I'm Not Drowning Anymore

What if it all worked out? What if you took a chance and it was better than you imagined?Today I want to introduce you to Ornella a human that chooses to hold on to her sweet side. I’ve found parts of society tries to hold back and at times even criticize women who lead with gentleness; truth is it is a strength to show someone a softness, a smile, and the sweetness in us first, and I’m so grateful for women like Ornella who do just thatOrnella is one that will see you, make you feel welcome, but do so with a genuine and gentle spirit, giving you space to be yourself but letting you know “you are welcome here” in how she interacts with youWe chat about what it means to be a mix of an introvert and an extrovert, how maybe it isn’t all so black and white as we used to be told. We talk about how the presence of one person in her life can calm her and the value of health to know those she loves, and herself can continue to pursue whatever life puts in front of herShe shares how being bullied as a kid impacted her as an adult, how it led her to question and learn to accept parts of herself, and how it causes her to seek to see another with intention We chat about the joy in time spent with others, how opening up our home and what it means to have that space to share with others, how seeing someone’s needs and what will bring them joy beyond a moment allows others to feel cared for, and how accepting the right to our own happiness is enough to pursue the life you dream of Ornella is one that I could sit and chat with all day, someone who reminds me it’s ok to just be myself, someone who will ask with a desire to know, and someone who will remind you It’s ok to be soft and sweet So tune in and meet Ornella, and be reminded that who you are is worth all the happiness in the world, that it’s ok to not have it all figured out, and to give grace to those who love youAnd to you Ornella thank you, thank you for taking the time to share a blanket in the sand, for seeing me, for reminding me the joy it brings you to have friends in your home, for the way you honestly shared about your life, and the honor it is to get to know you. Can’t wait to see you again soon my friend and don’t ever lose your sweet spirit 

What if you just picked up the phone and called someone?Today I want to introduce you to Dylan, I had the pleasure of meeting Dylan while in Barcelona and what stood out immediately was the way he reads others, how someones sincerity causes him to press in and share his own, and how that creates space for connections to be made We chat about how curiosity causes growth, how it can at times be motivated by fear, and how seeking ways to learn and grow reminds us how precious life is. We chat about something we both fear, how my response is at times to simply sleep and ignore it and how superstition plays a role for him We chat about how reciprocation impacts connection, how those that show in action and effort that relationships matter, how it impacts the way we hold on to those relationships in our lives. How there have been times when not being invited was hard, but how knowing yourself and not needing to be present in places we aren’t thought of is not just ok, but important for our own selfHe shares the joy he has in building something, both business and life with his girlfriend, how he is excited for what lies ahead, and how their creating home in different parts of the world has changed them for the betterDylan is a sincere, gentle, and fun soul, one that will remind you to show up for yourself, to create consistency in your own life in ways that go beyond any career or relationship, and one that will inspire you to look to what you want to do in this life and know just how possible it isSo tune in today and meet Dylan, a human living life in a way that reminds us all just how possible joy, fulfillment, and an ability to be present with those close to us truly isAnd to you Dylan thank you, thank you for taking the time to sit with me and share part of your journey, for the chance to know more of how life has impacted you, for your curiosity about humanity and the person in front of you, for you joy and heart to share life with others. It says something powerful when we make time and show up to connect with others, and I am honored to have had the time to share such a space with you.

Imagine this is your last breath on earth? Would it change what you are doing right now? Would it change how you approach what you are doing right now?Today I want to introduce you to Carles, a human that I think has found what it is to know joy in every day, someone who on a bit of a mission if you will to connect and learn from whatever is different in this world, and someone that I believe is using dating apps in the only way I would ever consider using them myselfWe chat about what it means to invest in your health and growth, how you are your greatest asset and how nothing you pour into in this life will matter more, how loss in all its sadness must point us towards the reality that we are still here with a life to live and purpose to fulfill He shares what its like to focus over the last 6 months and shift his thinking in ways that have allowed him to be intentionally more present, how the noise of overthinking can often get in the way of truly living the life we have, and how everything other than death is not a real problem cause we get to go onWe chat about what it means for money to be a consequence of our work and not the goal. He shares what it means to find peace with what claims our attention and also demands nothing all at once, and how we get to impact the world by paying attention to who is in front of us Carles is one that I have had the pleasure of connecting with over the years, but up until this weekend, I hadn’t had a chance to truly sit down with him, I believe we can know someones character within minutes, but I believe it is not just based on our own ability to read someone, but also their ability and willingness to be known. Carles is one that I admire, respect, have learned from, and who truly allows me to be present when spending time with himSo tune in today and meet Carles, I promise you will walk away from this conversation with a perspective both on yourself and connection that will allow you to know joy and another human in a deeper wayAnd to you Carles thank you, thank you for the way you are in conversation, on a walk, or even in a crowd, you are one that holds space well and allowed me the honor of knowing I was not competing for your attention when I spoke, and for allowing me the same in return as you have shared parts of your life. You are an incredible soul that I am truly grateful to call a friend may you continue to say no to anything that does not deserve a yes in your life

