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I was pretty much convinced that this conversation was going to be about Fitness, Nutrition, Breath Work and healthy habits.Seeing as how my next guest's expertise revolves around these topics, you'd be forgive for assuming that it'd be an easy fit for a conversation.However, as these things do, 5mn into it...those assumptions took a Swan Dive out the window.This is why I'm always honest when I tell people I never really know where these conversations are gonna go even when I hit Record. And today's exchange can serve as yet another example as to why that's actually a good thing.As a High Performance, Breath & Strength Coach, Cam MacDougall and I had never actually met before this call. But as soon as we got into it, I was introduced to a guy with a troubled past, a colourful journey, some pretty liberating truths as well as a sense of purpose I had never experienced before.Filled with an honest, vulnerable account of his journey, wise observations, lessons learned from his 'blemishes'(not 'mistakes') and incredibly palpable Love for others...this conversation was a special one.On this episode, we talk about recognizing the signs when your environment no longer serves you, redefining masculinity, acceptance of others but most importantly yourself, and so much more. You can connect with Cam via Instagram as well as his official website.

  One of the recurring themes that has come out of this time off that the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on us is that a lot of people have used this newfound free time to explore facets of their creative impulses that they otherwise wouldn't have.   It's no secret that the those in the Creative Arts have been severely affected by current events. However, as my next guest has demonstrated, one cannot restrain the creative urge, pandemic be damned.   Isaac Alvarez is a commercial photographer, director, and artist based in Los Angeles, California.   His immense love of photographing people has lead him to work with some of the top public relations firms in Beverly Hills.   Well known for his dramatic portraits that resonate emotions, his images offers viewers a powerful insight into the lives of his subjects. While his images are often on the edge of any situation, photographing the situation is not nearly as interesting as photographing the edges of human emotions.   Isaac specializes in portrait and commercial photography with a touch of fashion and editorial.  His photographs have appeared in various media including magazines, posters, commercials, billboards, catalogs, and advertising materials.   On this short, yet very candid and energetic episode, Isaac inspires us with his words of truth as he encourages us to believe in ourselves, put in the effort, relying on our team and daring to be impactful along our journey of growth and impact.  Make sure to follow and show some love for Isaac's wonderful #HearMe Movement portrait series, aimed at spreading positivity through a simple message captured on a video call.     I want to thank Isaac for his gracious time and availability as he took our call while actually on set of his on ongoing "Making A Portrait" interview/documentary series where he gives us a front-row seat to the creative and production process of making his incredible portraits - while interviewing his subjects at the same time.   Enjoy.   You can connect with Isaac via Instagram as well as his official website.   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As"

How far can your journey take you when you make no apologies for what you want, own up to who you are and lean into to your own sense of purpose?   Turns out today's guest just might be able to shed some light on the topic.   Jonathan Perry - aka J.Perry - is all about that and then some. With a love for music birthed from a very young age, growing up in his native Port-au-Prince, Haiti, J's passion and exploration of various musical styles were just of a series of incredible stepping stones towards some pretty awesome heights.   With the help and support of his family as well as a host of various collaborators, from talented producers to a skillful management team, J rapidly made his mark onto the music scene not just in Haiti but abroad.   Indeed, when your song, namely "Dekole", gets chosen as the theme song for your country's National Carnival while subsequently ending up as a featured heavy-rotation on an official Zumba Fitness soundtrack, you know you're doing something right.   But since there's no stopping this relentless achiever, is it any wonder he's collaborated with musical titans the likes of Wyclef Jean, Sean Paul or Cláudia Leitte?   Or that his single, Bouje, was featured on Disney Pixar's Cars 3 soundtrack?   I'm certainly not surprised.    Say what you want about talent, opportunity or just plain luck - none of it matters without that essential seed that all achievers know will make that impactful difference : the choice to believe.   By all accounts, this conversation was a truly invaluable one, be it for its incredible depth as well as its impactful energy. And I'm grateful to J for allowing us this incredible opportunity to see the world from his singular perspective.   Enjoy.   You can connect with J.Perry via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube as well as his official website.   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As"

