Inspired Evolution with Amrit Sandhu 🙏🏻

Our guest for this week is Sam Cawthorn, an international bestselling author, motivational speaker, a master professional speaker trainer and the founder CEO of Speakers Institute and Speakers Tribe.Sam grew up in the rural parts of Tasmania in a big family with 4 sisters and 6 brothers. Their cultural background is a charming mix of Indian and Scottish heritage. In 2006, Sam was involved in a near-fatal car accident. After being clinically dead for 3 minutes he was brought back but the consequences of the crash were dire. His arm was ripped off just above the elbow and his right leg was so shattered that the doctors predicted he will never walk again. Nevertheless, he fought back hard, defying the odds, modern medicine and embarked on a journey of helping others get through tough times and build their self-esteem. In 2009 he established the Cawthorn Foundation help disadvantaged youth in developing countries to enjoy basic human rights.Sam has shared his message in 36 countries and he’s influenced millions with his story of resilience, overcoming adversity and finding that “something more” within ourselves. He’s now looking to influence billions by training the next generation of expert public speakers. He founded Speakers Institute and Speakers Tribe hoping he’ll pass on his experiences to those who share a passion for uplifting the world.Among many recognitions and testimonials to his work is a Young Australian of the Year Award for 2009. He was also voted Edupreneur of the Year in 2015. Through keynote speaking, he has shared the stage with Bill Clinton, Michael Jordan, Richard Branson, and the Dalai Lama,Sam is also an international bestselling author. He has written many books his latest one being “Storyshowing: How to Stand Out from the Storytellers”, an instruction manual for making connections with people and it reveals a new approach to sharing stories. Rather than telling a story, Sam describes a way of getting your audience more emotionally engaged by using the method of storyshowing. It is a tool for leveling up your communication skills, teaching you how to leave a better and stronger impression on your audience.Connect with Sam:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samcawthornofficial/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samcawthorn/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samcawthorn/?hl=srWebsite: https://www.samcawthorn.com/Sam’s Story of Inspired EvolutionIn his own words, even though Sam was born a “country farm kid”, he always felt there was something more to his story.“I was like any other normal kid… but I always knew that there was something deep within me that says that there is more.” - Sam CawthornThis knowledge that there’s more to life was like a craving at times. Still, Sam was not immune to wanting to fit in, which nudged him towards hanging out with the wrong crowd and eventually resulted in him getting expelled from school. He never went back to the traditional educational system but he worked his way up to an Australian Federal Government job. Things were looking up. But in October of 2006, Sam experienced a defining moment in his life.“My defining moment came in the form of a car accident.” - Sam CawthornSam was driving one night and he suddenly fell asleep at the wheel. He veered to the other side of the road and ended up crashing full speed into a semi-trailer truck. Sam was clinically dead for 3 minutes before thankfully being resuscitated. Having lived to tell the tale, the car accident has left its mark on him both physically and mentally.“The bottom line is that something had changed. Not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally and then spiritually.” - Sam CawthornHe lost his most dominant arm just above the elbow and his right leg was destroyed beyond repair, or so the medical staff thought at that point. Sam recalls his strenuous rehabilitation period but remembers no anxiety, depression or feeling of inconsolable despair. His thoughts went into a different direction and instead, he focused on what he could do that would be best for his children.“I wanted to make sure that I could be a great father to my kids… I wanted to make sure that I can make them proud. That they didn’t just grow up with a disabled father.” - Sam CawthornSam became a motivational speaker, a force that moves others that need moving and he uses his profound insight into dealing and overcoming adversity to inspire millions. One recognition after another, he keeps on spreading his influence and thinking up new ways to brighten up people’s lives and give them the courage to show their story.The Power of Proximity“There’s now undisputed evidence... that we are the average of our 5 closest friends. The company that we keep determines who we are. - Sam CawthornIf you’ve ever listened to one of Sam’s lectures, you’re probably familiar with the phrase “proximity is power”. The idea behind the phrase being, the people we are closely connected to and in who we are in contact regularly will have a profound influence on our personality. But his message is as much as instructive as it is descriptive because in it lies a solution for creating a better version of ourselves. Sam urges us to surround ourselves with and keep the company of those who are helping us become the people we want to be.The Art of Storyshowing“I’m not a storyteller, I’m a storyshower.” - Sam CawthornIn his latest book, Sam reveals a brand new method of sharing your story that will make you stand out from the crowd. He has coined the term storyshowing and in while describing it, he contrasts it with storytelling, explaining that “telling something” is both less inspiring and can have a negative connotation. The idea of storyshowing is centered around the notion of making your story memorable by exploring the emotional side and pointing out how is it relevant for the listener. This approach will help you grab the attention of your audience, it will drive your argument home and hopefully, inspire a meaningful transformation while providing the listeners with enough guidance to complete it.“It’s about showing how the story is relevant to the listener rather than just telling someone an experience.” - Sam CawthornSam’s Message of Inspired EvolutionListening to inspiring stories about inspiring people is something that we’re used to here at the Inspired Evolution. Yet I still can’t get my head around how beautiful the stories people share with us are and how every single one has fresh insight into the intricacies of the world and the people around us. Aside from showing us the importance of showing stories, Sam also underlines the fact that each of us has a story to show. The key is finding a way to make your story relevant for others and Sam believes that it is something each of us has the ability to do.