M.A.Y.A: My Ambition Your Ambition

2023 Is here to stay.. How have you managed the first month. Time to Check in with M.A.Y.A. and officially kick off our mental wellness journey together!

Mental Wellness aka Health is the engine that drives your daily life. From the moment you wake even when you are sleep your mind is working. It is processing your day, week, the month… hell your life. Mental wellness is where your thoughts and emotions are created then manifest into behaviors and actions. This in essence means every aspect of your life is influenced and impacted by your mental wellness. In Episode 63: Let's Talk about Mental Wellness /Health, we will put this very powerful and essential tool, asset and at times liability into perspective.

In the 9th episode of SITTY with Tex Wambui, you will hear from yours truly, Maya Akai. I shared my experiences, and journey on the importance of Stay In True To Yourself (SITTY). Learn more about SITTY at https://www.staytrue2yourself.com/ and Checkout more SITTY discussion like this on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcast platforms

Life is full of ups and downs, and often we remember and focus more on the adversity than the success. Whatever, crazy, hard, upside down, insanely ridiculous or inconvenient ball life throws at you, how you look at it will determine how you manage it. Learning to manage the storms of life is a life skill we are not often taught but can learn. In M.A.Y.A. EPISODE #62: FINDING PEACE IN THE STORMS OF LIFE we will explore how to forecast, prepare and adjust to foreseen and unforeseen stressors in life.

WHO ARE YOU??? This question can arise when you're not living as your authentic self. What most people don't know is that your authentic self is completely different from YOUR best self. The Best self is that version of you that societal and cultural norms often encourages you to be. Striving for greatness often leads to your best self but can leave your authentic self marginalized or fully edited out of being the best version of yourself. This episode tackles not omitting too much of your authentic self is and realizing there is a time and place for being you! Knowing when to be your best self and when to let your authentic self shines through is a dedicated effort focused on understanding you. This episode we explore the multi facets of your personality and knowing when to let your authentic self shine at the right times.

It is the last show of the year!!! What better way to end it then opening up the virtual mailbag.. I have three letters to share and I feel each correspondence will resonate with every listener on some level. Might be, been there, done that not going back. Might be, damn I'm there right now or could be you know someone that has a similar circumstance going on. Either way let's open up the M.A.Y.A. Virtual Mail bag and get the conversation going

Saying NO has a stigma tied to it. NO is a negative, bad , an awful thing to say or hear. Let's challenge that way of thinking, actuality the word NO simply affirms the answers to a question. What gives the word NO a negative connotation is the essence of the question or precisely, what is the desired answering to the question. If it is not yes, then it is bad!!! In this episode we will focus on what saying NO means, understanding why you are not saying yes and how this is based in giving NO purpose and with that purpose comes power.

Living your truth is the process of aligning your core values with your everyday actions, words and thoughts. The essence of the idea of truth is that it is the quality or state of being true which means it is not based loosely on fact but solid in principle and more importantly it is in the moment aka it is real aka reality. When you find yourself living outside of what you know to be your core values, morals, or ethics; it is imperative that you understand why? Ask yourself, is it because you do not have a compass that points you in the right direction? Is someone or something pointing or pulling you in the wrong direction? When you seek the answers to these questions, you will discover why you may not be living the life you were intended or want to live

elf- Motivation is easier said than done. So many factors and circumstances play into when we are at our best or worst and how we can focus on the task at hand, goals and even manifesting our dreams. Self-Motivation is what propels us forward or can leave us dead in the water. Understanding the role it plays in your everyday life and long term goals as part your internal mental workings along with self advocacy and emotional intelligence is paramount. Let's get real and talk about Self-Motivation

We wear many hats in our daily lives. We go to work and we are are co-workers, and bosses. In our personal lives, we are husbands, wives, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, aunts uncles and friends. We take on many roles on our life stage, and each is important with unique expectations and needs. Part of being the best version of yourself is understanding these roles and living your daily life with purpose and intention when you step into them. In M.A.Y.A. Episode #56 we will explore these roles, discuss how they are different but should work together to enhance and maintain the best version of YOU!!!

It's time to open up the The M.A.Y.A. Virtual Mailbag and get in touch with what the listeners are thinking about!!! The Virtual Letters featured will include topics such as, "Struggling to detox a toxic relationship" to turning "Getting into your feelings" into an exercise to improve your mental and emotional health...This episode will also address hidden mental tools that you need to be aware of and use as you keep working toward that best version of YOU!!!!

