Podcast appearances and mentions of andy vasily

Send us a textIn this powerful conversation, Andy Vasily sits down with Quang X. Pham, CEO of Katrina Therapeutics, to explore an extraordinary life journey spanning from Vietnam War refugee to Marine Corps pilot to biotech entrepreneur. Quang shares deeply personal stories about service, sacrifice, and the transformative power of embracing one's mission in life.Quang X. Pham is the CEO of Katrina Therapeutics, where he's developing safer blood thinner medications. A former Marine Corps helicopter pilot who served during the Gulf War, Quang escaped Vietnam with his family in 1975 and has dedicated his life to serving his adopted country through military service and healthcare innovation. He's also a recent author and maintains an 11 handicap at Sawgrass Country Club.Key Topics DiscussedFamily Legacy and Service (4:41)Quang's family's dramatic escape from Vietnam in 1975 - marking 50 years in AmericaThe three pillars of his life: serving his new country, honoring family legacy, and contributing to healthcareHow gratitude shaped his decision to join the Marine Corps despite skepticism from othersMilitary Service and Leadership Lessons (28:04 - 42:44)Gulf War Experiences: High-stakes decision-making as a helicopter pilot in Kuwait CityNavigating through smoke and enemy territory while evacuating wounded MarinesThe critical importance of psychological safety in team environmentsHow military experience translates to entrepreneurial leadershipEntrepreneurship and Mission-Driven Leadership (47:33 - 55:31)The role of tact in effective communication and fundraisingUnderstanding investor expectations and adapting pitch strategiesBalancing urgency in startups vs. consensus-building in larger organizationsWhy patient needs must drive pharmaceutical development, regardless of economic challengesPersonal Philosophy and Mentorship (59:56)Learning from mentors both personal and distant (John Wooden, General Colin Powell)The importance of continuous self-reflection and growth"Love what you do until you can do what you love" - navigating career transitionsHow success encompasses resilience and character, not just financial achievementTimestamps4:41 - Opening and background discussion28:04 - Decision to join the Marine Corps and embracing destiny39:22 - Gulf War piloting experience and high-stress decision-making42:44 - Leadership insights and psychological safety47:33 - Entrepreneurship, tact, and resilience55:31 - Core values and mission-driven approach59:56 - Mentorship and personal growth philosophyConnect with Quang X. PhamCompany: Katrina TherapeuticsLinkedInQuan's books including Underdog Nation: Zero in on Effort and Results for SuccessWebsiteEpisode ThemesImmigrant experience and the American DreamMilitary service as character formationTranslating military leadership to business successMission-driven entrepreneurship in healthcareThe power of mentorship and continuous learningResilience through life transitions

Send us a textIn this episode, we explore the multifaceted nature of courage and its transformative power in our lives. Through powerful stories and important insights, we examine how courage manifests not just in grand gestures, but in the everyday choices that ultimately shape who we become.The episode begins by challenging listeners to consider the fears that often hold us back—fear of uncertainty, judgment, failure, and even our own potential. These fears can keep us silent and immobilized, preventing us from finding our authentic voice and creating meaningful change.Through four real stories, the episode illustrates different dimensions of courage:Speaking Truth to Power: Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s decades-long battle against the medical establishment in the 1800s demonstrates the courage to stand by one's convictions, even when facing ridicule and rejection. His persistence in advocating for hand washing and sterilization eventually saved countless mothers. Facing Adversity: A candid conversation with a firefighter reveals the courage required to confront mental health challenges in a profession that often discourages emotional vulnerability. His story illustrates how acknowledging personal struggles and seeking help during difficult times can be one of the most courageous acts.Reimagining Possibilities: Andrea Proske's extraordinary journey from hotel manager at age 27 to Olympic gold medalist in rowing at 35 exemplifies the courage to reimagine what's possible for our lives, regardless of our starting point. Everyday Courage: We're reminded that courage often happens in quiet moments when no one is watching—when we choose self-compassion over self-criticism, set boundaries that honor our wellbeing, or take the first small step toward meaningful change.Courage isn't the absence of fear—it's taking meaningful action despite that fear. It happens in those pivotal moments when we choose alignment with our deepest values over comfort, prioritize truth over acceptance, and dare to reimagine what's possible.Episode Credits:Music from the 10000 Maniacs and the brilliant Natalie Merchant can be found hereNatalie Merchat's WebsiteMusical backdrop from fireman story from popular TV series White Lotus and it can here Oliver Wendall Holmes Sr. info can be found hereYou can find out information about the writer Jack Kerouac here and all his booksOlympic gold medal commentary for 2020 Tokyo Olympics hereYou can also connect with the inspiring Andrea Proske and find her website here.LinkedIn  Instagram Twitter 'X' Connect with Andy VasilyLinkedIn   TwitterDisclaimer for this Podcast- A note from the heart: This podcast was created with one mission—to illuminate paths toward better mental, emotional, and social well-being. Every episode is crafted not for profit, but to inspire positive change in listeners' lives and in our shared world. From the start, it has always been meant to serve people in ways that educates and informs.

Send us a textIn this brief episode, we explore the profound wisdom contained in the simple phrase: "Wherever you go, there you are." Made famous by Jon Kabat-Zinn's influential book on mindfulness, this statement reminds us that our choices and actions create the path we travel, for better or worse. No matter what, we find ourselves exactly where we are meant to be; in the present moment. Life's journey isn't easy. We often encounter uncertainty, face challenging circumstances, and battle internal fears about our ability to handle what comes our way. The responsibilities we carry for our loved ones can weigh heavily, causing us to struggle with making the right choices and doing what's best.When challenges mount in my own life, I find myself returning to a grounding thought from Mother Teresa: "If everyone would only sweep their own doorstep, the whole world would be clean."Key Takeaways:Change must begin with us"Sweeping our doorstep" means mental decluttering—silencing unnecessary thoughts that cloud judgmentDeep internal work and reflection are required to sit with our thoughts and assess whether they help or hinder our purposeOnly through this process can we make clearer choices and take more meaningful actionReflection Question: How are you sweeping your own doorstep in life today? What are you willing to better commit yourself to in order to make the impact on others you desire?This episode is dedicated to all of you doing your best to make the difference you desire in the world.Music Credit: Best Thing That Ever Happened (Transformers Movie)Find the song here on Apple MusicThanks for listening.

Send us a textToday's episode is a unique one for me as I am doing a joint recording with Alex Gray, the host of the International Classroom podcast. Alex and I decided to join forces for this conversation as we are both very passionate about education, learning and creating the conditions for all stakeholders to thrive in schools. Regardless of who you are are or what you do, we hope you find practical takeaway value in this discussion as we touch upon several themes that are very relevant to anyone who cares about the education of young people, whether you're a parent, coach, school leader or teacher. In our chat today, we dive into what it means to lead with impact and to inspire those around you to strive for true excellence by creating the conditions where honest, open conversations are not only encouraged but also deeply engrained within the culture of organisations and even the family unit. Alex is a class act, a fantastic educator and deeply knowledgeable about teaching, learning and leading. It was great to do this joint podcast with him and I hope that wherever you're listening from, you walk away feeling more inspired to be a better parent, coach, leader or teacher. Thanks for listening and with that let's now jump into this joint podcast between Alex Gray and myself. Connect with AlexLinkedInYouTube

Send us a textIn this episode, Andy Vasily interviews Dr. Gordon Flett, a distinguished psychologist from York University and author of "The Psychology of Mattering." The conversation explores the concept of mattering—feeling valued and significant in others' lives—and how it differs from self-esteem. Dr. Flett draws from his 30 years of research to explain how mattering plays a crucial role in preventing depression, suicide, and antisocial behaviors.Drawing from both personal experiences and academic research, Dr. Flett discusses how parents, teachers, and leaders can create environments where people feel genuinely valued. He emphasizes the strong correlation between mattering and hope, explaining how feeling significant helps combat hopelessness. The episode offers valuable insights for parents, educators, coaches, and leaders on fostering a sense of mattering in their respective settings.We conclude with practical resources on mattering, which listeners can access through the show notes, along with Dr. Flett's contact information for those interested in learning more about his work.Dr. Flett's Bio:Gordon L. Flett, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Psychology at York University in Toronto, Canada, where he has held a Canada Research Chair in Personality & Health. He is also the former Associate Dean of Research and former Director of the LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research in the Faculty of Health at York University. Currently, Dr. Flett is an Associate Editor of the APA journal Canadian Psychology.Dr. Flett is recognized globally for his seminal contributions to research and theory on the role of perfectionism in mental and physical health. This work includes the 2022 APA book on perfectionism in childhood and adolescents. Dr. Flett is also known for his leading role and many journal articles and knowledge mobilization activities on the nature and correlates of mattering. His 2018 book on the psychology of mattering is the first complete book of the mattering construct. Dr. Flett is also a member of the APA and Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, which has cited him as one of the top 25 most productive authors in psychology.Connect with Dr. Flett: Email: gflett@yorku.ca Twitter "X"Free Access Articles Written by Dr. FlettAging and Feeling Valued Versus Expendable During the COVID-19 Pandemic and BeyondAn Introduction, Review, and Conceptual Analysis of Mattering as an Essential Construct and an Essential Way of LifeThe Anti-Mattering Scale: Development, Psychometric Properties and Associations With Well-Being and Distress Measures in Adolescents and Emerging AdultsIn-Person Versus Online Learning in Relation to Students' Perceptions of Mattering During COVID-19Faculty Perceptions of Mattering in Teaching and Learning: A Qualitative Examination of the Views, Values, and Teaching Practices of Award-Winning ProfessorsAddtional Articles Written About Dr. Flett's Work: Do You ‘Matter' to Others? The Answer Could Predict Your Mental HealthWhy We Need to Feel Like We Matter

With a special guest from the "Run Your Life" podcast, Andy Vasily!

Send us a message - we'd love to hear from youThis is Part II of a special guest episode, where we delve into how trust manifests and shapes societies across the globe - with Andy Vasily. Andy has immersed himself in diverse cultures and gained invaluable insights into the dynamics of trust in the many places he and his family have called home. He highlights Charles' book, "The Thin Book of Trust," as a valuable resource for understanding trust dynamics across cultures and we discuss how different cultural perceptions of care, sincerity, reliability, and competence shape interpersonal relationships and interactions.The conversation takes a reflective turn as Andy emphasizes the universal human desire for connection and belonging. Drawing from personal experiences, he shares how prioritizing self-care has empowered him to cultivate trust within his relationships and emphasizes the importance of psychological safety in nurturing personal growth and fostering connections.We invite listeners to embrace the inherent caring nature within each of us, and encourage a shift towards prioritizing values that promote trust and authenticity, both within ourselves and in our interactions with others.We want to thank the team that continues to support us in producing, editing and sharing our work. Jonah Smith for the heartfelt intro music you hear at the beginning of each podcast. We LOVE it. Hillary Rideout for writing descriptions, designing covers and helping us share our work on social media. Chad Penner for his superpower editing work to take our recordings from bumpy and glitchy to smooth and easy to listen to episodes for you to enjoy. From our hearts, we are so thankful for this team and the support they provide us.

