Breaking Free Podcast

“Love what feels good.” ~Kit Murray Maloney, CEO and Founder, O’Actually.com When I first heard about Kit’s business, I was a little worried about the interview. ‘Adult entertainment’ is not something I typically seek out nor promote. But then I checked Kit out along with her business idea and I am beyond intrigued. Kit is completely disrupting the old-school ‘adult entertainment’ with her innovative business model. And the journey of how she got here is really interesting. I love the work that she’s doing as well as her journey to continue to find what her unique impact and purpose on the world should be. And I think she’s found it. Today’s show definitely covers mature material, however there is nothing explicit in the content. I’d love to hear about what you’re doing or thinking about doing in the comments below, by leaving me a voicemail (see the right-hand side of this page) or emailing me at michelle@michellelevans.com! Becca will inspire you take small actions and test out what you hope are your true passions before jumping in full-force. In This Episode: Kit’s backstory – how her early years formed such a strong foundation with roots in feminist ideals What O’Actually is and why it came to be (it’s definitely not what you think!) How Kit got up the courage to talk with her parents and 90-year-old grandmother about this business (definitely worth a listen if you’ve ever been afraid to share your ideas with those close to you!) Why action is so important to clarifying your vision and business idea Resources and Links: O’Actually website: www.oactually.com (you can find her O’Actually trailer there as well) Artists may reach Kit directly with inquires at kit@oactually.com Press coverage on VentureFizz Coming soon! O'Actually Arts Festival Follow O’Actually on Google+ Find O’Actually on Twitter @oactually LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Please take a minute to provide an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community and I love hearing your feedback. I appreciate your support! Podcast download link:

“My journey has led to so many profound realizations about my own health and happiness, and of the world around me. Magic is all around us, every day” ~Becca Piastrelli, The Dabblist I’ve known Becca Piastrelli for about 9 months now. During that time, I’ve seen her journey from corporate employee with a side-hustle dream through to being full-time in her business today. And I’m so glad that she’s here today to share that journey with you because I think you will be inspired by what she’s learned along the way. If you’ve ever been a person who follows the old career success rules: Go to school, work hard to get into college Kick butt in undergrad, go to grad school Get a good job, make good money Work hard and wonder, ‘is this all there is?’ Then today’s show is for you! I’d love to hear about what you’re doing or thinking about doing in the comments below, by leaving me a voicemail (see the right-hand side of this page) or emailing me at michelle@michellelevans.com! Becca will inspire you take small actions and test out what you hope are your true passions before jumping in full-force. In This Episode: Becca’s backstory – how she got into her current business What the Dabblist is and why it came to be How Becca got the courage to leave her 6-figure job and jump into her business Why testing out your passions is critical to finding happiness Resources and Links: Becca’s website: www.TheDabblist.com Becca’s Alchemy & Wonder course (personally, I LOVE the content in this course – you’ll see my testimonial on the page!) Join Becca on Facebook Follow Becca’s beautiful Instagram feed Find Becca on Twitter @dabblist Becca and I met through Marie Forleo's B-School program, and we both purchased through Amy Porterfield's link to get her wonderful B-School extras (find out more here)! Find out more about the Live Free Retreat here www.MichelleLEvans.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Please take a minute to provide an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community and I love hearing your feedback. I appreciate your support! Podcast download link:

“Dance into your power. Manifest your dreams.” ~Elisha MacMillian Do you have a dream to do something crazy? Out of the ordinary? Wonder if you can actually make money from it? This interview with Elisha MacMillian from www.ManifestDance.com will inspire you to think bigger and more broadly about those dreams. Elisha will share her journey from a traditional background, going to school for equine veterinarian training, to becoming a sociologist to her journey into West African dance to her current coaching business today. This is a business journey that I think only Elisha could make based on her unique talents, gifts and abilities. My question for you – what is the journey that only you can make based on your talents, gifts and abilities? I’d love to hear about what you’re doing or thinking about doing in the comments below, by leaving me a voicemail (see the right-hand side of this page) or emailing me at michelle@michellelevans.com! I think Elisha will inspire you to listen a bit more to those soul desires and your true life purpose.  In This Episode: Elisha’s backstory – how she got into her current business How Manifest Dance works Why listening to your soul desire – your true life purpose is critical to finding happiness How believing in yourself and putting your desires out there can result in business opportunities   I believe that everyone has a life purpose and with enough dedication, focus and work anyone can get on the path to doing work they truly love and enjoy while having the impact, income and influence that they desire. Resources and Links: Elisha’s website: www.ManifestDance.com You can find the free dance video download there Contact Elisha for your free 30-minute body rhythm assessment at info@manifestdance.com Free Discover Your Values worksheet www.MichelleLEvans.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Please take a minute to provide an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community and I love hearing your feedback. I appreciate your support!

“Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.” ~ Albert Camus Today is Step 3 in the Opportunity Factor, find your freedom by building a body of work and professional reputation that helps you stand out from the crowd. If you missed Steps 1 and 2, use the links below to listen to those first: Step 1, Know Your Why Step 2, Know Your Superpowers The Opportunity Factor is my structure for helping each of us get clear and focused on the kinds of opportunities we want to attract into our lives.   I believe that finding my freedom is a chance to choose where I spend my time, what I study, and where I grow. It’s a chance to write my own story! It’s a chance to create the destiny I want to live and to prepare myself to actually live it. Have you ever heard this saying? ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity’. Well, it’s true. You see, if you’re not prepared you either 1) can’t take advantage of an opportunity or 2) don’t even recognize that it is an opportunity. Listen to today’s episode for the steps to prepare so you, too, can find your freedom when opportunity comes knocking at your door. In This Episode: Quotes from Albert Camus, Vernon Howard and Bob Marley The story of Jordi Muñoz 5 focus areas to find your freedom Your work focus area Your network Your experiences and work products Your reputation Your support team I believe that everyone has a life purpose and with enough dedication, focus and work anyone can get on the path to doing work they truly love and enjoy while having the impact, income and influence that they desire. Resources and Links: Jordi Munoz on YouTube Feb 2013 TedX talk (he tells some of his story – it’s worth the 8 minute watch!) Jordi’s YouTube channel Free email template below Free Discover Your Values worksheet www.MichelleLEvans.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Email Template (discussed in the show) Hi {insert name} – I’m updating my career (or work) plan, and I would really value your input on this question: What would you say are my top 1 – 3 strengths and why do you see them as my top strengths? Thanks for taking the time to provide your perspective and feedback. All the best, {your name} Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Please take a minute to provide an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community and I love hearing your feedback. I appreciate your support! Thanks again!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be?” ~ Marianne Williamson Today is Step 2 in the Opportunity Factor (click here for Step 1, Know your Why) The Opportunity Factor is my structure for helping each of us get clear and focused on the kinds of opportunities we want to attract into our lives. What are your superpowers? If you cringe a little when you read that, you’re not alone!   Many times clients, friends and even myself early on would cringe when I’d ask ‘what are your superpowers?’. But you know what? We all have them. Today we’ll talk about some simple steps you can take to get clear on your superpowers and start bringing them more into your work and life. In This Episode: Quote from Seth Godin’s book Linchpin (which I highly recommend) 3-steps that you can take immediately to uncover your best self and your superpowers The work of Sally Hogshead at HowToFascinate.com StrengthsFinder 2.0 and the work of Tom Rath   Once you know your why, add to your foundation by clarifying your superpowers. This will help you understand the kind of work and impact you are designed for as you create the life that you truly want. ‘You cannot be anything you want to be – but you can be a lot more of who you already are.’   (click to tweet!) Resources and Links: StrengthsFinder 2.0 www.HowToFascinate.com Interview with Sally Hogshead on MarieTV Linchpin – amazon.com Free Discover Your Values worksheet www.MichelleLEvans.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher If you have a chance, I’d love an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community. I appreciate your support! Thanks again!

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.”  ~ Mahatma Gandhi   Look around you – that means 8 out of every 10 people are unhappy with some aspect of the work they do. That’s a lot of unhappy people cruising around. Let me ask you this: In 5 years, do you want to be doing the same work you’re doing now? If you answered NO, what are you doing to change that? That’s what the Opportunity Factor is designed to do – to help you get clear on the changes you want that’ll get you to the destiny you desire. In This Episode: I’ll begin discussing the Opportunity Factor formula and spend the majority of the time on Step 1: Step 1 (this podcast) – Know your Why Step 2 (podcast #5) – Discover your Superpowers Step 3 (podcast #6) – Find your Freedom   Begin by connecting with your why. This is absolutely foundational for creating the life that you truly want. When you understand your Why, you move from simply working for a paycheck to working for a reason.  (click to tweet!) Resources and Links: Morally Tainted Money Seen As Devalued (article and research study) Simon Sinek – Start with Why TED Talk Simon Sinek – Start with Why book Simon Sinek’s website – About Simon Free Discover Your Values worksheet www.MichelleLEvans.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher If you have a chance, I’d love an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community. I appreciate your support! Thanks again!

