Conversations That Grow

Did you know that back pain is the number one cause of global disability and that posture can affect mood and hormone levels?Join us for today's episode of Push To Be More where our guest Esther Gokhale shares her story of suffering from crippling back pain after her first pregnancy and how she took that experience as a challenge to find a solution for back pain. After years of study and research, Esther developed "The Gokhale Method" to help hundreds of people eliminate back pain and enhance strength. You don't want to miss this inspiring episode - tune in now!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Esther discusses the benefits of using dance as a reminder system to revisit posture and keep the body in a healthy position, while also forming a joyful community. She also notes that indigenous cultures have a kinesthetic wisdom that has been lost in the modern West, leading to high rates of back pain and other musculoskeletal problems.Esther disagrees with the modern belief that sitting is the root cause of back pain, but says its rather how we sit and the shape of our spine. She believes our spine is J shaped rather than S shaped. Indigenous people sit as much as we do but don't suffer from the same problems.The Gokhale Method recommends "stretch sitting" with a modified backrest for gentle, hours-long traction to ease back pain and allow for a natural, healthy back. This is a more effective and convenient alternative to inversion tables.Esther developed the Gokhale Method to relieve her own severe back pain, which resulted from her first pregnancy, and sought out strategies to improve her own physical structure. She worked on the method over the years and was successful in making the process more efficient, effective and sustainable, and now shares it with others.Esther shares how she built her business organically and has been able to focus on innovating and developing techniques that work to relieve back pain. Despite the success, Esther feels impatient as she believes the approach needs to be more mainstream and widespread to help the millions of people suffering from back pain.She says their biggest challenge is finding new customers and creating repeat business. However, there is a great need for their services as back pain is the number one cause of global disability. They have stayed afloat through various challenges and continue to improve their offering.Esther is expecting extensive coverage for the Gokhale Method with their upcoming trial at top universities. They are also exploring the benefits of posture for mental health, and have created a course to teach basic posture principles for empowerment and confidence.-----------------------ABOUT ESTHERMeet Esther Gokhale – a pioneer in posture education and pain relief. Esther transformed her own experience with crippling back pain into the Gokhale Method, a unique system that restores your body's primal posture to eliminate pain and enhance strength. Growing up in India, her journey started with helping her nurse mother care for abandoned babies, leading her to study biochemistry at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Princeton, and later, acupuncture in San Francisco.The turning point came when Esther suffered from severe back pain during her first pregnancy. After an unsuccessful surgery, she dedicated her life to finding a solution to back pain. Her pursuits took her across the globe, from the streets of Paris to the communities of Brazil and India, culminating in the creation of the Gokhale Method.Esther's bestselling book, "8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back," has reached over 300,000 readers worldwide, and she has shared her wisdom on stages like TEDx Stanford. Known as the "Posture Guru of Silicon Valley", she has worked with top corporations like Google and Facebook, consulted for various Stanford sports teams, and conducted workshops for leading health institutions. Amid her business challenges and personal trials, Esther remains committed to being of service and inspiring people towards healthier, pain-free living.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Can indigenous culture and principles impact the way we do business?Join us as we explore the fascinating world of indigenous business leadership in this thought-provoking episode of our podcast. Our guest Heidi Renata from Innov8 HQ shares valuable insights on how indigenous culture brings a unique perspective to the corporate world, emphasizing the importance of spirituality, integrity, and humanity in the workplace. Discover how Maori traditions and principles are making a powerful impact on global business practices. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Authenticity and being genuine is important for building trust and retaining clients in business, and sharing vulnerabilities can break down barriers and increase trust. Heidi discusses her experience of pivoting her business during COVID-19. She was running a shared workspace and innovation hub, but due to the pandemic, she had to transition to focus more on education and training rather than just on providing space. This transition allowed her to challenge the paradigms of western business and become a leaner, more holistic organization.She talks about how her business was able to thrive during and after COVID-19 despite not having a physical location, and how incorporating Maori culture into business operations has brought more authenticity and powerful foundations to their practices, embracing the idea of creating long-term relationships versus quick material success.Heidi reflects on the challenges of being a female Maori in the technology sector but sees it as an opportunity to work harder and prove herself. She also discusses the positive changes that have occurred in New Zealand, where various cultures can celebrate their heritage and work together towards a better future.Heidi emphasizes the importance of counterbalancing work with self-care activities like being still, spending time in nature, dancing, listening to podcasts, and spending time with loved ones to recharge her batteries.She is working on projects to engage and motivate youth, and also does public speaking and humanitarian work. She finds the humility of young people to be a golden thread, with a focus on helping humanity and the planet.-----------------------ABOUT HEIDIGet ready for Heidi Renata, a dynamic business virtuoso and community beacon! With a legacy rooted in Vodafone NZ, Heidi reinvented herself as the mastermind behind Dunedin's Innov8HQ, an inventive co-working hub offering more than just office space. Straddling governance roles and crafting innovative strategies for businesses and non-profits alike, Heidi is all about empowering communities and ushering in the future of business in the digital age!-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

What do you do when life throws you curveballs?In this episode of Push to Be More, Dominic Gerleve from Vision Captured shares his journey of resilience and perseverance through childhood adversity and how it led him to start his own fitness company. From experiencing his father's heart attack at a young age to finding solace in exercise, he realized the power of health and the importance of convincing others to invest in their own wellbeing. Join us as we explore Dominic's inspiring story of turning obstacles into opportunities and reshaping his childhood adversity into a fitness legacy!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Dominic relates his childhood to Tony Robbins who had a similar childhood to him and was able to overcome adversity, which inspired him to use his challenges as a reason to do better in life. He believes that going through difficult times makes you stronger and helps you realize that failures are temporary and just moments in time.Dominic's resilience and attitude towards overcoming obstacles fueled his passion for fitness, which was further driven by his father's heart attack, making him aware of the importance of health and fitness.He believes that getting people to commit to themselves and overcome doubt and inertia is the key to starting their health journey. He suggests asking them why they want to make a change and getting them to connect their health with their personal values and goals, such as spending time with their family, which can be a powerful motivator.Dominic's journey in the fitness industry started at 17 when he worked for a third-party personal training company, and he eventually became a co-owner of a company at age 21. However, things didn't go well for him in this business, leading to a five-year journey of rebuilding his confidence and gaining valuable lessons from his failures.His current company, Vision Captured, provides third party personal training and is transitioning to an in-home training service. He plans to eventually open up gyms in smaller towns to change the culture and make them more health conscious.Dominic recharges his batteries by doing exercise, going to church, and occasionally doing extreme activities. He incorporates a of exercise such as yoga, weight training, and cardio, and uses his workout time to listen to educational material like audiobooks. This combination of physical and mental exercise helps him start his day and feel empowered.He plans on expanding his gym business by taking on more clients and investing in commercial real estate, while also focusing on developing trainers with a diverse range of knowledge and experience.-----------------------ABOUT DOMINICDominic Gerleve's passion for health and fitness, ignited by his father's heart attack, fueled his rise as a leader in the industry. Co-founding Vision Captured with Maggie Gerleve, they utilize their combined expertise to make fitness accessible for all. Their collaboration has driven outstanding growth in client and employee retention, revenue, and profit margins, establishing Vision Captured as a fitness industry trailblazer.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Are you struggling in your leadership role and constantly struggle to communicate with others?Tune in to this week's episode of Push to be More where our special guest, Peter Awad shares about his journey of self-awareness & growth and the Five Voices of leadership that helped transform him into an effective leader. Discover the secrets to becoming a transformational leader and watch as your relationships flourish, projects soar, and success follows. Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Peter identifies four common lies he tells himself that he has to watch out for. The predominant lie he struggles with is believing he is a bad husband and father, which can be a source of anxiety for many parents. He talks about the importance of apologizing and learning from mistakes as a leader in the home.He discusses the challenges of leadership coaching and how he has learned to become a better leader himself through self-awareness and learning about the Five Voices which help him understand how different people communicate and process information. This has helped him and others become more effective and efficient in their work while reducing personality conflicts and office politics.Peter discovered his passion for coaching after asking himself three questions. It took him six months to figure out his superpowers and he initially believed everyone possessed them, which led him to undervalue them.Peter emphasizes the importance of having a morning routine to start the day, paying attention to clues and commonalities to differentiate between good and bad days. He also highlights the significance of having a to-do list based on quarterly, monthly, and weekly goals, which helps to determine the one thing to accomplish each day. He uses a Legend Planner to plan out his goals, and before going to bed, he thinks about the perfect morning and the tasks he wants to accomplish the following day.Peter is the co-founder of Mission Meats, a direct-to-consumer shelf stable snack food company that sells healthier portable options like beef sticks and jerky. He plans to step into full-time leadership coaching and grow cohorts for a year-long leadership coaching program.-----------------------ABOUT PETERPeter Awad is an Executive Coach to Christian Businessmen, Co-Founder of Mission Meats, and Founder of Import Auto Performance. He helps Kingdom-minded businessmen find purpose, grow their businesses, and live out their vision without compromising their values. With specialties in coaching, branding, digital marketing, eCommerce, social media, training, consulting, and public speaking, Peter has been mentioned in Forbes, Inc., and other notable publications. He also has a talent for making people laugh when they least expect it.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Do you think your organization could become more inclusive so your employees find it safe & easy to turn up to work everyday?Tune in to today's episode of Push To Be More where Gloria Ewe from AU Consulting shares how they're redefining diversity and wellness in the workplace. Join us as we explore their philosophy and learn how she went from being a mother of two at the age of 17 to having a successful career in Aviation to co-founding her management consulting firm. You wouldn't want to miss out on this inspiring episode!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Gloria discusses how becoming a mother at a young age shaped her into a resilient person and given her valuable life skills, surpassing any corporate role she's had, and suggests the idea of a "life experience resume" to highlight the importance and impact of personal experiences beyond a traditional career path.Gloria became a flight attendant at 18 while raising two children, choosing a career to build a future for her family. She attributes her success to surrounding herself with supportive family and having a structured, adaptable mindset.She explains that "Au" in AU Consulting means "about you, about us" in Maori, and represents the proverb "I'm you and you are me." The consultancy focuses on supporting companies and clients with their people's future needs in a holistic way, addressing the four pillars of wellbeing: physical, mental, spiritual, and family. The goal is to recognize which pillar needs support and take actions to bring it back up again.Gloria is drawn to creating safe spaces for the future generational workforce with diverse talent, and believes that businesses should allow their employees to be their full, authentic selves in the workplace. The key mistake that companies make is not creating an environment where people feel free to express themselves physically in language, dressing, and personal style.Gloria recharges her batteries by spending time with her family and learning new skills, such as riding a motorbike.She aims to partner with global organizations to have a greater impact on improving organizations' performance. The biggest barrier is restricting thinking to New Zealand and making connections with the right people. Making time to ensure the strategy keeps moving forward is essential.-----------------------ABOUT GLORIAGloria Ewe is a passionate New Zealand entrepreneur, co-founder of AU Consulting, a trailblazing minority-owned management consulting firm. With over 20 years of experience in learning and development, Gloria has made a name for herself by helping clients transform their digital learning capabilities and fostering diversity and inclusion strategies. Drawing from her unique journey as a young mother, her successful career in aviation, and her unwavering resilience, Gloria champions innovative lifelong learning and cultural engagement practices. Her ultimate goal is to create a lasting legacy of social good and maintain a competitive commercial edge for her clients and the community.