Episode 128: John Williams | Break Free and Do What You Love

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 128 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is John Williams.

John Williams is the founder of The Ideas Lab, a site that runs transformational programs, leading people to find good businesses and making ideas happen. John is also the author of the bestselling book Screw Work, Let's Play.

"We don't have to do something we don't enjoy."

On this episode, John talks about how he started out as a software developer and eventually became a chief technology officer at a European startup incubator. He runs the Ideas Lab programs and is keeping himself busy with helping others do what they love.

 "It's not enough to sit around and muse through life."

John is a firm believer in working toward your dreams, even when the situations don't permit it. There will always be roadblocks; but it's supposed to be that way. It's our obsession with happiness that is a problem, John stresses.

"Oftentimes, we forget the narrative of life."

Learn more about John:

theideaslab.org
Facebook
Twitter

Get your £200 discount from The Ideas Lab's programs! Reach out to hello@theideaslab.org and tell them Life Athletics sent you!

Episode 127: Conan Stevens | A Big Man with Bigger Goals

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 127 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Conan Stevens.

It's not every day (it's actually pretty rare) for me to be "smaller" than others. Today's guest is a 7 feet tall and 300 pounds! 

Conan is an Australian actor who has played the roles of Gregor Clegane (aka The Mountain) on The Game of Thrones, as well as the orc chieftain Bolg on the movie version of The Hobbit. He has also appeared on Spartacus: Vengeance as Sedullos.

On today's episode, Conan shares his journey toward becoming a Hollywood actor. Previously, he has gone through so many jobs and was contemplating on which career he would really like to stick with. He worked in security prior to becoming an actor, but he really didn't like being exposed to too much violence. So he worked hard and persevered.

"It takes a lot of dedication."

For Conan, it wasn't all success and fame. He also went through times of frustration, of doubting himself, of not being sure where he is headed. But the thing with Conan is that is focused, he has a clear idea of what his goals are, and he is willing to work hard for his dreams. His motivation is admirable - 20 years of working out and lifestyle modifications to achieve the physique he has today is amazing!

"Don't let anybody put you down from achieving your goals - no matter what they are."

Learn more about Conan on his website: conanstevens.com

Episode 126: Desirae Odjick | A Millennial's Journey to Finding Financial Balance

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 126 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Desirae Odjick.

Desirae runs the blog Half Banked, a blog by "one millennial's half-baked attempt to save HALF her income." On her website, Desirae shares her stories, experiences, and the lessons she learned as she took on this passion project.

"Why do you want to create a budget? What is driving you to do this?"

She started this blog so she would have a more structured way of achieving her goals. It started when Desirae decided that she wanted to buy her own house. In the beginning, she wanted to become one of the more adventurous millennials she has met - those free-spirited individuals who traveled the world and went on one adventure to another. Eventually she realized it wasn't for her.

"It's all about leading with what's most important for you at a certain point."

On this episode, Desirae shares how she's perfectly happy where she is now - and that situations don't always have to be "and/or." You can actually have both. One can achieve financial stability, without giving up the fun and all the good things in life. 

"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to finances."

Stability is something Desirae views as quite valuable in her life, and that's why she takes steps that will help her achieve the kind of stability she wants.

Get in touch with Desirae:

www.halfbanked.com
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
 

Episode 125: Dr. Philip Zimbardo | How To Become An Everyday Superhero

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 125 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Dr. Philip Zimbardo.

Dr. Zimbardo is a psychologist, educator, writer, do-gooder, and the founder of The Heroic Imagination Project - a community that develops and implements research, education, corporate and public initiatives to inspire and encourage everyday heroism.

"Most people drift through life day to day without plans, without projection."

He has also written numerous books on psychology, including The Lucifer Effect, which "examines how the human mind has the capacity to be infinitely caring or selfish, kind or cruel, creative or destructive." 

Dr. Zimbardo also headed the Standford Prison Experiment, which features extensive information about a classic psychology experiment that inspired an award-winning movie, New York Times bestseller, and documentary DVD.

"Most people are unhappy with their lives because it is an unchosen life. It is life that is available."

On this episode, he talks about how ordinary people like us can become everyday heroes - doing good deeds and showing compassion toward others. He also touches on subjects such as family, friendship, relationships, and understanding the power of moral courage.

Learn more about Dr. Zimbardo:

The Stanford Prison Experiment
The Heroic Imagination Project
Join the HIP here
Buy the Lucifer Effect here

Episode 124: Deva Waring | From Farm to Festival

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 124 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Deva Waring.

Deva is one-half of the duo behind the vegan food truck, Gaia Ma. Deva and her partner, Chloe, conceptualized Gaia Ma with the mission to support the planet, the people, and the plants.

"We go to the farms directly, cutting the middleman."

Their menu shifts as they transfer locations, as all their food is 100% locally sourced. Deva emphasizes that she and her business partner aren't here to promote any "isms." They are here to make people more aware and ask questions like where the food goes? How much food is wasted? And how are eating habits affecting the planet?

"Two-thirds of the food in the world is wasted."

Deva is proud of the Gaia Ma food truck as they serve 100% organic, all vegan, plant-based food. They are often found in festivals, conscious gatherings,and the like. Her goal is  to do what she loves and motivate others to do the same.

"We're constantly supporting ourselves to be authentic."

Connect with Deva:

www.gaiamafoods.com
Instagram: @gaiamafoods
Twitter: @gaiamafood

Episode 123: Sam French | All For Powerful Storytelling

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 123 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Sam French.

