Institute for Zen Leadership’s Post

Subject: Uncover Resilience in Times of Crisis with Dr. Ravi Iyer 🌟 Hey there, Inspiring Minds! It’s Shola here, your guide on our collective “Mission to Inspire,” and I’ve just wrapped up a conversation that’s too enlightening to keep to myself. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the remarkable Dr. Ravi Iyer, and trust me, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 🔍 Navigating Life’s Storms with Grace Dr. Iyer, with his 41 years of medical practice, shared his profound insights on thriving amidst crisis and stress. Imagine being the author of your life story, not just a character swept away by the plot. That’s the empowerment Dr. Iyer advocates for, and it’s a game-changer. 📚 “The Reaper Stands” – A Beacon in the Pandemic Fog We dove into his latest book, “The Reaper Stands,” which isn’t just another COVID-19 narrative. It’s a treasure trove of lessons on innovation during adversity, understanding the pandemic’s roots, and its ripple effects on global issues. It’s available on Amazon, and it’s a must-read! 🌄 A Peek Behind the Curtain Dr. Iyer’s personal journey is as captivating as his professional one. From his tranquil childhood in India to his unique exercise routine that transcends traditional yoga, he’s a man of depth and surprises. Coffee lover, early bird, and once a competitive runner – he’s a mosaic of experiences. 🎭 Life’s Many Roles: Actor, Author, Healer Ever felt trapped in your own story? Dr. Iyer teaches us how to step out of the narrative and view our lives with the detachment of an award-winning actor. His life, a series of diverse roles, is a testament to the power of self-empowerment and the art of moving on. 💊 A Leap into Healing Innovations From the Ayer Clinic to founding Active Power, Dr. Iyer’s journey in creating potent anti-inflammatory medicines is as inspiring as it is innovative. His work benefits not just humans but our furry friends too! 🌟 Success Redefined Prepare for a reality check as Dr. Iyer shares a personal revelation that redefines success and happiness. It’s about actions and results, not the pursuit of external validation. A lesson we could all take to heart. I’m still buzzing from the wisdom Dr. Iyer imparted, and I can’t wait for you to join in on this enlightening journey. So, grab your favorite cup of coffee (or tea, if that’s your jam), and let’s dive into this episode together. Your next dose of inspiration is just a play button away. Remember to subscribe, like, share, and drop your thoughts on the show. Your engagement means the world to us and keeps our mission alive! Ravi Iyer MD (Eye-yer) Iyer MD (Eye-yer) Alex Sanfilippo PodMatch Stay inspired, Shola 🌟 P.S. Don’t let the stories of life own you. Be the creator, the narrator, and the inspiration. Let’s embark on this mission together.

🌟 Embrace Your Healing Journey 🌟 💬 "How will you fix me?" This question often arises in therapy sessions, and my response is always the same: "I won't fix you." 🤝 🌱 As a therapist, my role is not to magically solve all your problems or make you into someone you're not. Instead, I am here to support you, guide you, and facilitate your journey towards embodying your true self. 🌟 🔍 Together, we explore the depths of your being, uncovering the layers that have shaped your experiences and beliefs. We work hand in hand to identify and transform the symptoms that may be holding you back. 💪 💖 But here's the beautiful truth: the power to heal lies within you. 🌈 I don't "fix" anyone; I simply create a safe space for you to tap into your own innate healing abilities. You are the hero of your own story, and I am here to walk alongside you on this transformative path. 🚶♀️ 💔 Many of us carry past pain and trauma that can weigh us down and hinder our growth. But I'm here to tell you that healing is possible. Together, we can navigate the depths of your experiences and transform the wounds that have held you back. ✨ By creating a safe and nurturing space, we can explore the impact of past pain and trauma on your life. We'll work together to understand the patterns and beliefs that have been shaped by these experiences, and we'll gently guide you towards healing and empowerment. 🌟 Healing is a journey, not a destination. It's about embracing your vulnerabilities, facing your fears, and embracing the fullness of who you are. It's about reconnecting with your authentic self and finding the strength to rewrite your narrative. 📖 So that you can create success on your terms. 💥 💡 So, if you're seeking coaching or therapy, remember that it's not about someone else fixing you. It's about finding the support and guidance you need to heal yourself. It's about reclaiming your power and creating a life that aligns with your truest desires. ✨ 🙌 Together, let's embark on this empowering journey of self-discovery and growth. Reach out today and let's begin the transformative process of healing, one step at a time. 💫 #TherapyJourney #HealingFromWithin #EmbraceYourTrueSelf #YouAreTheHero #TransformationStartsNow #risingfierce

