Hopemongers

Episode 5: Why You Should Be Fabulous

“In spite of everything that is happening, I am loving the purpose for which He has created me. That's what makes me fabulous. And that's what I strive towards…I strive towards being fabulous.”
– Ama Duncan

 Corporate Trainer, Business Coach, Author and Founder of The Fabulous Woman Network Ama Duncan, shares that the motivation behind her dynamism was inspired by Marianne Williamson’s poem “Let Your Light Shine”.  The lines in the poem “We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God….” were instrumental in her journey to overcoming the low self-esteem that had plagued her since childhood. Ama shares that a big aha moment in her life came with the understanding that, as a child of God, she was already complete! And being fabulous, Ama says, comes when we engage ourselves in the business of doing what God created us to do.  

Also, learn  the strategies Ama employs to maintain a high level of motivation and productivity.
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Contact Ama at amaduncan.com

Get the book “Reflections of a Hopemonger” on Amazon: Reflections of A Hopemonger https://www.amazon.com/dp/9988902301/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DVG5GCG3VKKC864RZYKE

Episode 4: Acceptance & Self-Compassion 

“I had… to accept what was going to be. If I was going to go back to being as active as I had been or if I would need to reinvent myself.” 
“I redefined [my life] and my expectations were different… I have a good life!”
“Life is still good, even when there is sadness.”
– Mayelly Alexandra Casal, LMHC, MCAP

 Therapist Mayelly Alexandra Casal (Alex) was at her peak level of fitness when a freak accident broke her ankle in 3 places. As a result, Alex endured years of surgeries and rehab and was confined to a wheel chair for 6 months, unsure of whether she would ever regain full use of her leg. Stay tuned for Alex’s emotional account.

 This experience taught Alex some important life lessons.

·      She became more sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities. For example, being in a wheelchair made her realize that the disabled ramp in her office needed to be updated.

·      Alex had always considered herself to be a humble person, till she was confined to a wheelchair for six months and says that was when she truly learned the meaning of humility. From the vantage point of her wheelchair, she experienced pity, indifference and often felt invisible. 

·      She says that she had to hold on firmly to the concept of who she was; “I’m still me, I’m not my legs, I’m not my body… I continue to be me; it’s just that I’m sitting in a wheelchair.”

·      When faced with the uncertainty of whether she would ever regain full strength in her leg, Alex drew on the resilience she had gained some years prior, from her experience with infertility. 

·      She applied the principle of ACCEPTANCE in her life; to “accept what was going to be”.

·      The principle of ACCEPTANCE may involve having to redefine your goals. 

·      Grief comes in waves, therefore SELF-COMPASSION - the ability to see your own pain - is an important coping skill to have. 

·      “Life is still good, even when there is sadness.”

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Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addictions Professional Mayelly Alexandra Casal is the founder and owner of Centered in Self Counseling and Coaching Services, LLC. Alex believes that learning to love ourselves, despite our imperfections, is a powerfully healing tool. Her tag line is “Loving yourself is not about being self-centered. It’s about being centered in self.” 

 Get the book “Reflections of a Hopemonger” on Amazon: Reflections of A Hopemonger https://www.amazon.com/dp/9988902301/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Q8NW4C08KNF95M6HVVF5

Click below to download my FREE document “A Powerful Strategy to (Re)build Hope in Challenging Times”. https://mailchi.mp/b1b7ab9b9829/powerfulstrategytorebuildhopefreebie 

Episode 1: This Thing Called Hope

On this very first episode of the “Hopemongers” podcast, I introduce myself and tell you why I am so passionate about Hope. I talk about the elements that make up this phenomenon of Hope and I tell you why rising Hope is important to have in our lives. And then, I share why we must all be Hopemongers.

Let’s continue this conversation on Hope! Thank you for subscribing, reviewing and rating this podcast.