Success is what we seek in every aspect of our lives. Having successful academic accomplishments, careers, relationship and other personal experiences. Yet success does not come without setbacks and obstacles; these usually come in emotional experiences, feelings of failure or disappointments. These feeling feelings of failure or disappointments, despite the inconvenience, discomfort, fear or pain they may bring each has a purpose. In Episode #54 of M.A.Y.A., Re-Purposing Failure and Disappointment we will discuss the purpose of failure and disappointment and how to re-purpose them to get you back on track with working toward the successes you seek to attain

M.A.Y.A. Episode #53 has been in the works for several episodes, it is time to talk about the Objectivity IQ. Objectivity, next to your Emotional Intelligence aka EI, is one of the most important resources in your M.A.Y.A. Toolbox. In fact, your ability to be objective helps you to grow and improve your Emotional Intelligence. This episode will discuss what objectivity is, how it should be used and how to gauge where you are in utilizing it properly (the Objectivity IQ) as a tool to help you continue to work towards being the best version of yourself every!!!

For Episode #52!!! we are opening up the mailbag again for several virtual letters from listeners to dive into their thoughts and reflections on past episodes or burning questions. This episodes features questions regarding, Feeling Challenged with honesty? and How to deal with Criticism? Tune into Episode #52 for letters from The M.A.Y.A. Virtual Mailbag!!!!

This is an important tool box episode. On every episode of M.A.Y.A. , My Ambition Your Ambition, we focus on placing an important tools into YOUR M.A.Y.A Toolbox. Every show, we focus on those key domains, emotional, mental, physical, professional, social and spiritual realms that are an integral part of navigating your daily life. This episode we are focusing on honest (truth) with yourself.and it is coming a day early, LIVE from Cabos San Lucas Mexico. I'm on vacation but my dedication to making mental wellness an everyday conversation must continue!!! Join me for sunshine ☀️ and an illuminating conversation!!!!

This is a show milestone, Episode #50!!! What better way to commemorate the moment then making it all about the listeners!! Tune into M.A.Y.A. Episode #50: Special Delivery, The M.A.Y.A. Virtual Mailbag ,when we open up several virtual letters from listeners to dive into their thoughts and reflections on past episodes. We will open up letters that have burning questions; from the Listener fighting her "Gemini Nature" to "Mr. Feeling Stuck in A "Midlife Crisis" these are just a few engaging (

All relationships are not created equal. Every relationship has it own unique place and time of origin, purpose and even function. The level of energy, focus and time applied to a relationship is related to the value the relationship has to the respective people in involved. Many factors are integral in how we perceive the value of a relationship. Some of these factors include; time spent and the duration of a relationship, emotional and mental connections, physical proximities, attraction , purpose and function. Despite these factors, there is one aspect of the relationship that should be front and center in deciding it 's value, YOU. Tune in to M.A.Y.A. Episode #49 as we discussed how to assign value to relationships in a way to help you understand, manage and build healthy and satisfying relationships dynamics.

pologies are complicated, mainly because how we think, or feel often are not congruent with the situation that elicited them. Apologies involve complex emotions, such as anger, guilt, shame and sometimes fear. No matter which emotion is driving your thoughts and behaviors it often makes stepping up and being accountable difficult. Tune into M.A.Y.A. Episode # 48: Understanding the Art of The Apology to explore the apology process. We will dive into what an apology really is, what it entails and how to make sure you make the most of what often can be a difficult thing to do.

Part of the working on and managing the best version of you is putting tools into your toolbox that will help you to identify when people are working against your best interests. Gaslighting is something we are often aware of and probably have experienced, but never put a name to the disregard and disrespect that it is. Gaslighting is a type of psychological abuse or sabotage that a person tries to inflict or engage another person in with the intention of creating confusion and self doubt to gain control so that they can perpetuate their personal interest. Tune into this episode to explore and understand gaslighting and how it can be a true detriment to you getting to the best version of yourself!

Let's have a candid conversation about positivity. We all want to get our mind, emotions and action in a space that is positive.. even when the circumstances or situation is presenting itself otherwise. Understanding how to navigate compromising emotional states is an important tool to have in your M.A.Y.A Toolbox. Tune into Episode #46 as we discuss the underbelly of positive thinking aka as Toxic Positivity. Toxic positivity is when a person approaches every difficult situation with a positive mindset and attitude. Though that may sound reasonable , it is not realistic or healthy. Join the conversation to find out why?!?!

So often we think of a "brand" as a professional concept...The overall marketing of a product, service or company image. Have you ever stopped to think of the idea of a brand as being a personal concept? We often build our "personal" brand without a second thought....until now. Tune into M.A.Y.A: Episode #45 Building the Brand that is "YOU" as we discussed what is a personal brand? And what does your brand say about you?