It's time we founders recognize that healing ourselves is a priority. It doesn't come "after" the exit. After 10 years of intense stress running a company, 3 years of coaching, and 18 months suffering a chronic illness, I'm finally understanding what stress does to us and our work. After battling a severe illness that reached its pinnacle between January 2022 and April 2023, I've been on a slow but steady physical recovery. Now, with regained stability, I'm ready to face the emotional healing that's been waiting for me and find a coach or therapist. How did I realize that I need to start on my next healing journey? I'm diminishing my life's fullness—I get a lot of anxiety when I approach surfing or intense physical exercise, likely due to how my body couldn't tolerate exercise when I was sick. My perception of time is skewed—I tightly manage my day to maximize energy before I experience an afternoon crash, which was common during my illness. I can't relax or slow down. Now that my energy levels are stable, I find my inner planner is rushing me in its attempt to be productive. My sense of safety and tranquillity is compromised—When was the last time you felt safe in your body? This prompt helped me realize that I get fleeting moments of safety, but otherwise I live with shakiness and constriction in my body. It feels like there’s a constant alarm bell going off that no one else hears. I ran a company for 10 years. I’m really good at suffering. Most leaders tolerate a lot of suffering (arguably, we seek it out, too). But suffering reduces our capacity to handle life's toughest challenges, including the ups and downs of running a startup. Facing challenges head-on—be they fundraising, company pivots, or conflicts—is crucial in entrepreneurship. Unhealed trauma diminishes our ability to be present and see the world how it actually is. Healing ourselves as leaders doesn't just benefit us—it transforms our companies. The more we heal, the more capacity we gain - to lead, to be present, and to make better decisions. I'm committed to sharing my healing path as I walk it, amidst the chaos, rather than reflecting from a place of completion. I won't just showcase the healed past; I intend to share the messy present. My current vantage point isn’t a gorgeous horizon with a clear path of light. Instead the messy present is filled with caves I hide to for safety, mountains that block the sunlight, and a few meadows where I find pockets of relaxation. This is the landscape of healing, and I invite you to explore your own terrain—right alongside me. Does this resonate? Have you walked your own path before or in tandem with being a founder or leader? #womenentrepreneurs #coachingbusiness #leadershipcoaching #leadershiplessons

Relapses in the healing journey are very common experience. ➡️Rather than shame ourselves and each other for relapsing, let’s take a more compassionate approach to understanding why relapses may be occuring. Here’s three reasons to explore: 1️⃣ Too fast, too quick When we try and transform our mental health too fast, often we are bypassing core healing work, or perhaps engaging in quick fix/band aid solutions that don’t create the framework for sustainable healing and transformation. At some point, the tools we are using will stop working, or the origin wounds will bubble up for healing, presenting as a relapse in symptoms. 👉Healing asks us to go slowly and sustainably as we work to process our experience and restructure our world. 2️⃣ Unexpected triggers. Sometimes we may feel we are doing quite well, and an unexpected life circumstance or person will come along and trigger something that’s under the surface for healing. It may be a wound we have already worked on, or something new that’s been burried under layers of protection. 👉Healing asks us to undertand that healing happens in waves and spirals, and to be not only self-compassionate, but welcoming when a new trigger asks us to heal another layer of our experience. Rather than relapse, let’s call it a delayering. 3️⃣ Inability to sit with peace, joy or connection There’s often a point on the journey where things start to feel calm, peaceful, joyful and more connected. For some of us, this can feel foreign and exceedingly uncomfortable. We are more familiar with chaos, drama, distress and aloneness. It’s common to feel so uncomfortable that we unconsciously sabotage this transformation point, by creating some kind of drama, or trying to numb the discomfort. Again, this may present as relapse. 👉Healing asks us to notice the discomfort of peace, joy and connection and sit with it. As we build the capacity to be with these new experiences, we repair ‘the trauma paradox’ and make a sustainable shift towards a new world for ourselves. ➡️Relapse happens because we don’t have the capacity to hold our complex healing experiences. 👉Healing asks us to focus on building capacity for ourselves and each other. It’s less about the destination, and more about a mindful journey. ❓What do you think? #healing #recovery #addictionrecovery #traumainformed #mentalhealth 📹Mental Health Film Festival Singapore 🇸🇬

