Grow My GRIT

Grow My GRIT podcast is on hold for the summer. You can find haze @growmygrit and https://www.growmygrit.com/events/

Candice Lee MacAulay is a Creativity Facilitator whose life and work are guided by four pillars: get it done, resolve to complete whatever you've started, bring high intensity to everything you do and don't be afraid to try then try then try again. Does her motto sound exhausting? Can you guess her four GRIT words? Candice slowed down long enough to share some insights and practical strategies that have helped her to stay motivated and accomplish her goals whether the focus is on writing, producing music, shifting mindsets, choosing wellness or inspiring other Creatives personally and professionally. Mentioned in this episode ~ https://candicelee.ca | @candice.lee.creativity

Masterpiece Mario is a self-professed people pleaser, a proud information hoarder and a gifted Yoga Teacher even though he swore he’d never become a Yoga Teacher! In a record-setting 15 minutes, Mario opens up about his ongoing struggles with anxious thoughts and how his GRIT helps him tune them out. Being a “Yes” for himself has always been a challenge while being a “Yes” for others is a deeply-rooted calling in spite of the costs. In this incredibly introspective conversation, Mario shares his mindset and his messages to himself. It will be over before you know it! Mentioned in this episode: Teacher Training with Power Yoga Canada ~ https://poweryogacanada.com/yoga-teacher-training/ ~ Power Yoga Canada Mississauga ~ https://poweryogacanada.com/mississauga/

In this extraordinary episode, Lena L takes us on a deep dive into the world of mental preparation that allows her to show up and stand tall in the face of challenges. For Lena, literally standing on a bed of nails is the most effective way to remind herself that her GRIT is all she needs when it’s time to navigate obstacles beyond the Sadhu board. Once the shock wears off, listeners will appreciate Lena’s ability to draw parallels between her experiences on the nail board and her experiences with some of the challenging situations that life has presented to her. Lena’s inspiring journey from novice to Sadhu Master reveals the incredible connection between our mental and physical states when we do hard things! Mentioned in this episode: ( https://goji.yoga ) ( @gojiyogastudio )

What stops YOU from stepping into possibility? What’s your biggest fear about being seen? Since 2019, Danielle Joworski has been a disruptor who is dedicated to sharing #visibilitytruths and normalizing the journey from hiding and playing small to accelerating growth and impact. When Danielle finally put trust in herself, she shifted from a career that was the right fit because it was the logical choice to a career that is the right fit because it’s the intuitive and authentic choice (i.e., she gets to show up as her whole self every day). Danielle’s entrepreneurial journey has taken her from “I don’t know who I am” to “I have to trust that I can do this thing even though I’ve never done it before”. Her focus is on female entrepreneurs but her insights apply to anyone in the messy middle of showing up and being seen. Mentioned in this episode: First episode of the C-Suite on Rogers TV https://www.rogerstv.com/show?lid=12&rid=8&sid=8100&gid=317398 ; Sunday Studio in downtown Kitchener https://thesundaysocial.co ; https://daniellejoworski.com ; @danielleajoworski ; https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellejoworski/ ; Rogers TV in Waterloo region https://www.rogerstv.com/home?lid=14&rid=54

Grow My GRIT podcast will be on hold until late-January while I continue to channel my GRIT into my new YouTube channel. Tune in today! https://www.youtube.com/@growmyGRIT

With her eyes set on individual transformation as the destination, Monica D reliably finds her feet and takes a stand each time she’s thrown into the proverbial fire. In this highly visual episode, she makes it clear that being shaped by fire instead of consumed by fire is all about the perspective you choose to take when you’re in the heat of challenging situations and relationships. Mentioned in this episode: The Refiner’s Fire.

How do you describe your relationship with time? Do you always lose track of it? Is there ever enough of it? Are you a hostage to it? For Deb Taylor, founder of MYndful Movement Programs, time management used to be one of her biggest obstacles. In the last few years, she’s made the incredible shift from wrestling with time to doing a Tango with time and she opens up about her intentional, ongoing journey. As a Wellness Specialist and Mindfulness Facilitator who shares best practices for more energized living, Deb’s lived experiences will inspire you to embrace both time management and change! Mentioned in this episode ( https://myndfulmovement.com ) ( https://www.youtube.com/@myndfulmovementprogram768/ ) ( @myndfulmovement ) ( @debtaylorlife )

Piers Marsden is a self-proclaimed petrol head, universal sports fan and human ice breaker whose GRIT is the driving force behind his personal and professional success. By day, he is a Management Consultant who specializes in the somber work of helping companies that are going through significant crisis. Mostly financial distress, but also reputational or some other existential issue. This line of work means Piers has to spend a substantial amount of time travelling from Canada to South Africa, far away from his wife and three children. In a powerful revelation, Piers shares that leaving is hard but coming home and reintegrating can be the biggest challenge of all. Tune in to hear how his GRIT steers him toward the proverbial checkered flag and always gets him across the finish line at home, at work or at play!

