Stay Grounded with Raj Jana

“Mindfulness is being aware and accepting of our present moment experience with curiosity and compassion.” What is the soul? Why are we afraid of dying? How can we feel more present, peaceful, and connected to the truth of who we are? It’s not often you get a chance to discuss questions like these with a mindfulness thought leader with the depth of experience and insight like Mitra Manesh. Mitra is a UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center Instructor with over 3.5 decades of experience in this area. She also has a private practice where she works with celebrity clients as well as multinational corporations including Merrill Lynch, Hugo Boss, Amazon, and more. Her North Star is making conscious living and working more available and accessible to the global community. As you know, presence and staying grounded is something I’m passionate about so I couldn’t wait to dive into Mitra’s wisdom. And we went deep - discussing topics we all think about but are secretly afraid to explore. I absolutely LOVED this conversation. So much of what Mitra said touched me at a soul-level, and I’m sure the same will be true for you.“Presence is where my body and my attention meet each other.” Tune in now to hear about: What is the soul? Mitra’s five-part definition of mindfulness [don’t miss this].How to work with your ego so it doesn’t hold you back.Where the ego obtains information to define its identity. Why a gratitude practice balances out your overthinking, doubting mind. Why we don’t need to be afraid of death. How celebrities really feel on Oscar night. The three child parenting analogy that explains mindfulness perfectly.  How a heart monitor revealed the secret of life to Mitra.The ‘right’ path to oneness. And more...Born in the East and trained in the West, Mitra’s approach blends corporate training with Eastern inner-work practices to help people live, love, and lead more consciously at home and at work. A meditator since 1985, Mitra has studied extensively with renowned teachers and explored various disciplines including Taoism, TM, and meditation. On top of all of that, she’s also the host of the Lights On podcast as well as the creator of InnerMap - a mindfulness storytelling and coaching app for ‘anyone, anywhere, at any level’. I just know you’re going to love bathing yourself in Mitra’s wisdom. Her insights and experiences are going to connect with you on a deep level leaving you feeling empowered, inspired, and excited about how you can live your life in a more mindful way.  “We experience the end of anything as death, and that's the one thing that we are never talking about and we are so afraid of. It's the unspoken secret fear that we all have.” How to contact Innermap.mehttps://www.instagram.com/mitramanesh_/We thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I build the journey that allows the best of nature to do its best and then I don't say a word.” Matt Prior loves exploring and discovering nature. As a pilot, Adventure Consultant for Red Bull, and founder of the World’s First Adventure Academy, Matt has exploration running through his blood. He lives a life fuelled by curiosity and presence; a life which has seen him visit over 120 countries, climb peaks in five continents, and take part in a collection of badass expeditions - all on a shoestring.Matt’s been featured in everything from CNN to Men’s Journal, Red Bull, Outside Magazine, and Business Insider. His overland expertise and willingness to push boundaries means National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and the BBC have also approached him.   And while Matt thrives on the rush and growth of high-adrenaline experiences and adventures, he also loves the groundedness he feels when he’s present in nature.   “Be present every day. Smile. Be kind. Be open to anything and everything.” Nature is a potent teacher for Matt. For Matt, nature is the great reset button; a place where he can dissolve his ego and learn what it takes to live an incredible life - just by observing nature. In our current world of turbulence, uncertainty, and rapid change, Matt’s experiences are a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest adventures start when you leant to stop and just BE. Here’s a taste of all the awesome things Matt and I discuss in this beautiful conversation. How curiosity and presence empowered Matt to navigate some big life challenges.Why values can be the foundation for purpose. What billionaire rags to riches stories have in common. How perspective can change your life. The parable of the broken vase. Why there can be beauty in the suck. Why Matt is drawn to adversity. When did we learn to resist our humanity?How you can learn everything from nature. And more! Nature is ready to give you a masterclass in how to live and how to embrace your humanity. You just gotta spend time in it and time observing it. “Whenever I start to see chaos unfold, I just make it very simple: This is totally natural, this is all slowly meant to happen, and at the end of this, it will be better.” How to contact https://mattprior.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/mattprioruk/https://www.facebook.com/mattprioruk/https://twitter.com/mattpriorukWe thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Every emotion serves us, but once we know how it's serving us and why, now we have a choice of how to use it as a tool.” There’s no question that our minds are a beautiful tool for enhancing our human experience. But what happens when you overuse your mind and neglect the wisdom in your body and feelings?  