Mind Over Matter

Welcome back! Let's talk about SLOW & INTENTIONAL LIVING.  Akta is a former dentist and currently a youtuber & a full time creator who loves to spend her time writing, doing art, yoga, sipping on tea, watching FRIENDS and sometimes doing nothing at all - which is highly underrated. For most of her life, Akta was an overthinker and productivity addict which made it difficult to figure out what she really wanted in life. In this episode we’re talking about Akta’s story, philosophy behind slow and intentional living, how you can incorporate it into your life – and a little bit of a caveat, which was my favourite part – navigating changes in friendships in this thing we call life. How to find Akta: @aktavibes on Instagram, Youtube & Twitter Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Aktavibes/featured Akta's Website: https://www.aktavibes.com/

Welcome back to another episode! Today, we have a special guest. Dr. Jennifer J. Heisz is an expert in brain health. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University and directs the NeuroFit Lab, which has attracted over $1 million to support her research program on the effects of exercise for brain health. Dr. Heisz received her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience (McMaster) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Brain Health and Aging at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Hospital (Toronto). Dr. Heisz's research examines the effects of physical activity on brain function to promote mental health and cognition in young adults, older adults and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Many honors and awards recognize Dr. Heisz for her outstanding contributions to research including the Early Researcher Award from the Government of Ontario, the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award, and the Canada Research Chair in brain health and aging. In this episode we discuss:  - The connection between movement, brain health, and mental health - How you can begin to move your body to heal your mind - Benefits of movement for sleep, creativity and overall health - How you can incorporate movement in your busy schedule Dr. Heisz's website: https://www.jenniferheisz.com/ Dr. Heisz's book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.ca/Move-Body-Heal-Mind-Depression/dp/0358573408 Also available on Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/move-the-body-heal-the/9780358573401-item.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.jenniferheisz/?hl=en

Welcome back to a new episode! Today we're sitting down with life coach and podcaster, Shawn Heshmatpour. Shawn teaches cognitive mastery and emotional ownership so that people can learn to create deep and powerful connections with people in their lives, confidently and unapologetically. From being shy and awkward to outgoing and fearless at social gatherings, dates, and in his own personal decision making, he now guides people one-on-one to discover who they are with no limits. There is nothing more desirable to Shawn than transforming people’s lives. Shawn is currently living in Massachusetts and seeing where life takes him next.  How to get in touch with Shawn: https://sheshn.com/ https://twitter.com/sheshn94 https://www.instagram.com/sheshn94/ https://open.spotify.com/show/7M5zHPO9olh6neopmQahgY?si=18c095556cc046b8&nd=1 See reference picture on my instagram: @thewellevated

Welcome back! Today, on the podcast, we have Kathryn White. Kathryn  White is a life-long learner and  teacher. She has spent her career  deep in her own education as well as  educating others. She was a  public-school teacher for almost 20 years  until her world changed  overnight with a cancer diagnosis. Not one to  shy away  from adversity,  Kathryn rose to the challenge  and spent all of 2015 embracing her  diagnosis and believing that she  could be healthy again, and she is! As  part of her own recovery and  reclaiming of her health and her life,  Kathryn  dug deep into learning about  the impact of nutrition on  health, becoming a registered 500-hour yoga  teacher to heal her soul,  and starting her own business to share what  she has learned with  others. In 2021, Kathryn  received her certification as a Holistic  Cancer Coach. She continues  to be a teacher in the capacity of a Cancer  Support Coach for others  who are living with cancer and looking to not  just survive in life, but  to thrive in life. She has been married to  her best friend John for 25  years and is the proud mother of two adult  sons,  Jackson and Joshua. In this episode, we talk about: - Kathryn's cancer diagnosis journey & how she took the control back in her life - Kathryn's 3 tips to help you regain control in your life - All things diet, nutrition, mindset & holistic health Kathryn's website: https://www.kathrynwhite.coach/

Welcome back to Season 2 of the podcast! On today's episode we have Dr. Mitchell Abrams. Dr. Abrams is a Canadian Radiologist, keynote speaker, teacher and founder of NexGenHealth Ltd. Abrams completed his medical degree and radiology specialty from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, holds a subspecialty in Magnetic Resonance Imaging from the University of Toronto and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Abrams is an Associate Professor at Michael G. Degroote School of Medical Sciences and was Department Chair of Diagnostic Imaging at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. Early in his radiology career, Dr. Abrams was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, a disease that can lead to sudden cardiac death in seemingly fit and healthy young people. He required open heart surgery in order to prevent the worst-case scenario. Through his various roles as a patient, physician and department chair, he experienced the inner workings of our healthcare system first hand, and became acutely aware of the limitations and gaps in our current western model of care. This realization became a passion and drove him down a path of research and experiential learning with experts around the globe, looking at different approaches to healing. In particular, Dr. Mitch’s background in radiology and his understanding of physics, supported a deep investigation into the nature of who we truly are and how we thrive. The intersection between his life in science and this powerful experience with healing, provided the foundation of what his life-mission has become - to support and promote a more holistic model of healthcare. As part of his mission, Dr. Mitch initiated a social enterprise called NexGenHealth to bring forth a new paradigm in self-care, patient care, and community wellness. In this episode, we talk about:  - Dr. Abrams' life story - The intersection between science and spirituality - Why meditation is a powerful tool for connection with self and others - Why mindfulness is even more important now than ever Get in touch with Dr. Mitchell Abrams:  Instagram: @dr.mitch.abrams Website: https://nexgenhealth.solutions/ Zoom meditation sessions Mon-Fri at 6pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89113664876