Send us a message - we'd love to hear from youIn this special guest episode, we delve into the world of trust - how it manifests, evolves, and shapes societies across the globe - with Andy Vasily. Andy is a Leadership/Performance Coach, Podcaster, and seasoned traveler who has immersed himself in diverse cultures and gained invaluable insights into the dynamics of trust in the many places he and his family have called home. Drawing from his rich, sometimes harrowing, experiences, Andy shares the nuances of trust in various corners of the world. As he describes how he has experienced trust in places like Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, and Azerbaijan, together we ponder the balance between competence-based trust and the human bonds forged through care and sincerity. We would happily have talked with Andy for hours and since our conversation ended up being longer than our typical episode, we've broken it into two. This episode (67) is the first part.We want to thank the team that continues to support us in producing, editing and sharing our work. Jonah Smith for the heartfelt intro music you hear at the beginning of each podcast. We LOVE it. Hillary Rideout for writing descriptions, designing covers and helping us share our work on social media. Chad Penner for his superpower editing work to take our recordings from bumpy and glitchy to smooth and easy to listen to episodes for you to enjoy. From our hearts, we are so thankful for this team and the support they provide us.

On this episode I chat with a long time friend and host of the Run Your Life podcast, Mr. Andy Vasily. Andy has been exploring learning methods and works professionally on coaching athletes to achieve peak performance. I have been exploring the science of consciousness and the technology of Artificial Intelligence. In this episode we explore the nexus where these interests all meet. What does artificial intelligence teach us about how human brains learn? What lessons can we take from sports psychology to help us understand minds and consciousness? Come and have a listen as we discuss the science of brain training. Please give me your inputs on Facebook @TheRationalView Patron.podbean.com/TheRationalView #TheRationalView #podcast #learning #artificialintelligence #sportspsychology #consciousness #neurology #neuroscience #brains #neuralnetworks

Into the common threads of his past guest on his podcast such as George Mumford who was Micheal Jordan and Kobe Bryant's (Black Mamba) performance coach

Why is it that some leaders excel at creating lasting success in their organizations in regards to motivation, well-being, productivity, and engagement while other leaders don't? What separates the very best leaders from the rest of them? Despite the vast amount of research about effective and impactful leadership, why is it that some leaders leave a trail of fragmented work relationships, lack of morale, trust, and disengagement in the workplace? And, what can leaders such as this do to strengthen their character by learning to lead with genuine compassion, responsibility, integrity and forgiveness? In today's show, I'll unpack some phenomenal research around impactful leadership based on a 7-year study done by Dr. Fred Kiel and his team on over 100 CEOs in multiple different fields. This study clearly shows that the best leaders, which Dr. Kiel refers to as 'virtuoso leaders' have a five times greater impact on their organizations than 'self-focused' leaders as identified in their study. In this episode, we will look at the specific behaviors and actions that virtuoso leaders demonstrate with consistency in the workplace and explain the impact that these types of leaders have on well-being, motivation, engagement and productivity. As well, we will look at the specific behaviors and actions of 'self-focused' leaders and the negative impact that their style of leadership has on their organizations. Added to this, we will also look at what the data says about the impact that the leadership teams of virtuoso and self-focused leaders have on the organization and its stakeholders. The results speak volumes for the importance of leaders taking their own growth seriously, especially in the face of such an uncertain, unpredictable future. The world needs authentic leadership more than ever, so if you are a leader listening to today's episode, how are you holding yourself accountable for your own growth in order to have the true impact you desire? Jorge Rodriguez joins me for today's episode and, in this discussion, I will also share with him a journal writing framework for any leader wanting to reflect more deeply on their leadership and next steps needed to become better at what they do. You can download a PDF to this handbook by clicking the link below. Thanks for listening to today's episode and sharing it with anyone who you feel will benefit from tuning in.  Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInWebsiteConnect With Jorge RodriguezTo download the free Path To Virtuoso Leadership handbook click herePlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

In today's show, I'll explore the themes of well-being, motivation and fulfillment. As well, I'll share three strategies you can immediately put into action in your own life to seek deeper meaning and purpose. These research-backed strategies have been proven to increase well-being and motivation and are sure to help you continue to move in your desired direction in life. In this episode, I share a special story as a powerful reminder about our own light within and the importance of keeping this light burning brightly. There will be external things that happen in our life, whether it be particular circumstances or people, that cause turmoil and distress. These things can inevitably lead to the light within greatly dimming or being extinguished crushing our own intrinsic motivation to stay on the path of growth, learning and personal development. It can also be far too easy, at times, to succumb to the pressures of life and lose focus on the things that truly matter in our lives. Every time this happens, it becomes our responsibility to stay motivated, intentional, and purposeful in our actions to keep our metaphorical flames lit. And, there are things we can do to increase motivation, well-being and productivity. Hope you enjoy this episode and please be sure to share with anyone who you feel with benefit from listening. Thanks. Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInWebsiteJoseph Haydn's Farewell SymphonyPlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

In today's episode, we explore the life of Alfred Nobel and his special journey of creating the Nobel Foundation and the impact that this had on humanity. This story will challenge you to think about your own legacy and the trace of yourself you want to leave behind in the world. We all strive to make a difference in our lives through our parenting, as a spouse or partner to those we love, and in the workplace. How will we ultimately be remembered and what will our impact be? It is never too late to realize the impact we desire, but it certainly takes deep reflection and an unwavering commitment to be our best in whatever way that means. I hope this episode helps you to reflect on your current path in life and what it is you need to do to continue to move in the right direction, in order to leave the impact that you desire. Thanks for listening folks. Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInWebsiteDr. Jim Loehr's Leading With Character book can be found HERE

Today on the show, a dive into authentic leadership, what this means. As well, we will explore what gets in the way of it. In particular, we'll explore identity awareness and the impact that this can have on any leader's ability to lead with authenticity and purpose in order to have the impact they desire.To build trust in the workplace, leaders need to make the first move. However, that is becoming much more difficult for many leaders around the world.  Based on the latest research, two major themes are standing out more than ever in organizations.The first theme is that there has been a precipitous decline in trust in the workplace over the past few years. And secondly, leadership is harder than ever based on a variety of factors including the ever-changing global landscape, the dramatic increase in mental health issues, and the staff retention crisis (there are many other factors as well).True leadership skills are a precious resource in the workplace right now and will continue to be well into the future. So, where do we need to begin to ensure leadership is equipped with the skills necessary to face such turmoil and challenge in the workplace? This and more in today's podcast. Hope you have a listen and share with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInWebsiteSpecial Credit to Jim RoussinFind Jim's latest book here

In today's episode, I share the latest, most relevant research around the themes of mental health, well-being and morale in the workplace and what the best leaders do, with consistency, to be impactful in their actions and words. Creating the conditions for high levels of mental health, well-being and morale in the workplace is no easy task for leaders, but those who do it well are very specific and intentional in their actions and words. We will explore research done by Forbes magazine in relation to mental health in organizations and also share very practical strategies to help leaders better pave the way for greater levels of well-being and morale. Hope you have a listen and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Thanks. Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInFacebookEmail: runyourlifepodcast@gmail.comForbes Article: How to Lead for Well-Being

In this episode, we will look at the impact that pressure and stress have on the body and mind in high stakes environments when you want to show up as your best selves in order to fulfill your potential and be impactful. We all experience moments in our lives when we face certain challenges. Perhaps it's having to give an important talk in front of colleagues or an audience of strangers. Maybe it's having to do a sales pitch to senior leaders in your company. It could just be having a difficult conversation with someone close to you or a colleague at work or even competing in a sports competition of some sort. Regardless of what the situation is, we all want to be impactful.  During these times, we want to be able to rise to the occasion to be our best in that moment to honor who we are and the impact that we want to have. However, there are times when we let ourselves down and fail to show up as we intended to due to giving into the demons of self-doubt, fear of judgement and a harsh negative inner voice. Although this is a natural part of being human, there are certain skills and strategies we can build and develop within ourselves to be able to face pressure in high stakes environments, when it matters most, to be able to perform to the best of our abilities. This episode will explore what the research around performance psychology has shown in regards what actually happens to the mind and body when under pressure. As well, three research-backed strategies will be shared that are immediately applicable in our own personal and professional lives in order to show up as our best selves when it counts the most. If you have ever caved into pressure or let nerves and anxiety get in the way of performing to the best of your ability on the stage, in the board room, in a sports competition, or any other situation when it mattered, this episode is for you. I hope you find takeaway value and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listenings. Thanks. Connect With Andy VasilyWebsite: http://www.andyvasily.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasilyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/Special Credits in this episode go to: Jimmy Fallon, Brendan Urie and the Roots remix for their rendition of Under Pressure by David BowieDr. Martin Seligman's work in Positive PsychologyDr. Michael Gervais and the Compete to Create online training courseDr. Jim Loehr's workOprah Winfrey's youtube talk

Today's show is a unique one as my good friend, colleague and fellow podcaster, Jorge Rodriguez, takes control of the host seat in today's episode. In our discussion, we take a dive into the wonderful Winter Enrichment Program held at our university KAUST here in Saudi Arabia in January and what we learned from interviewing some of the amazing keynote speakers and featured presenters. Jorge served as my sound producer for these episodes and also jumped in to ask a few questions. However, in today's show, Jorge flips the script and interviews me about some of the presentations that I gave during the conference and what it was I wanted each audience member to think more deeply about in regards to the main themes of my presentations. At this conference, I was able to present about peak performance and the necessary conditions needed for humans to flourish and live more productive, fulfilled lives. In my conversation with Jorge, we take a dive into these themes and talk about how these ideas and strategies resonate with each of us based on our own unique contexts. Jorge was a gifted athlete in university and was on a track and field scholarship while attending the university of houston, so he was able to speak about what high performance meant to him during this time and what it was that he had to focus on to be his best. I also share what high performance means to me and what I've come to learn through my training as a performance coach. This conversation was very enjoyable to me as Jorge is not only a good friend and colleague but someone who I have developed deep respect for over the years based on his own life's work and passion he has as an educator. Hope you find value in this discussion and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Connect With JorgeTwitterPodcastWebsite

In this episode I am bringing you my 2022 Rational View year in review, followed by a cool Pecha Kucha presentation that I made last year to a group of football alumni, put on by my public school friend Andy Vasily host of the Run Your Life podcast. The presentation is called ‘Why we need a Rational View', and it defines much of what I have learned about communicating science, and the need for a rational discussion in a polarized world. Pecha Kucha is, I believe, a Japanese term meaning chit-chat.  The format is unique as it includes a timed slide presentation that you need to present alongside with a strict 20 second clock on each slide. So if you like it, I urge you to watch The Rational View Youtube channel for this presentation.  Support The Rational View at patron.podbean.com/TheRationalView Follow me at www.therationalview.ca Join the Facebook discussion @TheRationalView Twitter @AlScottRational Instagram @The_Rational_View #TheRationalView #podcast #pechakucha #polarization #science #tribalism #live

In this show, we are trying out a new format and calling it Unfinished Thoughts. Andy Vasily, Joey Feith, and I all bring one topic to the table and discuss. We don't have the answers and aren't really looking for them either. We are just having a messy conversation about things that interest us. In this episode, we talk about professional growth. Hope you enjoy the show!