Get the book “Reflections of a Hopemonger” on Amazon: Reflections of A Hopemonger https://www.amazon.com/dp/9988902301/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Q8NW4C08KNF95M6HVVF5

Click below to download my FREE document “A Powerful Strategy to (Re)build Hope in Challenging Times”. https://mailchi.mp/b1b7ab9b9829/powerfulstrategytorebuildhopefreebie 

Episode 2: Reframing How We View Failure

“When something is in your spirit, and it doesn't work, it is but for a season. Everything that you learn as it is falling apart, will help you do it better the next time. I had no idea how much more I understood about the business and how many mistakes I was able to avoid, the second time around. All of a sudden, I got it right. God hadn’t fired me; He had sent me away to cocoon… to rest, to grow, to get a little bit of wisdom... I changed from caterpillar to butterfly. I went through a very dark, tight, lonely period to get to butterfly. But every part of that process had purpose. Nothing is wasted. Nothing!” – April Jackson-James, PhD

Dr. April is enjoying the fruits of her remarkable and well-deserved success. However, she shares that failure also taught her some powerful life lessons. Following a season of failure in her personal and professional life, Dr. April says she initially felt like “God had fired me”. She later realized that it was actually God ushering her into a ‘cocooning’ season; to rest, reflect, gain new wisdom and regroup before propelling her into a new season of productivity and attainment. 

And when life gets overwhelming, Dr. April shares, like Dori in the movie ‘Finding Nemo’, the solution is to “just keep swimming” and not give up hope.

Get the book “Reflections of a Hopemonger” on Amazon: Reflections of A Hopemonger https://www.amazon.com/dp/9988902301/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Q8NW4C08KNF95M6HVVF5

Click below to download my FREE document “A Powerful Strategy to (Re)build Hope in Challenging Times”. https://mailchi.mp/b1b7ab9b9829/powerfulstrategytorebuildhopefreebie 

Episode 3: Building Resilience From Failure

In this episode, John Maxwell certified speaker and professional life coach Kobina Cato candidly talks about some failures he has experienced in his life and he shares these wisdom nuggets:

• When one does not achieve a stated objective or goal, viewing the situation as a setback as opposed to a failure, is important for future success
• A lot of people experience setbacks, but deem them as failures
• Failure is when you completely give up, decide that you can’t do this and stop trying
• Key to overcoming failure involves the courage and the willingness to shine a light on your behaviors and habits so that you can make necessary changes
• Key to overcoming failure involves changing the narrative in your head that says “you’re not good enough”, “you can’t do this”, “you just don’t have what it takes to do this”
• Key to overcoming failure are mentors to give you constructive criticism and encouragement on your journey to success
• Progress is incremental
• The timeless quote, “it’s okay to lose to an opponent, but it’s not okay to lose to fear.”

Get the book “Reflections of a Hopemonger” on Amazon: Reflections of A Hopemonger https://www.amazon.com/dp/9988902301/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Q8NW4C08KNF95M6HVVF5

Click below to download my FREE document “A Powerful Strategy to (Re)build Hope in Challenging Times”. https://mailchi.mp/b1b7ab9b9829/powerfulstrategytorebuildhopefreebie 

Trailer:

Hello and welcome to the “Hopemongers” podcast. On this weekly podcast I will have uplifting conversations with Hopemongers. Hopemongers are people whose personal stories are of courage, purpose and achievement, despite obstacles and adversity. Hopemongers share their stories to encourage and uplift others. We will explore ideas and share reflections on abundant living. In every episode, we get the chance to catch a glimpse of our Hopemonger, beyond their resume. We will hear their personal stories and about some of the experiences that changed the trajectory of their lives. And we will discover how they find the strength and motivation to continue the business of living a purposeful life, to the full. 

At the end of each episode, you will be feeling more hopeful, more resilient and more purposeful!

Get the book “Reflections of a Hopemonger” on Amazon: Reflections of A Hopemonger https://www.amazon.com/dp/9988902301/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Q8NW4C08KNF95M6HVVF5

Click below to download my FREE document “A Powerful Strategy to (Re)build Hope in Challenging Times”. https://mailchi.mp/b1b7ab9b9829/powerfulstrategytorebuildhopefreebie