Startup Stress and the Founder’s Journey | Andrew Ackerman

Personal Branding and Marketing: Debra shares her extensive experience in marketing and the importance of data-driven strategies for business growth. Mindset Mastery: The conversation delves into the significance of cultivating a positive mindset for personal and professional success. Meditation and Personal Growth: Debra discusses her journey with meditation and offers advice for beginners seeking to improve their mindset. Empowerment and Advocacy: As a passionate advocate for women’s issues, Debra talks about her podcast ‘Deals with Heels’ and her commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs. Key Moments: International Connections: Debra mentions her appearance on a podcast broadcasted live from India, highlighting the global reach of podcasts. Podcast Growth: She discusses the growth of her own podcast, ‘Deals with Heels’, and the collaborative nature of podcasting platforms like Podmatch. Personal Journey: Debra opens up about her personal life, including raising five children, facing a divorce, and the loss of her mother, which led to significant personal growth and the establishment of her advertising agency. Advice on Meditation: For those new to meditation, Debra suggests starting with short, daily sessions to become comfortable with one’s thoughts. Conclusion: The episode provides insights into the power of a positive mindset, the impact of personal branding in business, and the transformative journey of self-improvement and empowerment. Debra’s story serves as an inspiration for listeners seeking to overcome challenges and achieve success in various aspects of life.

20 Touko 202433min

Introduction: The episode begins with a friendly exchange of greetings and a brief discussion about the time zones of the host and guest. The host introduces the guest, Marina Pearson, as an empowering figure for women, helping them break free from the chains of people-pleasing to manifest loving relationships and a fulfilling life. Marina has over 15 years of experience and has authored two impactful books. Main Discussion: Marina shares her personal journey, revealing that for many years she did not realize she was a people pleaser. She discusses her past relationships with men and how she would choose partners who felt safe but were not necessarily right for her. Marina explains that she was attracted to “bad boys” who would never commit, leading her to mother-boy type relationships where she would end up taking care of them. She delves into the patterns of her people-pleasing behavior, such as seeking appreciation to prevent partners from leaving, repressing her truth, and struggling to express her authentic desires. Marina highlights the pivotal moment when she recognized her insecure attachment style and the need to address it. She describes the anxious attachment style as becoming anxious when a partner pulls away and often attracting avoidant partners. Marina emphasizes the importance of healing from people-pleasing and anxious attachment, which involves recognizing the wound of abandonment that drives such behavior. She explains that as individuals heal, they no longer attract or are attracted to the same type of partners. Instead, they invite new experiences that align with their growth and healed state. Advice on Balancing Desires: The host asks Marina for advice on balancing the desire to please others with one’s own needs and desires. Marina suggests getting clear on where one is on their journey and gaining awareness of their people-pleasing patterns. She mentions her “people-pleasing breakthrough quiz” that helps individuals understand their tendencies and where they are in their journey. Marina advises that once individuals are aware, they can begin to unshackle themselves from these patterns and show up authentically in their relationships. Conclusion: Marina concludes by encouraging individuals to trust that they can invite the right relationships into their lives and create something magical and beautiful by rewriting their painful love stories into ones that are magical and mystical. The episode is a deep dive into the transformation from living a life of people-pleasing to one of sovereign love, with Marina Pearson providing insights and advice based on her own experiences and professional expertise. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of people-pleasing in various aspects of life, including work and personal relationships. Marina’s approach to overcoming these tendencies is centered around self-awareness, healing, and authenticity.

18 Touko 202430min

Introduction: The episode begins with a time zone exchange between the host, Wik, in India, and the guest, Ed. Ed is introduced as a seasoned Wall Street executive with over 50 years of experience, holding senior roles at various prestigious firms. His life story is highlighted, from being kidnapped at age 3 and growing up in foster homes to becoming a successful business leader and philanthropist. Discussion: Ed shares how his challenging early life experiences shaped his adaptability, resilience, and desire for freedom, which later influenced his career choices and approach to entrepreneurship. He emphasizes the importance of not being a victim, regardless of circumstances, and shares pivotal moments in his career that required intentional and sometimes difficult decisions. The concept of intentional entrepreneurship is discussed, with Ed explaining that it involves seeking freedom and being one’s own boss, despite the difficulties that come with it. Ed advises entrepreneurs to balance their personal development with their business goals, stressing the importance of self-care and family alongside work. He shares common pitfalls for entrepreneurs, including knowing when to persevere and when to pivot or start anew if things are not going well. Conclusion: The episode concludes with Ed’s advice for entrepreneurs to regularly assess their balance between self, family, and work, and to avoid losing sight of the satisfaction that comes from giving back to the community. Key Takeaways: Adaptability and resilience can be developed through overcoming adversity. Intentional entrepreneurship is about aligning one’s career with personal values and growth. Balancing personal life with professional ambitions is crucial for long-term success and fulfillment. Regular self-assessment and willingness to pivot are important for entrepreneurs.

18 Touko 202423min

Host Avik welcomes the audience to “Healthy Mind, Healthy Life,” a podcast exploring the connection between mental and physical well-being. The guest, Rich, is introduced as a keynote speaker, endurance athlete, and the first amputee to commission as an army officer after losing his arm in combat. Rich shares his journey, starting from his affluent childhood in Georgia, where he felt disconnected from his hardworking father and sought identity in partying and sports. An academic scholarship led him to a military college, but after a failed first semester, he found himself homeless. This adversity led him to enlist in the army, where he discovered his purpose and excelled in basic training. During his first deployment in 2005, Rich’s vehicle was hit by an IED, resulting in the loss of his arm. Despite the initial shock and a grim prognosis, Rich’s determination and the quick actions of his platoon saved his life. He speaks about the immediate aftermath of the incident, the support from his fellow soldiers, and the loss of a close friend a month later. Rich’s recovery process involved redefining his identity and embracing a growth mindset. He took up triathlons and, despite initial struggles, became proficient enough to challenge the army’s policy on amputees serving as officers. With the help of a state senator during an internship, Rich successfully changed the policy and became the first amputee to commission as an officer. The episode concludes with Rich’s message of never giving up, finding opportunities in setbacks, and the importance of a growth mindset in overcoming adversity.   Key Messages: Resilience and perseverance can redefine one’s identity and purpose. Overcoming adversity often requires a shift from a fixed to a growth mindset. Success and recovery are processes that involve continuous effort and adaptation. The support of others can be crucial in times of hardship and recovery. Setting goals and persisting through challenges can lead to significant personal and systemic changes.

17 Touko 202424min

In this episode of “Healthy Mind, Heavy Life,” the host, Avik, welcomes Dan Storey, an author, trainer, and motivational speaker who has mastered the art of personal transformation. With a background in NLP and behavioral decision sciences, Dan Storey shares his journey from average to top natural bodybuilder, showcasing the power of mindset in achieving success. The conversation begins with a friendly exchange about their respective locations and work experiences. Dan Storey shares his experience working with WeWork in India, particularly in Bangalore, and his love for the country despite the traffic. The main topic of the discussion is personal transformation and the three key mental challenges associated with it. Dan Storey emphasizes the importance of mental toughness in personal transformation. He explains that mental toughness is about understanding the gap between who you are now and who your future identity will be. This gap is a mental one, and crossing it requires a strong mindset and significant effort. Dan Storey also discusses the concept of motivation. He points out that motivation is an emotion and is not constant. It can get you started on a journey, but discipline and commitment are what keep you going. He stresses that you cannot build mental toughness in isolation; it has to be revealed and built simultaneously. Goal setting is another crucial aspect of personal development discussed in the episode. Dan Storey suggests that before setting goals, individuals should first envision what they want their life to be like. He advises setting big, transformational goals that challenge you and help reveal and build your mental toughness. Finally, Dan Storey shares some practical techniques from positive psychology that individuals can incorporate into their daily routine to foster resilience and optimism. He highlights the importance of visualization and clarity in achieving goals. The clearer the vision of the goal, the easier it is to build the steps and engage in the habits that will help you get there. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into personal transformation, mental toughness, motivation, goal setting, and positive psychology. It serves as a guide for anyone looking to embark on a journey of personal transformation and achieve success.