GRIT! Camera! Action! Art Commisso readily admits that he spends a lot of time in his head and each one of his GRIT words (Gamble-Resourcefulness-Introspection-Test) offers us a chance to look through the lens he chooses when it’s time to navigate challenging situations and relationships. Two months ago, Art decided to take the biggest risk of his life and gamble on himself. He knew in his head and in his heart that the full-time job he had at the time was impeding his ability to take what he wanted to do to the next level. In this episode, Art comes out from behind the camera to share what he’s learned while pursuing his dreams and building Brand Savage. Mentioned in this episode: https://www.brandsavagephotography.com/ @artcommisso

Time is one of the most important currencies for Ben Grieve, Project Consultant at WOW 1 Day Painting’s Mississauga/Oakville location. Time is such a priority that it’s the sole focus of all his GRIT words! He used to put big problems off until they were bearing down on him but, after a few years of that strategy not working, he decided it’s just better to start facing things and get them done. With his trademark wit and wisdom, Ben walks us through the ways that his GRIT words give him everything he needs to manage his thoughts then act from a place of saving time and making time for what really matters. Mentioned in the episode - https://www.wow1day.com @wow1daypaintingtoronto

After a decade in the real estate business, Dani Marino launched Dani Homes Realty in 2021 which currently ranks in the Top 10 Small Teams Residential (Canada) and Top 25 Small Teams Residential world-wide for RE/MAX! While she grows her brand, her business and her two young girls, Dani relies on her GRIT to serve her clients, her colleagues and her community with exceptional clarity. Instead of doing what’s been done before, Dani has pioneered a path through hard work, determination and always doing right by her clients to become a successful Entrepreneur and CEO. Listen in as Dani describes how her GRIT and her values have laid the foundation for her incredible ability to empower others whether she’s, navigating her clients through a home sale, demystifying the process of buying a home, or mentoring other agents on her growing team. You’ll be encouraged by Dani’s insights into how she made it this far in just two years and you’ll be inspired by her enthusiasm for what’s next! Mentioned in this episode: https://www.danihomes.ca @danihomes.realty https://www.facebook.com/DaniHomesRealty/

How often do you lose sight of your strengths and talk yourself out of accepting a challenge? How often do you minimize what’s possible once you rise above the challenge because you’re not quite sure if you’ve got what it takes to get there? Hina Sajid, a Product Marketer, Strategic Problem Solver and Mother, has made it to the other side of an obstacle more times than she can count because she gathers her GRIT then chooses to commit to a course of action. Her story, which spans a few decades and continents, is a fast-moving example of how knowing your GRIT connects you to your innate strengths and always offers next steps on the journey through challenging situations and relationships. Mentioned in this episode https://ca.linkedin.com/in/hinasajid

Neil Burness is a lot of things to a lot of people! As Chief Marketing Officer at the DNA Company, he creates road maps for sharing crucial insights that will affect our health, our wellness and our evolution. As someone who grew up with severe asthma then went on to become a 13-time Iron Man, he’s a beacon of hope. As a perpetual student of life who works closely with mentors such as Tony Robbins and Tai Lopez, Neil strives to be somebody who can shift perspectives for people so they can have better lives. Tune in and learn more than you can imagine from Neil’s lifetime of experience putting one foot in front of the other! This episode of Grow My GRIT was recorded and mixed at musicboxx by Jim Spirou. Mentioned in this episode: The DNA Company; Tony Robbins; Tai Lopez, The Thread (poem) https://www.thednacompany.com/ https://www.tonyrobbins.com/ https://www.tailopez.com/ https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-thread/

Meet Jasmine Virginia, a.k.a. Jumpin’ Jasmine, an incredibly talented visual artist who followed the promptings of a lucid dream that was clear in its message to start creating light-filled art. When she’s not creating transformative pieces, she’s writing music and rocking stages across Canada as the front woman of well-known Alternative Rock band POLARITY. A couple of GRITizens have had a GRIT compass with more than one word per letter but Jasmine is the first to describe her GRIT as three concentric circles. GRIT 1: Grace + Respect + Integrity + Tenacity. GRIT 2: Grounding + Result + Impact + Teach. GRIT 3: God’s Will + Remove + Intuition + Truthfulness. The circle is one of the strongest shapes because stress is distributed equally instead of concentrating at any one point and Jasmine is standing strong in her circles of GRIT. Listen in as we explore themes of suffering, self-sabotage, surrender, staying the course, self-care and success as a full-time Creative. Mentioned in the episode - @polaritymusic; YouTube – Polarity Official; polaritymusic.ca; jasminevirginia.ca; Spotify – Polarity Music.