“Your story is valued. You are worthy. You are good enough and your story does matter and your story can influence other people.” - Sam CawthornSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is Preston Smiles, an author, motivational speaker, and a personal freedom coach.Preston grew up facing adversity in many aspects of his life. In school, he struggled with dyslexia and was labeled as someone who needed special needs education. But outside of school, he faced the real, life-threatening challenges. In his teens, he joined a gang that started off as a petty theft group, but later on, got into more dangerous dealings. He decided to pass on an offer to go for a “routine round of mischief” because he felt deep inside that something was not right. Later that night, his friends were shot and the tragedy shock Preston to his very core. He surrendered and realized that he needed to find a higher purpose in life, far away from the world of organized crime.Years have past and Preston is now an acclaimed motivational messenger, spreading the words of inspiration, empowerment and particularly, love. His goal is to “empower, inspire and ignite a multi-generational movement of radical growth through conscious, creative content, acts of love and living boldly.”In 2016, Preston published his book titled “Love Louder: 33 Ways to Amplify Your Life”, in which he teaches his positive philosophy aimed at getting more out of life in terms of love, purpose, and meaning. His book is a practical guide for people looking to live more exciting lives, increase productivity, achieve clarity and gain confidence.He is currently holding a 2 Day Mens Immersive Workshop called Unleash the BEAST focused on helping men unlock their purpose, conquer fear and step into their power through a range of exercises, challenges, and stretches. Unleash the BEAST starts on the 25th of May!Connect with Preston:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrestonSmilesSpeaks/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLHChGfdXlqR-Wck74eRPgwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/prestonsmiles/Twitter: https://twitter.com/prestonsmilesWebsite: https://prestonsmiles.com/Preston’s Story of Inspired EvolutionThings we’ve experienced in our youth will to some extent shape us into the type of people we become, into our future-selves. However, our approach to life will affect whether or not we learn from these experiences or keep on making the same mistakes over and over again. Listening to Preston’s story, you can actually connect the dots and witness his growth mindset at play. It might not be intuitive that a young man who was a member of a gang in his teens will grow up to become an amazing ray of motivation and inspiration, but it is exactly these experiences that Preston acknowledges as necessary steps in his development.“I was never in the “wrong” crowd… Those people who happen to be African-Amazing weren’t the wrong people, they were the right people to help me see with the eye behind the eye, the real truth… which is, love is all there is, was and ever will be.” - Preston SmilesGrowing up, Preston got a chance to experience two different cultures. One where certain unethical behaviors set people on the path of imprisonment, while in the other, people engaging in those same behaviors went on to live the lives of Ivy League graduates. This insight has allowed Preston to witness first hand how our world is shaped by social constructs through discourse, the language we use. He believes that these patterns in human behavior are caused by “historical and social programming” and that we need to become aware of these mechanisms so that we can see and focus on what’s truly important.“We build worlds with our language and I’m constantly asking myself what type of world am I building with the language I’m using? - Preston SmilesPutting an End to Suffering“You have a duty in your world, in your context, in your framework to shine your light as bright as possible because people are freaking suffering right now.” - Preston SmilesWe explore the details of a worrisome phenomenon called “deaths of despair”, first recognized in the United States but its indicators have been documented also in Great Britain, Australia, and other Western cultures well. It is identified as a pattern of suicides and opioid-related deaths in parts of the population which is plagued by despair due to a bleak economic and social situation. This is such a broad issue that affects big portions of our society and that is why Preston calls for us to act preventatively and act as protectors of our society’s mental health.“I think it’s just deeply important that we all just shine our light as bright as we possibly can. Because we never know who, at the coffee shop that you go to daily, at the cubicle next to you that you work with, who needs that extra smile, who needs that pat on the back, who needs that hug that you’ve been withholding, who needs that permission slip.” - Preston SmilesBlessings in Disguise“Even the worst stuff that we can name on this planet, has been some of the most beautiful, biggest blessings that people have experienced in themselves.” - Preston SmilesPreston shares his impressions from parts of the world Western civilization usually refers to as “poor” and “struggling”. He was astounded by the mindset of people coming from overpopulated sections of India and places in Africa that don’t have clean water. To most people living in developed countries, these adversities are almost unimaginable, but that doesn’t stop us from fixating on other issues and creating new types of problems in our minds. Preston’s philosophy is that even the most difficult situations are blessings in disguise as they will allow us to develop into better versions of ourselves. Yet we tend to dwell on the situation and not get excited for the great things we’re allowed to do by overcoming our obstacles.“If you knew the size of the blessing that’s coming your way… How would you be? How would you stand in your body? How would you operate? - Preston SmilesWhat it is really starting to look like, as Preston so eloquently puts it, is that we’re becoming a “society of control freaks”. This behavior is rooted in deep fear that somehow, in some way, every chance we get is either the most important one or our last. But the problem is that is not how life works at all. And when this approach to life is faced with the unpredictability of life, the most common responses are anxiety, depression, stress, and despair. Letting go of the need to control every single outcome is one of the first steps towards a happier life.“Do you think God is done with you? Do you think the Universe is going to stop at you?” - Preston SmilesPreston’s Message of Inspired EvolutionSpeaking to Preston has truly been a blessing. At the core of his message is love but one of the main impressions that I took away from our conversation is that gratitude seems to be his consistent companion on the journey of life. And when love and gratitude go hand in hand you have an unstoppable wave of warmth and life which is something that becomes obvious every time you hear Preston speak. His message of Inspired Evolution at times feels like pure poetry:“Love is all there is. What would love do now?... What do I choose?” - Preston SmilesSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is Emeli Paulo, purpose coach, wellbeing activist and founder of Collective Potential.In the last 20 years, Emeli has been working hard on helping people unleash their full potential. She has developed unique internal processes in order to unmask the best version of herself and she will teach you how to apply them to your situation as well. Emeli founded Collective Potential and their main goal is preventative mental health. Her organization allows people to discover their agency and provides them with a supportive community.Her work has been supported by spiritual and business icons such as Oprah Winfrey, Sir Richard Branson, Russell Brand, and Dalai Lama! They have encouraged her and gave her the confidence to create Australia's first united wellbeing movement. Throughout her career, Emeli had the opportunity to work with around 300 000 clients, helping them discover their purpose in life. She was also involved in the organization of over 10 000 workshops, seminars and special events where she had an opportunity to address people directly and across the globe. On her long list of specialties, we can find skills such as professional speaking, presentation skills facilitation skills, team building, culture change and transformation, leadership development.Connect with Emeli:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collectivepotentialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emeli-paulo-491a3a13/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collectivepotential/Website: http://www.collectivepotential.com.auEmeli’s Story of Inspired EvolutionThe event that inspired Emeli to become what she is today was so dramatic that it sounds like something taken from a plot of a Hollywood movie. She was unsuspectingly standing on the street corner when she saw a young woman throw herself in front of a moving car. Luckily, the driver somehow managed to hit the breaks just in time. As Emeli approached her to provide comfort and attempt to calm her down, she learned that the young woman in the street was actually a victim of domestic abuse. She has been driven to the end of her rope, with no one to turn too. Emeli empathized with this woman’s story and she provided her with support when the health and justice system would not. She gave her a place to stay and was there for her in her time of need.As years went by the woman was able to get her life on track and she is confident Emeli played a crucial role in her recovery. From this experience, Emeli discovered her calling and went into the business of purpose coaching with a strong focus on preventative mental health.Emeli is no stranger to adversity. She had lost both of her parents in her youth and sought comfort in the use of drugs. But recreational use slowly but surely masked the problem of addiction she was struggling with.