Denver’s Nuggets #18: Healing, resilience, and the power of support Five years ago, my life changed. I was in an accident with an intoxicated driver. My car flipped and landed on its side, leaning against an exit ramp. I was trapped, unconscious, and bleeding. I have two memories from that night. The first is an inexplicable, out-of-body experience where I saw myself being pulled out using the jaws of life and placed on a stretcher. The second was in the ambulance, asking if my husband was okay. He was. After that, darkness. I woke up in a hospital bed, immobilized in a neck brace, covered in cuts and stitches. My teeth had gone through my lip. I had no idea what my healing journey would entail. I had suffered a traumatic brain injury; I was assigned a specialist who had treated soldiers with brain trauma. In one of our early assessments, he asked me to remember three words and repeat them minutes later, but I couldn’t. He stood me up and asked me to close my eyes. I lost my balance, and he had to catch me. My world had become unrecognizable: I couldn’t focus my eyes, stuttered, and was overwhelmed by lights and sounds. Simple stimuli became unbearable, and this lasted for weeks. For months, I attended therapy three times a week, gradually making progress. Through it all, my employer and leader supported me unconditionally. They prioritized my healing, allowing me to do what I could. Now, five years later, I still experience occasional overstimulation. Aggressive driving triggers instant panic. I stutter sometimes, and I have minor facial twitching. But I’ve realized that healing is physical, mental, emotional, and personal. This life experience taught me the following: 1) The Power of a Supportive Workplace: Your employer and leader are monumental in your healing journey. They never made assumptions. Instead, they consistently checked in and created a safe space for me to heal. 2) The Journey Behind the Success: People see the result rather than the long, grueling journey. The healing process was filled with frustration, tears, and moments where I had to stop negative thoughts and pull myself up again consciously. 3) The Importance of a Strong Support System: I’m blessed by the people around me—my husband, family, and close-knit circle of friends. They never hesitate to be there for me, celebrating even the tiniest milestones as monumental victories. This journey has taught me resilience, gratitude, and the true meaning of support in my professional and personal life. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible with the right people by your side. #DenversNuggets #HealingJourney #Resilience #SupportMatters #Gratitude #Leadership #MentalHealth #Recovery

"I've been to professionals several times before, but after a certain point, it stopped helping. I feel like I'm stuck." ➡️ Do you resonate with this statement above? I certainly do. When I had a problem, I looked for a way out. Who can help me? ❇️ Sometimes you find a professional through a recommendation. ❇️ Sometimes you seek out someone yourself in the hope of healing. ❇️ Sometimes you spend even a year in therapy and feel that this path no longer works, leaving you unsure of what to do next. And sometimes you simply don't understand what's happening to you, you just feel like you can't find your place and peace. ➡️ How do you feel you are stuck? ➡️ What is it that hasn't come true from what you’ve longed for? ➡️ Did you enjoy going to the sessions?  ➡️ Was every session another realization for you? When I ask similar questions from clients and patients, some of these are answered immediately, and others are answered with realization and astonishment. Usually I hear these answers: ✴️ It’s painful and I feel completely lost.  ✴️ I was waiting for a change, but the empathy and inspiration was missing. ✴️ I felt some changes at the beginning, then I felt like I was going round and round. ✴️ Sometimes, though many times, I felt that it didn't make any sense. I was on my own journey of self-improvement when I realized the difference between working with someone in trust and partnership and when I felt the connection was one-sided. It also quickly became clear whether a professional was doing their job or living their vocation on the other side. This was the moment that set me on the path to holistic healing. With a holistic approach, it’s possible to treat the person, not just the symptoms. ✅ The self-awareness work does not have to be painful all the time. ✅ It’s possible to use that initial pain and fear to catalyze yourself. ✅ Healing is an experience of a lifetime for you, so why not make it also enjoyable with time? I believe that healing and development happens on many levels. ☯️ first, you understand it ☯️ then you feel it ☯️ afterwards you're able to anchor that moment, when you experience peace and joy ☯️ finally there's nothing to explain – you simply live it I may only be able to offer you support: ✅ on one level ✅ on more levels  And I might not be the person you're looking for at all. ☯️ Trust your intuition and it will become clear to you almost immediately when we talk. ➡️ Will you allow yourself to live in peace? ♾️ I'm Agnes – life and transformational coach, autogenic training therapist, and an old soul dedicated to supporting healing.  ✉️ What I share is based on my own experience. I went through it all to give you a shortcut. 🫶 Feel free to connect, comment or reshare.   ☯ Trust your intuition, you deserve it. #peace #joy #balance #coaching #therapy #awareness #partnership #vocation