"Grind while they sleep"   "Don't stay in bed unless you can make money in bed"   "Sleep when you're dead"   How many of these memes, quotes or photos have you seen lately glorifying the almighty "Hustle"?   I sure have. I've even shared a couple myself. You guys know I never set aside the importance of having to put in the work and sacrifice to achieve your intended success.   Today's conversation however, gave me pause as it left me full of respect, humility and hope. Thing is, my next guest, Ian Farrar, had experienced the ups and downs of an incredible career in a way that very few people can truly understand.   As a sales professional, entrepreneur and founder of Far North Ltd and Carpeway Ltd, Ian has over 20 years in global business development roles.  With a strong, global network of influential contacts to call on, Ian has founded, scaled and exited companies in his native North East.  Ian also has impressive experience holding non-executive directorships for public sector organizations.   As a self-confessed Social Evangelist, Ian embraces relationships across many social platforms.  Founding and hosting the UK’s top-ranking business podcast Industry Angel, saw Ian nominated for a 2016 European influencer award alongside juggernauts Gary Vaynerchuk and Tim Ferris.   As an accomplished keynote speaker, Ian often shares his burn out experience that landed him pushing through business meetings with beta blockers and ultimately collapsing in the hospital.     Ian subsequently fired himself from corporate life in 2015.  With a calling to share his thoughts on culture and leadership, Ian speaks passionately about the need for leaders to protect their teams from workplace stress. In addition, Ian also explains his love of personal branding through content creation and calls for his audience to begin their own projects as "no one is coming to save you".   This incredible conversation was a blessing in disguise. Ian's personal account was a welcome reminder that we have an inherent responsibility to take care of our mental health and that success, however that looks for you, should not come at the expense of your personal wellbeing.    You can connect with Ian via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube as well as his official website.   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As"

I believe there's a huge difference between collaborating with your significant other as spouses as opposed to running a business together.   Some things just do not mix. Those are my own personal reservations and I'm sure I'm not the only one in that regard.   But, there are those who subscribe to the other school of thought: with the emphasis that building and running a business with your spouse can be a welcome opportunity for creativity, team-building, resourcefulness and yes, even strengthened intimacy.   I never shy away from the opportunity to admit what I don't know and to learn a thing or two. Which is what got me pretty excited when I linked up and invited my next guests, Liz & Philippe, to be on the program.    As the founders and owners of the amazingly inspiring and aptly-named Dueling Cups Coffee & Tea, this husband & wife dynamic duo were a gem to sit down and talk to. Indeed, getting the perspective from two people who took a dream and made it their commitment to execute and materialize, come what may was pretty inspiring.   From Liz's conviction to listen to The Universe and take the Leap to Phil's initially fearful yet supportive involvement, to the two of them bringing their dream to a successful light, such a breath of energy and truth cannot be understated.   On this episode, Liz & Phil give us a firsthand look into the ups and downs of building a business from scratch, the relentless mindset, the importance of teamwork, believing in yourself as well as each other and so much more...   Enjoy.   You can connect with Liz & Philippe via Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, as well as their official website.