“I had some major addictions in my life… It’s taken me years to pull myself out of the addictions that I’ve had around drug taking and alcoholism.” - Emeli PauloShe was in a bad place but someone saw potential and put their trust in her the way she will go on to do for many. Jim Stynes was a famous AFL footballer and he was the first and only non-Australian-born player to win the Brownlow Medal. After his career in sports, he made his way into philanthropy by co-founding The Reach Foundation which is a youth not-for-profit organization. It was also the place where Emeli developed her skills as an experiential facilitator trainer.Jim Stynes passed away after a struggle with cancer and his death hit Emeli hard along with the rest of the team. However, she knew it was up to her to continue his work and give support to those who need it most.“When he passed away, I knew that I had to continue his work and his legacy to young people.” - Emeli PauloIn her eventful career, she has worked with hundreds of thousands of people but she has also inspired a whole movement of those who are willing to make a difference and help others the same way she is and has been.“I’ve trained over 2000 facilitators in experiential and some people are innate in it and others say I can’t do what you’re doing but you can train into that space.” - Emeli PauloThe Value of Preventative Mental Health“We have an epidemic and I really believe that I can speak the truth to the powers at be after a recent experience that I’ve had because I just think that what you’re doing with Inspired Evolution is saving lives.” - Emeli PauloThis powerful testimonial that Emeli has made about Inspired Evolution is both humbling but also speaking to the point of the alignment in our goals. Collective potential deals in preventative mental health in many different ways and Emeli provides us with insight into the international work she has performed over the years. By helping people find their “why” and discover their true purpose while providing them with the tools and empowering them to strive towards it, Emeli has managed to create a wave of wellbeing both domestically and internationally. The positive effects can’t be statistically represented in a way that would do justice to the work she’s doing.“You can’t know, you can not measure the preventative mental health.” - Emeli PauloEmeli’s Message of Inspired EvolutionTalking to Emeli was such a blessing and the work that she’s done over the years is a massive inspiration. It’s especially lovely how her warmth and kindness are being communicated with ease and when you combine that with her ability to build the momentum around her ideas you can’t be surprised by the huge amount of success she’s had. In the fight for preserving our mental health, she is on the front lines battling each day and bringing in amazing victories. She is very empowered, seeking to empower others and that is reflected in her message of Inspired Evolution:“You have the power to choose how you want your future to be.” - Emeli PauloSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is Tristan Bray, a regression therapist and founder of Attunement Therapy.Tristan has over 13 years of experience in working as a regression therapist. The skills he has in his repertoire are derived from many different fields, and aside from psychotherapy, he utilizes his knowledge of meditation, quantum healing, cell biology, epigenetics, kinesiology, psychopharmacology, sexual health, diet, detox, philosophy, metaphysics, Taoism, shamanism, entheogens, kung fu, and modern medical science to consult and provide assistance to his clients. His work is well-known by the brand name “An Opportunity to Heal”.His work is built on the notion that our capacity to heal is limitless. Tristan has been our guest on two separate occasions and in our past conversations here on Inspired Evolution, we’ve already covered some aspects of his approach and we have gone over an array of interesting topics for you to explore. You can check out the first episode here! And once you’ve done that, you can listen to the second one here!On his charming third time around at Inspired Evolution, we learn all about Attunement Therapy which is a “modern healing modality based on some of the most ancient biological principals relevant to human physical and emotional health.” It can be interpreted as Tristan’s response to poor emotional health and lack of wellness of the people living in the modern world. His approach is based around the significance that human touch and its inherent potential to evoke healing. Throughout the session in Attunement Therapy, the client is being held by the practitioner and softly guided by affirmations. The therapy itself is meant to transform the ingrained brain and behavioral patterning in order to help you overcome deep insecurities and take a stop fixating on past experiences which can only bring you harm.Connect with Tristan:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tristanb2Attunement Therapy: https://www.facebook.com/attunementtherapy/Email: opportunitytoheal@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhsAReEDJ-Hf8_NrGIT-fwWhat Is Attunement Therapy?“Attunement, the definition, is almost like a sharing of emotional spaces.” - Tristan BrayWe dive deep into the fundamentals and basic principles of Tristan’s Attunement Therapy and he goes on to explain the evolutional, psychological and neurophysiological background which supports and structures his approach. While discussing the role which subconsciousness plays in our development, Tristan reflects on the teachings of Dr. Bruce Lipton. From there, we go to direct analysis of how a child’s brain is developed through the activation of mirror neurons once again recognizing the value of the subconscious. The vast yet flexible intelligence children posses in the early stages of their life allow them to make connections with their parents.“Attunement is based on this connection with your parents. And the reason I call it Attunement Therapy is that it reevokes this experience for adults.” - Tristan BrayAttunement Therapy extrapolates from the needs of children and attempts to respond to those needs in a unique way later on in life. Each session is up to 3 hours long and the therapy is carried out through several stages. In the first one, the practitioner familiarizes themselves with the client and their current situation, trying to pinpoint their issues and unsatisfied needs. The second stage is all about making an introductory connection with the client which is done through hand holding and gazing into each other's eyes. This part of the session allows the practitioner to build an “energetic rapport” as Tristan puts it.