Business Fit Magazine May 2021 by Business Fit Magazine

May/Jun 2021

An Insight into Autism

How Essential Oils

can help in

Times of

Stress Moving from Hating to Loving

www.businessfitmagazine.com

a t i n a Ju o n a l l e r A a Guerr laces le in different p p eo p f o s ce n e experie lace through th p r te et b a to the world in Transforming

CERTIFICATION IN

OPTIMISM COACHING

WWW.IIHWORLD.COM

Dear Business Fit readers, In this Edition, we welcome the month of May, during which we will celebrate Mother’s Day, honouring each mummy who, day by day, nurtures new generations with love, compassion and patience. In my journey with BFM, I have come across brave, enterprising mums who want to achieve that balance between home and work. One of the challenges an entrepreneurial mum runs into is the breaking down of old paradigms, how to stop feeling guilty the moment they decide to dedicate themselves to something they feel passionate about. I have met mothers who carry out the work of the father and to whom another challenge is added, being foreigners in a country where they have felt alone and without the strength to continue. One of the characteristics, of Business Fit Magazine has been to support all women by assisting them, both in their vulnerable moments and in those of greatness. By applauding them because we are holistic women practising integrity and compassion which guide us to form this network of networks, this great network of social enterprises . For you, beautiful woman, mother, who nurtures, who supports, who protects ... I call for us to unite and to take care of our loving mothers who represent the transformation to a better world. We cannot forget the helpless and the most needy. I think of all the women surrounding me, those that I know and love, those I have yet to meet, I honour and applaud them for being part of that change because you, Woman, have had a child from your womb or have adopted or are an Aunt, today you contribute to the growth of a society rich in values. Mothers, let’s celebrate. It is our day!

To my mother, thank you for giving birth to me, for loving me and pampering me ... I wish God to give you a long and healthy life so you can be proud and happy every day that your children are good children. This month of May, we celebrate Mother’s Day, so for those who have several hats or perhaps only one, the most important thing is being a mother, so that love and infinite abundance unite us. This month we have a magazine full of wonderful women and men who are amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did in creating it, the great BFM team that works with their hearts in their hands

Together is better!

Verónica Sosa Publisher www.businessfitmagazine.com

Pashion Fasion - p44 Second Fly Ariana Onno Ramos Life Story - p50 Shaping Autism William Wehrli

FIT FEATURES

Life Story - p20 Say Something Isabell Rodriguez

Calm Yourself in Stressful Circumstances Instantly Bhupinder Sandhu p14 From Hating to Loving Saxa Stefani p24

Health & Body

Benefits of Essential Oils for Drastic Times Helena Georgiou p34

Juanita Guerra Arellano p28

STAR GRIT Community Viola Edward p38

Marketing Solutions For Small Businesses Simon Cox p6 Customer Service Malish p16 Can Cryptocurrency Save the World? Yaron Michielsen p26 How to Make a Lasting Impact Arnon Barnes p48

Publisher & Founder Verónica Sosa Business Fit International Advisory Board Viola Edward Vikki Thomas

REACH OUT For information on advertising or placing an article in Business Fit Contact us: Email: editorbfm@gmail.com Phone: +32 472 134 230

Contributors Ariana Onno Ramos Arnon Barnes Bhupinder Sandhu Helena Georgiou Isabell Rodriguez Juanita Guerra Arellano Kyle Suhan Malish Saxa Stefani Simon Cox Simon Pitsillides Viola Edward William Wehrli Yaron Michielsen General Editorial Coordinator Claire Morley Art and Design Director Leo Collier-Bett

A culture of sustainability Simon Pitsillides p10

Environment

Creating from an Alignment to Love and Source Consciousness Kyle Suhan p42

Graphic Designer Adverts Javier Sanchez

Copyright © 2021 by Verónica Sosa. All rights reserved. This Magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

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Business

Low Cost

Marketing Solutions For Small Businesses

Marketing Manager for a Website and Graphic Design studio, Simon Cox, shares a number of low cost, effective ways for you to kick start your marketing, following the challenging past 12 months of the pandemic.

Plan your social media around National Days such as National Pie Day and have some posts of you talking about your favourite pies! It will provide your audience with insights to you as people!

We’ve experienced a year of uncertainty with the pandemic and small businesses have been struggling throughout the last 12 months. Many have cut back on their marketing and engagement especially with them being unable to open for business.

2) INVEST IN VIDEO

As a digital business we have had to adapt our marketing to run in line with the challenge of the pandemic. We have explored new ideas and new ways to market the business and would like to share these with you.

1) SOCIAL MEDIA

It sounds obvious, but social media is free to use unless you are exploring paid advertising. Are you engaging with Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and even platforms such as TikTok? They are all free as we all know, but I guess you are stuck for ideas ? Why not talk about how you are getting through the pandemic, keep your audience engaged, talk about anniversaries, milestones in the business, share previous success stories, customer feedback, maybe even interview your customers on your social media ?

It is so important to invest in video these days

It is so important to invest in video these days. It’s good for your social media, your search engine optimisation and your overall digital presence. Don’t worry about not being a professional, the last year has seen the national media using digital platforms to communicate from home, so why shouldn’t you be authentic and follow suit ? I recommend Filmora 9 to edit videos and for my podcast audio. It’s £40 per year and so simple to use.

3) BLOG

Why not invest time in blogging, even if it’s just one article a month? You could invest time in guest blogging and having your presence in other publications and websites to share your knowledge and your industry insights. We recommend around 600 words plus for blog articles, again, makes great social media content and you could share across LinkedIn and increase your LinkedIn Social Selling Index at the same time. People often ask me about content and what to write about. Maybe speak to your suppliers and ask them if they can help you repurpose some of their marketing literature and content. They want their products out there as well so they should oblige, alternatively visit Answer The Public.com, type in a few key words in the search box and you’ll soon have a number of blog titles, all you need to do is answer the questions!

4) INVEST IN PODCASTING

I discovered podcasting during lockdown and it’s been fun to invest time in. You could release a weekly podcast and, after a small investment of audio equipment, you could be up and running in no time. I am often asked how to set up a podcast channel and, believe it or not, it is actually free to set one up! On our website, I have written a blog article on The Benefits of Podcasting in sharing all the information you need to get broadcasting and get out there.

Business 5) ATTEND ONLINE NETWORKING EVENTS

The pandemic has seen a huge rise in online networking events with business owners saying they prefer the online options as it saves them time and increases their productivity levels and there are many free events to engage in around the UK We have met a number of people during the pandemic and would recommend you take time to investigate what is local to you. As a member of the Federation of Small Businesses, we’ve joined a number of their online network meetings which are open to both members and non-members and have been great value during this time.

6) LOCAL RADIO INTERVIEWS

industry or talk about your own work experience which you could then share across your own social media as well, creating more engaging content and you’ll be helping young people and future stars in your industry to learn from your experience.

They will have an audience, a social media following and as a community station, they like to engage with the community themselves. Our local radio station dropped advertising rates for small businesses to just £10 a month to help businesses engage, maybe your local station is offering a similar incentive?

9) ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY WORK

Community radio stations are a great way to engage with the local community and you could approach your local radio station to see whether they are looking to interview local businesses about how they are reopening after lockdowns.

7) REVISIT YOUR TESTIMONIALS

Have a look at who has left you testimonials and ask those that haven’t, where you know you’ve done a good job to leave you a testimonial. It is critical you collect reviews as this is what visitors see when they first visit your social media or website. I would recommend asking your customers to leave you a Facebook review, LinkedIn testimonial and Google review on your Google My Business listing. Your listing is free to claim and once you’ve claimed this, you can claim a free voucher to explore Google Ad Words which could invite you to explore a new way to market your business. Have you set up a process to check you are receiving regular reviews? You can also link your reviews to your website so people visiting your website can see they are real reviews and testimonials. You could produce a mini video showing your monthly testimonials so visitors to your online marketing can read about what others have said about you, and your clients thoughts on your products and services.

8) TELL DON’T SELL

The difference between Marketing and Sales. If you don’t market, you can’t sell, but if you market effectively and do it well, you don’t need to sell. People will buy.

