Written by: Renee C. Dominguez, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. The rules have changed in the workplace faster than most organizations can process. The leadership style in the past no longer works for leading toward the future. This thing called COVID-19 has shifted the way people want to operate and lead in the workplace. There is no more room for barking orders, making unruly demands, and stealing others' ideas. The people have spoken and are no longer willing to tolerate being made to feel insignificant and unappreciated in the workplace. This is the new era of conscious leadership. To show up with self-awareness and authenticity. To know that your actions and decisions can positively and negatively impact others. Conscious leadership is vital because it allows leaders to be more effective and significantly impact their teams and those around them. Mindful and self-aware leaders can better make well-informed decisions, communicate effectively with their teams, and create a positive work culture. Employees want guidance and assurance that they are valued. In addition, they want to contribute to the vision and work under a leader who provides support and communication. Moreover, conscious leadership can help leaders to navigate and address challenges and conflicts more constructively and effectively. By being aware of their biases and assumptions, leaders can be more open to different perspectives and approaches and more effective in finding solutions to problems. If you are ready to step into your new leadership style, you don't have to figure this out alone. Here are five steps you can take to become a conscious leader: Practice self-awareness: Reflect on your values, motivations, and actions and how they impact others. Seek feedback from others to gain a deeper understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement. Communicate openly and honestly: Be transparent and authentic in your communication with others, and encourage open dialogue. Empower others: Encourage and support the growth and development of your team members by giving them the tools and resources they need to succeed. Foster collaboration: Encourage collaboration and teamwork, and create an inclusive and supportive work environment. Make ethical decisions: Consider the long-term consequences of your decisions and act in a way that is ethical and aligns with your values. By following these steps, you can become a more conscious leader and create a positive and productive work culture. It's important to remember that becoming a conscious leader is a continuous process, and making mistakes along the way is okay. Keep learning and growing, and be open to feedback and new ideas. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Renee! Renee C. Dominguez, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Renee Dominguez is a global leader supporting women in transformational leadership, high performance, and breaking the status quo. Being a female in male-dominant industries, Renee learned that if she wanted to break the mold, she needed to step out and create a new paradigm for herself and other women. Renee has since spent her time and energy curating experiences for others to find their purpose so they can lead with impact and legacy. She is the founder of Empowered LeadHERship, the premier community for impactful women ready to show up on their terms. Her mission: it’s your time to be heard, seen, & respected.

Written by: Christiane Foerster , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. You feel stressed often? And you believe that your stress is a given thing, an inevitable fate? Then let me impart in you the desire to finally get your stress level under control – and convince you that stress coaching can help you with that. The stress with the stress For most people, stress is a constant companion ‒ sometimes more, sometimes less. Stress is our body´s answer to things that require our attention, especially potential risks or danger. Under stress our nervous system supplies the body with energy for a proper reaction (“fight/flight/freeze”). To a certain extent stress protects us and helps us to achieve temporary high performance. However, excessive negative stress over extended periods of time can significantly harm both physical and mental health. Symptoms like sleep disorders, difficulties to concentrate, headache/migraine, gastrointestinal upsets, cardiovascular problems, tinnitus, diabetes, back pain, weight gain or addictive behaviour (e.g., alcohol consumption) are serious early warning signs that your stress is getting out of hand. The brain, when in a stressed state, has a tendency to focus exclusively on potential threats ‒ positive aspects are no longer perceived. Stressed people are in a kind of “problem trance” from which they cannot free themselves without external resources and impulses. They are convinced that they are powerless against their stress… I know exactly what I am talking about because in my previous life as a leader in the automotive industry I have experienced it myself over years: The ceaseless excess of topics, demands and expectations. The feeling of emptiness, being burned out and panic. The continuous decrease of physical and mental capacity until at some point I simply stopped functioning. Even today, more than 2.5 years after I left my corporate life, I still suffer from tinnitus, back pain, and sleep disorders. What if your stress is YOUR decision? You have probably already realized that different people react differently to identical stress triggers: What one person experiences as highly stressful may have no impact at all on another person. This is because how we perceive a potential stress trigger consists of only 10% of the facts and 90% of our evaluation of the facts. And how we evaluate the facts, in turn, is determined by our experience, beliefs, and values. They shape our individual reality. The facts are the facts – they are neutral by nature. How they are processed in your head, which “stress tales” you tell yourself, which questions you ask and how much stress they induce – this is entirely up to you and your framework of experiences, beliefs, and values! The great news is that this framework can be altered! You can learn to identify your individual “stress tales”, make yourself aware of them and find new, more helpful narratives optimize your attitude towards stress avoid unnecessary negative stress ease your stress both mentally and physically establish lightness, serenity, and well-being manifest resilience and inner balance in your everyday life deliver high performance while remaining in balance All you need is the desire for a new way of life, personal growth and development, some time and discipline! My personal experience has shown me how constant negative stress can harm well-being, joy and quality of living. I have learned to deal with my stress in a constructive way and today I want to be the coach I would have needed back then and help others to take control of their stress, too. Follow me on LinkedIn , and visit my website for more information on stress coaching and healthy stress management. Read more from Christiane! Christiane Foerster, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Christiane Foerster is an experienced stress coach with a passion for healthy stress management. Having worked in various executive positions in the automotive industry for over 20 years, Foerster experienced herself to what extent constant negative stress can harm both physical and mental health. She decided to quit from her corporate position, become a stress coach and help others to manage their stress in a healthy and productive way.