With his signature mix of enthusiasm, encouragement and enlightenment, Joseph Iannicelli draws on decades of personal and professional experiences to teach us how to access all of the abundance that the world offers and each of us deserve. Listen in as Joseph, a former CEO who now serves on boards, is an actor and movie producer, yoga instructor, executive and life coach and finally, a published author, shares the origin story of his new book, “Unleash Your Best Self: Discover the Multiplier Effects to Your Success.” His book will guide you through the process of analyzing your life and awaken you so that you can clearly see the opportunities that will enhance each and every moment of your life, hence paving the path to being your best self, always. Being your best self requires you to find the place where material success and spiritual awakening overlap. Everything you need is inside you and within reach. He offers instructions and insights so each one of us can discover then unleash our maximum potential as a human being. Anyone who knows Joseph will not be surprised to hear that his GRIT compass has 24 points (G words = 3; R words = 7; I words = 7; T words = 8)! Yes, that’s a new GRITizen record and you don’t want to miss a moment of this mayhem! Facebook - Body By Yoga, Unleash Your Best Self - The Book LinkedIn - Joseph Iannicelli Instagram - jiannicelli06, body_by_yoga, Unleashyourbestself_thebook amazon.ca/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B0BYL3LWSY

What’s The Best Way Forward for Me? Composer, Cartographer and Thought Adventurer, 44, Found in the Mountains. Friendly when approached. Likely to deliver hugs. Lucky Dad. Lucky Husband. GRIT: Goofy, Resilient, Intimate and Tempted

Who loves a challenge? I do! Works hard to give her dog a great life, 44 years old. Loves to find the perfect GIF. GRIT = Genuine, Resonate, Ignite, Truth.

Who am I to say I’ve ever known or grown my GRIT? I am creative and love making things! 40 years old. I was quite young when I first needed to call upon my GRIT (even though that’s not what I called it then)! I enjoy being outside with nature, and sitting on a huge rock near any form of water is my most happy place!! GRIT - If I’m Grounded in the moment, Resist the urge to constantly second-guess myself, remind myself to Inhale and breathe rather than holding my breath waiting for it all to end and ultimately Trust that I’ve got this, then this sounds like my GRIT and I guess I have been growing it all along!

What's missing? Broken-hearted; frozen at 36, chronological age is 41. Nanny to 3 angels. Loves books, archery and music. I define my internal GRIT by Guts, Reverence, Reinforcers, Integrity and Tapestry. The external GRIT I need and value in others is Generosity, Reinforcers, Integrity and Tapestry.

How has my love of football helped personify my GRIT? Professor and Institute Director, 48, Mom to Draven. My very own sweet sixteen kidlet. Loves football, gardening, and collaborating with Haze! www.thewrightecotheologian.com GRIT = Gregariousness, Rules-orientation, Intensity in Interconnectedness and Tenacity.

Intimacy Is Real Truth and Discovery in All My Relationships Composer, Cartographer and Thought Adventurer; Lucky Dad and Lucky Husband. GRIT = Goofy + Resilient + Intimate + Tempted

How Does My GRIT Help Comfort Me Outside of My Comfort Zone? An effervescent, happy-go-lucky foodie behaviourist grateful for all the blessings life brings. GRIT = Go + Resourceful + Integrity + Trust

How Did I Make It from That Life to Here? Creative soul whose most happy place is sitting on a huge rock near any form of water! GRIT = Grounding + Resist + Inhale + Trust

Whose Responsibility Is It? Busy Mom of two active boys who loves Coffee dates, Zumba and hot summer days in the park. GRIT = Gratitude + Responsibility + Insight + Thoughts

How Does GRIT Help Me Walk that Fine Line Between Confidence and Stubbornness? Scottish Viking, Dad to the amazing Kraken, and husband to Dr. Viking who loves travel and food. GRIT = Go-To + Reassess + Instinct + Tenacity

