Awaken The Awesome

I cannot tell a lie. Today's guest really intimidated me at first. Thing is, having been a sub-par student in a past life, I often find myself dealing with a bit of insecurity when I realize the level of accomplishment, both academic as well as professional, that many of my guests have under their belts.  Call me foolish but it's still something I find myself struggling with at times. I've done a reasonably good job of keeping this subtle Impostor Syndrome at bay. But sometimes, you get to exchange with someone who is so accomplished and a literal force to be reckoned with, you have an urge to sit up straight because you know there's going to be some serious knowledge coming your way. In that regard, I can tell you that  Eloïse Gagnon  did NOT disappoint. An entrepreneur for over 20 years and an international corporate lawyer for more than 15, Eloïse has worked alongside business leaders from around the world, leading her own 7 and 8 figure businesse...

When I was a kid, we watched this wonderful, iconic movie titled "Le Grand Bleu"(or "The Big Blue" in English) starring Jean Reno and Jean-Marc Barr. It's the beautiful, poetic and tragic story of the rivalry and what some would call a bond between two individuals who, through their chosen passion for free-diving, were not just competitors but also friends. I'm not gonna give you a long synopsis : if you care to see what happens when talent meets obsession, while also fuelled by the thirst to always push past your limits...just watch it. I bring this up because, for some reason, in trying to find the right words to properly introduce today's guest, I struggled. Not because the words wouldn't come, but more because of this weird comparison that I could not shake off as I truly thought this was an appropriate visual for today's particular exchange. I came across Xavier De Le Rue 's truthfully incredible career as I was rando...

Really excited to be back with you guys as we get to speak with an incredible individual with a truly remarkable story that stands out as a true example of both passion and purpose. From his humble New Jersey beginnings,  and by overcoming his fair share of personal struggles, Dr. Alister Martin 's own sense determination and fierce conviction eventually led him to both an MD from Harvard Medical School as well as a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School. He is an emergency physician who straddles the worlds of medicine, public health, and social justice. He is also faculty at the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Social Justice and Health Equity at Harvard Medical School.  Dr. Martin previously served as Chief Resident at MGH/Brigham Hospital. He now leverages his background in politics, healthcare policy, and the field of behavioural economics to use the ED as a place to build programs that serve the needs of vulnerable patients. He ...

I believe there's a huge difference between collaborating with your significant other as spouses as opposed to running a business together. Some things just do not mix. Those are my own personal reservations and I'm sure I'm not the only one in that regard. But, there are those who subscribe to the other school of thought: with the emphasis that building and running a business with your spouse can be a welcome opportunity for creativity, team-building, resourcefulness and yes, even strengthened intimacy. I never shy away from the opportunity to admit what I don't know and to learn a thing or two. Which is what got me pretty excited when I linked up and invited my next guests, Liz & Philippe, to be on the program.  As the founders and owners of the amazingly inspiring and aptly-named Dueling Cups Coffee & Tea , this husband & wife dynamic duo were a gem to sit down and talk to. Indeed, getting the perspective from two people who took a dre...

I have always been quite outspoken about my dedication to encourage a better conversation among Men in regards to their identity and purpose as I believe there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of both communication and mental health.  So when I got acquainted with my next guest and his similar efforts, it was only natural to extend an invitation to be a guest on the podcast. Coach Michael Taylor is an entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker and radio and TV  show host who has dedicated his life to empowering men and women to reach their full potential by transforming their lives from the inside out. He knows first hand how to overcome adversity and build a rewarding and fulfilling life and he is sharing his knowledge and wisdom with others to support them in creating the life of their dreams.   He is the President & CEO of Creation Publishing Group - a company that specializes in ...