    *This episode originally aired on February 18th, 2020*   Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, and among the latter is the isolation.The fact that you put in so many insane hours can get maddening at times. So when someone out there in The Universe drops a comment...sends a DM...an email...or shares a review...Believe me - a guy is quite appreciative.This is, in a nutshell, how I met and got to connect with my next guest, Erika Darbouze, and felt quite taken with her journey both as an Entrepreneur and business-owner.You guys probably think I'm joking when I tell you this but I truly do read all of your comments. And it's throughout our various exchanges, when I came to embrace a fellow achiever's Awesome journey as something that I personally considered near and dear to my heart, that I thought : "Why not have her on the podcast as well...?"Erika is the founder and CEO of Haiti's Corner, a B2B Export Marketing Firm, whose mission is aimed at introducing and promoting the Haitian Culture to the world through its impressive catalog of brands and various products.As you'll soon discover, Erika is a definite and powerful example of how one can align skill, training, resourcefulness and dedication to a righteous and noble cause.On this empowering episode, we discuss the importance of not watering down one's heritage, personal truth, dedication to the bigger picture, and how mindset is the keystone of success.When you find yourself in the fortunate position to walk a path of genuine purpose and truth, you're already ahead of the pack.Enjoy.You can connect with Erika via Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin as well the Haiti's Corner official website.   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As"   Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com   #StayAwesome

Today's episode is a rather heartwarming one.Thing is, when this podcast started, I didn't know what I was getting into. I just simply ran with what I had and made the best of it. Along the journey however, of the many incredible experiences that have come forth, one that has always humbled me is the genuine friendships I've managed to build. Indeed, people who initially started out as perfect strangers, eventually, through the random yet fortunate blessings of The Universe, have become some of the most vocal supporters of this podcast.Which is why I'm particularly thrilled to welcome back my friend, Naike Saint-Pierre, to the podcast.Naike has always stood out to me as a person of amazing energy and wisdom. As a Health Coach, Entrepreneur and Mother, she has always been an example of the many possibilities that are available to us when we align our energy with our purpose.Her passion for smoothies, vegan recipes, crystals and the wonderful gifts that Nature provides have always helped me see this world around us in a different light. In these incredibly challenging times, she was definitely the person I wanted to reach out to in order to help me, and hopefully some you, perhaps make better sense of the often overwhelming sense of stress, confusion and toxic internal dialogue that we've become way too familiar with in this 'New Normal'.On this episode, Naike's calm, nurturing and wise spirit brings some much needed clarity as we discuss healthy mental health habits, protecting your space, confinement while having to take care of your kids and run your business, owning up to your truth...and so much more.   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As"   Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com

*This episode originally aired on October 22nd, 2018 * "I'm not interested in talking about your rap sheet" I told him.   Sure. It would have been easy and simple to make this a conversation layered with stories about his less precarious past. Anecdotes about his run-ins with the law, to local gangs, to friends that are not with us anymore, to pushing, to incarceration...   That, in my opinion was an easy route and consequentially a small thread in the tapestry that defines my next guest's journey.   Indeed, though his work as a poet, author, speaker, youth counselor and International Arms Dealer(not the kind you're thinking of), Svens Telemaque stood out to me as a true testament in regards to the fact that we truly are not defined by our past circumstances - but are certainly shaped by them.   This exchange was a long time coming as I'd been meaning to have Svens on the podcast for quite a long time. I'll admit he'd been added rather early to the increasingly long list of potential guests I'd been considering for this program.   What eventually transpired was a truly powerful, engaging and at times vulnerable exchange with an individual who, even having clearly connected with his sense of purpose, is still actively learning to strike the balance between his personal frailties and his mission to serve.   I'm thankful to Svens for his many lessons in courage, resilience and accountability throughout this amazing exchange.   You can connect with Svens via his Instagram page, Twitter, Facebook or official website.   Bookings and speaking engagements should forwarded directly to the following email address: booksvens@svenstelemaque.com   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As"   Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on the blog of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com   #StayAwesome

    Samantha Kris is an international success coach, as well as a successful author and speaker. By her own account, she thrives in helping others take action. It’s what has powered her business, her book, her incredible TEDx talk, her proprietary goal setting methodology, and every opportunity that followed.   Indeed, her REAL Goals™ method of goal setting earned her five promotions in five years, enabled her to double her income in that time, and propelled her into the life of an entrepreneur. With so many achievements, one can certainly agree that her approach and ability to help people and projects realize their full potential has shaped her into a true agent for change.   Samantha is also the founder of the Bossing Up movement, a community that empowers each other to harness their hunger for more and create opportunities for themselves and others.   In these times of obvious uncertainty and questioning ourselves, it serves to be reminded by someone with such an impressive track record, that the most important step towards our most incredible goals is our relentless commitment to them.   On this episode, Samantha shares some incredible gems on seizing the opportunities that come our way, not making excuses for who we are as individuals, the power and importance of goal setting(Obviously)...and so much more.   You can connect with Samantha via Facebook, Instagram, as well as her official website.