“People suddenly have these things come up that are unresolved, once they’re being held.” - Tristan BrayTristan uses neurophysiological studies and theories to highlight the importance of non-sexual physical connection for development and the next stage of the session tries to utilize that power of touch. The clients are being held by the practitioner from 60 to 90 minutes which gently lulls them into a kind of hypnotic state making way for the next step in the process of Attunement Therapy, which includes positive affirmations. The practitioner whispers positive affirmations to the client which reinstate the ideas that they are accepted, cared for, worthy and loved. Since the client is already in a hypnotic-like state, the practitioner is speaking directly to their subconscious mind which is why this technique is so effective and powerful.Controlled Crying and Its Effect on Child DevelopmentControlled crying is one of the parenting techniques that can to this day be spotted in the repertoire of parents. The idea behind it is simple. The child is being left to cry themselves to sleep for as long as they need so that the next time they cry they’ll be able to calm themselves down. That is how the situation looks on the surface but Tristan explains the deeper neurophysiological consequences that controlled crying has on our development. What is essentially happening, the baby is putting itself to sleep in order to protect itself from the stress it’s experiencing.“Controlled crying… creates a habit in the brain where we feel we are alone in this world and we have to become hypervigilant.” - Tristan BrayControlled crying is just one example of how lack of physical connection between a baby and its parents can lead to traumatic psychological consequences which affect the overall mental health of the person in their adulthood.The Connection Between Shame and Sexuality Caused by CultureIf you’ve listened to our previous conversations, you’ve definitely figured out that Tristan’s knowledge and understanding of human sexuality are vast and profound. At one point in our latest discussion, we reflect on how the idea of original sin, deriving from Christianity, is affecting an entire generation of people who are not religious, through culture, causing them to intertwine shame and sexuality. To demonstrate, Tristan brilliantly directs us towards the way we use swearwords in order to describe someone’s unacceptable behavior.“One of the things I try to share with people is to be mindful of what sort of words we use, especially if we’re trying to bring someone down because the easiest way to bring someone down, in their nervous system, in their subconscious, is to insult their sexuality.” - Tristan BrayTristan’s Message of Inspired EvolutionI love having Tristan on because it’s always a dynamic experience of broadening of the mind. Attunement Therapy was our starting point but we managed to touch upon an entire array of intriguing topics from child development to societal norms to culture and politics. I’m really excited to learn about Tristan’s latest project and can’t wait to see how it all turns out because his motivations are coming from an authentic and kind place. Even though he is focused on healing those who are in need of healing, I found that one of his more important messages of Inspired Evolution was about what we need to do as a society in order to improve the wellbeing of generations to come.“All we need to do is treat children better. That’s why healthy families are really the key to healing the Earth.” - Tristan BraySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is Kate Cheung, a Kundalini yoga practitioner and teacher.For over 20 years, Kate has been practicing yoga. But when she discovered Kundalini yoga, she found new levels of stillness and a fresh way of connecting with the soul. She has been sharing her knowledge and teachings about Kundalini Yoga and meditation across the US, Europe, and Africa. Kate currently operates under a brand name Courage and Bliss.Kate has a background in corporate managerial roles with most of her work based around innovations in terms of project management. That all happened before she left the hectic city lifestyle to embark on a continuous transformational journey. Among her many career accomplishments, she considers her ability to build and lead high-performing and diverse teams where they feel valued and have had a sense of achievement and fun as something she is most proud of.She offers tailored private classes, group workshops and Skype sessions from Melbourne where she takes pleasure in the transformation her students experience.Connect with Kate:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kate.cheung01Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-cheung-0787a14/Email: courageandblissinfo@gmail.comFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/courageandblisscollectif/Kate’s Story of Inspired Evolution“I was always doing yoga and I loved it.” - Kate CheungKate was involved with yoga long before she ever went into teaching and even before she discovered Kundalini Yoga in the first place. She shares about her experiences of living a hectic city life but recognizes that she was always drawn to activities such as hiking and cycling around nature with friends where she could either connect with others or connect with herself. She discovered Kundalini Yoga and decided to give it a chance.“What I did not expect was that sense of stillness.” - Kate CheungFrom then on, Kate attended a teacher training course in New Mexico where she could focus on exploring the practice further and dive deep into the subject of Kundalini Yoga. Becoming a teacher was not really the focal point and she discovered her love for teaching much later in her practices. She also recognizes the journey of the individual as the most important aspect of the process and emphasizes that the teacher is only there to lend a helping hand and gently guide the student.“I’m just a facilitator, it’s about your experience.” - Kate CheungKundalini Yoga“Kundalini Yoga has been around for thousands of years… Kundalini Yoga means Yoga of Awareness.” - Kate CheungKundalini Yoga is a type of Yoga which focuses on “the awakening of Kundalini energy through a regular practice of mantra, tantra, yantra, yoga or meditation.” Its main goal is to raise awareness of the body and prepare it for the rising of the Kundalini energy.In the podcast, Kate explains the basics of Kundalini Yoga as well as the essential goals of the practice which primarily have to do with achieving a connection with the self, with the soul. She contrasts it to the more intensely physical Yoga which is commonly practiced in the West while describing it is a transformative experience.“I love the stillness. I love the meditative aspect.” - Kate CheungWe’re all aware of the fact that we need to relax and live in the present but the question of how we can achieve this is usually outside of our grasp. Kate recognizes Kundalini Yoga as simply one of the methods of reconnecting with our subconscious. She also vividly recalls and retells her first experience with Kundalini Yoga where she first took part in the meditation and deep relaxation aspect.