If you rely on one aspect of self, you’re not coming from a place of wholeness. If you’re not tapping into the emotions created by your body, you’re missing out on a whole chunk of knowledge ready to enrich your experience of life. There’s just one problem…Why are we so afraid of the way we feel? Fortunately, this episode’s guest - the magical Kristi Worful - has some much-needed answers. It’s not uncommon for people to struggle with their emotions. From a young age, we’re taught that some feelings are good while others are bad. We’re taught that some emotions are OK to express while others need to be pushed right back down. It’s left us in a state of confusion and distrust about what our body is ready to teach us. It can take courage to experience your emotions fully. But as you’ll hear in this episode, the more you allow, the bigger your capacity becomes for richness, fullness, and unapologetic self-expression. If you choose, your emotions can be your gateway to expression and purpose. “Authenticity is the gateway to our purpose and our highest expression.” As the creator of Sanga and an experienced consciousness practitioner, Kristi Worful is highly skilled at empowering people to explore, work with, and process their full emotional spectrum. Sanga is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. This empowering ecosystem blends the art and science of human transformation. Through her studio in Utah, Kristi guides clients through an immersive sound and visual art experience, which opens the subconscious mind and rewires the brain for creativity and healing. It’s a magical experience that helps people connect with their heart, tune into their desires, and connect more fully with their higher self.  Listen to this episode to hear about: The specific stages of human awakening. How do you build the courage to trust your intuition? Why is it so hard to be honest with yourself? What is authenticity? The true purpose of desire. How do you make a decision when you fear it will cause your life to unravel?Tips for working with your emotional patterns. The transformational impact of accessing a healing spaceWhy you should feel so-called negative emotions and what happens when you do.And more! This is a beautifully rich conversation that will inspire you to create a life of desire by getting back into your body. I just know you’re going to love it. “When we become our higher selves, we start living in our purpose.” How to contact www.Sangatribe.comWe thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I'm living a life that I absolutely love. I'm surrounded by a tribe of people that I absolutely love, just simply because I started with the, "What if?"Rob was an abandoned child. As a baby, he was raised by his four-year-old sister until a white, Moron family adopted them both. Raised by a loving family in a predominantly middle-class white community, Rob endured racial abuse. He was spat on, called names, and beat up. The feeling of not belonging would not go away. He eventually found an outlet for his anger and confusion in sport. On the court or field, race and color didn’t matter and after achieving a scholarship to play football at Utah, he thought his life would start working out. But despite being around black people for the first time, he still didn’t fit in. Rob sunk into a dark depression and began fantasizing about how he’d end his life. He hit rock bottom in his mid-30s when everything fell apart. His marriage ended, his start-up failed, and he was done with the pain. But something told him to put down the gun... “The life I'm living now, at one time, was just a fantasy.” Rob’s suicide attempt became a powerful catalyst that turned his life around. By deciding he wanted to live, Rob discovered the strength to embrace his blank canvas. At the time, he had no idea who he was, but he was committed to figuring it out. Trauma makes your scope narrow; healing creates a new perspective that brings forth better opportunities and options. Free of dogma and the need to fulfil family traditions, Rob was able to define himself. In the process, he discovered his dream career, his purpose, and a sense of belonging. Now, Rob is an empowerment coach who works off feeling and intuition; truly identifying where his clients want to go and what they want to accomplish. He calls his work Warrior Work, which is all about identifying who you truly are. Rob’s story is a powerful reminder that where you start doesn’t have to be where you end up. It’s a story of courage, commitment, and a passion to create an extraordinary life - even when everything is stacked against you. Rob’s story is an inspiration to me, and I’m sure it will be an inspiration to you too. Tune in now to hear us discuss:What it feels like to NOT belong.The catalyst that inspired Rob to change his life. How to balance radical self-responsibility with an appreciation of your life’s context. Powerful options for letting go of negative energy. The difference between flow and passion.How Rob figured out who he really was.  