Do you truly know the price of Success?    I want you to take a second to ponder on that one...You don't have to give me an answer...but I do expect you to at the very least think about it as we welcome my next guest who, as you'll soon get to hear, has in more ways than one not only paid the price but eventually, after some soul-searching and eventual clarity, decided to say "Enough" and call it a day.   As a producer, songwriter, keyboard virtuoso and well-rounded musical talent, Karlo Vieux is a founding member of the iconic, chart-topping Haitian Kompa band CARIMI who, along with fellow founders & bandmates Richard Cavé and Michael Guirand, burst onto the scene with a fresh, innovative sound that shook the airwaves to their core. Whether you were a seasoned or passive Kompa listener back in the day, you had to admit it: there was a new player in town.   With Karlo having penned and produced many of the group's generation-defining hits such as "Mwen Sou", "Chagrin Criminel", and of course, "Ayiti(Bang Bang)", CARIMI set itself on a 15-yr journey that saw the group rise from young upstarts to an obvious force to be reckoned with.    But, behind the accolades, recognition, awards, praise, fame and fortune...we as fans often lose sight of the fact that these are people who, as such and like us, are in now way immune from the trials and tribulations of Life.   Seeing your dream come true as a result of your incredible efforts, impressive talent, relentless commitment, and often understated sacrifice is certainly an achievement to be acknowledged. But when you realize the price tag may amount to more than you're admittedly willing to pay, you have a choice to make.   After 15yrs of giving it all to the fans, and following his own heart by staying true his values, Karlo made the difficult but clear decision to end his run with CARIMI, choosing instead to focus his time and energy on his family and personal wellbeing.   In this generously transparent account, Karlo, having long-since moved on, pulls no punches as we get a first-hand account into his incredible journey. Chronicling how his relentless work ethic, undeniable talent and willingness to lay it all out on the line eventually led to some career-defining moments...but also some pretty heart-wrenching ones.    Through his own words, we get to meet the man, the husband, the father, the entrepreneur, the stoic warrior...as he gives us his perspective on enjoying a hobby versus running a business, the traps of the Industry, the toll of fame on friends & family, listening to your heart...and so much more.   Enjoy.   You can connect with Karlo via Linkedin.

Admit it - you guys knew very well that it was only going to be a matter of time before I would have him back on the program.   From our first recording together, which you most definitely should check out(Ep. 125), Max De La Cruz and I have certainly aligned on many levels. From the warrior's mindset, to childishly getting a laugh out of the little whimsical things that occur in our everyday lives, to the undeniable demands of fatherhood, to furthering the necessary conversations about mental health among men...I can quite honestly admit I've made a new friend.   This next recording is very much the product of this mutual energy and respect. As we were candidly exchanging back and forth over DM, we eventually got to bounce off different observations in regards to another topic we were both quite versed in : Marriage & Long-Term relationships.    We realized that a lot of the stuff we were discussing could be useful to people and, as these things do, when I asked Max if he'd be up for a comeback episode to dive into this topic, he didn't flinch and graciously accepted my invitation to return on the podcast.   On this episode, Max & I take get personal and share our frank perspective about the state of long-term relationships, how one's core values have a decisive impact on your marriage, the challenges of accepting your partner's differences and needs, accepting our faults as Men...and so much more.   You can connect with Max via Facebook, Instagram, as well as YouTube.   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on our official website of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com   #StayAwesome  