Is There a Method to the Way I Approach Obstacles? A fifty-something young Christian woman who is guided by faith and family. GRIT = Gather (information) + Respond + Intention + Trust

Sometimes the Human Soul Can Only Take So Much Wife, daughter, sister, friend; Virginia girl who moved to Canada for love, with GRIT. GRIT = Grace + Resilience + Influence + Thought

What Came to Light as I Chose My GRIT Words? Mother, sister, daughter, partner, teacher, friend who loves Drake and old school Hip Hop. GRIT = Giving + Respect + Integrity + Tenacity

In this episode, we caught up with 18-year-old Leila Rehan one week before she packed up her GRIT and moved from Canada to Australia for six years of medical school! Leadership is Leila’s top value but public speaking was her worst nightmare until she took an online course through Harvard. By the end of this life-changing course, Leila realized she actually loved the thing she feared! Sound familiar? With this insight and her GRIT, she navigated countless obstacles to create a public speaking club at her high school and be of service to her peers. Throughout our chat, you’ll hear many examples of how Leila’s passion for leadership is rooted in her desire to inspire other young women to be seen and heard. Leila’s well-established leadership style is to start from Trust, choose the path filled with challenges and then share what she’s learned along the way. Prepared to be inspired as you hear where she’s been and where she’s going! Thanks to Chef Gillian Towell for crafting the introduction! This episode was recorded at musicboxx by Jim Spirou. Mentioned in this episode: Public Speaking courses at Harvard ( https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/public-speaking ); Model United Nations ( https://www.un.org/en/mun/model-un-guide ); Ontario University’s Application Centre - OUAC ( https://www.ouac.on.ca/ ); Enough as She Is by Rachel Simmons ( https://www.rachelsimmons.com/books/enough-as-she-is/ ); Power Yoga Canada’s Teacher Training ( https://poweryogacanada.com/ ); Neuroscience courses at Harvard ( https://pll.harvard.edu/course/fundamentals-neuroscience-part-1-electrical-properties-neuron?delta=2 )

Dr. Patricia Mills is a Medical Doctor with a different spin on women's health! She works with individuals who want root-cause solutions for their health concerns so they can look, feel and BE their best every day. Dr. Patricia’s GRIT words are Growth–Resolve–Intention–Tenacity and it’s fascinating to hear how her desire to grow through a challenge instead of go through a challenge inevitably leads her down a path strewn with even more obstacles! Prepare yourself for some unconventional yet timeless wisdom from this internationally recognized researcher, specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Functional Medicine practitioner and host of Wild Wisdom podcast. Free ebook https://discover.drpatriciamills.com/rebalancing-your-hormones-naturally-1 Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/dr.patriciamills/ Wild Wisdom with Dr. Patricia Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wild-wisdom-with-dr-patricia-mills-md/id1609873742 YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq7PQBdX-jRW0NSY1Bh_Q_w Instagram @dr.patriciamills https://www.instagram.com/dr.patriciamills/?hl=en

Listen in as we catch up with Kim Alexander, extraordinary educator, whose latest adventure with GRIT was launching the inaugural Black Voices in Literature course at her high school. Driven by the same focus on mental health that we heard about in episodes 6 and 19, Kim’s latest endeavour was her effort to ensure Black students see themselves and hear their stories in English literature, many for the first time. Throughout our spirited conversation, Kim shares how being vulnerable and open to candid feedback from her students allowed her to learn as much from them as they learned from her! Mentioned in the episode: The Importance of Windows and Mirrors in Stories https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/the-importance-of-windows-and-mirrors-in-stories The Icarus Girl https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/391205/icarus-girl-by-helen-oyeyemi/9780143017769

Have you ever heard of a Lawyer who uses word games to simplify things and get to the truth instead of choosing language that complicates things? Meet Vahn D’Amelio, LL.B. Lawyer and Notary, whose R in GRIT is for Re-Silence, a play on resilience. It’s his word for the continuous effort to hear his own thoughts and listen to his body when things get tough. Whether the noise is coming from the outside or within, the ability to re-silence is something that each one of us can learn to do as a way to find clarity in the face of obstacles. This skill separates Vahn from many Lawyers and so does the fact that he made the improbable shift from Chef to Lawyer over a decade ago. Vahn explains that, literally and figuratively, making things digestible for people is the thread connecting both career paths. You have to hear his story to believe it! Mentioned in the episode… https://ggslaw.ca/

