Amina Change Your Life

This week on the pod I have one half of the Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life duo, Michelle Maros. Michelle and I go way back to 2016! We are both part of an impact-driven social justice community called Move the Crowd where we became fast friends. This fellow scorpio co-hosts the Barb Knows Best podcast with her mom and business partner, Barb Schmidt. Through their company and their community activism, Michelle and Barb work collectively to create a nurturing space for mental health and wellness. Known for her mindfulness meditation seminars and personal empowerment workshops, Michelle is on a mission to foster happiness and inner peace. Her commitment extends to the younger generation, providing them with resources and practical wisdom to navigate their life's journey. We talked about: The challenges of working with and communicating with people you love Being okay with not everyone liking you (gasp!) How to handle disrespect at work The 1% rule How to take nothing personally And how to move through life as a sensitive soul The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - The Importance of Addressing and Expressing Emotions 00:02:00 - Working with Family and Establishing Boundaries 00:05:47 - Power Dynamics in Family Businesses 00:07:44 - Taking Nothing Personally 00:10:26 - The Impact of Social Media on Self-Perception 00:12:59 - Overcoming the Fear of Unsolicited Feedback 00:14:21 - Not Everyone Will Like You, and That's Okay 00:16:41 - Red Flags in Work Environments 00:22:00 - Responding to Disrespect in the Workplace 00:25:22 - Living Life as an Empath 00:26:56 - The 1% Rule and Mindfulness 00:28:15 - Connecting with Michelle Quotes "If you don't feel your feelings, they're going to come out sideways in some random fashion and probably in a situation where it's not great. Addressing and expressing your emotions helps prevent unnecessary turmoil." - Michelle Maros "Remember, not everyone will like you, and that's okay. Focus on finding the right people who align with you and let go of the need to please everyone." - Michelle Maros Connect with Michelle Maros Website: peacefulmindpeacefullife.org Instagram: @MichelleMaros Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

This week's episode is with my (and the internet's) favorite lifestyle journalist—Liz Moody. Host of top health and wellness podcast, Healthier Together, Liz is a seasoned writer, podcaster and entrepreneur who shares actionable, research-backed advice about gut health, hormone health, longevity, finances, relationships, mental health, and more. She is also a bestselling author, online creator with a social media following of over 900k, and the founder of Healthy Convo Co, a conversation game company designed to facilitate fun and life-changing conversations. We talk about how she had the courage to leave her full time role and start her business (at the top of the pandemic, no less), how she creates content that connects with people's hearts and minds, and how she's found happiness at work. We talked about: 00:02:19 - Liz's Journey and Transition 00:08:41 - Setting and Upholding Boundaries 00:10:58 - The Power of Perspective and Decision-Making Techniques 00:12:41 - The Importance of Asking Questions 00:13:39 - The Gap Between Expectations and Reality 00:14:39 - Podcasting as a Longevity Game 00:19:11 - Finding Happiness at Work 00:21:40 - Navigating Career Stability 00:25:18 - The Importance of Sharing Vulnerability 00:27:12 - Finding Beauty in Imperfection 00:29:13 - Navigating Mental Health in a High-Pressure Career 00:30:52 - The Importance of Fitness for Mental Health 00:34:19 - Understanding Anger and Managing Emotions 00:37:00 - The Emotional Process of Writing a Book 00:37:30 - Protecting the Integrity of the Book 00:38:22 - Overcoming Writing Challenges 00:40:20 - Balancing Work and Writing 00:45:10 - Building a Career as a Thought Leader Quotes "Taking action is the thing that builds the confidence for us. If you want to start any creative endeavor, just start it today. What is one step that you can take to do it today?" - Liz Moody "Know that it's not going to live up to the version in your head, but that doesn't matter because you're going to refine and make it better over time. That is how it is for every single person on the planet who is embarking on a creative endeavor." - Liz Moody "It's so fucking brave just to start. You can pat yourself on the back, applaud yourself just for taking those first steps, rather than berating yourself for not being as good as someone else." - Liz Moody Connect with Liz Moody Website: LizMoody.com Instagram: @LizMoody Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