“In my first class, I sensed that stillness and it was really beautiful.” - Kate CheungThe accent is on the stillness. The accent is on achieving oneness because it is from that integration where the energy can be unleashed.Transforming from the Darkness to the Light“There’s darkness… but there’s light too.” - Kate CheungThrough an open and honest analysis of her own subjective, self-reflective journey, Kate describes the relationship between the good and the bad which is present in all of us. The first step is knowing your weaknesses as well as your strength in order to be able to create both representative and a holistic image of the self.The philosophy of Kundalini Yoga is based on the notion that we can change our thoughts, our feelings, our connections, and our patterns. Essentially, we have the power to “bring ourselves to ecstasy as we’re transformed from darkness to light.”Kate’s Message of Inspired EvolutionYou will inevitably sense the authenticity of Kate’s humbleness while we are discussing very deep, philosophical topics. She is very honest and kind in sharing the insights from her very own experience of connecting with the self and her transformational journey.The conversation has a very soothing and friendly tone, as we discuss intimate topics of trying to understand ourselves better while making a deeper, more meaningful connection. Kate was led to the discover Kundalini Yoga as she was very open to new experiences and allowed herself to be guided by her instincts. Since she’s had such success with its practices of meditation and deep relaxation, her message is all about inspiring others to discover the things that will hopefully make significant, valuable additions to their life. That’s why she invites us to:“Be curious and connect with flow.” - Kate CheungSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is Stephen Jenkinson, a culture activist, teacher, author, ceremonialist and founder of the Orphan Wisdom School.Stephen’s educational background includes masters degrees in Theology and Social Work. He is renowned for his work regarding grief and dying all over North America. Years of working with people who are either dying or experiencing the loss of a loved one have given him profound insight into how we perceive, interpret and deal with death. Throughout his career, he was performing roles such as programme director in a major Canadian hospital and assistant professor in a prominent Canadian medical school. He has also worked as a consultant to palliative care and hospice organizations and educator and advocate in the helping professions.Stephen founded Orphan Wisdom School back in 2010, a teaching house and a learning house for the skills of deep living and making human culture. The name “orphan” describes people whose culture has been built upon mass migration, but as Stephen puts it “not knowing where you are from is not the same thing as being from nowhere”. The philosophy of Orphan Wisdom School is rooted in “knowing history, being claimed by ancestry and working for a time we may not see”.He was also the subject of the feature-length documentary film titled “Griefwalker” released in 2008. In the film, you get to experience and witness not only Stephen’s work and teachings of palliative care but his thoughts on culture, community, and the need for elders. He has produced a 10 part series called “The Haiku Sessions” which are created based on his live recorded teachings.Stephen has authored two books. In 2015, he published “Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul” which works as a guide for dying well by learning the right skills through the process of living well. His latest book is called “Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble”. It was released in 2018 and in it, Stephen makes the case for birthing “a new generation of elders, one poised and willing to be true stewards of the planet and its species”.For the next several weeks, Stephen will be touring Australia and New Zealand with his latest book. You can expect events such as author reading and reportage, all day talks and festival appearances. Check out the dates of his tour here!Connect with Stephen:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orphanwisdom/Website: https://orphanwisdom.com/Stephen’s Journey of Inspired Evolution“Anyone who speaks with authority about one’s own life has been reading the wrong mail.” - Stephen JenkinsonStephen plays an active role in something that he likes to call “the death trade”. To give a better explanation of what he means by that, he takes us back to a moment in his life when it all began. He was approached with an offer and the idea behind it was that Stephen would organize a support group for men who were having trouble coping with losing important people in their lives.“I would take the little job which was to do a six-week group for these guys and I didn’t have any idea what I was going to do.” - Stephen JenkinsonEven though he wasn’t a “corporate guy”, he decided not to pass on an opportunity to help others in their time of need. But he was faced with a new conundrum. It became pretty clear to him that men aren’t that open to participating in emotional support groups that were exclusively for men. Most people would either give up in a situation like this, or try to change the conditions of their role, but Stephen actually saw potential in this particular challenge. He knew that even though he would have to face some drawbacks and that people would be reluctant to join his group, he also knew that all of these men were sharing the same situation and had several characteristics that would allow them to bond.“That’s the group it’s going to be. A men’s group for men who don’t want to be in a group for men.” - Stephen JenkinsonStephen managed to persuade and form a group that had around 7 or 8 members in the beginning. After a few sessions, it became apparent to Stephen that the main topic they should devote their time to in their discussions is anger. Because even though anger is a perfectly natural response, it has been completely rejected by Western society. He noticed that the members of his group were very reliant on their anger but were also very ashamed for feeling and responding in such a way to the situation they’re in.“They were so good at anger, basically, to cover something that they had very little practice at and that was the art and the skillfulness of being sad.” - Stephen JenkinsonThe shift in the topic actually resulted in the group being dubbed as “Sad School” but the value of these meetings is reflected in the fact that the six-week group ended up lasting around 18 months. It was there that Stephen had found his calling and discovered a new sense of purpose.What Does It Mean to Be an Elder?The variety and scale of topics discussed in this podcast surpass the limits of our humble show notes. But let’s focus on Stephen’s understanding of the roles elders play or at least should play in our society. A lot of other concepts in Stephen’s teachings can be connected to this theme. He goes on to explain the meaning behind the phrase “respect your elders” and essentially analyses the implications of different ways of comprehending this message. He believes the formula has a sort of a “two-part interpretation” and that in our society only one is present.“The part that never appears, that nobody talks about… is, you respect your elders in part because they have carried themselves in a respectable way.” - Stephen JenkinsonOne of the most profound aspects of his teaching regarding the topic of elders is that Stephen understands it is a role to be earned. It’s not a simple consequence of having lived a certain number of years, you should have also behaved and represented yourself in a manner that will incite the respect of younger generations. It should also be pointed out that “respect” in this context is a complex term that also holds within itself the idea of “seeking guidance”. We dive very deep into the very core of the topic in our conversation.Stephen’s Message of Inspired EvolutionTalking to Stephen feels like talking to a profound-quote machine, but you immediately understand that the description would make no sense because of the fact his sincere humanity takes over you in an instant. I’ve been a fan of his work for quite some time and making this podcast was an amazing experience and a true privilege. I hope you’ll discover much of the same things that drew me to him in the first place when you listen to our conversation. Finally, I could probably take any of his innumerable messages he has crafted with such verbal excellence that there’s no hiding the fact he is a true artist as well. I’ve decided to go with one that resonates with the heart of our show and I’m sincerely hoping it will inspire an evolution within all:“What limit really is, is the opportunity for your style finally to appear.” - Stephen Jenkinson Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is