Find Your Compassion; Tanja Diamond

Guest Bio Divynoor Kochhar is a founder and marketer who previously operated two solo marketing agencies. After recognizing a gap in the marketing technology landscape, he created Repliva, an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform designed to help founders and small businesses identify strategic blind spots and build stronger marketing plans. Remarkably, he developed the platform while recovering from knee surgery in a hospital bed. Born with the rare condition fibular hemimelia, Divynoor has overcome numerous challenges with resilience and optimism. At just 19 years old, he is already making an impact in the worlds of entrepreneurship, AI, and marketing innovation. Divynoor was interviewed at Web Summit in Vancouver on May 12, 2026. In Short Bruce sits down with Divynoor Kochhar, a 19-year-old entrepreneur, founder, and marketer who built an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform while recovering from knee surgery. Divynoor shares how a rare congenital condition, multiple surgeries, and years of bullying shaped his outlook on life and business. The conversation explores the connection between mindfulness, resilience, gratitude, and entrepreneurship. Divynoor explains how his platform, Repliva, helps founders and small businesses identify strategic blind spots in their marketing, and why thoughtful strategy matters more than simply moving faster. Beyond business, Divynoor opens up about overcoming adversity, the power of family support, his daily mindfulness practice inspired by Tony Robbins, and the mindset that has helped him navigate life's challenges with optimism and determination. In This Episode Growing up with the rare condition fibular hemimelia Undergoing multiple surgeries from childhood onward Building a company while recovering in a hospital bed The inspiration behind Repliva and its approach to marketing strategy Why AI needs a human in the loop Lessons learned from entrepreneurship at a young age A daily gratitude and visualization practice for reducing stress Overcoming bullying and finding resilience The importance of unconditional support from family and friends How perspective can transform challenges into opportunities Memorable Quote "See that problem, give it a big fat smile, and move on." — Divynoor Kochhar About the Guest Divynoor Kochhar is a founder and marketer who previously operated two solo marketing agencies. After recognizing a gap in the marketing technology landscape, he created Repliva, an AI-powered marketing intelligence platform designed to help founders and small businesses identify strategic blind spots and build stronger marketing plans. Remarkably, he developed the platform while recovering from knee surgery in a hospital bed. Born with the rare condition fibular hemimelia, Divynoor has overcome numerous challenges with resilience and optimism. At just 19 years old, he is already making an impact in the worlds of entrepreneurship, AI, and marketing innovation. Connect Learn more about Repliva and Divynoor's work at Repliva.com. Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and sharing the episode with someone who could benefit from its message of resilience, gratitude, and mindful living.

Tanja Diamond is a Tantra Master and Coach extraordinaire. She’s the creator of the High Speed Evolution Coaching Program. Tanja helps individuals become more grounded and in control of their lives in respect to relations, love, and finances. Tanja is an expert in the area of Tantra, sex, teens, and parenting. She has spent over 18,000 hours coaching and consulting clients over the past 30 years. Tanja is known as the “Coaches' coach”. Contact Info Website: www.LearningTantra.com Search "Tanja Diamond" on Google Social Media: @TanjaDiamond Most Influential Person My Tantra Master. Effect on Emotions Well, emotions aren't something that can be controlled, but mindfulness controls my behavior after I have an emotional response. Thoughts on Breathing A breath work practice is critical and the foundation of mindfulness. Without it you're not being mindful. Suggested Resources Book: Just Breathe: Mastering Breathwork for Success in Life, Love, business, and Beyond by Dan Brule App: N/A (I don't use apps) Bullying Story Tanja recounts being severely bullied as a child after developing psoriasis that covered most of her body. Misunderstood as contagious, she faced isolation, ridicule, and cruel pranks, including a fake “secret admirer” setup that ended in public humiliation. Even adults treated her harshly. Over time, she coped by shifting her mindset, rejecting others’ judgments, and choosing self-acceptance. She eventually began to embrace her appearance and now refuses to hide anymore.