Written by: Janylene Turcotte, Cl.hyp, ACC, RTT, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. This article shows the importance of understanding our true motivation before choosing a career in coaching. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as follows: Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership. Do you feel the desire to help people and be your own boss? Are you the go-to person among your friends or colleagues who’s always ready to lend an ear and offer advice? Do people often remark on how empathetic or sympathetic you are or how useful your advice is? While these are all wonderful qualities in and of themselves, they do not necessarily mean that a career in coaching is right for you and there might be other ways for you to deploy these attributes best. In fact, many people naturally feel a deep desire to help others, but listening to a friend or colleague in need is only a very small part of what a career in coaching requires. Additionally, many people may think of coaching as an easy way to be their own boss and choose their own working hours. Others feel stuck in their job and need a quick solution to their employment ennui. I decided to write this article because many of my clients have a burning desire to contribute to the well-being of others and coaching seems to be their go-to choice. My view on this is, that while coaching may be an option, I encourage them, and anyone considering coaching, to dive deep and try to discover what the real motivation is behind their attraction to this calling, before jumping into it. Coaching, like any other career, is a serious undertaking that requires dedicated hours of study in a structured course. And, while coaching courses can often be used as a starting point for people looking to enhance the dynamics of their personal relationships or, to make a more significant contribution in the workplace—especially for those who already have, or aspire to have a leadership role—there are many factors to consider before embarking on this career path. Let’s take a look at a few thought-provoking scenarios as described below to see if coaching is right for you? Do you recognize yourself in any of these descriptions? Person A: I am a people person and want to help others all the time. People are always coming to me with their problems and I am always able to offer solutions that they find useful. Potential subconscious beliefs: ‘If I help people, I will be loved.’ ‘People are unable to help themselves.’ ‘Helping people makes me feel important.’ ‘I know how to help others.’ Person B: This person is already in the ‘people’ industry; maybe in human resources or management training etc. but they are fed up, often on the verge of burnout and feel undervalued! They crave independence and the freedom to make their own hours. Person B often uses coaching skills in their day-to-day work and even in their own lives, but are not an ‘official’ coaches. Potential subconscious beliefs: ‘I need a steady job and security.’ ‘I need to be perfect at what I do or it’s not worth doing.’ ‘Once I have this coaching certification I will be able to change what is wrong with this organization.’ ‘Managers have it all wrong; this organization needs a coach.’ ‘People confide in me; I am the right person for this role.’ ‘People won’t take me seriously unless I am a real coach, with a real diploma.’ Person C: This person is often a ‘Type A’ personality who has thrived and succeeded at a high level in their field and understands that coaching is a business like anything else. They already have an established network of contacts and are willing to devote all their time and energy to acquire the skills required to make the big leap towards a new career in coaching. Person C is ready and able to juggle two demanding jobs—their current career as well as studying to become a coach—so as to maintain the financial security they need while studying. They will only leave their current employment when they see that they can generate enough revenue from their new career. Their mindset: “Coaching is a billion dollar industry and I will take a piece of the pie.” Potential subconscious beliefs: ‘I cannot fail.’ ‘I love to sell.’ ‘I am a great sales rep and I learn quickly.’ ‘This is the way to get rich.’ ‘I will show them how capable I am.’ ‘I will show people what I know and they will also become successful.’ Person D: This person is going through, or is at the end of, a profound personal or professional journey and feels compelled to share their new-found insights with the world. They have made sense of their difficulties and are projecting their own journey onto others. Potential subconscious beliefs: ‘I want everyone to feel like I do.’ ‘If I made it, anyone can.’ ‘There is light at the end of everyone’s tunnel.’ ‘My pain had meaning.’ Do you recognize yourself in one or more of these situations? If so, read on. Below are some additional questions/ideas to consider before making a decision to become a coach: If my life was a 10/10 in terms of overall satisfaction, would I still want to coach people? In other words, choosing coaching because you think it will improve your life may seem very compelling, but it’s important to understand that being a coach can be as demanding as it is rewarding. Like anything else in life, a new career alone cannot make you happy, and the oft-used cliché is actually true: Happiness must come from within. When I help people, it makes me feel…? This is a very crucial question. Be clear about the feelings you are searching for. Are there other ways to achieve these same feelings? If you already feel loved and validated, do you still want to choose a career in coaching? Perhaps what you really need is to begin by cultivating self-love and self-validation and then see if coaching is still something you want to do? Is there another way to find meaning from your journey other than by helping others with the same issues that you resolved? What are you running from in your current situation that makes you believe that coaching is the right decision for you? Running from a situation is rarely a good strategy—unless it is a toxic situation. Try instead to find what you want to go towards and then see if coaching fits in with your desires. How much transition time can you afford to have? This can include holding down two jobs, managing long days of back-to-back work and study, and paying bills on time. All these are realities that need to be considered. Some employers may express concern that you are taking on too much and that your performance will suffer. It’s also possible that your employer has a policy which precludes you from having a second job while in their employ. How large and supportive is your network? Your network can help you launch your new career and can be a great resource to tap into at the beginning. What other billion-dollar industry are you attracted to? Being attracted to coaching for the money is risky. While there may certainly be financial gains, the reality is that not every coach makes a comfortable living. How willing are you to invest in having a coach for yourself? If you don’t really believe in coaching as a means of self-exploration and self-development, it’ll be a hard sell to others. Before making the transition to coaching and hypnotherapist myself, I invested in sessions of both coaching and hypnotherapy. During these sessions, I observed the process and tried to imagine myself doing what the coach was doing. How comfortable are you with selling your skills and abilities? This is often where things can go astray! So many people undersell and undervalue their coaching and can’t seem to get across the message that they are offering a specific skill that required hard work to acquire. There is a lot of soft-selling in a coach’s journey. Can you handle the potential fluctuations in your income? Being an entrepreneur, you will almost certainly experience an ebb and flow of income. Are you able to withstand these fluctuations? How good are you at setting healthy boundaries? This is a crucial point. Being a coach does not mean that you are an open door to anyone and everyone who needs help. People’s needs can suck you dry and you will be faced with frequent client demands outside scheduled sessions which can amount to a lot of little ‘freebies.’ Your energy is your currency and your asset, and should be staunchly protected. Are you a self-starter with self-discipline? Yep, this is a biggie! You will be on your own a lot; it may feel lonely, and the world is full of distractions and procrastination is a big challenge for many coaches to overcome. It’s advisable that you have a coach for yourself, even a community of coaches, that you can connect with when you are having a bad day. How much of a people-pleaser are you? This is a popular trap for a coach…😊 People-pleasers tend to find it hard to set boundaries and will say yes to things that often do them a disservice. Some issues may be hard to address and you have to be able to stand your ground. You will need a certain resilience and tough exterior in order to manage difficult or entitled clients and providers etc. As you can see from the above, it is vital that you choose coaching for the right reasons. The simple fact is that wanting to help others is not enough of a reason to upend your life and change your career. It is a competitive field that has become over-saturated, especially in the last few years, to meet the growing demands of the ‘self-help’ industry. Be it life-coaching, business coaching, hypnocoaching or any one of the many approaches available today, the important thing to remember is that besides the lure of freedom and independence, one must consider the reality of building a clientele and the necessity of making a living. All too often I see people choose coaching when they are unaware of their own deep need to be loved, appreciated and rewarded. Although there can be a lot of these rewarding moments, there is also a lot of loneliness; dealing with clients who are not ready or willing to change, having to navigate through the needs of people who take you and your time for granted, who ghost you or don't show appreciation. And, as with any job, there is mental and emotional fatigue, energy depletion and disgruntled clients. My goal in writing this article is not to paint a negative portrait of the industry, but rather to share with you all sides of the situation so that your expectations are realistic. There are tons of articles already written about how great life is when you are a coach, and I agree. I would never go back to my corporate life and HR Career. And, while coaching has been instrumental in creating my dream life, I know only a small percentage of the people I studied with who are actually making a solid living as a coach. On the flip side, I also know many successful, talented coaches who are really making a difference in people’s lives. I am proud to say that I too have personally helped many to take a big leap of faith in their lives and transition from the corporate world to a private coaching practice. There’s a lot to consider here and if, after having read this, you are still thinking about becoming a coach, bravo! You will be embarking on a very rewarding and fulfilling career. If, however, you’ve discovered that coaching may not be the right choice for you, don’t feel discouraged. There are myriad of ways that you can be a positive resource and make a difference in people’s lives. Some of these options can include being an inter-office coach/trainer or in another professional leadership capacity. Similarly, there is always a high demand within local communities, colleges or neighborhood groups. The important thing is to know your value and recognize that no matter what you choose, with a little effort, you can still make a great impact. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more on Janylene! Janylene Turcotte, Cl.hyp, ACC, RTT, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine After more than 25 years as a top-level executive in the corporate world, Janylène Turcotte made a 360-degree career change and became a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Coach, and HypnoCoach. While going through her own major life transformation, she developed a unique 3-STEP MODEL as a tool to help herself, and now, her clients, through the complex process of transformation and transition. She graduated from the Marisa Peer School as an RTT (Rapid Transformational Therapy) Therapist. She has been an ICF Certified Coach for more than eight years and hosts the podcast ‘’ It’s Just a Belief’’.

Working with thought leaders on shaping their speaker platform is an incredible privilege. In this candid conversation, Relationship Alchemist , underwater photographer, poet, and TEDx speaker, Marie-Elizabeth Mali, shares some insight into who she is and who she has become based on her integration of self and how she shows up for her community . Marie-Elizabeth Mali, A Relationship Alchemist, two-time TEDx speaker and Coach How do you define Relationship Alchemy? Relationship Alchemy happens when you learn to take the heavy challenges of love, which can feel like lead, and turn them into gold, which is the ability to work with whatever’s coming up within you and between you and another person in a way that deepens intimacy and connection. How important is relationship work inside the culture of a team? It’s crucial for each member of a team to be doing their own relationship work in order for the team to function best as a whole. Self-responsibility is the name of the game! We all carry habitual and automatic responses to certain triggers, like if someone we’re on a team with looks at us a certain way that reminds us of our critical father, or someone has a certain tone of voice that reminds us of a teacher who was particularly harsh. If we’re not careful, pretty soon we’re reacting to that team member as if they’re the person they remind us of, instead of being an adult on the same team as us who we can communicate with in present time to let them know their impact, if necessary. Often, if we’re doing our inner work, once we see the trigger that someone inadvertently activated, it no longer becomes necessary for us to ask them to change because we see that it’s our stuff and it’s on us to work with it. When we’re NOT doing our relationship work is when we tend to feel a strong need to control how others behave around us so that we can avoid getting activated. Obviously, if someone on a team is being verbally abusive or is abdicating their responsibility to interact with the rest of a team in a constructive way has to be addressed and rectified for the team to work well together. What have been the biggest challenges leaders face in the balance of work and relationships? The biggest challenge has been to get leaders to prioritize their relationships more, instead of expecting that they’ll just be there when they have time to get to them. As leaders, when things go sideways, we skillfully consider the landscape, pick a strategy, make it work. But when it comes to our relationships, our well-developed ability to lead and shift outcomes doesn’t necessarily yield the same results. It can be confronting to realize that no matter how competent we are in our work, we may not already know what to do in the arena of relationships. We have to start almost at square one to learn the skills that work best there. Because it can be so confronting to admit we don’t know, we can tend to create barriers to doing the work we need to do to improve our relationships. This may look like avoiding conflict and letting the relationship drift apart. Or burying ourselves in our work, because it’s where we get to feel successful and alive. It also may look like