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Did you know that your biological age can be much higher than your actual chronological age due to various factors? Tune in to today's episode of Push to be More where our special guest, Jack Latus from Latus Health shares his secrets to success. From gym-owner to 5th biggest provider in occupational healthcare, Jack shares his journey of resilience, persistence, and self-belief in overcoming industry naysayers. Join us as we explore his innovative approach to improving healthcare outcomes through a focus on employee well-being and his personal journey of reducing biological age through cutting-edge protocols.Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Latus Health is a tech-enabled B2B occupational health provider in the UK, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, focusing on health needs from a statutory and well-being perspective, and aiming to improve efficiency and healthcare outcomes through digital solutions. The company was founded by Jack and his brothers, who combined statutory requirements with proactive wellness and well-being offerings, which allowed them to become a disruptive player in a competitive market.Jack believes that the traditional way of delivering occupational health services is boring, but his company is disruptive and focuses on improving healthcare outcomes and making employees healthier. He is excited about being in the game of business and changing the way the world heals.He talks about his challenge in convincing others of his vision for occupational healthcare. He overcomes this challenge by recruiting key players, including a chief medical officer and tech experts from other industries, to help disrupt and improve the industry. Their goal is to deliver all of their services remotely, which requires finding and integrating the best technology.He emphasizes resilience, persistence, and self-belief as important qualities to deal with naysayers. He advocates for playing the long game and remaining focused on the end goal rather than engaging in arguments or getting over-leveraged. Bootstrapping may result in slower growth but can pay off in the long run, as evidenced by Jack's company becoming the 5th biggest provider in the UK in just a few years.Jack maintains his health by focusing on maintaining muscle mass and VO2 max, which are important indicators of longevity. He achieves this by doing resistance and CrossFit training, pure VO2 max work, and playing tennis.He reduced his biological age through a protocol involving intermittent fasting, cold and hot therapy, red light treatment, and a supplement stack, among others, that focused on improving his cell's mitochondria and epigenetic clock. While he was able to reduce his biological age by 4.6 years, he felt that the key benefit was the sustainable difference it made in how he felt and performed.-----------------------ABOUT JACKMeet Jack Latus - a disruptor and innovator in the healthcare industry, who has overcome significant challenges through bootstrapping and disrupting the heavily regulated healthcare industry. As CEO of Latus Health, he is changing the way the world heals, consolidating the market, and providing high-level health testing for executives. Jack is committed to living well and has a data-driven approach to his health, including a six-month longevity protocol that reduced his biological age by 4.6 years. Join us as we discuss his challenges, personal well-being, and vision for the future.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Are you struggling with your brand marketing and distinguishing yourself from other brands? Tune in to this week's episode of Push To Be More where Matt is joined by guest Caroline Polson from TwoScoops, a purpose-driven advertising agency that helps clients move beyond selling products/services and embrace their role in shaping a better future. Caroline shares how a friend approaching her with the idea of branding with positivity led her to start TwoScoops. Caroline discusses how some of her clients have hidden stories that can be shared to bring out the positivity in their brand and how her team dig deep with their clients to find the angles that make them unique and stand out amongst the competition, even if they're tricky to find. Tune in now to learn how you can approach branding in a positive and unique way!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Caroline left her job at the University of Canterbury and started TwoScoops with a friend who proposed a positive approach to marketing and advertising. They believe that promoting positivity and telling good stories about brands will naturally engage audiences. They have been successful so far and have received positive responses from clients.When starting a business, it's important to plan everything, including your company's purpose and brand positioning, financial needs, and support systems such as lawyers and accountants. Timing should also be considered, but being brave and willing to put in the work can lead to great rewards such as work-life balance and personal fulfillment.Caroline discusses how she has balanced running her business with family life post-COVID, explaining that her kids are resilient and supportive, and that running her own business has given her more flexibility to be present for her family. She highlights the benefits of being able to work from home and using new systems to be productive while also being able to switch off.Caroline manages her work life balance by planning and prioritizing her time. She utilizes the time she has as best as she can and makes it happen. She recognizes that there are busy seasons and takes time to recharge her batteries through exercise and family activities.TwoScoops helps businesses discover their unique positive stories and elevate them through workshops and exercises, even if it means identifying hidden stories that may have been overlooked. They work to find authentic ways to showcase diversity and inclusivity, ultimately helping businesses attract talent and grow.