Dr. Rhoberta Shaler is the 'Relationship Help Doctor'. She helps people fix relationships in crisis and find calm again. She works with partners, exes, adult children, and coworkers dealing with difficult people she calls “Hijackals.” She teaches clear steps to protect your peace, set limits, and stop the chaos. Even the United States Marines have asked for her guidance. She works with clients worldwide online and is a speaker and the author of 16 books. Contact Info Website: www.ForRelationshipHelp.com Free Book: www.Hijackals.com Podcast: Emotional Savvy: The Relationship Help Show' Podcast: Save Your Sanity: Help For Handling Hijackals Get Spiritual Quotes: Go to www.DailySpiritualQuotes.com Most Influential Person Joel Goldsmith (Author) Effect on Emotions I think mindfulness levels your emotions. It doesn't take out the peaks and valleys, but you understand that you choose the state that you stay in. Thoughts on Breathing Breathing deeply is essential. When you relax your shoulders, open your chest, and take a slow breath, your body begins to reset. Within about 20 seconds, oxygen moves through your bloodstream, refreshing you. This simple act helps your body recharge, calm down, and think more clearly, making it easier to handle stress and stay focused. Suggested Resources Book: The Heart of Mysticism: The Infinite Way Letters 1955-1959 by Joel Goldsmith App: Cell Phone Alarm Bullying Story I spent many years in education as a teacher and later a school administrator. At one point, I created a daily circle where students, including those with special needs, sat quietly together with their parents. This helped reduce conflict and build connection. Later, I led a school for at-risk teens and focused on calm, care, and consistency instead of control. Over time, behavior improved greatly, and student retention grew from three months to no openings for 18 months.

Josh Tomeoni is a financial planner, men’s coach, and founder of Narrative Financial Group. Considering himself an Ex-Derelict, Josh works with high-earning professionals and businessmen aged 40–60 who are rebuilding after divorce or major transitions. He helps them turn scattered accounts and tax traps into a clear, executable plan that protects their kids, capital, and future. With nearly 20 years in planning and his own story of starting over, Josh blends strategy with lived experience. Author of The Gospel of an Ex-Derelict, Josh is father of three and an avid skiier and hiking enthusiast. Contact Info Website: https://exderelict.com  Book: The Gospel of an Ex-Derelict: Fight. Fail. Rebuild by Josh Tomeoni Most Influential Person Eckhart Tolle Effect on Emotions The emotions still come [in spite of mindfulness]. What's changed is not being able to control my emotions, but being able to control my response to my emotions.  Thoughts on Breathing There are a lot of different breathing techniques. One that has helped me the most is the tried and true, just deep breaths. That is one of the easiest ones for me to remember. There is also the three-two-three breathing method. That is the type of breathing you have when you would normally be crying. It allows the intensity to get out. This is the one that I do with my children.  Suggested Resources Book: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle  Book: Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear Book: The Gospel of an Ex-Derelict: Fight. Fail. Rebuild by Josh Tomeoni App: N/A Bullying Story Analytical people often get trapped in negative mental loops that spiral out of control. When I blamed myself for my divorce, these intrusive thoughts felt like drowning, leading me toward self-destructive escapes. To break this cycle, it is vital to use mindfulness to interrupt the pattern before the "domino effect" drives you toward addictive behaviors to numb the pain.

Bob Rosen is a CEO adviser, organizational psychologist, and bestselling author dedicated to advancing the practice of leadership worldwide. As the founder of Healthy Companies International, Bob has devoted his career to helping executives realize their full leadership potential and build healthier, more effective organizations. Under his direction, Healthy Companies initiated a comprehensive study of leadership that has spanned more than forty-five countries. Over the course of his research, Dr. Rosen has personally interviewed more than 500 CEOs from leading global enterprises, including Ford, Citigroup, PepsiCo, and Johnson & Johnson. His insights and strategic counsel have made him a trusted adviser to many of these organizations, and he serves as the convener of the Healthy CEO Roundtable, a forum for senior leaders committed to sustainable, conscious leadership. Dr. Rosen’s book, Conscious: The Power of Awareness in Business and Life, explores how greater self- and situational awareness can drive personal growth and organizational success in an increasingly complex world. Contact Info Company: Healthy Companies Website: www.HealthyCompanies.com Website: www.BobRosen.com Free Consultation Book: Conscious: The Power of Awareness In Business and Life by Bob Rosen and Emma-Kate Swann Most Influential Person My husband, Jay. Effect on Emotions I think that everybody feels their emotions in a band and some people have a narrow band of emotions and some people have a medium band and some people have a very wide band, like a manic depressive would have a very wide band and some people are stoic and have a narrow band. I'm in the middle. And so I feel life intensely; both the ups and the downs and so my mindfulness has enabled me to manage that so that my band isn't too wide and hijack me in the process. Thoughts on Breathing Oh, I have to remind myself all the time. I sort of laugh at myself when I'm in the shower or I'm walking and I notice that I'm not even breathing. I'm like holding my breath and so deep breathing is such a wonderful skill to develop in terms of getting more peaceful and mindful. Suggested Resources Book: Conscious: The Power of Awareness In Business and Life by Bob Rosen and Emma-Kate Swann Book: Anger Is Your Ally: A Revolution in Our Understanding of Anger by Bina Breitner Book: Anything by Pema Chodron, the Buddhist nun from Halifax. App: N/A Bullying Story I’ll give a personal and a business example. Personally, as a gay man who has been with my husband for 35 years, I’ve been very aware of how society’s consciousness around gay and lesbian people has evolved. I also look at the Me Too movement, where many men abused women without being conscious of it, enabled by social norms, while women often didn’t feel able to speak out. As women developed greater awareness and confidence in their own power, that began to change. A business example is ABC Studios and Roseanne Barr. The network knew Roseanne’s history and prejudices but pursued a hit series anyway. With greater awareness of the likely consequences of giving her a platform, they might have reconsidered that decision.