“As death was happening around me, I could feel life happening around me. My senses were really, really heightened.” In this courageous conversation, Katty Douraghy shares her experiences as an adult orphan and she offers some of the insights captured in her moving memoir, The Butterfly Years: A Journey Through Grief Toward Hope. Katty’s mission is to demystify grief and create spaces where people can talk about it, as well as loss and death, without feeling rushed or judged. While exploring themes of meditation and post-traumatic growth, she believes our greatest journey is through self-reflection, self-discovery and the process of TransforMEtion (her T word in GRIT). Mentioned in the episode: Katty’s Company https://www.artisancreative.com Katty’s Book https://www.butterflyyears.com Katty’s Facilitation https://kattydouraghy.com

Have you ever noticed that you can’t spell hooray without HR? Most people don’t pair HR with excitement but Carm Aita’s story will change your mind. In the span of just 2.5 months, Carm went from imagining her pipe dream to living it full-time as the Principal at HR4You.ca! Along the way, she showed her inner critic and her outer critics what’s possible when she moves from her GRIT consistently and quickly enough to avoid second-guessing herself at every turn. Let it be known that, when obstacles appear or things don’t go as planned, Carm always brings her GR (pronounced grrrrrrrrrr) and then she brings IT! Carm’s Company https://hr4you.ca/ BNI Business Accelerators https://bnigh.com/ont--halton-hamilton-bni-business-accelerators/en-CA/index

Jim Spirou! That’s who! Try to keep up as Jim explains how his GRIT laid the foundation for his extraordinary journey from Actuary to Music Store Franchisee to Night Club Owner to Music Maker and Educator. Along the way, he went from dropping ‘shoulds’ and ‘should haves’ to dropping beats with a focus on electronic music (House, Dance, Hip Hop, Drum and Bass, Pop). Jim’s adventures make it crystal clear that when it comes to choosing a career, sometimes the most important rhythm to settle into is the beat of your own heart. Mentioned in the episode: https://musicboxx.ca https://musicboxx.ca/education.html https://www.whydeainc.com https://musicboxx.ca/video

Over the last 30 years, Erica Hollingdrake-Weir has called on the same GRIT which carried her from a 5’ 4” guard on the basketball court to a community leader with an unwavering heart for activating the potential in others. In this inspiring GRIT chat, she offers solid advice and encouragement for anyone who has dreamed of empowering women in their community. Through the Mentoring Moms program she co-founded in 2017, Erica spearheaded an initiative that turned mountains of uncertainty and doubt into mountains of possibility. For the women who served as mentors, the program alleviated the mountain of uncertainty about their ability to contribute to another woman’s personal and professional development. For the women being mentored, the program shifted the mountain of self-doubt that complete strangers would invest time and energy to support their growth. In addition to the wisdom Erica has gained from her own experience, she references the wisdom of Jay Shetty and Gretchen Rubin. Mentioned in the episode: Live Like a Monk. Jay Shetty thinklikeamonkbook.com The Four Tendencies. Gretchen Rubin. gretchenrubin.com/books/the-four-tendencies/

In this eye-opening and heart-opening conversation, Johnny Sirpilla gives us insights into the invisible full-time job he holds. His ongoing challenge is managing his thoughts so he can stay out of his own way every single day. Throughout this episode, he offers practical strategies that other Active Thinkers can apply right away! Johnny also shares how his GRIT is revealed in his book "Life is Hard but I’ll Be Okay… The Power of Hope, Emerging through Pain and Learning to Live with Gratitude". His powerful story is one of repeatedly finding resilience when tragedy or hard times hit. Website: www.encourage33.com Instagram: @johnnysirpilla LinkedIn: Johnny Sirpilla Facebook: John Sirpilla

As Peter sets his sights on a new journey, GRIT and deep gratitude shine through in this collection of his thoughts and his thanks. For the first time in his life, he’s learned how to slow down, get steady and be ready when navigating obstacles along his path!

Join Haze online for up to 4 weeks of powerful, unconventional conversations about navigating life's obstacles with GRIT! This new podcast club offers a unique opportunity for listeners to connect with each other as we know, grow and show our GRIT. During our times together, we'll focus on episodes 1, 3, 7, 11 and 14. Learn more and sign-up here https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada--ontario/grow-my-grit-podcast/

Hi everyone! The Grow My GRIT podcast is on hold for July and August. We'll be back in September with some really exciting conversations about some interesting people who are knowing, growing and showing their GRIT. See you soon!