-----------------------ABOUT CAROLINEMeet Caroline Polson, a marketer-turned-purpose-driven-entrepreneur. She worked at WingNut Films for Peter Jackson on King Kong before moving to several advertising agencies and then client-side at the University of Canterbury. In 2022, she launched TwoScoops, a purpose-driven advertising agency that helps clients move beyond selling products/services and embrace their role in shaping a better future. When she's not running the business, she's a mom of two young boys who loves outdoor adventures like skiing, boating, and swimming around beautiful coast of her native New Zealand.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Is money the real measure of a person's success or is there more to life than that?In this episode of Push To Be More, Matt is joined by Chris George who debunks the misguided notion that success is solely based on financial gain. Chris reflects on how he shifted his mindset to find true passion and love in doing what he loves and shares the importance of identifying what success truly means for you. Tune in to discover Chris' insights into staying motivated and consistent to achieve true success!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Chris discusses his passion for giving back by speaking at different universities and inspiring college students to identify what they're good at and move forward with that. He emphasizes the importance of finding true passion and love in your work and identifying what success means to you, rather than believing that making a lot of money equates to success. Success for Chris is measured in four areas: health, career, friendships, and family. He checks in with these areas daily and if they are all in the green, he considers himself successful. He sees past experiences, even divorce, as learning experiences that have led him to where he is now in his career and personal life.Chris believes that giving back is the fifth element to his personal list of important values, and it is what fuels his heart the most. He believes in the importance of giving more than taking. Chris says that staying motivated comes naturally to some people and they don't need external motivation. For others, it's important to find inspiration, but the key is to figure out what you're good at and double down on it. Consistency and building habits are crucial for staying motivated, and ultimately, if you want something, you have to go out and get it yourself.Chris recharges his batteries by spending time with people who have nothing to do with work or business. He also plays sports and loves to find peace in the moments when work is not on his mind.-----------------------ABOUT CHRISChris George is a successful serial entrepreneur who's launched and managed seven businesses, including Gentleman's Box and Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA). He's also the founder of Certified, a streetwear brand on a mission to donate 100M meals to Feeding America through its signature line of hoodies. Chris is a sought-after speaker who's shared his insights on entrepreneurship and business at events like Digital Summit and SubSummit, and he hosts a video series, No Excuses with Chris G., featuring notable guests like Gary Vaynerchuk and Ryan Hogan. Chris is passionate about giving back and regularly supports purpose-driven businesses and initiatives.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Are you feeling weighed down by emotional baggage? Did you know that by acting out your thoughts and feelings, you can better understand and heal from past traumas?In this episode of Push To Be More, our speical guest John Faisandier joins Matt to delve into the world of psychodrama - a powerful tool for working through emotional struggles. John, a former priest turned emotional expert, explains how this technique can help entrepreneurs become more spontaneous and creative. But psychodrama isn't just for business - John also emphasizes the importance of using this technique to strengthen personal relationships. Tune in now to find out more!