Simple, motivating and rewarding. You never know who you meet when helping your local community. I attend litter picks in our community and we have got to know people which has generated opportunities AND we’ve helped keep our community tidy. Try it and see! I’ve also spent time sleeping in cardboard boxes for a homeless charity and it’s allowed conversations with likeminded others to happen.

10) FINALLY, BE YOU

This is totally free of charge and the most important in any business activity. Be yourself and get to know people and for them to get to know you. If they get to know you, you will be surprised what could happen.

ARTICLE RESOURCES

2 – filmora.wondershare.net 3 – www.linkedin.com/sales/ssi 3 – www.answerthepublic.com 4– poppydesignstudio.com/the-benefits-ofpodcasting/ 5 – www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar.html

If you market effectively, you don’t need to sell

Show you care about your business, your brand and your customers. Tell the story behind your business, why you are doing what you are doing and how it all came about. Why not record a video for local students to inspire them into your

Simon Cox is Marketing Manager for Northamptonshire based Poppy

Design Studio who specialise in WordPress websites and graphic design. He is also Leader of the Kettering Business Network, founder of the Kettering Business Awards, Vice Chair of the Kettering Town Centre Partnership, 2020 FSB Champion for Small Businesses in Northamptonshire and leader of the North Northants Business Network. marketing@poppydesignstudio.com - www.poppydesignstudio.com

Environment

A Culture of

Sustainability Or Do We Aim to Solve One Problem at a Time?

Expert in Sustainability Strategy & Marketing, Simon Pitsillides, talks to Business Fit Magazine readers about the need to create a culture of sustainability and conduct business in clever, sustainable ways.

Wisdom is avoiding situations when we should!

It is argued that what we need in our world today, and for us to progress towards a green recovery, is to create a culture of sustainability. A situation where the majority of businesses globally are aware of their impacts on the environment, economy and society. Where they take action to minimise their negative and increase their positive impacts. A culture of sustainability will help create the wisdom we need to avoid negative situations. We are now collectively taking action to reduce the most negative impacts of climate change. Burning fires and CO2s was not an issue for thousands of years because there were so few of us on Earth. These impacts were absorbed by the Earth’s systems. In today’s world, with a population of over 7 billion, there are more people on Earth now than the total number in the previous few hundred years. There are so many of us we can no longer afford to conduct business as usual. We need to create a culture of sustainability and conduct business in clever, sustainable ways: where the majority of companies have an all-round view of their impacts and take action to reduce negative and increase positive outcomes.

With a culture of sustainability businesses will: • Understand the benefits of clearing their supply chains of all bad environmental and social practices • Know how they contribute to the societies and economies they rely on for growth and profit and share important information with stakeholders which are key for their success.

Business cannot succeed in societies that fail

Why is it important to increase positive sustainability change?

Only 1 in 10 businesses globally are taking sustainability action beyond compliance. This is especially important as stated earlier, with 7 billion people simultaneously on earth.

How do I increase positive change?

The beauty of the GRI Standards is that businesses or organisations of any size can use any individual GRI Standard to measure, manage and change. Because it is not necessary to produce a full sustainability report they can focus on what matters with a simplified GRI referenced report that is not a burden on valuable time and resources.

Direct economic value generated and distributed (EVG&D)

A very useful tool to identify areas for improvement is GRI Disclosure 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed. Companies which properly apply the requirements of this GRI Disclosure provide their stakeholders with important information on the

Environment

creation and distribution of economic value. They demonstrate how they contributed to the local economy through: • operating costs (local employees, use of local suppliers, et cetera) • payments to government at national and local levels • community investments (funds to support community infrastructure, such as recreational facilities, direct costs of social programs, including arts and educational events). EVG&D is a very valuable tool to get an overall picture and identify areas for improvement, contribute in better ways to the economies and societies a business is relying on for growth and profit, and build trust with key stakeholders for business success. Business cannot succeed in societies that fail.

Multiplying (knock-on) effect

Pursuing the multiplying effect to establish a culture of sustainability must be the number one most important (material) issue in our complicated, busy world and achieve a green recovery. For example, there are two GRI Supplier Assessment Standards: GRI 308 – Supplier Environmental Assessment and GRI 414 Supplier Social Assessment. Waste, emissions, non-discrimination and diversity and equal opportunity are part of a list of 25 topic specific GRI Standards which can be used in combination with supplier assessment to bring positive change. The importance is that positive change is achieved by each company individually, however progressing to a culture of sustainability is of paramount importance. It is, therefore, the duty of every person and every business or organisation to identify ways they can use any leverage they have to increase positive change. We all need to work towards a strategy to tackle the root of major problems we are facing

(like climate change, waste, need for healthy, sustainable economies) and work towards gaining a collective business wisdom to avoid situations where we will need it.

Simon Pitsillides is an Expert in Sustainability Strategy & Marketing

and his main interest is a #greenrecovery that is also based on increasing positive sustainability change and creating an all-encompassing culture of sustainability in business (environment, society, economy). Simon is highly skilled and experienced in Sustainability Strategy and the preparation of GRI Standards sustainability reports.

Mindset & Emotion

Calm Yourself

in Stressful Circumstances Instantly Mindfulness coach, Bhupinder Sandhu, provides our readers with a simple, but effective technique giving you instant calmness when faced with a stressful situation, enabling you to take back control over this emotion. “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In this space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom”. Victor Frankl There is a big lie we tell ourselves in times of stress. It makes us feel lost, scared and unloved, as if we are trapped and helplessly swept away by a storm. Our heads can fill with terrifying images, words and stories about the cause and who is to blame for our unwanted pain.

Sounds familiar? If so, you are not alone. You are normal. This is how humans react biologically to stress.

So, what’s the big lie?

The big lie is that we have no control over our response to stress. In fact, we do. Lots of control. I’ve fought harder in my fair share of tough times. I have experienced financial and employment problems, health problems and difficult relationships within family. But that’s not the worst. The worst part is that I grew up as a very sensitive person, internally reacting to almost anything that could be interpreted as negative. For the feelings above, I desperately sat at the bottom of the “feel them

all” scale. That was until a particularly difficult relationship caused me so much stress and anxiety that I grew weary of my subconscious reactions and vowed to do whatever I could to stop it (or make it easier.) Through research and many experiences, I have created a convenient way to instantly calm myself down anywhere, anytime, when a meditation pillow or a relaxing book was out of reach. The technique was so simple and powerful that it got me through a heart-breaking experience in this relationship and has kept me together in many experiences since. It’s easy to remember, has an instant effect on your mental body, and most importantly, it’s pretty simple to remember and use when you’re going through the eye of your own storms of stress.

4. Look around you consciously.

As you re-integrate into your surroundings, scan the scene in front of you. Remain as indifferent as possible to what you are focusing on as you would when you wake up in the morning. Take note of the thoughts you are trying to push back into your head and visualise them with curiosity.

How are you?

You may feel a little more in touch with your senses now, away from previous thoughts and connected to the present moment. Most importantly, you will recognise that the root of your discomfort lies in your thoughts. Everything else, like emotions, physical discomfort, and pain, starts there.

How to calm down in two minutes

If you have trouble slowing your mind at first, try this: If you meditate regularly, spend the last minute of your session focusing on the same finger, in the same manner. Doing this will associate (or anchor) feelings of clarity, relaxation, and dedication to action.

1. Freeze.

And if you’re not meditating, now is a good time to start! This will help your ability to cope with stressful situations in general and will greatly increase the effects of this technique.

Take a moment now to get comfortable and try these four steps yourself:

Remember the game you played when you suddenly stopped moving, as if you were frozen in ice? Do this now. Turn off your body parts, your emotions, and your thought processes. Think of yourself as a cartoon character who has been hit with a stun gun. You can even make it a bit dramatic if that helps.

2. Concentrate on your index finger.

For twenty to sixty seconds, focus only on the back of your index finger. Let your mind and body consume it. Bring it closer to you. Study the rivets, folds, and those little fingerprint lines. If your situation is noisy, allow the sounds around you to merge into a single background buzz and let it disappear from your attention.

3. Breathe carefully.

Stop focusing and take back control of your body. Breathe deeply and consciously, then let it pass through your mouth, slowly and calmly, creating a wave of relaxation that begins in your chest and floats through your being on the surface of your skin.