Streamed live on Jun 17, 2021Tune into M.A.Y.A: Episode #44: The Complexity of BEING Accomplished but FEELING UnFulfilled as we kick off the fist installment of the M.A.Y.A.'s Mailbag, An email question is posed by a fellow listener on their episode of choice. This week's show will address, Ms. Feeling Accomplished but Unfulfilled dilemma with her success?

The world is opening up with as much excitement as there is uncertainty. The past fourteen months have been challenging for everyone, emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, socially, professionally and spiritually. As we prepared to open up the world and return to what we know, as well as, to what has changed, do not move forward without properly evaluating what is normal and what maybe new. Take time to assess where you are, where you have been, but more importantly...where you want to be!!! Tune into Episode #43 of M.A.Y.A. as we discuss the importance of evaluating your plan of returning back to back to "normal life. Joining me to discuss the importance of health and wellness in a post pandemic world will be Dr. Solomon Liburd, Health and wellness advocate and guru

Tune into M.A.Y.A. Episode 42: The Many Facets of YOU as we revisit the very important and impactful conversation about the understanding of the self aka YOU. Having understanding and insight into the dimensions of self is the foundation of all the hard work you are putting into getting to that best version of you . How close are you to your IDEAL self ? Do you agree with the ever so present REAL self? Tune in Saturday as we take a closer look at the SELVES and are you reconciling or wrecking your Best Self work?

Namaste Everyone.. Join me for M.A.Y.A. My Ambition Your Ambition (NEW TIME) Episode 41: The Power of Self Talk. Your inner voice or better yet internal dialogue, has significant impact on how you think, feel, and behave. Self-talk has a direct influence on your self-image. How you perceive and interpret your social and self-identity ( YES there is a difference) is influenced by external factors that you then process internally. Part of that internal process is self talk!!!! Tune in and let's put into perspective "your" self talk and take a closer at the most important conversations you have been engaged in!!!

Self Defense is defined as s a "countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm". Self Defense is often thought of in a physical context, have you ever thought about how you defend yourself emotionally, mentally or even spiritually. Tune into M.A.Y.A. My Ambition Your Ambition and explore the healthy and unhealthy ways that natural instinct and unconscious defense mechanism sabotage getting to the best version on YOU!!!

Fear is a source of anxiety and stress. We tend to fear what we do not know or what we anticipate could be. In Episode #38 of M.A.Y.A. My Ambition Your Ambition, we will chat about what fear really is, how it impacts us and how to address it head on to keep on track with our goals of being the BEST version of ourselves and harnessing happiness!!

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress impacts everyone at some point in their lives. In many cases, we are impacted by some type of stress in varying degrees, almost everyday. Everyone is impacted and handles stress differently. In Episode #37 we will chat about types of stress, how it impacts us and how to manage it better.

One of the biggest obstacles in getting to your happy place consistently or seeing the results you truly desire in getting to the best version of yourself is the emotional messes we move around. We often talk about emotional and mental baggage we take from place to place and relationships in our lives.. Well the time is now to stop . Join Maya in Episode #36 to take a hard look at your emotional messes and how to start to clean them up which will allow you to create the emotional and mental space you need to grow!!

Healthy boundaries are essential in understanding where you can start building the desired relationships you want in your life. Getting up close and personal with what makes you comfortable emotionally, mentally, physically, financially and spiritually is a practice you should employ on a daily basis. Tune into M.A.Y.A. Episode #35 as we discuss the importance of understanding the source aka origins and purpose of healthy boundaries in your relationships

What are your relationship goals? Before you answer this question, I want you to think about it from a perspective as an individual and not as a person in a relationship. I want you to begin to explore the relationship goals you have for yourself, the most important relationship you have and are in. Relationship & Intimacy Educator | TV Show Host | Author | Speaker | Yanni Brown joins the show to deepen the conversation. Tune into M.A.Y.A. Episode #34 as we reverse engineer the idea of relationship goals to get to the fundamentals of your philosophy and more importantly practices

It's time to Cleanse!! We all the know the dangers of living in toxic physical environments. This danger also applies to the mental and emotional environments we exist in. Toxic people, places and situations should be avoided at all cost when possible. Often we entertain people in our lives that negatively effect our happiness and become obstacle in our conscious efforts to become the best version of ourselves. In Episode #33, The Emotional and Mental Cleanse, Removing Toxicity from your Life, we will identify types of toxic people and situations and how to deal with them.