“Don’t buy society’s definition of success because it’s not working for anyone.” ~Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post Burnout is killing us. Literally. On today’s podcast episode, I discuss some long-term studies done by researchers at Tel Aviv University and another study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg. Both studies followed large groups of people for extended periods of time. And both studies concluded that work burnout can literally kill you, so it’s worth paying attention to the signs and discovering what would be more fulfilling instead. In this episode, we’ll talk about the signs and 3 steps to get off the burnout track. Also, coming up in the next 3 episodes, I’ll be talking about the Opportunity Factor and how you can create the work you love to get off that burnout track for good. In This Episode: Studies showing the long-term detrimental health effects of work burnout Signs of burnout 3 steps to prevent burnout Inspiration from Arianna Huffington and Steve Jobs Work Burnout Seen as Risk Factor for Coronary Heart Disease, Tel Aviv University Permanent Stress Linked to Type 2 Diabetes in Men, University of Gothenburg Stress and Burnout, University of Melbourne Counseling Services Preventing Burnout, Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Coping Strategies, HelpGuide.org collaboration with Harvard Health Publications Full speech transcript: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/19/arianna-huffington-smith-college-commencement-speech_n_3299888.html Arianna Huffington YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UJ25qEHgcM4 Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech 2005 Free Discover Your Values worksheet www.MichelleLEvans.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Resources and Links: Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Click Here To Subscribe on iTunes Click Here To Subscribe on Stitcher I’d love an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community. I appreciate your support! Thanks again!

"Tension is who you think you should be.  Relaxation is who you are.  ~ Chinese Proverb Finding time to ‘just be’ is not one of my strong suits. I remember when I first started working with a coach many years ago and I was frazzled and trying to do way too much living up to what I thought everyone else expected of me. I wasn’t sleeping well and I didn’t feel like I was doing really valuable work. Instead, I felt like I was juggling flaming chainsaws and other people kept adding more and more to my routine. I knew it had to stop, but in the midst of all that juggling I just couldn’t see how. My coach gave me a very simple assignment – keep track of how I spent my week. Well, I did that and had a major a-ha moment. I had completely handed over my time, my priorities and my stress level to others. I literally was jumping on every fire drill and last-minute request. I was spending my entire day being controlled by meeting requests and an ever-full email inbox. I didn’t have any time to just be (can you relate?). My coach then gave me a challenge that for the next week I simply try to find a few minutes here or there to step back and reflect. Over time, I morphed that into a 20 – 30 minute block of time. And it was miraculous. The change in my attitude, my focus, my engagement and my value. But most of all, I wasn’t stressed and feeling frazzled. I was still juggling a lot, but I felt much more in control. I share this with you today on this episode of Breaking Free. Try it out for yourself and see what a difference just a few unplugged minutes can do for you. In This Episode: Grounding quote from Bertrand Russell: One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important. I share a client story Discuss: Article – ‘Top 5 regrets of the dying’ and what you can do to avoid all of them What I learned from my forced stillness after my car accident Kathleen Taylor Tedx Talk Article: Top 5 regrets of the dying Meditation resources on YouTube Free Discover Your Values worksheet www.MichelleLEvans.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Resources and Links: Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Click Here To Subscribe on iTunes Click Here To Subscribe on Stitcher I’d love an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community. I appreciate your support! Thanks again!

"The breakthrough is that moment in time where everything that seemed impossible not only becomes possible, but you do it." ~ Tony Robbins In November 2013, I went to Michael Hyatt’s ‘Platform’ conference. During that conference one of the speakers, Cliff Ravenscraft of Podcast Answer Man gave a really compelling talk on WHY we should all start a podcast. Then {gulp} he asked for anyone in the audience who didn’t already have a podcast to commit that within the next 90 days we’d start one. Well, I stood up. And here we are 77 days later and I’m launching. I believed that it was the right thing to do, but anytime I step out and try something new it’s always a bit scary. So here you go! I’m sharing my inaugural podcast with you – and I give some background into my vision for this podcast as well as some of my backstory. What big, bold step can you take in the next 90 days? It’s amazing what getting clear on a specific big, bold action item can mean in terms of forward movement. In This Episode: Welcome! Podcast topics: What freedom means to me and why it’s important How I think about entrepreneurship and why it’s important even if you are an employee Why lifestyle is about so much more than money Inspiration and how I’ll weave it into my podcast Show format My story, and why ‘Breaking Free’ is such an important concept in my professional life   Resources and Links: Free Discover Your Values worksheet www.MichelleLEvans.com Seth Godin's book Linchpin LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/michellelevans425 Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellelevansofficial Have A Question? If you have a question that you’d like me to talk about on an upcoming episode of Breaking Free click the Send Voicemail button on the right-hand side of your screen and ask it right from your computer or email me at michelle@michellelevans.com. Officially Subscribe To The Breaking Free Show Click Here To Subscribe on iTunes  Click Here To Subscribe on Stitcher   I’d love an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your engagement will help the show and rankings on iTunes so other people may join in our growing community. I appreciate your support! Thanks again!