Why this technique works?

Stress is physical or mental tension, both of which manifest itself in your relationship with the train of thought in your head. Mindfulness allows you to come out of the procession and watch it go by, without being carried away by the current of the river. When we are carried away by a strong current, our emotions and our bodies react as if the danger or pain in the thought is real, immediate and needs to be addressed now. This is why we feel uncomfortable even when someone reminds us of a stressful situation that we were trying to overcome. Reconnecting to the present reminds us that this is the only moment that really exists. Focusing on the hands is an ancient Ayurvedic practice which helps to strengthen the soul and ensure the stability of the physical body.

Bhupinder Sandhu, is a mindfulness coach, a devoted mindfulness practitioner and Founder of Aksa Valley. Sharing the art of mindful living with the World is his passion and purpose. He believes that anyone can create the kind of incredible inner change he has undergone once they know how. bhupinder@manzeerasolutions.co.uk - ww.manzeerasolutions.co.uk aksavalley.com

Business

Customer Service and why it should be the best (paid) job in your company!

Customer Service and Account Management. Lilli has more than 11 years of experience in the Food and Beverage Customer Service arena.

The better the Customer Service, the higher the customer satisfaction

Why do so many companies find it difficult to provide good Customer Service? Why are we convinced that working in Customer Service is the best job in the world? MaLish get to the bottom of these two important questions.

The associations and definitions of Customer Service

What association comes to mind first when you think of Customer Service? Some of us are thinking of B2C – so final consumer – Customer Service. For example, if you walk into a clothing shop and someone is offering help in selecting and checking your items out later on – that is Customer Service. In a Business-to-Business world we often see two entities in charge of the customer. One is the (Key) Account Management (picture the vendors on the road who sell door-to-door) and the department who - after the order arrives - makes sure that the processes run smoothly. This second entity is often referred to as Customer Service. Other terms are After Sales Service, Customer Relations, Support Centre, Customer Management.

Why we love talking about it.

Customer related working areas are part of the MaL!sh DNA and way before when were both still employed in the Food and Beverage industry in the German Mittelstand. Maike worked six years in Pricing – the link between supply/production/

For nine years Lilli was responsible for international Customer Service Teams: recruiting, onboarding, motivating and leading teams in the US, Mexico, Brazil, Dubai, India, Europe and Eastern European countries. Taking into consideration intercultural specialty and individual requirements, the goal was always to provide outstanding service to the customers – no matter where in the world they were. The remainder of her years in the B2B industry she took over the European Key Account position for the largest Swiss nutrition company, known to us all. Lilli is convinced that Customer Service (CS) is the most strategic and varied job, it is a great job to become visible within the company and progress up the career ladder. It goes without saying that we are talking not only about the call centre service, but about the fundamental CS job every company should have. To put it simply: the better the Customer Service, the higher the customer satisfaction, the longer the customer loyalty and the better the company’s image.

What is Customer Service (CS)

Let’s have a look into organisations and how CS should be understood. To answer the first question: - Customer Service is the support you offer to your customers - both before and after they buy and also use your products or services. CS helps customers to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience with you and your company. Offering amazing Customer Service is important if you want to keep customers and grow your business. Today’s Customer Service goes far beyond the traditional telephone support agent. It is and has to be available via email, web, text message, and social media. Many companies also provide self-service support, so customers can find their own answers at any time. Customer support is more than just providing answers; it is an important part of the promise your brand makes to its customers.

Business

Should CS and Key Account management join forces?

Lots of corporations have a combined team force: (Key) Account Managers and Customer Service employees. Together they are responsible for a customer (group) or region/country / industry or customer category. This tandem support each other, and customers profit from two contacts, who know what´s going on. From practical experience CS is even more informed and involved in tasks related to the customer, as they are coordinating all internal stakeholders and are often in the lead of the project(s).

What are the responsibilities a Customer Service employee may have? •

•

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Recommend potential products or services to (Account) Management, by collecting customer information and analysing customer needs Resolve product or service problems by clarifying the customer’s complaint; determining the cause of the problem; selecting and explaining the best solution to solve the problem; speed up correction or adjustment; following up to guarantee a solution Work closely with Key Account Manager to keep the information loop Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analysing customer information Manage large amounts of incoming calls (customers + stakeholders) Generate sales leads Place or cancel orders Sell products and services Coordinate the price building between Pricing and Account Management Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction Build sustainable relationships of trust through open and interactive communication Provide accurate, valid, and complete information Meet personal/team sales targets Keep records of customer interactions, process customer accounts and file documents and update them Resolve customer complaints via phone, email, mail or social media Assist with placement of orders, refunds, or exchanges Answer questions about warranties or terms of sale Act as the company gatekeeper Coordinate production, logistics for the benefit of the customer Inform customer of deals and promotions

As you can see, in CS you have all the strings in your hand and are the interface between customers and internal departments, such as field service, production, pricing, accounting, quality, etc.

This important function requires great management, as otherwise the lack of it can ruin any Customer Service operation. You as a company must make sure your Customer Service representatives are fully informed and have the latest information on products, regulations, and the company’s policies. Periodically you should assess the Customer Service experience you are providing to ensure that it is still an asset to the company.

How to create an outstanding Customer Service Team?

You can also consider conducting regular surveys to give customers the chance to provide feedback about the service they receive and suggest areas for improvement. Prioritising Customer Service support helps you attract and retain loyal customers and can have a big impact on your company’s bottom line.

1. Teamwork is key – therefore you have to have the right people on board.

Customer Service is the solution finder and problem solver

Since Customer Service is a key driver of business success, it is time for businesses to stop thinking of service as a cost centre and start recognising Customer Service for what it is: an opportunity waiting to happen.

Every person or company will have their own definition of what good Customer Service means. No matter how you define it, we want to invite you to start implementing the following three Customer Service rules, which can help you transform your business and deliver the best Customer Service experience every time.

It doesn´t matter if you are in the recruiting process or if you want to improve your current team. MaL!sh can assist. We have the solution for you in the form of gender and culture free test and assessments. This helps you to have the right people together working on the same mission.

2. Listen and share what your customer has to say.

Do you have systems and processes in place? Does everyone involved in the customers case know where to find information? Speaking from experience: A clear structure of your Customer Service processes is what separates you from the average.

3. Product knowledge and empathy.

Customer Service is an opportunity waiting to happen

Do you provide regular product trainings to your CS employees? Do you foster Soft Skill development, and have you thought about which coaching program would be suitable for your CS employees? We can provide you with customised coaching for your teams, to build intrapreneurial behaviour and ownership.

To summarise

Customer Service is the interaction between the buyer of a product and the company that sells it. Good Customer Service is critical to business success and ensuring brand loyalty. Recent innovations have focused on automating Customer Service systems, but the human element is essential, nonetheless.

Maike Benner and Lilli Rohde founders of MaLish Consulting, an international business consultancy and coaching company. Combining their experiences and strengths in people management, financials, tools and system, communication and leadership MaLish offers a variety of services for companies and individuals. www.compagneur.com - malish.global/about/malish-business/

Life Story

“Say Something” Scandinavia’s #1 transformational confidence coach, Isabell Rodriguez, turned her life around from one of abuse and self-destruction to dedicating her life to helping woman and girls suffering trauma and abuse, she shares her story with our readers. That is the title of the documentary movie about my life. When it came out in 2016 and one year later won the “Kristallen Award” in Sweden, I realised for the first time, what it meant to me, to “Say Something” and how important that would become for my future, not only for me but for so many other women around the world. To make you understand what the definition of “Say Something” is and how it was going to completely change my life forever, I need to share my whole story with you. I grew up in a small town outside Stockholm, Sweden. My dad died suddenly in a car crash when I was one years old and left my family in despair. Although my mother did the best she could, being a single mum, working three jobs to put food on the table, she also searched for love in all the wrong places, which had consequences.