As we step into a new year, there’s often a lot of noise about changing, improving, becoming better versions of ourselves. And while growth can be meaningful, it can also feel tiring. Today’s episode is an invitation to try something gentler. Not big goals. Not habits to master. Just a few quiet ways to be more present in everyday life. These aren’t the usual mindfulness tips. They’re simple, honest practices you can try without fixing anything. Tip One: Notice Small, Quiet Losses Once a day, pause and notice one small loss. No fixing. No analyzing. Just quietly acknowledge it. Tip Two: Pay Attention to What You’re Avoiding Instead of asking what to focus on, ask: “What am I subtly avoiding right now?” It might be a feeling, a thought, or even boredom. Notice the urge to move away. Tip Three: Try Less Choice, Not More Choose one small part of your day to keep simple. Same breakfast. Same route. Slower replies. Watch how your mind reacts. Notice restlessness without judgment. Sometimes presence appears when we stop adding more. As you move into this new year, remember: Mindfulness isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about being available to your life as it is one honest moment at a time. All the best to you as we move into 2026, Mindful Tribe.

Boho Beautiful is a travel, yoga, and lifestyle brand created by Juliana and Mark Spicoluk, focused on positive content for the body, mind, and planet. Their yoga, travel, fitness, vegan food, mindful living, and meditation videos have grown a YouTube community of over 1.5 million, 300k+ Instagram followers, and tens of thousands of book and program sales—all while connecting with inspiring people around the world. Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info Website: bohobeautiful.life The Boho Beautiful App: www.bohobeautiful.tv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bohobeautifullife Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bohobeautifullife Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cexercize/ Most Influential Person Juliana: Mooji  See him on Instagram Mooji.Official Effect on Emotions Mark: Mindfulness has taught me the value of a well thought out response versus a reaction. A reaction, I find, comes from a place in you that is very driven by emotional frequencies in your body where I think response and thinking, taking a breath and mindfulness, I think that represents a true authentic reaction rather than some kind of weird human instinct. Thoughts on Breathing Juliana: Breathing has been a huge part of my mindfulness practice because it's the one tool that allows me to ground myself any time I feel that I can't get ahold of my emotions or my reactions or my thoughts. Practicing different breathing techniques, like the 3-part breath or Wim Hof; all of that allows me that conscious awareness of me bringing in more prana and that life energy into myself and my body into my being which reminds me that I'm in control of that energy. Suggested Resources Book: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle App: BohoBeautiful App Get it at www.BohoBeautiful.tv Bullying Story Everyone deals with bullying at some point including us These days, we share more of our lives on YouTube, including the tough parts. Our community gives us tons of positive support, but there are always a few trolls. It’s a real mindfulness test. You can get hundreds of kind comments, yet your mind zooms in on the one nasty one.

Dr. William Pawluk, MD, MSc, is a leading North American authority on Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF). A holistic physician trained in acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnosis, and bodywork, he has held academic positions at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland. His work focuses on addressing the root causes of chronic health problems rather than masking symptoms. He and Dr. Ox advocate for holistic, cause-based pain management, with PEMFs offering a safe, non-toxic, self-directed option for at-home pain relief. Contact Info Website: www.DrPawluk.com Email: [email protected] Flex Pulse Machine: $300.00 Discount Use Coupon Code found by listening to the episode Most Influential Person Jon Kabat-Zinn Effect on Emotions Mindfulness has helped stabilize my emotions and increased my awareness. Many doctors focus only on delivering information, not on how their words affect patients. Practicing mindfulness makes me more conscious of my thoughts, words, and reactions, creating emotional steadiness. We shouldn’t ignore emotions; instead, we should recognize them, let them pass through, and understand why they arise so we can respond better next time. Thoughts on Breathing Mindfulness depends on breathing. When I taught meditation, breathwork was always the first step. Repeated practice trains the brain and reinforces intention. I used to breathe for five to ten minutes to calm my mind, but with consistency, it took less time. Now I can enter a meditative state in just two breaths. Suggested Resources Book: Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn Book: Power Tools For Health by Dr. William Pawluk App: Inner Balance and also Stress Check (For Stress) Bullying Story Bullying has been part of my life from childhood to age seventy-one. Born in a German refugee camp to Ukrainian parents, we were bullied for our language and later in Canada for being “DPs”—displaced persons. I was teased for wearing glasses and, being small, often stayed quiet to protect myself. Even in corporate medicine, bullying persisted; hierarchy and status create constant judgment among doctors. Over time I learned to cope by knowing who I am and refusing to absorb others’ problems. Bullying is everywhere, and we must learn to face those who try to impose themselves on us. That’s simply life.

