Awaken The Awesome

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,...

When they say 'you should check on your strong friend', that is very true. Immediate family, relatives, close friends...do we ever really know how the other person is doing or what they're going through? This is a close description of how one text from me to my long-time friend, Emmanuelle Elie , led to this very emotionally-charged episode. When all I did was send a random, fun-filled 'Hi/How're you?'...I wasn't prepared for the reply. Emmanuelle sent me a photo from her hospital bed. With a short comment that went along the lines of : "...when we give everything to our children ...and neglect our own health...been in the hospital for 3 days..." That shook me. In more ways than one. A lot of them having to do whith the fact that Emma, stands on her own as a dedicated, nurturing and tireless mother. The thing about parenting and having kids, is that you hear a lot about the love, p...