By speaking up, we can move forwards

Life Story I was five years old when I got sexually abused by one of my mum’s boyfriend’s sons, leaving deep marks in my innocent soul. Aged 11 my mother met the man of her dreams. For once I thought that this time, I would experience how a real big family was like. But instead, a war behind closed doors began, which broke me down piece by piece. My mother completely disappeared and became a shadow of the woman she once was. It was not until he put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill us both, that we fled for our lives into a women’s shelter. Being at a sensitive age at 14 years, I felt anger, hate, and an incredible sense of unfairness. Here we were, with only clothes on our backs, hiding while he was a free man on the outside, walking the streets as if nothing had happened. The years that followed became even more of a struggle, rebuilding our lives from the ground, and I thought that alcohol and drugs could hide me from my emotions, that I didn’t want to acknowledge. It became a bad circle of self-abuse and insecurities and I started to attract the wrong people into my life, following the path of my

mother. That was when I fell in love with an older guy, my first boyfriend, who abused me physically, mentally and raped me at the age of 15. For years, I kept living in a self-destructive way, becoming my own worst enemy. Aged 19 I woke up in a hospital after my 4th suicidal attempt. Suffering from a psychosis as a result of taking drugs for a long period of time, I was ready to give up. But that was my wake-up call and the start of a transformational journey, to shift myself from a hurt victim to a striving woman on a mission. I made up my mind right there and then, if this is my rock bottom, how far up can I go? We have all got a story, we all have bruises, scars, and experiences we wish were less painful, but the fact that we have them can make us do remarkable things if we allow it. I found an opportunity to share my story and the experiences of my abuse, together with my mum in a documentary movie, which became the award-winning documentary “Say Something”. That was the start of something really empowering, because of that experience I got a chance to change many other people’s lives, I got in touch with the higher authority in Sweden.

myself. If only my younger vulnerable self, that insecure, lost, and angry girl, had known how her life would turn out, with a huge resilience, fight and effort - she would have never believed me because she never thought she was worthy of it.

For years, I kept living in a selfdestructive way

I shared my story and experience, speaking up from my point of view, about what was lacking in the system for abused mothers and their children. One thing led to another and now we are changing a law to protect children who are witnessing abuse at home because I decided to “say something”. “Say something” is just two words, but two very powerful words, by speaking up, we can move forwards to healing. And not only for us but for so many others who are living in silence, in loneliness, and fear. You have a story, you have experiences and knowledge which is unique to you, there is only one of you and that is why, when we speak up, we can help so many other people, even influence politicians and laws and change the world, one step at a time. When I look back and I see the long path I stumbled along, many times I have had to pinch

Today I live in beautiful Costa Rica, I am happily married and with two wonderful puppies, waiting for my first baby boy, living in my dream milliondollar house, working with women all around the world to help them improve their lives following trauma. I am grateful, proud, and extremely happy that on that day, when I decided to share my story, to speak up, I gathered all the courage I had left, not knowing where it was going to lead me, but I had faith. Whoever you are reading this article, there is nothing I want more for you than to know, that no matter where you have been, what you have been through, who you were, that there is always a decision to be made, you can decide who you want to become and don’t let any past experiences determine your destiny. We are all incredible creations of God, the universe, whatever you choose to call it, and we have infinite sources of potential waiting for us to use. You can become whatever you put your mind to, that is a fact. Say something, use your voice, use your full potential, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. When you start to speak up, you never know who you will connect with, you will never know if you never start. Time is now and it’s precious, when we understand that no matter what circumstances created us, our inner limiting beliefs and selfimage, which stop us from going after what we really want, when we understand that we have the power to change that, nothing can stop us. So dream big, talk loud and make a change, because you do have all the resources and power within you.

Isabell Rodriguez is Scandinavia’s #1 transformational confidence coach,

award-winning author, award winner of the documentary “say something” and millionaire mastermind creator. She is a student of Bob Proctor and has dedicated her life to helping women and young girls who have suffered abuse and trauma.

Mindset & Emotion

From Hating to Loving

Psychologist, Researcher, and Teacher, Saxa Stefani, takes a look at the destructive emotion of hate, and why we should make peace with this uncomfortable emotion and see it as a gateway to self-knowledge and mature, true love. The most destructive emotion of all is also the most immediate. The consequences of hatred may also last for a long time, controlling a large

part of our ordinary activities and relationships. How do we manage this feeling in a healthy way and how can we use it for our self-knowledge? Many people tend to think that love is the first affection we build and then afterwards comes the emotion of hate. Actually, this process is reversed. When we come into the world, we start this path from the feeling of loss. We are dispatched from

the comfortable uterine environment into a world of new and unpleasant sensations: the harsh air impacts our skin sensitivity, the air is forced into our lungs for the first time, the smells hit us, and we move in a space that is no longer liquid. Even when hugged by the mother, the nutrition and food supply are somewhat erratic. Thus, an anguished feeling of fear appears as a result of not having what we need to satisfy ourselves. The inability to anticipate when the next breast-feeding session or hug will take place leaves us in a state of uncertainty. What results is the hateful emotion of not being able to satisfy ourselves when and how we want to. That is why we say we build love from hatred (and not the other way round). It is hatred that places us in front of the affection: we build bonds from a perception of loss, from our fear of its occurrence and from the uncertainty of the appearance of hunger or discomfort. Hatred is formed by the impulses to keep ourselves satisfied, whether through food, body contact, smells, warming, or shelter. It makes its appearance when the significant other who carries out the protection, nurturing and peace, withdraws the attention and care we want to continue receiving. And it is totally normal for this to occur, since the external world cannot provide this constant satisfaction which is desired. Later, during youth and adulthood, the sensation of lacking something we will inevitably feel in our lives will be fuelled from that primary dissatisfaction and everyday limitations. Thus, these instincts arising from “what we cannot have” will often be combined with sadness. This is because “we cannot enjoy ourselves”, and that produces malaise, or, for example, hatred combined with the fear of running out of “what satisfies me”, resulting in rejection. The unpleasant and sustained sensation of lacking will make all attention and communication narrow. It would be conducted, as if it were an attractive force, towards the hated object, as if nothing else existed in our universe. That is why the emotion of hatred overwhelms us, and can cancel the conscious limits, leading us to anger or rage of great proportions with harmful effects.

For this reason, where there is hatred, we need to feed it with words and language, lowering its aggressive load towards the communicative form. Speaking out allows all that energy to find a healthy and even constructive way to express itself. Many times, we respond to hatred by repressing what we are feeling. Far from solving the frustration, the only thing we achieve by doing that, is to displace it and even increase its danger. So, to reflect on this point: “hatred” claims to be “heard”. By “listening to it” we can pull down its intensity, as expressed hatred is much better and less toxic than repressed hatred. Having hateful feelings is normal, but if it persists for too long or with a high intensity, it leads us to immaturity, since it places us in a childhood state, which we are incapable of deactivating. And it is likely that rage, anger and hatred are triggered in our adulthood when we connect emotionally with the feeling of being passive or victims of an unpleasant situation when we were children. This can happen in our working environment or in our relationships. If we take responsibility for the discomfort we are feeling, we have a chance to reduce our hatred. Why not start making peace with this uncomfortable emotion? Doing so has great benefits; instead of repressing hatred or turning it into aggressiveness, let us give it its deserved place and work on it. Let’s think of hate as a good gateway to self-knowledge and mature, true love.

Expressed hatred is much better and less toxic than repressed hatred.

Saxa Stefani has worked in clinical, HR, psychiatric addictions and coaching psychology. His accumulated professional experience and academic skills led him to establish ceideps in Barcelona, a specialised centre in Social Psychology, which Stefani presents as “one of the most powerful tools in psychology to accomplish a deep and multidimensional understanding and management of human behaviour.” @saxastefani @ceideps

Business

Can Cryptocurrency Save the World?

Stigydor The Cryptonator aka Michielsen Yaron provides our readers with an introduction to the next digital revolution, Cryptocurrency, explaining how it works and why it will have a large part in our future. Over the past four years I have amassed a healthy and comprehensive crypto portfolio and a firm grasp of marketing trends through research, analysis, networking, social media and in this game a degree of good fortune. Now I want to use my unique skill set to support people and in some sort of way prepare them for the next digital revolution that will hold Crypto, Creativity, Art, Knowledge and Peace. Here is a small introduction towards Cryptocurrency.

First of all, what is Cryptocurrency and what does the blockchain technology do?