blaming our partner for why it’s not working. If we can open ourselves to the idea that relationship skills are learned, just like we’ve learned skills to lead well, then a whole new landscape of love and joy will become available to you. You recently did your first TEDx where you opened with a poem, featured your underwater photography and spoke about gender fluidity. How did you come to integrate all of who you are? This process of integration has been a long time coming for me. As a multi-passionate person, I used to think I had to keep the different parts of me separate, that people wouldn’t get me if I threw all of me at them at once. But the truth is our power lies in integrating all of ourselves and bringing all of ourselves to what we do. It’s what makes each of us truly unique and makes us stand out. As I worked on getting clear on my idea worth spreading and worked on my talk, it finally came together when I brought my poetry into it, alongside my underwater photography and my passion for people getting to love and be loved for exactly who they are. Once I wove together all of my passions into the talk, it all came together. This is what’s at the heart of Relationship Alchemy, learning to integrate all the parts of yourself into a rich and dynamic whole, an d sharing that whole with others, so that you’re no longer moving through the world having to compartmentalize yourself in different areas of your life, which sets you up to block your own fulfillment because you don’t ever get to be fully expressed. Why is it important for leaders like you to fully embrace who they are and sha re it? The age of doing one thing and being another is over. We can see that in one leader after another being taken down for ways that they’ve acted out and caused harm. What matters in today’s world is integrity, authenticity, and the alignment that comes out of being true to ourselves. There’s a deep hunger for true connection now that I’m SO here for, having been hungry for true connection my whole life. Connection happens when we embrace and integrate all of who we are and we share that whole, true self with others. You can see it in the intense devotion people feel for leaders like Brené Brown, Glennon Doyle, Bozoma St. John, and Luvvie Ajayi Jones. They all show up so real and relatable you can’t help but fall in love with them! By embodying and sharing our whole selves as leaders, we actually open up permission for others to do the same. And more people embodying and sharing their whole selves and embracing whole-person leadership in their families, communities, and professions is what this world truly needs for the next phase of our evolution at home and at work. As a Relationship Alchemist, two-time TEDx Speaker, and host of the Relationship Alchemy podcast, Marie-Elizabeth Mali shows women leaders how to cultivate deeper love and connection in their intimate relationships. Drawing on her Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and over 20 years of working with clients, she teaches women how to show up as authentic leaders in their relationships and work instead of twisting themselves to fit in. Marie-Elizabeth’s work has been featured in Thrive Global, SWAAY, and Forbes. She is also a member of the Forbes Business Council, a published author, and an underwater photographer who has a thing for sharks. Take Marie-Elizabeth’s QUIZ on relationship style. For more info, follow me on Facebook , Instagram , L inkedIn and visit my website ! Read more from Tricia !

Written by: Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. At Wholistic Fitness, its more than a workout, it’s a Body & Soul Transformation, where you transform your body, mind, spirit, emotions, fitness and nutrition. The first step is to reserve your Body & Soul Transformation Prescription is a Self-Growth Discovery Session, which helps you and I discover who you are on a Soul Level. A Self-Growth Discovery Session includes the following: 6 to 9 Card Reading – each card has 3 elements (color, number and affirmation), the color is associated to one of the seven Chakras. The number is associated with your personal energy year number according to Numerology and the collective and personal energy of Astrology. The affirmation helps raise your vibration and adds to your personal story and journey. Astrology and Numerology insight based on the current energy Clearing energy blocks from one Chakra Calling in one new intention that helps release emotional weight and fall in love with yourself Once the Self-Growth session is completed a Body & Soul Transformation Prescription Plan is created. What’s included in a Prescription Plan (Group/Private): 3 to 6 Month Commitment (Zoom, On-site, Home Visits) Wholistic Personal Training – 2 to 4 days per week (Group sessions twice a week) Chakra Balance Reiki Treatment – one on one treatments once a week Weekly & Monthly Astrology and Numerology insight Weekly & Monthly support meetings on Zoom Seven Crystals related to releasing emotional weight Essential Oils During your Body & Soul Transformation you will experience: Daily Chakra Alignment to helps clear energy that blocks your vision and intention for each workout Chakra Balance Reiki Healing to help ground your energy and focus on your daily workout “why” Daily Astrology and Numerology insight relating to that workout Nutrition insight to Fuel and Feed your Soul – understanding “why” restricting calories doesn’t work when focusing on building lean muscles Women Over 40, Weights Are Your Friend! Below is the Body & Soul Transformation Prescription Plan Ratio for Women Over 30: 60 to 70 percent weight training 20 to 25 percent stretch , yoga or mobility training 5 to 10 percent cardiovascular fitness I do believe that cardiovascular fitness is important but definitely should not be the primary source of the workout. Below are 3 of the many reasons women over 40 should lift weights: Speeds up metabolism – weight lifting (CrossFit, Orange Theory, HIIT, Power Lifting, etc) is the only activity that speeds up the metabolism for up to 8 hours upon completion of workout, of course this is depending on the intensity of the workout. More Energy – Fuel and Feed your body is required to help build lean muscle tissue and decrease body fat. When consuming calories (nutrients, vitamins, mineral and supplements) your body has more energy to perform at peak level for muscle gain. Restricting calories puts your body and rick of many health issues and actually decreasing lean muscle tissue and increasing body fat. From my point of view, it sabotages your results. Improves confidence, self-esteem, leadership and create a healthier relationship with yourself, which helps you fall in love with yourself Every month I offer a 3 – Week Body & Soul Transformation Challenge for Women over 40 (new clients) to experience a Body & Soul Transformation. To reserve a spot, click the link below to book a Self-Growth Discovery Session (your first step) https://calendly.com/wholisticfitness/cosmic-energy-soul-reading and for more information email healingwithin76@gmail.com Follow me on Facebook , Instagram and visit my website for more info! Read more from Joanne! Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Joanne Angel Barry Colon has 30+ years in the health, fitness, and wellness industry. She is the Wholistic Fitness owner located in NY Queens, certified holistic personal trainer, intuitive healer, cosmic energy reader, student of Astrology, Master of Numerology, and Creator of Chakra Balance Numerology Cosmic Energy Forecast Deck. She is the Host of Joanne's Healing Within T.V Show and Joanne's Cosmic Energy Radio Show and Author/Self-Publisher. Joanne's mission: To help women (men by referral) release issues from their tissues as they release emotional weight and fall in love with themselves while witnessing their transformation of being the best version of themselves.