On this Solo episode, a call to action dedicated to all of you in need of that 'nudge' towards your Next Level.   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on our official website of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com   #StayAwesome    

The entrepreneurial mindset is made up of a diverse array of essential aspects. We can talk about the patience and resilience that are necessary in order to overcome the unavoidable roadblocks that will surely arise when one chooses to go after their dream. Or the importance of never losing sight of one’s vision while toiling away and trying to fit the right pieces together in order to make said dream a reality.   These details certainly did not escape my next guest, Jeff Policard, whose story I'm thrilled to share with you on the program.    Born and raised in Haiti, Jeff grew up in a traditional household with the added blessing of an emphasis on music, given that Jeff's father is an iconic Jazz pianist and composer. With a definite passion to create, Jeff eventually emigrated to US to further his education and earn his degree.   By the merit of his own incredible efforts and despite some difficult circumstances, Jeff is currently the CEO of Cool Ideas Marketing, a dynamic and energetic Marketing firm aimed at providing their clients with the most innovative ideas and concepts to help their company reach its goals and beyond.   Jeff is also a dedicated husband and father, a role that he takes tremendous pride in and, by his own words, continues to fuel his daily efforts.   On this heartwarming and fun exchange, we get to hear Jeff's incredible journey as well as the many chapters and lessons that spawned from it: from stepping out from under our parent's shadow, to the resourcefulness that one has to develop when building a company from scratch, staying true to one's self, always putting in the work...and so much more.   Enjoy.   You can connect with Jeff via Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube as well as his official website.   Also check out and subscribe to Jeff's "Getting Social" podcast available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.   You can download the MP3 for this episode by right-clicking here and choosing "Save As" Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on our official website of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com

  I was a College dropout when I picked up the first Personal Finance book that I can truly say opened my eyes to the importance of Financial Literacy.   Ever since then, be it as a young man living in an apartment the size of a shoebox or as a married father of two, Money and its impact on our daily lives has always been on my mind.    There's a lot to be said about the seeds to be sown early and giving our children the proper tools that will help them achieve financial independence. Which is why my next guest felt so appropriate to have on the program.   "Give a man a fish, you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you'll feed him for a lifetime." This is certainly the motto that Guelita Pericles has proudly chosen to guide her mission as a Certified Financial Education Instructor.   From being a provider for her family at an early age to now teaching millennials how to master their finances & live the life they want through her catalogue of online courses and workshops, her journey is a testament to her amazing drive and commitment.   On this episode, Guelita shares her personal story written through pages of personal struggle but also, and most importantly with a voice that speak truth, dedication and discipline. We touch on the importance of proper financial literacy, the courage to take action, faith in the process and so much more.   Enjoy.   You can connect with Guelita via Instagram,  LinkedIn, as well as Facebook.   Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on our official website of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com   #StayAwesome

  I have always been quite outspoken about my dedication to encourage a better conversation among Men in regards to their identity and purpose as I believe there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of both communication and mental health.    So when I got acquainted with my next guest and his similar efforts, it was only natural to extend an invitation to be a guest on the podcast.   Coach Michael Taylor is an entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker and radio and TV  show host who has dedicated his life to empowering men and women to reach their full potential by transforming their lives from the inside out.   He knows first hand how to overcome adversity and build a rewarding and fulfilling life and he is sharing his knowledge and wisdom with others to support them in creating the life of their dreams.   He is the President & CEO of Creation Publishing Group - a company that specializes in creating programs and products that empower men to embrace a new paradigm of masculinity, supports them in being great husbands and fathers while also creating meaningful and rewarding lives.   On this episode, Coach Michael and I discuss the importance of vulnerability among men, the courage to accept ourselves for our strengths as well as our weaknesses, the necessary work to be done to shift the male perspective and so much more.   You can connect with Coach Michael via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram as well as his official website.   Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on our official website of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com   #StayAwesome