As an extension of our chat in episode 22, Haze invited both Peter and Renata to identify the ways in which their go-to books with advice to artists reflect some of the themes captured in their individual GRIT. In other words, how are the authors we admire telling us to do more of what we’re already doing when things get tough? Listen as Renata and Peter discover that two of their favourite authors are reinforcing their own ability to move from their GRIT in the face of challenging situations. Here are their top picks for advice to artists! The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity (Julia Cameron) https://juliacameronlive.com/books-by-julia/the-artists-way-a-spiritual-path-to-higher-creativity-audiobook/ The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles (Stephen Pressfield) https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-war-of-art/

Artist Renata Chubb shares how her first-hand experience with the Flow Your GRIT program was an integral first step for her long-awaited return to herself. The challenges associated with trusting her body then listening to it with GRIT led to confidence that spilled over into her newest entrepreneurial endeavours! In this episode, you’ll hear the very relatable insights she’s gained about: · impatiently cultivating patience · showing up in all her imperfections · teaching the work that she needs to be doing herself · staying true to her own capabilities despite other people’s narratives What are Renata’s GRIT words? Growth Resilience Integrity If - Then Truth GRIT helped Renata expose some of the lies she’s been carrying around for decades. She’s chosen to drop them so she can be lighter for the next steps on her journey home to herself!

Meet Hunter George! Hunter is a professional Paddling Coach who fell in love with Sprint/Flatwater canoe kayaking and the paddling community at 10 years old. He began coaching in the Summer Youth Programs as soon as he was old enough! Hunter has been a full-time Coach for over a decade and his coaching journey has brought him to provincial, national and international competitions alongside incredible athletes. He’s been in the record books and on top of podiums but what he cherishes most about his work is the relationships he’s cultivated along the way. You may be as surprised as Peter to hear what Hunter does when he’s not encouraging his high-performing athletes to push each other by pushing themselves! This world-class Coach defines his GRIT as: Gainz (not gains) Resilience If not, when? If not you, who? Truth. Hunter offers practical guidance and several growth opportunities for those of us navigating everyday obstacles. His influence is immediate and inspiring! Mentioned in the episode: The 4 Cs: Character - Capability - Capacity - Commitment allistairmccaw.com Greg Everett “Tough: Building True Mental, Physical and Emotional Toughness for Success and Fulfillment”

During our chat with Dana Downey, Mother of 3 children and Calgary School Board Trustee, we explored the powerful link between GRIT and personality type. Dana is a self-proclaimed introvert and our conversation highlighted the ways in which her approach to navigating obstacles (i.e., GRIT) is strengthened by going inward as well as forward so that her future-self can guide her current-self. Carl Jung first described personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world. Introvert is often used to mean "a quiet, shy or reserved person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone…" Introverts gain energy through solitude and quiet. Does this sound like you? Do you feel as though you've got GRIT? Listen and learn as Dana makes it clear that GRIT is not just for the extroverted! She defines her GRIT as follows: Goals (realistic) Remember (to connect) Imagine (success) Take Time (for self-care) Mentioned in the episode: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral William Prince borrows from his future happiness to write his new album. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/william-prince-on-borrowing-from-future-happiness-to-write-new-album-reliever-1.5477053

Kim Alexander, our resident expert on students’ mental health, stopped by to share some of the insights and opportunities available in her new book Creating a Safe Space in the Classroom: A Guide for Educators. While Kim’s focus is primarily on the classroom, the wisdom she shares applies to educators in many learning environments (e.g., parents, teachers, guardians, coaches, managers, mentors, counsellors, grandparents, peers). How many of these hats do you wear in a week? How else can you support the learners in your life? You’ll be moved and inspired by Kim’s practical, personal strategies. https://www.amazon.ca/Creating-Safe-Space-Classroom-Educators/dp/1777925401

What do you get when someone whose work explores the evolution of humanity accepts an invitation to explore the evolution of his individual GRIT??? In our chat with Anthony (Tony) Wall Jr., Founder and President of the Noēsis Project, we get a rare opportunity to hear someone grasp the power and depth of his GRIT in real-time. Even though Tony selected his GRIT words in advance of our chat, he went from a sense of “flying blind” to a sense of “flying high” when he saw how they have consistently defined his approach to navigating obstacles for decades. Less than 20 minutes into the conversation, Tony had internalized his unique GRIT once Haze reflected his words right back to him in the context of the Noēsis Project’s origin story. How does Tony define his GRIT? Ground Zero Resonance Introspection and Influence Tipping Point Tony and his team are committed to identifying the obstacles that humanity has faced over millennia and what we can learn to implement going forward. Visit https://noesisproject.com/ to learn more.