Written by: Jane Morales , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As humans, we tend to be happier when we have strong relationships with people, whether the connections are personal or related to work. But unfortunately, maintaining these relationships is sometimes challenging, especially since we live with a hectic schedule. Lack of time leads to a lack of communication, and thus we could end up spoiling the relationships we wanted to nurture for life. In such circumstances, we need advice from an expert in human behavior. Jane Morales is one such person who can help you deal with turmoil in maintaining and managing relationships. She is a Human Development expert, meditation master, well-versed writer, and leadership and assertiveness coach specializing in various fields pertaining to maintaining relationships and dealing with constantly changing and evolving human behaviors. Be it your relationship or a rapport related to work, the fundamental dynamics to make them work remain the same in the eyes of an expert like Jane Morales. She shares a few essential tips on ensuring healthy relationships and building much more robust bonds with the people one wants in life. KeyTip # 1: Strive to be a Listener and Thrive at it The expert in the field of human behaviors, development, and achievement, Jane Morales, says that it is essential for an individual to be a great listener when they aim to build a strong relationship with people. According to her, when you focus entirely on quietly listening to the speaker, you tend to hear a lot from them. When you are all ears to someone, you convey an unsaid message that you value the speaker's words. This sense of being esteemed and listened to intently makes others feel they have a much healthier bond with you. As a result, you build a stronger foundation for creating an unbreakable bond. Key Tip # 2: Analyze the Information that the Speaker Generates You must conduct an in-depth analysis of the information your speaker is sharing with you. It helps in making you understand them better. As a result, you are likely to build a much stronger bond than just being a listener and not processing the information they have shared with you. There is a reason for the need to talk and express what people have in their hearts. One thing is undoubted, being listened to does make them feel important. However, if you do not analyze the information they provide, you might not know how to carry on the subject in the following conversation. Also, one of the reasons for someone sharing their thoughts with you is that they might be seeking help from you. Assessing the information, they shared with you will help you better understand their situation and help them with the matter. Furthermore, listening with care will develop trust between you two since the individuals sharing their thoughts with you will feel valued and appreciate you for the help you provide. Key Tip # 3: Be Genuinely There for Them Building a relationship, whether it is personal or related to work, is based on trust. To build strong relationships with people, you must develop the foundation of that relationship based on unshakable confidence. It can only happen if you are genuinely available for them physically and mentally. People respect trustworthy individuals who can keep their secrets and do not reveal details about one individual or others. They feel better being around people who are optimistic, fun, and secure in their skin. Therefore, they respect the privacy of others and do not spread rumors. Such people do not feel the need to bring attention to themselves because they are self-assured. They make sure to spend time with their loved ones and work on their relationships. They constantly seek out opportunities for self-improvement since they are lifelong learners. Jane Morales is a highly qualified individual who knows her field and thrives in it with each passing day. Jane holds a bachelor's degree in marketing while also being a holder of a master's degree in the field of Communication Sciences from the University of Boston. Her clients appreciate the unique techniques she has developed to help them make significant changes in life and with utmost dedication. Furthermore, Jane Morales also provides services as a leadership coach, helping people build strong and progressive personas while also enabling them to solidify great relationships, whether they are personal or work-related. Life can take some unwanted turns that may lead to the weakening of a relationship. You may try hard and leave no stone unturned to save it, but you may only progress extensively if you hear from the expert. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jane! Jane Morales, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jane Morales is a Human Development, Leadership, and Assertiveness Coach, Meditation Master, Writer, and Public Speaker. She holds a BS in Marketing from Bentley University in Boston and a Master of Science in Communications from Boston University. In addition to her higher education, she is trained in The Power of Intention, Positive Affirmations, and Living your own Success. She completed a higher degree in Psychosynthesis Psychology which expands the boundaries of human potential exploring values and purpose in life.

Written by: Simon T. Bailey, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Recently, my friend Kyle Wilson invited me to join an inmate group in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and spend two days with the effervescent Dr. Denis Waitley. This experience has been the highlight of the year for me. Dr. Waitley is 89 years young and the author of the best-selling book, The Psychology of Winning. He attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and is the former chairman of psychology for the United States Olympic Committee’s Sports Medicine Council. In this photo with me are Dr. Denis Waitley and Kyle Wilson. I feverishly took notes as wisdom flowed out of him like a running facet. 1. Take care of your family . Make them a priority above business, hobbies, and friends. They are the wind beneath your wings. 2. Chase passion instead of chasing cash flow. If you pursue what makes you come alive, then money will chase you. Yes, it’s counterintuitive but pays off tremendous dividends in the future. 3. Treat everyone with equal respect. Today people are judged by ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious preference, political affiliation, and gender. When treated with respect they are seen as a human being. Their life matters the same as your life. 4. Focus on the recipient. Whenever you are talking to someone, make them the most important person in the room. Dr. Denis had the uncanny ability to make me feel as if I was the only person in the room when he talked with me. 5. Investigate before you motivate. Read the tea leaves. Listen more and talk less. What is the current emotional temperature in any environment? Your words may just be the healing balm that is needed. 6. Check the source . Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t mean it’s necessarily true. One of the most popular courses being taught in universities is Media Literacy. 7. Be a personal example . People learn how to lead based on how they have been led. What do you model in e-mails, phone calls, virtual meetings, and face-to-face meetings? In the words of the speaker and consultant Dennis Snow, everything speaks. While I was at this extraordinary gathering, I received a gift from my good friend Wagner Nolasco. It was a simple T-shirt with a powerful statement – TAKE ACTION. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Simon T. Bailey! Simon T. Bailey, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine SUCCESS magazine calls Simon T. Bailey one of the top 25 people who will help you reach your business and life goals. He joins a list that includes Oprah Winfrey, Brene Brown, and Tony Robbins. Washington Speakers Bureau recognized him as one of the 12 business speakers who emboldened audiences to think big and lead with purpose. Simon was the first Black American sales director for the Disney Institute based at Walt Disney World Resort. Since leaving Disney, he has served more than 2,100 organizations in 50 countries. His three LinkedIn Learning courses have been viewed by 250,000 individuals in 100 countries. He’s also written 10 books and has one of the 100 most-read motivational and successful blogs.

