Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s my pleasure to introduce you to my special guest, Brett Lillie, who is a coach, speaker, chiropractor, and author of the book, Rediscover Your Athlete Within. Today we delve into Brett's journey, the inspiration behind writing his book plus insights into how we can connect back to our inner athlete. Brett’s life is an inspiring story of transformation, resilience, and rediscovering one's true potential - let’s dive in!

In this episode, Brett shares how life-altering experiences, including a divorce and a battle with cancer caused him to dig deeper within himself and question the meaning of his life and his own desires. With cancer and his 50th birthday looming, Brett decided to take action on his book idea, which he describes as a personal development journey in and of itself.

Brett's experiences forced him to confront his identity and long-held beliefs. We talk about the significance of seasons like these that shake our foundations and help us overcome our limiting beliefs. Brett emphasises the importance of looking inward, addressing your inner critic, and having honest conversations with yourself to navigate major life transitions.

We also talk about the power of mindset and how it impacts not only our thoughts but also our physical well-being. Brett explains how movement is integral to our learning process and creativity and we discuss the connection between mindset, movement, and embodying a more present and fulfilled life.

Brett firmly believes that everyone has an athlete within them. We might not all be Olympic athletes, but Brett encourages us to revisit the moments of play, curiosity, and adventure in our childhood. These are the building blocks of our inner athlete, finding those moments when your mindset and body were perfectly aligned, and you were fully present and engaged in life.

Toward the end of the episode, Brett shares a sneak peek at his 10-step process for personal growth and rediscovery. The journey begins with understanding where you are and who you are, followed by transformation, becoming your best self, and defining your "why."

Connect with Brett Lillie:

Website: https://www.brettlillie.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettlillie/

Book: Rediscover Your Athlete Within

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.