In this episode, Andy Vasily and I talk about how we can help facilitate more dialogue on Twitter. Help support the show by visiting our Patreon page.

In this episode, we will explore the power of personal narrative and the impact that mindset training has on sparking the very best within ourselves. We will double click on how we can all pursue our own level of excellence and in this episode, I will share snippets from interviews I've done on my podcast with three very uniquely talented and inspiring individuals who have carved out their own path of excellence in life. We will hear from world renowned performance psychologists Dr. Michael Gervais and Dr. Jim Loehr, as well as 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Andrea Proske. Through the conversations I have on my podcast, I love nothing more than to pull back the curtain on optimal performance and the conditions necessary to perform at our best, regardless of what it is we do. Maybe it's being the best parent we can be or the best partner or spouse. Maybe it's being the best in the workplace or even being the best in our sport. Regardless, it's about pursuing personal and professional excellence and how the best in the world do this with consistency in their lives. I hope you enjoy this episode and it inspires you to pursue your best self. Thanks so much for listening and for sharing with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Shine on and thrive!Connect with Michael GervaisTwitter: https://twitter.com/michaelgervaisWebsite: https://findingmastery.net/category/podcasts/Online Training Course: https://competetocreate.net/Connect With Dr. Jim LoehrWebsite: https://www.jim-loehr.com/Leading with Character Book: https://www.jim-loehr.com/booksAndrea Proske: Website: https://andreaproske.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreaproskeAndy Vasily: Website: https://andyvasily.com/Twitter: https://andyvasily.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/

Hi everyone, thanks for tuning into another episode of my Run Your Life podcast. I just wanted to do a quick introduction into the new podcast series SPARKS OF REFLECTION that I am starting up to give you a bit of background into why I am choosing to do this new series. The purpose of this series is to do a number of very short episodes devoted to sharing my thinking around some important themes that consistently come up in the work that I do as a coach, an educator, a consultant, and a podcast host. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work with many different people across a number of different fields. Although most of this work was initially done in the field of education, I find that, regardless of profession, there are many commonalities when it comes to what high performance means and what obstacles stand in the way of people becoming the best version of themselves possible in order to be deeply impactful in their personal and professional life. The themes of mental, social, emotional and physical well-being, resilience, joy and fulfillment, vulnerability, motivation, staying inspired, and leading with authenticity are consistently woven into the discussions that I have with many high performers. What separates the great from the good or average is the willingness that certain people have to better understand their own life context and to consistently reflect on what it is they need to do to continually grow, evolve and improve themselves on a daily basis. This podcast series will be devoted to sharing what I've learned and the things I reflect on myself as I pursue my own deeper learning. My hope is that this podcast series challenges you to think differently about your own life and what may be possible. Each episode will probably be only 5-7 minutes, but it is my goal and intention to leave you thinking and reflecting on your own performance. Some episodes may resonate, some may not. What matters most to me is that you stay open and receptive to change and growth in your life. As the saying goes, ‘Sometimes change may not be what we want, but it is exactly what we need in order to keep growing.”Thanks for listening. Connect With Andy:Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasilyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/Quotes from this Episode: "When inner conflict ends, peace begins." ~Tich Nhat Hanh"Every single human has a violent civil war raging within”. ~Martin Luther King

Andy Vasily is an inspiring Cognitive Coach/Educator, Workshop Facilitator and Podcaster. As an educator, Andy has taught at International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools globally, including in Cambodia, China, Azerbaijan, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Andy hosts the Run Your Life Podcast which has over 200 episodes and recently focused on the topic of flow and fear. He is currently a Faculty member and Consultant at KAUST in Saudi Arabia. After his undergrad degree and playing American Football at the University of Windsor, Andy and his wife moved to Hiroshima, Japan. What they thought would be a 6-month adventure, turned into 10 years in Japan and a life working in countries all over the world (now over 25 years). What amazed me about Andy is his understanding of "surrendering to his own path". He isn't religious but he believes in the power of the Universe. I was also struck by Andy's comment - "the attempt to escape pain is what creates more of it." In this episode, we speak about Andy's career and life and how his experiences globally have revealed to him the beauty of the human spirit. We also dig into Andy's family challenges with mental health and addiction, as well as his near-death experience in Cambodia. Show notes: 3:30 - You regularly post inspiring quotes on LinkedIn, is there one quote you've recently come across that stands out to you? 7:10 - You've travelled all over the world to teach at IB Schools... were you someone who stepped out of your comfort zone often or was moving to Japan your first big leap outside of your comfort zone 11:45 - how does a Canadian living in Hiroshima, Japan complete teachers college and become qualified to teach in Japan  12:30 - what did your family and friends think about your career and moving to new countries every 5 or so years to teach at a new school 16:00 - what are some of the biggest lessons that have come from living all over the world?20:00 - how do you describe your career - you are a teacher, workshop facilitator, cognitive coach and podcaster. 23:20 - did you need to get a certification for Cognitive Coaching and Executive Coaching? 29:00 - you have not personally experienced anxiety, depression and addiction; however, it has directly impacted your family. How do you think you've been able to keep your mental health balanced?  36:45 - a near-death experience in Cambodia... what happened? and how did it impact your life?  39:45 - "surrender yourself to the Universe in a way" and do the work to make your vision clear42:45 - The "3 zig-zag" questionsRun Your Life Podcast Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4EMbIvkPO1WPU8fm39RLKT?si=5SX3t_TiTWas4IwWvXs9HQApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/run-your-life-show-with-andy-vasily/id1088719197website - www.runyourlifepodcast.com

Meaningful Conversation with Andy Vasily Andy has been in education for over 20 years and has taught in 4 different countries. Andy has presented and spoken in over 20 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Australia, North America, and the Middle East over the years. Check out his work at http://www.andyvasily.com/ Help support Global PhysEd: https://www.patreon.com/globalphysed

This is a fun joint podcast with co-host Andy Vasily of the successful ‘Run your life' podcast.  Andy is a friend from way back. We went to public school together. Andy helped me set up my podcast a couple years ago and get started with a few helpful hints. His Run Your Life podcast is focused on physical fitness and self realization. In this episode we reminisce a bit and share the wisdom we have gathered over the forty or so years since our last meeting. We chat about how we both ended up in podcasting, and how we each are on a quest to find meaning in our lives. Andy's podcast can be found at www.runyourlifepodcast.com Follow me at www.therationalview.ca Join the Facebook discussion @TheRationalView Twitter @AlScottRational Instagram @The_Rational_View #TheRationalView #podcast #podcasting #selfrealization #pechakucha

Andy Vasily is Teacher, Performance Coach, and presenter of the Run Your Life podcast. He has a proven track record of bringing positive change in the way programs are delivered in education and business. Andy's TEDX talk on Transformative Moments illustrates his bravery in starting tough conversations. Our conversations take a deep dive into the subject of FEAR from multiple perspectives linked to research and our life experiences. We explore the meaning of fear, the reason we experience fear, and ways we may be able to overcome it.View Andy's TEDX talk here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiWMGi3bmks

Neila Steele and I have revived our 4 X Mindfulness podcast series. A podcast series devoted to sharing our learning around mindfulness and well-being. Although we've recorded almost 20 of these episodes previously, it's been a few years since we released our last one. This podcast series is a passion project of ours and we hope to start releasing them regularly again. We hope our listeners gain value and takeaway from these episodes. As I said in the introduction, this podcast series is never about having the right answers, but more so stimulating important discussion around our learning related to mindfulness. Thanks for listening and please share our 4 X Mindfulness series with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Connect With Neila SteeleTwitter: https://twitter.com/neilasteeleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilasteele/Connect With Andy VasilyTwitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasilyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/Website: http://www.andyvasily.com/Podcast: https://www.runyourlifepodcast.com/

In this episode, Andy Vasily and I break down our recent elementary cycling unit. Help support the show, patreon.com/globalphysed

This episode is devoted to exploring how self-imposed limitations can hold us back from performing at our very best. The science is clear on the impact that a negative mindset, fear, doubt and uncertainty can have on human potential. The story of the broken piano is a beautiful metaphor for breaking through self-imposed limitations in order to achieve great things in life. We'll unpack the broken piano story in hopes of challenging each listener to think more deeply about their own life and the self-imposed limitations that they oftentimes place on themselves. We'll look at how we can break through those limitations in order to live a more fulfilled and purposeful life and do our best work possible. Thanks for listening and for sharing with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Credits: Full credit to following Keith Jarret performing Bach pieceKeith Jarret and Miles Davis performanceThe out of tune piano pieceKeith Jarret's opening wordsKeith' Cologne concert pieceJanine Shepherd speechJanine Shepherd website

In this episode, I discuss what cognitive reframing means and how it can be applied in our own lives. As well, I share several other strategies and resources to help support and strengthen mental health and well-being. I take a deep dive into Dr. Martin Seligman's work related to positive psychology, Dr. Jim Loehr's research into the power of story-telling and personal narrative, Brene Brown's work related to vulnerability and connection, and finally the powerful role that physical activity can have in our lives. Hope you find some valuable takeaway from my solo podcast today and share with anyone who you feel would benefit from listening. Thanks! Resources mentioned in this episode:Dr. Jim Loehr's work: Latest book: Leading with CharacterJim's website: https://www.jim-loehr.com/Brene Brown's work: Brene's website: https://brenebrown.com/Brene's podcast: https://brenebrown.com/podcast-show/unlocking-us/John Kabat-Zinn's work:Website: https://www.mindfulnesscds.com/Dr. Martin Seligman's work: Website: https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/people/martin-ep-seligmanLatest Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Flourish-Visionary-Understanding-Happiness-Well-being/dp/1439190763

In this episode, Zack Smith, Leticia Carino and I talk to the author of the chapter, Andy Vasily about he used the Meaningful PE framework in an elementary cycling unit. Purchase the book on Amazon, here Help support the show: patreon.com/globalphysed

