recognizes that what you’ve been through changed your body, your nervous system, and the way you feel safe in the world. Instead of hurrying your healing, trauma-informed care makes space for every layer of your story: the moments you can’t forget, the fatigue in your muscles, the loss that still aches at the center. Where traditional grief advice often says, “time heals,” trauma-informed care says, “you heal in your own way, by listening to your body, honoring where you are, and learning new tools for living with your loss.” Allowing this approach is not weakness, it’s wisdom. Your worth isn’t measured by how fast you move on, but by the gentleness you bring to yourself as you move with the love and the loss you carry. Resource: SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Care The caregiver's mental health crisis after loss While caring for a loved one, your own needs often fade into the background. When the caregiving ends, silence falls, and often, reality comes crashing down. Research shows up to 50% of former caregivers experience depression, complicated grief, or even PTSD in the first year after loss ( APA ;  NAC/AARP ). These aren’t just statistics; they’re real stories of people suddenly adrift, without the routine, purpose, and constant urgency that caregiving once provided. Unfortunately, support often fades as quickly as the casseroles. Employers, friends, even health professionals expect a quick return to “normal.” But for most caregivers, loss is just the beginning of a new and often-invisible struggle, a health crisis with ripple effects on the mind, relationships, work, and identity. Resource: Family Caregiver Alliance – Grief and Loss The failure of passive grief support Too many caregivers are met with well-meaning advice, “move on,” “stay busy,” “let the past go”, that doesn’t match their reality. Generic support groups and traditional systems rarely go deep enough to hold space for anger, guilt, numbness, and the nonlinear way grief really works after caregiving. Studies confirm this gap: Over 60% of caregivers report their emotional health worsened after their role ended, describing feelings of invisibility and overwhelm. For many, support just isn’t tailored, it’s too shallow, too rushed, or too focused on the idea of “closure.” Resource: Modern Loss – Finding Community in Grief A new solution: Action-driven healing Caregivers deserve more than platitudes. That’s why at Andrea B. Denney Studios, I’ve built resources to offer practical, trauma-informed support, starting wherever you are. My Trilogy of Transition books are designed as companions, not maps; you choose the page, the prompt, and the pace. Signature Healing Anchors: Stillness suite : High-fidelity music, soothing digital visuals, and gentle reflection activities designed for actual nervous-system relief. Legacy Anchor Commission : Not just a portrait, but a collaborative process, a storytelling interview and a gallery-grade art piece that visibly honors your journey and continuing bonds. After the Goodbye Community : Ongoing support, digital events, creative prompts, and spaces where honesty, pain, and hope get witnessed and shared. Here you’ll find companions for every kind of day. This isn’t just about “resources”, it’s about welcoming you into a living ecosystem, where every tool, practice, and connection is trauma-aware and built to restore strength at your own pace. Art, remembrance, and anchoring meaning Healing after caregiving is not about empty advice or quick fixes, it’s about learning how to build something lasting and meaningful with what remains. At Andrea B. Denney Studios, I offer opportunities for you to express, create, and revisit your story in ways that let both grief and love move with you, not behind you. Imagine entering a space, virtual or real, where you are invited to tell your story and share memories in your own words. There is no expectation to hurry sorrow or to mute the fullness of your love for the person you cared for. Through gentle creative practices, story-sharing, intentional photography, and even simply choosing a favorite song to play while you reflect, you begin to construct anchors. These anchors aren’t about holding onto the past in pain but are touchstones and reminders: you can carry love and loss as you go. Perhaps you find comfort in lighting a candle by your artwork or telling a favorite memory at dinner. Maybe you return to a piece of music when the world goes quiet. Each of these moments is a private, sacred pause to honor your relationship, mark your progress, and build a gentle momentum toward renewal. This is not idolizing what’s gone. This is living, present, and honest, a way to grow your story with both loss and hope, interwoven and alive. Building a sanctuary: The power of after the goodbye No matter how strong or capable you feel, healing happens best in community. That’s why I created After the Goodbye, a restorative, online circle for caregivers and grievers who want to be seen, heard, and supported without judgment or pressure. Here, you’re not told to “get over it.” Instead, you’ll find people who remember your important dates, understand your rough days, and celebrate your small wins. Together, we share tools from the Stillness Suite, check in on hard anniversaries, and offer encouragement whenever a member feels stuck or alone. Group sessions, gentle creative prompts, and regular opportunities to connect bring both structure and warmth. Whether you join for inspiration, accountability, healing music, or just a moment of comfort, this space is for you. The goal isn’t perfection or speed, it’s a sense of belonging. You have a home