Growing up in a Third World country but having had the privilege to make a life abroad has taught me a lot about gratitude and resilience. Two very useful tools I believe are essential in anyone's arsenal along their journey. Having also been raised by a pair of solid overachievers who did not shy away from instilling a sense of duty and strive for excellence in their children was something I also benefited from. These are but a few of the elements that resonated with me as I took the time to read up on my next guest and her many incredible achievements. While it is true that circumstances such as financial resources, cultural background, family upbringing all play a significant part in one's journey, I truly believe that the power of the the mind and the choice to elevate one's self beyond these challenges remains the deciding factor between Success and Complacency. From the slums of Lagos, Nigeria,...

Some people cross your path in Life, you don't ask yourself why - you just open up your mind and heart and you just run with it. If there's one thing I've learned from these amazing exchanges, it's the fact that there's something to be said for humility and personal truth. My next guest and I haven't known each other that long but from the very first interaction and throughout  the wonderful opportunities since, I've gotten to know a truly radiating soul. The calm yet profound sense of presence and mindfulness that Sarah Rose brings into a space is something that cannot be overlooked. Talking with her is both a privilege and experience. You get this sense of intentional clarity and generosity of time and self that encourages you to do the same and reciprocate. Come to think it, this shouldn't really come as a surprise given her background as both a Certified Life Coach, Mindfulne...

When you have the opportunity to come across someone who knows more than you do and who's willing to share their knowledge with you, take my advice and just remember to do these two very simple things : Shut Up & Listen. Otherwise, you will most likely miss out on some pretty amazing piece of truth and valuable information which, in all honesty, could definitely change your life.  This next conversation was no different. Benoit Chalifoux is a highly sought-after international speaker with well over 500 conferences(and counting) given to various companies of all sizes spread across North America, Africa and Europe.     He serves as Deputy Director of International Affairs at the School of Management of the University of Quebec in Montreal(ESG UQAM). As a seasoned Lecturer, his expertise covers a vast array of noteworthy topics ranging from Entrepreneurship, to Business Development and Cros...

The most honest thing one can do in terms of catering to your personal growth is admitting what you don't know. Having the vulnerability to approach things with both humility as well as curiosity is a big step. I did not know about ADHD. I'd heard about the condition and like everyone else, had my own pre-conceived notion of what it was. Parenting is about trial and error. When our daughter started displaying some particular character traits and noticeable signs such as absent-mindedness, hyperactivity, fidgeting...I can't say I picked up on it at first glance. My wife had her concerns but I was the one to brush things off as benign childish behaviour.  I had to admit there was more to it. I felt I had a responsibility to put in the time, patience and empathy not to judge, or throw my hands up in resignation but actually shift my perspective and hopefully give myself, and my daughter the necessary...

© Darrin VanGorder (https://www.dvgphotography.com/) - All Rights Reserved There's this sense of ferocious intensity that I walked away from following this extraordinary conversation with my next guest that has left me both impacted and humbled. Passion - TRUE passion - is infectious and when you have the opportunity to witness and learn from it, you should take a second to stop and listen. Throughout his career as a professional actor, screenwriter, director, producer, poet, motivational speaker and author, David Bianchi   is no stranger to the kind of experiences and life lessons rooted in dedication, commitment, discipline and personal growth that we aim to communicate on this program. When I came across an interview he gave on the Bollywood Meets Hollywood podcast  in which he unabashedly laid out how, speaking of the Hollywood film industry, one should aim to chase your dream with no second guesses and no excuses...or...

Passion - Genuine, authentic passion is infectious. You can feel it from the words and emotion that resonate from the person sitting across from you and you can't help but take notice. My next guest has the kind of dynamic thirst for life that will give you a run for your money. Just upon our initial connection, I could tell right out of the gate that his was the kind of spirited and uplifting personality that I believe we should take notes from. As the host of The Music Shindig, a weekly broadcast on UK's Spire Radio,  Dino Bedrocker  has demonstrated how one shouldn't wait around for permission or invitation to make your goals a reality. As he puts ever so plainly : "...go for it." I learned a lot from this next conversation - from letting go of the fear, to doing away with the outside noise and naysayers, to simply setting a goal and seeing it through...and of course, having fun along the way. You can co...