Literally and figuratively, this is one of the most enlightening episodes so far! Our discussion is firmly rooted in physics, photosynthesis and philosophy. Guest Udo Erasmus reminds us that our GRIT, our power and our peace all stem from the indestructible light energy of nature (a.k.a. the Source). He also directs our attention to many exciting possibilities that are available when we acknowledge our deep connections to nature and each other! After reflecting on a range of experiences from being a Child of War to questioning a career in traditional Western medicine, Udo defines his GRIT as: Grounding, Responsibility, Insight and Truth. Then, based on the experience of maintaining his own mental health in modern times, Udo shares some activities that can help people find their GRIT and their light. Udo’s concluding and compelling message is that all living people are blessed with endless opportunities to arrive at the mental state in which we are so rooted in our GRIT and our source that we no longer perceive obstacles as such. Challenges cease to exist because every situation is a chance to share our light through our unique strengths. Whether we’re talking about our GRIT, our power or our peace, all that we need is already inside of us! udoerasmus.com facebook.com/theudoerasmus instagram.com/udoerasmus

Meet Lyndsay, one of the GRITizens featured in Haze’s book, who has inspired as well as intrigued many parents with her quote: “I want to know and grow my GRIT so I can show it to my children and be an example of someone who co-creates his or her destiny.” Lyndsay believes that the most valuable curriculum for her boys would be mind-management and that starts with knowing your GRIT (i.e., your default setting in the face of obstacles). Since this isn’t happening consistently in elementary schools, Lyndsay has taken it upon herself to model for her sons how she navigates day-to-day obstacles from her GRIT. As a dad with a daughter, Peter shares his struggles and successes on his journey from being the old-fashioned father who was dedicated to giving directives toward being the dad who is dedicated to de-escalation on all sides. By the end of this episode, you’ll agree that sowing your GRIT is an important investment in the next generation! Note: Haze’s book is called “Know, Grow and Show Your GRIT! Self-Discovery Made Simple”

Ten months after attending her first GRIT workshop, Jennifer Fasciano joins us to reflect on the struggles and successes of using her GRIT to launch her first business. Her company, Jenni_Fire Promotions, is still on-the-rise so this chat is timely and inspiring! Through this candid conversation, we discovered three lines of thinking that serve as major obstacles to launching a small business. Then, we got specific about ways to propel a business forward despite these challenging thoughts: 1 - Just because something comes naturally and may not feel like work to you, this doesn’t mean you always have to share your services, your skills and your time for free. 2 - Packaging your services (i.e., deliverables) in a way that inspires people to see the value and want to pay has its own set of challenges. 3 – It’s really hard to assign a price to services that you’ve been providing for free because you never really thought you could actually build a business on your passion. Join us for a novel perspective on GRIT as a springboard and a propeller; previous comparisons have been to a compass, a backpack, an anchor, a kaleidoscope and even a winter survival kit. Know your GRIT, know your personality and see what’s possible!

Once people have taken the time to define their GRIT, Haze loves to ask if their G, R, I and T words connect, cooperate or compete with one another. In this episode, Haze and Peter turn the tables on themselves to share how their GRIT words get along with each other. This kind of inquiry is a neat way to consider how we’re missing out on opportunities to leverage our skills in the face of obstacles and to consider how we might be getting in our own way as we do hard things. Listen in as they provide examples of the possibilities that exist when your words connect, the ease that exists when your words cooperate and the civil war that ensues when your words compete!

In this episode, you get to meet Mike Adorjan, an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary who currently researches youth, cyber-risk and information communication systems. Mike’s research delves into questions of mental wellbeing as well as the ‘good, bad and ugly’ regarding social media. If you grew up in Clarkson/Lorne Park during the 80s and 90s, you may also know him as “Miketendo”! In their most existential conversation to date, Mike explains how his GRIT allows him to navigate the “terribly wonderful” job of raising young children while knowing what he knows about the internet’s impact on children and youth. Mike is crystal clear that headlines are intentionally general and regular communication is the most effective way to learn about your children’s habits, hopes and hearts. Mike’s GRIT words are Gratitude, Responsibility, Intention and Twist! Haze left the conversation with some profound insights on the ways that GRIT can live in someone’s body as well as someone’s mind. Peter got some perspective on the ways in which monitoring can be less about surveillance and more about awareness/presence. What’s in it for you? Tune in and be prepared to take notes! Mike references several “must read” books including: Cyber-risk and Youth: Digital Citizenship, Privacy and Surveillance. By Michael Adorjan and Rosemary Ricciardelli. Published in 2019 by Routledge.https://www.routledge.com/Cyber-risk-and-Youth-Digital-Citizenship-Privacy-and-Surveillance/Adorjan-Ricciardelli/p/book/9780367663209 Focusing. By Eugene Gendlin. Published in 1978 by Bantam Books. Shared Beginnings, Divergent Lives. By John Laub. Published in 2003 by Harvard University Press. Somatic Reality: Bodily Experience and Emotional Truth. By Stanley Keleman. Published in 1982 by Center Press.