This has been a year filled with more change and trials then I care to experience, but life isn't always easy, and I wonder how we might care for each other if we were more honest about the hard times?Sharing a bit of a major life update, and how healing has looked for me as change continues.

What if you didn’t get what you wanted yesterday, what if you became who you were meant to be in your own timing?Today I want to introduce you to Gus, a human with what I can only describe as a gravitational pull, a tangible presence of light, and one that holds space for others to find their potential. Gus is one that might describe himself as a “hooligan” and he is one you are sure to have a good time around, but more than anything he is one that intentionally chooses to use his own life experiences to give back to others He shares what it means to be a free diver, how it healed him from violence and aggression, how he attributes it to saving his life, and how it has given him the tools to express his emotions. How diving has brought different cultures, personalities, and people into his life; and how they have impacted him for the better.We chat about the work we need to be willing to put into a healthy relationship, the honesty we need to give to another for a chance at real connection, and what it means to be real and honest with your own emotions, how a lie is sometimes simply not expressing what you feel in totalityHe shares how he can know when he has pushed himself to capacity, when feelings of darkness, or a lack of tolerance begin to form; what it means to care for ourselves so we have capacity to see things like a dog barking or someone needing help as things that we can come alongside without frustration because we have cared for our well being Gus is someone that shares wisdom, wisdom that comes from a place of humility, wisdom that speaks with a tone of gentle love, a voice that knows what it is to be lost at times, a heart that desires sincerely for others to be whole. So tune in today and meet Gus, a human I admire, for his humility, honesty, joy, and the way he intentionally shares all he is with others, from a meal to a conversation about loss or joy, Gus is one that is a man choosing to be a better man each day and one that is doing all he can to support those around him to do the sameAnd to you Gus thank you, thank you for sharing space with me, for your light, for the way you genuinely speak of all life has taught you, and for your open heart in allowing others to see how life has shaped you. I have the utmost respect for how you show up in this world and it is an honor to know you. May life return to you all the love you continue to give, both to yourself and to those that get to know you. 

Today I want to introduce you to Wahba, I had the pleasure of meeting this human a few years ago on one of my many trips to Egypt and he quickly became someone I could connect with, someone who’s energy and passion for what he does is almost tangible in how he speaks, and someone who not only makes time for those close to him but has welcomed me into those spaces and shared those friends with me as well We chat about what it means to pursue what you love and life overall with a passion that does not wait on others to understand or agree, and what it looks like to value the memories made in the small moments when we get to disconnect and be fully present with those closest to us.He shares how Egypt’s culture is such a combination of its people, its chaos, its food, the religion, and how all of it comes together to be something he missed when living in LA. He shares how being known for his work is one thing, but being valued alongside those closest to him means more than what it is to be recognized for his work alone.We talk about how men and women respond to struggles and how we respond in support to each other, how overthinking can come for all of us, and letting go of perfectionism can allow for more in the end.Wahba is one that shares advice that I believe we all need to hear, in both how we pursue our dreams and how we allow the voices of others to impact those dreams, he is one that speaks with gentleness and kindness, one that is inspiring in how he lives, and one that I admire for how he shows up in this world as a humanSo tune in today and meet Wahba, learn why your life is worth chasing, why Egypt is worth visiting, and what we all can do to leave humanity better than we found itAnd to you Wahba thank you, thank you for always receiving me with such warmth, for making the time to stay connected, for sharing with me the projects that excite you, and inviting me along even if I can’t come just yet. You are a spirit filled with passion and heart and it is a pleasure of mine to know you and share time and space with you always, see you soon my friend 