This podcast is actually a re-release of an episode that I  recorded with renowned golf coach Shawn Clement on his Golf's Perfect Imperfections WRX Radio podcast in July. In this episode, Shawn (Director of Golf at Wisdom in Golf) and I sit down to have a conversation about coaching, goal-setting, vision and purpose, not only in regards to the game of golf, but life in general. Although this episode is framed around the game of golf, much can be learned from this discussion that applies to sport, business and education. We are joined as well by Munashe Masawi, Head Kinesiologist at Wisdom in Golf and former collegiate football player.  About Shawn ClementFor those of you who do not know yet who I am, please consult my bio and know that I am a lifer in Golf and was put on this planet to help people enjoy a game that is so profound on so many levels. Golf can be played so easily with the right focus and can be so incredibly frustrating and elusive when you are focused on the wrong task.The most important tool that started me properly on this journey was the experience I had from age 17 (I am now 51) with the Canadian Ski Patrol and their relentless passion in making sure you knew what you were doing when treating a victim with a broken limb on the ski hill before transporting to hospital with vital information for the Emergency MD.This information helped guide me through the maze of golf instruction that was based purely on opinions that were based on assumptions of how the human body works. To this day, we do not have any documents, seminars, manuals on basic anatomy in the field of golf instruction which is very disturbing considering we are on the front lines of your abilities to learn this game and play for life!Last 20 years:Director of Development for Royal Québec Golf Club and AcademyNew association with Retrieve's revolutionary AI Platform (www.retrieve.com)Member of Callaway Canada's Fitting BoardCallaway Golf-Best Club Fitter in Canada for 2020Golf WRX-Regular Instruction contributor to the best golf equipment websiteLaunched “Golf's Perfect Imperfections” PODCAST available at www.golfwrx.com (their only instructional podcast)Member of Golf Channel Academy FamilyFinal Top 3 nominees for PGA of Ontario Teacher of the Year – 2011 & 2015Director of Instruction at the Richmond Hill Golf Learning Centre 2005 to 2018Playing and Instruction Editor for Golf Tips Magazine from 2001 to 2004Director of Instruction at Taboo Resort and Spa (Mike Weir's Home Course) 2002-2004Medalist Canadian PGA playing ability test for Class A MemberThe only Canadian PGA member to ever play left and right in the same bagIntrawest Mt Tremblant 1999-2001Canadian Tour and North Florida PGA mini tour 1997 to 1999Most Popular Teacher on YouTube from 2007 to 2012 and top 5 instructor now with over 40 Million hits and counting with 73 thousand natural and unsolicited subscribersConnect with ShawnWebsite: https://wisdomingolf.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/clemshawFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisdomingolf

Andy Vasily has been around the world teaching coaching and consulting. He gave a TedX talk about his life and how it helped him to find purpose. Andy talks about living in a volatile home where is mother and father were both alcoholics. We chat about how he fell in love with American football which gave him a purpose and meaning in his life which helped to steer him away from home life. The death of his brothers. made him reflect deeply on what was it that god gave him that he didn't give to them and why he was able to keep away from drugs and alcohol. This is Andy's journey of figuring out his own purpose.

In this episode, Greg Dryer, Andy Vasily, and I (Jorge Rodriguez) talk about the new MiMoves app, assessment in PE, and how we can create opportunities for more meaningful experiences for our students. For more information about MiMoves, check out the website, MiMovesApp.com Help support Global PhysEd Patreon.com/GlobalPhysEd

Andy has been really changed the game of Physed and done wonders with creating an international movement of making PE more meaningful and more intentional. Andy and I discuss the ins and outs of meaningful PE along with resources and insights into the great world of #meaningfulpe Andy's Twitter: @andyvasily Andy's Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/881980

Making sense of Meaningful PE with Andy Vasily and Jorge Rodriguez. In this episode, Andy and I talk about how we can help create the conditions for students to reflect on meaningful experience in PE.

In this episode, Andy Vasily and I have a conversation about Meaningful PE. This is the first episode in a series of ongoing conversations we will be having throughout the year about the Meaningful PE framework and how we can best implement it in our PE setting. Meaningful PE Website: https://meaningfulpe.wordpress.com/ Help support the show: patreon.com/globalphysed

What is meaningful PE and what conditions need to be present for students to find joy and meaning in their PE experiences? Jorge Rodriguez and I sit down this week to make deeper sense of the meaningful PE framework and explore what it is we are wondering about and the major considerations that we need to think about in order to plant the seeds for students to be intrinsically motivated to pursue different forms of physical activity in their lives. Each week, we will have a discussion about meaningful PE in order to unpack our thinking, as well as any ideas that we have that we would like to better understand in moving forward with this approach to teaching physical education and how we are attempting to put it into practice in our program at The KAUST School in Saudi Arabia. Connect With Jorge:Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhysedNowGlobal Physed Voxcast: https://www.globalphysed.net/Connect with Andy:Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasily

Mark has been working with Andy Vasily as a consultant to focus on meaningful PE through inquiry, autonomy, and agency. The framework is game-changing and just inspiring. Mark was an absolute legend and it is a conversation you do not want to miss. Andy Vasily's Blog: http://www.pyppewithandy.com/pyp-pe-blog Mark's Twitter: @coachvpe

In this episode, Jorge Rodriguez, Aaron Beighle, Greg Dryer and myself dive deeply into a discussion about the role of feedback on professional growth and learning in the field of physical education. Using the Harvard Business Review article The Feedback Fallacy as a starting point for our discussion, we all share what resonated the most with us in regards to the article. This led nicely into a deeper discussion about the impact that feedback can have on teacher practice, the obstacles and barriers that stand in the way of giving and receiving quality feedback, and ultimately the role that Twitter can play in promoting professional growth and learning in our profession. Although we point out the very positive impact that Twitter can have on learning and growth, we also discuss how it can get in the way of professional growth as some educators can use it to only seek praise rather than seek the critical feedback needed to grow and learn. In sharing our thoughts about feedback, we don't claim to have the right answers but are more interested in opening about dialogue about these important themes in our profession. Connect With The TeamGreg Dryer: Twitter- https://twitter.com/Greg_Dryer & https://twitter.com/miMoveAppAaron Beighle: Twitter- https://twitter.com/AaronBeighleJorge Rodriguez: Twitter- https://twitter.com/PhysedNowAndy Vasily: Twitter- https://twitter.com/andyvasilySpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In today's episode, my good friend and colleague, Jorge Rodriguez, and I sit down to have a conversation about the role of feedback in regards to professional growth and how feedback can be used in a positive way to consistently reflect on our teacher practice in order to continually grow and learn. Not only do we share our own curiosities and wonderings around feedback, but also what we have come to learn about our own teacher and leadership practice through critical feedback from others. As both Jorge and I use Twitter as a platform to engage in dialogue about professional growth, we also dive deeply into a discussion about some concerns we have about the way Twitter is sometimes used by teachers in our field of physical education. We hope that any educator listening to this episode can critically reflect on how they use Twitter to not only share their own work and resources, but also the main purpose of why they are posting what they are posting. Jorge and I talk about big difference between seeking praise and seeking critical feedback. There is indeed a place for both, but what is most important to Jorge and I is that dialogue around professional growth, learning, and reflection can be done using Twitter, but it takes a clear and intentional focus and a willingness to be open to the views and perspectives of others. We hope that any educator listening to this can share their own thoughts on the themes and topics we discuss in order to keep the dialogue going. We are not claiming to be experts or that are views are right, instead we aim to keep dialogue open in regards to the role of feedback as it relates to professional growth and learning. Connect With Jorge: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhysedNowGlobal Physed Voxcast: https://www.globalphysed.net/Connect with Andy: Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasily

In this Conversation from the Kingdom, Andy Vasily and I talk about the importance of feedback. We discuss how we can leverage social media to help create critical feedback communities, how to be more open when receiving feedback and personal instances when we were on the receiving end of difficult feedback. Help support the show: Patreon.com/GlobalPhysed

In this Conversation from the Kingdom, Zack Smith, Andy Vasily and I talk about our plans on starting the school year, some of the challenges we face building relationships with our students, and how we can create meaningful experiences in PE. Help support the show: patreon.com/globalphysed

In this episode, Andy Vasily, Zack Smith and Jorge Rodriguez discuss their teaching practice as it pertains to the Meaning PE approach.

In this episode, Andy Vasily, Andy Horne, Andy Milne, and Andy Hair talk about the changing faces of health and physical education. globalphysed.net

In this podcast, Andy Vasily, Zack Smith, Tim Fletcher, Déirdre Ní Chróinín and I talk about the foundations of Meaningful PE. We discuss how the idea started, some of the inspirations behind movement and some pedagogical strategies that align well to help students find meaningful learning experiences in PE. https://meaningfulpe.wordpress.com/

This is the first episode of the Meaningful PE Podcast. This Episode features Dr. Tim Fletcher (@TimFletcher12), Dr. Déirdre Ní Chróinín (@meaningfulPE), Andy Vasily (@andyvasily), Zack Smith (@mrzackpe), and Jorge Rodriguez (@physednow). In this episode, we talk about how the idea of Meaningful PE began, what we have learned through the process, and what our goals are for creating this space. #MeaningfulPE https://meaningfulpe.wordpress.com/

In the tenth episode of the ATHHPE podcast we welcome:Andy Vasily (https://twitter.com/andyvasily)Jorge Rodriguez (https://twitter.com/PhysedNow)Zack Smith (https://twitter.com/mrzackpe)His lovely wife Orriannaand our fearless Co-Host,Justin Schleider (https://twitter.com/SchleiderJustin). We check in with our friends in Saudi Arabia. We talk all things physed, until things get out of hand! It's a fun and informative episode on culture, teaching overseas, and what the future might hold. Check it out!!!Leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-supersized-physed-podcast/id1435115135Sign up to be a guest on our new show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrWdwaddDvy6xQHiHOSnrcYq-RBTlyldx-Wp_0x9V-Ru9KHA/viewformMy website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com/Tags: physedphysicaleducationelementarypehealth

Eli Vasily is finishing up his 10th grade year here at The KAUST School in Saudi Arabia. As the oldest son of Andy Vasily, Eli has grown up as a 3rd culture kid and has lived in several different countries around the world. In this episode. Eli and I talk about his experiences living around the world, his journey in to the game of golf and his big plans for the future. Check out his companion blog, GlobalPhysEd.net Support the show, https://www.globalphysed.net/donate

Today's guest, Scott Miller, came highly recommended from a good friend and two time veteran of the podcast Andy Vasily. Whenever Andy messages, emails or calls, I listen and like also, he has not let me down. Scott lays it all on the line today's as nothing is off the table in what can be described as open, honest and raw. In 2019 at 44 years of age, Scott decided to change one thing about his life... Everything! Not because he didn't already have a good life and a ton to be grateful for, but because Scott knew he wanted more. Scott realised he wanted to help people in a way that genuinely made their lives better. And from there, I Coach Connect was created. So after 15 years an Actor, Acting Coach and Leader in Corporate Hospitality. Scott left his job and everything he had ever felt comfortable with and started training to be a Transitional Life Coach. Below are the best channels to find out more about Scott and reach out and thank him for being on today's podcast. https://icoachconnect.net/ https://www.facebook.com/icoachconnect.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-miller-038813120/