Healing is a journey that is as intricate as it is personal. It involves a myriad of experiences that range from self-discovery to the pain of letting go. When one embarks on the path to healing, they might find themselves in a fluctuating state of self-love and self-doubt. This dynamic can often lead to self-criticism, as individuals measure their progress against often unrealistic standards. Part of the healing process is learning and unlearning. It’s about acquiring new perspectives and discarding old patterns that no longer serve us. This phase can be frustrating and full of mistakes, but it is through these errors that we often find growth. During this time, feelings of being overwhelmed are common, as is the struggle to accept the truth about one’s circumstances. Needing help is another crucial aspect of healing, though it can be one of the hardest to embrace. It requires acknowledging vulnerabilities and grieving losses, which can be anything from the end of relationships to the abandonment of long-held beliefs about oneself. It's also about taking responsibility for one's part in past experiences and the journey forward. An example of this could be someone recovering from the end of a long-term relationship. They might oscillate between blaming themselves and understanding that it takes two for a relationship to work. They may have to unlearn the patterns they fell into and learn how to be independent again. During this process, they may feel adrift, struggling with the loss of shared dreams and the reality of single life. They might find it hard to prioritize their needs after years of compromise and struggle to carve out a new identity. In conclusion, healing is not a linear process; it is a layered and often messy journey that encompasses a range of emotions and experiences. It's about finding balance between self-compassion and accountability, seeking support, and fostering resilience. The path to healing requires patience and the understanding that while the journey may be fraught with challenges, each step is a move towards a more whole and healthy self. #mentalhealth

The Importance of Inner Healing: A Personal Journey Many years ago, like countless others, I embarked on a career within the corporate world, driven by the pursuit of experience and financial gain. On one hand, I attained exactly what I sought; on the other, I lost pieces of myself in the process. Amidst this relentless chase, I began to feel the weight of my choices. The environment where I labored was not suited for a spirit like mine—an environment where conformity was celebrated, where those who thrived under micromanagement and worked for external validation were the ones applauded. My dedication and tireless effort were consistently overlooked, my contributions diminished by a management culture that valued obedience over innovation. The workplace itself was a reflection of this oppressive atmosphere. A constant, uninviting smell lingered, natural light rarely made its way inside, and patches of darkness stretched from ceiling to wall, mirroring the gloom that had begun to seep into my soul. The unhappiness grew within me like a spreading fungus, manifesting physically as my health deteriorated. Illness became my companion, and soon the doctors advised surgery to remove a vital organ. Despite my declining health, my employer denied both my sick leave and any chance of unpaid leave, pushing me towards a decision I was unprepared for: resignation. Helpless, with dwindling resources and the trauma of my health hanging over me, I spiraled into depression, isolation, and illness. After leaving, I found solace in a new job that paid better and seemed to offer a healthier environment. I thought I had escaped. But the scars of the past don’t fade so easily. In this new role, old wounds were reopened. Clients were taken from me, and my work was credited to others, leaving me once again trapped in a cycle of stress and despair. The weight of these experiences aged me visibly, the toll of unaddressed trauma leaving deep marks on my spirit. This was the moment I knew healing was my only path forward. True healing—healing that went beyond physical symptoms to address the trauma buried deep in my soul. Trauma is rarely confined to a single event or moment; it often stems from deep-rooted experiences that span generations, manifesting as pain we cannot always explain. The root of human suffering often lies in these invisible wounds. But the beauty of healing is that it is possible to sever these roots, to free oneself from the burdens carried over time. Healing is not merely for the body; it is for the soul. When the spirit heals, its vibrational frequency reverberates outward, manifesting in a healthier body, harmonious relationships, a positive work environment, and a life that reflects the peace within. PC: A glimpse of who I was during one of the most challenging chapters of my life. Healing has changed everything. #SpiritualAwakening #EnergyHealing #HealingEnergy #RiseAbove #WellnessJourney #EmpowerYourself #HealingAndGrowth #VibrateHigher

