Tune into Yourself

In this episode, Tracy shares with us her work in autism and disability advocacy in Trinidad and Tobago. At this time Tracy is also living with metastatic breast cancer and shares how her strengths are helping her embrace this constraint and move through it. Her optimism, resilience, and determination have led to her own hashtag #BeingTracy.She encourages us all to be true to ourselves and to live life now - this is not a dress rehearsal!

In this episode, Beverly shares her views on self-leadership as a cornerstone in accountability. As we strive to be the leader in our own life we need to practice self-awareness, self-management, and relationship management.

In this episode, Beverly discusses the importance of using reflection and the insights gained to learn and grow.  When we pay attention to things, issues, comments, or observations that impact us during a day, take the time to identify the exact issue, describe the issue - why did it impact us, how did it impact us, what did it highlight for us and then make a decision as to what we are going to do - this could be whether to explore it further, examine what role we played, how we used our strengths, how will we let it influence us?After our reflection, we might decide that we need to develop a learning plan and in this episode, we share key components of the learning plan such as identifying what we need to learn and how we will learn it and the support system that you will establish to continue your learning activities.

Eddison is a business professional and owner of Anomaly by Design a gentleman's fashion accessory online store. He hails from the island of TobagoHe recently secured a job in the midst of the pandemic after leaving a senior position to follow his dream of starting another business which fell through. Along the way, Eddison learned many things including the fact that one cannot control everything, even with the multiple plans things sometimes still don't work, and the importance of keeping hope alive during difficult times.

In this episode, Jovuel shares the importance of adaptability and resilience in the entrepreneurial journey.  Jovuel believes in the power of multiple incomes.He is employed full-time as a Graphic Designer while running three businesses Uberlife, Cotton Grounds Spa and his latest venture Grounded Organics.This pandemic has reemphasized the importance of having multiple income streams to insulate from shocks.

In this episode, Beverly discusses strategies to build a growth mindset so that you can achieve your full potential.It is noteworthy that our brain gets stronger like muscles during weight lifting through practice and learning new things. With this knowledge, we can then understand that the brain continues to grow once we use it.  In shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset there must first be an awareness of the fixed mindset we have, then embrace the fixed mindset to move forward.  You then identify what the fixed mindset triggers are; failure, criticism, disagrements, name the fixed mindset and identify how it makes you feel, think and act and then invite the fixed mindset to go on a growth mindset journey with you!

In this episode Beverly shares some tips on goal setting, the importance of using your strengths, and developing a Personal Development Board to be successful in life, your career, and or your business.She also talks about having the right mindset and embracing challenges as opportunities to learn! 

Dr. Curry hails from the fishing village of Hopewell Hanover in Jamaica. In this episode, she shares the importance of persistence, faith, and believing in yourself as you pursue your dreams.Although Tanika was denied entrance to medical school five times this did not dissuade her from pursuing her dreams. She maintained an openness to opportunity which has served her well. Having recently gained entry into a competitive ENT residency programme in Canada against the odds she encourages young persons to have a dream and to keep persisting until they achieve it!

As part of Wellness Wednesdays, I interviewed Nathalia Rupert Registered Dietitian. Our focus was managing weight during a lockdown and eating clean to beat lifestyle diseases. Nathalia shares how as Caribbean people especially Trinidadians and Tobagonians we can change how we prepare our foods and what we eat and drink to lead a healthy lifestyle. The importance of adopting healthy eating habits for happy healthier lives is emphasized.You can follow Nathalia on Instagram @trinidietitian.Thank you for listening and please share, like, and comment.

In this episode, I chat with you about using your uniqueness to get ahead. If you are looking for a new job or seeking to advance your career taking the time to do a self-inventory where you define what is important to you in seven key areas can make the world of difference.Richard Bolles in his book What color is your Parachute popularized the self-inventory flower exercise. Upon completion of this exercise,  you gain information and insight about yourself. Your one-page guide provides direction and clarity as you navigate your career and life journey.