Do you ever wonder if confidence is something that’s always been inside of you but you didn’t recognize it because you were using someone else’s definition? Have you ever thought of approaching obstacles as a way to build confidence instead of needing confidence to approach obstacles? Listen in as Peter, Haze and Kim explore these questions then arrive at these answers: -creating confidence is an obstacle -building confidence means different things to different people -knowing, growing and showing your GRIT is a clear pathway to increasing confidence

In their deepest dive yet, Peter and Haze get down to the nitty gritty with MarkDee of Positive Incite. By looking back and looking ahead, they share stories of navigating three enormous obstacles from their GRIT: -showing up for yourself before showing up for others -being healthy for yourself so you can be your best for others -being present for yourself in order to be present others By the end of the conversation, there are more questions than answers!

We took a long trip down memory lane in this episode with our guest, Andrea, who realized that her initial attempt at knowing her GRIT was partially based on her parents’ voices instead of her own voice! Now that she’s got four children and a busy household to manage, Andrea shares how important it is to connect with your GRIT and keep modelling it for the next generation. From the sounds of things, there just might be a Family GRIT night in her future!

We love words and this episode is all about our search for the “best” way to describe how our GRIT can direct our attention to potential losses or highlight potential gains in the face of challenges. Take a listen and see if you can identify where your GRIT puts you on the continuum of an abundance mindset versus a scarcity mindset. When it’s time to navigate obstacles, do you feel as though you’re in a pit trying to work your way back up to where you started? Maybe you feel as though you’re at the base of a hill trying to decide where to start your climb? Each situation requires the strength and stamina that come from GRIT so both paths are worth the effort!

What do you do when a gigantic “Road Closed” sign appears out of nowhere and obstructs the clearly-defined path to your dreams that you’ve been working on and investing in for years? If you’re anything like Aneesa and Tahir from Offbeet Life, you call on your collective GRIT and blaze a new trail! By sharing their stories of profound loss as well as incredible gains in the last 18 months, they make it crystal clear that approaching obstacles from their collective GRIT has strengthened their relationship as well as their resolve for making Offbeet Life a thriving community in celebration of a plant-based lifestyle.

Have you ever heard of an Assertiveness Template? Have you ever listened to one evolve in real time? Join Peter, Haze and Kim as they explore the obstacles and opportunities that arise when it’s time to set boundaries with kindness and commitment even when confidence might be lacking.

How are the teenagers in your life approaching and navigating obstacles? How can you support them? Our special guest, Kim, shares how GRIT is a framework for the Mental Health curriculum she’s offered to high school students over the last 8 years. Join us as she presents practical strategies that encourage teenagers to believe in their Growth Potential, be Reflective, honour their Individuality and make room for Transformation. If you have young people in your life, get out a pen and paper!

How often do you use the phrase “it’s not good enough” as a reason to hold onto something you’ve created instead of sharing it with others? How often does “it won’t be good enough” come up as a reason not to start something at all? Join us as we navigate the “good enough” obstacle with GRIT!

In this episode, we talk about the ways in which our GRIT was fundamental to our abilities to find new work after losing a job (Haze) and leaving a job (Peter).

If you’re looking for ideas on how to select your G, R, I and T words, take a listen! In this episode, Haze, Peter and their special guest, Lesley, share the back stories of how they selected the words for their GRIT compasses.

In this episode, Haze talks about creating a COVID-specific GRIT compass with a focus on what she can be for others. Peter decides to stay true to his original compass and explore the ways in which his GRIT allows him to be for others.

Here on Grow My GRIT, our intention is to engage with guests and listeners who are ready to know, grow, and show their GRIT, perhaps best described as one's default settings in the face of obstacles.

Hello from Haze and Peter! In this episode, we introduce ourselves, our stories and our GRIT.