“I had to really reflect deeply on my own life after I lost my second brother. It was the hardest thing to kind of look at. What was it within myself that allowed me to move forward in ways that my brothers couldn’t?” — ANDY VASILY Andy Vasily is an educator who wants to push his understanding of teaching and learning to a deeper level. Andy decided to begin blogging to share his teaching practice and connect with other educators and top researchers around the world. The value that he saw in this exchange of vision and practical applications led to an enriched professional learning journey that he has shared with practitioners and scholars alike. In this conversation, we expand on Andy’s inner exploration, starting with darkness in his life and experiences. Andy shares what works for him to keep the darkness from overwhelming him. We expand on the ideas of self-discovery and reflecting on your journey to help guide others on there own. Show notes: (00:04:54) Experiencing Darkness (00:09:26) Why focus on mental health? (00:11:17) New Year's Resolutions (00:12:32) Moral Weigh Stations (00:14:43) Two-week experiments (00:17:05) What is performance? (00:18:13) Creating a vision for movement (00:20:14) The Power of Physical Activity (00:24:27) Physical Activity and Mindfulness (00:27:03) Answering questions while running (00:31:26) Positive Psychology (00:33:10) Innate or learned behavior? (00:37:00) Giving away what you know (00:41:56) Self-learning (00:43:17) Having the right tools (00:45:01) Andy's Routines (00:47:28) Giving yourself permission to explore (00:50:42) Power of social interaction (00:52:47) Recommended Books (00:54:18) Advice to someone entering the "real" world? For transcripts and links learn more here: https://feedingcuriosity.net/podcast/andyvasily --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/feedingcuriosity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/feedingcuriosity/support

In this episode, Neila and Andy share their recent learning related to mindfulness and the impact it can have on easing stress during difficult times. In particular how living more mindfully can help to better cope with the stress, anxiety and massive disruption caused by the current COVID-19 crisis that has inflicted itself on the world. About Andy and NeilaNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 18 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). The both currently work at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Andy is a pedagogical coordinator, and educational consultant, workshop leader, and presenter. Neila is a former registered nurse turned elementary educator and presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness around the world. Both Andy and Neila  have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Neila SteeleTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndy VasilyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music. https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

"I developed a framework for delivering meaningful physical education and movement experiences that will inspire young people to be physically active for life." - Andy Vasily Andy Vasily is a leading educator who has taught at International Baccalaureate schools in 5 different countries over the past 18 years. He completed his teaching training in education and psychology at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. He is also an international educational consultant and founder of the award-winning blog www.pyppewithandy.com. Andy previously worked as a Child-Youth Counsellor at a young offender’s facility in Windsor, Ontario, and it was through this experience that he first realized the stumbling blocks and injustices that many of these young people faced in their daily experience. As a direct result of seeing a need for change, he pursued a full-time career as an educator. Show Notes: (00:04:21) How Saudi Arabia is Changing (00:06:04) How To Become A Citizen The World (00:07:48) Andy's Hometown and How He Traveled (00:11:09) Following What's Important To You (00:15:12) Professional Football Tryout (00:18:19) Resolutions and Long Term Thinking (00:21:41) Frameworking and Eisenhower Decision Matrix (00:25:38) The Three Shot Journal (00:29:20) What Gets Measured Gets Managed (00:30:49) Data Has No Emotion (00:32:41) Prioritizing Daily Recovery (00:34:45) Being Present (00:38:03) Do More vs Be More (00:39:31) With Knowledge, Comes Responsibility (00:43:16) Searching Inside One's Self (00:44:51) Experiences Not Gifts (00:49:46) Having Gratitude For Time Spent With Those That Matter Most (00:52:48) We Need To Connect (00:54:07) Andy's Professional Background (00:57:00) Creating A Program For Movement Not Sport (01:00:37) Fitting the Program Into the Community (01:02:55) Gardening In PE (01:05:41) How Andy's Career Has Evolved (01:07:08) Erich's Educational Background (01:09:23) Andy's Important Mentors (01:12:12) Gratitude and Connecting with Others (01:15:04) Being Sucked Into Our Devices For transcripts and related links go to https://feedingcuriosity.net/podcast/andy-vasily --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/feedingcuriosity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/feedingcuriosity/support

This episode is a Conversation Form the Kingdom with Andy Vasily and Zack Smith. In this episode we talk about our units and how we are embedding storytelling into our lessons. Check out our Patreon page to find out how you can help support the show. Patreon.com/GlobalPhysEd

Today I am thrilled to provide the second power couple in the space of two weeks. Andy Vasily and Neila Steele are not only extraordinary humans, but they have mastered life as a couple and as a family in my eyes. They have both been on the podcast before separately (episodes 47 & 71), with two of the highest rating episodes we have had. This is one of the reasons I am so excited to share with you two beautiful humans together on the show. Andy and Neila share some of the secrets to living life to its fullest as individuals, as a couple and a family. I have had the pleasure of watching them both present and speak together and separately other the years and like this occasion, today is another home run. If you are looking for ways to improve your life and of the people you love, then today is the show you have been waiting for. If you would like to listen to Andy and Neila together on their 'Run Your Life' podcast, or follow them on their social media platforms you can do so on the links below: https://www.pyppewithandy.com/ https://twitter.com/andyvasily https://twitter.com/neilasteele

In this episode Andy Vasily, Zack Smith and I reflect on our 2018/2019 school year.

How habitual is it for you to take out your cell phone when waiting in lines or when in the company of strangers? How often do you strive to stay present and mindful in difficult situations? Is chaos more easily embraced when we practice mindfulness? How does practicing mindfulness help you to produce the best work possible? How does being present and truly listening help to improve the quality of relationships in your life?  These are some of the questions that we explore in this installment of 4 X Mindfulness. Neila Steele shares a recent difficult situation that she found herself in, but how employing mindfulness allowed her to diffuse the situation and make a genuine connection with a complete stranger. As well, Neila shares a great mindfulness strategy that can easily be applied in very little time in our own life. This strategy helps us to stay present and focused and to better observe our surroundings.  Andy shares a story that he recently learned about the amazing jazz musician Keith Jarret. The story takes place in 1975, but the lessons learned from the story transcend time and place and can easily be applied in the work that we do both personally and professionally. As well, Andy shares how simply rephrasing a common question that we ask can help to spark more meaningful and authentic conversations with other people in our lives.  It you are a listener of the 4 X Mindfulness episodes, let us know your thoughts about what might have resonated with you in this episode and your own experiences applying mindfulness in your personal and professional life. Thanks! Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 18 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Andy is a pedagogical coordinator, consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Neila Steele Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Vasily Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Habits, Connection, Empathy, Embracing Chaos, Observation, The Power of Questions

In this episode Andy and I travel to Kuwait and talk about our expereince delivering a workshop to some amazing teachers.

In this episode, Andy Vasily and I reflect on my last unit of instruction and talk about the timeline of my current unit.

How do you try to be more self-aware of your emotional state? Do you employ specific strategies to better control your emotions? How much self-compassion do you have toward yourself? What role does ‘impermanence’ play in your life? How do you emotionally prime yourself to prepare for each day? In the latest 4 X Mindfulness podcast, Neila Steele and Andy Vasily discuss the themes of impermanence, self-compassion, emotional priming, and breath control and the impact that these things can have on living a more mindful existence. Neila opens up this podcast by sharing her thoughts related to the idea of impermanence. In particular, the work of Vinny Ferraro and his mantra, “Right now it’s like this”. Vinny created this mantra to illustrate the point that any intense emotional state (positive, negative or neutral) that we are experiencing does not last, so it is important to be aware of this and remind ourselves that everything that we experience is impermanent. This can help us better shape our perspective, especially in times of difficulty. Neila’s second seed of mindfulness relates to a specific breath control strategy that we can utilize in order to better control our emotional state. Neila takes us through how to use this breath and models it for us to try out. For Andy’s first seed of mindfulness, he discusses the importance of putting more self-compassion and self-forgiveness into action in our lives, especially when we may be feeling down. His second seed of mindfulness relates to the power of priming to help shape the way we feel when we start the each day. The concept of emotional priming is discussed in detail and ways that we can emotionally prime ourselves in order to start the day off on the right foot. Andy and Neila hope you enjoy this episode and that there is takeaway applicable value that resonates with you in your life. Thanks for listening. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Andy is a pedagogical coordinator, consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Neila Steele Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Vasily Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Self-Compassion, Forgiveness, Breath Control, Emotional Priming, Impermanence, Reflection, Learning & Growth

How do you contribute to the positive energy of the universe? In what ways do you embrace the role of silence in your life? When things aren’t going your way, what kind of body language do you project? How do you intentionally control your emotions? In the 21st episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Andy and Neila discuss their thoughts related to the above 4 questions. In Andy’s first seed of mindfulness he shares his big takeaway from a recent Finding Mastery podcast that he listened to that focused on doing good for others and making a difference. For Andy’s second seed of mindfulness, he shares a strategy that he learned from well-known sport psychologist, Dr. Karl Morris, that provides insight into self-awareness of our own body language. Neila’s seeds of mindfulness deal with the powerful role that silence can play in both our personal and professional lives. As well, Neila shares an interesting fact about the first NASA mission to the moon and what they had astronauts specifically train themselves to be able to do in order to be able to handle any conditions thrown their way. Neila discusses the connections to mindfulness that resonated with her as a result of learning about this NASA story. As always, thanks for listening to the ‘4 X Mindfulness’ series. We hope that you find some takeaway value in this episode. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Andy is a pedagogical coordinator, consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect with Andy and Neila Neila Steele Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Vasily Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: The Role of Silence, Contributing Positive Energy, Body Language, Intentional Control of Emotions, Hannover Mindfulness Workshop

In this episode Andy Vasily and I go through a reflection roadmap and unpack some of the data he collected during one of my classes. This was one of my more challenging classes and because of this the lesson did not go as planned. However, as part of the reflection process, we discuss what went right and what went wrong and how we can improve the experience for our students. If you have any questions please feel free to connect on twitter, @PhysEdNow and @AndyVasily, #GlobalPhysEd

For specialists working within the PYP, there can be many questions around how to make integration meaningful, taking a transdisciplinary approach to subject specialism, and the logistics of collaborative planning. In this episode Andy Vasily, an internationally experienced pedagogical leader and sports teacher, discusses with Sarah Gilmore just how he does this, including his approach to inquiry, provocations and much more. Andy has a passion for transdisciplinary subject specialist teaching, sports education and the role of fitness in combating mental illness and promoting healthy living. In this episode Sarah and Andy also refer to his fantastic and moving TEDx talk, which we highly recommend! To learn more about Andy and his work, check out his website or follow him on Twitter. Sarah is also on twitter and you can follow Professional Learning International to find out how you can work face to face with amazing educators like Andy.

In this episode Andy Vasily and I meet to plan out my first unit of instruction. Here is a link to the 8 week plan laying out the key concepts, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xWhnA0i36IZ1a27jx2Z2HXbz2ujJ5dOS

This is the our first podcast from Saudi Arabia. In this episode we have a round table discussion with Andy Vasily, Zack Smith and Evan Bryceland about the our experiences in KAUST and our plans for the up coming school year.