Psyman OChen, a nomadic traveler and adventurer who has traveled 47 000 km in 3 years, mostly by hitchhiking.Back in 2013, Psyman embarked on a journey seemingly without a cause nor an endpoint. His experience started as a response to the anxiety he felt when he realized he had to make an important decision about how he wanted to live his life. He was aware that he only had one go at this wild game and the road seemed to call out to him, presenting a perfect solution. Even though his anxieties and fears were only substituted with new ones coming from questions like “Where am I going to sleep tonight?” or “What am I going to eat tomorrow?”, he pressed on.Psyman became accustomed to the conditions as he found that connecting with people in new settings allowed him to release all the tension he would normally feel in these unusual circumstances. Throughout his 3 year journey, he’s traveled across Asia, Africa, and Australia, playing his guitar, making art installations, meeting new friends and earning nicknames along the way such as Hamlet, Moses, Noah, Jesus, Guitar Jesus, Robinson Crusoe, Chuck Norris, Funny Man and many more. He traveled more than 47 000 km encountering all kinds of situations, some of which you can read about on his blog called The Nomadic Diaries. He is currently working on a book as well as preparing a documentary.Connect with Psyman:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simon.o.chenYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7G20d67A_Htj2plbDABB7A vWebsite: https://thenomadicdiaries.wordpress.com/Psyman’s Story of Inspired Evolution“I went on a walkabout 5 years ago.” - Psyman OChenBefore his epic journey across three continents that would change the course of his life, Psyman was working in hospitality. His experience in this field is not one he remembers fondly as he was pushed by his employer to the point of having to quit and try his luck elsewhere. As things usually go in life, periods of difficulty are also opportunities to reflect and search within ourselves for what’s really important to us in life. And through self-reflection, Psyman realized that his aspirations were never aimed at achieving financial wealth. After a period of intense pondering, the answer simply came to him and he knew what he had to do.“I need to hit the road. I need to travel, I need to see the world. I need to step outside of society and observe it.” - Psyman OChenHe sought to spread the message of helping the environment but needed to figure out a way to travel the world without money. Using the principles of barter economy and hitchhiking he managed to cross a staggering 47 000 km, starting with Melbourne and finishing his journey in Israel.The Benefits of Crossing Borders on the Road“When you fly, it’s quite a shock when you go to a new land because all airports are built the same. It’s just a shopping center with busses with wings.” - Psyman OChenPsyman highlights the difference between entering a new country by land and by plain, via an airport. He describes the phenomenon of cultural shock you feel when you experience a social setting that is vastly different from what you’re used to by simply going through the exit doors at the airport. He argues that a much better way to travel is to change the process of your surroundings was done gradually. Your mind will have the time to adjust to subtle differences and you wouldn’t feel like your brain is bombarded with all this new information that you have to process like listening to a new language you don’t understand yet for example.“Whereas you travel by land, you gradually enter cultures because every culture is quite similar from the one you left to the one you’re entering.” - Psyman OChenShowing Hospitality Towards Foreigners“People will go out of their way to help out a foreigner to show to them: ‘Hey, we’re not like we’re portrayed in the news.’, but then why don’t they do that to their neighbor?” - Psyman OChenOn his travels, Psyman has visited numerous countries across three continents and has discovered friends and was blessed with hospitality everywhere he went. He was very touched by the fact that people were so giving and kind to a man they’ve only just met, but a question always came to his mind as a reaction to this unexpected kindness. Why are people reluctant to treat their neighbors the same way? It is a pattern that he spotted in most countries, even though it might sound counter-intuitive at first. He also talks about how this gregarious experiences across the world changed his perception and his behavior in mundane situations when he came home to Australia.Psyman’s Message of Inspired EvolutionAside from being a great conversation about the amazing experiences of traveling across three continents and exploring different cultures, this podcast also presents valuable insight for all those who are bothered and looking for a way of overcoming difficult times, personal crises and dealing with anxiety. Surely, one who has been on the road for three years, without a roof over his head, never knowing where his next meal will come from knows a thing or two about overcoming personal fears? During his time at sea, Psymen has encountered much adversity and insecurity but his simple solution was to always seek and find solace in three simple words:“Everything will pass.” - Psyman OChenSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is David O’Brien, fitness manager, and co-founder of 5th Element Wellness.David approaches the question of achieving fitness and health with a goal of combining knowledge and perfecting his own personal theory. He prefers to take into account various standpoints seemingly opposite or different and figure out a way how to connect them into a system that utilizes the benefits of each method. But building on this holistic approach further, he understands the fact that not every solution fits perfectly with every person. He recognizes individual differences in terms of health and fitness based on unique needs and requirements.He co-founded 5th Element Wellness with the idea of providing a holistic approach to health and fitness. His company is a world-class health club, which provides all the knowledge and tools to achieve great results and optimal wellness. This is David’s second time on our show! In our previous episode, we talked all about the 5 elements of wellness. We also discussed David O’Brien’s habits, hacks, philosophies, and tools that have formed the threads of his success, happiness, health, and wealth. Check out the full episode here!Connect with David:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.obrien.106902LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-o-brien-38350176/Website: https://www.5ew.com.au/Building Strength“Strength is like the seed. So you want to plant the seed… watch it grow, and let all the other fundamental things build around it.” - David O’BrienOut of the 5 elements of wellness, David places building strength to the very core of any approach involved with improving your well-being. He goes into details of why we need to focus on developing muscle fiber and how it affects other aspects of our performance and health. David also reflects on the connection between strength and movement, explaining in much detail how we can apply an exercise plan based on complex movements in order to get the most out of our workouts.Detoxification and Gut Health“Detoxification starts in the gut and it finishes in the gut.” - David O’BrienDavid debunks the classical understanding that focuses all of the responsibility of the detoxification process on the liver. He introduces to us the importance of gut lining and the role it plays as part of our immune system. He uses a lovely waterfall analogy to explain the process of digestion and all of the elements that play their part in determining our level of gut health. It’s quite intuitive that nutrition has an enormous impact on our gut health. But David reflects also on stress management and how that can also be of great importance in this segment of achieving wellness. At this point in the podcast, you get to witness what the holistic approach to health is all about. We move the narrative to the psychological and explore the connection between emotions and the subsequent effect they have on the gut lining. Listen to the full podcast to find out which 4 key emotions play a role in protecting your immune system!Is Stress Necessarily Bad?