Startup Stress and the Founder’s Journey | Andrew Ackerman

In this episode of “Healthy Mind, Healthy Life,” host Avik interviews Sarah Cart, an accomplished writer with a profound story of resilience and community strength. Sarah shares her journey as a caregiver for her husband, Ben, during his severe health challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Her experiences are detailed in her upcoming book, “On My Way Back to You.” Key Points Discussed: Transition to Caregiver: Sarah describes the onset of Ben’s autoimmune disease, its progression, and the eventual need for a heart transplant. Challenges and Adaptation: She recounts the steep learning curve of caregiving, managing Ben’s medications, and the isolation due to hospital visitation restrictions during the pandemic. Staying Positive: Sarah emphasizes the importance of breaking down tasks, meditation, journaling, and maintaining a positive mindset to manage stress and anxiety. Lessons Learned: The journey taught her the imperfection of life, the power of hope, and the ability to do more than one thinks possible. Advice for Caregivers: Sarah advises being open about vulnerabilities, accepting help, and appreciating community support. Community Engagement: Despite the pandemic, Sarah highlights the crucial role of community through Zoom calls, email updates, and neighbors’ kindness. Outlook on the Future: The experience has reshaped Sarah’s perspective on life, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and support systems. The episode delves into the themes of love, resilience, hope, and the significance of community during adversity. Sarah’s story is not just about illness but about overcoming challenges with grace and grit.

21 Touko 202425min

In this episode of “Heli Mind, Healthy Life,” the host welcomes Sausha Walker, a pioneering entrepreneur in the box trucking industry. Sausha shares her journey from working at Subway during high school to becoming a successful business owner. She emphasizes the importance of independence and work ethic, which she developed early on by working multiple jobs. Sausha’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited during her tenure at JP Morgan Chase, where she realized the value of time over money. This led her to leave her 9-to-5 job to pursue entrepreneurship, starting as a life insurance agent. She highlights the significance of personal development, time management, and building a supportive team as key factors in her success. The pandemic prompted Sausha to diversify her income streams, leading her to obtain a real estate license and start a box truck business with her fiancé, despite having no prior knowledge of the industry. She stresses the need for entrepreneurs to have clear intentions, a strong ‘why,’ and a willingness to take risks. Sausha also discusses the challenges of balancing personal life with business demands, advocating for time management and self-care. She credits her parents and other entrepreneurs as role models who influenced her mindset and approach to business. As a mentor, Sausha aims to empower women and men by sharing her experiences and encouraging them to overcome challenges. She believes in building confidence through community support and providing tools and resources to help others succeed. Overall, Sausha’s story is a testament to the power of an entrepreneurial mindset, the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone, and the impact of mentorship on achieving success.

20 Touko 202427min

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Heather Live, the host welcomes Dr. Elli McGregor, an integrative pediatrician with over 15 years of experience. Dr. McGregor, also known as Dr. Ellie, specializes in treating children with focus deficits, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. She utilizes advanced diagnostics and personalized care to help her patients reclaim their joy and potential, often reducing or eliminating the need for medications. Dr. Ellie shares her journey from a traditional pediatrician to an integrative specialist, driven by the increasing mental health issues in children she observed in her practice. She pursued further education in functional medicine and eventually founded her practice, Middle Path Integrated Pediatrics, to provide holistic care without the constraints of a conventional medical practice. The philosophy behind Middle Path is to work at the intersection of modern medicine and holistic health, offering a nuanced perspective that avoids the extremes of strictly conventional or holistic modalities. Dr. Ellie emphasizes the importance of addressing the full spectrum of factors affecting children’s mental health, from brain chemistry and nutrition to environmental influences and stress management. Common issues seen in her practice include nutritional imbalances, such as magnesium deficiency, and the impact of social pressures and trauma on children’s mental health. Dr. Ellie discusses the underlying causes of conditions like ADHD, including dietary deficiencies, brain wave patterns, and gut health. She also highlights the importance of personalized treatment plans, which are developed through comprehensive intake sessions and advanced diagnostic testing. The episode concludes with Dr. Ellie advising against one-size-fits-all solutions and advocating for targeted interventions based on each child’s unique needs. She stresses the significance of understanding the reasons behind behaviors, such as excessive phone use, and addressing the root causes rather than resorting to punitive measures. Overall, the episode provides insights into Dr. Ellie’s integrative approach to pediatric care, emphasizing the value of a personalized, holistic perspective in promoting the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.

