Inner Path Seekers | A space for mental health

Many are familiar with the age-old wisdom that emphasizes the positive impact of nature on one’s well-being. Those who have immersed themselves in the tranquility of forests, mountains, oceanfronts, or other natural settings can attest to the profound sense of wellness they impart.Beyond the intuitive understanding that nature feels good, there is actually also an extensive amount of research spanning over a decade that substantiates the remarkable impact it has on both our physical and mental health.To delve in-depth into this topic, I invited, as a guest of our show, Dr. Melissa Lem—a family physician who is an internationally recognized proponent of nature and health, and who is also the Director of PaRx. An initiative of the BC Parks Foundation, PaRx is driven by healthcare professionals who want to improve patients’ health by connecting them to nature.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2024/02/dr-melissa-lem/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at ⁠https://theipsproject.com/academy⁠._______🕒Timestamps🕒Intro 0:00 - 02:57Back to basics: why prescribe nature? 02:58 - 05:07Dr. Lem’s childhood hero: Dr. Suzuki 05:08 - 10:37The PaRx project 10:38 - 16:38Who benefits from a nature prescription? 16:39 - 18:21The science behind it all 18:22 - 22:30The healing power of nature 22:31 - 25:17How much nature time we need to reap the benefits 25:18 - 30:08The IPS Academy 30:09 - 31:25How much nature is enough? 31:26 - 34:00Nature time reduces loneliness 34:01 - 35:01The 3/3300 rule: more nature for everyone 35:02 - 35:55Bringing nature indoors 35:56 - 38:49Getting the most out of your nature time 38:50 - 41:55Measuring the effectiveness of nature 41:56 - 44:22The upwards trend of nature prescription 44:23 - 47:15Exciting upcoming research and projects 47:16 - 49:14The future of nature prescriptions 49:15 - 51:39Final question 51:40 - 55:00Outro 55:01 - 57:13

Sex educator and coach ⁠Ruth Ramsay⁠ shares key pieces of advice and tips on how to consciously improve your sex life here in this episode.Ruth has made notable appearances in the media, boasting a rich background that spans over a decade as a striptease artist. She now holds a transformational coaching diploma and supports clients by blending her coaching skills with her life experience. Beyond this, she has contributed to discussions around the intricate world of sex through her writing and played a pivotal role in establishing the first union for adult workers in the UK.She is also a passionate activist for sexual rights, earning recognition through an award for her advocacy of the erotic rights of people with disabilities. Notably, her TEDx Talk, 'Revamp Your Sex Life In Six Minutes,' ranked up an extraordinary 1.5 million views within just a few months.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: ⁠https://theipsproject.com/2023/12/ruth-ramsay-improve-your-sex-life/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒Intro 00:00 - 03:33Where shame, negativity, and stigma around the topic of sex, eroticism, and sexuality often come from 03:33 - 06:28If you have shame around sex, here is what Ruth wants you to know first 06:28 - 09:30How Ruth became a striptease artist 09:30 - 16:20 The shame people tried to inflict on Ruth 16:20 - 17:50Two key bits of advice Ruth received at The London School of Striptease 17:50 - 19:08Ruth's thoughts on today's glamorization of the striptease industry through Instagram and Tiktok 19:08 - 22:19The IPS Academy 22:19 - 23:35Why Ruth became an adult sex educator and coach 23:35 - 29:35What happens during sex coaching, who it is for, who it isn't for 29:35 - 32:35Ruth's Tedx Talk 'Revamp your sex life in 6 minutes' 32:35 - 36:05The subjects Ruth would teach in school if she were invited to do so for a year 36:05 - 41:59Resources about anatomy and sex science 41:59 - 43:12Resources to learn and explore more about what you physically like 43:12 - 47:20Tantra 47:20 - 49:06Sex surrogacy 49:06 - 53:59The damaging side of not being recognized as a sexual being 53:59 - 56:35The work Ruth did with disabled people 56:35 - 1:00:48How to change your self-image if you don't see yourself as sexy or erotic 1:00:48 - 1:05:31How to start talking with your partner about desires, fantasies, etc. 1:05:31 - 1:08:35Podcast suggestions about sex education 1:08:35 - 1:10:07Would you want a round two with Ruth? (Let us know! :)) 1:10:07 - 1:11:01Where to connect with Ruth Ramsay 1:11:01 - 1:13:11Online courses by Ruth Ramsay 1:13:11 - 1:14:23The final question 1:14:23 - 1:14:55Outro 1:14:55 - 1:15:59The IPS Academy 1:15:59 - 1:17:25