“What I need to listen and to understand as well… I mean I’ve gone through this period myself, is where we sort of demonize stress.” - David O’BrienThere’s a tendency in our society, whether we’re talking about our work or private life, that we need to avoid stress at all cost. David defines this as the “demonization of stress”, arguing that, in fact, stress plays a very important role in our development. Using the analogy of a seesaw, he explains how our organism goes through these periodical changes in terms of needs, and he suggests that at times we’re going to have to be eating more, and at other times we should be eating less. As usual, David goes into meticulous details to provide scientific arguments and explanations for his claims, and we talk a lot about hormone production, physiological effects of fasting, and the connection between resilience and stress. Bottom line is that stress can have a positive influence on our health and our development, but it needs to come in specific shapes and forms. The scientific term for this type of stress is eustress.“It’s all about repair and recover so that, when we face that stress response again… your stress resilience is better.” - David O’BrienBlue Zone Analysis: In Pursuit of Longevity“Last year we actually did our first retreat to a Blue Zone area and we actually went to Sardinia where they have some of the highest longevity statistics in the world.” - David O’BrienBlue Zones are parts of the world where the average life expectancy is much higher than in other areas. Dan Buettner has identified five blue zones which are: Okinawa (Japan)Sardinia (Italy)Nicoya (Costa Rica)Icaria (Greece) Areas populated by the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, CaliforniaDavid intends to study these areas in order to discover patterns and try to incorporate them in his personal, ever-expanding theory of health and fitness. In this section of the podcast, he goes on to present the characteristics of diets in some of these areas, particularly in Sardinia and Okinawa.David’s Message of Inspired EvolutionThis has been one of the most information-packed podcasts we’ve done and David has provided us with amazing details about nutrition, physiology and he’s shared the intricacies of processes necessary for achieving wellness and optimal health. Throughout the podcast, he blesses us with an array of inspired messages we can take with us into our everyday lives and use as a stepping stone to explore the potentials of our health even further. It’s really difficult to settle for just one but if we had to, we should probably go with eliminating prejudices and cognitive biases related to food and its consumption. It is true that what we put into our bodies is of the highest importance, but building a culture of fearing food will hardly do anyone any good and will definitely have a negative effect on the development of the generations to come. That is why David’s message of inspired evolution is:“The demonization of food needs to stop.” - David O’BrienSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is Steve Cotter, a renowned personal trainer, and founder of the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation.Steve has been a part of the fitness industry for over 30 years. He perfected his knowledge and skills about strengthening and physical conditioning of the human body through the practice of many different disciplines including martial arts, qigong, mobility, flexibility, and Kettlebell training. He founded the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation with a goal of promoting Kettlebell training on a global scale, but also to provide the support for people interested in developing the skills necessary for accelerating a fitness-oriented business. Steve is determined to teach and share his unique story with a goal of promoting health, happiness, and longevity through fitness.Aside from being a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Steve has made his mark as an athlete in several fields. One of his impressive recognitions is a bronze medal at 1996 World Kuoshu Games in Taiwan and he has held the title of the US Full Contact Champion twice. He also captained the first ever USA Team to compete in World Championships of Girevoy Sport. As a personal trainer, he is well-known for working with elite athletes, professional football teams, Navy SEALs, and members of the U.S. Marine Corps.Steve is one of the most renowned Kettlebell promoters in the world. He wrote a book called “Kettlebell Training”, a guide for using the Kettlebell for improving your strength, stamina, coordination, and overall fitness. It offers 95 exercises accompanied by step-by-step instructions on how to perform them correctly and getting the most out of each exercise. In 2011, he released a DVD-series titled Extreme Kettlebell Workout which demonstrates over 100 techniques and 10 workouts, covering topics such as muscle building, core development, and cardio.Connect with Steve:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevecotter.ikff.1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevecotterikff/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/SteveCotterIKFF?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorWebsite: http://ikff.netSteve’s Story of Inspired Evolution“I’m an artist, I’m a movement artist. By trade, my foundation is in the martial arts and essentially, the study of the martial, which is the warfare is so that we don’t have to fight.” - Steve CotterSteve was brought up in the physical culture and got involved with martial arts at the young age of 12. He then taught martial art professionally in his youth, but in his late twenties realized that it was time to look for a different career path and a new challenge. Through everyday training, he has built up a strong foundation for a shift towards the fitness side of things. He went on to get a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the San Diego State University and moved in the direction of personal training.Around the early 2000s, Steve became one of the early adopters of Kettlebell training, which opened up an entirely new world for him. The practice of using Kettlebells was several hundred years old at the time but Steve saw an opportunity to promote it all over the world, not just in the US.“What I’ve evolved to understand is that everything is mental.” - Steve CotterThroughout his career, Steve has continuously developed a closer understanding of the mental side of fitness and how it related to overall health. Although recognizing the essential part the body plays in exercise, he became vastly more interested in the role of the mind. He describes the body as the “vehicle” that we need to take care of but also points out that having a fit body doesn’t necessarily guarantee a healthy life.“What I observed is that in many cases, a person can be fit but not be healthy. They can show certain external parameters of fitness but internally they may be miserable because of certain lifestyle habits or largely because of beliefs.” - Steve CotterSteve went on to develop the concept of health-happiness, recognizing it as our highest potential with an end goal of becoming more present and mindful.The Power of Breathing and Controlling the Breath“Most fundamental of all - everybody breathes. So the first technique and the last technique is breathing.” - Steve CotterSteve provides us with his own interpretation of the mind-body-and-spirit trinity, molding it into something that could be closer to our experience which is mind, body, and breath. He goes on to explain how the body is something we recognize as very tactile, the mind is understood through the concept of consciousness but he introduces breath as the connection between the two. By harmonizing the breath with the movement we are given with an opportunity for integrating the body and the mind.