What have you chosen in life that changed you?I like to think that everyone on this earth is someone who can change us for the better, someone we can learn from, share life with, and celebrate who they are.People like Marco are why I continue to believe that to be true. I spent the past week in Sardinia, and being greeted by Marco in the mornings and sitting and talking in the afternoons quickly became a highlight of my time thereMarco shared with me what it has been in life to make choices, to step towards big changes and step away from parts of life he knew he didn’t want. He shares what it means to listen to someone, to make them feel seen, and why putting yourself in places you are not known allows us to know ourselves and othersWe chat about focus and the determination it takes to complete what you’re are dreaming of, how focus can be a gift, but one if we aren’t careful, can take away from what matters most, and how lack of confidence can keep us from knowing others if we let it.Marco is someone that is thoughtful and kind, someone that presses in to connecting with others and learning how they have experienced life, he is someone that I witnessed care and communicate with others in a way that says “I see you and you matter” I don’t think it takes much in this life to value another, and I agree with Marco that this world would be a better place if we listened more to learn and assumed a little less. If we weren’t afraid, or even if we were, if we took the time to share moments with others.So tune in today and meet Marco, someone that reminded how softness, morning greetings, and simple questions can lead to connections that remind us the value in knowing another And to you Marco thank you, thank you for sharing time with me, for the way you made me feel a sense of ease around you, for the conversations and the chance to know you more. For the way you allowed me to know a part of your life and the intentionality in which you show up in this world. I wish you all the best as you continue to pursue whatever this life brings you my friend 

Sometimes someone asking about who we are and wanting to know can change our life, I know the way people have allowed me to do that over the years has changed mine, and today I want to tell you why this matters to you

Have you ever trusted an animal’s instinct when it comes to trusting people?Today I want to introduce you to Ismail, I had the pleasure of meeting Ismail on one of my trips to Cappadocia and have come to look forward to seeing his smile and his company. Ismail is one so much talent, a kind heart, and someone that is easy to laugh and get creative with when it comes to photography and his love for horsesWe chat a little about what it means to allow the pursuit of what you love change your life, how his first horse led him to becoming a veterinarian, and how that brought him to Cappadocia, and to what life is like for him now. We talk about how learning is something to never give up on and how the pursuit of being open to learning allows us to welcome incredible things into our lives.He shares one of the most important life lessons I believe we can all learn, in how knowing time with ourselves is not something to fear but rather something to press into. How life can allow us the opportunity to do so or we can pursue it for ourselves, and how it leads to allowing us to know who we want to become. Ismail is kind, someone I trust, someone with a gentle heart, one who works hard, and pours into his work without hesitation. Ismail is someone you will not get to know fully from this episode, like most that I get to share on here, you are getting a small part of someone’s story, a piece of what makes them who they are, and I’m so honored to share a part of this humans story with you. So tune in today and meet this sweet human, I believe animals hold an ability to know the good in someone, and I have witnessed time and again Ismail to be someone who holds the trust of a horse, and it is such humans that I believe make this world a kinder and more loving place to be And to you Ismail thank you, thank you for letting me share a little of you, thank you for the times of sharing conversation, for getting to create with you, for your gentle and warm heart, and the chance to know you more. You are a beautiful soul and one I am grateful to know. May you always be seen fully for who you are in this life

Do you feel like you delay your happiness?Today I want to introduce you to Jesse, Jesse is one of my dear friends and a human that leans into happiness. He is one that has a natural ease about finding happiness, both in life, in himself, and in what goes on around him. In the times I get to spend with Jesse I find myself seeing life itself with a little more whimsy, in a way that I notice the sound of the wind in the trees and the beauty of a bird nearby. There is something magical in humans that make sure you don’t miss out on the details of life around you, and Jesse is such a soul.We chat about what the words family and honor mean to him, why family and the intentional acceptance and openness of that space creates love in a way not much else can. We chat about how fear isn’t always something to be conquered but at times something to trust, and how a lack of a singular emotion would make the world a better place.He shares how his recent move, his time living in his car in the mountains, and the trust and support of his family to find his way, in his own way, has meant the world to him. He shares how his time in South America created space for change, for growth, and for a deeper understanding of how he shows up in the world, and how he believes we each have an ability to choose to feel and give love.Jesse is an adventurer, a space of gentle joy, a heart of acceptance, and a human that will remind you to live life now in all its fullness and all its wonder. So tune in today and meet Jesse, a human that can’t help but smile and make you feel the same, one that creates space for others, one that will remind you that who you are is what matters and not to let anyone or anything limit your pursuit of happiness in this lifeAnd to you Jesse thank you, thank you for your friendship, for the way I feel life slow down when I’m with you, be it biking down the shore, hiking a mountain, or pausing to watch a bird, you have an ability to draw me back to simplicity in the best way. You are a treasured friend and I’m so grateful I get to know you and witness the way you show up in this world. Love you