here, and your story is safe. Related Resource: Modern Loss – Building Community What healing looks like: Real outcomes and roadmaps True healing isn’t a return to what was. It’s a slow, sometimes uneven, emergence of new life, measured in gentle moments, not giant leaps. Progress looks like sleeping peacefully, laughing unexpectedly, or facing an old photo with more love than regret. The After the Goodbye Companion Journal, the community, and our anchors become resources to draw on, not rules to follow. Some days, readers tell me, it’s enough to read just one page or make one small connection. Others find themselves starting new family traditions, planning ways to honor a loved one on special days, or even empowering others from their own renewed sense of strength. Healing is about allowing your story to live and grow, honoring what you lost and welcoming what can still come. Resource: CDC – Coping with Grief and Loss How to begin: First steps for caregivers after the goodbye You don’t need a grand gesture, just one gentle act to mark your next chapter. Try these: Light a candle or create a moment of stillness with the Stillness Suite . Write a letter (even unsent) to your loved one, or to yourself, as prompted in the After the Goodbye Companion Journal. Listen to healing audio with  Remembrance Record . Consider creating your own legacy piece with the  Legacy Anchor Commission . Reach out for wisdom and comfort in the  After the Goodbye Community . You can also explore these national resources: Family Caregiver Alliance Modern Loss Grief.com There’s no wrong way to start. Every small connection and act of kindness toward yourself helps lay a stronger ground for your future. Conclusion: The new story after goodbye When the world expects you to “move on,” I invite you instead to move with, bringing your love, memories, and hard-earned wisdom forward. After caregiving, you’re not meant to erase your story. You’re meant to discover new chapters, shaped by all you’ve lived through. Every small act, whether it’s pausing for stillness, sharing your truth, or finding comfort in community, gives you permission to keep honoring what’s been lost and keep building what remains. At After the Goodbye and Andrea B. Denney Studios, you’ll find artistry, resources, and a circle ready to welcome you exactly as you are. Healing isn’t about survival alone. It’s about transformation and the courage to trust that your legacy, your story, and your sense of meaning can grow, even after the hardest goodbye. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Andrea B Denney Andrea B Denney, 2x Author, Narrative Legacy Fine Art Photographer Andrea B. Denney is an award winning grief-informed fine art photographer, two-time author, audio storyteller, and creative entrepreneur based in Tennessee. Known for legacy storytelling and trauma-aware artistry, she helps families preserve memories and emotions through timeless visual art. Recognized with the 2025 Prestige Award and Marquis Who's Who Honoree of 2023, Andrea combines technology, compassion, and service to inspire healing, connection, and preservation of love through generations. References: American Psychological Association (APA) National Alliance for Caregiving & AARP, 2020 Family Caregiver Alliance Modern Loss SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Care ArtTherapy Remembrance Record Podcast Andrea B. Denney Studios

Written by Paula Margulis, Master Leader in the work of Transformation As an Empress, an Entrepreneur, and A Master Leader in the work of Transformation, Paula guarantees a new idea leading to a new game. New game = New results! So far, you’ve debriefed and declared. Last month, you became present to Your Gap, and were invited to sit with yourself, to truly acknowledge the new awareness you uncovered by courageously taking yourself on and digging into your reality as you know it. Ideally, you took everything you discovered and laid it out in front of you, using that data in your favor by creating declarations that empower you to close your gap. If you did, I celebrate you. Here we are, more than halfway through your journey of self-awareness, realization, and actualization. How are you making out so far? Take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve already come. Your first stop was discovering the importance of 'you'. Then, we dove headfirst into the abyss, you, exactly as you were at that moment in time. From there, you explored awareness around how you interpret yourself, your space, and your past, present, and future. "What a journey!" Next, we looked ahead at your vision, how you’d like life to be. One of my favorite stops along the way. From there, you noticed and acknowledged Your Gap: the space between who you are today and who you want to be. If you have one, how big it is, and what’s living inside it. Then came the deep dive, followed by last month’s reflection and assessment. And here we are, the 8th stop on your self-adventure. Today, we’ll harness a little interruptive energy. A little breakthrough energy. If that language is new to you, here’s what I mean. The word breakthrough is defined as a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development. In the world of personal growth and transformation, a breakthrough is the moment you move through limitations, obstacles, and hardships, both tangible and intangible. This precise action of creating breakthroughs in your self-game produces powerful results: alignment, growth, expanded opportunities, peace, serenity, and realized dreams. Breakthroughs are part of the life game. They get to be accessed, invited, engaged, received, and even enjoyed. Have