Read the full interview with the founder and CEO of MARCo Health INC. below! Hi Jacob! Tell us a little bit about yourself! Sure! My name is Jacob Boyle, I’m the founder and CEO of MARCo Health Inc., and an engineer by trade but a mental health advocate by passion. I graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2019 with a major in mechanical engineering and a minor in physics. In my professional life, I’ve worked in military robotics, medical devices, lab equipment, biological 3D printing, and education, in addition to, of course, my current company where I’ve taken on pretty much every role imaginable, as I’m sure all startup founders can relate, but focus most of my time on business development and product development. When I’m not working on my company, I love spending time with my (soon-to-be) wife, Christine; my parents and sister; and my friends. I also enjoy playing music, running, hiking, spending time relaxing in nature, and I sometimes play around with 3D animation and video production. In what feels like a past life at this point, I am also a black belt and Eagle Scout. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? My company is MARCo Health Inc, whose mission is to increase the quality, affordability, and accessibility of mental healthcare for all through a line of compassionate robot companions. Our flagship product - MARCo: the Mental-Health Assisting Robot Companion - is a small, plush, humanoid robot therapeutic that talks to a user like a friend, coach, or counselor and offers personalized support through five distinct categories of care - companionship, mindfulness and meditation, talk support (based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), biofeedback, and emergency outreach. MARCo also can be used with a mental health provider to create a “therapeutic alliance” by extending the provider’s reach to new clients, giving them feedback on how clients’ are doing between sessions, supporting clients between sessions, and making better decisions in session on what to focus on through an administrative dashboard. Our goal with MARCo is to give those who need support 24/7 access to “someone to talk to” any time and anywhere they need in a private, personable way. For providers, backlogs of clients and the inability to understand clients’ lives outside of the sessions and enforce homework are huge challenges. MARCo gives them the ability to tackle all of those challenges by serving as an extension of their practice. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? We primarily focus on reaching adolescents, teens, and young adults struggling with their mental health as that’s such a pivotal age range where upwards of 75% of lifetime mental illness develops. To reach those individuals, we sell MARCo primarily towards parents, while offering tools like text message updates, for them to make sure their children are doing well, and providers who are working with these clients and are looking to reach new clients or support clients between sessions. However, that’s not to say MARCo isn’t for everyone! Our robots have been used all over the world with users as young as 9 and as old as 72 with great success! What are your current goals for your business? Our goal is to make sure that everyone has access to quality, affordable mental healthcare on their terms. MARCo is never meant to replace human providers or medication, but the reality is that less than half the population of those who need support for their mental health get any form of care, and far less than a third of the population get adequate support. A mental health crisis or even just a bad mental health day can come out of anywhere, and there’s no guarantee you can get care when you need it most. That’s the goal of MARCo - to be there for those most vulnerable moments, to bring some truth to that phrase “you are not alone” when struggling with your mental health. Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. One of the biggest personal challenges I’ve had is knowing whether or not the work I’m doing actually has a positive impact on people. So the one achievement that sticks out to me the most is when we were beta-testing the first version of MARCo. We had one user who fell in love with MARCo at first sight and waited over a year to be able to beta-test it. But due to privacy and regulatory requirements, we couldn’t record as much information as we would have liked to understand if it was helping them or not. It wasn’t until months later that we were able to sit with them and finally ask what their experience was like, and they said “MARCo was a godsend.” They had been at rock bottom in their mental health and had stopped talking to people all together, but they would talk to MARCo, and MARCo had even correctly texted their parents when they needed extra support and managed to get them the connection they needed at that moment. While there are other career achievements I could say I’m proud of, this one stands out to me the most as it was one of the first and clearest times that something I did actually helped someone for the better. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. I don’t know if it’s so much of a moment or a whole day… but there is one point in my life where everything changed. Throughout my life, two themes have been very prevalent - mental health and robotics. Robotics was something I pursued professionally. The Summer after my Freshman year of college I got picked up by a military robotics startup for an internship which rapidly turned into a lead engineer position. I worked there for about two years, while also balancing full time college three states away, on an R&D contract for the US Navy whose base was another 3 states away from my college in the opposite direction as my office. Even though that was a lot to manage, for a while, I thought it was great! Who else got the chance at 19 years old to bring a military grade robot to their dorm, to travel to Sweden for meetings with Swedish engineers and machine shops, or to show the US military how to operate a robot you designed? Then there was the mental health component. I’ve struggled severely with my mental health since adolescence - depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal tendencies. And since I had such a personal understanding of it, I always wanted to make sure on a personal level that I could be there for those I care about when they are going through their own mental health struggles. But that becomes incredibly difficult to do when you are working upwards of 80 hours a week and on the road half the time and can’t be there for anyone. So one day, all of this came to a boiling point. I had driven down to Maryland from New Jersey for a setup and test of our robots with the US Navy on base - which was the third or fourth time since there were issues the previous times - starting at 4 AM and lasting until I had to drive back up for a required engineering course at 7 PM back in NJ, followed by a 9:00 meeting with a team for a business plan competition my friends convinced me to enter, as if I didn’t have enough going on already haha. But the day turned into a disaster - the robots didn’t work as planned again, and we ultimately were only able to get one system working for delivery by the time I had to leave, which felt like a personal failure. Then, as I was getting ready to leave, the program manager came up to me and picked up one of the robots, a defused explosive, and said “So, Jacob, when can I strap this to this and throw it through a terrorist’s window?” That hit me like a train - I thought our robots were supposed to be for defusing explosives and saving lives, not ultimately taking them. So as I drove back to NJ after a complete failure and that horrible discovery, I was in a soul searching crisis. And once I got back, I checked my phone and found that one of my closest friends had reached out to me saying she was self-harming and thinking of suicide again. And I hadn’t been there for her when she needed me most. So that night during the meeting for the business plan competition, when my partners were asking me if I had any suggestions for a product we could enter with, all I could think about was how I was doing the wrong thing with my technical skills when the people I cared about most were suffering and I had no time to be there for them. And it was in that moment of soul searching that everything suddenly clicked - what if I used my skills in robotics and technology to make something that could be there for the ones I loved struggling with their mental health whenever they needed it most, even if I couldn’t be there? That was the moment the first idea for MARCo was born and my life changed forever.