No one is immune to sickness. Whether we are talking about a cold or a mental illness. Yes, even if you are a doctor, you can still get sick physically. And yes, even if you are a psychologist, you too can suffer from mental illness. No one is immune. But what do you do when dark thoughts consume you? How can you be there for yourself? In this video, Jellis Vaes, a mental health coach and founder of The IPS Project, an educational platform on life, explains step-by-step how to use The Wellness Plan—a tool to help you be there for yourself during such moments. _______📦RESOURCES📦Podcast episodes: Lessons about Life and Death from a Cancer and a Cardiac Arrest Survivor | Dr. Martin Inderbitzin and Jellis VaesDr. Guy Macpherson, Ph.D. What is Psychological Trauma and How to Heal ItMark Henick – Mental Health Advocate, Coping with Suicidal Thoughts Sean Galla, Founder of Men’s Group: Being a Man Is Not Easy/The Hardships Men Face Websites:5x3 white cardsList of suicide crisis linesWarmline_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒No one is immune 00:00 - 02:33The importance of reminders in our life 02:33 - 04:27The Wellness Plan 04:27 - 04:46Step 1: Warning signs 04:46 - 05:30Step 2: Internal coping strategies 05:30 - 06:46Step 3: People and social settings that provide distraction or people whom I can ask for help 06:46 - 07:45Step 4: Professionals or agencies I can contact during a crisis 07:45 - 10:30Step 5: Reasons for living 10:30 - 12:27Make it visible 12:27 - 14:03The IPS Podcast 14:03 - 15:14Outro 15:14 - 16:08

In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming reinvention architect Craig Standland, who knows all about how to reinvent your life after watching his own crumble in 2013, when the FBI came knocking at his door, for a second round on the podcast.In this episode we delve deeper into Craig’s current occupation as a reinvention architect, what that means, and how he guides others as they navigate big life changes and end up becoming better people because of it. Craig is also the author of the best-seller ‘Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life after Prison’, and gave an inspiring TEDx talk on the subject. If you’d like to spend even more time with him, both are really worth checking out.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2023/09/how-to-reinvent-your-life-craig-stanland/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒The IPS Academy 00:00 - 00:51Intro 00:51 - 04:46 What most people wish for when they want to reinvent themselves 04:46 - 08:20 The most common age group Craig works with on reinvention 08:20 - 10:00 What people don't understand about the work Craig does as a reinvention architect 10:00 - 17:18 What Craig's own reinvention journey looked like and how he discovered the tools he uses today with clients 17:18 - 23:00 The four A's 23:00 - 26:02 Three major components to living a rich, fulfilling, and meaning-driven life 26:02 - 32:26 How to find your core values 32:26 - 35:11 The difference between healthy and unhealthy core values 35:11 - 39:00 Exercises to establish your core values 39:00 - 41:50 How to create a system that works for you 41:50 - 45:33 The fears that held Craig back on his own reinvention journey and how he got past them 45:33 - 50:39 The IPS Academy 50:39 - 51:55 What Craig did on his 50th birthday 51:55 - 55:36 What Craig would say to young people who feel pressured to get everything right in life 55:36 - 1:01:10 How to get a healthy view of success 1:01:10 - 1:04:28 When Craig realized meaning and fulfillment were more important than just money 1:04:28 - 1:07:50 Creating a catalyst in your life towards actions that create the life you want to live 1:07:50 - 1:14:06 Upcoming books Craig is working on 1:14:06 - 1:19:37 There is always a reason for behavior: Good people do bad things too 1:19:37 - 1:24:00Where to find and connect with Craig 1:24:00 - 1:26:15 Final question 1:26:15 - 1:28:09 Outro 1:28:09 - 1:29:08 The IPS Academy 1:29:08 - 1:30:35

If you see me today talking to strangers on The IPS Podcast and doing these videos here, you wouldn’t say that I used to be a very shy person. But I was. In fact, it’s quite an understatement. I was always the quietest person in the class or in any room. Through the years, all this changed when I applied all the techniques, skills, and knowledge (and a lot of effort and work) of the ways to talk to anyone, and when I did the deeper inner work of increasing my self-confidence and taking a hard look at my own self-limiting beliefs.These are all things that I am sharing here in this extended video. If you are a shy or insecure person (or both), try applying everything shared in this video and giving it time. True change, like with me, is bound to happen.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2023/08/how-to-talk-to-anyone/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this video, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒Intro 00:00 - 02:101Ways to Get a Conversation GoingSmile and Be Approachable 02:10 - 06:25Pay Attention 06:25 - 09:17Pretend you Have to Give a Presentation About That Person and Be Genuinely Interested 09:17 - 11:18Use a Card Game 11:18 - 13:37Remember Their Name 13:37 - 15:50Practice Empathy 15:50 - 19:05Seek Connection 19:05 - 20:102How to Improve Your Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence 20:10 - 20:31Do Things That You Want to Do But Scare You 20:31 - 24:24Challenge Self-Limiting Beliefs 24:24 - 31:253. Practice, Practice, and Practice 31:25 - 32:45Outro 32:45 - 33:19The IPS Academy 33:19 - 34:44