If you had to create a personal statement that sums up your philosophy, what would that statement be? How can you better motivate yourself to find more value in your daily efforts to do well? What does loving-kindness mean and how can we practice it more in our lives? What role does human connection play in your life, especially with people you do not know very well? Andy and Neila explore these questions in their latest 4 X Mindfulness podcast in order to share their thoughts and their recent learning about themselves and about others. In the first seed of mindfulness, Neila dives into the work of Claire Boothe Luce, one of the first females to serve in the US congress who went on to do extraordinary work throughout her career in politics. In particular, the way she challenged leaders like Kennedy to create their own personal philosophy statements. Neila talks about the strategy of creating these statements and how challenging it can be. For the second seed of mindfulness, Andy discusses Daniel Pink’s latest book: When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and a specific strategy outlined in the book that helps to assess our levels of motivation to do difficult things in our life in order to be more proactive. The third seed of mindfulness is about loving kindness and Neila takes listeners through a short exercise to help practice more loving kindness with ourselves and with others. The fourth seed of mindfulness relates to human connection and how random acts of kindness can be a thing of beauty that brightens our day when we least expect it. Neila and Andy hope that you find some value from this episode that is applicable in yoru personal and professional lives. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect with Andy and Neila Neila Steele Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Vasily Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Personal Philosophy Statements, Motivation, Human Connection, Loving Kindness, Daniel Pink, Claire Boothe Luce, Presence

How do our personal perspectives shape our lives when we experience upheaval and hardship? How often do we genuinely invest ourselves in others? What role do personal stories play in helping us to connect with other people? Do we show ourselves enough self-compassion? Andy Dutton, an excellent educator currently working in Bucharest, Romania, joins Neila Steele and Andy Vasily in the latest 4 X Mindfulness podcast series. Andy Dutton shares two seeds of mindfulness in this episode which relate to his own journey of mindfulness and the importance of investing in his own mental health through a variety of strategies. In sharing the mantra, ‘This too shall pass.”, Andy discusses the importance of being aware of our own negative thought pattern loops that hold us back from living a more genuinely happy life. As well, Andy also shares the importance of having more self-compassion and taking time away each day to regenerate and recharge in order to be our best personal and professional selves. For Neila Steele’s seed of mindfulness, she shares the importance of investing in others by being curious, by asking questions, and showing a genuine interest in others. When we invest in others, we put our own needs and wants aside to better connect and get to know other people in our lives. For the fourth seed of mindfulness, Andy Vasily shares the power of personal stories in helping to make stronger connections with others. By making ourselves vulnerable and genuinely sharing our experiences, we can better connect with others and give them permission to do the same. Lots of powerful themes discussed in the latest 4 X Mindfulness series. We hope you are able to gain some new insight from this episode with Neila Steele, Andy Dutton, and Andy Vasily. Bio Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila, Andy Vasily and Andy Dutton Neila Steele Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Vasily Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Andy Dutton Twitter: @PEAndyD Themes Discussed: Empathy, Efficiency, Self-Compassion, Personal Upheaval, Coaching and Counselling, Vulnerability, Human Connection, Relevance

In today’s episode, Neila and Andy have a great mindfulness chat with a renowned educational consultant, Mark Church. Some of the questions explored in this chat are: Is mindfulness a stance we take in life or something we have to practice day in and day out? What role does daily gratitude for our present body play in helping us to better appreciate what we sometimes fail to notice? How can we be more mindful and present in our daily interactions to not miss out on important moments that help us to grow and develop ourselves? In what ways is evolution predicated and dependent on stress? How does this stress help us evolve into our better selves? This conversation was more about delving into making more sense of what mindfulness can mean in our lives and the role it plays in helping to better understand and appreciate ourselves. Mark offers lots of insight into his own thinking, not by having answers, but asking more questions to better explore the meaning that mindful thinking and actions can play in our lives. Hope you enjoy our episode with special guest, Mark Church. About Mark Mark Church works with educators throughout the world striving to create cultures of thinking in their classrooms and schools.  Mark challenges teachers to foster thinking dispositions in students in service of deep understanding.  He invites teachers to promote a discourse of thinking in their classrooms that communicates value to student sense-making.  Mark encourages teachers to make their classroom environments rich with the documents of student thinking processes.   Mark is currently a consultant with Harvard Project Zero’s Making Thinking Visible and Cultures of Thinking initiatives worldwide, drawing upon his own classroom teaching experience and from the perspectives, he has gained working with educators throughout North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe.  Mark enjoys helping teachers examine opportunities for student thoughtfulness, use thinking routines as supports and scaffolds, interact with students in ways that demonstrate an interest in and respect for students’ thinking, and send clear expectations about the importance and value of thinking in learning.  Together with Ron Ritchhart and Karin Morrison, Mark is co-author of the book Making Thinking Visible:  How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners (Jossey-Bass, 2011). Connect With Mark: Website: http://www.pz.harvard.edu/projects/cultures-of-thinking About Andy and Neila Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 18 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Both Andy and Neila now work at the KAUST School in Saudi Arabia. Andy is also a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and Andy Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Meaning Making, Being Present, Body Awareness, Gratitude, Purpose, Relationships, Connection

In the 17th installment of 4 X Mindfulness, Neila Steele and Andy Vasily discuss the themes of monitoring, assessing, and changing habits by bringing more self-awareness to our daily lives. In the first seed of mindfulness, Neila shares the work of the author, Laura Vanderkam, and the strategy of the 168-hour weekly spreadsheet that she created to assess where people spend their time each week. It is a great strategy to record and redirect energy in ways that lead to greater satisfaction, happiness, and health. For Neila’s second seed of mindfulness, she shares two excellent websites related to self-improvement, Coach.me, as well as Leo Babauta’s work with Zen Habits. Both of these websites are excellent resources to help focus on making improvements in both our personal and professional lives. The third seed of mindfulness is rooted in the work of well-known psychologist, Dr. Martin Seligman and his work related to creating a more positive mental framework to operate our daily lives by. Andy explains the story behind his research and the specific strategies Seligman and his team of researchers have developed. This leads nicely into the 4th seed of mindfulness which is all about being more self-aware of our emotional state, to look deeply at the root causes of these emotions and the stories that we tell ourselves about these emotions. In becoming more self-aware of these stories, we position ourselves to change our narratives and reframe our daily experiences. Hopefully, you’ll find an insight or two from this episode that will be applicable in your own life. Thanks for listening. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 17 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Both Neila and Andy work at Gardens Elementary School on the King Abdullah Campus of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Connect With Andy and Neila Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Zen Habits, Dr. Martin Seligman, Mindset, Laura Vanderkam, Habit Awareness,

For the past four to five years I have followed Andy Vasily like a hawk; what I mean by this is that I have found his work inspiring and valuable. Andy is an extraordinary educator who has so much time and passion guiding and helping fellow teachers. Andy is an international presenter, who values the intentional way in which PE teaches can lead. Take the time to listen to Andy’s TedX talk and podcast. I am sure you will enjoy our chat in today’s episode as much as I did recording it. Twitter  @andyvasily TedX talk Podcast – ‘Run your life’ Website 

For the 50th Run Your Life podcast, host Andy Vasily turned the hosting reins over to yours truly - author/educator/Captain America wannabe -  Frank Stepnowski, and allowed me to interview HIM. Together, with the help of a very special guest, we made some radio magic to start 2017 with an inspired bang. The program starts with a shout out to mutual friend and all around good guy Ross Halliday, which led into a discussion of kindred spirits and the “inner voice’ that called Andy to start the Run Your Life podcast. The initial days of the podcasts are discussed, and how it evolved into an exploration of personal excellence, with Andy using it as a vehicle to inspire educators to self-reflect. Drawing on his myriad travels around the globe, Andy offers, as a student of the World, some insight into our current state of divisiveness and how the presence of religion and faith grew and metamorphized in his life and led to his promotion of the recognition of goodness in others as a means to “oneness.” This is a message that needs to be heard, and I am thrilled to have facilitated getting this on record. In a must listen segment, Andy’s wife, the beautiful and talented Neila Steele, joins us with some personal reflection on how their family used their Christmas vacation in Europe to practice mindfulness, and extend their already daily practice of gratefulness. Andy can’t help being the host, (and it is his show after all,) so he gets me rolling on the delicate dance between satisfying BS educational mandates and connecting to very human students. As mindfulness was on the table, we discussed love and loss of family, and how Andy’s commitment to their memories informs his daily decisions, and how he initially found his way through grief through sports and physicality. Brightening the mood a bit, I asked Andy to elaborate on what makes him a good teacher, his ability to be “in the moment,” and why connection takes precedent over curriculum. Of course, this being a pre-Christmas show, we had to talk holiday movies and such, and I’m pretty sure I got compared to the Grinch at some point. Before he let me wrap up, Neila Steele flipped the script and put the guest host on the hot seat with a discussion of how I plan to carry mindfulness into the new year; I must have given a good answer because I get rewarded with a spiritual blessing and virtual hug that is guaranteed to make everyone listening feel good. I teased you with some tidbits from our extended conversation, but trust me, Andy’s (and Nelia’s) observations and insights provide a calming influence that we could all use in this day and age, do yourself a favor and listen. I, for one, cannot wait for episode 51. -Frank Stepnowski Connect with Frank and Andy Frank: Twitter (@frankstep1) Andy: Twitter (@andyvasily) Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Empowerment, Human Connection, Mindfulness, Ross Halliday, Personal & Professional Growth, Teacher Impact, Excellence  

In today’s Run Your Life podcast, special guest Andy Dutton from the United Nations School of Hanoi, joins Andy Vasily and Neila Steele for the 16th episode of their ‘4 X Mindfulness’ series which was recorded live in Bucharest, Romania. As always, the main goal of ‘4 X Mindfulness’ is to share seeds of inspiration related to living a more mindful personal and professional life. The first seed of mindfulness was shared by Andy Dutton and had to do with the importance of connecting at an emotional level with the students that we teach day in and day out in the work that we do. This emotional connection is not possible if we are not present and focused on developing relationships first. Andy shares his belief that creating strong emotional connections with others changes lives and that we must never forget this. In moving into the second seed of mindfulness, Neila discusses how critical it is to know the triggers in our life that have the potential to cause us to act in ungraceful ways when dealing with others. In knowing these triggers we can bring more mindfulness into the way we choose to respond to others who will challenge us. For the third seed of mindfulness, Andy Vasily shares how he was recently inspired by the work of singer/songwriter Jewel and her belief that mastery is all about showing up day after day and continually refining what we do in order to be our personal best. That being our personal best means that we can give more and when we give more, we impact others. Andy Dutton closed off today’s episode by speaking about the work of Mike Kuczala and how Mike inspired him to understand that meaning making is state dependent. When we deal with others in the work that we do, it is the human connection, at an emotional level, that brings out the best in us. When we are present and in the moment, we are more receptive to these emotional connections. As always, Neila Steele and Andy Vasily would like to thank you for listening and hope that with each episode comes new learning and gems that you can apply in the work that you do. Bio Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila, Andy Vasily and Andy Dutton Neila Steele Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Vasily Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Andy Dutton Twitter: @PEAndyD Themes Discussed: Gratitude, Reflection, Ferran Adrià, Meaning Making, Mike Kuczala, Aaron Beighle, Physical Education, Student Relationships, The Power of Emotional Connection