In this episode, Maxine Franklin founder of Mange Douce shares her entrepreneurial story. From how she gained her first catering customer via word of mouth without having a registered business to starting her restaurant Douce on the Hill, having to put it on hold due to COVID 19, and then starting another business Morning Star deli in the midst of the pandemic. Maxine shares the role that optimism, quick thinking and a never say die attitude contributes to her success.  Having a supportive network and prayer are also key factors.She encourages young persons to take advantage of free courses available as they seek to discover a way forward to achieve their dreams. Persistence is a must!

This is part 2 of the interview with Rhona Edwards. In this podcast, she shares her baptism of fire into online teaching. How in a matter of days a shift had to be made from in-person classes to online as the first COVID lockdown was initiated. She shares the highs, the lows, and how she made it through year one and is proceeding in year two with the lockdown still in place for most aspects of school life in Trinidad and Tobago.This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

Rhona Edwards has been teaching Physics for 25 years.  She started at CUC Secondary School in 1996 and moved to Queen's Royal College, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in 2001.  She recently became the Acting Head of the Department of Science.She has been marking CAPE (advanced level) Physics for some time and has been the Examination Assistant to the Chief for the past 3 years. She started marking papers to better understand what the examiners wanted so that she could better prepare her pupils.She is passionate about empowering young people and education. This episode shares the important role that teachers play in the holistic development of students and discusses the concept of the hidden curriculum.  Rhona also explores how she was able to come to terms with loving her profession in a world where the value of teachers is often unappreciated.Her qualifications include a  BSc. Physics, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Masters of Education in Educational Measurement.This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

Chelsea-Marie Spence is an Exercise Physiologist. She studied at Barry University in Florida and obtained her certification through the American College of Sports Medicine. Currently she is employed at Total Rehabilitation Centre Ltd., in Trinidad and Tobago and also treats clients privately.In this episode Chelsea shares with us how through a football injury she learned about the field of physiotherapy and then later on in her studies about exercise physiology. She talks about the importance to everyone of adopting the mantra "Keep moving" through exercise to improve quality of life. Some of the tips she shares are as follows: find at least 10 minutes each day to move your body, schedule that time for yourself and keep the appointment, be patient and check in with yourself so that you are aware of what is going on with you. Chelsea also chats about the importance of being able to think quickly on your feet so that adjustments can be made to a client's exercise program, having patience with clients and checking in with them to ensure that things are proceeding as planned.You can follow Chelsea on Instagram @morph.your_wellbeing.This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

In this excerpt Franz highlights two tips to building a network. These tips as simple as they are are sometimes overlooked: 1) Know yourself so that you can know what you have to offer and 2) always think about who and how you can collaborate with someone so that you can have a greater impact.This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

Philip Colthrust has been providing professional web development services for twenty years. He is an Economist by training and worked as such at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago for seven years. In this episode shares with us his journey to becoming a successful Digital Entrepreneur. He was inspired by  motivational speaker Dennis Kimbro to do something more with his life and follow his passion. This led to him leaving a secure position to enter the then new field of web development. He was able to forge a name for himself in the finance sector through his company Sightfactory Ltd.He later co-founded Destination T&T an online company which showcases the treasure that is Trinidad and Tobago to the world. As an introvert by nature he has had to shift out of his comfort zone and be more interactive to win new clients and maintain a viable business. This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast 

Kristen Salandy HR professional and entrepreneur discusses the importance of having multiple income streams. After completing her degree she believed that she would get a good job and life would be wonderful. However, with baby in hand and divorced she returned to Tobago to seek a fresh start. She learned a skilled and opened Beaute Lash  and Brow Studio. She later landed a job in Human resources. Kristen discusses the importance of having a supportive family circle on her journey and being willing to listen. She cautions against believing in social media hype with all the pictures of happy people and share that while the journey is difficult it is worth it.This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

In this episode Franz George who hails from Diamond in St. Vincent and the Grenadines shares with us his journey. From a young age Franz wanted to impact the lives of others. He realised that to do this effectively he needed to collaborate. He identifies himself as a leader and shows how  his early and later school years helped him forge a path forward.Along the way he  had to make choices which spoke to his values and which in some instances meant self-sacrifice for the greater good. He also gives us some tips to build our own networks so that we can be more impactful. This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