This is a re-air of an interview I got to do with Liz Moody for her podcast, Healthier Together. Liz is an incredible journalist and did some Oprah-like interviewing. I loved the questions she asked and how this episode turned out so I wanted to share it here with you all. Here's what we covered: Should your job align with your passion? Prior to launching your own business, what crucial question must you ask yourself? Strategies for developing work with a sense of purpose A precise formula to determine whether switching jobs or careers is advisable Identifying the four causes of burnout and implementing targeted solutions for each Utilizing a science-backed script to establish healthier boundaries with your supervisor Approaches to handle dislike towards your boss or coworkers Devising a plan to address feelings of being underpaid or undervalued Techniques to overcome the Sunday scaries (fear or anxiety about the upcoming workweek) How to conduct a silent retreat at home Tactics to combat the stress associated with an "always on" culture The key moments in this episode are: 00:01:10 - Importance of Being Happy at Work 00:05:33 - Job as Passion 00:10:16 - Framework for Purpose-driven Work 00:12:17 - Discovering Your Exceptional Abilities 00:13:08 - Aligning with Your Values 00:13:55 - Finding Joy in Your Work 00:16:33 - Making an Impact 00:17:31 - Assessing Your Needs 00:24:03 - Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing 00:26:31 - Invisible Labor and Boundaries 00:29:41 - Dealing with Difficult Bosses and Coworkers 00:32:35 - Transitioning to a Different Career 00:36:30 - Prioritizing Your Worth and Advocating for Yourself 00:38:30 - Addressing Undervalued Professions and Creating Value 00:39:21 - Balancing Side Hustles and Self-Care 00:43:40 - Designing Work Based on Personal Energy 00:48:24 - Importance of Time Management 00:49:08 - Mitigating Sunday Scaries 00:50:30 - Prioritizing Tasks 00:53:28 - Using Notion App for Organization 01:01:52 - Entrepreneurship as a Journey of Growth Quotes I don't think that there's actually a right or wrong way to do our careers. It's really individual to each of us. - Amina AlTai When we're not aligned with the values of an organization, it's really hard to feel motivated and to play all out for it. - Amina AlTai We spend more of our heartbeats at work than we do anywhere else. It should feel really freaking amazing if we can get there. - Amina AlTai Connect with Liz Moody Website: https://www.lizmoody.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizmoody/ Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

My sister, Genna, used to have a podcast called She Supreme and I was one of her guests a few years ago. I love this episode because when do you get to be interviewed by a family member? So, I thought, let's do a re-air! Does this sound familiar? You're constantly hustling and grinding to achieve success in your career, but something feels off. You can't quite put your finger on it, but you feel unfulfilled and burnt out. You've been told to push through and work harder, but that approach isn't working. The pain of feeling stuck and unsatisfied is weighing on you. It's time to take a different approach. In this episode, we'll explore the importance of self-care and pursuing your purpose. Discover how taking care of yourself can lead to increased fulfillment and well-being, and learn practical strategies for finding your true path. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the importance of self-nurturing and its role in guiding you towards your life's purpose Recognize the hurdles women experience in professional settings and the necessity for cultivating diversity and inclusivity Immerse yourself in the healing process to help you get clearer on your dreams The key moments in this episode are: 00:01:02 - About Amina's Work 00:05:49 - Burnout and Healing 00:08:24 - Amina's Family Background 00:11:28 - Working with Unconscious Biases 00:12:57 - The Impact of Traditional Work Structures on Women 00:15:09 - Coaching for Transformative Justice 00:17:30 - Supporting Women in the Workplace 00:19:14 - Finding Your Dharma 00:23:00 - Nourishment as a Conduit to Clarity 00:25:57 - Overcoming Resistance to Movement 00:27:03 - Joyful Activities 00:29:50 - Pursuing Feminine Energy 00:31:20 - Rewiring Your Brain with Hypnotherapy 00:38:02 - Affirmation for the Day 00:40:03 - Conquering Fear and Finding Magic in Free Fall 00:41:46 - Obsessions 00:42:39 - Gratitude and Learning Quotes "Life is a journey and we're always becoming. The invitation is to continually become versus staying somewhere that we feel stuck or frustrated or unwell." -Amina AlTai "Curiosity and that deep rumbling inside of you that you are here for more is what we are here to follow." -Amina AlTai Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Unleash the power of your story with PR experts Caitlin Copple and Holly Conti, as they guide you through owning your narrative to achieve your visibility goals. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover techniques for building an impactful public platform. Uncover the power of genuine storytelling in personal branding. Gain insights for establishing thought leadership and industry positioning. My special guests are Caitlin Copple and Holly Conti Get to know Caitlin Copple and Holly Conti, the powerhouse team at the heart of Full Swing Public Relations. Specializing in helping underrepresented leaders tell their stories, they ensure their clients are seen and heard in all the right places. With a diverse clientele including authors, speakers, business owners, and political candidates, Caitlin and Holly's personalized approach to PR helps them build strong, lasting relationships with their clients. Focused on values-driven storytelling, they understand the power of giving a platform to those who truly deserve it. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:05 - Giving Permission to Tell Your Story, 00:03:18 - From Solopreneur to Seven-Figure Business, 00:07:50 - Overcoming Fear and Imposter Syndrome, 00:12:51 - Telling Your Story on a Larger Stage, 00:15:14 - Overcoming Bias and Stereotypes, 00:17:55 - Crafting Your Personal Brand Story, 00:22:00 - Telling New Stories vs. Origin Stories, 00:25:30 - Importance of Sales before PR, 00:27:06 - PR and Business Growth, 00:28:51 - Building Thought Leadership, Quotes "If you don't tell your story, someone else will." - Holly Conti "Scaling your business is about my feminist challenge." - Caitlin Copple "Personal branding is about honoring what matters most to you and being seen in an authentic way." - Caitlin Copple Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai Connect with Full Swing PR Website: www.fullswingpr.com Instagram: @fullswingPR

All change requires some level of courage, confidence, trust, and faith. But not all of us naturally feel confident. Some of that, particularly for historically excluded folks like women, POC, the LGBTQIA+ community, those with disabilities, those of varied sizes, and of varied immigration status, our confidence is often impacted by systemic oppression. If we don't see people like us in spaces we want to be in we usually question ourselves, our abilities, and our belonging. So how do we build confidence in an unjust world? I've got 10 hot tips for you! In this episode, you will be able to: Debunk the myth of imposter syndrome. Hint: it's a major distraction. Learn a step by step approach to building confidence over time. Strengthen your inner voice. Practice kindness and self-compassion, making confidence-building more attainable. Cultivate a strong support network to help achieve your goals and reach your full potential. Concentrate on positive change to develop confidence and effective leadership within broken systems. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - The Problem with Imposter Syndrome 00:01:37 - Courage and Confidence for Change 00:04:10 - Reframing Imposter Syndrome 00:08:49 - Confidence with a Capital C is a Myth 00:11:07 - Owning Your Genius 00:12:53 - Lowering the Bar and Celebrating Yourself 00:13:21 - Trusting Your Intuition 00:14:29 - Practicing Kindness and Self-Compassion 00:15:24 - Building Your Cheering Squad 00:16:08 - Leading Your Movement The Resources in this Episode Are: Reshma Saujani's TED Talk Reshma Saujani's Smith College Commencement Speech Brittney Packnett Cunningham TED Talk on Confidence Fear-Sorting Worksheet Three E's Exercise Quotes Trust your gut and intuition. Your experience, your intelligence, and your instincts will lead you where you need to go. - Amina AlTai 82% of people will feel imposter syndrome in their lifetime, but we don't have to. If 82% of people feel it, it's impossible to believe that it's about individual inadequacy. I think it has much more to do with structural inequality. - Amina AlTai We are enough. Focusing on our own alleged inadequacy is a distraction from the broken system. We need to focus less on fixing ourselves and more on shifting a broken world. Please let this be your invitation to galvanize your courage and confidence for something that lifts us all. - Amina AlTai Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