Rage, the call for equality, and channelling collective anger at these timesRob’s definition of purpose. Tips for unlayering the need to belong. And more… “The moment you give all the accountability away is when you become the victim and then you lose all your power.” How to contact www.robsirstins.comhttps://www.facebook.com/rsirstinshttps://www.instagram.com/@robsirstinsWe thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Nobody ever taught me how to be human. They taught me how to be a warrior, they taught me how to be a gladiator, they taught me how to not cry, they taught me how to hurt people. It taught me a lot of stuff in my life. Nobody ever taught me how to be human.”Like you, we’ve been moved and enraged by the racism and brutality experienced by our Black brothers and sisters. To show our support and solidarity with Black America, we’re committed to sharing their voices and stories with you. To kick-start this effort, we’re replaying one of our most popular interviews. This conversation with Andre Norman first aired in 2019. It’s an incredible story of beating the odds and the system to create extraordinary impact. The US has one of the largest prison populations in the world with around 1 in 100 Americans in jail. According to 2014 NAACP statistics, African Americans accounted for a disproportionate 34% of the total prison population. It’s a shocking fact that the Black community is incarcerated at more than 5 times the rate of whites.Andre Norman was one of those statistics. Rewind two decades and not only was Andre serving a 100-year prison sentence, he also ran all the gang activity in the prison. You could say jail was his destiny. As a kid, he felt unwanted and with the system against him too, Andre never saw his potential. Seeing no other option, Andre followed a life fuelled by drugs, alcohol, depression, self-harming, and ultimately crime. Prison is supposed to be a correctional facility, but most prisoners aren’t ‘corrected’. Prison rarely changes people at a core level. Instead, it compounds their anger, frustration, and trauma, which is what makes Andre’s story of transformation and learning how to be human so remarkable. Andre was freed after serving 14 years inside and his life today couldn’t be more different. He’s now on a mission to teach individuals and corporations how to turn any situation around and his innovative strategies against gang activity have helped tackle inmate violence and improve correctional facilities across the U.S. “Your rock bottom isn’t your end. Your rock bottom is when you figure out you need to pull the parachute and ask for help.”So tune in now and hear us talk about: The conditions that led to Andre’s incarcerationHow gratitude for rock bottom experiences helps you walk the extraordinary path through lifeThe real definition of freedom - and why most people aren’t as free as they thinkWhy you need to take small steps today to actualize the person you want to be in the futureThe insanely valuable lessons he’d teach his 26-year-old self Why Andre believes his curses allow him to help peopleThe only way to failAndre’s prison program and how it’s changing livesAnd more...Andre overcame everything from poverty to drugs to prison. He’s now an international speaker and a Harvard Fellow - proof that the odds are always beatable. “If you want to be great, you can. If you want to be amazing, you can. If you want to be world-renowned, you can. It just comes with not giving up.” How to contact Discover more about Andre’s work at www.AndreNorman.comFollow Andre on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/andrenorman21/Check out Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrenorman/Follow the conversation on Twitter - https://twitter.com/andrenorman?lang=enWe thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Confidence is simple. It’s not loud, it’s not anything that can be defined by a particular skill or personality type. It’s simply this: the willingness to experience negative emotion.” How much of your vision for life is impacted by what others say or think about you? How often do you hold yourself back or talk yourself out of taking action because your confidence lets you down? Who could you be, what could you have, and where would you go if you could create approval from within and create a story that showered you with positivity, freedom, and relentless joy? This episode’s guest is the incredible Susie Moore - and she dances in this creative, curious space every day! Susie believes that joyful, loving, connected people are POWERFUL. It’s why she says that her only obligation is to have a joyful life - and in doing so, she serves as an example to others of what a joyful life looks and feels like. If you’re ready to be more confident [and feel more joyful in the process], this episode is for you. “All worthiness is completely fixed, permanent, and undeletable no matter what. So this approval that we are seeking is an illusion.” Susie is a Miami-based life coach and author of Stop Checking Your Likes: Shake Off the Need for Approval and Live an Incredible Life. Susie’s been featured on everything from the Today show, Refinery29, Forbes, Oprah.com and more. She has an infectious personality and a beautiful sense of humor which inspires joy just by being near her. Susie comes with a powerful message that reality is an interpretation and the truth is up to all of us. With that in mind, why wouldn’t you do everything in your power to create a life full of freedom and joy? Discover