20 Touko 202426min

In this episode of “Healthy Mind, Healthy Life,” host Avik welcomes guest Michael Morgan, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience at top companies like Amazon and Chevron. The episode delves into the importance of physical health, mental wellness, and the power of networking. Introduction of Guest: Michael Morgan, with a BS from Penn State and an MBA, has a diverse career spanning financial services, oil and gas, technology, and retail. He has authored a book titled “The Power of Networking,” available on Amazon. Discussion Highlights: Networking: Michael emphasizes the significance of maintaining professional networks, sharing personal anecdotes about how networking has opened doors for him. He highlights the importance of regular communication and genuine relationships in building a strong network. Mental Wellness: Michael advocates for mental wellness, especially in high-pressure environments. He shares his strategies for managing stress, which include physical activities like Crossfit and running, as well as meditation and therapy. Work-Life Balance: He stresses the need for creating boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal mental wellness, suggesting setting clear expectations with employers and dedicating time for self-care. Recognizing Mental Health Needs: Michael discusses recognizing signs of being overwhelmed and the importance of taking steps to address mental health, such as talking to a therapist or engaging in physical activities. Key Takeaways: Building and maintaining a professional network is crucial for career growth and opportunities. Regular communication and genuine connections are the foundation of a strong network. Physical health and mental wellness are interconnected, and both require attention and care. Creating boundaries and having a routine can help achieve a balance between professional and personal life. Recognizing and addressing mental health needs is essential for overall well-being. The episode provides valuable insights into the interconnectedness of physical health, mental wellness, and professional networking, offering practical advice for listeners to apply in their own lives.

20 Touko 202421min

Episode Focus: Rachel’s journey of healing from chronic fatigue syndrome and offering hope to others. Key Points: Rachel transitioned from an energetic military lifestyle to battling chronic fatigue syndrome after a challenging overseas contract in 2013. She experienced sleepless nights, difficulty exercising, and high blood pressure but found healing through holistic methods. Rachel’s recovery involved meticulous research and a dedicated regimen inspired by an acupuncturist’s diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of natural and holistic approaches over allopathic medicine, which often targets individual symptoms rather than the whole problem. Rachel shares her challenges, particularly with sugar and processed foods, which she had to eliminate from her diet. The process of getting diagnosed was complicated; an unusual symptom was high blood pressure when sitting, which was identified by an acupuncturist as a sign of chronic fatigue syndrome. Mental resilience and being one’s own advocate are crucial in the journey towards healing. Rachel advises listeners to seek help from those who have experienced chronic fatigue syndrome and to remain consistent with their healing regimen. Common misconceptions include the belief that medication alone can heal chronic fatigue syndrome and that one can maintain the same lifestyle and still heal. To maintain her health and prevent relapses, Rachel avoids stress, eats healthily, exercises, ensures proper rest, and maintains a regular sleep schedule. She encourages long-time sufferers to seek answers and support, emphasizing that there is hope and a way to heal. Closing Message: The host thanks Rachel for sharing her story and insights, highlighting the effectiveness of a holistic approach to health. Listeners are invited to share their thoughts and experiences on social media or in the comments. The episode ends with a reminder that a healthy mind leads to a healthy life and encouragement to continue taking steps towards better health.