It today’s episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’ the themes of happiness, fear, vulnerability, and inner criticism are explored. Can happiness be tracked in an effort to understand important patterns in our lives? How can quiet reflection help us to identify whether the fears we experience in our lives are genuine or irrational? Does being vulnerable and sharing our authentic self open the door for others to do the same? How can we tame the inner critic within us? Neila delves into a recent party that she organized called a Shakti Circle and the main purpose of this evening. She goes into detail about the types of mindfulness activities that were focused on and the impact that this night had on her. As well, Neila shares some great strategies for being more aware of the self-critic within us and how this inner critic voice can be tamed. Andy shares his thoughts related to fear and how quiet reflection can play an important role in assessing to what degree our fears are genuine or not. We often create irrational fears in our lives that can rob us of our talent and our happiness. He references both Jamie Foxx and singer/songwriter Jewel and their perspectives on overcoming irrational fears in our lives. As well, Andy dives into the theme of happiness and references the work that the greats minds at trackyourhappiness.org are doing in an effort to help people better understand what brings them genuine happiness. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila, Andy, and Mike Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Shakti Circles, Fear, Vulnerability, Happiness, Reflection, Inner Criticism

This episode was scheduled to be released right after the New Year, so it’s a bit late in getting out. Neila and Andy recorded their 14th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’ while vacationing in Paris in early January. To kick start 2017 they both shared their recent insight and inspiration in regards to living a more mindful life, especially going into the new year. Andy’s first seed of mindfulness has to do with better dealing with the stressors that the holiday season can bring with it to our lives if we are not careful. Regardless of the time of year, vacations, celebrations, and other holidays can cause stress, anxiety, and tension as we tend to build these moments up to mean much more than they actually do. Without knowing it, we can unravel when things don’t go as planned during these big moments, causing even more stress. Andy shares a blog written by one of his favorite authors, Brene Brown, that is all about the importance of taking on a different perspective when it comes to holidays and celebrations. Andy’s second seed of mindfulness has to do with goal-setting and the anxiety that comes with it as we sometimes tend to focus only on the future without being grateful for the present moment when it comes to the small successes that we experience with the goals we set for ourselves. He was inspired to share this perspective on goal-setting after hearing Tim Ferriss and Tony Robbins speak about in a recent podcast. For Neila’s two seeds of mindfulness, she shares a very mindful Japanese way of looking at life and it’s difficult moments. She delves into how this perspective takes on a very mindful approach when dealing with potential difficulties that can arise in our lives. As well, Neila shares a 3-step strategy inspired by the work of Stanford PHD, BJ Fogg that has been proven to be successful in changing unwanted habits in our lives. In controlling what is within our spheres of influence, we can have much more success in creating the habits that we need to better serve us in life. Although an originally scheduled New Year’s episode, Andy and Neila hope you are able to capture a gem or two that can be applied to both your personal and professional life regardless of the time of year. Bio Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila, Andy, and Mike Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Tiny Habits, Gratitude, Perspective, Power to Change, Presence, Self-Awareness, Reflection, Goal-Setting, BJ Fogg, Brene Brown

In today’s ‘4 X Mindfulness’ episode, our special guest, Mike Kuczala, joins us in sharing valuable insight and wisdom related to strategies and approaches to living a more mindful life. Andy discusses strategies to detect negative thought patterns in our lives and what we can do to break ourselves free of these potentially harmful ways of thinking by applying the ‘pyramid of influence’ into our daily routines. Neila shares her list of 10 intentional ways to bring more joyfulness into our everyday lives and Mike discusses what a gratitude letter is and how he plans to put it into action in his own life by honoring someone who means a great deal to him. Mike also shares his thoughts on the valuable role that music can play in our lives when approached in a very mindful manner. It was a pleasure to record this episode with our good friend, Mike Kuczala. We hope you find as much value in the discussion as we did. Thanks for listening! Andy and Neila’s Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Mike’s Bio: Mike Kuczala is a leading authority on using movement and understanding the brain/body connection in both Screen Shot 2016-04-20 at 8.31.09 AMeducational and corporate settings.  His keynotes, workshops and professional development programs have been enjoyed by tens of thousands of teachers, administrators, parents, trainers, and corporate executives across the United States. The Director of Instruction for the Regional Training Center, an educational consulting firm based in Randolph, New Jersey, and President of Kuczala Consulting, Mike is the coauthor of the Corwin best-seller and Association of Educational Publishers’ Distinguished Achievement Award nominated The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement.  Mike’s 2nd book, Training in Motion: How to Use Movement to Create Engaging and Effective Learning was released in June of 2015. His standing room only presentations have been experienced in such diverse settings as The American Society for Training and Development, The Forum for Innovative Leadership, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the American Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and the Lawyer Brain OD Roundtable. Mike proudly and humbly comes from a family of educators including his wife, sister, both parents and three grandparents. “I am the product of three generations of teachers. Education is what I love and do. It is always an honor and pleasure to work with both educators in helping them to become true instructional leaders and corporate executives and trainers in providing presentation skill and effectiveness. My background in education gave rise to my love of teaching, public speaking, curriculum and training design, and helping people create goals and live their dreams.” Connect With Neila, Andy, and Mike Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Mike Twitter: @kinestheticlass Website: mikekuczala.com Email: michaelskuczala@gmail.com Themes Discussed: Gratitude Letters, Habitual Thought Patterns, The Pyramid of Influence, Cognitive Coaching, Joyfulness, Music, Physical Activity, Reflection, Social and Emotional Well-Being

Do you have a set of fundamental principles that help to guide your life? How often do you take time out of your busy day to remain goalless and do nothing? Is it possible for our water and food to change it’s molecular structure when love and energy are directed toward them? What does the Sanskrit word ‘Namaste’ mean and how does it apply to those who cross our paths each day? In the 12th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Neila and Andy explore these questions by sharing their latest seeds of insight and inspiration related to living a more mindful life. Andy shares a powerful 7-Point Creed that he first learned about from listening to a Tony Robbins podcast from 28 years ago when Tony had interviewed world renown basketball coach, John Wooden. In the Robbins podcast, Wooden discusses the 7-Point Creed that his father taught him to live by. The 7-Point Creed is a special set of guiding principles that are very mindful in nature and can challenge us to reflect on the importance of creating our own creed to live by. Andy also shares an amazing study done by Dr. Masaru Emoto that has to do with how the molecular structure of water changes depending on the emotions and feelings that are cast upon it. In this comprehensive research project, Emoto exposes water to a wide range of both positive and negative emotions and proves how the structure of water can change from fragmented and chaotic forms to being beautifully crystallized in different shapes and sizes. A truly astonishing experiment with paying attention to. As this episode was recorded in Italy, Neila delves into a wonderful Italian expression, ‘dolce far niente’, which literally translates into the ‘Sweetness of Doing Nothing’. She discusses how the Italians embrace this type of attitude each and every day through the interactions that they have with others and how they structure this type of time into their own lives. She challenges everyone of us to think about how we might carve out time in our daily schedules to do the same. Neila also shares the meaning of the Sanskrit word, ‘Namaste’ and why this is so much more than a single word but a beautiful philosophy to embrace in our lives. Neila and Andy hope you find a gem or two that resonates with you in this episode which was recorded in the amazing, rustic, old fishing village of Monterosso, Italy. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and Andy Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: John Wooden, Tony Robbins, Dr. Masaru Emoto, Gratitude, Energy and Love, Mindfulness, Principles to Live By, The Molecular Structure of Water

How do you strive to connect with others in your life? What does human connection mean to you? What is a microadventure and how can it benefit you? Mindfulness allows us to be present with our thoughts in order to reflect upon our best selves and sometimes this is only possible when we remove ourselves from the environment that we make routine in our lives. In today’s ‘4 x Mindfulness’ episode, Neila discusses a recent solo trip to Campagnano, Italy that allowed her to put some specific mindfulness strategies into practice thus opening herself to be in a more reflective state. Neila also shares an important message and perspective that is important to embrace when learning something new in our lives in order to take on a more effective mindset when approaching this learning. Andy shares his thoughts regarding a powerful video about human connection and how mindfulness allows us to be more present and open to connecting with others that goes beyond a superficial level. Andy also shares a new podcast that he is listening to that deconstructs how people pursue mastery in their lives. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and Andy Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Explored: The Power of the Microadventure, Finding Mastery Podcast, Human Connection, A Learner’s Mindset, Reflection, Self-Awareness Useful Resources: http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/ & https://21clradio.com/around-earth-wonder-curiosity-adventurers-mindset-15/ Looking Beyond Boarders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7XhrXUoD6U Jon Kabat Zinn: http://www.mindfulnesscds.com/

Welcome to the PE Umbrella podcast, episode 59. In this episode I am joined by Andy Vasily, a true fountain of knowledge and experience, all things Physed. In this bumper episode we talk about Andy's own goals, what he has learned so far this year and how we can help develop a growth mindset so we don't feel defined by our mistakes. Plus, I ask Andy the regular show favourites including his top warm ups, resources and favourite use of tech in the PE classroom! Note pad and pen at the ready to prepare for some Physed knowledge bombs... Come and join us both 'Under the Umbrella'

When trying to better understand what mindfulness means and the powerful role it plays in education, it is important to continually search for resources that can help us learn more about it. In celebration of the 10th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Andy and Neila take the time to share their top ten go to resources that have helped to shape their mindfulness practice. Included in this top ten list are inspiring people, books, Ted Talks, and online resources that Andy and Neila hope to connect you with in order to push your mindfulness practice to a deeper level. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Andy and Neila Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Resources Explored: Tara Brach, The Enlightened Brain, The Essential Marcus Aurelius, The 5-Minute Journal, Scientific American Mind Magazine, David Steindl-Rast, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Marina Gijzen, Brene Brown, Ted Radio Hour

What is your formula for success when it comes to deepening your learning of things that you are passionate about? What role does reflection play in this process? How often do you take the quiet time necessary to recharge your own batteries in order to be at your best both personally and professionally? What types of patterns and routines present themselves when eating each meal/snack of the day? To what degree do our emotions cloud the decisions that we make when trying to overcome a challenge? In the 9th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Neila and Andy explore these themes in an effort to share strategies and approaches that have been proven effective in better developing these areas. They look at the work of best-selling author, Ryan Holiday, and delve into a specific type of digretion therapy that Sting once did to overcome writer’s block that had persisted for years. As well, the theme of mindful eating is explored and the positive benefits it has on our digestive system and overall well-being. As always, thanks for listening to ‘4 X Mindfulness’ with Neila Steele and Andy Vasily. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Andy and Neila Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Explored: Mindful Eating, Creativity, Sting, Ryan Holiday, Plus/Minus/Equal Theory of Learning, Emotional Resilience, Reflection Books Mentioned: The Obstacle is the Way and The Ego is the Enemy (Ryan Holiday)