how in this episode when Susie and I explore: The dangers of confusing approval with worthiness. Why inner steadiness and approval must come from within. The danger of looking for fulfilment outside of yourself. What is freedom [and why our false beliefs make success fleeting].Why the cause and effect model doesn’t work. How to access your confidence in 7 seconds. Why joy is undervalued as a superpower - even though it’s your secret weapon And more! “Freedom is the goal of every other goal.” How to contact http://susie-moore.comhttps://www.facebook.com/susiemoore.writer/https://instagram.com/susie.moorehttps://twitter.com/susiemooreOrder Susie’s new book - Stop Checking Your Likes: Shake Off the Need for Approval and Live an Incredible Life - on AmazonWe thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Nobody wants your perfect, everyone just wants your human.” This episode’s guest is no stranger to the Stay Grounded Podcast. Nataly Kogan was one of our very first guests when we launched back in 2017. Nataly’s ‘Happier’ message was powerful back then, but it feels even more potent now - thanks to the new normal we’re navigating ourselves through.This current climate is bringing out the worst - and the best in us. Lockdown and all its associated uncertainties has pulled out the rug in so many areas of our lives. Trying to make sense of it all is tough and new emotions, fears, and experiences are constantly bubbling up. Nataly’s message of self-compassion is vital under these pressures. With the stresses we face right now, mistakes are inevitable. We’re going to get triggered and frustrated and that’s OK because as Nataly reminds us we’re all human and perfection is inauthentic. And amongst it all, self-compassion is the gateway to freedom, happiness, and joy. “Be a kind observer instead of an opinionated judge.” Nataly Kogan is a refugee, mama, artist, and the founder of Happier - an organization [and Nataly’s life purpose] on a mission to help millions of people thrive in work and life by improving their emotional health with science-backed skills and practices. Nataly believes happiness is a skill you can master as well as a feeling you experience. And because it’s a skill, that means you work at being happier. In this episode, Nataly reveals some of her favorite practices and insights designed to help you feel more compassionate to yourself and others. Tune in now to hear about:How do you find happiness in turmoil? Navigating the ‘valley of suffering’ through acceptance. Why does the ego create suffering if its role is to protect us? How self-compassion increases resilience and growth. How to practice self-love when your mistakes hurt others. The power packed question to ask when you start losing yourself in fear, guilt, and self-criticism. Why perfection is a coping mechanism that keeps you from feeling a spectrum of emotions. And more! “The ego is there to teach us the lesson if we want to learn it.” How to contact https://www.happier.comhttps://www.instagram.com/natalykogan/We thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“When you just leave your mind alone for extended periods of time, you start to see profound depths and profound stillness.” We live in beautiful times where meditation is no longer a fringe ritual. You can even practice on your phone in the comfort of your home any time you choose! This is good news because meditation as a practice offers profound benefits. You can expect everything from the ability to create stillness and clarity to an awareness of the vast potential we have as humans. But what happens if you’re a ‘bad’ meditator? And what layers are we really uncovering when we sit with stillness and become the observer of our thoughts? In this powerful episode, mindfulness teacher Jon Krop explains how you can use meditation to live more skillfully in the modern world. His insights could be life-changing for you. “Meditation is really just a practice of cultivating new mental habits.” Jon Krop is a Harvard-educated lawyer and mindfulness expert who’s been meditating for over 13 years. Through his company Mindfulness For Lawyers, Jon has taught mindfulness at Harvard, Yale, the Pentagon, the world’s top law firms, Fortune 100 companies, and other organizations. His obsession for mindfulness began at law school as he explored strategies to increase his grades and get a cognitive edge. After a chance meeting in Argentina led him to study with the Dalai Lama’s Latin American translator, Jon explored the spiritual benefits too. Although Jon has studied with traditional Buddhist teachers, his teaching style resonates with people who aren’t drawn to chanting, crystals, and new age overtones. If that sounds like you then you’ll especially love this interview!Given our current times, an ability to create stillness, reduce stress, and increase mental clarity is more important than ever - and Jon is here to help you walk that essential path. Here’s a taste of what Jon and I discuss: The story of Jon’s transition from law to mindfulness. The power of week-long meditation retreats. Jon’s response to coronavirus. The potency of impermanence and why we need to embody this reality. How to feel grounded enough to surrender. The potential of these times to spark transformation and transcendence. How do you empower someone who ‘can’t’ meditate.What is meditation supposed to look like? And more!  