20 Touko 202418min

Introduction: The episode begins with a friendly exchange between the host, Hosterwic, and the guest, Petra Williams, as they overcome initial technical difficulties and exchange pleasantries about their locations and time zones. Guest Introduction: Petra Williams is introduced as a global motivational speaker, life coach, presenter, and poet with over a decade of experience. She specializes in neuro-linguistic programming, self-help, and spirituality, aiming to turn self-help knowledge into actionable change. Petra’s mission is to dispel myths in the self-help industry and provide practical guidance for genuine transformation. Personal Journey: Petra shares her journey from feeling lost to becoming a life coach and motivational speaker. She recounts her initial career as a teacher, her move to the UK, and her eventual realization that the education system was not her path due to its bureaucracy. A pivotal moment came when she was recommended to become a life coach after taking a Myers-Briggs test, which led her to study life coaching, neuro-linguistic programming, and emotional intelligence in Australia. Main Discussion: The conversation focuses on the theme of moving from inspiration to action and overcoming fears that prevent taking the lead. Petra discusses the common issue of knowing what to do but not acting on it, emphasizing the role of identity in driving behavior. She explains that identity, formed between the ages of 0 and 5, significantly influences our actions and fears. Petra shares personal stories of overcoming fear, including guiding a blind man through the Himalayas and facing her fears of networking when starting her business. Self-Help Industry Myths: Petra addresses common myths in the self-help industry, such as “fight the fear and do it anyway” and “take massive action to create change,” arguing that these oversimplified statements can hinder progress. She stresses the importance of clarity in knowing what one wants to create in life and taking small, consistent actions to build new habits. Conclusion: The episode concludes with Petra encouraging listeners to define their desires clearly and to understand that personal transformation is the key to societal transformation. Key Takeaways: Identity shapes our actions and overcoming ingrained beliefs is crucial for change. Small, consistent actions are more effective than sporadic massive efforts. Clarity in one’s goals is essential for meaningful action. Personal stories of overcoming fear can inspire others to take action in their lives. Questioning self-help industry myths can lead to more sustainable and practical approaches to personal development.

20 Touko 202429min

In this episode, Erwick welcomes Bryan Kramer, a renowned business strategist, global keynote speaker, executive coach, and two-time best-selling author. They discuss Bryan’s personal journey of losing 85 pounds, overcoming type 2 diabetes, and his philosophy of trust and decision-making in both personal and professional life. Bryan shares his experience of burnout in 2016, which led him to reevaluate his life and make significant changes. He emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself to make the right decisions and how this trust played a crucial role in his health transformation. The conversation also covers Bryan’s move to Lisbon, Portugal, and how it has positively impacted his creativity and perspective. Bryan talks about the concept of H2H (Human to Human) and its relevance in today’s digital world, where genuine connections are more critical than ever. Bryan provides practical tips for listeners struggling with health issues or work-life balance, such as analyzing their calendar to create more time for health and wellness activities. He advises taking life one day at a time and focusing on incremental changes to achieve long-term goals. Key Takeaways: Trusting oneself is essential for personal transformation. Significant lifestyle changes can lead to improved health and well-being. Moving to a new environment can enhance creativity and perspective. The H2H concept is vital for authentic connections in business and personal life. Analyzing one’s calendar can help create space for health and wellness. Small, consistent steps are more effective than seeking quick fixes for life changes. Closing Thoughts: The host concludes the episode by expressing hope that listeners found the conversation with Bryan inspiring and insightful. He invites the audience to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast and teases the next episode, which will continue to explore transformative stories.

20 Touko 202418min

In this episode of “Healthy Mind, Heavy Life,” host Hostavic welcomes Alecia Galati, a seasoned podcasting professional who began her journey in 2015. Alecia has launched over 50 podcasts and produced more than 1,600 episodes through her company, Alecia Media. Based in North Carolina, she combines her broadcasting expertise with her love for literature and family adventures. Alecia shares her insights on creating engaging podcast content and leveraging podcasts for business growth. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience to address their needs effectively. Alecia advises podcasters to be clear about their content and how to bring it to life within the episode, ensuring it resonates with the audience. Key points discussed include: Crafting Engaging Content: The effort and time required to create a podcast, managing guests, and growing the show. Understanding the Audience: Being clear on who the audience is and addressing their struggles. Consistency and Quality: Referring back to previous episodes, planning content, and having solo episode ideas ready. Compelling Topics: Understanding podcast statistics, completion rates, and following one’s curiosity to infuse personality into the podcast. Audio Quality: Importance of good audio quality, using affordable tools to improve it, and the value of pausing to enhance clarity. Engaging the Audience: Directing the content clearly, having sections within episodes, and considering splitting longer episodes into two parts. Listener Feedback: Incorporating listener questions and feedback into episodes, and engaging with the audience through various interactions. Alecia also discusses strategies for maintaining consistency across episodes, choosing topics that resonate with the audience, and the significance of audio quality in podcasting. She provides tips for improving audio quality without spending a lot and the importance of pausing to ensure clarity. The episode covers ways to keep the audience engaged during longer episodes and the value of incorporating listener feedback and interactions into podcast episodes. Overall, the episode is a deep dive into the world of podcasting with Alecia , offering valuable insights for both seasoned podcasters and those new to the medium. Her experience and strategies provide listeners with practical advice for creating quality podcast experiences.

20 Touko 202421min