16 Touko 202429min

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik welcomes June Collins, a master NLP practitioner and coach, to discuss the profound impact of child loss on mental health and the journey of healing and mindfulness. June shares her personal story of losing her 2½-year-old son, Caleb, and how this devastating loss led her to study the mind and trauma. She became an expert in various therapies, including NLP, cognitive behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Her journey transformed her grief into a mission to help other women through her organization, Life After Child. Key points from the episode include: June's Healing Journey: The initial struggle with her loss and how she used education and mindfulness to cope and heal. The Role of Mindfulness: Techniques June used to transform negative thoughts into positive ones, emphasizing the importance of changing your mindset. Life After Child: June's organization provides support to women dealing with child loss, helping them rebuild their lives and find purpose. Writing and Sharing: How writing her book, "Mama, You Don't Heal," and sharing her story has been a crucial part of June's healing process. Common Misconceptions: Addressing misconceptions about grief, such as the idea that one can fully heal or should forget their child. June's resilience and dedication to helping others through their grief are truly inspiring. Her book and the support from Life After Child offer valuable resources for anyone navigating similar challenges. Listeners are encouraged to visit June's website, lifeafterchild.com, and join her Facebook groups for further support. Her book is available on Amazon. Thank you for tuning in to Healthy Mind, Healthy Life. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who might benefit. Stay mindful, stay healthy, and we’ll see you next time.

14 Touko 202419min

In this episode of "Healthy Mind, Healthy Life," host Abbe welcomes Julie Donnelly, an internationally respected expert in treating repetitive strain injuries, chronic pain, and sports injuries through her unique osteopathic system, the Julstro Method. Julie shares her expertise and inspiring stories of transformation, focusing on how muscles can be the root cause of various pain problems and how effective self-treatment techniques can provide lasting relief. Julie recounts the remarkable journey of Allen Woodard, a once-promising 400-meter runner who was sidelined by severe hip pain that cost him his Olympic dreams. After enduring over 20 years of debilitating pain, Allen discovered Julie's methods and regained his ability to run. With Julie's guidance and self-treatment techniques, Allen not only overcame his pain but also went on to break multiple world records in his age group. Throughout the conversation, Julie explains the importance of understanding muscle function and the common misconceptions about pain and its treatment. She provides practical advice on how to identify and treat muscle-related pain, emphasizing the significance of self-care and proactive management. Julie also highlights the benefits of her Julstro Method and how it has empowered countless individuals, including athletes and non-athletes alike, to achieve pain relief and improved performance. Listeners are encouraged to visit Julie's website, JulstroMethod.com, for more information, articles, and video clips on self-treatment techniques. The episode concludes with a reminder that pain does not have to define you, and with the right tools and support, anyone can unlock their full potential. Tune in for more inspiring stories and valuable insights on the journey to better health and wellness, and remember to prioritize your health and keep striving for greatness.

14 Touko 202422min

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, we delve into the journey of Paul Gauder, founder of Powwows.com, a thriving online community celebrating Native American arts and culture for over 25 years. Paul shares how his venture began as a college project, blossoming into a full-fledged business while he maintained a full-time job. Despite the challenges of balancing work and entrepreneurship, Paul's dedication to family and community remained steadfast. We explore the evolution of Powwows.com, from its early days as a forum-based platform to adapting to the rise of social media. Paul emphasizes the importance of community engagement and shares strategies for cultivating and maintaining a highly engaged audience, including the use of email marketing as a personalized communication tool. Paul's commitment to intentional living shines through as he discusses the role of entrepreneurship in supporting his desired lifestyle, centered around travel and experiences. He offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of setting clear intentions and aligning goals with personal values. Join us as we glean wisdom from Paul's entrepreneurial journey and learn valuable lessons on building a business that not only thrives but also enriches the life you envision. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life. Subscribe now for more inspiring episodes.

14 Touko 202417min