Check it out. “Meditation will force you to learn over time to let go of expectations, to let go of the need for perfection, and to realise that you aren’t really driving. So just lean back and enjoy the ride.” How to contact Check out www.Mindfulnessforlawyers.com@JonKrop on InstagramWe thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“There is a twelve step process to burnout. We start with excessive ambition and end with a total mental and physical collapse.”Have you noticed that burnout is a badge of honor? As a society, we place a high value on the hard work and the hustle - and if you’re burnt out, by definition you’re a hard worker! But does burnout deliver the results you want? And is it even the best strategy to create success in business and in life? This episode’s guest says not. After burning out riddled with a collection of physical and emotional symptoms, John Wang realized there had to be a better route to success.In this episode, John not only shares his story, but reveals the logic and story behind our willingness to burn out - so you can choose a more empowered path to your goals.  “We almost celebrate the word burnout because of our ego. “Look at how hard I work to the point that I get to burnout” - which makes no sense.” John Wang has been a speaker and an educator for the last 15 years. His passion is coaching high-achieving entrepreneurs and students to create productive, work-life balance systems that are focused on self compassion. In particular, John gets excited about creating tools and systems that empower people to live a balanced life. John has traveled through over 50 countries and is also the founder of the OneKindness Challenge Movement - where he inspires people to change their life through an act of kindness each day. In this beautiful episode, John and I talk about: What does burnout mean?Where does the stress that causes burnout come from?  How to find the balance between impact and avoiding burn out.How to make hard work feel easy. How to infuse fulfilment into work you don’t really enjoy.  John’s four questions for moving through procrastination. John’s definition of purpose.And more…If your ego has a hustle tendency, but your heart wants more balance, do not miss this episode. When you understand the internal dialogue and stories that promote burnout, you’ll never want to choose that path again.  “Attachment, boundaries, and core beliefs - these three things are almost always what causes people to go into burnout rather than causing them to be able to scale what they are doing to a higher level.” How to contact www.shapeframework.comhttps://www.facebook.com/johnwangofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/johnwangofficialWe thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“There is a cost to trying to be successful. There is a cost to trying to change the world. For many entrepreneurs and founders, it is destroying us and our companies.” Does success require burnout? Can you build a thriving business and live a calm life? As a society, we’ve been raised on a diet where hard work equals the path to success, but is that really true? What’s more, are the sacrifices involved with the high stress, high-success ethos actually contributing to the lifestyle and results we really want? After finding himself on the floor of his dream home unable to move, Aaron Houghton realized there had to be a better way to live. An entrepreneur since the age of 17, Aaron launched more than ten tech startups - including one which he sold to a publicly traded company for $169 million before his 30th birthday. He’d ‘made’ it! The money, the business, the awards… but after pushing himself to his limits, Aaron began to question if the panic attacks, debilitating anxiety, and chronic stress was a required sacrifice - or was there another way? “The incredible entrepreneur, the hero of the world, is the person who just decides to start.” Over the past five years, Aaron has been on a mission to save entrepreneurs from themselves so they can change the world. He’s passionate about studying how entrepreneurs manage stress and uses his insights to build his own techniques that deliver high performance without compromising mental and physical health. And in this must-hear podcast, Aaron shares insights and strategies to help you experience calm while you make an impact. Here’s a taste of what we discuss:How to differentiate between fears that are irrational and fears that keep you safe. What does calm feel like? The three resources we should be managing. The bigger reason why Aaron reduced his alcohol intake.Why entrepreneurs need to fall in love with the process and not the outcome.How to navigate the sine wave of life. A list of Aaron’s daily rituals that help him create calm.How to release the need for external validation. The simple litmus test that warns you it’s time to slow down.If you’re ready to do the thing you’re here to do without losing yourself in the process, this episode is for you. Don’t miss it! “I think a lot of us have lost touch with what calm actually feels like.” How to contact aaronhoughton.comhttps://www.facebook.com/aaronwhoughtonhttps://www.instagram.com/aaronwhoughton/https://www.twitter.com/aaronwhoughtonWe thrive on your feedback, so if you’ve enjoyed this show, please rate us and leave us a review. And don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.