you ever experienced one? A shift from what was into what can be? Let me share one of mine. I smoked cigarettes for 28 years. I believed I needed to smoke. I believed I wanted to smoke. I believed I would always smoke. I even believed it was supportive. Then came a breakthrough, not in behavior, but in perception. I realized: I do not want to be a smoker. I do want to be healthy. My vision is to live a long, vibrant life. I do not want to set myself up for disease. I do not want to be in an obligatory relationship with this thing. At that moment, I decided to let smoking go. One decision. One clear “by when.” I showed up in integrity with who I am meant to be, healthy, long-living, and powerful in my ways of being. I never smoked again. And yes, it was easy. Now, back to you. What areas of your life are ready for a breakthrough? What parts of you get to be released so you can become who you’re here to be? What elements of your current reality are ready to shift, from what is to what gets to be, according to your vision? If you truly engaged in last month’s reflection and assessment, you now have data. And data is gold in the conversation of breakthroughs. Because breakthroughs close your gap. Letting go of smoking brought me closer to my most authentic, empowered self. It landed me squarely in the heart of who I wanted to be. What might do the same for you? Did you discover you aren’t as healthy as you’d like to be? That your money game needs attention? That your self-relationship is underdeveloped? That certain relationships are asking to evolve? Whatever you uncovered about what isn’t working, that is exactly where your next breakthrough lives. And let me be clear: breakthroughs can be painful. I won’t minimize that. Growth often demands discomfort. "No pain, no gain" exists for a reason. Becoming who I am today was not easy. The self-game isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires courage, pressure, and intensity. And it is, hands down, the most rewarding game in town. Next month, we’ll dive directly into 'your' breakthroughs. In the meantime, if you’re ready to create real breakthroughs, not someday, but now, support can change everything. When you’re done circling the same patterns, reach out. I’d be honored to walk with you. Book your call here . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Paula Margulis Paula Margulis, Master Leader in the work of Transformation As the CEO of PawlaNation Inc., which was founded in 2018, a Business Marketing graduate and licensed Realtor since 2011, Paula is a seasoned full-time Sales Representative with EXP Realty. She continuously chooses to expand and build her empire, which includes Chief Networking Officer of Total Knockout Referrals, Founder & CEO of PawlaNation Leadership, Foundation & Sanctuary. For the past 12 years, she has been choosing her personal development in a committed and rigorous manner, leading herself to her personal power, potential, authenticity, vulnerability, peace, and serenity, all the way being guided by a powerful vision and mission; to empower humanity with their humanity.

Sarah Hurst is a transformational coach, Touch Therapy practitioner, and the creator of the Mind Medicine Movement™ and Mind Medicine Massage™, a holistic approach to healing that bridges emotional wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and self-connection. Drawing on her own lived experience of navigating cancer multiple times, Sarah understands that healing is not just physical, but deeply emotional and personal. After years of running a successful therapy practice, Sarah retrained in life coaching, emotional and behavioural psychology, meditation, breathwork, Advanced Cancer Touch Therapy, and sound healing. Through this journey, she developed her SIPS™ framework, Slow Down, Identity, Purpose, Self-Love, a gentle yet powerful approach that supports people to move out of fear and into healing. Through her work with Rising Above Cancer, Sarah supports individuals living with or beyond cancer, as well as those navigating burnout, trauma, or major life transitions. Her work combines compassion with practical tools, helping clients reconnect with themselves, calm their nervous systems, and rediscover hope and purpose. Based in Hove, East Sussex, Sarah works with clients both in person and online. Her mission is simple yet profound: to help people take back their power and rise above cancer, and fear, one gentle sip at a time. Sarah Hurst, Coach and Creator of the Mind Medicine Movement™ Who is Sarah Hurst? I’m someone who understands what it feels like when life suddenly shifts beneath your feet. Professionally, I’m a transformational coach and Touch Therapy/massage practitioner, but at my core, I’m someone who helps people reconnect with themselves when fear, illness, or overwhelm has taken over. My work is grounded in lived experience. Having faced cancer more than once, I know how disorientating and lonely the journey can feel. Today, I support people to calm their nervous systems, rebuild trust in themselves, and rediscover who they are beyond diagnosis or circumstance. What inspired you to start Rising Above Cancer? Rising Above Cancer was born from my own healing journey. After my experiences with cancer, I realised that while medical treatment is essential, it often doesn’t address the emotional and psychological impact of diagnosis. Fear, loss of identity, and a sense of helplessness can linger long after treatment ends. I created Rising Above Cancer to offer the kind of support I wish I’d had. A safe, compassionate space where people could process what they’re going through, learn practical