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:John went from being a Catholic priest to a psychodramatist after experiencing a health crisis and feeling constrained by the structured environment of teaching. He found self-development through therapy with a priest and pursued psychodrama as a way to help himself and others. It took him 10 years to qualify and he eventually left the priesthood to work as a full-time psychodramatist.He talks about his experience of transitioning from a priest to a new identity and how the change in status brought newfound freedom and appreciation for serving others.He worked as a psychodramatist with drug and alcohol patients in a residential hospital setting, where he helped people deal with intense emotions from their past through corrective role-playing experiences. He learned how to manage himself and others in these intense moments, which led him to develop a course on Thriving Under Fire (TUF).John discusses the importance of connecting the body and mind in therapy, reframing past experiences instead of just "getting over" them, and learning emotional management skills to handle difficult conversations and manage one's own feelings. He emphasizes that the unconscious drives behavior, and that addressing emotional moments requires not only conscious effort, but also the right tools and training.Learning simple steps in emotional management can make a significant difference in customer service, business communication, and personal relationships. John's ultimate agenda is to help people have successful relationships at home.John recharges his batteries by doing his own work and dealing with his own demons. He allows his feelings to come and go, is non-judgmental about himself, and has someone he can talk to when needed. He focuses on good sleep & eating habits, appropriate workouts, fun activities with friends and maintaining good relationships.-----------------------ABOUT JOHNJohn Faisandier is a former Catholic priest turned entrepreneur, trainer, and author. His mission is to help people manage their emotions in the workplace and in life. With over 20 years of experience in this field, he's developed a successful program that's been recognized with training awards and is implemented globally. John's diverse career background, including teaching, counselling, and mediation, informs his work and his passion for storytelling. He is a frequent contributor to industry magazines and professional journals and has authored a book called "Thriving Under Fire: Turn Difficult Customers into Business Success."-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck and struggling with debt? Then don't miss out on this latest episode of Push to be More where our special guest Neil Morecraft from Digital Directive shares his personal journey of declaring bankruptcy to finally becoming financially educated. Neil reveals how he turned his life around with his "Power of Six",  a balanced approach to achieving success. Tune in now to discover his powerful insights and practical tips for transforming your life!Here's some of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Neil declared bankruptcy in 2015 and struggled with debt and a lack of direction in his career. After seeking mentorship and reevaluating his priorities, he created a system of categorizing and prioritizing his life and business goals, focusing on mindset and well-being before money. This approach has led to increased happiness, contentment, and productivity in his life.Neil shares his experience of fostering his nephew, who has ADHD and Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and how it has been a difficult yet rewarding experience. He discusses the challenges of fostering and the impact it has had on his family, but acknowledges the importance of providing love and affection to children who may not have had it before.Neil discusses his power of six, focusing on mind, body, personal, lifestyle, business, and money. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing these areas in order to achieve personal growth and transformation, and shares his own experiences of tackling each aspect through mindfulness, exercise, communication, and setting achievable goals. Taking action in these areas can lead to a compound effect and an overall feeling of improvement and success.Neil reflects on his journey of personal growth and transformation, which involved facing difficult truths, making tough decisions, and finding his true purpose. He emphasizes the importance of figuring out what you really want in life and having the courage to pursue it. Despite the challenges, Neil feels fulfilled and blessed with his current lifestyle and has no plans to retire.Being honest with yourself and having the courage to take bold actions can lead to personal and professional growth, even if it means taking a risk to pursue a new opportunity. The responsibility to make these choices ultimately falls on the individual.-----------------------ABOUT NEILMeet Neil Morecraft, a high-energy Technology Entrepreneur and Performance Marketer who has been transforming businesses for over 25 years. He's the owner/operator of Digital Directive, a full-service digital agency and technical consultancy that serves high-growth businesses worldwide. Neil has experienced it all - raising, founding, exiting, dissolving, and liquidating seven companies, dealing with personal struggles, and declaring bankruptcy in 2015. But he bounced back and developed a methodical and straightforward approach to work-life balance that anyone can adopt. Neil's a strategic thinker who brings a big-picture perspective to every challenge, and he empowers people to reach their highest potential. Whether you're starting out or looking to grow your business, Neil can help.-----------------------For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.pushtobemore.com.9xvtPzT5NGVeNqbJQs9D