Welcome back to our final episode of the season! We are taking a moment to reflect on the past year, the last season of episodes & guests and I'm so happy to have you along on this journey. If there has been an episode that you have liked this season, please DM me on instagram or send me an email on thewellevated@gmail.com. I would love to know! In this episode we talk about: Some of my favourite guests from this season 3 lessons I've learned in 2021 Where to go from here New season begins in February. Thanks everyone, for all your love & support. x

A former accountant and pro-athlete, Bhanisha has dedicated her life to  helping women look and feel their best from the inside out. After struggling with body image, working for years on her mastering her mindset, and creating a profound fitness regime for herself, Bhanisha founded  Elevate Nation - an all in-one wellness platform to expand your mind,  strengthen your body and awaken your soul. She strives to provide a community that fosters each person's individual growth  and healing. A community where women feel comfortable being their true selves, while developing their physical and mental well-being. She  focuses on activities such as meditation, movement and nutrition and  developing a positive mindset, to help transform you into the best  version of yourself. You can find more information about her wellness platform at www.elevate-nation.com In this episode we talk about: - Mistakes people make in their own fitness journey + how you can avoid it - The difference between a fixed vs. growth mindset - How to balance self-discipline with self-compassion - How to commit to your commitments!

Today I have the pleasure of sharing my interview with Dr. Aarti Soorya (MD), a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, who combines conventional medical training with leading-edge concepts in biomedical-functional medicine. Her approaches include holistic prevention and alternatives, detoxification, physical modalities, nutritional therapy, herbs, chelation, and medications (when needed). Known for being ahead of the curve, Dr. Soorya’s career path in integrative medicine began long before attending medical school as a research intern for the University of Michigan’s integrative medicine program. There she observed firsthand how a comprehensive, whole-person approach led to profound and life-changing results for the patients she worked with. During her hospital years at Washington University, Dr. Soorya received numerous accolades, including her role as chief resident physician and “Resident of the Year” for her work ethic, leadership qualities, and excellent bedside manner. In this episode we will be talking about: Dr. Aarti Soorya’s journey of being a functional medicine physician and why she chose this career path How we can regulate our nervous systems to live better Tips to optimize your brain health & manage your stress levels Why sleep is important for the restoration of your brain & body function; AND how you can capitalize on your Zzz’s for better living!

sitting down and learning from yoga teacher & self-growth coach, Emma Berry today! Emma is passionate about helping people make the most of every single day using yoga, meditation, journaling and more. Alongside that, she works a full-time job as sa senior analyst and loves finding balance between the two crazy areas of her life! You can join her for weekly yoga classes, workshops & group self-development programmes all via Zoom. You can also join her Soulrise programme as discussed on the podcast for a discount of £150 instead of the original £180. You can find all the information here: https://www.emmalouiseberry.co.uk/morning-soulrise Emma's instagram: @emmalouyoga In this episode we discuss:  - Why it's important to have a morning routine & how you can craft what works for YOU - How morning routines have changed Emma's day to day life - How to create a balance between work and wellness

Spirituality provides us an anchor in life; it involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than yourself. For some people, this is thoroughly grounding. The nice part is that it can also be practiced in a variety of ways - especially when we go through difficult times. So that’s why I decided to have Sarvesh Thakkar talk about this today. As a young Canadian entrepreneur, Sarvesh launched an ayurvedic-inspired plant-based restaurant and meditation space at the age of 21. He recognizes Spirituality as a crucial part of his life through his experience of living at a Monastery for two years while growing up in India. Sarvesh emphasizes his biggest learned lesson at the monastery - gratitude. He is on a journey towards creating a conscious footprint in social and entrepreneurial spaces. You can find him on instagram: @sarveshthakkar Questions that Sarvesh encourages us to consider: What defines me?; What things, people and ideologies should I be committed to?; What do I want out of my life?; Am I ready to test myself to new challenges and lead with balance? In this episode, we will talk about: Why spirituality is an important component of mental/physical wellness How spirituality creates a strong mind-body-soul connection Sarvesh’s 3 recommended ways YOU can weave spirituality in your life How you can create intentions in your life and why they are so beneficial

today i'm sitting down with Joshua White, an incredibly passionate men's health advocate and undergraduate student studying history and political science. here is a little bit about Josh: he spends a lot of his time outdoors, thinking and philosophizing, and exercising. Josh also has dedicated his social media to advocating for men’s health and mental health, and overall enjoys brightening people’s day. you can find him on Instagram @jash_white.  we discuss everything from his shaking personal experience of having his mom diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer (you can visit her inspiring instagram handle: @thrivenutritionandyoga), doing personal growth work, what it means to be "cool", and how men's mental health needs attention NOW. our conversation was such a blast and i know you will enjoy it too! 