Do you often feel like you are walking on eggshells? That in certain relationships or situations you feel you can not speak your mind, express how you feel? Do you feel like you are frequently on mute? It is important not to confuse choosing to use a filter or make adjustments in certain situations as a bad thing; but why and how often you find this happening may be a tall tale sign that you are putting yourself on mute too often. Muting yourself may be having a negative impact on you and your happiness. Tune into M.A.Y.A Episode #32 to explore the danger of muting yourself as a mean to maintaining relationships that directly effect you emotionally, mentally, physically, professionally, and financially. Silencing your needs, wants and desires often come at a cost much higher than maintaining peace and happiness outside of yourself.

here is a saying, as your energy goes your focus will follows. Question ,what exactly is "your" energy??? Energy could be defined as the impetus behind all of our emotional and mental activities. It can be positive or negative. It can be created and destroyed in exchanges with others and influenced by environments and situations. Understanding the flow of your energy is paramount when putting in the work of getting to that best daily version of you. People, places and things impact our daily lives on many levels specifically with our energy. Tune into Episode 31 of M.A.Y.A. and explore the source of your energy and gain better insight into the motivation behind your focus.

Happiness is something we all have set in our eyesight.. But what does it really entail and how does it actually play out in our daily lives? Happiness is defined as “ a state of well-being and contentment”. It is contextualized in mental or emotional states that encompass positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to joy. Yet there is an enigma to it? Mysterious, puzzling, or difficult dimensions that do not always stay constant. Tune into Episode #30 of M.A.Y.A to explore what the pursuit of happiness is really all about and how to rethink your approach to navigating it

We all have causes we are passionate about. No matter if the focus is political, social or cultural, we seek balance or justice to improve the lives of ourselves or others. This is advocacy, “support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy”. Advocacy is often directed by our moral compass or the core values that drive the choices we make in many of our everyday life actions and decisions. Yet self advocacy, “the action of representing ONESELF or one's views or interests” for more personal needs and wants is an endeavor many people are not comfortable taking part in. We often will table, subdue or ignore the inner voice that is meant to help us live our best life, be that best version of ourselves...ultimately be happy. Join me for M.A.Y.A. Episode #29 to explore if you are truly being your champion for personal happiness and harnessing the power of self advocacy. JoinIng the conversation will be returning guest, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulezi the CEO and Founder of ULEZI, LLC

We all have tendencies to look past things, ignored red flags or fall into a pattern of repetitious unrewarding behavior. Often these behaviors or decisions are unconscious, or are they? Have you found that you keep finding yourself in the same situations with different people, on a bad financial carousel that never seems to stop or on an emotional roller coaster that ends up in the same place when the ride is over? Well, good news, if you have taken notice of these things then your self-awareness and your emotional intelligence may be waking up. Waking up to what you ask? More likely than not, you have been unconsciously going into that uncharted territory of your mind and emotions, the emotional blind spot zone or the EBS Zone. This episode on M.A.Y.A. we will start the discovery process of your EBS Zone

Thinking big is a social and cultural norm. We are taught to think often beyond today and plan for tomorrow. Yet there is a danger in thinking and planning ahead, you can miss being in the moment. Being in the moment can be rewarding , uncomfortable or confusing; all the more reason to be present and accountable for what and who we are at that time . In Episode #27 of M.A.Y.A, we will discuss the importance of being present in the moment and working on the everyday best version of yourself!

Build it and they will come...Seek and you shall find. Well known sayings that indirectly points to one very important variable to accomplish the desired outcome, your purpose. Knowing and understanding your purpose is one of the many keys that will help you to unlock one of the many dimensions that comprise the best version of you. Whether you have no idea where you really want to go, do or be or have become disconnected from what it is you desire to be a part of or create; Join M.A.Y.A. in Episode #26 in exploring and discovering the power of purpose.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day “To hear I have a dream” ..yet here we are looking at the dream that has only become a partial reality... and WHY because of hate, fear and privilege. Join me tonight for an impromptu conversation with Coach Lance C. Irvin and Jason Palmer about the MLK Dream vs. RealityGet Social with M.A.Y.A:@Maya_Akai (IG/Twitter)@Maya Akai Presents (FB)Available on iTune, Google and iHeartradio Podcast Platforms and NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon Audible Podcasts!!!.. Search M.A.Y.A: My Ambition Your

So often we put the needs, wants, desires and demands of others ahead of our own. More often than not, it is unconscious and a pattern of behavior we have normalized; and others have come to expect it. We hear words like giver, unselfish and sacrifice often associated with this behavior but rarely surrender. Surrender?? yes surrendering your wants, needs and desire to appease and accommodate healthy and unhealthy relationship dynamics and situations. So, what are you surrendering?? Your Personal POWER!!!! Personal Power is a unique resource you have that you should cherish and protect because it is the fuel that can drive, enlightenment, empowerment and elevation!! Join M.A.Y.A. in Episode #25 to talk about ways you are giving your POWER away and how to RECLAIM it!