A cryptocurrency is a cross between a currency and a digital asset. Like a currency, you can use it to pay for things. Like a digital asset, you can invest in it for long-term gains. You’re not buying a currency; you’re buying the idea behind the coin, which is supported by an underlying blockchain technology, the Blockchain refers to a decentralised public ledger which records transactions across many computers. Blockchain has no central point, all information is stored in many different computers at once across the internet, and this makes it hard for anyone to break into a single computer or steal the data.

Using Cryptocurrencies.

Using cryptocurrencies isn’t like using flat currency. You can’t hold cryptocurrency in your hand and you can’t open a cryptocurrency account. Cryptocurrency only exists on the blockchain. Users access their cryptocurrency using codes called public and private keys. It’s a bit like sending emails. If you want someone to send you an email, you tell them your email address. Well, if you want someone to send you cryptocurrency, you tell them your public key.

passwords for cryptocurrency. Public keys can be seen by anyone, but private keys should only be seen by you. If there is one paramount detail you should learn from this What is Cryptocurrency guide, it’s that keeping your private keys safe is extremely important!

What does this mean for the future?

It means it has a universal bookkeeping “Blockchain”. Small example, creating a global system for charities that work. This means it can take away corruption/fraud, most of the money people donate ends up in the pockets of the leaders at the top. The database is stored on a network of thousands of computers called nodes. New information can only be added to the blockchain if more than half of the nodes agree that it is valid and correct.

Can Cryptocurrency Save the World?

Cryptocurrency has a lot of critics. Some say that it is all hype. Well, I have my own opinion. It feels like the internet in the late 90’s, they couldn’t understand it, but when it is made consumer friendly, more people will get it and use it. Cryptocurrency is here to stay and it is going to make the world a better place in my opinion. The regulations and infrastructure are all being built this year in the crypto space and I think we are going to see a huge mainstream adoption in 2022. The centralised organisations have let us down and in 2008, banks cost taxpayers trillions of dollars causing the world economy to fall apart. Blockchain technology could be used for elections in some of the most corrupt countries in the world... It is a voice. Free elections could be held without fear of violence or intimidation. In the end cryptocurrencies can help make the world a fairer, safer and more peaceful place for us all to live in... Let’s see what 2021-2022 will bring us!

Now, if you want to read your emails or send an email, you need to enter your email password. This is how private keys work. Private keys are like

After being a straddletruckdriver for 13 years in Antwerp, Michielsen Yaron took the big step of starting his own company as a designer, futurist,

influencer, crypto advisor and community manager. He is a representative of Mobiepay where he was one of the first investors two and a half years ago. He also provides graphical services and web design.

Interview

Juanita Guerra Arellano Working to enrich the vision of current and future generations

In this issue of the magazine, we interview Columbian born Juanita Guerra Arellano, now living in Austria, she is the founder of artisan company Juanita’s Nähbox and CEO of Hilos Viajeros.

Who are you?

I am from the beautiful country of Colombia. Sixteen years ago, I met a wonderful Austrian man named Erich Kaltmann. As all love stories go, we fell in love and started a family in Austria. Our daughter, Emilia, is the inspiration for my creations. She gave us the gift of her smile and her kind heart, and now I see the world with new eyes. I’m currently CEO of my artisan company, Juanita’s Nähbox––13 years in the market, and CEO of Hilos Viajeros. I stand out for my community work and leadership capacity. I’m currently a representative to the Austrian and Graz Chamber of Commerce as organiser and spokesperson for the artisans. In 2020 I was elected in my town, Stattegg, as a councillor. My work has been recognised in specialised forums and in various Austrian, North American and Latin American media.

What was your motivation to achieve what you have?

I love to do things for Emilia. The handcrafted toys that I have made for her combine the best of two worlds: the creativity, happiness and warmth of my homeland, with the discipline and sense of family of the people of Austria, my new home.

Emilia is my first and most important inspiration

Interview

How do you take care of your body, mind and soul?

I mainly take care of myself from within; the most important thing is to be at peace and at ease with myself; clarifying and speaking clearly is the basis of everything. Daily routine and organisation are the basis of every principle. Never go without making a latenight list of what you want to achieve the next day. Not leaving anything undone and completing each item to the very end is the key. In this way you make your body and mind feel satisfied and complete, to be able to continue building every day.

If you were in the jungle what kind of animal would you be and why?

I would be a squirrel––mischievous, crazy, jumping up and down and going from here to there collecting experiences, making friends and being free, brave and happy.

Who inspires you and why?

As I said, Emilia is my first and most important inspiration, and gives me the strength to keep going. Day-to-day and the situations that arise make me grow and make me stronger to move forward with the tasks in my various fields of work.

Who has supported and influenced you on your life journey?

My family and my friends, who are with me in every step of the way. Each of them have contributed the best they know, giving small pieces of this enormous puzzle that is my world.

What do you miss the most from your home country Colombia?

From Colombia I miss my family and friends, the human warmth and overflowing smiles, regardless of the situation.

What is Hilos Viajeros big vision?

The vision of Hilos Viajeros is to transform the world into a better place through the experiences of people in different places, in order to smooth out differences between locals and immigrants, as well as develop a sense of belonging and understanding in each place. I believe in the transforming power of ideas and meaningful work. My purpose, in all the areas in which I operate is that we embrace multiple cultures so that we may enrich the vision of current and future generations with their wisdom. By consolidating an inclusive platform, we will create well-being and opportunities for all the inhabitants of our beautiful region.

I believe in the transforming power of ideas and meaningful work

Hilos Viajeros is a 100-chapter docuseries that tells the story of modern-day explorers who leave their countries of origin for different reasons, but who face personal and professional challenges during their journey that bring about positive changes in their lives, thereby becoming successful people. They become important reference points in the places that host them

Interview

today. This all joins the story of Juanita Guerra, a Colombian who left her country of origin 16 years ago and today is an important pillar of community-life in Austria. She has brought together these inspiring characters who will star in each episode of the series on the YouTube channel, Hilos Viajeros By JNB, with broadcasts every two weeks.

Tell us about the inspiration behind Juanita’s Sewing box and how it has developed.

Creating brings me much happiness. My closest friends encouraged me to teach them how to sew and create. That’s how it all began and today my threads of colours, the fabrics, the buttons and the ideas are not just for me; they give happiness to many others. My business, JUANITA´S NÄHBOX is actually a network of friendships. Many of my friends have spread the word to their friends, who have in turn invited their friends, and so on…. Each new customer that comes to us instantly becomes part of my circle of friends. We may share our ideas over a cup of tea and freshly baked cookies. Then we get down to business and watch our hands become magical instruments that create for the children that we love so much.

What is your vision for the future of Juanita’s Nähbox?

Over time, I have seen my NÄHBOX grow bigger and stronger with all the ideas floating in my head. I have friends in many countries, so JUANITA´S NÄHBOX will continue growing, just like my Emilia, fed by the laughter and the dreams that are left on the table after each afternoon of dressmaking. My Latin-American friends tell me that we should have these sessions online (in Spanish there is a specific term for these meetings dating back to the days of our grandmothers: we call them “El costurero” (the sewing box). The future of Juanita’s Nähbox is to continue to provide a unique, personalised space for reflection, personal growth and self-love through sewing. Believing in ourselves through our hands takes us to a higher level of inner empowerment. I believe in myself and I can do the things from my interior.

Believing in ourselves through our hands takes us to a higher level of inner empowerment

Body & Health

Benefits of

Essential Oils

for Drastic Times

Certified Holistic Practitioner, Helena Georgiou, explains the benefits of essential oils, how they help in everyday life and particularly in unpredictable times such as we are witnessing now and shares three treatments for common health issues. Essential oils are extremely beneficial for various health issues, especially during the unpredictable times we are now living in, where mental health issues are on the increase due to the Covid restrictions. A national survey on 21st January 2021 on mental health and coronavirus by Singlecare Team (medically reviewed by Marissa Walsh, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID) found the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of 59% of people in the US. Dismantling the stigma around mental illness is important now more than ever. Essential oils have been acknowledged as therapeutic agents since ancient times for their wide range of pharmacological and psychological properties. Historical records show they were used in ancient Egypt, India, Persia, Mesopotamia, and China to prevent illnesses, for the treatment of diseases and in religious ceremonies on account of their pleasant odours. The true birthplace of essential oils was in ancient Egypt, where distillation pots were discovered dating back to 3500 BC.