Zoe Hagley, Communications Consultant, University Educator and Community volunteer shares with us her journey to becoming an entrepreneur.She started her business because she noticed a space in the market. Many NGOs were busy doing good work but did not have time to talk about the work and impact that they were making.Because of her passion for communications and development in the Caribbean she launched her consultancy Coalesce Consulting in 2019  - a communications consultancy with a focus on Caribbean development. Her client portfolio includes the World Food Programme of the United Nations, Hubbard's Grenada Ltd and the European Union to name a few. Her commitment to putting in the hard work required and striving to meet and exceed her customers' expectations has led to referrals which continues to grow her business. She also discusses the common thread in all the activities that she  is involved in; serving others. Zoe sees this as an important characteristic in not only helping people but in getting to know one's self.This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

David C.N.R. Springer, Fulbright foreign student scholar, award-winning youth leader and Prison Officer shares with us his story.Currently he is completing an M.A. in Communications and a Masters in Social Work. David shares with us his views on the importance of communications both from a work and life perspective. He discusses the importance of asking questions, prayer and optimism on his life path. Prison can be considered a last hope for many who have been failed by the social structures which we usually take for granted such as school, family, church and community. Restorative justice a popular term internationally is an initiative he would like to build upon on his return to Trinidad and Tobago.He shares the inspirational message that now could be the best incubator for many and not to loose hope even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

In this episode, Roxanne Colthrust a Digital Entrepreneur with some twenty years experience shares with us lessons she has learned and how she has addressed challenges faced over the period.She stresses the importance of being agile and adaptable to survive and thrive as an entrepreneur. With her first degree in economics she understands the importance of strategic mindedness - paying attention to the market and looking ahead to see possible scenarios. With this strength she was able to make business changes such as introduce remote work and reduce expenses months before the pandemic hit.She stresses the importance of partnerships and finding your tribe in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. Other key areas which she addresses are: valuing of services and product, having the courage to walk away from business deals when necessary and  identifying your passion. Please click on the links to view the companies mentioned in the interview:https://www.destinationtnt.com/https://www.sightfactory.com/https://www.shopcaribe.com/This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

Patricia Wright-Alexis  avid hockey player, coach  and youth fitness instructor left the corporate world to pursue her passion. She wanted to positively impact others as she had been positively impacted by hockey. She is one of the Directors of Incentivize Network Limited, the parent company of IN Sports Field Hockey academy, IN Events Caribbean and the IN Clubhouse. She has used her passion to fuel her purpose - positively impacting youth. She credits her grit,  the ability to plow through difficult times as a significant strength on her journey. She has overcome self-imposed limiting beliefs to reach where she is today. She credits the opportunities presented to her through her involvement in hockey - winning a sports scholarship, being captain of the hockey team as being fundamental to her personal growth and development.She encourages persons to spend time with their thoughts to find their purpose and when they find their purpose - to run with it, let your passion fuel your purpose. Your passion energizes you to create and connect!

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight  that knows neither victory nor defeat." Theodore RooseveltThe above is a favourite quote of Dr. Kizanne James-McCarthy a multi- award winning development professional, Chevening Scholar, reproductive health consultant and physician with a passion for global health. Kizanne shares with us the importance of pushing through the many challenges of life without allowing these challenges to make us bitter. Although she has faced both health and financial challenges her understanding of the importance of community and showing compassion and empathy for our fellowman shines through. From overcoming her fear of public speaking to now speaking to global audiences and even doing her own Ted Talk her journey inspires us to live life and learn from the lessons it provides through our triumphs and failures! 