“The breath is the connection between the mind and the body.” - Steve CotterThe Role Vitality Plays in Liberating Consciousness“Within the vital is the ‘I’… and it’s ‘IT’ and it’s ‘ALL’.” - Steve CotterWe’ve discussed the connection between vitality and liberating consciousness at length and in order to get the complete interpretation of the topic you should definitely check out the podcast. We also go deep into the transferable nature of energy and how meditation contributes to the purposefulness of our movement which is one of the ways for becoming more energetic. It is clear that our modern lifestyle is very dynamic on the level of the mind but for most of us, not so much in regards to the physical. Steve acknowledges that exercise is a relatively modern invention with the purpose of restoring the offset in the balance we’re experiencing due to the way our lives are organized today.“Vitality is fundamental to the engine of our existence, our being. Without vitality, there is not the drive to create.” - Steve CotterSteve’s Message of Inspired EvolutionSteve’s work is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication, understanding your values and having an approach of life-long learning. His diverse educational background has provided him with a broad perspective and in his teachings, we are given exclusive glimpses into his unique worldview throughout the conversation. Steve has made a name for himself helping others achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but the beauty of his story lies in the fact that his work resonates with his passion every step of the way. Having that in mind, it’s no surprise his message of inspired evolution while very direct is also pleasantly simple:“Follow your passion.” - Steve CotterSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this week is Zenith Virago, an educator, facilitator, consultant, speaker, author, marriage celebrant, and Deathwalker.Zenith has been working as a Deathwalker for the past 25 years, meaning that she has provided emotional support as well as legal and practical assistance to the families in her community who have either suffered or were about to suffer a tragic loss. She uses a somatic approach to consult the members of her community and educate them on the subject of death and dying. She believes that all of us have the capacity to comprehend and deal with death and her work is built around that notion of reconnecting with those secluded parts of our soul. Zenith has also co-founded the Natural Death Care Centre, an incorporated association and a registered Charity, founded around the belief of living well, dying well and experiencing loss well.Zenith has co-authored a book titled “The Intimacy of Death and Dying”, a book full of practical strategies and heartfelt advice on dealing in situations concerning death. From understanding personal grief to providing support for others in their time of need to approaches in educating children about the concept of death.In 2015, a documentary was made about Zenith titled “Zen & the Art of Dying”. It follows her story and reveals insight into her dealings as a Deathwalker of the town Byron Bay, Australia. The movie provides a great opportunity for reexamining the way we live, love and die while encouraging us to take a more active role in all three.Connect with Zenith:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenith.viragoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenith-virago-22b62a96/?locale=de_DEWebsite: https://www.zenithvirago.com/Zenith’s Story of Inspired Evolution“Death is a natural and sacred part of our lives.” - Zenith ViragoZenith has a professional background of working in law, more precisely as a paralegal. She lives in Byron Bay, which is a coastal town in the southeastern Australian state of New South Wales. It is there where she became a marriage and death celebrant and she has performed the services and the role of a Deathwalker for the past 25 years. A Deathwalker is a person who provides assistance and support to those who are dealing with death either through the passing of a loved one or who are expecting to die themselves.“I come and I offer them whatever I can in experience.” - Zenith ViragoAs a community, with Zenith’s help, the people of Byron Bay have managed to create their own culture around the process of dying. They are well acquainted with the legalities and their rights which makes them empowered when it comes to dealing with death. Each year they organize a festival called “The Day of the Dead” in celebration of life, death, love and with a goal of providing comfort and closure to those who have lost an important person in their lives.“My currency is kindness. So I’m trading in kindness every day, all day and the rewards, internally and externally, and in ways that I never even know, in a ripple out effect are boundless.” - Zenith ViragoZenith describes how and why she became a death celebrant. She had lost a dear friend and her death was very unexpected. She proceeds to explain the whole process including the preparation of the body to be buried, all the way through the actual burial ceremony. Zenith points out that all of the steps you go through in terms of preparing the body of a loved one to be laid to rest has a sort of a therapeutic effect on everyone involved.“We reclaimed that death process with her and it really changed the way we experienced her loss. So we were sad and we were shocked but we felt empowered because we’ve given her the sort of ceremony that she would’ve wanted and that we needed.” - Zenith ViragoThe Death Equation“Each death has an equation… It depends on who that person is and how they die... who you are, and your relationship to them, and your experience of death so far.” - Zenith ViragoDeath of a loved one leaves a mark. It affects our lives from that moment on. What that person or creature meant to us will be the first part of the equation that will determine the outcome of that effect. How they died is another. It’s not the same if we lose someone in an instant, unexpectedly, or due to a long illness, when we got a chance to live with the expectation of losing them. Finally, our understanding and relationship the death will mold everything together. How we perceive death, what we think happens, will shape the way we receive the information that someone has died and how long will it take for us to accept it. It is exactly this last part of the equation that we can directly work with in a way that allows us to adapt and better deal with the loss we’ve experienced.Zenith’s Message of Inspired EvolutionDeath is a taboo subject for most of us because it bears a lot of uncertainty, it’s connected to the concept of loss and it inevitably evokes anxiety and fear. Zenith’s story shows that there is an alternative. Closing ourselves off for something that is a natural part of the journey each and every one of us is on would be limiting and there is a lot we stand to lose if we don’t open ourselves up. This conversation will hopefully serve as an introduction to the process of getting familiar with death and reclaiming the process while overcoming at least some of our fears. We need to consider all aspects of life, not just the ones that come easily to us. Zenith reminds us that it is our obligation to do so:“You owe it to people, loved ones, and even people you don’t know, and the planet… everything… to live not just as fully as you can, but as well as you can, in cooperation with others.” - Zenith ViragoSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/inspiredevolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.