Essential oils have been recognised as therapeutic agents since ancient times

These amazing oils have earned their spot as friendly and healthy alternatives to cosmetic and household products in our personal lives consistently. Whether loved for their wellness benefits (sleep, relaxation, mood enhancers), beauty purposes (anti-acne, anti-dandruff, antiaging, scar reduction, improve skin and hair texture), house cleaning, home diffusing, insect repellents – the essential and carrier oils have gained much popularity worldwide, as more people swear by them and their incredible benefits. Many celebrities and health experts endorse essential oils and incorporate them in their daily routines. An increasing number of studies also explore the positive correlations between various essential oils and their wellness benefits. Even celebrities love using Essential Oils as part of their daily regime: *Gwyneth Paltrow loves essential oils especially in her bath for relaxation. Oils such as jojoba, chamomile, lavender, and clary sage are ideal to help with relaxing. *The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton also uses rosehip oil in her skincare regimen. *Vanessa Hudgens keeps essential oils handy wherever she goes: “I feel like smells can be really balancing, grounding, or energising,”. She applies the doTerra Serenity Blend to her palms before taking a deep breath and rubs some on her temples and neck too. “It makes me feel really refreshed. Some people take smoke breaks, I take essential oil breaks.” It is most important to choose high quality, premium, pure essential oils especially if you plan to use them on your face and body. Personally I recommend and use doTerra Essential Oils as they are now one of the top three companies worldwide, known for their high-quality brand with their own laboratories on site for daily testing of their unique products so they can continuously offer the best grade for their customers. Many oils can be taken internally which makes it ideal for cooking and baking. doTerra oils are also safe enough to be used by children and pets too.

Body & Health Essential Oils - How They Work

Inhalation, application and bathing are the three main methods used to encourage the entry of essential oils into the body. Through inhalation the oils enter the nasal receptors. When massaged or rubbed into the skin, the oils permeate the pores and hair follicles. During bathing the oils are absorbed through the skin simultaneously. Ideally essential oils should be added to a carrier oil like sweet almond, jojoba, grapeseed or my favourite, desiccated coconut oil.

How to mix carrier oil with essential oils:

Whenever possible purchase organic, coldpressed carrier oils from a manufacturer you trust. Although most carrier oils don’t cause an allergic reaction, you should always do a patch test prior to using.

To perform a patch test:

-Add a small amount of carrier oil to the inside of your wrist or just below your ear. -Cover the oil with a bandage. -Check back on the area after 24 hours. -If irritation occurs, rinse thoroughly, and avoid future use. If you’re allergic to tree nuts, you shouldn’t use oils like sweet almond oil, argan oil and apricot kernel oil. Carrier oils make it possible to use essential oils safely. They also help nourish and moisturise your skin. Whatever oil you choose, avoid using it on your lips, eyes, or other sensitive areas after it has been mixed with an essential oil. Essential oils are immensely valuable during these drastic times, so I would like to share the three most common health issues and their specific treatment:

1. Immune System Enhancement

Recommended Oils - Cinnamon, Frankincense, Lemon, Oregano and Rosemary This unique blend acts as an alternative antibiotic treatment and assists in boosting the immune system. Used internally, these oils protect against seasonal threats by increasing the body’s natural antioxidant defences, deterring any associated

germs and allergies. Cinnamon is a fantastic booster for a healthier immune system. For best results: -Blend 2 drops of each oil in a pan of steaming water. -Inhale the steam while placing a towel over your head for greater potency. -For continuous immune support, rub Frankincense on your neck daily.

2. Insomnia Remedy

Recommended Oils - Geranium, Hawaiian Sandalwood, Lavender and Marjoram. This remarkable combination of sweet oils provides a relaxing, warm and calming effect on the mind and body. When used together on a daily basis, this blend creates a tranquil feeling which allows you to relax, therefore improving your sleep pattern. Geranium oil aids with tiredness and general fatigue.

For best results: -Combine with a carrier oil like desiccated coconut oil and place 2 drops in each palm, rubbing gently. -Apply to the temple, as well as the back of the neck especially where it meets the head, as this is where most tension is stored. -Rub it under the feet or under the nose for immediate relaxation and calmness. As a Holistic Practitioner and Herbalist, I feel a deep resonance with Mother Nature who has gifted us with necessary ingredients to make pure essential oils for our overall wellbeing - “It’s natural health through God’s Pharmacy”. Throughout my life essential oils have been a valuable daily commodity, assisting me in overcoming different health issues like high blood pressure, anxiety and panic attacks. Nowadays I use them daily for my welfare, as well as in unique blends for my client’s individual needs during massage and holistic sessions.

For best results: -Combine 1 drop of each oil with a 50ml carrier oil like desiccated Coconut Oil. -Apply under the feet, under the nose, or on your pillowcase so you breath in the aromas while sleeping. -Use a diffuser and add this relaxing blend to help you drift off into a deep sleep.

3. Headache & Migraine Antidote

Recommended Oils - Lavender and Roman Chamomile Lavender oil is well-known for having a calming effect on the nervous system by reducing stress and depression, as well as lowering blood pressure. Used throughout history it aids our body to maintain healthy tissues. Roman Chamomile is effective in reducing anxiety and tension and is popular in treating childhood illnesses. The great combination of these oils relax tight muscles instantly, releasing the tension which results in a headache or a migraine.

Essential oils are immensely valuable during these drastic times

Helena Georgiou is a Certified Holistic Practitioner, doTerra Wellness Advocate, Transformational Speaker, My Body is My Body Program Presenter, Women’s Circle Facilitator and Writer. She has dedicated over 20 years to the study of Health and Wellbeing. Residing in Paphos, Cyprus she assists the Indian Classical Music and Arts Cyprus Foundation, as well as writes for several magazines. naturalhealingpaphos@gmail.com

Mindset & Emotion

GRITSTAR Community by

GRIT Academy

Generates Synergy And Innovation Breathing Organic Resilience for Sustained Success 38

Breathwork therapy expert, multi-awarded Mentor and member of Business Fit Magazine advisory board, Viola Edward, along with her sister, Layla, tell us about their project, The GRIT Academy, helping people to transform their personal limiting thoughts. The project broke slowly into a wide and generous smile, nourished and harboured in the wisdom of the inspired shelter offered by us, the Edward sisters. We have harvested our experiences from 30 years of teaching and learning in the holistic field of self-improvement. This priceless treasure chest of working experience, materialised from the resources of books, psychotherapy, counselling, mentoring sessions and group evening meetings, brought back up to the surface the skills, talents and qualities, bright and virtually fresh in the light of The Idea.

This is when the GRIT Academy was born, GROW - RESOURCE - INSPIRE - TRANSFORM

The project has prospered, thanks to the trust, openness and love of many hearts saying, “I do” to our growing community. Today, after a cosmic year of bliss, GRIT Academy has evolved into a dream reality, put into practice thanks to the inspiration, cooperation and shared feedback of the living wisdom of the expansive GRITSTAR Community.

It is time to recognise your resilience

Mindset & Emotion These times of profound global challenge invite us to mentor, coach and accompany you in overcoming uncertainty with the least limiting impact possible. As people, we wish to continue to grow holistically, strengthening the co-creation of our dreams and achievements. At GRIT Academy, we support you to identify and transform your personal limiting thoughts. It is time to recognise your resilience and the gifts and the strengths that fill you with the inspiration required to open new doors of fulfilment. It is time to achieve your desires and live a sustainable success. Transformation and change can progress when there is connection with the self, others and the world. The change is not simply the results of our actions, but also stems from a growing personal self-awareness and the fulfilment of our goals and plans. Sustainable self-transformation is typical of communities where the members consciously determine their own destiny. The objective of the GRITSTAR Community is to honour and support creative connections through collaboration and exchange between the Academy members. In an environment of trust, security and celebration, the sharing and fostering of personal achievements, as well as opportunities for expansion at a professional level, frequently trigger the generation of new ideas. Through GRIT Academy’s alliances with other organisations, synergies are encouraged with specialist groups, where members generate innovations in fields complementary to their own. These empower the participant members themselves and enable society in general to benefit from their area of specialty. Another objective of our community is to promote a substantial exchange of knowledge and skills between GRIT Coach/Mentors in current topics. The community energy favours meeting peers with the same passions, as well as connecting with visiting guests specialised in value generating topics that abound in collective learning.

in its systemic vision, joyful and comforting in its financial reward. The initial programme “GRIT Star”- level 1 is composed of small groups. It consists of seven interactive weekly online sessions of two hours each. Participants learn to shine and become leaders of their lives, confident both in their selfimprovement and their continuing expansion. Daily practice, integrated into all areas of life, is the simple methodology of our 4 GRIT B’s. By participating in our level 2, a deep and formal training of 64 hours, divided into seven intensive modules, they will then be able to become certified as GRIT Coach/Mentor. This prepares them for owning their own business and becoming part of the global GRIT Coach/Mentors infrastructure. Both, GRIT Stars and GRIT Coach/Mentors are members of our Community. We are all teachers and students in an endless exchange of roles. Each one matters to the other in the continuous stream of life. With the philosophical axiom that “I and the other are the same”, the STARGRIT Community maintains this systemic mastery in building meaningful lives that are profitable and satisfying. Verifying the results manifests the strong feeling of belonging experienced between the members. Creating together is better and easier.

We promote a substantial exchange of knowledge and skills

The GRIT Academy program is economically accessible and planned in two levels. It is generous

Viola Edward is a Personal and Corporate Advisor and multi-awarded Mentor. Humanitarian, pioneer of Breathwork and mental health fitness in the workplace since 1993, she is convinced that the practice of Conscious Breathing is at the core of every person’s wellbeing. Co-owner of GRIT Academy and Kayana Consulting, Author Breathing the Rhythm of Success and Who Makes the Bed?, co-author of 10 more books. www.violaedward.com

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Health 41

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Spirituality

Creating from an Alignment to Love and Source Consciousness

Manifestation coach and author, Kyle Suhan, encourages us to let the creative energy of the universe help us make a connection to our higher selves in order to serve humanity for the greatest good.

Our intention ultimately becomes our reality.

What are we choosing to create and why are we choosing to create it?

I challenge you to open your heart and allow the creative energy of the universe an opportunity to flow through you. To create from a position of love so that all may experience the higher vibrations you bring to reality. Each morning we are presented with the opportunity to align ourselves to our highest good upon waking. So that we may serve humanity for the greatest good. I notice first the warmth of the blankets as my consciousness re-enters my body after a night’s rest. The darkness of the room lets me know that it is still well before dawn and I am in no rush to move. I allow myself to feel, to fully embrace the moment of waking. The blanket covering me is warm and enveloping. I’m grateful. I’m so grateful in this moment to know that I am choosing a life built in love, built in joy, built in gratitude. It is in this moment I can choose the next actions which will start my day in alignment to my higher self. The excitement fills my body as an electric energy, and I quickly throw the covers off of me and hit my knees. This position of humility has served me well in remembering that I am but a servant to the love and light of Source. A prayerful, meditative state from a position of humility has allowed me to connect to higher states of consciousness with myself and gain insights into who I am and what it is that I am supposed to create, how I am supposed to create it and for what purpose the creation is to serve. There are many labels that have been given to the creative energy which drives all in the universe, I choose to call my higher power, God. Whatever name you choose will work as long as you feel the connection for yourself. “God, thank you for everything you have done for me in my life that has brought me to this very moment. I am so grateful for the opportunities you have presented me with to enable me to create from a position of love. From my open heart. I know it is Your will for me to live in peace and harmony and joy. I’m grateful You have awoken me happy, healthy and full of energy. Allow me to channel this vibrant energy of creation into my business and relationships. Allow me to channel this creative energy into the products and services I offer those who come

into my reality. I know that with an open heart I attract people to me who appreciate me for what I am doing and how I am serving the collective greater good.” My intention in the earliest moments of my day is to align myself to the highest physical vibration of love I can hold. It has been my experience that holding and maintaining this vibration and resonant frequency will attract new opportunities for me to grow in creation. Love is the underlying energetic driver of Source consciousness. The Creator wants us to live in love, to live in joy and harmony with all. To create from this openhearted position of love so the Creator may experience Himself in such a way through our own personal perspective. The act of creating inspired ideas comes from establishing a connection to our higher selves generating a powerful frequency within the quantum field. We gain a new confidence in knowing our creations are coming from a deeper truth. A truth resonating from within our own selves. Taking this inspired action and bringing an idea into reality gives us an established connection to our own self confidence. We know in ourselves that what we are creating serves a higher purpose. By knowing it, we are convicted. That conviction resonates on a higher frequency and people are then drawn to us. They are not necessarily drawn to our creations so much as they are drawn to the frequency we have brought in bringing those creations into reality. The closer the alignment to Source, the higher the frequency. The higher the frequency, the more attractive it is. If a creation is brought into reality through pure love, the frequency is of the highest vibration and often that creation becomes invaluable or priceless. Our intention ultimately becomes our reality. Consciously choosing to intentionally serve from an open heart and a position of love, generates the frequency of attraction. Lower vibrational frequency creations act in a mirrored fashion. An example of this is a product or service created out of greed. If we are simply trying to make money in order to better ourselves while not taking into consideration the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others, we are going to be attracting a very different reality.

Kyle Suhan is the author of Breath of Light – An Alcoholic’s Spiritual Awakening and Journey to Self-Discovery. He practices transcendental meditation and ancient breathing techniques and has tapped into a creative energy living within us all. He is a manifestation coach working with clients to open their own creative potential. His motivation is to serve others, helping them to unlock their own universal creative inspiration.

Pashion Fashion

Second

Fly

A jewellery Designer at HÕBE, Ariana Onno Ramos, tells us about the inspiration and process behind the Second Fly line of jewellery, immortalising butterfly wings HÕBE presents the collection “Second Fly”. The collection is a sustainable bio-business where butterfly wings are turned into eternal jewellery, giving them a second chance to fly, hence the name, Second Fly.

The Inspiration behind Second Fly

“Metamorphosis has always been the biggest symbol of change to poets and artists. Imagine you could be a caterpillar one moment and a butterfly the next” Luois Schwartzberg. In psychology, the butterfly represent the ability to leave an uncomfortable state and elevate the psyche up to be a better version of yourself, through a trip of self-knowledge, courage and transformation. How long does the magical transformation from caterpillar to butterfly take? The metamorphosis takes between 7 to 14 days.

The Butterfly as a Transformation Symbol

The butterfly represents transformation as it suffers through the evolutionary process of metamorphosis to change from the caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly.

How We Do We Create Second Flight?

Firstly we purchase our butterflies through a Cauca Valley zoo-breeding centre. All the butterflies we use have ended their lives naturally. Next, we remove in the most respectful way, the wing section in order to start the jewellery creation process. Finally, we cover them with resin and a sustainable varnish, immortalising the wings with a brass baseplate of gold. Now they can start their Second Flight as a piece of everlasting jewellery. We have a collection of magnificent and beautiful earrings, where the butterflies receive a second chance to show their brightness and beauty, making their second flight.

Can the beating of a butterfly wing in Madrid cause a hurricane in Havana?

The Chinese proverb, “The beating of a butterfly wing can be felt on the other side of the Earth”, is the origin of the term, along with the mathematician and meteorologist, Edward Lorenz’s investigations, of one of the most cinematographic physical theories: the butterfly effect. According to this concept, which is linked to the chaos theory, the beating of an insect wing in Hong Kong can trigger a storm in New York.

The Butterfly as a Resistance and Adaptation Symbol

We give them a second chance to fly

The butterfly is extremely adaptable to its environment and climatic conditions, in order to avoid predators, some have the same colour or pattern as its surroundings, making it difficult to see.

Pashion Fashion

What Is HÕBE?

HÕBE is a jewellery company designed for you. Their designs are of high-quality and elegance where every symbol is representing the project’s soul. It is inspired by travel, nature, life sense and strong values to create a new world, your new world. This was the thought behind this little universe called HÕBE. It is a Spanish firm created by the greatest artisan experts, where the highest quality is insisted upon in every single piece created. As a child, Ariana didn’t play with toys, her dreams were always related to coins and jewellery. Her passion with it began at just four year’s old. She would go with her father to meetings and learned from him the best business techniques. Always curious and inquisitive, she had a burning desire to design and create. She is also passionate about neuroscience and always studying anything related to it. HÕBE is committed, wherever possible, to protecting the environment and is the first Spanish firm to create sustainable jewellery and the sign in our Hortaleza Street shop states “Ecological Silver”. All our packaging has been designed with ecological certificate materials, showing our commitment to helping to save the planet.

The butterfly represents transformation

Ariana Onno Ramos works for the Jewellery company HÕBE. She studied

the teaching profession in Cuba and Marketing in Madrid. She has worked in Human Relation and, since 2012 at HÕBE, designing jewellery which reflects her life.

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Business

How to Make a Lasting

IMPACT

International speaker, author, investor, Business Mentor and regular contributor to Business Fit Magazine, Arnon Barnes, shares with Business Fit readers five tips on how you can make a lasting positive impact. In recent years, the word impact has been used like it’s been going out of fashion. Everyone wants to make an impact. People, brands, products want to make an impact on all kinds of levels. Yet, what are you actually doing? What are you actually saying? How do you create impact? In this article I’m going to share with you my take and 5 keys on how to make a lasting positive impact.

First off

Before you can even start with making an impact you need to know what you stand for. What do you live for? What drives you and gives you energy? What legacy do you want to leave behind? You must have this crystal clear. Take a moment to write down the answers to these important questions and repeat them like a mantra. Speak your truth like a leader because the fact is, if you can’t articulate your vision to others, no-one is going to want to follow you. Create a vision that brings hope for a brighter future.

Now you can articulate what you stand for, you need to understand who you are speaking to. Have you ever started speaking to someone and halfway through the conversation you can feel you’re not on the same wavelength as the other person? It’s such an unsatisfying feeling. That’s because there’s no resonation, no click, no synergy and the conversation simply dies. You don’t want this to happen with your message, product or service. To overcome this, I recommend you create a profile of your ideal receiver because how can you make an impact if you don’t know who you are making the impact on?

Then

necessarily something people connect with on a deeper level. The second part is your brand. Here you need to establish your company identity and how to position yourself and your company properly in the marketplace. Your brand needs to encapsulate the mission and vision. It needs to be meaningful and tell a story people are going to resonate with because at the end of the day it’s the story that sells.

Almost there

You know the saying; “A dream is just a dream if it isn’t backed up by a plan and action” How much of an impact do you actually want to make and by when would you like to achieve this? Understanding what your goal looks like in terms of amount and timeline, you’re able to break your goal down into bite size action steps. Plus, your decisions will be strategic instead of shooting blanks and moving in any direction.

Finally

Don’t wait around for all the traffic lights to be green or all the stars to align. The perfect day will never come, you just need to start. When is a good time? Now is a good time! Start making an impact today! Want to meet and work with Arnon? Join one of his upcoming (online) events. For more information about training or coaching check out his website www.arnonbarnes.com or contact his office via info@arnonbarnes.com.

When is a good time? Now is a good time!

Once you know who to target it’s time to get clarity on what it is that you are going to make an impact with? I believe there are two sides to this. Firstly there are your products and services. An important piece of the equation, but not

Arnon Barnes started his first business at age 11 and built and sold his first multi million euro company by the age of 28! In the past 7 years Arnon has personally trained and coached more than 90,000 people from well over 65 different countries. Arnon is an explosive international speaker, author, investor and one of Europe’s leading and most exciting business mentors.

Life Story

Shaping

Autism

We are honoured at Business Fit Magazine, to feature an article by William Wehrli, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at an early age, he gives us an insight of what it is like from his perspective. My name is William Wehrli, and I am an Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It was suspected when I was 18 months old, and officially diagnosed when I was four. The people who evaluated me told my mother I would never stand a chance in this world as an Independent adult and I would never graduate from a traditional school. I was six years old before I could speak properly. My biological Dad left me and my sister, when I was seven. My stepfather expressed frustration with me due to my struggles and quirks. I was bullied at school for being different; mistreated by the teachers and by supervisors and coworkers at work. However, I did graduate, with a master’s degree in Special Education. I have my own house, car, job, and pay all my bills and do all my grocery shopping. I have presented many public presentations on my autism over many years and have worked with kids with Special Needs for several years! I have been on my own Fitness Journey for almost two years, losing over 50 pounds. I exercise often. I work hard, I’m visually creative, I strive to grow, and to help others.

Understanding Autism from my Perspective:

The most common definition for autism is that it is a developmental disorder; meaning an autistic person’s brain does not develop the same as a typical person. Imagine you planted a tree right beneath a boulder. That tree is going to have the hardest time growing compared to other trees planted with space and sunshine.

How Does Autism Affect Me as A Human Being?

Having autism, communication is my primary struggle in human society. I am not very proficient at verbal communication. I have to take my time to think of words to say when having a conversation, or an argument. That’s why people are quick to cut me off and interrupt me. I don’t see any grey when facts are presented to me. I sometimes take things the wrong way and act on them in ways people did not expect me to. You could also give me a direction I may or may not understand fully, and I would carry it out in ways you would not expect me to. Another struggle due to having autism is my delayed processing skills. Here’s an example. You take a cupcake, and a regular size cake. Which are you most likely able to finish the quickest? Probably the cupcake. Because it’s smaller. With the regular sized cake, you’re going need to take

I strive to grow, and to help others

Life Story

Communication is my primary struggle in human society

more bits, and time to digest. That’s how it is with autism. Depending on how much information you give me, I will need more time to process it. Less is more. Having autism has an impact on my social skills. There’s a lot of modern society language I do not understand. Like body language, social cues, or boundaries.

My Autism Cloud Theory

Try and picture this. You have a brain as the main source of your mind. You have thousands of reliable information sources which can be either books, the internet, magazines, lectures, notes, videos, audio tracks, etc, all of them are attempting to feed knowledge into your brain. However, something is blocking that knowledge from entering your mind. Nobody can really see or identify what that barrier is, but for me, there are many different ways on how I can describe that barrier. I was really young when I was diagnosed with autism, and barely functioned like any other human being. It’s like I had a thick piece of cloth that served as a blind fold, and ear plugs. If you take a piece of cloth and attach it to my face, I may be able to see through the cloth but not well enough to make sense of what is going on around me. With ear plugs, they don’t exactly make you completely deaf, but certainly limit your hearing. So if I could barely hear what was going on around me, I wouldn’t be able to fully understand my surroundings.

what I think my future would be like. It could also contain audio from the same sources the visions came from.

A lot of people seem to think that shouting and getting right into your face is a good way to get your attention, and that’s where they are wrong. As I got older, it became easier for me to break that barrier and start gaining more knowledge. However the thing with autism is that it may be easy for me to gain knowledge, but it’s hard for me to express it. When I got older, that cloth that served as a barrier began to form into a cloud that would later surround me instead of being stuck in front of me. Now instead of a cloud that is made of water and vapor, this cloud was made of visions, visions from movies, pictures, books, events that happened in the past, or visions of

When I am stuck inside that cloud, I can sometimes see those visual sources at 100% opacity, or at 10%. Same with the audio, I can hear the audio coming from those sources at 100%, or at a muted level, or sometimes in between. There’s never a set time or routine of when I can see those or hear those sources at different lengths, it just happens at random moments. That cloud can consist of either good or bad. The good thing about it is that it can be filled with images that autistic people love. Like their favourite movie, past, or something they look forward to facing in their future. The bad thing is that it can also contain the opposite.

William Wehrli is an Autistic Influencer and Entrepreneur. He’s an Aspiring

Actor, Former Camp Counselor at Meadowood Springs, Public Speaker on Growing and Experiencing Autism. His goal is to help make a difference in the autism community and support autistic families and individuals who are struggling. Youtube - William Shaping Autism. Instagram: @ williamshapingautism. Facebook: Shaping Autism with William Wehrli.

Business Fit Magazine May 2021

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