Lyris Hazzard- Wilson shares a mother's story of successfully raising three children despite her having financial and academic challenges.She discusses how important it is to be of service to others and to serve from the heart. Her advice in these challenging times is for people to be plugged into a group as even when you are down and out someone from that positive group will assist you. She also encourages persons to find an organisation or cause to be part of and serve.Her foundation has been her church and family. She has also reached out to Professors and lecturers at the University of the West Indies - Agriculture Department and Cocoa Research Centre who were always willing to assist her children. The friends that she surrounded herself with were also able to give a helping hand. As she put it she refuses to hate and still sees beauty and good in the world despite all of the challenges that she has been through.She is  very proud of her children and their accomplishments and encourages persons with reading and writing challenges to find ways to support their  own children so that they can accomplish their dreams.Please follow on:Apple PodcastGoogle PodcastsYou can also check us out on Instagram and Facebook @uplinksolutionstt 

Occupational Therapist, Khamara-Lani Tarradath shares with us what this field is all about and her journey to qualify in this career. Her self-confidence, flexibility and perseverance helped her to secure the necessary scholarship funding to study abroad after five attempts. She emphasizes the importance of volunteering and talking to persons in the field to which you aspire. This along with the necessary research helps you to make the right decision. After the choice is made their will be challenges along the way and knowing yourself - strengths and weaknesses along with the surety that you made the right decision helps you to stay the course. Khamara is also the Public Relations Officer for the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy association. The association can be contacted on the facebook page of the same name , on IG @ttota868 and you can also get more information on their website.

Liesl Semper, HR professional shares with us challenges she faced and overcame during a ten year period of unemployment and under employment. During this time she was also the sole care giver for her mother who had Alzheimer's  disease.Having a dream to be an HR professional led her from her home in Trinidad and Tobago to the USA to pursue her MBA, but a major external event 9/11 changed her planned trajectory. She shares how focusing on her circle of control, letting go, while accepting at the same time  what couldn't be changed and maintaining the belief that something good can happen does make a difference! You can follow her on LinkedIn.Please subscribe to the podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/tune-into-yourself/id1539667598Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=79184006&refid=asaYour comments and views are welcomed!

Zakiya Mills shares with us useful tips to navigate a challenging environment. Her enthusiasm and the strategies shared will help empower you as you face challenges in both business and life.Her purpose -driven business focuses on empowering people and inspiring them as they face life challenges. Each of the ten companies in her business shares this common thread.Please follow on:Apple Stitcher Google PodcastsYou can also like and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @uplinksolutionstt

Mr. Kevin Liverpool is the Administrator of CariMAN  a regional network of individuals and organizations working on transforming masculinities and engaging men and boys to promote gender equality and end violence against women and girls.Kevin shares with us how his strengths optimism and patience helps him to go brave and continue doing this very necessary work. He was an educator for 10 years and through this and his own struggles as a teenager he appreciates the need to pay it forward. Many persons helped him on his journey and he knows the importance of mentorship. The organisation has recently started a new project in conjunction with the IADB and he is excited to make a difference and leave a legacy.

After failing the common entrance exam in Jamaica at age 12,  Paul's future looked bleak. However, Dr. Hinds learned to fail forward and to grow from each failure.With  a firm faith in God, supportive people along the way and a high level of self-motivation admittedly driven by a fear of failure he was able to achieve his dreams. Doing what it takes to to support his family along the way - sometimes this meant have three jobs, he is in a position now where his focus is paying it forward.His words of advice are to do what you love, understand your mistakes, your strengths and your weaknesses, know the people who are in your corner and with an unwavering faith in God you can be who you want to be!  

Our guest today is Dr. Wynelli Pierre, Physiotherapist and CEO of Enhance Rehab Services Ltd, She discusses the importance of how feedback, both positive and negative helped in her journey.Whilst being a medical entrepreneur has not been without its challenges, having family support, using her strengths of discipline and perseverance to creatively solve problems, feedback and embracing opportunities have all helped her to grow and realize her dream of being a business owner. Her biggest challenge has been running a service based business in a time of Covid -19, she discusses how she used teletherapy to navigate this.The importance of embracing opportunities to help your personal development is also discussed. Wynelli is passionate about her profession and the joy of working with people to heal through movement so that they can live a life free of pain.