How does recovery from past adverse experiences look like? To me, healing is akin to a 🥶 windshield clearing after a cold morning. It's a gradual process, often accelerated through intentional effort. Once the windshield is clear, the shift in clarity and perspective can be profound. Similarly, as #healing unfolds, our vision becomes clear and several transformative changes become evident. 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 💫 We start to notice and gain clarity in our perspectives. Instead of self-criticism and self-blame, we start to understand that the trauma we experienced was not our choice or fault, and that we can show ourselves compassion. 💫 We become less likely to focus only on negatives and start to recognize the positive aspects of ourselves and situations. We may learn to hold quick reactions and find ourselves being able to step back for a more balanced perspectives. 💫 We might feel change subtly happening with a growing sense of agency. What we used to hang on to, may have little or no longer have an effect on us. 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 💫 Healing can stir up a mix of deep emotions, including grief, disappointment, fear, confusion, shame and even relief and joy. It's important to acknowledge and process these feelings. 💫 Over time, the intensity of negative emotions related to the trauma decrease. 💫 As we learn to see things from different light and angles, we start to develop a healthier perception, self-image and confidence in who we are. 𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨 💫 We learn to prioritize ourselves and be aware to set boundaries when the lines might be crossed. We may also pick up new skills like saying no to protect our well-being and still maintain healthy relationships. 💫 We prioritize our wants and space, and engage in activities that nourish us physically, mentally and emotionally. 💫 We may learn to let go of unhealthy coping mechanisms and replace them with healthier ones, thereby reducing self-sabotaging or self-destructive behaviours.   💫 We’re able to connect, attract and build relationships based on trust, respect, and mutual support. We may learn to repair relationships after conflicts instead of withdrawing or cutting them out. Healing is a unique and non-linear journey for everyone. It's essential to be patient, kind to oneself, and celebrate progress, no matter how small - and wait for the fog to clear. Have you experienced any of these shifts in your healing journey? Sharing your experiences can inspire and support others. #traumahealing #mentalhealth #resilience #selfcompassion #personalgrowth #therapyworks Photo by Zeeshaan Shabbir: https://lnkd.in/g3PktAMZ

Now, when I go through the entire healing process, recalling those events are just memories. There is no pain attached to it. They don’t hold me back. I can finally talk about it openly. Often, stress, anxiety, worries, overwhelm, and self-sabotage have roots in our past, especially in our childhood. For me, it all began then. Since my early childhood, I felt unsettled that something bad was about to happen, even when nothing negative was happening in my life. I felt like something was wrong, and it was waiting for me to make a mistake. So it can explode and hit me with all its power. Despite my efforts to avoid it, it always happened. It was always pushing me back to repeating the same cycle. Dealing with new crises, and going through the same pattern of feeling that something bad was about to happen again, and it was happening, over and over. No matter what I had planned for the day, it was always consumed by some sort of crisis that required my full attention and energy. My life was constantly spiralling down, and I couldn't understand why. That feeling was always deep inside me. I always heard that quiet voice telling me that whatever I was starting wouldn't work. No matter how hard I would push. Every day, my feelings of anxiety, stress, worries, overwhelm, and insecurity grew stronger and stronger. There was always something inside me that pulled me down, even after my highest highs. I often describe it as if I had a squeezed fist inside my stomach, which was holding my guts, energy, and potential. Sometimes it was relaxing, and sometimes it was squeezing stronger, but it was always present. Telling me to stay where I am, not to move, not to progress because I would fail anyway. And then that doubtful and criticizing voice inside my head. Why can't you do it? What's wrong with you? You have to do it. Everything will collapse if you don't do it. The more I pushed myself, the stronger the resistance was, and I felt tension in my jaw, cheeks, eyebrows, and forehead... Healing isn't easy. It takes time and lots of effort. But it's necessary to "Become Unstuck" and unlock focus, creativity, productivity, and joy. Now, I am no longer held back by my past. It doesn't mean that crises don't happen. But they don't overwhelm me. Don't consume my entire energy. I can stay focused, content and productive for hours. I can be patient and watch from a distance how events unfold while feeling and performing at my best. #stress #stressmanagement #calm #leadership