Sam describes himself as a storyteller before anything else. He is passionate about stories and being able to bring them to life, so it's no wonder he's an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker.

His film project, Buzkashi Boys, has garnered multiple awards and nominations and has been praised by film critics worldwide. The film is set in contemporary Afghanistan and revolves around two Afghan boys who strive to reach their dreams amidst their current situation in one of the most war-torn countries on Earth, all while participating in the Buzkashi, the country's national sport. 

"You're never going to know how you think about something until you get there."

On this episode, Sam shares his experiences - especially the ones he went through while he was making Buzkashi Boys. He talks about living in Afghanistan and how Hollywood filmmakers are viewed to be these ridiculously rich guys, and how this is a total misconception. 

"Failure is only a temporary setback."

A dark time, he shares, was when he was accused of mismanaging the funds for the film and the subsequent anxiety attack that he suffered due to the allegation. However, Sam bounced back up and proved all his detractors wrong.

"I look forward to taking the next step."

Today, Sam is currently in Bali, working on another story. We can't wait to watch the next film! 

Get in touch with Sam:

sam@samfrench.com
Facebook
www.buzkashiboys.com
www.dirtyrobber.com

Episode 122: Shiva Rajaya | Wake Up to Life with Vital Coaching

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 122 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Shiva Rajaya. 

Shiva is the founder of Vital Coaching. He leads people on spiritual adventures and inspires people to wake up and realize that we are all one - that everyone on this planet belongs to one family.

"We are one human race. Every person in this planet is my family."

He provides people with tools to remove blockages and assist them in identifying what's been keeping them stuck. Shiva's is a life coaching of the spirit and mind, helping you achieve the success and satisfaction that other people have been having a hard time achieving.

"My game is a game of joy and happiness. A game of contribution to the planet and humankind."

Shiva doesn't believe in failures. He views all drawbacks as life lessons, not mistakes.

Join in on the conversation and be inspired!

Follow Shiva:

www.vitalcoaching.com
Twitter: @vitalcoaching

Episode 121: Gianluca Trombetta | Inspiration and Superhuman Hearing

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 120 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Gianluca Trombetta of Superhuman Hearing.

Gianluca has been wearing hearing aids for a very long time, so he understands the daily struggles that people with sensory-neural hearing loss go through. Coupled with passion and inspiration, Gianluca serves as a hearing aid coach - with the purpose of making life easier and more bearable.

"People with disabilities have a chance of getting it out and facing it and moving on and becoming much more powerful emotionally."

When he decided to venture into this project, he started researching and studying about what he can do to help. He researched about communication and what it means to communicate effectively.

"What about we try and understand how they feel?"

The success he is having is perhaps due to the fact that he goes through the same problems the people he tries to help face every day. He is always reminded of the hardships, so he is constantly motivated to live better. Gianluca wants to help people deal with hearing loss so it doesn't become an obstacle anymore. 

"My game is how to make people with hearing loss live better."

Listen and learn more on this episode of the podcast.

Follow Gianluca:

www.getsuperhumanhearing.com

Facebook

Episode 120: Kenny Flowers | How to Achieve Work-Life Balance

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 120 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Kenny Flowers.

Kenny is the founder of Kenny Flowers (nope, that's not his real surname), a shop that sells Hawaiian shirts. But they're not your average, everyday, ordinary Hawaiian shirts - the ones he's selling have "swag" and style that can be worn anywhere, anytime - "from the cabana to the cabin, the beach to the boat, the bar to the brunch table."

"I am enjoying myself in the present, but I'm also really making sure that I am setting myself up for the future."

Although from afar, Kenny's life seems to be all fun and games, leisure and adventure, that's not entirely the case. According to him, he also spends time doing a lot of work just so he could propel his business forward. He is constantly in the mood for challenge, but doesn't dismiss the fact that he does need to go out and play. 

"It's really important to define when your play time is and when your work time is."

Work-life balance has always been important to Kenny. On this episode, he tells us about how he keeps his life organized - with structured play times so that he is more effective when the time comes that he needs to work. Being efficient in everything you're doing helps in improving your work-life balance, Kenny says.

"If you dont listen to criticism, there's a good chance it's not going to work out."

We also dig deeper into the moments of failure and triumph that Kenny has gone through, and you'll be inspired to hear all about the stories of his drawbacks and how he was able to push through it all. 

Connect with Kenny:

kennyflowers.co
Facebook
Instagram: @kennyflowers_

Episode 119: Malin Amle | Living Life Boldly

Hey Life Athletes, welcome to episode 119 of the Life Athletics podcast!

Today’s guest Life Athlete is Malin Amle.

Malin is a professional kiteboarder who hails from Oslo, Norway. She also works as a digital marketing strategist for an online IT company. Malin travels the world and is on a journey to living life boldly.

"I want to get to the core of how I want to live my life and what I want to embody."

In everything she does, Malin makes sure that they are aligned with what she wants to happen in her life, with how she wants to feel. She emphasizes on being an inspiration, instead of being viewed as competition.

"I'd rather be inspiring people than competing with them."

Malin plans on launching her own podcast because she wants to learn more from people who are living their life with passion and those who have found happiness by following their hearts' desires. On this episode, she tells me about her experiences and how she is constantly living her life with curiosity.

"My game is to explore and expand."

Follow Malin and continue the conversation on: 

www.malinamle.com
Facebook
A Bold Living Community - join the Facebook group today!
Twitter: @MalinAmle
Instagram: @malinamle