Gratitude, Reflection and Being Present Capturing more time in our lives to better develop our sense of well-being is no easy task. When trying to integrate more mindfulness practice into our lives, we must adapt and modify these strategies in a way that best suits who we are and our level of comfort with putting these approaches into action. There certainly is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to employing more mindfulness in our lives. Some things will resonate more greatly with us and other things not so much. What’s most important is having an open mind to the possibilities that exist then tinkering with these approaches in order to determine what works best for us. In today’s episode, Neila and I discuss our go to sources of inspiration and insight for this week in regards to our own mindfulness practice. Neila shares a great reflection that includes asking ourselves 3 essential questions at the end of each day. She delves into what each question means and how to apply it in our lives. As well, Neila gives an example of how pets can help us to be more mindful and present. Andy shares a new visualization and gratitude activity that he recently started putting into practice that is all about helping to sync up the energy of heart and mind. He also shares one of his favorite quotes and how this relates to better understanding and identifying the talents that we bring to the world. Thanks for listening to the 8th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Andy and Neila Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Gratitude, Visualization, Daily Reflection, Non-Judgement, Presence, Tony Robbins, Self-Awareness, Service to Others, Jim Carrey Commencement Speech

In the 6th installment of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Neila and Andy record this episode live at Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. Neila shares specific strategies related to mindful walking and hiking that are immediately applicable in your own environment wherever it is you may live. As well, she also shares an excellent breathing strategy (called the ‘stoplight breath’) that helps to reduce anxiety and stress that you may experience while driving. Andy shares a great quote from George Bernard Shaw that has to do with the illusion that communication has taken place when it really hasn’t. Embedded within this quote is a powerful message about how to be better communicators and listeners. Andy also shares a story about Neila that is funny, but also contains a valuable lesson about the possibility of impacting others, who we least expect, in very positive ways. We hope you enjoy our 6th episode of 4 x Mindfulness. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Andy and Neila Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed Mindful Walking, Stress Reduction, Breathing Techniques, Communication and Listening, Default Responses

The 5th installment of ‘4 X Mindfulness’ was recorded live at Manhattan Bar and Grill in Nanjing, China. This is the last podcast that Neila and Andy recorded while living in China, so this episode took on a special meaning as they are saying good bye to the life they’ve known for the past five years. Neila shared her two seeds of insight and inspiration for the past week with the first one being rooted in the idea of non-attachment and the nature of impermanence in our lives. She shares the work of Marie Kondo, a famous Japanese organizational consultant who focuses her work on decluttering the unnecessary in our lives. Neila also shared the inspirational story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, an author and past editor of the French fashion magazine ELLE. It is an extraordinary journey that led to the book The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. For Andy’s two seeds of mindfulness for the past week, he shares his thoughts on the impermanence of relationships in our lives and the importance of always remaining open to connecting with new people who cross our paths as it’s sometimes these new people who may very well have a very special, lasting impact on our lives. Andy also shares some inspiration he gained from the latest Tim Ferriss podcast featuring the work Ryan Halliday. Ryan discusses the ‘Blank Canvas’ strategy which is all about putting others first in our lives. Neila and Andy truly hope that you gain some takeaway value from this episode and would like to thank you all for taking the time to listen to their 4 X Mindfulness series. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and Andy Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Themes Discussed: Impermanence, Decluttering, Marie Kondo, Mike Kuczala, Jean-Dominique Bauby, The Blank Canvas Strategy, Embracing the Unknown, Gratitude, Perspective, Saying Good Bye

In the 4th installment of our 4 X Mindfulness series, Neila shares a specific strategy that helps to put stressful situations into better perspective in our lives through the 10-10-10 approach. This approach can easily be modified in multiple different ways, but what is most important to realize is that it is all about better coping with stress. Added to this Neila also shares another strategy that she playfully puts into pratice in her life which is called the 20-second hug. Evidence shows that holding on to hugs a bit longer actually works to release higher levels of oxytocin. Neila explains why this is so important to our well-being. Andy shares his go to sources of insight and inspiration for the past week as well. The first one is delving into the beautiful South African philosophical belief called ‘Ubuntu’ which is all about humanness and the importance of the human connection. As well, Andy shares a gratitude visualization that he has been practicing over the past week which is rooted in the idea of giving grratitude for family, friends, and other people in our lives. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and Andy Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Discussion Topics Stress Reduction, The Human Connection, Oxytocin, Gratitude and Visualization, Nelson Mandela, Ubuntu, The Importance of Connectedness

In this episode, Neila and Andy record live from downtown Shanghai, China. 4 x Mindfulness is all about sharing weekly go to sources of inspiration and insight in regards to mindfulness. Neila starts this episode by sharing how mindfulness can play a pivotal role in helping to set intentions with more focused attention. She also describes a very useful breathing technique that she puts into practice. This breathing technique called ‘54321 Breath’ works to calm stress levels and to become more aware of the thoughts, feelings, and body sensations that we experience in the moment. It’s very useful for both teachers and students. Andy shares a strategy that he uses to help focus on priorities and to take these important ‘need to do’ things in our lives one step at a time, rather than having that overwhelming sense that everything needs to be done at once. As well, he shares his thoughts about the importance that being present has on good listening and asking the right questions at the right time. Andy and Neila hope that any teachers listening to this have valuable takeaway that can be applied in their own life and work. Thanks for listening to the 3rd installment of 4 X Mindfulness. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and Andy Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Discussion Topics Dean Bokhari Meaningful Show, Breath Control, Stress Reduction, Setting Intentions, Being Present, Good Listening, Questioning for Deeper Purpose

In today’s episode, Neila and I share our go to sources of insight and inspiration for the week that are rooted in the seeds of mindfulness. Neila does a reading of her all-time favorite poem written by Max Ehrmann entitled ‘The Desiderata’ and explains why she is so deeply moved by this piece. She discuses specific connections made to mindfulness in this poem and challenges the listeners to reflect on the signifance that the poem may play in their lives. Neila also discusses a powerful mantra that she learned a few years ago that she shares with her yoga students at end of each class that she teaches. Andy shares a story that he first heard on the Ted Radio Hour that helps to emphasize the importance of keeping our internal flames of motivation lit. This story is a metaphor for the need to always strive to empower ourselves and those around us. As well, Andy also shares the importance that reflection plays in better appreciating the small wins in our lives. We hope you enjoy the second installment of 4 x Mindfulness. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and Andy Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Discussion Topics The Desiderata, Appreciation, Mindfulness, Empowerment, Ted Radio Hour, Gratitude, The Jar of Awesome

Neila Steele and I are rolling out an additional podcast each week that will still fall under the umbrella of my Run Your Life series. 4 x Mindfulness is about Neila and I sharing our go to sources of mindfluness inspiration each week. It is a way for us to document the big ideas or themes related to mindfulness that have really resonated with us for that particular week. If you are really into mindfulness or a complete beginner with this practice, we sincerely hope that you will gain some strong takeaway value from each weekly episode of 4 x Mindfulness. In today’s episode, Neila shares a great story that she first heard on the Tim Ferriss podcast that is very much rooted in the seeds of mindfulness and the importance of being present. She also discusses the amazing work of John Kabat Zinn who is considered be one of the most renown mindfulness gurus worldwide. As for me, I share the story of Verna Myers, a well known consultant, who has devoted herself to helping people and organizations uncover certain biases that they hold. Being mindful and present is a part of this process. The last thing I share in today’s 4 x Mindfulness episode are a couple of specific approaches that have worked well in helping me to find more quiet and calm during my meditation sessions. We hope you enjoy the first installment of 4 x Mindfulness. Bios Neila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and Andy Neila Twitter: @neilasteele Website: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Discussion Topics Tara Brach, Tim Ferriss, Verna Myer Ted Talk, Jon Kabat Zinn, Meditation, Mindfulness, Being Present, Connecting with the Breath, Specific Mindfulness and Meditation Techniques

Episode 3 of 8 in this the fourth series of my "Major Themes in Physical Education Research". It explores Daniel Memmert's book "Teaching Tactical Creativity in Sport: Research and Practice". This week I’m delighted to welcome back Andy Vasily (@andyvasily) as the practitioner responder and I thank him for his insights and for taking the time to respond.

As we move along in life we face decision points.  Often there is a level risk associated with the direction we take.  For Andy Vasily, a fear of risk did not stop him from moving forward to communicate his passions and beliefs about the role of physical education in the school life of students.Andy, along with co-founder Dean Dudley, started Nexus Education to promote their core beliefs on the role of physical education and as a vehicle to communicate important research in the field. For Andy, this meant leaving his current job as an elementary school PYP PE educator and moving into full time consulting. A decade or more of writing and reflecting as well as connecting with other educators made the risk worth the gamble.Andy is a featured presenter at the Asia Pacific Physical Education Conference in Hong KongBioAndy Vasily is an educational consultant, workshop leader, and speaker. He has taught internationally for the last 18 years in four different countries.Connect with Andy Email: andy@nexuseducation.org Twitter: @andyvasily Website: www.pyppewithandy.com Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/andy-vasily/47/a/221 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/andyvasily/

In this episode, listening to that 'call from within', and responding to 'turning points' in our lives - with Andy Vasily. What do you do when faced with potentially life changing moments? Do you continue with what's safe and familiar? Or do you dare to step off that conveyor belt? Plus, you've got ideas for change - your colleagues are all on board - until it comes time to speak up at a staff meeting. Then they're no-where to be found. So what do you do? And in the Lightning Round we're Pushing The Edge of boundaries, Mindset, and Making a Difference. SHOW-NOTES For complete Show-Links and Resources go to PUSHING THE EDGE - EPISODE 18. SUPPORT If you're living with anxiety or depression, you're not alone. Reach out and connect. Beyond Blue - Australia Mental Health Support - USA RELATED PUSHING THE EDGE PODCASTS & POSTS Click the links below to start listening or reading: Make a Difference By Not Playing It Safe with Greg Curran Break Through and Transform your Teaching Get Out of Your Own Way and Change You TELL US WHAT YOU THOUGHT I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode - or maybe you have a question or two. Write to me at: greg@pushingtheedge.org And please spread the word about Pushing The Edge. One way you can do that is by writing a short review. I would be very grateful. JOIN THE PUSHING THE EDGE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER For a monthly round-up of tips, insights and inspiration relating to Pushing The Edge of Change and Innovation in Education. Click here to Subscribe (it's free). SUBSCRIBE TO PUSHING THE EDGE PODCAST (IT'S FREE) Stay Up to Date & Get Episodes as soon as they're released. Hit that Subscribe Button on your Podcast Player or go to the following links to subscribe: ITUNES ANDROID and WINDOWS STITCHER RSS FEED COACHING AND TRAINING AVAILABLE If you're passionate about driving Change and Innovation in Schools, I'd love to work with you. I am available for Coaching and Training (small group and 1 to 1). FOLLOW ME - GREG CURRAN Twitter - @GregBCurran Facebook - Pushing The Edge Google+ - Pushing The Edge LinkedIn - Greg Curran 

Episode 1 of 11 that explores Tony Rossi and Colleagues book "Workplace learning in Physical Education: Emerging teachers’ stories from the staffroom and beyond". This week ’m delighted to welcome Andy Vasily as the first practitioner responder and I thank him for his considered words and for taking the time to respond. The words you hear in the response are his but the voice is mine. I just hope I do justice to his sentiment.