Welcome to the first Episode of M.A.Y.A. My Ambition Your Ambition of 2021. We are kicking of the new year with addressing how to deal with challenge and change, specifically starting with an evaluation of the ever so important Comfort Zone . The Comfort zone is the construct that encompasses psychological, emotional, and behavioral domains that exist to create familiarity and feelings of security. Ultimately “your” comfort zone consists of regular habits and routines that create experiences that are low in levels of stress and anxiety. In short, your comfort zone, is all about daily living that is little to no risk for you.From the first family of Chicago basketball, Coach Lance C Irvin, Head Coach Men's Basketball , Chicago State University will be Joining the show to talk about navigating your comfort zone. Get ready to get comfortable with moving out of YOUR Comfort Zone!!!

This is the final thought show for 2020.. and it is par for the course to talk about challenge and change. This show will set up the first show of 2021 that will be about the purpose and dangers of "The Comfort Zone". Join me for Episode# 23 to talk about how 2020 has tested and transformed many of our lives. We will reflect on the emotional, mental, financial, spiritual and physical changes many of us have experienced throughout the year and how we were challenged and changed during difficult times .

Negative and positive thinking is directly impacted by our past and present experiences. People, places and things forge our memories and become the framework of how we perceive things and development our perception on what is going on in our lives. Let's take a step back and look at how we focus our thinking on situations from the context and meaning we assign to them...Let's reflect on your attitude and habits in thinking.

Striking balance in relationships is often complicated and frustrating. Part of working toward balance is understanding what is necessary to achieve them. Equality and Equity are two relationship elements you should get familiar with. Though, these two words are often used interchangeably in defining things or considered to be synonymous, they are not. Join Maya in Episode #21 to understand the importance of equality and equity in your relationships and why they should be identified, understood, and maintained to help you manage and enjoy healthy and fulfilling relationships.

The holiday season is upon us, but it is unlike any other holiday we have ever experienced. This season, many people are struggling to a make it and now they have the added stress of trying to meet the expectation of the biggest holiday of the year. Question??? Have you taken the time to stop and really consider how 2020 has changed, re-arranged or impacted your life? If not, now is the time to start and a conversation about money generally gets everyone's attention. In this episode of M.A.Y.A., Stacie L Daniel, Wealth Strategist and Insurance Broker, joins the show to explore the mental and emotional behaviors tied to how we spend money. Understanding the origins of your financial habits can move you from financial sabotage to desired financial security and success.

We have different types of relationships in our lives. Personal relationships, encompasses , family, friends and significant others. Professional relationships, involve peers, bosses, maybe people you manage or do business with. Whatever the relationship it is important to make sure you understand the dynamics of each and how they impact you on mental, emotional, physical, financial and spiritual levels. As you work towards the best version of you.. positive and healthy relationships are one of the most important influencing factors of achieving where you wanna go and in many instances how you get there

So often we can identify the issues that others are dealing with, but how do you process it in your frame of reference? Do you connect on any level with other people's pain and if so Why?, How ? and What do you do with your understanding. In Episode #18 we will explore the emotions of apathy, sympathy and empathy and how the more emotional in touch you are with yourself the greater your emotional intelligence, the ability to connect with others on deeper emotional , mental, physical and spiritual planes

These are two words that deal with the way we perceive, understand and interpret things. Although these two words are often thought to be synonymous, be careful in using them interchangeably. Perception basically refers to the way we THINK about or UNDERSTAND someone or something. Perspective is the way we REGARD something or our point of view (POV). How you choose to use each of these during challenging times or important decision making moments is crucial. The same situation can be interpreted differently by different individuals with different perspectives and perceptions. In other words, perception and perspective are unique, specific and diverse

When you learn how to prioritize your life, you can focus with intention on what matters and accomplish your most important goals and become or grow closer to being the better version of yourself. A key to prioritizing and unlocking the best version of yourself is having a clear understanding of what matters you and why. In short , clearly understanding, defining and committing to your core values. In this episode (16) we will begin that journey of exploration of core values and help you to begin to think and act from a position of personal truth.