In this episode, get advice from Jellis Vaes, the founder of The IPS Project and a mental health coach, about what to do when dealing with an invisible pain, illness, or injury. Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2023/05/the-struggle-of-invisible-pain/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this interview, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests here on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to ⁠https://theipsproject.com/academy⁠.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course. Again, check them out at ⁠https://theipsproject.com/academy⁠._______🕒Timestamps🕒Intro 00:00 - 02:08It's Okay Not to Be Okay 02:08 - 04:38Find a Support Group 04:38 - 07:20Verbalize Your Feelings to People 07:20 - 10:23Go Outside 10:23 - 12:12Find Meaning 12:12 - 14:25Outro 14:25 - 15:33

In this bonus episode, Dr. Medcalf, a psychologist and relationship expert with more than 30 years of experience in the field, takes over the IPS podcast.If, by the end of this episode, you’d like to learn even more from Dr. Medcalf, do check out the interview I did with her in ‘EP 035 - The Key to Great Relationships with Psychologist and Relationships Expert Dr. Abby Medcalf’, where we cover a whole lot more of good stuff on the topic of dating and relationships.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned by Dr. Medcalf can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2023/07/dr-abby-medcalf-bonus-episode/_______📚The IPS Academy📚If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this interview, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests here on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to https://theipsproject.com/academy.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course. Again, check them out at https://theipsproject.com/academy._______🕒Timestamps🕒The IPS Academy | Online Courses 00:00 - 00:51Intro 00:51 - 02:39When you feel like you can’t find the right person in your life 02:39 - 07:40Good questions to ask yourself or good things to do to help prepare yourself to bring the most into a relationship 07:40 - 12:27The IPS Academy | Online Courses 12:27 - 13:43Good ground rules to navigate a confrontational or emotional conversation with your partner 13:43 - 21:26What do you do if your partner gets triggered? 21:26 - 23:06Is the three-year itch and the seven-year itch real? These are the years during which most relationships end. 23:06 - 24:16How to maintain intimacy and connection in a long-term relationship 24:16 - 29:33 Tools, techniques, and tips to use to apply what you just learned 29:33 - 32:53Outro 32:53 - 33:53The IPS Academy | Online Courses 33:53 - 35:18

Discover the secrets to building great and healthy relationships with relationship expert, Dr. Abby Medcalf. With over 30 years of experience counselling individuals and couples, Dr. Medcalf is the author of the highly-rated book 'Be Happily Married' and host of the popular podcast 'Relationships Made Easy'. Get ready for an energy-filled discussion on the fascinating topic of romantic relationships.Show notes for this episode with all the resources mentioned by Dr. Medcalf can be found here: https://theipsproject.com/2023/05/the-key-to-great-relationships/_______The IPS AcademyIf you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this interview, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests here on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses.  Simply go to ⁠⁠TheIPSProject.com/academy.⁠⁠What is also interesting to note is that all the courses are quite affordable, as we at The IPS Project do not want money to stand in the way of bettering one's life.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at ⁠⁠TheIPSProject.com/academy⁠⁠._______Timestamps:The IPS Academy 00:00 - 00:50Intro 00:50 - 03:27Studying relationships for more than 30 years 03:27 - 06:26What got Dr. Medcalf so interested in relationships 06:26 - 08:58The different approach Dr. Medcalf working with clients compared to other psychologists 08:58 - 13:37Wrong mental health advice that is being shared on TikTok 13:37 - 19:35 The IPS Academy | Online Courses 19:35 - 20:52Modern-day dating 20:52 - 31:50Personality traits and qualities to look for in a partner 31:50 - 49:47Relationships topics Dr. Medcalf would teach in school 49:47 - 58:10The importance of having boundaries 58:10 - 1:05:26How to negotiate in relationships 1:05:26 - 1:09:15The final end question 1:09:15 - 1:10:29Outro 1:10:29 - 1:11:31The IPS Academy | Online Courses 1:11:31 - 1:12:58