Today I sit down and have a powerful conversation with Ironman Triathlete & Resilience Speaker, Molly Kennedy. Molly grew up in a dysfunctional family with addiction, abuse, neglect, abandonment, suffered from an eating disorder, was suicidal and a runaway at 15 years of age. Despite all the odds, Molly persevered forward to become a bodybuilding champion, an Empire State Games Gold Medalist, has finished a full Ironman Triathlon, worked as a health educator, coach and now tells her story internationally to youth.   In this episode, we talk about why it's important to shift your mindset by "do the work", how negative self-talk changes the way you show up, and what kinds of opportunities vulnerability has created for Molly.  Molly is the author of the book, “Creating the Champion Within: How to Get UP When Life Knocks You Down”. You can visit her website here & follow her on her Instagram (and Facebook, Twitter) social media @flipyour20_. Book Molly as a speaker for your next event: mollykennedyspeaks.com. 

sit down with me today & let's talk about burnout & protecting our energies. especially in a time of the global pandemic, this can be hard. even though we're at home, we mistakenly assume that people have permission to access our energy 24/7 - which inevitably leaves us feeling exhausted, burnt out and overwhelmed. it's something i'm learning to get better at as well - so let's talk!

In episode 3, I am accompanied by Canadian Olympian and resilience speaker, Sarah Wells! Sarah speaks about how she overcame obstacles in her athletic career and how she dealt with her setbacks. You might have seen her compete in the 2012 London Olympics, 2015 Pan Am Games Toronto, and The Amazing Race Canada. In this episode, Sarah offers 3 pieces of advice to anyone who wants to build their resilience; we also talk about taking risks, how challenges have made us grow, and a fun rapid fire round of questions!  The book Sarah spoke about: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth How you can book Sarah for speaking: sarahwells.ca; instagram & twitter: @sarahwells400mh

today, we're getting vulnerable and talking about the hardships and obstacles we face. and how it's so hard to put mind over matter in those situations but going through rough waters can make us realize how absolutely resilient we are. i share my experience after being in an unfortunate incident & having to navigate the criminal justice system - all while i faced difficult emotions. we often ask ourselves "why me?" while we go through rough waters as well. but i'm going to let you answer that question in this episode. so here's a quick breakdown of what we talk about on today's episode: • i share my story about how i found my "why me?" • i share my victim impact statement + pieces of advice that really helped me create my own turning point • why self-victimization is self-sabotage. LINKS: Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (4 pm to 12 am ET). Crisis Line: (416) 408-4357 Survivor Support Program: (416) 595-1716.

let's talk INSIDE WORK! each episode will consist of a thought-provoking question which  i'll ask you at the beginning. we'll then revisit it at the end of the  episode, i'll share some of my thoughts on that question + i'll tie it  into our episode! - a fun way for us to do the "inside work" together. here a little sneak peek on episode 01: • an intro about who i am, how i got into wellness + meditative practices • where you can begin on your wellness journey if you're just starting out • what it means to do the "inside work" and why it's more valuable to start inside first • a quick + easy strategy for you to begin

Welcome to the Mind over Matter podcast! Click to listen to a little bit of what we're going to talk about here, on this podcast - some of which is resilience, championing our inner selves, and translating personal growth into empowering ourselves and others!  I hope that you will join me biweekly on Mondays on your favourite podcast platform. *Thank you to the DukeofEd, Canada Corps and the Government of Canada for funding and sponsoring this non-profit passion project. *Music by Artist: Lyfo Track: High

Welcome back!  Short intermission from the usual podcast episodes to present a conversation promoting a very special & free event you can attend! Music and Mindfulness - Hosted by Cambridge Council of Aging on Thursday Sept. 22, 2022 from 9am-12pm. Our audience will be taught techniques to better equip them for dealing  with mental health and overall wellbeing – as well as to transition back  into society in a post pandemic world. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-and-mindfulness-tickets-400195855577 This event is generously sponsored by Chartwell Retirement Residences. Join the conversation today on the podcast with radiologist Dr. Mitch Abrams and Chartwell business development manager Amy O'Reilly.  Find out more about Chartwell Retirement Residences at chartwell.com Find out more about Dr. Abrams: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mitch.abrams/?hl=en

Welcome back! Today, on the podcast I bring to you a good friend of mine -- Rhiannon Story. Rhiannon juggles a much loved side hustle as a yoga teacher alongside a full time job in the legal industry as a Consulting Manager. Having attended yoga classes for years purely as a form of exercise, Rhiannon soon discovered the benefits of a regular practice on her mental health and wanted to learn more. She qualified as a yoga teacher last year and has taught 1:1, corporate and group vinyasa flow classes since. You can find more info on Rhiannon's online classes via instagram @rhiannon_story_yoga. Find her website: www.rhiannon-story-yoga.com In this episode we discuss: - How you can begin your own yoga practice - Busting some myths that are commonly spread about yoga - How Rhiannon has noticed her mental, physical and spiritual health shift due to her yoga practice