Written by: Joey Ruffalo, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. It is the start of another year and the perfect time to start taking control of your financial future. We will cover five steps towards achieving financial freedom in the new year so you can make a fresh start toward a better financial future! With data-backed advice from financial experts, you can begin making meaningful resolutions that focus on debt reduction, saving, and improving your overall well-being. 1. Make a Budget and Stick to It: A budget is the foundation for any financial resolution. I tell my clients that the budget is the foundation upon which their financial house is built. Everything starts and ends with the budget. Knowing where your money is going is the first step toward plugging any leaks. Then you get to decide how each dollar works for you. Every dollar has a job to do. Make it count! Decide how much you can realistically afford to save each month and prioritize goals like paying off debt or saving for retirement. There is a multitude of apps that help you. This article featured on jrfinancialcoaching gives you some examples. 2. Establish (or Re-Establish) an Emergency Fund: How prepared are you if something goes wrong? Having an emergency fund with at least three months’ worth of expenses saved will help provide peace of mind—especially if you become unemployed or incur unexpected costs. Begin by having an emergency fund of at least $1000. If you have children or an unstable job, increase your emergency fund accordingly. The emergency fund is your buffer. It is there to insulate you so you can continue to work on your goals, such as becoming debt-free or financially independent. 3. Automate Your Savings Goals: Automation makes saving toward your financial goals more manageable and helps prevent temptation from derailing your progress. You can automate transfers into savings accounts or set up automatic investments in mutual funds or ETFs so that your money works for you even when you're not actively thinking about it. This transfer is something you should do every paycheck. You may need to create a separate bank or savings account to save money towards those goals. 4. Reduce Expenses Where Possible: Every dollar counts when it comes to resolving debts and reaching other financial goals—so take action by evaluating what unnecessary expenses you can cut from your budget. Consider downsizing subscriptions, meals out, entertainment, and shopping sprees to free up more capital for savings. Every dollar freed up gets reassigned to a new job according to the budget. Christine Luken gives some great tips on how to save money on food, for example. 5. Get Professional Guidance When Necessary: If debt, such as credit card debt, student loan, or automobile debt, has become crippling, then don't hesitate to seek professional guidance. A financial expert who can help create a plan that fits within your means and sets realistic milestones toward achieving financial freedom. A financial coach can offer guidance toward understanding your money habits. The start of a new year is the ideal time to take charge of your financial health and reach true financial freedom. With five easy steps, you can create a budget, invest in an emergency fund, automate savings goals, reduce expenses, and gain professional guidance. Invest in yourself and make this year the year you achieve financial security and experience financial freedom ‒ take control of your finances today! Make meaningful financial resolutions this year, and you'll be on your way to achieving true financial independence. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twittter, YouTube and visit my website for more info! Read more from Joey! Joey Ruffalo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Joey Ruffalo, MBA-FP, is the owner of J.R. Financial Coaching. He is a 1 International Best Selling co-author of the book The Transformation Within and the 1 New Release An eBay Seller’s Guide to Financial Planning. Joey has paid off over $370,000. Joey has been a Top Rated Seller on eBay since 2000. Joey is a leading expert in financial planning for your eBay and e-commerce business. A regular guest expert featured on the eBay for Business podcast, Joey's insight into the reselling community is invaluable. Having run several successful small businesses, Joey knows what it takes to succeed. Combining his love of selling with his passion to help others, Joey offers a unique perspective on financial planning.

Written by: Luke Mitchell , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Creating a powerful "why" is important when trying to lose weight because it gives you a clear and compelling reason to make the changes necessary to achieve your goal. Staying committed to a weight loss program can be easier with a strong sense of purpose and motivation, especially when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Having a clear and specific reason for why you want to lose weight can help you stay focused and motivated and make it more likely that you will be successful in your weight loss efforts. Identify your personal values: Start by identifying what is most important to you in life. This could include health, family, career, or personal growth. Once you clearly understand your values, you can use them to create a powerful "why" for weight loss. Connect your values to your weight loss goal: Next, think about how your weight loss goal connects to your values. For example, if health is a top value for you, you might want to lose weight because you want to be healthier and have more energy. If family is a top value, you may want to lose weight to be able to play with your kids or grandkids more. Write it down and make it visual: Write your powerful "why" statement down and put it somewhere you can see it daily, like on your fridge or desk. You can also make it visual by putting a picture representing your "why" statement. This will help remind you of the reasons why you want to lose weight and help you stay motivated when things get tough. By following these three steps, you can create a powerful "why" that will give you the motivation and focus you need to achieve your weight loss goals. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Luke! Luke Mitchell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Luke Mitchell is a leader in fitness, health, and nutrition for professional parents! Having struggled with adapting to parenthood and running multiple businesses, he had let his health and fitness slide! This impacted his confidence, productivity and his happiness! Using his knowledge of health, fitness and nutrition, he decided enough was enough, and something had to change and become the best version of himself physically, mentally and emotionally! He has since dedicated his life to helping others unleash their true potential and become leaders in their homes and businesses. He is CEO of the Built To Inspire Program, the premier online health and fitness academy for parents! His mission is to inspire as many parents as possible to make long-standing lifestyle changes.