“If you don’t invest in your wellness, you will have to invest in your illness.” – Martin Inderbitzin Dr. Martin Inderbitzin, a neuroscientist and cancer survivor, and Jellis Vaes, a mental health coach and cardiac arrest survivor, share lessons about life and death in this interview on The IPS Podcast.Show notes for this episode with all the resources and ways to connect with Dr. Martin Inderbitzin and Jellis Vaes: https://theipsproject.com/2023/04/lessons-about-life-and-death/Dare to Live by Dr. Martin InderbitzinDare to Live by Dr. Martin Inderbitzin is a collection of condensed insights from his personal experiences over the past decade of fighting pancreatic cancer. Each chapter is filled with his thoughts and practical actions, combining his understanding of neuroscience and his personal experience of battling chronic cancer and surviving pancreatic cancer—all of which helped him overcome challenges and find hope. https://amzn.to/3KCKiawhttps://amzn.to/3KCKiaw_______The IPS AcademyIf you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this interview, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests here on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses.  Simply go to ⁠TheIPSProject.com/academy.⁠What is also interesting to note is that all the courses are quite affordable, as we at The IPS Project do not want money to stand in the way of bettering one's life.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at ⁠TheIPSProject.com/academy⁠._______🕒Timestamps🕒The IPS Academy 00:00 - 00:50Intro 00:50 - 06:18Life update about Dr. Martin Inderbitzin and Jellis Vaes 06:18 - 12:31How illness can turn relationships into an emotional rollercoaster 12:31 - 17:36How Jellis Vaes was diagnosed with heart disease 17:36 - 23:32Dr. Martin Inderbitzin’s recent cancer surgery 23:32 - 27:02The questions about life and death that will be covered 27:02 - 28:05How to balance living in the moment and planning for the future when time is limited 28:05 - 33:02The importance of pursuing meaning instead of pleasure 33:0 - 37:16How to help people see their own fragility 37:16 - 42:25Why you should invest in your wellness 42:25 - 49:59Good investments Martin and Jellis would recommend for your wellness 49:59 - 57:31How to deal with hearing bad news in life 57:31 - 1:08:25The IPS Academy | Online Courses 1:08:25 - 1:09:41How to effectively celebrate the good news in life 1:09:41 - 1:15:35How Martin started with sailing 1:15:35 - 1:19:31Life lessons Martin learned through sailing 1:19:31 - 1:22:50Life lessons Jellis learned through climbing mountains 1:22:50 - 1:24:40How sailing and climbing mountains are schools of life 1:24:40 - 1:26:52People Martin and Jellis look up to 1:26:52 - 1:31:05Suggested books, videos, and podcasts about life and death 1:31:05 - 1:34:12Martin's first book: Dare to Live 1:34:12 - 1:41:06Outro 1:41:06 - 1:42:07The IPS Academy | Online Courses 1:42:07 - 1:43:33

“Compassion is for people who are suffering. Sympathy is for people who are suffering. Empathy is stepping out of my point of view and stepping into your point of view. And I can do that with you if you are happy, if you are confused, if you are suffering or not suffering.” - Karen FaithEmpathy is a practice, not a feeling.Yes, you read that right.Whether you’re naturally good at feeling it or not, there is a set of skills behind empathy that anyone can learn and get better at.Knowing this opens a door that some people might feel has never existed for them before. And for others, it opens up the possibility to connect even more deeply with the people around them.In this episode on The IPS Podcast, we invited Karen Faith, empathy trainer and founder of Others Unlimited—a professional training and coaching firm that provides empathy training to brands, teams, and individuals.Some of the Questions:How have you come to the realization that empathy is indeed a practice and not a feeling?Have you noticed a difference between men and women in how they show empathy?What are some small or big things that you have noticed people doing that they think are helpful, but in reality are actually rather standing in the way of creating a true connection with someone?What You Will Learn from this Episode:What ultimately led Karen to start Others Unlimited and give trainings on empathyAn exercise that Karen uses in her workshops to strengthen empathyWhat unconditional welcome isShow notes for this episode with all the resources and ways to connect with Karen: https://theipsproject.com/2023/02/how-to-strengthen-your-empathy/_______The IPS AcademyIf you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this interview, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests here on The IPS Podcast.Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses.  Simply go to TheIPSProject.com/academy.What is also interesting to note is that all the courses are quite affordable, as we at The IPS Project do not want money to stand in the way of bettering one's life.Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like. We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course.Again, check them out at TheIPSProject.com/academy.