Growing up in a Third World country but having had the privilege to make a life abroad has taught me a lot about gratitude and resilience. Two very useful tools I believe are essential in anyone's arsenal along their journey.   Having also been raised by a pair of solid overachievers who did not shy away from instilling a sense of duty and strive for excellence in their children was something I also benefited from.   These are but a few of the elements that resonated with me as I took the time to read up on my next guest and her many incredible achievements.   While it is true that circumstances such as financial resources, cultural background, family upbringing all play a significant part in one's journey, I truly believe that the power of the the mind and the choice to elevate one's self beyond these challenges remains the deciding factor between Success and Complacency.   From the slums of Lagos, Nigeria, to brokering million-dollar deals for global telecom giants, Jane Egerton-Idehen is most definitely an accurate description of a storybook rags-to-riches story.    A telecommunication executive with over 17 years of experience in the Nigerian, Liberian and Ghanaian telecommunications markets, she holds an Engineering degree from the University of Nigeria and an MBA from the Warwick Business School, in the UK, as well as an Executive education from both Harvard Business School and Yale School of Management.   She is also the author of the powerful new book "Be Fearless: Give Yourself Permission To Be You" where Jane draws from her emotional journey to talk about women for women, as well as the men who love, nurture, support, and work with them whether both at home as well as the office.   On this episode, Jane and I discuss the importance of mindset, what it means to be fearless, the value of a strong education, always seeking knowledge in order to grow, never watering down your dreams fro anyone, and so much more...   It was an honour to sit down with such an amazing woman, a kind heart and a wise soul, whose warmth and smile made this a truly powerful exchange indeed.    You can connect with Jane via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram as well as her official website.   Be sure to grab a copy of her amazing book available now     Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on our official website of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com   #StayAwesome

  Some people cross your path in Life, you don't ask yourself why - you just open up your mind and heart and you just run with it.   If there's one thing I've learned from these amazing exchanges, it's the fact that there's something to be said for humility and personal truth.   My next guest and I haven't known each other that long but from the very first interaction and throughout  the wonderful opportunities since, I've gotten to know a truly radiating soul.   The calm yet profound sense of presence and mindfulness that Sarah Rose brings into a space is something that cannot be overlooked. Talking with her is both a privilege and experience. You get this sense of intentional clarity and generosity of time and self that encourages you to do the same and reciprocate. Come to think it, this shouldn't really come as a surprise given her background as both a Certified Life Coach, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher as well as a Master in Neurolinguistic Programming.   Through her practice and coaching programs, Sarah aims to help and empower people just like you to train their brains to transform their bodies into the healthiest and happiest they can be.   As a fellow podcaster and host of The Mind Body Academy podcast, THE weight loss podcast for entrepreneurs and business-minded people who want to overcome the struggle with their weight, Sarah aims to make health and happiness the business of how you get ahead in life.   This episode is packed with insightful perspective and genuine energy. We discuss the discomfort of having to be alone with our 'self', embracing the truth of our being with both clarity and acceptance, having the courage to question and reshape our thoughts, the stigma that comes from talking about Mental Health and so much more...   Another amazing conversation which I do hope you'll enjoy.   You can connect with Sarah via Instagram, Facebook as well as her official website.   Stay up to date - Subscribe to the podcast and get the latest episodes as soon they're published. (RSS) (Apple Podcasts) (Google Podcasts) (Spotify) (TuneIn) (Stitcher)   Remember to leave a comment and let us know how we're doing. Either on our official website of via email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com   #StayAwesome