From Corporate Executive to Mindful Entrepreneur: The Unforeseen Journey of H.L. Ray. As he reached the pinnacle of his career, H.L. Ray realized the high price he had paid for success. He took a leap of faith, embarking on a self-discovery journey that led him to re-evaluate his values. Today, he is a thriving entrepreneur and coach, using his own experience to help others navigate the pivot toward a more authentic and fulfilling life. But his journey didn't end there. Join us as we delve into the twists and turns of H.L. Ray's path and discover how he continues to overcome fear and embrace growth. In this episode, you will be able to: Learn how to turn fear into opportunity. Redefine success for yourself and create a fulfilling career beyond societal norms. Embrace authenticity and bravery when shifting life directions. Handle self-doubt when pursuing unconventional paths. Reframe limiting beliefs for increased confidence and self trust. My special guest is HL Ray Introducing H.L. Ray, an energetic entrepreneur, community organizer, and visionary dedicated to guiding leaders and organizations through growth and transformation. With a resume boasting over 17 years of global experience that spans across small businesses, venture-backed companies, and Fortune 500s, H.L. Ray is no stranger to success. As the Founder and CEO of the HL3 Collective, H.L. focuses on integrating passion, purpose, and performance through an Inside Out approach. Featured in both Forbes and Yahoo Finance's Top 100 LGBTQ+ Execs, H.L. Ray's innovative leadership methods consistently empower and inspire others to pursue their true potential. The key moments in this episode are: 00:02:27 - H.L. Ray's Pivot Journey 00:07:22 - Challenges After Making a Pivot 00:11:50 - Overcoming the Voice of Fear 00:13:46 - Redefining Sustainability in Careers 00:16:30 - Holistic Abundance 00:22:37 - Recognizing Perfectionism 00:25:12 - Finding Alignment in Work 00:27:26 - Shifting Mindset 00:28:49 - The Inside-Out Approach 00:30:18 - Transformative Power of Space Quote "The Pivot is really about listening to our inner truth and then having the support to navigate those fears that come up." - H.L. Ray Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai Connect with HL Ray Instagram: @hlray3 LinkedIn: @hlray Website: www.hl3collective.com

Join Amina and her amazing producer, Sam Sedlack, as they take listener and Instagram questions about Amina and her path through entrepreneurship. In this episode, you will be able to: Learn how to embrace change and growth without self-judgment. Uncover the valuable role of coaches in guiding personal development and transformation. Nurture a strong growth mindset that can positively impact your life and success. Discover the art of balancing well-being and work while finding joy in every aspect of life. Recognize and utilize your distinctive strengths for improved results in work and personal life. My special guest is Sam Sedlack Sam Sedlack is the brilliant producer and creative collaborator behind Amina's hit podcast, Amina Change Your Life. Sam's extensive experience in media and storytelling allows her to expertly craft episodes that strike a chord with entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs on their journey toward personal development. Her ability to ask insightful questions and explore compelling topics has helped make the podcast a go-to source for those seeking growth, inspiration, and new perspectives. The Key Moments in this Episode Are: 00:02:16 - Transformations 00:05:17 - Fundamental beliefs 00:09:56 - Building a Coaching Business 00:13:05 - Finding Joy in Hard Times 00:15:41 - Must-Read Books 00:18:10 - Exciting New Opportunities 00:19:27 - Inspirational Coaches and Teachers 00:21:06 - Finding and Choosing a Coach 00:25:32 - Amina's Eh Zone 00:26:39 - Amina's Insider Scoop 00:27:18 - Amina's Openness Quotes "I really wish we would give people the permission to always be evolving and stop coming in with that Polaroid or that snapshot, saying, this is who you used to be." - Amina AlTai "This work is about getting free. And watching people click into that idea of wow, I have sovereignty, wow, I have freedom, is one of the most awesome things that I will ever get to witness in my life." - Amina AlTai "As humans, we can change... even if we've been through something really hard, we can change our lives. We can have a really magical, expansive existence." - Amina AlTai Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Megan Hellerer the founder and CEO of Coaching for Underfulfilled Overachievers, and the author of the forthcoming book, Directional Living: The Underfulfilled Overachiever's Guide to Fulfillment in Work and Life, which outlines a framework for a brand new paradigm for career fulfillment in the 21st century. Megan has led hundreds of Underfulfilled Overachievers, including AOC, to transform their lives by transforming their careers. After checking all of the traditional boxes of success—graduating at the top of her class from Stanford and spending 8 years as a Google executive—and still finding herself deeply unhappy, she quit her "great-on-paper" job with no plan. Now, her mission is to provide others with the support and guidance that she needed and couldn't find when she herself was struggling. In this episode, you will be able to: Learn how focusing on the direction instead of the destination leads to greater happiness and fulfillment. Decode the secrets of the Four Horsemen technique for better clarity on what you truly desire. Unlock the potential of small steps in driving significant change and exploring new directions. Strengthen your ability to face fear and develop a more responsive approach to the world. Learn to "true" your direction and your career. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:05 - One Right Action at a Time 00:01:33 - From Unfulfilled Overachiever to Career Coach 00:07:26 - The Gift of Desperation 00:13:03 - Directional Living 00:17:57 - Changing the Narrative Around Work 00:13:43 - Entry Point into Exploration 00:18:58 - Directional Living vs. Destinational Living 00:22:47 - Curiosity as a Proxy for Purpose 00:25:29 - Broken Productivity Brains 00:27:32 - The Four Horsemen of Fulfillment 00:30:48 - Perfectionism in Decision Making 00:32:35 - Decision Making in Times of Uncertainty 00:35:29 - The Lily Pad Approach Quotes "The key thing that most of us inherited is the belief that success equals fulfillment. But the reality is it's the inverse." - Megan Hellerer "There is no universal fulfillment or one objective right way to do or live life. This is about aligned achievement." - Megan Hellerer Connect with Megan Hellerer Website: meganhellerer.com Instagram: @meganhellerer Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai

Are you a career changer who feels lost in the process of pivoting your career? Have you heard these common myths that are holding you back? Myth #1: You need to start from scratch. Myth #2: You can't switch industries. Myth #3: You have to take a pay cut. Let's debunk those right now. In this episode of the Amina Change Your Life podcast, I explore the principles of a powerful career pivot. I stress the importance of living directionally (a la Megan Hellerer), seeking clarity and information at each step of the journey. I highlight the significance of making small changes every day to avoid overwhelm and impulsivity. I encourage listeners to examine their fears and not let it hold them back from taking action. By taking things step by step and seeking clarity and information along the way, we can overcome barriers and move in the direction of personal and professional fulfillment. In this episode, you will be able to: Grasp the value of defining unearthing your purpose and creating a criteria for your next-level dream. Make peace with non-linear and unconventional career journeys and learn to adapt to evolving circumstances. Adopt the practice of making minor daily tweaks to witness exponential growth. Face and dismantle the fears and cognitive distortions stifling your potential and growth. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:05 - Choosing Your Career Consciously 00:03:29 - You Are Right on Time 00:06:33 - Taking One Aligned Action at a Time 00:08:52 - Don't Get Stuck in the Planning Phase 00:11:37 - Living Directionally 00:11:59 - Atomic Habits 00:12:44 - Gain Clarity 00:13:48 - Examining Fears 00:14:36 - Cognitive Distortions Quotes "​​We are always right on time for our lives." - Amina AlTai "Before you leap into something entirely new, I want you to go inward and start to follow the breadcrumbs of your purpose." - Amina AlTai "Most of us have not chosen our careers consciously. We choose them based on the imprints of families, of cultures, subcultures, media, or sometimes even reactions." -Amina AlTai "I just want to underscore that you are absolutely not a failure. You have not gone down the wrong path. You are not off track. I don't believe that we're ever off track. We're simply clarifying our next move." -Amina AlTai "I find this whole judgment about where individuals should be at a certain stage of their life ridiculous. Only the soul knows the path it's here to walk, what it has to overcome, which achievements to measure its progress by. Nobody knows why we're here except you. You're the only one that can find that. People judge as though they have it all figured out, but their judgments are often just a smokescreen for their own confusion. Are we late bloomers or on time growers? This is a personal decision. The important thing is that we keep on walking towards a place that feels like home." - Jeff Brown The resources mentioned in this episode are: Listen to Episode 3: Unearthing Your Purpose and download the purpose workbook. Make a list of three to five things that didn't work in your last role and what contributed to the breakdown from a personal, managerial, and organizational perspective. Take one aligned action at a time, focusing on small steps rather than trying to plan everything at once. Don't get stuck in the planning phase, make small 1% changes every day towards your goals. Book a consultation with Amina AlTai for one-on-one coaching, corporate training, or keynote speaking engagements. Connect with Amina AlTai Website: aminaaltai.com Instagram: @aminaaltai TikTok: @theaminaaltai Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai