just begin magazine issue no.7 | reflection
photo credit: Dorian Ash
.ERA EW OHW
“If you Just Begin you'll never have to question if you didn't start...” Welcome to Just Begin Magazine! Our philosophy is to JUST BEGIN on whatever makes you happy. Just Begin Magazine celebrates all that’s good in the world. With our platform, we will share positive news and wonderful people. Our mission is to inspire change for the environment, community, sustainability, and creativity by covering everything in workplace wellness, industrial health and safety, holistic living, clean beauty, living sustainably, travel, environment, and happiness. By our magazine being digital, we are reducing waste and helping those around us become more eco-conscious. We’re also committed to giving back by donating to a charity through our giving back program in every issue.
contents
36
INSIDE YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE NO.07
Kamala Harris: Making History
Spotlights 01-13 Answering The Question: What Did 2020 Teach You?
15 Our Winter Favorites
Happiness 16 An Essay on Reflection
18 How To Practice Winter Self-Care
20 How to Stay Happy in the Winter By Using Essential Oils
22 25 Habits That Will Make You Fall In Love With Life
24 If Not Now, Then When?
34 Bohemian Roots
Holistic Living 40 How To Look After Your Mental Health After The Stress Of 2020
43 Reiki Distance Healing: How To Send Healing Energy At A Distance
46 8 surprising skin and hair benefits of onions
49 3 Ways To Increase Physical Activity In Daily Life
Workplace Wellness 51 How To Practice Self Care At Work
54 6 Reasons Why You're Mentally Burned Out
25 25 Pieces of Advice Before I Turn 25
What Women Create 29 Glow Designs
32 Mollie Kallen Case Management, Inc.
Service Provider To Know 60 The Creation of Workers Rehabilitation Inc. & The Love Story Behind it.
photo credit: samantha diaz
Doctor To Know 65 Dr. Mauricio Herrera
Travel 68 Beautiful Spots To See The Fall Foliage In The Smokies
71 Autumn Fun in Michigan
Sustainability 75 How to Reduce Waste this Holiday and Make It A Little Greener
77 6 Simple Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
78 10 Things to Stop Buying to Save Money And The Planet
Be Inspired 82 Bradley W. Gronke, Ed.D
87 Natalie Torres
letter from the editor MELLY DIAZ
Once again I am writing this hours before the magazine is due. It’s hard to believe that this is our last edition of the year and that we’ve already released seven issues! It’s a milestone that we are not taking lightly. This edition’s theme is reflection and I know we often are told to not dwell on the past, however, I think it’s important to look back to appreciate the journey. In January, we were all excited for the new century— that 2020 was going to be “our year”. In March, our worlds were turned upside down when the pandemic hit and we had to change our way of thinking and living leaving the world divided. In the isolation and anxiety it forced us to get in our head (maybe a little too much) and think of what we want in life. For me I knew I wanted an outlet to create and write. The team and I had been talking about starting the magazine for months since 2019 but never found the time to get around to starting it. Until this year when we were forced to look inwards and realize what is truly important to us.
Just Begin blossomed from a place of spontaneity, fear, and excitement. We decided to just begin even if we had no idea if it would work and I’m so happy we took that leap of faith. With over 700 members and seven issues to date I can see that we made the right decision. I’m so excited to share all the other ideas we have in store for you and want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. As we look back on this year we are grateful and excited for what’s to come next at Just Begin Magazine.
with love,
Melly Diaz
our team follow along on social anailis diaz Executive Editor Executive Writer
instagram: @justbeginmag facebook: @justbeginmag linkedin: just begin magazine pinterest: just begin magazine
mari diaz Deputy Creative Director Founder
melly diaz Editor in Chief Creative Director Director, Brand Marketing
samantha diaz Editor at Large Director of Photography Design Director
"WE ARE MORE POWERFUL WHEN WE EMPOWER EACH OTHER."
For this issue we are asking our audience one question: ?UOY HCAE
H W
ID 2020 D T AT
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 1
Melissa Cancio Coming into the year, my word for 2020 was adventure and I did just that. Regardless of what life threw at us and all the curve balls, I chose to really look at like through an adventure lens. 2020 is truly a year to remember- in all aspects, but it’s the way WE choose to move forward with what the new decade has provided us. 2020 taught me that adventure can be looked at in so many diverse ways. It starts with you!
Mollie Kallen I believe 2020 forced us to go back to our roots and look at what is truly the most valuable in our lives. Relationships, family, physical and mental health are key and it forced us/me to slow down, spend more time with family, relax and enjoy the simple pleasures .
Jeannette Lopez 2020 taught me to be patient, to take advantage of this time to be still and slow down. As difficult and challenging it has been I found that looking for the little things to be thankful for to get me through to the next day. Consistency with self care was important, exercising and challenging myself to meet fitness goals. It also opened up my eyes to truth in friendships. Finally, celebrate everything because tomorrow is not promised. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 2
Petyah "Tia" Pierre 2020 has taught me that our World can be incredibly noisy, filled with work, television, social media, podcasts, school, etc. It leaves us no time to refocus, reflect or re-energize on what is important to us. I cannot get lost in being busy but find the time to indulge in the things & people that brings me joy.
Robin Fielding To take stock of what is truly important in life. I’m thankful for my family, friends, good health and working for a company that truly cares.
Angie Bolanos The biggest lesson I learned in 2020 is not to take life for granted and to appreciate our loved ones, friends, families and challenges. I learned the importance of taking a minute in a day to take care of myself because life is a roller coaster and our world can be turned upside down in an instant. I learned to be flexible and adaptable because in order to continue living and succeed you have to have an open mind and see the bigger picture. I finally learned and experienced the true saying of when life gives you lemons make lemonade! No matter what is happening in the world we need to adapt and find another way to accomplish your goals without losing sight of the things or people that matter most to you! 2020 has been hard and challenging as a Mom worrying about my son, as a daughter worrying about my mom being elderly as a sister worrying about her because she works at a hospital and is surrounded and exposed to COVID, as an aunt to my amazing niece in high school and nephew leaving for his first year in college in a pandemic. As a small business owner, worrying about not being able to employ my team, not knowing if we will survive as a business and not knowing if I would be able to employ all my staff. 2020 has been stressful but I learned to to make my lemonade and continue to be strong. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 3
I received calls and texts and so many prayers and messages and I felt blessed, and grateful for all of these people. My company FFVA Mutual could not have been more supportive and I leaned hard on my daughter and she held herself together with the help of some really great friends we have in the industry and out. He is doing better now and slowly getting better and for that I am blessed. This has been a crazy and difficult time but I have also never felt support, blessed and loved and that is what I am holding onto going into 2021.
Mary Cliver Reflecting on 2020 makes me feel upset, thankful, crazy and blessed all at the same time. The virus came in and everything in my life turned upside down. When July came I got good news that the man I love had sold his house and was finally moving down to Florida to be with me and all of my children had come home to Orlando too. He drove all the way to the end of my street and on August first he had a heart attack and blacked out and his truck went down in a retention pond. For the next 17 days I waited as they told me something good then it was bad then it was good then terrible. I was the only one allowed in the hospital and he was on life support and I was not sure that anything would ever be ok again. What I can see today though looking back is how lucky I was to know so many great people that were of course friends and family and also so many from the work comp industry.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 4
Samantha Diaz What I learned in 2020 is to learn to take time for myself and to work on myself and my business. 2020 has also taught me to to appreciate every moment I have whether it be good or bad because you never know when it can be your last moment and to be present and enjoy the little things. 2020 has also taught me to never be comfortable because everything can change in the blink of a eye and you got to change your routine, it's taught me that change is ok and change can be for the better.
Yvonne Guibert The importance of practicing gratitude. It's so easy to get caught up in grumbling about the things that go wrong, what we don't have, or what we missed. We all do it. With a little practice, though, you can catch your mind’s natural tendency to think negative thoughts and turn them into positive ones, focused on gratitude. The ability to do that is life-altering. In 2019, I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I did something that changed my path. I knew it would from the moment I sat down and put pen to paper to shape the delivery of a particular presentation I agreed to do. It was scary at first (because it was so personal), but once I realized it would alter my path, I embraced it. As I worked on the presentation, when I felt scared, nervous, or pessimistic, I focused on feeling grateful instead. I had gratitude for having the opportunity at all. I disciplined myself to keep pushing forward. As time went on, I began to look forward to it; I even got a little excited. I would catch myself thinking, "...where is this going to lead?" And I’d tell myself, “2020 is going to be the year of change.” Little did I know what was in store!
So, I delivered the presentation in September 2019 in Huntington Beach, CA, in front of a couple hundred of my industry colleagues. I remember being so nervous. Once on stage, my hands and legs were unsteady, and my voice cracked. But I pushed my way through it. Immediately after, I was surprised by the outpouring of support and remarks from people in the audience. It was an incredible experience, and I distinctly remember feeling so grateful in the immediate few days that followed. Then, a couple of noticeable changes started to take root. As I realized these changes were because of my presentation, I intentionally focused on being grateful. And so began my intentional gratitude practice. I’d read many books and dabbled from time to time, but never stuck with a habitual gratitude practice like journaling or meditation. Now, fast forward to early this year. As the pandemic started to grow, I realized life as we knew it would become radically different. I reached out to two dear colleagues, Julie Fetherman and Robin Nickell Boles, and we decided to collaborate on a new project. We started a small online Zoom meditation group. Our goal was simple. We wanted to support our industry during the pandemic to offer people a safe space to learn about and practice meditation. We started in mid-April and have since completed 28 guided meditations online. The group size varies from session to session yet remains intimate, between 15-20 for our average attendance. Nevertheless, there are over 200 people on our email list. I know that for many people involved, it has been transformative. I’m grateful. Grateful to help others develop practices that reduce stress and anxiety and hopefully bring more peace and joy into their lives. Also, I’m very thankful for the deep connections that sprout along the way. Thank you for 2020, for teaching me that gratitude does lead to more peace, happiness, and joy! May you be safe, may you be healthy and happy, and may you live with ease.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 5
Donna Check The most important gift or blessing to me this year is learning, understanding, and exercising patience. As my everyday world changed, I found myself needing to learn new technology (and quickly!), entirely new protocols in every aspect of my life, and in various methods of oh-soimportant communication! I am still learning and evolving, much more so this year than last. I love it. Where in the past I wanted to throw whatever electronic device was not up to my speed right out the window, I learned to breathe, meditate, relax, focus, and give MYSELF time. I found essential oils and LOVE mixing them and sharing them freely. Worrying about how everything I did or had to do to keep things moving, running, going personally and professionally (notice I put personally first … huge for me) was not as critical as I believed it was before this horrible pandemic. It’s nice to hear others openly share similar changes and thoughts.
Tandeka Nomvete 2020 has been such a whirlwind – Where to start?! 2020 taught me that I should never get too comfortable. I was in my comfort zone at the beginning of the year, and here I am now at the end of the year with a new job, in a new sector of the insurance industry, and in a new home! 2020 taught me that adaptability is key if anything is going to survive. People and businesses that struggled to adapt to the new virtual environment that we currently live in suffered more than those that were able to adapt quickly. I was tested mentally, physically,
and
emotionally
this
year
and
in
retrospect I can now say that I’m proud of myself for We’re all talking more, thanks to zoom and other platforms. And it’s not just me noticing. It’s shared on zoom and in real conversations on the phone! My text time is significantly reduced and my talk time is up! Looking forward to a wonderful 2021!
adapting to my new circumstances and making it through. 2020 taught me to value what is truly important in this life – loved ones. Nothing should come above family & friends because at the end of the day, they are the ones who will see you through difficult times (including a pandemic)
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 6
The biggest lessons I've learned from 2020 Anailis Diaz We could all agree that 2020 has been a year of uncertainty and fear of what the future would hold for many of us. But while 2020 has been a rough year, this year has taught us all something. We have all learned to live with the curve ball thrown at us during the year. It was a make or break-you kind of year. With the hustle and bustle of 2019, I never really put “ME” first. On the constant go, we were running around stressing out to do everything. Where was the self-care we preached? Where was the me-time? It didn’t exist for us. 2020 stopped all of that and gave me no choice. It forced me to take time for myself to reflect. This year made us take a step back and analyze that we sometimes need to put ourselves first. You can’t pour from an empty glass. 2020 wasn’t just a year of self-reflection, it was a “think-out side of the box” kinda year. With the lockdown, it became a year where we had to be extra creative to find a way to connect with our friends, family, & clients. It opened many doors and opportunities. The year either made you “step-up” or you sat around and watched. If you stepped up and completed your goals, I am so happy for you and I can’t wait to watch you grow! But if you sat around, it’s not too late. Start TODAY. Don’t wait until tomorrow because it’s never promised! Never give up on yourself because sometimes “you” is all you have. Be safe for the remainder of 2020 and we can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store for all of us. I wish you all a year full of success, love, and most importantly health.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 7
ce t i no
ref l
ce t i no
ref l
The biggest lessons I've learned from 2020 By Mari Diaz 2020 is the year that forever changed us all. It forced us to slow down, give up things (whether we wanted to or not), and despite our best wishes for things to go back to normal, I think we all slowly realized with each passing month that we might not ever fully return to the way things were before.
THE WAY WE DO THINGS HAS DEFINITELY CHANGED – A LOT OF IT FOR THE BETTER: Through all of this, I’ve realized how much we can truly do
NEVER TAKE THINGS FOR
with the technology we have. Zoom has changed our lives – We’ve used it for girl's nights, family dinners, meetings, dance
GRANTED:
classes, conferences, and even a wellness retreat. We’re
What I have learned from this is to never take
online grocery and curbside pickup in ways that we never did
FaceTiming family members more than usual. We’re using
anything for granted and to cherish every moment
before. I think we’ve all come to this realization during
while you can. To always be kind, compassionate,
lockdown – most work CAN be done remotely. And let’s face it,
and generous to others. To always be thankful for
it’s so much better for work/life balance. Recently a client
even the smallest joys we experience and live life to
asked us to help them rebrand, and we were able to coordinate
the fullest. To always be grateful and appreciate
and present via zoom, and within 10 days, the ideas were being
what I have.
presented to the board. It’s been amazing to watch ideas
TIME TO GET CREATIVE: I found that having to slow down meant I can "JUST BEGIN" to get CREATE and use my ability to come up with new and impactful initiatives that will shape the future of OM. For me, creativity is where I feel most alive. Because I’m not traveling every week, I’m more focused. As a perfectionist and a workaholic, I used to think that being busy all the time was a badge of honor. That if I wasn’t doing anything productive or knocking off all the items on my to-do lists that I was just a complete failure. Like it or not, though, COVID-19 completely changed my fast-paced way of life, and I was FORCED to slow down and get more CREATIVE. Even better, I learned it’s OKAY to slow down and just be. To be quite honest, it was a wake-up call that I desperately needed.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 8
spread, grow, and evolve in real-time. This is definitely an activity that we will continue beyond the pandemic. -Remote work is making us more innovative.’
IT’S OKAY FOR YOUR GOALS, DREAMS, AND DESIRES TO CHANGE: People don’t set goals and then just stop when they achieve them, they set new goals and keep striving. It’s what motivates us! I’m really thankful for all the things I’ve achieved and never take a single moment or opportunity for granted. I’m carrying that energy into the new goals I’ve set myself for this new cycle of my life.
MY ENERGY IS INCREDIBLY POWERFUL: By simply being kind and sharing your good energy with someone else, you can turn their whole day around. In each of those situations, something good has come out of it, and it’s helped me realize how powerful my energy is and how important it is to use it for the better.
“WHAT FITS IN A YEAR?”: 2020 REFLECTION Written by Barbara Estrada
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 9
The hands of time work in our favor when time stops
I lost it all. Literally. A series of events post-college
like it has in 2020 and everything is at a standstill.
tossed me upside down that tore my confidence in my
This allows us to do one thing; to reflect. At the start
professional life. I increasingly felt unappreciated at
of this decade, I wrote one of my main manifestations
the “dream job,” and fell into a deep depression that
that have been in the works for four years. A series of
forced me to move out of my apartment due to
prayers and intentions later, my reality blossomed.
unemployment while getting further into financial debt. The scarcity mindset was inevitable to adopt. I
That manifestation was to live in Europe and make it
sought a series of odd jobs afterwards just to survive
permanent.
in the U.S. after I manifested losing my corporate job.
I knew this move wasn’t going to be a walk in the park where all I would need to worry about is the weather. The path along the way was rocky, unstable and unpredictable. I would say a test of tribulations. To understand the obstacles in my life this year, despite the pandemic that swept the world, one needs to focus on the details of my past - especially 2019. Questions began to set deep into my mind like, “how can I use my gift to manifest abundance into my life?”, “were all my efforts thus far in life done in vain?”, or “how will the direction of my present life
This girl you see right here was not going to give up easily on the hope that grew back in 2016. That year was the beginning of a new life, which kept her hopeful for the life she imagined. I still wanted to pursue my dreams in another continent. That was clear; however, how? As I fell deeper into my spiritual practices, my intuition grew strong that it guided me to become an Au Pair in Germany. Within a matter of two months, I found the right family, city and situation that allows me to still pursue my creative passions as well as collaborations with my fellow creatives.
help me bring the reality I desire today?” The fire inside grew hopeful again. I forgot how the I have given many thoughts to my purpose this year
feeling made me believe in the impossible. Now, I am
and how my personal desires fit into the equation. As
writing to you all the way from Munich, Germany. In
the majority of the world panicked in the spring
a country that I’m still discovering myself within a
season, I was in a phase of isolation and cultivation.
culture
My emotions were stabilized for the first time in
personality I proudly created back in the United
seven months. Why? I was living in my city of Miami
States. A personality that is bigger than your girl next
and as the rest of America grew worried by the high
door, louder than the colors on a painting, and
numbers of both sick and unemployed people, I
different than the normal where people in this
already hit a low point in my life.
country are traditionally told to steer clear of risks.
that
is
strikingly
different
from
the
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 10
In the U.S., I felt the element of living was missing. It’s the principal reason why Europe called me back in 2016 when I studied abroad for the first time. It’s why I never stopped and why you shouldn’t for whatever you desire. As much as I can sit here depreciating life in America, I am proud to have an “American attitude” where anything is possible as long as you go for it.
CONNECT WITH BARBARA:
That’s what I did with this move to Germany.
Does that sound like me? No. Yet, I am in the best state
@hollaitsbarbara www.barbaraestrada.com
of health I’ve ever been (mentally and physically speaking), emotionally happy and believe that this year as an Au Pair will change me. This is my standstill moment. This is how much fits in a year. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 11
What I learned in 2020 Written by Claire C. Muselman My colleagues and I formed bonds I would call ‘family’ as we continue to connect in the most authentic form of vulnerability sharing the craziness of day-to-day life we once would shy away from sharing because it showed an authentic side not everyone wants to see. We found ways to encourage human connection in unique forms such as music, dance, and laughter. I found ways to This has been a truly incredible year. The pandemic caused us to slow down and take stock of who we are to the very core. The self-care avenue has been one I chose to explore and figure out exactly who I am. It hurt. It was painful. And it has been worth it. A path diverged in front of me and for the first time, I took the road less traveled. And it hurt… really bad! The freedom on the other side is indescribable. I can breathe! Deeply, freely, with self-love, self-awareness, and selfcompassion. I am finally kind to myself. I accept me. I found my way back to yoga, a practice I had been in love with as a child yet as I grew older, it was easy to fall to the wayside. Finding my way back to the mat has not only given me a heightened self-awareness, it renewed my sense of purpose and meaning through one of the most challenging times we have faced in society with compounded isolation. Turning my lens inward took vulnerability, authenticity, transparency, and removal of the ego. My daily mat time is now my favorite. It is also the most important to continue my own mindfulness, being 100% present in the moment, and in staying honest with myself. The more I turn to look inward, the more answers I find.
own my story. I became comfortable with being a foster child, an adopted child, the daughter of an alcoholic, the chronic over achiever never feeling fulfilled, and I began to forgive. Throughout the forgiveness process and letting things go to set myself free, I realized I had not taken the time to heal in order to forgive the most important person of all, myself. During one of my yoga practices this year, I found tears flowing down my face after a heart opening exercise. For those who are yogis, class began with a supported fish pose as a heart opener and to come out, we rolled to our right side and curled up in the fetal position. This must have been the most open I had been with the mind-body connection because I saw myself in my daughter as I rolled onto my side, and I wanted to run to hug her, to tell her it would be okay, and that she is LOVED. This is when the understanding of self-care hit me in a new way, and I could finally be free. Understanding the why behind who we are and the journey we are here to take can be a challenging process and yet is so rewarding. It is freeing and loving to connect with yourself in a manner where you can truly smile, feel proud of who you are, and understand you are an amazing person because there is no other you in existence… and there will never be.
This year created space for me to pause and evaluate friendships, relationships, how I spend my energy, and where I want to go next. I began journaling after meditation to explore the why behind feelings and emotions I felt that seemed to have a deeper meaning. I revisited a lot of my childhood to determine what psychosocial issues exist within me. I dug deeper to find the root cause, the why, and created an awareness within myself to make sure the things that haunt me never replay for my daughter. Through this period of raw self-exploration, I found my why in life. I found my meaning and purpose in an entirely new way, realizing my personal life and my work life are blended based upon mission, vision, values, and integrity.
We are all uniquely formed with our own journey. Everyone has a journey, a story, a mission, a purpose. When you get right down to the core to find out what sets your soul on fire, you begin to live. This process helped me understand energy in a new way: how I spend energy, what fuels my energy tank, what sucks energy from me, and how to pay attention to others energy as well as how their energy impacts me. I look at my energy like a bank account. I need to make deposits and withdrawals intentionally. I took time this year to explore what a deposit into my energy bank looks like, learning that meditation, yoga, water, and sunshine are easy daily ways I can fuel myself.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 12
I also learned there were friendships I did not want to be a part of any longer because the conversations left me drained and unfulfilled. The hard part, many involved family members I felt an obligation to stay connected to but in reality, it was hurting me so much more than helping and the ties were cut. Pay attention to those who cheer for your successes, who call and genuinely ask how you are, and those who make you feel GOOD when you are around them/talking to them/receive a text from them. Be around energy that supports YOU. This can be felt by the manner you move towards or away from people. Pay attention to the pull. This is your intuition guiding your next steps. It exists for all of us when you get quiet. When you get quiet, clarity surrounds you to provide a framework to be the best version of yourself. What I learned this year, it has always been inside me, within me, and I owe it to me to be accountable to this information. Take it, learn from it, and most importantly, it is time to start making myself proud. Earlier in the year a good friend of mine asked me if I liked myself. I paused before responding and she said that was not a good sign. I can now say with confidence that I do not only like myself, I love who I am becoming. It is a lot of hard work and it is a lot of accepting, learning, growing, developing. It is getting uncomfortable and learning about the things I do that hurt others, even when my intentions are positive. I look back on my childhood self and I think about the things I would say to me, the things I never heard and have been vying to hear for so long. I spent a lot of time not understanding the root cause of my pain. Pain is here to teach us lessons. Pausing in the pain, sitting with it, understanding why it makes us uncomfortable, that is the work it takes to bloom. The blooming is where we free ourselves from the scripts we have been told by others whether it be friends, family, former partners, current partners, or even our former selves.
What I learned in 2020 was to take a deep dive into the scripts I had been choosing to follow. I dissected, I researched, and I realized a lot of my issues surrounded selfsabotage. Self-love acknowledges these pieces of ourselves and helps find peace. My wish for all of you as we close out 2020 is to find peace within yourselves. We are all so hard on ourselves because we can do more, be more, more, more, more. Look at yourself in the mirror. Take a long look into your own eyes and tell yourself by name that you are valuable. Where you are right now is an incredible space. You have come so far, you have accomplished so much, and you are wonderfully unique. Take the time to find things you love about yourself. It is okay to love things about yourself. When you find the good within you, it is so much easier to see the good in others, to share good with others, and create a more beautiful space… this space is your life. Your life connects with all of us in this big, amazing world. What will 2021 bring for you? I hope you find peace. I hope you write your own scripts of life that make yourself proud and make you so excited, you jump out of bed in the morning with glittery meaning and sparkly purpose. I hope you are able to forgive the less desirable pieces of your life and you take the first step to just begin. Whatever that looks like for you. Take the first step and just begin. Take the walk. Take a deep breath. Write a few words. Take a moment to be grateful. Take the time to tell someone why they matter to you. Find any aspect of your life to be thankful. Step on to the yoga mat. Lift a weight. Whatever you want to change, you can. Dig deep. You owe it to yourself to be the absolute best version of yourself. If not now… when? The world slowed down so we could reconnect, realign, reevaluate. What will you do with this time? I want to create all the awesome possible, I want to THRIVE, and I hope you join me by taking that first look inward.
What I learned in 2020? It is time to just begin… JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 13
H A P P I N E S S Travel, Move, Eat, Think, Grow, and Create
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE
Our mission is to inspire and
JOURNAL COVERS SOME KEY
empower you to make your
AREAS IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY
world a happier place.
LIVING JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 14
winter favorites
the jb team's 1
8
7 6 2
5 1. Passion Planner 2. la Havana necklace by Celeste Sol Jewlery 3. Film for Her by Orion Carloto 4. Olive & June nontoxic nail polish 5. Bontanical Infused
4
Essential Oil Perfume Kit by Magick Wick 6. DryBar Blow Dryer Brush 7. Silk Pillow Case 8. Caraway Cookware
3
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 15
en a noit
ce lfer yass no
e r u t u f e h t n o t c el f e r
t s a p e h t n o t c el f e r
e n a noit
y on refle a c ss
written by mellydiaz JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 16
When we think of the word —reflection— we immediately think of looking into a mirror. Either in the outside of a store or a shadow from the sunlight. However, recently when I hear the word I think of looking back on moments that have impacted me. We’ve been told over and over again to not dwell on the past but I think it’s important to reflect to see what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown. Everyone is jokingly saying “I can’t wait for this year to end so I don’t ever have to think about it again” but I don’t feel that way. I don’t want to forget the feeling of when we started Just Begin.
noitcelfer no yasse na
I don’t want to forget the time my boyfriend and I decided to rearrange the furniture of our house for no reason because we had nothing else to do when we were in lockdown. I don’t want to forget all the breakthroughs I've had this year. I don’t want to forget how this odd time brought us all together while being apart. I know it’s cheesy when we’re told to romanticize our life but what’s wrong with making it into a movie you’ve always dreamed of? You shouldn’t let anyone stop you from making your life enjoyable, not even yourself. Like the amazing Brene Brown once said, “only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” These months of creating, reading, writing, and soul searching have been a beautiful mess. I know for many that this is not the case but I think in the darkest of times is when we must see the light at the end of the tunnel and JUST BEGIN.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 17
HOW TO PRACTICE WINTER SELF CARE
We need self-care practices all year long but especially so in the winter as the nights are drawing in and the weather is getting colder. Now’s the time for a winter self-care routine to nurture your body and mind. Try these self-care ideas for winter which you could include into your regular self-care routine. Your self-care is important. A regular routine of looking after your body and mind helps you keep strong and healthy emotionally, physically and psychologically for the demands of daily life. In Winter it can be difficult to honour and maintain your self-care as it’s often colder (and less inviting!) outside and darker in the evenings. Many of us tend to want to hibernate if possible! Here are some simple, effective self-care ideas that are perfect for this time of year. Try to make a point of doing them regularly, maybe choose one idea per day. Even just a little bit of time for you can make a big difference to your physical and mental health.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 18
GRATITUDE
LIGHT A SCENTED CANDLE
Practice daily gratitude and appreciate all that you have in life,
Bring a little warmth and cozy light to your home when it’s dark
instead of constantly searching and wishing for what you don’t.
outside.
JOURNAL
READ A BOOK
Get your thoughts out of your head and down onto paper so you
When it’s cold and dark outside, nothing beats curling up under a
can see them clearly and take action where necessary.
blanket with a good book.
10 MINUTES TO YOURSELF
LEARN A SKILL
It may not be a long time but just having some quiet time to do
Again, you might not be able to spend so much time outside with the
what YOU want, instead of what others want you to do, can
shorter days so think about ways you can use your time productively
help you recharge your batteries.
inside instead.
A HOT CUP OF COFFEE, TEA OR HOT CHOCOLATE
DECLUTTER YOUR HOME
Make yourself a hot drink and make time to actually sit and drink it whilst it’s still warm!
Remember that decluttering is a wonderful form of self-care.
SPEND TIME WITH LOVED ONES For many of us, this season is a time for family and friends so make a
WALK IN THE COLD Wrap up warm and take a brisk walk in the cold to get your body moving and blood pumping.
point of connecting with those who mean the most to you.
THINK ABOUT THE LAST YEAR What’s gone well, what not so, what did you learn?
BATH AND BUBBLES Nothing beats a long soak in a warm bath with some lovely bath products to add a little touch of luxury!
THINK ABOUT YOUR GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR Take some time to really plan some intentional goals that align with your priorities and really serve you in your life.
Remember you are special, Because you are! JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 19
HOW TO STAY HAPPY IN THE WINTER BY USING ESSENTIAL OILS So how do you stay happy during the winter? When there’s barely any sunshine, and you can't go outside because its too cold out, and you feel alone and depressed? We know it may seem impossible. But there are plenty of ways to stay happy during the winter months, you just have to know where to look. One of the many ways is through aromatherapy. Using essential oils can help elevate your happiness, smell amazing and help bring you peace of mind to your body and soul. Here are some recipes that are perfect for winter, along with some blends to beat those winter blues.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 20
WINTER WONDERLAND DIFFUSER BLEND: 8 drops Sweet Orange oil 6 drops Vanilla 4 drops Spearmint oil 2 drops Anise oil Add to a diffuser and blend with distilled water. Enjoy!
PINE TREE DIFFUSER BLEND: 2-3 drops Spruce oil 2-3 drops Pine oil Add to a diffuser and blend with distilled water. Enjoy!
FIRE STARTER DIFFUSER BLEND: 5 drops Cypress essential oil 3 drops Frankincense essential oil 2 drops Tangerine essential oil Add to a diffuser and blend with distilled water. Enjoy!
WINTER PERSPECTIVE DIFFUSER BLEND: 5 drops Sandalwood essential oil 3 drops Frankincense essential oil 3 drops Cypress essential oil Add to a diffuser and blend with distilled water. Enjoy!
WINTER BREEZE DIFFUSER BLEND: 3 drops Vetiver essential oil 2 drops Frankincense essential oil 5 drops Lavender essential oil 8 drops Cedarwood oil Add to a diffuser and blend with distilled water. Enjoy!
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 21
WHY SHOULD WE WORK ON OUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT? According to Corporate Alchemists, personal development is important due to the following reasons: 1. It gives clarity to personal vision 2. Sharpens existing skills 3. Gives your talents room to shine 4. Improves effectiveness in business 5. Drives motivation and satisfaction 6. Builds confidence 7. It is a key ingredient to happiness There are a number of easy habits you can add to your daily routine that can improve the quality of your life. This list will give you ideas on how you can better your health,
25 Habits That Will Make You Fall In Love With Life If you are anything like us, you are always looking for ways to better yourself. Personal development is a huge part of life, and it’s always a work in progress! You obviously don’t have to do all 10 every day, but every little healthy habit will work wonders towards your personal development. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 22
finances, mental health, and overall wellbeing!
the power of happiness is in your hands 1. Have a morning routine. 2. Introduce affirmations. 3. Have an evening routine. 4. Drink more water. 5. Practice meditation. 6. Walk for 30 minutes every day. 7. Stretch after every few hours. 8. Take a 10-minute break after every hour of work. 9. Journal. 10. Leave the house every day. 11. Read more. 12. Listen to podcasts. 13. Have a skincare routine in place. 14. Get up early. 15. Try something you are afraid of every month. 16. Mix with new cultures. 17. No electronics 1 hour before bed. 18. Practice mindfulness in all areas of life. 19. Make to-do lists. 20. Write it down, you will forget it. 21. Have a minimum of 1 meatless day a week. 22. Write 3 things you are grateful for every day. 23. Spend more time in nature. 24. Take responsibility for your actions. 25. Learn to think positively.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 23
Written by J.M Gonzales
IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN? If there is anything that 2020 has
You may feel as if you lost some
taught us, it is to appreciate the
motivation but that is okay. It is normal to
meaning and importance of time. We
feel confused or unsure because you do
have spent most of our time stuck in a
not know when the feeling of normalcy
day to day routine that we have
may come back. Things may never be the
forgotten what it is like to set aside
same once they go back.
some time to self-reflect. However, you should not let this stop you We have become so accustomed to
from living your best life or creating it. You
living life in the fast lane that we need
must use this to your advantage and let it
to remember to slow down. There were
help define you. Let these things teach you
challenges that many of us faced and
that there is always a way, a light at the
important decisions that needed to be
end of the tunnel. You must be coachable
made even if we were unsure that they
and have an open mind when those closest
were the right ones.
to you are trying to guide you in the right direction.
There were moments where you cannot help but wonder what is next? What
You should not keep waiting for the right
are your plans for the next two years, or
moment to do what it is that makes you
five? How will you get there? How will
happy. Open the new year with a positive
you make it happen? You may feel as if
mindset, a goal, and a plan. Do not be
the things that you have always wanted
discouraged from things that may not have
are placed on hold because of the
worked before and do things different.
things that are taking place right now.
This is your time, if not now, then when?
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 24
n a lp
cheesy d n a e
25 Pieces of Advice Before I Turn 25. By Melissa Cancio 5.A simple smile. Everywhere you go, bring a smile with you. You never know what type of day someone is having. If you’re having a great day, share it! Every year, it feels like I’m getting older, but the old people always say you’re just a year wiser. Can you believe I’m almost a quarter of the century old?! I’ve learned key pieces of advice that can shape you as a person or just provide some insight to the growth you can achieve, like I did. To me, growth is everything. It truly balances the little girl in you with the future mom status you hold for your future daughter. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but let’s look at what I’ve learned and what my friends have shared so far1. Truly love yourself. No one can honestly love you more than you can love yourself. Before you share the love with everyone, try to figure out your why in life. 2. Do what you love. Before graduating or not, learn where your strengths lie and push those forward with everything you do. When you love what you do, “you’ll never work a day in your life.” 3. Don’t take life too seriously. There are so many opportunities and challenges life have to offer. I learned this the hard way, but seriously, LIVE spontaneously. 4. Be kind, always. It makes a difference when you’re the bigger person. No matter the situation, try putting your best foot forward and be kind- to everyone.
6.Adventure out. I know the pandemic has taken a toll in our lives, but you should always venture on to new talents! Find places, people and fun to really explore and get to know. 7.Make yourself a priority. I think it’s pretty selfexplanatory. Remember, it is okay to say no when you need to. Do you, girlfriend! (Or boy who’s a friend)! 8.Give compliments. As cliche as it sounds, give those around you and most importantly, give YOURSELF kind words. You deserve the world. Literally talk to yourself in the mirror and scream it out loud. If the person upstairs didn’t hear you, you’re not loud enough. 9.Celebrate small wins too. Every win matters! Whether it’s wearing your workout clothes and not being able to work out or pouring your milk in the morning, it matters. (I know those were super random examples, but you get me! Right?) 10.Take a walk. Whether it’s from your room to the kitchen, for a whole few miles, to take the dog out, walk in the pool- just get out there and do it. I love catching up with friends and family over the phone when I walk. It makes a difference when you’re exercising and growing your personal connections.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 25
11. Be personable. I love love love being personable with people. If someone mentioned they’re having surgery on a certain day, I’ll write it on my calendar for the day before/day of and send them a message to remind them that I’m there for them or thinking of them. I’ve learned that it honestly helps build on those relationships. 12. Tell jokes. I know it’s so weird to say this, even if you’re the only one who laughs at your own jokes. Laugh the silly moments out and share your words with others. Maybe you’ll be the next comedian in your group!
16. Learn your values. It is okay to say no to opportunities that don’t align with your values. You’ll find what’s meant for you when the time comes. Do what you believe in and surround yourself with people who have similar values. 17. Check in on your friends/family. A simple text/call/note on a pigeon makes every day better. I think it’s better to check in than only message them when you need something. Hope that makes sense! 18. Having 19 tabs open. It’s not a bad thing having a bunch of tabs open, metaphorically too. Make a to do list and go
13. Do your due diligence. Join a group that’s involved with social responsibility! Make a difference in someone’s life. I love volunteering with anything relating to helping others or giving back. Do something that makes your heart truly happy.
through each tab. You always give 100% to a task if you’re
14. Let’s be prudent together. My mom has instilled this word since I was young. Let me repeat it to you, p-r-u-de-n-t. Google defines it as “acting with or showing care and thought for the future.”
hugs really offer and fulfill the best teddy bear needs.
focused. Slow and steady wins the race! 19. Give and/or take a hug. Can be virtual, 6-feet apart, through the phone. We all need one. Maybe it’s just me but
20. Make your bed in the morning. Sounds dumb, right? By making your bed, you won’t feel like your life is on loop or routine. Sounds contradicting when I write it out but what
15. Make every day the start of your week. This has to be one of my favorite pieces of advice because it’s an all-inone type of thing. Everyone usually has the best last day of the week because the weekend comes after, but by making every day the start of your week, you come in fresh with ideas and excitement for the day!
U mean is that by making your bed, you have a fresh start with a new day. We all want to see a clean house, food in the refrigerator and a pretty bed. 21. Write what you’re grateful for. Start every day with one thing you’re grateful for. As days pass, list top three. We never realize what we truly have until we talk about it or show it. Journaling is key to a great day!
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 26
22. Go on dates. I know that the pandemic has made this a little challenging, but I cannot stress enough going on dates. You truly learn about yourself and what you can handle about the other person. I found my person when I went on dates, so I know you can! 23. Own multiple masks. Shoutout to the pandemic for making us buy a bunch of masks! I have one in every purse/book bag, jacket, pocket- you name it! It’s good to wear different kinds to match outfits, wash often and show your personality! Let’s social distance in style! 24. Positive mindset. This is a quality I started to have late in the game, but it has changed my perspective in so many ways. Before you think you’re going to say or type something negative, change it up. It takes 21 days to make or break a habit. You can do it! 25. Figuring out YOUR why. It takes a lot to truly understand who you’ve become as a person. Every year has new experiences that can help with your growth. YOUR why is what you become and how you lead.
Two words that forever stuck in my experiences have been opportunities and challenges. Every time I allow those words to grow into fruition, my life changes for the better. I enjoy taking risks because that’s how you truly learn to know yourself. While I know everything happens for a reason, I strongly live by “surround yourself with people who bring the best in you, because you are who you hang out with.” Just take a look around!
@melissacancio www.planeandcheesy.com JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 27
W
C R ETAE
WOMEN T HA
Just Begin Magazine highlights the creative spaces of extraordinary women through inspirational stories. Each issue will inspire and motivate creativity. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 28
TA HW TAE E
T A HW TAE E
MEN C WO R
RC NEMOW
TOMRIS MCDANIEL
CREATOR OF GLOW DESIGNS
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 29
Can you tell us about your early career and how you got yourself established in your industry? The birth of GLOW designs was a bit of a whirlwind in hindsight. I created GLOW shortly after giving birth to my first child, it was really an outlet for me to recover both physically and emotionally. The actual birthing experience was quite traumatic, in fact my son and I almost didn’t make it. GLOW wasn’t necessarily born out of inspiration, but really from a need to heal. I took a grassroots approach to the industry and was very deliberate as I focused on sourcing high-quality supplies and creating pieces that really connected to my customers in an authentic way. I just went all-in on building relationships through my shop!
How does a day in your life look like these days? There is never a dull moment to say the least, especially with two children and managing the ups and downs of 2020! That being said, I really focus on my family first and then fit being a business owner in the remaining hours of the day. I really just have to stay focused, energized, and pivot daily to balance family, work, staying healthy and creative. I will say, no two days are the same, so it’s important to be flexible and efficient.
What’s the most enjoyable or fulfilling part of what you do ? Without a doubt, creating a piece that inspires, comforts, and gives energy to someone in need...and the relationships that have come from it. I have customers that have become friends, even though we have never had the opportunity to physically meet...yet! You know who you are.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations? For me, creating the life I dream of and attaining goals for myself and my family is the only inspiration I need
Do you have a morning routine? If so, what is it like? I try my best to wake up an hour before my kids so that I can get a solid hour to myself. I spend that time meditating and intention setting, drinking my coffee, and since the time change, watching the sunrise. But again, being a parent, like being a small business owner, means a lot of pivoting and adapting to curve balls. No two mornings look the same. Thanks kids!
What your biggest challenge when starting a business? Starting a business is rewarding in so many ways and there are challenges at every turn. I just think it’s important to believe in yourself and stay focused on your vision, avoiding the “noise” along the way. Remember, there’s room for all of us to GLOW! So don’t think just because someone else is already doing it, or that you’re not where you want to be yet, that it’s not going to happen. I’ll leave you with the mantra my kids have been repeating: if you can dream it, if you can believe it, and if you work hard for it, anything is possible!
What do you see as some of your biggest accomplishments? I’m very proud of the response to my work; I have over 1000 5-star reviews and many returning customers. That really tells me I’m doing something right and I’m onto something impactful and meaningful. Equally importantly, I’m moved by the response by my family, and seeing how I inspire both my kids and my husband with what I’ve created.
What would you tell someone who is interested in starting a business or pursuing a passion? Go for it! Don’t wait. Wake up tomorrow, work on your plan and believe in yourself. Trust the journey and the struggles that may lie ahead, and let everything unfold in the way it‘s meant to; even if the path doesn’t look exactly as you had imagined. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 30
What is a resource you recommend to our audience? Obviously my husband, best-friend and partner on this journey of life, JJ McDaniel, www.jjmcdanielyoga.com. A New Earth and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (both of which I have read multiple times, as needed), Journey To The Heart by Melody Beattie (daily go-to), and Untamed by Glennon Doyle is a recent favorite.
CONNECT WITH GLOW DESIGNS: @glow.designs www.shopglowdesigns.com
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 31
MOLLIE KALLEN President & CEO of Mollie Kallen Case Management, Inc Can you tell us about your early career and how you got yourself established in your industry? I actually started my case management journey by being a counselor in the private sector doing group and individual counseling for injured workers. It was so rewarding helping them and their families and I then answered an ad in the paper for Intracorp, the first case management company, in Ohio and really loved the work and felt a great sense of accomplishment in helping others navigate their lives and medical care through their injuries. I also worked at one time as a senior citizen care manager which also broadened my case management band with and applying everything I've learned psychosocially to help others. I then worked for several other large case management companies and gained more knowledge and experience in the field and it helped shape the type of company I wanted to develop.
How does a day in your life look like these days? Pre Covid-19 I was doing a lot of travelling; visiting clients and potential customers throughout the country and touring many industries and corporate offices. I do miss seeing many of our customers/friends and meeting new associates/customers since COVD-19, however we have made a seamless transition to life during COVID and I spend a lot of time online, in zoom meetings and doing and participating in lots of webinars. Biggest benefit has been ability to spend more time at home with my family. Exercise has been key to staying sane!
What’s the most enjoyable or fulfilling part of what you do ? Helping others. It was the reason I started in this profession and the hook to keep me motivated on my journey and it is still a central factor in what I do today. Helping the case managers who work with me, helping the injured workers and their families sometimes through catastrophic injuries, helping employers and adjusters and risk managers navigate their claims with compassion and quality is what is the most enjoyable and fulfilling part of my job. And no day is the same...time flies and it keeps you on your toes and you're always learning and growing.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations? There are so many personally and professionally. If I had to narrow it down it would be: Michelle Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and my mother who overcame poverty and insurmountable odds to lead her to a career working with Eleanor Roosevelt and raising a wonderful family while always helping others in need.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 32
What your biggest challenge when starting a business? Focusing on you dreams with a laser beam
What would you tell someone who is interested in starting a business or pursuing a passion?
commitment can be difficult in the beginning.
Do a vision board and don't be afraid of dreaming
Being true to yourself and your vision.
BIG! Stay true to yourself and focus on surrounding yourself with only positive/uplifting people both
What do you see as some of your biggest accomplishments? Starting a company from just one person (myself) and growing it to over 400 case managers nationally while still maintaining my goals and vision of quality, customer service and ethics/transparency. Being a mom who is very involved with my son and being a good friend, family member and community member.
professionally and personally. Also take the time to find talented, loyal and bright people to work with you and recognize them as often as you can!
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 33
Lauren Racusin McSweeney Founder/Designer Bohemian Roots Can you tell us about your early career and how you got yourself established in your industry? I have always crafted and made art. Some of my earliest memories are doing art projects in our basement with my mom. Over the years I was always making different types of art. Tie dyeing, jewelry making, recycling old furniture. I started my current business Bohemian Roots in 2006 by selling my jewelry at farmer’s markets. I had so much inventory but I was super hesitant to share my creations with people. It was received quite well and soon after I was vending music festivals every weekend. Then some local shops and boutiques approached me about carrying my line and that was my life for a while. I’ve evolved and keep shifting over time. I just keep going and creating where I feel called. My style has changed a lot. I recently moved my entire line onto a website. I never had that vision in the beginning but here we are. I’m loving it more than I ever could’ve imagined.
How does a day in your life look like these days? Long! I have two small children at home and we are now homeschooling. We spend Lots of time in nature as a family, tending our large garden, cooking, canning, baking and making! My partner is a huge support and we take turns with the workload My daughter is also amazing. She loves to help with dye vats and has been making her own line of jewelry for the past two years. Everyone helps and makes around here. It’s part of our lifestyle. We are always learning new skills, ideas, recipes and incorporating them into everyday life. I try to dye items 2 times a month and in-between I’m in the studio making jewelry.
What’s the most enjoyable or fulfilling part of what you do ? Watching the magical unfold. Opening a dyed piece of fabric and seeing what the plants have offered, seeing someone’s face light up when they find the perfect item, being able to spread my love and art with the world. I am really just so grateful.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations? Being in nature Is a huge inspiration for me. It helps me really ground out and be able to remember why I’m on this journey. My children also inspire me daily.
What your biggest challenge when starting a business? I make art. Selling your art and wares is a whole other thing!! Figuring out how to do both well has been a long road with many bumps. Being your own boss requires a certain type of person. You have to be driven and self motivated. Which can be very hard at times. I feel so grateful for all the lessons and knowledge I’ve gained. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 34
What do you see as some of your biggest accomplishments? Being both a mother and entrepreneur. I don’t want to miss my children’s most important moments because I’m working all the time. I also have a need and desire to create and make art. So balancing the two and being in a good flow has been so rewarding on many levels.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 35
What would you tell someone who is interested in starting a business or pursuing a passion? Keep going! It’s probably not going to be a easy road, but I can assure you it will be a fulfilling one. Be open and committed to changing and growing. Your goals and plan may often change and that can be a good thing.
KAMALA HARRIS: MAKING HISTORY & BREAKING BARRIERS JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 36
WHO IS KAMALA DEVI HARRIS? US VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT Kamala D. Harris, Senator for California but now Vice President Elect of the United States of America. She was the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history to become senator in California and now she is the first AfricanAmerican, South Asian-American, and woman to be elected as Vice President of the United States of America. Kamala has spent her life fighting injustice. It’s a passion that was first inspired by her mother, Shyamala, an Indian-American immigrant, activist, and breast cancer researcher. Growing up in Oakland, Kamala had an eye view of the Civil Rights movement. Through the example of courageous leaders like Thurgood Marshall, Constance Baker Motley, and Charles Hamilton Houston, Kamala learned the kind of character it requires to stand up to the powerful, and resolved to spend her life advocating for those who could not defend themselves.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 37
Harris was born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland, California, Reared in a predominantly African American neighborhood of Berkeley, she was brought to civil rights demonstrations as a toddler and sang in a Baptist choir. Harris' mother, Shyamala, emigrated from India to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she met Harris' Jamaican-born father, Donald. Shyamala carved out a career as a renowned breast-cancer researcher, while Donald became a Stanford University economics professor. Her mother also ensured that Harris and her younger sister, Maya, maintained ties to their Indian heritage by raising them with Hindu beliefs and taking them to her home country every couple of years. Her parents divorced when she was seven years old, and at age 12 she moved with her mother and sister to Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
She learned to speak some French during her time in Quebec and demonstrated her burgeoning political instincts by organizing a protest against a building owner who wouldn't allow neighborhood kids to play on the lawn. She graduated from Howard University with a degree in political science and economics in 1986 and earned her law degree from Hastings College in 1989. After law school, Kamala Harris embarked on a rise through the California legal system, emerging as state attorney general in 2010. Following the November 2016 elections, Harris became just the second African American woman and the first South Asian American to win a seat in the U.S. Senate. She declared her candidacy for the 2020 U.S. presidential election on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2019 but dropped out of the race before the end of the year. In August 2020, Joe Biden announced Harris as vice presidential running mate and after a close race, Biden and Harris were elected in November 2020.
BUT WHILE I MAY BE THE FIRST WOMAN IN THIS OFFICE, I WILL NOT BE THE LAST. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 38
HOLISTIC LIVING
IN THIS HOLISTIC LIVING SECTION YOU WILL FIND EVERYTHING HOLISTIC, FROM
Our mission is to be the bridge to help those on their journey to Health and Wellness. Alternatives for Healing's goal is
PRACTITIONERS, PRODUCTS,
to provide natural alternatives for those
CLASSES, RETREATS,
that are searching for a holistic path to
BOOKS & MORE.
wellness. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 39
HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AFTER THE STRESS OF 2020
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 40
Over the course of the last couple of months,
And it’s going to affect a lot of people, in a lot of
there’s been a huge shift in focus on how to look
different ways. So I think it’s important to take
after your mental health during this stressful,
some time to discuss measures we can take in order
unprecedented time we’re all living in right now.
to look after our mental health when all this is over.
COVID-19 and lockdown was something none of
When COVID-19 is said and done and the world
us expected. Yet we were all expected to deal with
continues on as if nothing ever happened. But of
it. Because hey, we had no other choice.
course that’s not going to be the case. For those who have lost someone through this awful virus. For
But as time goes on, we’re edging closer and closer
those who lost their jobs. For those who struggled
to getting back to normal. Albeit, perhaps a new
with money. For the doctors and the nurses on the
type of normal. But normal nonetheless. With
front-line. And for those of us who perhaps don’t
children going back to school. Adults going back
fall into one of those categories.
to work. Shops, bars and restaurants opening again. And daily responsibilities are back on the
So before we get into the tips, let’s just take a
to-do list. So as soon as we all had to adapt to this
moment to give ourselves a pat on the back and a
new way of life in lockdown, it’s time to re-adapt
moment of gratitude for getting through this tough
back to how it was before. It’s a big ask. It’s a big
season of life. Well, it’s not the end just yet but
thing to have to go through. It’s not normal.
you’ve made it this far and that deserves a celebration in itself. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 41
SEEK HELP IF YOU NEED IT There would be absolutely no shame in admitting that you might need extra help dealing with what you’ve just been through. So we urge you to seek help if you need it. Discuss therapy with your GP or contact the mental health services in your area directly.
EASE BACK IN SLOWLY Although it’s likely that measures around the world will ease gradually, it’s still important to ease yourself back into a normal routine slowly and gentle, if you feel like you need to. We’d say after months of lockdown and quarantine, a lot of us are getting pretty used to spending every day at home!
DON’T TRY AND DO EVERYTHING, ALL AT ONCE And when things do start opening again and we are free to do as we please and go wherever we want, it might be useful to remind yourself that you don’t have to do everything at once. We’re all going to have a lot of travel plans when this is over but you DON’T have to go and do it all in the shortest space of time. It’s okay to heal first.
CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOUR SELF CARE DAILY And finally, continue to use those self care practices that you built up over the time in lockdown on a daily basis. Self care works all the time – not just during a global pandemic! And we are sure a lot of us have built up a lot of great self care practices and rituals during this time at home. So utilize what you’ve learnt, let go of what didn’t work and build up a stronger self care practice than ever!
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 42
REIKI DISTANCE HEALING: HOW TO SEND HEALING ENERGY AT A DISTANCE By Samantha Diaz JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 43
WHAT IS REIKI? Reiki is a subtle, yet powerful, form of energy healing. It originates from Japan and is traditionally considered a “handson” healing art form.In reiki sessions, healing energy is sent from the hands of the practitioner to the body of the patient.A person receiving reiki energy might feel warmth coming from the practitioner’s hands.They may feel a tingling or magnetic sensation in their body as the reiki is moving through them, as well. However, sometimes reiki energy is very subtle and no physical sensations are felt at all.Reiki is very individual to each practitioner and each patient.At times, the person receiving reiki may just feel relaxed and calm as they are receiving healing energy.This is often how it feels when you receive reiki from a distance.
While reiki is often practiced in person, it is absolutely possible to send reiki energy from a distance, as well.Reiki is a form of universal energy, which we can all connect to.In fact, we are all able to send energy with our thoughts, using intention and visualization.If you picture someone in your mind and imagine giving them a big hug, you are actually sending energy to them.You just might find that, after thinking of someone intently, they call you on the phone because they received your energy transmission.With reiki healing from a distance, the practitioner has been attuned to the energy frequency of reiki.Rather than just sending universal energy or loving energy, a reiki practitioner is able to send a very specific frequency of healing energy that has great purpose and intention.Because reiki has been used by healers for many centuries, it is very powerful and impactful. A practitioner who is attuned to the reiki frequency can utilize its strong healing current to aid in the well-being of their patient.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 44
REIKI DISTANCE HEALING TECHNIQUES Use a photo of the receiver: One helpful tool in sending reiki is to obtain a photo of the person who is receiving the energy transmission. Looking at someone’s image can more accurately direct the energy you’re sending to that person. While it’s possible to visualize this person in your imagination, it’s often more powerful to actually look at them in a photo. On a subconscious level, you’ll be able to see and connect with their energy by looking at the photo. Then you can visualize sending reiki to them, as it surrounds them in beautiful light.
Use the reiki symbols: A powerful method of reiki distance healing is to use the symbols taught in the level II reiki training. You would visualize the person you are sending energy to and then draw the symbol with your hand in the air, while seeing the symbol in your mind’s eye. The symbols give your energy transmission added power and intention. There are different symbols for different purposes, so your energy transmission can become very focused and specific when you use the reiki symbols.
Write down the receiver’s name: One effective method of sending reiki energy is to write down the name of the person you want to send reiki to. You can also draw the reiki symbol you’d like to use below their name. Then fold the paper up and hold it in your hands. Visualize sending healing energy from your hands into the paper and thereby to your subject.
Use a surrogate object: If you prefer to use your hands for reiki healing, rather than visualization, you can use an object, such as a doll or stuffed animal to represent the person you are sending energy to. You would set your intention that this surrogate object represents the receiver of reiki. Then you could draw the reiki symbols over the object with your hands and place your hands on the object to send it energy. You can use the specific hand positions taught in reiki healing trainings on the object, as if you were conducting an in-person healing session.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 45
FO S IFEN T
N P I K S GNISIR
HAIR B D N E A
O
RU N I S 8 SNO
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 46
Onion belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is grown throughout the world because it can be grown in wide variety of climate. Onions are less perishable in nature that is why they can be stored for long time. Their colour ranges from purple, white and light orange. Though onion brings tears in your eyes but they are amazing for boosting immunity because of antioxidants properties present in them.
BENEFITS: HAIR HEALTH: Onion can improve the health of your hair in many ways. Onion is rich in sulphur and sulphur helps to prevent your hair from breakage and nourishes hair follicles and scalp. It also has anti-bacterial properties which prevents lice. Applying onion juice daily on the scalp will prevent your hair from premature graying. CONTROLS BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL: Onions can be very helpful for those who are suffering from diabetes as they can bring down high blood pressure also onions are rich in chromium, which is a mineral that helps to improve your body ‘s response to insulin. BOOST IMMUNITY: Onions are rich in sulphur, zinc and vitamin C which helps to boost your immune system. Also onion contains quercetin ( flavonoid ) and antioxidants which has anti- viral properties. Consuming onion on daily basis can help your body to fight with variety of diseases.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 47
ORAL HEALTH: Onion can improve your oral health because of its anti- microbial and anti- bacterial properties which helps to kill bacteria or germs in mouth. Chewing raw onion helps to kill bacteria and prevent tooth decay. SKIN CARE: Onions are rich in vitamin C, E and A which are essential for skin care. It helps to fight with free radicals which causes aging. Onion also helps to make your skin glowing. Anti- bacterial and anti- microbial properties present in onion helps to treat acne also. DETOXIFICATION: Onions can be good for body cleaning. It helps to detox your body because onions are rich in sulphur compounds that helps in the process of detoxification. Also these sulphur compounds are the reason which causes tear but it is good for eyes. HELPFUL IN INSECT BITE: Onions can be very helpful for treating insect or bug bites. Because it has anti- bacterial and anti- inflammation properties which helps to reduce redness, swelling and itching on the affected area. You can simply keep a slice of fresh onion on the affected area. ACT AS A NATURAL AIR PURIFIER: Onion because of its anti- bacterial properties can act as an air purifier. If you keep a piece of onion but cutting in half after some time it will get black this is because onion captures all the germs present in air. So if you want to use onion for consumption do not cut onion early cut them only when you have to consume. SIDE EFFECTS OF EXCESS INTAKE AND PREVENTION: 1. Avoid consuming onion when you have scheduled for a surgery because it can slow down the process of blood clotting 2. Excess intake can upset your stomach. 3. If you are allergic to onion do not apply it on your skin it may cause rashes or irritation.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 48
3 WAYS TO INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DAILY LIFE Living an active lifestyle can be hard to fit in when you are busy with work, kids, etc. It’s so easy to forget about exercise and keeping yourself healthy. I want to make this simpler for you because it’s soimportant. There are many easy ways to increase physical activity in daily life. These few simple changes to your normal routine will help you increase your physical activity easily. It’s important to take care of our bodies. I have learned this even more so as I have gotten older. Our bodies need physical activity for our mental and physical health. Making small changes can add up to big health benefits.
MOVE EVERY HOUR If you have a smart watch then you know all about this. It prompts you to move every hour. This doesn’t have to be a full workout but just a little activity. Imagine if you started moving every hour? That would be great activity throughout your day. These movements can be simple things like squats, jumping jacks, push ups, a small walk, lunges, etc. These are simple ways to increase physical activity in daily life. Working out at home is really easy with today’s technology. TAKE THE STAIRS This is a very simple change and helps get your step count up for the day. You can use your smart phone or watch to count your steps, its very motivating watching how active you can be everyday. Wherever you go, don’t take the elevator (unless its unsafe at night). Maybe it will be 1 floor or maybe it will be 5 but this will help you get in extra physical activity daily. We know it’s an easier choice to take the elevator but commit yourself to taking the stairs. If you commit yourself to this then you won’t even have to think about it, you’ll just do it! WALK ANYWHERE YOU CAN Do you live close enough to work, the gym, the store, etc, to walk? If your answer is yes, then walk there! Steps and small changes add up. Maybe you can’t do this every time but when you can, do it! If you are like me and live out in the country, commit yourself to talking a walk around your neighborhood everyday. The fresh air and the exercise feels so good, trust us! JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 49
WORKPLACE WELLNESS
A fresh approach to corporate wellbeing, health, and productivity in the workplace
Move, Nourish, and Thrive JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 50
How to practice self care at work While we’re becoming increasingly aware of the importance of self care in our daily lives, it’s not always true to say that that knowledge is carried over to the workplace. These tips for practicing self care at work are positive, proactive places to start.
Why self care in the workplace is important? Many of us have become more aware of the importance of self care.When we are looking after ourselves, we create buffers against stress. We increase our resilience and our determination. We are better able to focus and concentrate.Knowing this we try to incorporate self care into our lives.However like many things, we often squeeze self care into the margins. Even if we do take time to develop more intentional self care practices, they occur more often than not after work or in the weekends.It’s like anything that happens at work is in its own little ecosystem. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 51
HAVE A WORK DAY START UP RITUAL
CONNECT WITH OTHERS
A work day start up ritual is a clear progression of activities that signal to yourself that it’s time to start work.They work both equally well if you work from home or in an office. The elements of a work day start up ritual are very personal, but often follow a similar structure.
Social connection at work isn’t just an extra – it’s a necessity.Increased happiness, reduced stress and increased productivity are all the results of positive social connection at work. Go beyond the cursory, “Hello,” and “How was your weekend?” and really connect with your colleagues.Listen to what’s going on in their lives and follow through by asking about it later.Then take the next step – organize lunchtime walks or shared potluck lunches.
SET YOUR INTENTIONS BETWEEN TASKS In our working days we can often have a variety of activities to complete, and if we’re not careful we leap from one to another with such rapid-fire transitions we finish the day exhausted. One strategy to practice better self-care in the workplace is therefore to provide some buffer time of a minute or two to finish the activity to the best of your ability at that time (even if it’s restricted to saving the work and closing the file).Then close your eyes, breathe, and set your intention for the next activity.Imagine what it is that you want to achieve, and importantly, how you want to be. Setting your intentions is a powerful technique as it literally helps create your reality.
DRINK WATER Nothing can make me hit the wall in the afternoon as much as not being hydrated.Drinking water on a consistent basis does come down to convenience. Ideally have a bottle which holds as much liquid as you want to drink during the day. Keep your water bottle right next to you in plain sight. And when you feel tired, before you go for the coffee, knock some back.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 52
MANAGE EMAIL EFFECTIVELY
TO SUM UP SELF CARE AT WORK
Email is one of the largest contributors to workplace stress when it is not handled correctly.From the above, you’ll see that I make sure NOT to check my emails first thing in the morning. Checking your emails first thing is like someone else dictating what’s on your to-do list.When you read something that seems to require your immediate response, particularly if high emotion is involved, the temptation is to drop everything you had planned and deal with it. A delay doesn’t hurt, and in fact many times can actually be beneficial as the upset person cannot sustain their emotion and tends to calm down. If you do anything on this list, make it the habit of chunking your email communication into blocks throughout the day.
While
KEEP A TIDY DESK When you finish a task at work, put away all things related to the task.File or bin the papers, save the work, and close the tabs.Return everything to the status quo before you start the next task.At the end of the day, if you can’t have anything put away then at least create a neat pile or two of your work.You’ll be amazed how different it makes you feel when you arrive for work the next day.
we’re
becoming
increasingly
aware
of
the
importance of self care in our daily lives, it’s not always true to say that that knowledge is carried over to the workplace.Yet for many of us, our workplace is where we spend the bulk of our waking hours.Having a start-work ritual, setting your intentions, getting connected, drinking water, managing your email, and having a tidy desk are positive, proactive things you can do in order to start practicing self care at work.
GOOD HEALTH IS GOOD BUSINESS. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 53
6 REASONS WHY YOU’RE MENTALLY BURNED OUT
We’ve all heard of and most likely experienced burnout in our professional and personal lives. We live in an age where the hustle mentality is strong, so it’s no surprise that we’re stressed out more than ever. There can be different types of burnout – mental, physical, and emotional. Today, we want to focus on the concept of mental burnout.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 54
Mental burnout makes you feel like you don’t have the mental energy or bandwidth to focus on anything. Making decisions becomes impossible, you have trouble thinking clearly, and you get overwhelmed by the slightest inconvenience. For those of us who are overthinkers, overanalyzers, and perfectionists, we cause a lot of issues to ourselves simply by thinking.
You might not even realize you’re causing yourself stress because you blame the stress on others or your current environment. Of course these things can contribute to stress, but there’s so much power in recognizing when you are the one stressing yourself out.When you’re mentally exhausted, you might feel like the only thing you can do is lay on the couch and watch Netflix. Though this seems like a great form of relaxation, it doesn’t help your mind *actually* shut off. Your show might feel like an escape, but it’s only a temporary fix before you feel mentally exhausted again the next day.Without addressing the causes of mental burnout and finding ways to give your mind an actual break, you risk driving yourself into the ground.If you feel like your mind can never truly relax, here are seven sneaky things that might be making you feel mentally drained.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 55
1. SELF-DOUBT Whenever we ask people what they want to change about their mindset, most of them say they want to feel more confident about themselves. They spend so much time doubting themselves and wishing they were more secure in their own skin. The thing is that constantly doubting yourself only adds to your stress levels. Your inner critic and the way you talk to yourself about yourself can make a huge impact on your mental state.
2. LACK OF BOUNDARIES When you’re a people-pleaser who can’t say no to others, you end up taking on other people’s work, errands, and even their emotional baggage. You’ve got enough on your own plate, and you most likely don’t have the time or energy to handle other people’s problems as well.
3. INDECISION Does life feel more complicated than it needs to be? There are so many options with clothing, food, recipes, diets, exercise plans, etc. How do you know what to pick? The truth is that it’s not your fault that you feel so indecisive. Our society has given us so many options which makes it incredibly difficult to make a decision. But indecision only causes us to waste time and overthink about what we should do.
4. FEAR OF JUDGMENT When you’re constantly worried about what others think about you, it only adds to the list of things you don’t really need to think about. You’ll never know what others really think about you, so why keep trying to figure it out? If they have a problem with you, they’ll tell you. And even if they do tell you, does their opinion really matter?Don’t let the fear of what other people think keep you from making your mark on the world.
5. PERFECTIONISM If you’re constantly striving for perfection, you’re only causing yourself unnecessary stress. When you spend all of your time and mental energy worrying about whether something you’ve done is good enough, you end up getting nowhere.Reduce the pressure you put on yourself in order to protect your mental health. Done is better than perfect.
6. CONSTANT DISTRACTIONS Our lives have become increasingly influenced by distractions. You get distracted by the suggested videos on YouTube when you wanted to watch one video. You get constant notifications on your phone and computer that take you away from what you were originally doing. Letting yourself get distracted is ultimately a form of procrastination, and procrastination only leads to guilt and stress. Distractions also clutter our minds with things that we probably never needed to know
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 56
Working in partnership with employers to support a healthier happier workplace. Our goal is to help your staff be the healthiest, happiest and very best version of themselves.
Prices & Booking Information: WCTEAM3@OMMKTG.COM
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 57
INDUSTRIAL ATHLETES WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL EDUCATION AND PREVENTION The Musculoskeletal Education and Prevention program from OM allows your staff to gradually and consistently improve their overall health.The employee wellbeing workshops will show your team how to properly nourish, exercise, and relax their body and mind. It is a well-known fact that a well-rested, healthy body and mind leads to improved cognitive function. Your team will not only be more productive and energized but will be able to think, solving problems, and generating ideas much more effectively.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 58
SERVICE PROVIDER TO KNOW CUSTOMER SERVICE SHOULDN'T JUST BE A DEPARTMENT, IT SHOULD BE THE ENTIRE COMPANY.
This feature is designed to highlight workers’ compensation organizations that provide valuable quality products and/or services that ultimately help injured employees through various stages of recovery. The individuals employed by these organizations go above and beyond to assist professionals in the workers’ compensation industry by providing seamless utilization of products and services along with providing excellence in customer service. Want to nominate a company or an individual? Submit it today! Go to justbeginmag.com JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 59
THE CREATION OF WORKERS REHABILITATION INC. & THE LOVE STORY BEHIND IT Interview & Written by Anailis Diaz
After the interview, Richard offered Anabel the job but she declined. After a few months passed, Richard called her to offer her the job and she took a leap and accepted Meet Anabel Velazquez & her husband, Richard DiBacco,
founders
and
owners
of
the position to see what it was about.
Workers
Rehabilitation, Inc..
She recalls working for Richard for about a year. “So, I worked for him and it was funny because you could tell
Anabel had worked in several areas of nursing including
we liked each other but he wouldn't ask me out because
ICU, CCU, ER, and Home Health to name a few. During
I worked for him. We worked together for about a year
her time as a nurse, Anabel was looking for something
until I got another job offer. So I left and he wasn’t too
new. A good friend of Anabel’s had begun working as a
happy.”
field case manager in the workers comp arena and introduced Anabel to the insurance world.
A few months passed and Richard called her. “He called me three months later and finally asked me out but I
She recalls wanting to change from her current job at
was busy. So it took a while and about 6 months later, he
the time and was referred to someone named Richard
told me he would be in my area and wanted to take me
DiBacco, her now husband. “I really needed to get away
out and I agreed. We started dating and a few years later
from this job I had. So I interviewed with Richard, who
we married.” The rest was history.
at the time owned another case-management company. The interview lasted 3 hours. After the interview I thought to myself, my goodness, this almost felt like a date. It’s funny because when I spoke with Richard on the phone, I pictured this heavy set man. It was not what he looked like at all! The first time I saw him, I was like ‘oh wow, you are really good looking.’ He was like ‘oh, you think I am good looking?’ It just slipped, there was no filter. We got along so well.”
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 60
After their first child, Anabel and Richard reevaluated their
The couple continue to grow their business. “We may
lives and began focusing on their company, Workers
not be the largest company but we are known for our
Rehabilitation, Inc. The company was founded in 1991.
integrity and doing that extra for our clients, patients,
Workers Rehabilitation, Inc., a case management company,
and colleagues. Every case is different and it is very
takes pride in providing quality service to their customers
special. That patient or customer is someone's child,
in a concise, cost-effective and timely manner. The
someone's parent, someone's everything. Treat them
company services insurance carriers, TPA’s, attorneys,
special, just like you would like to be treated if you were
employers and adjusting firms throughout the United
in their shoes,” says Anabel.
States. Anabel is very hands on within the company. She says, “I am a nurse at heart. I love patient teaching and working hands on with complex cases. As a co-owner of Workers
Her advice to someone interested in starting a business or pursing their passion? “Follow your passion, and do the very best and more than what is expected of you.”
Rehabilitation Inc. I have done, many different jobs. Yet the one I enjoy the most is dealing with my injured workers. Especially, my migrant farm workers and international cases. Making sure the workers that come here get follow up care when they return to their native countries.” The couple have built an incredible team at Workers Rehabilitation. Anabel and her husband grew the company
To learn more about Workers Rehabilitation Inc., visit www.workersrehab.com
and hired employees that they can now call their family. “We’ve grown and are in 24 states. Our employees are like family to us and we really care about them.”
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 61
JOIN IN TOUCH The true value of networking doesn't come from how many people we can meet but rather how many people we can introduce to others! www.intouchwc.com
STAY IN TOUCH WITH INTOUCH! JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 62
LIVE, REAL-TIME, INTERACTIVE, CEU'S & WEBINARS CEP VIRTUAL CLASSROOM FREE Continuing Education Units for Nurses, Certified Case Managers (CCM) Attorneys (CLE) and Workers' Comp Claims Adjusters
Presented by industry-leading experts with specialized knowledge in workers' compensation. To learn more and see a list of available speakers/topics or to schedule a FREE class contact ozzydiaz@ommktg.com JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 63
DOCTOR TO KNOW DON'T TRUST YOUR INJURED EMPLOYEES TO JUST ANY DOCTOR
This feature is designed to highlight workers’ compensation doctors and practices following best practices and helping injured employees recover and get back to work in the most effective manner possible. Want to make a nomination a Doctor or a Practice? Submit it today! Go to justbeginmag.com JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 64
DR. MAURICIO HERRERA BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 65
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHO YOU ARE? I'm an orthopedic surgeon, living in Miami for the last 16 years. I am of Colombian descent, born and raised in Queens NYC. Growing up in NYC taught me how to live and work with people from all over the world. Speaking Spanish sh at home also prepared me for my medial career in Miami. I couldn't be happier in Miami.
WHAT IS YOUR “WHY?” WHAT INSPIRES YOU EVERYDAY TO DO MORE/BETTER? I love making my patients better and finding out they either went back to work or finished that Triathlon they had been training for.
TAKE US BACK TO WHEN YOU FIRST BEGAN IN MEDICINE WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU? During my time volunteering at the Manhattan VA in New York City, I was enlightened as to what my life was going to be like. I met some medical students who encouraged me to be a doctor and it soon became my dream . So you can say I have my "Dream job. Actually it’s s not a job at all, it’s s my calling.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? Patients care unfortunately gets delayed by the system which then makes it difficult for us to make the patient better. For example, a patient with MRI- diagnosed small rotator cuff tear who has surgery quickly, gets to MMI faster than waiting months later; the the tear now has progressed and the surgery and its inherent post op rehab is now harder to accomplish and less chance of a full recovery.
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY IN TREATING A WC PATIENT? Try to get to the root of the problem that I can help with. These patients come with much baggage and many complaints. My job is to improve their joint but they want me to treat every problem they have. Its tough for the patient but I like laying the ground rules early.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT WC INDUSTRY WHAT WOULD IT BE? All WC injured patients should get an MRI early in the process--too many patients are delayed in getting an MRI and this delays their referral to a specialist who can better treat a surgical problem rather than keep doing physical therapy with no improvement.
IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE WELLNESS TIP WHAT WOULD IT BE? it's so important to stay healthy by exercising at least 3-5 days /week and eating healthy.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WWW.MIAMIORTHODOC.COM (305) 595-8940
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 66
TRAVEL WANDER THEIR WAY photo credit: samantha diaz
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE TRAVEL JOURNAL COVERS KEY AREAS IN ALL THINGS TRAVEL & EXPLORATION
Travelling is all about going on a journey and creating memories and embracing every moment you have. In this section, we will have travel tips and ways to help your travel experiences much better, safer, exciting, and fun. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 67
BEAUTIFUL SPOTS TO SEE THE FALL FOLIAGE IN THE SMOKIES By Samantha Diaz Photographs by Samantha Diaz
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 68
WHERE TO SEE FALL FOLIAGE Oh autumn, My favorite time of the year, the best time to to visit the Smoky Mountains is in the fall because the air is crisp, the leaves are changing colors and fall festivals are in full swing. Travelers come from all over to see the Smoky Mountains fall colors from deep greens to beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange. Planning your trip when the fall color peak can be tricky, you don’t want to come too early before the colors change, and you don’t want to come too late when the trees have already shed their leaves for the year. So, I want to help you experience the Smoky Mountains fall colors at the best spots in Tennessee.
FOOTHILLS PARKWAY Avoiding vehicle congestion along the parkway is paramount which can cause miles and miles of cars backed up along the parkway. Traffic is the last thing you need while trying to see the Smoky Mountains fall foliage. Once you arrive you will be rewarded with a beautiful and stunning drive that is filled with autumn colors of red, orange, brown, tints of purple and yellow. While Cades Cove is one of the most popular spots I suggest taking the Roaring Forkroute and make a few stops to see the fall beauty of the Smoky Mountains which includes a self-guided nature walk, 2.6-mile hike to Grotto Falls.
CHEROHALA SKYWAY & THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON Slightly south of the Smokies, this famed 43-mile driving loop features scenic views and the Tail of the Dragon, a section of highway that attracts motorcyclists from across the United States. The Tail of the Dragon is infamous for its 318 curves in just 11 short miles.
NEWFOUND GAP ROAD Newfound Gap is only one mile high which this the first stop along the scenic route to see the fall colors in the Smoky Mountains. The color palette is just as stunning at the beginning out the route as it is at the top of Clingman Dome but I do suggest arriving early because traffic is absolutely horrible as the moring progresses.
CLINGMAN'S DOME The highest point in the Smoky National Park offers a phenomenal panoramic view of the entire Smoky Mountain landscape. Clingman's Dome sits 6,643 feet above sea level and you will be surrounded by beautiful fall colors if you visit mid to late September. The road to Clingman's Dome is filled with tons of photo opportunities and you will be tempted to stop over and over again but don’t stop too many times because you will not make it to the top. So, make sure you dress in layers because it will be super cold.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 69
Dare To Live The Life You’ve Always Wanted. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 70
AUTUMN FUN IN TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN By Samantha Diaz Photographs by Samantha Diaz
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 71
In the fall, Michigan transforms from green forests and
3. Embrace harvest time
blue lakes to a cacophony of other vibrant colors – reds,
Even though the cherries have long since been picked,
yellows, oranges, even purples appear. And this is
there are plenty of other harvest-related activities and
especially true in and around Traverse City.
1. Enjoy the fall colors
foods this time of year. Like blueberries, apples and pumpkins. You can find many of them for sale at adorable roadside stands all throughout the peninsulas near Traverse City. The farm we went to was Buchan's
One of the must-do things, of course, is to take a drive
Blueberry Hill where we were able to handpick our
(or multiple) to enjoy the area's fall foliage. You'll find
berries (tons of fun by the way!) Also, take a drive out to
some right downtown, but I'd also recommend driving
visit the Mission Point Lighthouse on the Old Mission
up into the tiny towns to see some of the best displays.
Peninsula and stop to pick up some apples for snacks along the way.
2. Visit some wineries/distilleries Set aside at least one day to explore some of Traverse City's local wineries and distilleries – it's not ALL about cherries up there.
4. Take an afternoon trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes You can't visit Traverse City without making the 25-mile trip out to Sleeping Bear Dunes and its impressive sand dunes standing sentinel over Lake Michigan. This place was voted the most beautiful place in America a few years ago, and it certainly does feel that way on a sunny autumn day.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 72
"Between every two pines, there is a doorway to a new world." JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 73
S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y BE GREEN. BE CLEAN. BE HAPPY.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE JOURNAL COVERS KEY AREAS IN ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND HOW TO BE GREEN
Whether you’re thinking about living more sustianably or you’re well on the way to a greener lifestyle, these articles offer plenty of inspiration and encouragement to fuel you on your journey. In this section, you will see articles about the many ways and tips about substainability and how to be green!
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 74
HOW TO REDUCE WASTE THIS HOLIDAY AND MAKE IT A LITTLE GREENER BY SAMANTHA DIAZ
Are you looking to see how to reduce waste this Christmas and make it a little Greener? I think we’re all becoming more aware of the extent our shopping habits and choices are impacting the environment. And, lots of us are looking for ways to reduce any negative impacts and become more conscious consumers. I love celebrating the holidays with friends and family but when you read the statistics around the amount of waste that is created over the Holiday period it’s shocking! Did you know that not all wrapping paper is paper! Which means that a lot of wrapping can’t be recycled. And, it definitely can’t be recycled if it’s covered in tape or if it’s wrapping that contains foil or glitter, none of which can be recycled. So, if you’re looking to reduce waste this holiday and make it a little greener here are some of my tips. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 75
The holiday countdown starts with the Advent
CHRISTMAS CARDS Did you know 1.5 billion Christmas cards are thrown away by
Calendar so make sure it’s as zero waste as possible.
US households each year, So, if you want to reduce this waste
You can reuse them each year and fill with low waste
on the holidays, here is what can you do:
REUSABLE ADVENT CALENDARS
gifts. There are also activity based calendars where
Don’t send cards – it’s estimated a quarter of us no longer
you choose an activity to do each day. You could
write and send Christmas cards.
write them on pieces of paper and pop them into
E-Cards – there are lots of options available now. Choose Cards made from sustainable or recycled paper –
numbered envelopes.
Look for cards with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) mark. This guarantees the paper has been produced
GIFTS The holidays should be fun and for us that still means giving and receiving presents.
But, they
should be thoughtful presents that have meaning. Quality over quantity – buy something that is well made and will last. Get experience gifts (like a trip) or homemade gifts. A Promise Note is another good
sustainably and ethically.
Also make sure they’re not
covered in foil or glitter. Choose Cards no wrapped in plastic Compost / Recycle or Upcycle – you can use old cards you receive to make gift tags for the following year.
gift idea that's zero waste, it could be anything from
GIFT WRAPPING As I mentioned above the amount of waste that is generated
spending time together to cooking a meal or
from wrapping presents each year is astonishing. But, there are
babysitting for friends with young children. Buy
ways that you can help reduce the waste. If you are using
Vintage, Antique or Secondhand – You don’t always
normal shop bought wrapping paper you can check to see if
have to buy new when looking for presents. And,
the wrapping paper is recyclable. Try to scrunch up the paper
these days you can buy virtually anything second
into a ball. If it scrunches, and stays scrunched, it can be
hand from books to bikes.
recycled as long as it doesn’t have any glitter on it. If you are going to recycle your wrapping paper make sure you use paper tape and not normal Scotch tape as it can’ be recycled with Scotch tape on it. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 76
6 SIMPLE WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
1. Unplug appliances and turn off lights when not in use to save energy. 2. Use a power bar and shut the whole bar off when leaving the room. This will lower the amount of energy you’re using and therefore reduces your carbon footprint. 3. Grow plants, flowers and trees in your home and yard to absorb carbon dioxide. 4. Conserve water to lower the amount of energy needed to treat and pump water which lowers carbon footprint. 5. Close off unused rooms to not heat unnecessarily like guest rooms and storage rooms. 6. Lower your heating at night before going to bed.
BY SAMANTHA DIAZ Finding ways to reduce your carbon footprint is one of the best ways to fight climate change.Many aspects of life contribute to your carbon emissions, therefore reducing your carbon footprint is essential in order to help the environment.Your carbon footprint is determined by your energy usage, the products you use, the activities you take part in, among other things.By reducing your carbon footprint, you’re reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that you create which contribute to global warming. Fighting climate change has become more important than ever. Climate change threatens the extinction of species, it warms the oceans and makes them acidic, melts ice and glaciers, causes heatwaves and hurricanes, threatens agriculture, and causes air pollution which threatens our own health.It’s imperative that we each take action to save the planet because remember, there is no planet B. Lowering your carbon footprint can be easy and it’s extremely rewarding to yourself and the environment. Here are some simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 77
10 Things to Stop Buying to Save Money and the Planet By Samantha Diaz
Did you know that we buy a lot of things that are wasting our money and that there are some cheap and even waste-free alternatives? There are a few things to stop buying that will help you save money and the planet! Becoming more environmentally friendly is something everyone should aspire to get better at.Imagine if everyone started using eco-friendly and sustainable products. There would definitely be less waste and pollution
in
the
world!
Many
times,
zero-waste
alternatives mean that everyday products last longer. That translates to less money spent over time. The money saved and the fact that you’re being more ecofriendly is a great feeling that you will wonder why you didn’t make these changes long ago. These tips will allow you to live a more sustainable life by getting rid of wasteful products in your home and save money at the same time.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 78
Refuse Disposable Coffee Cups
Stop Buying Toxic Cleaning Products
Oh, caffeine, we love you so, but dishing out a couple of
A lot of cleaning products are toxic to your home and cost a lot of
bucks a day at your favourite coffee place will make you
money when they all add up.There are so many DIY cleaning
lose so much money over time. Additionally, those
products out there, some as simple as vinegar, citrus peels and
disposable cups create unnecessary waste.Stop buying
water.You can even add some essential oils to the mix to make
takeaway coffee and instead invest in a good quality coffee
these cleaners smell great too.And with essential oils being
maker or reusable coffee mug or you can start making your
affordable these days, it’s a great substitute for those expensive
own coffee at home.
store-bought cleaners.Essential oils are very versatile, can save you so much money and reduce your waste by making your own
Stop Buying Plastic Bags
products with them.
One of the easiest things to stop buying is disposable plastic grocery bags. Most stores charge for these bags
Forget Bottled Water
nowadays and many stores have started banning them.
What’s the point of spending money on disposable water bottles?
Other plastic bags such as sandwich baggies are cheap in
We have the luxury of having drinkable tap water and if you invest
quality and only meant to be used once. Super wasteful.
in a water filter pitcher, you’ll never need to buy bottled water
There are better alternatives to plastic bags that you can
again.Not only is bottled water a waste of money, but water bottles
buy, which will save you a lot of money in the long run and
are terrible for the environment.It takes up to a thousand years for
let you use less plastic.
a water bottle to decompose.Buy a reusable water bottle and refill as needed. It’s more eco-friendly and you’ll save a lot of money!
Ditch Paper Towels Just like plastic baggies, paper towels are just an
Use Less Gas
unnecessary waste.It may seem like they are practical to
The next time you plan on taking your car out for an outing,
clean up a quick mess with or wipe down the counter, but if
consider walking instead. Car pollution is one of the biggest causes
you stop buying them, you’ll help save the trees, reduce
of global warming, so reducing the amount of toxic emissions from
pollution, and improve your savings.Just use a regular cloth
your car will do the world some good.And of course, you’ll also
towel to wipe up messes and toss it in the laundry hamper
save money on gas.There are more eco-friendly methods of travel,
when you’re done.
such as biking, carpooling and taking public transit.All of those alternatives are cheaper than taking your own car and are more sustainable.If ever you need to buy a new car, consider buying an electric one. Contrary to what you might think, electric vehicles
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 79
aren’t that expensive, and electricity is cheaper than gas.
Don’t Buy Pre-Packaged Meals
Don’t Buy New Books
pre-cut producepre-made mealsgas station snacksAll these
There’s nothing like holding a paperback book in your hands,
places and things are just stealing your money. You’re paying for
but there are many free and paper-free alternatives for when
the fact that they’re all ready and packaged for you to
you’re an obsessive reader. Hit up the library to borrow books
eat.There’s also the fact that these pre-made meals are covered
or get free electronic books.
in single-use plastic, making it unnecessarily wasteful. There are cheaper on-the-go alternatives to pre-packaged meals that you
Stop Buying So Much Stuff
can buy.Buy ingredients and make your own meals. Making your
Yup. You heard right. Stop buying so much stuff! Embracing a
own food is easily one of the best ways to save money, and you’ll
more minimalist lifestyle can have many benefits in your life.
do the planet a favour at the same time.
Minimalism benefits include spending less money overall, less cleaning, and less stress.Becoming more of a minimalist can
Say Goodbye to Single-Use Plastics
also increase happiness and make you more prone to buy
Speaking of disposable food wrap, any single-use plastic is
quality products that will last longer. Consider living with less
always something you want to avoid, for the planet’s sake,
to save money and help our planet.
as well as your wallet.Disposable cutlery, plastic straws and stirrers, saran wrap. These are just some of the singleuse plastics that are a waste of money, and terrible for the environment. You can find a zero-waste alternative for almost anything. And by investing in zero-waste products that you will consistently reuse, you’re not spending money on disposables products that you throw away after
There are many eco-friendly alternatives to many everyday things we use in our life. It can be a little difficult to transition because sometimes change is hard, but the outcome is well worth it.Try to see if you can stop buying as many things on this list as possible and make the transition to the waste-free option. I assure you, you will save a TON of money and make the world a better place at the same time.Stay green, friends!
one use.You will save SO much money over time and help reduce plastic pollution.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 80
Be Inspired. Every single day there are people
in this section:
LEADERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
helping others and doing incredible things in all corners of the planet and the majority of them aren't celebrated, but we think they deserve to be recognized. We aim to bring a refreshing twist on what we typically know as 'news', reporting on positive changes, and truly inspiring people.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 81
Bradley W. Gronke, Ed.D
I F F E R ECNE
L
S MAKING R A E D D A E
Interviewed byAnailis Diaz
I had the honor to chat with Dr. Bradley Gronke. A true pleasure and an amazing person to speak with. His conversation with me lasted over 45 minutes but it truly felt like it was 10 minutes. He was a true joy to speak with! Before my interview with Bradley, I did not know much. I knew he was nominated to be featured within the magazine but really did not know what an amazing leader/individual he was. After speaking with him, I felt like I had known him for years. Read his interview to get to know a geniun leader, volunteer, husband, father, & son!
Tell us a little bit about yourself! Let our readers get to know you on a personal level. People know me as Bradley or as Dr. Brad. I help people identify their opportunities and build upon their strengths through inclusive engagement. I am an outcomes driven, motivational claims leader, and public speaker with more than 19 years’ experience. My why is to impact society through facilitating the sharing of knowledge. My wife, two children, and I live in the Chicago suburban area with our Siberian cat. I had actually struggled with weight most of my life, getting up to 320 pounds by the time I was in my 20's. Through a consistent commitment to eating healthy and exercise I was able to loose half a man, which took five years but now at 160 pounds I feel amazing. A career in the insurance industry has been amazing and people would be really surprised then to know that I have jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (with a parachute), ridden motorcycles, and have dove off a 30 foot platform. Base jumping is next (after clear research into the safety gear)!
Can you tell us about your early career and how you got yourself established in the workers' compensation industry? My initial experience was with a large insurance carrier managing medical only workers’ compensation claims being recruited right out of paramedic school then rose to an assistant team leader while also training staff across the country on implementation of a new claims system. Advancement continued on to progressively more challenging claims management through third party administrators, always dedicated to mentoring new employees. I was able to decrease risk liabilities by $1.3 million during my time leading claims management for a school insurance risk pool while also training new staff. I started at my current organization as a Branch Manager, also directly supervising claims, fostering development of trainee’s through supervisor’s, and seeing 20% of my staff promoted within one year
In your current role, what do you believe has the most significant impact ? I currently serve as a Talent Acquisition and Development Manager for Gallagher Bassett. I am responsible for the learning and development of more than 700 experienced new hires as well as trainees annually through collaboration with the superlative colleagues on my team. I draw upon my professional experiences to deliver a high energy and engaging adult learning experience. I serve on the faculty at Benedictine University as an adjunct lecturer as well as on the faculty and as an executive council member at CLM Claims College. Delivering courses such as Business Communications, Ethical Leadership, and Group Processes my goal is for my students to be able to apply their knowledge gained to make real world impacts at their organizations. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 82
Do you have a mentor? Can you share the impact that person or people have had in your life? I have many mentor's in my life and strongly recommend that everyone seeks out at least one mentor within their
What’s the most enjoyable or fulfilling part of what you do ? I am grateful to volunteer with organizations such as Junior Achievement and Invest to grow the next generation of talent
desired industry and at least one mentor outside of their
for the insurance industry. This is an expansion of my daily
desired industry. In structuring the mentor relationship this
work with Gallagher Bassett where I get to work with those new
way the mentee receives a more balanced outlook on
to the industry and provide them lift to successful careers
themselves and ideas that are multifaceted.
helping others.
I also
recommend that the mentee also seek out mentors that are from different background then their own. Diversity is not just for large corporations, it starts with one person, me. Surprisingly most of my mentors, sponsors, and champions
Share what differentiates your Return-toWork Program from others?
have been women including Gia Sawko and Caryn Siebert as
There are two examples here.
informal mentors within the insurance industry as well as
Gallagher Bassett's shift several years ago from calling our
Brian Willis outside of the industry.
One of the most
claims handlers adjusters to calling them Resolution Managers.
significant mentors I had was really my dad. We didn't have
This shift in title has many components to it including a feeling
a close relationship when I was growing up but did develop a
of self worth. You are not "justa" adjuster, as Dave Gordon
stronger one later in life. I have had conversations in my life
would say, you are a Resolution Manager. The is more focus on
with people that my dad managed and they all said the same thing, he was the best boss they ever had. One day on a long trip across the country I asked him why and this was what he told me. My dad whom I do consider a mentor also told me once that when he was a manager he always treated everyone he was talking to like they were the most important person in the room, because they were. It didn't matter if it was the CEO or the janitor. I share that story because this is similar to the platinum rule. Treat others the way they want to be
One is in the concept of
bringing the injured worker back to work in the healthiest way possible and as soon as possible. The relationship building with the injured worker and showing them empathy is critical to this success. It lowers litigation rates, claim costs for our clients, and improves health outcomes for the injured workers as well. These concepts were instilled in the program I started nearly a decade ago while working for an insurance school risk pool in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Return to work was
treated. I will always treat the person I am talking to (and
challenging as most of the school districts would not have an
listening to) like they are the most important person to me,
employee return to work until they were placed at full duty with
because they are.
no restrictions by their doctors. Upon crafting a curriculum of
How do you handle critical situations and decisions? It depends on the situation. Generally, even in emergent situations, I just take a moment and pause. Most will rush to react or freeze up. I have always found success using John Boyd's OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act). I will always remain calm and provide clear instructions to those that want to help. If the situation allows for more time I read, reflect, and then revisit the question. Reading from multiple credible sources including those that support as well as those that oppose how you are inclined to decide or how your known biases are established is critical to forming a balanced opinion. If appropriate I will discuss the situation with my mentor within the industry and with my mentor outside of the industry. If appropriate I will discuss the situation with my loved ones or those closest to me as well. I will reflect on all of the information I have found, make my decision and own it.
education around the impact that an early return to work program could have for not only the injured workers but also for the schools the leadership accepted the program. The program of establishing guidelines for light duty return to work and pathways for successful re-entry was rolled out to all middle level
managers
and
front
line
supervisors
with
the
administrations support. Upon successful implementation of the program injured workers were contacted on a weekly basis when they were off of work to just see how they were doing and if they had any questions. Relationships were built. Adjusters even did face to face meetings with injured workers when necessary to discuss return to work options.
Ultimately the
program returned more than $1.3 million dollars to the school districts which could use that money for other areas such as higher wages for teachers, improved resources for students, or reinvest it into safety mitigation programs.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 83
If you can change one thing in the workers' comp industry what would it be? Workers’ Compensation claims have evolved over the past two decades in the industry. The employee that experienced an incident while working for their employer that arose out of and in the course of their employment, we called a claimant. Several years ago, there was an intentional focus among some in the industry to shift this term from claimant to injured worker. Calling the employee by their name or referring to them as who they truly are, an injured worker, brings humanity and kindness into the resolution of the claim. Using the term injured worker moves us to a place of less adversary and to a place where the focus is on healing. We can then take it a step further even and call the injured worker a recovered worker. We may all think this is all “sticks and stones” mentality but words are important. There are significant financial gains available for our clients through reduced litigation and reduced case values by humanizing the recovered worker from the start of the process. This concept comes into development through many people besides me including Claire Muselman who established the industry first Workers' Recovery Unit at CWG. Empathy is not a weakness is the 7th tenant of the Gallagher Way.
How do you describe your leadership style? I am absolutely a Servant Leader. I have been told as much by many leaders and mentors. I also would agree with that assessment. I care first about those I lead and I know that if they are taken care of then they will accomplish any reasonable goals that we set. I am currently attending a Book Review organized by a leader in our industry, Wendy Sumrell. We are working through an analysis of Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. This book is one I have taught from for a few years and is on my recommended reading list as well. I focus my leadership style around the theory of Followership and the concept that leaders are followers and followers are leaders. Understanding the type of follower you are is critical to helping you become a better leader. Followership was the topic of my dissertation where I performed a leadership case study for a public safety agency to improve social justice.
What was a difficult decision you had to make as a leader, and how did you come to that decision? There was one point in my career where I had recently started a new position and needed to assess the current staff, ensuring inventories were appropriately distributed based on skillsets. The start of this situation would not be that challenging for most leaders yet I was also informed that one of the staff members was consistently causing significant risks for the organization.
They were a high performer early on in their career yet I was faced with just starting in my position and essentially being advised that I would likely have to end the employment relationship shortly. I wanted to assess the individual myself first and was committed to following a coaching path with them to provide them lift and ultimate success. Sometimes no matter the amount of coaching one offers unless everything else aligns that relationship may end. I was crushed that it did not end successfully yet knew that it was the right decision for the organization. Ultimately, I ended up reconnecting with this individual about a year later and they were incredibly happy that the relationship ended when it did because it caused them to reassess where they were in their career path and change directions to an organization as well as a role where they were much happier.
Discuss a leadership challenge you faced and what you did to overcome it. A point where I came to realize I was a Servant Leader was when I received a phone call from a mentor of mine a few years ago and he asked me, so what are you going to do next? I love that phrase, what's next? The West Wing was an amazing drama. When he asked me I honestly didn't know what was next for me at the time. It was only two weeks until the unit I was leading would be fully transitioned due to organizational restructuring. I had found out about more than 10 weeks earlier yet was so focused on making sure we all did amazing work right up until the final moments and that every single member of my unit had positions to move into I didn't take any time to even think about what's next for me. When he called it was like a light blub went on or really more like someone hit me over the head with a frying pan. I needed to figure out what I was going to be doing in less than 14 days, with my career. I will tell you that was a fast career decision for sure. It ultimately came down to relocation to continue doing the same work I was which I loved, leading a unit, or transitioning into a new chapter of my life. I have been in risk management for nearly two decades so you can imagine how this was difficult but I decided to take the plunge into uncharted territory. It was the best decision I ever made. My impact and reach went from ten's to hundred's overnight.
What’s your biggest professional accomplishment to date? I am a lifelong learner. I have earned the professional designations of Associate in Claims (AIC), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), Associate in Management (AIM), Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA), Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and Certified Litigation Management Professional (CLMP). I have obtained degrees including a Master of Science in social justice (MS) from Lewis University, Master of Business Administration in organizational behavior (MBA) from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and a Doctor of Education in leadership (EdD) from Governors State University.
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 84
All of those degrees and professional designations have provided me with a wealth of knowledge that I am able to share with others which is where my passion resides but also in learning from others too. My greatest accomplishment really has been every time I receive a note, call, email, or text from a mentee, sponsor, or someone I have championed letting me know that they reached their goal. Having them let me know that I had some small part in their success is the best part of being a leader.
What final thoughts would you share with those in workers’ compensation?
When you are not focused on workers’ compensation, where do you spend your time?
Include@GB steering committee. I have facilitated and led
I wish I made more time to run / walk and train. I do take
aged white male with privilege. Guess what, a rising tide lifts
walks with my wife and sometimes with my daughter or go
all ships! We as an industry need to do more to reflect the
biking with my son. I have done many 5ks, a 10k, and most
society that we help. Insurance is the oxygen of commerce
recently finished my first 15k. I have walked in two Susan G.
and in order to keep breathing we have to take steps to
Komen 3-Day, 60 Mile Walks to find a Cure for Breast
include everyone in our society as a part of our industry.
Passionate about developing a true sense of belonging for all, I am a member of the national Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the CPCU Society, the CLM Alliance, as well as Rising Star Insurance Executives. I serve Gallagher Bassett in the focus area for Awareness and Education of the many conversations around Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Awareness (IDEA). It's time for action. Yes, I am a middle
Cancer and served on the Medical Crew for two more. I am getting ready to walk again, this time with my wife and a close family friend that just recovered from COVID, yet is walking with us next fall, 60 miles. All the women in my family have been effected by Breast Cancer.
I have two
sisters that are survivors, lost my mother, both grandmothers, and two great aunts to this disease. I have volunteered since 1999 as an emergency medical technician.
Serving as an
EMT has allowed me to attend national trainings to become an instructor through a statewide medical team. I was able to attend programs such as Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings, Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents, as well as the Counter Terrorism Operations Support Center for Radiological and Nuclear Training at the Nevada National Security Site. I also enjoy volunteering as a leader of my congregation, with my family as well as friends for Feed My Starving Children, and serving food through the Night Ministry.
How do you find balance with your work life and your home life? This is honestly of of my most difficult struggles. I love what I do and why I do it so balance has been challenging especially in the unique environment we find ourselves in with the pandemic. I love people and working in an office environment allows for interactions that are important for relationship building as well as offers a clear line between family and professional lives. In the work from home setting I need to be much more intentional about the line and ensure that I do allow for time with family. I generally will not focus on professional work activities on Saturday's, Sunday's or Holiday's as those times are reserved for the family. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 85
BE INSPIRED C E L E B R A T E .
R E C O G N I Z E .
A P P R E C I A T E .
If you know a person, a group, organization, charity - in any part of the US - who has done something wonderful or just makes the world a little happier!
Nominees will be featured in the BE INSPIRED section in the next issue of JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE. Whether it is someone who has devoted their time to volunteering, someone who has helped the local community, someone who has cared for others, or just someone who is uplifting and makes a difference to your life – nominate them today and make a difference to their life. We believe that people deserve to be celebrated!
To nominate a person, a group, organization, charity, Visit justbeginmag.com JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 86
IP R DE
BE IN S
Natalie Torres & Her Why? Interviewed byAnailis Diaz
Natalie Torres, the Senior Director of Client Solutions at Workfinders USA, was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Torres spent most of her life in Milwaukee before meeting her husband. “I spent most of my life there up until about 11 years ago,
Natalie was in the restaurant business before finding Workfinders USA. “I had spent about 20 years in that
when I first met my husband. We moved halfway
industry, and I took some bereavement leave and I came
around the world to the Hawaiian Islands together
back to the restaurant. I was opening up that day. I went
when we first met. We went to the island of Oahu.
to the front door, I unlocked the door, I got behind the
We worked while we were there and we certainly
host stand and I was ready to welcome my first guest for
surfed. Our marriage and relationship was really born and cemented there.”
lunch. And as that was happening, I just realized how it was over. Serving people that way was over for me.”
Torres recalls her years in Hawaii before moving back to the Wisconsin area. “My father had fallen ill unexpectedly, and that's what brought us back to the Milwaukee area. It turns out that my father becoming ill and then passing about a year later, unexpectedly, ended up being one of the more pivotal moments in my life.” This is when Torres’s journey began. “I really look back at the experience of going through that with him and him leaving this earth and then how my world changed after that is really why I'm on this call with you. Because I took some time to try to learn to live
Natalie Torres's Father
with the loss of my father shortly after.” JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 87
Torres has always had a passion for helping and serving others. There was a new light that had started to shine. “There was something that was different. I knew I wanted to serve people differently. That’s ultimately what brought me to the workers’ compensation industry.”
She started with Workfinders USA almost six years ago. She recalls having no experience in the industry and began as a researcher.
“I was growing and learning on how I can support injured workers through this return to work process, which, as I learned more and more, it just was the most perfect evolution from what I was looking for in terms of serving people and
Their Return to Work program for permanentlyrestricted work comp claims benefits injured workers and saves employers and carriers millions of dollars annually.
trying to create memorable experiences in the restaurant business.”
Torres says, “I've really enjoyed the opportunity to continue to essentially speak on behalf of the workers
Workfinders USA has redefined Return-to-Work
that we are supporting in the work that we do. The
by utilizing a strategic, aggressive, and client-
service to the workers, but then shortly behind that,
focused
the ability to continue to share the messaging of the
programs
approach. service
Their a
variety
Return-to-Work of
workers'
compensation claims for national and worldwide insurance carriers, employers, brokers, and TPAs.
good things that happen when people get back to work!”
To learn more about
Like Torres, they are passionate believers (and
WorkerFinders USA visit
doers!) in strong advocacy for injured workers,
www.workfindersusa.com
effective
and
meaningful
job
sourcing,
outstanding client customer service, and constant communication to deliver cost-mitigating results. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 88
TELL YOUR BRAND STORY ON JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE. WANT TO LEARN MORE? CONTACT US TODAY AT INFO@JUSTBEGINMAG.COM
JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 89
BECOME AN AMBASSADOR
The Power of You! JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE PAYS YOU! GO TO JUSTBEGINMAG.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 90
DARE TO BEGIN. JUST BEGIN MAGAZINE | 91