When you have the opportunity to come across someone who knows more than you do and who's willing to share their knowledge with you, take my advice and just remember to do these two very simple things : Shut Up & Listen. Otherwise, you will most likely miss out on some pretty amazing piece of truth and valuable information which, in all honesty, could definitely change your life.    This next conversation was no different.   Benoit Chalifoux is a highly sought-after international speaker with well over 500 conferences(and counting) given to various companies of all sizes spread across North America, Africa and Europe.       He serves as Deputy Director of International Affairs at the School of Management of the University of Quebec in Montreal(ESG UQAM).   As a seasoned Lecturer, his expertise covers a vast array of noteworthy topics ranging from Entrepreneurship, to Business Development and Cross-Cultural Management as well as his admittedly personal favorite: Soft Skills.   He holds an Executive Master in Business (EMBA) Degree from the Université Paris Dauphine as well as an MBA & BAA from the University of Quebec in Montreal.   Benoit is also the co-author of the recently published "Saisir Sa Chance"(Seize your chance), a book that skillfully displays the similarities and tactics that can be taken from the world of sports and be successfully applied in the the arenas of entrepreneurship and business.     On this episode, Benoit's infectious passion and genuine willingness to share his expertise forces me to take notes as we dive into the topic of Soft Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Self Actualization, Mindset Shift...and so much more.    I learned a lot on this one and hopefully so will you. Enjoy   You can connect with Benoit via LinkedIn as well as his official website.  

To say that my next guest, Max De La Cruz, and I hit it off from Day 1 is an understatement.   You guys know this: save for the initial introduction and booking process leading to recording day, the conversations I have the honor of sharing on this podcast are oftentimes the first interaction I have with the guest, .    While I will admit there is some level of risk involved in such a process, I can tell you for a fact that there's a huge and resounding takeaway when you get to connect with someone who, in all honesty, truly happens to be on the same wavelength as you on so many levels.   To keep things simple, let's draw up a checklist so you can see what I mean...   Dedicated Father - check   Loving Husband - check   Fun-loving playfulness - check   Content creator & vlogger - check   Ferocious Entrepreneur - check   Author - well, that's still an item I need to knock off my personal bucket list but you guys get the idea.   On this episode, Max and I kick back and dive into a wide array of topics near and dear to both our hearts such as leading by example given the current pandemic, the importance of being present as opposed to simply giving presents, self-awareness, Manhood, The Grind, Mental Health...suffice to say that this was indeed a jam-packed episode and another exciting conversation, which I do hope you'll enjoy.   You can connect with Max via Facebook, Instagram, as well as YouTube.

The most honest thing one can do in terms of catering to your personal growth is admitting what you don't know. Having the vulnerability to approach things with both humility as well as curiosity is a big step.   I did not know about ADHD. I'd heard about the condition and like everyone else, had my own pre-conceived notion of what it was.   Parenting is about trial and error. When our daughter started displaying some particular character traits and noticeable signs such as absent-mindedness, hyperactivity, fidgeting...I can't say I picked up on it at first glance. My wife had her concerns but I was the one to brush things off as benign childish behaviour.    I had to admit there was more to it. I felt I had a responsibility to put in the time, patience and empathy not to judge, or throw my hands up in resignation but actually shift my perspective and hopefully give myself, and my daughter the necessary tools that would help rather than hinder her.   Which is why I was thrilled when Dr. Katherine Quie graciously accepted my invitation to be a guest the podcast.    As a Texan-turned-Minnesotan, with a passion in supporting youth and families impacted by ADHD, Katherine is a licensed child and adolescent psychologist with more than 20 years of experience specializing in pediatric neuropsychological assessment and treating children with developmental disorders, such as ADHD and Autism.   As a speaker, advocate and creative spirit, Katherine is also a caring, married mother of two and the author of the touching memoir "Raising Will: Surviving the Brilliance and Blues of ADHD", where she chronicles her own, truthful journey of navigating the zigs, zags and in-betweens of parenting a child with ADHD.   I want to thank Katherine for her time and knowledgeable insight in helping this humble dad do better by his little girl. Another amazing conversation which I hope you'll enjoy.   You can connect with Katherine via Facebook, Instagram, as well as her official website.