In episode 5, ICC Elite Cricket Umpire Joel Wilson shares with us his journey to becoming one of only twelve ICC Elite Cricket umpires in the world.Success on his twenty five year journey can be credited to patience, measured self-confidence and teamwork. His love of the game is evident and the celebration of small wins along his journey was also important.The importance of preparing for opportunity was also evident and being able to recognize opportunity and grab hold of it is necessary. Joel shares with us how he prepares both mentally and physically so that he can perform at this best. Some of the necessary support at the Elite level includes a physical coach, a mental coach and an umpire's coach.Joel also likened the Umpire's role to the leadership and management of an organization and described the similarities. A key takeaway from an event he attended some 25 years ago is words from famous Trinidadian artist Leroy Clarke "In some professions you need to hear your own applause!" 

In episode 4, Rhea King-Julien shares how courage, faith and a near death experience helped her to make a huge shift in her life so that she could be better aligned with her true purpose. Rhea is the Co-Founding Director of Sunbeam Foundation a non profit aimed at providing people with skills so that they can be self-sufficient in areas such as food production and sustainable living and livelihoods. Some of the projects of Sunbeam Foundation are funded by GEF SGP. Thrive provides technical vocational education to help entrepreneurs in areas such as: agri-business and hydroponics etc.Rhea was forced to leave a well-paying job because of constant illness and not being able to truly express who she was. She admits that it is difficult to leave the traditional 8 to 4 in order to be an entrepreneur but at times this is what it takes to fulfill your true potential and to put it simply to be happy and in alignment. In her journey she has been able to explore various aspect of her spiritual self which has  helped with healing of her physical complaints.  Rhea works in  communities sharing skills which have made people in these communities more self-reliant in terms of food and their ability to feed themselves. This podcast is available on:SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast

In this our third episode Dr. Rahanna Juman, Wetlands Ecologist discusses her  twenty four year journey at the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA). Along her journey from Intern, to Research Officer to Deputy Director and now Director (Acting) she shares how her strengths;perseverance and hard work helped her.Her biggest challenge came as she moved up within the organisation and now managed persons who were her former peers. She shares the importance of doing what is right and being fair to people.Through it all her faith in God, family support, the ability to pay attention to cues from people, and to leverage opportunities contributed to her success.She encourages young people to be true to themselves, be happy, be content, help people and whilst making money is important a focus on making a difference is more important.

In this episode our guest Jody Belcon a Trinbago educator shares with us her  teaching journey. She has taught in Trinidad and Kurdistan, Iraq and is now based in China.Growing up she wanted to be a Marine Biologist but faith intervened and led her on her current career path as a high school teacher. Jody is passionate about working with young learners and by applying through SABIS was able to secure her first teaching assignment abroad. While in Kurdistan, Iraq she worked diligently and was appointed head of a science department in her second year. She was able to make friends and build a support network in this land far away from the place she called home.  After four years she wanted to return closer to home but as destiny would have it through TES she was able to secure a position at a Boarding school in China, in the midst of Covid-19. With her adventurous spirit she chose to grasp the opportunity and experience this new challenge. She credits her ability to be both flexible and adaptable with much of her success. Her faith in God and the use of her heart and not only her head in making decisions has taken her this far. Her advice to young people is not only to have a dream but the need to action that dream. She also stresses the importance of remaining open to opportunity as sometimes your dream in reality may not look like what you imagined. 

This episode introduces me Beverly Foster-Hinds your host.  It shares my views on why it is important to be in alignment with yourself and the career, business and life that you choose to live. I held senior management positions in the private, state and government sector but changed direction after some twenty years to do what I both love and am good at developing people. Business and Executive coaching provides a great opportunity for me to develop people. I believe in using a strengths-based approach when managing and leading teams as not only has it been proven to increase engagement but it also improves team performance. I tested this while in management and proved its effectiveness. I am a certified Strengthscope practitioner and use this as one of the tools in my coaching kit.Tune into Yourself was partly inspired by the work on mBraining completed by Marvin Oka and Grant Soosalu. In mBraining the focus is on using the heart, head and gut together to process information and make decisions which are in alignment with your true self.We will use the medium of interviews and solo chats to communicate with you. Through our podcast we aim to share information which will bring both inspiration and insights so that you will gain momentum in your career, business and life to take you to the next level.