tools to support their nervous system, and feel empowered rather than defined by illness. How do you help individuals navigate life after a cancer diagnosis? I help people slow down, first and foremost. A diagnosis often throws the body into survival mode, and without calming the nervous system, it’s very hard to heal emotionally or mentally. Through coaching, meditation, Touch Therapy, and mindset work, I support clients to reconnect with themselves, understand how fear shows up in their body, and gently rebuild a sense of safety. From there, we explore identity, purpose, and self-love - helping them move forward with more clarity, confidence, and calm. What makes your approach to cancer recovery unique? My approach is deeply gentle and integrative. I don’t believe in forcing positivity or pushing people to “be strong”. Healing doesn’t work that way. The Mind Medicine Movement™ is built around small, compassionate steps. Through my SIPS™ framework - Slow Down, Identity, Purpose, Self-Love - clients learn how to work with their body rather than against it. It’s about creating space for healing, not rushing toward it. What are the biggest challenges people face during their cancer journey? One of the biggest challenges is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of recurrence, fear of losing oneself. Many people also struggle with feeling disconnected from their body, or feeling like life will never feel normal again. Another challenge is the pressure to “stay positive”, which can leave people feeling isolated when they’re struggling emotionally. There needs to be space for honesty, compassion, and vulnerability. How do mindset and emotional healing influence recovery? Mindset and emotional healing are deeply connected to the nervous system. When the body is stuck in stress or fear, it remains in a survival state, and over time, this can suppress aspects of the immune system. Research in psychoneuroimmunology shows that chronic stress can impair immune function, while calming the nervous system supports the body’s natural ability to heal. The language we use matters too. What we tell ourselves becomes the story our body listens to. When someone shifts from an identity rooted in fear to one grounded in empowerment and hope, the nervous system begins to settle. As the body moves out of fight-or-flight and into a calmer state, the immune system is better supported, creating conditions that aid recovery. Can you share a success story that deeply moved you? One client came to me feeling overwhelmed and consumed by fear following a recurrence. Although her treatment was going well physically, emotionally she felt lost and unable to quiet her thoughts. Through our work together, she learned how to slow her breath, calm her nervous system, and gently change how she spoke to herself. Week by week, her anxiety softened. She found moments of peace again, and slowly rebuilt trust in herself. Watching her reconnect with joy and move forward with renewed belief in herself was incredibly moving. What common misconceptions do people have about life after cancer? One of the biggest misconceptions is that once treatment ends, everything should feel “back to normal”. In reality, life after cancer is often a process of rebuilding – emotionally, mentally, and physically. Another misconception is that fear should disappear. Fear can still show up, but it doesn’t have to run the show. With the right support, people can learn how to live well alongside uncertainty. How do you support families and loved ones of those affected by cancer? Cancer doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed, it impacts the whole family. I often support loved ones by helping them understand the emotional landscape of healing, encouraging open communication, and offering tools to stay grounded themselves. When families learn how to regulate their own nervous systems, it creates a calmer, more supportive environment for everyone involved. What can someone expect when working with you for the first time? They can expect to be met with compassion, not judgement. My work is never one-size-fits-all. Sessions are gentle, tailored, and grounded in what someone needs in that moment. Whether through coaching or Mind Medicine Massage ™  the focus is always on helping someone feel safe, supported, and empowered in their own healing journey. How has your own experience shaped your mission and message? My experiences taught me that healing isn’t about returning to who you were before. It’s about becoming who you are now. I know firsthand how fear can take over, and how powerful it is when someone feels seen, supported, and understood. That’s what shapes everything I do, offering hope, safety, and a gentle path forward. What advice would you give to someone who feels hopeless after a diagnosis? I would gently remind them that hopelessness is a response to overwhelm, not a truth about the future. You don’t have to see the whole path ahead. You just need to take one gentle step. Slow down. Breathe. Look for small glimmers of safety and comfort. Healing doesn’t happen all at once. It begins with tiny moments of connection, compassion, and hope. If you’re navigating life after a diagnosis, or supporting someone you love, know that you don’t have to do it alone. Healing is possible, even when it feels distant. Often, it begins with the smallest pause, the softest breath, and the willingness to take one gentle sip of self-connection. If you feel ready to explore support, you’re welcome to reach out and schedule a call to begin that conversation. Schedule a call here . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Sarah Hurst