Wendy Yellen is named one of the International Top Three Transformational Experts in her field. Drawing from emotional release bodywork and a wide range of healing traditions, Wendy has learned directly from masters across the globe. She eventually chose to leave a thriving psychotherapy practice after discovering what she considers the “Holy Grail” of transformational work: Eidetics. Rooted in ancient Greek wisdom and supported by modern science, this approach helps entrepreneurs and creatives break through limiting patterns, shed long-held emotional burdens, and step more fully into their innate brilliance. Contact Info Website: www.WendyYellen.com Free Resource: Wendy's Newly Written Spiritual Manifesto www.MySpiritualManifesto.com Most Influential Person Dr. Akhter Ahsen, The Father of Eidetic Imagery www.eideticimagepsychology.com/dr-akhter-ahsen Effect on Emotions My emotions? I’ll use my husband as an example. We’ve been together almost 40 years, and for a long time I was mentally divorcing him. I was quietly planning it in my head, even though I never said it out loud. Thank goodness I didn’t, because now I feel deeply in love with him and actually see him as a person.   Through eidetic images, I saw clearly, without being able to deny it how my reactions were hurting him. It broke my heart. Becoming more mindful helped me notice those automatic responses, pause, and choose a more loving place inside myself.   Now I sometimes catch him singing for no reason. I’m not sure if he always did, or if I just never heard it before. Thoughts on Breathing You might be surprised to hear that breathing is not part of my mindfulness practice. I'm definitely paying more attention to my breath, but it is not a place that I pay conscious attention to most of the time. I pay attention to some of the spiritual images that are coming to me through Eidetics. That's more my focus. Suggested Resources Book: Psycheye Self Analytic Consciousness a Basic Introduction To The Natural Self-Analytic Images of Consciousness Eidetics by Dr. Akhter Ahsen Free Resource: Wendy's Newly Written Spiritual Manifesto www.MySpiritualManifesto.com App: N/A Bullying Story I thought a lot about this question and realized the most powerful story isn’t about anyone else—it’s about us. The worst bullying comes from what we say to ourselves in our own minds. We spend so much time there that it becomes an Achilles heel, making us more vulnerable to others’ judgments because we’re already attacking ourselves.   I often hear people speak to themselves in ways they’d never tolerate from anyone else. The cruelty we direct inward is real bullying—and it can be the most damaging of all.

Robert Plotkin is an engineer, mindfulness practitioner, and the founder of Technology for Mindfulness. His professional journey in computer science and engineering spans more than three decades, beginning with his early experience programming an Atari 800 personal computer. He later earned a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and went on to serve for nearly twenty years as a patent attorney, specializing in intellectual property protection for computer-related innovations. Robert’s engagement with Zen Buddhism is deeply influenced by over thirty years of dedicated study in Japanese martial arts. He is a graduate of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program at the Center for Mindfulness and maintains a regular mindfulness meditation practice. His enduring interest in the intersection of computer technology and the human mind is exemplified in his book The Genie in the Machine: How Computer-Automated Inventing is Revolutionizing Law and Business (Stanford University Press, 2009), which explores the automation of creativity within the realm of invention. Contact Info Company: Technology For Mindfulness Website: www.TechnologyForMindfulness.com Podcast: http://technologyformindfulness.com/podcast Most Influential Person Jack Kornfield Joseph Goldstein, one of the first American vipassana teachers, co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society with Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg Also Nicholas G. Carr, author of The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains Effect on Emotions Mindfulness has transformed how I relate to my emotions, particularly through the stillness it cultivates. While martial arts emphasize movement and action, sitting meditation has helped me face emotions more directly. Through meditation, I’ve learned not only to notice my feelings but to accept them as they are, rather than trying to change or resist difficult emotions. Thoughts on Breathing Breathing has always been central to my mindfulness practice, rooted in both martial arts and meditation. In martial arts, breath is trained for power and stability, with a pragmatic goal of control and deepening. In sitting meditation, I approach the breath differently—sometimes relaxing it when shallow, other times simply observing it without change. Breath remains the foundation of life and practice, though I’ve learned that at times focusing on it can distract from fully experiencing difficult emotions. Suggested Resources Book: The Genie in the Machine: How Computer-Automated Inventing Is Revolutionizing Law and Business by Robert Plotkin Book: The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas G. Carr App: N/A