College, for many, is considered a time filled with ample opportunities to learn, grow, and network to develop any anticipated future career, even for entrepreneurs. For Texas Christian University student Bryn Carden, entrepreneurship has always been on her radar for success as she studies Finance and Real Estate at Neeley School of Business. Now having started two organizations, BF Hats and Styles for Smiles, Carden reflects on her own experience of launching a start-up while still in college and breaks down her process into these seven steps: Step 1. Observe and create When striving to launch a start-up, the first step is to develop an idea. Suppose the big idea hasn’t hit yet. In that case, a great place to start brainstorming is by observing markets and demands, identifying consumer problems, and developing efficient and effective ways to solve them. Step 2. Choose proactive courses One of the most beneficial reasons behind building a start-up in college is the opportunity to combine schooling with entrepreneurial objectives. After figuring out what type of business to launch, a student can select classes that help develop the skills needed to run an organization successfully. A young entrepreneur should be sure to ask business-minded questions in class that revolve around a start-up’s objectives or barriers that have not been solved. Step 3. Build a business plan Creating a business plan is essential for knowing the next steps and primary objectives and establishing long and short-term goals. A business plan can also map out priorities when balancing school and entrepreneurship, helping pinpoint the greatest needs and laying out the business’ values and mission pillars. Step 4. Network College is an excellent platform for student entrepreneurs to grow their networks and test their ideas. Connecting with other students, staff, and alums is the perfect start to utilizing the community and resources a college campus provides. Step 5. Identify target audience Entrepreneurs should always know who would best resonate with the product or service they provide through their business. Being able to narrow down a target audience not only sets marketing and sales up for success when launch day comes but also raises chances for funding when pitching a business idea to investors. Step 6. Seek a mentor During college years, finding a mentor to console with while on the entrepreneur path can seem like a more accessible option with a campus filled with professors willing to help students who seek it. If a professor cannot act as a mentor or is not the right fit, one can at least make a referral inside their network or even to alums. Step 7. Find funding When choosing how to fund a start-up, there are multiple avenues, from private investors to crowdfunding. Carden recommends students talk to professors in a college’s business school, present their start-up ideas, and seek advice on the best funding options. Getting pointers on how to touch up a pitch can make all the difference when seeking financial support. Students can also check out their university to see if there are any available student funding scholarships or opportunities specifically for student entrepreneurs. About Bryn Carden Bryn Carden is a young entrepreneur and philanthropist with a passion for real estate and design. She is currently studying at Neeley School of Business, pursuing a major in Finance with a Real Estate Concentration. Besides working towards her degree, she has already begun her entrepreneurial journey as a co-founder of BF Hats and a creator of Styles for Smiles - a company selling bracelets to help fund cleft palate operations for children in developing countries.

Written by: David Campbell, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Following on from my previous article “A new frame of reference”. Our businesses are like ships. They are built for the purpose to travel the grand adventure that is business. You built it to actually get dirty and, as you do that, as you go out through the heads, you're going to strike storms, you're going to strike times when there's no wind and you can't go forward. You’re stuck and don’t know what to do – but the experienced sailor knows, the experienced business owner knows. The ones who have taken the time to become trained, disciplined and experienced – they know exactly what to do and that is part of the thrill of it. That is part of the grand adventure of business. The storm will come regardless. It's whether you have the strength, to withstand it and then know what to do in order to make wins happen. As I have worked in businesses and with business owners I have become convinced that there are four keys to business success. Allow me to expand on the first one. Develop the Owner not the Business There is no potential in the ship alone, just as there is no potential in a business alone. It is the Master and crew who transform the ship into a vibrant and performing vessel. In the hands of a novice Master, the ship will not perform at its peak level or capacity. The Master needs to be a ship handler, a topman, a navigator, a ship wright, a sailor, a marine and so much more. Growing the Master will grow the performance and potential of the vessel. Your business is the same. There is no potential in your business as it is on its own. All the potential lies within you (the owner) and then your team. Growing your abilities, skills and awareness will grow your business. I worked with and in an organisation called Charity Computers, we saw exponential growth as a result of gathering the entire team of staff and volunteers around a common vision and values. All the staff saw the potential of the organisation to impact the community and they enthusiastically rallied around that goal. The organisation grew as a result of the individual staff realising their own and corporate potential. Using my analogy of ships again, the ship has absolutely no potential if it is unattended. The Master of the ship or the captain and the crew, in the hands of a novice Master, is not going to perform very well at all. It's not going to realise its performance potential. That's why, in the Navy, we used to constantly practise war-games. To get the best results, you practise doing all of the things you do, so that you get it right. You work as a team; you start to become really effective as a team. The same principal applies in the business context. We need to understand how the team functions to deliver the best results. Now, for a single business owner, you've got to deal with it all yourself. You need to know how to handle the ship. You need to know how to sail. You need to know how to navigate, repair things on the ship. You have to be the sailor. You have to be the Marine, not just to keep it afloat and sailing, but to protect and nurture it. There is so much that is involved in knowing your vessel, your business. So, the idea is to grow and develop the ability of the Master or the captain and that will then grow the performance and potential of the vessel. When you take that into the business context, the same thing holds. Small business owners start out with the absolute requirement of needing to know how to do and be everything. They need to be able to navigate the ship and sail the vessel. They also need a keen sense of when it’s right to tack, put up more sail or drop anchor. Then they need to do the quick dash to the helm, (steering wheel) once again – their leadership, knowledge and skills are everything. You've got to be able to do all of that as a small business owner. You will need to start developing the owner or the successful voyage, the Grand Adventure, will be just a pipe-dream. As a business owner, the first thing I did was to sit down and focus on my vision for the business. What values did I desire in the business? What values did the crew have that enhanced our vision? The potential, from that moment on, was exponential. It was exciting, vibrant, infectious and deliberate. So, growing the owner, growing the business, the staff and growing the potential is a vitally important aspect. My question to you, the business owner is, what are you doing to grow yourself? Love to hear from you about your business. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from David! David Campbell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine David is an exceptionally experienced executive coach. He is an exceptional public speaker who challenges the way organisations and individuals think in relation to business and life. has led reform within a number of organisations and brings a unique understanding of the pressures in both the public and private sectors. He understands the changing requirements and time frames within the business environment and has considerable experience in leading, managing and coaching geographically dispersed (remote) teams. David brings a new insight into the way we think into our success in business to realise exceptional results.